[Video]

[out_of_order]

[Cal's leaning against a wall nearly overtaken by clinging vines. He sighs a little before giving a headshake and a sad smile directed off-screen.]

Guess not, buddy.

[He looks back at the screen, rolling back his shoulders as he takes a deep breath, trying to summon a more convincing smile.]

Well, things sure got a lot more...greener around the city. Didn't think we were gone that long, but alien planets, right?

Been easing back into things and I'm sure everyone else has been doing the same, but if anyone needs anything repaired or might want to have a look at salvage parts I've got, just let me know so I can be at the workshop.

Also, if you need some doors or paths cleared, I can probably help with that too.

Guess that's it.

[The Jedi shrugs, offering a nod before he clicks off.]

Comments

(video)

[noch]

What is wrong?

[out_of_order]

[No hiding it from her. He shakes his head.]

Rey and Padmé, they're gone.

[He's not sure if Merrin's met either of them.]

Just a handful of us again.

[noch]

[ Absolutely no hiding anything from her. ]

I see. I'm sorry to hear that.

[ Her expression falls. She didn't know them well, but it's obvious that Cal is sad so she's sad for him. ]

All this time, and you still have not become used to it?

[out_of_order]

I don't know if I'll ever get used to it. Or if it's something I want to get used to.

[It's hard not to feel something when people leave, especially the ones from a familiar territory. He sighs.]

But it's what happens.

[noch]

[ That's her Jedi, she thinks with affection, letting the silence lapse for a moment. Then, softly: ]

I believe you are stronger than I am, Cal Kestis.

[out_of_order]

[A small smile flickers at his lips.]

Don't sell yourself short. Survivors, remember? The strength is in getting through things. ...but it doesn't mean we have to like the things we go through, even if they do happen more than once.

[noch]

[ It's so strange how easily his smile lightens her mood. Every. Time. ]

I would never... "sell myself short."

[ She's insisting. Whether she truly understands the meaning of the phrase or not is anyone's guess. More soberly: ]

You have this way of making it sound very simple.

[out_of_order]

Realizing it's a lot simpler than it is, is the problem. But...people do have a way of complicating things. -not that simple makes things any easier, though.

[He shakes his head, but his smile still holds.]

And sometimes complicating things is better than simple. Like, it would be a lot easier if we didn't allow ourselves to get close to other people, to trust them. But we do, and...that's what makes it more difficult when they're suddenly gone. But that doesn't mean I'd wish I'd never met any of those people.

[noch]

Yes, people do.

[ There's a wry fondness in her voice, though she doesn't elaborate. Instead, she falls silent for a long moment, turning his words over in her head. Forming her own. ]

I am not so certain it is much easier. When I think of my time on Dathomir after my sisters were killed, with no one to trust or care for, it was... lonely. Much more so than I realized then. Even so, I still find it... difficult. As you said.

There is no easy path. Both require strength, though I believe one requires more courage.

[out_of_order]

[Cal nods.]

That's a good way to look at it, yeah. I think you're right.

Hey, I've got some things I need to finish up, but...you want to meet up at the beach later? We can enjoy the fresh air and watch the waves come in.

[noch]

[ Her eyes narrow slightly. ]

Is that all you had in mind?

[out_of_order]

[Sometimes it's difficult gauging her responses, and in this case he's not sure what to make of that look. He blinks, then breathes a laugh, giving her a shrug.]

Well...yeah. I mean, we could go for a swim or something too. I just thought it'd be nice to spend some time together not indoors after all that.

[noch]

[ She was suspicious that he had something else up his sleeve, but alright... sounds legit. ]

That does sound nice. I will meet you there.

[out_of_order]

[Just a minor something, really, but he doesn't think that gifting her with flowers is a thing he needs to be particularly sneaky about, and he's completely sincere in his suggestion.]

Great. I'll see you then.

moving to action

[noch]

True to her word, she does show up at the beach at their nebulously-agreed upon time of later—by teleporting there, of course. (Because she isn't going to walk.) The warmer weather and the fact that this is a beach still doesn't stop her from sporting head-to-toe black, though at least she's forgone the long-sleeved turtlenecks and full-length pants for something a bit less stifling, if only for summer.

Cal wanted to meet here for a reason, even if that reason was as simple as spending time together, so she's very curious to see what's in store...

[out_of_order]

At least the breeze is cooler here, the skies slowly warming in hue as the lengthy day dredges on in its final descent towards twilight. Still, it's plenty light out, and the warmth still radiates from the violet-blue sand.

Unlike someone who's able to teleport, Cal has to travel on foot. After the trip to Sh'Ka he'd changed into something more comfortable, a dark blue, long-sleeved shirt and a pair of less rugged but still dark pants. Guess neither of the two really have much of an idea for beachwear. With no harness to hang onto, BD-1 settles for the strap of the bag that the Jedi has slung over a shoulder.

Cal raises a hand to wave when he sees Merrin. "Hey. Hope you weren't waiting too long."

[noch]

She doesn't wave back, but her expression does soften, seeing him approach, and then softens a little more after she notices BD-1 clinging to his shoulder. These two... absolutely inseparable. "No," she answers bluntly. "I knew you were coming." Would it have been nice if she'd stopped and offered him a ride? Maybe.

The breeze tugs at her hair, pulling more strands loose from her bun, and she reaches up to tuck them behind her ear. "What's this?" she asks next, gesturing to the bag he's carrying. Curiously, but with some amusement.

[out_of_order]

"Oh, just some things." He grins almost mischievously at the vagueness before he stoops down to set the bag on the sand so he can pull out some of its contents. A light blanket, faded from age and likely scavenged at the old department store, a pack of cookies he'd managed to get from the bar. Cal really didn't have much in mind when he'd packed things although as he spreads the blanket out on the sand so they can sit on it if they wanted, he wonders if he should have brought something else.

There's still something else in the bag but it's bundled up, and if Merrin tries to look, he gives her a smile and closes the bag's flap. "Later," he promises.