[open] well, shit

[onlydoubts]

WHO: Bodhi Rook and you
WHERE: all the hell over
WHEN: a few days after this and this.
WHAT: Cassian is gone, Bodhi tries to deal.
WARNINGS: rogue one spoilers - death talk, alcohol use and probably some violence.

a ) you've got a lot of heart (bar, somewhere in de chima)

[ Bodhi was being an idiot. As a general thing, he doesn't go out drinking a lot. Before, there'd been visits to a local cantina on a planet he made a stop at, but as he moved up to a route that was considered more or less, a full time job that left him little free time, those visits got less frequent. And here, there's been the occasional jaunt with a friend.

But it was unusual for him to plop himself down on one of the stools, head down and order -- whatever the person next to him was having because his knowledge of earth drinks was still on the more limited side.

It's what he did, though. Earned it.

There's no promise of staying here, he's aware. But since Cassian had disappeared, it left a rift in the group of people he'd come to see as not just his team, but his friends. Jyn and Kay were on the outs and he wasn't sure if he could do anything for either of them, besides be a support, and keep them from making rash decisions.

It was exhausting. And it was so damn unfair -- what was the point of bringing them here, if only to return them a few months later, no chance to truly start anew?

On top of that, the man had a copy, someone running around with his face and taunting him and his friends.

It's needless to say, he's probably gonna need more than one drink. ]

b ) is this real or just a dream (closed to kay)

[ ... that had escalated.

Lapses in his memory were not uncommon, not since Saw's beast had ransacked his mind, but this was probably less to do with that and more to do with how much he had to drink.

(a lot)

And he couldn't remember where he lived.

He stumbled, thankfully on a patch of grass. Comfortable. He'll just stay here, in the park where it's peaceful and quiet and open, staring up at the stars until consciousness evades him. ]


c) rise up like the sun (all about)

[ And two days later, he's out and about -- mostly De Chima, although he'll stop by Neojedha in Maurtia Falls to check over on things over there, and offer a bit of help with the clean up or see if anyone needs a bit of medical help, if he can. Otherwise, Bodhi will grab a coffee and browse the shops, looking in the window at some of the tech shops, or stopping by the library. Right now, it's just about keeping as busy as he can. ]

d ) wildcard

[ you know the drill. If you would like to discuss anything specific, pm or hit me on plurk atghoulified

Comments

C

[therewillbeorder]

[The bookstore embodied everything which was frustrating about this world. He was trying to learn more about Earth in order to work out how to get a foothold here but he hated the smell and feel of books. He had spent most of his life in the vast space of the Unknown Regions so he had gotten used to reading for hours on his datapad.

But books weren't efficient, they took up too much room and were just overall cumbersome. He had run out of things to read on his datapad and he was looking for something interesting that would hold his attention. He wasn't having much luck finding anything of substance either- he currently was paging through a book on space travel of Earth with a look of clear disdain. He was distracted when he saw something from the corner of his eyes. It didn't seem as if the pilot saw him and he moved to make sure he was out of sight while he decided what to do. He wasn't in uniform tonight, he had been browsing in the store before work.

He couldn't see if Bodhi still had the burn on his arm but he had every intention of making sure that he was reminded of his place. Poe Dameron wasn't here to save him now. He approached from behind Bodhi, holding a thick book in his hands. ]

I can't say I expected to run into you here. Where is your new friend?

[Hux kept his tone friendly though there was nothing nice in his expression other than cruel amusement.]

How is your arm?

[onlydoubts]

[ The books were a step back in another direction, but Bodhi didn't find that a bad thing. It was charming.

The thin sheets of paper were far more delicate than a data pad, and you had to actually turn the pages rather than just scroll up and down on the screen. He didn't mind it much, and he spent a fair amount of time here. Best way to read up on Earth things, learn new things (only because he hasn't found out the internet yet).

What he wasn't expecting, was, well... Hux. Because he couldn't have just one good day -- first it had been the fake Cassian and now, Hux.

Tensing slightly, he doesn't need to turn as he recognizes the voice. In fact, Bodhi doesn't look up from the book that proclaimed it had "100 Quick and Easy Recipes". ]

Yeah, well. I can read. Surprise. And I don't spend every waking hour of the day with Poe, we both have lives away from one another.

[ Assuming he likely means Poe, given his help at the swear in. It's now that Bodhi actually turns, crossing his arms and revealing the fact that he's wearing a longer sleeved shirt. ]

It's fine.

[therewillbeorder]

I'm not surprised, actually. The Empire provided education to people who normally wouldn't have access to such resources. Though, it seems you're not intelligent enough to appreciate it at the moment. Such a waste. [he stated as he looked Bodhi over when he turned around, noting the long sleeves.]

I'm glad to hear that, burns can get infected so easily and without bacta here, well- [he trailed off with a tone of cruel amusement. He would have loved to see a scar but he supposed he would have to be satisfied with giving Bodhi another one. He was wondering if the pilot would like one right over his face, see if he could hide it then.]

So what are you reading? [He reached over to just take the book from Bodhi's hand, raising his eyebrows with amusement.]

[onlydoubts]

[ He doesn't even bother replying to the first comment. ]

Yes, the healing here is much different. Not as proficient, or fast, but didn't get infected or anything like that. It must disappoint you that I didn't lose my arm. [ As Hux reaches for the book, Bodhi slams it closed and pulls his arm back and away.

Like hell is he going to let him touch him again. ]

Nothing. I'm just browsing.

[therewillbeorder]

Don't worry, there is always next time.

[And he had no doubt that there would be a next time. He chuckled when Bodhi pulled his hand away. Apparently, the pilot had gotten wise to know to pull his arm away.]

You seem jumpy. I'm sure arriving here after Scarif must have been a difficult adjustment.

[onlydoubts]

[ Bodhi was starting to feel like a cornered animal here, with only a bookshelf at his back and Hux standing in his direct path. Public store or not, he wasn't gonna let this guy intimidate or knock him around. ]

Not as difficult as you think.

Is there a reason that you're here?

[therewillbeorder]

Do I need a reason to be in a bookstore? [He asked with amusement as he leaned in. But he didn't make a move to grab the pilot, only picking up a children's book about space from the bookshelf from behind Bodhi.]

Oh now, this looks interesting and just the type of thing you may like. It even has pictures so you can understand it better. [He held out the book so Bodhi could see.]

You can show it to Dameron, I'm sure it would be just at his level as well.

A

[freedomflighter]

[ Finn wasn't really a drinker, either, but he knew people were a little more open, a little easier to read in a place like this. Easier to get an idea how humans lived on this world. After his first week he'd learned from Han and Bella what drinks he actually liked that weren't too high in alcohol content, so he orders his now familiar brand of beer as he slides into a seat.

Next to a much more depressed looking guy. ]

Hey, man.

[onlydoubts]

[ Sorry you got stuck with Mr. Not so upbeat company tonight, Finn. Bodhi stops his curious look around the bar as he waits for his drink to the man who'd sat down on the other side of him. He nods. ]

Oh, hey. Um... how's it going?

[freedomflighter]

Gonna guess not as bad as yours.

[A guy didn't need a magical Force power to pick up on some one having a crap...life, Poe was gonna guess? And while playing at psychological analyst wasn't his thing, this was just sad looking.]

[onlydoubts]

Heh. [ That earns a small chuckle out of him, because... well. ] I can't speak to that being true or not, I don't know how you're doing. You could be doing terribly and handling it in a lot better manner than me.

But, ah. [ Bodhi shrugs ] You're right, it's been a long few days.

[ And doesn't look like much will change in the near distant future. ]

[freedomflighter]

I am...

[He takes the moment to think about it, to savor the whole experience of just saying how he was doing. Something, he'd come to learn, was actually common out in the real world.]

Good, actually. Better than people'd think, with being in the wrong galaxy and all.

[He almost took a sip of beer, then looked at the other man with something approaching guilt.]

Not that that help you much, yeah?

[onlydoubts]

Yeah? You wouldn't happen to be from the galaxy with the Jedi, would you? If so, you'll find that half of it seems to be here already. [ The only people he's seen refer to it as a 'galaxy' instead of 'world' or 'universe' are ones from his own, so far - so maybe he's not far off in thinking so. ]

No, it's fine. It's not right to expect you to be miserable just cause I am. And I apologize in advance in case my company is terrible.

b

[reexamined]

[Kay has very rarely returned to their shared housing since his row with Jyn. It isn't like he needed to be there much anyway, aside to recharge, but he's been avoiding it on purpose now. Sometimes that means he's just walking around, aimlessly while thinking. Technically, he gets no benefit from nature. It doesn't consist of things that directly benefit him.

But he was here for a reason. He was stalking Bodhi. He had seen the other leave the bar, stumbling and eventually finding his way to the park where he collapsed on the grass. If he remains out here overnight, the chances of him catching ill are high enough for him to be concerned. Not that he really was considering leaving the other here alone.

The familiar metal whir and clunk of his feet approach, and maybe Bodhi will be aware,
but maybe he won't. He seems very out-of-it, maybe even enough so to not notice the seven foot tall robot.]

Bodhi.

[Come on, get up buddy.]

[onlydoubts]

[ It's true, he hasn't seen a whole lot of Kay when he's at the house, unfortunate as he wonders what he's been up to and well, he's come to enjoy the company. But everyone is dealing with things in their own way. Kay included -- if he needed time and space, he had that right.

And. This was dealing, right?

Bodhi didn't really note the appearance or familiar sounds until he's standing directly over him, which is a testament to how far gone actually he is. He blinks up at the tall droid, and closes his eyes again. ]

Kay, hey. Where you been?

[reexamined]

Around. I can see you have also been "around." You are intoxicated beyond coherent levels. You will pass out here, if left alone.

[Which isn't good. Still, a passing thought considers what it's like to be that far incoherent. The subject of 'being drunk' and 'alcoholism' has come up a good many times since his reprogramming.

But that's not a thought for now.]

I will take you home.

[onlydoubts]

Nah, I'm not that drunk. [ ... coming from the guy lying on the grass for no particular reason, other than it's comfortable? Might not mean a whole lot.

Bodhi can count on one hand the number of times he's done this. Not many. The number of times he'd had to drag his co-pilot out so they could make schedule, though.

When Kay mentions bringing him home, he shakes his head. ]

Not yet. I want to look at the stars.

[reexamined]

I suspect your blood alcohol content percentage is well within range of being that drunk.

[However, Bodhi doesn't seem willing to get up, and he's not about to force him.]

The stars?

[They don't have any familiarity to them. Not that he's bothered to study too may star arrangements, or even... really spent too much time looking up at them, really. He sees stars all the time. As does Bodhi. Or... at least they did.

Kay pauses, and then (a little awkwardly) lowers himself to his knee joints, and then lies down next to Bodhi. It's not uncomfortable, purely because he can't be uncomfortable. He rests his hands on his chest plate, and also looks at the stars. He doesn't get the big deal about it, though.]

Are you feeling "nostalgic"?

[onlydoubts]

[ Ehhh. He shrugs. Kay would probably know that better than him. He doesn't feel that drunk, the not wanting to get up aside. He nods opening his eyes again, as the droid situates himself next to him, glancing over with a small smile. ]

The stars. Yeah, you could say that I am. I mean... we're here, on the ground. There's no going back up to them, and I'm so used to being a lot closer.

[ He points, upward towards the sky, directly above them. ] Been trying to read a bit about them here, think that really bright one is a planet by the name of Jupiter. Did you know that most of the planets up there have never had life on them? At all?

[ From the tone of his voice, he's generally awed by that fact. ]

C

[couldbebeautiful]

[Veronica is also keeping busy, which generally just means she's wandering around the four cities when she's not working or hanging out with her friends, because right now the house is a little—tense, let's just say, the kind of tense that makes Veronica feel a little uncomfortable in her own skin. So for the most part she's pretty much evacuated to the outside world.

That's why she's at a café when she spies Bodhi coming in, and immediately her hand shoots up.]

Hey! [That should get his attention. She waves at an empty seat, across from her.]

[onlydoubts]

[ Bodhi's feeling the same today, with the tension leaving him wondering when the other shoe is to fall. When they know for sure that Cassian isn't coming back?

The familiar voice has him looking away from the menu that he'd been considering, turning towards the source of it. Approaching, he takes the offered seat with a small nod and smile. ]

Afternoon, Veronica. Looks like we both had the same idea today.

[couldbebeautiful]

[A week. A month. She's not sure, herself.]

Great minds think alike, Bodhi, or so I've been told. [Or—more accurately, traumatized and slightly fucked-up minds think alike.] I'm waiting on my donut and latte, what about you? What dragged you out here? [Cassian, probably. More to the point, avoiding thinking about him and how long he's been missing.]

[onlydoubts]

Is that what you'd recommend off the menu? [ Hey, who says they can't be great and fucked up at the same time? He shrugs, shaking his head a little.

The answer hangs in the air, she already knows it. Cassian. And Jyn. And Kay. And even though they'd apparently reconciled after that argument, things still feel... off. It's easier, to be out than be home and be so aware of the person they were missing. ]

Just didn't feel like staying in today.

[couldbebeautiful]

Not really, their croissants are much better, but a donut and a latte are cheaper.

[And Veronica's not exactly tight on money here, she has a sizable amount of savings squirreled away, but old habits die hard. She still remembers Heather's taunt about her house.]

Neither did I. [She tears a bit off her donut off. There's a great big elephant in the room, and it's got Cassian and Kay and Jyn's names written on the side.] You were a pilot, right?

[onlydoubts]

[ Old habits, yeah? Bodhi orders the same as her as the server comes by. ]

Things have been a little.... tense. How have you been holding up? [ And to her question. ] Yeah, I was a cargo pilot.