IC Contact - MoM

[ralltiir]

You've reached Commander Jeroen Akobi. I can't respond right now, however leave a message and I will reply as soon as I am able.

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[ralltiir]

No. It's not the same.

[ Sure, the Empire had been built around the Emperor but it was about more than that. It was about order and stability in the galaxy. Yes, the DS-1 had been built to destroy planets, but that was only because of the escalation of war. That was never the opening shot. ]

The whole system? I can't-- [ He sighs, rubbing at his face. ] No, I can believe it. I don't like it, but I can believe it. You take the worst the Empire has to offer, give them a new figure to unite around, and they would go and wreak such destruction.

[ That wasn't his Empire. That wasn't what he fought for. What he joined for. What he died for. ]

I'm sorry they twisted things in such a way. I don't... I can't offer anything for that. But I'm sorry.

[flightforfreedom]

[ He still couldn't look at Akobi, didn't know what to say. He relaxed, a little, but this wasn't a topic he wanted to dwell on. ]

They'll pay for it. [ There was a dark surety to his voice. Like a solemn vow. ] Soon as I'm back home, it's back to the war.

[ He ducked his head, brow furrowing as they walked. ]

But not here. There's no point, here. As much as he deserves -- there's no justice to be found. Just a never ending cycle of violence, if we let it start up again. So I-- I appreciate the sentiment, but you can kind of see why the future just--

It's not happy for anyone. There isn't a single person from the past that would be happy to hear about all of it.

[ralltiir]

[ Akobi can definitely sense that this is a topic that won't lead anywhere good to dwell on. ]

So you're still--?

[ He chuckles darkly, throwing his head back to look up at the sky as he walked. ]

I had wondered if everyone here was... You know. Like 622 and me.

[ He's begun to think of this place as some sort of weird afterlife. ]

[flightforfreedom]

[ A stab of guilt passed through him and he stopped walking, pausing in the middle of the street and waiting until Akoni followed suit. He looked a little silly, standing there with a rolled up carpet under his arm, but his expression was anything but. There was a fierceness to his gaze when he met Akobi's eyes, and he didn't look away. ]

No. Not all of us. Just most of the people I care about. But that's why it's important.

Me - this is a holding cell, for me. A limbo. But for you and for 622 and Bodhi and Kay - I'm well aware of what this place is for you. The chance it offers. And I'm going to do everything in my power to ensure that you get as much of a chance at a new life as you can, here.

622, too.

I promise.

[ralltiir]

[ Akobi stopped, turning his body to face Poe fully. He didn't look away either, taking in the full force of that gaze. ]

You strike me as a good man, Dameron. [ A smile cracks onto his face. ] For a Rebel.

[flightforfreedom]

[ A very real relief washed over him, though he couldn't quite bring himself to smile. Not because of the sentiment or the words but just remnants of the last conversation. ]

I had a fairly good idea already that you were. From what 622 had told me about you.

[ There was a slight pause before a decision was made. Perhaps less made than it was triggered - something important that now couldn't go unsaid. Still holding Akobi's gaze with a determined earnestness, he added: ]

I care about him. A lot.

More than - more than friends.

[ralltiir]

[ Oh. Well, isn't that an interesting development? Akobi raises a skeptical eyebrow. ]

I see. Does he know this?

[flightforfreedom]

[ A slight heat rose under his skin, darkening his cheeks. He didn't move, or look away. ]

I'm - I'm not sure. Sort of. I think so. It's not - I am well aware it's not exactly something covered in regulations or-- -- --

[ Translation: He had no idea if 622 actually understood how he felt, but: ] I'm working on it.

I just- I know what you mean to him. I know how much he's needed you to be here. And Rebel or not I have no intention of breaking that or taking it away from him. He needs you.

So I - I thought you should know.

[ralltiir]

I'm fairly sure developing feelings for a Rebel pilot is against regulations.

[ But he says it teasingly. ]

622's a grown man. His mind doesn't work the same way as a natural-born human would, but he's an adult, and capable of making his own decisions.

[ That said, he levels a stern finger at Poe. ]

You know that if you hurt him, I'll be on your ass, right?

[flightforfreedom]

You'd have to get in line until after I kicked my own ass first, but yeah.

I wouldn't expect anything less. [ There's no joke to his voice. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself for hurting 622. Still hasn't forgiven himself for the first time.

But after a second he looked embarrassed and glanced down, rubbing his head. ]

... Yeah. I'd want you to.

But let's - let's get that caf.

[ralltiir]

Fine by me.

[ He claps Poe on the shoulder and keeps walking. Though he does give a lingering glance to the rolled up carpet. ]

Do you have an errand to run to an interior design store or something?

[flightforfreedom]

What?

[ He sounded honestly and completely confused - until he followed Akobi's eyeline to the carpet. ]

Oh. No, sorry. I uh - I told you I could fly anything, right?

[ He shrugged his shoulder with the carpet in it, making it wiggle. ]

This is just the most portable. [ There was a slight pause, and then - for the first time in several minutes, cracked a small smile. ]

You wanna see?

[ralltiir]

Yeah, you said that. Still not sure I completely get it...

[ A demonstration would go a long way. ]

Go ahead.

apparently i half wrote this tag on my phone six hours ago and thought i sent it

[flightforfreedom]

[ Poe's smile widened slightly, lopsided, and he pulled the carpet out from under his arms, shook it out, and laid it on the ground.

He then sat on it, uncerimoniously, and a second later it rose, hovering three feet in the air directly in front of Akobi. ]

Well.

Want a ride?

UGH the worst

[ralltiir]

[ Akobi's eyes widen, and he takes a half step back when the carpet rises into the air. ]

But-- How--?

[ He drops to a knee, bending to look underneath the carpet as though Poe has hidden an engine on its underside. ]

It doesn't have any propulsion ability... It's just a carpet!

me, excitedly waiting for a tag, like an idiot

[flightforfreedom]

[ Poe looked amused, tilting his head. ]

Yeah. It's just a carpet. It's not the one flying.

Powers, remember? This is mine. Anything I can plant my ass on, I can fly.

Nothing like trying it out, so. Hop on.

[ralltiir]

[ Still in a certain amount of disbelief, but coming to the conclusion that this is just something he's going to have to accept, Akobi gets back to his feet, then walks around behind Poe and-- carefully and awkwardly because it's a hovering carpet not a fucking sensible mode of transportation like a landspeeder-- climbs on. ]

I feel ridiculous.

i can show you the world

[flightforfreedom]

You'll feel a lot better in about twenty seconds. Promise.

[ He flashed a smile back at him, before leaning over to grap the edge of the carpet. ]

Feel free to hold on if you need to. [ Which was about as much warning as Akobi got before the carpet rose suddenly and rapidly straight into the sky. ]

they're space latino, not space arabic

[ralltiir]

[ Yeah, see, Akobi was Imperial Army, not Navy. He was much more suited to being on the ground than up in the air in a ship or-- on a carpet, as the case may be.

He absolutely grabs hold of Poe, one hand gripping his shoulder and the other fisted in the carpet to keep from falling off. ]

Are you a madman?!

look if the carpet fits

[flightforfreedom]

[ Poe laughed, genuinely, but slowed the carpet down until they were just floating gently above the city. ]

If you want to head back to ground, we can, but - I mean. You gotta admit.

That's a hell of a view.

[ralltiir]

[ Yeah, yeah, the view is nice. Akobi spares it a glance. Maybe two glances. ]

Yeah, set me down. I think I'm good.

[flightforfreedom]

[ He didn't laugh, though he did smother a smile out of view where Akobi couldn't see it.

He lowered them slowly down, then came to a hover about two feet above the ground, only a couple blocks from where they'd taken off in the first place. ]

Lesson learned, I'll bring a ride with walls and a roof next time.

[ralltiir]

[ Akobi quickly steps off and reorients himself, grateful to be back on solid ground. ]

Sorry, just... The wind. The height...

[ He's not a fan. ]

[flightforfreedom]

[ Poe waits until the other man is grounded, then hops off, grabs the carpet and rolls it up in a surprisingly fluid motion.

Then he gives Akobi a warm pat on the back. ]

We call it being Born Infantry. [ He offered a grin. ] No apologies required - I should have given you a gentler introduction.

You alright?

[ralltiir]

I'll live.

[ He's heard it all before, every time he needs to work alongside pilots. He's fine on large, enclosed ships. Even speeders feel more secure. But a flimsy piece of fabric, hurtling through the open air... Not his idea of a safe method of travel. ]

Anyway, which way's that cafe?