video: un; just.rey (set after the Palpatine plot)

[makesrocksfloat]

[Someone has been having a month. technically two. so she looks almost combative when she asks]

Right, apparently I--me--some version of me has been here before.

I'm asking who knew me, what they knew about me, and if they want to keep knowing me.

[private to Kylo Ren]

Did you know?

Comments

[makesrocksfloat]

...oh. So I'm the lucky me to find out. I hope any others never do.

[survivalthroughhate]

It is a difficult burden to bear. But at least here you have an advantage. No one here sees him as a figure to emulate or someone to serve. No one will want to seek you out purely because you are of his bloodline and that might mean something to them. I've told of his cruelty and it has been played out for people enough times that by now all know him for the monster he truly is.

[makesrocksfloat]

But if they know I'm his--his--[the word 'granddaughter' sticks in her throat]--related to him, won't they think I'm bad, too?

[survivalthroughhate]

They all know I was his apprentice and that he was the closest thing I ever had to a father. But they have not judged me just solely off that information. They judge me on what I have done here and now in the present.

[makesrocksfloat]

Then, if you're okay, I should be too? [she says, hope lacing her voice]

[survivalthroughhate]

Precisely. You have two advantages Palpatine never had: the ability to feel love and practice kindness. They will serve you well here.

[makesrocksfloat]

[the word 'Ben' aches through her like an open wound] The one I love is gone. But kindness...I can do that. I can.

[survivalthroughhate]

That's more than enough. He never understood that a lust for power can not replace the kindness and compassion you feel when you form connections with other people.

[makesrocksfloat]

You're right. Palpatine would never understand it. But...do you think Ben might have?

[survivalthroughhate]

Ben? [Then he realized who she was talking about. Of course that wannabe Dark Sider would have changed his name to something with a bit more edge to it. He paused for a moment before he said gently:] Yes. I think he would have. He could understand love no matter how much he wanted to cling solely to the darkness.

[makesrocksfloat]

Yes? [...kriff. she should have said Kylo Ren. there's a good chance she blew his real identity] I...think you're right. When he was kind to me, he had nothing to gain. [other than her trust. but she doesn't think that was his big motivation]