(Untitled)

[prince_organa]

Enter one confused blond teenager, stage left. Luke, meet sign. Sign, Luke.

Well then. Why the hell not?

"Is there any difference between retaliation and revenge?" He looks around. "And since when does this base have extra dimensions?"

Comments

[vicioussweetie]

"I say there's a difference, that retaliation seeks justice while revenge seeks only a continuation of pain. And since...whenver your portal formed. Hello!"

[prince_organa]

"I want justice very badly, but this is a personal matter. I don't want my judgment clouded." He shakes his head and puts on the Big Diplomatic Smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

[vicioussweetie]

"Then let someone else be the judge." She smiles more genuinely. "And you. I'm Ali."

[prince_organa]

"And that would be why I'm seeking others' advice." He tries his very best not to look boyish and nods his head slightly. "Luke Organa."

[vicioussweetie]

"I see. Prince, I assume? And...a friend of Leia's?"

Social time is over, and she looks serious now. "What happened, that you want revenge for?"

[prince_organa]

It's a real smile this time. "That's right. Is she here?"

He sobers quickly. "My homeworld was destroyed and my family was killed."

[vicioussweetie]

"She is sometimes."

She touches his cheek with one of her callused hands, a soft touch meant to offer comfort. "I'm sorry. It would be best to let someone else make this decision, because there are some things from which even gods cannot distance themselves."

[prince_organa]

He looks reassured by the news about Leia -- and, just maybe, by the hand on his cheek -- but that disappears behind the diplomatic mask. "I lead other people. I won't always be able to rely on others to make these kinds of decisions."

[vicioussweetie]

"Even the strongest leader needs someone to fall back on." She gives him a piercing look, one that says I know this game, you can't fool me. "Otherwise you become a tyrant."

[prince_organa]

He sets his jaw and does his best to look determined, like Bail was. "I have the generals and the other leaders, and Leia when she's not on her missions. I'd be a poor tyrant anyway."

[vicioussweetie]

"Most tyrants are, you know." She grins suddenly. "So. Ask the generals and others and Leia what they think you should do. See? Not so hard."

[prince_organa]

"That isn't what I meant." But he can't help smiling a little. "There's no point asking Leia. Her suggestions all involve blowing things up. It's a nice idea, though."

[vicioussweetie]

"You say that like blowing things up isn't a viable option for you." And another man falls to the plague of smiles. Triumph! "Or just in general. Sometimes things deserve to be blown up."

[prince_organa]

Smiles are contagious! It's not his fault! "I don't like violence except as a last resort. Leia's more..." Polite word. Must find polite word. "Proactive?"

[vicioussweetie]

"To be polite about it?" She grins.

[prince_organa]

"To be diplomatic. We're not strong enough for that kind of direct attack yet. She's just enthusiastic."

He's trying to sound exasperated. Honestly.