Video; Charles has his research nerd on again.

[excessivehubris]

[This time when the data pad feed comes on, Charles is not sitting at his usual table in the library but rather he's at one of the tall library windows that looks out across the Coruscant night skyline. His expression is contemplative and it looks as if his mind is anywhere but with his body there in the library. For a long moment, he stands and

Comments

[mercwithmouth]

TL;DR.

[excessivehubris]

I think you mean, 'too long, fell asleep in the the first five sentences', Deadpool.

[mercwithmouth]

Nope. I mean I completely ignored you from word two. Seriously, how do you talk that much?

[excessivehubris]

With my mouth.

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[slayerisms]

And people call me speech-gal. You're really giving me a run for my money here. Maybe next time put your arms-calling before the speechifying.

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[excessivehubris]

Believe it or not, this is the condensed version of what is in this library.

[He arched an eyebrow.]

Not so much a calls to arms as a call to discourse and in this case, I wanted people to have an idea of the nature of the war within the war. It's easy to lose focus on how our actions are supporting Revan.

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[slayerisms]

Any chance I can sit in on this discourse of yours?

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[excessivehubris]

Every chance in the world, Buffy. I was quite hoping you would want too.

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[packing_again]

Huh.

If I'm not shipped off yet, I'd be showing up. No harm in talking.

Provided some guarantee can be made that nobody will be killing anybody. As you pointed out, it's happened among ourselves. I mean, not that I'm afraid for myself. [Her mother? Different thing.]

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[excessivehubris]

It is just meant to be a chance to sit down and talk, River. Not a time for violence.

Just a chance for Outworlders to see and understand that we are all in this together. Perhaps come up with a way to be more aware of each other and less separated in our struggles.

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[packing_again]

Of course. That is the idea. Just make sure you get everybody to agree to that. You do remember the murders that Leia Organa and others reported about two weeks ago, don't you? They might very well have been done by one of us. We aren't safer to each other than the locals are to us, is all I am saying.

That said, I do find it a good idea. Just so long as you don't get your hopes too high.

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[excessivehubris]

If you don't keep your hopes high, River, what's the point in having them? [He smiles with understanding, however.]

We will do our best to ensure that there is an understanding of safety for this meeting.

[If there was even suitable interest in it.]

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[creator_man]

I'm far from a leader of anything, but if there is any way to help stop the war... I'd be willing to help.

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[excessivehubris]

I honestly do not know that we can, my friend. Stop this war. It reaches far too deep and has gone on for far too long.

What we can strive to do is understand it and to not let ourselves be used as mere tools by either side.

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[creator_man]

[Deep breath.]

I won't go to fight. For either side.

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[excessivehubris]

A fair answer, though it begs one question. Were it to become necessary to fight for Outworlders, for those of us brought here against our will. How would you feel then?

[There is nothing in his tone to say he expects a specific answer, rather he is truly open to hear the opinion of another.]

Action

[oxidantshappen]

[ Guess who brought you more brandy. Yeah. Erik knows you're likely to run out with everyone you're talking to, not to mention given what's been distracting you since he came back. Fortunately for Erik, smuggling brandy into the library is easy as it comes, when his presence is a near permanent feature that could almost rival Charles' own. ]

You drink too much, Charles, [ Erik spoke softly, settling a briefcase carefully against the table. After unlatching it, he withdrew two bottles, settling them aside in favor of a polished chessboard as well as a small box.

He didn't wait for Charles to turn around as he continued, having listened to the entire lecture on his return to the library. ] You also make it sound as if I have no freedom of my own in this war, given what you've said about the Sith. [ As frustrated as he is over that mention, Erik is calm in his tone, though Charles is more than likely to pick up the hint of anger at having been made weak in that aspect again. ]

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[excessivehubris]

[Setting aside the data pad, ensuring it was turned off for the time being, Charles sat back in his chair and smiled at his friend.]

Occasionally. [He agreed affably in response to the drinking comment, though there was a flicker of acknowledgement. The bottles caught his attention initially until the chessboard surfaced and Charles' eyes lit up with genuine pleasure.]

Erik! You finished it. [For a moment there was nothing else in the galaxy except his friend's accomplishment and Charles was reaching to run his fingertips over the worked board

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[oxidantshappen]

I know I promised you one earlier, but there were matters to attend to, as I'm sure you know. [ He shrugged by way of response, before pushing himself off the table to walk around to the other side, bringing the box with him. Pulling the chair out, he sat down, carefully setting the pieces; a polished silver for Charles and his own counterpart, a black obsidian he had managed to retrieve. ]

Sounds just like what you told me that day, Charles, [ He said, looking up to meet blue eyes before turning his attention back to the board. Erik needed no answer from Charles to know they'd settle into a game easily that night for the first time in a while. ] that true focus lies between rage and serenity.

[ Setting the final pieces over the board, he looked back up at Charles, recalling the submarine incident and the emphasis that his friend had placed on him. The constant feel of relief when Shaw was dead, the satisfaction he had gained from accomplishing his entire life's worth. But no, Charles had been right, unfortunately - that the

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[excessivehubris]

[Charles merely shook his head and waved off the explanation, his joy in the board an obvious thing that he doesn't even try to contain. As Erik starts to set up the pieces, Charles picks up a 'white' knight and runs his fingers along the metal.

It should feel cold to his fingers but Charles feels only a warmth as he studies the piece.]

Did you make these also?

[He'll come back to your conversation presently, promise. Just for the moment, the chess board and pieces hold his full attention.]