oratorical | IC Contact

[He points at himself while parting his mouth open a little. Poe does take a moment to think about what he is going to say next. Because it wasn't just a Force choke that can happen. There were far worse things that could happen.]

Yet, usually when you say something to them in the right way, it happens. You can simply state that they need to change their techniques and get yourself into trouble.

[The area grows dark around him and cold, extremely cold, as if a the biting chill of winter had showed up in the living room around them. Poe knew that the Force could be dangerous but it depended on how anyone used it. It could be used for good.]

Have you ever considered that the dunamis could be used against the Force? Of course, there are differences. [He pauses for a moment.] Very big differences.

It's possible. But to match the level of control he has over the Force, you'd need to serious intensive training for years.

[And that's her being generous. Perhaps someone with a more natural aptitude for something like Dunamis might take less time to get that level of control over the emotion magic, but even then, she'd seen Darth Vader using the Force first-hand. She knew how dangerous he is, and how he'd likely still be just as dangerous here, now, as Anakin rather than as the black-armored nightmare she had met.]

But with the dunamis the emotion effect you create could distract them. It may not be the same thing. But if you can figure out which emotion does what and then be able to control it. It might be possible to do something. Even if they may end up with the upper hand of being quicker because of their more in depth training.

[He could try practicing against someone that uses the Force with the dunamis things he knows. But he knew that he's not ready for that. It would be all about time and practice. All he had now was time to do whatever.]

I'm not interested in arguing over hypothetical situations, Poe.

[Yes, what he's saying is possible, but a distraction only lasts so long, especially against Darth Vader, and especially if you don't have a ship to jump in to take you as far away as possible from that monster. Leia knows that first hand.]

My take on the situation is it's best to leave it to the Jedi. They have the talent and expertise to do what needs to be done to control him when he becomes a problem. I don't want you or anyone else getting hurt unnecessarily because you underestimate him.

Fine.

[He'll take that as a small win, because he isn't going to be bringing up this topic again for quite some time. Poe knew when to take a step back from arguments with Leia. Most of the time they were rather educational.]

There are a lot more Jedi around that should be able to stop him if anything goes wrong. I don't plan to underestimate him though. Learning about him might be better too. I will be careful. I'll choose when the right time is to approach him. We shouldn't continue to fight while we have a chance to make something better here.

Instead of learning about him directly, if you must, learn about what he's capable of from Obi-Wan or Qui-Gon instead.

[They were just as knowledgeable and talented in the Force, and would be able to share tips with Poe about where Anakin might be vulnerable or something like that. It's safer that way for everyone.]

The next time I see Qui-Gon I'll ask him. Sometimes it's better to see or hear from the person themselves to make a better judgement on what they are truly thinking. Even words can have a meaning to them too.

[Poe had words actually save him once. That's all he could use that one time too. He knew that Anakin was dangerous but he still wanted to know the young man for himself too.]

And sometimes it's not worth listening to the person themselves.

[Because she sees that passive aggressive (or what she sees as passive aggressive) hinting at listening to Anakin, and she's having none of it. Also applies to: Hux. Even if Hux was shockingly on her side on the Anakin issue.]

If it's not worth listening to people in general, than what's the point at all? I do agree that he needs to be watched. You make a good point about him attacking people but there's usually a reason for it. Even if there's not, that's not an excuse or acceptable.

[Poe knew that listening to people actually did matter. It didn't matter if they were from the same side or not, they always seemed important.]

I certainly did not come here to have this talk. We can leave it to the wayside for now. [The very far wayside.] What other things did you end up getting?

Darth Vader does not need a reason to attack people, least of all a Force-sensitive person. I can't understand why this is so difficult for you to understand.

[Maybe because he never saw Vader himself, but Leia's sure the stories that must be around in Poe's time should have done a decent enough job of describing what kind of a monster he was.

But fine, she can leave it aside for now, now that she's got her last word in here, and focus on Poe's question instead.]

Only something from Luke. But neither of you had to get me anything.

[She likes the gifts, sure, but she doesn't want them to go out of their way for a holiday that isn't even in their galaxy. She can give gifts, though, she's allowed to do that.]

[It wouldn't be Leia if she didn't get the last word in. Poe didn't want to continue that particular conversation. He will wait to bring up Anakin Skywalker, when it's necessary to.

He gives a small smile at her. The gift had been in the making for a little while. There really was no excuse and he could have given it to her whenever. Poe had been trying to figure out some of the customs around here. They didn't seem too bad.]

I know, but I couldn't pass up a good opportunity to finish the gift. Plus join in the traditions here. [There's a small shrug to go along with that.]

Besides, I consider you a friend. [He looks at her.] Even if we may not always agree on certain things. But you do put things in a perspective that should be considered.

[Considering the previous conversation, Leia does not match the smile he offers. Instead, she tilts her head, lifting her chin as she looks him over.

He's not wrong about thinking it a good idea to join in on the traditions here, and she does consider Poe a friend, in some sense. But the more he brings up "not always agreeing on certain things," the worse her mood gets. Not enough to lose her composure and snap at him, but certainly enough to act less like her actual self, and more like the sort of facade she would put on to hide herself and her true feelings.]

Because you don't seem to understand, even now, Poe: this is not an issue we can calmly discuss as if it doesn't affect us. This is not a matter of debate, or agreeing or disagreeing with one another. The fact of the matter is he's dangerous--to us, to the other otherworlders, and to the natives of this world--and this is not just a perspective I have. It's a fact, and it's supported by his own behavior.

You can choose to believe otherwise if that suits you, but you and anyone else blindly ignoring these warning signs are mistaken if that's what you choose. I consider you a friend, as well, but stating that in the midst of an argument does not change my viewpoint.

[That is not what he meant. How did he end up in this mess? Poe has seen that look before. He presses his lips together while keeping his facial expression neutral. It was for the best really he didn't want to upset her further. That wasn't what he had meant by not agreeing with certain things. She usually schooled him in his mistakes anyway. It was the best lessons he had learned. So maybe, a different approach...]

I do understand that it affects us. I do understand he's a danger to us and anyone else here. [He pauses while glancing down towards his hands.] Do I trust him? No. I don't. Would I trust other people here before him? Yes, because there's far more people here that I would trust. But, I have to be careful with who I trust. I already faced frustrations when it comes to that. And also questioning your squadron. The people you consider family.

To be honest, I didn't want to argue anymore. I didn't mean to state that as if it was intentional. Because it wasn't. It's not something I would drop in a middle of argument either. [Poe looks slowly up from his hands back at Leia.]

I was trying to move on from it considering it seems to be not a good topic of choice for you. [He can tell from how she was being and she had her own right to.] I'm not being blind. I'm trying to learn something from them. I've already seen what people can do when they're desperate enough.

[She can understand his feeling, especially with doubting people that you were close to before. Because that's how it was with her now. Not that there's many she trusts, since letting people in beneath her facade isn't something Leia does often, but Obi-Wan seemingly choosing Anakin over protecting everyone else if it comes to that is like questioning people she sees as family.

It's not that she's not still irritated with the previous subject, or with Poe seemingly still giving Anakin somewhat of a chance to explain himself--however futile she thinks it to be--but she'll change the subject for now.]

What happened with your squadron?

[Perhaps, he learned from the best already, that trusting people meant a lot. He had to find the right people for when things fall apart that he could trust and depend on them. Terex had put a lot of doubt and frustration into him. There was a lot more that Poe could still learn, and he was mostly from General Organa.

Poe knew that he wouldn't be able to trust Anakin, not fully. Yes, keeping an eye on him is good, the Jedi can but so could he. He knew that information was important to have. He won't risk getting into a fight with him but he could at least try to protect himself against him. That's all he was after at this point. He wouldn't dare shoot first. He didn't in the beginning when trying to find Lor San Tekka against the First Order. It meant trouble for them if they had first.]

A man who worked for the First Order, who apparently was also a crimelord on Kaddak, put a lot of doubt into the team I had picked to trust. People I considered family, one of them as close as being a grandparent or close relative. He's been around since I was a kid. I had been told that I needed to find people to trust. In case things... don't go all according to plan.

[He pauses while looking at her, giving her a small polite smile.] I'm sure you can guess who might have told me that. Yet, it's not a coincidence when the First Order keeps showing up on almost every single mission you're on. Or people on your squadron telling you things that don't quite add up. I started doubting everyone on my squadron because of it too. I won't be making the same mistakes twice.

[She listens as Poe continues, holding any questions or comments she has--and she has many of them--until the end. Because interrupting is rude, and this story isn't one she's ever heard before. And while she is still irritated, she respects Poe enough to treat him with some common courtesy while he explains.]

It's a hard lesson to learn, and I'm sorry you had to experience it first-hand.

[Because she doesn't like doubting or just not trusting people, either, even if it's become practically second nature by now.]

You made it through all this, though, clearly.

[Which isn't to diminish his experience. Rather, it's prompting him to continue.]

It was a hard lesson to learn. Probably for the best that it happened when it did too. But in the end, listening to someone else's advice paid off. It meant I knew who I could trust during those missions that would fall apart.

[He looks at her, because he knows that whatever Leia says to him that he won't just toss to the side or not use it. She has wisdom that others should listen to. Yes, his viewpoint might be a bit askew. That's because someone isn't fully Vader. The hope could be that he never becomes that fearful dark being. To make sure that it won't be a possibility.]

Yes I did. There would be many more adventures after that.

[She doesn't appreciate the tone Poe's using, taking it to be him attempting to lecture her on listening to others, about the subject of their earlier conversation in particular. Because she has no reason to listen to anyone saying Anakin can't be, won't be, and isn't a danger, it's not even just her bias talking. Anakin himself has already proven it, and the people who were still saying that sort of thing were the ones who needed to listen.

She looks Poe over coolly once more, raising her chin slightly as she does so.]

Then perhaps you should heed your own advice and listen to what I've been telling you. I don't want to see you injured, or worse.

The person I listen to the most is you. It's what I've been trying to say. Just in a more of a less direct kind of way, since it's a you in the future. Leia, if I wanted to be quite frank with you, and I will be now. Your words mean a lot. I'm not about to brush them off to the wayside. I've been through worse already. I'm willing to learn what else you may be able to show me. If you're willing to do the same.

[He wasn't about to lie about that but he's not about to go into Ren talks either. Ren can stay far into the corner right now. This was about Leia.]

But if there's trouble I can't help it. I can't sit and do nothing. If I have to stay on the sidelines... I'll figure out another way to help or hopefully solve the solution without fighting in the first place.

[She's glad, at least, that someone besides Han and Luke is willing to listen to her on this. Well, Qui-Gon listened, too, but not until later on. But commenting on it isn't something she wants to do. Instead, her posture relaxes slightly, softening and seeming more open than before.]

I respect that, Poe, so long as you promise me you won't risk your personal safety for this.

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