Skywalker Apartment [early afternoon, GFFA time]

[momslilassassin]

The nice thing about the time difference between home and Fandom was that Ben had time to run a few errands for his father (the reason he'd come back home), pick up a package of comfort food for Tahiri and still have time to meet up with Ender and Karla for lunch before they headed back.

"So, any particular food requests today?" he asked them. "Dad said he might be able to swing by if we pick somewhere close to the Temple."

[OOC: For Ender and Karla!]

Comments

[glacial_queen]

"We could wear disguises?" Karla was just a bundle of good ideas today. "It could be an exciting mystery for everyone involved."

She paused, and gave him an impish grin. "We'd even let you come along if you wanted..."

That's right, Karla. Try to lure the Head of the Jedi Order into mischief in the marketplace.

[momslilassassin]

Luke chuckled. "Thank you, but I think I'll pass. I have enough to keep me in trouble as it is."

[glacial_queen]

"Well, I hope you'll at least be able to join us for lunch then," Karla asked. "Ender and I have been looking forward to hearing all the embarrassing stories from Ben's childhood."

[momslilassassin]

"Oh, he was a pretty good kid," Luke said, reaching out to ruffle Ben's hair. "Strange taste in pets, but that wasn't entirely his fault."

"Daaaaad," Ben whined in the intergalactic whine of teenagers.

[glacial_queen]

"Did you keep a baby rancor?" Karla teased. "Because I can see you trying, you know."

[momslilassassin]

Ben shook his head. "A Gorog assassin," he muttered, cheeks going red.

[glacial_queen]

"I'm not sure what a Gorog is," Karla said, rubbing her temples, "but I'm hoping assassin is one of those terms that doesn't quite mean the same thing I think it does?"

[momslilassassin]

"Sentient bug species," Luke answered before Ben could. "It tried to kill Mara."

He laughed. "Ben didn't get to have pets after that."

[glacial_queen]

Karla just kept looking from Luke to Ben and back. "You don't get to have pets back in Fandom, either," she decided. "Only you would cradle assassin bugs to your bosom."

Okay, him and Ender but that was really just par for the course by now.

[momslilassassin]

"He didn't tell me he was an assassin," Ben said sulkily.

Luke just grinned.

[glacial_queen]

"That would kind of ruin the surprise, don't you think?" Karla said, rolling her eyes.

[momslilassassin]

"It's not like he really had a chance against Mom anyway," Ben replied. "And he wasn't really...cuddly...to start with."

[glacial_queen]

"Giant. Bug." Karla shook her head, surprised and yet, not at all, they were having this conversation. "I doubted the cuddly from the moment you mentioned it."

Not that Karla had to ask why Ben would take such a creature as a pet. Loneliness was a powerful motivator.

She gave him a fond smile. "Next time, stick to baby rancors."

[momslilassassin]

Luke gave Ben a quick look and grinned. "No mentioning that idea to Amelia, got it? Han might have to follow through on it."

[glacial_queen]

"Amelia?" Karla asked. "Does she look at life like it's a dare, too?"

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "Uncle Han and Aunt Leia adopted a war orphan about a year back. She...keeps them busy."

[glacial_queen]

"I'm sure she's a lovely role-model for Jaenelle," Karla murmured, trying to look innocent.

[momslilassassin]

Ben reached into the Force to thwap Karla in the ear, but it was too late.

"Jaenelle?" Luke repeated. "Who's that?"

[glacial_queen]

"You said you were bringing holos!" Karla retorted, rubbing her ear and not yet answering Luke's question.

[momslilassassin]

"I hadn't gotten around to showing them," Ben said, flushing crimson. "Remember how I told you about the little girl that showed up last year who said she was from some future where Aravis and I got married?"

Luke nodded.

"This year one came for Karla and I."

[glacial_queen]

"She was adorable and had a habit of saying things I really wished she wouldn't," Karla added, shooting Ben an ironic glance. "I can't imagine where she got that from."

[momslilassassin]

Luke smiled. "Hard to imagine."

[glacial_queen]

"Did she keep pestering you about a younger sibling, too?" Karla asked Ben. "That was weird."

[momslilassassin]

Ben turned crimson, which was enough of an answer.

[glacial_queen]

"Well?" Karla demanded. "What did you say?"

Ben, please don't abandon her in your galaxy, even if she really, really has it coming.