Ben Solo (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
chiaro_oscuro) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
nexus_crossings2020-06-25 12:22 pm
chiaro_oscuro) wrote in nexus_crossings2020-06-25 12:22 pm
Young Dogs, New Tricks
Ben's in the Plaza this time - still wearing all black, even now that it's summer. He doesn't seem too bothered by the heat, though he brushes sweat off his brow and occasionally takes a drink of cool water from the flask at his side. In this weather, it doesn't pay to take chances with the heat.
But even though his appearance is dark, in other ways he's uncharacteristically cheery. There's a grin on his features as he stands beside a pile of home-drawn sketches, of landscapes and creatures he observed in the Wilds. Even his voice sounds more excited than usual. Ben Solo is visibly happy. And smiling. There's a brightness in his hazel eyes that wasn't there before now.
He won't say what it is to a stranger, but something happened recently involving two people close to him and a "borrowed" PINpoint that put him in a very good mood. He's here for business as well as pleasure, though. Prices are listed beside the samples - he's here to hawk art as well as chat. While most of his earnings come from his repair business, his sketches don't do badly. It took practice, but he reapplied his knowledge of calligraphy and an eye for detail. Art's the quiet, restful hobby he's been looking for.
After he's finished setting up his stall and equipment, he stands beside it with his arms folded, watching the crowd. When someone approaches him, he poses a question.
"What hobbies do you have in the Nexus, or things that help you relax?" He's taking notes from any answers he receives. No harm in trying something new. "Anything you've learned to do here that you couldn't try back home?"
But even though his appearance is dark, in other ways he's uncharacteristically cheery. There's a grin on his features as he stands beside a pile of home-drawn sketches, of landscapes and creatures he observed in the Wilds. Even his voice sounds more excited than usual. Ben Solo is visibly happy. And smiling. There's a brightness in his hazel eyes that wasn't there before now.
He won't say what it is to a stranger, but something happened recently involving two people close to him and a "borrowed" PINpoint that put him in a very good mood. He's here for business as well as pleasure, though. Prices are listed beside the samples - he's here to hawk art as well as chat. While most of his earnings come from his repair business, his sketches don't do badly. It took practice, but he reapplied his knowledge of calligraphy and an eye for detail. Art's the quiet, restful hobby he's been looking for.
After he's finished setting up his stall and equipment, he stands beside it with his arms folded, watching the crowd. When someone approaches him, he poses a question.
"What hobbies do you have in the Nexus, or things that help you relax?" He's taking notes from any answers he receives. No harm in trying something new. "Anything you've learned to do here that you couldn't try back home?"
no subject
Ben's still getting used to it himself. People aren't scared of him here, for the most part, and he's had no need to fight. He's not complaining about it, but peace and rest after a lifetime of violence takes adjustment.
His temper is still there, of course, but he's had no need for it yet. He has it firmly on a leash. He's working to control and manage his darkness so it doesn't master him again. The Jedi didn't teach their students how to manage their feelings properly, one of his philosophical disagreements with them.
"Are you interested in any in particular?" He watches Sariss look through his artwork, curious what she likes.
no subject
The idea of someone with his raw power turning to...commerce? It's unthinkable. And yet, here it is.
Circumstance is a strange master. And he could take a lesson from her. Her darkness is an old friend now, hammered and reshaped on the anvil of her will into a white-hot flame. By and large, tamed. But no less ferocious for all that.
She's looking through portraits and crowd scenes. Perhaps surprisingly, it's people she's finding interesting.
"I'll know when I see it, I suppose," she replies, hiding the uncertainty about all of this from her voice as best she can.
no subject
Ben's found ways to stretch his muscles, though there's rarely any need to fight in the Nexus itself. It clashes with his more cautious instincts. He isn't a trusting man. While he doesn't trust Sariss, the same way he's still uneasy around his grandfather, she's a familiar face.
It's a sense of familiarity to bump into somebody he knows, another Force-user. There are only a few of them here and he's met them all. Part of it's curiosity and part of it's keeping tabs on them.
Ben has learned some useful things from Sariss, and so he respects her. He remembers how she beat him handily in the Viper's Pit.
"Take your time," he says, taking a seat as he watches. "There's plenty on offer. I'd have a hard time choosing just one myself."
no subject
"This one," she says, decisively. She couldn't say why, but there it is.
no subject
"That's a good choice, Sariss. It's yours. What currency would work best for you?"
no subject
"Whichever one this is."
She can, in general, rely on him not to cheat her, she feels. She lifted the coins, so she hasn't the faintest clue what reality they are from. They appear to be made of gold, though.
no subject
"Is seven coins a fair price for the picture, Sariss?"
His prices are more relaxed than they are for his engineering work. This is more of a supplement, a practical way to use a hobby, than the way Ben earns most of his money.
no subject
She shrugs, assuming he's being accurate.
"Or should I haggle at this point? Argue you down to six?"
no subject
Ben flashes a very Solo smile, then slips Sariss back a coin.
"I've been keeping in practice since we last talked. It's been a while."
no subject
She says it very casually, but all of her words have weight.
no subject
Ben knows Sariss is interested in practicing, and so is he. It's easy to grow complacent in the Nexus. He wants to prevent that, and figures she would, too.
no subject
She looks at the picture a little more.
"Perhaps I might have to break a sweat this time."
no subject
Ben hopes he'd be able to give a better fight the second time. At the very least he'd try. He's nothing if not stubborn.
"The same place would be good for me."
no subject
"At your convenience, then. Perhaps I'll not hold back this time, show you what it really takes to win, to survive. Because in a real lighsaber duel, remember - there are only two outcomes. Life or death."
no subject
"I'd like to learn what I can from you. My training was incomplete, as you probably figured out when you fought me. It's a weakness I want to overcome for any battles in the future."
no subject
She pauses.
"You are a power in the making. We shall see where that goes."
no subject
It would have been in the Emperor's interests to make sure his next pet project wasn't too powerful, after what happened with Vader.
"We'll see what I become, then. Even I don't know. I might be something entirely new."
no subject
"There have been greys before, of course, but this is a different place with different circumstances. Who knows what the ultimate result will be."
no subject
"We'll have to see, then. There's a lot of work and training to do before I get there. But I'm interested to see what I become now I'm my own master." Snoke and Palpatine are gone, and Ben free of their influence.
no subject
It's a gentle, subtle warning. She's good at those.
no subject
"There are many places to learn here. The Grand Library's one, and The Viper's Pit is another. I use both."
no subject
"In any event, at your convenience." She pauses. "Thank you, for the art."
no subject
"You're welcome. It's one of my own favorites." Ben leans back in his chair. "I hope you find a good place for it."