Young Dogs, New Tricks

[chiaro_oscuro]

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?" 

Comments

[dark_lady_sariss]

"Yes?"

She shrugs, assuming he's being accurate.

"Or should I haggle at this point? Argue you down to six?"

[chiaro_oscuro]

"Six it is, then."

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."

[dark_lady_sariss]

"Is that a hint, Ben Solo?"

She says it very casually, but all of her words have weight.

[chiaro_oscuro]

"Yes. I was wondering if you'd be interested in a rematch sometime in the future, to help keep our skills sharp."

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.

[dark_lady_sariss]

"An excellent idea, yes."

She looks at the picture a little more.

"Perhaps I might have to break a sweat this time."

[chiaro_oscuro]

"Perhaps you might. I've trained since then."

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."

[dark_lady_sariss]

She inclined her head in agreement.

"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."

[chiaro_oscuro]

Ben Solo is brave, or reckless, no matter which side of the Force he's found himself on. It's a personality trait that's stayed with him whichever name he chooses to go by.

"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."

[dark_lady_sariss]

"Your training was sabotaged," she responds, "not incomplete. That is what I determined. But you'll rise."

She pauses.

"You are a power in the making. We shall see where that goes."

[chiaro_oscuro]

Ben doesn't disagree with Sariss. Snoke was an agent of Palpatine, and Palpatine wanted him to be strong enough to be useful but weak enough to be disposed of.

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."

[dark_lady_sariss]

"Perhaps," she agrees. It is, after all, a possibility.

"There have been greys before, of course, but this is a different place with different circumstances. Who knows what the ultimate result will be."

[chiaro_oscuro]

Ben's been thinking the same thing. That path may be the one that suits him the best.

"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.

[dark_lady_sariss]

"Be sure you remain that way - learn what you can, but ideology can be...seductive."

It's a gentle, subtle warning. She's good at those.

[chiaro_oscuro]

Ben nods in agreement. The warning isn't lost on him.

"There are many places to learn here. The Grand Library's one, and The Viper's Pit is another. I use both."

[dark_lady_sariss]

"There are others," she says, but adds nothing more on that. What would a woman be without her secrets? A dark jedi even more so.

"In any event, at your convenience." She pauses. "Thank you, for the art."

[chiaro_oscuro]

"I would guess there are. I have a lot of exploring to do here." He shrugs. There are places even he wouldn't dig too deeply.

"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."