roguesquadron | hurt/comfort meme

hurt/comfort meme

the hurt/comfort meme

It is in times of distress that hope is truly found. How you handle those periods of duress is a mark of character. Whether you're the one in pain, providing sanctuary, or even if that ache is mutual, hurt/comfort is all about empathy. Connecting with the people around you.

Instructions:

→ Post with your character (note name, canon [if relevant], and preferences in the subject line).
→ Others reply by either generating a number between 1-21 for a prompt, ~~or go off script, I'm not the boss of you~~.
→ Go forth and connect.

Options:

o1. injury: somehow, you've been injured. the severity, whether a mortal wound or "just a scrape" is up to you.
o2. sickness: thinking of calling out of work today? chances are you've got a common bug...or worse.
o3. fear & anxiety: careful where you throw that "scared to death" nonsense...it might just be an omen.
o4. loss of senses: you're missing one of those fundamental six senses, whether it's your sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste, or the Force.
o5. despair: the idea of hope looks more and more like a pipe dream right now.
o6. breakup: and we are never ever ever ever getting back together. ever.
o7. makeup: but you called me up again tonight...
o8. rescued: it's time for one of you to get your damsel in distress on.
o9. bad romance: i knew you were trouble when you walked in.
1o. loss: one of you has just experienced a loss of some kind; can you cope?
11. insanity: for whatever reason, "reason" is lost to you. you're seeing and hearing things. sometimes dead people.
12. tired/insomnia: is it the caffeine or the fact that you never leave your damned senatorial office? whether it's just lack of sleep or lack of energy, this exhaustion is bone-deep.
13. addiction: something's got you hooked, and you might just need a helping hand to give it some distance.
14. nightmares: okay, now you're definitely seeing dead people. do you dare go back to sleep?
15. blackmail: you've been caught and the evidence is compromising. do you seek help or vengeance?
16. separation/homesickness: whatever it is, the nostalgia's got you missing something (or someone) awfully.
17. betrayal: your trust has been violated, but is it a real or imagined slight?
18. stranded: you're stuck. maybe someone crashed your only ship for the 50th damn time. are you sure this isn't reality tv?
19. sins & guilt: the weight of your past deeds is like holding a world on your shoulders. maybe it's time to seek some help, atlas.
2o. secret: loose lips sink spaceships.
21. wildcard: "take your script and shove it, meme."

[adapted and remixed from here.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

::Garth'zel shakes his head.::

No, I've had other problems. Frankly, in some ways, the streets probably would have been better.

::Of course, then there would have been the trade off of doing his own dumpster-diving and finding places to spend the night, but at least he would have been free.::

[Life on the streets isn't anything pretty. Most people don't understand how bad it can be, scraping for every mouthful you eat, getting kicked and abused and spat on by people who think they're so much better, living with the worst that a city has to offer and having no hope of ever getting out of it, and so, so much more. And yet, Ezra's not so naive as to think that it's the worst life that someone can have. He gives Garth'zel a long, measuring look.

Then deliberately doesn't ask for details. If Garth'zel can respect the fact that Ezra doesn't want to talk about his past, then Ezra can do the same.

Besides, they've reached the old meeting point.]

Well, this is it. According to our contacts, this warehouse hasn't been used in years. Something about not meeting city regulations anymore, but no one's gotten around to fixing it or tearing it down.

[Which means it's nice and open and empty inside. Perfect if you want to talk without someone sneaking up behind you.]

::He didn't say it would be completely better. Just better in some ways.

Garth'zel nods absently as he stretches out with his senses... and finds three bugs. A pinching together of his thumb and forefinger later, they are no longer a problem; a tiny puff of smoke showing the location of at least one of them.::

It's clear now.

::And he wouldn't be surprised in the least if Ezra decides he wants to learn how to do that. It is a pretty handy skill.::

[It's good that he isn't going to be surprised, because Ezra immediately perks up with interest.]

Whoa. Can you teach me how to do that? I mean, how to know that they were even there?

[Crushing them probably isn't the hard part here.]

::It isn't, for someone experienced with the Force and with more than the bare minimum of ability with it, no.::

I could. Are you looking for a teacher, then?

::Even if the boy wasn't, it was probably best to work out how much ability and training he may or may not have.::

[Ezra's posture stiffens at the question, at the apparent implication that he might have given up on his Master. Maybe that's not even what Garth'zel is trying to say. It's not like he'd know if Ezra had a Master or not. But still, Ezra can get pretty defensive when it comes to anything that even hints of trying to take Kanan's place.

Mouth forming a thin line, he folds his arms, but pauses before he opens his mouth. Garth'zel checked for bugs, but Ezra still glances around, then lowers his voice for good measure. This right here is the kind of stuff they can't risk people hearing them talk about.]

No. I already have a Master.

[Let's just lay that out straight. Then, because there is room for doubt that Garth'zel meant to infringe, he offers an apologetic shrug.]

Sorry, if you're only willing to teach your own student, I guess that won't be me.

Ah.

::He considers that and the information he's gleaned so far. So. Partly trained then, and undergoing an interruption to said training. Perfect.::

He was on board the ship that left without you, wasn't he? I have to admit you're the first person worth teaching I've found. Granted, it's not like I've really been looking. Adjusting to the way the galaxy's changed and all.

::He shrugs a little.::

You would have been the youngest, though.

[The implication that Kanan left him stings, no matter that it's technically true. Ezra bristles a little.]

He didn't have a choice. And you can thank the Empire for the fact that it's so hard to find people like us. They kill anyone they find that they can't twist to their cause, and they'll take even the babies if they know where they are.

[He's wondered before how many Inquisitors there are. It's conversations like this that make him not sure he wants to know.]

They'll kill you, too, if they find out what you are. That's why I warned you about it when you started talking about Force-users.

::Garth'zel cocks an eyebrow at Ezra.::

If you're trying to be a beacon for the kind of attention you don't want, you're doing a good job of it.

::In other words, best to calm down before the force of his emotions get them needing to deal with an unwanted guest.

Garth'zel gives Ezra a moment to get his emotions under control before speaking up again.::

I highly doubt they're prepared for me. I'm sure I know things that have been forgotten over the millennia.

::Not to mention, it sounds like the people chasing others down are used to dealing with Jedi and untrained Force-sensitives who may not even know what they are. Not full-fledged Sith. Anyone coming after him expecting a Jedi and a Jedi's tactics will get a nasty surprise indeed.::

[Getting called out on his poor emotional control always rankles him, but Ezra knows Garth'zel is right. And this really is the last place he wants to deal with an Inquisitor, no matter how confident his new acquaintance is. No master to help him fight, no safe place to run, no ship to help him get away. The only reason he's been fine so far is probably because the Empire doesn't know he's here.

Best to keep it that way.

So he grumbles to himself for a moment before visibly reining his temper in. A blown out breath accompanies his attempt to release his feelings to the Force.]

Maybe that's true, but there might be new things they know that you don't. You still should be careful, Garth'zel.

I'm usually careful.

::Then he quirks a grin.::

Unless I'm doing some damnfool thing that takes a certain amount of recklessness. The time I decided to run towards a reactor that was going to blow, taking out ten blocks in every direction comes to mind. It paid off, though. A lot of people were without power and there were injuries, but somehow, no one died.

[The admission of recklessness actually draws a smile from Ezra. Nice to know he's not the only one who does stupid things like that sometimes.]

Yeah? Sounds like a few things I've tried to pull off myself. How about sneaking onto an Imperial Star Destroyer with a Grand Moff and an Inquisitor on board?

[If he was a pettier sort, he could claim that Kanan still owes him for that.]

I can't say none of my friends have needed help getting--

::His head snaps around and he reaches into his jacket and pulls out his lightsaber; igniting it a moment later, a brilliant whitish-blue beam springing forth.::

We have company.

::With that, one of the walls blows in and he tosses up a quick shield to make sure nothing actually hit them.::

[Ezra's instincts scream a warning at almost the same moment that Garth'zel makes that remark. The wall explodes, and the teen has his own lightsaber out, slicing up quickly to deflect a stray rock that would have slammed right into his face - except there's a shield that blocks it before it makes even that connection. Wide-eyed with alarm, Ezra only spares Garth'zel a brief glance of surprise before he backs up, preparing to run.]

Dammit, I didn't think they'd find us this fast!

[This can't have been because of his emotional outbursts. Not with- Crap, a dozen storm troopers, and maybe more still to come. What worries Ezra most, though, is the glow of a red blade just now visible through the smoke. Paling, his gestures sharply.]

Come on, we have to go!

It's about time for me to cut this trip to Taris short.

::It's said in agreement as he gestures, making the debris rise into the air and flicks his hand in the direction of the stormtroopers to pelt them with it before turning to run. Hopefully, it actually took some of them out, but he's mostly just trying to buy time.::

I'd say someone took note of us sometime earlier. While we were eating, perhaps.

::Yes, he can talk and run. It's a talent.::

[The air fills with shouts of pain, and the red blade whirls to deflect the airborne rubble, but Ezra doesn't stick around to see how effective Garth'zel's attack had been. If it bought them any time, that's good enough for him! He darts after his companion, the closest thing to an ally that he currently has. He doesn't know where the man is heading, but any direction's as good ad another!]

They must have recognized me. They wouldn't have sent an Inquisitor otherwise! Not unless they'd know about you for some reason.

[At least, he's pretty sure about that. Inquisitors don't tend to get themselves involved unless there are Jedi or Force-sensitives to be dealt with.]

Edited 2017-02-13 01:48 (UTC)

Given I haven't been shouting my credentials on streetcorners and this is the first time I've run into this sort of trouble, I'd say they were after you.

::Even as he talks his eyes scan their surroundings and settles on a speederbike with a trooper on it. His lightsaber blocks the shot aimed their way back at the stormtrooper, making him fall off the bike dead as Garth'zel races to it and mounts it, holding a hand out to Ezra to help him pull himself on.::

Come on!

[Ezra doesn't hesitate to take Garth'zel's hand, leaping up with just a touch of the Force and using the hold to help him keep his balance and swing around behind him on the bike. He doesn't bat an eye at the stormtrooper's death. People die when you're fighting for your life.]

You drive, I'll deflect the blaster fire!

[He may not be the best at that kind of thing yet, but if Garth'zel can't keep his attention focused on where they're going, they're going to be in even worse trouble. Lightsaber still in hand, he swings it up to intercept a shot coming in at their side. It deflects wide of where it came from, not even close to anyone chasing them, but so long as it doesn't hit them that's all that matters, at least as far as Ezra is concerned.]

Works for me!

::Given there's no point hiding his lightsaber, he goes ahead and hooks it onto his belt before making the bike shoot forwards, letting the Force guide which roads and alleys they take to the spaceport.::

I just had a thought! What if they were watching that place for in case your friends tried again?

::Not that he knows if Ezra will hear him over the wind of their passage.::

Edited (Fixed a word.) 2017-02-13 04:11 (UTC)

[Between the wind and the ricochet of blaster fire off his blade, it's hard to make out everything Garth'zel says. Still, Ezra can piece together enough from from context that he gets the general idea.]

If they were, destroying the bugs might have been the signal they were waiting for!

[It certainly would have told them that someone was there.

Another bolt of fire comes in, then another, and a third in rapid succession. It's a testament to the training he has had that he manages to catch all three, even if the third one is only barely. Heart pounding at how narrowly he'd almost missed, Ezra shuts up so he can concentrate.

It's as much because of that as because of luck and the Force that the next shot he deflects sends the blaster bolt right back, taking the stormtrooper in the neck.]

I think you're right!

::Garth'zel also shuts up so he can concentrate, taking up the speed a notch. Eventually, the spaceport comes into sight. ...As well as the blockade, the latter of which prompts a short curse as he lifts one hand off the handlebars to focus on drawing in power, making sure to draw from a more or less neutral portion of the Force.::

Hang on!

::It's the only warning Ezra gets before he's firing off that blast of power, blowing a hole in the lines, sending men and equipment flying like so many toys as they whiz through.::

Whoa!

[Ezra's eyes go wide, even though he doesn't really have much time to be impressed, but he's never seen someone pull something like that off. Unfortunately, they're not out of danger just yet. He has to put off commenting in favor of protecting both of their heads from another scattering of blaster shots.

Then it's time to focus on a much more immediate concern.]

You going to be able to open your ship's entrance ramp remotely? Or are we about to have to jump off this thing and run?

[If he knew what kind of ship they were dealing with, he wouldn't have to ask, but it's not like that's something that came up!]

Both!

::Unfortunately, things wouldn't end well if he tried driving up the ramp at the speed they're currently going.

He spots his hangar and makes a tight turn to enter, telekinetically hitting the button on his ship's remote even as he does so, skidding them to a stop right before the ramp as it finishes lowering itself.::

Go go go!

[With the skill and timing that only someone in tune with the Force can achieve, Ezra leaps off the speederbike before it even comes to a complete stop and lands right at the base of the ramp. He barely takes a second to let the landing stick before he's sprinting and weaving to avoid being shot in the back.

Once inside the ship, there's still no time to catch his breath. He slows only enough to let Garth'zel take the lead.]

Co-pilot or gun turret?

[Where do you need him?]

::Garth'zel is right behind him, slapping the button to raise the ramp and seal the ship as he passes on the way to the cockpit.::

Gun turret, just in case they scramble fighters.

::He doesn't wait for Ezra's response, just runs past him to the cockpit to fling himself into the pilot's seat and straps himself in as he powers up the ship. As soon as everything's green, he takes off, shooting out of the hangar and into the sky, heading for the edge of the atmosphere.::

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