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

[Ezra notices Garth'zel almost immediately, hardly engrossed in the history he's reading. Too long, too disconnected from his immediate and daily concerns, and too many words he's only half familiar with seeing spelled out. He's more than glad take the interruption as an excuse to put the datapad down, though he does so with a nonchalant shrug.]

It's talking about the Evocii that used to live on Nal Hutta, and how there weren't many left when they finished building on Nar Shaddaa.

[Not that far into Nar Shaddaa's history at all, all things considered, but hey, at least he made the attempt.

And now he's eager to abandon it.]

Were you ready for that spar?

There were still a number around by my time, but like you said, their numbers weren't what they once were. Now? I'd be surprised to find any.

::Which, while depressing in its way, didn't bother him as much as the Cathar being gone. It makes him think Lana had been on the right track with her warning about the Mandalorians. Oh well. It's not like he could do anything about it.::

I need to see what you know first.

[Dammit, Ezra had been hoping he'd forget about the remote. His shoulders slump just the slightest bit before he gets up anyway. At this point, even facing the frustrations of dodging blaster fire feels like it would be an improvement over reading history.

At least he's got his own clothes back now, freshly clean if still a little tattered.]

Cargo hold?

[It's where they'll have the most room, he thinks.]

Edited 2017-02-16 19:04 (UTC)

Exactly.

::Garth'zel agrees with a nod before turning to head in that direction, summoning the remote to his hand as he passes it.::

I forgot to mention it earlier, but since you're the only one staying in there, you can take whichever bunk you want.

::So if Ezra's ever wanted a top bunk but never got to have it, this is his chance.::

[Ezra's face lights up just a little bit.]

I haven't had a room to myself in ages.

[Why focus on just the bunk? Ezra's looking at the big picture here!

And he'll be taking the bottom bunk, thanks. Time to enjoy not hitting his head on the ceiling~

Mood improved, Ezra follows along behind Garth'zel much more happily, until they're in the cargo hold, where he pauses only long enough to glance around and pick the best spot to stand. Plenty of room to swing his lightsaber, and to move from form to form. He nods to himself, unhooking his lightsaber from his belt, though he doesn't ignite it just yet. He's had enough lessons from Kanan by now not to jump the gun like that. Garth'zel will tell him what he wants from Ezra to show him what he's capable of.

He's just being amenable, of course. Just an extension of respect to a Master in general, not slipping into a role of deferring to him.]

::~~One would think that with Ezra's tiny size, he'd have no problem with not hitting the ceiling.~~

Garth'zel sets the remote down on a random crate before folding his arms and leaning against a wall where he'll be well out of the way.::

Begin.

::Show him what you know.::

[~~Shut up, he's not that tiny, and he's going to hit that growth spurt any day now! Any day!~~

The order is the only prompting Ezra needs to snap his lightsaber on with a hiss and shift into the first basic stance. From there he flows into the next, then the next - all basic, standard moves that every youngling learns in their beginning lightsaber classes. In fact, as Garth'zel watches, he'll probably notice a pattern there. Nothing he does is complex or advanced, and the moves themselves are as raw as those performed by someone half Ezra's age. Of course, it's not Ezra's fault that he's so far behind compared to where others his age would be, but it's still revealing about his level of skill.

Form Three is where he shines the most, thanks to Kanan's own preference for it.]

::~~He's pretty sure Ezra will be lucky to get another couple of centimeters.~~

Garth'zel takes note of Ezra's level of skill, starting to mentally plan things out. It looks like rather than a proper spar, he'll be drilling Ezra on his moves to get them closer to where they should be. Then he can look at teaching him the more advanced ones.

But for the moment...::

Need a break, or are you ready for the remote?

[~~ANY! DAY!~~

Take a break and imply that he's that weak? Or keep going and maybe slip up because of tired limbs? Ezra weighs the pros and cons for a moment, then shakes his head.]

Nah, I'm good.

[He's not that tired, and it is just a remote. He should be okay. Other than, you know, the weakness he already has when defending against the things. Besides, he's looking to impress Garth'zel enough to convince him to switch to an actual spar.

So, lightsaber still active, he turns to face where the remote is resting and focuses, reaching out to the Force so he'll be prepared.]

Let's get this over with.

Mmm.

::Ezra may regret his over-confidence. Garth'zel steps over to the remote, turning it on and tossing it up in the air to await orders.::

Twenty minutes.

::He returns to his previous out of the way spot. Time to see how the kid does. At least getting hit by it will just hurt, not do actual damage.::

[The first hint of regret may have already struck the moment he heard Garth'zel set the time limit. Ezra's eyes widen very briefly at the mention of twenty minutes, and then suddenly there's no time to do anything but react, because the remote is shooting, and shooting rapidly enough that Ezra can barely keep up. The first shot gets blocked, the next dodged, then the next, as sometimes he hears the whispers of warning from the Force in time to react preemptively, and other times the warning registers too late to do anything more than duck. One shot comes so close he can feel the heat, and he yelps.

A minute passes, then two, then five, and his arms are already tiring, form getting sloppier by the second. Keep your blade up, Ezra! he can hear Kanan reprimanding him in his head, and he tries, he really does! Soresu is good for defense.

Just... not good enough.

Ezra makes it seven minutes before the first shot hits, striking him on his arm in the middle of moving his lightsaber into a block. He hisses a curse, barely avoiding the next attack, but if Garth'zel doesn't find that first hit reason enough to stop him, he's set to keep going.

And will likely get hit several more times over the next thirteen minutes as his patience and stamina fail.]

Edited 2017-02-17 00:09 (UTC)

Calm yourself enough to hear the Force's warnings.

::The instruction is given as Garth'zel starts pacing back and forth as he watches with a critical eye, arms folded across his chest.

There are two lessons here. One of them, the obvious, which was the practice with the remote. The other being for Ezra to not let his pride push him into making stupid decisions like not taking a break when its offered.::

Easy... for you to say...!

[Ezra pants as he deflects another shot, sending it way too wide.]

You're not the one... getting shot at!

[Unfortunately, with Ezra's fading patience, so too goes his control over his attitude. Temper, too, because when the next shot hits, it takes everything he's got not to lash out at the remote with the Force. Instead, he drags his temper back along with his focus and...

...well, he doesn't really do any better than before, but at least he's not doing any worse.]

You seem to be forgetting I had my own session with it earlier, and aside from the shot I let hit me, not a single one got past my guard.

::Garth'zel sensed Ezra's rising temper and kept a close watch on things until he got it under control again. If anything happened to the remote, Ezra would have first found himself fixing it, and then going through forms for approximately an hour.

When the time limit has expired, Garth'zel calls the remote back to his hand and gives Ezra an even look.::

Perhaps next time I offer you a break, you'll take it. Cool off and get something to drink. Then we'll get to work.

::In other news, Ezra's attempt to impress Garth'zel failed miserably.::

Edited 2017-02-17 00:43 (UTC)

[At this point, Ezra's too tired and sore to care if he made the impression on Garth'zel that he wanted.]

I told you, I'm not as good with droids.

[Grumpy and irritated? Yes, yes he is, but he's also flicking his lightsaber off and taking the break this time. One lesson learned, at least, even if he might be stubborn about letting it sink in. He's going to go find that drink now, and cool off in more ways than one.

It's a good several minutes before he finally comes back, breathing easier now that he's caught his second wind and had a chance to bring his temper back down. He's even looking marginally contrite now.]

Sorry. I didn't mean to get mad at you. It's just... been one of those days.

[You know, considering everything that's happened.]

::Garth'zel falls into a light meditative state while waiting for Ezra's return, due to lack of time to really do much of anything else; pulling himself out of it when he feels the boy's return.::

I've noticed.

::It's said wryly, before he nods incrementally.::

Apology accepted.

I hope you understand that not being as good against droids is exactly why you should practice against the remote reasonably often; although admittedly, probably not for as long as you did earlier. Ten minutes at a time should be enough, until I feel you're ready for more.

::Even when Ezra gets to where he can handle ten minutes with ease, Garth'zel will probably top off the sessions at twenty minutes. No point overdoing it.::

I know, I know...

[Ezra scrubs a hand down his face. He knows he needs the practice. It's just frustrating when you're not good at something, and it's not coming to you naturally.

But that's a problem to deal with another day.]

You said we were going to "get to work" now?

[Can anyone blame him if he's just the tiniest bit wary of what exactly Garth'zel means? Considering his comment about assessing Ezra's skills with the remote turned into a twenty minute session, maybe Ezra is learning a lesson here by not just diving into whatever the man intends without asking any questions.]

::Oh good. Someone who's willing to take a moment and think, not just blindly do what he's told.::

Yes. Your forms need work. A lot of work. How often have you been able to practice?

::Besides the obvious 'not often enough'. Garth'zel thinks they may as well focus on Soresu for the day. One of the more aggressive ones that's more use against someone with a lightsaber can wait.::

[If he hadn't just finished telling himself off for losing his emotional control, Ezra might have rankled at that criticism of his forms. Come on, he's only been training for little more than a year! But he's trying not to snap again. At least, not so soon. So maybe he looks a little sullen for a moment as he shrugs, but at least he answers the question Garth'zel asked.]

It depends. Some weeks we have more time than other weeks. A good week I might get to practice... maybe every day? But those don't happen much. A couple times a week is more regular. Less, when things get crazy.

[Yes, it's erratic, but what can he do? It's not like the Empire's going to just ignore him and let him train in peace, or like they can afford to just stop fighting and train.]

::Garth'zel nods slowly as he mentally maps out how to spend the trip to Nar Shaddaa. Then his focus lasers back in on Ezra.::

Sounds like its just as well there's nothing else to keep you busy for the next couple of days. Let's see how much better you'll be at some of them by the time you're able to get back to your friends, shall we?

::If Ezra has a feeling the majority of his days is going to be spent training, well, he's right. With it broken up with considerably less physically intense things, of course. No point over-doing it, it would just lead to Ezra hurting himself.::

[Ezra is starting to get that feeling, yes, and considering the session he just had with the remote, maybe there's even a sinking suspicion to go with it.]

Why do you care? I mean, not that I'm against it, but... You'll drop me off in a few days or a week, and then probably never see me again, so why do you care about my training?

[There's genuine curiosity with a touch of bewilderment. Most people don't bother to care that much about him, with a few significant exceptions, and he and Garth'zel only just met. In fact, all Ezra's done so far for the man is take his money and get him in trouble with the Empire. Nothing to really earn any kind of gratitude from him.]

::Garth'zel gives him a serious look.::

Because I'd rather not hear that you've managed to end up dead when training from me could have kept you alive.

::Does Ezra really want to leave Garth'zel with that guilt? No, Ezra isn't technically his responsibility--yet--but that's no reason not to do what he could.::

Remember what I said about the reactor? That was to save people I never met and never would. Even though one would think I had no reason to, especially given their leaders decided to--entirely unprovoked--attack the Republic and the Empire from out of nowhere. Among other things that I frankly don't feel like getting into right now. Suffice to say, I really had no reason to give a damn; but I did it anyway, because it was the right thing to do.

[The right thing to do.

Those words stir something in Ezra's heart - the same thing that stirred that day on Lothal when he realized what the Ghost crew was really up to. Helping people who needed help just because they needed it, not because they had anything to gain. At the time, the idea had been so foreign to Ezra's daily life. He could barely manage to take care of himself, let alone anyone else, and since when did anyone on the streets ever do anything like that for him?

But it had echoed things his parents had taught him, and in the past year, it's grown to mean something to him when people who'd had no hope before could smile because of something he did. But he's not naive enough to believe that there are that many people in the galaxy with similar ideals, so it's still catches him off guard a little to find anyone willing to help "just because it's right."

More so if the person being helped is him.]

Oh.

[His earlier irritation melts away in the face of surprise and... something he can't quite name. Something that can't help but see a parallel between Garth'zel and the crew of the Ghost.]

Well... I have no objections to staying alive?

[He says it like a joke, but the acceptance is real, and it's accompanied by a small, genuine smile.]

I want to do the right thing, too.

Edited 2017-02-18 14:09 (UTC)

People very rarely object to staying alive.

::It's said with a trace of amusement. If there's one thing he's noticed in his time traveling the galaxy, is that people generally do the best they can to survive.

His mood darkens as he remembers what led up to him even being on Zakuul to need to find a way to shut down that reactor and he dismisses the memory with a shake of his head. Now wasn't the time.::

I've noticed that Soresu is where you do best, so we'll start there.

::Enough talk, time to drill Ezra to make him better at it. And eventually dismiss him to get supper and meditate for a bit to help him wind down before bed.::

[The next few days uphold that hinted promise of being worked hard, sometimes almost right into the ground. Ezra comes to appreciate every break he's given.

Yes, even the ones where he has to read and study.

By the time they arrive at Nar Shaddaa, though, improvement can be seen in Ezra's form. Not a lot, since a few days is hardly enough time to learn what it takes years to master. Not even enough for Ezra himself to see that much of a difference, except to feel pleased that his last session with the remote gave him fewer of those small blaster burns.

Pleased or not, though, he's ready to be off this ship as soon as it lands on the moon. Ezra waits with barely disguised impatience for the ship's landing platform to lower.]

I'm going to see if my friends have tried to contact me yet. They're probably wondering where I am. We've got a relay set up where we can leave messages without anyone being able to trace them back, but it means actually going to a communications terminal. I'll be back in an hour!

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