But Still the Days Seem the Same [CLOSED]

[spiritwalks]

Who: Obi-Wan jedies and Vyng spiritwalks
What: A chill evening in an empty, abandoned bar
When: Very beginning of July
Where: Colonel Dan's in Red Cellar

Content Warnings: Listed in subject lines when applicable


((From here))

When they step inside, they're met by darkness pierced only by slivers of lamplight from the alley. Silence — rare in the entertainment district — blankets the place like dusty tarps draped over old furniture.

Vyng flips the switch. A warm glow spills onto a mahogany bar top, an empty stage, and the vacant booths lining the far wall. Nobody is here.

"Welcome to..." Laughter quietly colors Vyng's words. "This. Place."

(He forgot the name.)

Comments

[jedies]

[ obi-wan chuckles. ]

It certainly is rustic, I'll give it that.

[spiritwalks]

Now you're starting to sound a little condescending.

[jedies]

[ he chuckles before speaking contritely. ]

My apologies.

[spiritwalks]

Thank you. Apology accepted.

This place just needs a little love. Like all of us.

[jedies]

Do you have plans for it?

[spiritwalks]

I do tonight.

[He winks, nodding toward the bar: An invitation for Obi-Wan to have a seat.]

[jedies]

You're quite secretive.

[spiritwalks]

Secrets? Me? Never.

[With a chuckle of his own, Vyng steps behind the counter and reaches for a bar mop towel.]

Just telling the truth.

[jedies]

Mysterious then.

[ though vyng always sort of felt that way. not opaque but hard to pin down. effervescent in his ways. obi-wan settles himself across the counter. now that he's taken the place in, it's clear that once people loved this place. it makes him wonder. he's always held himself back from connecting with trench fully.

he should take more chances.

but obi-wan also doesn't want to. ]

What brought you here?

[spiritwalks]

["Mysterious". Tuck claims that's why strangers are attracted to Vyng. Until the novelty fades, anyway. As things so often do.

But he doesn't dwell on that thought. Instead, Vyng casually wipes the counter down, erasing the fine coat of dust in front of Obi-Wan. In the bar mop's wake is glossy wood, lovingly carved with messages and drawings from patrons past.]

I found it in a dream. Literally, hahahah... [A wistful smile, as he pulls a glass down from the shelf.] Tuck and I opened this bar together back in Deerington. Somehow, it came with us.

[jedies]

[ huh. ]

But you didn't reopen it?

[spiritwalks]

No. Tuck needed time to grieve. Then Billie washed up onto the shore, and...our priorities changed.

[He grabs a short glass and starts wiping it down, with the ease of someone who's tended bar many times before.]

[jedies]

[ obi-wan lets out a hum of acknowledgement. ]

I imagine I landed myself in a similar position.

[spiritwalks]

When you reached the Waking World.

[More of a statement than a question, but still an open-ended invitation to say more if Obi-Wan wishes.]

[jedies]

[ a wry grin. ]

When I came here. With Anakin.

[spiritwalks]

[Vyng opens the tap. But instead of holding the glass under the faucet like a normal person, he gently reshapes the water into a small vortex...and then eases it into the glass.]

Anakin's the reason you came here. And he's the reason you stay.

[jedies]

[ obi-wan huffs. ]

To the surprise of no one, I'm sure.

[spiritwalks]

'No shit', in other words. Heheh...

[Vyng traces a finger along the edge of the glass, leaving a trail of frost on its wake. He pushes the now ice-cold drink of water to Obi-Wan.]

Sounds like your priorities have been crystal-clear since day one.

[jedies]

Of course. I did raise him. How else would they be?

[ which is bad, probably. jedi shouldn't behave like that. but there are no jedi now. how could it matter? ]

[spiritwalks]

You're a good father. Better than you give yourself credit for.

[How else would they be? As if it's a foregone conclusion. But not all parents value their children for their intrinsic worth. Vyng knows from painful experience.]

[jedies]

I don't think that's something for me or anyone else to decide, unfortunately.

[spiritwalks]

I heard it from Anakin. He told me you always made sure he had whatever he needed...even when you were young yourself.

[jedies]

I did my best.

[ I tried is on the tip of his tongue, but they do. they do not try. ]

[spiritwalks]

I know you did. And you still do.

[jedies]

[ he slowly shakes his head. ]

Sadly, I do not share your confidence.