Office hours [all day]

[sith_happened]

Vader's office was back to its normal state of barren neatness. Ikea boxes were stacked in corners, a new and heavier desk was in the center of the room and Vader had even sprung for a comfortable chair (black leather, naturally, with wheels) for himself.

The other chair was looking decidedly wobbly, but Vader didn't want to encourage visitors to linger.

Or even stop by at all, when it came right down to it.

He sat behind his desk and stared into space.

Not that anyone could tell, with the mask.

The door was open.

[OOC: Contents of conversations with Rory and Aeryn are NFB, please and thank you!]

Stupid Boy - Keith Urban

Comments

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Stop it. You don't get to call me Rory until you're willing to listen and accept what I'm saying," Rory said. "Who is this guy, anyway? I've never heard you being this...afraid of someone. Especially now."

[sith_happened]

"You met him," Vader said. "He might still remember you. He used to be the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic before the Senate elected him Emperor."

Rory had never heard him inject more hate into one word. "Palpatine."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory blinked. "That's right. Luke mentioned...I didn't realize you work for him. He's so...tiny and old, though."

[sith_happened]

"That's because he's pure evil," Vader spat.

He didn't think he was exaggerating, either. "He was the Sith the Jedi had been looking for." Vader shrugged. "They never saw it coming."

Rory could probably figure out exactly what terrified Vader about him.

Not that he'd ever, ever admit that.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"We could take him," Rory said.

She didn't think she was exaggerating, either.

[sith_happened]

Vader burst out laughing. It sounded...painful to do. "You're not getting within a galaxy of him," he said. "He is my master. He'd swat you like a fly and never even slow down."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Why would that matter to you?" she asked immediately.

[sith_happened]

"It wouldn't," Vader insisted. Too insistently.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Then why is it a concern?" she asked, her lips curving in a smirk.

[sith_happened]

"I like the teal deer," Vader made up.

Pause.

"They're good with a cream sauce."

He had a reputation to uphold, after all.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"You don't eat," she pointed out, the smirk growing.

[sith_happened]

"I can smell them!" Vader shouted.

This was turning into the stupidest argument ever. He couldn't help himself.

He didn't want her to leave.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"You're being an idiot, Anakin," she said, and her smile had softened.

It was almost the warm, soft smile she used to reserve for when he told her he loved her.

"You still care about me."

[sith_happened]

Vader recognized the look.

He crossed his arms over his chest.

"I don't," he said harshly.

He paused, making sure his words would sink in.

"And I never did."

Another little piece of his soul shriveled.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory was expecting that.

Which was why Vader probably wouldn't be able to tell from her face that her heart had just broken all over again.

"Bullshit," she said harshly, grabbing his hand before he could react. She wasn't expecting the mechanical whirring beneath her palm, though in hindsight, she should have anticipated that.

[sith_happened]

Vader whipped his hand out of her grip.

"No one touches me," he snapped, moving further away. "No one."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory clasped her wrist in her opposite hand, wincing. "Yeah, well, I'm all about changing your absolutes these days."

[sith_happened]

Vader was staring into the past, watching Padmé fall. He was doing it again.

"Get out," he said, voice noticeably hollow even through the vocalizer. "Now!"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"You didn't say please," Rory said, watching him.

[sith_happened]

Vader was done with playing today.

The door slammed against the wall.

"NOW!" he repeated.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory knew her cue. She wondered what had set him off, and with a nod and a, "See you, Anakin," she was gone.

[sith_happened]

Vader dropped back into his chair.

After a few minutes of staring at nothing, the glitter on the floor coalesced into a long-gone face.

Then into another who was closer, but equally unattainable.

Force, but Vader hated his life.