Ye olde shuttle parking [Monday afternoon]

[sith_happened]

Anakin had spent a good hour staring at the shuttle, a can of paint and a brush in his hand.

Finally he bit his lower lip, painted over the name Tydirium and rechristened the ship the Virgo in Basic and English.

Then he stood back and waited to see if the only person who would understand the name change would actually be arriving for their lessons today.

Comments

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory grinned as they broke atmosphere. "If I ever have kids, they're getting a pony."

[sith_happened]

"I'm pretty sure they'd get whatever they wanted, yes," Anakin said, eyes shining at her. He turned his attention to the navicomputer, punching in the coordinates to get them close enough to the Horsehead Nebula. "Punch it," he said, pointing to the controls.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory carefully pressed it. She didn't punch, thank you. Unless it was Angel.

[sith_happened]

Anakin smiled. "Thank you for not using that as an excuse to hit me."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"I am demure and kind and like a delicate flower," she said. "Delicate flowers don't hit."

[sith_happened]

"Uh-huh," Anakin said, cracking up. "I remember things slightly differently."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory thwapped his arm.

[sith_happened]

"The delicate flower didn't last very long," he teased. "I like this Rory better, anyway."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Delicate flowers are boring," she decided.

[sith_happened]

"Very," Anakin agreed. The hyperdrive pinged. "Here we are," he said, pulling back on the control.

He smiled softly at the view before them.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"...oh my god," she breathed. "Anakin, it's incredible."

[sith_happened]

"It's your galaxy," he said softly, "I just looked for the pretty parts of it."

When Anakin groveled, he went all out.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"It's amazing," she said, staring. "I mean...are you looking at this? Look!"

[sith_happened]

Anakin dragged his eyes away from Rory and looked outside, still smiling.

"It's so much easier to believe in the power and benevolence of the Force when you see something like this," he said.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"I almost believe in God," Rory said softly. "Something this beautiful might be enough to give me a real faith."

[sith_happened]

"It certainly makes the everyday stupidities seem a little less pressing," Anakin agreed in a hushed voice. It seemed wrong to be speaking too loudly.

He closed his eyes and reached out into the Force, centering himself in the absolute stillness of space.

For the first time in a long time, he'd found himself some peace. All of the stressed little lines in his forehead and around his eyes eased for a moment.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"It's stunning," Rory murmured, still in awe. She was barely even thinking.

[sith_happened]

Anakin's eyes were still closed. "I'm glad you like it."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"I love it," she whispered. "Pictures don't do it justice."

[sith_happened]

Anakin's eyes, when they finally opened, were full of things he wasn't ready to say. "Then I'm glad we came."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Never repeat this, but this might be better than an actual pony."

[sith_happened]

Anakin lips curled up into a soft smile. "I'll never tell," he promised.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"I think Mom would disown me," Rory said, still staring in wonder.

[sith_happened]

"She hasn't seen this view," Anakin pointed out.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"True," Rory agreed, still mesmerized. "But...pony."