Office hours [September 19, all day]

[sith_happened]

Vader was in his office listening to the radio broadcasts for the last two weeks. It was research for Thursday's class.

He'd be annoyed to be interrupted--a none-too-dramatic change from any other time he was awake.

The door was cracked open.

Comments

[sith_happened]

Vader opened the package. "Sand?" he asked. "And a...tiny rake?"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"It's a Zen garden," Rory said sweetly. "You use the little rake on the sand. It's calming. My dad has one and he loves it."

[sith_happened]

I hate sand.

He ran a gloved finger over the box. "Interesting," he said finally.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"I think it's a much more constructive way to take out frustration than, say, blowing up a planet or killing people."

[sith_happened]

"I didn't blow up a planet because I was frustrated," Vader said sharply. "I did it because it was necessary to make a point."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Necessary?" Rory repeated. "That's an interesting word choice."

[sith_happened]

Vader hadn't felt the destruction of Alderaan had been particularly necessary, but he wasn't about to share that.

"And those I've killed haven't been in fits of anger, either," he continued harshly. Mostly, he added to himself.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Did you know it would have been Anakin's and my anniversary yesterday?" she asked casually. "No, of course you wouldn't know that. Or did you know that he had a pet turtle while he was here, and was a dork about cute animals? Or that he loved the rain?"

[sith_happened]

Vader was silent as memories flooded over him.

The tiny rake between his fingers creaked under the pressure he was putting on it.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"He was a person," she said quietly. "Just like every person on every planet you destroyed, and everyone you ever struck down. Enjoy the sandbox."

She turned on her heel and left.

[sith_happened]

Vader watched her go, then threw the garden to clatter against the wall.

He watched the sand pool on the ground for a long moment before reaching into the Force and bringing the entire mess back to his desk.

He spent the next hour drawing intricate patterns using the Force.