Office hours [all day Thursday. Yes. Thursday.]

[sith_happened]

Anakin hadn't been in his office since the end of the spring semester, so he'd decided to spend some time there cleaning cobwebs, updating holos and rearranging furniture before classes began.

And glancing at the open door every five seconds waiting to see if his granddaughter might show up.

You know, all casual-like.

{ooc: oooooopen}

Comments

[solo_sword]

Jaina didn't want to go. She really didn't. She didn't want to deal with feelings and 'how are you's and concern. Besides, she thought she had a couple days before she had to even think about this, but as soon as she'd sensed Anakin, she knew it was better just to get it over with.

Which was why she was at the door, knocking. Even this kind of visit felt like something she'd done forever ago.

[sith_happened]

Anakin's entire face lit up seeing her, and he crossed the rooms in a few long strides to get closer.

He wasn't going to touch her--holding back a bear hug through sheer force of will--and made himself be content to just give her a long, long look, cataloging differences since he'd seen her last.

"Jaina," he said, and in that word there was relief.

[solo_sword]

Glad for the lack of glomping, she managed a small smile, but still was purposely keeping her shields up. "Hi," she said. "How was the summer off?"

[sith_happened]

"I don't know what to do with that kind of down time," he admitted. "The toys for Ben are threatening to take over the apartment." He bit his lower lip. "Come in?" he offered. "Stay a while?"

[solo_sword]

She stepped inside and nodded, but warned, "I can't stay too long. I got another new program I need to run through. I kind of work against time this way between here and home."

[sith_happened]

"A little bit of time won't make that much difference," he said quietly. "I'm not going to offer you tea and cookies. I just want to see you."

And see if she was capable of relaxing, too.

[solo_sword]

"A little bit of time can be hours there," she pointed out. "But I'm staying."

[sith_happened]

"Good," he said, waving a chair in her direction before flopping into his desk chair. "Tell me more about this squadron Luke has given you."

He'd work his way back to the dark side eventually. For the moment he didn't want their conversation to last all of three seconds.

[solo_sword]

Jaina took a seat, but only appeared to relax. "Twin Suns Squadron. It's all part of that little psychological warfare campaign," she explained. "I've already gone through and put together the roster, and I've got Kyp and Jag Fel on it, which right there means we're good. And we're going to be working with some of the battle meld techniques to see whether it can help our collective flying. We'll even be able to work with Rogue Squadron there."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Sometime in the afternoon, Altra led Karal into the school and they stopped in front of Anakin's door. Karal was so surprised, he didn't say anything as he watched him through Altra's eyes. Just stood there, torn between feeling deeply glad he'd returned, and a pervasive sense of guilt centred around Jaina.

[sith_happened]

Anakin looked over. "Come in, Karal. Altra."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Umm, thank you," he replied, following Altra as the 'cat walked in and looked up at Anakin. Karal was so distracted his chin drifted up at the same time. "Are you well?"

[sith_happened]

"I've had better months," Anakin replied, watching the 'cat, then Karal carefully. "Your trip home had some consequences?" he asked carefully.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He realised what he'd done and pulled his chin down, reorientating on Anakin. "It did," he said, folding his hands in front of him. "But we stopped the storms, and that's all that matters."

[sith_happened]

Anakin nodded. "I'm glad to hear of it," he said, "even if I also wish the consequences hadn't affected you."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"It's not so bad." He smiled a little. "I can see through Altra's eyes, and I'm starting to enjoy being able to see in the dark."

[sith_happened]

"Seeing in the dark is always a plus," Anakin said, smiling back. "So the adjustment hasn't been that painful?"

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John had no good reason for being in the offices, and he probably should have avoided Anakin as long as possible, but some part of him didn't want to. Hopefully it wasn't the part of him that tasted like a chocolate mint cookie.

"Redecorating? I'd suggest a couch. Something plush."

[sith_happened]

"But that might encourage annoying people to stay longer," Anakin mused. Ignore the part where he was waving John into the office.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John wandered in to lean casually on the arm of a chair. "Or talk until their blue in the face. Either way I'm sure you'd enjoy yourself."

[sith_happened]

"That's me, a sucker for pointless smalltalk," Anakin commented.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"It explains a lot, really," John replied, tapping his chin to feign thought.

[sith_happened]

"Like my highly successful career as a diplomat," Anakin said with a small snort.

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"I bet you were put on every committee you could get on," John replied.

[sith_happened]

"Especially ones that planned parties," Anakin deadpanned.