riverview | video; @star.lord

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video; @star.lord

[ INT. Shared Housing, Floor 13, Room 4 – Very Late Night.

We open on a shot of the living space in one of the many shared housing units. It's dark in the messy room, with a couple of red jackets tossed onto the backs of chairs. Nearby, soft snores are audible.

In frame is a small, wooden creature, his giant eyes squinting with concentration as he stares at the screen. An old, beat-up mp3 player and a Sony Walkman sit beside him on the coffee table. The little creature mumbles a tiny, irritated— ]

I am Groot?

[ —in the same tone of voice someone else might use to ask, “How the hell do you work this thing?” He pokes at the screen fruitlessly for a while, but soon enough, his eyes light up as he shoves his hand forward one last time.

Suddenly, “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” by the illustrious AC/DC shrieks over stereo speakers.

DONE. DIRT. CHEAP.

Sorry about your beauty sleep, Floor 13. And probably Floors 12 and 14.

The sapling yelps, scrambling and panicking to figure out how to stop this crazy thing, just as a sleep-tousled Star-Lord stumbles into frame, flicking on a light. Barely audible over the music, ]

Groot, what are you—?

[ Busted.

Peter picks up the device, sees that it’s recording, and he grimaces. ]

Oh, son of a—

[ Which is when the feed and the music both cut out. ]

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[Yes, power. If they derive it from something like the Force or ...from some deity? Nothing from a comic book--though, Rey wouldn't know the difference as she's never read a comic book.

It doesn't show on her face, but she is a bit disappointed to learn they didn't really have powers--not in the way that she does, or that Kylo Ren does. However, they still protect the galaxy, so they have that in common. Though, she wouldn't say that right off the bat considering she was still learning and had so much training to do.]

But, you said something about a brand--your brand? The brand of the Guardians? [She's starting to connect a dot or two, her mind is usually faster when she's had more sleep.]

There isn't anything like that in my world--I mean, there was but...that was a long time ago.

Oh, uh.

[ He looks a little sheepish. ]

The "brand" thing was a joke.

[ ... kind of. He's seen a few stray pieces of merchandise. Photos and paraphernalia that absolutely were not approved, nor did the Guardians agree to having their likenesses sold on T-shirts or posters or what have you, but still. Kinda neat.

But explaining a joke makes is 100% not funny, which is why Peter moves on: ]

What happened to the ones in your world?

[Normally, she would have a sense of humor, but Rey was taking the whole thing seriously.

Now it's her turn to look sheepish.]

...Sorry.

[She's more lively with enough sleep. Though, she wouldn't have known about his group being on t-shirts and other things.

As for the ones that happened in her world...there's a pause as she tries to sum it all up.]

They were all killed, and the last one died fighting against an enemy who wanted to take over the galaxy.

Oh.

[ And the word is startled out of him, rather than purposely said, and he winces.

He wasn't sure what answer he was expecting — maybe early retirement? maybe that there wasn't a need for them, and they scattered to the winds? – but he really should've seen "killed in the line of duty" coming. ]

I'm... sorry to hear that.

[There was a half shrug from her shoulders before she looked down again.]

It's...it's okay. There are other means to stop people from taking over--there's a Resistance that's formed. Balance needs to be brought back to the galaxy, and we'll figure out a way to do that.

[Even though two of the major players in that battle were already here: Kylo Ren and Hux. But no need to get into that...not yet.]

In my world they were called Jedi...and they were more of like a myth or legend, until I met the last one.

[ He goes still, eyes widening for a second, expression freezing in something stunned and amused. He's expecting a joke, obviously, and he waits for her to say something like, "ha ha, just kidding, of course they weren't actually Jedi."

But she looks— totally earnest. And Peter thinks he's pretty decent at reading people, and he doesn't see the usual tells tat signal she's lying or joking.

... oh fuck is she serious.

... oh fuck is she from a world where Jedi are real. That's awesome. Well, maybe not awesome, considering there was apparently only one left, so—

Keep it cool, Star-Lord.

He clears his throat, looking a little sheepish. ]

Sorry. I, uh. I think I heard a similar myths, when I was a kid. I always thought they were just stories, you know? Fairy tales.

You met one, though?

[Nope. No jokes. No teasing. No nothing. The war of the stars is her life.

Rey doesn't initially pick up on his hesitance as him think it's a joke. Rather, she thinks he's trying to process because, its a different world and different culture and verbiage...

And she's also trying not to rub her eyes.]

You have? [Well, that's the first she's heard of it. People who aren't from her world don't believe in the Jedi, think they're long gone or....both? He's not from her world, she would've remembered hearing about the 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.]

Yes...met him... [And trained with him, but no need to go into that much detail yet.]

And...I wish I could've had more time to learn from him.

[ ... oh, crap.

When she said "met the last Jedi," she really meant met, apparently. Because the look on her face doesn't seem like a, "Man, I could've talked all day with that guy," kind of look. It seems a lot more like a, "he was taken too soon," look.

Peter takes a quick breath (something almost like a hiss), and he winces a little, contrite. ]

I'm really sorry. [ Again. He just keeps bringing up the wrong topics, doesn't he? ]

[It's okay. She's made peace with it. Luke became one with the Force. He still helped the Resistance. He trained her as best as he could....and tried to help his nephew, tried to reach out.

And to be fair, Rey did bring up 'parents' and other care taker labels...so they could be even at this point.]

It's okay....it's fine. He was at peace when he passed--which was the complete opposite when we first met.

[He was.....a pain, a grouch--and an ass at times, but he was a hermit. He was ready to simply die and take the traditions and knowledge of the Jedi with him...

And maybe it was time to change the subject.]

Your little friend, is he still in trouble?

[ Peter blinks, glancing down at Groot who’s far less cranky, now, and seems to be fiddling with a stubby, leafy offshoot at his upper arm. Ostensibly he’s forgotten he was supposed to be in time out, or else he’s stopped caring.

So Peter sighs a little, scrubbing at his eye. ]

Not anymore, I guess. [ Disciplining unruly saplings is hard. ]

I’m Peter, by the way. Peter Quill. Folks call me Star-Lord.

[ no, they really don’t. ]

And you’ve already met Groot.

Star-Lord?

[Why...would they call him that? No one could have dominion over the stars--well, the Empire had come close to that. Okay, she really needed to get sleep if she's over thinking about a made up title. But, right. Names, she should probably give hers.]

Sorry, I'm Rey. No title, or anything.

[Just Rey. She wasn't a scavenger anymore...and she was an apprentice when Luke was around--though she never officially became that. But, she's it. She had the Force to guide her on what it meant to be a Jedi.]

Yes, he's an intriguing little guy. Nothing like him from my world even with droids and porgs.

[And wookies....and ewoks, and other creatures. Rey stifles a yawn, but barely manages to do that.]

Sorry, I didn't mean to keep either of you up with talking.

[ Peter’s used to the skepticism that accompanies offering his outlaw name turned call sign, which means he takes it all in stride.

When he sees her yawning, though, Peter huffs out a quick little laugh. ]

You sure you’re keeping us up? ‘Cause it’s kinda looking like the other way around.

Sorry if someone— [ And he pointedly looks at Groot, who doesn’t seem to mind. ] —woke you up.

[Well, coming from a world where someone named themselves Emperor and now Supreme Leader, having someone call themselves Star-Lord doesn't sound too far-fetched. It only made her wonder for a brief moment if he was involved with an evil group, that's all. Clearly, it's a sign she needs sleep. ]

No, no you're not keeping me up. I wasn't able to sleep before. [Lack of sleep was starting to catch up to her.]

[There's a faint smile there followed by a shake of her head.]

It's fine--I wasn't asleep so no harm done.

Edited 2018-06-02 03:12 (UTC)

[ He lets out a quiet hum, an acknowledging sort of sound. ]

Should you be, though? Sleeping, I mean. It's pretty late, after all.

[Should she be? Yes. Was she going to tell him that? Nope.]

It's not too late. [Not even going to look at the clock to see what time it was.]

I'll go to sleep soon--I didn't want to go bed earlier.

Oookay.

[ And he draws the word out, a little skeptical, but he keeps his voice light. Obviously there’s a reason she doesn’t want to sleep, and while Peter is admittedly curious, he’s not usually the type to pry. It’s why he shrugs, smirking a little. ]

Just saying, it seems like you’re on the verge of passing out. And, I mean, I know my brand of conversation isn’t for everyone, but it’s kind of a bummer watchin’ you nod off on me.

[ he’s joking, of course ]

What? [ Oh no! She wasn’t falling asleep on him. ] No, no, I wouldn’t fall asleep or pass out on camera. [ That’s embarrassing, but it’s not the best way to make an impression.]

It’s...not often I’ve come across people who know of the Jedi—from a different world I mean. Surprised you knew of them, since not many do.

Edited 2018-06-05 20:02 (UTC)

Oh.

[ Well, now it's Peter's turn to look awkward, because—

It's probably not a strong move to tell someone whose reality contains stuff like the Force and Jedi that as a kid he "saw a really cool move starring Mark Hamill." He frowns for a second, thinking of how to put this, then, ]

I just heard stories, a long time ago. I, uh. Did a lot of traveling, back before I showed up here? Which means you overhear a lot of random tidbits.

[ apparently Peter has decided to lie. ]

[Probably not the best idea. Especially if one would rather avoid an identity crisis. Not just for Rey, but the rest of the others who came from the same world as her. It would cause more anger and confusion than anything.

Besides, probably not the best idea to make an Apprentice Jedi upset--even if Peter didn't know that.]

Ahh, makes sense. Even in the farthest corner of the Mid Rim, people still spoke about it--more like a myth than anything else. But it was....it was something to distract yourself with.

[Until you meet the actual legend and then the stories don't really hold up to the actual thing.]

Yeah. Exactly like that.

[ he guesses? Honestly, Peter was the one spreading the “myth,” out at his neck of the galaxy. He had shared the plot of Star Wars more than a few times, at least once with his fellow Guardians of the galaxy, passing it off as one of Earth’s most valuable legends. ]

So, like, all that stuff’s real? [ He tries to tamp down a boyish sort of excitement, but it still edges into his smile and his voice. ] The lightsabers and the Force and stuff?

[There's a huff of a laugh with a hint of bitterness there. A slow nod of her head as she pushes back a strand of hair.]

Yes, it is. The Lightsaber...the Force...all real. I didn't believe it myself...not until I felt it.

[The Force. That connection--the energy between all life forces, of life and death. The power that isn't solely for the Jedi.

But she also didn't think of it until the Force was used on her, or until she used it herself for the first time. It was always part of her, but she never knew how to tap into it until recently.]

There's still a lot to learn about it.

[ Wait is she's saying what he thinks she's saying? Does she have Force powers?

Is she a Jedi?

But that touch of bitterness doesn't go unnoticed, and some of Peter's enthusiasm dims. ]

I'm guessin' it wasn't exactly all it was cracked up to be?

[Peter can ask those questions, but it'll be up to Rey to decide if she wants to answer.

It's not something she broadcasts, preferring to keep it at a minimum or barely speak about it. Though, given her tired state, she may change her mind.]

Yes...and no.

[Rey thinks about it for a moment, trying to choose her words carefully.]

How I found out wasn't in a pleasant way--and like I said...I met the last Jedi, so it's bittersweet to know it's there, it's real...but the person who would know the most is gone.

[ He casts her a sympathetic look – this obviously isn’t a fun conversation topic for her, and while Peter absolutely wants to know everything, he’s not enough of a dick to poke and prod her when it’s clearly a sore subject.

Still, he allows himself at least one last question: ]

Was he training you?

[Rey should've done this as soon as she mentioned the Jedi, but she's doing it now. The conversation is marked private and she has to think long and hard about the question itself. She doesn't know him. She hasn't told many people what she can do.

Peter--Star-Lord, was someone she didn't know if she could trust. As sleepy as she was, her guard was still up.]

Think that's a question that's better asked in person.

[It's a maybe? It's sort of close to the truth, but not too much. She doesn't know if he was a fan of the Jedi or pretending to be--the Jedi did had enemies after all. Or she's over thinking again because it's late.]

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lmk if this is too fourth-wall-y and i can edit!

Nope it's fine!

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