Who: Leia Organa and Poe Dameron What: Catching up Where: Around town When: Last Friday 2/16 Warnings: just cuteness Status: complete gdoc
While Leia definitely appreciated the break from fighting the First Order, especially since she had learnt that the Resistance weren’t missing them, she had to admit the restlessness was getting the better of her. She needed to find something to do, much like Finn had found a place and purpose here she wished to do the same. But exactly what to do was eluding her.
But her focus wasn’t on that conundrum right now, it was on Poe and more specifically meeting him for a catch up and to thank him for the gifts he’d sent her on Valentine’s Day. Both he and Finn had sent her things and she’d been surprised and touched. Spotting his familiar face she smiled and waved, “Poe, how are you?” she asked once she reached him.
***
To be perfectly honest, Poe was bored. It was nice to not be constantly fighting for his life, but having grown up in the Resistance meant that he was not used to being idle. The problem was there wasn’t much call for pilots in a town that was encased in a dome and he wasn’t really sure what other employable skills he had. He was going to need to figure it out soon though, or he was going to end up broke.
At the moment, he wasn’t worried about that. He was happy to spend some time with Leia. Having her here made being stuck far more tolerable. Between her and Finn, Poe had the people he cared about most. “Better now,” he said with his most charming smile. “It’s always good to see you, General.”
***
Leia has suspected that of all of them Poe would struggle the most. He was a pilot, not used to being grounded for so long and here there was very little in the way of air travel let alone space. Leia was a little more used to being planetside so the adjustment wasn’t quite as bad.
“Always the charmer” Leia told him though it was with obvious affection, “And try to call me Leia while we’re here” she smiled as she made the request. She wasn’t a General here, not as she was back home and she wasn’t really in charge or anything or anyone.
***
Calling her by her first name would take some getting used to, but Poe was willing to make the effort for her sake. “Right, sorry,” he said. “How are you doing today, Leia?”
Yeah, that definitely didn’t sound right to his ears.
*** “You don’t need to apologise” Leia assured him, if she was honest it sounded strange to her too but things were different here and they should really adapt.
“I’m very well, if no closer to figuring out what I am going to do as a job” she smiled, “And yourself?” she asked, knowing her was in a similar position.
***
“Pretty much the same,” Poe said. “There isn’t much need for pilots around here and I don’t know what other useful skills I have for a job.” He was used to living frugally, but the money they gave him upon arrival would eventually run out and he wanted to have something lined up before that point.
He figured she understood though since neither princess nor general was a career option here. “Do you have any ideas of what you might do?”
***
Leia was in the same situation, even frugal living wouldn’t make the amount they’d been given last forever. She shook her head, “I’d like to do something meaningful or at the very least helpful” she smiled, “But there’s a distinct lack of rebellions that need leadership around here” She was hoping that the more she interacted with people and got to know how things worked something would come along.
“What about engines? Surely there’s some need for someone who knows their way around those? You’re a quick learner and I’m sure an X-Wing is a lot more complex than what they have here” she suggested.
***
Poe grinned. If there ever was a rebellion around here, he had no doubt that Leia would step up and take charge. And he would be right there at her side offering whatever support he could. However, with any luck, that wouldn’t become necessary. Being here was almost like a vacation.
“Hmm, engines might work,” he said. “I’ll have to ask around and see what types of opportunities there might be.”
*** It was definitely like a vacation and while Leia appreciated the break a lot there was also a part of her that wasn’t entirely sure what to do. There had always been some kind of crisis or mission to focus on, taking down the death star with Luke and Han, trying to make the senate listen, leading a rebellion - ever since she was a girl she’d had a purpose. Here that was gone.
“Take the chance to think about what you’d like to do. I know flying is like breathing for you, it comes so naturally but think of it as an opportunity” she smiled, patting his arm as she spoke.
***
“And you should think about doing something a little less… action packed,” Poe suggested. He was concerned about the after effects of her space jaunt and hoped that she would take the time here to rest and recuperate properly. Not that he would actually tell her he was concerned. At least not in so many words. “I’m sure you can find something meaningful that doesn’t require putting your life in danger.”
Her whole life had been centered around fighting and righting wrongs. She deserved a break from that.
*** Poe didn’t need to say the words, she could see he was concerned and she appreciated his care. In truth she was feeling her age more and more since her time in space, she tired a little easier and moved slower as the day went on. Age was something it seemed not even she could fight forever.
“I promise I will try” she assured him, “My action adventure days may be behind me now as much as I hate to say it. I should perhaps leave that to you young ones now” After all that’s what she was preparing Poe for though she didn’t think he knew it. He was to be her successor, which was why she pushed him so hard.
***
He definitely didn’t realize that he was being groomed for anything so important and would be shocked to learn that he was. Especially with his recent missteps. “I don’t think there’s much opportunity for action and adventure here anyway,” Poe said. That wasn’t a bad thing.
“Oh, have you tried chocolate yet?” he asked. “If not, you need to. It’s incredible.”
*** Everybody made mistakes, herself included, but Poe had proven he could listen, learn and lead. She couldn't be prouder if him. “No, it does seem to be on the quieter side” which was a welcome change for them all.
“Oh I did try it. On your recommendation and now I fear an addiction may well be forming” she smiled almost cheekily, “I think there may be a few things here which could be dangerous in that way”
***
“I think there are probably far worse things you could become addicted to,” Poe teased. He was glad to see her enjoying herself though. It was a rare thing for her to be able to relax. “What do you say we go and get some hot chocolate?” he asked. “We can sit and chat a little more.”
*** “Oh I am sure there are. For now though I’ll stick with the chocolate” she told him with a hint of a smirk on her face.
“That sounds like the best idea I’ve heard all day” she told him, taking his arm when he offered it as they headed off in search of the hot chocolaty treat.