bakerstreet | back to my home, sweet home

[ Tilting her head a little to the side, Jane watches the barista curiously; she doesn't have to read his mind or emotions to tell that he's enamored by Carol, as he's being very patient with her.

The customers? Not so.

Thankfully "normal coffee" seems to be a thing, so the ladies are soon seated by a corner, far enough from questioning (and annoyed) eyes. ]

How are you holding up?

He likes you, by the way.

[If they didn't want customers to take so long picking something, they shouldn't have made the menu so insane. People can give her all the looks they want.

Carol takes a long sip of her coffee before replying.]

Okay. It was a serious victory with minor casualties.

[Read as: she's still processing.

At Jane's comment her eyes flick back to the coffee bar. The guy is cute, but...]

He might not think so when he finds out I'm 60. Also I don't know how long I'm sticking around here. I don't know...anything really.

[Read as: excuses.]

How have you been?

[ Jane raises an eyebrow at her friend, lifting her cup of chocolate close to her mouth. But it's still too hot, so she slowly sets it back down. ]

Okay? You went up against Thanos -- again -- and this time, you won. That sounds more than okay.

[ Which is more than one can say about Jane's side of the universe. Hence why she's been wandering the galaxy aimlessly, and it wasn't until she met and befriended Carol that she started to find something better to do with her life. ]

He won't find out if you don't tell him. Besides, you don't look a day over 30.

[ The question gives her pause, and she decides to take her time, picking up her cup and blowing on the surface of her drink before finally taking a cautious sip. Then she sighs. ]

I don't know either. There's something I should do back home, but... I'm not sure I'm ready. [ Five years and she's not really moved on. ]

It's...I'm so glad that we won and that we brought everyone back. And yes, tactically, the losses were more than worthwhile. But personally, it hurts. We got so many of my friends back, but we lost good people. I'm still processing everything.

[She takes another look back at the bar and smiles a little when she catches the guy looking back at her.]

Well, might be worth a little fun.

[Because when was the last time she had some of that?]

Can I ask what is it? Do you need help?

How long does it have to be for the Kree to declare a missing soldier dead?

[ It seems off-topic, but she’s actually answering Carol’s question. Jane doesn’t look at her friend, though; instead she’s distractedly running a finger along the rim of her cup. ]

Depends on the scenario. But I’d say normally three months. Why?

[ Three months? Yeah, you really have to move on, Jane.

She inhales, bracing herself. She’s not spoken about this to anyone, ever. Not only because she’s used to keeping things to herself, but also because she’s been keeping her distance from, well, everyone (until Carol, anyway). Losing all your friends and family tends to do that to you. ]

I used to be a soldier. But my side of the war lost. Completely. The enemy wiped us out, and I only survived because— [ She sucks in a breath. ] My squadron leader saved me. Dragged me to an escape craft, pushed me in. Then kriffing told me he’s been in love with me and he’s sorry he never said so.

[ Dammit, Poe. Five years later and she still wants to cry every time she thinks about you. ]

I don’t know if he’s still alive. I didn’t feel him die. But I never found him. If he vanished because of Thanos, he should’ve reappeared by now, but...

[ Let the past die. Ben’s words echo in her head, and she forces down the hate she feels for him. Though she knows he’s right. ]

Okay, so a few questions. This enemy of yours, do we need to worry about them? Should I be warning Earth?

[She exhales and taps her cup.]

And have you gone looking for him? The Kree may not be your best guide. The Avengers would never give up.

~~[ooc: Okay, but how can you NOT cry when you think about Oscars Isaac?]~~

[ Jane frowns. She’s been keeping tabs on the First Order and she knows they aren’t anywhere near this side of the universe. But having several extra pairs of eyes might not be a bad idea. ]

Wouldn’t hurt to put them on the Avengers’ radar. I’m not making the mistake of underestimating my brother ever again.

[ Ben should be dead to her, after everything he’s done. But he’s also the only family she has left. It’s all so very complicated. ]

I’ve done nothing but search for the last five years. [ And get drunk and wallow in misery and plot vengeance on Kylo and the Order. ] I don’t want to give up, but... maybe I’ve been wrong. Maybe I’m just in denial. I’ve not had a vision of him, or even felt traces of his presence. Maybe he didn’t make it and it’s time for me to let go.

~~[ ooc: ikr?? plus Jane has been smitten with Poe for practically a decade so she needs a new boyfriend to move on, haha. ]~~

[Ugh, fuck. Of course there was something big and evil hovering on the horizon. There was no such thing as breaks.]

Okay. Any notes, positions, anything that you can share, if you can forward them to me later I'd appreciate it.

[Carol takes a long sip of her coffee.]

What would he want you to do?

[ A hero's life, alas. ]

Yeah, hang on, let me send you the files before I forget. [ She reaches for her datapad in the inside pocket of her jacket, glancing surreptitiously around the cafe for a moment before pulling it out. Definitely more advanced than an iPad, but at least Terrans no longer freak out at the sight of superior or out-of-this-world tech. Still, she doesn't want to call unnecessary attention towards them. ] They're called the First Order, a militaristic, conquest-focused nation. They're led by a warlord named Kylo Ren.

[ She finally looks at Carol, smiling wryly. ] Kylo is my older brother.

[ She holds her friend's gaze for a beat, then she goes back to her datapad, preparing the files she's about to share. The ache in her chest remains, but at least having something else to focus on seems to dull it somewhat. ]

He wanted me to live. To get as far away from the First Order as possible. To start the life I never had the chance of living. Said I deserved better than to die trying to take Kylo down.

[ She still can't say Poe's name. ]

[Carol just holds her friend's gaze, a bit taken a back, but most empathetic. It's some shit that her brother essentially (maybe) killed the man who loved her. Carol knows some shit.

She pulls down her sleeve so she can use the pad on her arm to accept and forward the files.]

That is...a lot. But I think he had good advice. You can't take this group down by yourself.

[ Oh, Carol has no idea. Kylo Ren had killed their father with his own hands. Her friends had died fighting his troops. He'd given the order to fire on the flagship that held their mother. That Jane had survived fighting him had only been by sheer luck, and because Poe had been an idiot and decided to go back for her. ]

The vanishing happened not too long after we lost that battle, and I guess that's what made the Order move Coreward, establishing their seat of power in the old Imperial capital world of Coruscant. Over the years several factions appeared, guerilla forces trying to continue the fight, but... I'm not my mother. I can't do what she did, join a rebellion in her teens and lead another one three decades later, against the First Order.

Anyway, Earth should be safe for the most part, since this world is technically in the middle of nowhere. But, just in case, that's what you'll be up against.

[Okay, yeah. She's been through some shit, but that is next level shit.]

I really hope that they do leave us alone. But we need to be prepared.

[Her pad beeps with the information. She checks through the files quickly then forwards them on to Rhodey with the instructions to read them and she'll be back for a debrief soon. No immediate threat.]

That sounds like a hell of a legacy to live up to.

[ Jane makes a face at legacy. Be very glad you're not a Skywalker, Carol. ]

My maternal grandmother was a former queen and senator. My maternal grandfather was one of the greatest Jedi of his generation, before he fell to the dark side and turned instead into one of the greatest evils in the history of our galaxy. Darth Vader, if you've ever heard of him? That's good old grandpa.

Mom was raised a princess, was a senator for most of her life, led rebellions like a pro. Her twin brother became a Jedi and started a new order, after the old one was destroyed by grandpa. [ Nevermind that Luke failed in the end. But that's a story for another time. ]

So, yeah. I've spent most of my life trying not to become evil, or a politician, or a queen, or a Jedi. And I decided to follow my father and become a pilot in the military. Of course, that meant another legacy to live up to, especially since the talent runs in both sides of the family and Dad is a hell of a pilot, but at least it's a lot easier to be a Solo than a Skywalker.

[ She finishes the rest of her drink in one go, as if it's beer she's having. With where their conversation has gone, though, she's actually wishing they're having beer. ]

Anyway, I think as long as Kylo doesn't find out I'm alive and hanging around these parts, he won't bother to look this way.

[Okay, after hearing that, she's super glad she isn't a Skywalker. Actually, she's glad that her parents really haven't done anything noteworthy so there isn't even a Danvers legacy to live up to.]

I haven't heard of your grandfather, but I have heard of your father. His name has been brought up a couple times when I've taken out some smuggler rings.

Now, my knowledge of the Jedi is minimal at best, but can't they like, sense each other? What's going to stop your brother from realizing that you're hanging out in this corner of the galaxy?

[ Jane would be jealous. Trade places, Carol?

The mention of Han makes her groan, though it's clearly in the exaggerated-yet-affectionate sort of way. She loved her father so much; his death is one of the many things she knows she'll never forgive Ben for. ] Yeah, that sounds like Dad. He'll be glad to know his reputation precedes him.

[ Not that she'll be able to tell him. ]

Force-sensitives can sense each other, generally speaking, yes. But I've learned how to... well, to put it simply, hide. So I might need to wear a mask when I go space-avenging with you. [ Okay, she's teasing. ]

[Nah, pass. She's trying to hold up Mar-Vell's legacy and apparently now an entire group of people because Fury named a superhero group after her call sign.]

Ah, okay. That's good. Obviously I didn't want to kick you out of the quadrant. Any preferences on mask colors?

[She smirks as she takes another long sip of her coffee.]

[ That Carol plays along actually makes Jane laugh. ]

So we're doing colors? Like that TV show? The girls get yellow and pink, right? You're blonde so you should be pink, it'll look good with your hair.

Edited (html fail) 2019-05-20 14:09 (UTC)

[She's not always good with feelings but she's pretty good with humor.]

Really? Pink? But I already have a helmet and it's a beautiful red.

Oh, just thought that was a Terran thing. All those TV shows with rangers in a dozen different versions and languages.

But red's appropriate. It's like the leader's color, right?

[ She may have started immersing herself in all manner of Earth pop culture.

Then she suddenly shifts in her seat to look back at the counter; the barista seems to be finishing up his shift, because he's started to clean up and is fumbling with his apron. ] So are you asking him out or what?

Uh, I guess? I think you've watched more rangers than I have.

[Carol looks over at the barista and then back to Jane.]

You're relentless. And you won't stop until I do, will you?

If you won't do it, I will. But for you.

[ Yeah, she's that kind of friend. But she means well, okay. Especially since Carol's become the closest she's ever had to a sister. ]

So what's it going to be? I'm pretty sure he'll say yes either way, but firsthand or secondhand embarrassment?

[Carol rolls her eyes, lets out a giant sigh, and then gets up from their table.]

You're a pain in my ass, Solo.

[But she grabs her empty cup and goes up there to ask out the barista.]

You’re welcome.

[ Carol can get back at her later. It’s not like Jane’s doing well with her love life, either. Or even her choices in men.

But for now she takes her phone, opening the camera app. Hey, this moment needs to be documented! Just in case their date goes well and they want to look back on how/when/where they first met. ]

back to my home, sweet home

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so sorry rl has been super crazy :c

No worries!

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