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[am-alwaysfree.livejournal.com]

There was no other way of putting it. Mal Reynolds was in a terrible mood. Whether what he was doing fell under the category of sulking or mourning, he was just not dealing well with the supposed loss of everything and everyone he knew. He went through the motions of talking to a few people, asking them questions about Stacy and their purpose; he even managed to make friends with some of them. But regardless of how friendly he was with them, they couldn't fill the sudden void that had settled on him, making him feel like he was carrying a load of bricks.

So, retreating from the Obs deck, where he'd returned to after visiting a few locations on boarrd, he made his way to the Sensorium, seeking solace in a simulation of his ship Serenity. He wandered through the simulation until he found the room he was looking for: the dining area. Mal slowly walked over to the heavy wooden table, and sat down in one of the chairs, his mind reeling from the shock of finding himself on board the ship and everything he'd learned since arriving.

But, as he sat there totally lost in thought, his instincts, sharpened from wartime experiences and other dangers, warned him that someone else was in the room with him. Without bothering to turn around, he asked, "What do you want?"

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[jedimacguyver.livejournal.com]

"Not at all," Obi-Wan replied amicably, "It's the capital of the Galactic Republic, a planet with nothing but city for as far as it's livable. The Senate and the Jedi Council both meet there, and it's where the Jedi Temple is based."

The man seemed nostalgic, proud of the livelihood he'd built for himself. If his crew were anything like what Obi-Wan sensed from him...well, they were as much family as Anakin and himself— and now Luke, and Arha as well. Ben's smile warmed a little, at the thought.

"That's my own occupation, a Jedi Knight," He added, almost an afterthought. If this man didn't know Coruscant, then he could hardly know Jedi. So many worlds, and so few his own, "We're peacekeepers, of a sort."

[am-alwaysfree.livejournal.com]

Galactic Republic? Jedi Council? The phrases were foreign to Mal, even though he knew they had to mean something to the other man. Even when he explained what a Jedi Knight was, Mal was still left with some unanswered questions. "Peacekeepers, huh? Sounds interestin'. Coruscant sounds interesting as well."

He figured since Obi-Wan had told him about his world, he may as well do the same. "Where I'm from, the universe is divided into the core planets and the outer planets. Things on the central planets are more settled down, I guess, with more cities and things like that. The outer planets, though, are less settled. The numbers are there, but the law sure ain't. You're more likely to find people without a whole lot of money on those planets, includin' thieves stealin' to make their way. And of course, the Alliance don't much seem to care."

[jedimacguyver.livejournal.com]

"It's the same in mine," surprised, Obi-Wan's eyebrows rose in recognition. Perhaps things weren't so different between them, after all, "Though we call it the 'Rim,' and you do a lot of crime and warfare out there. It's… Interesting work, out there."

Interesting like a kick in the face, but he wasn't going to say that aloud. The Hutts were not to be challenged, even obliquely, at a distance, and the habit stayed with him so he kept the tone of it light. If Captain Reynolds wanted to be depressed, he hardly needed Ben's help, "The pay is terrible, but it's at least never boring, and I always feel I'm doing good in the world."

[am-alwaysfree.livejournal.com]

"Well, now, that's interesting. I didn't realize the 'verses were so similar," said the ship's captain, unknowingly echoing Obi-Wan's sentiments. "That pretty much sums up what I do for a livin', though whether it's doin' some good in the world is up for interpretation." After all, some of what he and his crew did bordered on stealing things from people and giving it to others.

"The point is, though, sometimes the payoffs are good, and the work's enjoyable, even if you might get beaten up along the way." Mal couldn't help smirking at that last bit. It was a fact that he'd experienced some near misses in the course of his job.

[jedimacguyver.livejournal.com]

"Quite," He nodded, thoughtfully, with a vague sort of smile, "You seem to have found a line of work that suits you well, Captain."

Something dark pinged on the edge of Obi-Wan's force-senses, like a humming foreboding, like a mosquito that couldn't be located. Where was Arha? He frowned; time to go.

"I've intruded on your privacy quite enough for one day," the Jedi bowed respectfully, and made as if to leave, "It was very good to meet you."