Conversations with dead people

[imthepilot]

The bar is too busy tonight. There's too much going on. Too much noise, too many people messing about. And those doll things - Bodhi shudders.

Instead he takes Galen's hand draws him towards the outside door. It's a clear night and cool without being cold. A light jacket and Galen's hand in his is enough to keep him warm.

"I never knew moonlight on water could be so... beautiful."

Comments

[galen_erso]

"I think it must be," Galen says. "Look, that is the pond!"

[imthepilot]

The view of the pond does makes him smile. Large pink flowers float on the surface, reflecting the moonlight. There's a flat rock to one side of the pool, the perfect as a bench to sit. "Teja was right. It's beautiful here."

[galen_erso]

"So lovely, and calm," Galen says. "That's the great advantage of forests. They're good for the soul."

[imthepilot]

"I'd imagine it would be ever better in daylight." Bodhi mutters, still unsure that there isn't anything following them.

He tries to put it out if his mind by sitting down on the rock with Galen. He wraps an arm around Galen, holding him close. "This might be a nice place, to have the wedding?"

[galen_erso]

Galen pulls him close.

"I'd like that. Making my vows to you here."

There is a rustle in the trees nearby.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi tense and tightens his arm around Galen. "Who's there?"

[galen_erso]

There seems to be a figure moving between the trees, a pale human, with flashes of red.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi was on his feet, half in front of Galen, covering him. "Who's these? Why are you following us?" His voice has an edge of durosteel.

[galen_erso]

It comes closer, and is a woman.

Galen gives an audible gasp, jumping to his feet as well.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi looks from Galen to the woman and back. The name already forming in his lips. "Lyra."

A whirlwind of emotions rip through him and he fights not to show them. Anger, regret, protectiveness, guilt.

[galen_erso]

"Who are you, and what are you doing with my husband?" she asks.

Pause. She turns her head.

"Galen?"

[imthepilot]

Bodhi doesn't answer, not trusting his own voice. He steps back and to the side, so he's no-longer between Galen and the woman he now knows for sure is Lyra.

"Answer me." Lyra's eyes follow him.

[galen_erso]

"This is Bodhi," Galen says. "I love him. You are dead; Krennic had you shot."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi freezes, not expecting Galen to be that direct. But he knows Lyra best.

She blinks, taking all that in, looking Bodhi up and down. Her eyes are piercing and Bodhi has to fight not to flinch.

She turns back to Galen. "Where is Jyn?"

[galen_erso]

"Dead as well," Galen says. "She died at the Imperial archives on Scarif, undoing what Krennic had forced me to do."

"His beloved super-weapon?" Lyra says, scathingly. "Oh, Galen!"

[imthepilot]

"She died a hero." Bodhi finds his voice, edged with sharpness. "She saved more lives than we'll ever know."

[galen_erso]

"You met our daughter?" Lyra says. "And you still..."

She pauses.

"How many years after I died?"

[imthepilot]

"I fought along side her." Bodhi answers, unsure that's what she wants to know but unwilling to ask what she means by And you still...

He looks to Galen for confirmation. "Fifteen year?"

[galen_erso]

Galen nods, caught between awe and awkwardness, and momentarily struck almost speechless.

"How long have you been with my husband?" Lyra asks Bodhi, quite calmly.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi reaches for Galen's hand, chin held high. "Four months standard before my death. Six months since."

Lyra shook her head and looked at Galen. "He can't be any older than Jyn, Galen." It's a chide but not a harsh one.

[galen_erso]

"Not much, but it doesn't matter,* Galen says. " He's a grown man and an equal. He fits with me as only you fit before. The Force gave him to me to put paid to Vader's and Krennic's gigantomanic project."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi huffs softly at the comment, amused to be referred to as a grown man.

Lyra cocks her head, studying Bodhi again. But she keeps talking to Galen, or to her self. "You found a way, then? Fifteen years. How many died for Orson's hubris. I meant to kill him."

[galen_erso]

"Billions," Galen says. "After all our deaths, before the monster was destroyed, Vader shot it at Alderaan."

[imthepilot]

Lyra took an involuntary step back. "Alderaan?"

Bodhi lowers his eyes. "And Scarif. And Jedha."

[galen_erso]

"The Holy City, not the entire moon," Galen says, "which almost makes it worse. It's where Bodhi is from."

He comes to stand beside Bodhi and touch his hand.