Chapter fiveteen - A family picture show
His father looks between Ben and Rey, as if he's trying to see any connection between them, that might explain his weird request, but when he fails to find none, he nods and says: "Sure, she can fly too...but not with your eyes closed. The same applies to you Ben. I don't care if your uncle did it to take out the first Death Star, it's way, way to risky. Do you hear me kids? Never fly...or drive with your eyes closed, don't even walk like that. Always pay attention on the road. Always," lectures his father them as if they were children instead of adults.
"Yes, sir," replies Rey, eager to please, while Ben mentally rolls his eyes.
"Yes, father..."
Of course I will just continue using the force like that, when he's not looking...
KR: Of course...
"Ben, what did I say?" His father scowls at him, as he had seen right through him...once again.
Chewie growls at him to behave, while Poe who, if Ben had to venture a guess, had mostly let the ship fly on autopilot frowns at him sternly for not paying attention.
Hypocrite...
"Always pay attention to the road, space, whatever when driving, flying or walking. Always, no exceptions," states Ben in a robot-like voice.
KR: Always stay on the road to darkness...
That is not what he meant!
His father nods, pleased with his answer. "Good, what were we talking about again?"
Poe who had shown tremendous patience in not having his first question answered and had waited patiently from the derailed conversation to get back on track, says: "Mister Solo...I mean Han...I know the Falcon got stolen...I mean..."
I have never seen Poe stutter! And he's so nervous!
KR: The rebelscum is acting like a schoolgirl in love...
Kind of gross! You are talking about him and my father, you know!
KR: I know...I like to gross you out...it's so easy to do...
Evil jerk...
KR: Besides, you know he only has eyes for Finn...
He does...? For real?
KR: Or maybe he has eyes for you...since he always teasing you...you know what they say the boy teases the girl...or boy they likes...
Ew, gross! That idea that Poe likes me! I think what you said is fairly accurate...but me and Poe! Ugh! Makes me sick!
KR: All too easy...
Wait, you are always teasing me...does that mean, you like me?
KR: What! That's absurd!
Haha...in your face!
"You said you found it...who had it? Ducain?" His father turns from the fanboy, Poe to the fangirl, Rey, drawing Ben back to the current events at hand.
"I stole it from Unklar Plutt, who stole it from the Irving boys, who stole it from Ducain, who stole it from..." Rey allows Han to finish that statement, which he does: "Me, well I stole it back for good..."
His voices trails off and looks at Ben at his side, as if he's looking for inspiration, but before Ben can give him a single idea, he wraps him tightly in the duvet and hugs him in the same manner as if he had caught him in a net. "Just like how I stole my son back from the First Order!" His father grins victoriously and messes up his hair, to Ben's great annoyance, but for the enjoyment of the others.
"You didn't do anything..." mutters Ben vexed, that he is taking the credit for his hard work and treating him like small child.
His father's frowns at him, even though he's speaking the truth, lets go of him, but then he grins wolfishly as if he's got some evil idea.
What's up with that creepy smile...?
KR: Even I am little afraid...
"Would you like to see some pictures of him?" asks his father his gang.
He drags the container to the sofa and puts the lid on the container, before taking his wallet from his pocket.
"Pictures?" Ben looks at him perplexed. Whatever diabolical plan he thought his father was hatching, this was not one of those.
Not holos? Wait, what pictures...? What is he blabbering about?
KR: As he has not seen you in twenty years...these must be pictures from your earlier years...
"I would love to," replies Rey and smiles, who seems to have forgiven Ben at last for snapping at her and Chewie looks as excited as if the holidays had come early.
"Sure." Poe shrugs, but also wears an identical creepy smile to that of his father, as if this was all a plan they had worked on together in secret, which unnerves Ben greatly, though of course that can't be true, as they had never met before until today.
What's going on?
Only Finn and BB-8 look as left out and as lost as Ben.
Kylo, what did you by mean earlier...years...?
"What no!" shouts Ben in horror when he realizes, too late, his father's intention who takes out of his wallet, an old photo of him and puts it on the lid of the container, for everyone to see.
"Aw, how cute!" exclaims Rey and whips her head between the picture and Ben as if she is trying to tell the difference, which Ben feels is even more mortifying.
"This was one of the last pictures before you...went...away to train. Do you remember that day?"
His father points at the picture which shows Ben as a child standing next to swing on the playground, wearing black clothes and holding a big black helmet. He looks over his shoulder with an annoyed expression and if he had been interrupted in mid play.
But, this is strange, I don't remember wearing these clothes...
KR: You were always in some make believe games...
But they look strikingly familiar to the ones I'm wearing now...even the helmet...
KR: Coincidence...I think not...but why do you look so annoyed?
I hate having my pictures taken...that is why I like to wear masks...
KR: Ah...makes sense...
Dad forced me to take it down for that stupid photo...said something like how he wanted to see the face of his son. Even though I told him over and over that I was not his son but Kylo Ren...! Wait...what...you didn't exist back then!
KR: You are sure?
I'm sure...I think...
"He hasn't changed that much. Look same clothes, helmet..." remarks Poe and voices aloud what Ben is thinking.
Chewie, Finn and BB-8 look quickly between picture and back at Ben and frown.
Rey looks startled over that revelation and Han stares intently at the picture and back at Ben, as if he is just realizing this now. "Hmm...you're right. I've more pictures..." His father puts away that picture in his wallet to get even more innocent ones.
Not more pictures!
KR: You can still turn back to the darkside and end this humiliation!
It's not that bad...I think...and maybe a monster will get loose or the danger appear...please...
To Ben's horror's his father doesn't have just one picture to embarrass him with, but his whole wallet seems to be stuffed with them and his father arranges them on the closed lid of the container so everyone can see them, enjoy and laugh at him.
Most of the pictures feature some of his childhood's shenanigans and to Ben's surprise, he is always wearing black clothes and very often his homemade helmet and that was long before he even knew the truth about Darth Vader.
Really...it was so obvious where I was heading...straight to the darkside! So why didn't my parents try to stop me?!
KR: They must have thought you would grow out of it...I told you haven't matured...
Poe grin widely as he can't believe his own luck or had fallen into a container full of credits, Finn has trouble keeping the laughter in, BB-8 chirps-chuckles, Chewie looks mesmerized as if he reliving the past, while Rey looks as awed as if she had stumbled on some forbidden treasure.
At least she seems to like children...that's good to know...
KR: Dude, you begin dating her first...not knock her up...
I wasn't thinking about that! I was just filing it for future references!
KR: Your mom and dad probably want some grandchildren...
SHUUUT UP!
"Dad! Why did you keep those pictures?!" shouts Ben in the desperate hope of shutting up Kylo, as this situation is bad enough without him putting some strange ideas in his head.
I expected mom to do that, but not my grumpy dad! And so many! Couldn't he just chose one?!
"To remind me, that despite everything that you were...and still are my boy," replies his father grinning and pinches his cheek teasingly as if he is a toddler.
Ben rubs his sore cheek with a stunned look. "But, I thought you said...that you thought I was lost forever to the darkside..."
I don't understand...
Something seems to die inside his father when he utters those words. He looks crestfallen until he nods and says: "That was what I feared...so I only had hope...but, if you think this is bad, your mother keeps a traveling bag with a old photoalbum, your old clothes, toys, even your old plushie, Wicket." He smirks. "Do you remember that one?"
"Mom...keeps all of my old stuff...? IN the resistance base?" Ben's jaw drops over that revelation and his father nods sadly.
I'm not sure if I should be creeped out or touched by it...did mom think I would change back into a innocent child...if she wished hard enough?
KR: You're still a kid in her eyes...and your father's...
I hate that you are right...
"It's true I have seen that bag. She told me that stuff belonged to her son...that died...many years ago..." says Poe and he frowns confused. "Huh...what do you know, she lied to me..."
Of course she didn't tell them the truth...
"She didn't have much hope for me then..." Ben lifts his shoulders to his ears and Rey looks sympathetic and the others look awkward.
Even she gave up on me...
KR: I will never give up on you!
His father pats his back. "There was always a hope. Here, Chewie has a picture of you with your plushie." He takes a picture from Chewie's hand and puts it in Ben's hand, as if that picture would make him feel better.
Chewie has pictures too!
"Whatever for?! And when was this picture taken?!" shouts Ben.
Stop embarrassing me!
"Awww...he's so precious!" exclaims Rey and pets the head of his sleeping innocent past self who is clutching his teddy bear tightly and sucking his thumb.
I would rather that she petted modern me instead of the past!
KR: You're never happy...
"When you were asleep...obviously..." Poe grins and points the picture which shows Ben as a toddler, sleeping peacefully.
KR: I wonder if Luke has some pictures too...it would be the easiest way for him to ruin me. You think, he is some dark force to be reckoned with? Well I've a picture of his innocent self to disprove that!
Sounds horrifying!
"You couldn't even talk at that time, of course you don't remember when this picture was taken..." says his father apologetic over having taken a picture of him without his permission, instead of apologizing for keeping on humiliating him in front of his new gang.
"Why do you have pictures instead of holos?" snaps Ben at him, as if that was a cardinal sin not to use the newest technology. He crosses his arms and glares at the pictures as if they were a personal insult to him.
"I've holos too, this is just more personal," replies his father, shrugs and Chewie nods in agreement.
Ben shakes his head. "Poe, you better not put any of this on the holonet!" He shouts at Poe, when he sees his evil grin appear.
KR: My repudiation would be ruined! Well...even more...
"Thanks for the idea!" Poe grins and fistbumbs with Finn who loves the idea and BB-8 chirps happily.
"Youuu..." Ben jumps up and uses the force to get all the pictures into his hands, startling everyone with his sudden outburst, though they should have seen it come a mile away.
"Ben, don't you dare!" shouts his father in a warning tone when he is about to rip them all apart.
Chewie growls at him to stop, Finn looks a bit afraid to see his old darkside temper reappear, Poe and BB-8 shake their head sternly in unison.
"Ben, please," says Rey with clasping hands and he can see it in her eyes, how much she wants her own family photos, that ripping even one of his own would break her heart...or his head...
I will find her family and revenge her. How dare they leave such a diamond behind?!
KR; Could be for number of reasons...
Well they suck!
Ben hands his father the pictures back without a single word and sits down again, as if nothing had happened and everyone visible relax, as if a great storm had just passed them by.
"Good boy." Han pats his head as if was well-trained dog instead of a former darkside user and Ben groans and sinks further down in the sofa.
Why can't any of their parents show up and embarrass them! Oh wait, that's not possible for poor Rey...even though she would probably secretly...or well openly enjoy that...Finn doesn't know his family either, BB-8's parents...? Nah...but Poe's parents, yeah! That would teach him! I can just imagine his mortified look if they would show up here or in the rebelbase and...mwhahaha...!
"Ben, who are these guys anyway? Your friends?" asks his father him curiously as if Ben had dragged a lot of strangers home, when he gave up on getting him to participate in the conversation about the stories behind photos, as Ben wanted to sulk instead and plan his revenge on Poe for bearing witness and enjoying his humiliation.
A very, very, very late introduction for them...
KR: Give your dad a break...he was still getting to know you...again...
You're right...I wish this wasn't like twenty years into the future...and how to introduce them?
KR: A rebelscum, a traitor, a violent but powerful woman and stupid droid but with a very important map that must go to the First Order...at all cost...
"Rey, Finn, BB-8, all new...friends...except this guy...Poo...I mean Poe." Ben points rudely at Poe in the pilot seat, who frowns at him, before taking the last bite of the food-bar and is about to ask for a sixth one, when his father asks him in a conspiracy like voice: "Is he an enemy?"
Enemy? Yes we used to be enemies...kind of are still enemies, but different...more like a frenemy...or annoying older brother...like you!
KR: I'm older?
Technically no, as I came first, but you act like it!
KR: I'm wiser than you! And Poe still is my enemy...you all are! Especially you!
Han looks between his son and Poe. Even Chewie looks suddenly wary of him, while Rey, Finn and BB-8 looks shocked over that accusation, especially since Ben hasn't answered yet and holds at the moment, their fates or well at least Poe's, in his hands.
Dad must know that he's isn't really an enemy...I would never allow a real enemy to get this far.. No, this was also our "secret" code for when someone was bullying me...not that ever worked. Like when father showed up once in my school and asked me directly in front of everyone who of my fellow classmates were my enemies. It really scared them that one of the heros of the rebellion were asking ...but not straight...
That scare tactic only worked for a small time, as dad was forbidden to ever return to the classroom without mom to supervise him, so he didn't traumatize the other children. But as they were both always so busy, I had to take matter into my own hands, since I wasn't allowed to just drop out of school to become a smuggler...and of course my dark revenge on the bullies only got me into trouble...
Ben looks between his father and Poe who frowns at him.
Poe is always getting me into trouble. I nearly ruined the precious picture show for Rey, just because of him!
KR: No your temper did...
Poe can be a real bully...and since I always get into trouble when I try to get rid of bullies myself...I can save myself some headache, by having my father dispatch of him and such a sweet revenge to have him thrown out by his hero! And if mom complains, I will just tell her dad send him away...not my fault...and his mission is over anyway...
KR: That's so mean...even though he is my enemy and can be a bully...but, what about Finn? Him and Poe have become inseparable buddies. Are you sending him away too?
Finn will be happy not having to stay in a ship full of monsters...and then he will be far away from my Rey!
KR: What about BB-8?
"Ben...?" says his father.
Why do you care so much about that stupid droid?!
KR: It was the droid I was looking for...it has the map...
I will take the map out of BB-8 and Finn, Poe and his droid can find another way to the resistance...much safer for them, then staying here...
KR: Right...you're thinking about them...but why do you think Rey wants to stay? She wants to go home, remember?
"Ben, I asked you a simple question...is he an enemy?" asks his father firmly.
"Ben, Poe is not an enemy," says Rey sternly and repeats it to his father as if he didn't hear it loud and clear, even though he is in the same room, or maybe she is just trying to convince herself as well, as she doesn't really know him that well. "He's not an enemy."
BB-8 chirps something outraged.
"No, BB-8, Ben isn't an enemy either...not anymore," says Rey and pats the droid which is hopping mad, while Poe looks annoyed at Ben and Finn looks nervous, as if he's going to be send out in an escape pod at any given moment and even though Rey has already given the answer both Chewie and his father are is still waiting for him to answer the question himself, as they are not asking about that kind of an enemy.
"Son?"
I will find a way...I make a new home for her...I already told you why I can't send her away! Stop confusing me! You always make me feel like I am the bad guy! You are the bad guy...most of time...I think...
KR: It's more fun that way...
At least I will get rid of Poe, okay! He's mean to me! A bully! Like you!
KR: I'm not a bully...
No, you're way worse than that! A bully isn't stuck in your head tormenting you all day!
"Are you okay, son?"
I can at least get rid of one bully...
"He hit me!" Ben whines for a more effect, rubs his eyes with one of his hands and points accusingly at Poe with the other.
His acting works, as his father looks between his beaten up head and Poe and makes the connection Ben wanted.
His nostrils flare up and he stands up to yell at Poe: "What? Why you...?!" His father shakes his fist at him and Chewie growls at Poe like an animal.
KR: Rey hit you too...with her staff. And it was way way worse than what Poe did...and she bit you!
She has every right to be angry...
KR: Technically...Poe as well...
Well, I like her...but not him...
KR: True, I don't like him either...rebelscum...
Ben blinks Rey, but she looks far from happy with him having Poe taking the blame for his head injury, even though he technically did it to help her.
"Ben..." says Rey and shakes her head so disappointed in him and Ben instantly regrets his whiney act.
"Uu..." he begins, but before he gets any further, Poe snaps at him: "Yeah, but I did it, because he tried to kill people with the darkside...even though he had gone to the lightside..." Poe shakes his head, as he saw through Ben's plot right away and didn't even try to flee as he had a bulletproof defense at ready.
Han gets an expression as if he had just swallowed a whole lemon and Chewie gets a similar one.
KR: Well...that certainly blew up in your face...
Oops...I didn't think of that...he was never supposed to find out about that!
"What...?!" His father turns to him with a furious look. "Is that true?!"
Chewie glares at him as well.
KR: It was nice knowing you...you are so doomed...
I told you stupid Poe would get me into trouble!
Next up: The "trial..."
The picture show was inspired by the LilKylo drawings, minus the Darth Vader teddy bear...
