sol arguably was the least cowardly of the jedi who were on brendok that fateful day, but that was not important. not right now. " i have met only a version of you. a mask—or... helmet, in your case. " an added line to hopefully ease tensions? worth a shot.

brown eyes attentively observe, and the anger in his voice spoke volumes, too. this is exactly why sol was glad they weren't alone, but in public... " maybe we simply have not met in a way that would... clear things up. "

brows knitted together in a frown. sol clearly wasn't satisfied with the answer. but how to push for something more genuine without pushing imri AWAY? " — why not? "

lucky for imri, sol held no such delusions. if there was a way out of the darkness, it would be a long, hard one – and only work if the individual was willing to go. " you asked me if i recognize you. i did recognize a certain familiarity about you, but... DO i know you? am i supposed to, perhaps? "

sol nodded, feeling a surge of – if temporary – confidence. " yes, you. but i will not force you to speak to me, you are free to walk away. " and he felt the need to add one thing: " this concerns neither osha nor mae. "

oh, this was going every bit as awful as he had expected, maybe even feared... sol sighed, casting his gaze downward in sorrow, guilt... " and i do not fault her for that. she has every reason to. " he paused. " ... but i was hoping to speak to you . "

sol knew neither of them would attack, not when there were civilians to br caught in the crossfire. which presented itself as a chance... but how to approach the other without it being cringeworthy and/or awkward...? he tried a smile. " i did not expect to see you here. "

it was a coincidence indeed, though it wasn't so much an annoying one to the jedi. it was simply a little... surprising. though sol's thoughts had lingered often on the other, he wasn't going to enforce an interaction, and was more than happy to just let it slide as just that – coincidence.

now that he's settled... time for some tea.

☼ ❝ 𝐼𝐹 𝑊𝐸 𝐷𝑂𝑁'𝑇 𝑀𝐸𝐷𝐼𝑇𝐴𝑇𝐸 𝑂𝑁 𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝑃𝐴𝑆𝑇 , 𝑊𝐸 𝐴𝑅𝐸 𝐷𝑂𝑂𝑀𝐸𝐷 𝑇𝑂 𝑅𝐸𝑃𝐸𝐴𝑇 𝐼𝑇 . ❞ ᴿᴱᴳᴿᴱᵀ / ᴳᵁᴵᴸᵀ