text; un: reiner

[hometown]

I've got a question for anyone willing to answer.

Would you say you come from a generally peaceful world or a violent one?

Comments

[hometown]

I'm sorry to hear that. [ Then, taking a guess: ] Is it war?

[politicallyinclined]

As far as I understand it, the war doesn't last long before my galaxy falls under the jurisdiction of one. I hope people continue to fight, but they will need to be quiet about it.

[hometown]

[ A whole galaxy? That's a larger scale than Reiner can truthfully imagine. However: ]

Something like that happened in my world's history. I'm not gonna lie: it was horrible for the people who were oppressed. We're still dealing with the ramifications of it. But the oppression didn't last forever.

[politicallyinclined]

(Even within the galaxy she knows, most focus specifically on whatever planet they call home.)

I believe it can't last. Not forever. Good will triumph. But in the interim, how many will be lost? How many lives will be be irreversibly changed?

Or ruined?

[hometown]

It'll depend on how long it lasts. The shorter it is, the better.

Is this something you found out about since arriving here?

[ Given some of the phrasing, he suspects it is. ]

[politicallyinclined]

From what I was told, it seems it will last a decade or more.

Yes. A friend from my galaxy's future arrived recently.

[hometown]

A decade isn't great. However, it could be a lot worse. The oppression in my world lasted for over a millennia. You would think something so entrenched could never end, but it did. The oppressors were defeated.

I'm sorry you have to bear that weight. Knowing things go wrong in the future isn't easy.

[ Spoken from experience, although Reiner doesn't know exactly how bad things get. ]

[politicallyinclined]

That does give me hope. I'm sorry your world had to suffer for that long. When dangerous ideals become normalized, people stop fighting.

There doesn't seem to be much I can do about it. My time is limited.

(But she will try.)

[hometown]

[ Limited time, huh? Staring down his upcoming birthday, Reiner can relate. ]

Maybe being here can give you time you wouldn't have otherwise.

[politicallyinclined]

That is my hope. Now if only my husband would hurry here, everything would be perfect.

[hometown]

Hopefully, he'll arrive soon. What's his name? I can keep an eye out.

[politicallyinclined]

Anakin Skywalker. He might call himself a Jedi.

[hometown]

Anakin Skywalker, Jedi. Got it. If I run into him, I'll tell him that his spouse is searching for him.

[politicallyinclined]

You have my gratitude. If there is any way I can return the favor, let me know. By the way, my name is Padmé.

[hometown]

Nice to meet you, Padmé. I'm Reiner Braun.