Disclaimer: I do not own most of these characters or the worlds or even some of the ideas (e.g. the seed storm) and terms (e.g. kriffing). I make no profit from this...it is just an outlet for my creativity! Thank you, Lucas, for providing the foundation.

1

"Well, Artoo, you've done it now," scolded See-Threepio, banging his metal hand on the Astromech droid's dome. "I told you to stay inside until the storm passes. I can't understand why you never listen to me. Now see what you've done."

The protocol droid shook his head and strutted across the cluttered docking bay of the Royal Palace to prepare an oil bath for his counterpart. "Just look at you. You're filthy. And you've got seeds clogging all your joints and wheels. Seeds, Artoo-Detoo. What were you thinking, going outside at a time like this?"

Artoo warbled feebly.

"Getting some fresh air?" Threepio finished the preparations and carefully navigated the crates and spare parts strewn across the floor to make his way back to the nearly incapacitated droid. "Why, that is the most ridiculous excuse I have ever heard."

This time Artoo shot back a series of beeps and snorts, and ended with a strong mimic of a raspberry.

See-Threepio stood stunned momentarily, but he quickly regained his sense of authority. "Don't you talk back to me, you simple-minded dreck. After all, I am the one getting you out of this mess." He turned to help Artoo into position for the bath. "Why I even bother with you is beyond my comprehension."

As the platform on which Artoo stood was lowered into the oil, See-Threepio continued ranting. "Viceroy Organa will have you dismantled for sure if he finds out about this. Even such a forgiving human as himself would hardly understand why one of his droids would be outside seeking fresh air during the worst seed storm in years. He'd probably think you were up to something."

Threepio paused, suddenly looking alarmed. "Oh, no! He'll think I'm a spy!"

The rains had been especially heavy the previous spring, producing rich vegetation ten times thicker than normal. Throughout the late spring and early summer, the combination of warm temperatures and fresh, rain-cleansed air drew numerous people to the grasslands and forests. These excursions were frequent in the lives of most city-dwellers, and they provided a welcome break from daily routine.

The brilliant flowers and lush vegetation inspired artists, musicians, writers… The entire planet seemed to explode to life in the spring.

Now, however, as summer drew to an end, the consequences of the heavy spring rains became evident once again.

Leia Organa stood on the balcony of her aunt's Royal Palace suite in Aldera, capital of peaceful Alderaan, and one of its few metropolitan areas. She gazed out across the grass to the lake surrounding the island city. Normally she would stand gaping in awe at the so-called "Silver Flow," the masses of tiny glimmerfish swimming with the current, their metallic scales reflecting the sunlight in a brilliant display of glittering silver.

But she could see no sign of the glimmerfish. In fact, she could barely see anything at all. Except the seeds. The thousands—perhaps even millions—of seeds flying through the air, carried by the moderate breeze that ruffled Leia's light blue gown and blew her waist-length chestnut hair into her face.

With a sigh Leia pulled her hair back and held it with her hand as she tried in vain one last time to catch a glimpse of the glimmerfish. Having no luck, she turned and walked back through the large transparisteel door into the living area.

"Why does every plant on this planet have to seed at the same time anyway?" she mumbled to no one in particular.

"Oh, is that what all this is?" inquired Jada, her aunt's housekeeper, continuing to stir the pot of boiling stew.

Leia rolled her eyes and sank down into the plush Ekkki-Tiib hair couch. In a monotonous voice, she replied, "'Each year at the end of summer every plant produces seeds that are carried by the wind. The more it rains during the spring, the thicker the vegetation grows. And the more seeds that are produced, the denser the seed storm.' Or so says my Alderaanian Botany professor."

Jada placed the pot of stew on the table and proceeded to fill a bowl for Leia and another for herself. She carried the bowls into the living area and sat down opposite her mistress's niece. "So," she began, carefully blowing on her spoon and taking a sip of the steaming stew, "you are enjoying your studies?"

Leia nodded. Before she could reply, a loud bang in the anteroom startled both her and Jada and caused them to look up from their meal. "What—?"Leia began, but was cut off by the shriek that followed.

"Oooh, I could just kill that man!" A thud resounded throughout the suite. "The nerve, making me chase that kriffing pittin out in this storm." The voice grew louder and more forceful. "That kriffing—"

"Must you use that kind of language around the young lady, Madam?" Jada shouted above the clamor.

The door silently slid open, and a slender woman not much taller than Leia stomped in, red in the face and dressed in a black silk gown that looked as if it had never been washed or pressed, although Leia knew better. Pinched between her thumb and forefinger she carried a struggling pale pink pittin. Leia jumped up from the couch and ran to her pet. "AT-AV!" She gently cuddled the tiny animal against her chest as she returned to her seat. "Was Auntie Rouge being mean to you?"

Rouge made a face at the sound of her niece's baby talk. "Leia, your father has gone too far!" She reached up and pointed at her hair. "Just look at this!" she shrieked. "This is outrageous! Absolutely unacceptable!"

Jada looked away, trying to suppress a smile. Leia could not contain her amusement and laughed out loud. In place of her aunt's usual perfectly and meticulously styled hair was a tangled mess of black curls studded with countless seeds sticking out in all directions. "Well, Aunt Rouge," Leia teased, "at least it goes well with the dirt under your fingernails."

"You are insufferable!" Rouge glared at her niece. "Despite what your father may think, I do not baby-sit your pets—especially not during a seed storm when everyone is supposed to stay inside anyway—and especially not this…" she hesitated and pointed to AT-AV in Leia's arms, "this maniac…thing." She huffed, "Is that clear?"

Leia smiled and looked down at her pet, which was at the moment content to lie still. She certainly had not named him All-Terrain Attack Vehicle without reason. Trying hard to appear serious, she sat up regally and replied, "Perfectly."

"Good." Rouge sat down on the sofa, smoothed out her gown, and looked at the two ladies. "What's for dinner?"

a/n: I know, I know...just how immature can Leia be? But writing her this way now leaves her character much room to develop in the future. This is only the beginning. -alderaanian jedi