Written 8/16/14
Dance in the Rain
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain."
-Vivian Greene
The robot whirred and shot at a hair-raising speed, but each blast was quickly deflected. Luke sighed, switching off his lightsaber and quickly raising the shield on his helmet. This wasn't helping at all. The truth was, he'd been practicing every second of spare time he had for weeks now, trying to distract himself; but he was getting so good at it that it was no longer distracting. Anything seemed better than facing the empty feeling that had been inside him ever since leaving the second Death Star – he sighed again in part frustration and part weariness, leaning against the wall of his room in the base. Nothing seemed to help anymore.
He sat there for a few minutes, not really thinking about anything. Or at least trying not to. Outside, a thin sheet of rain began falling. This at last distracted him from his unpleasant ponderings, and he turned his attention to the welcome precipitation. Rainfall still drew and kept his attention whenever it occurred – even though he hadn't been on Tatooine for a long time and rain came often on this planet, it was hard to forget the dry, scorching heat of the desert world he'd grown up on. He was grateful for this blessing the other planets had. And without another thought, he moved out the door to enjoy it more thoroughly.
Gently, soothingly, the rain streamed down his face. He closed his eyes and smiled as it washed away all the tension, all the ceaseless worrying and wondering. The steady patter was comforting and inviting, and as the rain kept falling, his smile grew and his arms rose as if to welcome it. Before long, he was laughing and dancing in the solid downpour, all tension, all worrying long gone. The cascaede came on and on in a steady melody, and he danced to its tune.
He could sense someone behind him, and turned suddenly to see Leia standing there serenely, a smile on her face. Seeing him turn to face her, she seemed to consider what to do, raising her hand in a small wave. Luke smiled, gesturing for her to join him. At first she appeared hesitant – Do I worry about my dignity or forget about it? - but the decision was quickly made for her as she was tugged with a small yelp into the torrent. "Luke!" she sputtered around a laugh, but she couldn't pretend to be angry with him. He looked at her with a childlike grin on his face as he laughed again himself.
"Dance with me, Leia!" he called suddenly, spinning her around. She laughed as she joyfully left behind the current worries of the Alliance and simply danced. The raindrops played a soothing air, and she allowed herself to relax.
Han came out about an hour later to find the two of them thoroughly soaked and laughing as they sat out in the ongoing rain.