Banquet Hall
A few years after the fall of the Empire.
"The Chancellor Leia has been looking forward to meeting you," The escort said, leading the middle age woman through the gigantic halls. "She read your published memoirs as a young child and has admired your courage, Andromeda. As did I."
"Thank you," Andromeda said humbly.
"Anyway, do you need me to show you her office?" The droid asked as they came to the elevator.
"I can figure it out from here, thank you," Andromeda said as she pressed the button. The elevator opened, but instead of seeing the head of the galaxy she instead saw a man who was tall with sandy brown hair and a face that caused images of those whom she once called friends come to light in Andromeda's mind.
"Oh, I'm sorry, she's not here yet. I was just heading down." The man said as his hand pressed the button, holding the door open for her.
"Thank you, I am on my way to see Chancellor Leia about the refugee project on Corella." Andromeda said.
He went silent, not saying much of anything.
"It looks like we have quite a task," Andromeda said breaking the silence.
"She has a lot of confidence in you, to be honest I haven't been paying much attention." the man said. "I'm not really into that stuff, lived through it enough to not read about it."
"You sound like your mother," Andromeda accidentally blurted out causing Han to stop the elevator.
Andromeda and the man with her went up, over looking the Coruscant skyline. For a moment Han just looked at her shocked.
~X~
"What are you doing here?" Jaina asked turning around to see Andromeda, still in her breeder uniform.
"Saving my babies. I am carrying twins. I knew you'd be the one to help, having a child of your own." Andromeda said as Jaina let her guard down.
"How did you know?"
"I've seen that scar on your stomach. My aunt has the same type. When a product was reported missing shortly after your 'miscarriage' I connected the dots. Where is the child?"
"I'm not telling you anything." Jaina answered.
"You do have a child," Andromeda said. "I feel them kick, they know their mummy and already trust that I will protect them from harm. I intend to do so. Please, tell me you understand."
"I can't help you," Jaina said.
"Mother to mother, please." Andromeda begged as her hands curved her stomach.
"We are hosting your husband for dinner, why not ask him for help?" Jaina suggested.
"I can't raise them with that monster," Andromeda said. "Thinking that women are out to just get beat, or that their lives serve no purpose but to work."
"Then why the hell did you come here?" Jaina asked.
"Because you're my friend," Andromeda answered. "I still consider you a friend even though you tricked me."
"Well, that's…fine I guess," Jaina said. "I came out here to get beer." Jaina said putting her hand in her pocket and pulling out a piece of paper. "It's cold, you can lite this to warm yourself."
"What is that?" Andromeda asked, taking it.
"No idea," Jaina answered.
"Well, it's thick. It feels important." Andromeda then unfolded it and held the paper to a lamp. Jaina pretend to read it.
"Who is Han Solo?" Andromeda asked.
"None of your business on who he is," Jaina answered, snatching it back.
"Well, this is his birth certificate and according to it..." Jaina then glanced at the paper. "He was born about three months ago, at one in the morning, weighing six pounds and measuring eighteen inches. Underneath is a statement declaring him as a citizen of the Republic, through the government of Corella. Therefor he is given rights and protection by the Republic. You should make sure it gets back to his parents, this paper provides protection."
"Let me see." Jana looked at it and touched the different curves and lines that formed the letters.
"What all does it say?" Jaina asked, trying to pretend to read it. "What's this blank line here?"
"That's where the father's name is supposed to go."
"What's this here?" Jaina asked.
"That is your name. It says Jaina Solo, mother, underneath is the number fourteen, your age."
"I was testing your knowledge," Jaina quickly said.
"Where was this place, this hospital that provided the paper?" Andromeda asked.
"I have no idea. It's mountains away. You could figure it out if you want. Traveling in the high mountains in the winter is always the best way to avoid being found." Andromeda stood there for a minute. "You can't read, can you?"
"Let me get the beer. You stay here. I'll come back for you later. It's not like you have anywhere else to go." Jaina then open the barrel, scooped the beer out with a ladle, filled the large mugs, and left.
~X~
Jonah stood there, staring at Andromeda, not quite sure what to think of her. He couldn't throw her out in the cold, yet he wasn't sure there was enough supplies for his family to last through the winter with an expectant mother, much less carrying twins. Jonash glanced down at Han, who was sitting up in his crib, teething at a wooden block. He stared at his father in awe. Jonash knew what he had to do.
"You can stay," Jonash said, staring at her as Andromeda smiled. "Just for the winter. I will hide you from your husband and his abuse. The next time smugglers come through, you can hitch a ride with them. There are to be some guidelines."
"Thank you,' Andromeda said. "Yes, of course, I will follow any rules you set out."
"You will help my wife with the daily tasks." Jonash added as Han let out an anxious cry.
"She will, don't worry," Jaina insured as she picked Han up and started bouncing him up and down.
"Is this your son?" Andromeda asked.
"Yes, he's our son," Jonash said rubbing his fingers along the skin of his skull. "We don't want the slave breeders to claim him, so it's important he keeps hidden. You will help with him as well."
"We'll set you with a blanket and pillow for the night," Jaina suggested. "I will go back out and get you some hay for you to sleep on and you can use my coat as a blanket." She then left. Han let out a cry, and Jonash took him. Han clutched his tiny fingers around his father's one finger and started to suck on it.
"So where are you really from?" Jonash asked. Feeling Han's teething gums on the fold of his finger.
"Naboo," Andromeda answered.
"I remember reading about Naboo back when I was child. I heard it's quite beautiful there." Jonash brought up.
"I didn't think much of it when I lived there. I took advantage of seeing the flowered meadows and waterfalls everyday. Now that I have been away from home, it's the most heavenly place in the galaxy." Andromeda said. "My dream was for me to get home. Now my dream is for my children to be born there."
"Children can give us hope." Jonash said as he cradled Han. "Before Han, my future seemed so bleak: going to the mines and back, day in and out. I want Han to be free, go to school, have a safe place to sleep, not have to worry about being abandoned, and I want him to never feel alone. This is what gives me hope to leave with my family."
"It's important to keep those hopes." Andromeda said. "It reminds us that there is something better and brighter.."
"Agreed." Jonash answered. "I used to remember it to keep alive. Now that I have a son, I remind myself of it for his sake and what I want for him."
"Alright, here is your hay bed." Jaina came in with a some hay, placed it on the floor and put some cloth over it.
"You can have my pillow." Jonah suggested.
"Thank you,' Andromeda said. "But I can't be an interference."
"Oh, no problem, I can't let an expectant mother go pillowless."
Jaina smiled at him. "You are probably hungry, I'll get you some stew."
"And perhaps it will do good hanging here. A good baby like Han will make you look forward to your own." Jonash said.
~X~
"Uuuuh owww haaaa," Jaina heard Han say as he let out a coo. She knew that meant 'Look at me Mommy', so Jaina turned to see Han lifting up his tiny arms and moving his body forward.
"Aww, what are you doing Han?" Jaina asked sitting down by the mattress and smiled at her son, he sat up smiling at her, toothless.
He clung onto his stuff dog and started moving it with his tiny arm. "You're picking up your toy now," she said, gently rubbing the dog against his cheek. Han let out a squeal of a laugh at that, causing Jaina's heart to fulfill with joy.
"He's a sweet thing," Andromeda said.
"Oh, you haven't gotten to know him that well," Jaina said. "He can be so cranky when he doesn't get his way, but loves his Momma. Come on, Han, we have a lot to do today." Jaina looked over to see Andromeda using the washing board to clean the clothes and hang them in the cottage. She couldn't help but be amazed by the Solos. Despite living in such a grim place, Han brought joys to his parents.
"That uniform is meant to wear for all your nine months. It looks like they gave you a special one for twins. We don't have any fabric, so you'll just have to wear that." Jaina said rinsing and handing the wet clothes to Andromeda for her to hang on the line.
"I think I am going to try and find something more colorful to remind me of home," Andromeda said as she looked at her.
"Alright, well we have laundry, feeding the livestock and getting fresh water. I also make clothes for Han, since he outgrew his and you'll want something 'colorful' for the twins." Jaina suggested.
~X~
"Why can't he calm down?" Andromeda asked as Han howled while Jaina came back with melting snow in a bucket.
"I don't know," Jaina sighed. "He is cute and lovable one minute, the next minute he's screaming his little head off."
"What is he crying about?" Andromeda asked.
"That's his, 'I'm-tired- so-instead- of-going- to-sleep- I-am- going-to- drive-Mommy- crazy-cry'" Jaina answered. "I could sit around and comfort him but then we need to sweep the house, mind adding kindle to the fire,"
"I'll help," Andromeda answered as she went back to the laundry. Her eyes went to Han every so often while Jaina went to beat the rugs. She then came back in and saw that the
kitchen had overflowed with hot boiling water on the floor.
"Damn it," Jaina said as she put Han down and went to get rags.
"How do you turn this thing off?" Andromeda asked, going to the stove with a bucket of water.
"No! Just throw ashes over it." Jaina yelled as Andromeda grabbed the ash bucket. "It will take forever to put a fire back together if it's wet inside." Jaina threw a rag at Andromeda, and she got on her knees and started scrubbing, helping clean up.
"What are we doing again anyway?" Jaina tired, and she went and picked up Han again. She bounced him up and down until he finally calmed down.
"It will get better, trust me. Once the Republic's aid and standards come through, it will get better." Andromeda swore. "Our rescue will come."
"This is a different world than where your from. I heard of the many romantic and glorious battles. Republic folk like to believe all their vast wealth can conquer any foe. That a person in charge can solve all the problems. Out here, we fight life's true enemies: Starvation, cold, and the things that will snatch our babies."
It was then Han started to cry again, this time Jaina's tenderness wasn't working. It seemed some days this child was never happy. Jaina took a deep breath, staring into the round eyes of her son. It was then she wondered, 'am I a good enough mother?'
"Can you take him for a minute while I step outside." Jaina said, taking a deep breath.
Andromeda took Han and patted his back. Jaina stepped outside. The sun was on the snow from a distance, and she breathed in the fresh air. It was overwhelming; Han, the household, slavery.
She felt she was drowning in it all. So Jaina took a step, followed by another, trying to clear her mind of these everyday troubles before she took it out on Han.
~X~
Jonash was on his way home, when he saw a meaty fowl. He lifted up his blaster and shot it down. As Jonash headed to the meadow to retrieve his hunt, he heard the buzzing sound followed by the appearance of a C5 Mountain Freighter, traveling through the mountains fluttering over the pine trees, landing in the meadow clearing.
Recognizing the rust and the discreet, hidden path they followed leading them here, Jonash knew they were drug traffickers. He quickly raised his hands, signaling a safe place to land. Jonash, like always, now kept a blaster in hand, pointed to the ground, in case he saw something move that could feed his family. It landed in the clearing and out came a tall and slender a Kookier being led by a Basilisk.
"Excuse me," The Kookier said revealing a female voice spoke. "Are you one of the miners that live here?"
"Yes," Jonash answered. "We are also open to hospitality depending on an exchange.
"We are low on heating fuel and clean clothes." The woman said. "This pocket watch is a heirloom from my ex-husband's family. I'll give it to you in exchanged that my partner and I have hospitality in your home."
"May I see it?" Jonash asked. The woman held it in her slimy hand, but certainly didn't give it to him. Jonash looked at it. It was gold with an insular knot making a fold pattern. "I have a use for a watch. Being able to figure out certain times of darkness and measure hours of travel will come in hand to me one day." Jonash said. "It does look like something of value, which I can't turn down. I'll take it. Do you have any laundry or mending? My wife will do that in exchange for coins."
The two looked at each other, suspiciously before looking back to Jonash. "I have a few druggants, strange thing for a slave to ask."
"You can stay at my home for the pocket watch, my wife will do your laundry and mending for three duggguets," Jonash said.
"Sounds good." the Kookier spoke as she and Jonash shook hands. "We'll get our bags."
~X~
"And after Luke The Brave defeated the monster, the people celebrated in great cheer for saving his people. He then led his people to the beautiful planet flowing with riches and beauty." Andromeda recited in a calming voice as Han let out a few babbles and excitedly fingered his mouth.
"Hello," Jonash said coming in to see Andromeda standing over Han in his crib.
"Welcome home," Andromeda said, turning with her red hair braided and her rosy cheeks blushing.
"Thank you," Jonash said as he picked up his son, grinning at the baby's beaming eyes. "Where is Jaina?" Jonash asked as Han curled his fingers around Jonash's pinky and wrapped his gums around it.
"She had to step out for a minute, so I was entertaining Han with a few stories." The two smiled at each other. Jonash then kissed Han on the forehead.
"I see," Jonash looked at her confused. "What story were you telling him?" Jonash asked.
"Luke, son of Kwilaan, who saved Naboo," Andromeda answered. "He is a famous folk hero, you can say."
"I see," Jonash said. "A story is good for a child's soul. Anyhow, I hope you are good at telling stories. I ran into some drug traffickers on the way home."
"What are we going to do?" Andromeda jumped, fearful.
"They are offering me a gold pocket watch in exchange for a room tonight, and three duggets in exchange that you and Jaina do mending and laundry." Jonash answered. "We are going to take them in and be good hosts."
"They could be dangerous,' Andromeda warned. "I read stories: they carry blasters and shoot innocent people."
Jonash looked out the window to see Jaina coming back with a large vase of water, this time she was talking to the smugglers.
"Well, dangerous or not, they know how to pass through these parts undetected, and keeping good terms may be our ticket to escape."
"The drug cartel is known for it's connection to human trafficking." Andromeda explained, peeking out the window as Jaina smiled at the male while talking to him. "If I go with them, there is a chance that I end up back where I started."
"I wasn't talking about you going with them," Jonash said as he walked passed Han's crib and went outside to meet Jaina.
"Well, as lady of the house, we are happy to welcome you here." Jaina said. "Let me go inside and get you some ale."
"Where were you?" Jonash asked.
"I went to the river to take a breather," Jaina answered. "I needed to seek wisdom from the Mother Goddess to best serve my son."
"Good thing Andromeda was still here." Jonash said. "Don't leave my son alone during the day."
"Says the person who's allowed to leave." Jaina said, with testiness rising in her voice. "I notice your out a lot earlier than needed. Anyway, I was talking to these nice people, and they just informed me how the smuggler routes are marked by different landmarks." Jaina smiled, turning back to them. "I figured you would want to talk to them to jot it down." Jaina went on, before turning back to the house. "Come on in, get out of the cold."
"Thank you, I am freezing," Kookier said, following Jaina to the door.
"To warn you, it's a small place. But as soon as I fold up the mattress and lay out a dining mat, you won't find an inn or tavern near as cozy. You can tell Jonash what you just told me." Jaina suggested. The crew walked in, following Jaina.
"To warn you, Andromeda is scared of them." Jonash whispered. Jaina ignored Jonash and led them to the tiny shack to find Andromeda holding Han. He smiled when he saw his mother, making his traditional muhhha sound.
"You're excited to see mommy?" She said. "This is our son Han and this is Andromeda; she lives with us." Andromeda smiled at the smugglers uncomfortably.
"He is an adorable baby," Kookier said as Andromeda nodded. The two watched as Han and Jaina. Jaina kissed him, and he smiled at her, looking up to his mother when she kissed him. Jaina then gave him to the smugglers, but remained in Han's eyesight.
"I have a grandson myself," Kookier said. "My daughter-in- law, is so stupid for giving him a republic Education."
"I'm going out to get some food and beverages, my husband is here so he can you keep you entertained." Jaina suggested. "We are trying to figure out their paths and routes."
"These people are speaking ill of the Republic." Andromeda pointed out.
"So? What does that have to do with anything?" Jaina asked. Andromeda and Jaina folded the mattress. Andromeda laid out the mat as the smugglers sat with Jonash, while Han went back and forth between the smugglers, entertaining them with his easy amusement.
~X~
"How long has Corella been part of the republic?" Jaina asked at dinner.
"Five years." Andromeda answered. "By belonging to the republic, you and other Corellans have rights and freedom now. There were grants being sent to mobilize your planet and ensure those freedoms and rights."
"The only rights the Republic wants to see go through is cheap trade and galactic claims to our oil," Basilisk said. "The only freedom they want is freedom of corporate access. Where are you from?"
"Naboo."
"Naboo, they are the worst. Spoiled planet, getting exactly what they deserve right now. Palpaitine and his policies have kept Corellans starving for years. I grew up in the slums, Dearie. I lived in a tiny shacks of Mynocks Haven with fourteen brothers and sisters. The owner of the factory I grew up working at was a Nabooian. Half the factories are owned by the wealth of Republic, and I know for a fact it's too crammed and populated to be taken care of overnight. When I heard about us joining the Republic, I knew it was all lies especially with the big business and factory workers exploiting us for cheap labor are paying off the senators. Ones like Palpaitne, who's the biggest one known for passing laws keeping my people in slums while his buddies get wealthy. They expect me to feel for a blockade being on their planet when the polices passed through Palpatine kept us blocked." Basilisk lectured.
"I am sure if you look at it from his point of view, you'll see his job is doing what's best for our planet." Andromeda argued back.
"Evil, corrupted scum who's only out for personal gain." Basilisk argued with Andromeda. "I can tell you are a Nabboian. You think the Republic is the end all, save all, and those of the Republic will see all. You preach about how we'll get freedoms of speech, religion and whatever, but how's that going to put food on the table? Now, here they are offering my kids education and my wife free health but want to arrest me doing the best thing for them: putting food on the table. They don't care about our rights or freedoms, they just want our resources." Basilisk informed in almost a laugh.
"Our king was manipulated, and is now fully aware how much oppression your senators and his Naboo billionaires have placed on our people. Now, he is sending senators of our own to tell the Queen to back off, order all Naboo to leave unless they are willing to treat workers fairly.
"The governor is very clear: get Palpatine from power and replace him senators willing to make fairer deals with the poorer planets."
"But they can't. What about liberating slaves here?" Andromeda asked. "There has to be a few that are caring. Compassion is very much in our nature. Senators are only focused on pleasing those who fund their campaigns—and they are more than willing to forget the niceties of democracy to get those funds. If Corella finds the right people, we may have what we need out here to be civilized."
It was then, Han started to let out his hungry cry. Jaina, never being exposed to politics, didn't know what she was talking about. As custom in Corella, Jaina caused no discomfort by nursing her child in front of the guests, as it was considered normal.
"I know our slavers are keeping us illegally," Jonash said, realizing Jaina knew just as much about the Republic as Han did. "But yet they still keep us and tried to sell our son." Jonash explained to the smugglers. "My fear is that the masters will exterminate all of us to protect his diamond business." Jonash said. "I do know of the new king trying to bring Corella up to code."
"That was one of the new king's promises, that their won't be a single slave on Corella. Corella will have fair wages, child labor will be replaced with free education for the masses, stable health care, roads, heck joining the Republic seems like being covered with gold. A lot are still upset and some can't leave."
"Do these senators who plan to harass my queen plan also desire to appeal to the Jedi?" Andromeda asked.
"Not that I'm aware, hell, see if they get them to do anything for the common man. They will spend hours in meditation, months investigating an assassination attempt of a senator but not even ask why people want to see him gone. They condemned the separatist and not ask why they want to separate in the first place. But the killings in the slums of their own planet and the explosion of children throughout the galaxy world wide they won't bat an eye."
"Han is a citizen, will they help him?" Andromeda asked.
"Quite being naive." Jaina said. "No man with power would think twice about our son." The parents looked at each other and looked at Andromeda.
"Andromeda," Jonash finally said. "I think it is best that you listen to what they have to say."
The woman went on. "Liberation of the oppressed won't happen until the oppressed realizes it. I am sorry to bring a draft, but most likely you will never get out of here. You are from Nabboo, from Corella's perspective you might as well be Palpatine and be steered at by any commoner. You could go to Doaba Guerfel and be a threat to the senate's corruption."
"These are my friends, I would never dream of leaving without them." Andromeda said. "Disgrace my planet all you want, the truth is that we do have asylum visas and those who declare sanctuary status will be treated with compassion by the queen."
~X~
The next morning, despite the ice rain, Jonash still had to go to work in the mine's office. Jaina patched his hood, filled his canteen with hot soup and a hot drink.
"Be careful climbing the mountain, you hear," She said to him, walking out while Han was straddled to her hip.
"I will," Jonash said then kissed her on the cheek and left. Despite having already conceived a baby together, Jaina couldn't help but blush at that gesture.
Jaina was doing the smuggler's laundry while Han was in the crib next to her, the one smuggler. Jaina scraped the clothes against the washing board, and ran the tunic up and down it. She then noticed a large bubble, and she took some foam and blew it towards Han. He clapped his hands and tried catching the bubbles while laughing at his mother's gesture.
"Do you want to take turns holding Han?" Andromeda asked, feeling small standing next to Jaina with her child between them.
"Sure,Jaina looked down on Han, with his woolen leggings covering his nappy, while his body was nestled tight in a thick long-sleeve baby gown. She then put mittens and caps, along with wrapping him in a thick blanket before putting him in a pouch. Jaina kissed her son on the head, and he turned to his mother and smiled.
"We get to go on a ship today." She said to Han. Han, not knowing what was going on, smiled at Jaina as Andromeda watched. For she didn't know if she was thinking of her own children inside or simply taken by the moment of witnessing the sacred bond of mother and child firsthand. Jaina tied Han to her front side of her tightly in a pouch, an idea Jaina adopted after Shmi Skywalker, when she had a child unexpectedly.
"It will be good practice of you, I guess." Jaina said as she made sure Han was nestled sweetly, in her arms. He first fussed, but calmed recognizing Andromeda.
"Don't worry, your Aunt Andromeda will keep you safe." Andromeda spoke until Jaina stroked his cheek and calmed him in a smoothing voice. Han remained quite in Andromeda's arms, but kept his eyes on his mother the entire time. It was watching this, Andromeda aced to hold her own children who were tucked safely.
The two girls followed the smugglers up the mountain path, Han being passed between Jaina Andromeda, both protectively keeping him snug close to their bodies to ensure he remained warm. Andromeda quickly remained behind her, feeling her own children inside her.
The two girls followed the smugglers up the mountain path, Han being passed between Jaina Andromeda, both protectively keeping him snug close to their bodies to ensure he remained warm. Andromeda quickly remained behind her, feeling her own children inside her.
"When are you due?" Kookier asked.
"Late summer or early fall." Andromeda answered.
"You are showing awfully early," Kookier said.
"I am having twins," Andromeda answered.
"Naboo woman are known to have twins." Kookier joked with her. "Something in the water?"
"Is this the laundry?" Jaina asked.
"Yes, we'll pay you four coins."
"Per piece?" Andromeda asked.
"No, for the whole laundry. That gets you far here in Corella."
"We'll take it," Jaina said. "We'll clean the ship for a few more."
"No, no, we stop at other villages." Kookier laughed. "You hand wash them if I recall."
"Sadly, that's the only way. It will take a few days to get this much done. I can also do your mending, an extra coin per item."
"Sounds fair, that watch is more than one night…so." Kookier smiled.
~X~
Andromeda remained at home the next day. The smugglers seemed to enjoy Jaina's company more than hers, so much that she was able to convince them to let her do their mending for an extra coin. Not only was she washing their clothes, but their beds as well. Andromeda didn't know how to sew. In school she could translate languages, solve complicated problems, recite the finest of Naboo poets, and have in depth conversations of philosophy, but she could not sew, chop wood, garden, can, fix a thing, survive the wilderness, or even weave a basket for her unborn children. Truth was, Andromeda knew nothing about the skills needed to serve this isolated, uncivilized planet. She felt worthless.
Even though Andromeda said she was staying to get some things ready for her twins, truth was she found herself lost in one of Jonash's books when Jonash entered.
"Oh, I stole one of your books, I hope you don't mind." Andromeda said as he peered at her. "Can I get you anything?"
"I just forgot my lunch," Jonash said.
"Here it is," Andromeda said handling him the pail.
"Thank you," Jonash said. "What are you reading there?"
"The physics of sulfur," Andromeda answered. "Rather boring subject, but it keeps my mind busy."
"My masters gave me that one. They plan to start a sulfur mine since it sells more." Jonash answered. "One time a smuggler gave me a book that I thought was boring, but you will like it." He then went to his collection and pulled out something.
Andromeda looked at it and smiled. "Poetry collection of Leia Typheo."
She then pressed the book to her chest. "We use to read her in school; she wrote about Naboo patriotism, the beauty of our planet and the wonders of our people. My friends and I would send notes to each other as my teacher would discussed her. Now, I think of her poems when I think of home." She then opened a page, Jonash couldn't help but smile at her Anderomda's eyes would twinkle searching through the pages.
"Thank you," Andromeda smiled. "Here, she talks about how the air always smells of flowers. Makes me happy that my girls re going to be born in spring, so they get a sense of their home planet." Jonah went over and sat beside her. Andromeda shaded her red hair to one side. Joansh saw a freckle on her neck. He wanted to kiss it.
"For when my eyes take their final rest
My soul will travel to no finer heavens
Then upon what is home to thy eyes
Oh, Naboo, you remain my paradise
To let my soul be part of thee
Will be my forever rejoice
It even has her illustrations,"
"I hope it doesn't make you homesick," Jonash said.
"It doesn't," Andromeda said. "I felt one of the babies kick, they must like your gift too."
"I don't read poetry, so I figured you'd like it. I felt bad how our guest shamed your plant. I had a home too once. I know how you feel."
"You did?" Andromeda asked.
"Yes," Jonash said. "My mother, she had a library and she loved books. So books make me think of her."
"Oh, really? I would love to know more about it." Andromeda said, with intense interest.
"It's hard to explain." Jonash said. "Revolution drove us out. But I do hope we get a home someday. I want Han to say he has a home just like any free child. Jaina never really had a home so she doesn't understand roots. I want Han to know what it is like to have a place where he is safe, love and free."
"My geography teacher once made me read a magazine article about Tatooine street children. It reminded me of her." Andromeda said. "She may have been born two years after me but she is years older than me. She is so busy all the time. I can't have time to teach her. We all have this uncanny capability to reach out to the depth of intellectualism. My only comfort would be to help someone unlock that potential."
As Andromeda spoke, he stared into her eyes, so hard he could see his reflection in her pupils. He looked at her beautiful pink lips and wanted to kiss her. It was then he suddenly got up.
"I have to go. Thank you for finding my lunch." Jonash said. "The smugglers are leaving today. I take it you aren't going with them."
Andromeda shook her head. "No, they are too dangerous."
"Well, I certainly don't mind having you around." The two smiled at each other.
