The rest of the evening went by pleasantly, if all too quickly for Leia's taste. Dinner had been a simple affair, but Father had actually sat and talked with them, about ordinary, normal things like Leia's tenth birthday. Leia had stifled giggles many times; Father and Mother's ideas of a good party deviated significantly.

For dessert, Mother ordered cocoe aseel, Leia's favorite pastry, from a bakery in Middle City. The delicate cake had arrived with its powdered design smudged out of recognition -- the delivery boy claimed to have no idea how, though he'd disappeared so fast Leia wasn't certain she had heard him correctly -- but she and Mother grimly resigned themselves to eating it anyway, because of its expense. Father, however, wouldn't hear anything of the sort, and reinstated the sugary designs for them with a wave of his hand -- much to Leia and her mother's delight.

It was late now -- Leia theoretically should have been asleep hours earlier -- but she felt that the day had been too good for her to simply close her eyes and bring it to an end. She shivered under thick sheets, trying to remember the feeling of Mother's soft hands smoothing them in place under her chin, and Father's deep voice as he wished her goodnight. The memory was one of the happiest she had. She wanted to remember it forever.

Her parents were up still, in the room adjoining Leia's, speaking in deliciously low tones. Leia shuffled her sheets and stretched out on her stomach to give her ears freedom. She could hear Father clearly, though he was speaking in a quieter voice than usual. Mother was inaudible. She wondered what they were talking about. Normally, any conversation between them would be strained and heavily political -- Mother hated the Empire, and made her views on that clear -- but tonight, Leia imagined their talk to be different. It was a pity, she thought, that she did not share Father's power to eavesdrop on faraway conversations, for she was certain she would like whatever they were discussing now.

If she just pushed her ears out just a tiny bit, and thought a little like the way she did when addressing Father in his special way, she could almost hear them...

Was Mother laughing?

Convinced that she had indeed heard laughter, Leia rolled onto her back and smiled up at the ceiling.

What a perfect day.

She closed her eyes.

Abruptly -- suddenly, and without warning, and at eleven fifty-nine in the evening -- something happened. A piercing noise split through the apartment, starting Leia out of her bed with a scream, and causing for a large thump in the room adjacent to her own. Leia grabbed for the ends of her sheets and cuddled them fearfully, her heart pounding. What --

The doorbuzz. It was only the doorbuzz. The doorbuzz, at midnight. There was nothing to fear.

Why would anyone come to Darth Vader's house at such a time?

Curiosity aroused, a quick replacement for her initial fear, Leia sprung out of bed and onto the carpeted floor, then ran into the entrance room. Father was already at the door, with Mother not far behind, in a nightdress. Leia could tell from Father's voice that he was very displeased with whoever the buzzringers were.

What is it? he asked sharply, at the same time that Mother noticed Leia out of bed.

Mother hissed, pulling her to her side. You shouldn't be here. Leia frowned, but kept her gaze on Father and the door, and did not answer her mother. There were Stormtroopers surrounding Father, which Leia did not like. It was one thing for Father to wear a mask -- she could [i]feel[/i] him still, in a way she did not understand -- but the Stormtroopers were nothing to her but cold, emotionless masks. Leia hated them almost as much as Mother hated the entire Empire.

Lord Vader, the lead trooper announced, sneaking a furtive look at Leia and Mother, the Emperor wishes to speak with you.

Father did not even spare his family a backward glance. Very well, he said, in a cold voice Leia did not like. I will come with you. He stepped out of the door with the troopers, and it slid shut behind him, leaving Leia and her mother alone in the room.

Leia stared at the door. What did that mean? she asked, in a shaking voice. Why did he just go with them like that?

Mother did not answer for a moment. When she did, it was from a kneeling position on the floor, her hands gently cupping Leia's face. Leia, your father works for the Emperor. He is subject to whatever the Emperor's whim's are.

That isn't fair! Leia said heatedly. The Emperor shouldn't need him at this time of night!

Mother looked sad. I'm afraid it doesn't work that way, she said softly, her eyes faraway. Palpatine cares little for the people under him. Especially your Father.

But Father is his most important worker!

Leia --

It isn't fair! I hate the Emperor, for being so cruel.

Mother's eyes darkened suddenly, and she stood. she said, and her voice was strained, never say that word again. Especially when you don't understand what you're attaching it to.

Hate, Mother? Leia asked, confused. Mother hated the Empire -- why couldn't she?

Mother said. Hate is a very strong word, and should not be used lightly.

But you hate the Empire.

I dislike the Empire. I do not agree with its principles. But I do not hate it. There is a difference.

Leia's face crumbled with distress. Mother was making no sense at all.

Mother said suddenly, putting her hands around Leia's arms, I know it may not make any sense to you now, but this is very important. Hating something will not make it better. Hating something can only make it worse. Your father looks the way he does because he hated something, and because he hated it passionately. He was given nothing in return for those feelings.

Leia watched her mother with wide eyes. Mother had never spoken to her about Father's condition before.

But -- she began, and Mother shook her head.

No buts, Mother said. Her eyes softened suddenly, and she managed a shadow of a smile. You know young lady, it's rather late. You should be in bed.

Leia did not smile. She looked down at her feet. Today -- yesterday -- was so perfect, she whispered. Now everything's back to how it was before.

Mother looked awful -- as if she was about to cry. Oh, Leia, that isn't true, she said brokenly, wrapping Leia into her arms. Your father was happier today than I've seen him in a long time. He doesn't forget such things easily. There will be more days like this, I promise.

But how can you promise? Leia asked. Father can be called up at any time of the day. He probably isn't even allowed to spend time with us like he did at the park. That's why he never did before. The Emperor might need him for something and then he wouldn't be there, and he'd get in trouble --

Hush, Leia! Mother cried. She sounded shaken. You're going to bed this instant. Your imagination is overactive at this time of night.

Leia did not protest.

That night, she dreamnt of her father.

He was on fire.

***
A darker arc, I know. . . (tbc)