Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me. Every belongs to George Lucas, the
lucky man who controls and owns Star Wars.
A/N: Constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated, but flames will be ignored. Please tell me what you think!
It's sunset, here. On most planets, the sun would be at mid-point, shining brightly in the sky. but we're not on a typical planet, I've found.
Even the sunsets are different than the ones found on other planets. Usually, it's a cascade or red, orange and pink against the sky. almost like an explosion, at times. But here the sky darkens, turning dark blue, bright green, and, sometimes, crimson red.
At least those are beautiful. Odd, but more beautiful than anything I had been expecting, since I've grown accustomed to no sunsets- an after affect of being in a ship, most of the time. You can see stars exploding, sometimes, but you can't see sunrises and sunsets.
I hadn't realized until tonight how much I had missed it. And not just the beauty; I had missed the peace you could find while sitting, by yourself, staring up at the sky. In space, you can do the same thing, but I just feel empty there. Space seems void, in a way, and it lacks the spark sunsets contain.
Of course, I'm the only one on our team that actually ponders things like this. Yeali and Derik are too busy with each other to desire time by themselves; Garen is too involved with whatever he does in his quarters all day; and Sarai refuses to think about anything that isn't a weapon. Which might be slightly harsh on my side, but it seems true. This is the woman that announced at dinner a few weeks ago that blasters and lightsabers were her friends, however, we weren't. Left an impression.
I'm the loner; it seems. Well, not exactly the loner. I just appreciate time by myself, simply thinking. Not planning our next move, not debating the qualities of a holo-blade, just. just thinking.
That's okay, though. Mom and Dad have always considered me the 'quiet' one, the one who would rather think than act. And they're right- that's who I am, and it's senseless to try and change it.
Although, I do miss everyone at times. I miss Jacen, and Jaina, and everyone else at the Academy. But I'll be back in a year, and the rest of the team will be back in a few weeks. I can give them messages to take back, and that way I can at least let everyone know I've arrived safely.
"Anakin, is there something fascinating I've somehow missed about the sky, or are you just drifting off again?" Sarai, of course, she's the bluntest. And, maybe because she's the most likely to say what's on her mind, she's also the one who can pick up on everything.
Well, when she isn't hunched over a table, muttering about how she needs a new blaster, or lightsaber. Or anything that could cause physical harm to people she dislikes.
"Well?" She waited a moment, her dark eyes glaring at me while she casually fingered her blaster. A threat, undoubtedly, but one I can easily withstand- one of the things I've learned about Sarai is she hates waiting. She'd sooner start screaming at me than wait patiently for me to talk.
"Fine! Okay, I give up, and now I'm curious. What is so utterly fascinating?!" She tosses her hair angrily- if anyone can toss her hair in anger; it's Sarai. An annoyed groan escapes her mouth, then. I wonder how she'd look, stomping her foot at me? Because I can actually see that, sadly enough.
"I'm just admiring the sunset." I smile, more at her obvious disappointment than anything else.
"Oh. Fine." My mouth twitches upwards again; but she hasn't been around me enough to know I find this funny. Thankfully- I can handle people like Sarai for small periods of time, but they get too rambunctious after that.
Her mouth opened to say something again; but Derik rushing over to my nice, previously abandoned space promptly quieted her.
"We're ready to land, Anakin." Derik grinned enthusiastically, probably delighted to be finishing our journey. Force knows I am. After ten weeks travelling over the galaxy, searching for those data-pads, I'm ready to rest.
Which won't be likely, but I can wish.
"Okay, then." I nod; wincing slightly as the ship begins to land very unstably. 'I could do better' can't help but flash through my mind, and I feel guilty. It's not Yeali's fault she hasn't piloted much, and she is trying. But I could still do it better- and if Aunt Mara hadn't ordered me to let someone else pilot for once, I would be doing it.
"Are you nervous?" Derik stares at me, his brown eyes squinting slightly. A smile comes to his face as I nod, and he seems content to leave it at that.
Sarai, however, doesn't appear to be appeased. "Of course he's nervous, Derik- he's bound to be terrified! We're going home, but he's stuck here for a year. making wedding plans with a woman he hasn't even met yet! How would you feel if you were in his position?"
And there she goes, as forthright as always. I don't think she understands that not everyone is as truthful as she is at times- she expects a straight answer, every single time she asks something. And even when somebody else is doing the asking.
I look over at Derik and we both grimace. We've been doing this for way too long; but at least he gets to go home. Then again- he also gets Sarai. it's an even trade. Or at least I'd like to think of it as an even trade; but the truth is, when they're gone, I'll miss them all. Even Sarai and Garen, as skewed as they are.
"Sarai." I smile at her, a tinge of dryness in my voice. "Sarai, yes, I am scared. But I think I'd like to think about everything by myself for a while, not discuss it with Derik- or you."
Her blue eyes widen in exasperation. "Do you think that just because you're a Solo, you can avoid questions like this? The press will be wild once they find out you're here- I'm just helping you along, so you'll be prepared." She stressed prepared, an inscrutable look on her face.
I sighed before I could stop myself. She would never understand how this feels, so why bother? She isn't the one who's engaged to someone she's never even met, she isn't the one that's leaving her home to live on a different planet just so she can meet her fiancée.
No, that's me. Unfortunately.
"Sarai, leave him alone." Smiling at me sympathetically, Yeali slipped into the room we were in. "We're here, anyway. You don't have time to question him any longer."
Sarai rolled her eyes and jumped off the couch she had been perched on. Taking a quick inventory of her weapons- a blaster, vibroblade, and lightsaber were obviously displayed; Force knows how many she's hidden- she nodded. "I'm ready."
"That's good, but we're more interested in whether Anakin is ready," Yeali shot back, looping her arms around Derik's waist and grinning playfully at him. She cuddled up next to him, and they both grinned madly- they've been like this for weeks now, more because it upsets Sarai than anything else.
"Anakin would like to have a few minutes to himself before he leaves, thank you very much." My voice bounces off the walls in here; and Yeali looks amazed. Knowing her, she wasn't expecting anyone to actually rebel against her desire to get out of this ship, especially me.
"Okay, then, we'll just leave you alone for a bit- we need to hunt down Garen, anyway." Hastily interjecting himself into our conversation, Derik gave an apologetic look my way. "Come on, you two."
Sarai sighed heavily; and Yeali groaned. "Fine." Sarai muttered, exchanging looks with Yeali. "But we want to leave, soon. So he can't stay in here sulking forever.Right, Anakin?"
"Right." I nod; relieved to see them gradually leave, Derik basically pulling the two women out; as they both continued to protest.
Finally, they're all far enough away from my quarters. they've all seemed to have wandered away, leaving me with blessed silence. Something that has been sorely lacking on this trip.
Especially now, when I need it the most.
I sigh, leaning against the headboard of my bed. I'm engaged- I'm engaged. I'm meeting my fiancée in a few minutes. I'm meeting the woman I'll be marrying soon; and yet it seems so surreal.
"Time to go!" With a squeal, Yeali bounced into my room, her long red hair flying out from behind her. "Time to go," she repeated, in a singsong voice. "We drop you off, and then we go back home. Hurry up, let's go!"
"I'm coming." I get up off my bed- although my feet seem very unwilling to move- and walk over to pick up my duffel bag. All of my other clothes and things have been sent here already, so all I really have with me are the clothes I've been wearing the past month, and a few other essential things.
"Good." Yeali grins, enthusiastically, then looks up at me. "Don't be scared," she murmurs. "You two will get along wonderfully. Your parents wouldn't have arranged this marriage if they thought you'd hate each other, right?"
"That's what I'm hoping." A resigned smile comes to my lips, and I heave the bag over my shoulders. "Ready?" I smile again, at the faces she's making. Part of her wants to stay here and offer me comfort, but the other part wants to simply get back to Yavin 4 and relax for a while.
In the end, the desire for relaxation and the comfort of home wins. "Yeah," she breathes, grinning as we approach the descending ramp. Everyone else has already emptied the ship, and soon we will, too. We'll be on a strange planet, surrounded by new people- and I'll be met by Tahiri Veila.
My face falls into a wince as we slowly walk off the ship; I'm just thankful the lights are so dim nobody can see it. Instead of electronic lights everywhere, like most docking bays use, this one has rows of flickering torches. much prettier than neon green lights that can easily blind you.
Well, at least Dantina will be visually pleasing.
"Stop that." Yeali elbows me, and the sharpness sends a spasm through my gut. "You've decided this won't work before you've even met her, and you should just st- ooh, is that her?"
Her eyes trailed over to a tall woman, standing next to two younger girls. "She's pretty, you have to admit that, at least," Yeali murmured, and I nod my consent. She was beautiful, yes. long blue hair, pale skin, and curves that seemed to last forever.
But the scary thing is, she doesn't seem very appealing to me. Pretty, yes. Breathtakingly gorgeous, no.
Finally we reach the Queen and King- I remember them, at least. They used to visit Mom when I was younger. I think she mentioned once that Cassa had been one of her closest friends on Alderaan.
I bow to them, my head tilting at just the right degree, according to what Threepio has taught me. And I feel horribly silly- I must look so, too, since the two younger girls the princess was with were laughing brightly at me.
"It's good to see you again, Anakin." Cassa extends a hand to me, while glaring at the two girls who were snickering. They shut up immediately, and I had to resist the urge to sigh in relief.
I have no idea what I'm saying, but I'm saying something. My attention is on the princess, scanning her over carefully. It's funny; she doesn't look a thing like her parents- maybe she was adopted?
"...This is our daughter, Tahiri Madelina Veila." The King waves to the group, and the three come over, all straight-faced. Which means, of course, they're planning something they shouldn't even be thinking about, if I identify that look correctly.
Suddenly, one of the girls steps forward and grins at me. "I'm pleased to meet you, Anakin," she says, grinning wickedly as my look of shock registers. This is the princess? This eleven-year-old girl- she can't be any older than eleven- is the woman I'm going to marry?
"I look young for my age," she supplies helpfully, as if she knows what I'm thinking. Her bright green eyes leisurely trace my body, and I blush deeply. "But it's okay, you look different than I expected, too."
Well, how nice. How very, very..
"Nice," Tahiri finishes, smirking.
A/N: Constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated, but flames will be ignored. Please tell me what you think!
It's sunset, here. On most planets, the sun would be at mid-point, shining brightly in the sky. but we're not on a typical planet, I've found.
Even the sunsets are different than the ones found on other planets. Usually, it's a cascade or red, orange and pink against the sky. almost like an explosion, at times. But here the sky darkens, turning dark blue, bright green, and, sometimes, crimson red.
At least those are beautiful. Odd, but more beautiful than anything I had been expecting, since I've grown accustomed to no sunsets- an after affect of being in a ship, most of the time. You can see stars exploding, sometimes, but you can't see sunrises and sunsets.
I hadn't realized until tonight how much I had missed it. And not just the beauty; I had missed the peace you could find while sitting, by yourself, staring up at the sky. In space, you can do the same thing, but I just feel empty there. Space seems void, in a way, and it lacks the spark sunsets contain.
Of course, I'm the only one on our team that actually ponders things like this. Yeali and Derik are too busy with each other to desire time by themselves; Garen is too involved with whatever he does in his quarters all day; and Sarai refuses to think about anything that isn't a weapon. Which might be slightly harsh on my side, but it seems true. This is the woman that announced at dinner a few weeks ago that blasters and lightsabers were her friends, however, we weren't. Left an impression.
I'm the loner; it seems. Well, not exactly the loner. I just appreciate time by myself, simply thinking. Not planning our next move, not debating the qualities of a holo-blade, just. just thinking.
That's okay, though. Mom and Dad have always considered me the 'quiet' one, the one who would rather think than act. And they're right- that's who I am, and it's senseless to try and change it.
Although, I do miss everyone at times. I miss Jacen, and Jaina, and everyone else at the Academy. But I'll be back in a year, and the rest of the team will be back in a few weeks. I can give them messages to take back, and that way I can at least let everyone know I've arrived safely.
"Anakin, is there something fascinating I've somehow missed about the sky, or are you just drifting off again?" Sarai, of course, she's the bluntest. And, maybe because she's the most likely to say what's on her mind, she's also the one who can pick up on everything.
Well, when she isn't hunched over a table, muttering about how she needs a new blaster, or lightsaber. Or anything that could cause physical harm to people she dislikes.
"Well?" She waited a moment, her dark eyes glaring at me while she casually fingered her blaster. A threat, undoubtedly, but one I can easily withstand- one of the things I've learned about Sarai is she hates waiting. She'd sooner start screaming at me than wait patiently for me to talk.
"Fine! Okay, I give up, and now I'm curious. What is so utterly fascinating?!" She tosses her hair angrily- if anyone can toss her hair in anger; it's Sarai. An annoyed groan escapes her mouth, then. I wonder how she'd look, stomping her foot at me? Because I can actually see that, sadly enough.
"I'm just admiring the sunset." I smile, more at her obvious disappointment than anything else.
"Oh. Fine." My mouth twitches upwards again; but she hasn't been around me enough to know I find this funny. Thankfully- I can handle people like Sarai for small periods of time, but they get too rambunctious after that.
Her mouth opened to say something again; but Derik rushing over to my nice, previously abandoned space promptly quieted her.
"We're ready to land, Anakin." Derik grinned enthusiastically, probably delighted to be finishing our journey. Force knows I am. After ten weeks travelling over the galaxy, searching for those data-pads, I'm ready to rest.
Which won't be likely, but I can wish.
"Okay, then." I nod; wincing slightly as the ship begins to land very unstably. 'I could do better' can't help but flash through my mind, and I feel guilty. It's not Yeali's fault she hasn't piloted much, and she is trying. But I could still do it better- and if Aunt Mara hadn't ordered me to let someone else pilot for once, I would be doing it.
"Are you nervous?" Derik stares at me, his brown eyes squinting slightly. A smile comes to his face as I nod, and he seems content to leave it at that.
Sarai, however, doesn't appear to be appeased. "Of course he's nervous, Derik- he's bound to be terrified! We're going home, but he's stuck here for a year. making wedding plans with a woman he hasn't even met yet! How would you feel if you were in his position?"
And there she goes, as forthright as always. I don't think she understands that not everyone is as truthful as she is at times- she expects a straight answer, every single time she asks something. And even when somebody else is doing the asking.
I look over at Derik and we both grimace. We've been doing this for way too long; but at least he gets to go home. Then again- he also gets Sarai. it's an even trade. Or at least I'd like to think of it as an even trade; but the truth is, when they're gone, I'll miss them all. Even Sarai and Garen, as skewed as they are.
"Sarai." I smile at her, a tinge of dryness in my voice. "Sarai, yes, I am scared. But I think I'd like to think about everything by myself for a while, not discuss it with Derik- or you."
Her blue eyes widen in exasperation. "Do you think that just because you're a Solo, you can avoid questions like this? The press will be wild once they find out you're here- I'm just helping you along, so you'll be prepared." She stressed prepared, an inscrutable look on her face.
I sighed before I could stop myself. She would never understand how this feels, so why bother? She isn't the one who's engaged to someone she's never even met, she isn't the one that's leaving her home to live on a different planet just so she can meet her fiancée.
No, that's me. Unfortunately.
"Sarai, leave him alone." Smiling at me sympathetically, Yeali slipped into the room we were in. "We're here, anyway. You don't have time to question him any longer."
Sarai rolled her eyes and jumped off the couch she had been perched on. Taking a quick inventory of her weapons- a blaster, vibroblade, and lightsaber were obviously displayed; Force knows how many she's hidden- she nodded. "I'm ready."
"That's good, but we're more interested in whether Anakin is ready," Yeali shot back, looping her arms around Derik's waist and grinning playfully at him. She cuddled up next to him, and they both grinned madly- they've been like this for weeks now, more because it upsets Sarai than anything else.
"Anakin would like to have a few minutes to himself before he leaves, thank you very much." My voice bounces off the walls in here; and Yeali looks amazed. Knowing her, she wasn't expecting anyone to actually rebel against her desire to get out of this ship, especially me.
"Okay, then, we'll just leave you alone for a bit- we need to hunt down Garen, anyway." Hastily interjecting himself into our conversation, Derik gave an apologetic look my way. "Come on, you two."
Sarai sighed heavily; and Yeali groaned. "Fine." Sarai muttered, exchanging looks with Yeali. "But we want to leave, soon. So he can't stay in here sulking forever.Right, Anakin?"
"Right." I nod; relieved to see them gradually leave, Derik basically pulling the two women out; as they both continued to protest.
Finally, they're all far enough away from my quarters. they've all seemed to have wandered away, leaving me with blessed silence. Something that has been sorely lacking on this trip.
Especially now, when I need it the most.
I sigh, leaning against the headboard of my bed. I'm engaged- I'm engaged. I'm meeting my fiancée in a few minutes. I'm meeting the woman I'll be marrying soon; and yet it seems so surreal.
"Time to go!" With a squeal, Yeali bounced into my room, her long red hair flying out from behind her. "Time to go," she repeated, in a singsong voice. "We drop you off, and then we go back home. Hurry up, let's go!"
"I'm coming." I get up off my bed- although my feet seem very unwilling to move- and walk over to pick up my duffel bag. All of my other clothes and things have been sent here already, so all I really have with me are the clothes I've been wearing the past month, and a few other essential things.
"Good." Yeali grins, enthusiastically, then looks up at me. "Don't be scared," she murmurs. "You two will get along wonderfully. Your parents wouldn't have arranged this marriage if they thought you'd hate each other, right?"
"That's what I'm hoping." A resigned smile comes to my lips, and I heave the bag over my shoulders. "Ready?" I smile again, at the faces she's making. Part of her wants to stay here and offer me comfort, but the other part wants to simply get back to Yavin 4 and relax for a while.
In the end, the desire for relaxation and the comfort of home wins. "Yeah," she breathes, grinning as we approach the descending ramp. Everyone else has already emptied the ship, and soon we will, too. We'll be on a strange planet, surrounded by new people- and I'll be met by Tahiri Veila.
My face falls into a wince as we slowly walk off the ship; I'm just thankful the lights are so dim nobody can see it. Instead of electronic lights everywhere, like most docking bays use, this one has rows of flickering torches. much prettier than neon green lights that can easily blind you.
Well, at least Dantina will be visually pleasing.
"Stop that." Yeali elbows me, and the sharpness sends a spasm through my gut. "You've decided this won't work before you've even met her, and you should just st- ooh, is that her?"
Her eyes trailed over to a tall woman, standing next to two younger girls. "She's pretty, you have to admit that, at least," Yeali murmured, and I nod my consent. She was beautiful, yes. long blue hair, pale skin, and curves that seemed to last forever.
But the scary thing is, she doesn't seem very appealing to me. Pretty, yes. Breathtakingly gorgeous, no.
Finally we reach the Queen and King- I remember them, at least. They used to visit Mom when I was younger. I think she mentioned once that Cassa had been one of her closest friends on Alderaan.
I bow to them, my head tilting at just the right degree, according to what Threepio has taught me. And I feel horribly silly- I must look so, too, since the two younger girls the princess was with were laughing brightly at me.
"It's good to see you again, Anakin." Cassa extends a hand to me, while glaring at the two girls who were snickering. They shut up immediately, and I had to resist the urge to sigh in relief.
I have no idea what I'm saying, but I'm saying something. My attention is on the princess, scanning her over carefully. It's funny; she doesn't look a thing like her parents- maybe she was adopted?
"...This is our daughter, Tahiri Madelina Veila." The King waves to the group, and the three come over, all straight-faced. Which means, of course, they're planning something they shouldn't even be thinking about, if I identify that look correctly.
Suddenly, one of the girls steps forward and grins at me. "I'm pleased to meet you, Anakin," she says, grinning wickedly as my look of shock registers. This is the princess? This eleven-year-old girl- she can't be any older than eleven- is the woman I'm going to marry?
"I look young for my age," she supplies helpfully, as if she knows what I'm thinking. Her bright green eyes leisurely trace my body, and I blush deeply. "But it's okay, you look different than I expected, too."
Well, how nice. How very, very..
"Nice," Tahiri finishes, smirking.