Calliope leaned on Poe as they entered the stronghold. She didn't need his support from the physical wound, but the energy she wasted it wasn't bearable on her own. The lights were dimmed and all the Naboo were resting peacefully knowing their Guardian would take care of them- not even guards stood at posts. Only one nurse was in the med wing when they arrived and she was stone cold asleep near General Organa's bed whose monitor was beating at a comfortable pace. Calliope took a seat digging around for a cooling pack as the wound had been instantly cauterized, but still her flesh felt boiling to the touch.
Poe took a seat between her and the General fixating on what he was going to say,
"Look…" He offhandedly started, "To me you've proven to be somewhat good. At least to the people here. They revere you like some kind of Goddess, but I need you to look me in the eye and tell me that this resistance is safe here."
Calliope twisted in her seat facing the Commander fully forgetting to put the found ice pack on her throbbing wound,
"Commander Dameron, all I have ever wanted since my son was born was to right the so many wrongs that I set into motion." Those eyes drew the pilot inward and he felt sincerity and assurance resonate through her voice, "You and the resistance are safe here."
Poe drifted back into his seat adjusting his posture…
"The General said you trained with Luke Skywalker, but she seems to have a personal attachment to you."
Calliope laughed lightly, "You sound rather jealous Commander. Almost like you where her son and not…" she drifted from the sentence, "You're curious and I understand that but-."
She caught Rey and Finn entering the room. Both looked prepared for confrontation. The way Rey looked at her with a sense of disgust and resentment while Finn just appeared to be irritated.
"I-I need to go get my son." She stood stronger now on her legs, "Please let me know when the General wakes up."
The pair let her pass. It was Rey who rained down on Poe first,
"You syphoned fuel from the Falcon!" She didn't let him reply, "After what we've learned about her you went out there to risk your life? She could have killed you, said it was a stormtrooper and then come after us!"
Finn put a hand on Rey reeling her vivacious demeanor back and allowing their friend to explain.
"I syphoned feel from the Falcon because it's easily the most recognizable ship in the galaxy, and she didn't kill me and she won't. She not only saved the stronghold, but she also made damn sure troopers aren't going to be bothering us for a while."
"So that's it you trust her now?" Finn curled his fists, "She was not only First Order but a Knight of Ren – the worst of the worst."
"Who also in this room came from the First Order?" Poe stood feeling a touch of anger.
"I was made to. She chose it." Finn whipped back.
"She also chose to come back!" He was yelling now, "Just like you chose to stop following your programming."
"Jeez, with all this yelling I thought the universe sent me back to my twenties." Leia's voice called.
They rushed to her bedside. Rey practically knocked over the slumbering nurse. Leia put a soothing hand on top of Poe's.
"Thank you for defending my friend." Leia weakly smiled.
"General, we just want to understand." Finn said tenderly.
Leia sighed and began to tell them only what she knew.
Anakin was fast asleep when Calliope entered the command center. The few awake gave her a clap on the back and a smile. The Queen's throne-empty- showing the young girl's assuredy in her Guardian, but oh how Calliope lingered on it. Images of herself there burst before her eyes. She wouldn't need to be dotted on by any guards, she would attentively listen to the councilors, and she could most certainly pull off the dress with a sense of maturity and regality were the current Queen lacked the latter.
"That's not you." a voice said.
Immediate and embarrassed Calliope picked up her son and journeyed to their home.
The home was not dissimilar to every other home carved into the mountain. Anakin's toys were dispersed across the floor. They each levitated and returned to their rightful place on the shelf next to his bunk. She laid him and turned to her own bed her body aching out for rest, but she refused it seeking the washroom and blistering hot water to think. Seeing her scarred arms and leg scars meant nothing to her. It was the long scar across her midriff that appeared perhaps faded to others but Calliope could still feel the blood pulsating there as if newly healed. She sunk onto the floor pulling up her knees letting the water spill over all of her.
"I'm sorry I still feel it," She said aloud, "The pull... the want… the hate… the darkness."
"You're doing it, and you will rise above." the voice called out.
"Will I?!" She looked up tears over spilling. She knew no one would be there, but she still hoped for some more comfort and affirmation- none came.
Muahaha so many wonderful mysteries
