Month Two
Despite their original gusto to get out of the mountain the Naboo were less inclined to do so when the time came. Every family carried their possessions rather unwilling to leave anything behind for memorabilia sake. The train of people leaving the stronghold, carrying all their possessions anyway they could, were slow and cautious constantly checking over their shoulders. Each time they did check over their shoulders Queen Soruna the Second was there watching over them from mountain ledge over hanging the cave entrance. She wasn't a Queen they were used to, yet, wearing a reconstructed version of her knight armor, and no cosmetic alteration or intricate hair to speak to their culture, but they would get used to it with time. To the people with the Nubian sun casting down she looked like a goddess mature and able rather than delicate and queen like.
"Mama!" Anakin called out for her from below. Calliope leapt from the ledge greeting her son with a smile and quick embrace on his level. There were so many things about Anakin that were reminiscent of Ben but the way he smiled, laughed and his gestures those all came from her.
"All packed?"
He nodded presenting his pack proudly,
"Grandma wants to see you."
Anakin took her hand leading away from the people's exodus. As they started to veer far off the path Calliope began to understand that her son was not talking about Leia whom he had quickly grown close to. They came upon a shady sea of emerald grass. This place is were departed Nubians rested. Anakin let go of her hand jogging over to a tall slim stone with the clearest etching of them all as it was written with kyber-; Sosha Soruna, Queen of Naboo, Leader of Survivors and loving Mother. Calliope joined her son as he talked to the headstone,
"I brought mama here like you wanted. She misses you. I miss you mamaw."
She looked around praying-hoping-pleading to see a vision of her mother, but only the dew listened against the damp forest met her gaze. Calliope felt a sting of grief sweep through and also the grip of reality. Sosha Soruna was not force sensitive so why did she allow herself to dip into that hope? Anakin looked around as well expecting something to happen. When nothing did the boy grew disappointed clenching his fists in and out just like Calliope did in frustration. His mother swooped down to him hugging his side, meeting those deep brown eyes.
"You know she's always with us. Even if we can't see her." Calliope placed a hand on the marker and a hand on her son's chest.
"Always? Even when we move far away?" The boy sniffled.
She embraced her son tightly, "Always, no matter where."
Leia gripped her grandson's hand tightly as they walked. He pulled excitedly ready for his class. The boy wore what they were labeling 'school uniform'-; a simple grey tunic and slacks but each child was adorned with a familial scarf around their neck or sash around their waste. Anakain's sash was a deep purple torn from one of Calliope's capes because he wanted a part of his mother to follow him wherever he went. The boy was in definition a mama's boy, but he couldn't really be anything else. Leia's mind started to wonder about what kind of life he would have led if Calliope hadn't escaped. Images of pain and practice, dark practice swept through the General, but Anakin's voice brought her back.
"Today, I get to wear a helmet one like Poe's!"
She was glad for his excitement about learning, but less so that he idolized Poe. Not that the infamous pilot wasn't a good man. It's just that he was still an impulsive take action figure that wasn't always what was needed; even after Crait. Today the class was learning about tools so they could assist their parents if needed during the building of the new capital of the planet, the defense of that planet, and the growth of their home world. The helmets were for safety even though they were merely handling the tools and not actively using them. She wished him a good day with a kiss on the forehead and a wave of hindsight flew through her-; what would have Ben been like if she walked him to school every day? Leia didn't want think like that anymore, but it was instant and inescapable. She was nearing the end of her life and as much as the triumphs and defeats weighed on her nothing was more so than the loss of her son and husband. Her room was too far away and she needed to rest her aching legs.
Chewie greeted her upon reaching the Falcon. He was tinkering with one piece or another. The ramp was easy for her to shuffle up, and she sat down in the hull with a huff. Everything in the ship was pulsating in and out of focus, another headache. The lights shining too brightly causing her cover her eyes with a cupped hand. There was someone else on this ship. Her body began to tingle and the General wondered if she was having a heart attack, but her pulse seemed steady. She went to call out to Chewie, but the Falcon before her began to bend in and out warping before her eyes. She closed her eyes to make herself focus, maybe somehow she was doing this, and perhaps she could make it stop.
"Mother." His voice tore through Leia's ears despite its soft and calm nature. The curious but hesitant woman peaked through her fingers. He was there on his knees. Her Ben right there in front of her like she could reach out and touch him. Leia rested her hands assuredly on her legs. This man had a regal bearing and he would have been so if Alderan were still in existence. She raised up a hand expecting it to go through his cheek like a hologram. When it didn't, when she felt the smooth surface of his face, she brought her hand back far enough for it to sting when it made contact. He didn't flinch but oh he felt it,
"I'm sure you think I deserve more than that."
Leia's nose flared and her lips came into a thin line, "You torture yourself more than I ever could."
"I want to meet." He said still kneeling on her level. He could see the gears working behind her eyes.
"If you think you can fool me-"
"The First Order is crippled," Kylo Ren stood showing how he towered over almost everything, "We keep hold of two systems and twenty six outer rim planets. I'd leave the rest of them alone if you'd agree to meet."
"You'd expect me to believe that?" Leia raised a motherly eyebrow.
"You may pick the planet. I'll bring one ship and come down to the planet alone. You may bring the same. If you really want peace beforeā¦.," The man halted his sentence before looking back at her, "I'd suggest you take this offer."
Rey and Calliope were sitting opposite each other in a meditative state in the makeshift throne room that was now separate from the command center. The room was bathed in light from a skylight molded into the hill top. They sat in front of the throne, a simply cushioned chair, in which was surrounded by enough other chairs for the Nubian advisers.
Calliope's face was twisting between emotions on opposite ends of the spectrum as their minds dueled for supremacy. Rey wasn't attempting to fight back. In fact it was quiet unintentional almost reflexive. Calliope was searching for when the bridge was created, but for some reason Rey's mind led her down doors she didn't need to go down. Seeing the girl abandoned, her hardened struggle to survive, and the deep unquenchable loneliness that plagued her. The Queen began to understand why Rey and Kylo Ren were so bonded and willing to believe the other would turn. There was a vibration in the force equal to a clearing throat trying to get their attention. They opened their eyes to see Leia approaching. She looked determined and also rather distraught using her cane as a saber into the floor rather than a crutch to be relied on. The girl's stood taking her in realizing the gravitas of the conversation they were about to have, albeit baffled about what it would be about.
Hello everyone! 3
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