Kessel Run Week Nine Challenge: Write a story between 300 and 1,000 words in the form of a dramatic monologue. This can be either poetic or prose in nature, but the idea behind the dramatic monologue should be observed: a speech or narrative where a silent listener is addressed, in which the speaker inadvertently reveals aspects of their character while describing a particular situation or series of events.
Promise (Nadira Jade, 17 BBY)
Oh, there now, my darling, what has you so upset? And why, my precious one, must you be so upset at this particular hour? No, I know, a whole night is such a long time for someone only a month old, isn't it? Let's see, a month old, you have been in the galaxy for a whole seven hundred and twenty standard hours—did you know that, Mara? And let's see, eight hours for sleeping, that's a little more than one percent of your entire life to date, so really, it is a very long time for you, isn't it, my sweet girl? It's all a matter of context.
Still, Daddy and I do need the sleep, sweetest, so if you could just try…
Shhh, it's okay, I know, Mommy understands. You can't help it if you're hungry. You only have a very small stomach and such a big metabolism, with all that growing you have to do. Come on, we'll sit here by the window and watch the big outside world while you have—what is this, your second dinner since bedtime? It's closer to breakfast, Mara. But that's all right; Daddy almost never puts you down during the day, does he? So this is our time, just you and me.
See all the pretty lights? That's Coruscant, baby girl. That's your home. If there's a bright center to the universe, this is probably it. Though you wouldn't know it in some areas—or really, any areas now. A lot has changed. Only a few years ago—but there's no use thinking about it. At least there's no war. The war was terrible; I'm glad you missed it. And a lot of things are still mostly the same. Sometimes I think there are more troopers in the streets now than there were then, though.
It's not the galaxy I would have wanted you to grow up in, Mara.
When I was little, I thought my mom and dad knew everything there was to know. They always seemed so sure, and if they said not to worry, then there was nothing to worry about.
I guess that's my job now, isn't it? It's—it's a lot, Mara. I can say that now, right? When you're too little to really understand? I'll practice, and I'll be good at it by the time you do understand, really I will.
Let's start with this: things can change, sweetheart. They've changed so much just in my lifetime so far. They can change again in yours. And they'll change for the better, you'll see.
Besides, no matter what happens, you'll always be safe with Daddy and me. We may not be able to change the galaxy, but we'll always protect you.
I promise.