If the Shoe Fits

[Faith Organa]

[SIZE=12pt]Early morning.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]As part of her regime to keep alert, and in shape each morning Faith went running. Her new personal guard, [member="Marev Priest"] did not seem to have a hard time keeping up. She insisted he run with her and not behind, or watch her from some secluded spot. She wanted people to see that she wasn’t alone, that there was someone at her side.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]This morning she started slightly before the rise of the sun. The way the sun rose up inch by inch starting with the dimly light sky of light white blue and turning into the deep azure blue. The horizon dipped in colors of yellow, orange and pink as the day began. They ran along the paths little was said between them, Faith was lost in thought, and Marev kept alert for any danger.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Upon their return to the suite of rooms Faith kept she would pick up her schedule for the day. She did not have an assistant for these things so far she had been managing them on her own. However that may need to change. As she glanced down she stopped almost mid step. Her dark eyes filled with confusion at where she was to be at the very beginning of the day. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]The Prime Minister.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith had not had a meeting with the Prime Minister ever. The agenda said briefing on the Intel Committee.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]She needed to get ready she looked over at Marek, “You’ll need to come with me, but there shouldn’t be much concern.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Unless they decide to kick me out.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith disappeared and went to dress all the while Faith obsessed about what happened once the Intel briefing was done.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Then what.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Feth.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]A few hours later.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith dressed in a white dress appeared in the reception area of the Prime Minister’s Office. She held her breath and asked Marek to wait there until she was done. Her family insignia pinned on her left midway to the shoulder.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She looked to the receptionist, “I’m Senator Balor-Organa of Alderaan, I have an appointment” The woman with the slightly pinched face and tired gray eyes nodded.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Deep breathe Faith.[/SIZE]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Nothing like this was necessarily out of the ordinary for Geneviève. Perhaps she had never called upon the senator from Alderaan before, but intelligence was certainly not a thing she was known to overlook in her daily itinerary. Priorities of paranoia. At least the citizens could know she was doing her best to keep the collective the most safe.

But she was tired. The officiating job had taken its toll on her body and spirit, and while her daughter had been a slightly calming presence in one way, she also provided yet another person to worry over. Priorities of paranoia. She was the last thing Gen would let slip from her grasp now. This mom job could oftentimes be more stressful than trying to run this Republic for what it was worth. And Lasedri felt that she was doing quite a lot of work.

One person who had caught her attention in recent years was [member="Faith Balor-Organa"]. While it greatly irritated the Prime MInister that she was related to one of her grudges, the Alderaanian senator had proven herself to be a hard worker--as far as politicians go--and a consistent voice in the Senate. They rarely seemed to agree on policy, but there was a respect Geneviève had for people who even dared to show up these days. She was a valuable asset and important to the GRPM as one of the guiding hands of the Intelligence Committee. Priorities of paranoia. She needed a solid standing with this woman.

Forsaking the white sunhat for the meeting, Prime Minister Lasedri got up from her seat at her desk and strode to the doorway of her office upon hearing Organa's arrival. "Good morning, Senator."

 

[Riggs]

Faith's workout regime started at the onset of the day as the sun's first ray's winked upon the landscape. But I wake up hours earlier to do my own routine which involved cardio, weight training, marksmanship, practicing my martial art forms, and then caring for my gear. But as I jog through the morning light next to Faith, something she requested with a finality of one used to being obeyed, my armor absorbed the heat and the sealed bodysuit circulated and controlled my body temperature. I still had a light sweat building but it was controlled and cooled to nearly evaporate as soon as it formed.

I understood she didn't want to be viewed as being alone, but I wanted to convey a very strong military presence with her. It would encourage those to leave her be and cement the knowledge that she would not be an easy target.

Back in her suite she prepared for her daily schedule and I waited jut outside her door while constantly monitoring the hall, the windows, the grounds, and airspace with several holo cams I had installed. It gave me a full 360 degree view of all approach. Several hours later I ecorted her to her meeting with the prime minister where I took up station outside the doors, my eyes scanning the guards there. So I waited, my mandalorian presence not easily ignored.

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"] [member="Faith Balor-Organa"]

 

[Faith Organa]

[SIZE=12pt]“Good morning Prime Minister” Faith nodded politely toward her. Faith smiled and produced a datapad. She knew [member="Marev Priest"] was just outside waiting patiently performing his duty and being watched.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“I assume you are looking for an update on how the Intel Committee is doing, there isn’t much to report” Faith slid her finger across the screen she had not even waited for the Prime Minister to ask her to sit, was she so nervous that she could not keep straight things?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith paused, “My apologies I am making assumption and I should actually wait to see what it is you require in the way of details” Surely daily reports were given and she would be repeating many of the things she already knew.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Patience.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith knew the Prime Minister did not like her family her Aunt Rianna spoke of an encounter with the Prime Minster that had left the elder Organa a bit ruffled for a Jedi.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith however did not feel a need to hang her head she had nothing to be ashamed of. Her family was passionate and loyal to Alderaan, and for the most part loyal to the Republic.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith’s nerves began to settle, her breathing evened out and she waited patiently.[/SIZE]

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

She shut the door behind them and began to move back to her desk, noting the senator's seemingly nervous movements. Lasedri understood that her associate was much younger and had perhaps not served in such a position before, but it was not exactly consoling to note how uncollected Faith was behaving at the moment. "Go ahead and take a seat, Faith." Gen rarely used a person's first name, and the conversion to that indicated she was trying to be as welcoming as possible--for a hardened warhound of a woman she was, it was a start.

"I honestly was not too interested in how the committee itself was doing. But I would like to know how GRIM is shaping up. It bothers me how little we've done on the small scale." She took her chair and sat down, hands clasping in front of her on the desktop. "As I learned in my time with the Rebel Alliance, it's the small things that always get overlooked.

"But, really, I suppose I just wanted to talk to you personally. I hope you don't mind."

[member="Faith Balor-Organa"]

 

[Faith Organa]

[SIZE=12pt]Another unexpected item the PM had just called her Faith. Faith smoothed her dress and took a seat looking over to Genevieve.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]She was not interested in the committee. Ok. Faith grew quieter now listening more, this was what she normally did listen before saying anything.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith nodded, “G.R.I.M is doing well we are recruiting new operatives and looking at viable targets for infiltration to collect additional Intel to help keep the Republic safe” Faith had that answer she kept up with the agents as much as she could.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith leaned back, “I am” she let out a deep breath, “surprised to be honest” Faith had a thought which she kept to herself,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]I didn’t think you liked anyone named Organa[/SIZE]​

​

[SIZE=12pt]“What can I do for you Prime Minister?” Something her mother said always kept Faith on the even path, you draw more flies with honey.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith wondered what had prompted this she couldn’t help it.[/SIZE]


[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

"I suppose we had somewhat of a storm recently. Maybe it was my fault. Maybe it was not." While she was prone to being rather vague about things, Gen was fairly confident that Faith would get the gist of the topic soon enough. "And I know that it didn't really provide much of a reason for you, personally, to hold me in high regard.

"And don't lie to me, either," she added on, a slight smirk crossing her lips. "I had your sister removed. Or I at least very much provoked her departure, in one way or another." It would be foolish to believe that the young woman sitting across from her could think it was not on purpose. While Geneviève had initially supported the other Organa, they had clashed in the Senate since nearly Day One of her service in office.

"Regardless, I have to admit that I like you. You're a hard worker and impressionable for a young senator--in a good way." Gen took a moment to pause, quite clearly unused to handing out compliments. Most people knew her for the stubborn, crass woman she was and Gen herself could hardly recall a time when she was outright charitable. She was trying to learn. This meeting was as much for her growth as it was for her trying to help Faith along. "I don't hate you. But I'll understand if you hate me. It's fair."

[member="Faith Balor-Organa"]

 

[Faith Organa]

[SIZE=12pt]“I don’t hate anyone except the Sith” Faith didn’t it wasn’t her way, “but it is and was painful watching everything that happened to my sister. I know her in a way that you don’t, that many don’t.” Faith kept her gaze on the Prime Minister, she wanted her to see that she spoke truthfully and openly with her.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She felt sure the Prime Minister would understand how one could feel about their family. Faith accepted her family with their flaws, and would fight to the death for them to have them.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Not a problem I don’t lie well I use to lie to my son but they were white lies” Faith bit her lip pushing that emotion down inside to where she couldn’t touch it again. She missed her son, as any mother would.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]It took only moments Faith’s focus to change. She was quite surprised to hear the compliment from the Prime Minister, if she had been home she would have grabbed her chest, fell on the floor and cried out ELIZABETH IT’S THE BIG ONE![/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]But she did not she stayed quite calm and reserved where she was, and smiled, “Thank you, I’m not a great Senator Prime Minister I think we both know that. I think we both also know that I am far from being eloquent and graceful. And my words are direct, which isn’t what politicians are.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She let out a breath she had been holding. Faith didn’t feel the animosity that she had felt coming in.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“So, do you like being the Prime Minister?” What did she have to lose asking the question.[/SIZE]

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Faith kept exuding that sort of youthful, positively confident attitude Lasedri had gathered to expect from the senator before her. Nothing much changed in her demeanor at all, save a hint of what was perhaps a relieved peace about the situation. Geneviève had always prided herself in being intimidating, but she supposed there were some instances in which she could do without that reputation. Maybe she could help that along a little better. Besides, it was annoying to always be directly referred to as 'Prime Minister'. "Faith," she said sternly, then allowed her eyes to lighten a bit. "Just call me Gen.

"And if your concern is coming off as too forward, don't apologize. That's one of the reasons I trust you. You have a conviction that none of the other senators have; none of them will ever have." The Prime Minister nearly laughed. No, she did laugh. It was the faintest of chuckles, but it was more than most anyone else had ever provoked from her. "You don't offend me anyway. Besides, I'm sure you've noticed--I can be downright mean."

Faith's question took her off-balance. She had certainly not stretched any truth about being straightforward, but that inquiry was completely unexpected. And, strangely, Gen was not sure she knew the answer. Seven years, and she did not have a definite response..

What was she to say? Well, perhaps the truth would be a good start. She had a feeling that was what the senator from Alderaan would do, of course. "For what it's worth, my ego couldn't be happier," Gen admitted. "I'm leader of the Republic. And I think to myself that of all the impossible odds, reaching this position has to be the most impossible of them all. And I wield power that even Sith wish they had under their control. I dare you to be PM for a day and not feel more important than the rest." It may not have been pretty to confess, but it was honest.

"But do I enjoy the job? No." Simply, no. "I suppose my ego pushes me onward. And my conviction; my sense of duty; my arrogance--if you will--that my conscience is right and I am the one keeping my Republic from sinking under the boot of the Sith and all their little agents rampant throughout our government.

"Faith, I hate my job. It makes me afraid of things I wasn't afraid of before--afraid of losing my power and dirtying my own name. People don't like me. No one likes me. And I have to deal with some of my greatest fears daily. I'm still very young, Faith, and yet I feel like I have not much life left in me."

[member="Faith Balor-Organa"]

 

[Faith Organa]

“Gen” Faith repeated now quite floored. Was the Prime Minister actually letting barriers down? Faith was speechless, and that was an unusual circumstance for her. Faith always had something, even if it was just oh yeah

Holy Farkle she paid me a compliment, more than one. Has she been drinking? Faith casually looked about there wasn’t a glass, and there wasn’t an odor of alcohol..Faith clenched her teeth.

But listened, and felt a degree of honor that the PM would speak so candidly to her after everything that had been happening. “I’m sorry you’re afraid, you don’t show it much, and I don’t recommend you do show it. There are some that will eat you alive because of it” Faith knew that showing too many emotions to people in positions of power were often used to show them as weak.


Faith exhaled as she heard the ring of truth in Gen’s words, yes she thought of her as Gen just then not the PM. Faith did not aspire to be the PM, she had enough on her plate being Senator and from a world that currently was number one on the avoid at all costs list. After listening to Gen, she knew she would never want to be the PM.

Faith wanted to say something that would do something for her. But what could she say that would sound honest, and meant not just said.

“I never chose anything, I got it handed to me and told what I would do you had the luxury of choosing” she smiled and thought except for when I married Dar, that was all me and no one else. What would he say now? What words would he have for her?

“Power is fleeting, it comes and goes, changes hands on a whim. History will judge everything that has been done. Right now you are the PM, people don’t have to like you, or agree with you. Feth there are times I don’t agree with you and don’t like you..” She smiled then. She wasn’t saying anything that Gen didn’t know. Faith leaned towards her now, “All those things you say are intoxicating who wouldn’t want to feel those things or have them. They would be hard to let go of, like an addiction, but even addictions can be controlled.”


She shrugged her shoulders, “but I’m young and still new to all of this. My thoughts are of my people and my family” she had to stop before her voice cracked as she thought of her husband and her son. Even though they aren’t here, even though they tell me they are dead, I wait, I hope.

Did this help? Or did she just make everything worse?

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Well, Gen was fairly certain her instincts had been on-target with this one. But when had her intuition ever lied? Never. But she had certainly ignored its inerrancy when she wanted to; when she had been foolish and followed her greed for the power in knowledge--a couple of times with near-fatal consequences, even. But, with Faith, she was sure she had her read like a book. She could trust this one. She could even trust her to openly disagree.

It was the ones who kept it to themselves who bothered her.

Fear was a capable motivator. The Sith utilized it well, it would seem. "Everyone has a fear. And I believe everyone should be very afraid right now.

"I did make the voluntary choice to run, yes." The PM nodded in affirmation. No regrets there. "I did it out of a sense of duty and because I was afraid of what could happen to my home. And I'm a believer in action. None of this talk really solves the problems, does it? In fact, it's more likely to prolong or even create the issues." And that was why she had forged the Rebel Alliance. Putting her money where her mouth was.

Lasedri pushed herself backwards momentarily when Faith leaned in, but then realized the gesture and leaned forward herself like they were sharing a secret. An addiction? Gen had never been addicted to anything in her life. Nothing conventional, at least. But the Alderaanian princess had a point, and it disturbed the Raven as she consumed the wise words spoken to her. She wanted to deny it all. And while it was not exactly power she craved, it was something quite similar: control.

She did not necessarily desire to exercise her will over others. But she knew she would if they tried to disrupt her peace of mind. She wanted to be in charge of her life; her security in every way. And who could be more in charge of that than the leader of the Republic?

"It matters little that you're young, Faith. You're a better person than I." Geneviève bit her lip as an apologetic smile ghosted her face. "So that makes me wonder where my childhood went wrong. And it makes me wonder how I can help you. The most worthy of my seat are actually the ones who would never take it. And that says something about me."

[member="Faith Balor-Organa"]

 

[Faith Organa]

[SIZE=12pt]Everyone has a fear, yes. She agreed with that considerably the trick was to hide the fear and not let someone use it like a weapon to slice one open and expose their soft side.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Her fear. What was it? Had she already shown it? Perhaps. If so they’d deal with it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She listened she had to the tone, the way she said each word. Faith wasn’t always good at judging people. She often waited, and she had waited with just about everyone.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]But now. Gen here was showing her a different side, and it was uneasy to Faith. How do you go from looking at someone who has power, and position, and then tells you how much the job is tearing them up? It was honest first of all. The words held truth. What more did one ask. Nothing really.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“I don’t think your childhood went wrong. We all just have different influences. My mother was a member of a House with long history. She lost her parents to civil strife, was almost kidnapped, crashed on a deserted planet for over a year with my father, and raised her children on her own.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Faith’s shoulders dropped, “What did you do as a child?” Curiosity again could kill the cat, “I learned how to ride and fly a thranta, grow a garden, elocution lessons, and etiquette, all while climbing trees and falling out of them. Nothing special. Just a kid” Did all of what she did as a child really have so much affect on today?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Of course, culture and family always do.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]So what was Gen’s culture and family like?[/SIZE]

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Gen chuckled when her guest made the assumption that her childhood had been well-forged. It may be a matter of perspective, but she really did not believe she came from any stock worthy of praise. Nothing like Misses Organa. "Your mother sounds like an admirable woman. I'm afraid mine doesn't compare." The raven-haired politician shook her head. "I hate my mother, by the way. Discontented queen. She wanted me to be 'someone', and I was having enough of that considering her example..." She paused, recognizing the irony in it all. Guess who had indeed become 'someone'?

"I didn't do much on the playground; not many normal kid things at all. I was supposed to be 'cultured'. My dad was rich (and still is). I met a lot of 'important' people as a girl--actors; singers; business people. Learned all the manners and fashions; how to dance and how to play the violin some. I hated it, so I quit that real fast." Geneviève paused and leaned back, finally feeling comfortable with this conversation. She had been afraid of Faith's reception when she had called the senator to her office--just as Faith had likely been upon this same event. "Basically, I decided to do things my mom didn't want me to do--like shooting guns, martial arts, and learning how to curse. We had so many fights, and my dad wasn't home all the time. She gave up on me and I eventually ran away from home when I was old enough to take care of myself."

She placed her palms flat on the table and gave an uneasy smile. "As you can tell, I'm a great role model. It scares me--I remind myself of my mother sometimes."

[member="Faith Balor-Organa"]

 

[Faith Organa]

[SIZE=12pt]“I love my mother, she has a soft heart and sees nothing but good in people. She’s like Tia. Tia does the same thing. I guess it’s the healer gene in them” They were alike but them again they had been separated young, and had watched their sister and parents die. You would think they would be hard as nails, Faith couldn’t imagine either of them that way.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]“I hated dance class.” She squared her shoulders put her nose in the air making her voice a tad squeaky, “Faith, you will never learn to waltz much less learn the Alderaan skip, if you continue to wear those boots to class. Very unbecoming for a young woman of your House” Faith rolled her eyes, “I learned both in boots, and wore them to the Cotillion that year” Faith looked down, “yeah sometimes you have to do it your own way.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith had said a great deal, she had never told an outsider any of this. Not that it was diabolical it was just a young woman stretching her limits.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Faith laughed, “I told you I didn’t want any of this, I wasn’t supposed to be this person,” Faith made her voice deeper, speaking each word with perfect elocution, “ the Honorable Senator of Alderaan, HRH the Princess Faith” Faith laughed again.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“I’m the loud mouth of my family. My Brother Theo, he’s the one who does all the inner reflection, focusing on all the good, always, always doing the right thing, he should be doing this” He had for a short time, but then well she wouldn’t think on that.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Alyesa was the next choice” they wouldn’t say much more about that either, unknown to Faith the fate of her sister.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith was sad, “I’m married I don’t know if you know that. It isn’t mentioned much because I well married young like the moment I was legal. Talk about the fur flying in the house that night” Faith thought about Dar, “shortly after we had son” Faith smiled with pride at the mention, “His name is Bud.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Dark eyes of hurt glistened with tears that Faith would never let fall, “D and I named him Bud because it was his favorite ale. I thought it such a ridiculous name, but my son made it special” Yes he did. Faith licked her lips.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“They’ve been missing for eight years. Marrying D was the one thing I did for myself and made my family live with it.” Her family had dwindled to just her and her mother.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt] “We all have some of our mother in us, it’s that curse that they are given by their mothers when we are born.” Faith grinned, “I don’t think on it much, and I don’t recommend any should.”[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]“It’s strange how much pain and the need to be our own persons shape who we are. I’m here because there’s no one left at home so duty calls. You’re here because” Faith’s eyes squinted as she thought, “didn’t you secretly want to show them that you could do it, but do it your way?”[/SIZE]


[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Faith's stories and impressions were far from droll. Geneviève even caught herself smiling, which was something incredible to most people. She had been known as such a humorless, reserved, and aloof young woman for so long that many simply assumed she had always been that way. No, it was simply the way she had learned to behave to earn the respect of people. She had been a rambunctious punk at one time, trying to get 'in' with the mercenary crowds she used to circulate. It did not take long for her inner cynic and dictator to emerge from that point. But at what price?

Gen was absorbing the joyful manner of the young lady sitting across from her, and she wondered what she had been missing all her life. Faith seemed happy. Gen was never happy. She had much to her name now, and yet she felt even despairing. Everything was wrong.

"I don't know that I wanted to be anyone, really. I didn't even use my real name for so long. I've lived in secrecy for much of my adult life." But why was she here? "I am simply here because I want to keep myself, my home, and half the rest of the galaxy safe... And I have this foolish belief that I am the only person with the knowledge to do so. I wish I could tell you I am a better person than that, Faith. But I won't lie to you."

Something else about Faith caught the Prime Minister off-guard as well. "I was not aware that you were married. I'm sorry for your loss." It was genuine. Gen had always lived by a code of leaving no mane behind when running the Alliance.

She crossed her arms on top of her desk and leaned forward, interest completely captivated at this point. "I've never been married. Never had a lover or any interest, really." Was that because she had always been 'married' to her job; her cause? Was she really sexually ignorant? Apparently not completely. "What's it like?"

[member="Faith Balor-Organa"]

 

[Faith Organa]

[SIZE=12pt]Well this was a new question, what was it like to be married.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith thought for only a moment, “For me, first you have to be married to the right person. And I knew D was the right person almost from the moment we met, we just had this chemistry together that made facing life together so much easier”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]It had, his strength gave her the confidence she lacked. He accepted that she was forward in her thoughts and supported her when she spoke. If it hadn’t been for him she would have eventually been beaten down by her superiors, and peers.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Marriage gives you the ability to have life, rather than just live a life. The adventures we had, the sad times, the moments where our love was most evident” Faith smiled.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Marriage is more than a partnership with someone, and it’s not easy, it takes work. But marriage can add an aspect to your life that you never saw, to one that one person you trust with all your secrets, all your vulnerabilities and they protect them like they were their own.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith then grew silent D had parachuted into her Aunt’s Cantina during a terrible plague, he came to help defeat the living dead. And in the midst of all of that she had seen him tall, muscular, an intensity and purpose to his stride that radiated confidence, and yet a gentleness within him that only came out when he took her hand. Her small hand wrapped into the maw of his own as he asked her if she was alright. It was too bad that so many didn't believe in love at first sight, that they needed the fairy tale, but in truth Faith had the fairy tale from the moment she met her husband. And every day after that had only built upon the foundations they created with one another.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She loved him, and he loved her. That is what made it so hard to let go because she loved him so much and having to admit that he was gone, that their bright beautiful child who filled their home with more laughter, and joy was gone. If she had to say yes they are gone it would kill her.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“One day I hope you find what I had in my marriage, I think it would help to know you have someone at your back” Faith reached for a glass of water now having to control her emotions once again.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Have you ever considered marriage?”[/SIZE]

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Faith's explanation of the whole deal of knot-tying had this dreamy air to it from what Gen heard in the senator's tone. There were memories--good ones--wrapped up in it all, even if the ending was bitter. It had all sounded unnecessary and restrictive to Gen in days past, but who could stop her at what she wanted now?

What did she even want?

Had she ever considered marriage? "Never." Gen glanced to the side, biting her lip all the while. She had spoken the truth. Never had she ever felt any desire to be married to anyone. Yet she would admit that there was something critical missing to her life. Even with Miria.

"I've never really--" The Prime Minister stopped in her tracks, actually afraid to reveal perhaps her deepest grief--the one she chose to ignore and bury far from the edge of even her own mind. But maybe that was why she was bitter, for she had never felt love before. Gen had never loved, and she had never experienced an affection from anyone in her life. Not even her well-meaning father had truly and utterly devoted love to his only daughter. Maybe it was best for her to avoid that altogether. Love was obviously not meant for Geneviève. "Well, I guess you could say I'm married to my job."

She provided an uneasy simper, unsure of how she might be judged. To have someone always at her back would be grand, but she trusted few--if any. Besides, who would get along with her? "I don't think anyone could stand me anyway."

[member="Faith Balor-Organa"]

 

[Faith Organa]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith had learned that everyone was made differently, their personalities, their way of life, their views of right and wrong. Gen never wanting to be married could mean two things, she had not met the right person or she did not want to be married.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]But then the words, the words that Faith had heard many utter that really wanted something and yet would put down themselves in order to avoid the pain.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“I think you are wrong I think there is someone, or a few someone’s out there that can ‘stand you’” Faith smiled, “Life doesn’t have a specific track, it twists and turns, and brings people in and out. You haven’t met the someone, the right someone.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith was a bit of a dreamer meeting D had done that too her.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“If you’re married to your job, while its giving you some perks, I don’t think it’s taking care of you very well” Faith shifted slightly, “ sounds like you need a man or woman who is your equal, or content with letting you be who and what you need to be.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith’s dark eyes rested now on Gen, “someone who can see past some of this façade you craft so well” Faith knew it was hard.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“I’ll find you a nice mandalorian field marshall who is looking for an equal and a woman who can fight her own battles.” Faith was teasing, or was she serious. What would Gen say to that.[/SIZE]

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Maybe it was not that no one could stand her. Maybe it was the fact that Gen could hardly stand herself. She was a woman of conviction, action, and steadfastness, but she was also miserable in her own way. What people did not see, they would not know. But, in truth, the Prime Minister of the Galactic Republic felt wretched; lonely; insufferable; unloved. She had felt that way for years upon years, even.

She offered only the most conciliatory of smiles. Faith was simply being honest and telling her like it was, but even the seemingly ice-cold Geneviève was affected by the truth. Her appearance was often a facade. She had pretended she was above everything and that she was fine and happy with herself. But she was not fine. She was never happy. All these years of trying to do what she thought was right for the galaxy, only to realize she may not have done what was right for herself. "We're all equals. I just don't know how much I've accepted that fact yet."

Her eyes widened a bit as it dawned on her what Faith was truly implying, whether jokingly or not. "I don't know if I'm made for that sort of thing... You have a gift for being kind and lovely, Faith. It's clear that I don't."

[member="Faith Balor-Organa"]

 

[Faith Organa]

"You will never know unless you try" The devotion given to a lover, or spouse was something that one developed it didn't just happen. It was a difficult process one that Faith seemed to have learned with some bumps.

She smiled though at Gen, she wanted to make Gen smile, "Tia should know someone" Faith was teasing.

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]