The End (Friends welcome)

[Feena]

Imerria

This was her last sunrise.
Even in her sad state, the retired Queen knew it. The blood red sky above signaled the end. She wasn't going to fight anymore. She wasn't going to die hooked to machines, unable to breathe for herself. She wanted to die how she lived; with dignity.

The Force was calling her. The end of the horizon, the end of this world, the next, the end of the Galaxy and beyond, was beckoning her with a black star speckled finger. She could already feel her very soul fighting with her body, desperate to break free.

Her fingers clutched the pendant around her neck as she lay in bed. Out the window, she was not seeing the dusty landscape of Imerria. She was seeing the towering white buildings of Naboo, the fresh green fields she'd run through when she was younger, the waterfalls that she'd stand under just to cool down for the day. She was not here in this bed. She was there, light years away, once more walking among her people. The time in Theed right now was about noon. The sun would be high overhead. One month ago, she'd be in her office about this time, reading over anything and everything that she had to. And she would be happy to do it. She was their Queen. She was their hope for a brighter future.

And she'd left. Because she did not want to hurt them when she died. It was her wisest decision.

But it also filled her with such regret. She should still be there. She should be watching the streets from her bed. She should be....

But she was here, exactly where she knew she would be at the end of it all. But not in the situation she thought. Keter had once thought to prove her visions wrong. She'd come here many years ago, before Felicity was born, certain that the world she'd seen in her dreams was this one. She'd seen the planet she would die on.

And in the end, she'd been correct.

It was a gentle comfort. Feena often enjoyed being correct.

The mirror-like lakes of Naboo pulled back and Feena found herself reminded once more that she'd never see that world again. Her home. The place of her birth. Never again would she touch the marble of Theeds palace, or feel the crisp water droplets from the falls, or catch the scent from the flower dotted meadows as a morning breeze swept in from outside the city.

Her cracked lips parted as she gasped for breath, choking back as sob as something wet and stinging made it's way down her face.

Death never scared her, even as a child. But here, at the end of it all, she found herself clinging desperately to this, here, her reality, her life. She had so much to say, to do, to see. She wanted nothing more than to walk hand in hand with her husband again. She wanted to hug her children. She wanted to see her friends.

More than anything, she wanted to be able to look them each in the eye and say...
Thank you, and goodbye.

She tore her blurry silver eyes from the window, focusing instead at the figure at her bedside.

"This is my last chapter. Was it a good story?"


[member="Keter"] [member="Celeste Mason"]

 

[Yoru Shakou]

Perhaps the Duchess had never left her friend's side, or perhaps she had only returned to see her off and show her the possibility of finding a means to remain as she was even in the realm beyond. For her, she had seen much in her slumber, and while many figured she was dead, there were others whom felt that maybe she was still living. Somewhere in the Galaxy the Duchess' remains were hidden away, and perhaps one day the spirit, the figure, or what ever it was that she was in that moment would return to inhabit that vessel. ​

​

A soft smile crossed her lips, even in her shimmering and deathly form she remained as stately and formal as she had in life. With a soft bow of her head she had remained with her friend. Standing there as she moved closer to the figure whom lay upon the soft sheets, drawing the lasts of her breaths. It was easy to see that perhaps those around her may not view the Duchess, though she was as she was in life, and as plain to see for the Queen whom she called friend. ​

​

"You've done more with your life than any other whom may have held the throne before or even to come. Your daughters will remember you, and even now while our blood may not be entwined, your daughter cares for such a precious part of my family that we are one. Your story shall be remembered for ages to come."

The soft voice floated upon the wind as the shimmering Force Ghost of her friend, this specter of a stately woman drew closer to the bed. Carefully smoothing out her gown and resting as she sat upon the edge of the bed, her hand reaching out and resting upon the Queen's. ​

​

[member="Feena Mason"]
​

 

[Felicity Mason]

Felicity had been pacing back and forth up and down the main hall since midnight. Mothers condition had taken a turn for the worse last night, but Felicity couldn't let herself think for an instant that she might actually die. Not before she watched her get married. Not before she saw baby Zelda take her first steps. Not before she...

She was biting her nails. A terrible habit, one she didn't do often. One by one, she nervously chewed them down until they bled. Mom would be disgusted. She jumped as Nisal rubbed against her leg, nearly knocking her over. The nexu was far too big to be acting like a house cat, but here she was. She must have sensed Felicity's unease. It was easy to sense. She reached down to pat the Nexu's furry head.

Dad would be with her right now. Dad would let her know if there was anything to worry about. The medical droids would take care of her. She'd stay. She had to stay.

 

[Keter]

Keter sat silently in the room, his head bowed, his red eyes glimmering in the dark. He could see it. How she weakened with every breath. How she conversed with spirits. How she was...dying. Dying before him. And even now...her regrets weren't about the time she had never spent with her daughters, or what she wouldn't see of them.

No.

Even now, she ached for Naboo.

Despite everything, Keter was sickened. He loathed to even think about that world. The planet that had...had in truth been Feena's only love. He was sure that his wife would have preferred to die there as well, if not for some sense of...politeness. To let him be there when she passed on.

Disgust.

Rage.

Oh, it had been too long.

But not yet, not yet. He hammered the emotions down, his turbulence undoubtedly put down to fear and worry.

"Your story...draws to a close. But that of your blood shall continue for years to come," Keter spoke soflty, before standing up and moving to the door. It opened with the quietest of whispers. "Felicity. Come on. You should be here."

[member="Felicity Mason"] [member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

The girl trembled at the sound of her fathers voice. She wanted Owain. She wanted him here with her. She needed someone to cling to during this desperate hour of hers. And she did not want to go back in that room. She'd never been inside her parents bedroom until yesterday. And she never wanted to go inside again. Ghosts waited in there. They spoke to her because they knew she'd listen. And they hovered around mother. The dead were just....
Waiting.

But go in there she must. She was not about to disobey a request from her Father. Not now.

"Yes Daddy," she muttered, watching the floor as she crossed the room, "Is she....?"

Alrght? But the look on his face told her everything. Her fathers face, so difficult to read, but Felicity knew. Felicity always knew. She bit her lip and walked into the room. There, laying on the bed, was her Mother. Only, she wasn't. Was she? This was not the strong capable woman Felicity had watched and learned from on Naboo. This was not the Queen. This was not the Mother that had carefully guided her, taught her manners, how to keep her back straight and head high. This was...

little more than a ghost.

The girl jumped at the presence of [member="Duchess Magrath"]. She was here. But for once, Felicity wasn't afraid to see a dead woman in the same room as her. The girl nodded in the specters direction before turning her attention to her Mother.

"Mom..."

[member="Keter"]

 

[Feena]

The former Queen turned her silver eyes to the glistening specter hovering above her like some ghostly caretaker.

"My old friend..." she whispered, voice almost too weak to be heard. Friends. Oh, how she missed them. And her family.

She'd neglected them all for the sake of her planet. Now, even as she longed for her home world, the planet of lakes and beauty, she held such deep regrets. She should have been there. Should not have aimed so high. She could have settled for Senator, maybe even Princess. She would have been able to find the time. She could have been a Mother still, a wife. Could have given them the love they deserved.

Now it was over. But the regret was still fresh in her heart like a stab wound that wouldn't heal.

Her blood. He was right. She was gone, or would be soon, but her blood, her family, they would carry on. She reached out for him, but he had already turned to open the door and call for their eldest daughter.

The second Felicity showed her face, Feena felt a fresh spark of life chaining her spirit to her body. Her cracked lips broke into a weak smile. Yes. She loved her children. She loved everyone. That was the problem.

"My girl. Come. Don't cry. I'm still here."

She reached a hand out for the girl to take, then another for her husband as well. Maybe he'd take it. He hated her. Or at least, he should. Sometimes it looked like he hated her. Could she blame him? Four years she spent neglecting him. Now that she was back, it was too late. She couldn't fix it, but with the last of her strength, she just had to try. At least she wanted him to know she cared.

[member="Keter"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The door would slowly open, and then close. The blonde haired Jedi Master would step in, his expression immediately changing from it's stone-face complexion to that of sorrow the moment that he saw Feena lying in bed, slowly dying. He could feel it in the Force... Her life slowly ebbing away. The Force was calling her. It was calling for the angel to find her way into the Force and watch over the people that she cared about...

But despite the fact he'd only met her a handful of times, all he could feel was sorrow. Goodbyes were always hard, but he'd always had a firm relationship with Feena's family. He'd only known Feena from small meetings before, but after meeting a relative of hers and becoming stalwart friends, he'd become more acquainted with the family. He'd taken to visiting Feena herself once in awhile after he had been there to thwart an assassination attempt at some point, and had actually come to Naboo to visit her when he had found out she was stepping down. It wasn't long afterword that he'd find himself here, at her request.

He tried to smile, he really did. But it hurt. Saying goodbye was always such a painful thing... And Feena was the only member of this family that he knew now. And now, there she was, just like the others... Soon to be with the Force. He would hang by the door when he saw that her husband had arrived, as had her daughter, only giving her a warm smile and a nod stating he'd be with her when she was finished. Her husband and daughter deserved more of her time then he did, after all...

[member="Feena Mason"] [member="Felicity Mason"] @Keter @Duchess Magrath

 

[Bolt]

Darkness.

Quickly it spread through the room, literal shadows accompanied by an acidic like feeling. The very air thrummed with energy, seething with anger and anguish. It warned of the approach of an evil that had been attempting to keep itself in check. It was failing.

The door opened, and for the first time since having realized they were siblings, Feena would see a distraught Zaiden James-Greyson. His shirt was untucked, soaked, and darkly stained. His hair was disheveled, tossing every which way as if he had been yanking it on end. His pants were horribly torn, his shoes a deep crimson red.

As a matter of fact, once noticed, they would see he was covered in red...

Blood...

A few days prior, the Force had sent him the image of present. A dieing sister. The light to his dark, the love to his hate. Without the belief that his sister could be there to help him, he had snapped, and went on a spree. Many were dead, or so wounded as to wish for it.

Even then, with the darkside welling up inside of him as it once had, he was intent on being with his sister during her last moments.

Wiping the tears that leaked from eyes that wouldn't obey him, he moved closer to her frail form. Kneeling beside her, he could not bring himself to say anything for a long time. Yet, with pleading eyes, he found the voice he needed, "Feena...please...let me try something, anything, that can save you...maybe I can change your immune system...strengthen your cells....I could attempt to remove the illnesses that cause this..." he was ranting, but he couldn't control it.

Since the murder of his wife and child there had been nothing to keep him sane. Yet his sister had stepped into his life and helped with that..he couldn't do it without her...

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] [member="Feena Mason"] [member="Felicity Mason"] [member="Duchess Magrath"] [member="Keter"]

 

[Feena]

The dying womans eyes flickered from face to face. First she thought she saw the door open and she could have sworn she was [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] but of course, in her state, she could be very well hallucinating. The door shut again very quickly. Feena turned her attention back to her husband and their eldest daughter. Celsete would no doubt be along soon, but for now, she had this.

Then, in a storm of rage and hopelessness so strong Feena felt her blood pressure drop once again, her brother swept into the room. The woman shivered, feeling her usually crisp vision go blurry again.

"Zaiden," she whispered, gasping for air, "Calm.... down."

It felt like he was sucking the very air out of her lungs with his desperation. Her very cells seemed to react to this much blind rage. Such a darkness her twin had in him. Feena was a woman who had always tried to do what was kind, what was decent. She had tried very hard to be what the light side should have been. Something selfless, generous, forgiving. But her brother had always struggled. She knew. And she loved him for it anyway.

[member="Razor Shot"] [member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

Keter bowed his head as he took his place by Feena's side. He kept silent as people trickled in. Those who would witness her. Remember her. For good and ill. "Greyson. Felicity. Know that Feena will always be there when you call. She will listen, she will advise. That's what she's always done. It wouldn't be like her to stop now," the blond said, a smile tugging at his lips despite the somber mood suffocating the room. It was true though - not even death would stop his wife from protecting what she loved. That's just how things worked.

[member="Feena Mason"] [member="Razor Shot"] [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] [member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Her lips pulled back into a smile again. She wanted to smile. Until the end, she wanted to set everyone at ease.

"It's true. I promise. I'll always be with you. So don't cry for me. "

She squeezed her husband's hand, just to remind herself that he was there still. Little by little, she was losing feeling in her hands. Her finger tips were already numb, like they weren't even there.

[member="Keter"] @ razor shot

 

[Felicity Mason]

Don't cry. Don't cry. It will be alright. Don't cry. Don't-
Felicity hadn't glanced up at her uncle when he burst in. She was in her own world, a world made up of her and her mothers hand. She clung to it so tightly she was afraid she might be hurting her. But she couldn't break free.

At least, not until she felt something hot run down her cheek. She let go immediately, covered her face, bit her lip. She couldn't cry in front of mom. Or dad. Or Uncle Z. She couldn't do it. She'd disappoint them all so much if she did, especially mom. She had to leave, at least until she could calm down.

Without a word, she rose to her feet and fled the room, slamming it shut behind her. She wouldn't listen to anything any of them said in protest. She wouldn't turn back. She was at a full run, eyes too watery to see properly where she was going.

Mom said she'd be with her. She said she'd guide her. Said she'd always be around. But did Felicity want that? Another ghost following her around, watching her, talking to her? It wasn't the same as being alive. And not everybody could see them, hear them. Felicity was afraid. She didn't want to see her Mother like that, like the rest of them. So lost, as if wandering some fog, searching for something.

Searching for someone.

[member="Keter"] [member="Razor Shot"] [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

 

[Vorhi Alestrani]

[member="Keter"] [member="Felicity Mason"] [member="Keter"] [member="Duchess Magrath"]


The blind Oracle of the Templars had spent a good ten minutes after his arrival assuring Percival that he'd be on his best behavior, and finding a place to leave his few weapons. Now was not a time for war, ti was a time for peace. A time to let a comrade rest as she had lived--in peace an d harmony.



Vorhi slowly walked into the room, his characteristic hat and fancy robes gone. Today he walked in wearing a simple tunic and some slacks, and a faded green blindfold. No fanciful over the top gear. No dramatic showings. He simply gave a little bow as he entered, letting her loved ones have priority. After all, they were nice folks. They deserved to see the ones they loved to the end.



He let his force sight wander a little at the spirits around him. Unsurprising that a ghost from the past would show up. After all, Feena had lived one hell of a life--why wouldn't the dead have an interest as well? He smiled weakly. This was the duty of all true sages. To one day pass it on. He needed to find his path as well. He nodded to Keter gently. "Sorry it took me so long to visit," he said to both of them. "It's good to not see you again," he said, repeating the old, tired joke he had first introduced himself with to her as a Templar. A blind oracle with a love of dumb jokes and good food. And now, a friend seeing another one off. He smiled, weakly. "I really am glad to have made it, Feena. It's been too long since I've talked with you all."

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Finally, he decided to step forward, stopping at Feena's bedside and, to the best of his ability, greet her with a warm smile. But even Feena would be able to see... Able to sense... The sorrow coarsing through his body. This wasn't how he'd intended to see her next... In bed, taking her final breaths... But the Force was cruel and unpredictable when it came to who they would call back next.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" He would finally speak, trying to smile, trying so hard to convey that he wasn't in pain. But it was all for naught...

"Figured the next time I'd see you, you'd be sipping a martini and enjoying retirement..." He managed to get out, trying to regain his breath that had left him for the moment.

"Not this...."

It was only getting harder and harder to hide it, as he scratched his head, frowning. What could he say that could bring comfort? He didn't have jokes for death! Maybe he could say "At least you went still young and good looking", no, no, that wouldn't do any good.

Graxin would have known what to do. But he wasn't here anymore, and soon enough, neither would Feena.

[member="Feena Mason"]

 

[Feena]

Her daughters hand slipped out of hers. Feena made an effort to get up, run after her, but as it had been for the past several days, she had no strength to. Her muscles felt like jelly. All she could do was reach out until her daughter slammed the door across the room. She was out of sight. She turned her blurry silver eyes to her husband, about to ask if he would go after her. But no. She did not need her Father running after to make her feel worse. This was hard on everyone.
The person her daughter needed was not either of them. The person she needed was a boy, someone Feena herself had honestly resented for a while. How dare this boy think he deserved her daughter? How dare he come along and try to steal her? But over the last year, Feena had come to realize how selfish that had been. Who was she to dictate who her daughter fall in love with? She was her Mother, not her God. She created her, but she did not own her.

The retired Queen let her hand fall limp to her side. She would be back. Before it was over, she would come back. Of course she would. In her own time, in her own way. Feena still had a final gift to give her.

Another face appeared. One Feena had hoped to see for a long time. A dear friend, one of the closest she'd had in life. She smiled, gave a weak laugh at his joke that turned into a cough.

"Master Alestrani," she greeted in a whisper, "Why aren't you a sight for sore eyes."

She opened her mouth to continue, but another voice interrupted. She took a moment in her state to figure out who he was, but, yes. There.

"And Master Dragonsflame. How nice. Come to see me off, the both of you?"

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] [member="Vorhi Alestrani"] [member="Keter"] [member="Razor Shot"]

 

[Beowoof]

"Oh no, oh no, no no no no no no no no!" Celeste wailed as she skittered down the hall. She had been sent for when her mother's life readings began to fade. The fact was, she had been cowering in her room the whole time. All those things she had said to her mother; all those things she had done; all the secrets she had kept and the lies she had spoken--she wants them gone. She wanted her mother. I don't really hate you, Mom. I'm sorry.

There was already a crowd gathered before the doorway, and she nearly collided with her blonde sister who was on her way out like a lightning bolt. Could it be? She was late, was she not? Why else would Felicity run? Feena was dead. She must be dead. Mom. She screamed. "NOOOOO!" The little princess bowled about the legs of those gathered near the doorway and dashed to the bedside with no grace and no regard for those still speaking with the queen. This was no time to worry about being a princess. This was her mother. And she just needed to be a daughter now.

Celeste found only a small amount of comfort in knowing the queen yet had a few more breaths in her. The ghostly pale expression of shock on her face collapsed as the agony and calamity of the situation fell full-force on the princess' heart. Tears flooded and splashed down her cheeks with fury as she squeezed her mother's hand in a vice-like grip. "Mom! No! You have to stay, Mom! I'll do anything, Mom. Please. Please stay. Mom!" The teenage princess never forsook her grasp on the wrist of her mother--the woman who had brought her into this galaxy, whether it was for the better or the worse. Time was too short. Only fifteen years she had to spend with this beautiful lady. And not enough of those years were spent together at all. And all she could think to do now was weep. "Don't go. Don't go. I want you here. Please! Don't leave me, Mom... I love you, I love you."

 

[Feena]

Oh goodness. Black hair, pale face. light eyes... she was seeing an image of herself as a young woman. Fifteen, skinny, so full of sass. So convinced she knew everything. How foolish- but no. This was not herself. This was Celeste, her youngest child.

Feena's smile brightened. Another brilliant light chaining her soul to the body, another thread. This one would be difficult to snap.

"Shh, shh..." she whispered, "Calm yourself, Celeste. I'm still here. You're going to make yourself sick, getting worked up like that..."

She looked around the room. Too many people. Too many things to say.

"I want to speak to my daughter and husband, please. Alone. I will call for you each individually. "

[member="Celeste Mason"] [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] [member="Vorhi Alestrani"] [member="Keter"] [member="Razor Shot"]

 

[Bolt]

Zaiden rose from his position, wiped his face, then moved for the door. What was going through his mind? A calculated stare had spread across his face. Which was never a good thing...

 

[Vorhi Alestrani]

[member="Feena Mason"] [member="Razor Shot"] [member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]


Vorhi smiled back at her. Good to see her sense of humor had not been lost. He smiled weakly, watching almost silently as other family members walked in and out. He didn't interfere--this was time for a family's grief, after all. He simply nodded as he was asked to leave, still watching her slightly for any signs of difficulty. She still had some vigor, and it showed--she could still order him and the others out without batting an eye.


The blind man coughed slightly and stood up. "As you ask, Feena," he said, his tone soft, but still somewhat relaxed in tone. He was a guest today, not a subordinate. No. Simply a friend. He followed Zaiden out, sitting down outside the room in a small seat nearby. He pulled out a flask and took a drink, eyeing the man of shadows. His aura was clouded with emotions, an odd mix of pain and turmoil. It shone a rough, dark violet.


He then turned to the other. Dragonsflame. He had only heard of him in passing. Still, the man's intensity was present today. It was hard to determine if the cause was bitterness, or just old-fashioned sadness. He took another sip from his flask. "Would either of you two like some? I prefer a drink in times like these," he said softly.

 

[Feena]

Alone. They were alone now. She truly wished Felicity was present as well, but it couldn't be helped. The girl would go off on her own and return when she could. Feena could not blame her for wanting to run away for now. Feena herself had been the same way. She didn't like to cry in front of people. Such weakness was for her and her alone to see.

"Celeste. The necklace."
She gestured to the pendant around her neck, the long thick silver chain with the carved white stone at the end.
"Take it. It belongs to you now. Your father will instruct you from there after I'm gone."

The stone. The key to her secrets. It opened a box. A special box. A box that sang Feena's lullaby. Celeste would know the tune, after all, it was the song Feena had sung to her so many times when it was time for sleep. She hadn't sang it recently, of course. Not for years. And in this music box, lay the accumulation of everything Feena had learned in her lifetime.
Her holocron.

"Celeste," she continued after placing the pendant into her hand, "Be brave now and never forget who you are. You are my daughter. Inside you lays so much potential. So much... power. I wish I had more time with you. I wish I hadn't..."

She paused, eyes focusing for the moment on her husband. He'd know exactly what she was too ashamed to say. She wished she hadn't neglected them. She wished she'd spent more time. In the end, it was them who had come for her when it was all over. At the end of her story, they were there to turn the pages.

She shook her head lightly, turning her attention once more back to the girl.

"No matter what happens, Celeste, no matter who you become, I am proud of you. I need you to know that."

[member="Celeste Mason"] [member="Keter"]