The Princess of the Winds

[Keter]

Keter paused and looked up at her, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Yes, she just left. I imagine it took longer than that though. A week of packing and saying goodbyes. After all, her desire for more was foreshadowed since the previous page," he pointed out. "And if you don't interrupt so much maybe you'll find out," the blond finished, turning his attention back to the book.

""The galaxy was so much bigger, and so much more wondorous, than Inara had ever dreamed. She began to long for a chance to wander the stars," he read beofre forwning. "No wait I read that already...alright, she loves the stories, he was falling in love...she sent him away, went on her own journey...here we go! Clothing and tools were gifted to her, and with a heart burdened by nostalgia but lightened by optimism, Inara set off into the galaxy. She travelled on a small ship to the heart of the galaxy - the glorious city of diamind and starlight, Coruscant."

@[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Felicity had never been to Coruscant, but she had seen holovideos recorded on that planet, and she knew at once that someday, she wanted to go there as well. So much light, so much culture! Not at all like Imerria, with dust and winds and cliffs. Mother once spoke of a university on that planet, one of the best in the Galaxy. Maybe when she was older, Mother would send her there? She could only hope.

She wanted to interrupt again and say much more, but Daddy had already made it clear that he wanted her to keep quiet. So that was what she did.

@[member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

"The journey was long and tedious, but Inara enjoyed it. It was something new to her. There were many travellers from many different places on the ship, and she loved listening to them all. SOme had come from the fringes of space, and shared tales of hardship, woe, and stubborness giving birth to prosperity. Others came from mighty kingdoms and companies, noble and luxurious. She learned much, and many learned from her in turn. Her skills with herbs slowly turned into skills at healing, her caring nature making her predisposed to such a life. And in time, they reached Coruscant.

Ah Coruscant, jewel of the galaxy. A polished diamond amongst the stars. Inara's heart soared as she stepped out onto the surface, actually walking on a new world. Everything was so alien. The food, the sights, the smells, the people. She loved all of it. One of her suitors, a man she had rejected but become friends with, ran a great library on the planet, and it was him who she sought out. His name was Monterel, and he was a scholar through and through. He welcomed her to his sanctum, and helped her settle in Coruscant. She would stay but a year before moving on."

@[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

So Inara was a healer now. She was sounding more and more like Mother as he read. The story was getting boring. And the child was starting to nod off a little. She crossed her arms, stubbornly keeping her eyes open.
She opened her mouth to interrupt and ask a question, but she decided against it. She would be a good girl and listen.

 

[Keter]

He could see the girl beginning to nod off and smiled to himself. "She learned much, about the galaxy, about history, about people as the Librarian. But all too soon it was time for her to move on, so she did. This time, she travelled to Hoth, and learned how to sruvive amongst the jagged ice of that bitter world. It was during that time that she saw the stars themselves move and burn, and felt a deep fear she hadn't known she could experience. BUt the flames swept the sky, never once approaching the world of ice. ONce her year was done, she returned to the stars, and saw that they had been much changed by the flames that had sped through them. She couldn't find her friends, once spread amongst the galaxy. They were gone. SHe was no longer welcomed everywhere she went, meeting only the cruel and hungry gazes of strangers she knew wished her ill."

@[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

No. That woke Felicity up right away. A flame in the stars? And stars didn't... just move. She was confused.

"But... How? What happened, Daddy?"

She looked concerned. Outside the room, Celeste had stopped crying. Maybe mommy had finally figured out how to cheer her up?

@[member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

The blond paused and looked at her. "It's alright, this story has a happy ending," he pointed out with a smile, reaching out to rest a hand on her head, feeling her soft hair beneath his palm. "Or maybe this story is too scary for you, hmm..." he pondered idly, knowing that would certianly set the little Princess off.

@[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

The girl sighed, relieved. A happy ending? He promised her, so it must be true.

"No, no! I wasn't scared," she replied at once, "Concerned, maybe, not not scared. Please keep reading."

@[member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

"Hmm," replied Keter, unconvinced but willing to let it slide. "Very well. Now...ah yes. Strangers who were once friends she hadn't met yet became enemies she had not fought yet. She moved from world to world, seeing nothing but ruin. Coruscant was cracked, the galactic diamond flawed. Naboo was ash. Her heart grew heavy with fear as she rushed home, but it wasn't there anymore. The flames had consumed it utterly. And it was then, in a small ship overlooking the void where her home once was, when her hope flickered and died, that the flames came for her. Ships of grey steel and men of cold iron hearts appeared to claim her. They knew of her wisdom, and wanted it to fuel their flames further. The galaxy was not yet burnt. Some parts resisted the great flames even now lapping against them. So they took her in chains and prepared to return to the great fire that burned behind it all. A place of fear and darkness known only as Korriban."

Wow. If Siqa had heard that she would have likely punched him through a wall. He suppressed the urge to smile at the image of a Keter-shaped dent in a solid metal wall as he glanced at his daughter to see how she was taking all this.

@[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Korriban. That place sounded familiar. Why? Where had she heard it? She made a face, crossing her hands. So far, she was really doubting this story could have a happy ending.

"This story is starting to sound familiar," she yawned, pulling her blankets up to her chin.

@[member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

"Well this is a story that changes upon those who read it. Maybe it's giving you something familiar so you can understand it better?" Keter offered with a grin. "Though if you're getting tired we can end it there for tonight," the blond offered, seeing his little princess yawn.Celeste had been quiet for a while now. Feena must have calmed or fed her. Would she be waiitng for him to come to bed? Or would she come in to see what was taking so long putting Felicity to sleep?

@[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Felicity crossed her arms in bed and stared stubbornly up at her Father.

"You can't leave a story half finished," she grumbled, listening to the silence outside her bed room. Mommy would be along soon though, if Daddy didn't go to bed. Felicity was stubborn though. She would not sleep until she absolutely had to!

@[member="Keter"]

 

[Keter]

"Only for one night. It keeps you curious until the next night, would't you agree, princess?" he asked with a smile, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Now off to bed with you before your mother comes in and tells us both off," he chided lightly with a grin.

@[member="Felicity Mason"]