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Tea time with the Justice and Duchess
2012-Dec-09, Sunday 11:32 am“Well, this is certainly a surprise. But not an unwelcome one, of course. I’m pleased to have you in my company, Grand Justice Solo.”
Leia nodded slightly and slid into a seat across from Sarai. It had been a day since the kidnapped children were returned to the Praxeum. There had been several things she had heard and noticed in that time, and she felt it was best to have a chat with Mandalore’s Duchess, who had gone out to town to relax at a teahouse; an old favorite of hers from when she had attended the Praxeum.
“You shouldn’t be pleased. I’ve nothing good to say to you, so I suggest you prepare yourself.”
Arching a delicate brow, Sarai was tempted to point out that she and Leia had never had a ‘good’ conversation, so really this was no surprise to her. However, ever-polite, she kept that negative thought to herself. She would never stoop to this fussy child’s level.
“Perhaps we should order a cuppa for yourself, if this will indeed be a trying discussion.” Sarai had just started to lift a hand to get a server’s attention when Leia sneered and slapped it back down. “Just shut up and listen to me, okay? I don’t want to be here any longer than I have to!”
Slowly, Sarai lowered her abused hand and was the picture of serenity as she folded her hands on her lap, intent on listening to whatever horrible things this troll had to say.
“I don’t like the way your daughter has been snooping around my son. I’ve heard she has a crush on him, that she follows him around like a lost puppy, wanting to be around only him. It’s off-putting to other people. She sneaks into his room like a stalker and takes his things! Your daughter has no place in my family, and I demand you put a stop to her shenanigans at once!”
Well. Sarai could say she hadn’t quite been expecting to have this conversation with Leia. In silence, she let the other woman fume for several seconds as she sat and had a delicate sip of her tea, mulling things over.
“... Leia, I believe we both know that you are transferring your dislike for me onto my daughter. You say she has no place in your family, just as I had no place when my mother brought me to meet my father for the first time? Such a childish thing to do, after so many years.”
“You are mistaken. I dislike her because she’s crazy. Though, if we’re on the subject, she could very well become a homewrecker, just like you. Breaking up happy families that had only just been reunited and were beginning to heal from old wounds. Robbing us for years of happiness we all deserved. Those of your blood seem to be quite skilled at such things.” Lifting her nose in the air, she was very much managing to look down on Sarai, despite her much smaller stature.
All Sarai could do in response was chuckle lightly, a hand going to cover her mouth to muffle it and hide her small smile. Goodness. She had twisted things around in her mind ever so tightly, hadn’t she? So full of contempt. Sometimes, Sarai was amazed it was Luke who had fallen to the Dark so long ago and not Leia.
“That was a very long time ago and it was a decision I had no power over, nor did you. It was between two men who cared for their children, just as it should have been. No one knows what is best for your children than you and your child. Have you spoken to Jacen about this? I have a feeling that he would disagree with your feelings concerning Cora. He is nearly an adult, just a few short months away from it. This decision is, essentially, no longer yours to make.”
“Every decision concerning him is mine to make! He is my boy! He will listen to me if I go to him and express my worries. Which I fully intend on doing unless you take that girl of yours and set her straight. I’d hate to have to do such a thing myself, Duchess.” That title, spat out so mockingly... even through the years, Leia hadn’t grown an ounce of respect for this woman. She couldn’t.
Heaving a soft sigh, Sarai went to refill her teacup, shaking her head.
“While your worries are completely unfounded, Corran and I did decide this morning that Cora will return to Mandalore. A child with such delicate sensitivities needs to be with her mother. And so, she shall be.”
“Good.” Standing, Leia leaned over the table, brown eyes narrowed. “She better stay there. Who knows what might happen if she tries to endear herself to my son any further.”
“A threat?” That slim blonde brow rose again.
“I do not threaten. I act. So be sure to tread carefully while in Republic space.” Smiling ever so sweetly, Leia stood up straight and turned around, walking right back out the way she came. That was far easier than she had anticipated. Such a foppish woman couldn’t even stand up for her own daughter. How weak.
Sarai waited until Leia was out the door before smiling and shaking her head, going to add a touch of cream and hint of sugar to her cup. Goodness, she truly did grow more vile over the years. It was quite a feat.
If Leia thought that she could threaten her with Cora’s well-being... well. She was rather tempted to take that bet. Just as Leia underestimated her, she knew she also greatly underestimated her sweet, eldest child. She was capable of so much, but it was hidden deep down within her. Perhaps that Mandalorian spirit would show itself in her girl sooner rather than later.
It would be quite the sight to see...
Leia nodded slightly and slid into a seat across from Sarai. It had been a day since the kidnapped children were returned to the Praxeum. There had been several things she had heard and noticed in that time, and she felt it was best to have a chat with Mandalore’s Duchess, who had gone out to town to relax at a teahouse; an old favorite of hers from when she had attended the Praxeum.
“You shouldn’t be pleased. I’ve nothing good to say to you, so I suggest you prepare yourself.”
Arching a delicate brow, Sarai was tempted to point out that she and Leia had never had a ‘good’ conversation, so really this was no surprise to her. However, ever-polite, she kept that negative thought to herself. She would never stoop to this fussy child’s level.
“Perhaps we should order a cuppa for yourself, if this will indeed be a trying discussion.” Sarai had just started to lift a hand to get a server’s attention when Leia sneered and slapped it back down. “Just shut up and listen to me, okay? I don’t want to be here any longer than I have to!”
Slowly, Sarai lowered her abused hand and was the picture of serenity as she folded her hands on her lap, intent on listening to whatever horrible things this troll had to say.
“I don’t like the way your daughter has been snooping around my son. I’ve heard she has a crush on him, that she follows him around like a lost puppy, wanting to be around only him. It’s off-putting to other people. She sneaks into his room like a stalker and takes his things! Your daughter has no place in my family, and I demand you put a stop to her shenanigans at once!”
Well. Sarai could say she hadn’t quite been expecting to have this conversation with Leia. In silence, she let the other woman fume for several seconds as she sat and had a delicate sip of her tea, mulling things over.
“... Leia, I believe we both know that you are transferring your dislike for me onto my daughter. You say she has no place in your family, just as I had no place when my mother brought me to meet my father for the first time? Such a childish thing to do, after so many years.”
“You are mistaken. I dislike her because she’s crazy. Though, if we’re on the subject, she could very well become a homewrecker, just like you. Breaking up happy families that had only just been reunited and were beginning to heal from old wounds. Robbing us for years of happiness we all deserved. Those of your blood seem to be quite skilled at such things.” Lifting her nose in the air, she was very much managing to look down on Sarai, despite her much smaller stature.
All Sarai could do in response was chuckle lightly, a hand going to cover her mouth to muffle it and hide her small smile. Goodness. She had twisted things around in her mind ever so tightly, hadn’t she? So full of contempt. Sometimes, Sarai was amazed it was Luke who had fallen to the Dark so long ago and not Leia.
“That was a very long time ago and it was a decision I had no power over, nor did you. It was between two men who cared for their children, just as it should have been. No one knows what is best for your children than you and your child. Have you spoken to Jacen about this? I have a feeling that he would disagree with your feelings concerning Cora. He is nearly an adult, just a few short months away from it. This decision is, essentially, no longer yours to make.”
“Every decision concerning him is mine to make! He is my boy! He will listen to me if I go to him and express my worries. Which I fully intend on doing unless you take that girl of yours and set her straight. I’d hate to have to do such a thing myself, Duchess.” That title, spat out so mockingly... even through the years, Leia hadn’t grown an ounce of respect for this woman. She couldn’t.
Heaving a soft sigh, Sarai went to refill her teacup, shaking her head.
“While your worries are completely unfounded, Corran and I did decide this morning that Cora will return to Mandalore. A child with such delicate sensitivities needs to be with her mother. And so, she shall be.”
“Good.” Standing, Leia leaned over the table, brown eyes narrowed. “She better stay there. Who knows what might happen if she tries to endear herself to my son any further.”
“A threat?” That slim blonde brow rose again.
“I do not threaten. I act. So be sure to tread carefully while in Republic space.” Smiling ever so sweetly, Leia stood up straight and turned around, walking right back out the way she came. That was far easier than she had anticipated. Such a foppish woman couldn’t even stand up for her own daughter. How weak.
Sarai waited until Leia was out the door before smiling and shaking her head, going to add a touch of cream and hint of sugar to her cup. Goodness, she truly did grow more vile over the years. It was quite a feat.
If Leia thought that she could threaten her with Cora’s well-being... well. She was rather tempted to take that bet. Just as Leia underestimated her, she knew she also greatly underestimated her sweet, eldest child. She was capable of so much, but it was hidden deep down within her. Perhaps that Mandalorian spirit would show itself in her girl sooner rather than later.
It would be quite the sight to see...
