| ╳ | New Hope

          The corners of her mouth tugged up into soft smile ; it was instinctual, out of her  c o n t r o l.  It was the way he carried himself, how he spoke && appeared so light — serene, even despite what utterances would suggest. The kindness that she had heard so much about from their mother, it reflected in his eyes, she concluded — a gleam that was ever present, impossible to ignore. Being able to talk with him, maybe even get to truly know him (if she was lucky), was better than she had even imagined.

          The heat got to her quickly, the princess sliding off white gloves, soft hands clutched in front of her small frame ; DEMURE as eyes scanned the humble home. She liked it. Brow arched in question, curiosity — “Well, then one day you WILL. The galaxy goes beyond even what we know, everyone should see it.” Tone sincere, she truly hoped he’d get what he wished. “ — Alderaan. I live with my adoptive parents there. Polis Massa was where I was born, though I can’t remember much about it.” Only small glimpses && what her own instinct led her to believe. “My parents travel a lot however, so I get to go with them sometimes.” && make excursions of her own … with or WITHOUT their consent.

“Oh, sweet boy…”

She reached out and pulled him in tightly. “The reason I don’t want to tell you these kinds of things is because I don’t want you to have to know that kind of pain. I love you too much to do that to you.”

Her face fell slightly as he asked her that.“I would have…. but I lost them. And their father. It was a long time ago, but it still haunts me.”

She stopped, shaking her head. “I shouldn’t be telling you these kinds of things, you’re much too young.”

“He wants you to be safe. He loves you very much, Luke.”

She leaned forward, ruffling his hair.

“Some day, fate willing, you’ll have children of your own. And you’ll understand then.”

Lips pursed, but she could not chide him for the confidence in his assurances. There was more to her worry than he could possibly know, but she was not yet ready to tell him. She would, eventually, perhaps one day when he was older - but for now, they would continue on as they had.

“I know you are, and I hope that you are right.” Her eyes shifted from him to the shapes of the buildings and structures that were beginning to become visible over the dunes as they rapidly approached. She knew what supplies they needed, and the places where they could be reliably found, but it would still take time to gather them all together before they could head back.

How many times had they done this - come here before? Hundreds? Over the years there had been a few tense moments, disputes that they had nearly become entangled in by means of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but they had always gotten out of them. She hoped that this time would be no different, yet still she found herself feeling possibly more nervous than usual.

“I hope that you will pardon my fretting, Luke, if I ask that you stay close, or at least close enough that I could hear you if you needed help.”

“That’s up to Owen and Beru. They’re your guardians.”

If she could do her job right, maybe he could see the galaxy without every threat that was currently hanging over their heads. Without his father Vader ever knowing. 

“We’ll see. We’ll see.”

                        ‘        i’m not sure if i can promise something like ridding myself of WORRY          ’

she sighs loudly ,      her eyes leaving his only to roll          ————————————–              gazing at the ground as the palm of her hand pressing against her head ,      the rough base smoothing the strain from her temples .     the wind was silent but the noise coming from wildlife seemed to roar it’s way up to the top .              ‘            alright , well . you brought us here            —————————–     !      ’           chocolate eyes flicker towards him ,       a sarcastic smile rejuvenating the flush to her cheeks         ‘          what’s the plan   ?       ’