She stepped lightly through the forest, amber eyes watching. Dully, she was aware of her heart pounding in her chest, expanding her senses outward, but no enemy could be detected. Once more she turned her head away, beginning to look up, when something launched from the bushes, catching her at the knees. Letting out a cry, she tumbled to the ground, where a small, white-haired child sat on her stomach, grinning at her.
"Got you, Mommy!" the child giggled, and Amariel groaned, flopping to the ground. "Oh Force, you defeated me. Have mercy, Officer Velt!" The girl giggled, bouncing up and down before reaching for her hands. "Nooo, you're under arrest! Surrender!" She paused, and when small grabby hands reached for her own, the child started when she lunged up, scooping her up. Across the lake, squeals and giggles echoed across as she easily held her over her head, spinning her around. "Got you, little star! Prepare to meet the Tickle Monster!"
It had been some time since she had come here, avoiding the media and, hopefully, the assassinating ire of the Hutts. She had left the temporary care of MorataCorp in Jack's capable hands, but she knew she would have to return. The vaccine was the first trial to complete; there were many more she would have to face, including addressing, publicly, the assassination attempts at Thustra and Thyferra. She would have to reach out to President Thorne and now Prime Minister Belasi. For now, though, she wanted to focus on Silvi. The small child still giggled, clinging to her. Her father had been gracious enough not to comment when she announced coming to Starfall with Silvi; though time had changed them both, she never regretted any of her choices.
Especially the ones she would make in the future.
Her comm beeped once, and she glanced at it. Her heart stilled for a moment... and then she chuckled briefly, texting back a reply before slipping it back into her pocket, hefting the little girl on her hip, wincing once at the sore twinge that still sang down her spine. She just wanted a little more time. And perhaps...
"One day, little star, there is someone I would want you to meet."
To Be Continued...?
"Got you, Mommy!" the child giggled, and Amariel groaned, flopping to the ground. "Oh Force, you defeated me. Have mercy, Officer Velt!" The girl giggled, bouncing up and down before reaching for her hands. "Nooo, you're under arrest! Surrender!" She paused, and when small grabby hands reached for her own, the child started when she lunged up, scooping her up. Across the lake, squeals and giggles echoed across as she easily held her over her head, spinning her around. "Got you, little star! Prepare to meet the Tickle Monster!"
It had been some time since she had come here, avoiding the media and, hopefully, the assassinating ire of the Hutts. She had left the temporary care of MorataCorp in Jack's capable hands, but she knew she would have to return. The vaccine was the first trial to complete; there were many more she would have to face, including addressing, publicly, the assassination attempts at Thustra and Thyferra. She would have to reach out to President Thorne and now Prime Minister Belasi. For now, though, she wanted to focus on Silvi. The small child still giggled, clinging to her. Her father had been gracious enough not to comment when she announced coming to Starfall with Silvi; though time had changed them both, she never regretted any of her choices.
Especially the ones she would make in the future.
Her comm beeped once, and she glanced at it. Her heart stilled for a moment... and then she chuckled briefly, texting back a reply before slipping it back into her pocket, hefting the little girl on her hip, wincing once at the sore twinge that still sang down her spine. She just wanted a little more time. And perhaps...
"One day, little star, there is someone I would want you to meet."
To Be Continued...?