Circling the Nest [Open]

[Owain]

Owain idly sipped his drink, sprawled out over the bench. Naboo was all about appearances, and he made sure to appear as if he didn't belong. He wasn't fond of this world, which probably made him the only one in the galaxy not taken with the world's beauty. Everyone else seemed to want the worthless little rock, just because it was a symbol and lacked anything resembling strategic value. He shook his head as he finished his drink, crushing the juice box in his hand and tossing it into the bin next to the bench, leaning forwards ot rest his elbows on his knees. The park was pristine, as if it hadn't been repaired from suffering the ravages of a war. The reconstruction efforts had went swimmingly well, and it was beocming harder to tell that the ASA had invaded at all.

He shook his head. Good for them, but in the end, this whole world was just so...boring. Normally he would've gone to visit Felicity, but she was busy with her boyfriend, plus he was pretty sure her mother had issued a "shoot on sight" order against him amongst the palace guards. They could certainly use the practice, he thought with a mean smirk. He had been invited onto the world by Felicity in the first place, and he wasn't exactly sure why he had accepted in the first place. Maybe it was time to move on? His uncle was still on Immerria - maybe he should contact him and have him meet him somewhere? Like...Nar Shadaar? Maybe Coruscant? He smiled as a plan unfolded in his mind. FIrst things first though. He pulled out his communicator and quickly typed out a quick message to Felicity, thanking her for the invitation and good time on Naboo. Well, some of it had been fun indeed, the youth remembered with a grin.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Naboo was perfect. Clean, elegant, full of rich culture and history. And just as Owain thought, completely boring. Oh, she loved this world with all her heart. She had to. She fought so hard to defend it. It was home, after all. But she really couldn't stand to just sit still for much longer. She spent her every single day at the Academy, learning about the same thing, speaking to the same people, then she would go back to the palace, maybe she would see her boyfriend for a little bit but even that was getting boring. He was a nice boy. That was the problem. Nice could only do so much. Sweet as he was, there was no excitement and his appeal was starting to fade.

She couldn't do this for another four years. The Lord Protector would not accept her until she was eighteen. She could try to lie about her age, but who would believe her? Either way she looked at it, she was going to be trapped in her little tower until she was old enough to enlist in the military. A boring planet filled with boring people. The only little touch of excitement she had was Owain visiting, and he would probably leave soon. She wished she could have went to see him more, but mother disapproved, and then there was Glyph to think about too. She was, after all, supposed to be his girlfriend...

She slumped on her bed, staring up at the ceiling just as his message came through. She sat right up. Thanks for the invite. He was saying goodbye? No.

Meet me before you leave. The guest house where you've been staying.

In seconds, she had sent back a short reply and was running down the halls, out the palace through the gardens and right over the wall. Nobody was going to stop her. Not before she could talk to him. She wasn't going to let him leave. Not yet.

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

Her answer was almost immediate, making the boy quirk an eyebrow. Hmm, well it made sense the girl would want to wish him goodbye in person before he left. SHe was polite like that. Rolling his shoulders, the military graduate set off towards the house Felicity had arranged for him to have whilst staying on Naboo. Probably bugged, now that he thought about it. Good thing he had only slept in it, spending most of his time outside, exploring Naboo. It hadn't been exciting but it had passed the time well enough. Weaving his way through the midday crowds, he made good time back to the small house in the suburbs. It used to have two floors, but an errant tnak round had taken the top off. Owain hadn't minded when it had been offered to him. It had heating, running water, and power. And he only needed one room to survive. He strolled inside and began to pack, idly wondering what he could do once he hit space.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

The girl arrived only two minutes later. She'd ran the entire way, never once stopping for breath, unfortunately, because she never stopped to breathe, she was doubled over, gasping and panting by the time she arrived at the door. She managed to eventually get herself together once again, patting down her blond hair before finally banging politely on the door.

It wasn't until after she knocked that she suddenly had no idea what she was even going to say to him. What could she say? She'd miss him? She wanted him to stay here? Good luck out there? See you later?
In the end, the instant the door did slide open, only one thing came out of her mouth.

"Take me with you."

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

He was hunting throughout the house for some of his discarded clothing when the knock came. Maybe the Queen had sent some guards to punish him for contacting her daughter? Nah, she wasn't that mean. Besides, he was only being polite. It was probably Felicity. He idly made his way to the door and opened it, the blonde on the other side immediately speaking as he looked at her. "...hello to you too," the youth replied with a roll of his eyes. "Would you like to come in?" he offered, leaning against the door frame and folding his arms across his chest. He wondered what had happened this time that she wanted off-world. Boredom again? She could have gone camping, or visited Otah Gunga. That would be plenty of excitmeent for her. Off-world? Maybe she wanted to escape something...

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Oh. Right. That was not a polite greeting, was it? She cleared her throat, trying to shake the red off of her freckled face.

"R-right. Sorry. Hello, Owain. Yes, I would like to come in. Thank you."

That was better. She walked past him looking around at the... well, it was really just one room. Not very big. She probably should have actually examined the guest house before she invited him along.

"So... Yeah. Take me with you. Please."

She said please. She was polite this time.

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

He smirked at her blush, stnading asid to let her in before closing the door behind them. She was cute when flustered. "So, why should I take you with me? What's going on?" he asked conversationally, walking past her to collapse onto his bed, hands behind his head as he eyed her from the corner of his vision.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

She watched him collapse on his bed, casual as can be. Wasn't he listening? She was telling him that she wanted to leave with him. Why was he questioning it?

"Because," she answered hesitantly, "Because... Well, if you think you're bored here, why don't you try living here with my mother constantly watching over your shoulder? See if you don't try to leave too!"

She growled in frustration, sitting down on the bed next to him.

"I'm going crazy here, Owain. I can't do this for another four years! I might of been able to do it before the invasion, but now? How can I?"

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

He cocked an eyebrow as she sat down by him. When had she become so comfortable around him? HIs brow furrowed in though. When had he become so comfortable with her being so close anyway? "Well, haven't you got your fearless dragon-slaying boyfriend to keep you entertained?" he asked with a wink, rolling over onto his side to see her better. "Wouldn't want him chasing me down for kidnapping you now, would we?" he pointed out. And then he thought of Queen Feenarah and what her reaction would be. He smirked. Oh, it would be glorious, a perfect rebuttal to her fears and accusations. "Aww, little songbird wants to fly!"

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Oh. Yes. Her boyfriend... She opened her mouth for a moment, but closed it at once. Yes. He would be worried about her just leaving without a word. He would go after her. Did she want him to go after her? Did she care?

"Yes. I do want to fly. I want to fly so badly, I might just jump from the Palace tower to do it."

She turned to look at him over her shoulder. Eye contact. He had to know she was serious. This wasn't just teenage angst talking! Well, okay, maybe it was, but girls her age killed themselves for much less noble reasons! There had to be another way out. She could not live like this. She couldn't do it. Not for another year. Not for another four.

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

"Ah...don't do anything rash," he quickly said, blinking in surprise. The girl seemed so sincere. This was getting a bit too personal. He sat up with a sigh. "Look, let's...let's have a walk and you can tell me all about it," he grumbled, moving to get off the bed. "Why come to me? You're the princess. You could go whenever you wanted, whichever way. Or would you miss me?" the youth added with a quick wink at the blonde. "I mean...a boy and a girl running away together, how scandalous," he pointed out idly, heading for the door.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

The girl burst out laughing. He honestly thought she could go anywhere she wanted? He had no idea. None.

"I can't go anywhere I want! I can't even leave the palace! I'm not even supposed to be here! If mom knew-"

She cut herself off, shaking the thought out of her head immediately. She did not want to get into that. Not now. She stood up, ready to take this walk with him. Fresh air. clear sky. Maybe it might help.

"My point is, I can't just leave anytime I want. I can't leave at all. Not for another four years and by then it will be far too late."

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

They stepped outside, and he shoved his hands into his pockets, picked a direction at random, and continued to walk. "How rebellious of you. I feel honored you think I'm worth the trouble," he said, spinning around so that he was walking backwards, smiling at Felicity. "You do realize no one can actually stop you if you want to leave right?" he asked. "You said so yourself, you shouldn't be here. And yet you are. So, what's the difference between sneaking out the palace and sneaking off the planet? Apart from your mother tearing the galaxy apart as she hunts you down..." the youth pointed out, still walking backwards.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

She followed close, keeping her head down when ever they passed anyone. She had to stay somewhat hidden now. Anyone might recognize her.

"Because you are the only one who would actually smuggle me off world. Nobody else would ever agree to it, exactly for the reason you just mentioned. My mother would lose it."

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

He continued walking backwards, facing the blond. "What about your knight in shining armour?" Owain asked. "Isn't that what he's for? Besides, if you ran off with him at least your mother would be somewhat calm, as opposed to apocalyptic if you left with me. Besides, it'd ruin your reputation, running off with another guy. Are you willing to face such rumors haunting your life rather than wait?" he idly asked, hands in his pockets. He grinned. "Because if so, then I'll be glad to help, my darling rival," he added.

Annoy Feenarah Mason? Gladly! That haughty bi- space-witch could do with being knocked down off her pristine pedestal.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

What about her reputation? What about her knight? What about everything?
What about her? Wasn't her sanity more important than her reputation? Were rumors really worth more than her life?

"Take me away, Owain. Get me away, just for a little while. Please. I don't care about the consequences."

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

He missed a step at her earnest honesty, tripping over his own feet and landing hard on the ground with a surprised yelp. So much for his image. With a huff he picked himself up and dusted himself off. "You may yet regret those words, Princess," Owain said before shrugging. "But sure why not. Kidnap a princess and be chased by a vengeful mother and Queen. Not like I had anything else to do today," he continued with a roll of his eyes. "Want to pack or shall we play up your romantic notions of running away with nothing more than the clothes on your back and a strangers hand in your own?"

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

The blondes face lit up like the sun at his words. Even when he tripped he was like a hero to he. This wasn't a kidnapping. This was a rescue. She pulled her credit card from her pocket with a smile.

"No packing necessary. I'll just buy what I need after we leave. I know mom. She won't close out my account and leave me stranded. I'll be fine."

Unfortunately it also meant mom would be able to track her through her use of the card but if she kept on the move she could manage. That was what made the whole thing exciting. The constant threat of being caught.

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

She...had thought this out before, he realized with a frown, before shaking his head. "You're kinda ruining the whole independence theme you'e going for by still relying on your mother. And maybe she will cut you off to strand you somewhere so she can find you easier?" Owain said. Still, this was her little expedition, so he raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Well...lets grab something to eat first before I carry out my dark design and kidnap you," he deadpanned. Her mother certainly would interpret things like that.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

He did have a point. She could strand her somewhere and make it easier to capture her but if they traveled far, somewhere unsafe, She wouldn't dare risk it. And if worse came to worse, she could always call uncle Zaiden for help.

"Lets go!" She grabbed his hand, too excited to play it cool. This was all she ever wanted now.

[member="Owain"]