I'll Run With You

[Felicity Mason]

"Good evening." began the fuzzy, barely visible figure of a man, rotating on the holopad, "My name is Cyril Grayson, and I come to you with a message. For seven long years, the One Sith and the Republic have been at war. A fruitless war that has only served to crush the average folk - those without the force. Since the war began, conditions for the average citizen have deteriorated rapidly. Poverty has risen dramatically. The death rates in town like Kinthar have quadrupled."

Felicity sat on her bed, watching the badly rendered holographic image of her brother. Over the last few days, his speech had made it all over the holonet. He was famous... ish. Holonet famous. This declaration of... whatever it was, was the start. She knew it. As she watched, she clutched the chip he had given her just before he left.

There is no fault in an Empire. Stability and security are good things. The soldiers, Stormtroopers, naval officers, medical personnel, these people are not to blame for your woes. They are victims too. Tools of a religious movement obsessed with itself. To the Sith, no one else matters.

I remember a time when the Stormtrooper was a champion. When people could look to their leaders with faith, knowing their actions came out of a desire to serve. To serve their Empire and its people. My father, Grand Moff Rade was one of these men. He fought alongside the Fel Imperium, spreading justice and safety across known space. There was no religious oppression, there were no gods among men. You served the people, and you reaped the rewards of your labor."


"He's going to get himself killed," she murmured, shaking her head, "I bet he's in prison already. Or worse."
The girl glanced sideways at Owain, pulling the chip close to her heart. She had him still, but for how long? Nobody seemed to stay in her life for long. It scared her. He could be next. He could die next. He could walk out of her life next.


"The Republic is not our enemy. We've built a great and just Empire under the Sith's nose. They are the only reason your sons and daughters die in this war. They are the only reason an Imperial life means absolutely nothing. They are the reason there isn't enough medication to keep a town from dying off, why Imperials are used as scapegoats for war crimes. Our enemies are the Sith Lords who would sully this great Empire, who would limit our potential to be great. This war is one of religion. They force you to raise arms against those who would have been your allies, even friends in the past.

Citizens, soldiers, admirals, commanders, generals, hear me. I am not your enemy. I want to rebuild the great Empire my father bled for. Together, with the help of the Republic, we can usurp the Sith. End religious influence in our government. Bring peace to the core worlds, and become great. We outnumber them. We outgun them. We can outsmart them. End our pointless battle, and turn your guns on our mutual enemy. Join me, destroy the Sith Order, and brig about a golden age for the True Galactic Empire!"

Over. Her brothers image flickered and died. Gone. This had been recorded days ago, but she still reached out to that blip in time as if she could touch it. She had a decision to make. She had to see his face first though. See what he was fighting for. Understand. Was it worth getting into the thick of it?
Well, now she'd seen his face, heard his message. But she still had no idea.

"Owain?"

She turned to him, biting her lip as she held out the chip. She couldn't decide. Stay, fight, or run and hide? Or go home to Naboo, marry a prince? Go to Immeria, stay safe and bored?

She knew one thing for certain. She would go nowhere without him.

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

Sitting next to the girl in silence, the raven-haired youth glanced at her at the mention of his name. He had seen the holovid of course, but he lacked any personal link to make him truly care. Just another idealist declaring war for their own reasons. Felicity was taking the whole thing really hard. The man as her beloved brother after all. Hopefully she didn't get a stupid idea to chase after him or something.

"Yes?"

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

The girl turned her holopad off, turning to face him completely. She set the chip on the bed.

"I need an opinion here, Owain. Things are going to start heating up around here, What do you think I should do?"

Didn't mean she would take his advice, of course, but it was still good to know his opinion.

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

The boy sighed. "I think you should keep clear of it. It could be dangerous and I don't want you hurt," he said, but raised his hand to forestall any argument. "However, I know you. So, where are we going first and what should I pack?" he asked with a weary resignation. A faint grin was on his face despite everything though.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Despite what he might think, Felicity was not, in fact, about to start an argument with him over this. He had already said what she needed to hear.

"Pack a light assortment of weapons," she responded, "clothes too. Anything else you might think you'll need. We're going off the grid for a while."

She set the chip on her bed, staring at it. She was running. From everything. Since when had she ever taken her jerk brothers advice? Maybe it meant she was maturing. She couldn't see a good reason not to go. It was going to be hard for a while, but it would only be for a year at most, and it was the safest option. Besides, this way, she could be with Owain. Alone, but without hiding it from anybody.

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

Off the grid? He sighed and nodded, leaning over to quickly kiss the girl's cheek. "As my princess commands," he replied, heading for the door. Luckily he tended to keep his things packed in case of needing to make a swift exit. Not that it had been necessary lately, but...old habits were hard to break. "Got an idea for our first destination?" the youth asked, pausing in the doorway and looking at Felicity. Hmm...how were they going to smuggle the nexu and tauntaun out though?

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

He was coming with her. No hesitation. No indication that he questioned her decision. No. His only question was where. She silently held up the data chip from her brother. Answer enough for anybody. The nexu would be hard enough to transport. Hondo? Hondo would take a miracle to get there. And where would they keep him? She'd find a way. She could always find a way. She'd just have to ask Almira. Maybe she could get help from her new sister.

"Meet me back here when you're done. I need to talk to someone before we go. Um... Owain? Thanks. For sticking with me, I mean."

[member="Owain"] [member="Almira Magrath"]

 

[Almira Izlay'ti]

The question still remained upon her mind as she stood over the crib, the handmaiden carefully watching the child along side the mother. Her hand rest on the side, red hues upon the soft smile of her youngest daughter. Where she was going she could not bear to take such a young child, nor could she bare to expose her to the dangers that were to come. Closing her eyes for a moment, she nodded softly. It had to be asked, and there was none other in the Galaxy that she could trust beyond the young woman in that moment of time. ​

​

Turning on her foot, she moved towards the door of the small office, only to stop as the door began to open. Smiling softly she knew that it could not be anyone else. Bringing her hands together, she steeled herself, taking a soft breath and allowing a small smile to grace her lips. She had easily taken upon the mantle that her mother had left behind and even her movements and mannerisms were beginning to match those of the former Duchess. ​

​

"I was just about to go looking for you..." ​

​

[member="Felicity Mason"]​

 

[Felicity Mason]

Felicity opened the door to the small office. While Owain was packing and preparing himself for what could be a very hard journey, Felicity was about to ask a favor that could possibly make the journey slightly less so. She had no right to ask anything from these people. They'd shown her such kindness, adopting her into their own family, calling her sister. And now here she was, running away. But then, she supposed, they were all running.

"You were?" she asked hesitantly closing the door behind her, "Then you probably already know what mom wants me to do, right? She isn't wrong, you know. Running is the safest thing. For all of us. At least until this whole thing blows over. I know my brother, Almira. He's determined and dangerous, but only until something new distracts him. It's only a matter of time."

Like when he promised to train me, until something better came along then he dumped me with mom after teaching me almost nothing at all.

Her brother had patterns, but in the beginning of whatever little project he'd decided to take up, he was the absolute embodiment of that movement. This one seemed to be just slightly more serious than the others. It was the only reason she had chosen to take the advice given to her.

[member="Almira Magrath"]

 

[Almira Izlay'ti]

With a quiet nod she listened to Felicity, her red hues staying upon the young woman. Leaning forward slightly, she placed a soft kiss upon the girl's forehead to quiet her and keep her still. She had already spoken with the Queen and while she would prefer to keep her at her side, she knew what had to be done. ​

​

"I know. I spoke with your mother, and there is a question that must be asked of you. A task that is very important." ​

​

With a soft and subtle gesture she motioned towards the small crib that was in the office. The handmaiden stepping back for a moment. Turning on her back foot, Almira moved towards it before reaching within. Her arms wrapping around the small bundle of the sleeping child as she slowly pulled the girl from where she lay. ​

​

Turning back to Felicity, she stepped forward, her eyes upon her. Until she stood next to her once more, she then looked upon her daughter, a smile across her face. Brushing her own white strands of hair from her cheek and forehead as the child slept. ​

​

"You will run, you will fly far from this place and those that would be overtaken by war. There shall be many to aid you, yet there is a single task that I have for you."​

​

She had to pause. She had to collect her words before she could continue. It was her own attempt to act more as her mother would have. ​

​

"This is my youngest. Zeldana Magrath. With you though she shall be Zeldana Mason, the daughter of Felicity Mason. No one must know of her heritage if the rumors I've heard are true. She must be kept safe and her identity hidden from even herself."​

​

[member="Felicity Mason"]​

 

[Felicity Mason]

Felicity stared. She stared for a long time. Long enough that Owain had probably already packed and returned to the room by now. He was probably wondering what was taking her so long. She did imply that they would be trying to leave tonight. But she just could not break free of her own mind.

Daughter. Not only was she stupidly unaware that Almira had a daughter this young, she was unaware that she had already spoken to her Mother. No. Forget that! She wanted Felicity to take this baby and raise her as her own? Adopt her, pass her off as her own child. Alone.

Yes. It would have to be alone. She couldn't ask Owain to do this now. He hadn't signed up for baby sitting. But if she left, who would she say the father was? She'd planned on going into hiding too, changing her last name, maybe add a few years onto her age. She could say she's 19, instead of nearly 17. She could pass it off if nobody looked too closely. She looked young, but not that young. She could manage it. She could say she was renting the apartment Cyril had offered to let her stay in, deny any relation other than renter. It made sense. People often rented their homes when they were traveling for a long time. It made economical sense. So, she would be Felicity whateverlastnameshechose, single mother, renting the apartment for cheap while working... somewhere. It wasn't unheard of. A common enough story that she could slip by unnoticed.
It could work. It would have to. It ruined her plans to live happily ever after alone with Owain, but what else could she do? Leave a baby alone? She wasn't that kind of person, and she adored Almira. She would do anything for this family.

"I had planned to leave tonight. I have a place to stay. I need a ship though, one large enough for me, Hondo, Nisal and..." she looked down at the baby, "Zeldana."

[member="Almira Magrath"] [member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

Strapping the armour to his body had been accomplished swiftly, with the ease of long practice. No time like the present to prepare for any eventuality. Felicity expected trouble, so he would to. He tapped the scabbard of his short sword for luck as he threw the duffel bags over his shoulders and strode back to Felicity's room. He kept his gaze fixed forwards and ignored everything else as he made his way through the corridors. He had no idea what the blonde was planning, but he felt confident she had some sort of plan. It was in her nature. She was like her father like that.

Hmm. Maybe they should contact him?

Nah. If Felicity had wanted to, she already would have.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Almira Izlay'ti]

With a soft smile Almira brought her hand up to lightly brush a stray strand of hair from Felicity's face. Watching her as she stood there with a blank stare, though she knew it as nothing more than the thoughts that could overtake a being's mind. Allowing her the moment to collect her thoughts, Almira turned her red hues upon her daughter, watching as the child slept before turning back to the young woman. ​

​

"Just ask and you shall have what you need." ​

​

It was the truth. If she needed a vessel large enough so she could fit the mansion in before she left then Almira would find such a vessel. Even as she was sending her own daughter away with a sister that she trusted, she still wanted to ensure that they would be safe and had all that they needed. Her mind rushed with the thoughts and possibilities, and even that feint hint that this child might one day come to resent her for sending her away. Though she had to hope that such a thought would never come to the girl's mind. ​

​

"I spoke with your mother of this. She was the one whom suggested that this being requested of you. That is the faith that is being placed upon your. The faith to raise this girl as your own, and the faith that your mother has in you that you can do it." ​

​

[member="Feena Mason"]​

 

[Felicity Mason]

She was about to turn around and hurry back to her room to pack. She hadn't packed anything at all. What was she going to need now? Most of her dresses were not, well, appropriate for a life in hiding. Trying to blend in with the common people in a designer gown was not really going to work. She had a few things though that she could edit and work with. It would have to do. But then Almira said something important.

"My... mom? She really did? She said she had faith in me?"

Stunned. Her dear Mother had never expressed any faith in Felicity. She'd given her tutors because she was convinced the girl would never study on her own. She'd surrounded her with body guards because she thought Felicity was so careless, she'd get herself killed. She'd even sent her away because she had no faith in her ability to choose a good mate herself.
But now? Now she had enough faith in her for this? What had changed? When? She felt dizzy all of a sudden. Such pressure was on her now. It wasn't just Almira she'd be letting down if she failed, it would be her Mother too. But there was also a surge of emotion, pride even. Mother trusted her. Finally.

"I won't let you down. Either of you. When the time comes, you will know how to contact me. I'll take her, raise her, and bring her home safe and happy. I promise."

She looked Almira up and down one more time, eyes lingering on the baby the longest.

"I don't need anything fancy for a ship. It just needs to function. When you can find one, we'll be off. Thank you."

She nodded, turned around and walked back to her room, pausing outside the door to wipe her eyes clear of the emotion building behind them. Owain was waiting when she finally opened the door.

[member="Almira Magrath"] [member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

He heard the door open, and glanced up from where he was sitting on the bed. The raven-haired youth smiled slightly at the sight of the blonde entering. "So, ready to stretch your wings again, Songbird?" Owain asked, standing up. He moved to pick up the bags he had left by the bed. No point holding all that up whilst waiting who knows how long.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Oh. Great. Now he actually looked excited to be going. How was she going to tell him? She bit her lip, letting the door shut behind her.

"Hang on. I'm waiting for Almira. She's going to find a ship for me to use. " she sighed, sinking into the bed. "Sit down. There's been a.... slight change of plans."

Understatement of the year.
"Um... so," she began, "I never asked, but do you want kids some day, Owain? "
[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

Her tone made him pause. He turned to look at her, frowning. "Oh?" he asked, before the blonde continued. Her question made the boy blink. That...was an odd tangent. "Well...yes. Someday," he answered tentatively, wondering where she was going with this line of questioning. "It would be nice to carry on the family line, and you know, a family is a rare luxury for those in the armed forces..." he explained, scratching his head.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

"How about now?" She asked at once, "like, right now?"

She was honestly surprised at his interest in starting a family. She had never taken him for the type. Honestly, she herself had never seriously considered having children. Not really. It just hadn't really interested her. Now though...

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

"Uh...phrasing?" Owain pointed out, eyes narrowing as he tried to puzzle out what was going on. "I mean, we could start making a child, but we couldn't HAVE one right now....right?" he asked, somewhat confused. "And wouldn't marriage come first?"

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

She really was not good at this phrasing thing. That became even more apparent by what she said next.

"Too late for that. I'm going to have a baby."

That was a terrible way to say that and she realized it at once. Her cheeks went bright red and she stumbled to fix what she said.

"Err! I mean-! With us. on the ship. Or with me. If you don't wanna come anymore." She cleared her throat. "Almira asked me to take her daughter with me. Im supposed to... um, take care of her. Raise her as my own. Adopt her. "

And it was about then that she started to realize just what that really meant.

[member="Owain"]