Private The Last Favor

[Ashin Cardé Varanin]

The cuffs only permitted Force senses in a limited way, and Ashin had sacrificed sensitivity for brute power a very long time ago. But the moment demanded a touch of insight, and the Force provided.

That, or maybe Ashin was starting to understand her daughter just a little.

"Noelle, I wore the mask and mantle of Anger; I stood among the Five at the heart of the Cosmic Force of this galaxy, so trust—" She stumbled. "—believe me when I say that destiny doesn't exist. History doesn't recur: that's cognitive distortion at work. You are exactly what you make of yourself, and you're at a point in your life when you can make yourself into anything. A great queen, a good mother, possibly even both.

"I still don't believe you need me for any of that. But I owe you, so I'll make you a promise: I will leave this station alive and free. The game I'm playing is drawing to a close. I'll be...home soon in one way or another."

 

[Noelle Varanin]

Her fingers twisted and balled into her dress. "You better," she whispered harshly. Noelle didn't expect miracles for their relationship, but there was a part of her that fiercely hoped Ashin could do better as...

As a grandmother.

Nerves stomped through her insides, set free when she acknowledged her future. She smoothed down her dress and leaned forward. "Or I'll bring you back and kill you myself."

She gave Ashin a thin smile and kissed the woman's cheek.

"Goodbye, Mother."

 

[Ashin Cardé Varanin]

Ashin's first instinct was to do nothing, to stand stone still, a monolith against the buffeting winds of other people's feelings. But this time when Noelle kissed her cheek and spoke with something like affection, she made herself smile, really smile. It felt like a rusty door cracking open.

"Goodbye for now."