Wake Up

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He slowly moved backward, shaking his head.

“No.” That ship was far too conspicuous. “We won't be spending much time in space and that ship is a bit too ostentatious. We'll take a shuttle, probably one of the old Lambda's.”

It would be easier that way. Especially if the shuttle was marked with diplomatic Red. Even the Sith didn't attack unarmed shuttles that were marked with the bright red streak. Of course he wasn't too concerned about being attacked or even questioned by the Sith, or anyone really. He had more than a few tricks up his sleeve and more connections than he could count.

Slowly they moved back towards the couch, Kira prodding him further.

 

[Kira Talith]

A smirk and twin blonde brows would arch high in that. Mock worry would fill her face, amusement deep in her eyes, "Wait, you are telling me," her right hand would sail down over his shoulder to trace upon his chest. Five fingers would continue to nudge him back, a steady pressure from the petite Jedi. "... that you are going to be piloting?"

Oh yeah, that was a laugh. Her tone and the half snort would tell just what she thought of that. Soliael had absolutely zero luck with flying. It was as if for all his ability, strength in the Force, and intellect, the Force saw it fit to curse him with an inability to fly.

"Okay... I know you like to live on the edge," that was a tease, Sol would never willingly put Aela in danger, but it was just as much fun to rag at him about it. Normally, she was the one who had to take the yoke if they were traveling together.

"But I hope learning how to survive a shuttle crash is not on the list of training just yet." Another nudge, a few more feet, until the back of Sol's knees would hit the couch.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He stumbled slightly as he struck the couch, coming to a full stop with a smirk on his face.

“Not at all, We'll be taking a droid. They make those right? Pilot droids?” He of course knew that they made them, he had several already on the shuttle in case one of them broke. It was simpler and more effective that way, mostly because he was paranoid about what would happen if he had to fly the shuttle himself.

That had historically ended badly.

“If not I'm sure I'll manage.” A shrug lifted his shoulders. “How bad could it possibly be? I mean you just roll a joystick around right?"

They both knew he would never be able to fly. It was so odd, that little curse that followed him around. He had not tried to fly anything bigger than a speeder bike in nearly half a decade.

 

[Kira Talith]

Soliael flying anything had indeed historically ended badly.

Save one time that had him crash landing on a planet where a girl he had met only once before had come before him; body scarred, bruised, and her mind a maze of demons she'd been fighting.

Maybe it was the will of the Force. Maybe for that very reason, he held that flaw. Whatever it may be, six years later would find that same girl grow into a woman, one that would gaze upon the son of the former Sith Emperor with love in her eyes.

Only that this time it also had a healthy dose of devilry. Her face would scrunch up, mocking him lightly, her voice picking up an octave, "Just roll the joystick around, he says!"

A firm shove would send him back, intending to have him sprawl on the couch. Her smile grew cheeky, voice dipping in playful suggestive banter meant for his ears only. "Maybe I should teach you a few things about that piloting yoke before you depart mmm?"

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He landed with a soft oomph against the plush of the couch, the leather folding beneath him as he came against it half sprawled out and half just sitting down normally. He looked up at his wife, a position that he was hardly ever in.

“Mrs. Talith.” Soliael said suddenly in a very serious tone. “Are you flirting with me?”

He wondered briefly how they must have seemed. Two adults, one of them well over two centuries old, playing around like teenagers in their bedroom. It was an odd sight for sure, but it was one that he enjoyed, one that he loved.

One that he would miss over the coming weeks.

 

[Kira Talith]

A playful nudge of her knee against his own would part them wider, Kira merrily enjoying her small position of power. She gave a feint expression of indignation, her expression a bravado of wounded emotion with her slight gasp of disbelief.

"Mr. Talith!" she would step in between his sprawled thighs, a hand gesturing to her chest in emphasis, "I am a married woman!" a knee would rise to dip on one side of his thigh, sinking into the plush of the couch.

"Mother of three!" she'd declare with feigned seriousness, her tiny body settling on top of his in a straddle, using him as her own personal chair. Arms would deliberately and with a bit of dramatic flare, reach up to rest on top of his shoulders. Her torso would lean forward, playfully drawing near to bump his nose with the tip of hers.

"A professor of the Jedi Academy!" the corner of her mouth couldn't help but quirk upward in her mockingly stiff manner, "That burlap brigade you know,"

Bending further, her head would give a slight turn, drifting towards his ear.

"I have no time for such frivolous things as flirting," said the woman who would say with her lips barely an inch from the shell of his ear, breathing in warmly with a husky inflection that would remind her husband of other times she's taken that tone.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

“Oh.” Soliael said sounding more than marginally disappointed.

He was of course acting that part, deciding to completely ignore her tone of voice and what it signified in order to have a bit of fun with his wife.

Oh there would be other fun, that was already assured, but that didn't mean Soliael couldn't play with her first. “That's very disappointing to hear.”

He looked incredibly sad and mopey.

 

[Kira Talith]

[member="Soliael Talith"]

A twinkle grew in Kira's eyes, seeing her beloved play along with his rather downcast expression. She had been the one more prone to these charades, but it was interesting to see him get more and more into it. Silly as it was, it was endearing that he would match her in the lighthearted play.

"Mmm," her fingers would curl round the nape of his neck, playing with the length of his hair there. The pads of her fingers would start to lightly massage, light pressure intended to relax.

"But maybe... all that is required is a bit of convincing Mr. Talith." she'd say with a quip full of intrigue. Pulling back she'd, stare down at her husband, giving him a soft smile and a silly waggle of her eyebrows.

Out on the corridor, the small pitter patter of feet would near. Was it Maleah? Micah? Either way, they would be making themselves known soon.

Or were perhaps up to some trickery.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

“Oh? Well how are you going to convince me?” He turned the whole thing around on her. There was a big grin on his face, and suddenly she would have to be the one to convince him. He looked at her, as if he was about to say something, his hands coming up and grasping her hips.

They slowly began to slide up when suddenly something rang out.

“GROSS.”

The word was followed by a loud cackle and the extremely loud pitter patter of feet, followed by the exact same pitter patter only a bit more loud and pronounced. Soliael tipped his head back against the sofa, then let out a small chuckle, his hands falling away from his wife for a few moments.

“Sometimes I wonder if we shou-” He was cut off as a loud yell rang through the house.

“MALEAH! MICAH! GET BACK HERE!”

Aela screamed at her younger siblings, and suddenly Soliael could feel a small burst of the force pop out within the hall.

 

[Kira Talith]

Now that was something you didn't sense everyday.

The mirth in her eyes would flare into surprise, Aela yelling at the twins drawing her attention more than the small burst of the Force. Surprise would shift into confusion, giving Soliael a look that wordlessly would ask, 'Did you feel that too?' Their daughter was growing into herself; truth be told there it would be expected that their kids would utilize their Force potential at an early age.

"Kids!" came her following cry of query, wiggling off her husbandly perch as she would stand on her feet. "What are you guys doing?!" Another burst of giggles and the pitter patter of feet would skidaddle further towards the other side of the house.

"MALEAH! GIVE IT BACK!" Well apparently, the mischievous glimmer in the eldest twins eyes earlier after being instructed by her father bore fruit. The question was exactly what would incur the normally quiet Aela to raise her voice. That's when the sound of objects tumbling onto the ground and another burst of the Force popped into existance.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael looked over towards the door, still sitting on the sofa, watching as Kira began to head towards her children.

What came next astounded him.

He watched the doorway, sensing another pulse in the force, only this time it had a visible effect. A blink and he would have missed it. A steam of bright blonde hair, reminiscent of Kira, and a blur of tribal clothing streamed by the open doorway, his daughter moving faster than humanly possible. His jaw hung open, and then suddenly he heard Maleah scream followed by a single word.

“UNFAIR!”

Soliael looked to his wife, his eyebrows raised up to the ceiling. “Well...i guess she takes after her grandfather.”

He let out a loud sigh and stood from the sofa, Kira already halfway out the door.

 

[Kira Talith]

Kira would shoot a questioning look over her shoulder, dark blond brows furrowing. "What is that supposed to mean?" she'd ask him, giving him an odd look. Bare feet would take quick steps over towards the corridor, her petite form slightly bouncing with her walk, blonde hair swaying at her back.

"Hey, hey!" Kira would poke her head out to check on their children. There on the floor lay a squirming Maleah, brown blonde hair a mess, her own little set of tribal clothing all mused up. Aela stood, half glowering at her younger sister, holding a small beaded necklace of a sort. Bone beads, a few feathers, and pretty blue stones decorated the piece.

"What's going on here?" Kira would ask, mom mode activated.

That's when Micah appeared, moving behind Aela, quietly as possible as if to strike. His attention was focused on the necklace.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael moved after his wife, his footsteps lithe and quick, more curious than interested in acting as a parent. Kira could function as the hammer, for now Soliael was simply curious in what was happening with his daughter.

Of course all three children had already exhibited signs of the force. Maleah and Micah in their own special ways, small hints, tiny force pushes, inklings of telekinesis, small things. Aela on the other hand had been more...obvious with her shows of the force. She had already been taught a minute amount of control by Soliael, she knew the basics of telekinesis and even how to form a barrier, yet this was the first time she had exhibit a natural talent in something besides influencing the families pets.

“This is mine, Maleah! Oma gave it to me.”

Her voice was pure authority, an odd sort of mimic of the voice that her mother had used only seconds before.

Micah meanwhile dashed towards his older sisters necklace. He seemed to move with an odd sort of grace, like a Nexu bounding towards its prey. Soliael watched curiously as he grasped for the necklace, only for Aela to turn back into that odd little blur. She wove around her little brother, causing him to fall directly onto his little sister.

“Thats what I mean.” Soliael practically whispered to Kira. “Force speed, my father was famous for it.”

Aela seethed at her siblings, the twins began to form tears in her eyes, and Soliael simply stood amazed.

 

[Kira Talith]

Well that news brought on a measure of surprise as well as concern. "And here I thought that was you who was sneaking lessons," she'd murmur from the corner of her mouth, a new wave of awareness dawning on her. If Soliael hadn't taught Aela to use the Force to speed herself up...

"Oh boy," the small breathy exclamation came at the realization that Aela had done that innately. Completely on her own. Granted, she wasn't too happy at the twins right now to begin with. So that put another layer of concern; where she was drawing the power from.

Her tiny body was trembling now, agitated lines and a scowl on her heart shaped face. Aela was pretty protective over anything having to do with her Oma. The little girl practically worshiped her, her clothing set aside to mimic the Beast Rider's of Onderon. Aela was not happy.

Not happy at all.

A small sniff drew from her youngest daughter, catching Kira's attention. Turning to Sol, she would give a small nod towards Aela. She'll deal wiht the twins. A sigh fell from her lips, and a rock of her heels would push her forward, hands outstretched to help the twins get to their feet. She took to a knee, one hand gently untangling Micah from his sister.

"There, we go, on your feet bud." Maleah was next, her lower lip starting to tremble. Micah, needing comfort but unwilling to say so, merely took one of Maleah's hands, holding it tightly.

"Hey," Kira's hand would soothingly rub each of them over their shoulders, giving a small boop at the end of Maleah's button nose. "Why were you two trying to take Aela's necklace mmm? That belongs to her, oma gave it to her. Just like oma gave you both gifts."

Another sniffle.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael wandered passed his wife, smiling at her slightly, though doing so in a way that the twins could not see.

He loved it when his children discovered innate talents in the force. He had not been there when Aela found her talent for animal friendship, his mother had been the one to see that. Yet he was here for her discovery in Force Speed, something that amazed and excited him.

Micah and Maleah had yet to show any particular talents, but he was sure that both of them would be as powerful, if not more so, than him. He could feel their potential strength, their ability, he knew that one day they would be strong and each one of them would discover their own talents. Soliael tussled Micah's hair as he passed them, grabbing Aela gently by the shoulders and turning her.

She jumped slightly, as if she had been in some sort of trance. “March.”

With a growl, Aela began to walk in the direction that her father had pointed her in. She was clearly still furious, clutching the necklace to her breast as if trying to keep it secure from both her brother and sister.

 

[Kira Talith]

A small nod was sent over at Soliael's direction, watching her husband and her eldest daughter exit the room. A small sniffle drew her attention back to Maleah, and Kira couldn't help but give a half smile at her youngest daughter's quickly red rimmed eyes. Wobbly of mouth and then rubbing her eye, the middle child would not answer her mother's question. Instead Micah held her hand tightly, his face a bit flushed; whether of embarrassment, shame, or trying to hold back his tears up for debate.

"Micah. Maleah." Kira's hands would trace down to hold each of their free hand, tugging them a bit closer over to her, her expression soft but stern.

"Why did you take Aela's necklace?" she asked again in low, but firm voice. There was nothing to suggest she was angry, but merely inquisitive. A shuffling of feet, the downcast pairs of orange eyes, another sniffle. They knew they had done something wrong, but were working their way through it. Kira just simply wanted them to understand.

"A-Aela gets to go see oma." a soft trembling voice edged with tears would bring clarity. "Why can't we go too?"

Dawning realization came then. It was because of the trip. Micah and Maleah were feeling left out, likely striking out in a way they figured would get them attention. They were jealous, and if Kira read her children correctly, hurt that they couldn't go see Oma too.

Kira would squeeze their hands.

"You will both get to see your Oma soon." Kira would attempt to reassure them, "Aela and your Father are just going to take a small trip and will be back before you know it. "

The sniffles continued, but were clearing up.

We can both plan a trip to go visit your Oma and your auntie Amore too with your Father." came the offer, attempting to have them focus on that. Bribery? Yes, perhaps, but it was already in the plans. They just needed to know that they were not left out by Soliael or their Oma.

"But that doesn't mean it is okay to take things from Aela. Would you like it if someone took the gifts Oma gave you Maleh?" blue eyes would drift from the eldest twin to the youngest. "Micah?"

A small shake of their heads in tandem followed suit.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He steered Aela into the nearby room, truthfully Soliael had absolutely no idea what its purpose was, though he could swear that he had seen Kira dance in here once. Shaking his head Soliael stopped lightly prodding Aela and stopped, squatting down just as she turned to face him.

Before he could even open his mouth Aela spoke, her words filled with strength and command.

“Father. I did nothing wrong. Maleah took Oma's necklace and I simply took it back.”

Her father watched her for a moment, eyes searching for something. She was technically correct, she had simply taken back what was her own. Soliael couldn't fault her for that, he had done much worse for the exact same reason. Of course he couldn't just tell her that, it would be terrible parenting. He knew that, though a part of him was still proud.

“I know Aela, but you can't do things like that.” His voice was calm and level. “Your brother and sister didn't want to hurt your feelings or anything of the sort, I'm sure they had their reason for taking the necklace. Maybe they just wanted something to remember you by while we go on our trip.”

Aela looked down at the necklace for a moment, still clutching it to her breast. “They both know it means a lot to you.”

She looked at the necklace again, then up at her father. Her face was a mix of annoyance, stoicism, and profound thought. It was clear that she was trying to work through the mindset of her younger siblings, attempting to see why they had committed their crime.

“They could have asked.”

It was such a reasonable answer that Soliael couldn't help but smile. His daughter had oddly grown up responses to most things, something that both Kira and he found oddly concerning and endearing.

“They could have, but they're younger than you.” He wasn't even sure if thats why Maleah and Micah had taken it, but it seemed reasonable enough to both him and Alea. “They don't always think things through. That's part of your responsibility as the older sibling, to teach them.”

 

[Kira Talith]

"No..." Micah was the one who was more forthright, but it was clear he was working through his own emotions. A glance over at Maleah saw her shaking her head in the negative.

"Doesn't mean you can't borrow things; but you have to ask Aela first." Kira would tell her children, giving their hands a squeeze. "Sharing is important, but if they belong to someone else, you must ask first. Understand?"

Two small heads would not slowly.

"How do you think Aela felt when you took oma's necklace?" Kira would as them both. The lesson was in self discovery and self awareness on the consequences of their actions; that Aela was angry and hurt that it had been taken.

Maleah began to nibble at her lower lip; a worrying. Micah started to rock back and forth on his feet. Both took some time to think about it.

"Mad." came the first tentative answer from her daughter.

Kira would nod in agreement. "Yes she was mad."

"Upset."

"That too," she agreed. Tiny toes would wiggle, and Maleah gave this long shuddered sigh. The tears were starting to dry, a finger curling round the length of her hair. She was thinking about it. Micah's face was scrunched up. He didn't want to make Aela upset, but he did want to go on a trip too. Also with Maleah. Aela did get loud too.

Another squeeze of her hand. "Did you want to make your sister mad and upset?"

Two heads would shake no.

"How do you feel about that?" more questions to make them think and process what they had done and that it was wrong.

"Bad." They both said in tandem. They had their moments of similarity, despite being fraternal twins. Good, they were feeling remorse.


"What do you think you should do then?"


"Ask first?"

At that Kira gave a small half grin. Well, at least that was sticking. Learning when to say sorry was a big step, and that is what she was trying to teach them.

"Yes, ask first." she echoed, smiling at her son. "But when you do something you shouldn't have done, like upsetting your sister, you must tell them that you are sorry. They need to know that you didn't mean to do it and that you feel bad for making them get upset."

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Aela nodded, then slowly began to turn around and head off. She had been under the impression that she controlled the conversation. Aela had done nothing wrong after all, she had simply been defending her own property. Why should she wait for her father to dismiss her when she had done nothing wrong?

Soliael watched her for half a heartbeat, smiling, then he made odd noises with his mouth. “Apbababa.”

His daughter nearly tripped, and came to a full stop, as though she had struck a brick wall. A frown settled on her face, and she turned to face her father.

“You did something else besides chase Micah and Maleah.” Soliael said, pointing out the obvious fact. Almost immediate recognition flashed over Aela's face, followed by bright rose colored cheeks of half embarrassment and half frustration. “You used the force.”

Aela stared at her father for a moment.

“I didn't mean to!”

Soliael reached out and tucked a long strand of Aelas hair behind her ear. “I know.”

He paused for a moment.

“Do you remember what I told you?” Aela looked at her father, then at the ground. “When you got back from Oma Qui? What I taught you about the force? What happens when you let your emotions control you?”

Aela looked down at the ground, but she nodded her head. Soliael had already taught Aela some about the Darkside of the force, mostly out of necessity. When a young child touched the force, emotions often got in the way of things. It was important that his daughter knew the consequences of doing so. “You have to remember that Aela. Even when you're mad, you have to try and control yourself. I know you would never hurt your siblings, but the force is very strong with you. It can do great things, but it can also do very bad things. Next time instead of tackling Maleah, try lifting her into the air so she can't run.”

The young girl shifted her feet, then nodded her head, giggling slightly.

Soliael smiled at her, petting her hair slowly. He knew that over the next two weeks he would have to talk to his daughter again, perhaps even give her a small bit of training. She was growing fast, too fast.

 

[Kira Talith]

The twins would both stare down at their feet, shuffling so under the watchful gaze of their mother. Maleah's body would lead towards her brothers, and Micah would give a short nod, then give a deep weary sigh. His shoulders sank, head tilting a bit to the left.

"Okay."

The way his entire body would resonate with his exasperation, mimicking an almost adult like air about him. Kids were curious things. They picked up mannerisms so easily; more so with Kira teaching them all at a very young age the various kinetic communication mannerisms. It was clear that they felt that level of remorse, but were still a bit perturbed by it all. In a few days they would be fine.

"Maleah?" Kira would turn to her daughter, whose bright orange eyes would lift up to met the blue of her mother's own. "Do you understand?"

Another small nod and more shuffling of feet.

"Good." a smile would warm her face, and the next moment would see the loving press of her lips on both of their temples.

"Now what should you do now?" came the next question, leaning back to get a good look at them again.

"Say sorry." Kira would smile wider, proud of her children. They were still very much younger than Aela, but were still working through learning life's lessons. It was a bit harder with the twins, both had natural tendencies towards mischief. However, Soliael and her were making every effort to instill the differences between right and wrong and raise them with every opportunity and lesson available to them. To guide them to a good path.

"Mmhmm." slowly Kira would push herself to her feet. Releasing their hands, she would bring both of her own over the crown of their heads, tussling each of their hairs.