Makutakin [2017-12-10 06:23:17 +0000 UTC]
Here’s something that could happen:
Connie arrives at the Gem Temple, prepared for training with Pearl. Leia has asked to watch, since she is curious to see her young friend at work. Connie is quiet and distracted as she changes and gets ready for practice.
Leia: What’s on your mind?
Connie: Huh? What?
Leia: You’ve been distracted today -- I’d hate to see you get hurt during practice, if you can’t concentrate.
Connie: (Timidly) ...It’s my mom.
(She keeps looking for Pearl -- she doesn’t want her teacher to see her this distracted)
Leia: You’ve mentioned her, before…
Connie: …The way things are going, I’m gonna have to tell her sooner or later about this… I’ve already promised to tell her about what’s happening when I’m with Steven, but…
Leia: But this is much more serious. Isn’t it?
Connie: ...Yeah… I want to do what I can, but… if she gets too upset about me helping…
Leia: (Putting a hand on Connie’s shoulder) Tell you what -- you can tell your mother about it today, before things get worse. I’ll come with you and talk to her, too.
Connie: (Calmer and more focused now) Oh… Okay! That’d be great! But, are you sure you can spare the time? I mean, you’re still leading the Rebels, aren’t you?
Leia: (Smiles) “you are right, Connie, and I’m glad you’re thinking of that too, but even so, I can make time for people outside of Military obligations. And I’d be glad to help you with whatever issues you may have with you telling your mother about all this, I certainly do owe you a lot. Besides, after the Death Star was destroyed, there have been a lot more people who’ve rallied to the Alliance’s cause, believing the Empire isn’t as strong as it claims to be. And, I’m not the only one who runs the rebels. Mothma, Iblis, Dodanna, Ackbar and many others have kept stability when I’m not around. So there’s no reason I can’t help you with your mom.”
(I imagine too that maybe Leia had some ways of getting around some of her mom’s conniptions, queen Breha I mean, her adopted mom.)
(After practice, at the Maheshwaren house. Connie has invited Leia in, just as she’s seen her mother’s car pull into the driveway.)
Connie: Mom!
Dr. M: Hello connie (Notices Leia) and who may I ask is this?
Connie: oh, mom, I’d like you to meet someone -- Mom, this is Leia Organa, and Leia, this is my mom.
Dr. M: Hello, Ms. Organa.
Leia: It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Maheshwaren -- your daughter has spoken highly of you.
Dr. M: (Knowing how Connie speaks of her) Has she really? May I ask, how do you know Connie?
Connie: I met her while I was with Steven… Uh… during that time when we were gone for a few days, and I couldn’t contact you.
Dr M: (Alarmed, but not showing it) Is that so? In that case, who are you, in relation to Connie’s friend Steven?
Leia: I’m a Senator and an ambassador. Or, I used to be...
Dr. M: From which country?
Connie and Leia share a look. Dr. M knows what that means.
Dr. M: I’m going to need to sit down, aren’t I?
After a few moments of Connie explaining Leia being from another galaxy and all the other complications that came with it, Dr Maheshwaren sits down and crosses her arms, watching her daughter with disappointment.
Dr. M: And you want to fight in a war with these people?
Connie: (miserably) Mom -- it’s not what you think!
Dr. M: Absolutely not. I understand you learning how to fight with a sword, if you’re going to be hanging out with the Universe boy -- if you’re going to be in danger and there’s nothing we can do to protect you from it, it at least makes sense that you learn to defend yourself. But a war front is completely different -- beyond getting hurt, you could be captured, you could get stranded and marooned on a strange planet…
Connie: MOM!
Leia: Doctor Maheshwaren -- I understand and completely agree with you. In fact, I would personally insist that Connie stayed out of it -- I’m a part of this fight against the galactic empire because I have no other alternative, and it’s a war based in my own home. I’ve pretty much signed my own death warrant with the Empire multiple times over. Not only is Connie not obligated, it would be unethical of us to ask for her help.
Dr M: (Taken aback, but recovering quickly) Well, I’m glad we’re in agreement then.
(Connie is staring at Leia, hurt and betrayed)
Leia: However, it’s not just out of a selfless ideal that your daughter is willing to fight alongside myself and my people. She’s volunteering for a more pragmatic and personal reason -- because, in coming to this galaxy, there’s a risk that our war will become a threat to the people of THIS world.
(Dr. Maheshwaren looks to her daughter for confirmation, and Connie just hangs her head, miserably)
Leia: Connie is offering to volunteer her skills and abilities because, on the chance that this planet is targeted at any time, she will be vital to the safety of everyone here. She’s not only planning ahead and taking the steps to prepare, but she’s taking on a responsibility that not many girls her age willingly step into. And she’s doing it to protect her home -- just as I am doing what I can to protect mine.
Dr. M: (surprised) Connie… you…
Connie: Mom, please…
Dr. Maheshwaren is obviously distressed. She looks between Leia and Connie for a moment, fumbling for the right words to say, before she sinks back into her chair.
Dr M: Connie, you understand that this is dangerous -- and it’s serious, too. There’s some things you can’t prepare for. And, even if we take it as best case scenario, and your joining this rebel alliance does save the Earth from any kind of war, if something happens to you…
Connie: Mom, I’ll be okay…
Dr. M: It’s not going to be okay for us! (She starts to cry) You’re… all we have…
Connie had never thought of it like that. She’s equally surprised to hear her mother say it, and accepts the hug her mother pulls her into. Leia has been silent, letting both of them say their piece, before she interjects.
Leia: I can’t guarantee Connie will be safe -- any more than I can for any of our other soldiers -- but she won’t be alone. There will be other people fighting alongside her, and for every one of them that joins this fight, the safer all the others are. That’s why she’s offering to help us. And I’ve seen what your daughter is capable of -- her abilities are more than enough.
Dr M: ...So, I guess I should start trusting you, then? (Connie doesn’t answer -- Leia does)
Leia: More than trust -- Believe in Connie.
Doctor Maheshwaren dries her eyes and lets out a breath of tension.
Dr. M: ...What am I going to tell your father?
Connie: … The… same thing I told you?
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