VI:The Journal

"Grandma, can I go look for some seashells??" Rebecca pleaded, looking up at Elsa, "I don't wanna build sand castles anymore."

Elsa glanced around the beach quickly, then nodded to her granddaughter, "Can't you wait, sweetie? Your mother should be returning with lunch any minute now."

"Please??"

Elsa sighed, reluctantly nodding her head, "Alright-- but stay close to our spot. I don't want you wandering off, understand? Stay where I can see you."

"Okay, Grandma!" Rebecca smiled, grabbing her drawstring bag and starts wandering towards the shoreline searching for seashells. Taking a small plastic sand shovel from her bag, Rebecca began sifting through the sand, examining every seashell she came across. Occasionally, she turned towards her grandmother, who promptly gave her a smile and a wave when the two made eye contact.

However, when Rebecca glanced away from Elsa, something caught her eye far off in the distance. There appeared to be an opening in the cliff at the edge of the shoreline. Rebecca took a few steps closer, then quickly turned back to her grandmother's seat. She couldn't continue, she was being watched. Instead, she kneeled down onto the sand and began searching for more seashells, glancing up discretely for her chance to go exploring.

At last, her moment came. She saw her mother returning to their beach chairs with lunch. While Elsa was distracted, Rebecca grabbed her bag and made a mad dash towards the cave.Once safely inside, she got a good look around. The cave appeared to have been a former hideout, or living space at one time. Broken furniture covered the floor, as well as blaster marks covering the walls. Near some of the scorch marks, there appeared to be some traces of red. Rebecca took a step closer, trying to figure out what it was to no avail.

Upon turning to leave the cave, she took one step and immediately drew back her foot, realizing she had stepped on something other than the rocky cave floor. She knelt down and removed some of the small debris and picked up a leather bound book. Opening it, she flipped through a few of the pages. It appeared to be an instructional book of some kind. Rebecca began flipping through more pages, curious of the book's contents.

Time began to fly by quickly. Rebecca, completely engrossed in the book, had forgotten what she was supposed to be doing this whole while, and upon hearing her mother and grandmother calling her name from a distance, the girl quickly stashed the book in her seashell bag, adding more shells to the top to effectively hide it, then scurried out of the cave to rejoin her family.

What she failed to notice about her new treasure was the name "Korban" scratched into the bottom back cover.

V: Duty Calls

An imperial shuttle was being prepped at base 658 to take Deroh Okins to Coruscant for his new assignment.
Eight-year old Rebecca clutched her stuffed ewok in one hand as she hugged her father tightly, tears running down her cheeks, "Don't go!" she wailed.

Deroh ran his hand through his daughter's hair, trying to comfort her. "I have to... I can't just blow off a direct order, " he said softly. "It's only temporary, sweetheart."

Rebecca rubbed her eyes, "promise?"

"I promise." He said.

Rebecca clung to him again, "Can I come with you instead?"

Deroh shook his head, " No... I don't think they allow children on their ships. Besides, you have to stay here and take care of Mommy. Can you be a big girl and do that for me?" He asked.

Rebecca nodded. "I think so, Daddy."

"That's my girl..." he smiled, kissing Rebecca's cheek before walking over to Cesera, quickly wiping tears off of her cheeks.
"Come now, love-- don't you start tearing up too..."

Cesera shook her head, holding the rest of her tears back. " I can't help it...who knows when I'll see you again..."

"This transfer is only supposed to be temporary, Ces." He replied, tilting her chin up, " I'll be back here safe and sound before you know it." He gave a reassuring smile.

Cesera gave a heavy sigh, "Alright... I'll be holding you to that..." she paused, straightening his uniform, " I'll miss you...and your new uniform...Captain." she smiled weakly.

"And I'll miss you," he replied, suddenly turning his head toward the shuttle as a fellow officer calls for him to come aboard. Turning back to his wife, he gave her a long kiss goodbye. "I'll comm as often as I can. I promise." Giving Rebecca a hug and kiss goodbye, he grabbed his bag and started up the ramp.

Rebecca moved over and grasped her mother's hand tightly, watching her father board the shuttle and disappear from view. Soon afterwards, the shuttle revved and lifted off the ground, flying off. Rebecca waved, "Goodbye Daddy..." she said quietly, and while watching the shuttle fade into the distance, she couldn't help but feel a small part of her also fade away.

Dear Mother...

 You've always been there when I needed you, 

you've taught me right and wrong, 

watched me grow and mold me
into the woman I am today.

And even though you can't be here now

to see the mother I have become, 

 know that I've learned from the best

everything I learned, all came from you.

I love and miss you greatly. 

Happy Mother's Day.

IV: An Empire Rises

Rebecca sat alone on the swing set while the rest of her class played ball during their recess session. Using a stick she found on the ground nearby, she began drawing small pictures in the sand by her feet. As she finished one of her sand images, she was about to begin another when she happened to look up. Her teacher, several uniformed officers and a small squad of clone troopers were walking onto the playground.

The teacher clapped her hands loudly to get the childrens' attention. "Children, gather around quickly, please," she paused while Rebecca and her other classmates came over. The woman gestured to the higher ranked officer, "This is Commander Desro from base 658 on the other side of town. He and his squad will be escorting you home. School is closing early today."

Rebecca raised her hand, " What's wrong, Miss Saris?"

Her teacher gave a reassuring smile, "It's just a precaution, dear. Nothing to fear." Rebecca gave a puzzled look in return.

Commander Desro spoke up with a very serious tone, "Go inside and gather your things quickly. We are to take you home as soon as possible." Upon hearing this, the children ran back into the school.

Moving together as a group, one by one the children were delivered home. As the commander went to each door, he talked briefly to the kids' mothers, showing an image to each woman. Rebecca and the other remaining children watched from the street, unable to hear the officer and unsure what was going on. Finally, the squad arrived at Rebecca's home, the last stop. The armed troopers waited at the property's front gate while Commander Desro escorted Rebecca to the front door. He rang the bell and waited.

Inside, Cesera was in the kitchen preparing lunch for herself and for Deroh, who usually returns home from the Republic base to eat. Upon hearing the bell, she walked to the front door. Opening it, she was surprised to see the Commander.


"Lady Okins?" The Commander asked.

Cesera nodded. "That's right...May I help you?"

The commander gestured to Rebecca, standing beside him. "I'm here to return your daughter to you, Milady. Circumstances being as they are, all local schools were ordered an emergency shutdown for today."

Cesera moved aside to let Rebecca inside, then turned back to the Commander. "What's wrong? Has something happened? Is...Is Deroh alright?"

"Commander Okins was called to Coruscant, Milady. He is fine. However..." he paused, pulling an image out of his uniform pocket and handing it to her. "Our forces have just this morning raided a nearby traitor's camp. Of the two men in question, this one has eluded us." Cesera studied the picture. "Have you seen this young man? His name is Korban..."

Cesera shook her head. "I haven't, Commander, I'm sorry to say."

Desro shook his head, frustrated. "Very well. As a precaution, I urge you to keep your windows and doors locked and be wary of any strangers that come to your door until we rectify this situation. Keep that image for reference. If you see him, contact base 658 immediately."

Cesera nodded quickly, "Yes, Sir, of course."

Commander Desro nodded. "That will be all. Good day, Milady." He turned and rejoined his troops.

Cesera closed the door and locked it, rejoining her daughter in the kitchen.

"Mommy? What's goin' on?" Rebecca asked, hoping to get an answer.

Cesera stashed the image out of Rebecca's sight and turned to her, "Just some trooper business, my love. They're looking for someone."

"Is Daddy in trouble?"

"No...Daddy is fine, but I doubt he'll be coming home today. Daddy's on Coruscant."

"The Capital place? Cool!" Rebecca grinned. "Maybe he's getting a promotion!"

Cesera smiled, "Yes....maybe..." She looked out the kitchen window, nervous and unsure.

Later that night once Rebecca was tucked into bed, Cesera walked downstairs and made a cup of herbal tea. Taking her cup into the den, she switched on the holo and noticed a broadcast from Coruscant was interrupting every holo channel. She stood listening, suddenly dropping her tea cup and covering her mouth with her hands, shocked with what she was hearing.

The Jedi, and some within our own Senate, had conspired to create the shadow of separatism using one of their own as the enemy's leader… The Jedi hoped to unleash their destructive power against the Republic by assassinating the head of government and usurping control of the clone army. But the aims of would-be tyrants were valiantly opposed by those without elitist, dangerous powers. Our loyal clone troopers contained the insurrection within the Jedi Temple and quelled uprisings on a thousand worlds… The remaining Jedi will be hunted down and defeated. 


She collapsed into a chair, unable to take her eyes from the screen as Palpatine's broadcast continued.


These have been trying times, but we have passed the test. The attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed, but I assure you my resolve has never been stronger. The war is over. The Separatists have been defeated, and the Jedi rebellion has been foiled. We stand on the threshold of a new beginning. 

In order to ensure our security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire, for a safe and secure society....

III: Early Birds

Rebecca snapped awake bright and early on a cool August morning. Hopping out of bed, she quickly got dressed, grabbed her stuffed ewok and dashed out of her bedroom down to the end of the hall to her parents' room. Throwing open the door, she bolted over to her sleeping father. She began tugging on his shoulder, trying to wake him.

"DADDY DADDY wake up wake up!!!!"

Deroh yawned and reluctantly rolled over to face his over-excited daughter. "Rebecca, ...what's wrong?"

The girl jumped up and down excitedly, "it's today, it's today!"

"Sweetheart...it's six in the morning...," Cesera mumbled from the other side of the bed.

"Uhuh! Time to get up!!" Rebecca giggled. "C'mon, c'mon!" she insisted, tugging on her father's arm. "You can' sleep in on my birthday! I won't let you!!"

"Blast it all," Deroh muttered, "I'm up, darling, I'm up!" He pushed away the blankets and sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed.

"Hooray!!" Rebecca cheered, then dashed out of the room.

Yawning, Deroh turned to Cesera, "you might as well rise and shine too, hon', since we'll have to leave for the capital in a few hours." He tried not to show the discontent in his voice as he walked into the fresher."Your blasted mother hates it when we're late."

~~~***~~~  

"Mommy can I open a present before we leave for Grandma's??" Rebecca asked, jumping up and down in the kitchen.

Cesera smiled, "Presents? What presents?" she teased. 

"My presents!! It's my birthday!" 

"I know it is! but you know...I don't have any for you. I think your father has something out back. Why don't you head outside and I'll catch up once I finish in the kitchen." 

"OKAY!!" The girl ran out the front door and around to the back yard. Going up to her dad, she saw a huge box leaning up against the back of the house. "Ooh, Daddy what's this???"

Deroh smirked, "How about a swing set for your birthday, hmm?" 

Rebecca's face lit up, "Really?? YAY! I like swings!!" She jumped over and hugged Deroh, "Thanks Daddy!!"

"You're welcome, Becky. If you'd like, we can put it together once we get back...from..." He trailed off as he peered behind him seeing Cesera walk over beside Elsa Everon, her mother. 

"Mother, this is such a surprise! I thought we were going to Coronet City to see you today..." 

Elsa smiled, "Well I thought I'd save you the trip, dearie. I wouldn't want my favorite granddaughter to spend much of her day in a speeder."

Cesera smiled, "That was very thoughtful, Mother...I only wish you called ahead of time..." 

"Yeah, so we could lock the door..." Deroh muttered under his breath.

Elsa knelt down in front of Rebecca, "There's my little angel!" She looked up at Deroh. "And then there's you."

Deroh rolled his eyes. "Nice to see you too, Elsa." 

"Hi Grandma!!" Rebecca giggled. "Did you know it's my birthday today??" 

"I did, little one," Elsa smiled, "And how old are you today?" 

"Six!" Rebecca giggled. 

"That's right!" Elsa grinned, running her fingers through Rebecca's hair, "you're growing up so fast...look at you," she said, "you have your mother's face, her beautiful red hair, even her eyes..." 

"You mean my eyes, Elsa," Deroh interrupted, semi-glaring at her. "They're green, not blue."

"Well...." Elsa said, standing back up. Quickly, she changed the subject, "Lets all go inside, hmm? There's a little something with you name on it, Rebecca." 

Rebecca went wide-eyed, "More presents!!!!!!" She dashed back into the house with Elsa, Deroh and Cesera trailing behind. 

Cesera yanked Deroh aside for a moment. "Can you please act civil?" 

"I will if she does," He responded, nodding his head to Elsa's direction. "I'm telling you right now, Ces. Your mother will no doubt be the death of me. Not this damn war against the Separatists. Her." 

II: Baby Steps

"C'mon, love. Come to daddy..." Deroh said as he kneeled on the floor. A holo cam was strapped to his arm as he recorded Rebecca. Pausing the recording, he put his arm down and looked over to Cesera, who was sitting on the floor behind Rebecca. "Hon? A little help?"

Cesera rubbed Rebecca's back gently. "Go on, sweetheart. It's only a few steps... you can do it," she smiled, " I'll be right here."

Rebecca simply sat on the floor with no motivation to even attempt to move.

"My, she's stubborn today," Cesera said.

Deroh sighed. "She's almost a year old... she's got to learn how to walk."

Cesera shook her head. "I don't want to pressure her... maybe she just isn't ready..."

"Well she can't crawl around the floor for the rest of her life."

Cesera sighed, "I know..."

"Maybe we could persuade her with something."

Cesera looked at him. "With what?"

Deroh quickly glanced around the child's room. He spotted a brown bear laying on a nearby chair. Picking it up, he dangled it in front of him. "C'mon, Rebecca....come get..uh...," he turned to Cesera, "what's this thing's name?"

Cesera shrugged in response. "make something up, I guess. I don't think it has one."

Deroh sighed and continued to dangle the doll. "Rebecca..." Rebecca looked at the doll, then at her father, then back at the doll again. Mumbling baby babble quietly, she starts getting on her hands and knees and crawls her way over to her father. Once she made it over, she slowly got on her knees and tried snatching her doll. "...well, it's a start."

Cesera stood and walked over to Deroh and Rebecca. "You stand over there and I'll try again," she said, kneeling on the floor behind their daughter. Once Deroh made it to the other side of the room, she gently took Rebecca and got her to her feet. "C'mon, babes..." She carefully gets Rebecca to move one foot, then the other, "Just...like...that.... Deroh, you recording this?"

"Mmhm. Come on Becks, you're doing great!"

Rebecca wobbly 'walked' across the carpet while being held up by her mother. About half way across, she felt her mother let go of her arms. Taking an extra few steps, she started to trip and then fell onto the floor. Rubbing her eyes, she began to cry.

Cesera embraced her daughter gently. "Shh... it's alright. Don't cry, my love." She scooped up Rebecca and patted her back gently.

Deroh put away the holo camera and walked over, handing Rebecca her bear. "You'll get better, Becks. It'll be alright."

Cesera looked at him, " It's this hard getting her to take a few steps...imagine what we'll go through just to her to start talking..."

"Oh dear maker..."

I: The Very Beginning

Cesera Everon sat rocking in a chair drowsily looking out the window as the sun started rising in the Corellian sky. Just as she began drifting into sleep, she felt a pair of hands move gently on her shoulders. Turning slightly, she smiled at her husband.

"Good morning, sweetheart."

"Good morning to you," Deroh Okins replied softly, bending down and kissing her, "How are you feeling this morning?

Cesera yawned. "Very tired. I've already been up for a few hours, since you were so nice enough to sleep through Rebecca's crying."

Deroh chuckled, "Kick me next time."

"Hah. More like I'll shove you right out of bed, you idiot," she teased. 

"I'd like to see you try." He smirked and kneeled in front of his wife. "And how is our newest resident?"

Cesera smiled down at the sleeping infant in her arms. "She was quite hungry before...but I've solved that problem. I just finished rocking her to sleep a few moments ago."

"She seems content now," Deroh said quietly, gently tracing his finger down the infant's cheek.


Cesera watched the baby carefully. "Don't do that, you'll wake her..."Yawning, she swatted his hand away.

Deroh eyed his wife, "Why don't you let me take her for a while." He held out his arms out to take Rebecca.

"Can you handle her all by yourself? She's quite a handful."

"Sure I can. What's the worst that will happen? She'll go in my lap? I'll be fine, love." He gives her a reassuring look, " go back to bed. You need the rest."

Cesera hesitated for a moment, then leaned forward and carefully placed the baby into her husband's arms trying her hardest not to wake the girl.

Deroh stood and smiled at his wife, "Go on... I'll check up on you in a bit."

Cesera nodded and got out of the chair. After kissing Deroh on the cheek, she slowly started back to their bedroom. Deroh watched her go, then turned back to the baby resting peacefully in his arms. Taking a seat in the empty rocker, he held his baby daughter close, enjoying the serene moment. When she started to stir, he gently kissed the top of her head and rocked her back to sleep.
"Pleasant dreams, 'Becca..."

OOC Post: Possible Upcoming SL

So far, the only background information about Rebecca is that she's Corellian, her father is an admiral, her mother was killed by a Jedi knight in a struggle and she eventually moved to Coruscant before running into Vader. After that..you all know what happens. ;)

I was thinking of going into more detail about her history. I'd make a series of blog posts in a story format concerning it, which wouldn't give away everything, but rather be a lead-in to a small storyline that would occur in the feed.

If you're interested in reading it, PLEASE leave a comment here and/or send me an @ reply or a DM. I'd love to hear what you think.

Thanks!
Becks.

My Dearest Si'hil tha'....

Whether you're lying beside me

or halfway across the galaxy,

When I awaken every morning

you're always the first to come to my mind.

I think about you each and every day

and even though I may not show it,

I cherish all that you do

to cheer me up or keep me out of harms way.

I know we've have our ups and downs

Some moments better or worse than others,

But in spite of this, my love for you always remains

to grow stronger with each passing day.

One year ago today was the most wondrous moment of our lives.

And since then I have treasured everything we've done together.

You are my friend, my confidant, my partner,

and forever the keeper of my heart.

Happy Anniversary, my love.

Your Si'hari tha'

Dedicated to @The_Darth_Vader

Baby Girl Blues

Friday afternoon I received a comm call from Cesera's school. Her teacher wanted to have a conference. The woman said it was a bit urgent. I didn't know what to think. Cesera is only in kindergarten. What trouble could she possibly have gotten into?

Well, I sat down with her teacher and I was a bit surprised about what she told me. Apparently Cesera hasn't been as energetic as she used to be in class-- nor has she been interacting with the other children like she used to be...among other various things the woman mentioned.
This was all a shock to me. I've never seen such solitary behavior in her before. Well, here at home she plays by herself at times, being an only child-- but I've never once seen her so  unmotivated.

I tried confronting her about this yesterday but she insisted nothing was wrong. She apparently inherited Vader's skills for suppressing her feelings. She's more like her father than I thought. Nonetheless, I wish she'd talk to me. I'm her mother-- I want to help her if something's wrong. If something or someone is hurting her, I want to make it all better. It's what I'm here for...