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Post by JediLeia on Nov 8, 2005 23:06:09 GMT -5
Here is my first stab at an actual fic (instead of a viggy). I'm terribly sorry, but it's loaded with sensory details, character descriptions, and whatnot. It was a short story for English class, so I'm just going to continue it and keep going. Once I get past introducing the characters and setting, it'll get way more exciting. So please, hang in there. I'll also drop into my normal style after I introduce the conflict, because that's where I was allowed to stop writing the story for class. So bear with me as I get to that point.
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Disclaimer: Everything and everybody in this story are property of George Lucas. I, in no way, own any of them. No money was or will be made off of this story. I am just a poor Star Wars fan writing about my two favorite characters (Han and Leia). Please don't sue me! I don't have enough money worth suing for!
Vacations Gone Crazy: The Solo Family's Summer Vacation
The Naboo sun sparkled high in the crystal blue sky, reflecting off the shining, shimmering waters. Birds gracefully soared by, entranced with their freedom. Nothing worried them; they had no cares. It was just the birds, with the clouds keeping watch above them, and the land lazily stretched out below them.
The sea silently whispered as the waves slipped in and out, in and out. It seemed as if the waves were beckoning, "Come, take a swim. Wrap yourself in my cool waters and relieve yourself from the hot sun." Its salty, fresh scent filled the air, tickling the nose of whoever happened to pass by. The presence of salt in the air was so heavy that beachgoers could almost taste it.
Sands stretched in a golden band, reaching with all they had in them so that they might touch the alluring waters. The tiny grains slurped up every ounce of sunlight that they could, warming themselves in the process. The sands provided a cozy refuge for all who had left the chill of the ocean. People rested on the sands, the grains rough between their toes..
Cool grass lay beyond the sand, providing even further refuge when the sand got too hot for comfort. Spotted redbacks, ants, and other various insects crawled through the crisp, green field. Its sweet and tangy scent permeated the area, giving even more character to the already diverse region.
Upon a bright blue towel on the sand, sat Leia. She wore a modest, single-piece swimsuit that complimented her towel. Her auburn tresses billowed beautifully in the slight breeze. Only a small hair tie kept it from being completely free. Leia reached to re-apply her sunscreen, preserving the fairness of her skin.
Her perfectly shaped nose took in the salty sea air, and her scarlet lips smiled at the pleasant nature of the smell. The oceanside always reminded Leia of her home planet, Alderaan. Her deep, chocolate eyes followed the tiny red crabs scuttling back and forth along the shore. A small seagull wandered up to Leia. She glanced at it, then turned and smiled at the sea bird. The gull backed away.
"It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you," the Alderaanian princess reassured the gull. The bird thingyed his head, unsure about the strange human girl. He decided that she seemed kind enough, and hopped a little closer. Leia, glad that the bird had decided she was friendly, reached over to her ice chest. She pulled out the sandwich she had been saving for later, and tore off a piece of bread. She extended her hand to the animal, her slender figure leaning forward in the process. The gull thingyed its head again, and hopped just close enough to grab the bread out of Leia's hand. He gobbled it down as if he had not eaten anything in the last two years. Leia giggled at the bird's antics. She took a bite of the sandwich, and then pulled off another piece for the gull. Together they finished the sandwich. The bird, seeing that there was no more food to consume, seemed to bow graciously to Leia, and then turned around and flew off. Leia waved goodbye to the seagull, and watched as it flew off into the clear, blue sky. She laughed for no apparent reason.
Her eyes wandering, Leia followed a visual path down the sands and into the sparkling waters. Finally, she spotted it. It was an oddly-colored, bright yellow wavespeeder. Leia watched as the wavespeeder and its riders crashed back and forth through the ocean's spray. She quickly identified the four riders as her husband, two sons, and daughter--Han, Jacen, Anakin, and Jaina.
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So, I know that this part was probably boring (and a little short). Normally I would ask if you wanted to hear more, but since it's loaded with crap for english class, I'll avoid that question until I hit the conflict. Like I said, please, bear with me as I strive to reach that point.
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Post by Courtney Solo on Nov 9, 2005 14:18:52 GMT -5
Heh Heh, more! *please* I like the descriptions, it reminds me of my IEW writing class.
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Post by JediLeia on Nov 9, 2005 18:32:22 GMT -5
Yeah, okay. I'll keep it going then. I hate doing the descriptions. I like to characterize throughout my story, not all at once like we had to do in this particular fic. I don't like doing setting all at once either. I think that it's part of the reader's job to sort of imagine it. Of course I always give it a basic outline, but if you let the reader come up with it, it personalizes the whole story, and I think it's better that way.
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Post by JediLeia on Nov 12, 2005 1:25:55 GMT -5
Okay, next post! Until the story picks up pace and gets past all the sensory characterization crud, I'll update every three days (if I remember).
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Anakin, Leia's youngest son, was perched at the front of the wavespeeder. His little five-year-old hands clung to the handlebars, as he proudly helped his father keep the wild watercraft under control. Even though the wavespeeder seemed to jump and thrash about, and even though Anakin's sandy blond hair would not stay out of his clear, baby blue eyes, he kept focused straight ahead. Leia followed him with her eyes. He took his job so seriously. "He'll make a fine Jedi, someday," Leia's twin brother, Luke, had said when Anakin was born. Of course, Luke had said that about all three of Leia's children, but she knew that he was right. Leia knew Anakin was special. For some reason, his midichlorian count was much higher than his siblings'. Actually, about four thousand midichlorians higher, which was a large gap between full-blood brothers and sisters. That is why Leia had named Anakin for his grandfather--her father--Anakin Skywalker.
Anakin Skywalker had been the most powerful Jedi of all time. Although Leia had never known her father, she imagined that he and her son would have been much alike, had her father not turned to the dark side. Even though the shadow of her father's dark legacy loomed over Anakin, threatening to consume him, Leia could not imagine a more fitting name for her littlest son. Jacen and Jaina--who were Han and Leia's seven-year-old twins--sat between Anakin and their father. Jaina was behind Jacen, so that her wild chestnut hair would not be plastered over Jacen's face throughout the ride. The two held on to each other and laughed each time the wavespeeder went airborne, their matching cinnamon eyes sparkling with glee. Upon the touchdown after one of the wavespeeder's jumps, the twins laughed hysterically as Han was splashed with what seemed like two tons of liquid. Leia was puzzled for a moment, but then realized that the twins had used the Force to drench Han in the salty seawater. Leia chuckled at the way the twins excercised their newly-learned force abilities. After just two years in Luke's Jedi academy, Jacen and Jaina were so much more Jedi-like. For seven-year-olds, they spoke with such wisdom, Leia could hardly believe that they were her children, instead of super-smart child geniuses. Yes, Leia spoke wisely and eloquently, but she was a princess. Even so, she was not born of royal blood. Leia's mother--her real mother--had died shortly after she and Luke were born. Her father had been deemed a threat to her and her brother's existence. So Yoda, being the wise Jedi master that he was, separated the twins from each other. Luke was sent to live with family on Tatooine, and Leia with Bail Organa on Alderaan. Bail and his wife had longed for an heir to their kingdom, and had always talked of adopting a baby girl. So of course, when the opportunity came, Bail took it. Leia's thoughts wandered back to Jacen and Jaina. Through his time spent at the Jedi academy, Jacen had learned that he had an amazing ability to connect with animals, and his ability never went unused. When Leia had first seen Jacen's bedroom at the academy, she was amazed to find what seemed like thousands of cages scattered around it. She was even more astonished to learn that Jacen had captured every one of them, and that he took time each day to care for each. Jacen even went into the wild daily to find food for each one. He refused to take them the processed pellets that the academy offered for upkeep of all the students' pets. Leia wondered how such a young, naive person could find the time and energy to do so much. Leia could barely find time to get all of her paperwork finished by five, yet her seven-year-old son was able to gather extra time to find food for twenty to thirty animals. Jacen amazed Leia in other ways, too. Once, there had been a gort lizard inhabiting some of the Milennium Falcon's--Han's ship--circuitry. Jacen had been able--through the Force--to convince the timid lizard to abandon its comfy home in the circuit block for the not-so-appealing refuge of Jacen's hand. Once the Milennium Falcon was free of the lizard, Jacen insisted that he keep it as a pet. Leia agreed, and Jacen named the tiny reptile, Circuit. Why he had to have another pet, Leia would never know, but as long as Jacen took care of it, Leia really did not mind. Of course, at the mention of an opportunity to construct something, Jaina ran off to build a cage for Jacen's new friend.
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Post by Courtney Solo on Nov 12, 2005 19:23:19 GMT -5
*laughs* I remember that... ;D
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Post by JediLeia on Nov 12, 2005 22:44:53 GMT -5
Remember what?
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Post by Courtney Solo on Nov 13, 2005 19:38:45 GMT -5
The thing making a nest in han's ship. ;D
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Post by JediLeia on Nov 14, 2005 15:16:17 GMT -5
Oh! I think I remember that. A rodent-type thing made a nest in the Ion shield circuitry of a ship, and Jacen named it Ion. Right. I really just made the incident in my story up. I forgot about Ion.
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Post by JediLeia on Nov 14, 2005 15:21:17 GMT -5
Next update! ****************
Jaina. She took so much after Han. She posessed Han's knack for tinkering, love for spaceflight, targeting skills, and a perfect imitation of his "trademark" lopsided grin. As a toddler, Leia remembered, Jaina enjoyed hanging around Han as he worked endlessly on the Milennium Falcon. By the time she was four, she functioned as Han's personal assistant, handing him socket-wrenches, hydrospanners, and pliers when he needed them. Only a year later, Han relied on Jaina to fix trivial things around the ship that he would never have time for, such as faulty door locks, loose switchplates, and adjusting the food-heater in the galley. When Jaina was finished fixing something, it would work flawlessly, too. Han never had to go back and re-do any of Jaina's tinkerings. Together, father and daughter kept the ship functioning in perfect working order. Jaina soon discovered the wonders of space travel. Jaina would beg to sit on Han's lap while he piloted the Falcon through space. She took such an accurate mental account of what he did, that eight months later, Jaina was able to fly the Falcon with some help reaching things from Han. Although she was not actually allowed to do that until she was much older, Jaina was definitely capable of such a tremendous feat for a child.
Finally, there was Han. He sat on the tail end of the wavespeeder. His muscular arms stretched forward around Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin, keeping them safe and steering the speeder. Han's kind mahogany eyes remained on the water ahead of the craft. A grin lingered upon his face, revealing his pearly white teeth. It was Han's "trademark" grin, lopsided and friendly.
That smile had been so comforting to Leia. It was always there. When she needed a friend, it waved to her. When she was down in the dumps, it pulled her back up. In her most desperate hour, it saved her from evil. Leia remembered the first time she had ever seen that grin on Han's loving face. It was in the detention hall of the Death Star, cell block AA23. After finding the distress call sent by Leia to Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke and Obi-Wan decided to answer Leia's cry. First, they needed a ship to take them there. So they found and hired Han Solo, owner of the Milennium Falcon, and his wookiee friend, Chewbacca. The Falcon held a respectable record for speed, and it was well known throughout the galaxy. Fleeing the imperial stormtroopers, the four raced to Alderaan, only to find that it was no longer there. It had been demolished by the Death Star. Once onboard the Death Star, Obi-Wan set off to disable the tractor beam,--which would allow their ship to leave--while Luke, Chewie, and Han set out to rescue the execution-bound princess. Leia had been shocked and surprised when Luke showed up in her detention cell. "Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?" she had asked him. "Huh? Oh, the uniform! I'm Luke Skywalker, I'm here to rescue you." "You're who?" Leia was still in a state of disbelief. "I've got your R2 unit; I'm here with Ben Kenobi," Luke explained. "Ben Kenobi! Where is he?" "Come on, follow me!"
So Leia followed Luke to Han and Chewie. It was when Han first looked at Leia that she saw that grin. Leia loved him from the minute she did, although she did not realize that until much later. Now, if the four had not been interrupted by a group of about ten stormtroopers on their tails, maybe Leia would have realized it sooner. Instead, conflicting escape routes and a trip down a certain garbage chute did not get the couple off to as great a start. Their stubborn natures got the best of them, and they spent months bickering, covering their true feelings for one another. Even so, it all worked out in the end.
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Post by Courtney Solo on Nov 15, 2005 12:49:45 GMT -5
HaHa! It did! ;D Loving this fic, I gotta tell u!
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Post by JediLeia on Nov 15, 2005 14:12:44 GMT -5
Really? Personally I think that so far it kinda sucks, but maybe that's because it's not really full of any plot yet. (note my view on setting and characterization as noted in earlier posts).
But thanks, Courtney! I'll definitely keep this up if it kills me. (And I'll get that DRL if it's the last thing I dooooo!)
*Throws out freebies to lurkers* De-lurk!
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Post by jadesunset on Nov 15, 2005 14:51:19 GMT -5
Delurking! ;D
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Post by siri711 on Nov 15, 2005 17:31:58 GMT -5
this is great jedileia!!!! please write more soon!!!!!
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Post by JediLeia on Nov 15, 2005 23:39:25 GMT -5
Yea! I will definitely have more up tomorrow if I remember. I might have to babysit, so no guarantees that I'll have a chance to get on. But the moment I'm on, this fic will get a good, solid updating. *Note to lurkers and active members alike* There's nothing an author loves more than praise about one of his/her fics. The more people that respond, the more he/she will be inclined to write more about a particular fic, and the more he/she will write other fics. With that said, can't you see how important it is to de-lurk and be active?
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Post by JediLeia on Nov 16, 2005 12:33:29 GMT -5
And now, that good solid updating that I promised. A lot of dialogue in this one. **************************** Leia was shaken back to reality as the wavespeeder approached the sandy shore. Han secured the speeder, and then dismounted. He lifted Jacen and Jaina off, but Anakin had already scrambled onto land and raced for the embrace of his mother. "Mommy, mommy!" Anakin shouted. "Did you see me? I helped Dad drive the speedwaver!" "Wavespeeder," Han corrected as he, Jacen, and Jaina walked up. "I did, Anakin. You did so well helping your father," Leia answered with pride. "I'll bet you're ready for lunch now, aren't you." "Hey! You betted right, Mommy! I am ready for lunch." Leia smiled and reached over to the ice chest. She pulled out four sandwiches,--two bantha-butter and jelly, and two nerf-steak and lettuce--a bowl of root-plant salad, and five plates. Leia passed out the sandwiches to her family, and then began to serve the root-plant salad. "Thanks for taking us out on the wavespeeder, Daddy," said Jaina. Anakin and Jacen chimed in. "Yeah, thanks!" "You're welcome," Han replied with a fatherly smile. Jacen turned to Leia. "Hey, Mom, did you see when Jaina and I got Dad all wet?" "I did! Nice one," Leia snickered, offering high fives to the twins. "Hey!" Han joked. "Who's side are you on here?" "Sides? I'm not taking sides," Leia exclaimed innocently. She and the twins exchanged amused glances. Han rolled his eyes. The family ate for a few moments in silence. Leia looked off into the distance, and noticed two men coming towards them. Jacen and Jaina saw them too. They tensed, and out of instinct, began to reach for their lightsabers. Han noticed the twins, and looked around at the men. Recognizing the men as Naboo police officers, Han reassured the twins. "It's okay, guys. Don't get your lightsabers." The men arrived at the family's lunching spot. The first man turned towards Han. "Are you Han Solo?" "Yes," Han replied questioningly. "Is that wavespeeder in your posession?" "Yes," Han answered again. "Then I'm afraid you'll have to come with us." "What? Why?" Han was baffled. "As if you don't know," the second man accused. "That wavespeeder's stolen." The entire Solo family's mouths hung open. Han decided to find out what was going on. He stood up, and went with the men. When they were out of earshot, Anakin asked, "Mommy, what's going on?" "I don't know, Ani," she replied. This was going to be a long vacation.
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Post by Courtney Solo on Nov 16, 2005 20:30:25 GMT -5
OH YEAH! ;D I've had one of those days, 'cept someone thought I took their stupid cice cream.
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Post by JediLeia on Nov 17, 2005 1:08:06 GMT -5
Yes, I suppose ice cream is only slightly different than a wavespeeder *smile!*. And now, my friends, I'm sad to announce that I have to put this story on a little bit of a hiatus. Sorry! See, I'm going out of town for the next entire week, so I can't update anything. And when I get back, I'll have TONS of homework 'cause I've been sick. Then, I have to find time to write some more of this story. ;D So, it'll be awhile, folks. But alas, I shall return!
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Post by Courtney Solo on Nov 18, 2005 20:00:02 GMT -5
*sniffle* Buh Bye, Destiny!
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Post by siri711 on Nov 27, 2005 19:48:47 GMT -5
NNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! peace out.... *tear*
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Post by JediLeia on Nov 28, 2005 0:18:47 GMT -5
Hey, chill out peoples! I'm back! I won't take this off hiatus yet, though. I need a few days to write, and develop my plot, since I'm past the pre-written stuff. I have a pretty good and twisted plot bunny, so this will be kind of cool. So...just a little while. I promise, it'll be good.
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Post by siri711 on Nov 28, 2005 16:31:14 GMT -5
it better b!! oh, y'all, did u notice i changed my icon by myself?!?!?! i'm so proud me....
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Post by siri711 on Nov 28, 2005 16:34:24 GMT -5
he's so adorable n that pic.... ( sry if i spelled anythang wrong...)
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Post by JediLeia on Nov 28, 2005 22:16:57 GMT -5
He? Sorry, Siri, but your icon appears as Padme.
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Post by Courtney Solo on Nov 30, 2005 14:40:06 GMT -5
He? Sorry, Siri, but your icon appears as Padme. *laughs* on her obi1roxmysox account she has an Ani icon
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Post by obi1roxmysox on Nov 30, 2005 16:51:58 GMT -5
ya. sry if i confussed u, court. i did have 1 of ani when i wrote that, but i changed it. (as u can c...)
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Post by Courtney Solo on Nov 30, 2005 21:07:45 GMT -5
Ya, it was kinda too big..I dunno why it's still on the avater list...
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Post by JediLeia on Nov 30, 2005 21:53:25 GMT -5
Oh! Gotcha.
You guys will be happy to know that I have finally found some time to catch up on writing my fics. Sure, it's not like when George Lucas starts writing scripts, but it's a big event on my watch! lol. I still only have like, half a post written for this one, but it's coming along. DRL's really hitting me hard these days.
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Post by Courtney Solo on Dec 5, 2005 21:36:46 GMT -5
DRL is so annoying...
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Post by DV's Daughter_♥ on Dec 5, 2005 22:50:49 GMT -5
how is DRL annoying
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Post by Courtney Solo on Dec 6, 2005 14:16:03 GMT -5
Thank You for asking. ;D
(1) You never seem to have enough time to do the things you want
(2) When you DO have time, you don't remember what you wanted to do, so you never really get it done...
(3) Once you remember, Summer break is over, and you're pressed for time all over again.
;D
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