48You know when I feel inwardly beautiful? When I am with my girlfriends and we are having a 'goddess circle'.
Jennifer Aniston
Somewhere in the Middle
Chapter Seven
Hand in Hand
If looks could kill, both little girls would be dead.
"I don't like you."
"I like you less than that."
"I like you even lesser!"
"That's not a word."
"Is so." It wasn't fair. The girl had red hair. Leia wanted red hair. Maybe Daddy would let her get some...
"Is not."
"Is too!"
"Is not!"
"Red hair doesn't match wit anything!"
Vader was not certain whether or not he was relieved that the girls had loathed each other on sight. After all this particular friendship had not been his idea. Informing the emperor that the girls desired nothing more than the abrupt termination of the other would appease him enough that he would not be too disappointed by the plan's failure.
FamilyDynamatics
Earlier that day...
"Lord Vader I just had the most marvelous idea."
"Yes My Lord. I am certain it will be... memorable." The last one certainly had been, requiring several dozen troops and rather dangerous weaponry to carry out. Vader was still filing the paperwork.
"I believe that it is good for children to interact socially." Oh, dear. "Therefore I have decided to solve two problems at once." Even worse. And why did he have a bad feeling that this was going to involve his children? "My youngest hand has been quite lonesome these past few days." Which one was that again? Ismaren? "I have decided that Mara and Leia will be wonderful friends."
"Ah, Mara, My master?"
"Yes, my agents acquired her two years ago. Very sweet child. I am certain she and Leia will get along splendidly."
Vader highly doubted this. "As you wish my master. How old is the girl?" And which agent was responsible for this unwelcome surprise?
"Oh, four. Rather mature for her age, I'm told."
Vader had no doubts on that account. "I will arrange a playdate."
"Oh no need, no need, my friend. I've taken the liberty of arranging everything." Of course he had. "She will arrive this afternoon."
Two hours later she had.
Family Dynamitics
Back in the playroom the fight had continued on to the next stage.
"Well, my Daddy is the biggest."
"My master is stronger!"
"My Daddy has lots of armor and twoops." Daddy was still in the room. Leia had to be careful.
"My master makes lightning from his fingers!"
"My Daddy makes people tuwn blue!" Ah, there he went. Now she could get really serious.
"Your Daddy listens to my master!"
"My Daddy lets me have makeup!" To that Mara had no answer.
"Makeup?"
"Uh huh," Leia said smugly. "And nail polish."
Mara looked down. "Can I see?"
Leia considered. Should she...?
Mara remembered her manners lessons. "Please?" She made her eyes big, just like her teachers taught her.
Well, she had won the argument so she should be nice now right? That's what Daddy Bail said anyway. "Okay. But you can't touch! I'll give you a makeover." No one ever let Leia give them makeovers - not even Winter! - which was silly because she was so good at them.
Mara nodded eagerly. She had heard her teachers talking about makeovers, but no one ever offered her one. "Okay!"
Leia pulled out her makeup kit. "So I have ruby stick, shiny sunset, wine - no, wait. Can't use this, I'm not grown up yet."
" 'Sides wine tastes yucky." Mara made a face. "Blech."
"You had wine?" That was a grown up thing - almost as good as makeup.
"Yes, once. Wasn't supposed to but I sipped. Never try it. It tastes really yucky. And 'dults get mad."
Leia nodded. This was good advice. "Ooh! Love's Bunches! I like this one. It's pretty and shiny and pink!"
Mara looked at it. The lipstick was blindingly, almost violently, blazing hot pink. "It's perfect! I love it!"
The makeover commenced.
Family Dynamitics
Vader walked in just as Mara was admiring her new nail polish. "How'd you get the stars so good?"
"Pwactice," Leia said, nose in the air. Then she noticed what Mara was doing. "Don't do that! You'll smudge them."
"Sorry!" Mara carefully put her hands down.
"It's okay." Leia turned back to the mirror. "And my hair looks perfect. You cut really well. Awe you sure you're only four?"
Vader decided that this conversation was not intended for male ears. That being said - "Leia!"
"Yes, Daddy?"
Vader found himself at a loss for words. What had the girls done to their hair? And their faces? And their clothes, and their hands, and the room, and, and, and, and... Vader decided to start with the obvious. "Leia. You know you are forbidden from using scissors."
"I know, Daddy," Leia said reasonably. "That's why Mara did the haircuts."
After Vader had completed his very long and extensive lecture, as well forbidding Miss Jade from using scissors without supervision, he informed the girls that - much to his relief - the playdate was at an end.
Mara reluctantly waved good bye."Bye bye Leia! See you tomorrow!"
"Bye Mara! 'Member, don't smudge yaw fingas. Tomowo we can do dye!"
"NO!"
"But Daddy, is fun! With bwushes, and pwetty cowos and fingas..."
Vader decided that the next playdate would be very closely supervised - and hadn't Bail mentioned something about a visit to Alderaan?
Family Dynamitics
AUthor's Note: If you cannot picture Leia and Mara's faces... spend more time with five year old girls. If you can, it's a hundred times worse than whatever you're imagining.
Ah, well. Long time no see. The delay on messages received from a Galaxy far,Far Away has grown quite bad lately. Don't worry - we're working on it... sort of. We plotted out book two, and Summer is just around the corner. Until the next chapter - May the Force be with you. And remember: Eat chocolate. It's good for you.