Jedi Council Forums - Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)

Jedi Council Forums » Fan Fiction » Beyond the Saga »

The 2009 Beyond the Saga Awards are in progress! See this thread for details.

Locked Topic | Read Only Topic | Previous Active Topic | Next Active Topic

Pages: 1 | 2 - ~~Previous~~ | Next | Reload

Author	Topic: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
obaona Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 3/25/04 9:35am Subject: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
	Thank you for clicking. Title: Phases of Friendship Summary: Mara has a moment of honesty. A/N: This is for Am, for reasons that probably only she and I will ever entirely understand. ~~~~~ It culminated in a sudden moment, but the act itself wasn’t sudden. It had happened over time. I didn’t see him as often, my life began to change as I grew to have a place in the galaxy – a secure place, with people who knew what I was and accepted it – and gradually, our tentative friendship simply lapsed. It wasn’t his fault. He tried to see me fairly often, usually to press me about becoming a Jedi. He was convinced I was meant to be one. He still is convinced, I’m sure. Regardless, our paths didn’t often cross; he is a Jedi, and I’m not. We aren’t family. Leia and Solo are still a little twitchy around me, and that doesn’t help either. Both Luke and I are busy people, and those other things drew more and more of our attention over time. After a while, I would only see him every few years. He changed during those years. He was always calm, but it only seemed to increase as time went on. He withdrew and became less emotional, less demonstrative. I didn’t see him smile very often, though he always seemed to have one for his sister. Her children delighted him – I saw him with them, and I saw his happiness, as well as his regret. I changed, too. I’ll never be anything less than abrasive, at least part of the time, but I learned that anger – and snapping at friends – is ultimately something that would cost me. Threats, gifts, and cold calculation were the ways Palpatine may have dealt with me, but I realized that should not determine how I interact with others. I think the time that Luke realized that I had changed as well was after Callista left. I went to see him, as part of a run that Karrde had me on. Yavin IV wasn’t far out of my schedule, and I had myself left a few days of leeway when I planned it. He was surprised that I tried to comfort him. I surprised myself a bit as well, mostly because of how obviously I went about it. I had intended on distracting on him from his deep loss, but I didn’t intend on getting him to talk about her. I found out, though, that he really did love her, and she had loved him. She had simply made the decision to halt the relationship for the both of them; I think that’s where she went wrong. It was a choice they both should have made. I thought that – definitely didn’t say it – but I think Luke knew anyway. He has that habit. It was two years after that that we had our fight. I’m not too ashamed to admit that I started it – I usually do – but how big the fight became was definitely partly his fault. I’m not even sure exactly when the fight began. We were talking about my training, as I recall, but we drifted into other subjects as well. I remember that I silently agreed that my Force skills weren’t the best, but I wasn’t willing to admit that I needed to learn, or that I needed training to learn. I think he found that exasperating. Our discussion became an argument, and then a fight. His voice got low and super-controlled, which I knew without question meant he was angry; I have a talent for making Skywalker angry, no question about that. I blew up at him and stalked out, which wasn’t the smartest thing to do. He didn’t follow. I didn’t realize it at the time – not until the anger drained away – but that hurt. And now . . . here I sit, ten months later. We still haven’t spoken, but where before it was a sort of easy silence, I can practically feel the resentment still between us. It’s ridiculous, since I know I can’t sense his emotions from halfway across the galaxy, but the nagging feeling of it won’t go away. It’s distant, but always there. I’m wondering whether I should let it go. Our friendship was already strained by lack of communication, mostly due to lack of time, lack of our schedules coinciding. I have seen many great friends, and for many of them, those great friendships they thought would last didn’t last. They had fun, they drifted apart, and ended the friendship amicably and quietly. They changed, like Luke and I have changed, and they moved on. But there are those other friendships that I’ve seen, too. Friendships that last for forty years, through adolescence to adulthood to war and life and death, at the end. They said their friendships would last and they did. What made those friendships different? They went so many different phases in their lives, and yet, they stuck together. It is a baffling thing for me. How do you know when a friendship is true? For that matter, were those friendships that didn’t last not true because they did not last? I don’t think so. I’m not sure, but I think those friendships were real. They were real for that time, however long it was. And yet, then, what is the difference between those friendships and the ones that last forever? I wonder all this because I wonder which category Luke and I fall into. Our friendship was real, but was it meant to last? Perhaps it is something else that makes friendship last. Maybe it isn’t fate or destiny or the will of the Force, maybe it’s something a lot simpler. Ordinary people manage it all the time. It hits me like a stun grenade; it’s choice. Those lasting friendships, well, they chose to last. Those two people – or however many – made a decision to stay friends through fights and disagreements, and maybe even hate sometimes. They stuck it out; they made a decision to stick it out. And not only to stick it out, I’m realizing, but something else, too. They made a decision to compromise, to forgive, and most importantly, to change together. I love Luke. I know that. I’m not sure what kind of love it is, yet, but I do love him. This concern for him, for his life and the way he leads it, is beyond how his life affects mine. I feel something precious in that. I could let this friendship go and still love him. But do I have to? I can only make one half of the decision. I hope Luke makes the other in line with mine. I go to the comm and begin to write. [fin] -----signature----- atty is the bestest! MS Word is designed by sadists with masochists in mind. - teh atty
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Lady_WinterCelchu Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 3/25/04 10:30am Subject: RE: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
	That was really touching. wipes a tear from eye Brilliant viggie -----signature----- Doesn't expecting the unexpected make the unexpected expected? Commander of Hitwomen_United. Master to Hans_Highness and EmpressJade
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Master_Vicky Registered: Apr '03	Date Posted: 3/25/04 10:43am Subject: RE: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
	That was Beautiful. -Vicster -----signature----- "Don't tell me it's not possible." FDR in Pearl Harbor "I am a Band nerd. I just never joined Band." Jim in American Pie 2 Band is a contact sport. The Conductor of TKL's Lomin Ale Wraiths God loves you.
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Wes_Janson Registered: Mar '04	Date Posted: 3/25/04 10:47am Subject: RE: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
	Nice -----signature----- Founder: YJK fan club NJO=/=SW Origonal Wraith 1: XW series fan club-Currently XO:Dinner Squad Ive begun reposting teh last fic I wrote. http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/26616831/p1/?0
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Marsa Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 3/25/04 10:59am Subject: RE: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
	I often don't like first person stories here, but this one is great. I think Mara really would feel that way. I know you didn't put a time on this, but it made me think it was right before SotP. Thanks a bunch! ~M -----signature----- Erin Go Bragh! "Who the heck is Minnie Bothans, anyway?" --Me, to my friend Becky, during yet another philisophical discussion. If you are a John Wayne/Maureen O'Hara fan: Adopt my bunny! (pg 28) "Obi-Wise. What can I say more?"
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Jedi-2B Registered: Nov '00	Date Posted: 3/25/04 12:04pm Subject: RE: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
	Thank you for clicking. It said 'L/M' and it's by obaona. How could I not click? Wonderful story, oba. Good characterizations of Mara and also of Luke, even though we see him only through her thoughts. And a hopeful ending, too. A nice sequel would be seeing what Mara wrote through Luke's eyes. -----signature----- It was on her fifteenth day in the darkness of the Nirauan cave when Mara Jade awoke to discover a rescuer had finally arrived. It was not, however, any of the potential rescuers she would have expected. It was Luke. ~~And the rest is history~~
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
MJSLSBS Registered: Dec '03	Date Posted: 3/25/04 1:28pm Subject: RE: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
	wow i'm nearly crying- which isn't good schools about to start. great job it was sssooooooooooooooo moving. mjslsbs -----signature----- Immortal Aussie http://immortalaussie.whistlemytune.com ~*~!! lists of fics and sites in bio~*~!!- that are decent
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Jedi Trace Title: • SouthEast RSA • FanFiction Manager Registered: Dec '99	Date Posted: 3/25/04 1:39pm Subject: RE: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette) - Date Edited: 3/25/04 3:22pm (2 edits total) Edited By: Jedi Trace
	It hits me like a stun grenade; it’s choice. Those lasting friendships, well, they chose to last. Those two people – or however many – made a decision to stay friends through fights and disagreements, and maybe even hate sometimes. They stuck it out; they made a decision to stick it out. And not only to stick it out, I’m realizing, but something else, too. They made a decision to compromise, to forgive, and most importantly, to change together. I love that paragraph, oba. It's so true....and so appropriate for L & M. Great job! -----signature----- "This has the potential to blow up in everyone's face and be totally awesome in the process." ~ Bri_Windstar on Legacy
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Tekli_theInsane Registered: Mar '04	Date Posted: 3/25/04 2:19pm Subject: RE: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
	That was so incredibly beautiful... It's rare that you see a L/M story that isn't romance, and I must say, it's nice when I find one. (Not that I don't like L/M, it's just an interesting change.) Everything Mara said was so beautifully true, and yet it was still Mara-ish. I'm in awe. That was quite touching... -----signature----- "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." ~Albert Einstein www.fanfiction.net/~tekli The Once and Future Fangirl--BRING ON THE ANGST Iiiiit's cheese, it's cheese, it's cheese that makes the world go round... oro...
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
VaderLVR64 Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 3/25/04 3:00pm Subject: RE: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
	This was incredibly well written. It was different but still so much in character for them. Wonderful! -----signature----- The Night Shift http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/30112305 Legal, Schmegal http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28454351 Soldiers' Angels http://soldiersangels.org/ 629 soldiers waiting for someone to care
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Stormtrooper_Shrink Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 3/25/04 4:03pm Subject: RE: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
	I wonder all this because I wonder which category Luke and I fall into. Our friendship was real, but was it meant to last? Perhaps it is something else that makes friendship last. Maybe it isn’t fate or destiny or the will of the Force, maybe it’s something a lot simpler. Ordinary people manage it all the time. I love those two paragraphs. Wipes happy tear from eye. It was and is meant to last! I love Luke. I know that. I’m not sure what kind of love it is, yet, but I do love him. This concern for him, for his life and the way he leads it, is beyond how his life affects mine. I feel something precious in that. I could let this friendship go and still love him. But do I have to? I can only make one half of the decision. I hope Luke makes the other in line with mine. She realises, she realises at last! But if only she'd realised it sooner... One of the great mistakes the EU authors made. It was so lovely! sobs happily
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Rivad_Bacar Registered: Nov '02	Date Posted: 3/25/04 4:19pm Subject: RE: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
	Dare I ask if there will be a reply!? PLEASEEEEE???? -----signature----- " Fear God and dread naught"- Admiral Sir Bruce Fraiser, First Sea Lord, His Majesty's Navy Circa 1912 Recently married and on cloud twentyseven! Rivad_Bacar: X-wing pilot and diehard romantic.
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Gabri_Jade Title: Fan Fiction Archive Editor Emeritus Registered: Nov '02	Date Posted: 3/25/04 9:39pm Subject: RE: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
	Threats, gifts, and cold calculation were the ways Palpatine may have dealt with me, but I realized that should not determine how I interact with others. Lovely way to demonstrate Mara's growth. His voice got low and super-controlled, which I knew without question meant he was angry That's Luke, all right. I blew up at him and stalked out, which wasn’t the smartest thing to do. He didn’t follow. I didn’t realize it at the time – not until the anger drained away – but that hurt. Of course it would. There are some people you count on not to give up on you. That's what Luke is to Mara, and giving up on her is exactly how she would have interpreted his not following. Then again, even people as patient as Luke have limits, and Mara's walking out probably hurt him, too. It hits me like a stun grenade; it’s choice. Those lasting friendships, well, they chose to last. Those two people – or however many – made a decision to stay friends through fights and disagreements, and maybe even hate sometimes. They stuck it out; they made a decision to stick it out. And not only to stick it out, I’m realizing, but something else, too. They made a decision to compromise, to forgive, and most importantly, to change together. Which can be very hard at times, but worth it. Nicely done, oba. -----signature----- Evil Twin of LadyPadme This concept of "wuv" confuses and infuriates us! - Futurama All I can do is be me. Whoever that is. - Bob Dylan Serendipity (Leia-Mara vig) - http://boards.theforce.net/b/b1/30178069 !!11!1eleventy
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
J_M_Bulldog Registered: Apr '03	Date Posted: 3/25/04 10:02pm Subject: RE: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
	Wow, that was beautiful, obaona and so very true. It is one's choice to stay friends, through anything. Could I possibly beg a sequel were we see what she wrote? -----signature----- BA(bad attitude), aka Thwack, of TKL's Lomin Ale Wraiths I am never down. I am either up or I am getting up, but I am never down. Stop telling God how big your storm is; instead tell the storm how big your God is.
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
kayladie97 Registered: Jun '03	Date Posted: 3/25/04 10:20pm Subject: RE: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
	A new viggie from Obaona! I'm so happy! This was just wonderful. I like the way you described the friendship between Mara and Luke and the observations she made about him seeming to become more calm and emotionless over the years. But I also love the fact that Mara can make him angrier quicker than anyone else can! Hmmm, what is it they say about a thin line between love and hate? This viggie speaks to me about so much more than L/M, though. It makes me think of all the friendships I've had through the years, and makes me wonder about those that drifted away. I agree with Mara that those friendships did mean something very important in the time that they lasted, but why did they not endure? Whoa, now I'm getting all introspective...see what you did? This was just lovely, Oba! You must have been reading my mind, cause I was just thinking we hadn't seen anything new from you for a little while! This truly made my day. Oh, yeah, I also vote for a sequel in which we see Luke's side of the story and what he does when he gets her message! -----signature----- My new philosophy of life (borrowed from Elvis Presley) "The sun's down and the moon is pretty. It's time to ramble."
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Amidala_Skywalker Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Jul '01	Date Posted: 3/26/04 2:51am Subject: RE: Phases of Friendship (L/M vignette)
	major hugs Love you, darling . I’m honoured by the dedication. Excellent story. Great choice of title, too. This story really makes me think about my friendship with you (still pumpin'!) and friendship in general. Am -----signature----- Amsié, Crest of Handmaidens . ___ TF.N Archive Reviewer ___ Battlestar Galactica is the new way.
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History

Pages: 1 | 2 - ~~Previous~~ | Next | Reload

Jedi Council Forums » Fan Fiction » Beyond the Saga »

The 2009 Beyond the Saga Awards are in progress! See this thread for details.