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Author	Topic: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
obaona Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 6/17/04 7:14pm Subject: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	Thanks for clicking. Title: Practical and Pragmatic Summary: Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. A/N: Many, many thanks to Jedi-2B, aka Michelle , for beta'ing. Thank you! You were so nice to take on three of my viggies at once. A/N2: I've never really written Wedge before, though I do really like his character, so I hope I got things right. Feedback is, as always and ever and forevermore, appreciated. ~~~ I’m Wedge Antilles. I’ve always considered myself a practical sort of person. And, I believe, with just cause. I joined the Rebellion when I was eighteen; I was on the Death Star run with Luke Skywalker. You learn a lot about practicality in death and dying. War, naturally, is composed of little else. Because of that, I always rather thought that Mara Jade was a practical person. Pragmatic. I haven’t had many dealings with her, but I’ve heard about her and even seen her in action once or twice. That opinion was drastically altered the other day. I was working on my X-Wing. Since finally taking the promotion to General, I don’t get much time to fly, and whenever I do have time – that’s what I’m doing. At least, when Iella isn’t around, which she wasn’t then, though she would be in a few hours. Iella is definitely better than flying. But I had nothing to do – besides paperwork, which I was avoiding – so there I was. My X-Wing was grounded for repairs, and I liked working on her myself. A pilot should always know his ship. It’s something I believe, and something I always tried to instill in the pilots under my command. Every edge counts. Anyway, that meant I was in the hangar bay for a few hours. Some time into my stay, Jade stalks in. I don’t mean she walked; she stalked, like she was planning on hunting something down. Judging from the distracted fury on her face, I guessed the object she was stalking wasn’t present, and I decided making sure she didn’t change her mind about her target was a good idea. I’m not ashamed to admit it: I hid behind my X-Wing, out of sight. And watched her out of the corner of my eye as I worked. She didn’t enter her ship. She walked back and forth in front of it, muttering to herself. Sometimes she would pause, wait, and then she would start off again, like she was talking to someone who wasn’t there. The black jumpsuit she was wearing apparently matched her mood. “Damn that Skywalker,” she said, finally loud enough for me to hear. It wasn’t hard to guess which Skywalker she was referring to. Couldn’t be Leia, and that only leaves one. “Who the hell does he think he is?” she fumed, starting to pace again. Their fights were becoming legendary – both for scale and regularity. There was a betting pool on who would kick the other’s butt first; Jade was winning. I wonder what it was over this time: her being a Jedi, the Republic, life in general . . . Jade didn’t strike me as someone hard to make angry. “I’m not going to the stupid Academy of yours, Skywalker,” she snarled, speaking to the air. Ah. So it was that, this time. She suddenly spun, tensing, getting into a subtle ready position. Her right arm was tilted oddly, hand curved slightly under. “Who’s there?” she demanded. I sighed and looked around. I was the only other person in the hangar, that I could tell. “It’s just me,” I said, stepping out. Her green eyes narrowed. “Antilles?” Her arm relaxed, and she shifted slightly out of the ready position. I gestured at my X-Wing. “Doing some maintenance,” I said casually. She still looked wary. She folded her arms. “I don’t normally talk to myself,” she said sharply, eyeing me carefully. “I’m sure,” I said conciliatorily. “If you don’t mind . . .” I waved my spanner. She frowned and said nothing. I deliberately turned away, and tried to appear busy. I heard her walk up to me, and then lean against the side of my X-Wing, watching me. “You know Skywalker pretty well, don’t you?” she asked. “Yes,” I said warily. “Is he always so stubborn?” she demanded. “Only when he thinks he’s right,” I replied dryly. For a second, I thought I saw a flicker of a smile – then, “Which is most of the time,” she said, more of a statement than a question. I sighed. I have never pretended to understand the Jedi; Luke changed a lot when he became one, and while a lot of my old friend remains, I know there are things about him I just can’t understand anymore. Things he sees and I can’t. The thought doesn’t bother me; Luke has his burdens, and I have mine. “I really don’t know much about the Jedi . . .” “Forget the Jedi, then,” Jade said shortly. “What about – just Luke?” “What about him?” I asked, wondering if I was wandering into a Sarlacc pit. Jade almost bit her lip. “Does he – I mean . . .” she began awkwardly. “It’s all he can talk about,” she finally said, watching me. Maybe not so pragmatic and unfeeling after all, from those words, that tone. I had a sudden suspicion that I was getting into a . . . relationship . . . issue. “Luke is pretty driven,” I said diplomatically. She snorted. “He’s idealistic.” I didn’t see what one had to do with the other, per se, but I nodded anyway. “He thinks if he just tries hard enough, everything will work out like he wants. He thinks I’ll just get some blinding flash of insight one day and tell him, ‘Oh, yes, please take me away to your Academy so I can dedicate my life to total strangers!’ Damn arrogant man,” she ranted. I’d seen Jade angry, but never quite so – irrationally infuriated. “What the hell is wrong with him? Why the hell does he think he has to be right? How does he know I’m meant to be a Jedi?” “Maybe he just cares,” I offered. Full-stop. She looked at me, lips slightly parted, eyes wide. She shut her mouth. “Why do you say that?” “Uh, well . . .” I scrambled. “Most of the time, Luke’s a very accepting person. I know he said to me once that not every Force-sensitive is meant to be a Jedi – like Gaeriel. Why is it that he’s so persistent with you?” There. Maybe that’ll make her think and leave me alone in the process. I’d heard the rumors: Luke and Jade bickered like a married couple. And everyone knows not to get in between a fighting married couple, married or not. Jade looked taken aback. “Maybe he’s just a stupid farmboy,” she muttered, not very convincingly. “Maybe,” I said agreeably. Not so practical after all, getting so emotional over . . . I didn’t want to know what. She frowned again, studying me closely. I fiddled with my spanner busily. “Mara?” Luke’s voice echoed, coming from nowhere. Both Jade and I jumped, and I saw her get into that ready position again before relaxing. She gave me a cool nod, and stepped away from my ship. “Yes?” she said, tone frigid, looking at Luke as he walked deeper into the hanger. She walked slowly up to him, casually, as he focused on her. In his typical black, blue eyes intense. Yes, I was definitely getting a suspicion about those two. I wondered if that betting pool would ever get resolved. I stayed out of sight. Everyone knows, after all, not to get in between a couple fighting. Iella and I had some knockdown, drag-out ones early on, and I knew those kinds of fights could be messy. And I had a lingering suspicion that’s more of what Luke and Jade’s were. I’m a practical, pragmatic sort of person. Smart, too. I went home to wait for Iella. [fin] -----signature----- atty is the bestest! MS Word is designed by sadists with masochists in mind. - teh atty
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Lt_Jaina_Solo Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 6/17/04 7:19pm Subject: RE: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	LOL! Awesome job, oba! And don't worry- I think you captured the spirit of Wedge perfectly! He and Mara were great! Awesome job! ~LtJS -----signature----- Handmaiden Irelynné, Handmaiden of the Crest All links to stories in bio!
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RebelMom Title: TFF Secretary Registered: Apr '00	Date Posted: 6/17/04 7:29pm Subject: RE: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	so this how you celebrate graduation - by writing viggies! hehe. A viggie with Veggies. -----signature----- Short Story: Pressure Point http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/26961243/p1/?7 Jacen Solo and Anakin Skywalker - as it should have been. TFF: Cheryl
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J_M_Bulldog Registered: Apr '03	Date Posted: 6/17/04 7:42pm Subject: RE: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	Hehe, I love that. You got Wedge perfect. And I don't blame him one bit for hiding from Mara at first and then from Luke and Mara and then leaving to go wait for Iella. Married couple indeed -----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.
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RK_Striker_JK_5 Registered: Jul '03	Date Posted: 6/17/04 7:52pm Subject: RE: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	That was just cool. I don't think I remember seeing Wedge and Mara talk in the EU, so this is quite original. and you captured Wedge perfectly imho. -----signature----- E-married to the wonderful DarthIshtar. Now also her Padawan. Member of the Y.J.K. Revolution Staring into the Darkness http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/27537567/p1/?23
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Jedi-Tahiri-Veila Registered: Jun '03	Date Posted: 6/17/04 8:18pm Subject: RE: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	Wow - you write Wedge very well, and got into his insight great. Of course, you write Mara very well too, but that was already a given. I like how little things Luke does just get under her enough to make her cover slip just a bit. Even more funny is how it infuriates her. Though she'd probably kill someone if they ever said that about her. -----signature----- As long as you're in a bookstore leisurely drinking a frapuccino, life is good. Vis sit tecum.
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Tekli_theInsane Registered: Mar '04	Date Posted: 6/17/04 8:44pm Subject: RE: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	Your Wedge was great! As was your Mara, as usual. I'm surprised you haven't written Wedge before. It seems as though you've written everyone at some point or another. You learn a lot about practicality in death and dying. War, naturally, is composed of little else. That was... wow. Very accurate. Almost unexpected. But very accurate. And perfect. Loved it. Iella is definitely better than flying. But I had nothing to do – besides paperwork, which I was avoiding – so there I was. Let's hear it for procrastination! Jade looked taken aback. “Maybe he’s just a stupid farmboy,” she muttered, not very convincingly. And Mara says Luke's stubborn... snicker Loved it! -----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...
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Jedikma Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 6/17/04 9:01pm Subject: RE: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	I really don't know anything about Wedge, but I love this little story! The humor was great! Viewing Mara and Luke's relationship from another character was fun, too. -----signature----- Twice in a Lifetime 7/31 http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/16813029 A Quiet Afternoon http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/23305946 follow up vig to: A New Order http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/17525231
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DantanaSkywalker Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Apr '02	Date Posted: 6/17/04 9:02pm Subject: RE: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	Poor Wedge! LOL! I wouldn't want to be near an angry Mara, either! Dana -----signature----- http://www.kypandjaina.net "I always liked Kyp Durron better, anyway." -- Han Solo H.A.L. 1979-2008. An saol seo, gui duit an saol eile. Congrats, babe. Hope you're still laughing, wherever you are.
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ThePariah Registered: Jan '03	Date Posted: 6/17/04 10:59pm Subject: RE: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	LMAO! Practical indeed--smart man knows when to hide from trouble! She suddenly spun, tensing, getting into a subtle ready position. Her right arm was tilted oddly, hand curved slightly under. I loved this little detail; a lot of folks tend to forget about that nifty little sleeve blaster! I have never pretended to understand the Jedi; Luke changed a lot when he became one, and while a lot of my old friend remains, I know there are things about him I just can’t understand anymore. Things he sees and I can’t. The thought doesn’t bother me; Luke has his burdens, and I have mine. This rang so true. Wedge's awkwardness and musings about married couples' behaviors was just too funny, because it felt so real. Silly Luke and Mara...Wedge is smarter than both of them! -----signature----- Eternal Groveler to rhonderoo, VaderLVR64, Knight_Aragorn, Oba, & the SJRS crew Has a postcard from the Dark Side. "I suspect that most if not all the world's ills could be cured by humour transplants."--Karen Traviss TEMPORARY SET-UP!!!
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Tahi Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 6/18/04 12:41am Subject: RE: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	That was great, Oba. Yep - that's our Wedge. I liked the way he decided to flee home to Iella. Much safer I'd say. I sighed. I have never pretended to understand the Jedi; Luke changed a lot when he became one, and while a lot of my old friend remains, I know there are things about him I just can’t understand anymore. That's definitely Wedge. I think he often found Luke perplexing. Great details, and Mara's predicament was well-portrayed. I'll bet she fought that soft side all the way. -----signature----- "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 Master to THE_PIED_PIPER
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Jedi-2B Registered: Nov '00	Date Posted: 6/18/04 6:10am Subject: RE: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	Ahhh, you've got it up! I think I liked this one the most of the three. And everyone knows not to get in between a fighting married couple, married or not. My favorite line! Poor Wedge. Not something he wants to get in the middle of. But he did give Mara some food for thought. I wonder if he thought about this encounter while he was dancing at their wedding. -----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~~
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AnakinsHeir Registered: May '04	Date Posted: 6/18/04 6:39am Subject: RE: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	How cool to see this from Wedge's point of view! Loved this: Their fights were becoming legendary – both for scale and regularity. There was a betting pool on who would kick the other’s butt first; Jade was winning. I wonder what it was over this time: her being a Jedi, the Republic, life in general . . . Jade didn’t strike me as someone hard to make angry. Yep, that's Mara! -----signature----- Let Me Go http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/18359174/?2 Master to JediCallista_1_6_e54 A Mother's Wishes http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/20272243/?0
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Rowan_Jade Registered: Nov '03	Date Posted: 6/18/04 11:05am Subject: RE: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	Outstanding as usual! I've been reading your fics for a long time now (but lurking so no replies before now)and I must say I've really enjoyed this one. Judging from the distracted fury on her face, I guessed the object she was stalking wasn’t present, and I decided making sure she didn’t change her mind about her target was a good idea. I’m not ashamed to admit it: I hid behind my X-Wing That about nailed both of the characters right there! “You know Skywalker pretty well, don’t you?” she asked. “Yes,” I said warily. “Is he always so stubborn?” she demanded. “Only when he thinks he’s right,” I replied dryly. Again, a pretty spot on characterization. And you thought you didn't know Wedge very well! I’m a practical, pragmatic sort of person. Smart, too. bwahahahahaha! Perfect!!!! -----signature----- "If you have legs and are flamable, you are not blocking the fire exit" -Mitch Hedberg I am Evil, I am Old, I am YodaRo! Fear my snarkiness! "You're insane you know." -everyone around me Evil Old Wisdom Giver to the Maniac Mountain Clan
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EmilieDarklighter Registered: Jan '02	Date Posted: 6/18/04 11:40am Subject: RE: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	Lovely, oba! Wedge is one of my favorite characters from the EU, mainly because he's Luke's friend and he's not a Jedi. I always wondered what he might think of them. It's always great to see things from a Rogue's point of view. Always an interesting spin there. Emmi -----signature----- Master of Jedi_Emeritus Former Padawan of Gabri_Jade Little sister to Gabri_Jade and LadyPadme 25 Rules for Successful Writing http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/28400222/p1/?2
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obaona Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 6/18/04 5:01pm Subject: RE: Practical and Pragmatic (Wedge talks to Mara. Not that he wants to, particularly. ~vignette~)
	Lt_Jaina_Solo: Thanks! And whew! [face_relieved] RebelMom: I got veggies for my graduation? J_M_Bulldog: Thank you. You shouldn't blame him. He's smart enough to know not to get caught in one of their arguments. RK_Striker_JK_5: I hadn't considered it, but I don't remember them talking anywhere either, which is odd when you consider that Wedge is one of Luke's best friends. Thank you. Jedi-Tahiri-Veila: Thanks. I'm relieved you like the characterization. I think both Luke and Mara know Luke is getting under her skin, and it infuriates Mara for both reasons - that he does it and that he knows it's working. Tekli_theInsane: I've written most people at one point or another, yes. I think Wedge has had a few lines in other fics, but I'm not sure. Either way, he's never really been the focus until this one. Thank you for pointing out that line, that's one of my favorites. And procrastination is always good. Jedikma: LOL, thank you. But I thought you'd written Wedge being born . . . ? Oh well. DantanaSkywalker: Who would? Thank you. ThePariah: Thank you! Glad you liked the little sleeve blaster detail - I thought that would be something Wedge would notice. I included that part you mentioned because I know I read somewhere in the EU that Wedge didn't understand Luke as well as he used to - but I don't think that would really bother him. Glad you enjoyed. Tahi: He's a smart man. And I imagine Luke would be perplexing, to non-Jedi. We often see him through friends or people who know/understand Jedi, but just think about some of the things he does . . . Thank you. And I love your poems! Jedi-2B: Same, which is why I may edit extensively the other two. Yeah, he did give Mara some thinking to do. I wonder just how much that little conversation did affect the argument after Wedge left? And I bet he was! Thank you! AnakinsHeir: Thanks! I thought it'd be fun to do things this way. Rowan_Jade: Thank you. And thanks for delurking, too. And - well, maybe I do know Wedge well. I've read most everything with him in it (excluding comics), I've just never written him before. Emmi: Yeah, I love his character, too. If you've ever read the Rogue Squadron novels, he's in them a lot. That's when I really grew to like him. Anywho. Glad I sort of satisfied your curiosity , and thank you! -----signature----- atty is the bestest! MS Word is designed by sadists with masochists in mind. - teh atty
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The 2009 Beyond the Saga Awards are in progress! See this thread for details.