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Author	Topic: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series)
obaona Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 10/23/03 6:30pm Subject: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series) - Date Edited: 1/6/04 6:47pm (8 edits total) Edited By: obaona
	Thanks for clicking! Title: Kindling the Flame Summary: Um . . . Yet another in the series! Set after It Got Too Hot (see chronological listing for details). A/N: I don't think this is the best in the series, but you get to put up with it anyway. Thanks to LianaMara for the title, and HUGE thanks to Jedi-2B for beta'ing so well and so fast! Here's to hoping I made the last sentence clearer. hugs beta Chronological Listing and Links of the Series: I am putting this here due to the fact that readers have posted on different stories with ‘what’s this about a sequel?’. Here are all the stories (including this one) in chronological order (not the order they were written): Cold Front, Breaking the Ice, The Blanket Incident, It Was Cold, If You Can’t Stand the Heat, Warming Up, It Got Too Hot, Kindling the Flame, Mara the Burninator, It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Humidity, and Heat Wave. Cover Art ~~~~~ I woke up to a disorientating sense of coldness. The blankets were wrapped around me, and I shouldn’t have been cold. I realized after a second it was because I didn’t have a familiar warmth next to me. I had been woken by the fact that Mara was gone from our bed. I sighed and rubbed my face, feeling a dull ache in my chest. Then I threw back the blankets and sheets and got out of bed, shivering as my bare feet hit the chilled, hard floor. It was quite dark, with very little light filtering through from outside – not to mention the small house wasn’t in a well-lit city anyway. We were on vacation, away from everything, after having just been married. Lando had graciously offered this place on a beautiful planet in the middle of nowhere – a house he had never used – for our use. I left the bedroom, trusting the Force to tell me where to go. I headed for the living room, which was . . . a little less dark, anyway. Large, floor length windows covered one wall, and the shades were open. I could see the stars outside, and their quiet light created shadows on Mara’s face. She was still in her nightclothes, a pair of loose pants and one of my shirts, curled up on the couch opposite the fireplace. She was staring straight ahead, ignoring me, and I felt another shiver of coldness, not the cause of the temperature in the room that time. I knew she was aware of my presence. Trying not to startle her out of her thoughts, regardless, I walked over to her quietly and knelt by her side on the wooden floor, feeling cold without her but unwilling to get into another fight by bothering her. I waited a few moments, studying her face. She didn’t look distressed, really, more like sadly thoughtful. I finally broke the silence. “I didn’t mean to fight with you,” I murmured, resting my hand on her leg. She was warm. She put her hand over mine. “I know,” she whispered. “Or pressure you,” I added, then paused. “Or keep you up.” That got more of her attention. She cocked her head and looked at me, a slow smile spreading across her face. “You keep me up lots, Skywalker,” she said with an upturned eyebrow. I smiled back, relieved, and squeezed her thigh, moving to sit up next to her, and putting my arm around her shoulders. She resisted for a second, something I expected, and then relaxed, laying her head against me – something I also expected. I rubbed her shoulder with my hand, and she sighed. I could practically feel her warmth seeping into me. “I just feel . . .” she began. “Almost like I shouldn’t be your wife if I’m not a Jedi,” she finished abruptly, squirming – though not out of my grip – and looking away. “What?” I cried out. “No – Mara –” She patted my leg, the one closest to her. “Oh, I know you’re not saying that, or thinking it in any way . . . but that’s almost what it feels like. I mean, the Jedi Order is important. I know that . . . and shouldn’t your wife be there to help you, support you?” “And you wonder if you can if you’re not a Jedi?” I shook my head. “You’re you, Mara. That’s all I need.” “So romantic, farmboy,” she murmured, looking up at me with a smile. The dim light cast everything in shades of blue, and she looked otherworldly beautiful with soft shadows accenting every curve of her face. I smiled down at her, resisting the urge to kiss those lips. Instead, I carefully considered what to say. “The reason I keep bringing it up has nothing to do with me – I simply believe it’s what’s right for you. I know you want it, I know it’s what you’re meant to be – I can feel it, Mara. And so can you.” She sighed. “Maybe I’m having performance anxiety,” she said with a small laugh. “I tried to light the fire in the fireplace using those survival skills I was taught, and I couldn’t even manage it. I was just sitting here and thinking what a great show of skill that was.” I looked at the cold, old-fashioned fireplace. There was ash on the bottom, so it had been lit at some point, perhaps even before Lando bought the place, but nonetheless. Mara could have just turned up the heat, of course, but no doubt not being able to light the fireplace had been grating. Though why she would go to the fireplace first was a mystery. A challenge, perhaps. “But you could still blow it to smithereens, I’m sure, given a comlink or some such.” I grinned. She laughed, sitting up straight and causing my arm to fall from her shoulders, and hit my arm. “Very funny, Skywalker.” I grinned back at her. “I just think it would make you happy,” I said softly, knowing she would know that I was talking about her being a Jedi, not her failure to start a fire. “Content. I’m secure in my path – at least in that respect,” I added wryly. She nodded. “I know. I just – I doubt myself,” she said, so quietly I could barely hear her. “If I can really do it. And if I can’t . . . what does that mean? Not just for you, but for the Jedi, our children . . .” I blinked. “Children?” “Or child,” Mara added, glancing at me with an amused look on her face. “Surely you’ve thought about it.” “Well . . . a little. It rather scares me. My family doesn’t have the best track record,” I said, thinking of Vader. “But then there’s Han and Leia, and their kids,” Mara reminded sharply. I nodded my head in acknowledgement. “That’s true.” Mara turned away, the thoughtful look returning. Half of her face was thrown in shadow, and behind her all I could see were the stars, little points of twinkling light in black. She hugged her arms around herself, and bit her lip. I waited, sure there was something going on beneath that messed red hair. Finally, she turned to look at me, relaxing, some internal battle won. “Well, then. Care to start training me, Skywalker? What do you say?” She smiled, the curve of her lips turning upwards mischievously. I took a deep breath, looking around at the sparely furnished room, nearly alien in the darkness. “I say . . . let’s get that fire going.” I stood up, and held out my hand to her. She paused before taking it, looking up at me. It was with perfect seriousness that she placed her hand in mine, entwining her fingers with my own. And I sensed that in taking my hand, she had accepted my help – more than that of rising to her feet. Still holding her one hand, I pulled her close to me with the other, and kissed her gently. The next hour was not spent in bed – it was spent going through Lando’s cupboards, lamenting his surprising lack of organization in stocking the place. Mara suggested we resort to using a blaster, or even a lightsaber, to get the fire started, but we both dismissed it as giving up too soon. We could get that fire started the old-fashioned way with old tools. Someone had decided to build the thing in the house; there must be a way of starting it. Not to mention fire starting without advanced technology had been done for thousands of generations with no problem. We were determined that we would do it. There was exploring of weird containers, laughing, and comments along the lines of, “I never knew Lando liked this!” and “I think we should put that back where we found it.” Wondering again who exactly had stocked the place. And getting closer through the laughing and frustration, the distance of the fight fading away. We went cold in the meantime, running around the house with the occasional curse directed at the fireplace. But we managed to rekindle the flame. [fin] -----signature----- MS Word is designed by sadists with masochists in mind. - teh atty my recent Atton (KOTOR2) fic: http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/30335989
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RebelMom Title: TFF Secretary Registered: Apr '00	Date Posted: 10/23/03 6:40pm Subject: RE: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series)
	Oba, you've done it again. Wonderful, fun piece. -----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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Lt_Jaina_Solo Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 10/23/03 6:44pm Subject: RE: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series)
	That was great! I love the way you write Mara and Luke Jeez, you're turning these viggies out fast. sighs I only manage to get one done like every couple of months or so... Anyway, great job! -----signature----- Handmaiden Irelynné, Handmaiden of the Crest All links to stories in bio!
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Gabri_Jade Title: Fan Fiction Archive Editor Emeritus Registered: Nov '02	Date Posted: 10/23/03 6:54pm Subject: RE: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series)
	pounce-hugs oba A new vignette! Whoo-hoo! I blinked. “Children?” “Or child,” Mara added, glancing at me with an amused look on her face. “Surely you’ve thought about it.” “Well . . . a little. It rather scares me. My family doesn’t have the best track record,” I said, thinking of Vader. “But then there’s Han and Leia, and their kids,” Mara reminded sharply. I especially like this part, oba. I've read an awful lot of L/M fanfic, and right off the top of my head, I can only recall one where Luke expressed any reservations or disinterest in having children. It's far more usual for Luke to be the one yearning for children while Mara isn't sure about the issue. I'm not saying that Luke and Mara shouldn't have children, not by any means, but I think it rather silly for Luke to always be portrayed as though having children is such a desperately important thing. I think it's much more likely that he would in fact have some doubts, considering his family history. I also really like that Mara would be the one to point out the good example of the Solos. Very interesting twist on a familiar plot point, oba. Nicely done. And of course, the rest of it's pretty good too. -----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
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Bri_Windstar Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 10/23/03 7:50pm Subject: RE: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series)
	How cute was that?! Honestly, i've never read a fic where Luke and Mara actually TALK about children (then again, i dont read near as many L/M stories as some like Gabri do ), and it was so awesome to see that. Honestly, they dont have to be squabbling over little things on their honeymoon. And in case i havent said it before, i LOVE the way you weave the titles into the structure of the story. It just makes it flow all the better. Now on to Strong Bad!! Er, you know what i mean ::Windstar Out:: -----signature----- Mediocrity- it takes a lot less time and most people won't notice the difference before it's too late. * OMG! SO RIDICULOUSLY AND AGGRAVATINGLY PERFECT!- Gabri * 11010110101000101011
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Dancing_Jansons Registered: Oct '02	Date Posted: 10/23/03 8:13pm Subject: RE: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series)
	What a great little vignette, Oba! This is an awesome series!! I, too, loved the children talk. The image of them running around and cursing the fireplace as they try to figure out how to start a fire is very cute! As usual, I loved every word.
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LadyPadme Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 10/23/03 8:49pm Subject: RE: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series)
	Wonderful, oba! I really enjoyed this whole series. The way you've characterized both of them throughout has just been a joy to read. The others have taken my favorite points, but I do like the fact that you had Luke express doubts about the children. Somehow it makes him less wishy washy than some L/M's make him sound Great job! -----signature----- Evil Twin of Gabri_Jade When a baby smiles the world is happy
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Tilly Registered: Oct '03	Date Posted: 10/23/03 9:21pm Subject: RE: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series)
	ALL of these vignettes are absolutely amazing! I'm new to this whole thing (not only TheForce.net but to the SW "thing" in general, really) and your stories were some of the first things I read here. SO glad to see another one! (And very glad to make your acquaintance as well ) -----signature----- "Look at the SIZE of that thing!" -the Great Wedge Antilles
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kayladie97 Registered: Jun '03	Date Posted: 10/24/03 6:43am Subject: RE: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series)
	I absolutely love this series! I hope you are planning to write many, many more. How sad that Luke and Mara would argue on their honeymoon! But not surprising, really. It happens more than you think...your emotions are running so high. I seem to remember my ex-husband irritating me because he insisted on stopping by the store before we left to pick up the newest Eric Clapton CD! Men!! But I love the talk and the running around trying to light the fire...that was so well done. I hope to see more of these soon! -----signature----- My new philosophy of life (borrowed from Elvis Presley) "The sun's down and the moon is pretty. It's time to ramble."
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Jedi-2B Registered: Nov '00	Date Posted: 10/24/03 7:28am Subject: RE: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series)
	Ah, you posted already! You not only write these fast, but you incorporate all my whiney beta comments fast, too. Great vignette, obi. I like how you alternate between serious and humorous in this series. (The next one's more humorous, folks.) -----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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NarundiJedi Title: FF Chapter Rep Albany, NY Registered: Oct '01	Date Posted: 10/24/03 8:41am Subject: RE: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series)
	Loved it, Oba!!! Once again, you've written a fic that captures the essence of Luke and Mara with just the perfect amount of mush and a lot of great interaction between them! I've also wondered what happened in between Union and NJO, and seeing Mara having some reservations about training takes me back to the Jedi Academy Trilogy. She's human, and so is Luke, and you portrayed that magnificently. Now, I gotta go to class. Unfortunately. There are still things I've read that I have yet to comment on. Jae Angel -----signature----- Kill Brodey: Vol 1 - http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=17015774&replies=0 Helané, Handmaiden of the Crest Leli's Blonde Twin! I'm now Mrs. NJ! w00t!
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Agent_Jaid Registered: Feb '03	Date Posted: 10/24/03 9:23am Subject: RE: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series)
	It was good but not quite your usual standard. It was still adoreable.... -----signature----- Wasn't Enough: One-Shot http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=21015893
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Rivad_Bacar Registered: Nov '02	Date Posted: 10/24/03 10:24am Subject: RE: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series)
	Oba! You have a wonderful insite into relationships; I find myself thinking quite a lot about how my wife and I interact when I read your fics. Rekindling the flame is one of the most important, and FUN things about being married! Thanks for capturing it! -----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.
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LianaMara Registered: Oct '00	Date Posted: 10/24/03 5:48pm Subject: RE: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series)
	Wonderful, oba! A very cute piece, and I love how Luke and Mara discussed the possibility of children. In profic, that was never mentioned at all, and in fanfic, it was seems that Mara's the one against it. I like the approach you took so much. And the way you fit the title into the story was great. Adorable, my dear mummy! -----signature----- "For us, there is only the trying. The rest is not our business." --T.S. Eliot Leilaé, handmaiden of the Crest \|\| petit Jedi enfant of obaona \|\| Lani & Lali's blonde triplet
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obaona Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 10/24/03 7:47pm Subject: RE: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series) - Date Edited: 10/24/03 7:49pm (1 edits total) Edited By: obaona
	RebelMom: Thank you! Lt_Jaina_Solo: Thank you. And don't feel bad! I just pop'em out. But I trouble with longer stories. Thanks again! Gabri_Jade: is pounced-hugged Actually, I personally believe Luke very much wants children, but he's always felt/thought that for him it's not an option, or shouldn't be, or won't be. Luke really desires closeness, a family . . . he's very traditional, in some ways. You're going to love this, though. The idea that Luke would be afraid of having kids - or even getting married - came from the EU. Yep. Akanah made some comment like that - about him being terrified of reliving the past, trying to kill his son and his son trying to kill him. (I plan on writing a fanfic about that, someday .) Anyway, thank you. Bri_Windstar: Even the fics when they have kids, they don't seem to talk about it much . . . I don't really know why I included that, really. I seem to be including silly little things into this series, that I just think of. I figure honeymoons aren't always fun and games . . . sometimes serious things happen. And no, you've never told me that before. That's very interesting, though. I'm glad you enjoy that aspect, since it's usually the hardest part. Dancing_Jansons: Thank you! Aye, it's an interesting image, methinks, the two of them running around. And everyone loves the children talk! [/bemused] LadyPadme: Thanks. Trying to characterize them consistently has been . . . fun . . . as I'm writing these scenes out of order. I'm glad you're enjoying. I'm glad you liked the Luke-doubting thing too. Thanks again! Tilly: Welcome to the JC and TFN! Anyway, I'm very flattered , thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying, and that I didn't scare you off and whatnot . . . I also saw your story, liked it a lot too! Nice to meet you! kayladie97: I plan to write more, yes. I figure I'll stop at ten or so. And that's a very interesting story! I'm glad you're enjoying, and hope you stick around! Thank you again! Jedi-2B: I like how people sometimes call me obi. Is that odd of me? And . . . they may have been whiny , but they were right! And aye, the next one is humorous. And thank you!! huggies NarundiJedi: Thank you! That's what I try to do - get a balance between interaction, angst, and mush! I've always felt that Mara would be nervous about being a Jedi, even marrying Luke . . . because it's all so new to her. She excels in so many things, she used to excelling. But marriage and whatnot doesn't work that way. And Luke is always seen as the wise one, the good one, the one without fault . . . (can you say Gary Stu?) So it's interesting to make him doubt. And thank you!!!!!!!!!!! Agent_Jaid: You're just saying that because no one's dead. And thanks, I think. Rivad_Bacar: Thanks! Maybe it'll serve me well when I actually get into a relationship . . . Nah. And thank you! I'm glad you think I've gotten it down. pleased grin LianaMara: I've never understood why Mara is so often against it. They usually don't even really give a reason - I mean, come on, Luke's got more reason to worry. Callista left him, his father was a Sith Lord, and what's that saying that you're doomed to repeat your mistakes, and become your parents? Ah. I'm glad you like how I use the titles, too . . . they're so difficult. But I managed it. And thank you!! -----signature----- MS Word is designed by sadists with masochists in mind. - teh atty my recent Atton (KOTOR2) fic: http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/30335989
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Gabri_Jade Title: Fan Fiction Archive Editor Emeritus Registered: Nov '02	Date Posted: 10/24/03 8:06pm Subject: RE: Kindling the Flame (L/M vignette; yet another in the Temperature series)
	Oh, I'm not saying he wouldn't want kids, oba, just that I think it's silly how the concerns I suspect he'd have are usually glossed over. Luke is most definitely traditional. I also think it's cool that you took a different angle than authors usually do. You are quite good at that, I must say. Akanah made some comment like that - about him being terrified of reliving the past, trying to kill his son and his son trying to kill him. Akanah? Haven't read those books. Though I'm not in the least surprised that you plan on writing a story about that sort of thing someday. And ten of these vignettes? Wouldn't you like to make it a dozen, oba darling? Or maybe a baker's dozen? [face_hopeful] -----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
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