Jedi Council Forums - The Night Shift

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Author	Topic: The Night Shift - OCs, vignette
VaderLVR64 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 6/2 3:14am Subject: The Night Shift - OCs, vignette - Date Edited: 6/2 12:08pm (7 edits total) Edited By: VaderLVR64
	Title: The Night Shift Author: VaderLVR64 Characters: OCs Summary: A mother does what she has to in order to survive. The Night Shift For Naiya Ayumi, the day began early. Though Coruscant never slept, it was certainly still drowsy and languid as she made her way to her mother’s small apartment through the dark streets. Settled on her hip, little Jerot mumbled grumpily, hiding his face in her shoulder. “Hungry, Mama,” he said. “Nana will feed you,” Naiya promised, hushing him with a kiss. She was running late, as usual. Thank the gods that her supervisor was understanding, though Naiya hated to be late for anything, especially work. These days, however, it just seemed that the chrono was her enemy. “Nala crème cakes?” Jerot asked, sounding slightly happier. “Maybe,” Naiya muttered, hoping her mother would come through. She usually did, but Naiya was covering an extra shift today as a favor to a friend. That would mean that Jerot would be at her mother’s home all day and into the night. Still, the extra credits would come in handy. The rent was due next week, and the landlord was growing tired of giving her extensions month after month. How nice it would be to pay the rent on time – perhaps even early! She could hold up her head when she passed the landlord’s arrogant daughter in the stairwell, instead of keeping her eyes trained on the floor. Such a small thing, to pay the rent when it was due, but how long had it been since she was able to do so? Since Drey had run out on them, that’s how long. Six long months. Naiya sighed, impatient with herself and already tired. The long day loomed ahead of her, filling her with a sense of frustration and resignation. She would do what she had to, and besides, Jerot was worth any sacrifice. Drey was not. Good riddance to bad rubbish, as her mother would say. She reached the door of her mother’s apartment with a distinct sense of relief. Jerot was growing so quickly; it was no longer such an easy task to carry him the long distance between her own tiny apartment and her mother’s. But it was better than trying to share living quarters with her helpful, but interfering, mother. They did much better with some distance between them. She loved her mother, but sometimes - Her mother opened the door, still blinking sleepily. “Must you go in so early?” she grumbled, even as she took a now sleeping Jerot in her arms and cuddled him. Naiya ran her hand over Jerot’s tousled dark curls – so much like Drey’s – and tried to smile. “I need the money,” she explained. Again. Shaking her head, her mother assumed a sour expression. “You need a man,” she said shortly. That was her mother’s solution to everything, but it had not helped her keep a man at her side, either. “I need credits,” Naiya said again. Then she leaned over and kissed Jerot, who drowsily opened his eyes to smile at her. “I’ve got Jerot. That’s enough.” “Love you, Mama,” he said. Naiya smiled and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Love you too.” Then she said a quick good-bye to her mother before they could get into a fight. Jerot would be asleep again before she picked him up, but the rent would be paid. For Jerot, the long day would be worth it. She was smiling as she walked the rest of the way to work, thinking of her son’s sleepy smile. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The work was hard, as it always was. The laundry was arranged in huge piles. Naiya often wondered if the Jedi wore any bright colors, but so far had seen little evidence that they might. There were endless mounds of white and beige and brown. She pushed the hair out of her eyes as she shoved yet another load of sheets into the enormous vats where they would soak before going to the washing system. Even as she completed that task, she heard the rush and tumble of yet another load arriving down the chutes. “Love you, Mama.” Jerot’s sweet voice echoed in her thoughts, boosting her energy. The day was halfway over. Not too many more hours until she could fold her sleepy son into her arms and smell the clean, little boy scent of him. It would be worth the extra burden to carry him from her mother’s to the transport station, and then all the way home. Then she would slip him beneath his sheets, and kiss him on the cheek, softly sing the lullaby she had sung to him the first night they brought him home from the med center. Every night of his life, he had been lulled to sleep by that melody, those words he knew by heart. She was lucky. She knew it. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Her evening break was not very long, just enough time to bolt down some food and drink and make a quick trip to the ‘fresher. Though she had worked at the Temple for six months, she had had very little contact with the Jedi. They didn’t wander into the lower levels of the Temple, where the work that kept them fed and clothed was done. A friend of her mother’s had gotten her the job. Naiya knew she had been fortunate to find something so quickly, even with help. Work had been scarce everywhere for a while, and the Temple was a good place to work. The hours could be long and the work was hard, but the pay was more than fair, and she liked everyone else in the laundry. Few could boast of such things. She looked up at a sound and saw Irella waddling toward her. Irella was a big woman, with a big voice and an even bigger heart. “You working a double, Naiya?” she asked, sounding slightly out of breath. Naiya shrugged. “Bemere wanted the night off,” she explained. “Some big date, he might be the one, you know.” The two women laughed, since Bemere was always speculating that every man she went out with was “the one.” So far, she had dated at least twenty “the ones.” “Well, at least you have tomorrow off,” Irella commiserated. “I’m taking Jerot to the animal exhibit they’ve got at the arena,” Naiya said. “My mother got us the tickets weeks ago and he’s been talking about it ever since.” “He’ll enjoy it.” “But I think I’ll have a hard time getting him to leave,” Naiya said with a shake of her head. Jerot loved animals – all kinds. It mattered not to him if they were ugly, venomous, or ill-tempered. To him, they were all beautiful and worthy of his affection. “He’s something else,” Irella agreed. “I always sa-” She stopped, tilting her head. “Did you hear that?” Naiya listened carefully. “No, I didn’t hear any- Wait.” Irella’s brow furrowed. “That’s odd.” “What’s odd?” “I’ve worked here for eight years and I’ve never heard a sound like-” The huge doors to the laundry facility flew open with a loud crash. They could not see the doors, hidden as they were by the piles of linens and leggings and tunics. “Wha-?” Naiya began. Irella put her hand over Naiya’s mouth. “Shh…” she whispered urgently. “Something’s not right.” They heard shouting. The muffled thump of heavy footsteps on the duracrete floor. “Stay here,” Irella ordered in a low voice. “Don’t come out unless I tell you to,” she added as she shoved Naiya in between mounds of clean sheets waiting to be fed into the folding machines. “But-” Irella shook her head, frowning sternly. “Not a word.” And then she waddled toward the entrance while Naiya held her breath. “What are you doing here?” she heard Irella bellow. There was a brief pause, almost as if she had surprised the intruder. Then there was a barrage of blaster fire. Nothing else, no response, no answer. Just the blasters. Naiya pushed her hand into her mouth, terrified that she would give away her position. The scream crept up her throat, tapped on her teeth, demanding to be set free. Ruthlessly, she pushed it down, swallowed the fear. A terrible silence fell over the laundry, not at all alleviated by the steady and familiar thrum of the machines. There seemed to be no movement, but Naiya did not leave her hiding place. For an eternity, she crouched there, rocking back and forth, desperately trying to defeat the terror. She felt the hysteria building within her, and knew that if she gave into it, she was dead. Remain calm, she advised herself. For Jerot. And for him, she could. She would. At last, she heard the footsteps retreat. “Thank the gods,” she whispered. The blood stopped pounding in her ears, and for the first time she became aware of the blasters and screams coming from elsewhere in the Temple. From everywhere it seemed, even muffled as it was by the recesses of the laundry. Had the Temple been attacked? And by whom? Suddenly, she thought of Jerot, probably sleeping now, curled up in a tiny ball, his thumb finding its way to his mouth as it always did in his sleep. She needed that connection more than she ever had in her life. Not daring to peek out of her hiding place, she pulled the comm out of her pocket. Her mother answered on the first chime. “Mom?” she whispered. “Naiya?” Her mother’s voice seemed frantic. “Is that you?” “Yes, Mom,” Naiya answered, wondering why she felt so safe at hearing her mother’s voice. The feeling of relief made her want to weep. “It’s me.” “Oh thank the gods!” Her mother was shaky. “What’s happening at the Temple, Mom?” “Don’t you know?” her mother asked in disbelief. “It’s all over the news. Some sort of rebellion by the Jedi. The Chancellor’s sent in troops to contain it.” Naiya frowned. “What? That doesn’t make any sense.” “That’s what they’re saying.” Naiya sighed. “Never mind that now. I’m sure it will all be sorted out later.” But what about Irella? How could that be sorted out? And what of the screams she was still hearing? But it was better not to worry her mother unduly. She would simply wait it out until the – whatever it was – was over. Then she would make her way from the laundry to one of the back entrances and simply leave. They, whoever they were, were done here. Naiya would make sure that the Jedi gave Irella decent funeral rites. And what if there aren’t any Jedi left after tonight? Naiya veered away from the thought. “Mom?” she said quietly. “Put Jerot on. I want to talk to him.” “He’s sleeping.” “Mom…” Naiya took a deep breath, tamping down her impatience. “Please.” There was a pause, and then her mother sighed. “All right. Just a minute.” Another pause. Naiya heard her mother murmuring to Jerot, waking him. Then he was speaking to her. “Mama?” He sounded puzzled, not frightened. That was good. Her mother must have shielded him from the news reports. Thank the gods. “Hello baby,” Naiya said. “I just…I was just missing you.” “Gonna pick me up soon?” he asked. “Yes, yes, very soon,” Naiya promised recklessly. “But you should go back to sleep.” “Can’t.” “Yes, you can, silly boy.” “Sing me the song, Mama, and then I will. I promise.” “All right then,” Naiya whispered. “But I have to be quiet, okay?” “Okay.” Softly, carefully, her ears straining for any threat, she sang to her son. Eventually, she heard his breathing grow deep and even, and then he gave the little, hitched sigh he always gave as he finally drifted off into a good, deep sleep. “He’s asleep, Naiya,” her mother said. “Good.” “Are you really safe, Naiya?” Again, that fear in her mother’s voice. “Yes, I’m safe where I’m at.” “Good. Stay there. Don’t move.” “I won’t. I promise.” “That’s my girl.” “Mama?” Suddenly, she was a child again, seeking her mother’s comfort. And she missed her mother terribly, wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around her mother’s comforting bulk and weep. “Yes? “I love you. I know I don’t act like it sometimes, but I do. I love-” “Tell me in person when you pick up Jerot.” “I will. But I just wanted you to-” Then she heard it. Footsteps. Just like before. And she knew she wasn’t safe after all. She heard her mother screaming as the blasters fired. Author’s Note: This was inspired when I watched the movie Love Actually. Again. -----signature----- R.I.P John, Alex, Jason, and Christian Never forgotten Soldiers' Angels http://soldiersangels.org/ 2114 soldiers waiting for someone to care
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Jade_eyes Registered: Aug '04	Date Posted: 6/2 4:00am Subject: The Night Shift - OCs, vignette
	Oh I loved this!!! From the realism of trying to make the ends meet LOL and her mother saying: "What you need is a man" Naiya's love for Jerot just pervaded every word. I got goose chills at the end. I thought: Oh noo!!!! I am so glad she was able to tell her mom she loved her and sang Jerot to sleep... but I'm so afraid it was for the last time!!! Your OCs resonate and become instantly endearing. !!!!! -----signature----- "There was love all around, But I never heard it singing. No I never heard it at all, Till there was you."--Beatles Of & for my angel sweeties--Spock/Nyota, of course E-sib to Mira_Jade, aka Mira_Pilot Cheesecake Squggles!
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ratna Registered: Mar '07	Date Posted: 6/2 8:46am Subject: The Night Shift - OCs, vignette
	wow. gasping for breath over here. the 501st were very thorough, weren't they. -----signature----- “What we measure affects what we do. If we have the wrong metrics, we will strive for the wrong things.” Joseph E. Stiglitz
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BaconHeadIthorian Registered: Apr '09	Date Posted: 6/2 9:55am Subject: The Night Shift - OCs, vignette
	This was amazing. There's little I read these days that literally gets me on the edge of my seat. THIS did. I absolutely love how you manage to meld the simple and mundane with the fantastical world we all see in the movies and find that perfect balance between entertainment and utter accessibility that is so hard to manage. I also really want to know what becomes of poor little Jerot! Great work!
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KELIA Title: The Pretty in Pink Fan Fic Manager Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 6/5 4:23am Subject: The Night Shift - OCs, vignette
	That was brutal. Poor Naiya - just trying to make a living and she gets caught up in the nightmare. And there wasn't even any need to kill those just working at the Temple. Great job on this -----signature----- "Do or do not, there is no try." Master Yoda A Light In The Darkness: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28150602/p1/?8 NaNaWriMo Progress: 32,105
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earlybird-obi-wan Registered: Aug '06	Date Posted: 6/5 9:12pm Subject: The Night Shift - OCs, vignette
	even the civilians working at the temple weren't safe. Poor Jerot Great writing as usual with your OC's -----signature----- writer and Star Wars fan FANART [link=http://boards.theforce.net/fan_art/b10020/25793899]fanart[/link] stories in my bio
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Atarumaster88 Registered: Jan '09	Date Posted: 6/5 9:50pm Subject: The Night Shift - OCs, vignette
	Good story and well-done on incorporating another POV besides the usual Jedi characters-I always find it interesting when writers explore the "Jedi support staff" and mixing it with Order 66 was expected but still written nicely. The ending was, of course, sad. The family connection definitely served to amplify the effect. -----signature----- Atarumaster88, aka Ataru Concrit specialist See http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/User:Atarumaster88 for more info Currently posting: Force Exile II: Smuggler http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/30079520/p1/?2
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SithGirl132 Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 6/5 9:55pm Subject: The Night Shift - OCs, vignette
	So sad, but very well-done- I don't believe I've ever seen anything from the viewpoints of non-Jedi around Order 66. Your OC's are really amazing. -----signature----- if loving you is wrong, i don't want to be right UDC 4: http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29954776/p1/ The Way of the Sith: http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29545048/r29567455/ Fics in Prolific Writers' Thread.
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jade51999 Registered: Nov '99	Date Posted: 6/30 9:09pm Subject: The Night Shift - OCs, vignette
	A good look at what those who worked in the temple might have experienced. Nice. -----signature----- Into Oblivion (L/M) Now Completed http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/30188512/p1/?0 Living in De'Nile, TKL Apts
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Kerensa Registered: Jan '04	Date Posted: 7/2 3:27am Subject: The Night Shift - OCs, vignette
	her mother assumed a sour expression. “You need a man,” No, take the money any day. Powerful little story showing the innocent victims of the purge. You captured the unexpectedness of it very well. -----signature----- In mourning for the Star Wars that was . . . once upon a time in a galaxy far,far away.
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blubeast1237 Registered: Apr '07	Date Posted: 7/2 5:14am Subject: The Night Shift - OCs, vignette
	Beautiful as usual. -B- -----signature----- "I don't believe in Mayans." - Imperial_Hammer Alderaan chunks everywhere! Shep Smith ain't no hater!
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