For Old Times (D1MM)(expecting)

[Niall Organa]

"Fanciferousness? Fanciferousness?" Niall grinned at her. "You just made that up, didn't you?"

He turned them down a path circling a fountain. "Is that a ship engineer thing? If you design a ship, you get to make up a word?" He shook his head. "Perhaps I went into the wrong line of work."

[Ashlin Organa]

"I like making things! Bizarre words is just one of my many creative talents," she responded with a toothy grin in return. "Watch out, one day I'll make sure that your primary ride is The Fanciferous."

[Niall Organa]

"Maybe I'd like that." Niall grinned back. "Maybe I'd like that."

He tilted his head, regarding her. "Perhaps you could take a look at House Organa equipment while you're here? We've got a few ships, anyway. And I wonder at how long it will be before the next time the Sith invade Alderaan." Niall sighed.

[Ashlin Organa]

She sighed and shook her head. "I hope that's not the case, but I can take a look."

[Niall Organa]

"It seems inevitable. There's been war with them three times in my lifetime. And despite what some of the younger soldiers in my command say, I'm really not that old." He smiled. "They do say 'peace is a lie'. I suppose we just need to figure out if they're attacking sooner or later."

He turned his smile on her. "Thank you. I'd feel much better. And while you're doing that, you can see if one of them is suitable to be The Fanciferous. I rather suspect not; surely only a grand Republic cruiser would fit."

[Ashlin Organa]

She sighed and nodded. "I don't really know anything about the Sith Code, so I'll take your word for it. I suppose I should... Know your enemy and all that."

"I don't think size matters as long as it's sufficiently fancy. Fanciferous seems like an extra fancy, yet slightly incomprehensible, version of fancy."

[Niall Organa]

"Just like my cape." Niall grinned at her. He took a moment, posing with it dramatically.

He resumed his slow walking pace. "Peace is a lie is the one I remember best. Sith kept saying it to us during the peace summit on Nar Shaddaa. That should have been clue enough." Sighing, he shook his head. "The rest is... hmmm, passion, strength, power, victory, breaking chains, I think? It's quite a different set of values." Niall sighed again. "I think war with the Empire is inevitable so long as the subscribe to that code."

[Ashlin Organa]

"Exactly," she agreed. "As far as the rest of it goes... Like I said, I would want to take a look at it myself. As for the rest of it... I don't like war. I don't like the loss of life or the destruction or any of the pain that comes with it. I recognize that I don't have much of a place without it, though, so I don't have the moral high ground to make any calls on the subject."

She looked out into the garden with a pensive frown.

[Niall Organa]

Niall considered that, frowning thoughtfully.

After a few moments, he smiled. "Have you ever read Admiral Onasi's bit on the difference between a warrior and a solider?"

[Ashlin Organa]

"I haven't. What did he say?" She looked at him curiously.

[Niall Organa]

Chuckling, Niall let out a breath. "Goodness, you're really making me stretch my education today. Hmmm." Niall frowned, trying to remember. "The main thrust of it is that a warrior seeks battles and glory, a soldier protects and helps people."

He looked at her, smiling gently. "I think it means that for some people, it's okay to fight. Because it's not really about the fighting. It's just how you're best able to help."

[Ashlin Organa]

"Hmm... I suppose I can see that. Though in my case it's more like if I wasn't doing this, I'd probably lose it and run out to the fringes to be a smuggler or something," she mused.

[Niall Organa]

"Is that so?" Niall looked at her, smiling. "Ashlin Organa, smuggling queen?" He chuckled.

After a few moments, he shrugged. "You could do alright with it. Perhaps if things go really poorly here..." He smiled wryly. "But I rather hope they won't go that badly."

[Ashlin Organa]

"I would really have to outdo myself in the realm of social awkwardness...."