milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

She's fought in a civil war, she's written a constitution, she's controlled politics on another planet, she has aquired a purple streak in her hair, where a Padawan's braid would be, in addition to losing a baby and finding a score of new friends. A lot of things have happened since Valentine last leaned against Bar with a tray in her arms, but she is there now, smiling, as if things are once again right with the world.

Valentine Skywalker has returned to duty. Anyone need a waitress?

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"That's horrible. I'm so sorry, Val." Virginia reached out and held her hand in her own, her eyes a little watery. "You're right, though, about moving on. It's really all we can do, isn't it?"

Val's biting back a few tears. "It really is. The past is past, and the more people dwell on it, the worse it gets. It's just like anything. It's life. It's a part of life."

"And there's always something bigger and greater afterwards. If anything, this place has proven that to me. So have other things."

In her mind's eyes she saw a dead rose blooming...

"Exactly. Perhaps because of this, later I will carry a child, knowing what happened to the first one. Or perhaps something else will happen. No one can see the future. What people have to do is make sure they're ready for the future, and not stuck in the past. This place has shown me that clear as Starlight."

"You said they're not letting you work? Why?" Virginia asked.

Val shrugs. "Force only knows. I was put on leave a few weeks before my miscarriage, and, well, took some time after it. I was going to go back to work tonight, but Eddie said I should talk to Bernard before I did." She shrugs. "One would think that people would -want- someone to come back to work." And that's what's bothering her, really.

"Why are they treating you like a kid?" Virginia wondered out loud.

"I think Kitty thinks I'm immature, the way I handled the pregnancy, and people listen to her without talking to me." She shrugs. "I think there's a lot she doesn't understand." Val sighs. "I can't let it worry me. I just have to show them by what I do that I'm not who they think I am." Who 'they' are is rather up in the air.

"That's really the best thing you can do," Virginia told her. "It's probably the difference between you and me, since we're nearly the same age. Sometimes you--and just you, no one else can do it--have to stand up and tell people to stuff it, and tell them exactly where.

You do your job well, and you're over your loss as much as you're going to be. That means you need to get on with your life. And work's a part of that. If they try to take you off the job, tell them that. If I get the chance, I'll give Bernard a piece of my mind, too, but really, you're the one that needs to speak up. It's the adult thing to do--standing up for yourself. Even if it's hard to do it to people that ultimately do thing because they care about you--even if they're going about it a really stupid way."

Virginia shook her head. "Quitting your job and giving up the life you had is no way to get over a tragedy. I killed my own mother, and what'd I do when I got here? I worked. And started planning my wedding. That's just how it goes--how it should go."

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