Walls are Closing In || Solo
Setting: Various places around campus, 10/01/16, late afternoon/ early evening Triggers: Possible emotional abuse, just to be safe. Note: Includes Samuel Elliot, who is incredibly awful, so just be prepared. Also cut for triggers and length (~1,100 words).
When their father had first shown up, Leia’s first thought had been, why didn’t he tell me? Because he hadn’t. She hadn’t gotten a single message -- and she’d checked her phone again and again, just in case he decided to come. But no messages had come through. He’d just up and surprised them out of the blue.
She didn’t think he’d want to come.
She’d been looking forward to spending the weekend ignoring her mother and Lucas.
But of course, seeing her father was lovely, and having him around was a nice confidence boost. If only because she’d get further proof about how she was still the superior twin, and Lucas couldn’t say a single thing about the events in the woods not too far back.
Plus it did make sense, she supposed. That’d he’d eventually show some interest in the school, given what he’d asked her to do.
“Might you give me a tour of the grounds?” He asked, a smile on his face. “I’d ask your brother, but...”
“Yes, of course, daddy.” She grinned and ran a hand through her hair. “Don’t ask Lucas, he’d just show you nothing useful. I know my way around better, anyhow.”
“I know.” Samuel rested a hand on her shoulder and gave it a small squeeze. “That’s why you’re my favorite.”
Leia couldn’t help but stand up a bit straighter at his compliment. It always felt nice, having him tell her everything that he appreciated. Through emails and text messages was satisfying, but hearing his voice in person sent a whole new set of thrills through her whole body.
She imagined this would be what it’d feel like, were she actually religious and actually attended services for more than the outfits she got to wear to them.
“So what would you like to see first, daddy?” Leia began walking outside of her cabin, glancing up at the sky. At least the weather had decided to behave.
“Well I have so much to discuss with you, so please, darling, start anywhere.” He grabbed her shoulder to stop her movement for one moment. “I know I can trust you.” He let go and gave her a small nudge forward. “By the way, I love the dress, it compliments you well.”
“Thank you.” Leia grinned. “Well you know that you picked it out, and not mother, so of course it’d be perfect.” She tugged at the hem as she began walking. “Well, you just saw my cabin. Every house has a number of different cabins, and I’ve been rooming with the same girls since I arrived. So for all that they drive me utterly insane most of the time, I have gotten to know them very well.”
“So I see you are doing just what I’ve asked, unlike your brother.”
“I’m not Lucas.” Leia practically hissed, before smiling again. “Sorry. I am not my brother, daddy. You know that. I don’t mess up.” The pair continued to move along -- Samuel walking right next to Leia as she pointed out different areas on campus. “That’s the library.” She motioned to the building. “While I do prefer to study in the comfort of my own cabin, I make an effort to study here at least three times per week. It allows me to observe at least some fraction of the goings-on around campus.” She ran a hand through her hair and smiled up at Samuel.
“Good job, Leia. It’s important to have...”
“Balance, I know.” Leia nodded. “I can’t spend too much time in the library, because that would be awful and just mingling with the other students far too much, but I can’t just be a shut-in because then I’ll never be loved and I’ll never be able to know anything.”
“Exactly.” Samuel smirked. “You understand perfectly well. Glad to see this school hasn’t ruined you like it seems to have ruined your brother. Or done further damage, he’d never match up to you even if he tried, even without this school.”
Leia gave a quick nod of agreement, before moving their tour along to some of the classrooms. “That’s where we’ll often practice for Dueling Club.” She nodded towards a closed door. “I’m President, as you know, and I do do an extraordinary job of leading, if I do say so myself.” Samuel murmured an agreement as he placed the palm of his hand on Leia’s back and guided her out of the building, before giving a small tug on the back of her dress to bring her to a halt. “Yes?” Leia turned around and looked up at her father with wide eyes. “Am I going too fast?”
“No, no. Nothing like that.” Samuel waved a hand dismissively. “But I think most everyone else is otherwise occupied and I have an important matter I need to discuss with you.” He smiled. “One I know I can entrust you with.”
Leia’s eyes lit up at his words and she practically rose up on her toes -- boots digging themselves into the dirt as she stared up at her father. “Yes daddy? What do you need?” She smiled and ran a hand through her hair.
“For you to figure out how to block truth serum.” Samuel replied. “We can’t have you slipping up and letting anyone know anything, now can we?” He placed a hand on Leia’s shoulder again, looking down at her and straight into her eyes.
“I’m sorry daddy, could you repeat that? I just want to be sure I understood.” Leia replied.
“Don’t tell me Lucas’ false stupidity might be contagious.”
“Never, daddy, I just don’t want to fail you.”
“You need to figure out how to block any truth serum or truth spell that might be placed on you. My plans for everything are moving along, and I don’t want my darling daughter slipping up on something and revealing anything.” Samuel repeated, his eyes almost narrowing.
“That makes perfect sense.” Leia replied with a nod. “We’ll not fail, of course. I’d never fail you, daddy. That’s why I’m so much better than mother and Lucas.”
“Precisely,” Samuel continued, “plus, if you mess this up, it will only continue to prove just how horrible the magic world is, and I can’t lose you to it. I need you around, my darling daughter.”
“I know you do.” Leia giggled. “I’ll do everything you want, no matter what the challenge is, I’m up for it.”
“Good, good.” Samuel nodded. “That’s all I have to say -- care to finish showing me around?” He gave her shoulder a small squeeze. “Oh, and when you come home for break, remind me to introduce you to one of my friends. He’s been dying to meet you.”
“I can’t wait.” Leia said, with another smile. “Now, if you’ll follow me? I’ve got so much more to show you.”












