The anniversary of Indran’s death draws closer and Aleena notices Mortis’ behaviour changing. Despite his sour mood, Aleena decides to ask about mom.
“Hi dad, can I come in?” Aleena asks after knocking and pushing the door slightly ajar, her head peaking in. She can see Mortis under the covers, clearly having been concentrating on his datapad moments before.
“Of course. Is everything all right?”
She nods, “Just can’t sleep.” Closing the door behind her, Aleena makes her way to the bed.
“Is there any particular reason why?” Mortis asks as his arm wraps around her.
Shrugging, Aleena lets herself relax. She isn’t sure what to say. She wasn’t blind. It had been easy to notice he became quieter and more distant at this time of the year. Not to mention the greater than usual amount of drinking. She had guessed last year why that was but hadn’t dared to mention it. It seemed like a sore spot even after all these years. “I’ve been wondering, what was mom like?”
The moment the question is aired, Aleena can feel the arm tense around her before relaxing again. “She, she was amazing.” His voice becomes slightly distant, as if being somewhere far away. “Her presence was captivating. The moment she entered the room, everyone would notice her.”
“And her wit was matched by none.” A small chuckle escapes him, “She had enough of a reputation within the Republic to reduce their negotiations to tears before even saying a word.”
Aleena’s brow knits together as she tries to wrap her head around that. How could anyone just be like that? Or maybe it was an exaggeration? Mortis laughs quietly at her apparent confusion, “You actually remind me of her in that matter. Though she was more aware of her abilities, rather than-”
“Rather than my ability to piss of any Sith within a hundred-kilometre radius when I open my mouth,” Aleena finishes the sentence for him.
“I wouldn’t have put it that way, but essentially yes. But that comes with control. She knew how to direct it rather than, well what you do.”
Aleena snorts, “Right, I guess that’s the polite way to say I run my mouth when angry heedless of consequence.”
“Sometimes I wonder where you got your bluntness.”
She can’t help but laugh, gently poking his side. “Hey! I’m my own person you know.”
“That you are, headstrong and determined.” His fingers comb through her hair as a silence falls between them. “You still remind me of her. You have the same passion for life that she did. It might have been buried for years, but it’s there and it’s so wonderful to see it flourish.”
It’s easy to notice his voice soften whenever he talks about mom, and by extension about her as well. She hugs him, wanting to comfort him. It’s becoming clear that all of this is still very hard for him even after all these years. He kisses the top of her head, amused as he says, “Though you clearly have her stubbornness as well.”
“Pretty sure I got that from you and you are just avoiding responsibility,” Aleena murmurs, doing her best no to laugh.
“I just wish I remembered more about her. Even with my memories back, it’s just quick flashes…”
“At least I know she loved me, but sometimes it just feels that I should… I guess remember her better.”
“She’d be so proud of you. How you’ve grown since coming back. All she wanted in the end was you finding your way back home.”
Aleena hums, snuggling against him. “You know, despite everything, I’m glad to be home.”
