Lilac and her Parents at the Basandere

Sohn nods, though Shirrah's eyes are moist. She reaches over to take Lilac's hand and gives it a squeeze. "If you must. Though promise you will not be away quite so long this time, yes?"

"Routine is nice, but sometimes it and the steady paycheck can be overrated. Too much routine and life tends to float by without you even noticing. Enjoy the wildness of it while you can, Lilac."

"Not too long though. Eventually even the wildest need to settle down." Shirrah adds, eliciting a chuckle from Sohn.

"Your mother is also right, of course. Just need to find the right reason to settle."

As the conversation winds down, the waitress comes by with the tab. Lilac's father pays the tab and you all get up to leave the establishment. Heading 'outside,' they accompany you up to the surface, your father of course already would have been heading that direction anyway. The three of you arrive at the entrance to the ship dock area. The place is busy, busier than usual. You see a crowd on the far end, gathered around a familiar shuttle. The Kukuri lies a few pads distance, and nearer to you.

Leaving the restaurant with the two of them in tow, her parents' words swirl in her head. Just need to find the right reason to settle.... Had she made a mistake running offworld like she had? They had probably both imagined that she was settled. Had Fel's death sent her out into the wildness with no recourse? Was this nostalgia the stirring of something more or would it too float by once her attention was directed elsewhere?

Attention.... With deliberate thought, Lilac steels herself to take in her present surroundings. She and her parents, walking this familiar route, past illuminated shops and signs, past other people, up the halls to the surface. The colors. The sounds. Her parents' familiar gaits. She makes a mental picture of the three of them together, turning into the docks.

Now seeing the commotion, she looks around, then leaning in to her father, lowers her voice and says, "Well, I'm not sure now is the time for introductions, but if you're looking for Chang's ship, that's it."

She steps back and says more loudly, "I should go. Assuming Boz and... if everyone's aboard, I figure Xandar will want to get going before this," she says, motioning down the docks, "gets any bigger."

"I love you Dad," she says, moving in for a hug. Savoring the embrace, she eventually lets go and turns to hug her mother. "And you, Mom."

I wish I could tell you I won't be gone long. I can't lie though. Please understand....

Lilac's parents take in the scene at the docks as Lilac indicates Chang's ship and Sohn nods. "I love you too, Lilac." He says as he pulls her into a bear hug. He squeezes and then turns her over to her mother, who whispers "Be safe, daughter. We love you so much." Sohn rejoins the hug, turning it into a trio until at last they release their daughter and step back to let her go once more. The looks on their faces say it all: their hopes, sorrows, worry, and what could only be wondering if this might be the last time they'd see their daughter again. So much could so easily go so very wrong up in the void above. Above all though, there was written on their features love.