Gracelyn Vitorioso Maier

It is said that opposite characters make a union happiest. Is this really true? My story is one that commenced 18 1/2 years ago between two opposites. Born to two people with very opposite world ideologies, my mother being an ex- Jedi, and father being an ex-Sith. Like my mother, Jacquelyn Pringle Vitorioso, I was born with a silver spoon on the tropical shores of Kaal, of Yushan sector in the Mid-Rim. My father, Dante Ledour Maier, tells a different tale about my birth. According to him, I was born with a veil.



Pursuant mom's side of the story the important events commenced after she left the Jedi Oder. Her father, the name I affectionately call Grandpa, had fallen ill and was afraid of losing the lucrative family owned business. Grandpa had one hand in the casino business and the other in the agricultural export business. Mom being the only child obliged when grandfather called. It made sense for mother to leave the Jedi Order, as at the time she was in love with another Jedi, whom she refuses to name.

Mom's decision was driven by the fact that she was pregnant with her lover's child. The pair decided to leave the Order together in order to raise the child; away from the hectic life that inevitably comes with being Jedi Masters. Mom and her lover kept the pregnancy a secret. Shortly after mom and her lover left the Order, and turned to Kaal, she took over the financial side of managing the family owned business. Grandpa, however, remained very much involved in all other aspects of both businesses. Mom's lover quickly became acquainted with grandpa and the family business.

Interestingly enough, Grandpa's illness subsided and he was able to return to his work alongside mom's lover. An extravagant wedding was planned for mom and her lover, one mom affectionately refers to as "the day I died" and one that that became the talk of town. According to mom, Grandpa wanted her only child to have the best wedding that Kaal has beheld. Mom, being mom, had no objections about the elaborate wedding. Her lover likewise raised no objections, as all he wanted was to make mom happy and raise their child.

Eventually things worked out so well that within a month of returning home mom's lover, and her father developed the most unique friendship. The two even shared the same office building, although they remained very much involved with the agricultural export side of the family business. On the eve of mom's wedding grandpa and mom's lover were out attending to their usual business runs. While mom's lover checked on the casino side of the business, Grandpa, checked on the warehouse. They were to later meet for the usual family dinner. Mom's lover arrived at the family dinner without Grandpa- something that mom found odd. Minutes after the said dinner time had passed mom sent her lover to find Grandpa. The concerned lover, willingly obliged, as Grandpa was not one to arrive late at anything, let alone the family dinner.

Upon searching aimlessly for Grandpa mom's lover found him alone, and dangling from one of the repulsorlift harvester. Mom's lover immediately stepped in, in an effort to save the poor old man. Unfortunately, for mom's lover, in his abrupt effort to save Grandpa, he failed to call for help. In addition none of the warehouse employees were available to assist which left mom's lover alone to save Grandpa. Fortunately, for Grandpa, he cheated death for the second time that day. Mom's lover on the other hand did not. He died while saving Grandpa from the repulsorlift harvester.

Grandpa was finally able to drag his body off the repulsorlift harvester, but that move came at a cost. He lost his left leg in the process. Minutes later, mom arrived at the scene. Her gaze fell to the left side of the room, where the body of her lifeless lover laid. Merely steps away from her right laid her father. The emotional terror alone sent mom into a state of shock. With trembling fingers she called for help on her comlink. Uncontrollable saline substance flooded mom's eyes as she leaned down to hold her lifeless lover's body. Composing herself, she slowly laid her lover's lifeless body down, and then slowly moved by her father's side. Upon observing his injuries she attempted to numb the physical pain being expressed by her father. However, mom's Jedi Healing abilities could not mend the poor old man's sheer agony. His injuries were far too fatal. ‘twas one that warranted speedy medical attention…

What was supposed to be mom's wedding day turned into a funeral. Mom laid her lover to rest in a private ceremony. The day after the funeral mom's body fell in a state of physical, and emotional shock- perhaps a residual effect of the pain she had encountered, and the seemingly never ending chaos around her. Mom's body in the process miscarried the child within her. Shock overtook her for days. Mom had Grandpa, but not even his presence could eradicate the fear, hopelessness and sadness she felt after she lost her lover and child. Mom resided in a mansion, had the best credits could afford, but the two things she longed for the most were gone…

The ensuing effect of mom's experience was depression. While Grandpa recuperated from his physical injuries mom wallowed in utter depression. According to Grandpa it wasn't until mom shared the news of her miscarriage that she got better. Perhaps confession indeed does good for the soul. Mom on the other hand tells a different story. She believes it wasn't until she met dad that she gained hope again.

Two years, seven months and twelve days after mom lost her lover and her unborn child, she met dad. Dad first saw mom at the family owned casino. According to mom she could tell he was a Sith so she kept her distance. The business was after all opened to the general paying public. As long as one could afford the luxurious service offered at the casino, mom and Grandpa had no qualms. According to mom there were a few instances when Grandpa had to call in Cass (the guard), but not that day. Dad at the time, like the majority of the resort's patron's, was on a few days of rest and relaxation away from his Sith duties. Dad calls the moment he met mom "his turning point", but mom tells a different tale about that day. It took dad two days to finally garner enough courage to approach mom. However, when he did the pair immediately fell in sync with each other.

Nine months, exactly on the day- per dad, after dad met mom, he abandoned the Sith Order and moved to Kaal. Dad and mom are yet to confess how dad survived so long after abandoning the Sith Order…Perhaps I'll have to coax that story from dad one of these days.

At any rate, the ex Sith and the ex Jedi, put their ideological differences aside and got married- after dating for three months. The images from the holoprojector of the wedding day still amazes me. Grandpa's wedding gift to the newly wed was the best mansion credits can afford on the prime spot of the blue ocean. Exactly one year after mom and dad's wedding, Grandpa's wish came to pass- I was born! Mom instilled in me the Jedi principles she knew from days gone, and dad attempted to teach me a few of the Sith techniques. Grandpa made sure I had the best clothes, caregivers, toys and education credits can afford. The island became my paradise, as I never ventured outside Kaal until I turned 18.

Due to my parent's background and the fact that I was a force sensitive, my parents decided homeschooling was my best option. In addition to my live in care giver, Grandpa hired a live in instructor. My scholarly activities included fostering analytical thinking skills, rational decision making, and mastering three instruments (piano, saxophone, and harp), by age 15. I felt so comfortable with all three instruments that I begged Grandpa to allow me to play at the family owned casino. Mom of course wouldn't have it, but dad convinced Grandpa, at which point she obliged. Friday brunch became my gig at the casino. I performed music that I had composed (with little guidance from my live in instructor). Interestingly enough, I felt very comfortable performing for the patrons who graced the luxurious resort Island's casino. The establishment attracted all sorts of people, but mostly Imperial personnel on leave, one of whom later on did more than visit to hear me play the piano. Admiral Kave, as he was known, slowly got to know me. He confirmed what I already knew about myself. Everything about him resonated with me. From his dedication to his family, and his duty to serve.

My life revolved around my scholastic activities, my family, and the business. I had no friends, but my mom, dad and Grandpa were all very much involved in my life. Besides, I felt quite comfortable without the punitive looks of the world suffocating my very being. As I grew older, and wiser, mom and dad filled me in on the details of their lives. None of it came as a surprise to me, but I was rather encouraged to find out that dad abandoned the Sith to be with mom. Additionally, mom trained me further in the way of the Jedi, and even allowed dad the liberty of training me in some of the Sith techniques. By age 17, I was not only academically accomplished, I was well trained in the basics of the Jedi Order, and a few Sith combat techniques.

On my 15th birthday, Grandpa gave me the one thing that I desired the most- well maybe the second- a X-wing starfighter, complete with a pilot, a personal droid. The gift came as a surprise to mom and dad. Dad however, was afraid of the implications of the Grandpa's generosity. Like me, he realized that I had a desire to venture outside the luxurious resort. Kaal was home, but I wanted to explore outside the manicured lawn, mansion, and deep blue sea.

That sense of exploration led me outside Kaal. Without a notice or warning I left Kaal leaving behind the rich lifestyle. Shortly after I left Kaal, I joined the New Jedi Order. My background remained a secret until I met my permanent master, [will insert name here later]. Like myself my master had a rich background. We were both born with a silver spoon. The common thread was the sense of duty beyond the rich lifestyle. One that requires of us service to the Order.

Despite the circumstances surrounding my departure from home I managed to stay in contact with my family. Mom eventually accepted my decision to become a Jedi. Surprisingly, dad never wavered during my absence. According to mom, although dad misses me (and our Friday night dates) he was relieved to find out that I did not follow in his footsteps. Grandpa of course knew all along that I will eventually leave Kaal.

Under my master's tutelage, I was able to fine tune that which my mother instilled in me concerning the Jedi Order. I replicated my scholastics drive upon joining the Jedi Order. That drive was eventually tested again, as another tragedy hit home. This time, it was a more personal one. Word reached me about Grandpa's failing health, at which point I requested a short leave of absence from my duties. I left the Temple on Daatooine, hoping beyond hope that the poor old man will not die before my return home. He has after all cheated death twice.

I returned to Kaal after three and half years of being away. Thankfully, my dying Grandpa held on his last breath of air until my arrival. Two days after, the old man did pass away. His funeral service was a site to behold. The building was flooded with hundreds of patrons, loyal customers from the family's agricultural export business. After the service, mom, dad and I sat down to talk. They both gave me their blessing to continue living my dream. There was something grandpa failed to tell me before he passed. As mom turned on the holoprojector message I realized that ole stubborn man was a Jedi too- "Gracelyn Vitorioso Maier .." came the familiar soft sweet voice "… the ship I gave you was the sign. Live your dreams my child."

My story continues….









((I still plan on working Skippy's PC (Constance Maier) in Gracelyn's backstory, despite the rank change and all that jazz.))