Rex lay on his back on the sleep couch in the bare, yet comforting room. The lights were low in a soothing manner. He knew he should be resting, but there was something keeping him awake. He couldn't place what. Sighing, he turned to his side.
Rex realized the direction he was looking was towards Ahsoka's room.
She has her own room. Even as a Jedi, there is a private space that is hers. We were never given that. I wonder what she has in there. Can they decorate it?
Rex sighed again and frowned. What am I doing? He rolled to his other side, but was startled to see his face looking back at him. A mirror was across the room at eye level of the sleep couch. He studied his face.
My hair is very short and bleached. Some of my brothers have tattoos, and some even have changed the color of their eyes. Do the Jedi truly see our differences? Does she?
Rex closed his eyes.
Ahsoka didn't remember dosing off, but she was suddenly awake. Something was lingering in her mind that pulled her away from sleep. She rolled over to check her chrono. One more hour before we meet. What is that nagging feeling?
Her stomach rumbled. Well, I am hungry. She got out of bed, made it, and put on her boots. She splashed some water on her face in the refresher and looked around her room. The walls were the same color as every other quarter in the Temple, but she had personalized the space with images of starfighters and battleships, and, her secret weakness, her favorite artists. Ahsoka had always loved art of any form- dance, song, paint, sculpture- anything.
As a young child, she remembers, some of the Master's took notice of her love and started to cultivate. She studied vocal singing and painting for a few years, but then the war broke out. She was called to her second love- action. Split-personality. That's what one of the youngling caretakers described her as. On one hand, she was gentle and calm, like the art she cultivated. On the other, she loved being out in the universe, fighting for peace. Lately, however, one side was grossly dominating the other.
Ahsoka shut off her lights and opened the door. She was about to head to the dining area by herself, but hesitated. She rang the bell on Rex's door.
"I'm sorry…I didn't know if you were sleeping or not…"
"I wasn't," he answered gruffly.
"Oh," she shifted her feet. "I'm heading to eat. Are you hungry?"
Rex nodded. "Sure. One moment."
Ahsoka waited in the hall. Why was that awkward? She was lost in thought when Rex cleared his throat by her side.
"Are we eating or not, ki-…Ahsoka?"
She smiled. "Let's go."
Not surprisingly, Anakin and Obi-Wan were in the dining area when Ahsoka and Rex arrived. They filled their plates and joined them in the booth.
Anakin raised his glass. "Hungry minds think alike!" The four clinked glasses in a toast to having actual food for once, instead of protein packs.
Anakin and Obi-Wan continued their discussion on the new computer upgrades the Resolute had recently received, and Rex listened in. But as Ahsoka ate and began feeling full, the feeling she had back in her room lingered.
What is that? What am I nervous about? She glanced over to Rex sitting on her left. He was adding something to the conversation, but she was so lost in thought the words just washed over her. I've never been with him outside of anything military related. Really…is this the first time we've had a real meal together?
She looked down at her food and raised her fork. Simultaneously, Rex did the same. They bumped elbows and she knocked his food off his fork.
Anakin laughed. "Lefties are nothing but trouble! I always make her sit in the inside. I've had enough of losing my food!"
Rex shrugged. "It's no big deal." He looked down at her and added softly, "I didn't know you were left handed."
For some reason, she blushed and looked at her food. "Oh…I'm usually ambidextrous. I just didn't think about it now." She moved to switch her fork to her right hand, but Rex grabbed her elbow.
"No, it's fine. If you're more comfortable with your left, use it." He gave a mocking glare at Anakin. "Some of us don't have a problem with it."
Anakin grinned. "Fine, fine. Be the gentleman, Rex." He nugged Ahsoka with his foot under the table. "What're you blushing for, Snips? I always make fun of that."
"Well…I…" She stammered for a moment as Anakin's grin faded slightly. Obi-Wan checked his chrono.
"I like picking on Ahsoka's left hand as much as the next person, but we must leave."
Relieved by Obi-Wan, Ahsoka quickly grabbed their trays. "I got it. I'll catch up."
Rex and Obi-Wan nodded thanks and walked towards the door, but Anakin lingered. When Ahsoka caught up to him, he whispered low.
"Really, Ahsoka. What was that about?"
"Oh," she fought as her blush came back. "It was nothing. I was just caught off guard." She added louder and with a cocky grin. "Besides, you're just jealous you weren't lucky enough to be special. You're the Chosen One," she mocked, "but you weren't chosen enough!"
Anakin raised an eyebrow, then laughed a hearty laugh. "Oh yeah… because you're special all right." He lightly punched one of her arms and took off running towards Obi-Wan and Rex. She laughed and followed.
As they landed on Padmé's private platform, C-3PO arrived to great them. "Welcome, welcome! It's so good to see you are all well. Please, Mistress Padmé is waiting inside." They walked in to find Padmé…and a small crowd of people crammed into her apartment.
As they bowed to Padmé, Anakin asked, "Uh, Padmé…what's with the entourage?"
She smiled warmly at Anakin, and conveyed a secret message of love and welcome with her eyes. "This, entourage, is the amount of people in need to transform you four into proper courtiers. When Master Luminara contacted me and I agreed to help, I had no idea what I was getting into." She gave a small laugh.
"What would you like first?" She addressed Obi-Wan. "The briefing or the make-overs?"
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "Make-overs?"
Before Padmé could answer, a tall, thin, well dressed human was at their side.
"UGH!" he declared loudly. "Honey, I know, you're fighting to protect the Republic, but do you have to do it so, plain? But you are going a good direction with the beard. A rough, yet gentle man." He turned to Anakin. "And you, aren't you the bad boy? But I have to tell you, all leather is so three seasons ago. But you are lucky, black is the new white, I could work with this."
Anakin raised an eyebrow at Obi-Wan who was clearly having a hard time stifling a laugh. The man turned his attention next to Rex.
"Mmm-mmm-MMM! Tall, dark, and handsome! Wrap him up, I'll take three!" The man laughed to himself. "Oh, no, don't worry, I know I can't have three. That blonde hair is edgy, but these fatigues have got to go. No one likes a grungy man."
Rex turned wide, pleading eyes to Padmé that were laced with the question Are you serious? Padmé shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
"Now, I was told there is a girl too. Where is the dame, I must see her."
"Uhm…back here." She said from behind Obi-Wan and Anakin. They parted as she moved forward in the crowded room. The man gasped and put his hand to his chest.
"Oh. My. Word. Silence, people I need silence!" The rest of the room fell quiet. Ahsoka shifted a little under his gaze and looked down.
"No, no my dear, don't look down! Those sapphires! If I had never seen an angel before, I would declare you, darling, are one! That skin! That passion I sense!" He turned to Padmé.
"I will always stand by that Master Mace Windu is the least fashionable of men ever, but I will give him props for good taste in women." He started clapping. "Bravo!" The crowd smiled and clapped again.
More than slightly scared and uncomfortable at being picked apart in front of people she didn't know, Ahsoka backed up until her back was pressed against Anakin's chest. He put a hand on her shoulder and then moved her behind him, as though to protect her- as though to say I know. I'm here.
Obi-Wan was very annoyed. "Who are you?"
The man turned. "Moi?" He scoffed a laugh. "I, Master Jedi, am an artist. I play God and create miracles. I am your worst nightmare and now your best friend. I… am Émile!"
Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Rex exchanged blank looks of non-recognition. Padmé stepped in.
"Émile is here with his team to help you get ready for the Masque. He's been my personal dresser for many years, even before I was queen on Naboo. Trust me…he's really good."
"Oh, m'lady, you flatter me!" Émile fanned his face and clapped his hands. "Now, since I've seen my canvas I have to work on, I shall prepare my people. You, m'lady, may do the boring talking first!" He kissed Padmé's hand and took his group into the next room.
Padmé motioned to the couches. "It's ok, Ahsoka. You can come out of hiding now. Please, sit."
Anakin, Rex, and Obi-Wan took the couch opposite of Padmé. Ahsoka hurried to her side and sat close to the Senator. "I…didn't like Émile."
Padmé smiled and put her arm around Ahsoka's shoulders in a gentle hug. "I know he has a very…strong…personality. But trust me. He isn't that bad." She turned to the others. "And he'll really help get you ready."
Obi-Wan nodded. "We do trust your judgment, Senator. It was just…overwhelming. Now, Mace said you had more information for us."
Padmé nodded and cleared her throat. "Yes. Master Windu left it to me to decide how best to precede once you are inside. I have discussed it with Émile and- especially now that he's seen Ahsoka- we decided it is best to put Ahsoka in the forefront and you three in the back. Now…"
"Forefront? Padmé…what are you suggesting?" Anakin interrupted. Padmé frowned.
"I was just getting to that. Now, I know Ahsoka is just a Padawan…but I think we can train her well enough to appeal to King Anyon. I believe you were filled in on his likes and dislikes?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "Not as much as we'd like, I'm afraid. Just that he likes parties."
Padmé's eyes shifted slightly and she was suddenly uncomfortable. "Oh. Well…thank you, Master Windu." She cleared her throat.
"King Anyon, though a powerful and feared ruler, is a weak man. He has many… indulgences. You should be aware that Queen Enys is his fourth wife…and, to be frank, there is trouble in the wedding bed. King Anyon has yet to receive a male heir, and his eye has wandered. Good drink, prime food, wild and expensive parties…and beautiful women. That is the king's taste." Padmé waited, hoping they would understand and she needn't go further. The men didn't move. She sighed and continued.
"While you three have qualities that could possibly attract you to the king…Ahsoka has more that are guaranteed to attract him."
Now they reacted.
"What??" Anakin shouted. Obi-Wan moved his hand to his face in a familiar gesture and rubbed his beard. Rex's jaw clenched, but Anakin was the only one to notice this.
"You…you want to dangle Ahsoka in front of this king like she's a piece of meat? Padmé!" Anakin stood. "No! I do not condone this…"
Obi-Wan tugged on Anakin's tunic. "Sit down, now!" Anakin didn't sit, but he stopped talking. Obi-Wan continued. "I do not condone this either, Senator. There has to be a different way. Ahsoka is…Ahsoka is too young. She's not aware of the reputation this king holds or of what such an assignment would require."
Needled at being called too young, Ahsoka looked straight at Obi-Wan. "Babies come from sex. Sex, between humans and humanoid species requires a man to…"
"Ah, ah ah!" Anakin held up his hand. "Gross, Snips!"
"I'm just showing you I'm not too young! I know what this means! The decision to do the plan should not rest on my age! It should rest on my comfort level!"
They were silent for a moment when Obi-Wan spoke up. "You are right. Very well. You should be aware, then, that this king could call for you. Naturally, the Council doesn't wish for you to…exploit…yourself. But you could get dangerously close." Obi-Wan glanced at Anakin. "Not to mention, it would be very difficult for your Master and myself to watch such things happen." He bowed his head to hide the rare emotion Obi-Wan ever showed.
"I would not be happy with myself if such things happened."
Ahsoka dropped her mouth in shock. "Oh…Master Obi-Wan…uhm…"
Anakin spoke up. "And I couldn't guarantee I would refrain from giving someone a castration." He sat down. "But, Snips…if you think you can do this…" His eyes were dark and he was frowning deeply. "If you think you can do this, for the greater good…" he spat the words out as though they tasted terrible. "…I won't stand in your way."
Ahsoka nodded and looked at her hands in her lap. She took a deep breath in and closed her eyes. Her heart was thumping and she could feel all eyes on her. Calming herself, she particularly felt one pair of eyes stronger than the rest. Holding onto them, she breathed in and out, then looked up.
"What about you, Rex? What do you think?"
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow and Anakin looked over to Rex. Ahsoka continued. "I mean, I'm assuming that why Master Windu asked for a Clone along was for just an extra male to watch me…" she looked at Padmé, who nodded. "…and since he's a part of the mission, he has a say too."
Aware of the sudden dryness in his mouth, Rex tried to swallow. "Well…" he started, raspy. "I agree with the General's. It would be…unfortunate…if something happened to you beyond our control. But…you are the Jedi. I'll follow your judgment."
Ahsoka was surprised she felt disappointed by his answer. "Ok. Then…ok." She turned to Padmé. "I can do it."
Padmé smiled and took one of Ahsoka's hands in hers. "Good. Then we can move forward. Émile has teams set up to address your hair, costume, and manner. I'm turning you over to him for the next few hours. When he's done, I'll meet back with you and explain how you are getting in." She smiled. "Ready?"
"Haha!" Anakin laughed as Obi-Wan entered the room with him. "Well, aren't you the dandy, Master!" Obi-Wan's beard had been trimmed. His mask was a deep green that covered most of his face except for his mouth. He was dressed in black, with a large three point black hat on his head. There were two large feathers, yellow and green, in the hat. He had an over cloak that had gold trim and ended at his chest but flowed to his feet in the back. He wore leather gloves and had a walking staff with a gold ball in his hand where his lightsaber was hidden.
"At least I don't look like I'm about to murder someone," Obi-Wan said, motioning to Anakin's attire. Anakin's mask covered both his eyes and the right side of his face, and was white. His hair was tousled in a playful manner. He had on a white shirt and black slacks, and was wearing a simple black cape that hid his lightsaber on his side. "Really, Émile couldn't pick anyone better than the Phantom for you?"
Anakin made a giant bow and flung his cape. "I'll blend in. Everyone is the Phantom. And, I have a cape. Look what I can do!" He brought his left arm up with the cape wrapped around it and put it under his eyes. "Muwahahaha!" He gave a fake evil laugh.
Obi-Wan smiled. "You are having too much fun with that." A door closed behind them and they turned towards Rex.
"Hey, no fair!" Anakin said.
Rex stopped walking towards them. "No fair, what?"
"You…you get to look normal."
Indeed, Rex did look the least ridiculous out of the three. He was wearing tan pants and black riding boots where a small blaster was hidden. A gold and tan tunic with red trim was over a white shirt, and he had a gold belt that strapped across his right shoulder and around his waist. A simple black eye mask was strapped over his eyes, and his hair had been died back to the normal black.
Obi-Wan laughed. "I thought you were having fun with your cape." Anakin made a face.
"Well, don't you three look dashing!" Padmé said from behind them. Anakin made a flowing bow again and smiled at Padmé.
"You're going to be doing that all night, aren't you?" She asked playfully.
Anakin swung the cape back and forth. "Maybe."
She shook her head. "Ahsoka is ready, but she's a little worried about the costume. Be supportive, ok?" She looked directly at Anakin.
Offended, he stopped playing with his cape. "I'm always supportive."
She gave him a warming smile. "Presenting, Lady Ahsoka."
Ahsoka walked into the room. She smiled sheepishly at the men, who stood in stock silence. After a moment, her smile faded. "What?"
"Nothing," Obi-Wan said. "You do look beautiful, Ahsoka."
Anakin nodded. "Yes, much to my dislike. You are…stunning. Émile did make you into an…"
"…an angel," Rex finished in a whisper. Anakin and Obi-Wan both looked over at him with strange looks on their faces.
But it was true. Ahsoka was dressed like an angel. Around her head was a simple white band, adorned with diamonds, and a single, tasteful teardrop diamond dangled from the band onto her forehead. When her head turned, the diamonds glistened in the light, and the teardrop brought attention to her very blue eyes. The very white dress was a square scoop neck that dipped elegantly down her back and tastefully, but beckoned focus to her bust. It was long sleeved , but after the deep blue belt on her waist, the dress split open to reveal the deep blue layer underneath. The white was trimmed with gold and two gold tassels dangled under the split. A simple white eye mask covered her eyes but did not block her naturally white facial markings.
She blushed at their reactions. "It's defiantly more clothes than I usually wear. But for some reason it's more…enticing? At least, that's what Émile said."
Anakin walked up to her and squeezed her shoulders. "No doubt, you will be the life of the party." He sighed. "Damn it."
She smiled. "Don't worry, Skyguy. One glare from you and all the boys will stay away."
"It's very form-fitting, Ahsoka," Obi-Wan was frowning. "Do I dare ask where your lightsaber is?"
"Oh, I have it." She put one leg on the couch and hiked up her skirts to her lower thigh. "A little hard to get to, but it was the best we could do."
Anakin couldn't help it and was brought to his knees laughing. Padmé giggled as Obi-Wan shook his head and chuckled to himself. Rex stood in the corner with his eyes wide and tried to look away.
Ahsoka laughed to as she lowered her skirts again. "I'll buy myself time with the shock factor doing that!"
"Ye-yes you will, Sn-snips," Anakin chocked out as he took breaths to stop the laughing. "That was priceless!"
"See, Ahsoka. You look fine," Padmé added. "Now, I have some things to tell you. First, put Ahsoka and Rex first when you arrive at the gate. You are all dressed the way you are for a reason- to play up your qualities. Ahsoka and Rex are your tickets in. Female or male guard, you're covered. A little flirting, perhaps a little aid from Obi-Wan and the Force, and you are through without a weapons search."
She motioned and C-3PO dimmed the lights in the corner. Padmé pushed another button and an image appeared on a screen. "This is King Anyon and Queen Enys about three months ago."
The king had light brown hair, light blue eyes and was very tall. His broad shoulders were squared and he had a slight smirk on his face. A large saber was strapped to his side. Standing next to him was a petite but strongly built woman. Her black hair was wrapped in an elegant style, and she too had her stance squared and conveyed much power. But her black eyes were filled with sorrow, and did not match the mood of the picture.
"The king is 32, and the queen is only 18 years old. A child bride, yes," Padmé addressed Anakin's look of disgust. "It's no wonder she hasn't born any children since her last one. Three at such a young age can tax a girl's reproductive system."
Obi-Wan rubbed his beard. "They have three children already? And they are here, throwing a party?"
Padmé shook her head. "King Anyon himself has one living daughter, from his previous marriages, who is almost grown. She is back at the royal academy. With this present queen, they have had three births, but only one living child. It, too, is a girl, and lives on a private estate with her mistress and tutors." She cleared her throat and it was clear Padmé did not agree with that. "The Laon's believe too much coddling breeds soft rulers."
"These are your targets for the evening," she continued. "Any questions? It will be very easy to find them both immediately. King Anyon is the center of any party…and his little queen will always be nearby." She turned to Ahsoka. "But do not worry about her. She knows of the kings…affairs…but is too much of a royal to approach the king about it. How she stands it, I have no idea," her eyes flickered to Anakin, who frowned and got a What, me? look on his face.
"I suggest we start making our way there, then." Obi-Wan stood and moved towards the door. He picked something up from his pack where his normal clothes were.
"Here, ear comlinks. Hopefully, we won't need them. But just in case we are…separated."
They put the comlinks in and went to the landing platform where a private luxury shuttle was waiting.
"I will be in contact as well, so if anything comes up, don't hesitate to ask." Padmé called as they boarded. Anakin turned and gave her a finale look of love and thanks. She returned it and then waved him on.
