Dormé scanned through the holiday crowed gathered in the Great Hall and noted that Padmé was doing the same.
"See anyone from Trevosa?" She quipped.
Padmé turned and looked confusedly at her friend until realizing, by the comical expression on Dormé's face, she was being teased. "Stop it." She demanded, once again viewing the crowd. She saw several senators she recognized and quite a few Jedi, though not the one she was looking for. The room swam in formal darks and Jedi beige, slightly overwhelming when combined with the shiny sculptures that hung from the ceiling and were located about the room.
At the far end of the room stood the tallest sculpture. The gift tower, it had been coined. A cone-shaped winding structure that was comprised of shelves, it served a purpose at this gathering. All those participating in the Gifts Exchange brought their Fifth Gift here and placed it on the tower. At some point in the festivities, an esteemed member of the Senate or the Jedi Council would pass out the gifts, according to the tags upon them. Padmé reached down inside the velvet over-cloak she was still wearing and retrieved her gift to Dormé wrapped in purple before handing the garment off to the attendant droid Dormé did the same, although her gift was wrapped in silver.
They were about to make their way to the gift tower when the movement of someone approaching them through the dancing mob drew Dormé's attention.
She drew her lip into her mouth and cast Padmé a wary expression. "Here comes your shy stalker."
"Sh!" Padmé commanded, but suddenly felt a little queasy. Anakin was heading straight for them with a gaze she had not seen on the young man before. It was a look that could only mean one thing. He was about to make a move. What was she going to do?
Padmé opened her mouth to make any type of excuse she could think of, was about to grab the first compatible species that walked by in order to dance, when she noticed that eye contact was not being made with her, but with her bodyguard, Dormé.
"You look absolutely wonderful tonight." Anakin said with a smile as he bowed slightly before the blushing assistant.
"Why….thank you." Dormé stammered.
"I would be honored if you would dance with me." The young man requested, holding out the crook of his arm.
And much to Padmé's surprise, Dormé took a hold of it, passing off her Fifth Gift to her and casting a startled, but somewhat happy expression back over her shoulder as the two of them moved onto the dance floor.
It took a moment for what had just occurred to sink in, but when it did, Padmé heaved a huge sigh, letting it out through pursed lips. So, he obviously wasn't her secret admirer after all.
Good.
But who was? Once again her dark eyes scanned the crowd until finally giving up and walking over to the gift tower. She had just placed Dormé's gift onto one of the lower shelves when she heard a voice behind her that never failed to send a quiver along her spine.
"I do believe there are less gifts than last year."
She checked the smoothness of her gown and turned to face Obi-Wan. "Less trouble for the poor soul who has to pass them out." She noted with a grin.
"You look….well."
Padmé's eyebrow rose at the less than exemplary compliment. "So do you." She shot back, not wanting to give more than she had received. Not yet.
Obi-Wan seemed unusually at a loss for words and his eyes cast down to the floor.
"I see that Anakin is having a good time." Padmé noted, trying to restore conversation.
Obi-Wan smiled as he watched the couple move fluidly through the dance. They both looked quite pleased. "Yes. And he didn't even want to come."
"I'll admit that I'm surprised to see you here." The words slipped out before she could stop them. She didn't want to start an argument. "I mean…" She quickly continued "after what happened last…" Oh shut-up Padmé! She scolded herself.
However, Obi-Wan looked anything but offended. In fact, he took a step forward until he was almost stepping on her dress, and she could see the green flecks around his irises.
"Perhaps it wasn't the right time for us." He said softly as the music crescendoed and stopped.
"When will be the right time, Obi-Wan?" Padmé asked, her attention focusing on the gentle lips that hovered just above hers and she could sense he was drawing closer, until the loud clang of the Festival Bell rang out and everyone cleared the floor, returning to their dining tables and seats that ran along the walls of the large room.
Obi-Wan smiled a small grin and then backed away with a nod and Padmé stood there and watched him go. When will be the right time, Obi-Wan? She repeated in her mind as she turned to take her seat with the other senators at her assigned table. Dormé joined her there, face flushed and grinning like an idiot.
Padmé just shook her head and turned her attention to the center of the room where Chancellor Palpatine was making his annual Republic Days speech.
About halfway through the droll recitation, Padmé's eyes searched out Obi-Wan, but she was disappointed to see him focused on his hands that were clasped in front of him, and nothing else.
Why was this so difficult for them? People fell in love all the time! What were they waiting for? Some sign from the Force. Some omnipotent being to tell them that it was okay? That they belonged together?
She knew they belonged together, knew it all along. The problem was Obi-Wan. Why was he so hesitant? He hadn't been rude or upset when they had broke things off before. In fact, he had made a very good argument, spouting responsibilities and distractions, wanting to focus his attention on her instead of his young apprentice.
But that was before, and apparently, Anakin could take care of himself.
What was he waiting for?