Diversions:

As Siri Tachi quit the apartment, the family gathered 'round. Their eyes held questions that Christa was too vexed to answer. Just as she parted to make way to her room, Breha blurted, "Dear Christa! What was she on about? I could hardly hear!"

Christa turned-- glared at the meddling woman and screamed "Why can't you leave me alone? For once in your life, just leave me alone!" and stormed away.

Mr. Organa, Breha, and Padme looked on - their faces a mixture of concern and confusion. Christa knew that Breha had not deserved her anger, and felt sorry. But so many worries began to flood her mind. If Mr. Kenobi did in fact, considered another proposal, Siri Tachi would certainly convince him otherwise with woes of extrication from the Order and all the public shame a connection to Christa would bring.

After laying in her bed staring at the wall for hours, she finally fell asleep at dawn.

The following afternoon, when all were awake, the previous night behind them, Mr. Organa called Christa to the drawing room. She was curious about the nature of his call, until she discovered the letter in his hand. Surely, Siri had written him with hopes of spreading more rumors about Christa's relationship with Mr. Kenobi.

"Ah, yes, dear... I received a letter that has astonished me exceedingly. A correspondance from Mr. and Mrs. Binks. According to the pair, congratulatons are in order," Bail Organa giggled. "It appears, you are to be united with Mr. Kenobi of all people."

The revelation was met with more giggles. "I tell you, my child, they never cease in their excercise of the ridiculous. Allow me to read a portion of this letter to you:

''Having thus offered you the sincere congratulations
of Mrs. Binks and myself on this happy event, let me now add
a short hint on the subject of another; of which we have been
advertised by the same authority. Your god daughter Christa, it is
presumed, will not long bear her maiden name, and the chosen partner of her fate may be
reasonably looked up to as one of the most illustrious and most respected personages
in this land.'

Again, Mr. Organa laughed. "Don't you see, Christa? The person he speaks of is not only unable to marry, but one of the most loyal and dedicated men to his Organization. Are you not diverted?"

"Oh, I am excessively diverted, I find the letter quite strange to be honest..." Christa said, with affected interest.

"Well, Madame," Bail continued mockingly, "Your betrothed is to arrive today with a package containing sensitive data, which has been sent to me by the Jedi Council. I shall receive it here, but thereafter, we shall return to Alderaan. I suspect, being here on Coruscant has taken some toll on you. You have never looked more tired."

"Of course. But I shall miss my sister."

"She has business with Mr. Skywalker today, a meeting of some kind," he droned. "But he will be away on business for a day, and so she will return to Alderaan with us until she is ready to return."

"Thank you, sir," Christa said, kissing him on the cheek and hugging him around the neck. With that, she parted before her true anxieties were revealed.

Christa sighed. Mr. Kenobi? Here? For Siri Tachi had likely already divulged the details of their conversation. Her embarrassment of it may well be too obvious for her to consider seeing him again -- even under normal circumstances. Christa had made up her mind: she would make herself as scarce as possible for the duration of his visit.

Some hours later, late in the noon, the door rang. A ring of dread, and left to answer it was she, for all were disposed. Christa straightened her dress and conjured memories of faint dislike to strengthen her. After all, he once said she was unattractive and refused to honor her with a dance. This gave her the strength she needed. She may have been wrong on all other counts concerning this man, but he did think himself above her, there was nothing to redeem him of his awful words, and that mean-spirited proposal, that led her to reject him.

Indeed.

Christa pressed the security code and the door slid open. Anakin Skywalker and Mr. Kenobi stood on the other side. She acknowledged the two with a bow of her head then moved aside so that they may enter.

"Mr. Organa is disposed at the moment. But he should be done very soon."

"Might I inquire as to his whereabouts?" Mr. Kenobi asked. His eyes swept over her nonchalantly.

Vexed, she continued with purpose: to seem as though she too, did not care.

"I am unsure, but he is here -- on holovoid, in a meeting with a Republic delegation concerning some political activity or other. May I offer you a glass of tea?" Christa asked.

"Is Padme here?" Anakin interrupted?

"She arrived a while ago. I shall get her for you," Christa smiled. It was just the excuse she needed to make a hasty exit. For the very sight of Mr. Kenobi pained her. He watched Christa from the side of his eye as she hurried from the room. Catching Anakin's curious glance, he then pretended not to have watched her at all.