CHAPTER 29: It's dress up time!
"I'm not interrupting anything now am I?" another male spoke up; Obiwan glanced over Angela's shoulder before he quickly rose to his feet.
"Not at all Master, Angela and I had just finished talking." Obiwan informed, his voice was tense;
"Well I just came by to tell you guys that we will be landing on Corescant shortly; so prepare yourselves." Qui Gon informed,
"What's shortly?" Angela softly asked,
"In about 10 minutes." Qui Gon replied; Angela nodded her head in understanding; Qui Gon looked over to Obiwan
"Obiwan, I need to speak with you." Obiwan obediently walked over to his Master, Qui Gon then turned on his heel and walked off; Obiwan following right behind him. Angela too rose off the couch and walked off in the opposite direction, when she passed into a smaller room, she paused in the doorway; Padme was wrapping Anakin up in a bright red blanket. Angela decided to silently watch,
"You come from a warm planet Anakin, a bit too warm for my tastes, but up here space is cold." Padme gently explained.
"You look sad." Anakin softly pointed out; Padme glanced down quickly before she looked back at the small boy,
"The Queen is worried; her people are suffering, dying," Padme shook her head, "I don't how things are going to end." She sadly spoke.
"I made you something." Anakin softly murmured trying to cheer her up; he reached over to Padme's hands and placed something in them.
"It's so you can remember me."Anakin explained; Padme was gazing at the smooth stone she held within her hands. Carved inscriptions covered the stone.
"It's beautiful," Padme smiled at Anakin, "….but I don't need this to remember you by." She paused, "Many things are going to change when we reach the capital Ani, but my caring for you shall always remain." Padme promised.
"I care for you too." Anakin confessed; Angela smiled at the scene,
"Aww that was cute." She noted in her mind, "kinda reminds me of…..Obiwan." She sadly added. Angela bit her lip; as much as she hates the idea, she's pretty sure that somehow she holds feelings for Obiwan. "But I shouldn't!" her head screamed against what her heart was telling her.
"Hi Angela!" Anakin had spotted her in the doorway; so with a small smile Angela walked over to where Anakin and Padme were.
"How's it going you two?" she asked
"Fine." Padme answered; Anakin nodded his head in agreement.
"We're going to be landing very soon." Angela informed; Anakin's eyes widened softly in excitement,
"How soon?" he asked; as Angela opened her mouth to reply but soon the whole group felt a sudden dropping feeling in their stomach which told them their answer.
"Now." They all said in unison before they burst out laughing. Anakin quickly untangled himself from the blanket before hopping to his feet.
"Come on guys, let's go!" he spoke excitedly; Angela helped pull Padme to her feet then the trio walked through the ship till they reached the ship's door. Angela had picked up the rest of her belongings while they passed through the ship. Once they felt the ship touch ground; everyone else on the ship came to the room where the three of them stood waiting patiently. The door of the ship opened and lowered its ramp; the Queen and her handmaidens where the first to leave; Padme, Angela and Anakin followed right behind the Queen, the last people to leave was Qui Gon and Obiwan. Angela looked at her surroundings curiously, before turning to Padme as they walked side by side,
"So this is Corescant?" Angela stated
"Yeah, nothing like Naboo huh?" Padme answered,
"Not even close." Angela murmured; coming towards their group was a fairly large group of politicians. One middle aged man dressed in navy blue immediately walked up to the Queen,
"It is a great gift to see you alive, Your Majesty. May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum." Chancellor Valorum stepped forward and gave a soft bow,
"Welcome, Your Highness. It is an honor to finally meet you in person. I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the currant situation. I've called for a special session of the Senate to hear your position." He politely stated
"I am most grateful for you concern Chancellor." The queen replied; Senator Palpatine began to lead the Queen and her group over to a taxi. Once the Queen and her Handmaidens were inside the taxi; Angela and Padme were getting ready to climb in, but stopped and glanced back to the ship. Qui Gon and Obiwan were staying behind with the Supreme Chancellor; Anakin and JarJar were heading over to the taxi where Angela and Padme stood but they stopped unsure of where they were suppose to go,
"Ani," Padme called, "Come on." She softly ordered; Anakin looked back at Qui Gon who looked over at Angela and then back at Anakin before giving him a nod. Anakin and JarJar quickly walked over and hopped in the back of the taxi with Padme and Angela.
"What about Qui Gon?" Anakin asked; Angela looked down at the young boy who sat beside her,
"He'll meet up with us again, probably just has some Jedi business he needs to attend to." Angela explained quietly; the taxi suddenly started up and took off. Angela turned her head to look over at Padme, who sat on the other side of Anakin,
"So where are we going exactly?" She asked
"I would assume Senator Palpatine is taking us to the Senate." Padme answered
"Is that where we will be staying?" Angela questioned curiously; Padme nodded her head,
Angela, Padme, Anakin, and JarJar rode in silence for the rest of the ride; all of them were so taken with the unfamiliar sight of Corescant. Once they arrived at their destination, the Queen's caravan quickly exited the taxi and entered the massive building that they had come to; Angela, Padme, Anakin, and JarJar were the last people to leave and enter the building. They followed behind the Queen's group until they stopped at a room; two armed guards stood right outside the door. Senator Palpatine swiftly opened the door and stood aside,
"This is your room your Majesty," he stated politely;
"Thank you Senator," the Queen spoke then she, along with Senator Palpatine, and her handmaidens walked into the room.
"Come on guys," Padme spoke while she too walked past the guards and entered the room. Angela glanced down at Anakin who looked back up at her; they both shrugged their shoulders before they began to head inside the room. Angela let Anakin and JarJar go in before her, herding the two into the room. As Angela tried walking into the room, the two guards quickly stepped in together, blocking her path; so she froze,
"Something wrong officers?" she asked, while she put a hand on her hip
"Identification Miss?" One of the guards asked.
"Excuse me?" Angela questioned, her brow rising
"We need to see Identification." The guard stated
"Can I ask why?" Angela asked suspiciously while her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"You are armed." The other guard pointed out; Angela looked down at her saber, then back up at the guards,
"Good observation," she sarcastically answered,
"Let's see your license." The Guard ordered, Angela crossed her arms over her chest,
"License?" Angela repeated; the guard nodded his head,
"Your weapon." He informed
"I don't have a license." She muttered in aggravation; the guards glanced at each other before one took a step towards Angela.
"If you don't have a license for bearing arms, your weapon is unregistered; meaning you are not permitted to carry your weapon; hand it over." The guard stated while he held his hand out to Angela; Angela took a defensive step back while she placed her hand on her saber's hilt and gripped it firmly.
"I don't think so." Said Angela; her voice had lowered in warning.
"If you won't abide by our rules, then we will confiscate you and your weapon by force." The Guard threatened
"You can try!" Angela challenged; the guards stood tall before they began to advance on Angela; in a flash Angela whipped out her saber and took up a fighting stance.
"What is going on out here?" A female voice called from the door; Angel glanced behind the two guards to see Padme standing in the doorway. The guards turned to face Padme;
"This young woman here is unauthorized to carry her weapon and refuses to show some identification." The guard explained; Padme pushed past the two guards to stand next to Angela.
"This woman here doesn't need to show identification. She's with the Queen." Padme explained, another voice soon joined in,
"Padme, what's going on?" All eyes turned to see the Queen and Senator Palpatine standing in the doorway. Padme took a step forward,
"Your Highness, there seems to have been a misunderstanding about Angela with the guards." Padme explained; Angela took this time to lower her saber to her side. The Queen looked over at Angela before she looked back at the guards.
"This young woman is with me gentlemen; so let her pass." The Queen ordered; the guards obediently pulled back and moved to stand off to the side.
"Yes your Majesty," they spoke in unison; one of them quickly added,
"But there is still the issue of her bearing arms." He spoke, "She is not licensed to carry her weapon."
"The Black Rider," the Queen clarified, "….does not need a license." The Queen now turned to Angela, "Come along Black Rider; these men won't give you anymore trouble." The guards shamefully look down at their feet at this notice; Angela gave a polite nod to the Queen,
"Thank you your Highness." She spoke while she and Padme began to walk inside the room. The Queen gave Angela a small smile before she and the Senator led the way back inside. The doors closed shut behind Angela and Padme; who followed the Queen and Senator into a very elegant office like room. Once there the Queen took a seat in a large chair; Senator Palpatine stood off to the Queen's side while Angela and Padme went to stand in front of the Queen. Senator Palpatine who was now staring intensely at Angela spoke up,
"So
this is the famous and heroic Black Rider," he began, "It is an
honor to be meeting you at last. I have heard so many great things
about you." He praised softly; Angela gave him a soft smile and
nod,
"Thank you Senator." She humbly replied; Senator
Palpatine continued,
"I certainly feel much better knowing that the Black Rider is with the Queen." Padme softly added,
"Indeed…..we all do."
"Now, let's get down to business; Your Majesty the meeting with the Senate with begin right about sun down; Uh Black Rider?" the Senator called; Angela stepped forward softly,
"Yes Senator?" she asked,
"You will be attending the meeting now won't you?" he asked; Angela glanced to the side at Padme who gave her a soft nod.
"If my presence is requested then I shall of course attend without hesitation." Angela formally answered.
"I would insist on your going; you may be needed to testify for the Queen. I'm sure you of all people would know exactly what has been going on over there." Palpatine stated; Angela nodded
"I have seen enough." She confirmed
"Excellent! So then I can expect you to be there?" he asked
"Of course Senator Palpatine." Angela answered
"Wonderful!" the Senator happily exclaimed; Angela looked down on her attire
"But sir I fear that I am not dressed to attend such a formal event." She pointed out.
"Ah no matter my dear girl; I'm sure the Queen can spare one of her handmaids to you. They'll get you ready in no time." He assured; The Queen gave Angela a small smile, before she glanced over at Padme,
"Padme," the Queen called; Padme stepped forward
"Yes your highness?" she replied.
"I'll leave Angela in your capable hands; prepare her for our meeting with the Senate." The Queen ordered; Padme bowed softly,
"Right away your highness." Padme then turned to Angela and smirked under her red hood, "Follow me Angela." Angela smirked back and followed Padme out of the room. Padme led her to a refresher
"You'll find everything you'll need in here; so take a quick shower and get dried off." Padme explained hurriedly while she went and pulled out a soft white towel before setting it on the sink.
"What's the rush?" Angela asked curiously while she giggled softly; Padme looked back over at Angela and started listing things off,
"Well you'll still need to dress, then I have to do your hair and make up…" Angela laughed at her friend.
"You seem excited about this." She pointed out
"I'm giving the Black Rider a makeover; who wouldn't be?" Padme winked before she quickly added, "Now hurry up!" with that said Padme left the refresher; its door closed behind her. Angela laughed softly at her friend's enthusiasm while she quickly stripped off all her clothes. Once she was naked Angela swiftly turned on the hot water and stepped into the shower. Once her body and hair was soaked she immediately went to work; first she washed her hair with shampoo and conditioner that smelled like roses, once that was done and scrubbed herself down with a fruity body wash then of course shaved her legs the necessary places on a girl's body. Her shower took her about 30 minuets. After she was rinsed clean, she turned the water off and stepped out of the shower. She was met by a cold draft so she instantly reached for her towel and wrapped it around her body. A few minutes after that, knocks were heard on the refresher's door.
"Angela?" it was Padme, "Can I come in?" she asked
"Yeah you come in." Angela called back while she looked down and tied her towel up on her body so it would stay without her holding onto it. Angela while she was looking down, heard Padme come inside; when Angela looked up to see her friend, she was caught off guard when she ended up seeing a white face with red lips and dark eyes
"NGAAHH!!" she exclaimed in shock and jumped back a few feet. Angela put a hand up to racing heart,
"Padme!" she squeaked "Warn me next time you're gonna go and dress up like Frankenstein's Bride!" she scolded softly; Padme cocked her head to the side,
"I don't know who Frankenstein is, but what did you expect Angela? I'm the Queen, I have to dress like this." She replied.
"God knows why." Angela mumbled as she took in the sight of her friend. She wore a long orange-ish full skirt gown with a maroon robe over it; on her head she had on the most ridiculous headdress Angela had ever seen her wear. She laughed inside her head, "It looks like a ram horns." She noted.
"It's Tradition." Padme explained; Angela gave her a quick look up and down,
"Of course it is…..for the record, you're not dressing me up like that I can tell you that now." Angela stated. Padme smiled,
"Don't worry, I wasn't planning on it; I've got another idea for you." Padme answered with a mischievous smirk while she flashed Angela a few objects that she held in her arms
"Oh joy." Angela grumbled. Padme then turned to face the sink and counter before she began to place stuff on top of it: A hair brush, a small box, and a neatly folded pile of clothes. Padme reached on top of the pile and took a few material off before she handed them to Angela.
"Here," she began, "…put these on first." Then Padme turned away and began to rummage around on counter; Angela looked down at what she now held.
"Oh Underwear," She established in her mind, "…cute." She whispered while she quickly put on the black lacy panties; then she dropped her towel put on the Strapless Bra.
"Ok now what? And by the way, not that I'm complaining or anything, but just so you now, I wear more colors than just black." She pointed out; Padme laughed and turned around to face her,
"I'll remember that next time. Now here," Padme reached behind her and pulled out a long, full, white petticoat; Angela took in up in her hands with curiosity, "Put that on next." Padme ordered. Angela quickly stepped into the white petticoat and pulled it up to her hips; finally she zipped it up in the back.
"Anything else?" Angela teased knowing full well that more was to come. Then she looked down on what she did wear before she began twisting her hips enjoying the sight of the skirt swishing back and forth.
"Just a few more things." Padme answered while she began to smirk, "Tell me Angela, have you ever worn a corset before?" Angela froze and looked back up to Padme her eyes wide.
"A corset? Uhh…no not really no…" Angela answered; Padme's smirk widened to a smile,
"Well then this ought to be fun." She exclaimed cheerfully while she held up a white lace corset.
"Turn around Angela." She ordered; Angela hesitantly did what Padme said. Once Angela's back faced Padme, Padme took a step closer before she spoke again,
"Raise your arms up out to the side." Angela raised her arms; then she felt Padme's arms wrap around her waist and she watched as Padme put the corset on her. There were a few hooks on the corset that Padme quickly did so that the corset would stay on Angela. Once it was firmly on, Padme turned Angela around to face the sink.
"Hold onto the counter." Angela glanced behind her shoulder at Padme before she reached out and lightly gripped the edge of the counter. She heard some rustling behind her and soon felt the two ends of the corset lace now rest against her back.
"I won't do this extremely tight since it is your first time." Padme promised while she took up the laces in her hand and began to quickly and tightly lace up the corset. Angela gasped at the unfamiliar pressure against her breasts and stomach; as the corset grew tighter Angela's breathing became short and quick.
"You call this not tight? Feels freaking tight to me." Angela grumbled softly; Padme laughed
"Don't worry, you'll get use to it." Padme assured
"Use to what? Not breathing? I doubt it" Angela muttered sarcastically. Padme gave a quick pull on the laces; Angela groaned.
"Done!" Padme exclaimed happily as she tied the laces in place. Then she moved to stand next to Angela while she reached over the counter and pulled a neatly folded piece of material to her. Padme picked it up in one place and let the material drop to the floor; it was a long floor length satin gown with a scooped-cut beaded bodice and flowing sleeves that stopped right at the elbow. Angela stared awestruck at the beautiful gown; best of all it was in Angela's favorite shade of blue. The color matched her eyes.
"Oh Padme," she spoke breathlessly, "It's beautiful." Padme smiled,
"Yes, now lets get you into this now shall we?" Padme replied while she handed the dress over to Angela who quickly threw it over her head and stuck her arms though the sleeves. Angela watched in fascination as the blue satin material flowed down to her feet. Padme swiftly stepped behind Angela and zipped the gown up; the dress fit her perfectly.
"Time for hair." Padme informed while she moved around Angela and grabbed the hairbrush before she went to stand behind Angela again; Padme gently brushed Angela's long and almost dry hair. Once she was done and Angela's hair ran smoothly down her back, Padme reached up with her hands and tilted Angela's head back. Then in some swift moves, she tied up half of Angela's hair into a bun with some curls and left the rest of it run down her back. Padme clapped her hands with pride.
"And last but not least, makeup." Padme murmured as she now stood at the counter and had opened the small box. Before Angela cold see what Padme pulled out, Padme was already putting stuff on Angela; Padme put some soft pink blush on Angela's cheeks, then she put some sort of pink lipstick on Angela as well.
"Look up." Padme quickly ordered; Angela looked up and then felt Padme brush stuff on her eyelashes.
"Now," Padme began but Angela quickly jumped in,
"Let me guess, close my eyes?" She finished for Padme before she closed her eyes softly; Angela felt Padme trace something along her eyelids before she then brushed them with some powder.
""Blue is definitely your color," Padme noted out loud, once Padme had finished, she softly added, "Oh Angela," Padme whispered, "You look amazing!" she whispered breathlessly and she took a step away from Angela to examine her work. Angela slowly opened her eyes to stare at her reflection in the mirror; her jaw dropped open slightly,
"Is that really me?" Angela asked in wonderment; she couldn't even recognize herself.
"Yeah Angela, that's you." Padme confirmed with a small smile. Angela looked herself over in the mirror; with the gown, makeup, and hairstyle, she looked like royalty.
"Wow…." Angela murmured, "I haven't gotten this dressed up since Prom, sophomore year. In fact, I haven't even worn makeup for like a year now." Angela explained quietly,
"Not like you really need the makeup or anything; but the mascara, liner, and shadow do bring out your eyes more." Padme complimented; Angela turned her head and smiled at her friend.
"Thank you Padme." Said Angela; Padme smiled back before her smile dropped and she suddenly stomped her foot on the floor in irritation.
"Oh Blast!" she swore; Angela raised an eyebrow at Padme,
"You surprise me Padme; I didn't realize you had a colorful vocabulary." Angela teased.
"Pardon my language, but I forgot your shoes." She informed before she quickly reached out and grabbed Angela softly by her still bandaged hand
"Come on I left them in the living room." Padme explained while she dragged Angela, who had picked up her long gown in the front so she wouldn't trip, over to the refresher door and opened it up. Angela, feeling like she was missing something, quickly turned to the side to look back behind her and sought out her saber lying on the floor by her discarded clothes. With an outstretched hand, her saber flew through the air into her open hand; then with her saber now in her grip at her side she turned back to her friend who was now trying to pull Angela out through the refresher door. Angela laughingly looked down at her hand which was held firmly by Padme, she quietly noted in her mind,
"Yeah. Queens shouldn't be holding hands with the Black Rider." Angela decided to speak up to remind what her their positions were.
"Uh Your Highness;" Angela emphasized, "…..let's not blow your cover over a pair of shoes." Angela playfully reminded Padme who caught on to what Angela was getting at.
"Oh right." She spoke while she let go of Angela's hand and formally linked her arm with hers instead.
"Much better your Majesty." Angela teased while both young women walked gracefully out of the refresher.
