Chapter 58 Voice of Leia Skywalker
Mom has thrown herself completely into her work over the past couple of weeks. Ever since she went to talk to Dad at the temple that night, she hasn't been herself. She won't talk about it, and according to Luke, neither will Dad. Somehow we have to bring them together, for they've been doing an excellent job of avoiding each other recently. Luke and I have vowed to do whatever it takes to reunite our parents- we just need to figure out how to do that. It's not easy when they are never together. Dad's completely immersed in the Jedi stuff- the temple is just about finished now, and he's been working with Master Kenobi and Master Yoda to recruit new Jedi. In fact, Dad has spent some time off world to find force sensitive beings.
I haven't been to the temple recently, so I haven't seen the woman that Luke has told me about. According to him, she's gorgeous. I think he just thinks so because she's a twil'ek. I wonder what Mom would think of her….I smile as an idea starts to form in my mind. That's it…that's the key.
"What are you smiling about?" Luke asks me as he joins me at the breakfast table.
"I just had an idea," I tell him. "A way to get Mom and Dad back together."
Luke's eyes grow wide. "Get out," he says.
"No, really," I say. "Listen…"
Voice of Padmé Amidala
I'm not sure I have time for breakfast this morning I reflect as I glance at my wrist chrono. I never seem to have time for myself anymore. Perhaps that's deliberate- less time to myself means less time to examine certain facets of my life too closely. I know the old adage- all work and no play – but for me, work is a life line right now.
"Luke, you're exaggerating," I hear Leia say as I approach the breakfast room. "She can't be that beautiful."
"She is, Leia," I hear Luke respond. "She's drop dead gorgeous," he adds.
"Who are you two arguing about?" I ask, walking into the room.
The twins look at each other, and then at me.
"Oh, nothing Mom," Luke says, returning his attention to his breakfast.
I frown. "Nothing?" I ask. "Sounds like something or someone has your attention," I say. "Who is it? Someone at school?" I ask with a smile. Luke has a crush on someone!
"No, not at school," Leia tells me. "She's at the temple," she informs me. "She's the new Jedi that Obi-Wan brought back with him."
This is news to me. I knew that Obi-Wan had found a renegade Jedi- but I had no idea that Jedi was a woman.
"Oh?" I ask, trying to remain nonchalant. "Beautiful, is she?"
"Yeah, she is Mom," Luke tells me. "She was just a kid when the purges took place."
So that means she's young too…
"I see," I reply. "Well, the more they have rebuilding, the better," I say diplomatically. I look at my wrist chrono. "I need to go," I tell them. "Have a great day, both of you."
"Bye Mom," my children say in unison.
I leave them, suddenly in a more irritated mood than I was mere moments ago.
I arrive at the senate office, and my assistant is already waiting for me. There aren't enough hours in the day any more it seems.
"Good morning Milady," she says. "I have the details for the fund raiser ready for your final approval," she says, handing me a data pad.
"Has Chancellor Organa seen this?" I ask, taking the device from her.
"Yes M'am," she replies. "He's already signed it."
"Very well," I say, walking into my office. One of the many new initiatives we have been working on is social justice. Under the Empire, the down trodden and the poor were exploited shamelessly- not only here on the capital but all over the Empire. I have decided to make amends for that through a series of fund raisers designed to raise money that will all go into programming for the galaxy's many poor. It's not going to be easy, but we have to start somewhere. The first of these events is tomorrow night- a ballet at the huge theatre here on Coruscant. Bail and I are planning on attending together- I just hope he doesn't get the wrong idea. This is a professional function, not a social function. Surely I've made it clear enough to him by now.
I read over the document and then sign it. It looks perfect. I set it aside and start in on the rest of my day's work. But my mind doesn't stay where it needs to be, and reflects back on the conversation I overheard this morning. Am I jealous? Is that why I'm irritated and distracted now? A beautiful, young, force sensitive being has now taken up residence at the Jedi temple. Why should I feel jealous?
"Good morning Padmé," Bail says as he enters my office.
"Morning," I say, not looking up.
"Everything all right?" he asks me.
I look up at him. "Yes, fine," I reply. "Just…busy."
He nods. "Are you as excited about tomorrow as I am?" he asks.
"Excited?" I ask. "More like stressed," I tell him.
He laughs. "Everything will be fine," he assures me. "More than fine- perfect," he adds. "Don't worry."
I sigh. "I hope so," I tell him. "There's so much riding on this project."
Bail nods. "I know," he replies. "We have a full house, Padmé," he tells me. "A lot of money will be coming in. Why even the Jedi are sending representatives."
"Well, they're a part of this rebuilding too," I remind him. "They need to be in the spotlight as much as we do."
"I suppose so," he replies. "I have to hand it to Anakin," he says, surprising me. "He's done remarkable work with that temple."
"You've been there recently?" I ask him.
"Yes, when I learned that Yoda had returned, I wanted to go and pay my respects," he tells me. "The place looks fantastic."
I nod. "So Luke tells me," I reply. I hesitate before continuing. "Did you happen to meet the newest addition to the Order?" I ask him, trying to sound casual.
"Yes I met her," he tells me. "She's quite something," he adds with a smile.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"Well, she's a twil'ek," he tells me. "You know how….well maybe you don't know," he remarks with a smirk.
"Know what?" I ask.
"Well, they have a reputation," he explains. "Twil'ek women," he adds. "Very passionate, very …sensual."
"I see," I reply, looking back down at my work. "Well she's a Jedi," I remind him. "I hardly think she's typical of her race."
"Perhaps not," he replies. "She's certainly as beautiful as her race are reputed to me, though," he adds. "Wow."
I frown. "Bail, I have work to do," I tell him. "Go and drool elsewhere."
He chuckles, and then leaves me in a fouler mood than he found me in.
Voice of Anakin Skywalker
"Me? Why me?" I ask. "You know how I hate that long haired stuff."
Obi-Wan smiles indulgently. "Anakin, like it or not, you are the most recognizable member of this new Order," he tells me. "It makes sense for you to go. Besides, Master Yoda would just fall asleep," he adds.
"So would you," I point out.
He laughs. "Yes, that's why I'm not going," he replies. "Nomi is going with you."
I nod. I've had very little to do with our new colleague since she joined us two weeks ago. She's very young- and pretty inexperienced as far as I can tell. But she's a Jedi, so I suppose she'll be an asset to us.
"She's rather happy about it, actually," Obi-Wan tells me.
"I'm glad one of us is," I remark.
"Come now, Anakin," he says. "You could do far worse than spending the evening with her," he remarks. "She's charming."
I frown. "I hadn't noticed," I reply, and stand up. "Come on," I say. "We've got work to do, old man."
I head home later, alone. I haven't seen Padmé since the night she came to the temple. And while I know that's for the best, I find myself missing her. I can't help but think about that incredible night we shared here as soon as I walk in the door. Maybe I should live at the temple- this place has ghosts too.
I really don't want to go to this ballet tomorrow night. I've never liked that kind of thing and I know it will be excruciating. But more than that- Padmé will be there. And more than likely, she'll be with Organa. They're not a couple- I know that; but as co-chancellors they'll be together as the hosts of this affair. I hate the thought of seeing her with another man, and I'm not sure how I can hide that tomorrow. Hopefully our seats will be far enough apart that I can avoid her. That's the only way I'll get through the evening.
Voice of Leia Skywalker
"Mom, you look gorgeous!" I declare. I've just finished helping her with her hair, and stand back to take a look. "Wow!"
Mom smiles. "Thank you," she says, standing up. "I guess it's time to go."
I can't help but notice how unenthusiastic Mom is. I guess the thought of spending the evening with Bail Organa isn't exactly exciting to her.
"You'll have a great time, Mom," I assure her. "You love the ballet."
"Yes I do," she replies, picking up her handbag. She smiles, and I know it's her diplomatic, pretend smile. "I'm just nervous is all," she says, patting my cheek gently. "Don't you worry."
I nod. "I guess Dad will be there too," I tell her. She looks at me quickly. I hate jerking her around this way, but it's for a good cause.
"Is he?" she asks casually. "With Obi-Wan?"
"No, with Nomi," I tell her.
"Oh," she replies. She looks back at her reflection, and pats her hair. "Well perhaps I'll finally get to meet her then," she says. "I've heard enough about her," she adds.
"Probably," I tell her. "You can't miss her," I tell her. "She's pretty striking looking."
Mom frowns, and says nothing in response. So far our plan is working like a charm.
"Have a good time," I tell her, giving her a hug.
"Thanks sweetheart," she replies. "I'll see you later."
Voice of Anakin Skywalker
My companion for the evening is wearing some sort of perfume that keeps making me sneeze. Not a great start to what's sure to be a long and painful evening. I have to be careful though- Nomi is force sensitive after all.
"I've never been to the theatre here," she tells me as we start up the long staircase into the building. "I remember always admiring this building as a child, though," she adds.
"I've been here a few times," I tell her. "It's pretty spectacular."
"Cool," she replies. I frown. Cool? That's something my eighteen year old daughter would say. But I suppose she's not much older than Leia is. If she was six when the purges occurred, that makes her twenty-four now. Not much more than a youngling.
The foyer is crowded with well dressed people, all standing around talking in groups. I can sense the surprise of many to see me here. I'm getting used to that. There are also a lot of men giving Nomi a great deal of attention. I guess that's not surprising – she's beautiful, and the dress she's wearing leaves little to the imagination.
"Shall we find our seats?" she asks. "The curtain goes up in ten minutes."
"Sure," I say, more than happy to disappear into the darkened theatre. "Let's go."
Our seats are excellent; they should be, I paid a great deal for them. The money is going to a good cause, so I don't mind. I admire Padmé for her efforts to help those in need- she's always been a champion of the underprivileged. I haven't seen her yet, and that's fine with me. The last thing I need tonight is a reminder of what I've lost.
The ballet begins, and, as I feared, is painful to sit through. I find myself restless, and shift around in my chair.
Nomi looks at me questioningly. "Everything okay?" she whispers, her perfume surrounding me as she leans close. I sneeze again. "Yeah, fine," I say with a sniff.
I wish I could learn to appreciate this art form; but to me the sight of men in tights prancing about is just too ridiculous to take seriously. I lean back in the chair, trying really hard not to fall asleep. Is the intermission ever coming?
And then, finally, mercifully, the audience starts to applaud. I join in, not really knowing what's happened, and then sigh with relief as the lights go up.
"Thank the Maker," I mutter as we stand up.
Nomi smiles at me. "You hate this stuff, don't you?" she asks.
I look at her for a moment. "Am I that obvious?" I ask.
"Afraid so," she replies with a laugh.
I laugh too. "Come on," I say offering her my arm. "Let's go get a drink. You are old enough to drink, aren't you?" I ask her.
She laughs again. "Yes Master Skywalker, I am."
"Good," I reply. "I hate drinking alone."
