The shuttle shudders, rousing Padme from her sleep, she finds her head resting on the seat Vader had previously occupied, a lick of drool creeping down her cheek. She quickly wipes it away and rubs her eyes tiredly, still fighting the disorientation that often follows deep sleep - especially when waking in unusual surroundings.
Scanning the cabin for Vader, Padme nods at one of the stormtroopers that seems to be eyeing her before continuing her search for him, luckily the shuttle is small and she spots a rustle of black fabric from the cockpit - there he is, towering over the shoulder of the pilot. Too far to hear them, she sits back and observes them, noting they have dropped out of hyperspace with the familiar and iconic yellow rings of Coruscant's urban sprawl scarring its surface and looming larger through the windshield.
The recognizable, high-profile Imperial shuttle belonging to Vader bipasses all regular protocols entering the planet, within minutes they are passing through the atmosphere and the large duracrete skyscrapers of the ecumenopolis dominate the landscape from the windshield. Padme relaxes into her seat as she prepares herself for the ship to land, Vader is still standing watch in the cockpit and she lets out a bitter sigh. No longer under the analgesic's influence, Padme's faculties are fully restored and the unsavory meeting between Vader, Palpatine, and herself start to flash through her mind. As she relives the worst parts of it, her frown grows deeper, and her mood sours. He promised her his protection, yet he stood there as Palpatine tried to invade her mind - pain so intense she lost consciousness.
As gentle as any landing could be, the shuttle settles onto the landing pad and wasting no time, Padme is at the exit waiting for it to open. The door opens and the ramp barely finishes its deployment when Padme steps onto it only to be grabbed roughly by her upper arm. Already angry with him, she glares at him before yanking free of his hold and proceeding down the ramp. Vader is hot on her heel and her freedom proves short lived, with her arm firmly in his grasp once more, she is forced to accept his constraining hold.
"Unhand me," she spits at him, once more attempting to pull away from him as they walk. She had no idea where she was, but her thoughts were centered on putting distance between herself, Vader, and the ship.
"Behave yourself," he growls. "We're being watched, these are not my men" he warns her.
Padme becomes aware of the stormtroopers' armor's rhythmic clamor as they march behind them. "Don't want to make a bad impression for your overlord?" she jabs back. Vader is unaffected by her slight.
They're inside a large docking bay, and she notices Vader is pulling her towards a turbolift. The stormtroopers that had traveled with them have gone in a different direction, and now it's just the two of them. Vader releases her and lets her enter the turbolift unencumbered. She watches as Vader selects the top floor, wondering what's located on all the other floors, but too stubborn to ask him. When the turbolift opens, Padme proceeds to enter what appears to be his private quarters. It's an apartment, she realizes. Barely within, blast doors shut in front of the turbolift and her ears pop - she recognizes the apartment to be pressurized. In fact, as she looks around, she sees all the doors are not standard issue, in fact they are all blast doors - the apartment is heavily fortified.
She hears a click from Vader's direction and she twists to face him just in time to watch him release his helmet from its collar as he takes shaky breaths. Casting her gaze on his eyes, her features soften and her anger starts to slip away from her as she witnesses him struggle to breathe deeply until the apartment completes its re-pressurization. She watches intently as he sets the mask heavily upon the counter, her eyes stay glued on the sinister-looking mask that sparks fear across the galaxy.
"Padme. Look at me." Her eyes jump to his, breaking her from her contemplation. "You need to be careful here. The Emperor does not tolerate disobedience."
The anger that had started to fester within her since waking on the shuttle rushes back. "Don't worry, you can be there to hold me as he 'punishes' me."
Vader frowns, "if he truly punishes you, it is not an experience you would survive."
"Because you won't protect me," she accuses.
"I can't!" he shouts at her, surprising her. Her eyes widen at his outburst and reflexively she takes a step back. Frustrated, he turns away from her trying to regain his composure. "I am protecting you, Padme, the only way I can," he rephrases, this time his words are spoken placidly.
The anger Padme feels starts to get replaced by shame, slowly she approaches him, he's still turned away from her as he stares out a pair of sliding glass doors. The veranda doesn't obscure their view of Coruscant, but she does notice a slight blue hue of a shield encompassing it, she wonders, will it hold the pressurization of the apartment? They have a direct line of sight to the old Jedi temple and her stomach turns at the memories it brings back. Darkness is falling, and the lines of traffic littering the skies grow heavier in the evening's rush hour. For a moment, she rests her hand on his shoulder, but when his back grows stiff she lets her hand fall.
"You're strong, fight back," she whispers.
He shakes his head, "I can't."
"Or won't?"
It was the wrong thing to say. He pulls away from her and brushes past her. "Make yourself comfortable," he informs her before disappearing down the hall. She hears a blast door slide open and shut and the distinctive click of a lock follows, Padme closes her eyes feeling defeated. Rooted to where she stands by the window, she watches the speeders zoom by in the distance until darkness falls and only the lights of the city illuminate the apartment.
Finally pulling herself away from the window, she looks around the apartment - her new home, it would seem. It's cold and sterile, devoid of plants or any signs of life other than her soft breathing, the white floors and black leather furniture adding nothing to the apartment's comfort. The floorplan for the room she occupies consists of vaulted ceilings, a large kitchen with a massive island that opens up into a living room, and a large table that separates the two living spaces, but it's apparent not much living has been done here - she doubts Vader has ever spent more than a few seconds anywhere here. Padme walks down the hallway Vader had disappeared through and checks each room except for one, which is locked. Padme pauses outside it, knowing Vader to be just on the other side before moving on. A bedroom and a work room is all she finds. Only the work room looks like it was ever occupied, with tools and half finished projects strewn about, warmth fills her as she soaks it in knowing this is where Vader retreats and becomes Anakin.
When her stomach complains, she realizes she can't remember the last time she ate. Returning to the kitchen she opens the fridge and searches through the cupboards, surprised to find it all freshly stocked and knows if it weren't for her arrival, it would still be empty. She smiles, taking it as a sign Vader was thinking of her, even when they were half a galaxy away. No… this is a sign Anakin was thinking of her.
A bowl of food in hand, she sinks onto the cold leather of the couch and turns on the holotv and tries to settle into the uncomfortable couch for one of her guilty pleasures - holo soap operas. One show turns to two and then three, and soon she's on a full out binge bundled in the comforter she's scavenged from the bedroom, empty plates and glasses strewn about her.
The feeling of strong arms lifting her up startles her awake and she finds herself gathered in Vader's arms, comforter and all, as he walks her down the hallway.
"When did you become such a slob?" He asks her.
Does she hear a smile in his voice? She buries her face in his chest, surprised to feel the warmth of his bare chest in place of the cold metal chestplate of his armor she hates so much.
"You don't have to carry me." Her voice is muffled against his chest and still half asleep. "I can walk," she follows up.
Padme listens to his bare feet plop along the tile. The absence of the distinct whirring and clacking of his mechanical feet and legs reminding her of the extensive synthskin surgery that he went through because of her.
"I know," he answers her. Kissing her forehead, Padme feels herself warm at the tender gesture that is so unlike the Vader she has grown used to seeing, and finds herself, inexplicably, coveting a kiss on the lips instead. No, she can't let herself feel like this - he's still Vader, he has proved it over and over again.
Her eyes flutter open and she finds herself in the room she discovered earlier. The city, once again, offers the only light to see by. Gently, he sets her down on the bed and lets the comforter fall around her, their eyes lock when it settles and his arms ripple on either side of her. On instinct and without thought, she reaches towards him, resting her hand on his cheek, while her heart skips a beat as his gaze falls on her lips. Will he kiss her? This isn't her Anakin, she reminds herself, as she stares into his yellow eyes. How many times had she wished Anakin to warm her bed since she lost him all those years ago? As he starts to pull away, she tries to ignore the pressure and moisture growing between her legs, her body betraying the desire her mind so wishes to deny… She grabs his hand, before she can double guess herself she lets desire rule over reason.
"Stay."
Still gazing into his eyes, she watches how her one soft spoken word provokes soft embers of desire to transform into flames.
"Kiss me," escapes his lips in a whisper, before he closes the distance between them and claims her with them.
Time stops and Padme feels his soft lips on hers, hesitating but a moment before passion takes over and she returns the kiss eagerly, even pulling him into her - wanting more. Encouraged, Vader carefully crawls onto her, scooping her up into his strong arms to get better access to her.
"No," she pants, pulling away.
Vader freezes, but with a frustrated groan, gets off of her.
Padme sits up in bed and faces him.
He's frowning at her, but she can see the hurt beneath the passion that is still burning in his eyes. For a moment, she loses her resolve, wanting to pull him back into bed - aching to finish what they've started. But, reason holds and she buries her desire. As much as she may want him, she can't - not with everything that has happened between them. Not with everything Vader has done.
She gets up and walks over to him, reaching out towards him. Tenderly, she places a hand on him, caressing him. He turns into it, kissing it, and she leans into him letting him envelop her into his arms. But even now, she wants to pull back, unable to forgive Vader.
"Anakin?" she utters tentatively, hopeful.
"He's gone, Padme."
Padme feels his heart beat strong, somewhere in there Anakin still lives. "I don't believe that, I can't."
Vader starts to pull away, cold air replacing where his warm body used to be.
"Accept it," are his parting words to her as he leaves the room, leaving Padme alone, a chasmic and aching sadness pervading her heart.
Disappointment fills her, Padme stares at the empty spot beside her in the bed. She could have woken up to him. Maybe it's for the best, she thinks, as she covers her eyes with her hand - what did she do? It's fine. Everything is fine, she repeats to herself as she takes big calming breaths. It wouldn't have counted if it was Anakin… loving, caring Anakin. Her stomach drops, too late she realizes that If she ever plans to coax him out of that Vader shell, she can't reject them both - or the part of him that she loves will never return to her, forever consumed by Vader's darkness. Overlook Vader, and encourage Anakin.
"Exactly," Padme says aloud, ending her little pep talk trying to justify to herself why last night's passion should have happened.
She shakes her head, trying to rid herself of guilt. Time for caf.
It's chilly, she realizes as she swings her legs out of bed. Seeing a bathrobe hanging, she puts it on and goes to the kitchen. On the way, she checks each room to see if Anakin is home. The locked door from last night is not locked, curious, she takes a peep and finds what she can only describe as a command center - with a cot set up. A cot, she expects, he used last night after leaving her room. A quick check reveals everything is locked, only Anakin can access the terminal - she shrugs innocently, she had to try.
It takes opening almost every cupboard to find the caf maker and caf grounds. Hoisting the caf maker onto the counter where she decides will be its permanent spot, she puts it to brew. Caf and toast in hand, she shivers again. Why is it so - Padme spots the curtain blowing and pulls it aside and is surprised to find the sliding door open. Remembering the curtains drawn last night, she wonders why Anakin would close them. Stepping out onto the balcony, she makes sure her robe is secured as she immediately spots two stormtroopers outside the door. They salute her and continue guard. She notices another two stormtroopers at the bottom of the steps leading off the balcony and walking to the balcony's edge, she looks over the banister and notices several speeders parked and another stormtrooper patrolling. Padme sighs, she didn't see them when she was with Anakin... Isn't his landing pad private? And are they always here when he's gone? Or because he left her alone…
Heading back inside she closes the sliding door and finds it doesn't lock automatically, well that's a good thing, she decides. No needs for locks with stormtroopers present, they're equally as effective at keeping her captive ...and safe, she supposes - despite the shields providing protection on the balcony. Breakfast is eaten in front of the holotv watching holo soap operas, naturally.
Halfway through her program, there's a knock at the door. Padme arches a brow, and stares at the sliding door. Another knock and she gets up to investigate, pulling back the curtain enough to see who it is, she finds Marsden on the other side. Promptly, she opens the door and invites him in.
"What a surprise," she smiles at him.
"Temporary relocation. Just got in this morning," he answers her obvious, but unspoken question.
"Oh. Well, I'm glad to have a familiar face about," she shares, to which he nods agreeably.
Observing he's holding a bag, she watches as he sets it on the counter, and pulls a datapad and comm out.
"I'm actually here on the Emperor's behalf."
Padme cocks her head at him questioningly.
He lifts up the phone and datapad for her to see, "Apparently, he felt you'd need these as the newest galactic senator."
"Oh," she says, accepting the comm unit from Marsden. "I suppose I do."
He brings her up to speed, basically onboarding her with her comm frequency and other important, but dull administrative information on her new role.
Marsden points at the comm, "someone from the palace will reach out to set up a meeting with the Emperor, so keep it close." Marsden pauses, as if debating to tell her, "and… careful how you use those. Your calls and messages are being monitored."
Padme drops the comm on the counter, of course they are. "What do I have to hide?" she asks Marsden with a forced smile.
"Uh, huh," he grunts, knowing she's full of it. "You're the ideal Imperial wife," he remarks.
He's teasing her, Padme realizes and laughs. "You make sure you follow his lead," she returns good naturedly.
Marsden gets serious. "My wife is a loyal citizen, she realizes the peace and prosperity the Emperor has brought to the galaxy," Marsden chides.
Padme lets out an exasperated sigh and rolls her eyes, does she engage? "The Empire has destroyed democracy and freedom - for what? A false sense of peace? Wiping out civilizations to silence them is not what I would consider prosperous."
"There is still democracy, the very senate you now belong to its beaming beacon," Marsden states sarcastically.
Padme scoffs, "you can't be serious? It's a gesture, nothing more. It has become a mere shadow of its former potential, any real legislation that it produces shut down by the Emperor. Ask yourself why, Lieutenant."
"You haven't served in the Imperial Senate, you have no idea of how it operates. Maybe as a senator, you will be able to provide some leadership to those bumbling fools. They'd think twice about crossing Vader's wife, and we could pass some meaningful legislation."
Padme's eyes widen, he has a point. The Emperor's angle illuminated to her, or at least his desire for her to serve as senator. It's not about the influence she had, but the influence she'd have as Vader's wife. The Emperor's executioner. If they know she's Vader's wife, and they cross her, they would fear retaliation from Vader. Any immunity they were afforded possibly stripped in a personal vendetta. "No." Padme shakes her head. "They will not find out I am Vader's wife."
"How will you explain living with him?"
Padme looks out the window at the stormtroopers patrolling the apartment. "For what it is, captivity." Sharp eyes meet Marsden's, "believable and true."
"Your marital status has already been leaked. It won't be long until rumors spread."
"A bunch of stormtroopers spreading rumors? I've seen their schedule, they don't have the time," she counters cooly.
Marsden shakes his head, crossing his arms, "they aren't the only ones that can spread rumors."
Is that a threat? She stands there a moment, digesting his cryptic response, "I'll deny it."
"And when the Emperor or even Lord Vader confirms it? What then?" He asks her.
Padme shrugs, uncertain. "I'll deal with it then," she finishes lamely.
Marsden looks at his chrono, "I'm afraid I have other places to be. It's been a pleasure, Padme."
Has it? But Padme chooses to be agreeable, and sees him off politely. Marsden now gone, Padme looks around the cold apartment and debates how she'll spend the rest of the day while she waits for the Emperor's dreaded invitation. Marsden's news concerns her, the last thing she wants is to strengthen Palpatine's hold over the galaxy. She needs a distraction… maybe she'll test the limits of her freedom, a stroll perhaps.
Since she's on Coruscant, it's finally time she dresses the part of senator. In fact, anything less would look sorely out of place in the fashion capital of the galaxy. So she chooses a more elaborate dress, styles her hair in side-buns, and adorns it with a pretty chain that flaunts a pendant on her forehead. It's not as extravagant as how she would be styled by her handmaidens, but it works. Lastly, she grabs a cloak and raises the hood, she'll travel incognito and if she's recognized, so be it. It won't be long until she makes her debut, and if she's going to be recognized, she'd rather be the one to break the news. In fact, maybe that's not a bad idea at all…
Dutifully, she grabs her new comm on her way out, steps out onto the balcony, and stares expectantly at her stormtrooper guards. "I'm going for a stroll," she lets them know, stepping towards the steps leading to the speeders.
"We'll accompany you, my Lady."
As she suspected they would propose… "I'll be fine, I'd just like to do some window shopping."
"You're not to leave the premises unattended."
She didn't think she would have the freedom to leave the apartment unattended. But it still irks her to confirm it. Part of her was hoping things would have changed after last night... "Then attend me… you can follow."
"I'll have to clear it with Lord Vader."
Padme grits her teeth with frustration, but tells him to proceed. The stormtrooper steps aside to do so and Padme walks down the steps and onto the landing pad, too antsy to stay still.
"Hold there," the stormtrooper warns her as she approaches the speeders.
The other stormtrooper catches up and informs her, "follow me to the docking bay," he gestures back towards the apartment and away from Anakin's landing pad, "we can take a transport shuttle."
No doubt to fit a troop of stormtroopers with her. Absolutely not, "I'll take a speeder," she points at the parked speeders. "And if you need to send a battalion of stormtroopers with me, you can do so, but it will be separately."
"I'll have to clear it with Lord Vader," the stormtrooper repeats.
Padme rolls her eyes, thinking fast, "do you think he'll take kindly to being disrupted once more on such a trivial matter? I am his wife - his interest lies with my protection," she gambles on how much Anakin has briefed them on the extent of her custody. "A separate bodyguard escort will be more than enough."
The stormtrooper looks hesitant, before deciding it will be alright on one condition, "I'll call for a driver."
Padme waves him away, "I'll drive."
The stormtrooper asserts himself, "I'll drive."
"Fine," she agrees. Whatever. Better than waiting on another to get there, the last thing she needs is for Vader to arrive and decide to take her himself and scare everyone away on her stroll.
Padme stares at the speeders, they're all flashy, and knowing Anakin - they're all fast. They're all two seater coups and all of them black, except for one little yellow one. Padme decides to get in and the stormtrooper follows.
"Where to, my Lady?"
"Coco Town," she says out of habit. Wait, no… "actually, Embassy Mall." Let herself be seen, she decides. She likes the idea of controlling her debut.
The engine hums to life and they zip off into the sky. As they approach Embassy Mall, Padme spots a familiar building, it's the senate apartment complex of the Naboo embassy. Curious, she leans closer, trying to get a better look at the penthouse suite that used to be hers, wondering who inhabits it now - but it was still too far away to see anything meaningful. Maybe she should drop by, after her stroll.
Landing at a docking bay outside the mall, she heads towards the promenade and starts to peruse the storefronts, every once in a while heading in to see a dress she likes. The first time she enters a store, her pack of stormtrooper guards try to follow her in. She quickly shuts that down, managing to convince them to send only a few, thinking it a bit ridiculous to fill up a store with stormtroopers.
Always having to decline the salespeople when asked if she'd like to try on the piece she is admiring, deciding there's no point if she couldn't purchase it however much she likes it, she decides next time she sees Anakin she'll have to ask him for a charge card. When she had been forced to fake her death, the majority of her funds had been inherited by her parents, but she had managed to salvage a portion of her fortune and hide it in an escrow hoping for a life after the fall of the Empire where she could come out of hiding. Now that she was alive, she would be able to claim the credits and access them without raising any alarms.
Hmm. Padme stands outside a homegoods store. She steps in and starts to admire the beautiful furniture, even sitting on a few. Gorgeous and comfortable, nothing like the greel wood cold leather sofa she had been forced to use while binging her holo soap operas. How she would love to replace it with something like this.
A primly dressed handsome saleslady walks over to her and points at the couch she was sitting on, "like what you see? We're running a sale this week in honor of Empire Day."
That was still a month and a half away! Typical capitalist marketing, the next holiday seemed to start as soon as the last one ends. Padme politely declines with a little white lie, "I'd love to, but I seem to have left my charge card at home."
The saleslady is really staring her down, now, and Padme tilts her head to the side, is this woman going to kick her out? Maybe she needed those handmaidens to style her after all.
"Are you… no, can't be… you died. I watched your funeral on the holonet."
Oh… Ohhh. "Well, here I am." Padme takes off her hood. "I thought it would be better to lay low for a while," she adds, hoping it will be enough to keep any harder questions at bay.
It works, the saleslady nods her head, pretending to understand, "a lot have done the same." And then starts to look around. "Well, you know what, my Lady… if you give me an address to send an invoice to, you are more than welcome to make any purchases today. I trust you to be a person of your word."
Padme looks at her, surprised. Well… it would be nice to redecorate Anakin's lifeless apartment. "Do you have plants?"
"Not many, but a few. They're over by the paintings. Would you like me to show you?"
Hmm. "Actually, if you wouldn't mind - maybe you should walk with me. I'd like to remodel an apartment."
The saleslady grins, her eyes lighting up greedily - she's about to rake in a lot of credits today. "Certainly," she nods.
Aisle by aisle, section by section, Padme picks out this and that. All the pieces are beautiful, all the pieces are elegant. From curtains and curtain rods, to paintings, plants, couches, armchairs, bed linens, and even bedroom furniture… Padme goes all out, not a room or area of the apartment to be neglected.
When she's done, they go to the register and the lady pulls out a sheet of paper and pen. "Where would you like this sent?" The saleslady looks at her expectantly.
Padme turns to the stormtrooper directly behind her, surely he'd know the address to Anakin's apartment. The stormtrooper heeds her silent prompt and answers for her, "Vader's Palace."
The saleslady gasps, and Padme closes her eyes, couldn't he have a normal address like anyone else? No, of course not. "Yes, Vader's Palace," she confirms, trying to maintain a sense of nonchalance about it.
"Oohkay," the saleslady nods, not bothering to write the location down, but to Padme's relief no follow-up questions to the big reveal. She coughs nervously, then asks, "would you like help with set-up - or...?" The saleslady looks at the stormtroopers with her, as if they might be the one to do that for her.
"Please," Padme nods. "And… if you could deliver today - I'll pay extra for the effort."
"Umm." The saleslady looks nervously between the stormtrooper and Padme, the saleslady's demeanor becoming more timid knowing she was in direct contact with the infamous Lord Vader. "Yes, I could make that happen," she answers apprehensively.
Padme thanks her and leaves the store, maybe a little faster than she would have normally. Tired of walking about, Padme decides to go. After the interaction with the saleslady, she's kind of glad no one of importance had recognized her, Padme decides maybe it's for the best that no one did - because that was awkward. She'll have to think more about how to let the galaxy know she's alive again and her unique circumstances, as she's still unquestionably certain she doesn't want it to be at the Emperor's, or even at Anakin's discretion.
Flying back, Padme remembers she wanted to make one last stop before returning to Vader's Palace, hopefully the new owner of her former home on Coruscant won't mind her popping in. She tells the stormtrooper to stop by the Naboo embassy and they land on the docking bay for the penthouse suite, which is surprisingly packed - did they make the landing platform larger? She takes the steps to the veranda, where she gasps - there's tables, and people dining at them! Occasional laughter, light clinking of silverware on plates, and the soft murmuring of well-dressed sophisticated diners fills the softly lit veranda. The fairy lights and just the right level of orchestral music as a backdrop add to the romance of the restaurant. They made a restaurant in her former home!
A handsomely dressed lady in all black walks up to her, eyeing the stormtrooper with her, "Welcome to the Naboo Queen," the hostess greets kindly. Padme's eyes widen as she realizes the restaurant was in her honor. "Will you be expecting company, or will this be a table for one? Security can wait over there," she nods to the side where several other tough looking well dressed men stand, assuming correctly Padme's stormtrooper companion is her security detail.
Padme notices the troop transport land on the docking bay, there certainly won't be enough room for her security detail... Worriedly, she watches as the stormtroopers start marching up the steps and the seated guests start to take notice until the room is quiet and all eyes are on her. "Could you tell them to stay below," she asks anxiously to her stormtrooper companion.
The diners start to quietly whisper amongst themselves as they look her way, making her self conscious. This was a bad idea, and wasn't exactly how she had envisioned her debut. Getting cold feet she contemplates leaving before it's too late. A room full of the creme de la creme of Coruscanti society, she recognizes several politicians and diplomats. They must surely be nervous at the sight of an armed Imperial troop intruding their quiet evening in an establishment she's willing to bet saw few, if any, stormtroopers.
Uneasily, she starts to apologize to the hostess, "I'm sorry, I have to g-"
Too late.
A man wearing a suit steps in, looking like he saw a ghost, "Do you know who this is?" The man asks the hostess gravely. "This is Lady Padme Amidala," he explains, disbelievingly.
"But she died…" the hostess protests lamely.
"Apparently not," the man chastises her. If he is wondering how she is alive he doesn't mention it, which she's grateful for. It seems, people faking their death have become fairly popular under the new Empire. "Step aside," he orders the hostess under his breath. The well dressed man turns to her, "excuse us, my Lady, we never thought we would have the pleasure of laying eyes on you again, much less having the honor of the first time being here, with us." He gestures towards one of the tables on the veranda, "Please, this way. Let us treat you to a meal -" Padme starts to protest, but he cuts her off. "I'm the manager here, and I can honestly say that it would be our pleasure."
What can she say, but thank you? Padme accepts, vowing to herself she will send a check for their hospitality, he asks her if she would prefer inside, but she rather enjoys the ambiance on the patio. Throughout the meal, various guests drop by her table to greet her and to pay their respects. Several times she's asked where she's living or other personal questions she's not ready to answer yet, and she tactfully redirects to avoid answering them. This isn't the right environment for answering those bigger questions, she decides.
When she's done, the manager returns to see her out, "I hope the meal was to your satisfaction?"
"The wine was divine, the dessert decadent, and the meal delicious. You have truly done me a great honor. Your restaurant is magnificent."
Down below, a shuttle lands and she notices a camera crew, droids, and other gadgets being hauled out. The manager looks at her, a frown on his face, "I am so sorry, let me get rid of them. It looks like one of the guests has invited HoloNet News."
Padme puts her hand out, stopping him, "It's okay, I think I'll speak with them. Thank you, again, for a wonderful evening."
When she gets down to the landing platform, one of the anchors approaches her, "Lady Padme Amidala, I didn't believe it until they sent me a picture - even then, I didn't think it could be true. If you could spare us a few minutes, we'd love to ask you some questions."
Padme looks past her, seeing the Imperial logo on the shuttle. How much can she get away with saying before it would be censored, she wonders. HoloNet News had become the Empire's propaganda machine and she knew it to be heavily censored.
"Sure, I have a few minutes to spare."
"Great, just a moment."
She waits as the camera crew gets ready - setting up the camera droid, casting the feed to their datapad to monitor the recording… Finally, everything is set up and they begin.
"I'm your host, Rita Shumer, and I'm outside the 'Naboo Queen' restaurant on Coruscant, former residence of the Senator of Naboo with a very special guest, someone whom, until now, we all thought was dead. I'd like to be the first to reintroduce her to the galaxy - before we tragically lost her, you all knew her as Queen Amidala and then Senator Padme Amidala." Rita turns to Padme and the camera focuses on her. "Welcome back Senator-" the news anchor frowns, and lets out an embarrassed laugh, "sorry, old habits - I suppose it wouldn't be senator anymore, would it?" she says jokingly.
Padme interrupts, taking the opportunity that she's presented, "Thank you Rita, for the kind reintroduction. I'm pleased to be alive and well, not everyone has been so lucky during this transition of power that has occurred almost four years ago next month." Too much of a jab at the Emperor? Padme quickly changes topics, "actually, I'm pleased to announce I will be reclaiming my position as a senator of the Imperial Senate."
"How wonderful, could you tell us which sector you will be serving? Will it continue to be the Chommell sector as before?"
"Unfortunately, I don't have that information for you, yet. In fact, I've just found out myself that I'd be returning to the Senate not too long ago, and as you can imagine with my 'resurrection'," Padme air quotes, "there are still plenty of details to sort out. But I can tell you I am happy and thrilled to serve not just the sector I will be assigned to, but to all across the galaxy that are struggling for representation and a voice in these challenging times." Padme tries to refrain from being too critical… if she doesn't say anything too bad about the Empire, hopefully they won't bother censoring her - at least that's the plan. "Transitions are hard, by their very nature it's a tumultuous process," she continues. "I'm hoping, with the help of my diplomacy within the Senate, the Empire and its citizens can find peace and prosper," she finishes strongly - definitely treading the line between 'democracy is the answer', without saying so, and maintaining the guise of supporting the Emperor. Hopefully, those that have been hurt by the Empire and need to hear it will know she's on their side.
"I can honestly say - we will eagerly await your appointment. As a household name, that means you must have done many things right over your many years of service. So when you died, the galaxy mourned. Could you tell us why you faked your death?"
This was the question she dreaded, what can she say? "Well, as you probably know… When I opposed the Military Creation Act, an attempt on my life introduced me to the Jedi Order, which I was forced to have as my guardians. Unfortunately, they became intricately tangled up in my life and when the conflict between the Jedi and the Galactic Empire arose, I was thrust into grave danger. The only way to survive was to let the galaxy believe I was dead. It broke my heart to do so," she finishes solemnly. And every word was true…
"Might I ask, why come out of hiding now? Do you now believe yourself safe from the few remaining Jedi?"
"I will never be safe, but I don't believe the Jedi would hurt me. You see, Lord Vader found me not too long ago, and he has vowed to protect me." Padme wrings her hands, "in fact, he has provided me with a private security detail of his best stormtroopers," she points to the troop and the camera pans to them before returning to her. "And I have the unique privilege of residing in his palace where he can ensure my safety, unfortunately, for the foreseeable future - I will always be in danger. Hopefully, one day soon we will see a safer tomorrow and we can all breathe freely - and as senator I will do everything in my power to see that day come sooner."
"The Emperor has certainly done a good job of that so far, and it will be nice to have you in the Senate with that same goal. Lord Vader and the Emperor once again prove their loyalty to their constituents, Lord Vader's patronage during your troubling circumstances is proof." Padme has to stop herself from rolling her eyes at the HoloNet News anchor's customary Galactic Empire propaganda they are so famed for. "From all of us at HoloNet News, we are glad you took the time to share with us - welcome back to life, Senator Amidala." Rita turns back to the camera, "you heard it here first on HoloNet News, your trusted news source."
The spotlights shut off and Padme blinks, adjusting to the change in light. The camera crew starts packing up and Rita thanks her again for the interview before returning to her shuttle.
That went well, Padme decides feeling empowered that she got to choose how to narrate her situation with the notorious Vader. Hopefully, Anakin won't think too much of it… Apprehensively, Padme returns to the little yellow speeder and her stormtrooper driver takes off and they return to Vader's Palace. When they get there, she sees a large freight shuttle waiting to dock on the little landing pad. Hopefully they haven't been waiting too long. She rushes inside to make sure Anakin isn't home before informing her guards to allow the freight shuttle to land. Greeting her guests, she asks if they can remove Vader's old furniture first, which luckily isn't much, before unpacking the new furniture and decorations.
Inside the apartment, Padme directs the men where to place everything. Luckily they brought hovering droids, which she eagerly directs with all the new artwork and decorative shelving that she bought, and their placement on the tall walls. She helps arrange decorations and knick knacks throughout the apartment, including new towels in the bathroom, and furry rugs in the bedroom and living room. After several hours of hard work, the apartment is unrecognizable - Padme beams proudly, it could belong in a magazine. The men that did the delivery and helped her setup leave, but not before giving her the invoice - which she sets on the counter.
Now alone in the apartment, Padme changes into a gorgeous silk nightgown and christens her new couch. Sinking into it, she sighs in total content - now that's what a couch should feel like. Padme turns on the holotv and is at total peace, until of course, Anakin comes home.
Padme twists to face him, he looks like he's about to yell at her, finger pointing in her direction, when suddenly he stops to look around the room, presumably just noticing the complete transformation of his apartment.
After completing a quick scan of the apartment, he focuses on her again. "Completely unnecessary," he chastises, picking up a knick knack from the counter for emphasis.
Padme shrugs her shoulders and walks over to pick up the invoice. "You said to get comfortable," she rebuttals, placing the invoice in Anakin's hand, which he reluctantly accepts.
He looks down at the paper. "I see," he responds drily, presumably responding to the amount this cost him before setting it down on the counter.
Padme walks over to the remote and switches off the holotv. "I'm going to bed," she informs Anakin and starts to walk away.
"Turn around," Anakin commands.
Padme ignores him, she's not his to order around.
"Turn around," Anakin growls this time.
The hairs on the back of her neck rise, maybe she should listen. Heeding the warning in his voice, she decides to turn around. She crosses her arms, a slight pout on her lips.
"I saw your interview, it was both foolish and arrogant," he reprimands as he wags his finger at her.
Oops - she had a feeling he wouldn't like it, and she can see that she was right.
"The Emperor will not be pleased," he warns.
Padme gets heated, and lets him hear it, "is that all you care about, his feelings? Let him choke on them. I made it clear I will not be his puppet, and if he thinks I will let him use me, and my personal connection to you as a way to intimidate the other senators into submission - well… he can watch my interview again." Padme crosses her arms petulantly.
"Do not think a few well spoken twisted words will do anything to weaken the credibility of the Emperor if he decides to invalidate you. The only one to lose credibility will be you," he conveys severely.
"I'm not trying to contest his credibility." Vader places his hands on his hips, "well, yes, I suppose I did do some of that in the interview… But what I mean is, I'll be much more useful to him if I can control the way I approach this senate appointment. I don't think I would be able to be effective with our marital status tarnishing every action I take and word I speak." Padme takes a calming breath, "I think I would be most effective approaching this my way."
Vader walks up to her, his large body looming over her. "We shall see," he intones ominously, and a chill runs up Padme's back.
Padme's comm decides to ring then, disrupting the moment, she looks at Anakin warily, then answers.
"The Emperor will meet with you tonight," a stern voice informs her.
So much for tomorrow… It seems she'll find out what the Emperor thinks of her interview sooner than anticipated.