Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars or any other material referenced in this story.
A/N: 2020 has been a Year, but I'm quite pleased that I have this chapter written and proofed in time for Christmas. Enjoy the fluff and affection and may you all have a blessed, safe, and Merry Christmas! - 12/25/2020
Time-line: one year and seven months after Naboo.
Chapter 10: Mayar Christmas Two; Electric Boogaloo
It was December and Padme was stressed. She was still getting reports of damages from the blockade nearly two years ago and the Gungans weren't being integrated into the politics of Naboo as smoothly as she had hoped. Her terminal chimed and, with a heavy sigh, she turned to see what new alert had come through. "Dear Padme,
I hope this email finds you well, it's been a while since you've dropped by. I've been busy myself, working at Dex's Diner and training with Obi-Wan and Anakin. Funny story, Obi-Wan came over to my apartment complex for a spar, took one look at the gym, and declared that it was, 'deplorable and I will not step foot in it.' Snob, am I right? Still, it got me in the Jedi Temple! And now I've got a standing invitation to use their training rooms so long as I aid in the training of Padawans or the occasional Initiate. Free sparring partners~! That was about... seven months ago though. I know being a Queen is a full time job and you're likely ridiculously busy but... we'd really appreciate seeing you. Maybe I can convince Yoda to send Obi-Wan and Anakin on a meditative retreat to Naboo... then I could make my own way out there... and we could come visit you! Only if you have the time to spare, obviously. No interstellar incidents for me please~! So, when you have a spare moment...
Help me plot~? Christmas is coming up you know. December 25th? Be a good time to take a break~!
Miss ya,
Rae." Padme stared at the short message, re-reading it twice, before she smiled. Maybe a visit from friends was just what she needed. A look at her calendar had her grimacing. There were so many engagements and meetings and appearances she had to attend to for... the rest of the month. Still, she hadn't lasted this long as Queen of Naboo by being a pushover. Captain Panaka was called in alongside her Handmaidens and together, they began to plan for Rae's Christmas.
"I admit, I'm a bit curious about this Christmas Rae wrote about," Sabé said, looking back at the message Rae had sent.
"It's a lot like Life Day," Padme answered, "though it also sounded a bit religious? Last year, Rae read to us from a book she called the Bible about a baby named Jesus and said that the exchanging of gifts is symbolic of the gift God gave the world through Jesus, who was his son. After that, she did give us a wry smile and add that the holiday had a complicated past and that those who didn't believe in her religion still celebrated it but it was more a celebration of life and capitalism. To be honest, I didn't understand all of it but she was happy and it was an enjoyable experience." The Handmaiden hummed as she worked through her stack of obligations and reports.
"Think I could join? If they're coming here that is," she asked casually. Padme smiled at her, setting aside a completed file.
"Sabé, one of the few things I truly understood about Rae's Christmas celebration is that it is meant to be shared with family and friends. You are my friend, Sabé, and I'm sure Rae will welcome you with open arms. As I understand it, her current circle of friends includes me, Jedi Knight Kenobi, and Kenobi's apprentice, Anakin. As Jedi have no family and Rae's are lost to her..."
"So you'll be taking them to your family's home?" Sabé asked, looking up. Padme frowned, then shook her head.
"I don't know. That will have to be in my return message," she said. Sabé nodded and the office fell into companionable silence.
/*/
Rae sighed after having sent off her message to Padme. It was ridiculous, she knew. Padme was a Queen! Sure, she'd dropped by a few times in the first seven months as she worked from Coruscant, and yeah she'd agreed to a Christmas party, but she was still a Queen! A Very Important Person with Very Important Business to attend to. The chances that she'd drop even a few things to read and respond to her message were low and the chances of Padme adjusting her schedule were lower still. Rae shook herself and tugged on a pair of sturdy boots she'd bought for herself before heading to work. It was going to be a long day as she was scheduled to work as both a waiter and, once the clock ticked over to Night, a Bouncer. As she maneuvered her speeder, which she'd obtained shortly after earning her license, through the air-lanes she couldn't help but think of her place in the galaxy. In a little under two years, she'd gotten pretty far. She had an apartment, a steady job, a pilot's license, a friendly relationship with Obi-Wan and Anakin, practically free access to the Jedi Temple's training rooms, the beginning of a weapons collection, gained training under a Jedi Shadow, and she might even have the beginnings of a friendship with Yoda. Padme could also be counted a friend, but Rae had a feeling their friendship would be weaker than with the Jedi. By the time she was pulling into her parking spot, Rae was beginning to realize that she was going to need to re-evaluate her plans for the next eight years. The door swooshed open ahead of her and the sounds and scents of the diner pulled her out of her musing. "Rae! You're early!" Dex called. She smiled at her boss and pulled on her apron.
"Needed to get out of the apartment and didn't have time to go for a spar at the Temple," she said. Dex chuckled and waved her toward the kitchen.
"Then you can help me out here," he said. She grinned and fell into a rhythm, loosing herself in the work.
/*/
Obi-Wan sighed as he watched Anakin stumble for the third time in the last half hour. "Anakin," he called, but the boy ignored him, continuing to struggle with the exercise Obi-Wan had set him. "Denshi," he tried again. This time the boy paused for a moment, glancing over, before going back to the exercise... before falling over completely. "Clearly, you're either grossly distracted or it was too early to show this to you."
"I'm fine," Anakin grumbled, clambering back to his feet and staring pointedly away from Obi-Wan. The Knight sighed and tripped his young apprentice.
"No. You're not," Obi-Wan said firmly, gazing down at the boy with an even expression. "What is bothering you?" Anakin sighed and turned to his Sensei.
"It's nearing the middle of December and Rae's been... distant," he said. Obi-Wan sighed, but couldn't argue the point.
"She has been a bit withdrawn lately," he said instead.
"Do..." Anakin paused and looked away. "Could we... go... Christmas shopping?" Obi-Wan stared at his apprentice for a moment, causing the boy to shift uncomfortably, before he smiled.
"Why not. A Christmas celebration would not be amiss," he said, grabbing his outer robe and prompting his apprentice to do the same.
/*/
It was a welcome surprise to come home to a message from Padme with days she would be free. Rae beamed and sent messages to Jazz, Obi-Wan, and even Blon, asking if they would be able to make it out to Naboo for one of the given days. Messages sent, she decided to run through some stretches and then work on the coding Blon had given her during their last meeting. As she was sitting down with an after-workout cup of tea to work on her coding, she saw that her friends had all sent her a reply. Happily, everyone would be able to make it out to Naboo for the twenty-third of December. Grinning, Rae swiftly relayed the information to Padme before settling down to think of what she could gift the important people in her life.
/*/
Jedi Shadow Blon Dellian had been training the odd Human girl who'd shared her premonition of doom with him for five months and truly enjoying it. She had a unique outlook on the galaxy around her and carried such a heavy burden and yet, while Darkness lingered within her, the Light burned strong within her as well. A part of the Shadow was disappointed that she was not sensitive enough to the Force to be considered by the Order for he felt she would have made a great Jedi. Receiving a request to meet with Rae and a select group of others for a cultural celebration intrigued the man enough to accept. The Healers still wanted him on light duty and didn't trust him enough to let him go back to the Council of First Knowledge for a new assignment, so there was no issue. This speech of gifts though... he pondered this. An exchange of meaningful, or useful, items between members of a group. It seemed much like Life Day to Blon, but seemed to carry a different significance for his odd student. Well, he had credits enough to buy something for her, but that seemed almost... trite. He looked around his sparse quarters and grimaced. Nomadic by nature, he had no items of any great value and no extra materials. He sighed and decided he would, indeed, need to purchase something. And then there was the factor of Kenobi and his Padawan as well as the current Queen of Naboo and a mechanic from the middle city potentially being in attendance as well. Thankfully, Rae had spoken of her friends often and at great length enough for Blon to have a basic understanding of their natures. What worked as a gift for Skywalker should work well enough for Jazz, and Kenobi was a stalwart Jedi Knight with a liking for literature and tea. Much as Rae was, the Shadow noted with some amusement. And the Queen... what does one give to a ruler of an allied planet? This was a problem that would require meditation.
/*/
Finally, all preparations were complete and the six met at a lake house on Naboo, presents in tow. Rae had arrived just behind Padme and almost immediately began baking and cooking. When Obi-Wan and Anakin arrived, the two women waved them out to the living room to place their gifts under the tree and wait for the others. Jazz was bemused to find the Jedi pair crouched by the small pile of gifts, whispering about what might be hidden behind the colorful paper, while his student and a young lady he assumed was Queen Amidala laughed in the kitchen. The old mechanic was interested in the story behind how his rough and tumble student knew the Queen, but resolved to simply ask Rae later. There was spiced tea to drink and a pair of Jedi to tease!
/*/
Hearing Jazz start poking fun at Obi-Wan and Anakin for crouching like gremlins, Rae's smile grew just a little wider. "You mentioned two new people would be coming," Padme remarked lightly. "Which one is this?"
"My flight instructor and owner of my preferred garage, Jazz," Rae answered. "He helped me and Anakin fix up Claire, though... it took him a while to accept that Anakin really was a genius when it comes to mechanics." Padme gave her a side long look.
"Are you sure it was Anakin's skills he was struggling with and not the way you two bicker?" she asked. "I've heard the two of you occasionally. It's quite entertaining but also a little disconcerting." Rae huffed and shoved the ham into the oven, signaling that cookie baking was done for the moment.
"He got over it eventually. That's what counts. And besides, if you can't handle my sass you'd best step aside and leave me be 'cause I ain't changing," she said, carrying a tray of cookies out to the waiting men. Seeing her coming, they all smiled and the Jedi reached for their favorite cookies, shortbread and chocolate chip, while Jazz took one of the Welsh cookies. "Well, now we're just missing Blon," Rae noted.
"What a new feeling, to be missed," Blon's level and slightly teasing voice commented, causing Rae to spin in surprise.
"Master Blon! How long have you been standing there?!" she exclaimed, part of her wondering why she hadn't heard his Song before. The Shadow smiled gently at her and moved to set down the packages in his arms beneath the tree.
"Only long enough to hear your comment on sass, Rae," he said. "I find your personality... refreshing. The Order could use more with your sense of self." She laughed and offered him the tray.
"Cookie? They shouldn't have anything you're allergic to in them," she said. Knowing of, and trusting in, her Intuition, Blon took a shortbread cookie and bit into it.
"What an unusual texture," he remarked after swallowing, looking at the pale confection in his hand with a look of pure bewilderment. Obi-Wan smiled at the other Jedi.
"A treat from her home world," he said. "You should really try it with some Earl Grey. The flavors pair wonderfully." Blon nodded toward the young Knight, feeling himself relax slightly in the younger man's presence.
"Well... thank you all for working with me to celebrate Christmas," Rae said, setting the cookie tray down. "It... means a lot to have you here. Christmas is a holiday for family and friends, a time of peace and good will so strong it has paused wars and healed relationships. Even those who regarded it as little more than a time to make a profit or get something nice from another recognized the love and warmth of the holiday. Many... holos... released around this time of year back home were romantic comedies about a workaholic or otherwise hardhearted person finding that special someone who would draw out their softer side and make them a better person. So... yeah. Having people to spend this day with in the absence of my family truly means a lot to me. Thank you." Blon took in her earnest expression, the emotion thick in her voice, the Light in her Force presence, and then observed how the whole room seemed to glow in the Force. He smiled and moved to lay a hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you, for including us in such a personal day," he told her. She laughed lightly and pushed him back toward his seat.
"Are you going to read the Christmas story again?" Padme asked. Rae hummed, then pulled out her Ipad and read the account of the Three Wise men. When she was done, she set the tablet aside and pointed to the top of the tree.
"The star atop the tree is a symbol of the star that lead the Wise Men to Bethlehem to welcome the King of Kings to the Earth. Just as they found the ultimate gift beneath the star, we place our gifts under the star... or something like that," Rae said. "There are many stories regarding the tree and it's decorations but really, it looks pretty and over time the ornaments we hang on the tree take on their own meaning and develop their own stories. Some of the glass ornaments we would put up on my grandmother's tree had been passed down from my great-grandmother, and there was a set of wooden ones that my parents bought when my sister was young. Both of us played with them as children and many of them were a little worse for wear when my brother came along. And with at least one cat who liked to climb the tree, glass ornaments at my parents' house was a bad idea." The Light was still strong, Blon observed, but the warmth seemed to dim as a deep sorrow welled up within his unorthodox student. He looked to the tree she had no doubt done her best to decorate with what she had.
"I think they would be proud of you, for moving forward," he said. Rae gave him a wry smile.
"Even knowing that does not make the loss hurt less, Blon," she told him. "Imagine the entire Jedi Order, everyone you ever knew, wiped away in an instant to be replaced with a whole new galaxy."
"Rae," Obi-Wan said, laying a hand on her shoulder. "I know it hurts, but Blon is right. They would be proud of you. You've made a life for yourself, found friends to support you, and now... you're sharing an important part of you life with us. You're remembering and honoring your family while moving forward. That kind of strength is to be commended." Rae sighed and turned into the young Knight's hold, hiding her face in his robes.
"It still hurts, Obi-Wan," she muttered. He sighed and rubbed her back.
"I know," he said softly before motioning to Anakin to grab their gift to her. "Come now, Anakin and I have something for you this time." She looked up, eyes a little red but thankfully clear.
"You do? Obi, Ani, you know your presence is enough for me," Rae said, though she accepted the medium sized package Anakin handed her.
"Well, Anakin couldn't focus properly until we'd bought it," Obi-Wan said, drawing a weak laugh from the woman who had sunk to the floor to open the gift. She pulled four rolls from the box along with...
"Is this an unfilled punching bag? With the hardware to hang it from the ceiling?" she asked.
"Yes, though we can get you a stand, if you'd prefer," Obi-Wan said. Rae beamed at him, then looked at the four small objects she'd put aside with new understanding.
"And these must be... hand wraps! Obi-Wan, Anakin, thank you! Now I just need to find the proper space to set this up," she said, looking back at the punching bag as she placed the hand wraps back into the box. "Now for my gifts to you." She stood and pulled two gifts from the small pile and handed them to the Jedi. Obi-Wan pulled out a rather large box of tea and a book on caring for bonsai trees while Anakin received a book on engineering and a box of mechanical scraps. The look of glee on his face was priceless.
"Thank you, Rae," Obi-Wan said, setting the gifts aside.
"You're welcome~!" she sang before handing another gift to Padme. The young Queen ripped away the paper to reveal a small plastic box with another box inside, this one covered in switches and rockers and buttons.
"And what might this be?" Padme asked, looking at it quizzically.
"A fidget cube, for when you can't look down at your rubix cube," Rae answered. "I wasn't sure if they existed in this part of the galaxy, but lo and behold, they do! So I got you one." Padme chuckled and set it aside to give a slight bow of gratitude to the older woman.
"Thank you. This will be quite helpful," she said, then reached out to pass Rae another package. Grinning, the baker ripped the paper off to find a book on traditional Naboo martial arts. Even Jazz and Padme could have sworn the woman started sparkling with joy before the young queen was tackled to the floor in a hug. "You're quite welcome," Padme gasped out, patting Rae on the back as the woman continued to spew thank yous. A few moments later, and Blon found himself receiving a gift. Hoping it would be something immanently useful, the Shadow opened it to find a small charm.
"I know you're a nomad by nature, so I thought something small to remember me by would be best," Rae told him. "There's also a data chip hidden inside it. Ya know, just in case." He smiled kindly at her, slipping it into his pocket.
"Thank you, Rae. I'll treasure it," he told her before using the Force to direct his gift over to her. She chuckled at the modified data-pad that she knew would be almost as effective in the hands of a skilled splicer as an astromech at any technological feat.
"Thanks, Blon," she told him, setting aside the Star Wars equivalent of Thieves' Tools to pass Jazz his gift.
"A new polish kit?! Rae, you shouldn't have," the gruff mechanic said. Rae shrugged.
"I noticed a few of your brushes were looking a little extra run down, so I decided to lend a hand," she said. Jazz huffed, but gave her a smile and tossed her his own gift. "Hum? A decal kit?" she asked, looking it over.
"That FT-7B Clarion of yours needs some fresh personality," Jazz said, turning away slightly. Rae laughed and put the kit in the box with her punching bag.
"Thanks, Jazz. I appreciate it," she said. Padme then gifted Obi-Wan a meditation ball, receiving a table top fountain in return. Anakin got another box of scraps from the queen and gave her a new chain for her Jaspor snippet. Jazz hadn't brought gifts for everyone and Padme hadn't known what to get for him, but everyone seemed alright with that. Blon, however, gifted the mechanic a rather nice wrench and Anakin a book on starfighter systems. While his apprentice was excitedly digging through the book, Obi-Wan was surprised to find that the older Jedi had procured a book he'd never read for the occasion.
"Thank you, Blon," Obi-Wan said, accepting the book. Blon nodded, then passed the queen a gift as well.
"Where did you find this?" she asked, pulling the fine cloak out of the slim box it had been packed in.
"One can find just about anything on Coruscant... if one knows where to look," the Shadow replied cryptically. Rae smirked into her tea, having a feeling he'd reached out to some shadier contacts to get that particular garment. Of course, she would say nothing on the matter. Gifts passed out, tea drunk, and cookies consumed, it was time to lay the table for dinner.
/*/
Blon pushed back from the table with a content sigh. "Compliments to the cook," he said, drawing sounds of agreement from around the table. Rae and Padme grinned at the praise while Anakin got up to gather the dishes. If he used a touch of the Force to help him, no-one said anything.
"This was wonderful. Thank you all for taking the time to come to Naboo," Padme said, bowing her head to them all. "I needed the break from my duties."
"Figured," Rae said with a grin. "You responded all too quickly to my message." Padme blushed faintly while the others laughed lightly. "Honestly, all of you responded rather swiftly."
"Anakin was worried about you," Obi-Wan said, receiving a swat from his scowling apprentice.
"And Obi-Wan missed you." he said. Blon shrugged.
"I was intrigued and needed to get out of the Temple," he said.
"Eh, mostly the same for me," Jazz added. Rae just blinked at them before shaking her head and yawning.
"Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I need sleep," she said. Padme stood with a smile.
"You're free to stay here. I'll show you to the guest rooms," she said before turning to the rest of the guests. "You're all free to stay the night," she added, just to be sure. Rae chuckled and walked off with a lazy wave.
"I can find em on my own, thank you though. Good night," she said before vanishing into the depths of the house.
/*/
The next morning, Rae cooked a full breakfast for everyone and insisted they sit down and eat it before rushing off to wherever they felt they needed to be. Padme, Obi-Wan, and Anakin needed no persuading to sit down for the meal, but Jazz and Blon needed a little convincing. "Sit," Rae finally said, pointing to the table with flinty eyes and a chef's knife held threateningly in her hand. Deciding it wasn't worth it to truly anger her, both men sat. Rae nodded... then flicked the knife at the table, the tip landing between the two men with enough force that the large knife remained upright, if quivering.
"You shouldn't have argued," Anakin said dryly, Obi-Wan nodding beside him as he sipped a cup of his new tea.
"Rae is not one to be underestimated," the Knight remarked. Blon hummed and Rae returned with two cups of tea which she set beside her two teachers.
"Drink it before it gets cold," she ordered with a smile before vanishing back into the kitchen to prepare their plates. Jazz immediately wrapped his hands around the heated porcelain of the mug, waiting for it to cool to a reasonable temperature, while Blon eyed the mug for a moment before lifting it to breathe in the fragrance of the tea leaves. It had a delicate scent, with a hint of floral and citrus.
"Earl Gray," Jazz muttered beside him, causing the Shadow to turn toward him. "Rae's favorite, and likely the blend she has the most of on hand. I just hope she didn't make it too sweet. That woman has one heck of a sweet tooth when it comes to her teas." Blon hummed and took a cautious sip.
"Honey?" he asked, looking down into the deep amber liquid. Jazz hummed.
"And sugar. She only adds one spoon of honey and like I said, she's got a sweet tooth for tea," he answered, drawing nods from the rest of the group. Blon hummed and took another sip, savoring the flavor and warmth of the drink while breathing in it's delicate scent.
"Have I made another convert?" Rae teased lightly, walking up with two plates of eggs, bacon, and toast.
"It's not a blend I've had before, but it is... enjoyable. Thank you," Blon answered. Rae grinned at him as she laid a plate before him.
"Good. I'm glad you like it. Don't let the food get too cold either! Cold eggs are kinda nasty," she said, finally sitting down to her own meal. Pleasant conversation flowed around the table and one by one, the guests finished their food, removed their dishes, and made their good byes. Rae smiled as her friends and mentors parted ways, then sighed and packed her gifts away in her fighter.
"Have a safe flight," Padme called. Rae laughed as she clambered up into the cockpit of the battered Clarion.
"Of course, your Majesty. May you have safe travels as well," she called back before the dome closed over her and the young Queen was forced to step back as the ignition sequence was initiated. All in all, it had been a wonderful Christmas.