Leia didn't like it. It was the first time anyone had ever sent her flowers and they were from Moff Tarkin of all people. It was an exceptional bouquet, she had to admit that much, it probably cost the Moff a thousand credits. The flowers were from at least a dozen planets, some of the blossoms she'd only ever seen in holos.
But seriously? Grand-Moff Tarkin sends his regards. It didn't make sense. Yes, she was here at the Imperial palace because of him. Because of a stupid prank. Now somehow, overnight, he was the highest ranking fleet officer answerable only to the emperor himself? Because of her? She really didn't like it.
She longed to send a holo message to her father, but what could she say? The emperor had said it was a secret that she was Force sensitive. That she mustn't tell her parents. She settled for rewatching the holo they had sent her yesterday.
The holo showed both of her parents, looking much as they had last time she had seen them, smiling at her fondly. Her mother spoke first, "Leia, I cannot express how glad we are that you are doing well on Coruscant. Please do be careful." Then her father addressed the camera, "Leia, I am so proud of you, my daughter. I will see you soon, at the reopening of the Senate session."
She had played it several times. She felt like her parents were looking right at her. She was glad her father would be on Imperial Center soon, for she desperately wanted to see him. Maybe, just between them, she could tell him what had happened yesterday? He would be surprised, but surely he would be even prouder of her for having such a rare skill?
When Venn arrived for the day, she was not alone. There were troopers in the hall beyond the entrance. She gave Venn a questioning look.
"Nothing to be worried about, Highness, just some added security." Venn said dismissively. "Oh look, what a lovely flower arrangement!"
Leia felt sparks of irritation, especially when Venn gasped at the inscription. "Grand-Moff Tarkin? Huh."
Venn wasted no time inputing an inquiry at the Holonet station. "Newly appointed as the first Grand-Moff for services to the Emperor. How informative." Her tone was very dry. She smiled at Leia, "You have friends in high places, Ma'am."
Leia frowned. Wilhuff Tarkin was her arch enemy, not her friend. "I didn't know there was a title higher than Moff."
Venn smirked, "He's the first one. I wonder what services to the Emperor means…"
Leia shut her mouth. Palpatine had said Tarkin had found him a treasure. Had he meant Leia? It certainly seemed like that at the time. As soon as Venn left her alone she was going to trash those flowers, no matter how rare they were.
Mara showed up a bit later, looking as flushed and excited as she had yesterday. "Get ready, we have a session with Lord Vader."
"Again? We were with him yesterday." Leia asked doubtfully.
"Yes. Please get ready, we don't want to keep him waiting."
Leia changed into her black outfit, matching Mara once again. But, before they left her rooms, she had an irresistible idea.
"I need to borrow your lightsaber." She told her friend.
Mara gave her an uncertain look but handed over her unlit blade. "Try not to cut off any of your limbs, or mine."
Leia lit the lightsaber and stabbed her enemy with relish. The flower arrangement sizzled and smoked and burned. Leia sighed in pleasure and returned the weapon to her friend. "Now we can go."
Leia was probably fooling herself, but it felt like Darth Vader was looking at her differently now. His mask had no expression of course, and his tone betrayed nothing. It was just a feeling she had.
He sparred with Mara first, their live blades clashing and sparking across the room. Then it was Leia's turn.
But they didn't spar. Instead he showed her the lightsaber katas. The katas were a series of movements to train her muscles for lightsaber combat. Mara followed along, clearly familiar with the forms. Leia could feel the Force around them, it was like they were swimming in it. She imagined a lit saber in her hands, cutting through a real life Grand-Moff Tarkin. She felt herself smile. Maybe someday, now that she had the Force, she would do the same thing to him as she had to his horrid bouquet.
"You must practice these forms every day, Leia." Vader told her, "And meditate as I showed you yesterday. You must become strong in both body and mind."
Leia bowed, "Yes, Lord Vader."
It felt like Vader was staring at her again. She shifted uneasily.
"I am... glad you are here." He said slowly, then turned and strode from the practice hall.
Jade stared at her wide-eyed, "That was weird."
Leia nodded, "He's 'glad'?" She had only met him a few times, but she didn't think 'glad' ever described Darth Vader's mood.
Jade shrugged, "Let's lift weights so you can 'become strong in both body and mind.'" She imitated Vader's rigid diction.
Leia giggled. "Good idea."