Chapter Three

"A Friendly Faux-Pas"

My preference for arriving at these types of events was to be a little bit early. Not too early, in case there was no one to speak with. Not late, because I don't like drawing that much attention to myself. A perfect time would be during the arrival of everyone else so that I could mingle about, not stand out, and find friends and colleagues I could have a decent conversation with.

I was, in fact, involved in a rather interesting debate with Senator Burtoni from Kamino regarding the expansion of a Grand Army of the Republic through the training of clones. I tried to avoid such potentially hot topics like this in public, but she approached me, and I had no choice but advise her against an increase in military spending at this time. I was just about to share some economic statistics with her when Dormé crept up behind me and whispered in my ear.

"The Jedi have arrived."

Immediately, my eyesight shot to the rear entrance of the conference room where I noticed a crowd of brown-clad warriors filing into the room. First, I spied Ki-Adi Mundi, then Mace Windu, Adi Gallia, and a few others, my heart rate increasing with each recognition until one particularly handsome and bearded face came into view.

Turning back my attention to my political opponent, I smiled and bowed my head curtly. "Perhaps now is not the time or place for such a debate," I advised. "Surely, we can use this opportunity to enjoy ourselves."

The head atop of her long white neck cocked to one side. "We shall bring this up again on the Senate floor, I have no doubt."

"No doubt," I repeated her accurate prophecy and excused myself quickly. "Ugh!" I complained to Dormé. "I can't stand that creature! She's so narrow-minded."

"Kaminoans are a greedy lot. She's only thinking about her wealth, not the safety of Republican citizens."

"You've got that right," I agreed, taking my friend's arm. I smiled at a few party-goers, specifically trying to catch the eye of a certain Jedi Master, although he seemed to be in a heated discussion himself.

"I wonder what's going on over there?" I mumbled out loud.

"Whoa," Dormé exclaimed. "I'd hate to be on the receiving end of that lecture. I don't think I've ever seen Master Kenobi look so upset before. I can't imagine what his apprentice did to cause such a scowl."

"Indeed," I replied. I imagined training a Padawan was difficult enough without having to deal with the Chosen One. Whatever the hell that meant. Rumor around the Senate was that Anakin had been too old to be brought to the Temple and taking him on as an apprentice was risky.

Thankfully, the squabble hadn't lasted long, although Obi-Wan still looked peeved. Anakin, on the other hand, was smiling, and if I wasn't mistaken, he was looking directly this way. Of all the nerve!

"Doesn't he have any respect for his Master?"

"Huh?" Dormé responded. "Oh, I'm sure it was just a minor disagreement. Everything will be fine."

Her reply was spoken a little too confidently. I was about to ask her what she knew about it when the notification bell rang and everyone took a seat. Dormé had befriended Anakin some years ago when I had invited him over for dinner to share a few old stories. She and the young man hit it right off, which offered me some relief. I had worried how difficult Temple life would be for Anni since he didn't know anyone his age and they had most likely already established their friendships.

Senator Amedda, Vice-Chair to the Chancellor stood up as he did every year to give a rather long-winded and overly detailed speech about all the hard work that went into this year's gala, pointing out specifically each member of the Transition Gala Committee by name. Even though we'd been told it was best to wait to applaud until the end, a few would applaud at the announcement of each name, and after that, there was no escaping it. As his booming voice began down the list of the dozens of participants, Dormé made a noise to get my attention.

"Obi-Wan still doesn't look happy, does he?"

Most of the Senators had taken a seat in the amphitheater, although the Jedi usually opted to stand at the back. Some complained that their participation was marginal, but my argument was that I was pleased they came at all. Surely, they had better things to do than sit around and congratulate strangers on their decorating style. But Dormé was right. Obi-Wan still didn't look pleased to be here.

"Maybe you should go over and improve his mood. You know, brighten his day."

I glanced at my friend sideways as if she'd lost her mind and whispered back. "In the middle of Amedda's speech? Are you crazy? He'd call me out in front of everyone for interrupting him! I'd be mortified!"

"Okay, okay!" she replied. "Calm down. As soon as it's over then. Just walk over to Obi-Wan and tell him how glad you are to see him. Smile and bat your eyes. Just be your lovely self. He'll appreciate it."

I turned my head and gazed at Dormé suspiciously, placing my hand over my mouth to appear more discrete while talking quietly. "Are you playing matchmaker tonight?"

"Aren't I always?" she answered back before we were shushed by none other than Senator Burtoni who just so happened to be sitting two rows behind us.

"Shush yourself!" Dormé loudly whispered back. "I just missed what he said!"

I pinched Dormé on the arm to try and shut her up. She grunted in response but at least held her tongue. That is until the crowd began applauding the Light and Sound Committee which was when she started up again.

"You have to speak with him as soon as this is over. Don't wait."

"Why not?" I answered while clapping loudly. "There'll be plenty of opportunities tonight to speak to him."

"Because it's all about the timing! Right now, he's isolated and unhappy. You have to strike at just the right moment or all my hard work will be for nothing."

All her hard…what?

"Dormé?" I uttered as my pulse rate tripled and my face turned red. "What have you done?"

I had accidentally said the last words with much more ferocity than I had intended and at the exact same moment the applause had come to a halt. All eyes in the room - all five hundred or so pair of them were directed at me. I wanted to frantically crawl under my chair and never come out.

"Don't mind us!" I was horrified to hear Dormé exclaim rather loudly. "Just a slight misunderstanding. Carry on!"