Dinner Party
Raven stepped out of the medical bay in the Jedi Temple, his body was still sore in some places but he would rather be anywhere but in the med bay for much longer. As he began walking down the corridor Stret and Gav came around the corner ahead of him.
"Raven you're out," Gav said in astonishment.
"Yeah well it's not as bad as everyone is making it out to be," Raven responded stoically.
"Correction mate it was actually really bad," Stret said in a serious tone and then Raven tried to argue back, "You had pieces of shrapnel sticking out of your chest which was all torn up mind you."
Raven frowned deeply and stubbornly retorted, "Again not that bad."
Stret and Gav exchanged a look with each other before looking back at their friend, "You were unconscious and almost bled to death," Gav pointed out.
Raven groaned, "Yeah okay I get it but I'm good now; the only things left are scars," he added confidently.
"What did the healers tell you?" Stret asked wondering if the Jedi Healers who had worked on his friend had told Raven anything about his injuries.
"What does it matter?" Raven inquired trying to avoid the question, "Anyhow I need to go find my Master so I'll catch you guys later," he said as he walked away.
Stret and Gav watched Raven walk away before disappearing around the corner with concerned looks on their faces.
"It must be pretty painful if he's acting like this," Gav said.
"Knowing Raven like I do, he'll be going to any lengths to hide the pain and act like nothing happened," Stret stated.
"I think I know who he is trying to avoid, wait until Jania finds him," Gav whispered so that only Stret could hear and then the two teens laughed as they continued on their way.
"So why exactly are we going to a dinner party Master?" Ashlyn inquired curiously from the back seats of the speeder.
"Well Padme is hosting it and she invited Obi-wan and I, and I thought you three might like to come along," Anakin answered in amusement.
"Who's going to be there?" Daly asked.
"Well more than likely it will be only a few other Senators," Anakin said as he looked quickly out of the corner of his eye at his former Master for only a split second before he looked back out at the traffic.
"Wow that sounds totally boring," Ashlyn stated confidently.
"Tell me about," Kai said from his seat on the other side of Daly, "I don't particularly miss all those parties I had to go to before I came to the Temple," he added in a sour tone.
"Oh, ricorda quanda noi puckleberry dans le ictus," Ashlyn said as she laughed, speaking in native Nabooian so only Kai could understand.
Kai laughed heartily, "Divérsis."
"What happened?" Daly asked.
"Don't worry about it just know that everyone's tongues became so swollen that when they tried to speak in Nabooian they ended up sounding like-," Kai started.
"-Aiwhas," Ashlyn finished for him as they both cracked up laughing again.
"At least we know who to blame if something goes wrong," Obi-wan pointed out to Anakin trying to be secretly hoping that nothing would go wrong.
Anakin grinned, "Nothing will go wrong Master, will it you guys?" he asked the question to the three Padawans in the back.
"Don't worry Master," Ashlyn said, "I actually like Padme and I wouldn't do anything to spoil one of her dinner parties," she added.
Kai nodded in response and agreement with Ashlyn.
It was not much longer before they arrived at the apartment that belonged to the respected Senator Padme Amidala and upon getting out of the speeder Ashlyn stuck close by to her Master.
"So what's the real reason Obi-wan is here?" Ashlyn asked curiously.
"I don't know what you mean by that, Tiger," Anakin replied acting all innocent.
"Oh come on, it's so obvious you have an ulterior motive for dragging him along with us, Obi-wan hates politics even more than you do," Ashlyn reminded her Master that she wasn't thick or stupid.
"Shh, I would rather him not sense something else is going on other than the obvious," Anakin said as Padme approached them.
"It's nice to see you could all join us," Padme greeted eagerly and then she led the way into the apartment, "R2 and 3P0 are just finishing dinner now," she added.
"So what did you need R2 for?" Anakin asked curiously.
"A heap of political stuff, thank you so much for allowing me to borrow him," Padme replied gratefully.
"Sure no problem, I survived the battle on Mustafar with another droid but I would have preferred R2," Anakin said casually.
"So where are the other guests?" Ashlyn asked Padme curiously.
"They should be arriving shortly," Padme said as if on cue as the doorbell rang and 3P0 walked out of the kitchen and to the door.
"Mistress Padme your guests have arrived," 3P0 announced as four people entered the main living area. The guests from the Galactic Senate included Chancellor Bail Organa, Senator Riyo Chuci, Representative Jar Jar Binks, Senator Mon Mothma, Senator Lux Bonteri, Senator Orn Free Tarr and Duchess Satine Kryze. Within fifteen minutes the room was now filled with all the guests including Ahsoka Tano who arrived shortly after Lux Bonteri. When Duchess Satine entered the room she saw Obi-wan, then frowned deeply before acting like he didn't exist and greeted everyone in the room except for the older Jedi Master.
Obi-wan gave Anakin a look that could only be equalled to a glare as he walked out of the room and onto the balcony and the other Jedi Master followed.
"Anakin, I know what you're trying to do," Obi-wan said accusingly.
"Okay I'm sorry but Padme told me how miserable Satine has been since you faked your death and we both think it is time for you both to move on," Anakin pointed out.
"Jedi aren't allowed to form attachments, the Council might have given you and our Padawans permission Anakin but my duty is to the Jedi Order," Obi-wan stated very plainly, "And Satine's duty is to her people," he finished in finality.
"Master if there is one thing I know about that rule is that the Council can't stop you having friends outside the Temple walls," Anakin pointed out slightly aggravated.
Obi-wan was about to retort back when he saw R2 rolling out of the apartment and he frowned slightly confused, "What is wrong with R2?"
"What do you mean 'What's wrong with R2'?" Anakin demanded and when Obi-wan pointed to somewhere behind him he turned around.
Anakin's jaw dropped as he saw that someone had painted flower petals around R2's resin eye, "R2, who did that?" he asked after he got over the shock.
R2 made a few beeping sounds as one name came into Anakin's head, "Ash," he growled as entered the apartment leaving a snickering Obi-wan to follow him slowly.
"Wow, that was ages ago when I did that Master," Ashlyn said in amusement when Anakin confronted her about the state of his astromech droid, "And you only just found out?"
"So it was you who did it?" Anakin asked for confirmation.
Ashlyn and Kai exchanged a look before both Padawans nodded their heads with amused smirks on their faces.
"Wait, both of you did that?" Obi-wan inquired incredulously as he pointed at R2 who had just entered the room with a tray of drinks.
"I wondered how that got there. When Captain Typho arrived back here after picking R2 up from the Jedi Temple I thought it was odd," Padme commented.
"Quant Senadora Amidala," Kai greeted in Nabooian.
Padme smiled upon recognising the Padawan had been born on Naboo like Ashlyn and she could have sworn he looked familiar from somewhere.
"Quant jeune étudiant," Padme replied back and then it connected in her head, "You're Minister Zapalo's youngest son?" she asked for confirmation.
"Yes my lady," Kai confirmed with a smile on his face, relieved that the Senator was able to even say that he was the youngest boy out nine brothers even though he was the only one who was taken in by the Jedi Order.
"It is nice to see you again after all this time," Padme said, "Excuse me," she added as she walked over to Duchess Satine to start up a conversation with her long-time friend.
"That is amazing, I had a feeling she was thinking I was one of my brothers," Kai stated in amazement.
"How many brothers do you have?" Daly asked curiously with a quirked eyebrow.
"I'm the youngest out of nine, well when I left Naboo I was; not totally sure if my parents had any other kids after me," Kai said thoughtfully.
"If everyone could take their seats in the dining hall, dinner is about to be served," 3P0 announced to the occupants of the room and everyone followed the directions given to them and sat down at the table. The room was silent as everyone ate their appetisers and maintained small talk amongst each other. Satine spent most of her time talking to Riyo and Ahsoka who were sitting on either side of her and trying to avoid looking opposite her where Obi-wan sat. Everyone could feel the tension between the Jedi Master and Duchess of Mandalore but it wasn't until dinner had been served that it became visually obvious.
"I hope you have been well Duchess," Obi-wan said, trying to start a friendly conversation with her despite the Duchess's attitude towards him.
"Yes, very well thank you," Satine replied stiffly, "Excuse me for a moment," she added as she rose from her seat and left the room.
"Okay, is it just me or is there something going on between Master Kenobi and Duchess Satine?" Lux mentioned to Ahsoka quietly.
"I wouldn't worry about it Lux," Ahsoka said, "Satine is still upset with Obi-wan after he faked his death for a mission during the Clone Wars."
"Well I don't blame her then cause if you ever did that to me-," Lux stopped mid-sentence as Ahsoka stopped him with a look.
"In case you have forgotten I am not supposed to be in a relationship with anyone," Ahsoka reminded him, "And if my Master finds out about us we will both wish we were dead," she added as she gestured lightly towards her former Master who was at the other end of the table.
"You aren't his Padawan anymore," Lux said promptly.
"Yes but he is on the Jedi High Council-," Ahsoka started but Lux interrupted her.
"And he's married to a Senator which would make him a hypocrite," Lux pointed out.
"Which again has been approved of by the Jedi High Council," Ahsoka said promptly ending the argument with the upper hand.
Daly watched the short exchange between his Master and the Duchess curiously wondering why there was so much tension between them.
"Master?"
"Yes, Daly?" Obi-wan asked his Padawan.
"I don't mean to pry but were you and the Duchess ever-," Daly stopped upon seeing the look his Master was giving him.
"That was a very long time ago," Obi-wan said, "Besides she doesn't want to talk to me," he added with a miserable look on his face.
Daly sat there in silence for a few minutes and then rose from his seat, excusing himself as he left the room. It wasn't long before he found Duchess Satine in the sitting room; she was standing at the window looking out at the Coruscanti traffic outside.
"Duchess Satine," Daly greeted softly and she turned to face him, "I don't mean to intrude but what happened to cause you to hold a grudge against Master Kenobi?" he asked softly.
"You must be his new Padawan," Satine guessed.
"Yes, my name is Daly Solak," Daly introduced himself.
"Obi-wan sent you to talk to me?" Satine asked almost accusingly.
"No he didn't," Daly said, "My Master is someone who would rather endure the situation than try to resolve it."
"Endure?" Satine inquired curiously.
"Whatever it was, I am sure you can put it aside and come to some sort of agreement with him-," Daly started but Satine interrupted him.
"Your Master faked his death and told no one close to him that he was actually alive and safe," Satine explained harshly, "Then he returned and expected everyone to just forget what he put all of us through."
Daly frowned slightly in confusion, "I am sure that my Master did what he did because it was necessary. Did you ask him why he faked his death?" he asked.
This question stumped the Duchess and for once she had no answer and realised her own mistake, she had just assumed it was Obi-wan trying to attract attention.
"If you'll excuse me I should get back to the party before everyone becomes suspicious of my disappearance," Daly graciously said as he exited the sitting room and took his seat once again. The Duchess had possibly come to the same conclusion as she re-entered not long after him and her eyes immediately fell on Obi-wan who looked completely miserable and bored which caused Satine to giggle softly under her breath.
It was a few moments before the Jedi Master realised he had eyes on him and when he did notice discovered the owner of those eyes. Satine smiled slightly and turned and left again almost immediately but at a slower pace than the last time. Obi-wan excused himself, complaining about needing fresh air, causing Daly to chuckle a bit.
"Daly?" Ashlyn asked curiously with a quirked eyebrow.
"Don't worry about it," Daly whispered and then mouthed three words that were all too familiar to both Padawans.
"Satine," Obi-wan said both anxious and excited about what was going to happen.
"Obi," Satine replied fondly like she had always greeted him before the incident that caused the rift between them.
"I see your new Padawan is just as intuitive as Master Skywalker was," Satine praised in an impressed tone.
"Yes well he is not a typical Padawan like most are," Obi-wan said and then there was a long pause of silence, "Please Satine, I had to do it for my mission otherwise-," he started to beg forgiveness from the Duchess but she stopped him softly.
"Obi, you faked your death regardless of whether it was for a mission or not you could have at least informed me that you were alive," Satine said desperately.
"Believe me if I could I would have but the Galaxy needed to believe I was dead without a doubt," Obi-wan said desperately hoping for her to understand.
"Skywalker's Padawan and your Padawan are in love, aren't they?" Satine inquired.
Obi-wan frowned slightly from confusion as most people did not even make the connection between Daly and Ashlyn upon meeting them for the first time especially at a dinner party like this one.
"Oh please Obi, they look at each other the same way we used to when we were younger," Satine pointed out as she gestured to somewhere behind Obi-wan. The Jedi Master turned around to see the two Padawans standing side by side as they talked to Senator Chuci and Chancellor Organa.
"Yes they are with the permission of the Jedi High Council," Obi-wan said in an almost longing sort of way as he looked back at Satine.
"Duchess, it is time to go," a Mandalorian guard announced as he entered the room.
"Very well," Satine responded as he left them alone, "I hope to see you again shortly Obi," she added as she walked past Obi-wan.
"Until we see each other again Satine," Obi-wan said in farewell.
A/N: Yes as you might have guessed I am a big supporter of Obi-wan/Satine. I know in canon Satine dies but this was all written before that happened and I couldn't bring myself to change it. Don't worry this won't be the last you see of these two.
Ashlyn Dubreas.