Chapter 22 – Eventful meetings
I'm back to writing from my vacation. So, in this chapter: Lilo's meeting with Padmé on Coruscant. Let's get to it.
"Text like this" means normal conversation. "Text like this" is people thinking.
The conversations on Shili are in Togruti and the conversations on Coruscant are in Basic (English).
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General point of view
Ahsoka and her family were gathered in the main spaceport of Corvala, the capital of Shili, to wave Lilo off. At their mother's request, Ahsoka and Lilo had practiced a bit with the blaster she had. Now, it was time for Lilo to depart to Coruscant.
"Well, good luck with your meeting dear." Their father said. "Thanks dad." Lilo replied. "Your first official meeting as a Senator, it seems like yesterday when you decided that you wanted to become a Senator." Their mother said. "I know, I'm pretty excited." Lilo said with a nervous chuckle. Ahsoka sensed her slight unease. "Don't worry Lilo, I'm sure it will be fine. You've spend plenty of time preparing for this." Ahsoka told her sister. "And besides, Padmé is very kind. I'm sure you'll get along just fine." She said with a smile. Lilo nodded. "You're right, thanks sis." She replied. "Don't mention it." Ahsoka said. "Oh, but can you do me one small favor?" she asked. Lilo looked a little surprised. "Uhm, sure. What is it?" she replied. "Not much, just don't tell anyone that I made this." Ahsoka said as she patted her new lightsaber. "I'd like to show it to others myself later." She explained. Lilo nodded. "Sure, I won't tell." She replied. Ahsoka smiled and nodded as well. "Give us a call later, tell us how it went." Marina told her sister. "Okay, I will." Lilo replied. An intercom announced that her flight was about to depart. "Well, I have to go." She said with a small sigh. After giving everyone a hug Lilo boarded her flight. Ahsoka and the rest of her family went to the observation level and watched as the flight departed. When the ship was out of sight Haymish turned to his family. "We'd better get back home now, it's getting quite late." He told them. "Yea, you're right dad." Marina said as she looked at her daughter next to her. Rosette had insisted that she wanted to come along and see Lilo off, but it was a bit too late for her. She was still standing, but her eyes were half shut and her head was drooping a bit. Marina chuckled a bit and gently picked her up. After that the family went back home.
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The next day
Shili, Tano residence
Ahsoka was practicing in the garden with her lightsabers. Merely having the weapons doesn't always mean that you know how to use them. Her mother and Marina were sitting outside watching her while Rosette helped their father in the kitchen.
While Ahsoka was practically dancing all around the garden, Marina couldn't help but notice something. So when Ahsoka stopped for a moment, she decided to ask her about it. "Hey Ahsoka?" Ahsoka shifted out of her combat stance and relaxed a bit. "Yes Marina?" she replied. "Well, I just noticed that you're moving a bit slower than when you trained a few days ago. Is something wrong?" Marina asked. Ahsoka smiled. "No, nothing's wrong. I'm just being a little cautious about this." She replied as she gave her lightsabers a small wave. This confused the other two Togruta a bit. "I thought that you said that you used two lightsabers before?" her mother asked. Ahsoka deactivated her lightsabers and moved towards them. "Yes, that's true. However, I carried a shoto before as a second blade." She replied. "Uhm, what exactly is the difference? I don't really know much about Jedi weaponry." Marina said. "Oh yeah, sorry." Ahsoka chuckled. "There are a few different ways of building lightsabers. You can use different types of hilts and also crystal combinations, this can result in different forms of the weapon. A shoto is basically a normal lightsaber, only both the hilt and the blade itself are shorter than that of a regular lightsaber. It's sort of a lightsaber short sword." Ahsoka explained to them. "I see, so you had one normal lightsaber and a smaller one beside that?" Marina asked. Ahsoka nodded. "That's right, one of my original weapons was a shoto, so a shorter blade. Now, I have two, well, 'regular' lightsabers." She said as she gestured at her weapons. "Both blades are now the same size. I have to take that into consideration when I use them. My previous fighting style was based on using a normal lightsaber and a shorter blade. If I fight exactly the same now as I did before, I'll be making the same movements bit this time with a longer blade. This could result in, well, me accidently cutting my own arm or leg off and I'd like to avoid that." She said plainly. "You could do what…?!" her mother reacted shocked. Ahsoka looked at her mother. "Don't worry mom, I'm not going to make such a stupid mistake." She replied. "I've turned down the intensity of my lightsabers, they're not harmful now. You didn't think that younglings who never held a lightsaber before would be allowed to train with an actual lightsaber, did you?" she asked. "How do they train then?" Marina asked curiously. "Younglings use training sabers with a low blade intensity. Those weapons can't be turned up any higher. A training lightsaber is still the same as a normal lightsaber in terms of build and use, but the worst it can do is sting. It hurts to be hit by one, sure, but you won't suffer any real wounds, just some scratches and minor burns, nothing too serious." Ahsoka explained. "I see, and that's what you did with your sabers too, right?" her mother asked. Ahsoka nodded. "That's right. A normal lightsaber like mine can be adjusted in blade intensity. On the normal settings it can be used for actual combat and you can turn it down for training. That way, you can practice with your own weapons without actually hurting yourself." She replied. She looked at Marina. "That's also why I'm moving a little slower, so that I can adjust my fighting style to using two lightsabers." She told her sister. Marina smiled. "I see, that makes a lot of sense. I hadn't really thought about that. Those weapons can do a lot more than I first thought." She replied. "That's definitely true, it's uses can also vary depending on the person using it." Ahsoka said. "But like so many other things, it's important to keep practicing." She said with a smile. "That's true." Her mother replied with a somewhat relieved smile, knowing that Ahsoka wasn't going to take any unnecessary risks.
At that moment Rosette jumped outside with an happy giggle. Marina turned around and looked at her. "Hey sweetie." She said as Rosette ran up to them. "Hi mommy, grandma, 'Soka." She replied excitedly. "Grandpa and I finished cooking. Come and see!" she said with a smile. "Okay, let's go." Marina replied. Ahsoka and her mother chuckled for a moment before they got up and followed Rosette inside.
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Coruscant, residence of Padmé Amidala (Skywalker)
Senator Padmé Amidala was sitting on the couch in her residence in the Repuclica 500, waiting on the new Senator of Kiros. She wondered what she would be like. She only knew a few things about her that the now ex-senator of Kiros had told her: her first name is Lilo, she a Togruta as well but she was a lot younger. However, the former Senator had good faith in her and didn't doubt that she would make a fine Senator. Padmé was looking forward to meeting her. Right now, her only concern was what was happening in her apartment right now.
She looked up and sighed. "Anakin, leave Threepio alone." She told her secret husband. Anakin had arrived some time ago and right now he was muttering to the protocol droid he had once build. "Threepio?" she said, trying to get the droids attention. "Yes, milady?" he responded, cautiously turning away from Anakin. "I'm expecting my guest soon. Could you wait at the door and let her in when she gets here?" she asked. C-3PO nodded. "Of course milady." He answered and moved to the entrance of the apartment. Anakin walked up to the couch she was sitting on. "I'm sorry Padmé, I'm just a little bit on edge lately." He said as he stood in front of the couch. "I understand Anakin, I'm worried about her as well." Padmé replied. Anakin looked at his wife. He wasn't able to fool her. She knew just how he felt. "The last thing I heard about Ahsoka was that she had been seriously injured while trying to save the princess of Shili." He started pacing around. "I haven't heard anything since and it's getting pretty frustrating." He said in a slightly annoyed tone. "I know just how you feel. I miss her as well and I can't help but feel worried." Padmé replied in a kind tone. "But don't forget, she's a very strong girl. With everything she learned from you, she'll be able to take care of herself." She said, trying to ease his worries a bit. Anakin kept pacing. "I know that Padmé, but still… it's difficult to stop worrying without knowing her condition." He replied.
At that moment C-3PO walked back in. "Excuse me, miss Padmé, Master Anakin, it seems that your quest had arrived." He said. "Ah yes, thank you Threepio." Padmé replied. C-3PO bowed and stepped aside. A teenage Togruta with orange skin, blue-white striped lekku walked in. She was wearing a long purple dress. Both Padmé and Anakin looked at her in slight shock and confusion. There was something very familiar about this girl, but they couldn't really place it. As soon as she saw Padmé sitting on the couch and Anakin walking a bit closer to her she laughed a bit. "What's so funny?" Anakin asked slightly annoyed. "Nothing Master Skywalker, it's just that you're acting exactly like she said you would." The girl replied. "Like who said?" Anakin asked again. Padmé decided to interfere before Anakin did something stupid. "Master Skywalker, don't worry about it." She said as she got up from the couch. "My name is Padmé Amidala, I'm the Senator for Naboo. It's nice to meet you." She said as she walked up besides Anakin. "Likewise Senator, however, she also told me a few things about you." The Togruta replied with a grin. Padmé was a little taken aback by this. "Who told you what exactly?" Anakin asked in a cautious tone. "I don't know who she is, but I don't like this. How does she know us?" He thought to himself. The Togruta chuckled a bit. "Ahsoka did." She replied. Anakin and Padmé were both completely surprised by her answer. "What…?" Anakin asked, not sure if he had heard her right. "Ahsoka told us quite a few things about the two of you." The Togrua replied, smiling at his reaction. "Who are you? And how do you know Ahsoka?" he asked. "My name is Lilo." She replied. "Lilo Tano. Ahsoka is my younger sister." Anakin stared in disbelief at the girl. "Ahsoka's sister?" He looked at her face a bit closer. "She really does look like Ahsoka." he thought. Lilo smiled as she walked up a little closer to them. "Ahsoka told us a lot of stories about the two of you. It's nice to meet the two of you in person." Lilo said. "I didn't know that Ahsoka had a sister." Padmé replied. "It's nice to meet you as well." She said with a smile. Padmé walked up to Lilo and shook her hand. Lilo smiled and nodded. After that she turned to Anakin. "And before you ask, Ahsoka is doing fine." She told him. This seemed to ease his mind quite a bit. "Thank you." He replied as he shook her hand as well.
They moved to the living room and sat down. C-3PO had brought some drinks. "So, Ahsoka is on Shili, with you and the rest of your family?" Anakin asked. Lilo nodded. "That's right. We were all quite shocked to suddenly see her at the doorstep. Nevertheless, we were all really happy to see her again." She replied. Anakin nodded. "I'm really glad to know that she's somewhere safe." He said with obvious relief in his voice. "The last thing we heard about her was that she had been injured while trying to rescue the princess of Shili. How is she doing now?" Anakin asked. "Don't worry about her, she's almost completely recovered. Princess Vashee made sure that she had the best medical care available." She explained to them. "Her wounds have already healed, but she still needs some time to recover her full strength." Lilo said. Anakin nodded. "I see." He replied. Padmé looked at Anakin, he was smiling a bit again. She smiled as well, Anakin finally seemed to be more at ease about the whole situation with Ahsoka. "I'm glad to hear that she's doing well." Padmé said. "After everything that happened to her, we were quite worried for her safety." She told Lilo. "Yeah, we were pretty shocked as well when she told us what had happened." Lilo replied. "But Senator Lux Bonteri helped her out quite a bit and because of his help Ahsoka found her way back to us." She explained. "So Bonteri did know a lot more…" Anakin said with a hint of annoyance in his voice. Padmé gave him a look that caused Lilo to chuckle silently. "But as long as she's fine I guess that alright." Anakin continued. Padmé sighed. "You'll never change." She said to Anakin. "I can clearly see that Ahsoka was quite accurate in describing you." Lilo said with a smile. Anakin turned to her. "And how did she describe me then?" he asked a bit curiously. "Arrogant and overprotective." Lilo replied. "What?!" Anakin half yelled, causing Padmé to laugh. Anakin looked at her with annoyance. "I'm just kidding Master Skywalker, Ahsoka spoke very highly of you. You have no idea how much she appreciates all that you've done for her." Lilo said when Padmé stopped laughing. Anakin quickly realized that she had been messing with him. He couldn't help but smile when Lilo told him the truth about what Ahsoka had told her family regarding him.
Before Anakin had a chance to reply his comlink went off. With a frustrated sigh he answered the call. "Skywalker." He said when the link activated. "Anakin." he instantly recognized the voice. "Hello Obi-Wan." He replied casually. "Anakin, do you know what time it is?" Obi-Wan's voice asked over the comlink. "Uh… about ten minutes past 3pm or something?" Anakin asked in return. "And weren't you supposed to teach a group of younglings ten minutes ago?" Obi-Wan replied. Anakin's face turned to shock as he suddenly remembered. Lilo looked at Padmé who rolled her eyes. "This might be the only time I can find out more about how Ahsoka is doing…" Anakin thought to himself. "Obi-Wan, is there any way you can…" Anakin tried to ask, but Obi-Wan interrupted him: "No, Anakin, I can't take your class this time. You're going to have to do this yourself." He told his former padawan. Anakin tried to find an excuse, but quickly realized from Obi-Wan's tone of voice that he wouldn't be able to. "Alright then, can you tell them to start with some warm-up exercises? I'll be there in about fifteen to twenty minutes." He asked. "Very well then." Obi-Wan replied as he turned off the call. Anakin sighed before turning to Padmé and Lilo. "I'm sorry Senators, but I have to go." He told them. "I understand, Anakin." Padmé replied. "I suppose that we have to start politics anyway." She said as she turned to Lilo. "I suppose so Senator Amidala." Lilo replied. "Please, Padmé. Formalities are good and all, but it can get pretty impersonal as well." Padmé requested. Lilo nodded. "Alright then Padmé." She said with a smile. "Oh, Master Skywalker?" she asked when she saw him about to leave. "Yes?" he replied. "I'll be on Coruscant for a couple more days, so if you want to talk some more." Lilo offered. "That would be great." Anakin replied. Lilo smiled. "In that case I'll leave my address here with Padmé." She said as she gestured at Padmé. Anakin nodded and left the apartment. "Alright then, shall we begin with the business and get it over with?" Padmé asked Lilo. She nodded and the two officially began their meeting.
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A few hours later
Lux Bonteri sat in his office in the Senate, about to close up for the day and head back to his apartment on Coruscant when one of his staff informed him that someone wanted to see him. "Who is it?" he asked. "She's the Senator of Kiros. Shall I sent her in?" the woman replied. Lux was a little confused by this. "Why would the Senator of Kiros want to see me?" he wondered. "Alright, sent her in." he replied. The woman nodded and left the room. A moment later a Togruta a bit older than him entered the room. She was wearing a purple dress and there was something incredibly familiar about her. "Hello Senator Bonteri, it's nice to meet you." She said. Lux looked at her a moment before he recalled something from a few weeks ago. "Are you one of Ahsoka's sisters?" he asked the Togruta. She smiled and nodded. "That's right, I'm Lilo Tano, the middle sister of the family." She replied. "Ahsoka told us all about you and the things you did for her. I wanted to meet you myself." She said as she walked up to him. Lux got up as well and shook her hand. "It's nice to meet you. Ahsoka was very excited when she told me about her family when she called me." He replied. He offered her a seat and they both sat down. "I was on Coruscant for a meeting with Senator Amidala and she told me that you were here as well, so I wanted to stop by and meet you. I hope you don't mind." Lilo explained. Lux smiled and shook his head. "No, not at all. I was done for the day and besides, I was hoping to meet Ahsoka's family. I'm glad you stopped by." He replied. "So, how is Ahsoka doing right now?" Lux asked with a hint of concern in his voice. "She's doing fine. She's almost completely recovered from the battle." Lilo replied. Lux smiled. "That's good to hear." He said. "I know that Ahsoka is strong, but that doesn't mean that I wasn't worried about her." Lux continued, the relief of knowing that Ahsoka was safe obvious in his voice. Lilo nodded. "We were all quite shocked when we heard that she had been wounded, but at the same time we were also impressed by her strength and selflessness." She replied. "Yeah, Ahsoka is like that, she displayed that before. If it means protecting other people she's not afraid to get hurt herself." Lux said with a smile. "Hasn't she ever gotten into trouble with such behavior?" Lilo asked. Lux chuckled a bit. "Not really, wounds can heal and from what I understand the healers at the Jedi Temple are some of the finest doctors around. The only kind of trouble she got in after such a situation were long lectures from Anakin." Lux said with a smile. Lilo laughed a bit at his remark. "Really?" she asked. Lux nodded. "She wasn't afraid to risk her own life but Anakin didn't want to see her get hurt. Ahsoka said she sometimes had to spend hours convincing him to let her join several missions." He told Lilo. "Ahsoka told us that he had a tendency to be somewhat overprotective." She replied. Lilo shook her head. "I didn't think the most of it was true, to be honest." Lux nodded. "Well, Ahsoka can sometimes exaggerate a bit, just like Anakin. Those two are quite alike." He said. Lilo chuckled at his remark.
"So, you are the new Senator of Kiros? I'd heard a rumor around the Senate that the Senators of Kiros and Shili were going to retire." Lux asked Lilo. She nodded. "That's right. I am now the Senator of Kiros and our oldest sister, Marina, is the new Senator of Shili." Lilo explained. "I see. Is she on Coruscant too? It would be nice to meet her as well." Lux asked. Lilo shook her head. "No, Marina is still on Shili. She can look after most of her Senate business from the palace. That way she can take care of Rosette as well." Lilo replied. "Is she her daughter? Ahsoka mentioned that she had a niece." Lux asked as he recalled what Ahsoka told him before via their holocalls. "Yes, that's right." Lilo replied. "I'm sure they'd both like to meet you one day, especially Rosette. She's really taken a liking to Ahsoka." She told Lux. He smiled. "From what Ahsoka told me, they both sound great. Perhaps I'll be able to meet them some other time." He said. "I'm sure you will." Lilo replied.
The two of them kept talking for a while before both returning to their apartments.
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I'm going to end the chapter here.
I wanted to add more to the conversations, but I've forgotten a few things and I can't remember them unfortunately. I hope that this hasn't affected this chapter in a bad way.
Padmé and Anakin have met with Lilo. Quite a shocker for them to find out that Ahsoka had sisters. I have an idea planned for Anakin and Ahsoka to see each other again. The next chapter will take place a few days later. In this chapter the events leading up to their meeting will begin. Depending on how long the upcoming chapters will be, I'd say they might meet in two or three chapters.
However, first I'm going to work on a little two-shot. This will be a short story with a hint at Luxsoka. Lux and Ahsoka end up in a very awkward situation. Who's to blame for this? Anakin, of course. And Ahsoka is not very happy about it…
Like I said, a two chapter story: Lux and Ahsoka in a little embarrassing situation and Ahsoka having some payback on Anakin.
I know I already have two stories and a story idea on my page, but this little two-shot idea popped up in my head and I wanted to write it down. I'll probably have the first chapter uploaded in a couple of days.
Until next time.