Chapter 24 – Invitations
This chapter leads up to Anakin and Ahsoka meeting again.
Enjoy.
;-
Marina and Lilo Tano were sitting in the living room of their home. Rosette was sitting on the ground playing with her toys. "So? What do you think Marina?" Lilo asked. Marina thought about what Lilo suggested. "I have to admit, it does sound like a very nice idea." She replied with a smile. Lilo chuckled a bit. "I figured you'd be up for it." She said. Marina chuckled as well. "You did huh?" she asked. "Yep, just make sure you go easy on the drinks." Lilo replied with a teasing smile. Marina gave her sister a glare. Lilo just laughed in response. "Now we just have to find a way to get Ahsoka to join us." Marina said. "Oh, I have an idea about that." Lilo replied. Before Marina could ask what she meant the door opened.
They turned around and saw Ahsoka walk in the room. "Hey Ahsoka, are you doing well?" Marina asked. Ahsoka sat down next to them. "I'm feeling somewhat better. I got a lot of rest." She replied. "That's good to hear." Marina said. Ahsoka smiled. "So what were you guys talking about? I thought I heard you mention my name." Ahsoka asked. Lilo nodded. "Yes, that's right." She replied. "When I was on Coruscant I learned about a ball for all of the Senators and their advisors that will take place on Naboo next week. Marina just decided to go as well, it's a nice opportunity for us to meet several of the other Senators. We were wondering if you wanted to come with us?" Lilo explained. Marina looked at her youngest sister. Ahsoka had somewhat of an unreadable expression on her face. "I don't know… A ball is not really something for me." Ahsoka replied. "And besides, you said it was for Senators and their advisors and I'm neither of those." Marina smiled at her sisters response. "Well, that's not really true." She said. Ahsoka looked at Marina with a questioning look. "What do you mean by that?" she asked. "We received a message from the Royal family. They were quite impressed with what you did at the construction site. They've named you an official advisor to and protector of the royal family and the people of Shili." Lilo explained. Ahsoka smiled. "That's sound very nice of them, but what does it mean?" Ahsoka asked in response. "Part of it is just an honorary title and nothing more, but it also comes with several privileges. You now have about the same rights as the H'Raani M'Kai, so you're allowed to act as a law enforcer in case you need to. The title of advisor also gives you some more political status like the two of us and you'll enjoy the protection of the Shilian Royal House." Marina explained to her. Ahsoka looked a little wide-eyed at her sister. "Wow, that's quite a lot. It seems a bit much…" she said as she rubbed the back of her head. "Nonsense Ahsoka, you've done so much for Shili already. They felt it was the least they could do." Lilo replied. Ahsoka smiled. "I'll be sure to thank them then." She said.
"So anyway, seeing as you are an advisor…" Marina hinted with a smile. Ahsoka sighed. She knew exactly what her sister was hinting at. "I don't know, such fancy parties aren't really for me." Ahsoka replied. Marina sighed and looked at Lilo. "Well, that's too bad. I'm sure he would've liked it if you were there." Lilo said as she shrugged. "Who are you talking about?" Ahsoka asked confused and slightly irritated that her sisters wouldn't give it up. She wasn't really expecting the response.
"Lux said he was going to be there." Lilo said with a teasing smirk on her face. Both of them laughed when they saw the change in Ahsoka's expression. Her lekku had darkened visibly. "It would be nice to see him again." She said softly. "Yeah 'see' him." Marina replied teasingly. Ahsoka's face turned to slight shock and her lekku darkened even more. "That's not what I meant!" Ahsoka said with a shocked voice. This only made her sisters laugh even more. Ahsoka crossed her arms over her chest and gave her sisters an annoyed look. "No, but seriously," Marina said as she stopped laughing. "Come with us, I'm sure there are others there who'd like to see you as well. It'll be fun." Ahsoka sighed. "Alright, I'll come with you. I suppose it would be nice to see some old friends again." She replied. Marina and Lilo both smiled. "Wonderful, thank you Ahsoka." Lilo said. Ahsoka nodded and smiled. "Now there's just one more thing." Marina said as she gave Ahsoka a curious smile. Ahsoka's smile faded. "Yes?" she asked cautiously. "Well, it's a formal ball. So that means you're going to have to get a dress for the occasion." Marina replied with a smirk. Lilo laughed as Ahsoka groaned and sunk into the chair she was sitting in. "Suddenly I feel so very tired…" she said softly. "That's not going to work Ahsoka." Lilo replied. "Tomorrow we're going shopping for some dresses." Marina said. Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "Alright then, I can tell when I can't win." She said causing her sisters to laugh again.
;-
The next day
Ahsoka groaned in frustration as her sisters dragged her to another store. "Come on guys, aren't we done yet?" she asked. "No!" both her sisters replied in unison. "You still need to get a dress Ahsoka. We might have on already but you still don't." Marina said. "I'll just borrow one from one of you. You still have a lot of dresses back home." Ahsoka replied. "No way! That won't do." Lilo said as she turned around to Ahsoka. "Now come on, there's still another store we got some great dresses at before." She continued as she pointed in another direction. Ahsoka sighed. "Fine, let's just get this over with." She replied as she shrugged her shoulders. "Great, let's go. It's this way." Lilo said as they continued walking.
A couple of minutes later they arrived at the store Lilo mentioned. They went inside and looked around. A moment later the store's manager walked up to them. "Hello Senators, how nice to see you again." The red-skinned Togruta greeted them. "Hello Madeleine." Marina replied. "What can I help you with today?" she asked. "Our little sister is in need of a dress." Lilo replied as she gestured at Ahsoka. "Ah, so you're the famous Jedi hero I've been hearing about. You're quickly becoming one of the most famous people on Shili." Madeleine said as she walked up to Ahsoka. Ahsoka raised on of her eyebrow markings at being called a 'Jedi hero', but smiled and held up her hand anyway. "Nice to meet you, my name is Ahsoka." She introduced herself as the older woman shook her hand. "Likewise Ahsoka, my name is Madeleine and I run this store." Madeleine replied. "So what kind of dress are you looking for?" she asked excited. "We're going to a Senate ball on Naboo next week, so she needs a dress suited for such an occasion." Marina explained. Madeleine nodded. "We have plenty of such dresses. Come on dear, let me size you up for a moment." She said as she gestured at a nearby counter. They went there and Madeleine took note of Ahsoka size. "All done, now let's find you something nice." Madeleine said when she was finished.
About thirty minutes later they had finally found Ahsoka a good dress. Ahsoka sighed in relief when they excited the store. "Come on Ahsoka, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Lilo asked with a smile. "I suppose not." Ahsoka replied. "You look great in that dress. Aren't you glad we went shopping?" Marina asked. "I guess…" Ahsoka replied softly, a hint of embarrassment in her voice. "Come on, let's go home. It's starting to get dark." Lilo said as she looked up at the sky. Marina and Ahsoka nodded and they went back to their speeder.
;-
Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Obi-Wan Kenobi was walking through the halls of the Jedi Temple, looking for his former padawan. The Council had an assignment for the both of them. Obi-Wan sighed. He knew that Anakin probably wouldn't like it. But it probably would be good for him to get out of the Temple for a couple of days. Using the Force, he found him in the Temple hangar. Obi-Wan shook his head. Once again Anakin had withdrawn himself with his gadgets.
Anakin Skywalker was in the hangars working on his new ship when he sensed Obi-Wan approach him. He slid out from under his ship. "Hello Master." He said when Obi-Wan was close. "Hello Anakin, working on your ship again?" Obi-Wan replied. Anakin nodded and turned to the ship. Obi-Wan looked at the ship as well. After Obi-Wan's unfortunate incident with Anakin's ship on Mandalore, Anakin had been looking for a new ship. Somehow Anakin had managed to find the exact same type of ship at some second-hand ship dealer. "Of all of the models of ships out there, why did you have to choose the exact same hunk of junk?" Obi-Wan couldn't help but ask. Anakin chuckled at his question. "For that exact reason. When I'm finished with this beauty it will be one of the fastest and strongest ships in the Temple. Nobody will ever expect it." Anakin explained with an excited smile. Obi-Wan chuckled at his explanation. "Sometimes, on rare occasions, your plans do sound somewhat good." He said with a smile. "What do you mean 'on rare occasions'?" Anakin asked faking being insulted. Obi-Wan ignored the question. "We have received an assignment from the Council." He said. "Really? What kind of assignment?" Anakin asked with a hint of enthusiasm and eagerness to get out of the Temple for a while. "There is a ball for the Senators on Naboo next week. We're going to attend as representatives of the Jedi Order and to provide additional security if needed." Obi-Wan explained. Anakin's expression had changed from excitement to pure boredom. "What kind of assignment is that?!" he asked frustrated. "Anakin…" Obi-Wan replied. "There's a war going on Obi-Wan and we're going to a party?" Anakin asked annoyed. "We're making sure the Senators of the Republic are safe. That's just as important as fighting battles." Obi-Wan explained. Anakin opened his mouth to protest but Obi-Wan cut him off. "There's no point in arguing Anakin. The Council has already made their decision. We're going and that's that." He said much to Anakin's frustration. "Alright then." Anakin replied with a sigh. "It won't be that bad Anakin." Obi-Wan said as he patted Anakin on the shoulder. "As I recall you always seem to enjoy being on Naboo." He continued with a smile. "That's because Padmé is usually there then as well." Anakin thought to himself. "Fine then. When will we leave?" Anakin replied. "About three days from now. That means that you'll still have some more time to tinker with your new ship." Obi-Wan said as he began to walk out of the hangar. Anakin sighed and went back to working on his ship.
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That's it for this chapter. I couldn't really think of more things to add.
Next chapter Anakin and Ahsoka will meet again. How will things go?
I think it's going to be quite a long chapter, so it might take some time to write.
By the way, I have a little request as well. One thing I'm terrible at is describing outfits of people. So, a request for the readers. In the next chapter the ball will take place. Ahsoka and her sisters bought some new dresses in this chapter, but I haven't written any descriptions for them. If anyone can make some nice descriptions for their outfits, please feel free to PM me about them (or leave a review). I'd appreciate it greatly. I'll probably use every description I get, also for other characters that will be at the party, so I hope you can help me out here.
Until next time.