"Rabé!"
The handmaiden spun around in suprise. It was uncommon to hear such an urgent call in the quiet Palace halls.
"Rabé, wait. I have to talk to you," Sabé cried out. She seemed unconcerned with the stares she was getting as she ran to meet her friend. It was clear that she was distressed.
As Sabé came closer, Rabé held her hand up. It was a subtle gesture, and Sabé understood. She assumed a calmer demeanor, took a place by Rabé's side, and spoke in low, but dismayed tones.
"Gods, Rabe! I made a mistake, I'm so stupid and naive. I can't believe I handled things so badly..."
"Wait, slow down. Are you talking about last night with Obi-Wan?"
"Saché told you?"
"She mentioned that you returned home with him. What happened?"
Sabé groaned. "It was a disaster. I should have prepared him better. I thought once he saw Meira and how beautiful she is, everything would be all right. Now, he's run away, I'm sure he thinks I want to trap him. Everything I didn't want to happen is going to happen anyway."
"First of all, stop beating yourself up. It doesn't suit you. Now is the time to plan damage control. I know Amidala is keeping him in town for the ceremonies and the ball. He's already asked the Majordomo about camping in the forest, so I think that's where he's planning to go afterward."
"Oh no, it's that bad! He's going to leave town?" Sabé choked with despair.
"Honey, he'd leave the planet if he could. It wouldn't have mattered how you broke the news to him, whether you wined and dined him or held a blaster to his head. It's a normal response, he's just been hit with unexpected and life changing news, he needs to gather himself before he deals with it. He's a good man and a Jedi, now that he knows, he'll do the right thing. What you have to take care of is what he comes back to. You have the advantage here, you know him and his tactics much better than he knows you and yours. So think, Warrior, what are you going to do?" Rabe counseled.
"This isn't a war, what do you mean?" Sabé asked.
"In a way it is, the two of you are at are at opposing positions right now. What is the first rule of engagement that your father taught you?" Rabe prompted.
"Don't attack unless there is no alternative," Sabé stated.
"Exactly. Keep that in mind, and you'll do fine. Now, come join us in the Queen's chamber, have some tea and calm your nerves for the day."
After Obi-Wan notified the Majordomo of his acceptance, he went to the fitting. The costume was a traditional sort of Naboo style, one that he, as a Jedi, found much too elaborate and fussy. He rolled his eyes at this nonsense when no one was looking.
Since he would not be needed for any events today, Obi-Wan started exploring the surrounding grounds. He found a facility that seemed to be a gym. Deciding to see if he could make good use of the place for his own training, he entered. He was recognized, made to feel welcome by the staff, and given a temporary membership.
As he wandered to see what he could use, he passed by a large practice arena. He was on the second floor and found an observation deck overlooking the class area. Entering the area, he glanced down as he walked by. He heard Sabé's voice, addressing a group, and did a double take. Stepping back so she would not have him in her line of sight, he listened for a moment. She was very much in control and professional in her presentation. He was surprised that she was so effective for someone so young. Reminding himself that just because she wasn't a Jedi didn't mean she couldn't be good at this kind of job, he moved on to the next area.
Sabé hesitated during her speech, shifted her gaze upward for a moment, and smiled.
"Did you see that? Ice Queen Calle actually smiled," one young student whispered to another.
"Drop recruit, and give me twenty push ups immediately," Sabé ordered the commentator. She retained the hint of the expression for the remainder of the class.
When night came, Obi-Wan retreated to the quiet of his guest room. He left instructions that he was not to be disturbed, the only exception would be an emergency from the Temple.
He began his meditation. It was difficult to let go at first. As time went on, and he progressed, he felt himself moving toward what he needed. It held warmth, safety and acceptance. It promised the peace he had been seeking since his Master's passing. And Qui-Gon was present in the Force somewhere, expecting him, urging him on, but ever patient, waiting for him to be ready. Obi-Wan could almost touch it, nearly there....
Then it was gone. He cried out in exasperation.
The handmaiden spun around in suprise. It was uncommon to hear such an urgent call in the quiet Palace halls.
"Rabé, wait. I have to talk to you," Sabé cried out. She seemed unconcerned with the stares she was getting as she ran to meet her friend. It was clear that she was distressed.
As Sabé came closer, Rabé held her hand up. It was a subtle gesture, and Sabé understood. She assumed a calmer demeanor, took a place by Rabé's side, and spoke in low, but dismayed tones.
"Gods, Rabe! I made a mistake, I'm so stupid and naive. I can't believe I handled things so badly..."
"Wait, slow down. Are you talking about last night with Obi-Wan?"
"Saché told you?"
"She mentioned that you returned home with him. What happened?"
Sabé groaned. "It was a disaster. I should have prepared him better. I thought once he saw Meira and how beautiful she is, everything would be all right. Now, he's run away, I'm sure he thinks I want to trap him. Everything I didn't want to happen is going to happen anyway."
"First of all, stop beating yourself up. It doesn't suit you. Now is the time to plan damage control. I know Amidala is keeping him in town for the ceremonies and the ball. He's already asked the Majordomo about camping in the forest, so I think that's where he's planning to go afterward."
"Oh no, it's that bad! He's going to leave town?" Sabé choked with despair.
"Honey, he'd leave the planet if he could. It wouldn't have mattered how you broke the news to him, whether you wined and dined him or held a blaster to his head. It's a normal response, he's just been hit with unexpected and life changing news, he needs to gather himself before he deals with it. He's a good man and a Jedi, now that he knows, he'll do the right thing. What you have to take care of is what he comes back to. You have the advantage here, you know him and his tactics much better than he knows you and yours. So think, Warrior, what are you going to do?" Rabe counseled.
"This isn't a war, what do you mean?" Sabé asked.
"In a way it is, the two of you are at are at opposing positions right now. What is the first rule of engagement that your father taught you?" Rabe prompted.
"Don't attack unless there is no alternative," Sabé stated.
"Exactly. Keep that in mind, and you'll do fine. Now, come join us in the Queen's chamber, have some tea and calm your nerves for the day."
After Obi-Wan notified the Majordomo of his acceptance, he went to the fitting. The costume was a traditional sort of Naboo style, one that he, as a Jedi, found much too elaborate and fussy. He rolled his eyes at this nonsense when no one was looking.
Since he would not be needed for any events today, Obi-Wan started exploring the surrounding grounds. He found a facility that seemed to be a gym. Deciding to see if he could make good use of the place for his own training, he entered. He was recognized, made to feel welcome by the staff, and given a temporary membership.
As he wandered to see what he could use, he passed by a large practice arena. He was on the second floor and found an observation deck overlooking the class area. Entering the area, he glanced down as he walked by. He heard Sabé's voice, addressing a group, and did a double take. Stepping back so she would not have him in her line of sight, he listened for a moment. She was very much in control and professional in her presentation. He was surprised that she was so effective for someone so young. Reminding himself that just because she wasn't a Jedi didn't mean she couldn't be good at this kind of job, he moved on to the next area.
Sabé hesitated during her speech, shifted her gaze upward for a moment, and smiled.
"Did you see that? Ice Queen Calle actually smiled," one young student whispered to another.
"Drop recruit, and give me twenty push ups immediately," Sabé ordered the commentator. She retained the hint of the expression for the remainder of the class.
When night came, Obi-Wan retreated to the quiet of his guest room. He left instructions that he was not to be disturbed, the only exception would be an emergency from the Temple.
He began his meditation. It was difficult to let go at first. As time went on, and he progressed, he felt himself moving toward what he needed. It held warmth, safety and acceptance. It promised the peace he had been seeking since his Master's passing. And Qui-Gon was present in the Force somewhere, expecting him, urging him on, but ever patient, waiting for him to be ready. Obi-Wan could almost touch it, nearly there....
Then it was gone. He cried out in exasperation.