Obi-Wan arrived at the Palace promptly at the appointed time. He was surprised to find Rowan waiting to meet him.
"Greetings, Jedi Kenobi. Sabé sent me to bring you to the recreation area. We'll be able to visit with them for awhile. I want to see my fiancée before they kick us out to start the game." The young guard extended his hand, and noticed the brightly wrapped package Obi-Wan carried. "Brought a gift?"
Obi-Wan smiled as he reached to return the handshake. "It's for Meira. I'm watching her tonight."
Rowan raised one eyebrow in amusement. "Hmmm...good move, Jedi. A mother can't resist a man who nurtures her child."
Obi-Wan considered using the Force to trip him, but thought better of it, and settled for a glare. The effect was lost on the guard, whose grin grew larger as he led the way.
The vast marble halls, while beautiful, struck Obi-Wan as cold. The statues at certain intersections added to the air of the Palace as a museum, rather than a place where people lived.
Rowan interrupted Obi-Wan's thoughts. "Here's the rec area," he said, pointing left. "This is where they'll be playing. Sabé will show you where you and Meira can stay later. Next, we're going to the dining hall."
As they neared the dining area, the first thing the men heard was the sound of laughter.
"This will be good for them," Rowan remarked. "They're getting over the Liraé scare. I'm glad to see that."
Rabé caught sight of her handsome young man, and shifted Meira to free one hand to wave him over. The child, now in play clothes, waved even harder.
Yané was nearest the door, watching some other guards that had entered just before Rowan and Obi-Wan. She sidled up beside Rowan. In her slyest tone, she asked, "How does that look, seeing Rabé with a baby?"
"Why, it just looks like Rabé with a baby," he replied, a teasing gleam in his eye.
"Hrummph! Men!" Yané grunted.
"Yané," Rowan scolded, lowering his voice to almost a whisper. "You do want me to introduce you to that new squad leader, don't you?"
Realizing she was beaten, Yané gave Rowan a curt nod. As three of them crossed the room to join the other ladies and guards, she turned to Obi-Wan, hoping to change the subject. "Jedi Kenobi, it's a pleasure to see you as a guest in the Palace again. How long will we be enjoying your company?"
"Oh, two to two and a half weeks, I suppose. Depends on when the Council calls upon me."
He could tell that Sabé had overheard his statement; the sad look in her eyes betrayed her feelings. He tried to send her some hope and reassurance. She wrinkled her brow and turned away for a moment.
//Sabé, please...don't do this to me. You've always known what I am and what I must do. My offer still stands. When can I expect an answer?//
She didn't face him, but replied. //I'm sorry. I'm trying my best. I need time to find the answer. We have a little longer before I have to choose. Be patient with me. I have much to consider.//
The Jedi was puzzled by her hesitation. Surely by now, she'd had time to recover from the surprise of his suggestion and see that moving to Coruscant was the best solution for all concerned. There were beings that spent a lifetime trying to relocate to the capital world. Why did she see only problems?
Rowan called the squad leader, Jason, over and found a reason that he simply must meet this handmaiden Yané. She blushed when introduced, and they began a polite conversation. Rowan excused himself and wandered toward Rabé
Eirtaé took Meira from Rabé so that she could join her beloved and handed the little girl off to her mother. With Rabé occupied, Sabé, Meira and Eirtaé joined Saché and Amidala at the table and began conversation with some of the security officers.
Obi-Wan shifted his view to the engaged couple. They acted like...well, a typical engaged couple, holding hands, whispering, looking into each other's eyes. They seemed so happy together. He wondered if he could learn the key to their success if he employed his training in observation.
When he turned to watch the other side of the room he saw that a security officer had started a game of patty-cake with Meira. She was so comfortable with the man, Obi-Wan surmised that he couldn't be a stranger. For a moment, he envied the officer, then the discipline of his training took over. He chose to live in the moment and enjoy Meira's company now.
Obi-Wan joined the group at the table and was met with smiles and nods. The warmest greetings came from the Queen, Sabé, and Meira. The guards and officers, though polite, were obviously a bit puzzled as to his reason for being there.
When she had finished her game with the officer, Meira attempted to crawl across the table to get to the Jedi. Sabé quickly caught her, much to her frustration. The agitated expression on her face indicated that a tantrum was coming on.
Obi-Wan used the tried and true technique of distraction. "Look, here's the present I got for you."
The child oohed and reached for the package, almost getting on the table again. Obi-Wan passed it to Sabé.
"Very nice! Should I let her open it here?"
"I don't mind. Whatever you think best."
"Go ahead and open your present, Sweetie. We'd all like to see what the Jedi got for you."
Meira took the box and looked it over. Cooing, she delicately ripped small shreds of paper wrapping, exposing just a bit of it at a time.
"Do you want some help with that?" He reached over to assist with the task.
The child shook her head. Gently, but firmly, she pushed his hand away, and kept tearing tiny pieces and dropping each one onto the floor.
Yané left the guard's company and whispered at Rabé and Rowan. Her face was a bright red as she frantically conversed with the couple. Rowan looked confused and shrugged his shoulders. Rabé patted Yané's back in a comforting manner.
Meira was still working on the paper, when Sabé decided to take matters into her own hands. "Sweetie, look, you've got a lot of it, but we want to see. Let's rip it." She grabbed a corner and tore a large piece away.
Deciding that looked like fun after all, Meira tore with gusto. In no time, she had all the paper off of the box to reveal a stuffed animal and a data chip for a children's story. She laughed with delight. "K'duu!"
"Oh, I've heard of this one, 'The Brave Little Kaadu.' It's an old Gungan folk tale. Thank you, Obi-Wan. This is perfect for her. I hope you'll play it tonight."
"It's to be the main event of the evening," Obi-Wan smiled.
"For your other needs, I have a bag prepared," Sabé began. "There are instructions on most anything you'll need to know on the nursery datapad, as well as other stories and music that she likes. I've tried to think of it all. I've got diapers, healthy snacks, the works. If worse comes to worse, you can send for me."
"Sabé have some faith, will you? I'm an adult and a full Knight. I can handle a child that isn't even two yet."
There was a wave of snickers all around as Rabé, Rowan, and the now calm Yané sat at the table. Saché dropped her fork, and had to bend down to retrieve it. When she reemerged, she looked as though she was trying to keep herself from bursting out in laughter. Sabé gave her a strange look, but let it pass.
Slightly embarrassed by the response to his last statement, Obi-Wan tried a new subject. "How are the wedding plans coming along?" he asked the couple. "Set a date yet?"
Rabé sighed. "We've been formally engaged a couple of weeks, and already my mother's on about what we need to do. It's not been confirmed with our officiant, but I think we're looking at a year from now. I'll be lucky if I can get it all done by that time. There's such a huge list of things to arrange..."
Eirtaé beamed. "You'll be right on time! I'll be happy to help the both of you. This is the sort of occasion that I look forward to, one of my favorite subjects. The first thing you have to secure is a hall and caterer, and there are only a few even worth considering..."
Rowan's grin suddenly seemed very tense. "Rabé, dear...I need to talk to you a moment. Please excuse us, Eirtaé." The couple moved over to a corner and started a discussion that quickly grew heated, even though they kept their voices low.
Shaking his head, Obi-Wan pondered the fact that even a seemingly perfect couple could have differences, and decided his problems weren't so bad after all.
Eirtaé bit her lip as she watched the proceedings. She glanced at Amidala, a look of shame in her eyes. The Queen barely nodded.
"Our cue to take a walk, I think," Amidala quietly suggested.
"Right, your Highness," all said in nearly perfect unison. Sabé grabbed the bag, stuffed the new toy and story set in it, and motioned with her head to Obi-Wan that she needed him to take Meira.
"Down," the child insisted, as they left the dining area. Obi-Wan granted her request, and let her toddle while holding his hand. Somehow the halls that seemed cold on his way to the dining room felt warmer now.
"Ma...hand!" Meira reached for Sabé's hand to hold and the three of them made their way to a nearby vacant room that had once been a servant's quarters. While not as grand as the guest room that the Queen had set aside for Obi-Wan, it contained what was necessary.
"You should be comfortable here," Sabé said. "You might want to give her a quick bath first thing, then she should go to sleep soon after that."
"We'll be fine. You enjoy the game," Obi-Wan reassured her.
Sabé bent down to give her daughter a kiss. "Mommy will see you later. Stay out of trouble, now." She stood up and shyly grinned at the Jedi. "Don't let her run you ragged. I'll be back before long so you can get a good night's sleep in your guest quarters. Thank you for taking this on." She hesitated a moment, then gave Obi-Wan a quick peck on the cheek. She walked away briskly, with only one glance backward.
Obi-Wan touched his face in the same spot her lips had and smiled. He looked down at Meira, who was starting to remove things from the bag.
"Come on now, little girl," the father said, picking her up. "First, a bath. Then I have a story to read to you."
"Greetings, Jedi Kenobi. Sabé sent me to bring you to the recreation area. We'll be able to visit with them for awhile. I want to see my fiancée before they kick us out to start the game." The young guard extended his hand, and noticed the brightly wrapped package Obi-Wan carried. "Brought a gift?"
Obi-Wan smiled as he reached to return the handshake. "It's for Meira. I'm watching her tonight."
Rowan raised one eyebrow in amusement. "Hmmm...good move, Jedi. A mother can't resist a man who nurtures her child."
Obi-Wan considered using the Force to trip him, but thought better of it, and settled for a glare. The effect was lost on the guard, whose grin grew larger as he led the way.
The vast marble halls, while beautiful, struck Obi-Wan as cold. The statues at certain intersections added to the air of the Palace as a museum, rather than a place where people lived.
Rowan interrupted Obi-Wan's thoughts. "Here's the rec area," he said, pointing left. "This is where they'll be playing. Sabé will show you where you and Meira can stay later. Next, we're going to the dining hall."
As they neared the dining area, the first thing the men heard was the sound of laughter.
"This will be good for them," Rowan remarked. "They're getting over the Liraé scare. I'm glad to see that."
Rabé caught sight of her handsome young man, and shifted Meira to free one hand to wave him over. The child, now in play clothes, waved even harder.
Yané was nearest the door, watching some other guards that had entered just before Rowan and Obi-Wan. She sidled up beside Rowan. In her slyest tone, she asked, "How does that look, seeing Rabé with a baby?"
"Why, it just looks like Rabé with a baby," he replied, a teasing gleam in his eye.
"Hrummph! Men!" Yané grunted.
"Yané," Rowan scolded, lowering his voice to almost a whisper. "You do want me to introduce you to that new squad leader, don't you?"
Realizing she was beaten, Yané gave Rowan a curt nod. As three of them crossed the room to join the other ladies and guards, she turned to Obi-Wan, hoping to change the subject. "Jedi Kenobi, it's a pleasure to see you as a guest in the Palace again. How long will we be enjoying your company?"
"Oh, two to two and a half weeks, I suppose. Depends on when the Council calls upon me."
He could tell that Sabé had overheard his statement; the sad look in her eyes betrayed her feelings. He tried to send her some hope and reassurance. She wrinkled her brow and turned away for a moment.
//Sabé, please...don't do this to me. You've always known what I am and what I must do. My offer still stands. When can I expect an answer?//
She didn't face him, but replied. //I'm sorry. I'm trying my best. I need time to find the answer. We have a little longer before I have to choose. Be patient with me. I have much to consider.//
The Jedi was puzzled by her hesitation. Surely by now, she'd had time to recover from the surprise of his suggestion and see that moving to Coruscant was the best solution for all concerned. There were beings that spent a lifetime trying to relocate to the capital world. Why did she see only problems?
Rowan called the squad leader, Jason, over and found a reason that he simply must meet this handmaiden Yané. She blushed when introduced, and they began a polite conversation. Rowan excused himself and wandered toward Rabé
Eirtaé took Meira from Rabé so that she could join her beloved and handed the little girl off to her mother. With Rabé occupied, Sabé, Meira and Eirtaé joined Saché and Amidala at the table and began conversation with some of the security officers.
Obi-Wan shifted his view to the engaged couple. They acted like...well, a typical engaged couple, holding hands, whispering, looking into each other's eyes. They seemed so happy together. He wondered if he could learn the key to their success if he employed his training in observation.
When he turned to watch the other side of the room he saw that a security officer had started a game of patty-cake with Meira. She was so comfortable with the man, Obi-Wan surmised that he couldn't be a stranger. For a moment, he envied the officer, then the discipline of his training took over. He chose to live in the moment and enjoy Meira's company now.
Obi-Wan joined the group at the table and was met with smiles and nods. The warmest greetings came from the Queen, Sabé, and Meira. The guards and officers, though polite, were obviously a bit puzzled as to his reason for being there.
When she had finished her game with the officer, Meira attempted to crawl across the table to get to the Jedi. Sabé quickly caught her, much to her frustration. The agitated expression on her face indicated that a tantrum was coming on.
Obi-Wan used the tried and true technique of distraction. "Look, here's the present I got for you."
The child oohed and reached for the package, almost getting on the table again. Obi-Wan passed it to Sabé.
"Very nice! Should I let her open it here?"
"I don't mind. Whatever you think best."
"Go ahead and open your present, Sweetie. We'd all like to see what the Jedi got for you."
Meira took the box and looked it over. Cooing, she delicately ripped small shreds of paper wrapping, exposing just a bit of it at a time.
"Do you want some help with that?" He reached over to assist with the task.
The child shook her head. Gently, but firmly, she pushed his hand away, and kept tearing tiny pieces and dropping each one onto the floor.
Yané left the guard's company and whispered at Rabé and Rowan. Her face was a bright red as she frantically conversed with the couple. Rowan looked confused and shrugged his shoulders. Rabé patted Yané's back in a comforting manner.
Meira was still working on the paper, when Sabé decided to take matters into her own hands. "Sweetie, look, you've got a lot of it, but we want to see. Let's rip it." She grabbed a corner and tore a large piece away.
Deciding that looked like fun after all, Meira tore with gusto. In no time, she had all the paper off of the box to reveal a stuffed animal and a data chip for a children's story. She laughed with delight. "K'duu!"
"Oh, I've heard of this one, 'The Brave Little Kaadu.' It's an old Gungan folk tale. Thank you, Obi-Wan. This is perfect for her. I hope you'll play it tonight."
"It's to be the main event of the evening," Obi-Wan smiled.
"For your other needs, I have a bag prepared," Sabé began. "There are instructions on most anything you'll need to know on the nursery datapad, as well as other stories and music that she likes. I've tried to think of it all. I've got diapers, healthy snacks, the works. If worse comes to worse, you can send for me."
"Sabé have some faith, will you? I'm an adult and a full Knight. I can handle a child that isn't even two yet."
There was a wave of snickers all around as Rabé, Rowan, and the now calm Yané sat at the table. Saché dropped her fork, and had to bend down to retrieve it. When she reemerged, she looked as though she was trying to keep herself from bursting out in laughter. Sabé gave her a strange look, but let it pass.
Slightly embarrassed by the response to his last statement, Obi-Wan tried a new subject. "How are the wedding plans coming along?" he asked the couple. "Set a date yet?"
Rabé sighed. "We've been formally engaged a couple of weeks, and already my mother's on about what we need to do. It's not been confirmed with our officiant, but I think we're looking at a year from now. I'll be lucky if I can get it all done by that time. There's such a huge list of things to arrange..."
Eirtaé beamed. "You'll be right on time! I'll be happy to help the both of you. This is the sort of occasion that I look forward to, one of my favorite subjects. The first thing you have to secure is a hall and caterer, and there are only a few even worth considering..."
Rowan's grin suddenly seemed very tense. "Rabé, dear...I need to talk to you a moment. Please excuse us, Eirtaé." The couple moved over to a corner and started a discussion that quickly grew heated, even though they kept their voices low.
Shaking his head, Obi-Wan pondered the fact that even a seemingly perfect couple could have differences, and decided his problems weren't so bad after all.
Eirtaé bit her lip as she watched the proceedings. She glanced at Amidala, a look of shame in her eyes. The Queen barely nodded.
"Our cue to take a walk, I think," Amidala quietly suggested.
"Right, your Highness," all said in nearly perfect unison. Sabé grabbed the bag, stuffed the new toy and story set in it, and motioned with her head to Obi-Wan that she needed him to take Meira.
"Down," the child insisted, as they left the dining area. Obi-Wan granted her request, and let her toddle while holding his hand. Somehow the halls that seemed cold on his way to the dining room felt warmer now.
"Ma...hand!" Meira reached for Sabé's hand to hold and the three of them made their way to a nearby vacant room that had once been a servant's quarters. While not as grand as the guest room that the Queen had set aside for Obi-Wan, it contained what was necessary.
"You should be comfortable here," Sabé said. "You might want to give her a quick bath first thing, then she should go to sleep soon after that."
"We'll be fine. You enjoy the game," Obi-Wan reassured her.
Sabé bent down to give her daughter a kiss. "Mommy will see you later. Stay out of trouble, now." She stood up and shyly grinned at the Jedi. "Don't let her run you ragged. I'll be back before long so you can get a good night's sleep in your guest quarters. Thank you for taking this on." She hesitated a moment, then gave Obi-Wan a quick peck on the cheek. She walked away briskly, with only one glance backward.
Obi-Wan touched his face in the same spot her lips had and smiled. He looked down at Meira, who was starting to remove things from the bag.
"Come on now, little girl," the father said, picking her up. "First, a bath. Then I have a story to read to you."