Ithil, a Gigeri and regional manager of Burger Thing wandered amongst the stalls and displays of the Expo on Naboo. She was thankful for having taken the dose to lower her hunting instincts. So many corpulent, prime and healthy, no, no, no she reminded herself. Fellow Galactics, citizens and of course customers. It would not do to revert, here. She chittered nervously, replaying the Burger Thing jingle in her head. Then, she saw the prey, crouched and began stalking her quarry.
Anakin too, was wondering if a sedative would be a good idea while he was here. After all, he was a Jedi and only yesterday he had told several women that as such, he had to be above normal temptation. Which was all well and good in the abstract...
"Did Palpatine know of that drink's, um surprising effect?" asked Padme as she walked besides him.
...and very difficult in reality. He tried to form an answer, all the while recalling what Millicent had inadvertently revealed about where this relationship led.
"Um, probably. He may have intended for it to aid, in um, breaking, er. Lookout!" he said, the last a warning as a biomechanical terror leapt from the shadows with an intent to pin him to the ground. Anakin however, dropped, rolled and came up, then rushed his assailant, enveloping the Gigeri in a hug.
"Ithil! You almost got me! What are you doing here!" he said.
"I am here to promote the wonders of the Burger Thing," said Ithil hugging Anakin in return.
"Oh wow! There's a Burger Thing here. Hey Padme, you gotta try one of their burgers. Don't tell mom or Sheev, but they're the best food when you're on the move," said Anakin as he grabbed Padme's hand and began pulling her along. "Where's the stall?"
Padme disengaged her hand and stared at the monstrous arachnoid. "You know this, this," she struggled to find a word other than monster, made all the harder by Ithil's mandibles dripping saliva.
Anakin turned round, "Sorry, where are my manners. Padme, this is Ithil, a big bug in the Burger worlds. Ithil, this is Padme," he said
Years of diplomatic training finally came to her aid, "Pleased to meet you in person Ithil. I believe we spoke before by hypercom," she said and extended a hand.
Ithil in return slowly extended a claw to grasp the mammal's hand. "We did, we did. You look much healthier than your image but you seem undernourished. Yes, you are in need of a Burger Thing. Yes, yes, all components certified non-sentient!"
Again the training allowed Padme to shake Ithil's claw with outward calm. "Certainly, I would love to," she answered. As the chittering monster led them to it's stall she looked at Anakin "What exactly is a burger thing?"
"They're great, they're absolutely great," said Anakin unaware he was not being helpful here.
Maul observed the last minute preparations of the Expo beside his master. "I don't see how this will further the great plan," he said.
Plagius looked at him and wondered why exactly he had fostered this cretinous oaf. "It is as the ancient Darth Parlous said, a Sith does not choose one path, rather they ensure that all paths lead to victory," he quoted.
Maul squinted at the mass of sophonts all at work at making a show of Galactic unity. "Care to enlighten me Master," he said.
Plagius wished for an errant meteoroid to strike his apprentice down. When none did, he waved at the nearby starport where a cruiser was landing.
"Observe our late arrivals closely, and Maul,"
"Yes master?"
"Do try to pay attention,"
Padme sat in the stall and regarded the Burger thing Ithil had just placed before her. It smelled of grilled food, although the outer bread layer looked uncooked.
"Are there going to be utensils?" she hazarded.
In reply Anakin picked up his burger thing and attempted to force it all into his mouth, "Nope, you just pick it up and eat it with your hands," he said, possibly. It was hard to tell with his mouth so full.
Oh well, when in Corruscant and all that. She was about to do so when there was a fanfare sounding outside. She heard a martial tune accompanied by a dreaded tell tale sound of many metal feet. Alarmed, she ran outside.
Coming up the main path of the Expo was a brass band led by women from Vega V in their traditional costumes consisting mainly of sequins and with accompanying massive feather headresses. However Padme's attention was on the battle droids marching in lockstep behind them. The leading rank bore a banner that read 'Chacook Filets Automata'.
Padme paid the sign no attention as she drew the hold out blaster she habitually carried and fired.
