The next morning was hardly better than the ruined evening.

Father did not join Leia and her mother at breakfast, choosing instead to remain alone in his breath bubble. Mother said that he had come home very late, and was tired. Leia knew better. Father never slept -- he pretended to, at times, for Leia and her mother's sake, but the feelings he emitted when he was awake and asleep were so different that she could tell immediately whether he was or not. Father never slept very well, if he actually did. Five years of living with him could sensitize her to at least that much.

She and Mother were sitting at their plates in silence, their last conversation hanging over the table with the heaviness of a deadweight. Leia had not said a word to anyone since she had woken this morning, and wasn't planning to for some time. She picked at her food disinterestedly, and ignored Mother's sighs. There wasn't any way to erase what had happened, so Leia thought it ridiculous that her mother was trying to make it seem like everything was perfectly normal.

She dropped her fork with a clang, hearing Father's distinct breathing approach from the main corridor. He appeared in the kitchen a moment later, but only gave them a cursory glance before moving in front of a holovid transmitter. Leia was surprised -- Father never watched holovid.

He turned the machine on, and switched through channels with an impatient flick of his hand. Mother had stopped eating to watch him. Her face was pulled tight, like it had been with Master Zedlav, and last night, when she'd spoken about the Emperor.

The volume was low, so he turned it higher. ...this is the Imperial Ear on Coruscant, said a plump-faced anchorhead in a bored tone. Latest news -- a ten month old import scandal on Corellian wine has been finally been rooted out and brought to a quick end by Imperial police. The case proves that rampant smuggling is just as present on Coruscant as was earlier feared. Trade rates for wine goods dropped significantly after the announcement was publically released. The anchorhead paused, her dull features suddenly becoming animated. In other news: Lord Darth Vader and his --

Leia's eyes widened.

-- family appear to be more of a puzzle than we ever suspected. Details aplenty after a very short break.

The anchorhead simpered, winked, and was cut off, her bulbous head replaced by an unattractive alien lauding Klee face powder.

What's this, Ani? Mother asked tightly, her hands pressed together so the knuckles were white. Father did not turn to acknowledge her.

That's a tabloid, Leia said accusingly. How would they have any --

Father spun around. They saw us at the park, he said. The Emperor knows we were there as well. He bowed his head and began to pace in front of a commercial on the holovid, a hulking shadow against the brilliant bursts of artificial color. We cannot allow this to happen again. We cannot go out --

Are you going to be afraid to live because of a tabloid? Mother cried, her cheeks flushed. I can't believe it.

Father stared at her. The Emperor --

I don't care about the Emperor! Mother said. She stood and slammed her palms down on the table, her eyes glittering. I'm tired of Palpatine and his machinations. He's done nothing for you, or for me, or for anyone, for that matter. He cares about nothing but himself. I'm certain that --

Father said, his voice was slightly raised, Do not push your limit.

And what limits do I have, Ani? she asked hoarsely. Am I not to speak in my very own home? Is this what the Empire means? To live in fear --

Mother trailed off suddenly, her eyes fixing on the holovid screen. The anchorhead had returned. Father turned around quickly.

We return from a commercial break to give you the inside scoop on the real Darth Vader and his mysterious background (the anchorhead said, with a very girlish smile). Apparently, Lord Vader's famed temperament cools considerably when at home with his wife and young daughter. Little is actually known about Lady Vader and her origins, or their daughter -- Mother sucked in a breath as a grainy (and nearly unrecognizable) holo of her face was projected onscreen, and exchanged a long glance with Father -- but Lord Vader was recently spotted with them both at a run-down Coruscant park.

A shot of Leia riding her speederbike slid over the screen. Father's fists clenched tightly in response, as did Leia's and Mother's.

We actually are fortunate enough to have an inside ear on the family and their habits, from a former tutor of Mistress Vader, Mirhsar Zedlav.

Leia yelled, blood draining from her face. How did he --

Father's face was unreadable, but anger was clear in his voice. I am going to have this show permanently removed from the network, he hissed. This has gone far beyond what even I exp --

Mother cried. I want to hear what Zedlav says.

They turned back to the screen in tense silence. Zedlav's leering face now covered the vid screen in full. His oily hair was spiked instead of slicked. That was a quick change, Leia thought fleetingly. I wonder why he changed styles.

Yes, thank you so much for having me, he was saying. Indeed, I tutored Mistress Vader -- Leia's her name, if you wish to know -- and I can say, I have never seen a more distasteful scenario in my life. Lady Vader's just as hard to deal with as her husband -- trust me on that -- and together they do an extraordinary poor job of educating their child. Of course, this doesn't come as a surprise, as the girl is very slow -- one of the worst students I've --

Turn it off, Leia whimpered, feeling angry tears of helplessness pricking at the corners of her eyes. I don't want to hear anymore.

-- ever had to deal with --



The holovid shut off with another sharp wave of Father's hand. Leia almost regretted asking for it to be turned off -- the cease of streaming babble only made the silence between them more profound. Mother looked at Father for what Leia thought was a very long time, until the hard anger in her face had softened and cooled.

How did you know, Ani? she asked finally, and he turned away, though not bitingly.

The Emperor was upset we had been out, he said. He knew, of course, from agents. He suspected something of this sort would ensue. I followed all the channels. His prediction was, as always, correct.

I see, Mother said softly. And did he say anything else?

Father did not answer for a moment. He wants to see you both. Leia, mostly. He wishes to check on Leia's progress.

Father was having difficulty saying the words, and Mother's face had taken on a decided edge, so Leia could tell that neither of them were very pleased with this development. She tossed her head assuredly, if only to reassure herself.

I'm not afraid of him, she said. You don't need to be worried.

Father's voice was like a knife. You know nothing. You would do better not to speak on things you have no knowledge of.

It's not like you ever tell me anything, she shot back. She was not afraid of her father. Neither of you have ever once bothered to explain what's going on, and why you disagree with one another over --

This goes beyond that, Father interrupted. This has nothing to do with politics.

Mother turned to her, her face shifting between careful masks of anger and distress. Leia, you can't act that flippantly in front of the Emperor. He's a very dangerous man.

Leia stared at her father, her hands on her hips. Why does the Emperor want to see me? she challenged, looking him straight in the eyes. She knew, somehow, that she was -- eyeguards regardless.

I told you, Father said, he is interested in your progress.

That doesn't mean anything to me, Leia said offishly. Why should he care? His schoolteacher obviously didn't.

Father glared at her -- or at least, she imagined he did. Master Zedlav, he said, was the result of a grevious error in judgment. That same mistake will not be repeated again.

Mother broke in. Leia, there are many things that you don't understand yet, that we cannot explain to you right away. Answers will come in time. For now, you just have to trust us. Her voice was pleading, and Leia did not have the heart to contradict her.

She changed the subject.

Then what about that? she asked, pointing sullenly at the silent holovid. And what they said about us?

That is not your concern, Father said. It is my fault -- I was careless in allowing us to go to to the park.

Mother drew herself up to her full height, and let out a deep breath. It's no one's fault, she said. We were together for once, and that's all that matters. The fact that our position in this government limits our ability to do things is something that will have to be dealt with. She turned her eyes to Father. Perhaps it is something that can be dealt with today. When does Palpatine want us?

Father tensed. In five hours. He has several appointments.

Mother nodded, and looked at Leia. We had better get ready then, she said softly, walking to Leia's side and inspecting her hair with her hands. If we go into the palace, we'll need to dress up.

Leia groaned aloud, but fixed her eyes on her father as she did so. He seemed strangely shifty and nervous.

Why does he really want to see me?

If Father heard, he did not answer. Leia felt herself being pulled toward her mother's bedchamber and did not bother to resist. Hair and clothes were one of Mother's great specialties, and a mystery that she herself did not think she had the personal talent to unwind, but it was a mindless and calming activity. Leia needed a calming activity. She did not think it possible to be more uptight than she was now.

She disappeared into Mother's bedchamber and began to braid her hair.

***