Choices

She had painted her face in the colors of Naboo.

Not entirely, of course. She had not used the white ceremonial underpaint of a queen (Vader thought it unnecessary anyway; Amidala was extremely pale). But she wore the red circles on her cheeks, twin fiery dots of that reminded him more of himself than of her people, and the dark upper lip of a long dead noble class. Her lower lip was split in color; bloodred in the middle, and pale pancake white on either side. He wondered at her decision. She had promised him to be civil, and he did not think she would break her word.

So why Naboo?

Leia came out of her room, her eyes heavily bagged underneath by tiredness. Vader had asked her earlier if she needed help from him, and she had refused -- typically moody and obstinate -- so he hadn't spoken to her since. He felt tempestuous frustration pouring from her now in overpowering waves, and was quick to block her out, not wanting to examine the source of her anger, or knowing how to comfort her. He did not have Amidala's talents, and was little suited to calm sullen children. Leia knew this well; she gave him a weary glance of exasperation before throwing herself onto a couch.

He surveyed her silently as she sat, sprawled out over pillows. Her hair had been pulled tight across her head, and wrapped into a series of three coiled, severe braids that draped to her shoulders. She wore a smoothly cut silver dress of Amidala's choosing, with a typically high neck, yet she looked stylish and appropriate. If her expression weren't so sour, he thought, she might look beautiful, even at her young age.

She stood suddenly in answer to a silent beckoning from her mother, and he watched as the dress was covered by a thick longcoat, and as her hair disappeared under a deep hood.

It must be cold outside.

Amidala did not look at him as she arranged Leia's sleeves. He watched her openly anyway. She was laced in black, her slim body swallowed by the turns of a thickly ruffled outercoat. Her hair was parted in half, and thick strands of it curled out of two hollow metal sheaths on the sides of her skull. The rest of her head was covered by a dark cowl she hadn't worn before, that had a neckpiece which fell under her chin in successive layers of folded cloth.

(Queen Amidala)

He was overwhelmed by a flood of dismay. He did not like the message she was sending.

She straightened suddenly, noticing his gaze. Her eyes were sharp against the black of her gown. Do you understand it, Ani? she asked tightly. They will know, if they see me.

It was an enormous step. She had not been out since the miracle had happened (Palpatine, for some reason, had accepted her presence without question), and she had come with him to Coruscant. Their lives had changed greatly then. Now everything was headed for new change -- if he let her do as she pleased.

He stopped the iron lung for a moment, letting the room sit in real silence, then began breathing ominously again. Do you really want this, Amidala?

I do not care if they know who I am or not.

He thought, It would seem a victory for the Empire, if everyone knew even the former Senator Amidala could not fight any longer, but stormy discomfort rose in his heart, and he shunted the thought aside.

I do not like it. I do not it think it wise.

She eyed him squarely. What do you want, Ani? For me to cover my face and hide? He felt a spike of anger stab his chest, but was quick to hold it down. He could not blame her for what had happened. He was grateful still that she had come back to him, even with the mask.

This is unnecessary, Amidala. The Emperor knows what you are. You do not need to prove yourself to him.

Her eyes blazed like the suns on her cheeks. If I have to go out, I will be proud about doing it. I am not going to deny what I am. Or who you really are.

He pointed a finger at her, and jabbed it in the air. Be careful, he warned. I do not care about the public's reaction to me, but I do not like what you are doing to yourself.

Leia broke in suddenly, confusion evident in her voice. What are you talking about? she asked. Her eyes were shadowed beneath her cowl, but he could tell they were darting back and forth. I want an explanation.

Leia always wanted an explanation. Vader suspected it the reason she had been so moody earlier -- his daughter always believed she was being left out of things.

he said distantly, feeling something else. I believe our escort has arrived.

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