Stars in the Darkness - Part Five
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Onara, who was about to go down the stairs of the wide staircase that led to the vestibule of her manor, stopped and stared. The vestibule was filled with people. All the servants who worked about the manor were there; the cooks, the groundskeepers, the maids, all the household staff. Like her father, Onara had always insisted on hiring people to work at the manor. She knew it would have been cheaper to have purchased droids, and there were some on the estate, but she liked having people around her. Simtro, her major-domo, who had served her father faithfully for many years, stood in front of the crowd.
Onara looked over at Dalan who was standing next to her, Ben in the crook of one of his arms, Sinja-Bau on the other side of him. Ben smiled and waved down at the servants, delighted, apparently, at seeing everyone he usually saw scattered about the manor gathered in one place. The servants either smiled or waved back to him. Then, Simtro bowed deeply, and the servants followed him.
Eyes stinging, Onara swallowed heavily, her heart full. Then she felt Dalan take her hand. She looked over at him. He smiled. Onara returned his smile, then looked back at the servants who were still bowing to her. With her hand firmly in Dalan's, she walked down the stairs until she reached Simtro. He rose at her approach, the servants following him.
"Senator Lenor," Simtro stated, and Onara could hear the pride in his voice as he proclaimed her new title. "I have been asked to speak for all gathered here to tell you how very proud we are of you, and that we wish you the blessing of the gods as you travel to Coruscant."
Onara let go of Dalan's hand. She reached over and threw her arms about Simtro, hugging him tightly, the thick fabric of her traveling cloak crinkling as she did so.
"Thank you, Simtro," Onara said, her eyes filling with tears. "Thank you so much."
She pulled away, the tears now streaming down her face. Then she looked around at all the servants.
"Thank you all so very much," she said in a voice that rang through the vestibule. "It has been said that it was the work I and my husband put in over the past two years that has brought about this great day for Ahjane. But it is you, the people of Ahjane, who have helped to make this day a reality. We have shown the Republic, through our dedication, our hard work and our continued striving towards peace, that we are worthy of full membership in that august body. I can only hope and pray I will be able to continue the work we, the people of Ahjane, have begun."
At the conclusion of Onara's words, the servants cheered and clapped, with cries and shouts of "You will, milady," and "The gods' blessing upon your head" swirling around her. Onara them moved among the crowd, shaking the hands of all the servants and wishing them well.
"All right, all right," Simtro cried out after some moments had passed. "Senator Lenor has a starliner to catch."
He began to quickly, but gently, shoo the servants back to their duties. Soon, only Onara, Dalan, Ben, Simtro, Sinja-Bau and Keria were left. Like Onara, Keria was dressed in a thick, velvet blue traveling cloak. At the last minute, Onara had decided to take the young servant girl with her, and Dalan and Sinja-Bau had agreed with her decision.
Having gotten not only permission, but blessings from her parents, Keria had quickly packed. When Onara had given her the traveling cloak to wear, her eyes had lit up with both gratitude and wonder. Once they reached Coruscant, Onara decided, she would take the girl on a shopping spree and let her purchase some new clothes. She was, after all, going to be handmaiden to a Senator of the Republic. Though Onara wasn't terribly ostentatious herself, she knew enough about Coruscant to know that image was not everything, but it was important.
Glancing over at Keria, who was hopping up and down on her toes gleefully, her young cheeks flushed, her blue eyes sparkling, Onara turned and looked over at Sinja-Bau. The ex-Jedi, without a word, took Onara in her arms and hugged her tightly.
"Be well, little one."
"I will, Sinja-Bau."
"And remember, you are not, nor will you ever be alone."
Onara nodded, her throat tight. She looked over at Ben, who was still in Dalan's arms. She watched, perplexed, as Ben tugged eagerly on the collar of Dalan's brown jacket, then whispered in his ear. Dalan smiled and, reaching under his arm, pulled a thin red folder from under it. He handed it to Ben, then put him on the floor. Ben walked over to his mother. Onara sank to her knees, the wide skirt of her sapphire-blue skirt pooling around her.
"Mama?"
"Yes, darling?"
Ben handed her the folder. "Can you give this to Obi-Wan?"
Onara, whose expression did not change one whit, felt her heart slamming inside her chest at Ben's words. She looked quickly up at Dalan and Sinja- Bau. Her husband smiled warmly at her and Ben, but Onara saw something in Sinja-Bau's eyes that, for a moment, looked like apprehension. Willing her heart to slow to a normal rate, Onara took the folder in her gloved hands.
"What is it, dear?" she asked Ben.
"A present. Promise me you'll give it to Obi-Wan, Mama."
Onara swallowed and opened the red folder. Inside was one of Ben's drawings. Done in the crude, but endearing style of children everywhere, it showed two figures. One was small and had black hair. Onara recognized it as Ben's depiction of himself. Standing next to Ben was a large figure, almost gigantic in proportion to the smaller one. It was holding what Onara assumed was a lightsaber. Ben leaned over and pointed to the smaller figure on the paper.
"That's me, Mama." He moved his finger and pointed to the larger figure. "And that's Obi-Wan."
Underneath the two figures, Ben had scrawled in bright red, for he was just learning how to write his letters: _For Obi-Wan, Jedii Knite. my Hero. From yur good freind Ben_.
"Oh, darling, it's lovely," Onara said, trying not to let the feelings which were threatening to overwhelm her spill over into her voice.
"Do you think he will like it, Mama?" Ben asked, his blue-gray eyes anxious as he looked over at her.
"Oh, yes, darling," she exclaimed, giving him a big hug. "He'll think it's quite grand."
Onara pulled away from the hug. Ben's face broke into a wide smile. He looked over at Dalan. "Papa helped me." He turned back to Onara. "Tell Obi- Wan Papa helped me."
"I will," Onara whispered as she placed the drawing carefully back into the folder. She handed it to Keria and the girl slipped it into a traveling handbag slung over her shoulder.
"Now kiss Mama goodbye," Onara said to Ben.
He threw his little arms around her and hugged her tightly.
"Bye-bye, Senator Mama," he whispered in her ear.
At his words, Onara burst into tears, too overwhelmed by her emotions to hold them in check anymore.
"Don't cry, Mama," Ben said, his warm cheek pressed against hers, his hand patting her back. "Please, don't cry."
"I'm sorry, darling," Onara sniffed as she pulled back and wiped at her eyes. She then took Ben by the shoulders and squeezed them. He gazed back at her, his beautiful eyes wide and glistening.
"Can Jedi Knights cry, Mama?" he asked, and she heard the tears in his voice.
"Yes, darling. They can and they do. Never be afraid to cry. It shows you have a heart."
Ben nodded, then Onara watched, her heart breaking as the tears flowed down his little face. She pulled him to her again and held him tightly, not wanting to ever let him go. But then she heard Sinja-Bau's voice.
"Onara, your starliner will be leaving shortly."
"I know, I know," she said quickly.
She hugged Ben one more time, then slowly let him go. She took out a handkerchief from the pocket of her cloak and wiped at Ben's cheek, then kissed each one.
"Now, be a brave little Jedi for Mama, all right? I'll see you soon. And think of all the wonderful things we'll do once you come to Coruscant."
Ben nodded sorrowfully. Sinja-Bau came up behind him and, bending down, picked him up.
"Come, Ben, it's time for your lessons."
"Bye, Mama," Ben said, trying to smile through his tears, waving to her as Sinja-Bau took him up the stairs. "Don't forget to give Obi-Wan the picture."
"I won't, darling. And I'll see you soon. Remember, Mama loves you."
Onara's eyes followed Ben and Sinja-Bau as they went up the stairs, then turned and disappeared down the hallway. As much as she hated seeing Ben go, she was grateful Sinja-Bau had taken him away, for Onara could not, she believed, have found the courage or the will to leave him herself.
Simtro, who had been standing quietly to the side, gestured to Keria. The young girl, tears streaming down her face at Onara and Ben's goodbye, followed the major-domo through the door and outside to where a vehicle, packed with all her and Onara's belongings, was waiting to take them to the starport. Onara and Dalan were now alone.
"I hope you don't mind about the picture, Onara," Dalan said, his dark blue eyes worried behind their silver spectacles. "Ben was quite insistent on drawing it."
"No, it's fine. It's very sweet." Then Onara bit her lip and looked up at Dalan from under her lashes. "What about you?"
Dalan smiled. He reached over and put his hands on her shoulders. "I know how much Ben worships Obi-Wan."
Onara frowned slightly. She noted Dalan had not answered her question as to how he felt about Ben's adoration of Obi-Wan, but she was very much aware time was passing and she and Keria had to leave. Dalan, noticing her frown, bent down and pressed his lips against her forehead.
"You haven't even experienced your first session of the Senate and you're scowling already," he teased her.
Onara smoothed out her face. Dalan, taking her gently by the chin, leaned down and kissed her. Onara closed her eyes and, as she had sworn to Sinja- Bau last night, focused all her thoughts on Dalan, his soft lips on hers, his warm breath moving across her mouth. Then, hesitating only a moment, she slipped her arms up and around his neck and returned his kiss, telling herself this man was her husband and he deserved to be treated as one. They kissed for a long moment, then Dalan released her. He smiled down at her, his indigo eyes warm.
"I'm not so sure I want you to leave after a kiss like that," he said, holding her close.
"But you must," Onara said and she smiled, easing herself out of his arms. "If I don't make this flight, there won't be another to Coruscant for a month. I'll miss the opening session of the Senate and that would hardly be an auspicious beginning for Ahjane, now would it?"
"No," he agreed, smiling. "It would not."
He took her by the arm and led her outside to the vehicle where Simtro waited to take her and Keria to the starport.
"Be well, Onara," Dalan said softly. "And don't worry about Ben. Sinja-Bau and I will look after him. Once you're settled, we'll bring him to you."
"Thank you," Onara said, raising up and kissing Dalan quickly on the cheek. "And you be well, my husband."
Dalan's dark brows lifted at her words, for she had never addressed him that way in their two years of marriage. Onara turned and got into the vehicle and, as Simtro drove away from the estate, inside she was a tumult of emotions. Sorrow at leaving her home and her family and those she loved; excitement regarding the new life she was about to begin. She glanced over at Keria, who was sitting next to her in the back seat of the vehicle, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Onara reached and took the girl's hands, gripping them gently.
"Are you all right, Keria?"
"Oh, yes, milady. I'm fine," the young blonde said, her eyes glistening with both tears and excitement. "I will miss my family. but they know that not only is this a great honor, but a great opportunity for me."
Onara smiled and patted her hand. Yes, she was very glad she had decided to bring Keria along. Now, perhaps, she wouldn't feel so terribly lonely. Her gaze moved down to the traveling handbag that lay at Keria's feet, and she thought of Ben's drawing and the promise she had made to give it to Obi- Wan.
She sighed heavily. Perhaps, she thought, as the vehicle sped to the starport, she could have it delivered to the Jedi Temple. That way she could honor her promise to Ben, but keep the vow she had sworn to Sinja-Bau last night; to stay as far away from Obi-Wan as possible.
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Padmé Amidala Naberrie, formerly the Queen of Naboo, now Senator for her homeworld for just over a year, stood in the lift next to her handmaiden Dormé. Her other two handmaidens, Cordé and Versé, were back at her apartment. Padmé had not wanted an entourage accompanying her on this visit. As the lift moved smoothly up the side of the skyscraper, she tried her best to quell the excitement within her, but it was difficult.
When Padmé first heard Onara Lenor had been elected as the freshman Senator for the system of Ahjane, she had filed it away in her mind with all the other sundry information she kept there regarding the Senate and its members. But, when she learned that not only was Onara just a few years younger than she but, at the age of twenty, had a two-year old son and a husband, Padmé knew she had to meet the young woman. First, because there weren't many Senators who were close to her own age and second, she was curious to see how Onara was able to juggle both a political career and a family. When the lift finally stopped, Padmé smoothed out the front of her emerald-green dress. She glanced over at Cordé who was smiling at her.
"I'm eager to meet her too," her handmaiden said with a wide smile.
Padmé returned her smile, but before she could say more, the doors of the lift opened. A young blonde girl with bright blue eyes stood in front of them. She was wearing a simple, but elegant sapphire-colored dress that matched her eyes. Her blonde hair was pulled up in an elegant hairdo and tiny blue diamonds glittered in her shapely ears. At the sight of Padmé and Dormé she curtsied deeply.
"Senator Amidala," she said with just a hint of nervousness in her voice. "Welcome. My name is Keria. I am Senator Lenor's handmaiden."
"Thank you, Keria. This is Dormé."
"A pleasure to meet you, Keria," Dormé replied.
Keria smiled shyly at her. Then, remembering her manners, she gestured for the two women to enter. As Padmé moved further into the penthouse, she noted it resembled hers. The same basic design, but the color scheme was different and there were boxes, both opened and unopened, scattered about the spacious common room. Keria, noting Padmé's gaze, quickly apologized.
"The Senator has been so busy hiring staff and moving into her office at the Senate, we're still trying to get things under control here."
Padmé smiled gently. "There's no need to apologize, Keria."
Keria directed Padmé and Dormé over to a long, cream-colored couch. Just as they were about to sit down, a woman came out of one of the back bedrooms. She wore a short-waist, rose-colored jacket, fitted close about her slim hips and a bell-shaped, matching skirt whose hem swept over the floor as she walked over to them.
As she came closer, for a moment, Padmé thought she was looking at one of her handmaidens. Onara had the same coloring, the dark eyes and hair and slender build, but there was both a sadness and a vulnerability about her large eyes Padmé had never seen in the faces of any of her handmaidens.
"Senator Amidala," Onara said warmly as she walked over, the melancholy Padmé had observed fading away from her eyes. She took Padmé's hands and squeezed them.
"Senator Lenor," Padmé replied.
Onara laughed and Padmé found herself both startled and delighted by the sound, for it was a rich, deep laugh, almost sensuous in the depth of its joy.
"Oh, I do hope we're not going to continue being so formal with each other," Onara said, her dark eyes sparkling. "I've longed so much to meet you, and I've had enough this past week of trying to maintain my senatorial dignity. Please, call me Onara."
"Only if you promise to call me Padmé."
"Agreed," Onara replied gladly as she and Padmé sat on the couch. Dormé was quickly introduced to Onara.
"Milady," Keria said in her sweet, high voice. "Should I...I mean, shall I bring in some tea?"
"Yes, please, Keria. Thank you."
Keria curtsied again and left the common area. Padmé watched her leave.
"She's very sweet," she said.
Onara nodded, a fond look on her face as the girl went into the kitchen. "I'm so glad I decided to bring her with me. At first I was going to come alone. But, I'm glad I did not. Keria has been both my joy and my rock. She's so very excited about being here on Coruscant, though I'm afraid we haven't had much time to sightsee. We've been so busy this past week."
Padmé nodded. "Even though I've been a Senator for just over a year, coming back to Coruscant for the new session is always a stressful time."
Keria reentered the room with a tray of tea. After serving everyone, she sat on the couch next to Dormé. For the next half hour, the two young Senators talked pleasantly about their experiences on Coruscant. Padmé was impressed with the questions Onara asked, not only about Coruscant, but about the Senate. She noted approvingly that Onara seemed to be up to speed on what was currently happening in the Senate, particularly as it related to the Military Creation Act. Although debate on the Act had been tabled for the time being, it was still the topic of the moment in the corridors and offices of the Senate.
At the mention of the Act, Padmé listened carefully to Onara. Although she seemed to be in favor of the Senate not authorizing the creation of an army for the Republic, Padmé detected something in her words that indicated she was not totally adverse to the idea either. However, their conversation soon shifted away from political matters.
It was during their discussion regarding places Onara and Keria could visit once they found the time to sightsee that the subject of Onara's family finally came up. Padmé had been dying to ask her about her husband and child, but had not wanted to appear to be prying. It was Keria who opened the way.
"Oh, milady," she cried, "when Ben comes to Coruscant, we'll have to take him there!"
Keria was referring to Padmé's suggestion they visit the Holographic Zoo of Extinct Animals.
"Ben? Is that your son?" Padmé asked politely.
A look of pure and unabashed joy bloomed in Onara's lovely face.
"Yes," she answered, smiling widely. "He adores animals. Actually, he got his first pet just recently."
"Really. What is it?"
"A voorpak. Its name is..." Onara hesitated, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "Its name is Obi-Wan.
Padmé and Dormé burst out laughing. Onara and Keria exchanged puzzled glances.
"I'm sorry, Onara," Padmé said, reaching over to pat her hand. "Please forgive us. It's just that Dormé and I both know Master Kenobi and the last thing he resembles is a voorpak. Although," and Padmé's eyes danced, "I've heard he's grown a beard..." and the two started laughing again.
"You know Obi...I mean, Master Kenobi?" Onara asked.
Padmé wiped at some tears that had slipped from her eyes while she had laughed.
"Yes. He and his master aided my people when my homeworld was occupied by the Trade Federation."
"Oh, I see," Onara said. "Have you...seen him lately?"
Padmé shook her head, but she was still smiling. "But I will never forget what he and Master Qui-Gon did for us."
"Master Kenobi helped my people also," Onara said, her voice, Padmé noting, trembling slightly. "About three years ago he negotiated a treaty between my province and one we had been at war with for many years."
Padmé nodded. "I've heard he's become quite the accomplished Jedi Knight."
"And don't forget that very handsome apprentice of his," Keria blurted out. Then, realizing, she had interrupted a conversation between two Senators, blushed and dropped her eyes.
"Ani?" Padme said in a skeptical voice, frowning. "Well, I thought he was rather cute, but handsome?"
"Milady," Dormé reminded her gently. "Anakin was only nine when we last saw him. He's a young man now." She looked over at Keria and gave her a reassuring smile. "And I'm sure Keria is right and he has grown up to be a very handsome young man."
Keria smiled gratefully back at Dormé. Padmé mentally shrugged. She wasn't interested in discussing Anakin Skywalker. She looked back at Onara.
"Will your son be joining you on Coruscant?"
"Yes. Soon, I hope. Dalan and I thought it best I get settled in before he came."
"Dalan is your husband?"
Onara nodded. "Would you like to see a picture of them?"
Finally, Padmé thought happily. "Yes, very much so."
"I'll get it, milady," Keria piped up, apparently eager to make amends for her earlier faux pas.
She nearly ran from the room and returned quickly with a large, gold-framed picture which she handed to Padmé. It was a 2-D portrait and showed Onara sitting in a chair, dressed in a black and white gown. A tall, black haired man in a somber, but elegant suit, with thoughtful deep blue eyes behind his silver spectacles, stood behind her, one hand resting on her shoulder. A dark-haired toddler sat on Onara's lap. She smiled as she pointed at the boy.
"That's my son, Ben," she said.
Padmé's heart turned over. Ben was the most attractive child she had ever seen. She could clearly see Onara's beauty in the shape of his face and his mouth. His eyes, however, seemed familiar to her. They were the most startling color; not blue, not gray, not green, but a wondrous mixture of all three. Ben had a wide smile on his face as he sat on his mother's lap, and Padmé could see he was a bright and happy child.
"He's beautiful, Onara," Padmé said warmly.
"Thank you. He's quite the handful, but I don't think any mother has been blessed with a more loving or happy child."
"You're very lucky," Padmé said as she handed the picture back to Onara. "You have a lovely family."
Onara gazed down at the picture. Padmé was surprised to see that gentle melancholy stealing back into her dark eyes.
"Yes," she said in a low, distant voice. "I do."
For a moment, the four women fell silent and it felt to Padmé as if a cloud had descended over the room.
"Milady," Padmé then heard Dormé say. "Don't forget the invitation."
"Oh, yes," she said quickly. "I had almost forgotten. Thank you for reminding me, Dormé"
Onara had looked up from her quiet contemplation of the picture at Dormé's words. Padmé reached over and took her hand.
"Do you have anything planned this evening?"
Onara shook her head. "No, I was going to read some of the reports from the last session of the Senate and---"
Padmé fiercely shook her head and gripped her hand. "No, you are most certainly not! You, my dear, are going to a party."
"A party?" Onara gasped. "But...I don't know anyone here. I've only met my staff."
"More the reason you need to get out. One thing you will learn, Onara," Padmé said in a no-nonsense voice, "is that over half the business of the Senate takes place outside the Chamber. I'm not much of a party-hopper myself, but you will need to get out occasionally to find out who the real movers and shakers are."
Padmé watched as Onara glanced over at Keria. It was clear the young blonde was up for the idea, but Onara looked skeptical.
"I'm going to be there, if that will make you feel any better," Padmé said, squeezing her hand to reassure her.
"Well, I suppose it will be all right," Onara ventured softly. "It is the day before the week's end."
"That's right," Padmé said vibrantly. "You can get back to Senate business bright and early at the beginning of the next week."
"All right, I'll go," Onara said smiling. Keria nearly squealed with delight and both Padmé and Dormé smiled at her.
"Good. Now, the party is at 1900. I'll stop by at 1830 and pick you both up."
Padmé glanced at her wristchrono and gasped. She quickly stood and Onara followed her, along with Dormé and Keria.
"I hate to just run," Padmé said quickly, "but I've been having such a lovely time here, I'd forgotten I have some things to do before the party. Thank you so much for inviting us, Onara. We'll talk more later."
Padmé turned, Dormé next to her, and was making her way swiftly towards the lift, when she heard Onara call after her.
"Padmé?"
She turned back to Onara. "Yes?"
"But, what kind of a party is it? What should I wear? Who's giving it?"
Padmé grinned. "It's a cocktail party, wear something elegant, but understated, and Senator Elester Rhygdon is giving it, but don't worry. Anything you may have heard about her is perfectly true, but her bark is worse than her bite. See you at 1830," she cried, waving, as she and Dormé entered the lift.
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"I will not go, Anakin."
"Please, Master," Anakin cried, his blue eyes imploring. "You have to go."
"I do not have to go and I will not."
Obi-Wan crossed his arms across his chest and glowered back at his apprentice. For the past hour, Anakin had been trying to convince him to accept Senator Rhygdon's invitation to attend her party tonight. He and Anakin were in his quarters at the Temple. Having returned to Coruscant from Raggan just days ago, the last thing Obi-Wan wanted was to spend any more time in the company of Senator Rhygdon.
"Master, I know you weren't happy about what happened at the press conference on her homeworld."
"Wasn't happy, Padawan? That's an understatement. The woman is a monster and, I might add, an unfit mother."
Anakin shook his head at Obi-Wan. "Master," he said in a disappointed voice. "I thought it was you who said we must not make judgments about people based on only one experience. Perhaps the Senator was still suffering from stress as a result of the kidnapping and it affected her judgment."
Obi-Wan scoffed. He moved past Anakin and over to his favorite reading chair. He sat in it and, reaching over, pulled a book from out of a shelf next to it. He settled himself comfortably on the chair, crossed his boots at the ankle and opened the book. Anakin walked over to the chair, his jaw dropping.
"No, Master!" he cried. "You're not serious! You're not going to read, are you? It's the night before the week's end."
"Yes, I am, Anakin. You and I have spent the last twelve months traveling from one system to another and I am exhausted. The Council has given us some time off, and I intend to make good use of it."
"By reading!" Anakin cried in a shocked voice. He moved closer. "Master, look, I know how you feel about politicians. But, from what I heard, there are going to be people besides politicians at the party. Why, there's even a rumor Illora Vantana herself might be there."
Obi-Wan sighed heavily. That would explain Anakin's burning desire to attend the party. Illora Vantana was one of the most popular holostars in the galaxy. Her holomovies made trillions of credits and were seen from the Core Worlds to the Outer Rim.
"Anakin, you have no idea who's going to be at the party, do you?" he asked as he paged through the book, trying to find where he'd left off over a year ago.
"Well, no, Master, I don't know who's going to be there, but I'm sure there will be some tunestars, at least, a few captains of industry, maybe even some of those professorial types you like to talk to."
Obi-Wan only moved the book up higher so he could no longer see Anakin's beseeching face. But that, apparently, was not going to deter his Padawan. He just kept talking.
"Now, I grant you, Senator Rhygdon is definitely a bottom-feeder," Obi-Wan heard Anakin say from behind the book, "but she's invited us because she wants to honor us for having saved her daughter."
Obi-Wan shook his head firmly, his gaze fastened on the page of the book. "She _honored_ us enough on Nida, Padawan."
Anakin reached over and gently, but insistently, pushed the book down from Obi-Wan's face. "Master Yoda gave us permission to attend. And it will be good for the Order. And, the ancients know, we certainly need all the good press we can get."
Obi-Wan sighed and closed his book. Anakin was right. In recent years, although the Jedi were still revered by the majority of citizens on Coruscant and the Core Worlds, because the resources of the Order were becoming severely strained, the Jedi were often not able to respond to the cries for assistance that were coming, with increasing frequency, from the Mid and Outer Rim worlds.
As a result, there was a small, but growing, disenchantment with the Jedi Order in some sectors of the Republic. There was even something called the People's Inquest, a citizens' Jedi watch group that was growing in popularity. More than likely Senator Rhygdon's party would be covered on the HoloNet News, though Obi-Wan still didn't relish serving as some kind of poster Jedi for the Order.
"All right, Anakin, I'll go. But, I'm not going to mingle, hob-nob or work the room. And we're leaving at exactly 2000."
Anakin rose from his chair and grinned. He made his way to the door, calling out behind him as it opened and he stepped through it. "Sounds great, Master. Just as long as you don't stand in a corner, giving everyone there one of your infamous Jedi masterly frowns, I'll be happy."
Obi-Wan only grunted in response. He put the book back on its shelf and went into his bedroom to find something to wear to what he knew was nothing more than a shameless, self-serving exhibition by Senator Rhygdon of him and his Padawan. He was going to have a perfectly awful time.
To be continued...
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Onara, who was about to go down the stairs of the wide staircase that led to the vestibule of her manor, stopped and stared. The vestibule was filled with people. All the servants who worked about the manor were there; the cooks, the groundskeepers, the maids, all the household staff. Like her father, Onara had always insisted on hiring people to work at the manor. She knew it would have been cheaper to have purchased droids, and there were some on the estate, but she liked having people around her. Simtro, her major-domo, who had served her father faithfully for many years, stood in front of the crowd.
Onara looked over at Dalan who was standing next to her, Ben in the crook of one of his arms, Sinja-Bau on the other side of him. Ben smiled and waved down at the servants, delighted, apparently, at seeing everyone he usually saw scattered about the manor gathered in one place. The servants either smiled or waved back to him. Then, Simtro bowed deeply, and the servants followed him.
Eyes stinging, Onara swallowed heavily, her heart full. Then she felt Dalan take her hand. She looked over at him. He smiled. Onara returned his smile, then looked back at the servants who were still bowing to her. With her hand firmly in Dalan's, she walked down the stairs until she reached Simtro. He rose at her approach, the servants following him.
"Senator Lenor," Simtro stated, and Onara could hear the pride in his voice as he proclaimed her new title. "I have been asked to speak for all gathered here to tell you how very proud we are of you, and that we wish you the blessing of the gods as you travel to Coruscant."
Onara let go of Dalan's hand. She reached over and threw her arms about Simtro, hugging him tightly, the thick fabric of her traveling cloak crinkling as she did so.
"Thank you, Simtro," Onara said, her eyes filling with tears. "Thank you so much."
She pulled away, the tears now streaming down her face. Then she looked around at all the servants.
"Thank you all so very much," she said in a voice that rang through the vestibule. "It has been said that it was the work I and my husband put in over the past two years that has brought about this great day for Ahjane. But it is you, the people of Ahjane, who have helped to make this day a reality. We have shown the Republic, through our dedication, our hard work and our continued striving towards peace, that we are worthy of full membership in that august body. I can only hope and pray I will be able to continue the work we, the people of Ahjane, have begun."
At the conclusion of Onara's words, the servants cheered and clapped, with cries and shouts of "You will, milady," and "The gods' blessing upon your head" swirling around her. Onara them moved among the crowd, shaking the hands of all the servants and wishing them well.
"All right, all right," Simtro cried out after some moments had passed. "Senator Lenor has a starliner to catch."
He began to quickly, but gently, shoo the servants back to their duties. Soon, only Onara, Dalan, Ben, Simtro, Sinja-Bau and Keria were left. Like Onara, Keria was dressed in a thick, velvet blue traveling cloak. At the last minute, Onara had decided to take the young servant girl with her, and Dalan and Sinja-Bau had agreed with her decision.
Having gotten not only permission, but blessings from her parents, Keria had quickly packed. When Onara had given her the traveling cloak to wear, her eyes had lit up with both gratitude and wonder. Once they reached Coruscant, Onara decided, she would take the girl on a shopping spree and let her purchase some new clothes. She was, after all, going to be handmaiden to a Senator of the Republic. Though Onara wasn't terribly ostentatious herself, she knew enough about Coruscant to know that image was not everything, but it was important.
Glancing over at Keria, who was hopping up and down on her toes gleefully, her young cheeks flushed, her blue eyes sparkling, Onara turned and looked over at Sinja-Bau. The ex-Jedi, without a word, took Onara in her arms and hugged her tightly.
"Be well, little one."
"I will, Sinja-Bau."
"And remember, you are not, nor will you ever be alone."
Onara nodded, her throat tight. She looked over at Ben, who was still in Dalan's arms. She watched, perplexed, as Ben tugged eagerly on the collar of Dalan's brown jacket, then whispered in his ear. Dalan smiled and, reaching under his arm, pulled a thin red folder from under it. He handed it to Ben, then put him on the floor. Ben walked over to his mother. Onara sank to her knees, the wide skirt of her sapphire-blue skirt pooling around her.
"Mama?"
"Yes, darling?"
Ben handed her the folder. "Can you give this to Obi-Wan?"
Onara, whose expression did not change one whit, felt her heart slamming inside her chest at Ben's words. She looked quickly up at Dalan and Sinja- Bau. Her husband smiled warmly at her and Ben, but Onara saw something in Sinja-Bau's eyes that, for a moment, looked like apprehension. Willing her heart to slow to a normal rate, Onara took the folder in her gloved hands.
"What is it, dear?" she asked Ben.
"A present. Promise me you'll give it to Obi-Wan, Mama."
Onara swallowed and opened the red folder. Inside was one of Ben's drawings. Done in the crude, but endearing style of children everywhere, it showed two figures. One was small and had black hair. Onara recognized it as Ben's depiction of himself. Standing next to Ben was a large figure, almost gigantic in proportion to the smaller one. It was holding what Onara assumed was a lightsaber. Ben leaned over and pointed to the smaller figure on the paper.
"That's me, Mama." He moved his finger and pointed to the larger figure. "And that's Obi-Wan."
Underneath the two figures, Ben had scrawled in bright red, for he was just learning how to write his letters: _For Obi-Wan, Jedii Knite. my Hero. From yur good freind Ben_.
"Oh, darling, it's lovely," Onara said, trying not to let the feelings which were threatening to overwhelm her spill over into her voice.
"Do you think he will like it, Mama?" Ben asked, his blue-gray eyes anxious as he looked over at her.
"Oh, yes, darling," she exclaimed, giving him a big hug. "He'll think it's quite grand."
Onara pulled away from the hug. Ben's face broke into a wide smile. He looked over at Dalan. "Papa helped me." He turned back to Onara. "Tell Obi- Wan Papa helped me."
"I will," Onara whispered as she placed the drawing carefully back into the folder. She handed it to Keria and the girl slipped it into a traveling handbag slung over her shoulder.
"Now kiss Mama goodbye," Onara said to Ben.
He threw his little arms around her and hugged her tightly.
"Bye-bye, Senator Mama," he whispered in her ear.
At his words, Onara burst into tears, too overwhelmed by her emotions to hold them in check anymore.
"Don't cry, Mama," Ben said, his warm cheek pressed against hers, his hand patting her back. "Please, don't cry."
"I'm sorry, darling," Onara sniffed as she pulled back and wiped at her eyes. She then took Ben by the shoulders and squeezed them. He gazed back at her, his beautiful eyes wide and glistening.
"Can Jedi Knights cry, Mama?" he asked, and she heard the tears in his voice.
"Yes, darling. They can and they do. Never be afraid to cry. It shows you have a heart."
Ben nodded, then Onara watched, her heart breaking as the tears flowed down his little face. She pulled him to her again and held him tightly, not wanting to ever let him go. But then she heard Sinja-Bau's voice.
"Onara, your starliner will be leaving shortly."
"I know, I know," she said quickly.
She hugged Ben one more time, then slowly let him go. She took out a handkerchief from the pocket of her cloak and wiped at Ben's cheek, then kissed each one.
"Now, be a brave little Jedi for Mama, all right? I'll see you soon. And think of all the wonderful things we'll do once you come to Coruscant."
Ben nodded sorrowfully. Sinja-Bau came up behind him and, bending down, picked him up.
"Come, Ben, it's time for your lessons."
"Bye, Mama," Ben said, trying to smile through his tears, waving to her as Sinja-Bau took him up the stairs. "Don't forget to give Obi-Wan the picture."
"I won't, darling. And I'll see you soon. Remember, Mama loves you."
Onara's eyes followed Ben and Sinja-Bau as they went up the stairs, then turned and disappeared down the hallway. As much as she hated seeing Ben go, she was grateful Sinja-Bau had taken him away, for Onara could not, she believed, have found the courage or the will to leave him herself.
Simtro, who had been standing quietly to the side, gestured to Keria. The young girl, tears streaming down her face at Onara and Ben's goodbye, followed the major-domo through the door and outside to where a vehicle, packed with all her and Onara's belongings, was waiting to take them to the starport. Onara and Dalan were now alone.
"I hope you don't mind about the picture, Onara," Dalan said, his dark blue eyes worried behind their silver spectacles. "Ben was quite insistent on drawing it."
"No, it's fine. It's very sweet." Then Onara bit her lip and looked up at Dalan from under her lashes. "What about you?"
Dalan smiled. He reached over and put his hands on her shoulders. "I know how much Ben worships Obi-Wan."
Onara frowned slightly. She noted Dalan had not answered her question as to how he felt about Ben's adoration of Obi-Wan, but she was very much aware time was passing and she and Keria had to leave. Dalan, noticing her frown, bent down and pressed his lips against her forehead.
"You haven't even experienced your first session of the Senate and you're scowling already," he teased her.
Onara smoothed out her face. Dalan, taking her gently by the chin, leaned down and kissed her. Onara closed her eyes and, as she had sworn to Sinja- Bau last night, focused all her thoughts on Dalan, his soft lips on hers, his warm breath moving across her mouth. Then, hesitating only a moment, she slipped her arms up and around his neck and returned his kiss, telling herself this man was her husband and he deserved to be treated as one. They kissed for a long moment, then Dalan released her. He smiled down at her, his indigo eyes warm.
"I'm not so sure I want you to leave after a kiss like that," he said, holding her close.
"But you must," Onara said and she smiled, easing herself out of his arms. "If I don't make this flight, there won't be another to Coruscant for a month. I'll miss the opening session of the Senate and that would hardly be an auspicious beginning for Ahjane, now would it?"
"No," he agreed, smiling. "It would not."
He took her by the arm and led her outside to the vehicle where Simtro waited to take her and Keria to the starport.
"Be well, Onara," Dalan said softly. "And don't worry about Ben. Sinja-Bau and I will look after him. Once you're settled, we'll bring him to you."
"Thank you," Onara said, raising up and kissing Dalan quickly on the cheek. "And you be well, my husband."
Dalan's dark brows lifted at her words, for she had never addressed him that way in their two years of marriage. Onara turned and got into the vehicle and, as Simtro drove away from the estate, inside she was a tumult of emotions. Sorrow at leaving her home and her family and those she loved; excitement regarding the new life she was about to begin. She glanced over at Keria, who was sitting next to her in the back seat of the vehicle, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Onara reached and took the girl's hands, gripping them gently.
"Are you all right, Keria?"
"Oh, yes, milady. I'm fine," the young blonde said, her eyes glistening with both tears and excitement. "I will miss my family. but they know that not only is this a great honor, but a great opportunity for me."
Onara smiled and patted her hand. Yes, she was very glad she had decided to bring Keria along. Now, perhaps, she wouldn't feel so terribly lonely. Her gaze moved down to the traveling handbag that lay at Keria's feet, and she thought of Ben's drawing and the promise she had made to give it to Obi- Wan.
She sighed heavily. Perhaps, she thought, as the vehicle sped to the starport, she could have it delivered to the Jedi Temple. That way she could honor her promise to Ben, but keep the vow she had sworn to Sinja-Bau last night; to stay as far away from Obi-Wan as possible.
---------
Padmé Amidala Naberrie, formerly the Queen of Naboo, now Senator for her homeworld for just over a year, stood in the lift next to her handmaiden Dormé. Her other two handmaidens, Cordé and Versé, were back at her apartment. Padmé had not wanted an entourage accompanying her on this visit. As the lift moved smoothly up the side of the skyscraper, she tried her best to quell the excitement within her, but it was difficult.
When Padmé first heard Onara Lenor had been elected as the freshman Senator for the system of Ahjane, she had filed it away in her mind with all the other sundry information she kept there regarding the Senate and its members. But, when she learned that not only was Onara just a few years younger than she but, at the age of twenty, had a two-year old son and a husband, Padmé knew she had to meet the young woman. First, because there weren't many Senators who were close to her own age and second, she was curious to see how Onara was able to juggle both a political career and a family. When the lift finally stopped, Padmé smoothed out the front of her emerald-green dress. She glanced over at Cordé who was smiling at her.
"I'm eager to meet her too," her handmaiden said with a wide smile.
Padmé returned her smile, but before she could say more, the doors of the lift opened. A young blonde girl with bright blue eyes stood in front of them. She was wearing a simple, but elegant sapphire-colored dress that matched her eyes. Her blonde hair was pulled up in an elegant hairdo and tiny blue diamonds glittered in her shapely ears. At the sight of Padmé and Dormé she curtsied deeply.
"Senator Amidala," she said with just a hint of nervousness in her voice. "Welcome. My name is Keria. I am Senator Lenor's handmaiden."
"Thank you, Keria. This is Dormé."
"A pleasure to meet you, Keria," Dormé replied.
Keria smiled shyly at her. Then, remembering her manners, she gestured for the two women to enter. As Padmé moved further into the penthouse, she noted it resembled hers. The same basic design, but the color scheme was different and there were boxes, both opened and unopened, scattered about the spacious common room. Keria, noting Padmé's gaze, quickly apologized.
"The Senator has been so busy hiring staff and moving into her office at the Senate, we're still trying to get things under control here."
Padmé smiled gently. "There's no need to apologize, Keria."
Keria directed Padmé and Dormé over to a long, cream-colored couch. Just as they were about to sit down, a woman came out of one of the back bedrooms. She wore a short-waist, rose-colored jacket, fitted close about her slim hips and a bell-shaped, matching skirt whose hem swept over the floor as she walked over to them.
As she came closer, for a moment, Padmé thought she was looking at one of her handmaidens. Onara had the same coloring, the dark eyes and hair and slender build, but there was both a sadness and a vulnerability about her large eyes Padmé had never seen in the faces of any of her handmaidens.
"Senator Amidala," Onara said warmly as she walked over, the melancholy Padmé had observed fading away from her eyes. She took Padmé's hands and squeezed them.
"Senator Lenor," Padmé replied.
Onara laughed and Padmé found herself both startled and delighted by the sound, for it was a rich, deep laugh, almost sensuous in the depth of its joy.
"Oh, I do hope we're not going to continue being so formal with each other," Onara said, her dark eyes sparkling. "I've longed so much to meet you, and I've had enough this past week of trying to maintain my senatorial dignity. Please, call me Onara."
"Only if you promise to call me Padmé."
"Agreed," Onara replied gladly as she and Padmé sat on the couch. Dormé was quickly introduced to Onara.
"Milady," Keria said in her sweet, high voice. "Should I...I mean, shall I bring in some tea?"
"Yes, please, Keria. Thank you."
Keria curtsied again and left the common area. Padmé watched her leave.
"She's very sweet," she said.
Onara nodded, a fond look on her face as the girl went into the kitchen. "I'm so glad I decided to bring her with me. At first I was going to come alone. But, I'm glad I did not. Keria has been both my joy and my rock. She's so very excited about being here on Coruscant, though I'm afraid we haven't had much time to sightsee. We've been so busy this past week."
Padmé nodded. "Even though I've been a Senator for just over a year, coming back to Coruscant for the new session is always a stressful time."
Keria reentered the room with a tray of tea. After serving everyone, she sat on the couch next to Dormé. For the next half hour, the two young Senators talked pleasantly about their experiences on Coruscant. Padmé was impressed with the questions Onara asked, not only about Coruscant, but about the Senate. She noted approvingly that Onara seemed to be up to speed on what was currently happening in the Senate, particularly as it related to the Military Creation Act. Although debate on the Act had been tabled for the time being, it was still the topic of the moment in the corridors and offices of the Senate.
At the mention of the Act, Padmé listened carefully to Onara. Although she seemed to be in favor of the Senate not authorizing the creation of an army for the Republic, Padmé detected something in her words that indicated she was not totally adverse to the idea either. However, their conversation soon shifted away from political matters.
It was during their discussion regarding places Onara and Keria could visit once they found the time to sightsee that the subject of Onara's family finally came up. Padmé had been dying to ask her about her husband and child, but had not wanted to appear to be prying. It was Keria who opened the way.
"Oh, milady," she cried, "when Ben comes to Coruscant, we'll have to take him there!"
Keria was referring to Padmé's suggestion they visit the Holographic Zoo of Extinct Animals.
"Ben? Is that your son?" Padmé asked politely.
A look of pure and unabashed joy bloomed in Onara's lovely face.
"Yes," she answered, smiling widely. "He adores animals. Actually, he got his first pet just recently."
"Really. What is it?"
"A voorpak. Its name is..." Onara hesitated, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "Its name is Obi-Wan.
Padmé and Dormé burst out laughing. Onara and Keria exchanged puzzled glances.
"I'm sorry, Onara," Padmé said, reaching over to pat her hand. "Please forgive us. It's just that Dormé and I both know Master Kenobi and the last thing he resembles is a voorpak. Although," and Padmé's eyes danced, "I've heard he's grown a beard..." and the two started laughing again.
"You know Obi...I mean, Master Kenobi?" Onara asked.
Padmé wiped at some tears that had slipped from her eyes while she had laughed.
"Yes. He and his master aided my people when my homeworld was occupied by the Trade Federation."
"Oh, I see," Onara said. "Have you...seen him lately?"
Padmé shook her head, but she was still smiling. "But I will never forget what he and Master Qui-Gon did for us."
"Master Kenobi helped my people also," Onara said, her voice, Padmé noting, trembling slightly. "About three years ago he negotiated a treaty between my province and one we had been at war with for many years."
Padmé nodded. "I've heard he's become quite the accomplished Jedi Knight."
"And don't forget that very handsome apprentice of his," Keria blurted out. Then, realizing, she had interrupted a conversation between two Senators, blushed and dropped her eyes.
"Ani?" Padme said in a skeptical voice, frowning. "Well, I thought he was rather cute, but handsome?"
"Milady," Dormé reminded her gently. "Anakin was only nine when we last saw him. He's a young man now." She looked over at Keria and gave her a reassuring smile. "And I'm sure Keria is right and he has grown up to be a very handsome young man."
Keria smiled gratefully back at Dormé. Padmé mentally shrugged. She wasn't interested in discussing Anakin Skywalker. She looked back at Onara.
"Will your son be joining you on Coruscant?"
"Yes. Soon, I hope. Dalan and I thought it best I get settled in before he came."
"Dalan is your husband?"
Onara nodded. "Would you like to see a picture of them?"
Finally, Padmé thought happily. "Yes, very much so."
"I'll get it, milady," Keria piped up, apparently eager to make amends for her earlier faux pas.
She nearly ran from the room and returned quickly with a large, gold-framed picture which she handed to Padmé. It was a 2-D portrait and showed Onara sitting in a chair, dressed in a black and white gown. A tall, black haired man in a somber, but elegant suit, with thoughtful deep blue eyes behind his silver spectacles, stood behind her, one hand resting on her shoulder. A dark-haired toddler sat on Onara's lap. She smiled as she pointed at the boy.
"That's my son, Ben," she said.
Padmé's heart turned over. Ben was the most attractive child she had ever seen. She could clearly see Onara's beauty in the shape of his face and his mouth. His eyes, however, seemed familiar to her. They were the most startling color; not blue, not gray, not green, but a wondrous mixture of all three. Ben had a wide smile on his face as he sat on his mother's lap, and Padmé could see he was a bright and happy child.
"He's beautiful, Onara," Padmé said warmly.
"Thank you. He's quite the handful, but I don't think any mother has been blessed with a more loving or happy child."
"You're very lucky," Padmé said as she handed the picture back to Onara. "You have a lovely family."
Onara gazed down at the picture. Padmé was surprised to see that gentle melancholy stealing back into her dark eyes.
"Yes," she said in a low, distant voice. "I do."
For a moment, the four women fell silent and it felt to Padmé as if a cloud had descended over the room.
"Milady," Padmé then heard Dormé say. "Don't forget the invitation."
"Oh, yes," she said quickly. "I had almost forgotten. Thank you for reminding me, Dormé"
Onara had looked up from her quiet contemplation of the picture at Dormé's words. Padmé reached over and took her hand.
"Do you have anything planned this evening?"
Onara shook her head. "No, I was going to read some of the reports from the last session of the Senate and---"
Padmé fiercely shook her head and gripped her hand. "No, you are most certainly not! You, my dear, are going to a party."
"A party?" Onara gasped. "But...I don't know anyone here. I've only met my staff."
"More the reason you need to get out. One thing you will learn, Onara," Padmé said in a no-nonsense voice, "is that over half the business of the Senate takes place outside the Chamber. I'm not much of a party-hopper myself, but you will need to get out occasionally to find out who the real movers and shakers are."
Padmé watched as Onara glanced over at Keria. It was clear the young blonde was up for the idea, but Onara looked skeptical.
"I'm going to be there, if that will make you feel any better," Padmé said, squeezing her hand to reassure her.
"Well, I suppose it will be all right," Onara ventured softly. "It is the day before the week's end."
"That's right," Padmé said vibrantly. "You can get back to Senate business bright and early at the beginning of the next week."
"All right, I'll go," Onara said smiling. Keria nearly squealed with delight and both Padmé and Dormé smiled at her.
"Good. Now, the party is at 1900. I'll stop by at 1830 and pick you both up."
Padmé glanced at her wristchrono and gasped. She quickly stood and Onara followed her, along with Dormé and Keria.
"I hate to just run," Padmé said quickly, "but I've been having such a lovely time here, I'd forgotten I have some things to do before the party. Thank you so much for inviting us, Onara. We'll talk more later."
Padmé turned, Dormé next to her, and was making her way swiftly towards the lift, when she heard Onara call after her.
"Padmé?"
She turned back to Onara. "Yes?"
"But, what kind of a party is it? What should I wear? Who's giving it?"
Padmé grinned. "It's a cocktail party, wear something elegant, but understated, and Senator Elester Rhygdon is giving it, but don't worry. Anything you may have heard about her is perfectly true, but her bark is worse than her bite. See you at 1830," she cried, waving, as she and Dormé entered the lift.
----------------
"I will not go, Anakin."
"Please, Master," Anakin cried, his blue eyes imploring. "You have to go."
"I do not have to go and I will not."
Obi-Wan crossed his arms across his chest and glowered back at his apprentice. For the past hour, Anakin had been trying to convince him to accept Senator Rhygdon's invitation to attend her party tonight. He and Anakin were in his quarters at the Temple. Having returned to Coruscant from Raggan just days ago, the last thing Obi-Wan wanted was to spend any more time in the company of Senator Rhygdon.
"Master, I know you weren't happy about what happened at the press conference on her homeworld."
"Wasn't happy, Padawan? That's an understatement. The woman is a monster and, I might add, an unfit mother."
Anakin shook his head at Obi-Wan. "Master," he said in a disappointed voice. "I thought it was you who said we must not make judgments about people based on only one experience. Perhaps the Senator was still suffering from stress as a result of the kidnapping and it affected her judgment."
Obi-Wan scoffed. He moved past Anakin and over to his favorite reading chair. He sat in it and, reaching over, pulled a book from out of a shelf next to it. He settled himself comfortably on the chair, crossed his boots at the ankle and opened the book. Anakin walked over to the chair, his jaw dropping.
"No, Master!" he cried. "You're not serious! You're not going to read, are you? It's the night before the week's end."
"Yes, I am, Anakin. You and I have spent the last twelve months traveling from one system to another and I am exhausted. The Council has given us some time off, and I intend to make good use of it."
"By reading!" Anakin cried in a shocked voice. He moved closer. "Master, look, I know how you feel about politicians. But, from what I heard, there are going to be people besides politicians at the party. Why, there's even a rumor Illora Vantana herself might be there."
Obi-Wan sighed heavily. That would explain Anakin's burning desire to attend the party. Illora Vantana was one of the most popular holostars in the galaxy. Her holomovies made trillions of credits and were seen from the Core Worlds to the Outer Rim.
"Anakin, you have no idea who's going to be at the party, do you?" he asked as he paged through the book, trying to find where he'd left off over a year ago.
"Well, no, Master, I don't know who's going to be there, but I'm sure there will be some tunestars, at least, a few captains of industry, maybe even some of those professorial types you like to talk to."
Obi-Wan only moved the book up higher so he could no longer see Anakin's beseeching face. But that, apparently, was not going to deter his Padawan. He just kept talking.
"Now, I grant you, Senator Rhygdon is definitely a bottom-feeder," Obi-Wan heard Anakin say from behind the book, "but she's invited us because she wants to honor us for having saved her daughter."
Obi-Wan shook his head firmly, his gaze fastened on the page of the book. "She _honored_ us enough on Nida, Padawan."
Anakin reached over and gently, but insistently, pushed the book down from Obi-Wan's face. "Master Yoda gave us permission to attend. And it will be good for the Order. And, the ancients know, we certainly need all the good press we can get."
Obi-Wan sighed and closed his book. Anakin was right. In recent years, although the Jedi were still revered by the majority of citizens on Coruscant and the Core Worlds, because the resources of the Order were becoming severely strained, the Jedi were often not able to respond to the cries for assistance that were coming, with increasing frequency, from the Mid and Outer Rim worlds.
As a result, there was a small, but growing, disenchantment with the Jedi Order in some sectors of the Republic. There was even something called the People's Inquest, a citizens' Jedi watch group that was growing in popularity. More than likely Senator Rhygdon's party would be covered on the HoloNet News, though Obi-Wan still didn't relish serving as some kind of poster Jedi for the Order.
"All right, Anakin, I'll go. But, I'm not going to mingle, hob-nob or work the room. And we're leaving at exactly 2000."
Anakin rose from his chair and grinned. He made his way to the door, calling out behind him as it opened and he stepped through it. "Sounds great, Master. Just as long as you don't stand in a corner, giving everyone there one of your infamous Jedi masterly frowns, I'll be happy."
Obi-Wan only grunted in response. He put the book back on its shelf and went into his bedroom to find something to wear to what he knew was nothing more than a shameless, self-serving exhibition by Senator Rhygdon of him and his Padawan. He was going to have a perfectly awful time.
To be continued...