The Unity Day evening aquatic laser show annually occurred in the central park of Theed, surrounded by flat grassy areas, scattered shade trees and manicured hedges. The variety of statues and fountains in the park added to the serene and joyful atmosphere. The laser show was one of Padmé's favorite moments of the Unity Day celebration. Both Naboo and Gungan would join together, lounging about on the grassy areas, as well as standing amongst the trees, enjoying the sights and sounds before them.
As soon as the Naboo sun set, the show would begin, starting with a display of rhythmic blasts of water jetting out from the large central fountain, followed by colorful laser lights reflecting in and through the flow of water, arcing high up into the night sky, far above the tree line; the water and the lasers creating a prismatic effect against the starlit Naboo sky. It was typically a breathtaking show and she always looked forward to it.
The Gungan and Naboo youngsters scampered about the greens and Padmé recognized their excitement as a reflection of her own, although she discovered that for once, this celebration night, she was excited about more than the Gungan aquatic laser show.
After finding a comfortable spot on the ground with a good view of the main fountain below, Padmé, Sabé, and Rabé relaxed upon a carefully laid velvet coverlet. Sabé was commenting upon their luck at finding a comfortable spot with a good view, every piece of ground rapidly being taken up by Naboo and Gungan eager to watch the festivities, but Padmé's attention was immediately drawn elsewhere. She was searching down below through the crowd for a dark brown Jedi robe, that was increasingly becoming more difficult to see in the dimming light.
She caught the sight of him finally pulling Jar-Jar out from the main fountain. Apparently, the Gungan had fallen in and Padmé chuckled as she watched the scene. Jar-Jar was high-spirited, but Obi-Wan handled him well. She gasped as it looked for a moment as though the creature would pull the Jedi in with him, but somehow, the knight was able to free himself and remove Jar-Jar at the same time, although Padmé suspected he may have had a little assistance from the Force.
The young woman continued to focus her gaze upon him as he worked diligently with the Gungans, aligning the lights and positioning the jets, until it was too difficult to see him in the dark. When it finally became impossible to pick him out amongst the lengthening and darkening shadows, she turned her attention to Sabé who was sitting next to her staring at her intently with a mischievous grin.
"Girl. You've got it bad."
"What do you mean?" Padmé feigned innocently with a smile that broadened as she noted both Sabé and Rabé shaking their heads at her. With a slight roll of her eyes, she turned back to the laser show, which was just now beginning.
The first of the jets shot off, accompanied by bolts of blue and green, the laser lights wrapping around the propelling streams and each other, and appreciative applause struck out amongst the watchers. Padmé was about to comment on the beauty of it, but when she turned her head, her mouth gaped open in surprise as Sabé and Rabé suddenly jumped up from their seated positions and walked away. She was about to say something to them when a pair of dark brown boots stepped upon her blanket and a man donned in cream-colored tunics eased himself down next to her and she forced her mouth to clamp shut and took a deep breath to calm her nerves.
"Do you mind?" He asked politely.
"No, of course not." Padmé replied, surprised that she could find her voice, and that her words actually came out steadily.
"I didn't mean to run off your friends."
Both Obi-Wan and Padmé glanced over to the pair of women who immediately turned their eyes back toward the celebration, slightly embarrassed to have been caught gaping their way. Padmé grinned at their obvious gesture.
"That's all right." She answered finally. "I think they prefer to stand tonight."
Silence passed between them as the colors of the aquatic lighting changed from blue and green to purple and white, the water jetting much higher now, so much so that Padmé had to lean her head back and view skyward. "It's beautiful." She murmured in appreciation.
"Yes, it is." Obi-Wan replied, but he wasn't watching the laser show. He had his attention focused on one thing; the face of the young woman seated so comfortably beside him. He wondered at her apparent calmness. He was shaking in his boots and his pulse rate had increased to double time.
Perhaps she wasn't as interested in him as he had hoped.
He continued to appreciate her profile, noting that some time between second meal and now, she had removed all of her royal makeup revealing the creamy porcelain tone of her skin and the natural rosy tint of her full lips.
And he began to realize that whatever happened tonight or tomorrow, this would be enough. Sharing this moment with her, here, among her people, helping them however he could, basking in their company, appreciating their beauty. Her beauty. It was more than he could ever hope for, and he was satisfied.
Well, almost.