Chapter 11: The Devil Wears Combat Boots
At noon the next day, the Neberrie household received another addition- the much more pleasant Sabé. For the next several hours, the two ladies, with the assistance of Jobal and Sola, giggled as they prepared for the ball. Though the Jedi and the women from the Academy were to be the majority in attendance that night, many noble families, including Padmé's, had been invited.
While the women barricaded themselves in Padmé's room, the men down below vocalized their complaints about having to go to the ball. Around mid-afternoon, Obi-Wan arrived at the home and was heartily greeted by its occupants.
"He's here!" Padmé giggled as she rushed into her room. Her mother and sister immediately left to meet the Jedi Master. Partially ready and wearing a white bathrobe, Padmé rushed over to where Sabé sat at the vanity.
Meanwhile, Sabé curiously looked up from where she sat and asked, "Who?" though the blush on her cheeks gave her away.
"Your Obi-Wan," Padmé said breathlessly, plopping herself down on the chaise next to her friend.
"He's not my Obi-Wan," Sabé insisted, practically going scarlet though she seemed pleased by that idea. In an attempt to distract Padmé, she quickly stood up to fix her friend's hair.
"Oh, I most certainly think he is," Padmé said gravely, holding up another pin for her friend to take, "and so do you."
Sabé kept her eyes averted. "But am I 'his' Sabé?"
"I think you already know the answer to that."
A sly smile spread across Sabé's face. "And to which of your three admirers do you belong?"
"Three?" Padmé echoed, now the one to feel uncomfortable. "The only man I even want to think about liking me is Ferus." She shivered at the thought of the other two. "I can't wait to see him tonight."
Happily humming, Sabé agreed. "Padmé, I know that you and Master Skywalker… don't always agree, but you need to be careful tonight- doing something stupid will only hurt your political career.
"Don't worry," Padmé assured her flippantly, causing her friend to sigh. "I will be so sweet he won't know what hit him."
"Oh dear…"
"Sabé, I can handle one overgrown Jedi Master- you just enjoy tonight. It is only a ball, and after the opening dance, I do not have to see him for the rest of the night if I do not wish to."
Sabé did not seem so certain about this, for she said nothing but worriedly bit her lip.
Padmé never got a chance to reassure her because, at that moment, an agitated Jobal burst into the room. "Do either of you know a young lady by the name of Eirtaé? She just commed saying that you both owe her a lot of credits."
The two ladies groaned simultaneously.
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Neberrie Home, Dusk
"Wait," Padmé whispered, grabbing Sabé's arm to prevent her from taking another step towards the landing.
Down below, Ruwee's voice could be heard as he instructed his three male guests. "I know that you will treat Sabé as if she were my daughter," he told Obi-Wan, causing Sabé to cover her mouth to stifle a giggle.
Also amused, Padmé strained to see what was sure to be an interesting scene, but their position prevented her from doing so.
"And you," Ruwee said, mild accusation and mild intimidation in his voice, "I will be watching you." He was obviously addressing Anakin. "Treat my daughter as a gentleman should."
"Ouch," Padmé breathed, desperately wanting to see Anakin's expression as he got lectured.
"If I hear so much as one unfavorable word," Ruwee continued, "or so much as see she's unhappy, I will…" he suddenly stopped as a snorting sound was heard.
In the silence, Padmé and Sabé heard the uneasy shifting of feet as an agitated Jedi Master remained being scrutinized.
"You might not have had the… pleasure of being a father yet, but think of how you'd want your own daughter to be treated."
By then, Padmé was about to explode with laughter and had to drag Sabé into the nearby 'fresher before she did so. Anakin- a father? The thought was in itself amusing.
The sudden noise once more caused silence below, but they eventually heard Anakin give Ruwee his solemn assurances.
"Don't worry, sir," Palo cheerfully interrupted the Jedi, surely earning himself a scowl and perhaps an evil look from his companion. "I shall personally see to it that Padmé enjoys herself and is in only the best of company.
"Oh, Force," Padmé laughed, having to lean against the door for support as her eyes filled with tears.
Even Sabé, who liked Palo though he was certainly annoying, couldn't help but say, "Best of company?" before laughing hysterically.
"Ladies," Jobal admonished as she walked by though the corners of her mouth quirked wryly. With a stern gesture, she had them walking in a more dignified manner towards thee stairs.
As it was to be a black and white ball, Sabé and Padmé both wore white. While Sabé wore a sleeveless dress that puffed out at the bottom to something akin to a dancer's fare, she had decided to wear her hair down though a single diamond pin pulled the curls away from one side of her face.
Padmé, on the other hand, wore a simple but elegant dress that swept across the floor, its slight train sparkling in the light the chandelier cast. Her hair was pinned up, and a mixture of diamond pins and small flowers adorned her hair, dangling curls adorning her pretty face.
It seemed that Obi-Wan had practically forgotten himself and was unabashedly staring at the flustered Sabé as she descended the stairs arm in arm with Padmé. Though she drew her fair share of admiring looks, Padmé did not notice.
Nor did she see the way Anakin's face softened when her eyes flickered his way.
The moment they reached the floor, Obi-Wan rushed to Sabé's side and delightedly told her how lovely she looked before gallantly kissing her hand. Palo too tried to do the same with Padmé, but she deftly moved to Anakin's side and slipped her hand into his arm. Surprised, Anakin all but gaped at her.
After all, she justified, there wasn't much choice- the moody Anakin or the smothering Palo.
Obviously hurt, Palo shrugged and tried to speak to Padmé but Anakin said loudly, "We had best leave if we wish to make it to the ball on time," though it was obvious that he could care less.
Sadly, Padmé could only think of how pathetic it was that she appreciated Anakin's attention over Palo's.
That in itself was a degrading thought.
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Outside
the Theed Palace
Taking pity on Padmé, Ruwee had
cajoled Palo into a different speeder with him under the pretense
that he wanted to hear more about the artist's patroness, Lady
DeBourgh, but he still sent his daughter a sympathetic look as Anakin
escorted her off.
The short trip was uneventful and rather quite for, while Sabé and Obi-Wan quietly conversed among themselves, Padmé watched Anakin stiffly glare at the other couple. Only when Obi-Wan parked the speeder to the muscles in Anakin's jaw contract.
All
about them were couples swarming to join their festivities- solemnly
clad Jedi with their frilly dressed partners. At this and despite
herself, Padmé could not help but feel excited.
It was
rather humiliating when she had to explain to her disbelieving
parents that Anakin and she were required to share the first dance
(she had coincidentally forgotten to tell them), but she soon found
herself standing in line with the Jedi Master, the other partners
huddled nearby. Madame DesLauriers strode by and openly glared at
Anakin and he oddly enough seemed intimidated, but that was probably
due to her overwhelming size. Miss Talek did the same at Padmé,
for the stuck up lady obviously preferred Anakin over her adoring
partner.
Next to her, Anakin had noticed her distraction and quietly asked, "Are you looking for someone?"
Tightening her jaw, she nevertheless flashed him an overly-friendly smile that even he could probably see through. "I am," Padmé conceded.
"If you are looking for a Mr. Ferus Olin, you won't be finding him here."
While praying that Sabé would remember to talk with Obi-Wan about the secret Ferus had confided in her, Padmé pretended to be uninterested. "Why?"
"He was sent to the Outer Rim yesterday on a mission that I wish I could tell you is important but…"
This time she could not conceal her feelings. "But I just spoke with him yesterday and he assured me he'd be coming…"
Calculating blue eyes looked into her brown ones. "I guess it was unfortunate timing, then. He should have known better than to commit himself to something he might not be able to follow through with," Anakin shrugged, not seeming the slightest bit disappointed by the missing presence.
It was then that the truth hit her. "You intentionally sent him away!"
Again, he shrugged. "The Council sends who they see fit."
"Don't you ever feel that what you're doing is wrong?"
"That is for me to decide and not for you to determine, Padmé."
"Don't call me that- only my friends do, and that you most certainly are not."
"Yes…
My Lady."
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Important Author's Note: Since I am now caught up with where
I am in boards, I shall be posting every Tuesday. On a happier note,
there shall be a sequel down the road… more details on that to
come.
Spoiler for the next chapter: Dancing With the Enemy:
A tall figure stepped in front of them and impeded their path.
Lifting her eye from the broad chest that was a mere foot from her face, Padmé was shocked to find that it was none other than Anakin Skywaker.
"Miss Padmé," he blurted out, nervously fidgeting with his glove, "may I have the honor of this next dance?"
Without even realizing that she had opened her mouth, Padmé heard herself say, "You may."
Gratefulness momentarily washed over Anakin's Face, but with a clumsy bow, he was soon gone.
It was then that she realized that Raé was staring at her in complete shock.
Oh, Force… why did I do that?"
All of the sudden, she could not breath and the room seemed overly crowded. "Follow me," she gasped, leading her friend into an adjoining room that was dark as well as empty.
Rabé nervously bit her lip and clutched at Padmé's shaking arms.
"Did I just tell Master Skywalker that I would dance with him?"
