Chapter 12: Dancing with the Enemy
Padmé watched the clock and was not surprised when Palo rushed to her side exactly ten seconds after Anakin had clumsily bowed to her and rushed from her side.
"Miss Padmé!" he called out so loudly that some of the guests actually turned to stare at him. Red in the face from having hastened to her, Palo bowed and eagerly grabbed Padmé's hand with his own sweaty one.
Humiliation, thy name is Palo.
"Hello," she said quietly, hoping that her gentle tones would make him speak quieter.
"You were very beautiful dancing back there," he beamed as though she should feel honored by his praise. Much to Padmé's displeasure, Palo continued to clutch at her hand.
"Um… thank you," she said, pretending to be looking about for someone, praying that a friend would relieve her of this misery.
There was no one.
"I just wanted to tell you…" he stammered, pausing to take a deep and very dramatic breath. When he saw that she was not listening, he said very loudly, "Miss Padmé!"
Blushing, she disinterestedly looked at the artist.
"I just wanted to let you know," Palo said in a hurried voice though he refused to look up from the ground, "that it is my intention to remain by your side for the remainder of the night." He then flashed her what he evidentially thought was a dashing smile but actually only made him look more foolish. A heavy suggestion floated along with his words, one that made Padmé avert her eyes as he continued to watch her with comically raised eyebrows.
"I am… uh, flattered," she blurted out, wishing that he would let go of her hand.
Palo then gave her a nod that displayed his approval. "My dear patroness would be pleased with your consistency of character, but I want you to know that I also find it gratifying."
To this, she had no reply but instead stared down at her feet.
"Such charming ladies as yourself are really found," he continued on.
Wondering when she had ever given the impression that she was charming, Padmé bit back a laugh.
This he did not notice but visibly strained to hear the music that started in the adjoining room. "Would you give me the honor of being my dancing partner for this lively tune?" Palo asked though he was already dragging her along.
Not bothering to hide her laughter this time, Padmé followed Palo and meanwhile caught the eye of an equally amused Rabé.
Late in joining the dance, Padmé surprisingly found herself standing next to a delighted Sabé. The ladies all formed a single row while their male partners stood across from them accordingly. Standing next to the flustering Palo was Obi-Wan. Fortunately, the Jedi Master seemed oblivious to his neighbor, including the admiring looks Palo sent him.
Thus began the music.
"I hope that we shall be able to do this more often," Palo said eagerly. Moving towards Padmé, Palo took her reluctant and stiff hand and his and revolved around in the spot with her until they both returned to their former positions.
Catching Sabé's eye, Padmé pretended to not hear him. "So, what have you learned?" she quietly asked Sabé as the young woman floated by her.
"Obi-Wan had hardly anything to say," Sabé replied, her cheeks bright from the dancing and her attentive dancing partner. "Master Skywalker is a dear friend of his, and he will not easily betray him."
With a few more beats, the two women moved away from each other and Padmé found herself dangerously close to Palo.
"It is a pleasure to…" he began but got cut off as he turned and found that Padmé had already turned her attention back to her friend.
"I think it is all very suspicious," Padmé said crossly, suddenly snatching her hand away in alarm as Palo grabbed at it.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say that Master Skywalker and Palo do not get along."
It seemed that Palo had finally resigned himself to the fact that he was being ignore, for he became oddly silent and had a perturbed look on his otherwise determined face.
Soon, the dance ended much to Padmé's relief, and she walked off arm in arm with Sabé. To their surprise, Obi-Wan had sensed Padmé's discomfiture and had immediately pulled Palo aside to engage him in a dull discussion.
They immediately set off in the direction of the refreshment table and found Rabé waiting for them. "Why do you look so thrilled, my dear?" she asked Padmé.
"I thought that dance would never end," Padmé groaned, gratefully downing the drink that was handed to her.
"Well then," Rabé said a little too cheerfully, "Here's something to cheer you up." Turning Padmé around by the shoulders, Rabé pointed across the ballroom to an oddly secluded corner.
Being practically dragged around the dance floor was Mace Windu. His overeager partner was the giggling and obviously tipsy Madame DesLauriers.
"Miss Padmé!" an unfamiliar voice cried out.
Whirling about, Padmé saw a middle aged but rather handsome man with a goatee hastily make his way towards her. From her years of following the activities in the Senate, Padmé knew that his name was Bail Organa and that he was the highly respected Senator of Alderaan.
How did he know her name?
Now standing before her, Bail gallantly bowed, drawing a shy smile from her. "May I have the honor of this dance?"
Soon, she was standing across from him on the dance floor.
"I just had the pleasure of speaking with an old friend of mine," Bail began good-naturedly, "Anakin Skywalker. It seems that he is helping you with your fledgling political aspirations."
"Yes," she aid lightly. Her eyes momentarily flickered to where the obviously bored Anakin leaned against the wall, an empty wine glass in his gloved hand. "I've had that good fortune."
He nodded approvingly. "If you ever need anything- anything at all- do not hesitate to let me know," he offered kindly. "In this day and age, anyone with an innocent political agenda is most welcome." Face grim, he looked behind her at a group of senators who were clustered in a nearby corner.
Bowing to her once more, Bail left, leaving Padmé to follow the same suit.
Once more, she sought out her friends, but Rabé was the only one available due to the fact that Obi-Wan had whisked Sabé off to dance again. Quickly, Padmé told Rabé of Bail's generous offer and soon found that her friend was just as excited as she. Arm in arm, they walked towards the gardens laughing over how well the night was faring.
A tall figure stepped in front of them and impeded their path.
Lifting her eyes up from the broad chest that was a mere foot from her face, Padmé was shocked to find that the sculpted body belonged to none other than Anakin Skywalker.
"Miss Padmé," he blurted out, nervously fidgeting with his glove, "may I have the next dance?"
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