Chapter 12: Little Lottie
"Are you nervous?" Sabé finally asked after Padmé had sat motionless on her bed for a good hour.
"I would be lying to say no," the young woman sighed, blinking for the first time in minutes.
Her friend worriedly bit her lip and studied Padmé before crossing the floor to sit on the bed too. "Something has changed about you," she said quietly, peering into averted eyes, "but I'm not sure that I like it." In a sudden movement, Sabé grabbed the other woman's thin wrist and held it before Padmé's face. "You are becoming so thin- when was the last time you've eaten?"
"I can't remember," came the irritated reply.
"Padmé, this just isn't right- you need to get away from here-"
"Will you help me?" she asked, completely catching the blond-haired woman off guard. Padmé could tell that her friend had not expected her to give in so easily.
"What kind of friend would I be to say no?" Sabé replied with a weak smile before extending out her hand and stood. "Come on- you've got a battle to win."
With a determination and strength she did not know existed, the former Senator grabbed her friend's hands and stood. "Where would I ever be without you?"
"In an office desperately trying to save all the Galaxy for corruption," Sabé teased though, by the expression that stole over her friend's face, her comment was not far from the truth.
"Were will I go?" Padmé asked worriedly. "So much has happened to me… so much I don't want to share with anyone else."
"Your secret is safe with me, 'My Lady.'"
"How can I explain this all to my parents?"
"They love you," Sabé scolded. "It isn't in them to turn you away."
"We shall see."
Minutes later, they were walking down an empty corridor. "I know that I need to leave," Padmé said softly, casting wary glances over her shoulder, "but even with… everything, I'm safer here than what I'd be even on Naboo. The Emperor dismissed me for a reason, and that is what I am concerned about."
"Enough," her friend interrupted, momentarily closing her eyes in irritation. "For Force's sake, Padmé- I know what danger we're in. I have a question though- you have obligations here- can you really leave?"
The other woman suddenly became rigid. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Liar. Fine, if you do not want to talk about it, we can ignore reality so as to protect your frail emotions."
A weary sigh was her reply.
It was evident that Sabé had already forgiven this outburst, but nothing more was said for they had finally reached the sparring room. Within could be heard the sounds of hundreds of voices.
Padmé's stomach turned over and she had to fight the impulse to turn about and leave.
"Oh, no you don't!" her companion laughed, grabbing her hand upon seeing that frantic look.
"There you are!" Cin Drallig cried out, pulling Padmé inside the room. "They're about to start the announcements- are you ready?"
Numbly, she nodded.
"Quiet!" Mace Windu commanded in a loud voice. "I have something I wish to say before we begin."
Instant silence reigned.
"This upcoming year, we shall have the honor of having with us Palo of Naboo…"
But Padmé was not listening- she was staring at the handsome, curly-haired man standing next to the Jedi Master. "It's Palo," the young woman breathed.
"Do you know him?"
"You could say that we were childhood sweethearts," Padmé smiled, a faint blush coming over her cheeks. "I had liked him very much, but he never seemed to notice."
"Oh, Padmé, I'm so happy for you!" Sabé gushed, excitedly hugging her friend. "He's so handsome!"
As they had been having this discussion, the artist had gracefully thanked his hosts before walking past Padmé to his seat.
She was crestfallen. "He probably did not recognize me," she said sadly.
"But when he does-"
Her exclamation was cut off as Cin Dralli unceremoniously led Padmé into the center of the large room. Once again, dread filled her as the gathered Jedi and guests cheered enthusiastically, but it was only beginning.
"Here today, we have one of our brightest young sparring pupils," Mace announced and was immediately followed by applause. "It only seemed fitting that she faced one of the Temple's greatest swordsmen…"
Had Sabé not been giving her a stern look, Padmé would surely have fainted.
"… Obi-Wan Kenobi!"
The man who stepped forward was so kind looking that she felt a little of her fear drain away.
Upon having come to stand before her, Obi-Wan kissed her hand. "At last we meet," he said quietly with an impish grin.
Even those present did not understand what happened next, but Padmé seemed to be the Jedi's equal as they battle with their poles. Her blows and parries were so evenly matched to his that it was hard to believe that the Master hadn't trained the young woman and that she was not Force-sensitive.
At first, Obi-Wan had showed some pity towards Padmé and only halfheartedly fought, but when it became apparent that, when she was effortlessly blocking his blows, he had to remain on his toes.
The whole room seemed to have realized this, and a tense feeling seemed to spread throughout the crowd. Off the the side, the Jedi Masters shared significant looks.
Nearly thirty minutes later, the Jedi dropped his pole at the stunned Padmé's feet and, after bowing rather quickly, ran out of the room with most of the Masters in his wake.
Confused, she looked at Cin Drallig but found that he too was giving her an odd look.
Apparently, the rest of the Jedi and those gathered had gotten over their shock, and Sabé rushed towards her.
Though Padmé did not know this, she had attracted the praise of two very different gentlemen. The first was none other than her childhood friend, Palo. It had taken him a little to remember her pretty face, but upon having done so, he was the young woman's most enthusiastic applauder.
Her other admirer stood below Padmé's feet, murky water dripping from the vent onto his mask, a smile forming on his charred lips.
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Okay, the post was supposed to be longer than this, but I accidentally misplaced my notebook though I think I know where it is! How does another long post tomorrow sound?
