OBI-WAN
Obi-Wan was not convinced that bringing Thalia to Coruscant was a good idea. He had voiced his opinion to his Master, but Qui-Gonn was reckless and had told him to focus on the task at hand.
Chancellor Vellorum had heard about the situation on Troska and had ordered that they visit Coruscant immediately so she could address the senate. For what purpose? Obi-Wan didn't know. All he knew, was that they were supposed to be keeping the Princess safe and by putting her in front of the entire senate was not going to keep her in hiding.
As C6 brought the Falcon into the landing platform on the city planet, Obi-Wan watched Thalia as she stood beside one of the windows, looking out across the landscape. She twisted the crystal ring around her finger nervously as she saw the greeting party waiting for her.
Chancellor Vellorum stood in between two Jedi, Master Yoda and Mace Windu. Behind them stood a number of attendants and other senators.
After realizing two Jedi were waiting, Thalia decided to pull the ring off her finger and put it in her pocket.
Obi-Wan tried to sense what she was anxious about. He closed his eyes and looked into her mind, focusing on what she was seeing on the platform below. She was worried about the Jedi, no not worried, afraid. She feared their judgment and hatred because she'd closed the crystal caves.
Looking at all the senators, she was only twenty four and they were…
Suddenly, Obi-Wan's mind went blank, like he'd been shut out, and he opened his eyes to see Thalia staring at him with alarm and hurt in her eyes.
"We're here." Qui-Gonn said, interrupting the quiet as he stepped into Obi-Wan's line of sight.
He watched as Thalia followed Qui-Gonn down the ramp of the ship and wondered how she'd sensed him in her head.
As the small group reached the congregation of people waiting to meet them, the two Jedi bowed first and then stepped aside to let Thalia through. Her pale blue and silver gown gleamed in the sun and her knotted tiara shone.
"It is a great gift to see you safe, My Lady." Chancellor Vellorum said. "I am anxious to hear your report of the situation…May I present Master Jedi Mace Windu, and Master Yoda." He finished, and gestured to the two Jedi beside him.
"An honor to meet you, it is." Yoda said and bowed his head.
"The pleasure is mine." Thalia replied, and Obi-Wan was impressed that she managed to hide her anxieties so well.
A short time later, Thalia was speaking with the Chancellor, and in the meeting room, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gonn spoke with Mace and Yoda.
"There is something about the girl I do not trust. I sense she is hiding something." Mace Windu said, crossing his arms.
"I haven't noticed anything." Qui-Gonn replied, shaking his head.
"She is anxious about the situation. She fears the judgment of the Jedi and the disapproval of the Senate." Obi-Wan said, not wanting his Masters to think she had something to hide.
"I have not sensed this." Qui-Gonn said, turning to his Padawan, his brow furrowed.
"Ah, the mind of the young, they share. Easier for your Padawan to see, it is." Yoda nodded and then looked closely at the young apprentice. "More to say, have you, Obi-Wan?"
As Obi-Wan thought of what to say, the doors to the Chancellor's office slid open and Vellorum walked out, followed by Thalia.
"I will speak further with the council on this matter." Qui-Gonn said to the Jedi, out of earshot of Thalia. "How did the talks go?" He added.
"Oh, very well indeed." Chancellor Vellorum nodded. "Yes, I can see a bright future with the Republic for Troska."
Obi-Wan was surprised. Thalia had made it clear that she intended to continue Troska's neutrality, and by the look of her face she intended to keep it that way and that the Chancellor was clearly delusional.
"I have some matters to discuss with the Jedi Council. But, I believe there is a certain Senator who is eager to meet you." Qui-Gonn said to Thalia, who nodded.
She bid farewell to the Chancellor before following Obi-Wan out one of the sliding doors.
"I take it your conversation with the Chancellor didn't go as well as he seems to believe?" He guessed.
"I'm surprised you had to ask. Did you decide not to use your Jedi mind tricks again?" She asked tersely.
"I apologise, My Lady. It was not my place." Said Obi-Wan.
"If I want to say something, then I'll say it. Otherwise, what I think doesn't concern you." She finished, not wanting to say another word on the matter. "Now, it seems I have some esteemed senators to address?"
"I sense that you do not hold senators in high regard." Obi-Wan said carefully.
"You don't have to be a Jedi to sense that." Thalia replied and Obi-Wan noticed a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
They walked towards the Senate chambers where Thalia was to promote the idea of peace and neutrality. But Obi-Wan had watched the Senate enough times to know that it was not going to be that simple.