OBI-WAN
"And you believe the assignation attempt will take place sometime during these Peace Talks?" Thalia asked, looking around the meeting room at the three Jedi Masters who had returned to Troska for the Peace Talks.
"According to our sources." Master Windu nodded. "The Bounty Hunters who had made previous attempts are now working together under an unknown third party."
"Their goal?" Thalia asked, rising from her seat and walking over to the window beside Obi-Wan's seat. He watched as she crossed one arm over her chest while her other hand came to rest just under her chin.
"To overthrow your government, gain control of the neutral systems and crystal caves." Qui-Gonn answered and Thalia shut her eyes.
"I take it you have a plan?" She asked.
"Fear, you must not Princess. Look after your people, we will." Yoda replied and Thalia looked down to meet Obi-Wan's gaze, which he vowed not to break until she looked away again. "Put measures in place for your protection, we have."
"For the time being, we will escort you to and from your destinations and your security has been doubled with some of Coruscant's finest guards, curtesy of Chancellor Velorum." Qui-Gonn explained and Obi-Wan nodded slowly at Thalia, trying to assure her that they had taken every measure necessary.
However, they had another plan which they couldn't tell her about for fear of it failing. Obi-Wan was uneasy about the whole affair. What the Jedi were about to embark on was risky to say the least and Thalia was going to get hurt, but in a way none of the other Jedi expected.
The next morning, everything was in place for the official welcome banquet to the Peace Talks. The representatives from each planet were to arrive at the palace by midday and a lunch was to follow. That was when the Jedi's plan was to begin.
Knocking on the door to Thalia's chambers, Obi-Wan waited patiently for one of her attendants to let him in. The heavy, wooden door opened inwards and upon seeing who it was the young attendant called to her mistress.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi for you Ma'am." She called and when Thalia's reply was heard the door was opened wider to let him in.
Thalia was sitting at her dressing table while another attendant wrapped a long braid around the back of her head, before letting the remainder hang down her back in a single curl. Sitting on the table in front of her was the Crystal Crown, a piece of royalty that had lasted throughout history. It was made of the finest silver, woven together to create an elaborate head piece inlaid with three Kyber crystals. Thalia's attendant carefully placed the crown on the Princess' head and Obi-Wan watched in awe as the crystals began to glow after coming into contact with a force-sensitive being.
The attendant nodded to Thalia who carefully stood and turned to face the speechless Padawan. She wore an enchanting dress, which clung to her ribs before flowing freely to the floor and as it passed her knees the material became transparent. The billowing arm pieces she wore, which begun in line with the bandeau top of her gown, had the same effect, fading to transparency once past the elbows. It was the exact colour of a Kyber crystal and the top was held up by an elaborate silver chain, similar to the design of the crown.
Around her eyes was crystal blue paint, curling out from the corners of her eyes to reach her forehead and halfway down her cheeks. It was the traditional Troskan body paint and Obi-Wan had only ever seen it in pictures from his studies of the galaxy's system.
If he wasn't speechless before, Obi-Wan felt like he'd been hit with a stun blast. He knew his mouth hung slightly open but there was nothing he could do about it.
"Uh…morning." He managed and Thalia's refined expression broke out into a smile and Obi-Wan relaxed, laughing nervously. "Shall we?"
Thalia followed the Jedi out of her chambers and into the courtyard of the palace where the senators were to arrive.
The first representative to arrive was, of course, Padme with senator Palpatine from Naboo. The Queen was dressed in a spectacular red ensemble with the traditional white face paint and red spots to accompany it.
"Your highness." Senator Palpatine bowed deeply before fixing her with what was supposed to be a warm smile, but came across as slightly sinister. "Thank you for welcoming us into your beautiful home. You are too kind."
Obi-Wan watched Thalia closely as she smiled warmly at the Senator, but her calculating eyes were studying him closely. She nodded in acknowledgement of his compliment and the pair made their way inside.
"What are you thinking?" Obi-Wan asked as she watched Palpatine's retreating figure.
"The force moves strangely around him. Can you sense it?" She asked.
"He is a politician." He replied and at Thalia's raised eyebrow added, "Hidden agendas." To which she scoffed.
More representatives continued to file in, members from both the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
The last to arrive was the man Obi-Wan had no problem with showing his dislike for. Count Dooku arrived, flanked by two guards, his dark cape billowing menacingly in the breeze.
"Princess, it is a pleasure to see you again." He bowed deeply and Obi-Wan clenched his fists behind his back, amazed by Thalia's ability to keep a calm expression after their past encounters.
"Welcome to Troska, Count." She replied steadily.
And then with all the audacity in the world, she reached up and straightened her crown, causing the Kyber Crystals to glint in the sun, their shine dancing across Dooku's face.
"I trust you will enjoy your stay." She said earnestly and Dooku bowed stiffly before continuing inside.
After he was out of view, Obi-Wan glanced over at Thalia a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth. When she met his gaze she shook her head slightly, trying to supress a look of pure smugness.
"This is going to be an interesting week." Obi-Wan grinned and Thalia grimaced slightly before the pair followed their guests into the ball room.