The Penpal Paradox/Chapter Five
"Any word from your stalker this morning?" Dorme quipped as she helped wash the breakfast dishes.
The joke caused Padme's mother to immediately lift her head up from clearing the table. "Stalker! What stalker? Padme, what's she talking about? Are you in danger? Tell me the truth!"
The senator glared at her friend. "It's all right, mom. Just a little fan mail. It happens all the time."
Dorme mouthed the word 'sorry' where Jobal wouldn't see, but the Naberrie matriarch wasn't finished.
"I know you two think I'm ancient, but I'm fully aware of the atrocities and immoralities that occur on the Holonet. Your father and I don't live in a cave, Padme. Why, just the other day on Galactic27, they were talking about how this poor innocent woman on Coruscant met a handsome stranger online, and he abducted her and killed her! Please, be careful!"
Padme jerked the dishtowel out of her assistant's hand and pleaded with silent, wide eyes. "I'll be sure to let Captain Typho know about it. I'll be fine," she tried to reassure the older woman.
Actually, she wasn't fine. She was dying to run back upstairs and check for a new message but was wondering how she could get away with that. Thankfully, Dorme had come up with a plan.
"Senator, if you'd like, I'll finish cleaning up and you can go get some more rest. I know you didn't sleep very well last night."
Padme smiled her thanks but knew it wasn't going to be that easy. Her mother's hand was suddenly touching her forehead to check for signs of illness, just like she'd done when she was twelve.
"Do you feel all right, dear? Would you like some tea? That might help you rest. Perhaps something is troubling you. I bet it's that darn Military Act, isn't it? I believe I have some muscle relaxants somewhere here unless your father has taken them all. They might help you get some good sleep."
"No, mom, that's all right. I'll be fine. I do have a lot on my mind, but that goes along with the territory."
Padme sighed in relief as she escaped from the kitchen and quickly retreated to the privacy of her room. Once inside, she shut the door and opened her DataReader, settling it on her lap as she sat on the bed.
Indeed, there was a message, just as she'd hoped. It was dated a little over two months later.
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MidRim/Kenobi, ObiWan
441014/22:41/052
Greetings Padme:
I'm not sure where to begin! I guess, in the beginning. I was born on the planet Stewjon and was deemed Force-sensitive as an infant. Master Yoda recruited me at the age of three, which is considered nearly too late to begin training. As a result, I was homesick and recall becoming quite attached to a stuffed wookie I named 'Bobo'. As I grew older and gained friends in the Temple, I became more comfortable and forgot about home, my older brother, as well as my parents. I know that may sound awful to you, but if I'm to become a Jedi, it's important not to cling to things of the past. I must look forward to my future and focus on my training.
The best friends I've ever had I made during my junior padawan years at the Temple. Bant Erin, Garen Muln, and Reeft are as close to me as any family. We have trained together and fought together. In fact, I am on my way back to the Temple now to meet up with Garen and his Master, Ali-Alann, to look into some recent threats made against Master Yoda. I fear Qui-Gon's last apprentice, Xanatos, may be to blame. Xanatos left the Jedi before becoming a knight and succumbed to the dark side of the Force, which must've disappointed Qui-Gon terribly.
We should be arriving on Coruscant tomorrow.
Take care, Padme. I hope to talk to you again soon.
Sincerely, Obi-Wan