The Penpal Paradox/Chapter Ten
If Dormé hadn't stopped her, Padmé would've contacted the Jedi Temple to speak with Yoda immediately. It had been pointed out to her, however, that it was midnight on Naboo – meaning, it was one o'clock in the morning on Coruscant. She'd have to wait.
As a result, she was disappointed and wasn't able to sleep very well at all. As soon as the sun was up, so was Padmé. As she gathered all the details of the past letters, she explained to a grumpy Dormé about the one from last night.
"I had no idea Jedi led such dangerous lives," her friend stated, rolling over in bed to shield her eyes from the incoming light.
"What do you think they do all the time?" Padmé asked.
"I don't know," Dormé grunted sleepily. "Meditate? Deliver diplomatic speeches? Attend coronations or negotiate peace treaties?"
"I'll admit that's what I used to think as well. I mean, I'd heard rumors about their talents with a lightsaber, but until the invasion of Naboo, I had no idea…"
Padmé's words and mind took an abrupt halt at the mention of one of the worst days in the history of her home planet.
"Oh no!"
Her excited exclamation woke her friend up. "What is it?" Dormé sat up immediately, her feet braced on the floor.
"Naboo! I almost forgot about the invasion!"
"What are you talking about?" her roommate replied, obviously losing interest since there wasn't an actual emergency.
"The two Jedi who came to Naboo to assist us?" Padmé prompted her memory.
"Yeah, I know, but so what?"
Perhaps her friend needed more sleep. She usually wasn't this dense. "Obi-Wan and I met during that time, you know. We shared a few conversations and I told him my real name. Don't you think he's going to wonder why I don't know who he is? And why I'm not talking about these letters?"
"Oh…that," Dormé did everything but actually roll her eyes to show her disinterest.
Padmé ignored slight disdain and carried on with her task. "Something else to talk to Master Yoda about," she uttered to herself while connecting to the Holonet. Two relay stations later, the same blue-faced receptionist answered her call.
"You've reached the….. Oh, it's you. Senator Amidala, good morning. How may I assist you?"
"Can you direct me to Master Yoda's private quarters, please?" she asked as pleasantly as possible.
"It is First Meditation time in the Temple," the Aleenian informed her with a smile Padmé suspected matched her own.
"I need to speak to him. It's important. He's expecting to hear from me," she insisted.
Persistence usually paid off and it did this time as well. In a short while, a bright-eyed Master Yoda was smiling at her.
"Senator Amidala! Good to see you it is. Have something for me to see do you?"
"Yes," Padmé replied. She couldn't help feeling a little creeped out the elder Jedi always seemed one step ahead of her. "I received another letter last night. I'm sending all the correspondence to you right now."
"So I see," Yoda stated, looking to the right corner of the screen.
"Would you care to read them now?" Padmé asked eagerly. "I'll be happy to wait."
The old Master chuckled in a gleeful way. "Impatience, causes the wise to do foolish things it can."
"I'm sorry," the young woman grinned sheepishly, "but I need to know."
"Your credit it is," Yoda said before taking several moments to take in the evidence she had sent. Once in a while, he grunted, whether in approval or disapproval, she couldn't be sure. She remained quiet the entire time and so did Dormé, though it was much easier for her. The girl had fallen back asleep a few minutes ago.
When his focus returned to the feed, he was pensive but still silent. She could no longer remain so.
"Well?" she asked, hoping he would explain quickly and in simple terms.
"Meditated on this I already have. Indeed, believe it is Padawan Kenobi with whom you speak, though the proof will be in a meeting. Between now and then, repaired the leak may become. Only then, reveal this new knowledge he will."
"In a meeting? Does that mean I need to go find him? Can I do that now?"
"Unwise that would be," Yoda answered solemnly. "A natural course this must take or create more damage you will."
Speaking of…
"I understand," Padme replied, although there was a lot she honestly didn't. "There's one more thing I need to ask you about, though. The invasion of Naboo. We met…meet then. He knows who I am and knows my real name."
The information created another grunt in addition to a crease of worry to appear in the Jedi Master's forehead. "Dangerous, this is. A paradox created there will be if share this information Obi-Wan does."
"What do you mean? What type of paradox?" Padme asked, understanding the basic definition of the word meant anomaly.
"An alteration of the past have dire effects on the present it can. Possible to erase the existence of all that is you may, if interfere you do."
Dorme wasn't going to like this. "What you're saying is, I need to ignore the fact his Master is killed during this mission. Do you realize how hard it's going to be not to tell him? To warn him so he can be prepared? Or possibly save the one man who's like a father to him? How can I do that?"
"No choice have you. True, Qui-Gon's passing, difficult for young Kenobi it was. Force him to grow up it did, which he needed to do for a Padawan of his own he had."
That's right. She'd almost forgotten about Anakin. They had spoken of him before Obi-Wan had left Theed. She recalled mentioning how unfair it seemed for him to take on an apprentice while he was still grieving. He had told her something about how there is no death for a Jedi. She didn't understand him then and she still didn't to this day.
This was all so strange and far more serious than she had initially believed. Perhaps it would be best if she cut all communication with Padawan Kenobi, but how could she when each letter drew them to a closer bond of friendship – when he had already shared so much? He said he appreciated the chance to talk to her. How could she deny him that outlet?
Paradoxes were beyond her comprehension, but she did trust Master Yoda. In this, she would do what he advised although it was going to be very difficult.
"I'll do what you suggest but I don't feel right about it," she told him. It was the best she could offer him.
"Glad to hear that I am. The future, literally in your hands it is, Senator. Careful with it you must be."