Dearly Departed: Chapter Five

Without blood coursing through it, the skin of her hand was beginning to develop a greenish tint, which Obi-Wan opted to ignore. He kept his focus on the nail bed and did his best to apply just the right amount of epoxy. As he worked, he was very much aware of the fact Padmé was staring at him rather intently.

The task was almost complete when she finally shared what was on her mind.

"You cut your hair," she pointed out as he if he already didn't know. "It was rather long just a few days ago, wasn't it?"

He was actually doing his best to limit his lies to a certain number a day, and imagined he'd already met his quota, so he grinned in response without saying a word.

"I just now noticed it, but I like it. Much better than before."

Should he thank her? Actually, as soon as his apprentice had been knighted, he'd had his hair cut shorter. It wasn't until then that he actually had some time for himself.

He offered her another grin. "I think that does it," he told her, lifting her hand to view his accomplishment.

"What happens when the nail begins to grow back?" she asked him, which was reasonable.

"Then we'll remove it. Shouldn't be too difficult," he answered her, knowing full well, that wasn't going to happen.

His reply seemed to make sense to her, but she continued to stare at him until the intensity of her gaze forced him to look away. "I wonder what's keeping the Queen? I'm starting to get hungry."

"I'm not, actually." Padmé rose from the padded and plastic-covered settee and admired her repaired digit. "I'm going to freshen up."

"All right. I'll check on Breha and see what's keeping her."

Obi-Wan rose and placed the epoxy on the nightstand to do just that when he heard a fairly loud shriek come from the bathing room. It wasn't exactly a scream; more like a high-pitched squeal. It hadn't lasted very long, but it drove him to the room immediately.

He burst through the dual doors without announcing himself, attuned to the Force to be fully aware of any possibility of a disturbance. He found none, although Padmé herself looked a little concerned. Her hand was clamped over her mouth, as her widened eyes viewed her reflection. She was obviously stunned with what she was seeing.

"What…what's happening to me!" she breathed out in broken syllables. "I look awful!"

"No you don't," Obi-Wan assured her. "And as soon as the Queen arrives, you'll have some fresh clothes to wear. Some which actually fit." He smiled into the mirror, although his ill-timed attempt at humor did very little to lesson her shock.

Thankfully, at that moment, there was a knock on the bedroom door. Obi-Wan left the bathing room to answer it, hoping it was the Queen delivering the goods she had promised earlier.

When he opened the door, Obi-Wan was pleased to find out that indeed it was Queen Organa standing in the hall, and she did appear to be carrying food, as well as two sets of clothing which were flung over her arm.

Obi-Wan took the tray of food from her and set it on a table just inside the door. She handed him the clothing next, which he laid across the bed.

Thinking that was all, he was surprised to see her still standing in the doorway, with a rather strange grin upon her face. It was similar to the one she had shown Padmé earlier. It was one of nervous anticipation, and it immediately put Obi-Wan on his guard.

Especially when he heard a strange chortling sound coming from behind the Queen; a noise which caused her smile to disappear instantly. Only then, did Obi-Wan notice the rope she held in her other hand.

"Now, before you make any narrow-minded judgments," she began explaining. "Hear me out. I have been a student of the supernatural most of my life. I have studied the passage of souls, the possibilities of reincarnation and the afterlife. What I'm about to suggest is a ritual passed down through generations, and I think it's worth a try."

Following a slight tug on the rope, a wooly, spotted beast stepped out from behind the Queen's massive gown. It was short, with four legs and an equal amount of horns protruding from its skull, although it seemed quite tame.

"I had to pay a hefty price to a farmer nearby to acquire this animal, since it was their best, but in this case, only the best will do," she continued, her words not yet sinking into his fogged brain.

Was he hearing her correctly? He stay silent as she continued, wanting to give her the opportunity to explain herself before he made any decisions; as she had requested.

"It's a simple ceremony, actually. And can be done at any time of day. No need for a full moon or anything like that. We just need the presence of the trapped spirit, a Force-sensitive witness, and the blood of a virgin, cloven-hoofed beast."

That's what he was afraid she was going to say. It seemed the plastic-wrapped room had a dual purpose after all.

"A few words of the ancient ritual, a quick and clean sacrifice, the victim lying within a circle of its blood, and Senator Amidala's spirit will be free. Simple as that."

He'd always thought Breha Organa was a sensible woman; well educated and considerate. Now, he wasn't so sure. And yet, he had allowed her to speak her mind. In fact, he hadn't said a word up until the point she produced a long, zig-zag vibroblade from her gown; one which was inscribed with patterns and symbols he did not recognize.

"No," he announced quite adamantly while reaching for the door.

"So, you're just going to allow her to suffer? You need to let her go, Master Kenobi!"

"No," Obi-Wan repeated, attempting to slide the door shut, although the process was interrupted by the Queen's hand.

"You are not a selfish man," she told him through the narrow opening. "Do not allow your personal feelings to interfere in the natural course of her passing."

Obi-Wan continued to stare at the delirious woman. Her ideas may be bordering on insanity, but she was insightful. Perhaps, too insightful.

"Thank you for the food and the clothing. Have a pleasant evening," he told her before physically removing her hand and closing the door.