This chapter hadn't been so relatable to me until today.

Happy reading!

Doing Nice Things

"That's it! I've lost all faith in the galaxy!" Padmé Amidala watched Ahsoka Tano fume. The young Togruta was storming up and down the apartment, her lekku stripes darker than the senator had ever seen them. "Really? Why?" was all Padmé could ask. Ahsoka snapped her head towards the older woman, saying, "I'm surrounded by idiots! Morons! Good-for-nothing boasters!" She jabbed a finger out the window. "You know what? We're out there trying to do some good things, but nope, no one wants to hear it! Everyone else would rather pretend like we never did anything and still act like it's our fault they're miserable! And it's not!"

Ahsoka shook her fist at no one in particular. Chuckling darkly, she added, "Oh, I bet nothing is ever their fault. Nope! They're all in the right, aren't they?" Padmé uttered her most sympathetic-sounding sigh. "That sounds awful, Ahsoka," she said, and trying to make the tone lighter, added, "But you know, there is a way to make the feeling a bit more bearable."

Ahsoka looked up. "Is there actually?" the youth asked, notes of sarcasm evident in her voice. "Or is this going to turn into a lecture about how I should be compassionate and forgiving? Because I already got that from Barriss and Master Kenobi and Master Ti and Master Skywalker – well." She stopped short and frowned. "Master Skywalker tried to lecture me about it, but I don't think he really knew what he was saying. Or agreed with it."

Padmé let out a small laugh. With a shake of her head, she replied, "No lectures here."

"Thank the Force," Ahsoka breathed, relieved.

Padmé walked out of the room and headed for the closet. Minutes later, she re-emerged, arms laden with long lines of little lights. "Instead, why don't we get some more decorating done?" she asked cheerfully. Ahsoka stared. "You've got to be kidding me," the younger girl whined. "Padmé, I love doing stuff with you, really, I do – but today, I think it'd be better for me to just –"

"Talk about how much you hate the galaxy?" Padmé interrupted, lifting an eyebrow.

Ahsoka relented. "Well, yes, but –"

"Nope!" Padmé handed Ahsoka a bit of the lights-line. "You'll see – doing nice things makes you feel better."

Not to Padmé's surprise or disappointment, Ahsoka spent a solid ten minutes complaining and muttering about how much she didn't want to decorate. Padmé didn't mind it so much – because Ahsoka was only a young girl and didn't quite know the wonder of doing simpler, quiet things. The senator secretly blamed all the warfront time for making Ahsoka always looking for more excitement – but really, that was just her opinion.

However, just as Padmé knew what would happen, the Togruta's complaints slowly dwindled and she fell into a silence – at first, it was grudging, and then it was nothing but calming. After a while, Padmé even drew up the courage to ask, "Are you feeling ready to rant about the stupidity of the galaxy now?"

Ahsoka didn't even hear Padmé. Humming under her breath, the teenager stood up and extended a hand. "Padmé, come on! We're almost done," she said brightly. "Hand me some more lights, will you?"

Padmé only smiled to herself as she handed another length of material.

A/N - Maybe this wasn't exactly the typical Christmas-themed drabble, but I always thought that since Christmas was a time of love and cheer, this could be somewhat fitting.

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