The next few days took the same form. The Imperial would dock in at the capital city of one system after another and diplomacy would varied slightly from planet to planet depending on what the particular need of the place was, but the gist was always the same. All of the systems that the Chancellor and his esteemed delegates visited had been left completely broken by the war effort and money was allotted to these wakened governments to help rebuild. Most of the senators were very gracious in signing for their own governments to help and try to alleviate some of the debt of a weaker system; none more generous than Oshnee. He floated his purse around lavishly to all who seemed to be in need.
The Chancellor gave speeches trying to insure each planet of how valuable they were to the Republic and how the Republic needed their labor, trade, military and economic support if they were going to win the battle against their enemy. Almost all were rallied to the cause immediately. Systems were agreeing to give the Chancellor and the Senate more direct control over them. More and more planets pledged their alliance and loyalty and were willing to send additional warriors to help fight the cause. Even systems that had suffered so much lost seemed willing to keep giving more. The Chancellor was a powerful orator.
The guests of the Imperial were treated to the finest welcomes on every planet they visited. They were met with much fanfare, much pomp and ceremony. Each group of people was desperate to prove their loyalty to the Republic and wanted to put their best foot forward for the galaxy to see. After the request were made, the meetings were held, and the speeches were delivered the Chancellors large entourage was free to relax and enjoy the location they were in. Often time the Senators would choose to lounge about on the cruiser rather than mingle among the populations. Even those who visited their homes showed very little interest than visiting with their constituents after political agendas had been adjourned for the day
Their arrival to the Middle Rim day had been crucial. Christophsis had been threatening to leave the Republic for quite some time since the war effort began. Christophsis was a system that functioned almost completely on tourism. It was the gambling capital of the Middle Rim. Like Coruscant the whole planet was one city. It was a city filled with casinos, cantinas, nightclubs, theaters and brothels, but it's cities that thrived on the lucrative businesses that such tantalizing recreations brought had slowly started to go bankrupt. After the second invasion of their planet by Separatist the senator from the planet had asked for a military based to be set guarding the atmosphere of the planet. The good thing was Christophsis had managed to stay out of enemy occupation, the bad thing was Republic military ships stationed all around the planet didn't make the planet seem like a place to come on a holly jolly holiday. The people of the Republic weren't doing much off world travel anyway due to the war, but the recent lack of visitors had been staggering. Smaller lounges and hotels were forced to shut down and sell their property back to the government in order to make any money at all. The President of Chrisophis was beginning to believe that their economic survival was dependent upon them joining the Separatist.
To lose Christophsis to Separatist would be disastrous. They had been one of the first systems to join the Republic. If they changed their loyalties it would not only hurt the Republic economically, but it would weaken the resolve of systems that were struggling to hold on. It was for this reasons that the Chancellor's team decided to spend and evening enjoying all that Christophsis had to offer
"Might I suggest Chancellor that tonight we participate in the festivities of Malestair," Anakin proposed his idea. "If we do not patronize Christophsis we will lose her it is that simple." He shrugged imagining Obi-wan would be very pleased with his shrewd observation.
"Yes Master Jedi I do think you are right we are here as representatives of the Republic. When we show our interest in business that Christophsis has then they will believe that other members of the Republic will as well," stated the Speaker of the House.
"Perhaps a bill could be submitted to the Senate to lower gambling taxes?" Bail Organa proposed.
"Senator Organa I believe you and few other senators could take sometime this afternoon to write up such a proposal." The Chancellor instructed.
"I will begin working on it right away sir," the noble senator reported.
" I would hate for us to lose Christophsis," his wife mumbled in the background, "Don't you remember the days we spent here for our honeymoon, dear?" she asked grabbing Bail by the arm and clinging to him.
"Of course my love," he soothed her and slowly escorted her out of the room.
Anakin was preparing to exit the meeting room on the Imperial after he was congratulated on his well formulated plan, by a few more Senators. He had to admit to himself that his motives for offering that suggestion had not been one hundred percent purely in the interest of the Republic. Christophsis had podracing and since he found out about the fact that they would be visiting the planet he had intended to go.
While Anakin was lost in thoughts from the past he felt bony fingers tap hif from behind. "You spoke very wisely today Anakin," the ruler began.
"I only hope that it proves beneficial," Anakin replied a slight smile on his face.
"Oh I'm sure it will," Palpatine commented back with authority. "You are truly becoming a leader in many areas my boy," The Chancellor gave Anakin a pat on the back. Anakin tried to remain humble, but his chest swelled with pride at the compliment that had been afforded him. "I have a small favor to ask of you, son," the Chancellor began with a kindly look in his eyes.
"Of course," Anakin nodded back without the slightest hesitation.
"It concerns Ambassador Hadarah," Palpatine began. "She was due to accompany me this evening, but being that matters are so sensitive with Christophsis I think it is better that I meet with the Prime Minister and President privately. I assured her father that I would make sure she was looked after most excellently while she was on the Imperial and I thought that perhaps you would be willing to escort her around for the day."
If the Chancellor had asked him to go and find Dooku on the spot it would have been an easier task than this request. Anakin had intentionally been trying to avoid the lady. Thoughts of her beauty fluttered in his mind throughout his sleep and kept him confused. He would never want to betray Padme in the slightest way but the appeal of the mysterious ambassador could not be denied." I'm sure that Senator Oshnee would love to accompany Hadarah," Anakin offered cocking a half-smile and raising his eyebrows trying to give off a humorous air to the Chancellor.
" Oh yes Oshnee is quite taken with her," Palpatine nodded and he was also chuckling slightly with the thought, "However, Oshnee has fallen ill due to some food poisoning," The Chancellor explained mildly while waving to a few children who had scampered pass them through the halls of the Imperial. Anakin looked a little unsettled. "Oh he is fine mind you," Palpatine reassured the young knight. "We have the latest in medical droids on the Imperial, but I think it would be best that he rest, you understand?"
"Well in that case Chancellor, I would be most honored to escort the Ambassador for the evening," Anakin relinquished with a bow. Palpatine was pleased he nodded back to the Young Jedi and then kept going on his way down the hall.
This is your duty Anakin, as a Jedi you should have no problem offering a noble woman protection on a planet she is unfamiliar with, Anakin reasoned with himself. He hoped that if he kept chanting this over and over in his head he would somehow manage to actually believe it. He had no problem with escorting her, but oh how he wished that she was somewhat less attractive.
Later that evening, slowly and tentatively Anakin approached the door to the room where the gorgeous Ambassador was staying. You can do this Anakin, you're a Jedi temperance and control are things you have been trained in. He told himself. True he had been trained, but he had never exactly passed those tests with flying colors. He swallowed before knocking on the door releasing his uneasiness into the Force. Perhaps he should have meditated before he came to meet the Ambassador.
"Yes," the demure voice of one of the Bantku Tribes Ambassador's servants squeaked as she opened the door. It was a young woman, who was probably only a few years younger than the Ambassador herself and she had on a brown a green tunic with her face showing, but none of her hair.
"Is Ambassador Hadarah available?" Anakin asked secretly hoping that the servant girl would dismiss him saying that the woman was sleeping or bathing or had already gone out for the evening with another group, but of course no such fate was granted to him, the ambassador was awaiting him.
"Master Skywalker, to what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected drop in," Hadarah asked pleasantly as she came up behind the servant girl and the young lady made way for her mistress.
Hadarah was dressed elegantly which didn't surprise Anakin. One thing that the young knight had come to observe about the woman was that she liked fine things. She wore a long flowing brown skirt with sparkling gold bead work that was arranged in a intricate pattern. A bright orange top that hugged her well formed middle and a green cape about her shoulders. Anakin couldn't help take in a breath to calm himself after beholding her appearance. "Padme forgive me," he mumbled low under his breath.
"What was that?" she asked playfully. She pursed her lips that were full and colored with a muted pink.
Anakin cleared his throat embarrassed that he had allowed his thoughts to leak through his lips so, "I said my lady forgive me for the intrusion, the Chancellor requested that I be your escort on Christophsis for the day. He regretted not being able to be with you today himself, but the negotiations are very sensitive and he felt it was an issue the required his undivided attention. He had requested that all of his guest take time to enjoy the attractions Christophsis has to offer in an effort to build goodwill and show that the people of the Republic still have much interest in this system. He informed me that you had never been to this planet before,"
"He has told you truth for I have not. I would be honored Master Jedi for you to escort me," he emerald green eyes kept their cool, but a warm smile flashed across her tanned face.
"My lady will you need my assistance," he servant girl asked timidly from the corner.
"No, Atki," Hadarah turned to her and said. "You rest my dear. I am sure I am in good company," she looked at the Jedi and he nodded. Atki started to giggle.
"Then allow me to get your cloak my lady," Atki said and hurried back into the room bringing out another cloak with a hood and veil. When she returned she came with one of Lady Hadarah's guards at her side.
"My lady are you leaving so soon?" the guard asked.
"it is not so soon Levi, it is nearly the nightfall," the Ambassador explained dismissingly.
"I did not mean it in that way Lady Hadarah only that the other guards were not prepared to go out at this moment, but I will have them ready in short while," he replied.
"Oh that will not be necessary Levi," she flagged her hand at him her green eyes never leaving Anakin and to his regret his eyes had a hard time focusing on anything but her. "Master Skywalker here has most graciously agreed to be my escort for the day," she gestured to the Jedi.
"My lady are you sure…. Your father…"
" Would want me to follow the instructions of the Supreme Chancellor, would he not?" The soldier nodded humbly before the lady that he served, but his eyes looked sad and pensive. "Come now Levi don't worry over me." She let out an airy laugh. " My father would want for me to be in the safest hands possible. Master Skywalker is known for his heroism, I feel most safe," she assured her guard and then turned to the handsome Jedi before her. "Am I?" she questioned him.
"Most assuredly my lady," Anakin cocked a smile in her direction and gave a wink toward her attentive manservant. The Guard nodded back at the Jedi knight, but did not crack a smile.
"Here my lady allow me," Atki said as she held out a deep colored mahogany shawl. The ambassador nodded fondly at the chambermaid and allowed her to slip the shawl over her shoulders and above her head and then she positioned the veil neatly over her mouth and nose. "Now you are ready," the young woman smiled at her mistress, but she spoke in more of the terms of a doting parent rather than a devoted companion. The ambassador gave her thanks to her entourage that was present and then proceeded to exit her room. She extended her hand and Anakin could not deny her in front of her very concerned staff so he took it and they strode arm in arm down the burgundy colored corridors.
"You guard seemed most concerned for you safety," Anakin pointed out quietly, they had been walking in awkward silence for a few minutes, but her hand traced with tattoes didn't falter from hanging onto his forearm.
"My people have always been a little suspicious of outsiders. Apparently Levi is even suspicious of Jedi," she shrugged. " Isn't that silly?" she giggled. "I'm sorry if he came across as disrespectful to you."
"He takes his job seriously, that does not cause me offense," said Anakin.
"I hope it is not an inconvenience for you to be with me today," Hadarah began.
"It is no inconvenience my lady I am honored to accompany you today, I hope that you are not disappointed in having to spend your evening with me I'm sure it is a let down after being invited to have a private office with the Chancellor"
" The Chancellor is very interested in the Bantku's request to join the Republic. He has been an ally in our efforts. I wished to speak with him more about the matter, but it can wait," she shrugged.
"Still I must wonder as to why my lady wouldn't wish to be accompanied by her own servants?" Anakin inclined his eyebrow up as he gazed at the veiled woman as they approached the exit.
" Like myself my servants have never been to Christophsis. My people live a fairly contained life. I prefer to explore with a more experienced guide" she stated simply while massaging her hands around his arm. "You have been to Christophsis before have you not?" she inquired Batting her purple painted eyelids over green eyes. Anakin gave an affirmative nod and didn't continue with conversation from there.
Once they step out of the opulent accommodations that they were surrounded by on board the Imperial they entered a world of glitter, glam and lights. The city was thriving and alive with hustle and bustle. The skyways were filled with speeders and hovercraft. It certainly didn't look like Christophsis was losing any business. Creatures from all over the galaxy came in teeming herds to get a piece of the action, to see the beauty that Christophsis housed. With its grand hotels, neon lights and signs, concert halls and theaters, casinos that sparkled like stars, yes it was quite a spectacle to behold. Hadarah's own neon eyes lit up as bright as the buildings and signs flickering around her. "It is gorgeous!" she gasped and naturally gave Anakin's arm a tighter squeeze. Her vivid jade eyes took in the wonder of the lime colored crystal planet around her. Then she let go and slowly began to peel off the veil and head covering that she had been adorned in.
"Amabassador? What are you doing?" Anakin questioned nervously.
"This is the other reason why I didn't wish for my servants to come with me tonight," she replied a mischievous sparkle ever so slightly flickering across her jade eyes as she tossed aside her long cloak and stuffed the veil in a clutch that she was carrying. Her jet black tresses flowed down her back like the waterfalls on Naboo. Naboo… Padme. Anakin tried to focus on Padme focus on his wife's pleasant features, Her curly brown hair, her warm brown eyes, but somehow the image kept getting distorted. Somehow her hair went a few hues darker and her smile changed from being bright and big to a subtle more seductive smirk. Anakin shut his eyes. Force, why was this woman so tempting. Why was she taking off her her scarves and drapes that kept her concealed.
"My lady," Anakin's voice was firm, "I'm not sure this is entirely appropriate," he stressed.
Her face looked somewhat as if she was concerned as if she was, for an instant, considering if she was doing the right thing. That look of confusion was short lived. So short lived in fact that had Anakin not been a Jedi and able to pick up on such feelings you would have never known that she had a hesitant thought. "Master Skywalker, I assure you this is most definitely appropriate. The whole purpose of this outer veiling is protection. It is symbolic to show that I am being looked out for, but I do not need such things to show I am protected it is obvious," Hadarah Gestured at him. Anakin's face remained looking stern and grim. " I am sorry Master Jedi do you feel uncomfortable? Is my face so bad that it should be hid all night? Do you not wish to look on me?" Ambassador Hadarah's tone was serious. She stood up straight raking her hands through her luxurious mane in order to pull the hair out of her face. Anakin looked up at her, no man alive could deny she was beautiful. She was like an exotic fruit that Anakin couldn't quite figure if it was poisonous or not.
"No my lady it is not that… it's just,"Anakin breathed.
Her hand crept back around his, "Please call me Hadarah," she asked gently looking into his vibrant blue eyes.
Anakin pulled his hand from hers, " Ambassador, I just wouldn't want any scandal to come upon you," he explained grimly turning from her and holding his hand out to attract the attention of a cab.
"Am I right when I say I believe you wouldn't do that which would compromise my honor?" Hadarah asked her voice lacked the confident tone that it had only moments before. She looked down, shy and unsure. He hadn't seen her react in that way yet. Hadarah garments matched her personality. She revealed herself little by little.
"Yes, My lady," he said in voice so still it could be considered a whisper. She looked back up at him and gave a genuine smile as her shoulders slumped in a comfortable position and her head rose to be proud and tall like it should be for a lady of her station.
"I am a bit of a rebel at heart. Ladies of the Bantku Tribes have always traditionally worn such garments when they are in public, but sometimes I just desire to break the rules. You must think very ill of me for such things. I know as a Jedi you are a man of discipline and order and you honor tradition. Forgive me." She inclined her head in an apology. Anakin groaned. She had no idea how little like him that was. He wanted to tell her to hide her beauty from him so that it couldn't entice him, but he could not be such a hypocrite as to tell Ambassador Hadarah to follow all the rules when he followed so few. "I understand my lady," Anakin sighed.
"Good," her head rose again, "Then this can be our little secret," she gave the young Jedi a wink and Anakin agreed.
The Jedi Knight signaled for a cab and one came and retrieved them . The Balstik driver asked them where they wanted to go and Anakin politely differed to the Ambassadors choice. Hadarah had a million and one places that she wanted to take in that night. There was a restaurant that she had heard some of the senators mention and she was eager to try out some of their dishes. When they went Anakin was surprised to find the shapely woman ate with such vigor. It wasn't that she ate in an uncivilized for or that she appeared greedy, but she enjoyed food. She chatted about the food and shared food off of her plate with the Jedi and likewise expected the same. Anakin found her fun and energetic. Affter dinning, the Ambassador was eager to see that shopping that this world had to offer. The Bantku people were traders they loved to shop. Hadarah made her way through the galleries and picked up many trickets. She loved jewelry and clothes and odd, rare things. Her spending habits could fiz the economy of the whole planet Anakin was sure. Ironically enough she picked the race track to be the last stop of the night.
"The Chancellor told me that you have even flown a pod before. He told me that you actually won a podrace" she looked up at him with interest encompassed in her green eyes.
Anakin slightly chuckled, "Yes, when I was a boy," Anakin explained. The victory of that moment the happiness that he felt when he had won that race racing in the pod he built, became tainted with a dark cloud. That was the day that he had learned he would be trained as a Jedi the day he left him mother in slavery the day he sentenced her to death. His chuckled immediately corrected itself into forming a grimace. The lost of his mother was a sore spot that lead him to the aching pain of his new wound Ahsoka's death. Her death was his fault.
"What an amazing feat! I hear podracing is almost impossible for humans to perform, let alone a child, but then again you are Jedi perhaps I should not be so amazed,"
" Are you a fan of podracing?" Anakin asked trying to get his mind way from the vision of his mother being tortured in the camp of the Tuskens for months and vision fo Ahsoka who had suffered a similar fate.
" I have never been, but I saw a holofilm where they did it. It made me curious. I've longed to see one in person ever since," she explained as they pulled up toward the elaborate racing track. "The Bantku love a good competition. We enjoy a race. We don't race in pods… no, we race on the backs of chesims," she went on.
"I'm sure that's very exciting but very different from podracing," Anakin began to explain as they walked up to the arena box office which was crowded. The line went on for what seemed like half a mile with visitors eager to into the track to see the sport. "Podracing is very fast and very dangerous. On Tattooine it is far to dangerous to race at night, but here they have a more state of the art facility so they can hold the races anytime of day,' Anakin explained.
"Gamblers never sleep," the ambassador quipped. While they stood in line to place their bets the young Jedi began to explain to the ambassador the rules of the sport. It was actually more complicated than she had anticipated. She thought it was just a race and who came it first was the winner, but Anakin explained how on sophisticated tracks like this one sometimes speed and time weren't enough to win. Their were technicalities that had to looked at like did the pod hit all the checkpoints, did they go to all the obstacles, pits, hills and canyons. If they missed these things then a runner up might win by default.
"Place your bets! Place your bets! C'mon, C'mon,!" the bookie rushed the crowd. The aliens started shouting out numbers, names and pods rapidly.
"oh goodness," Hadarah gasped, "I don't know who to bet for?" She turned back around to Anakin her eyes looking up into his searching for help. "who are you going to bet for?" she asked.
" A Jedi has really shouldn't gamble," Anakin reminded her. Ambassador Hadarah's mouth hung open she couldn't believe the sneakiness of the young knight. He had brought her all the way up there under the pretenses that they were going to place some bets and now he was backing out. She knit her brows together and pursed her lips in a playfully frustrated smirk.
"Come on Miss Fancy," the bookie jeered. "You gonna place bet or what? Huh? If you aint gonna bet get off my track!" he railed thumbing 7 thumbs connected to 7 hands behind his back.
"Oooh, uhhh, Come on help me out!" Hadarah turned around to Anakin grabbed on his hand and pleaded.
Anakin laughed seeing her cute little features twist and contort with anxiety over a simple bet. He bent down in her ear and said, "That could be considered cheating. Perhaps you should think back to the story I just told you," he hinted. Hadarah's beautiful eyes gazed back at the Jedi quizzically, He couldn't seriously be thinking that she should bet on Gyro. Sure he had won as a child against all odds, but he had been Force sensitive. If the holonet special she had followed on him had been accurate he possessed a high midichlorian count higher than many Jedi. Yes he had won, but that didn't mean Gyro had a chance in the world. "It's your choice my lady," Anakin took a step back and inclined his head slightly with glimmer of playfulness in his eyes. "200 credits on Gyro," the ambassador proclaimed boldly.
The alien bookie laughed out loud. He looked at his neon board. No one had bet on Gyro the whole night. "What you know something I don't know lady?" he asked still laughing at her. "Gyro ain't had a bet all nite. He ain't never won a race," the bookie explained. "You sure about this? You may wanna reconsider," he pointed out looking around at Anakin. Anakin gazed back at him with slight confusion. But Anakin merely decided to meet the questioning gaze of the bookie with a serious look of his own.
"I am most certain," the ambassador declared properly.
"Alright, alright sure there miss, whatever you want," he held out his hand waiting to collect the credit deposit. "200 credits on Gyro," he stated. "let me take your name lady, if uh… he happens to win, I wanna make sure the announcers can congratulate you on your winnings," he gave a toothy grin. Hadarah gave the creature her name and then her and Anakin proceeded to walk into the arena. The bookie reached out with one of his numerous arms and laughed while saying, "Boy you must be rich pal to keep her around," he hooted and hollered the more as Anakin managed to keep on walking.
"I'm beginning to wonder if you set me up to fail Master Jedi, maybe you are trying to teach me a lesson on the evils of gambling," Hadarah turned back around to see the handsome grin of the blonde haired Jedi.
" I would never set you up my lady," He assured her. When they entered into the arena there were throngs of people already cheering on their favorite racers, engines were roaring and snacks were being sold. The Ambassador clasped her hands together eager for the games to begin. An official came down and greeted them and took them to an elevator leading them up to the box seats. The best seats in the house. Only the best for the Chancellors guests.
When Anakin and Hadarah arrived in the box seats they found they were the only ones their. The seating housed screens so that they could view the race from all angels and a variety of refreshment. The race began with the announcers reading out the credentials of all the contestants. The crowd went wild when their favorite names were shouted. Some of the competitors were fiercely booed. When Gyro shuffled his old pod to the front of the track he was merely laughed at. "The poor thing, he is a laughing stock!" Hadarah cried clutching her heart. "Go Gyro!" she cheered from the balcony seat. Anakin watched with interest as she stood up and applauded loudly for the most likely loser. "His pod looks so rickety, their no way he's going to make it through all the obstacles!" she pouted taking her seat.
"The race hasn't even begun yet, you cant give up yet," he baited her. "A lot of those older model pods have what it takes. No pod has it all sometimes to increase speed you give up durability," the ex-racer explained to her.
"And what was your pod like?" she cooed.
"It was a beauty," Anakin assured her, "But nobody thought it would run, I built it myself out of scraps. It was the best looking scrap pod I had ever seen," he boasted.
"Hero, Jedi, pilot, engineer, are there any titles you don't possess?" she asked her accent making the s sound hiss as she leaned in a little closer to him.
"Well," Anakin tried to hold back a guffaw, "I'm not an ambassador."
"Oh that is not true. I have always thought of Jedi as ambassadors. They ambassadors of the Republic, they are the ambassadors of the Force, aren't they?" This time Anakin couldn't help but snicker . "What is so funny?" she playfully gave him a dainty little shove that hardly made him rock in his seat. "I am not accurate?"
"No, no my lady you are very accurate, it just sounds like something my master would say."
"Then I am teaching you Jedi wisdom," she pointed out and let a small smile grace across her lips. Anakin wished that she was still wearing her veil that was he would not be forced to gaze upon her elegant smile.
He cleared his throat turning his body from facing her and then turning toward the track. The pods were starting up. The engines purred and the electro strips sizzled. Scantily clad alien girls traipsed in front of the pods and the racers whistles to them and blew kisses at the females and then when the last one had crossed the pods were off. The last girl almost got ran over. She shook her tail-feathers too slowly.
Though they had screens all around them the ambassador focused her attention on the actual track itself. The pods whirled by in a dizzying swirl of color and lightening. "The blue beam pod just pulled off at a starting speed of 150 zips!" Anakin exclaimed
"Is that fast?" asked Bantku Ambassador
"Any faster and he might have made a jump to hyperspace," Anakin laughed.
"Well what about Gyro?" she demanded, "What his speed?"
"You don't want to know, " Anakin chuckled put his head down and shuck it.
The Ambassadors brows furrowed. Her lovely lips poked out "Come on you slug!" she railed raising her fist in the air as she saw Gyro's vehicle was the last to pull off.
The race was well underway and both the Jedi and the official were standing in their seats cheering. Many pods had already been eliminated from the race. One ran out of juice and caused a large accident on the track. Two others that had been racing neck and neck for first position crashed into each other violent. It caused an explosion and the medical team that was stationed quickly came to evacuate the drivers from the wreckage. Hadarah covered her face with her hands and ducked her head into the Jedi's shoulder trying to shield her eyes from such a terrible sight. Anakin glanced down at her fondly too fondly. This moment was déjà vu. He had pictured it before, but the players were different. This was supposed to be a moment that he shared with his wife. It was supposed to be he and she enjoying each others company in such an innocent way. From the time the Chancellor had mentioned going on this goodwill cruise Anakin had envisioned spending time with Padme. He had dreamed that they would spend an evening just like this doing some entertaining excursion without being watched and followed. If they were in some place far away where no one would recognize theme then they could have been free to be as lovers should be.. Yes, he had hoped that this moment would be shared with his wife. He would tangle his fingers in her curly chocolate tresses, hear her happy giggles and steal shy kisses with her in some dark corridor. Instead he shared this evening with Ambassador Hadarah, her raven hair blew in his face when the wind whipped round at the right angle. She didn't giggle. She chuckled, she snickers and laughed out loud, but giggling seemed not to be part of her language of humor. And there was nothing shy about the advances she made toward him. She was coy, she was sneaky, but she wasn't shy about it. What was probably the most disturbing thing was that up until that point in the evening Padme hadn't crossed him mind once. He had been enjoying the young ambassadors company. " It's ok ambassador," he said to her with a smile on his face. "Your missing the rest of the race' her urged her. She nodded and slowly peeked her gorgeous green eyes from behind henna tattooed fingers and peered back at the race.
"I'm not sure how much more of this I can take," she breathed finally gathering herself and sitting up straight. That one pod flipped over into the canyon!" she shouted.
" I told you this was a dangerous sport milady," Anakin replied not looking at her. He willed himself to keep his eyes glued to one of the screens
"Well master Jedi I know for you this type of danger may be all in a days work, but for me," she gasped, "it's more excitement than I've seen in quite a while," she explained with poise.
"Gyro is pulling a head," Anakin informed her as he stared down at the racing field through his binoculars.
"Please do not make jokes with me Master Skywalker. I have ust come to grips with the fact that I have lost 200 credits," she stated firmly. "200 credits that my father entrusted me with for ambassadorial duties mind you," she pointed her darkly tattooed finger in his face.
"I'm not my lady, look," the Jedi said a smooth smile on his appealing face, he passed her his binoculars.
She took the instrument slowly not wanting to seem too eager, her draw dropped as she watched Gyro swerving around corners and bends, pulling up fast behind competitors with much younger model speeders. "Oh my goodness he's gaining!" the Bantku lady cried excitedly. The two speeders that were a head of Gyro's tried to make pitfalls for him they tried to crash into him, but crashes didn't do much damage to his machine.
" I don't believe it!" The announcers voice rang through the arena. "Gyro has just passed, Muckly Thon! Muckly Thon won 64 races last year and well Gyro…"
"Gyro only finished 12," His partner chimed in. "But Maybe that losing streak has invigorated him? Wow he's really gaining speed!"
"GO GYRO!" Ambassador Hadarah stood out of her seat and yelled. Anakin was amazed, he had not expected the dignitary to act so over the sport of podracing. Her enthusiasm was infectious and before long the Jedi had risen to his feet and was clapping loudly and triumphantly encouraging the underdog to pull ahead.
"Oh MY GOODNESS!" One of the announcers exclaimed
"WOWOAH! POW!" The other chimed in.
" I wouldn't have believed it unless I was sitting right here watching it" the first responded back.
"I'm sitting right here with you and I still don't believe it!" he quipped.
Together they both told the crowd that Gyro had won the race. "He won! He won! By the Force he won!" Hadarah called out with jubilance. She tossed her head back, threw her hands in the air and jumped into the air. Anakin's faced housed happiness for her, but he was more so amused with her childlike thrill over the event.
"That means you won too, my lady," Anakin reminded her while standing up and clapping still stunned by the miraculous turn of events himself.
" Lady Hadarah is one lucky lady this evening. Folks you know who to go see for after party drinks tonight," The announcers carried on.
"I won?" she asked pointing to herself. Anakin could only nod as he watched the dignitaries face light up. "I won!" she hooted ran over to him and in her elation kissed him on the lips. She didn't linger there it was a brush, a peck hardly counted as anything, but it was still uncalled for. He looked at her stunned and surprised. His blue eyes went wide with the sensation fo their lips brushing. She jumped back from him as if she was surprised at herself, then a smug sensuous grin made its way to her guilty lips. She rolled her shoulders back and held a confident posture. All at once she broke into a lighthearted smile as if nothing had happened. He was about to correct her for her actions, but he could not when he saw her panting breathlessly from the victory. "Come Master Jedi let us get to the booth to collect my winnings!" she stated with authority and grabbed his hand and pulled him down the path to the both for winnings. The crowd was still in an uproar, as they made their way down rows and rows of steps. Some beings patted them on the back as they ran to the betting booth others yelled out blaring obscenities at them declaring they had cheated.
The ambassador collected her prize without much delay. "I can't believe it," the Bantku Tribe woman muttered quietly while slipping the new winnings into her purse. " Did you know that this would happen?" she asked flashing her beautiful smile in his direction.
"I'll never tell," he replied back playfully. "You really got into the sport," Anakin continued.
"It was thrilling," the young diplomat declared. "I loved it. Thank you for treating me to such an unforgettable evening, Master Jedi," she said politely and with refinement.
"Ahsoka would have loved it too," Anakin muttered absent mindedly.
"Ahsoka?" the ambassador inquired.
Anakin swallowed hard. He hadn't meant for that to leak out of his mouth, although he had been thinking it all night. "She was my Padawan," he breathed
"Was? Master Skywalker you seem far too young to have trained a padawan to adulthood," she said with a playful tone.
Anakin wasn't playing. "She wasn't trained to adulthood," he growled looking down at the street as he signaled for a cab. "She died."
Hadarah's green eyes changed for the first time Anakin had seen. Her eyes had maintained a level of mystery at all times. Her eyes always remained luminous and interested, but didn't show much more emotion than an occasional flirtatious glint. Now they seemed to house something more. "I am sorry I spoke to quickly." Anakin shrugged and kept his eyes on the skyway looking vigilantly for the next cab to pass by. "This pain is fresh," the ambassador perceived.
"A Jedi doesn't feel pain my lady," Anakin replied with a cold monotone voice. He hardly recognized it when it came out of him. To confess the things that the order told him to confess was foreign and harsh sounding on his tongue, but this woman didn't need to know all his pain. She seemed to respect his statement and remained silent until the taxi speeder pulled up. He let her in first and she took his hand as she stepped into the vehicle. While doing so she dug her nails into his flesh and she saw his face wince slightly. AS he followed behind her and took his seat with her in the speeder he touched his hand and examined her nailprints.
"I thought Jedi didn't feel pain," she whispered in his ear and reached her hand out to take his. Anakin ignored her proffered hand, but managed to look up at her and let out a snort, while leaning back in the seat and then telling the droid where to take them. She then just took his hand in hers. She held it and traced patterns that were familiar in her own tattooed hand along his palm. His fingers jumped at the tickle of her dainty finger dancing along his calloused hand. "I know the pain," she mouthed through her accent. That brought his gaze back to her. He looked up at her searching for something… something that he had yet to receive from anyone… empathy.
The council didn't care how he felt. Obi-wan tolerated and to some level respected how he felt. Padme felt for him and understood how he felt, but none of them felt what he felt. Could this could this lovely foreign ambassador really know how he felt?
"My brother was a great warrior," she began slowly as if she was setting the stage for a child to hear a story. " He had been commended by our chief and was due to marry the Great Sheik's daughter. When we first sent word to the senate that our planet base had been infiltrated by the separatist they didn't respond. My people knew that we had to take matters into our own hands. We sent emissaries to deal with the separatist who proclaimed themselves the new rulers of the planet that had provided life and vitality to the Bantku for thousands of generations. My brother and a group of very skilled warriors went to rally our sister tribes to fight, but they were cowards. So he and his troops pressed on alone, but soon they were captured, by Count Dooku's droids. They were tortured for 1 month and then slowly executed. They would send us holos of the cruel beatings and mutilations that my brother and his group went through. We tried to send additional warriors, but they couldn't break through the defenses of the droid arm. There was nothing we could do for we could do was hope that if we surrendered are planet without any more fight Dooku would let them go. He promised he would, but… Dooku sent holo-transmissions of this to our government. I saw a holo of my brother die." He green eyes turned a shade darker as she stared into Anakin's and uttered those words. Her face which was normally serene and beguiling twisted with grief. "He died at the hands of machines. It was a inglorious death," she spat and finally dropped his hand. It felt like a weight falling back in his lap. She kept her eyes on him and her heavy look forced him to look up into jewel green eyes that were so mysterious, but now blatantly shimmered with tears. She nodded at him.
Like when the announcers told the podracers to start their engines Anakin's heart rate accelerated. She knew. He could sense that she felt all the emotions that he had been trying to suppress the past couple of days. She felt the anger, the rage, the immense sorrow and a need for revenge. With that knowledge in mind Anakin told her the details of Ahsoka's death. He hardly knew what he was saying it came out fast and hot like lava from a volcano. Even with Padme he hadn't shared the details. He hadn't forced himself to relive it all over and over. He had never shared with Padme the full story of all he saw and felt as he watched life slip from her body. He had told Padme how he felt and she had wrapped her arms around him, cried with him, but the comfort she could give only went so far, not because she wasn't willing. She had asked him, but he hadn't wanted to burden her with image of a flaming hole in a Torgruta's body while the body of her attacker lie in two beside them. He hadn't told her that Ahsoka's murderer was the son of her former mentor. Why should she have to be exposed to the sickening betrayal that surrounded this war. Somehow with Hadarah he wasn't afraid to share this.
Hadarah shuck her head as he explained. "I can't imagine being there in that moment. You are strong man," she replied.
"Not strong enough to save her," Anakin mumbled.
"But at least you avaneged her. At least her murderer is not walking free," Hadarah said with a smile as she took Anakin's hands in her own. He hadn't avenged her completely. Lux was dead, but that wasn't nearly enough, Lux hadn't suffered. He had killed Lux Bonteri and still he wanted to do more. He looked away and then looked back at gorgeous Hadarah, her flawless tanned face shimmered with one fallen tear. " I feel close to you right now, Anakin Skywalker," she breathed and leaned her body over his and slid her hand around his muscular torso.
Her touch was firm and confident Anakin fought hard not to let out a moan. He pinned her hands back by her sides. "Ambassador," he spoke trying to make his voice sound strong and stoic.
She weaseled her wrist out of his hardened grip and slipped a graceful henna colored finger over his handsome lips. "Hadarah," she instructed him to call her by her name.
He closed his eyes still feeling her delicate touch on him. In the back of his mind he could see the warm, loving, trusting brown eyes of his devoted wife calling him back to her. He could just imagine her in a slumber gown gazing out at the horizon and hoping that he was having an enjoyable time, that he was able to relax. She had no idea how relaxed he was becoming. He felt so ashamed, but when he opened his eyes brown eyes weren't greeting him, but jade pupils made him lust. "Hadarah," he replied.
"This is the Imperial sir," the droid stated. Anakin sighed with desperate relief. Saved from a hideous desire. He thought and quickly pushed away from her. She pulled her hoods and veil back over her face and they exited the cab with a respectable distance between them as if nothing had transpired.