Wrong Place, Right Time

Ch. 36

Dress Up in the Penthouse

Pov Jo:

It was a rather smooth ride over to the apartments, about ten minutes of clear sky's to the dock that was connected near the top of the building. From what Padmé explained to me, it was a recent change to allow quick and easy access rather than having to share a parking lot. Apparently, someone had stolen a vehicle of high value and hadn't returned it. Coincidentally, it was the same night that Padme had avoided one of the assassination attempts.

As we made it to the small port, a woman in a simple gown and hood was there to greet us.

"Good afternoon Miss Padmé!"

"Milin! Thank you again for helping on short notice!"

"It's alright, my husband went to the races today with the kids. They offered for me to come along, but I just don't find it all that interesting."

"Really? Seems like everyone is busy or at the tracks. Well, if you have nothing planned, would you care to join us? This is a un-formal get-together after all."

My mind spun as I then appreciated that this was her true self. And what I knew right then and there, Padmé truly was an awesome employer.

"If you don't mind. I did prepare the same for myself."

Milin proceeded to lead us to the dining room. It was just as splendid in style as the senate building was with décor (That held no real significance to me at the time.) And a distant European style that would make the British royal family envy. (In my opinion.)

"Take any seat you would like."

The table was a long one, with at least 10 seats available. At the senator's words we sat fairly close to each other. Choosing to sit near the end across from each other.

The array of dishes and silverware was strikingly similar to that of earth. The position of spoons, forks, knives, and the napkin folding. As for the plate, they were brought out in moments my the working maid, "Here you go, Naboo deep lake Salmon salad. And there is plenty more of you want more. I've also prepared some drinks if your interested. Water as well."

"Do you happen to have milk?"

The maid smiled

"Sure. Is bantha milk fine?"

I wasn't sure what it was, but I returned the smile with my answer.

"Yes, please."

She took the rest of the drink orders and returned quickly with them. As she laid down the drink in front of me, I smiled all the more. It was blue, which was oddly comforting to a person who only had it once. Also the fact i now had a name to go along with it,

As Milin took her seat, Padmé spoke allowed,

"Shall we begin?"

We all nodded our heads, and I said a quick prayer to myself before digging in. I also took note of the etiquette before I took a bite. It was very similar to that of the party a month ago, only I felt more at peace here. This was a feeling I had missed at meals. Even being at the temple for as long as we had been we still got stares as we are. And with Padmé's parent's place, it was just awkward. This was the first time in a long time I had felt like this.

After watching for a few seconds, I tried the salad with the salad fork. Time seemed to slow down. It was the best fish and salad I have ever eaten!

"This is amazing!"

"Really? I can share the recipe if you'd like."

"I would like that very much like that if it's no trouble. I'm Jo by the way."

"Milin, and it's no trouble. Would you like a copy of it, miss?"

Riyo seemed to enjoy the meal too, taking a moment to swallow before speaking.

"Yes I would, and the name is Riyo Chuchi. But you can call me Riyo."

"Alright, I'll make a copy for each of you then. And before we begin talking about senate life, I would like to hear what a Jedi life is like."

I was about to take another bite of the fish before she asked that. Sad to put it down, but not upset by the question itself.

"Sure. What would you like to know?"

"How is it compared to life out here? Are you restricted in any way?"

"Well, we aren't allowed to go anywhere without council permission. Most of the time we have been training in sword combat. Neither me or my brother have had much success in beating any of our opponents, besides each other. It's been a 30 to 25 score right now, with Aaron in the lead."

"Well, I'm sure it's not easy facing people your age who have trained for years."

I gave a deep sigh.

"We're against children."

"... Well, you have to learn to walk before you run."

Fortune cookie wisdom right there.

Padmé looked past that and found a silver lining, "Anakin told me they made him wait months before they let him hold a saber. So that has to mean something."

"True, but I don't feel like I'm getting far."

She waved it off, "Anakin's told me that before, and the next thing you know, he's in a league beyond what's considered normal. All Jedi I have met have that feeling from them. You and your brother seem the same, only on a different wavelength."

That put a smile on my face, "Thank you, I just hope we're ready for it."

I went for another bite as the Pantoran asked a question of her own, "Ready for what?"

Padmé answered for me, "Jo and her brother are going to help in the war effort."

The blue on the girl's face became a lighter shade, while the working maid put a hand over her mouth in shock and proclaimed aloud, "Good heavens! What made you want to do that?"

I calmly put my fork down and gave the same answer I will tell anyone, "My world is in jeopardy now, it's out there somewhere. The masterminds behind this war will seek to take it for all it's worth and destroy it. And that is inadvertently myself, and my brother's fault. The best thing we can do is to do everything in our power to stop this from happening. By training with the Jedi, we can add to that help."

Ryio looked sad as she choose her words carefully,

"Yes, you told me about the training. But I didn't think it was for the war… It's hard to believe that one so lost as you are, and you're so willing to fight for a galaxy you have never known. I've only met you for a while but… I don't want that to happen. It isn't right."

I disagreed with that last statement.

"It is right, and I'm not as much of a stranger as I was. I'm learning. And this is the best way to find my world and friends."

"... Perhaps. But, safety is never assured."

I smiled at her concern, "Honestly, it's not assured by doing nothing either. But enough about me, I think I'm ready to hear about the etiquette of a senator now."

Chuchi wanted to convince me otherwise, but it was pointless. I've already promised to fight. Aaron did, and I'm not going to leave him. The said senator seemed slightly upset but listened along to Padmé. Our esteemed host was happy to oblige.

"Of course."

Padmé then went on how some dining arrangements on other worlds aren't the same. The customs of the main galactic community are about the same all around. But there are a few outliers.

Some worlds had no tables, but ate from the floor. Others had tables, but no plates. And mannerisms that held meaning to each race. When to speak, when to gain permission to leave and more. This conversation went on until we finished our lunch.

"And that's when I tripped over the person's tail, and spilled my bowl of soup on our hosts. I've never been back since. So always remember, a first impression is always the most important one."

I lightly chuckled at Padmé's misfortunate tale of a dinner party four years ago.

"That would have been me ten times over, just saying."

Just then Threepio came to the dinning hall.

"Miss Padmé, forgive me for intruding, but you have a visitor at the door."

"Who is it? And why didn't you let him in?"

"Well… it's Jar Jar."

The air became still, Padmé then sat up and looked at the droid firmly.

"Let him in, Threepio. Be sure to make sure that the… Incident won't happen again."

"Yes, Miss."

The golden machine left the room, and I had to beg the question.

"May I ask what incident you're referring to?"

The senator sighed, "A week ago, he tripped on the entryway."

All of us waited for her to continue. She didn't.

"That's it?"

She took a deep breath.

"No, that was the start. I had let him in and I turned around for one second, and the next thing I know… He was dangling from the patio railing."

Ryio and I laughed at the ridiculous tale.

"Come on now, that can't be true."

As we continued, Neither Padmé l, nor her maid were laughing. It was then our joy turned into pity.

"You're serious?"

"Unfortunately, so we've made a new rule to make sure that everything is secured in the house, and all doors closed if he arrives."

My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth, I didn't dare say a word more about it.

"When he comes in, let me handle it. Milin, did you make an extra meal Incase?"

"Of course."

"Then we'll have him in here, and we'll continue the questions."

Just then, Threepio entered the room with the same creature I saw at the Senate building. The klutz.

"Padmé, forgiving misa's intrusion, but-."

"Ah Jar Jar! It's good to see you! Would you like some lunch?"

"That would be nice! Thank you! But-."

The senator then guided the gungan to a seat.

"Then sit right here, Threepio will bring you out a plate. In the meantime, I need to have a conversation with two of my guests."

"Uh..."

"Thank you for understanding Jar Jar."

With that, the senator led us out of the room, and the sound of glass breaking could be heard.

"Oops."

I saw Padmé with her eyes closed and taking a deep breath before continuing to her bedroom.

The room was about what you would expect in an apartment, nothing too fancy. Except the bed looked exquisite, and my eyes wandered over to the closet entryway. When they laid on it, they nearly popped out.

It had rows of clothes. Clothes that I couldn't even begin to describe how each one was. I tried my best, but I wouldn't even be able to write them all down.

Before anything else, Padmé went on the level with us.

"As you know, the world of politics is a never ending job. Appearance is the key to most of it. Colors set mood, the amount of clothing sets formality. So what happens when you have to have a formal party that calls for red attire, and a public presentation that everyone has agreed to wear blue?"

"You cancel one?"

Padmé vehemently shook her head, "No, there is an off chance of discourse if you cancel for any reason. Infightings have happened for no less."

Chuchi asked, "Improvise?"

"Exactly!"

Before Padmé explained, Milin entered the room.

"He's distracted for now. What would you like me to do Padmé?"

"Perfect, I need you to help demonstrate the versatility of the outfit I wore to Organa's party about a few months ago."

"Of course."

"Now this should take a few minutes…"

Both women went behind a divider that hid them for a few minutes, and soon a new figure was revealed. She had on a stunning red dress that had frills on the bottom, and a small white rose pattern adorned around her collar that came up to her neck.

Her makeup was extreme as well, Victorian likeness with red hues in the white paint. Her hair was in a spiral that looked braided.

Only by her words did I know who she was.

"This is what I'm talking about, I had to wear this exact outfit for the party, and everyone's was just as extravagant."

I barely found the words to speak, "P-padmé? Is that really you?!"

She laughed, "Yes it's me. But this isn't even the important part! Like I said, now I need to do a public presentation for the senate. Milin, if you will?"

Padmé held her arms upward while Milin stepped forward and grabbed the bottom of the dress and pulled it away. Reviling a dress underneath.

Her new outfit was now a violet color and less revealing, and no extra decorations or any real patterns. She took a piece of cloth and wiped her face, and the make up she had came right off, leaving on the same she had on before. Then the former queen reached for her hair piece, and pulled it off, to reveal brush fibers inside the piece that brushed along her hair.

When it was fully removed, it left her hair looking perfectly straight. Then with a hair clip, she rolled her hair up into a ponytail.

Padmé once more became a new person, this time before our eyes.

"Now I'm ready for the holo network. Time is the factor that nobody accounts for in this line of work. Where you go, and who you prioritize says a lot about the person. To me, my people's future is first. And to do that, I have to do whatever I can."

"That's insane!"

"On the contrary, it is necessary."

Both the Pantoran and I were left agape at her proclamation! No matter what, that little amount of time to rest in work had to be too much for anyone!

"I could never deal with any of that! That whole fiasco on Geonosis was a nightmare."

Padmé smiled, "Jo, anyone is capable. Even you, I can prove it!"

With our warning, Padmé took me by the hand and led me to the wall that she had transformed behind before. And if that wasn't enough, a blindfold was quickly placed over my eyes.

Soon I heard Milin walking over to help while my mind was spinning at what was happening.

I could feel the cloth I had on being replaced little by little.

"Riyo, a little help here?!"

My cry went unanswered, "Almost done Jo, now watch yourself."

The blind fold came off to reveal a brush of sorts near my eye, I almost reacted accordingly by backing off. A gentle hand behind my head prevented that from happening as the brush did its strokes across my eyelids.

"Almost done."

Then I felt a soft brush flow through my hair a few times.

"Perfect! Wouldn't you agree, Milin."

"Yes, she's ready."

Padmé then took me by the hand.

"Then without further delay, I present Jo Shepherd! Jedi Initiate, and representative of Earth!"

She then pushed me in front of this woman I hadn't seen before. Her hair was done in a wavy pattern, like ocean waves. The makeup was similar to that of Padmés, as was the kind of outfit. It was cyan, with violets arrayed across the skirt of the dress.

I was about to ask who this woman was when I noticed Padmé right beside her, while she was beside me. Slowly, I raised my hand. The unnamed woman did the same. I waved, the same.

A mirror…

I couldn't believe it! My mind didn't want to believe it! I was new! It was… It was…

I embraced the senator in a hug like I hadn't in a long time. Tears leaked from my eyes.

"Jo?! What's wrong?"

"Nothing! Thank you! So much!"

I cried for who knows how long. After a while, Padmé broke the hug, but kept me close.

"I'm guessing there's more to this than dresses."

I gave it my best effort to hold back the river of water that flowed from my sight and gave an answer.

"Almost all my life, I have never had any friends like you to do these kinds of things with. Sure, I have friends with my brother, but they are all men. And the only girls I have around my age are my cousins… This day spending time with you all like this… I don't deserve it!"

I was smiling, but the tears poured once more. In response the senator from Naboo pulled me into a hug again.

"Well, I don't know what your life has been exactly so far. But I at least know that you are a friend I can rely on. You've proven that to me multiple times. Need I say more?"

She didn't, I knew what she was referring to. And she would dare speak of it in front of the two other people in the room. Instead of answering directly, I settled for returning the hug. A wave of relief was what calmed my emotional breakdown, and at the same time built me up.

When the hug was over, Padmé then turned to the guest senator and a smile came across her face and spoke in a playful tone.

"Your turn now."

"Oh no…"

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This went on for about an hour, before Padmé decided it was time to see what the representative wanted to talk about. We all had fun, but Padmé stated that He had waited long enough.

We walked into the kitchen in the attire we had on before. Nobody would be any wiser to what we had looked like minutes before.

As for the gungan, he was happily eating the last little bit of fish that was prepared for him, talking with Threepio about who knows what.

"Hey JarJar, how did you like the meal?"

"Oh, messa likin dis one. Reminds me of the dinner we had after the battle of Naboo."

"I remember that one, you were the talk of the party. Leading the ground forces like you did."

The representative was now bashful l, "Oh no, Tarpals was the bigger help with that."

"Not what I've heard from him, he told me you made a huge impact on the droid army then. Even taking on a tank by yourself!"

My jaw dropped at that visual detail, only I had a hard time seeing it… Until my powers gave me a helping hand and showed me.

I saw a younger gungan in a field of endless green, riding on top of an unfamiliar tank. It was similar to Earth's, only it was hovering and had no tracks. On top was the gungan riding the barrel of the main gun. I couldn't hear as usual, but he was most definitely screaming for his life.

Up beside it was a gungan riding an unknown mount and threw Jar Jar a ball of some kind. He struggled to catch it, but had it somehow land on the droid driver. Taking him out completely. Then the tank went for a spin.

The vision was cut off. And I couldn't help but internally laugh at what I had seen. Externally, I beamed a great big smile at the unfortunate gungan.

"Oh it was nutten."

Padmé disagreed,

"You help our people Jar Jar, that will always mean something. And now, to what do I owe the visit?"

"Oh, I have dis thing here. I believe it was from da lady over here."

Lady?...

I looked at the item in his hand and saw a deodorant stick. Specifically mine that I had in my bag…. And a little thinking put the pieces in place.

I must have dropped it on the tour.

I walked up to the sitting gungan, "Thank you Representative, and It's Jo by the way."

"In dat case, you can referin to messa as JarJar."

"Right. Where did you find it, JarJar?"

"Oh, when I tripped on it into da Pod."

Shock ran through my system,

If by pod he means… What have I done?!

"JarJar, I am so sorry! I thought I took care of the problem. You see, I-i had this hole I found earlier and I thought I took care of it by putting a bigger object over it. Guess it wasn't big enough. I should have paid more attention."

Chuchi laid a hand over my shoulder to comfort me while Padmé came to my rescue, "Well, these sorts of things happen."

They do?

She continued, "It was just a series of unfortunate events. Speaking of, I think I have a way to fix your problem, Shepherd. Wait right there."

She rushed out of the room, leaving us to only guess where she went. A minute later, she came back with something in hand. It was a small bag, similar to mine. Only this one had a leather material to it. Padmé then held it to me.

"This is a spare one I've had."

"No, Padmé. I couldn't."

"No, I insist! Take it and remember the time we had today. For all its craziness and fun."

"No" was not an option now. I reached out for it and thanked her much more as I hastily took some of what was in my old bag in the new one. It was perfect.

"Well… We have the afternoon to ourselves. Any stories anyone would like to share?"

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And so, the rest of the afternoon was spent talking about past experiences and friends of old… Padmé got curious and asked about my two other friends who may or may not be in this galaxy.

I first told them about Eugene Fisher, he was my brother's best friend since early school. They never shared a class, but always found themselves in a classroom across from each other. And they were both friends with Eugene's older brother. And that lasted until his eventual death at the hand of a road accident, killing both him and his soon to be wife.

As soon as I mentioned that, pained expressions came across everyone's faces, save for Threepio.

"It took some time for them to get over that. In fact, it took a new friend in the picture to fix that."

I then told them about my first close friend from school, Thomas Stone.

He was a kid who was straight to the point, and as clueless as they get when it came to conversation. A friend nonetheless. He broke the rut we found ourselves in and stuck with us ever since.

And now they were out here, somewhere.

I'm sure Thomas is fine…

I told myself this many times, but this was the same guy who doesn't know social cues. The best I could hope for is that he is far from a city environment.

After this, I was regaled with tales from everyone.

JarJar's banishment, more stories about Padmé's time as queen, and Riyo's family. Alongside what life on a moon was like. Surprisingly not much different than that of a planet. We also discussed Milin's family and her previous occupation as a ballerina, changing occupation to handmaiden for the sake of her people. Even the subject of Threepio's time as an assistant in building a racer for Anakin came up.

"I didn't do anything too crazy, I mostly assisted in handing the tools he requested. Aside from that, all I did was carry his flag for the race."

I shook my head at his under appreciation of himself.

"I think that's an honor in and of itself. Carrying your creator's banner."

I couldn't see it, but his voice practically spelled out his revelation.

"O-oh? Yes. Yes! It was! And all these years I never understood why! Thank you, Miss Shepherd!"

I rolled my eyes at his dramatics, but smiled nonetheless.

"Please, Jo is fine. And speaking of races, I wonder how my brother and Anakin are doing?"

Padmé turned to look out towards the balcony to the setting sun across the city skyline.

"Yes… It is rather late. And looking at the time, the race should have been over. I better check on them. If you'll pardon me for a moment."

Our gracious host sat up from her chair she was in and left the dining room down the hall.

It was then that a gasp escaped her mouth, "I should probably do the same! Who knows what they would think if I'm not home when I get back! Excuse me."

She quickly left the room for her own call. Leaving The new senator, a gungan, a droid, and me alone.

JarJar was the first to say something, "So, Jo… How yousa liken it here? Da city I mean."

"Lively, and at the same time not. It reminds me of cities back home, which pale in comparison to Coruscant. Everyone is busy, and nobody has the time for anything. So it seems. So far, the temple, the Senate building(Surprisingly), and spending time with you all is different from that mindset. I can see why the races are a big deal here."

"Ya! Messa been to the first race dare! It was great!"

"Wow. That had to be an experience."

"It was! Heh, till messa got banned…"

I bit my lip, trying my best to say something comforting. But all I could picture was the Gungan causing a 20 car pile up at the Indy 500 back home. No deaths mind you. But a lot of broken bones.

The Pantoran came to my rescue, "I'm sure it was a misunderstanding."

"Ya…"

The creature couldn't hide his self disappointment.

In a sense, I felt myself in his shoes. Nothing going to plan, and things going awry. The only difference was that JarJar seemed like the kind of person to take it in his stride. This seemed unbefitting in how he was now.

"But you've done some great things for your world, that should mean something to you."

"Messa suppose. But then I always do somting to messy it."

"Things are always changing, even me."

This last month was proof of that. But even so, I'm still not combat strong yet. I would hope something changes that.

"Hmm, maybe..."

Moments later, Padmé came back with an odd look on her face. Both of concern and disbelief, alongside her hand across the side of her face

"Padmé? What's wrong?"

"...I just got off the communicator with your brother."

"My brother? He doesn't have one."

She nodded her head, "Yes, he was using Anakin's."

The look she had made me scared to ask the next question.

"Why does he have Anakin's communicator?"

End Chapter

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Bonus Chapter: Failed Grab.

Pov: Blane

Failure. For the first time since my time working for the Doctor, I have experienced failure. Not just I, we. What should have been a simple walk in and out turned into a fight.

Everything was fine, we had almost made it to the door. Then someone had to bump into Rando… knocking him to the ground.

It happened fast, long before the man could apologize. Rando hated humans with a passion, I knew that. But he lost sight of the mission and slugged the man in the face. Safe to say, his friends didn't find it funny. At the drop of a hat, it all turned into a fight across the race track.

I quickly grabbed Rando from the mess, and covered our escape. Making sure that none of the cameras saw us with my connection to the security system. I used my communications to call out to him.

"Dred! We got to go!"

"In a minute! I'm having some fun here!"

I looked through the crowd to find him, only for my jaw to drop at the sight of Dred picking up a Wookiee that found his way on the tracks and tossed him like a womprat! This was my first time seeing him show such strength. Then again, I've known him less than Rando.

Thankfully, nobody noticed his strength amongst the crowd.

"Dred!"

I almost didn't call out to him that time, afraid of what would happen.

"This is amazing! Finally, I can stretch my arms out!"

More fear ran through me.

"No, not here! The Doctor is going to kill us if word gets out! Remember the mission!"

A scoff gurgled out of his throat, "Fine! Let's go then."

Then followed Dred as he made his way out of the crowd, with an aggravated Rando in tow.

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We were back at our seats, waiting for the final event to start. It was still an hour away from starting, and the seats around us weren't packed. Making it perfect for us to go over the new plan.

"You should have let me kill him!"

Rando did his usual complaining, but going so far as to kill a person for touching him was a little much.

"We can't! Remember what we're doing here! In your free time, sure. But we can't let anything hinder this mission! You heard what Dred said. If that informant gets what he knows to the public, we will be more than out of work…"

I wasn't planning on dying, not after what we paid for.

Rando's reply was a low growl, but he complied with a nod. Even he knew what was on the line. We owed the doctor everything for what we are, and we were sure going to take the informer dead or alive. Preferably, alive.

Dred spoke up, "This mission is becoming everything I hoped it would be… Now we just need to complete the mission. So let's sit back and enjoy the last race. But before that, let's find out what our target is up to next…"

He put a finger up to his earpiece to get info from the doctor on what to do next. Like his name was, I dreaded what the next plan was. It may turn out worse.

End Bonus Chapter