Mira couldn't keep the delighted smile from her lips as she reached out and clasped hands with queen Talia. The woman wasn't much older then Mira, and despite the heavy responsibilities she obviously had she carried them well... She was far more tanned then the surrounding senators, and dressed in the Onderonean dress of various browns that reminded Mira of a desert. She really looked every bit of the exotic royalty she was supposed to be.
"Your majesty...it's good to see you again." Squeezing the queen's hands Mira ignored the looks they were getting from the assembled people. Didn't they have anything better to do then watch people's conversations?
Talia didn't seem bothered by the attention however, her smile genuine. "Oh please Mira, it's Talia to you." Her accent was remarkably pleasant compared to the cool neutrality of the senators. "I'm very happy that we can meet in more pleasant circumstances then last time!"
"No blaster wounds under treatment and all that?" Mira chuckled, remembering the bandage Talia had worn during the formal dinner she had held for the exile and her companions after the rebellion in Onderon...it would have been far worse if they hadn't gotten to her in time. "I hope Onderon is okay, I haven't really had time to check on you I'm afraid."
"Onderon has been quite calm after a few weeks of cleaning up the dissenters and prosecuting their leaders, a wave of loyalty have swept through the population...I'm quite happy with it."
Mira shrugged. "I guess Onderon is exhausted when it comes to fighting."
"Oh I wouldn't say that, but now people are fighting for the republic rather then against it." Talia's gaze darted away from her and to Mira's left. "Ah, master Atton, nice to meet you again." Glancing to her side Mira saw the fellow jedi approach, he had an oddly muted look on his face. "I must say, you look quite...impressive."
Mira had to admit it, he did look impressive, especially this close...he towered above her in a sparkling uniform hugging his...wide shoulders. Mira took a step away as he stepped up next to her, she sensed something odd from him...a hesitation of some sort. He looked the part too, face oddly neutral compared to his normal grin. "Hello Talia, enchanting as ever."
"Oh my, the same smooth talker I remember." Talia touched her chest with her fingers, a look of delight crossing her face. "I see that becoming a jedi haven't stopped you from staying a charmer. How are you handling this place? Is Mira here taking good care of you?" Did she have to ask that? Ugh...
"If taking good care of me you mean 'threatening' and 'enacting threats'...then yes." Atton shifted, looking a little confused.
Talia didn't seem to notice though, instead she laughed...was this just a show before the senate or something? "Oh really!? I've missed you Atton." Huh!? She turned to the confused Mira. "How do you resist him?" Oh force...Mira swallowed, feeling her face warming up. "And what a ravishing dance Atton, where is that lady of yours?"
"Uh...she was going to speak to senator Olmark, being a reporter and all that." Atton rubbed the back of his head, smiling weakly. "I think I disappointed her." Really!? Sweet! Uh...since the smug jerk deserved that...and stuff.
"Oh well, can't win them all can we?" Talia shrugged. "Has the ball been good for you two? With the political turmoil there are few opportunities for things like these..."
Mira chuckled. "Well Atton here has had quite fun messing with some senators." The man rolled his eyes at the implied compliment, though he did seem to get a little happier...jerk. "Other then that I've had quite a few..." People are watching! "...interesting discussions. Oh and the food is just wonderful, especially compared to the usual grub I'm used to."
"That's because you bounty hunters are so cheap, you get what you pay for." Atton grinned, drawing a wince from Mira. "Besides, back at the Hawk your cooking was the most horrible thing I've ever tasted...even the machine is better, and that doesn't taste anything."
Talia smiled while Mira bristled. "Hey! At least I didn't set off the fire alarm! What was that stuff supposed to be anyway? Looked like dough." Heh...she could win this one.
"It still tasted better then your stuff." Damn, he was right...she hated when he was right.
"What have you two done since then however?" Talia cut in, reminding Mira of where they were. "It has been quite a long time since then...more than a year even."
"Well Atton here meditated a lot, to find his little centre and all..." Mira pretended not to sense his irritation as she continued: "I have been travelling a lot, helping a lot of people all around, I guess it was also a form of meditation...do some easy work you know."
"Easy? When you jedi speak of easy there is a good chance of it being a struggle of epic proportions."
Mira cocked her head to the side, smiling inwardly as she remembered some of her work. "Well, there had been the odd fight...and running from the exchange or...odd warlord."
"Sounds like the usual for Mira." Atton inched closer, whispering to Talia loud enough for Mira to hear: "Though I think she's been eating chocolate a little more after the whole adventure, you know...comfort food and all that."
"What!?" Mira turned to glare at the now grinning Atton. "What did you just say?"
"Well, you're a little bigger now...around the hips."
"Excuse me!?"
A sudden laughter from Talia brought them out of the exchange. "Oh how I've forgotten the smaller things in life! It's a shame you two are jedi, you're so awfully cute." Mira found herself squirming while Atton looked decisively uncomfortable. "Oh well, what can one do?"