Chapter 29 - Princess
Author's Note: This chapter has a lot of what feels like pointless fluff. You're welcome. :D
Plague317: !_! Cuddle piles. Not... that. But yes, out of context... *shudders* xDXD
Padme absolutely better be careful. 👀
~ Amina Gila
"Hold still!"
Anakin smirks at the exasperation in Ahsoka's voice, but only because he gave up half an hour ago on trying to get Omega dressed properly for the occasion and had Ahsoka take over. It's been over a week since Vader's public display in the Senate, and in that time, dozens of Senators have resigned, and even more have stepped forward with information about the corruption as well as plans for how they think it can be rooted out.
Two clumsy assassination attempts were launched against Vader as well, by disgruntled politicians, but they were foiled by the clones long before they ever got close to harming the Emperor. All in all, Anakin thinks that things are going quite smoothly.
And now, Vader – and he – discussed having a celebration or gala of some sort to loosen up the Senators and Jedi. Both of them are well aware that it's only a matter of time before the Jedi attempt something, and they want to be prepared by trying to uncover whatever they can of a potential timetable. The Force has revealed nothing since Vader's nightmare, but they're still on edge. After much deliberation they agreed that the next best move would be one involving Omega. Anakin is planning to officially adopt her, legally, and that will put her in the line for the throne. She'll be the crown princess of the Empire.
Really, they couldn't have chosen a better candidate. Omega is young, and she's so sweet and innocent. Charming. Anakin has no doubt that she'll easily win people over. And it helps that she has millions of protective brothers who would die for her. It'll make the clones more important, give them an actual voice, and that, coupled with the festivities of Omega assuming the role of Princess will be good for publicity. It's a calculated political move.
Clone Force 99, Rex, Cody, and Fox have all been put in charge of security at the event. They've invited a lot of people, and the gala will be held at one of the large Coruscanti halls near the Senate district. The Jedi were invited as well, though, and that's one thing Anakin isn't looking forward to. He and Ahsoka have been ardently avoiding discussing Obi-Wan's inevitable appearance. It… will not be easy to see him for either of them.
Omega squeals, twirling in a circle in front of the mirror. "I look amazing!" Her ankle-length dress – which is made of a blaster proof material, just in case – is a mesmerizing blend of burgundy, gold, and light blue. The colors layer together, giving Omega the appearance of royalty. She'll be a princess; she deserves the best they can give her – which is anything, given their office.
Anakin puts a hand on her shoulder to draw her attention, waiting until she faces him before slipping a necklace around her neck and fastening it. On Omega's insistence, it has an abstract 99, marking her as one of Clone Force 99. Ever since they met, they've been bonding rapidly. They balance each other, and it makes Anakin happy to see Omega so happy.
"Done," he proclaims, stepping back, catching her instinctively when she throws herself at him, hugging him tightly.
Unfortunately, given the formalness of the occasion, it means dressing up. Anakin hates dressing up. He always feels wrong and unworthy, but he'll suffer through it since Ahsoka is, too. As if reading his mind, the Togruta makes a face at him, tugging lightly on one of the thin gold chains adorning her lekku. She's dressed in a flowing dark blue gown, and she'd complained the entire time she was being fitted for it.
Anakin can relate. However, that didn't mean he didn't tease her about it.
He himself is wearing fancy, way-too-formal attire in black, but at least it's black.
Once they're all fully dressed, they depart from their apartment – well, it's technically Vader's apartment, located at the very top of 500 Republica, refitted to befit the Emperor – accompanied by many clones.
Clone Force 99 is there, too, and they all stop and stare when they see Omega. Hunter is the one to find his voice first, offering a strangled, freaked out, "wow". But Anakin can relate. Seeing fancy clothing terrifies him. He doesn't know what to do with it.
"It's a bit much," Anakin admits ruefully, shaking his head, "But with this being a public appearance… it was necessary."
"She'll be in the spotlight," Crosshair notes neutrally, even though Anakin can sense that he doesn't like that. Truthfully, that was the only reason he and Vader hesitated to choose Omega.
"Yes," he admits, "And that's why Ahsoka will be accompanying Omega everywhere. And you. She'll need the protection and companionship. It's… lonely to be a leader."
"We'll take care of her," Hunter promises, nodding.
Anakin knows they will.
The gala feels stifling before they even get inside. There's so many people there, and… he hates these things. A hush spreads across the room as they enter. Anakin in the front, Omega and Ahsoka on either side of him, the clones spread out behind him. From across the room, Fives offers him a two-fingered salute, smirking. Echo elbows him.
Anakin takes a moment to pause and assess the room. He sees Padme in the crowd watching him, though she'd obviously been talking to Bail before they showed up – fashionably late, which had been the attention. On the other side of the room, Riyo Chuchi is speaking to Fox, her arm linked through his. Huh. Obi-Wan is here, too; Anakin can feel him, though he's not sure where he is.
And then, thankfully Vader begins to speak, drawing attention away from them.
Lucky him. Because of his life-support, he's wearing his armor as always. But it only makes him stick out more, and Anakin suspects that, even if he hadn't, he'd still choose his armor. It reminds people who's in charge.
They join Vader in the front of the room, Anakin on his right, while Omega and Ahsoka go to his left. "Eyes on the Jedi," Anakin whispers to Crosshair. That's one of the most important parts of this. They've positioned clones all around the room, having them surreptitiously keep their eyes on a list of people who've been marked as potential threats. And all the Jedi present are on that list. They need to see how the Jedi react to Vader's newest declaration to gauge what their views are. A part of Anakin had wondered if the Jedi would even show, but they have, and he's not sure what to make of that.
It could be good… or it could be bad.
Time will tell.
Vader begins by thanking everyone for coming, saying that he appreciates the support as well as the alacrity with which everyone has acted the long, arduous process of cleaning up the corruption within the Senate. "I also wish to share with you," Vader continues, and something tells Anakin that Vader is planning to drop another bombshell on them, "The joyous news that Omega –" here he pauses, gesturing to her, "– has been legally adopted by Anakin. Treat her with the same respect as you would him. Omega Skywalker is your princess, just as Anakin is your prince."
There's a brief, surprised silence, before the cheers break out. Personally, Anakin thinks that the clones are cheering loudest of all; they may have gotten citizenship already, but this is one step further, and he can't even begin to imagine how much it must mean to them to have their only sister become a royal, someone of importance.
"Ahsoka Tano," Vader begins as the applause – and yells of congratulation – die down. Ahsoka stills, visibly caught off guard, but she stills turns to him attentively.
"What are you doing?" Anakin demands over their bond, only to receive the equivalent of a mysterious smile in answer.
"You are Anakin's apprentice, and I know you are important to him." The to us goes unsaid, but all three of them can undoubtedly hear it. "I should like to extend to you, the offer of adoption. You would be my daughter, just as Anakin is my son. Do you accept?"
Ahsoka visibly flounders, but the genuine emotion in her eyes shows how touched she is, shows how much this means to her. "Of course," she answers, in a surprisingly steady voice. "I would be honored… Father."
It takes Anakin all of ten seconds to understand why Vader did this. It's strategy. It's public proof that he's willing to accept any of the Jedi, not just Anakin. Anakin was popular among the Jedi, it is true, but he also never fit in. He was never truly one of them. But Ahsoka? She was raised in the Order. She, more than him, is a Jedi at heart, and the rest of the Order will acknowledge that. Seeing her on Vader's side publicly, seeing her as Vader's daughter, it will sway the opinions of the Jedi, too.
It's… it's brilliant, and Anakin finds that he is more than a little impressed by it, too.
The crowd goes absolutely wild at the words and when Vader reaches out, resting a hand on Ahsoka's shoulder. And to Anakin's surprise, Ahsoka steps closer to him, wrapping him in a brief, fierce hug. There is shock in the Force, but there is also a pleasant surprise and relief. Perhaps Vader was right about how having a visible family will make people more receptive of him. … Of course, he was right.
"You have always been the daughter of my heart," Vader says to Ahsoka, quietly enough that probably no one else hears over the applause.
Ahsoka makes a quiet noise, half-laugh, half-sob. "I love you too, Skyguy," she whispers back against his shoulder before pulling back, head held high like the princess she, too, now is.
"Come on," Anakin comments lightly, touching her back. "Let's go mingle."
He doesn't look at the clones as he steps forwards into the crowd – he knows they are following him, shadowing him, and more than that, he has the Force as his ally, ready to warn him if he's in danger. They coached Omega on how to talk to people if she ends up alone, but the hope is for one of them to be with her at all times.
"I didn't say this earlier," Anakin murmurs to Ahsoka as the swell of voices rise around them, people talking, the room abuzz with Vader's revelations, "But congratulations, little sister. I didn't know either," he adds before she can ask. "I was as surprised as you."
He glances back, briefly, at Vader to see him speaking to a Senator, Cody standing behind him, his permanent shadow. "I'm fine," Vader sends to him, obviously sensing his gaze, though he doesn't pause in his conversation with the Senator. "Go on. Mingle. Maybe see if you can get in a word with Padme, see what her position now is."
The words are cautious, and Anakin flinches internally, his happiness dimming for a moment. He doesn't know if he's ready to see her, doesn't know if he can truly talk to her, knowing what she thinks about Vader. But… they're married. And he doesn't know what to do about any of it. He misses her, misses the quiet, peaceful moments they got together, no matter how fleetingly. And yet… well, there are so many complications. But he doesn't need to worry about it tonight. Tonight, he can try to enjoy himself as much as he can, surrounded by politicians.
Or maybe he can linger in the shadows, observing Ahsoka and Omega as they mingle.
"Hey, General."
He smirks a little at the casualness of Fives' voice, turning to look at him. He and Echo are both there with identical expressions of intrigue and curiosity on their faces. "Yes?"
"Question," says Fives, with altogether too much cheer. He's definitely up to something. "If Omega is a princess, does that make me – us princes?"
"Technically, yes," Anakin answers, a little surprised by the question – but then, he probably shouldn't be. Of course, Fives is the first to think of it, or at least the first to come to him about it. "But that doesn't mean you can evade the orders Rex gives you. He still outranks you."
Fives gives him his best disappointed look – which is far too effective, in Anakin's opinion. "You're no fun."
"I resent that," he deadpans. "I am very fun."
Echo pinches the bridge of his nose.
"If you adopted me, too, would that mean I'd get to be officially called Prince Fives?"
Echo sighs, loudly and dramatically.
Fives ignores him.
Anakin shrugs, deciding to just go with the weird mood the ARC trooper is in. There's no harm in indulging his carefree lightheartedness, after all. "Naturally," he agrees, "But I think it would be a little… weird if I adopted you, don't you think?" He raises a pointed eyebrow. "We're kind of… close in age. And before you argue that you're only nine, I want you to really think about if you want me to treat you like a nine-year-old."
Fives opens his mouth, and then closes it again, frowning. "Well, you did fly in a space battle when you were nine, sir," he reminds, a little smugly.
"I was not treated like a normal nine-year-old," Anakin answers dryly, "And you can call me Anakin, you know. We're family now."
Fives looks away for a moment, swallowing, and in the Force, Anakin can feel how touched he is. He and Echo both. "Does that make the Commander my sister or something?" Fives asks with a casualness that's meant to sound genuine. It doesn't, but Anakin lets him change the topic to something that's not so… emotional.
He waves a hand. "Probably."
"Huh." Fives is staring very hard at the glass in his hands, which he definitely isn't even drinking. They're supposed to be blending in, but alcohol is off-limits when they're on duty. "If she's my sister, that means I can't proposition her or anything."
Echo smacks the back of his head. "Di'kut," he hisses, glaring at his brother.
Anakin gapes at Fives. "You what?"
The clone flushes, rubbing the back of his neck, a feeling of embarrassment echoing into the Force. "I uh – forget I said anything. I didn't mean to say that out loud. I didn't mean anything by it, I swear."
Well, this will be good blackmail material for the future, but for now… Fives is sincere, and he's also squirming from embarrassment, so Anakin will let it go. "Okay," he agrees, gaze sliding to Ahsoka where she and Omega are talking to Fox and Senator Chuchi, the latter of whom is nearly leaning into the former's side. Hm.
Echo grumbles something under his breath that suspiciously sounds like, "I am not paid enough to deal with this nonsense." But in the Force, he feels fond, as if he doesn't fully mean it.
"What's up with you and Senator Amidala?" Fives queries, ignoring Echo.
Anakin frowns. "What do you mean?"
"She keeps looking your way," Echo elaborates, "Studying you. Watching you."
Anakin feels the urge to look over his shoulder towards where Padme is, but he doesn't, maintaining his position instead, keeping casual. "We… well, it's complicated," he admits. "We… are married." Oh, who even cares if he tells the truth? He trusts his boys with his life, and they're his best friends, the only true friends he's even had since he left Tatooine. The war is over. He's not a Jedi. It won't matter if anyone finds out. Still, he's careful to keep his voice low so no one overhears and uses the information against him.
Fives blinks. "Huh," he answers at length. "I… did not expect that. I thought you two were just friends. But… I guess you did seem awfully close…"
Anakin nudges him. "Hey. We're close."
"Too close," Echo deadpans. "I feel like I'm your dad half the time."
Fives gasps in outrage, and Anakin snorts. "Please, Echo. You are exactly as chaotic as we are; you just like to pretend you're not."
Echo rolls his eyes, but he doesn't deny it, a small smirk playing on his lips.
"Padme doesn't support Vader," Anakin continues bluntly, getting back to the topic at hand, no matter how comforting and freeing it is for him to tease the clones. "She doesn't know… and we don't want to tell her. It's… hard to trust her with it, knowing how she views him."
The lightheartedness falls away, replaced with something somber. "I'm sorry," Fives offers hesitantly, uncertainly. "If there's anything we can do…"
"I'll tell you," Anakin promises, "But I think this is something we'll have to sort out on our own."
"Maybe you should talk to her," Echo advises. "I think she wants to talk to you." He glances around the room again, surreptitiously, before his gaze narrows at something.
"I… will," Anakin agrees, "Just maybe not now."
"Now," Echo replies, "I'm going to deal with that."
He follows the clone's gaze to see Wrecker holding a glass which undoubtedly contains alcohol… which he's drinking from. "Please do," he decides.
Echo pushes his way through the crowd, and Anakin watches him say something to Wrecker, something that doesn't go over well from the looks of it. Fives sighs. "I'll just… be over there," he says, pointing, taking off after his brother.
Anakin laughs. He can't help it. Spending time with the clones is always so relaxing, and he – they're good friends. He loves being with them. They make him feel better, more like himself. He's so distracted, watching Fives attempt to mediate between Echo and Wrecker – and Crosshair who's joined the… discussion – that it takes a moment for the familiar presence at his side to register.
Padme.
His heart skips a beat, and he turns, slowly, to look at her. She's as radiant as always, and despite himself, he's drawn to her. He wants to wrap himself around her and hold her tightly. He loves her just as much as he always has, but… he does not trust her the way he once did, and he doesn't know what that will mean for them in the future. What good is his love for her if he can't trust her?
"You look happy." Her words are soft, gentle, a sharp contrast from the way she spoke to him last, hard and demanding. This is his wife, the way he always remembers her in his dreams, soft and gentle.
He hums lightly. "I am." And he is. Surprisingly. For a while there, at the beginning, with only Vader, he had felt so distant from everyone, so alone. And now… He can't really say how it changed exactly, only that it did. Maybe it was finding Omega. Maybe it was spending more time with the clones. Maybe it was Ahsoka learning the truth. Maybe it was all three. But somehow, somewhere, he's become… content with his life as it is now. Certainly, he wants to find a way to rebuild a relationship with Padme and Obi-Wan, no matter how hard it might be, but he's still content with what he has now.
"I'm glad you're doing well." There's a hint of awkwardness in her tone, and Anakin looks at her, really looks at her. Outwardly, she betrays nothing, of course, because she's a politician, trained to conceal her emotions, but in the Force, she radiates discomfort.
It feels like they don't know how to talk anymore.
"I've missed you," he blurts out.
She touches his arm, a flicker of longing in her dark brown eyes. "I've missed you, too," she answers quietly. "It's been a long time since we've spoken. Do you think… Maybe we could go out somewhere and talk? I… I think we should talk about… us. We're – we've not spent much time together at all since… the Empire formed."
"I know," Anakin replies, "And I would like that. I want nothing more than to… figure something out. Somehow. But you must know that I will always support Vader. Nothing you say or do will shake my faith in him."
Padme smiles, sadly, and he catches a tendril of guilt. "I want to understand," she tells him. "I want to understand why you support him so much."
He pauses, feeling taken aback. This attitude is so different from the one she had before; has she missed him that much? But either way, avoiding their relationship, avoiding their differences, won't change anything or make it better.
"Okay," he says, offering a small smile. "Okay. We can make arrangements tomorrow maybe, once this… event is over."
She murmurs an agreement, and their conversation is broken up as some other politicians approach to offer Anakin congratulations on the adoption.
Right. That.
That's something else they'll have to talk about, because if Omega is legally Anakin's daughter -which she is – that would make her Padme's daughter, too, since they're married. Definitely something they need to address. And preferably soon.
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