morally_cryptic | Meeting with Padme [locked to __padme_

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Meeting with Padme [locked to padme]

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The message had been both a little unexpectd and yet also Anakin felt like he'd been waiting ages for it to come. A quick exchange back and forth of notes between himself and Padme led to their setting up a place and time to meet.

Of course, technically Anakin was still supposed to stick to the Temple when not with Obi-Wan. But then, hadn't Obi-Wan given him his implicit permission to go out by getting Dexter to procure that speederbike for him? Besides, after the long session sparring with Master Windu the day before, they were having pity on him and not expecting him to be anywhere today. Anakin had the sneaking suspicion most of the other students figured he'd spend the whole day lying in bed or soaking away bruises.

All the better to give him a reason not to have been seen all day, he supposes.

Not needing to convince himself anymore, Anakin sneaks out of the Temple again for what must be the second time in a week and makes his way to where he stores his swoop. Within a few more minutes, Anakin is flying, literally, toward the Jrade Plaza. He makes what must be record time in getting there and stows the swoop before going to settle on a bench near the spot he told Padme he would be waiting.

Anakin had chosen this plaza simply because it wasn't too near the Temple, and yet was convenient to both the Naboo Senatorial Residence and the Senate itself. Not to mention all of the shops and restaurants and things that were nearby. Or the fact that it stayed very busy so two people meeting there wouldn't be likely to be noticed. He's not sure why all the secrecy, but she started it with encrypting the messages so high!

Not that he minds keeping it a secret either. And so, he waits, about as patiently as Anakin ever waits for anything.

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Anakin orders something pasta-like with a creamy sauce and water (because his mun is on a pasta kick). "Very good." Smile.

"Did you just arrive on Coruscant?"

"This morning, yes. I sent you the note an hour or so after arriving."

Anakin barely conceals his pleasure at finding out one of the first things she did was contact him. Barely.

"You must hardly be unpacked, then."

"I'm not," she laughs. "I'll have to do that later. I'm sure my handmaidens have started, but it will take a while."

Grin, "I do seem to recall you having a rather large wardrobe. At least, at one time."

She shakes her head. "I think it's actually gotten worse. Though I needn't wear the makeup any longer. It's a bit of a pain."

"Worse? I pity your handmaidens, then." Pause. "And you for having to wear all of it." I think you look better in simpler clothing, instead of hiding your beauty behind extravagance.

Faint smile. "There are days like today where I can get away from it. But mostly it's expected of me."

"Senators ought to be spending more time on working for the Republic than having to decide what to wear that day."

"We do. It takes very little thought to pick out an outfit, Ani. But a great deal of the work we do depends on convincing others to our side of things. And the image I project influences how people view me and my ideas." Small shrug. "It's not necessarily right, but it's how it is."

A sigh, "I know. It just seems like there should be a better way."

Pause, then he flashes her a smile, "But I doubt that you really want to talk about the problems involved with politics."

"The way we have is the best that's been found yet." She smiles back. "Not particularly. What should we talk about, then?"

Anakin looks around, at a momentary loss. What should they talk about?

"I suppose you might have wondered what happened to Obi-Wan..."

"I am a bit curious, yes."

"Apparently, he was sent on a mission out on the Outer Rim." There is an implied, bitter without me. He believes Obi-Wan when the older Jedi says he didn't take Anakin because he felt it would endanger is Padawan unnecessarily but Anakin still feels that he should have been there. "Anyway, he was attacked on his way back, and nearly killed. That's why it took so long for him to get back. And since the mission was a secret, that's why no one told me anything. He only just returned not long before I did."

"Oh, gods, Ani," she murmurs, brow furrowed and face worried. She'll have to send another letter to Obi-Wan. "Is he alright?"

Anakin nods, "Well, he's not totally healed." And no need to mention the visit from Revan which didn't actually help matters any. "But he'll be fine soon enough. Master Yoda is having him practice with one of the groups of younglings." Grin. "Apparently he has been beaten at least twice by every member of the Bear Clan."

She smiles a little, though she still looks worried, and a bit distracted for a moment, before asking, "Are you alright?"

Startled look, "Huh? Oh, I'm fine. Maybe a little bruised from yesterday..."

"No. I mean, are you okay about Obi-Wan?" Another frown. "Why are you bruised?"

"Well, I'm still his Padawan and we went to a fair the other day, so I suppose we're okay." Half grin. "As for the bruising, Master Windu wanted me to show him the things I learned from Revan...He kept me in the training rooms all day."

She sighs. "You two Jedi are going to give me grey hairs. I'm sure of it." Smiles. "I hope you gave him a good show."

"I hope not. I like your hair the color it is." Smile. "And I hope I did too...but with Master Windu...sometimes it's hard to tell."

Confidentially, "When I was a child, I tried to paint it blue. My hair, I mean. I thought blue would be far more interesting than brown." She studies him before speaking. "I somehow suspect you did."

Anakin stares at her, tries not to laugh, "Blue?" He has to resist the urge to reach across the table and touch her hair, "What did your parents say?"

The way she's looking at him is...intriguing. "Oh really?"

Meeting with Padme [locked to __padme__]

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Meeting with Padme [locked to padme]