The Senate Apartment Complex. Home to dignitaries from all over the Republic, the proud residence of thousands of the galaxy's finest lawmakers. Luxurious, highly secure, it was a monument to the Republic's prestige and the respect accorded its highest functionaries.
If only the holographers could have gotten inside, they would have been astounded by what they saw. Luckily, the security kept them far, far away. This was wonderful news for Padme Amidala, the occupant of the building's penthouse, and her current guest.
Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi coughed, purple-tinged smoke curling from his mouth. Padme, curled up on the opposite sofa, couldn't help but giggle. "So, what do you think?"
The Jedi dragged in air, holding up the smoldering cigarillo. "What in all the Corellian hells is this stuff?"
"Gungan giggle-leaf. Yes, before you ask, they came up with the name." She could still remember when Jar-Jar had first come to her with it. Even after these years she could barely understand him, especially when he was excited. Leaning back, the Senator pulled her Vjun silk dressing gown closer around her, luxuriating in the sensation of the expensive fabric on her skin. "Hopefully Naboo's newest export."
Obi-Wan sank into the other couch, heavy robes pooling on the cushions. They were out on the veranda, light curtains fluttering lazily around elegantly shaped pillars in the morning breeze. "And you called me here for... what exactly? And why so early?"
"For the giggle-leaf. I tried to find you at the temple last night, but they said you were off doing Jedi business, whatever that means." Padme ran her fingers through her hair, so glad that she wasn't planning on going outside today. None of the elaborate hairstyles required by her position, which was just wonderful. Just a day of relaxation. "I wanted to get your input. And... well, I didn't expect you to get here so quickly." Waving at herself, she gave him a sheepish grin. "Or I'd have gotten properly dressed."
She'd actually had no intention of putting real clothes on, but she wasn't about to tell the Jedi that. For some reason, she thought a Jedi Master might react oddly. But Obi-Wan seemed to be defying all expectations today- he'd actually partaken of the giggle-leaf without any assurances of its suitability for human consumption. Of course, he was a fairly easy-going fellow.
It felt odd that he was a Master on the Jedi Council now. Padme remembered him as a Padawan, back on Naboo and Tatooine, during those dark days. Now, during darker days, he was almost the same. Older, more experienced, but still the same Obi-Wan.
He shrugged, putting the cigarillo to his lips again and taking a long drag. "It's... quite interesting."
If that wasn't the truth. Padme flipped open the small flimsiplast box on the sofa next to her, withdrawing another cigarillo between thin, perfectly manicured fingers. "Mild spice,
thoroughly
tested on Naboo and by independent parties. Euphoria, mild medicinal use, and only slight lung damage, easily repairable with bacta..." Taking up the small, chromed igniter, she lit the thing, inhaling the smooth smoke. "I enjoy it, at least. We're currently negotiating deals with a few of the larger trade cartels to export on a large scale."
"That's fair, Senator, but what did you need me for?"
Senator
. Always so careful with his words. Masters were like that, she'd heard. Anakin always told her about those things. "Please, Obi-Wan. Padme. We're not in public."
The Jedi grinned, motioning towards her. "As indicated by your attire- or lack thereof."
"Why, Master Jedi!" the Senator exclaimed in mock indignity, drawing her dressing gown tighter about yourself. "I can't believe you'd comment on a woman's lack of clothing. Isn't that against the Code?"
Obi-Wan's free hand came up to stroke his beard. "Only if there's some sort of attachment there. Appreciation of beauty has never been forbidden."
She giggled, pointing the cigarillo at him. "Obi-Wan, did you just call me beautiful?"
"Hmm." The older Jedi's brow furrowed, and he glanced down at the giggle-leaf in his hand. "I suppose I did. A slip of an unguarded tongue..."
"So you're saying I'm ugly, then."
"Rather that it isn't my place to determine some things." That was the diplomat speaking right there, the Jedi who had defused so many conflicts in the past. "Speaking of attachment, how is Anakin?"
And there he went, on the offensive. Obi-Wan used words like he used his lightsaber, although in this case they were clearly meant in jest. "Oh, he's quite all right- you'd know better than I, though."
The Jedi shrugged. "I'm his Master. It used to be we talked about everything. However, due to some disagreements on the Code... I don't think he respects me as much as he used to."
"Disagreements on the Code?"
Obi-Wan shrugged. "On the nature of his relationship with you."
That wasn't a surprise. He'd come and spoken to her a few times about it. Padme still wasn't sure exactly what he knew, but he was definitely aware that they were in an intimate relationship, and he did not want them to continue it. Anakin couldn't stand it, she knew that, too.
"And what's wrong with it?" she asked, voice pointed.
"Oh, nothing." The Jedi spread robed arms wide. "Frankly, I'm quite happy for you two. But it's unsuitable for a Jedi. With the power we wield, we cannot allow our judgment to be clouded by such things."
"Hmm." She took another drag, letting the sweet smoke cloud her mind with happiness again. "He's all right. Doesn't believe you have any room to speak on attachment."
Siri Tachi
, her mind said, but her mouth said nothing. That would be horribly insensitive. She'd been killed not too long back. You didn't bring up someone's lost love like that.
Obi-Wan grinned. "I've never been the perfect Jedi. Perhaps it's Qui-Gon's teachings, but I must admit, even before that I was never quite good at it, especially in regards to females."
Padme matched his smile with her own, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "I've heard stories from Anakin..."
"That time on Corellia? He was part of it too-"
Corellia? She hadn't heard of that one. Although she had heard stories of some things they'd got up to together. "Ooh? What happened on Corellia?"