|| Uninvited || An Anakin Skywalker Story

Chapter Three

"I think it has to be the blue." I said as I watched Payto hold up a cobalt harness-like top.

"It certainly has that wow factor." He agreed as he tiled his head to the side and took in his reflection in the mirror.

We had just finished our shift for the day and had hurried back to our living quarters to decide what to wear tonight to the underground club. I had nervous butterflies flitting around my stomach all day, and they only intensified as it grew closer to nighttime. I took a deep breath in an effort to calm my system. I saw Payto raise an eyebrow at me.

"You know you don't have to do this." He said and swung around to face me.

"And let you have all the fun?" I replied with a casual smile, "Never."

Payto smirked in response and turned back to his reflection.

"Well in that case, it's time to decide on your wardrobe." He tossed the top onto a pile of clothes that had begun to take form on his chair. I groaned and leaned back into the bed I was sitting against.

"My wardrobe is a sad, sad thing." I muttered. I wished I had been able to visit one of the many stores the city had to offer. But that would require credits. Which I clearly am severely lacking in.

"I would have made you something new." Payto said and nudged me with his foot. He has an incredible talent for finding discarded materials and turning them into something fabulous.

"Aw thanks, Pay." I said and looked up at him with a soft smile. But we both knew there was no time left for that. Suddenly his face brightened with an idea.

"What about that dress I made for your 18th birthday?" He asked. I pursed my lips in consideration. A few years ago, Payto made me a gorgeous mini dress. He sourced the fabric from discarded Jedi robes and had created a delicate embellishment using broken droid parts. And it was one of my absolute prized possessions.

"I don't know," I started and looked up at him, "I would hate to ruin it."

"Nonsense." He replied with a definitive shake of his head. "That dress needs a life beyond the cupboard you keep it locked away in."

I chuckled softly and shrugged my shoulders in acknowledgment. He was right. If there ever was an occasion to wear a dress like that...

"You're right." I said and stood up from my seated position, "tonight is the night."

"That's my girl." Payto replied with a wink.

We spent the next hour or so perfecting our looks. Payto finalized the last details of our outfits while I carefully drew metallic accents along our eyes using a mixture of water and crushed gemstone. Finally, to complete the look, I twisted my hair into a series of intricate braids while Payto sported his usual buzzed head.

And finally, it was time to go. Payto and I stood shoulder to shoulder and took in our reflection in the mirror.

"Not too shabby." I said with a smirk and cocked my head to the side. I was impressed with our ability to throw together looks that were in line with Coruscant's high-end fashion.

"If I didn't know better," Payto said as he nudged me softly and pointed at our reflection "I'd say that those two are part of Coruscant's high society." This made me smile. 

"Alright," I said with a deep sigh, "Let's fucking do this."

Not even an hour later, Payto and I were stood in front of The Outlander Club. The neon green sign cast an eerie glow on the back alley. I had to clench my fists to stop them from shaking.