The Fall | Star Wars Prequel Trilogy

Chapter Fifteen

Alina stood next to Anakin, stifling her laughs as he tried to fix his robes continuously, she could sense his nervousness from the other side of Corasaunt. "You seem a little on edge" Obi-Wan commented. Alina snorted "That's the largest understatement I've heard all week" she said. "No, I'm not nervous at all" Anakin said. Sylvie let out an unconvinced humm, sounding slightly amused. She had been granted the rank of Jedi knight five years after the events on Naboo while Alina had become a padawan only a year ago. "I haven't felt you this tense since we fell into that nest of Gundarks" Obi-Wan said.

Anakin scoffed lightly "You fell into that nest Master and me and Sylvie rescued you remember?" He reminded. "Oh yes..." Obi-Wan chuckled. Alina watched them in amusement, she hadn't been on that mission but Anakin told her enough about them for her to know how they go. "You're sweating Ani, calm down. If you want to make a good impression on Padmé this bad then try not being a puddle before you see her" she said dryly through their force connection. "Relax Anakin, take a deep breath" Sylvie advised, noticing the sweat as well.

"I haven't seen her in ten years" Anakin stated as the elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. Alina saw JarJar outside "Obi? Sylvie? Obi! Sylvie!" He cheered, rushing towards the Jedi knight as he shook their hands furiously. "Mesa so smilen to seein yousa!" He exclaimed "Nice to see you too JarJar" Sylvie smiled "Good to see you again JarJar" Obi-Wan said. The Gungan led them into the room. "Senator!" He called "Mesa palos here! Lookie, lookie Senator! Desa Jedi arriven" Aline couldn't help but feel slightly amused at JarJar's excitement, it seemed the Gungan hadn't changed, even after all these years. In the room she spotted Padmé at the balcony with one of the Captains.

The former Queen smiled widely as she approached the Jedi with her Captain and Handmaiden. Obi-Wan and Sylvie bowed. "It's a great pleasure to see you again milady" he said, politely shaking hands with the Senator. "It has been far too long Master Kenobi" she stated. "Senator Padmé, it's good to see you again" Sylvie said, shaking hands with the Senator as well. Alina knew that Sylvie had seen Padmé much more recently than any of them having been to Naboo on an assignment just a month ago. "Likewise Master Kryze"

It was then that she spotted the two Skywalkers behind the Jedi Knights. "Ani? Lina? My goodness you two have grown" she said. Obi-Wan and Sylvie stepped to the side to allow the Padawans to talk to the Senator. Alina beamed back and was about to say something until Anakin decided to interrupt "So have you" he said "Grown more beautiful I mean" "Okay. Good. That was good. Now don't-" Alina said through the force connection but was cut off by Anakin talking to Padmé "Well, f-for a Senator I mean" he stuttered. Alina resisted the urge to facepalm in embarrassment "...do that"

Lucky Padmé didn't seem too offended "Ani, you'll always be that little boy I knew on Tatooine" she smiled before looking at Alina. "Hi Padmé" the younger Skywalker smiled, not bothering with formalities "Please excuse Anakin's terrible fl- complimenting skills, what he means to say is that you look gorgeous" she said, catching herself before she could say 'flirting'. She noticed Anakin giving her a look "What? Don't give me that look, you messed up and I saved it for you" she stated through the force connection. "You look beautiful too and so different from the last time I saw you" Padmé said.

"Ten years tends to do that" Alina shrugged as the Senator led them to the couch. "Our presence here will be invisible milady, I can assure you" Obi-Wan said. 'Not if Anakin's on a loose leash' She thought, looking at her brother who was staring at the Senator. Padmé took a seat on one couch with her handmaiden, JarJar and the Captain while the Jedi took the couch opposite to them. "I'm Captain Typho of her majesty's security service" The Captain introduced himself. "Queen Jamillia has been informed of your assignment"

"I am grateful you are here Master Kenobi, Master Kryze. The situation is more dangerous than the Senator will admit" Captain Typho said with a pointed look at Padmé. "I don't need more security I need answers. I wanna know who's trying to kill me" Padmé responded. "I'm afraid we can't do that Senator, our assignment was to protect you and to protect you alone, we cannot start an investigation" Sylvie said with a shake of her head. "We will find out who's trying to kill you Padmé. I promise you" Anakin said.

Obi-Wan gave him a look. Alina exchanged looks with Sylvie, they both knew that look very well by now having spent ten years watching Obi-Wan train Anakin, this was a look reserved especially for him. "We will not exceed our mandate my young Padawan learned" The Jedi knight said firmly. "I meant that in the interest of protecting her, Master" Anakin responded. "Sure you did, it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Padmé requested it' Alina teased lightly through the force connection. "I meant it solely in the interest of protecting her" Anakin said through the force connection, putting emphasis on the word 'Solely'

"We will not go through this exercise again, Anakin" Obi-Wan said sternly. Seeing Padmé expression both Sylvie and Alina offered apologetic looks. "You know what maybe we should take this conversation outside, if you'll excuse us for a moment Senator" Sylvie broke in, the look she gave Anakin and Obi-Wan left no room for debate. She lead the duo outside the room, offering the Naboo another apologetic smile. Alina had stayed on the couch but there was nothing left but awkward silence. "They uh- they're not always like that. I'm not sure what's up today" She said in an attempt to break through the silence. "I see" Padmé said, giving her an understanding smile but it was awkward silence after that again.

Alina returned it though her smile was more awkward "You know what... I should probably just uh" she pointed at the door and nodded. Not waiting for a response she got up and left. When she was outside she spotted them standing to the side, Obi-Wan and Anakin in an argument while Sylvie tried to calm them down and forced them to keep their voices low. "-And you will pay attention to my lead" Obi-Wan stated firmly. "Why?" Anakin asked.

"What?"

"Why else do you think we were assigned to her if not to find the killer? Protection is a job for local security, not Jedi" The older Skywalker stated. "It's overkill, Master. Investigation is implied in our mandate" Alina exchanged looks with Sylvie again, these two were hopeless when in an argument. Especially Anakin. "We will do exactly as the council has instructed and you will learn your place young one" Obi-Wan said, signaling the end of this discussion. Sylvie glanced at Anakin who lowered his head, surrendering. "Good" she said in a pleasant yet slightly threatening voice "Now unless you two have another argument to get into, the Senator is waiting"

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

If you couldn't tell already this Alina is gonna be way more chaotic than ACT I Alina

Also. Three updates in a row! I'd do more but now I have stuff to do sadly.