Destruction of the Innocent (Anakin Skywalker)

~38~

"I have to apologize for my Master's actions the other day, because I know he wont."

"I don't expect such behavior from someone so conceited and eager to one up someone, Ahsoka. Really", I roll my eyes.

 I stand and walk to my vanity to redo my hair, " But do me a favor? The next time you need a stand in, call someone else." I pop my hip out, "I mean- ANYONE else".


 She sighs in annoyance and I second it.

"I just don't understand. I've never seen him act like that before", she shrugs."He's been awful distant and secretive lately, but-"

I raise an eyebrow towards her hologram on the table but stay silent.

"I don't know", she shrugs."He has'nt been getting the best of sleep lately. He won't say it, but his eyes do. I think he's having nightmares again."

I cock an eyebrow at her and continue looking through clothes.
"Again?", I ask, keeping my eyes low.

"Well, he did before. But he won't talk to me about it, but he's been going to see Master Yoda a lot lately. Still, that does'nt explain or excuse his agitation the other day."

It's my turn to shrug and smile sarcastically, "Well then, I guess he was in rare form that day."

 My smile drops as I wave the lights on and arrive to the entrance of the doorway of my closet.

"How's the party prep coming?", she asks, hoping to change subject. I appreciate it and sigh. Fluffing a couple dress choices in the front section, I shrug at them.

"The Roast Porg came in this morning-fruit bowls are being chilled, and, yes, I got the desert bloom fruit", I smirk.

"Yes! Thank you!", she laughs back. "I am forever in your service, Your Highness. Please let your Mother know if she needs help with anything to let me know. I'd be more than happy to help in anyway I can", she shrugs with a smile.

"I'll let you know. May the Force be with you", I nod.

"May the Force be with you", she salutes back.

     The hologram disintegrates into nothing. I grab it and clip the transmitter back onto my belt.

My birthday party was tomorrow, and I still had'nt picked what I was going to be wearing.

As the suns set on another day, I scanned the horizon for any sign of threat but found none. I did'nt know what to expect tomorrow, and not knowing is what made my stomach sour.

As I wrapped my shawl around me tighter, the door to my bedroom opened slightly behind me.

"Dinner is ready, your Highness", Cora's light voice rang out. I turn and smile to her with a nod."

"Thank you very much, Cora. I should be down in just a moment", I say.

"Very good, your Highness", she nods as she backs out of the room, closes the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I pour myself another drink at the dinner table, but it's no use. This isn't something to be cured by simply numbing it away. As I set it down, I feel my Father's eyes on me.

"Are you alright, Nova? That's your third glass", he states.

I muster a small smile to brush it off and shake my head."Just a bit nervous about everyone attending tomorrow is all. The spectators and such."

"Don't be. Think of this as your first role as a Queen, to throw a grand party and host for the city", my Mother says waving her hands around."There will be more of these in the future, but for then just try to have a nice time. I know it's a bit nerve-racking, but when I first attended these with your Father all those years ago it got better."




Nodding, my eyes shift down to the plate of pita chips in front of me. I grab one and dip it into the bowl of hummus.

"Any word from Senator Amidala?", I ask before eating it.

"Not yet I'm afriad", she shakes her head. "I'm sorry sweetheart."

I nod disappointed as I grab another chip. I was hoping she would attend the party but I can understand why. She's one of my most trusted friends and I wished to see her again to see that she is at least all right.

The whole UNSC is going to be there tomorrow night with Spartans on standby in case of any threat. My Father has recruited and dispatched spies into the outer rings and anywhere else they made be hiding. So far we have'nt received any information on if their planning another attack or when, so that's puts me at some ease.




It was'nt necessarily me or the party I was worried for, rather than-I just did'nt want anymore harm or alarm to come to my people again. I will be forced to feel no other way than I let them down. Again. And I'm not sure that's something I would able to live with.

"The Senate should be here early. There will be a conference prior to the gathering. I'd like for you to attend Nova, if you don't mind. It'll entail the discussions of our charities, the military organization and just the general well being and upkeep of our city and our citizens. Over time, there'll be more expansion throughout the galaxy to our neighboring planets", my Father explains.

 I set my wine glass down again and smile.

"I look forward to it", I answer. "If you'll excuse me-" I push my chair back from the table and my Father stands for my absence.

"I'm going to prepare for bed now", I nod a silent good night and make off to my room once again to think.