Love In A Faraway Galaxy-AnakinxOC

Chapter 47-Jedi Banquet

Anakin's prediction proved correct when he found himself standing in the Temple's formal dining room arguing with a waiter about Citros Snow Cake. "The garnish is missing, and this is Senator Chuchi's favorite dessert!"

"Oh, dear! What a disaster!" 3PO cried at the shattered remnants of an ice sculpture on the floor. "What are we going to do without a centerpiece?"

Anakin was three seconds away from tearing his hair out. He thought enlisting 3PO's help would make things go smoothly. It wasn't the protocol droid's fault the last-minute rush was leading to problems.

A pair of droids crashed into each other, spilling trays of food on the floor. Anakin clamped a hand over his face. Why was the kitchen staff so short-handed?

"You worthless bucket of bolts!" 3PO wailed, flinging his arms at the mess. "Master Anakin! My circuits are going haywire from the stress! We're never going to be ready before the Senators arrive!"

Anakin scowled at the mayhem unfolding around him. Cassandra was lucky she didn't have to be here for the setup.

Obi-Wan banished her from the dining hall after her mistake.

She was still learning her way around Coruscant and placed an order with Madam Selene's Flowershop for what she believed were flower centerpieces. So, when a shuttle of Twi'lek prostitutes arrived on the landing platform instead, his wife was understandably shocked and embarrassed by her error.

Anakin called and tried to smooth things over with the Madam. The thin-lipped woman had glared at him with outraged fury and demanded full payment for her workers' services regardless of if they were to be used.

The Jedi Temple had no choice but to give in to her demands or risk public humiliation (Obi-Wan's words).

True to fashion, Obi-Wan had laid into Cassandra with a blistering lecture. When tears welled in her eyes, Anakin stepped in and put a stop to his master's bullying.

It was an honest mistake. Not a mistake worth tearing her apart for. Anakin could have choked Obi-Wan on the spot for mistreating his wife.

The seamstress Madam Lydia had the sorceress in her claws now, transforming her into a high-society lady for the event. Anakin doubted Cassandra was enjoying the pampering. She hated the stiff and restrictive fashion favored by the Senate.

Obi-Wan strolled over from inspecting the flower arrangements he'd eventually had younglings gather from the temple gardens. "You seem to have things well in hand."

Anakin transferred his scowl to his master for his ebullient tone. "I don't appreciate being mocked."

The older Jedi raised his hands in surrender. "I'm not mocking you, Anakin." A wistful smile curved the man's lips. "Truthfully, you're doing a great job." He clapped the younger man on the shoulder. "I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, master." He said stiffly the words difficult to slip past his lips. "But serving the Snow Cake was Cassandra's idea. She says dessert sweetens even the most stubborn minds."

"Hmm. The sorceress may have a point." Obi-Wan agreed.

Anakin was pretty sure the real reason Cassandra recommended dessert is so she could eat cake. Her sweet tooth rivaled his own.

Crossing his arms, he surveyed the dining hall for security weak points. "The main objective is keeping everyone safe. I'm not convinced we have enough security."

"We'll manage." The other Jedi replied, unconcerned.

Gunships would patrol the air around the temple while troops created a perimeter on the grounds with blasters and cannons. Clones stationed on every floor. The banquet hall would be ray-shielded and guards stationed around the room.