Destruction of the Innocent (Anakin Skywalker)

~41~

What is the perfect birthday to me?

It's not gifts piled a mile high or an outstanding cake in my honor. Everyone doing things in my favor just because it's my "special day."

I'd say having my loved ones around to enjoy it with me. But I must admit, the fireworks are quite beautiful.



An array of smells from the variety of food hit my nose as I round the corner to the ballroom.

I take the last sip out of my glass before handing it to a guard who nods respectfully and takes it away.

My Father senses my presence as I peak around the corner. A slight nervous smile crosses my face as I send a small wave.

He smiles and straightens, clinking his ring against his crystal glass.

The music from the piano and violins come to a hush as the ballroom gets so quiet I could hear the flames flicker on the torches below.

"Ladies and Gentleman, if I could have your attention please", he begins.

I look below to the floor and spot Obi Wan and Ahsoka, along with Echo and the rest of my crew waiting around in the circle.

To say Echo looked sharp would be an understatement. He came from a family who was'nt the wealthiest, but he expressed to me just how much he wanted to impress Cora tonight so I loaned him what he needed to get a nice suit. 

Cora whirls around me to fluff my dress where it needed and to make it presentable as I walked down the stairs.



"I think you have an admirer, Cora", I smirk. 

She looks over her shoulder but shakes her head as she continues pulling fabric out accordingly.

"I don't think so, Your Highness", she sighs."He's very nice to me, but I don't feel he's attracted to me that way."

"You don't understand. I usually can't get this kid out his flight suit for anything", I say. We giggle to each other as she looks back to him.

"He does look quite nice", she smiles.

    I hang back around the corner, take one more shot glass from a nearby tray. Pausing, I hand Cora one and we clink them together.

"To a good night?", I say with eyebrows raised.

"To a good night", she nods before tipping it back. 

"-Regardless", I hear my Father pause."Tonight is a very special night for the city, and my family-which I am delighted to call you all a part of-"

Cora and I set our glasses down and rush to our spots. She fixes my dress once more and I take a deep breath to stand straighter.

"Now, if may, I'd like to introduce my daughter-Princess Nova Angelica Godfrey-your future Queen of Coruscant!", he smiles and turns to the staircase.

This is it. This is it, Nova. Don't you dare trip in these ridiculous shoes.

The music picks up again as I stride to the center of the staircase.

"To Princess Nova!", he says and raises his glass.
"To Princess Nova!", everyone says in unison.




      Every begins cheering or clapping for me as I nod and wave, bowing back to them. Drinks are raised and whistling echos across the hall as I begin my descend down the stairs- taking slow, careful, calculated steps.

I raise my eyebrows to Ahsoka and give a slight shrug. She nods in approval before sipping from her glass. Echo sends an 'ok' sign and winks. I smile and roll my eyes back.

A tall man dressed in very nice black dress clothes emerges from around Ahsoka and Obi Wan- and all I wanted to do was run to him. I almost stop walking all together.

Piercing sky blue eyes turn to a dark steel blue as they lock onto mine.




     The familiar smell of leather, amber and smoke fill my airways. I hesitate for a moment but continue walking down the stairs towards him.

Suddenly I could'nt hear anything else in the room but our own two heartbeats.

Everything else blurred out of existence as I reached the bottom step and find myself standing in front of him.

I'd never seen him dressed so nicely, or in anything but a uniform-but I was'nt about to let him know that.




     He raises his eyebrows as he looks me over, hides a quick smirk before turning to my Father.

"With the Princess's permission-would you mind, General Godfrey?", he turns to my Father. My eyebrows furrow at him, but I look over to him as well.

A conflicted look crosses my Father's face but he smiles and closes his eyes in a nod. My Mother smirks and raises her eyebrows to me from his side as she holds onto his arm.

When he turns back to me, he extends his gloved hand."Your Highness?"

The familiar burning sensation roars through my chest, but I take hold of my dress to bow as he returns the gesture. I then take his hand as he leads me out onto the ballroom floor-my eyes never leave his.



As he leads me out to the middle, hespins me once in time with the music before pulling me closer.

"Why are you doing this?", I whisper as we begin swaying around."If your going to trip me just get it over with."

"On your birthday? Now why would I do that?", he smirks then shrugs,"Believe me, I had the thought but-"

"Is there something you want?", I raise an eyebrow.

He rolls his eyes as he spins me out,"I'm not a child, I don't have wants-"

When he pulls me back in we are now chest to chest and face to face.

"I have desires", he corrects under the music's volume.

    My scan his face for any sign of mockery as he moves us around the floor.

"...And...what are your desires...exactly?", I ask, raising an eyebrow cautiously. 

He raises his head in thought, then he leans closer so only we could hear.

"I desire to understand our magnetic pull... and why I can't seem to be away from you", he says. As he pulls away, he looks straight into my eyes. I find no sign of the usual sarcasm and that is what terrified me most.

Was that deep down, I found myself wondering the exact same thing.



 He signals one more spin and the songs ends. Applause fills the room but his words are still spinning around my head. 

I look away from him and snap out of it long enough to bow and regain my posture with a smile.

"I'd like to thank you all for being here on this special night of mine! Please, help yourselves to whatever you'd like and I hope you enjoy yourselves tonight!", I announce.



    The music picks up again as I turn back to my dance partner. He motions towards the table full of champagne glasses. I roll my eyes but we stroll over.

"I don't remember inviting your pretentious attitude here tonight", I state.

"It was never in my list of wishes to be here, birthday brat. But the way I look at it-"

I shoot him a glare , but bite my tongue and pick up a cherry tomato and slice of mozzerella instead..

"It's part of my job to keep peace and protect the people no matter the situation", he retorts as he hands me a glass."Just doing my job."

    He smirks and clinks his glass against mine before drinking. I raise an eyebrow and roll my eyes once again.

"You know, you have two left feet."
"You stepped on my toes at least 4 times. I would'nt talk for someone who is supposed to be 'agile'."
"Purples not your color."
"Purple has always been my color. Your sleeves, on the other hand- look ridiculous."
"Is that bat in the cave I see?"
"That'd be funny, but I can't hear you over the fact that your fly has been down this entire time."His eyes shoot down and I snort.
"What fly?", I hum into my champagne glass.


      His eyes narrow in annoyance then he tilts his head when he sees my necklace.

"Interesting pendant", he says. I look down at it as I twirl it in my fingers. 

"It was a gift", I defend it, jutting my chin out.

"Hmm", he hums in thought."It'll bring you good fortune then."

I freeze as the note's last line came into memory. My eyes shoot up at him in realization. I watch him set his glass down. A smirk plays on his lips as he looks back to me.

"Your Highness", he says, bowing once more. Then he strides away without another word.

I watch him go in wonder and turn back to the table. My eyes close as I scoff. Shaking my head, I sip from my glass.



"I don't know how you did it", Ahsoka walks up, shaking her head."I've never seen Anakin dance at all, or ever for that matter."

I shrug back."First time for everything, I guess."

An explosion goes off outside followed by a million different green and gold sparkles that fall to nothing.

"The fireworks! Come on!", she laughs, pulling me by my arm. I grab another two glasses and follow her out to the balcony.