(Star Wars) - Possessive Beast #Wattys2017

vii

Over the course of the next fortnight, the palace was calm and peaceful. Word of the Immortal's companion had spread across the stars, some jealous while others were contemplating whether to worship her as well or treat her like a passing thought...

Padmé strolled into the throne room, fresh out of a warm rose-oil bath and ready to face the day. Her normal spiral curls were straightened out and left flowing freely, two small french braids tied behind her head keeping her bangs out of her face. Her makeup was relatively light; powder, bronzer, highlight, mascara and a rosy tinted-balm over her smooth lips. She wore a loose halter dress the color of the waters outside, the bright cyan fabric cut in a high-low skirt. Her collar's diamond shined brightly underneath the peeks of sunlight that peeked into the large room. She quickly crawled back onto her palette, barely registering Vader's knuckles running along the back side of the curtain.

"Feeling better, Mé?" The immortal broke the room's silence, sensing her calmness through the Force. "I guess so..." She sighed, sitting with her legs out to the side. "What's wrong, my dear?" Vader cautiously slipped his hand out from the curtain's slits and laid it toward one side of her palette. "It's nothing, Vader... I promise." Padmé gently pulled his hand over so it'd cover her legs then tossed a blanket over top of his fingers.

The double-doors of the throne room were pushed open, tons of mortals filing into the large space. Some went to the shadows immediately while others made their way closer to the immortal before taking their places along the wall. Rex appeared from the back right stairs of the Immortal's platform, tossing Padmé a small smile. She returned it as he walked down the steps to stand center with her and the curtain. "Good morning, Children of the Galaxy. The Immortal Among Man thanks you all for your efforts to come here and be with him. He will now begin listening to your prayers. For those of you who may not have been here before, the procedure is simple..." Padmé tuned out of Rex's introduction, focusing instead on the slightly flexing of Vader fingers over her leg. She casually slipped one of her hands under the blanket, gently running her fingers over his warm skin. She barely registered the stranger coming before the curtain...

A little human girl with curly crimson hair and bright cerulean eyes bowed at the base of the stairs, her mother watching from the shadows. "G-Greetings, Father of the Galaxy... My name is T-Tiana and I'm f-five years old." Padmé smiled softly at the child, feeling the immortal's hands relax. "What brings you to my palace, Tiana?" His normally formal, clipped tone was softened dramatically, sensing the child's innocent nerves. "I found a really pretty s-shell a few days ago when my m-momma took me to the shores."

"You're a native to Scarif then? This planet is your home?"

"Y-Yes, Holy One..." This tiny child gulped, bringing the shell in question out from behind her back. It was a shiny, holographic conch shell that looked to be as big as half the child's arm. A trio of pink-and-white orchid blooms decorated the shell's opening, the whole offering quite beautiful. "With your b-blessing, Holy One, I'd like to give it to your f-friend..." The girl's age kicked in, sending the last word out as fwends instead of friends. Padmé looked back up towards the curtain. Silently giving her and okay, Vader moved aside his hand and allowed her to leave the palette.

His mortal companion quickly descended the steps, sitting down on the last one. "It's okay, I don't bite..." She smiled, seeing the girl take a little step back. "My name is Padmé." Tiana cautiously walked over to her, nervously handing the shell in her arms. "Did you pick these flowers yourself, Tiana?" The redheaded child nodded shyly, grinning proudly for the small feat. "They're almost as beautiful as you... Tell you what, how about we make a trade?" Padmé offered, slowly watching the youngling come back out of her shell. "That beautiful shell and flowers for a hug?" Tiana nodded, holding out the shell to her. Padmé gratefully took it, setting it down on one of the steps above her before turning back to the girl. Tiny Tiana wrapped her little arms around her neck as Padmé hugged the child to her chest. "Thank you so much..." She whispered, kissing the child's head before releasing her. "I'll keep it with me always."