WALK AWAY || a.s.

05

that evening, marwen fussed in bed. despute the luxury of the palace guest quarters, she couldn't seem to get comfortable. the moon beamed through the window, catching in her eye and illuminating the room a deep blue. she huffed, rolling over once more.

marwen had taken what her mother said into consideration. perhaps she was too stern around others. it was hard not to be. with the esteemed position of the jedi, as well as trying to prove her own intentions to be serious despite her age, being lighthearted-- a kid-- just didn't seem reasonable. at least not in public.

she had her moments, allowing glimpses of mischief to surface. she was fond of messing with stuffy senators under their noses. framing them for misplaced files, only to come to the rescue herself. not only was it funny to watch them fluster, but it also aided in her image. the chancellor thought so, at least.

padme wasn't fond of her public antics. behind closed doors, she played along herself. marwen was only fifteen. padme knew that at least some bits of childhood had to be present. she wanted to aid in that however she was able.

there was one instance in particular the two had fallen into a fit if laughter. padme was frustrated and venting about the difficulty in compromising with the jedi council and had tried explaining to marwen what had happened. in doing so, she had given a mocking voice to obiwan. in turn, marwen joined in, trying her best master yoda voice. they had gone back and forth a few times before falling into a fit of laughter. as much as padme brought out marwen's maturity, marwen brought out padme's immaturity.

--

a booming applause.

cheering.

an echoing enclosure.

a sudden shot rings out.

screaming.

panic.

a dead senator.

marwen lurched upright, struggling to catch her breath. her heart raced as she wiped her forehead. it was beaded in sweat. she tried collecting her thoughts. i'm back on naboo, she confirmed. i'm here for padme. she is speaking tomorrow to-- she paused.

padme.

marwen threw herself off the bed. she had to go find padme. forgetting her shoes and robe, she strode down the corridor quickly, anxious and weary of her surroundings. scanning the opposite hall, she took a turn, only to be rammed into by an equally anxious general skywalker.

"what're you doing here?" they asked accusingly, nearly at the same time.

"i'm looking for padme." marwen said, furrowing her brow. anakin suddenly relaxed.

"why? is she alright?" he started to worry.

"she's fine. what are you doing here?" marwen crossed her arms. he pasued.

"i needed some air." he said lowly. the girl sighed.

"i'm sorry for running into you. it's dark in here, i'll be sure to watch next time." she nodded, trying to excuse herself. anakin nodded, still not entirely convinced. he stepped aside all the same, and allowed marwen to pass.

she took another turn and knocked anxiously on padme's door, not waiting for a response before opening. to her surprise, she was awake and standing by the window, a candle lit in the corner. padme turned in surprise.

"marwen," she started, suddenly confused. "what're you doing, is everything okay?"

"i should ask you the same." marwen scanned the room. "i thought you were in danger." padme's face softened.

"why would you say that?"

marwen allowed herself to relax a bit, approaching her friend. "i had a dream, i saw you get shot." she huffed, running a hand iver her eyes. padme gave her a sympathetic look, running a hand over the girl's shoulder.

"marri, i'm okay. i promise you. it was just a dream." marwen felt reassured at the use of her old nickname. they fell silent for a moment, marwen trying to calm her nerves. padme took it as an opportunity to try and convince her of that statement, also trying to convince herself. "you've been stressing lately. you've just thought about it too much and too close to when you went to sleep, that's all." marwen nodded, still not sure, but not wanting to worry padme any more than she had.

"what're you doing up so late anyway?" she asked after a moment. padme looked out towards the window.

"i couldn't sleep." she offered, unconvincingly at that. marwen eyed her before crossing the room back towards the door.

"well, i guess that's two of us then." she placed a hesitant hand on the door. "you need to be vigilant tomorrow, regardless of if that dream had any truth to it or not. i fear you're in danger, padme." she said. padme only nodded, looking solemnly at the girl. with that, marwen returned to her room and begrudgingly fell asleep.