Unexpected

chapter three: usual

As the 501st trains with the 212th, Captain Rex accompanies General Skywalker in the Senate building on a few personal matters. The two arrive at their destination and Rex knocks on the door in front of them.

After a few moments, the large doors slowly swing open to reveal Senator Amidala's handmaiden. "General Skywalker, Captain Rex." The girl greets them. "The Senator has been awaiting your arrival."

The two men nod and enter the room as the girl goes to inform Padmé of her guests. She walks out into the common area of the large room and smiles at Anakin.

"Rex, you can go do that.. Thing you were talking about earlier. I'll call for you when I need you." Anakin says.

"General?" Rex questions, earning a look from Anakin. "Oh, right. Yes sir. I'll go do that right away."

"Why don't you go along to assist the Captain?" Padmé addresses her handmaiden, who nods before following Rex out of the room.

"So. What is this thing that we now have to do?" The girl asks as she walks alongside Rex.

This specific occurrence wasn't uncommon for either of the two. Anakin and Padmé took advantage of any chance at alone time, leaving their most trusted advisors time to get to know one another as well.

"Ah, the usual." Rex says. "How about a walk through the courtyard today? I heard the lycandis plants are just starting to bloom."

The girl smiles. "Captain Rex, you sure do know the way to a girl's heart."

Rex chuckles and the two make their way outside before strolling through the small garden. The girl pauses to smell the sweet flowers and a sigh escapes her lips.

"Do you think the Senator and the General are happy?" She asks, her gaze still on the plants as she admires them. "Even with everything going on?"

"Seems like it to me, though I don't know if all the secrecy is healthy." Rex shrugs. The girl only hums in response. "Why do you ask?"

A soft sigh escapes her lips but she ignores the question. She faces the Captain and rolls her eyes. "Oh for the love of Alderaan, take that stupid thing off."

Rex laughs and pulls off his helmet. "Don't try to change the subject." He reroutes their conversation and the girl looks away. "C'mon Elara, what's botherin' ya?"

"It's just.. I had hoped that—being one of the closest people to Senator Amidala—I'd be able to help end this war somehow but now.. Now I see that I've been living in a dream. A deceptive utopia forged in my own mind." She shakes her head.

Rex looks at her sympathetically. If there's one thing he knows about her, it's how much she despises this war. He knows that the war destroyed her home and resulted in her being here.

"I should retire until the Senator needs me. I'm sure you're needed elsewhere." She sighs as her thoughts dampen her mood.

Rex sighs, knowing that she's only going to shut herself away to sulk, but nods. He knows her well enough to know better than to push the conversation.

The two part ways, Rex heading for the barracks and Elara heading for her quarters to change before heading to her usual spot: 79's.

*

"Hey!! Looks like we've still got it boys." Fives cheers as they enter the barracks.

"Yeah we really showed the 212th who's boss." Hardcase joins in the cheering.

Today's training for the 501st and 212th consisted of sparring followed by a practice skirmish—all blasters set to stun, of course. The 501st victory has caused all of them to be in good spirits, Kix included despite the few injuries he had to tend to.