(Video)

[politicallyinclined]

(Since she has been made aware of her prior stay, Padmé decides to use her tablet to send out a message. She is pale, but strangely resolved to this new plight. Her hair is ornately braided, but her clothing is plain. She's just happy to have clothes and to be rid of that white gown!)

Greetings, everyone. Some of you might recognize me; I want to speak to you if that is the case.

(The faster she is up to speed, the better.)

For those I am encountering for the first time, hello. I'm Padmé. Some of my family is present and -

I would like very much to protect them. I'm sure you can understand the feeling.

Comments

[private video]

[maskedtyrant]

[Codi already pays close attention to any network traffic, but the sight of a familiar face that she hasn't seen in several months garners particular interest from her. She didn't get the chance to pry too much from the other Padmé that was here before, other than the details of her government and her place in it; having the opportunity to flex that familiarity, however, in order to garner some trust and access to more juicy, personal information? That's simply something Codi cannot pass up.]

[She leaves the café where she had originally been checking her phone and plops herself down on a quiet bench. The gentle murmur of distant passerby masks her voice from eavesdroppers, and the neutral backdrop of the forest makes it difficult to place where she's filming herself from. Her appearance is, as always, immaculate; not a single ginger hair is out of place and her black working blouse is ironed in preparation for her shift at Cyborg in a couple of hours.]

[First question: The last time Codi recognized someone that had been missing for a nontrivial amount of time, they didn't recognize her back. But they also didn't remember ever being here, and Codi can't be sure that Padmé is in that same boat.]

[Could she address that directly? Sure. She isn't going to, though - much more interesting to see how she handles herself with as little context as possible.]

You called?

[private video]

[politicallyinclined]

(She had, hadn't she. Padmé takes in the other woman's appearance with a small smile. Sadness lingers in her eyes as if a great burden lies on her heart. No, her soul.)

I'm sorry I don't remember you. (She firmly believes that friendships can be restored, however.) If you helped me before, I am grateful. I was wondering if you could tell me more about that time.

[maskedtyrant]

[Codi's cool expression softens into a wan smile in return.]

Ah--that's too bad. Not the first time it's happened, but I understand.

[Did they actually get to know each other especially well, or have a deep, personal connection? Absolutely not. But Padmé has given her a chance to pretend like they did, so Codi will absolutely take that and run.]

It would be my pleasure to help fill in the blanks for you. I suppose introductions are in order? Reintroductions? [Codi chuckles lightly and points a hand delicately to her chest.] Dakota Perkins - but you can call me Codi. It's nice to meet you again, Senator.

[politicallyinclined]

(She feels bad, but there isn't much she can do. Codi can pretend as she likes until Padmé has enough information to call her out on it.)

That's a good place to start. (She smiles and nods.) Call me Padmé. I'm not technically a Senator anymore.

(Death had ended her term.)

text; @just_rey

[jedied]

Hello again. It's Rey; we met briefly earlier.

I'm also particularly invested in protecting your family. Have you spoken to all of them yet? Your grandson is here; I imagine he'd welcome the chance to speak with you.

text

[politicallyinclined]

Yes, I remember. Thank you again for opening the door.

I've spoken to Luke and Anakin. Are there other Skywalkers present?

[jedied]

Leia's son, Kylo, is here. He'll probably come looking for you eventually, but things are... complicated, with him. I guess you're probably used to complicated.

Leia was here herself a while back, but she went home again. I got to know her back home, though, over the past year, so if you'd like to know anything about her that the others can't or won't tell you, I'll do my best.

[Video]

[tech_nically]

Senator Amidala...

[It's surprising to see her again, and with all the things he's since learned from Vader, well, there's potentially a lot to process. He boxes it up and sets it aside for now.]

My name is Tech. I'm part of a squad known as Clone Force Ninety-Nine, although I am the only one of my team present here.

[Video]

[politicallyinclined]

Hello, Tech. I'm sure your abilities are welcome here. (And useful!) Did we speak before?

[Video]

[tech_nically]

I've definitely been able to keep myself busy.

[He offers a nod.]

Not extensively, but we have. If there's any information I can offer, I will do my best to explain.

[nouskaiananki]

[ He's not on camera. But he's in the room. Ready to jump in if she needs him to. He's not fretting, really. Promise. ]

From before, I have your things. I gave some to Luke. There wasn't much, but your clothing and make-up I kept.

[ Because of COURSE he did. ]

[politicallyinclined]

(She reaches for his hand and tries to soothe some of that fretting. Though she is fretting too, so she is hardly one to talk.)

Thank you. Those will help me feel more like myself.

(She isn't vain, but she is accustomed to a certain routine.)

I'm alright, Ani, I promise.

[nouskaiananki]

[ That fretting won't be soothed until she's cleared, given a clean bill of health, and he's able to leave with her. ]

I was hoping you'd return.

[ Hoping. Praying. Begging. Little difference to him. ]

I've heard that before.

[ So let him fret. ]

[tarisian_cathar]

[She bows a bit when the feed comes on. She hadn't known the previous version well, and some niceties are still to be observed.]

Senator. My name is Juhani. We met briefly, before. I am a Jedi Knight of the Republic, at your service. Please, do not hesitate to call upon me if you need.

[politicallyinclined]

(She returns the gesture with a small, hopeful smile. Padmé really doesn't want to get off on the wrong foot with anyone.)

Please call me Padmé. (Since she isn't technically a senator anymore.) A Jedi? Then I am honored to meet you, Master Juhani. I have a soft spot for the Jedi.

[tarisian_cathar]

[She nods, slowly.]

As you wish. And not Master, I am merely a Jedi Guardian. But yes, I do recall that much.

Also not on the network

[forceguided]

[Maybe he doesn't hover quite as much as his father, but Luke is around pretty constantly. Unless he's out training which honestly takes a fair amount of his time between him spending time on his jedi training or learning about the native magic. Or out at the market. Where he usually comes back with something for Padmé.

Like he does today, with a covered container of some sort of soup that the locals swear by as well as some very dainty little cookies. Also a few basic books on Tian magic, because he doesn't want her getting bored.]

Mom! [Food is placed within her reach on a nearby bedside table. The books are put somewhere for Later. Then he's swooping in for a hug, because hugs outside of dreams are the best.] How're you feeling?

(Action!)

[politicallyinclined]

(Bored? How could she ever be bored? Between him and Anakin, she is well cared for and happy. The only way she could be more complete is if Leia joined them. And maybe Kylo Ren and Rey. Their family has grown!

Just seeing him and hearing that title - Mom! - brings a smile to her lips.)

Sit here with me. (She scoots over on the bed for a proper snuggle. You're never too old for Mama snuggles, Luke.)

Better. I was able to rest. Your father kept watch over me.

[forceguided]

[Luke doesn't have to be invited twice - he slides onto the bed next to her, more than happy to settle in for some Mama Snuggle time. So what if he's "grown" now? It's not like he got them when he was little! So if anyone thought it was weird... well that sounds like a them problem, not a Luke problem.

Besides, it clearly makes her happy and there's very little Luke wouldn't do to see his mother smile.]

Good. [His smile doesn't slip exactly, as he thinks about the many reasons for that.] He's probably still making sure you don't just vanish again.

[Because while Luke had certainly taken it hard, the impact it had on Anakin? That shared loss had actually helped Father and Son bond ironically, but he'd much prefer not being in a situation like that ever again.

But no more sad thoughts, she's here and it's pretty swell.]

We should make a list of stuff you want to do when you're feeling better. Places to go, things to eat, stuff like that.

[video]

[morganknight]

I have no idea who you are!

[Grin and fingerguns, along with a wink.]

Figured you might want a break from people who do, plus I can get behind protecting family.

[video]

[politicallyinclined]

That is refreshing. (Actually! Strangely? She is surprised into a small laugh.)

Then we are akin nonetheless. It's nice to meet you, Mister...?

[video]

[morganknight]

Morgan Knight, at your service. [He sweeps a bow to the camera, as best as one can do that anyway.] Martial artist, Mage, and charmed.

[private video]

[forcecalls]

[When Kylo appears, he's dressed somewhat more casually than he might have been used to at home, though he retains every bit of the confident stature he typically shows to the First Order. But there's a brief moment of silence at the start of the call, a hesitation that belies that image. He had barely met his grandmother when she was here previously, and only in the tumult of taking care of his injured grandfather--and the woman his grandfather idealises seems to him to be someone he could only disappoint.

And yet, he's curious.]

My name is Kylo Ren. Rey told me that she had mentioned me to you.

[private video]

[politicallyinclined]

(Is this...? Leia's son. Padmé watches him intently, hungrily, wishing she could just pull him into her arms and not let go. Sorry, Kylo, you are loved. She doesn't need to know anything other than he exists to have that love for him.)

I've heard about you, Kylo. She did. (A soft smile welcomes him, entreats him to listen.) I'm not angry at you. I'm not angry at Anakin either.

[forcecalls]

[That's not the reaction he's expecting, especially since Rey had said she'd only mentioned that he existed and nothing else.]

What have you heard about me?