(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

[politicallyinclined]

(Good! Padmé wraps him in her arms immediately, kissing his cheek. It is absolutely their problem! They have far, far too much time to make up for and she isn't sorry that she finds her son adorable. It's like all of the good in Anakin and her combined in him. He's sunshine.)

Probably. I hate that I keep...doing that to him. (She had always meant to be strong, unbreakable. Fierce in love. Instead she had crumbled.)

And to you. There were so many things I wanted to teach you.

(His suggestion lightens her heart and she beams.)

I don't care what we do or where we go if I get to be with you.

[forceguided]

[Luke beams under her affection before darting in to give her a kiss too. Eyes twinkling happily. Turns out he's a Mama's boy. Who could have guessed it?]

But it's not your fault! [An automatic protest.] You didn't choose to leave, it wasn't something you could control!

Then teach me now. You're here. I'm here. There's time. It can go on the list.

[Back to a smile, mildly teasing his mother. Because while he'd chide anyone who tried to naysay her (even his mother herself), he's ultimately unable to deny her much of anything.]

Mom! [Hiding his face, because seriously that's not helping, despite the pleased flush settling over his features.] Getting to be with me is a given. But we can make plans for what to do!

[He hadn't made plans with Padmé before she'd vanished last time, which meant they hadn't gotten to do nearly as much as he would have wanted. Which is, naturally, everything, but... still.]

We can even plan stuff you want to do with...with my father.

[Still weird to say. But he's working on it. But also please don't get too mushy on him, that's embarrassing.]

[politicallyinclined]

(She had spent as much time as she could talking to him and Leia, though she hadn't known she was carrying both of them! That had been a wonderful surprise and Padmé can't help loving and feeling protective of him no matter his age. He and Leia would have been the center of her world - her universe - and she might have left her position as Senator far behind. Just to be a mother. What higher calling exists?)

No, I didn't have any control. (That bothers her; she knows she isn't a Jedi, but her stubbornness and her ability to learn skills quickly has always served her well.)

I'll teach you everything I know. (A soft, warm promise. She strokes over his hair and grins when he hides his face.) I'll never take being with you as a given, Luke. It's always a blessing.

(His hesitation hurts her heart and she watches him.)

You know he was so happy when I told him I was pregnant. Don't ever think you weren't wanted.

[forceguided]

But you will here. Things can be different here.

[Of this he's certain. This place might not be perfect. It has it's own dangers, but it's also giving them priceless opportunities. No matter what else happens, he'll cherish these times for the rest of his life.]

And I'll listen. [An equally soft, warm promise. His cheeks should probably hurt from all this smiling, but he doesn't care.] Same. Won't be making that mistake.

Sorry, it's just... things between us are kind of complicated. But I do know he cares. In his own way.

[Their bonding when loved ones had vanished. The way he'd had to check in on his own Father when he'd made some really Questionable Choices.... it's a mess, but it's still less messy than things would have been back in their own universe.]

We're working on it. Promise.

[politicallyinclined]

I want things to be different. (For all of them. Padmé is barely allowing herself a chance to blink! Seeing Luke, hearing his voice... It's all so good. He and his sister are the sweet forces of good that will save Anakin and the galaxy.)

Then I'll question if you're a Skywalker! (She teases before rubbing over his back. Anakin is...and will always be...complicated.)

Be open with him. He responds best to honesty, though I suppose most people do. (Unless they like being deluded.) I know you are, sweetheart. I just know if he had been there to hold you, to raise you, without Palpatine in the way...

He would have loved you and your sister more than all the stars in the galaxy.

[forceguided]

Then we'll work on making them different. [Because what mama wants, mama gets. Even if it's difficult or awkward. That's not about to stop Luke. The alternative is what? Disappointing her? Never!]

Wouldn't know how to be anything else. [Though maybe he could have handled being an Amidala, but... no, even thinking about it feels weird. Wrong.]

You're right.

[Hearing her say that makes his throat catch and he buries his face for a moment. Letting himself feel. Not only for himself, but for his father and their family as a whole. So much that's been taken for them. And for what?]

I know. I think... in his own way, he still does.

[It's awkward, maybe a bit jilted, but that doesn't make it any less real.]

[politicallyinclined]

Together. (She won't let her baby boy - her grown baby boy - face anything alone. Your childhood would have been filled with mama hugs and mama kisses, Luke. Padmé would have dedicated herself to her twins and taught them all she knows.)

It's in your blood. Your Skywalker genes are much louder than my Naberrie genes. (Amidala is her regnal name - a way of hiding her true identity so her family remained safe while she served Naboo.

When he buries his face, she rubs over his back worriedly.)

Luke? (Her features soften with obvious love and she nods.) He does. I know his heart hasn't changed. Palpatine has done a lot of damage to him, to you and your sister, but Anakin is alive.