annexednet | (Video)

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(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.

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And I respect your decision.

[Codi puts her hands up in a quick, "what can you do" sort of expression. Topic dropped, but certainly not forgotten.]

So - what would you like to hear from me? I'm not sure what sorts of blanks you need me to fill in.

I have heard that we need to be tethered. Have you experienced that state? What is it like?

(She is hesitant to bond with anyone on that level (for their sake), but she also doesn't like seeing people suffer needlessly.)

[This isn't exactly the topic Codi was expecting Padmé to lead with. Her cool, calm expression momentarily falters, a flicker of distaste wrinkling her brow.]

I...have! Yes. [And it's gone. Codi's neutral smile returns, like it's always been there.] Several, in fact. It depends a lot on the control of the people involved, in my experience. Other people [Definitely not her!!] have mentioned difficulties with keeping their feelings and memories distinct from one another which, as you can imagine, is very disruptive. But with enough training, you can close those connections off.

(Adapting to this new environment is paramount - even if her mind and heart are distracted. Padmé can't help but be diplomatic; it's habit by now.)

Where do I acquire that training? Since it seems likely I will have to forge a connection with someone, I don't want to burden them with my thoughts and feelings. (They are burden enough for her.) I'm sorry if this topic is uncomfortable for you.

Oh, no, not at all! Don't worry about it.

[Backpedaling on her discomfort does more than just weakly deflect - it also gives Codi time to think about how she wants to handle Padmé's question. The honest, ideal candidate for this job would be Juhani, but that would mean giving up an opportunity to have Padmé be in her debt for something. Perhaps she could still leverage the Jedi for this purpose, though?]

I have received some training here, but I'm not sure the guy I got it from has the availability to take on new students. [Because, as far as Codi is aware, he's back in her world. Minor details.] --But I could teach you, if you'd like? He's told me that I'm quite proficient.

[New plan: Give Padmé basic meditation training while she simultaneously petitions Juhani to train her on the side, then uses that to "move up" Padmé's lessons in difficulty, all while getting paid somehow. Surely this can't go wrong.]

(Codi deserves to be paid for her services. Padmé isn't expecting anything for free. She has worked - and served others - the majority of her life. However she is also intelligent and if Codi takes advantage of her, she will notice.)

If you have the time, yes. I would be in your debt. (She needs to figure out how to make payments. Anakin might have some ideas - he has obviously found a way to survive.)

[Codi's expression softens, eyes closing in a self-satisfied nod.]

It would be my pleasure. I'm sure we can work something out.

[Codi is quite pleased to note that Padmé is aware of the unspoken terms of this agreement. She will happily accept whatever form of repayment she can provide for this debt, thank you.]

Do you have any thoughts about who you might end up tethering with?

[Codi's thoughts go to the people Rey told her about: Vader and Luke predominantly, but they are both Tians. She recalls that Padmé was a Tian last time they spoke, which would make her situation a little more dicey. Is that still the case, she wonders, now that she's back?]

Nothing is truly free. Politicians know that best.

(She just happens to be a senator - past senator - that deals fairly. However she is perplexed by this. What is the proper payment for lessons?)

I'm not sure. I would feel safest tethering with my husband or my son, but something tells me it won't be that easy.

Wise words from a wise woman.

[For the moment, Codi lets that part of the discussion go; she needs more time (and information) to decide what a good trade would be, and it sounds like Padmé is willing to oblige.]

Why so? [Codi tilts her head, though this is mostly for show - just as she thought, Vader and Luke are top contenders but can't be on the list. She'd still like Padmé to confirm her suspicions directly.] Alignment problems?

They are the same alignment as I am, I believe. (Tian loves Skywalkers. It collects them.) It was my understanding that I need a partner who is tied to Heba?

(This will be difficult no matter what. She would tether with Anakin in a heart-beat, but tethering with anyone else - besides Luke or maybe even Kylo - feels dangerous. There are...jealousy issues.)

[Nail on the head, once again.]

You understand correctly.

[Codi hums contemplatively; she's assuming this is your bog-standard tethering apprehension kicking in and approaches it accordingly.]

I know it can be daunting to search for a Tether among strangers, especially when you already have family here, but the consequences of being imbalanced are very real. You'll need to find someone.

(The consequences, from what she has heard and read, are disconcerting. She doesn't want them. Yet she will have to approach the tethering carefully.)

It's strange. I'm a married woman; sharing my mind and emotions with my husband is a given. Sharing them with a stranger, however, feels...

(Unfaithful.)

I'll do what I must.

[A brief flicker of conflict crosses Codi's face, scrunching her brow and twitching the corners of her mouth. This is a private conversation - she could try to relate by mentioning that she's also married, since it seems like such an important point for Padmé. But her marital status has so far remained a carefully-cultivated secret, and saying anything about it anywhere immediately jeopardizes her chances of keeping it that way. It would be one hell of a calculated risk.]

[So she decides to be vague instead.]

I understand. [Going to just keep it at that.] Your husband is going to have to do the same thing, if he hasn't already. Think of it like...something to sympathize over.

(She gave up keeping her marriage secret when she died. Really, death is freeing, Codi! Don't try it.)

I wouldn't blame him for doing what he must. (Padmé trusts Anakin and if he made a friend, that's actually a nice outcome.) I don't see things like he does in that regard.

[The puzzle pieces click in Codi's brain, accompanied by an almost audible "ah" of recognition and a lift of her eyebrows. Jealous.]

I see...and you doubt he'd see reason, even though he's definitely going through the same thing himself?

He is...emotional. (She loves him; she would have given him a hoard of children, but, yes, her husband is emotional. One of his greatest fears seems to be losing her. That could be to death or to another man.)

Husbands.

[Said with the tone of someone that's had a few boyfriends that she has Fondly Judgmental Opinions about - or perhaps that husband of her own, though she knows for a fact that Rick wouldn't act the way that Padmé is suggesting Vader would. Anxious enough to have a few quiet, urgent words of concern with her, absolutely. But in the end, she knows he trusts her too much to do anything else.]

[Sometimes, he really shouldn't.]

Do you think it would help if someone else spoke with him, perhaps? [Codi's eyes swivel skyward.] A neutral third party that's comfortable dealing with...emotional men of power?

(Padmé has met her own share of judgmental men, but Anakin is special. Any of his opinions come from one root: his worry for her safety. That makes him different from the rest.)

Mm no, it wouldn't. He would only wonder why you know I'm concerned.

(It's best if she approaches the subject.)

Oh trust me, I'm accustomed to dealing with them too.

[Codi shrugs, nonchalant. Can't win them all.]

I understand. Just know that you have my support if you ever need it - or if anyone else needs it. It would be unfortunate if you or any of your future Tethers were put in danger while just trying to survive here.

And you have mine. I don't think it will come to that. I just want to do this openly and safely.

(They have enough hidden tension in their marriage.)

[Codi's smile widens slightly - perhaps in a show of appreciation, but more accurately, a sign of victory. A pledge of support and a debt? This conversation could not have gone any better for her.]

Of course.

Is there anything else you wanted to know? You have enough on your plate as it is, naturally, but I'm happy to make myself available in case you need help with anything else.

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