007-- going through the motions

[nodifferentfate]

A: diner ;; morning

[Padmé can be found seated in one of the booths, eyeing a menu with a mild expression on her face. Those dark circles under her eyes? More from stress than just lack of sleep.]

B: mayfield high ;; afternoon

[Marking papers handed in by droids is never an exciting prospect due to the fact that none of their opinions really differ. But the mundane task is actually pretty enjoyable for Padmé's current situation, so she's buried in work behind her desk.]

C: 1127 taylor road ;; evening

[Outside on the front porch, Padmé alternates between pacing and leaning against one of the banisters. One hand rubs tiredly at her eyes, while the other rests over her japor snippet.

Has she taken that thing off ever since getting it in the mail? The answer is no.]

Comments

A

[wrench_and_ruffles]

[Kaylee's working the breakfast shift today]

Hey there, can I getcha some coffee to start out?

[nodifferentfate]

[She glances up, a harried smile flashing across her face.]

That would be lovely, thank you.

[wrench_and_ruffles]

It'll perk ya right up.

[Because, well, she notices things about people]

Cream or sugar? We got the real stuff!

[nodifferentfate]

Cream please. [She lets out a small sigh.] Is it that obvious?

[wrench_and_ruffles]

Gotta be able to read people if you're takin' on passengers.

[nodifferentfate]

Are you a pilot of sorts?

[wrench_and_ruffles]

I'm a mechanic on a spaceship. Cap'n usually puts me in charge of rustlin' up passengers if he's plannin' to take 'em.

[nodifferentfate]

That sounds like quite the job.

[And she totally wouldn't have pegged you as a mechanic.]

[wrench_and_ruffles]

It's great! Serenity's a great girl. She's an ought three Firefly, and those'll fly forever long as you know how to treat 'em right.

[She's gushing just a bit about her baby]

[nodifferentfate]

I'm afraid I've never heard of that style of ship, but I'll take your word for it.

[wrench_and_ruffles]

Most folk here ain't even used to people livin' on spaceships at all.

[nodifferentfate]

I suppose it's understandable. There are many different worlds out there. [Offers a light smile.] I'm Padmé Amidala.

[wrench_and_ruffles]

I'm Kaylee Frye. It's good to meetcha.

[nodifferentfate]

Likewise.

[She likes the pleasant conversation, it helps distract her from... well, everything.]

How long have you been here for, Kaylee?

[wrench_and_ruffles]

'Bout six months now. Still ain't sure what any of it means.

[nodifferentfate]

[Gives a small laugh.]

I highly doubt anyone is.

[wrench_and_ruffles]

Least there ain't been any sign of Reavers since November. Hope they don't even bring them back.

[nodifferentfate]

Reavers? [Her brow draws together.] What are they?

[wrench_and_ruffles]

They live out near the borders, back home. What we had here weren't quite like 'em. Reavers don't leave survivors.

[nodifferentfate]

They sound... dangerous.

[wrench_and_ruffles]

They are. Weren't somethin' I really wanted showin' up here... or anywhere.

C

[of_alderaan]

[Well last time they saw each other was......

Okay let's be honest it was horrible. However, Leia pauses when she sees her standing there, and in the end walks over.]

....Hello.

[nodifferentfate]

[Oh.

Padmé lets out a breath, keeping her expression as neutral as she possibly can. A bit of that old, queenly coolness.]

Leia.

[She doesn't want to talk about how much all of this is breaking her heart.]

[of_alderaan]

[Just two politicians having a talk.

Ah, well she had been meaning to come over at some point anyway.]

I wanted to apologize for ...before. I didn't mean to make things worse then they already were.

[She was just very caught off guard that Vader knew about Luke.]

[nodifferentfate]

I'm sure you didn't. [She pauses, keeping her gaze level to Leia's.] But they have, and it's too late to apologize for what has already been done.

[of_alderaan]

Of course.

[And yet ironically this is the woman telling her to forgive Darth Vader.]

[nodifferentfate]

[Hey all she really wants is you to accept him in your life.] I am just as sorry about the way things have turned out though. I do hope you realize that.

[of_alderaan]

[She has, he's the second in command of the Empire who makes their lives miserable.]

Of course.

Well I won't take up anymore of your time then.

Good evening.

[nodifferentfate]

Leia...

[She really doesn't want things to be this tense between them, but what else can she say? Padmé has already explained countless times how much Anakin needs her, and how much she needs him. That she couldn't just pretend he didn't exist.]

[of_alderaan]

[She pauses.]

Yes?

[nodifferentfate]

... How often did you clash with your fath-- Lord Vader?

[of_alderaan]

Clash? I suppose that depends on what you mean by that. He was hunting me for years. I'm one of the top Rebel leaders.

Face to face?.....only a few times. Once when I was first captured by the Empire and they wanted to get me to talk. Another when travelling with Luke....

[When she'd had to fight him with Luke's lightsaber.]

And on Cloud city.

[nodifferentfate]

[She's silent as she thinks that over, her eyes downcast.]

Then I suppose it's impossible for you to ever see him in a different light, then.

[of_alderaan]

Impossible is a strong word.

I believed Luke when he claimed there was some good in him. However it has not been that long yet.

And in town, if he were from before his fall ...or after his sacrifice, I'm sure it would be much easier.

But he is Darth Vader here.

[nodifferentfate]

He hasn't done anything here yet to condemn himself, so why do you assume he will?

[of_alderaan]

He serves the Emperor.