| Author |
Topic:
Ceremony of Passing - the funeral of Padmé Naberrie, Typho POV - Vignette
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rocketscientist
Registered:
Nov '05
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Date Posted:
1/15/07 5:39pm
Subject:
Ceremony of Passing - the funeral of Padmé Naberrie, Typho POV - Vignette
- Date Edited:
1/16/07 5:38pm (2 edits total)
Edited By:
rocketscientist
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Title: Ceremony of Passing
Author: rocketscientist
Setting: Funeral of Padmé Naberrie
Characters: Captain Typho, others ;-)
Disclaimer!
A/N - The idea for this came to me after reading the latest chapter of geo3's Ring of Fire.
Ceremony of Passing
“… passing into the veil of night, the comet leaves our sight and our skies are darkened. Just so has her passing darkened our world, and we are denied her light.”
The girl ended her speech and lowered her head. The jewels of her headdress brushed her face, hiding its delicate outline. When she lifted her gaze, the painted mask of her features was composed. Regal. Well rehearsed.
So young.
Captain Typho allowed himself the smallest of sighs. They had all been young like that once.
With narrowed eyes he watched the pallbearers bring the litter down the stairs from the holy place. Under his stern glance they placed the body upon the catafalque. As the procession made ready to commence, he assumed his place – the place of honor by her side. His heart began to beat painfully as his gaze rested a moment on her pale face.
I should never have agreed –
Abruptly, he turned away and gave the signal to proceed. Typho set a dignified pace as the mourners fell in behind him, beginning with the young queen. All of Theed was silent. The bells had ceased to toll; even the mourner’s soft sobs subsided as they wended their way toward the royal crypt. It was as if the city held its breath.
Padmé Naberrie, Queen Amidala, Senator of Naboo was dead.
The stars were unusually bright. The contrails from the Royal Starfighter Corps’ flyby salute had dissipated leaving the sky a deep, velvet blue. The distant suns glittered like jewels.
We’ve been to so many of those stars. He glanced again at the body of the young woman. If I told you that one day we would do this, would you have believed me?
He was unable to let his gaze rest in one place like the other mourners. His eyes darted about, unconsciously assessing possible threats, evaluating every angle.
Old habits die hard. I still have a charge, a duty, at least until we come to the end of this line.
And then what?
Leather clad hands fisted. Unaccountably, he wanted to remove the gauntlets and touch the unnaturally pale cheek. His skin would look very dark against hers. He kept looking for signs of breath.
He counted his steps carefully, fighting the urge to get the whole thing over with. But it was poor form to rush the last act, so he resolved to go slow, do it properly.
You are behaving like a nervous youth, Typho. Do your duty – the child behind you is more composed than you are.
Yes, but she knows nothing, he thought. Nothing of his friend’s anguish, nothing of her fear.
Friend?
Yes, friend. We have always been friends. Although it was never said.
Looking at her now, like this, he regretted every argument, every disagreement.
It was your job, Typho. That’s what advisers do, they advise, they disagree.
Like a tired sigh, the procession seemed to deflate as it stopped at the base of the crypt. No one moved for many moments. Belatedly Typho realized that they were waiting for him to give the orders. At his gesture the pallbearers attached a magnetic handle to each corner of the bier. The Queen ascended the stairs followed by Typho and the …body, then the family, and finally the dignitaries.
The hardest part, he thought as they set the bier upon the central dais – the place of royalty.
The chapel above the crypt was softly lit, but it seemed brilliant against the darkened city. The painted child stood beside the head of the dais, as was her due.
“The Queen is dead,” she intoned.
“Honor to the dead. Honor to the Queen.”
He set his jaw as the dais began its descent. His steely gaze continued to rest upon the space it had lately occupied instead of following it down into the dark.
Each mourner was given a taper to light from the Flame Eternal, the symbol of the continuing monarchy. As they dispersed the tiny lights were taken out into the dark streets of Theed, where even the wealthiest eschewed transport and walked tonight. There they lit other tapers, and so the city was bright again, with tiny single flames.
Typho did not breathe easy. His work this night was not over. Although he did not quicken his pace, he wanted to. Walking slowly through the silent crowds, he betrayed no emotion. He continued to carry the flickering taper as he turned off the main thoroughfare. Glancing surreptitiously about, he stepped into the doorway of the Royal Monuments building and tapped in his soon to be obsolete code. He had announced his resignation the day before, effective in one hour’s time. He had that much time to get in, to do what he needed to do, and to get out. No more.
He knew his way around; he had rehearsed this in his mind a hundred times. He gently blew out the taper and tucked it into his jacket pocket. When he stepped into the lift he needed to use his code again to gain access to the right level. He stared at the glowing buttons as the lift descended.
I need to do this, she had said.
Reaching again into his uniform jacket, he pulled out a timepiece. He studied it carefully before strapping it to his wrist. When the doors opened they revealed an ancient flight of stone stairs. Once again he went down.
It was black at the bottom. He felt along the wall for a light. After a frustrating minute in the dark, his hand hit on a small switch of very old design. He flipped it and stood blinking a moment in the uneven light.
He was in a tunnel of niches, each one, he knew, contained a carefully preserved corpse. All safely kept for posterity in narrow, airtight chambers.
Looking neither to the right nor the left, he paced down the hall past the ancient kings and queens of Naboo. He was looking for a newer section - the newest, in fact - and he didn’t have much time.
Typho didn’t want to contemplate what would happen if he were late.
He had memorized the schematics of the place, but every hall looked the same. When he made the fifth turn his boot struck a lose flagstone and he stumbled. Quickly he put out his hand and caught himself. Where he gripped the edge of a catacomb, dust puffed into the air in small but dense billows.
Had that been the fifth or the sixth turn? He couldn’t remember. He became perfectly still, dark eyes wide in the gloom. He could feel the beating of his own heart. Years of military discipline came to his aid as he silently retraced his steps, counting each turn.
It was the fifth. He took a deep breath and continued. Soon the stone gave way to steel, and then to duracreet.
When he turned the tenth corner he stopped. This hall was new. He counted again until he came to a freshly sealed vault. Quickly he keyed the code he had obtained. The vault opened and a shining plasteel slab slid out and hovered before him.
There she lay, pale and lifeless.
He bent over the form and peered intently into the face of his friend. He brushed aside a lock of hair and glanced at his timepiece. Not a moment too soon.
Pale lids opened suddenly and shocked brown eyes gazed into his with abject terror. He placed a hand gently but firmly over her mouth.
“No screaming.” His voice was low. He removed the hand. “Breathe deeply, that’s a good girl. Deep and even.”
Now that she was conscious the color began to creep back into her skin. Her uneven gasps became careful breaths as the depressant wore off and her metabolism returned to normal. It was a harsh and dangerous drug, but she would not have survived the airless vault without it. She reached out and gripped his hand so tightly it hurt, but he didn’t say anything. It was no easy thing to die and be buried.
“Can you stand?” After a moment she nodded. He smiled slightly. “Good, they’re waiting - she’s waiting.
“You did well. Your last act was your best. It’s over now Sabé. ”
-----
Leia scowled. “I’ve looked her up, you know. I’ve spent hours researching her. There are no records of her anywhere in the library archives or on the holonet. Don’t you find that strange?”
“Nice try, Leia, but it won’t get you anywhere. You know how hard Alliance members work to remain invisible.”
“I did find images of someone who looked a lot like her, though.”
“Oh?” Sabé idly smoothed her gown as though she hadn’t a care in the world.
“Well, younger, of course. The pictures were twenty years old. She was a Senator – from Naboo. And Queen before that.”
“Queen,” Sabé murmured. “Imagine that.”
“Padmé Amidala.” Leia watched Sabé carefully out of the corner of her eye. “The resemblance is remarkable.”
There was a long silence. Sabé used it to concoct a new strategy to thwart Leia’s latest line of questioning. “I knew Padmé,” Sabé admitted at last. “I loved her.”
“You did? “ Leia looked excited. “And?”
“She died during the Clone Wars.” Hating the lie, Sabé added some truth to it. “Her funeral was one of the most wrenching, terrible things I’ve ever had to endure.”
The Ring of Fire – geo3
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GunraysLawyer
Registered:
May '03
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Date Posted:
1/15/07 5:46pm
Subject:
RE: Ceremony of Passing - the funeral of Padmé Naberrie, Typho POV - Vignette
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Just frightenly good.
BRAVO!!!!
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“Fairy tales don't teach children that monsters exist. Children already know that monsters exist. Fairy tales teach children that monsters can be killed.” G.K. Chesterton
To absent friends....
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DarthBreezy
Title: Retired Mos Everett Cantina Founder & JMPR
Registered:
Jun '02
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Date Posted:
1/15/07 5:58pm
Subject:
RE: Ceremony of Passing - the funeral of Padmé Naberrie, Typho POV - Vignette
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Wonderful, Wonderful RS!!
Abruptly, he turned away and gave the signal to proceed. Typho set a dignified pace as the mourners fell in behind him, beginning with the young queen. All of Theed was silent. The bells had ceased to toll; even the mourner’s soft sobs subsided as they wended their way toward the royal crypt. It was as if the city held its breath.
How absolutely lovely, and so very fitting - it describes how I felt reading this...
*bravo!* 
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Although the singer is silent, There is still the truth of the song. http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28747916/p1/ Sailing little Boats - with GoldenJedi Anywhere is possible.
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rocketscientist
Registered:
Nov '05
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Date Posted:
1/15/07 6:12pm
Subject:
RE: Ceremony of Passing - the funeral of Padmé Naberrie, Typho POV - Vignette
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GunraysLawyer
Thank you very much! 
DarthBreezy
Again, thank you so much - it isn't easy to write after someone so good - I hope it holds up! 
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Luna_Nightshade
Registered:
Jan '06
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Date Posted:
1/15/07 6:17pm
Subject:
RE: Ceremony of Passing - the funeral of Padmé Naberrie, Typho POV - Vignette
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Wow...
You know, that's exactly what I wish would have happened. You had me going the whole way, and it works perfectly with geo's snippet. I love it.
Amazing stuff, rs! Much
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obsessedwithSW
Registered:
May '05
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Date Posted:
1/15/07 8:08pm
Subject:
RE: Ceremony of Passing - the funeral of Padmé Naberrie, Typho POV - Vignette
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argh!!! Now Ive been meaning to read Ring of Fire but Geo is so far into it I have been only eyeing the thread with conflicted desire. You may break my will. Once I start Ill read continually into the night till its done which means no sleep and I am getting to old to not pay for that. This is a companion peice to her story?
Wonderfully written and what an interesting way to allow Padme survive -even through the funeral. I loved Typho's voice. Good job RS!
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Yes Darth Maul -bring sexy back! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW8kOYvwVng Avid SiriWaner ! Stories in Bio
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leia_naberrie
Registered:
Sep '02
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Date Posted:
1/16/07 5:44am
Subject:
RE: Ceremony of Passing - the funeral of Padmé Naberrie, Typho POV - Vignette
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Wow! Powerful. Moving. Typho and Sabe were perfectly in character in this story.
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VA_Parky
Registered:
Aug '05
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Date Posted:
1/16/07 6:09am
Subject:
RE: Ceremony of Passing - the funeral of Padmé Naberrie, Typho POV - Vignette
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Bravo!! What an incredible twist there at the end! I had to read it about three or four times to make sure I really understood what was happening! 
Brilliant, amazing job! I loved every single word - and what a great idea to construct this from Typho's point of view. His trip through the catacombs was one of the most haunting things I've ever read. *shivers* Gave me a good case of the heebie jeebies.
Well done! Gosh, I love your stories!
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Currently on hiatus Awash in Broken Promises (RotS AU): http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/23913704/p1/ Our 1st - Matthew - arrived 1/1/08 
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rocketscientist
Registered:
Nov '05
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Date Posted:
1/16/07 11:14am
Subject:
RE: Ceremony of Passing - the funeral of Padmé Naberrie, Typho POV - Vignette
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Hi Luna!
You know, that's exactly what I wish would have happened.
Yeah, me too.
You had me going the whole way, and it works perfectly with geo's snippet. I love it.
Oh GOOD! Hurray! Thanks so much!
owSW
Now Ive been meaning to read Ring of Fire
I recommend it! 
Once I start Ill read continually into the night till its done which means no sleep and I am getting to old to not pay for that.
That's true! (and I know wht you mean) 
This is a companion peice to her story?
Yeah, kinda. It was inspired by the quote at the end.
Wonderfully written and what an interesting way to allow Padme survive -even through the funeral. I loved Typho's voice. Good job RS!
Aww! Thank you!
leia_naberrie
Wow! Powerful. Moving. Typho and Sabe were perfectly in character in this story.
Thanks Hon! 
Va_Parky
I had to read it about three or four times to make sure I really understood what was happening!
Oh wow! I don't know whether to be happy or feel sorry for you!  You're too kind.( you know I'm kidding )
His trip through the catacombs was one of the most haunting things I've ever read. *shivers* Gave me a good case of the heebie jeebies.
Awww! You say the nicest things!
Well done! Gosh, I love your stories!
Thank you so much!
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geo3
Registered:
Sep '02
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Date Posted:
1/16/07 3:27pm
Subject:
RE: Ceremony of Passing - the funeral of Padmé Naberrie, Typho POV - Vignette
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You know what? I'm blown away, and I find myself unexpectedly tongue-tied. Suffice it to say that I'm deeply flattered and completely delighted that you were inspired to write a scene that I'd barely even imagined. I love it when stories come to life, escape, and generate more and more stories. Love it.
Quite aside from the tie-in aspects though, this is a beautiful and haunting viggie all on its own. It must be that artist's eye of yours that captures all the details like the silence of the city, the little taper lights spreading out everywhere as a symbol of the continuation of the monarchy, the 'collapse' of the procession - even the old-style light fixture on the wall of the catacombs. There are so many such delights. Add that to the superb pacing and the ever-present sense of forboding, and you've got a story to read again and again.
I know I will.
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"Love is higher than opinion. If people love one another the most varied opinions can be reconciled - this is one of the most important tasks for humankind today and in the future is that we should learn to live together and understand one another. "
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KELIA
Title: Fan Fiction Moderator
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
1/17/07 1:10pm
Subject:
RE: Ceremony of Passing - the funeral of Padmé Naberrie, Typho POV - Vignette
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That was beautifully written.
And you had me going till the end - very nice!!
I just wish Leia could have known Padme...
Great job in this
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Veloz
Registered:
Aug '04
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Date Posted:
1/17/07 2:42pm
Subject:
RE: Ceremony of Passing - the funeral of Padmé Naberrie, Typho POV - Vignette
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This was awesome.... u had me going there, right to the end!
I love how u described everything, and i could very much imagine it inside my head as i was reading on... fantastic job! 
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"Hello there!"
"Remember the Force will be with you..always" - Obi Wan Kenobi, ANH
"Who's the more foolish...the fool or the fool who follows him?"- Obi Wan Kenobi, ANH
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Souderwan
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
1/25/07 12:16pm
Subject:
RE: Ceremony of Passing - the funeral of Padmé Naberrie, Typho POV - Vignette
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I know it might sound weird when I say how fun it was to read this, given the subject matter, but this was fun! I love that you were inspired by the ending of RoF and to see how quickly you took that inspiration and translated it into such a wonderful vignette was….well….fun!
There she lay, pale and lifeless.
He bent over the form and peered intently into the face of his friend. He brushed aside a lock of hair and glanced at his timepiece. Not a moment too soon.
Pale lids opened suddenly and shocked brown eyes gazed into his with abject terror. He placed a hand gently but firmly over her mouth.
“No screaming.” His voice was low. He removed the hand. “Breathe deeply, that’s a good girl. Deep and even.”
Now that she was conscious the color began to creep back into her skin. Her uneven gasps became careful breaths as the depressant wore off and her metabolism returned to normal. It was a harsh and dangerous drug, but she would not have survived the airless vault without it. She reached out and gripped his hand so tightly it hurt, but he didn’t say anything. It was no easy thing to die and be buried.
“Can you stand?” After a moment she nodded. He smiled slightly. “Good, they’re waiting - she’s waiting.
“You did well. Your last act was your best. It’s over now Sabé. ”
I swear, I felt like I was watching a cool spy-thriller and I got quite the kick out of this whole scene! And you expertly tied it back in to RoF!
Beautifully done, my friend! Just beautiful!
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"When we hurt each other we should write it down in the sand,
so the winds of forgiveness can make it go away for good. When
we help each other we should chisel it in stone, lest we never
forget the love of a friend." ~Godefroy
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