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Topic:
Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
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Gina
Registered:
Jun '03
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Date Posted:
4/17 9:58am
Subject:
Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Completed 5/29
- Date Edited:
5/29 4:38am (4 edits total)
Edited By:
Gina
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Title: Portrait of a Lady
Characters: Padmé, Palo
Genre: Angst
Timeframe: ROTS, Pre-TPM (This story will span eras, but because it encompasses both eras and because of its main theme, I have decided to post it in Saga rather than Before.)
Summary: Upon hearing of Padmé's death, a figure from her past reflects on the girl he knew and the woman she became.
Author's Note: Although he is a minor character mentioned only in passing in the films, I've used Palo in several of my fics, but for some reason, always as a villain.  I decided it was time to give the guy a fair shake, so I dusted off this abandoned fic and decided to finish it.
The story will consist of five short posts.
Portrait of a Lady
Part 1: Endings
The thick, red fluid oozes slowly down the wall. It is a vicious color, one of destruction, one of death.
It taunts me now with its power.
I clutch at my chest in horror and disbelief, my fingers gripping my crimson-stained shirt. Memories pass through my mind with the speed of a whirlwind, disorienting me. I fall to my knees, too weak to stand.
I hear footsteps running along the corridor, and I know it is my beloved Arianna. I clench my fists as a single tear escapes my eye and travels a mourner's path along my cheek.
I did not want her to see me this way.
"Palo," she cries, and I look up to see her standing in the open doorway. Her gaze travels about the long room, and I watch her eyes grow wide as she takes in the destructive scene before her.
"W-What happened, Palo?" she mutters fearfully.
I choke back a sob, my body shaking. I cannot find the strength to answer. From the far corner of the room, the holobroadcaster's voice breaks through the chaos once more.
" – repeat, Padmé Amidala, former queen and now senator of Naboo, has perished. At this moment, the cause of her death is still unknown. Sources speculate…"
Arianna gasps in shock, and the remainder of the broadcaster's words goes unheard.
"She's…gone," I whisper at last, my voice sounding foreign to my own ears.
I stand on shaking legs and begin to pick up the jagged shards of the paint jar that are scattered about the floor of my artist's studio.
From behind me, I hear Arianna's quiet sobs. "She was so young."
I stare at the wall, the splattered red paint slowly beginning to congeal in places. I reach out to touch it, assessing the damage where the paint jar impacted after I hurled it in anger and sadness upon hearing the news.
She was so young. And so…beautiful.
*********
"It's beautiful."
He turned to the sound of the feminine voice, but the bright afternoon sun was shining behind her, obscuring her features. When she moved to sit beside him on the low stone wall surrounding the courtyard fountain, however, he immediately recognized her as the young girl from the morning's sessions.
He recognized her because she was worthy of remembering. Palo had taken note of her when she walked into the small council chambers during the opening session of the Legislative Youth Program. She was striking, her hair dark and flowing and her bearing confident and regal. Later, during the debates, Palo couldn't help but notice the way her eyes blazed with passion as she spoke of her beliefs. It was during the informal reception that followed that he learned from a friend that her name was Padmé Amidala and that she, too, was from the planet Naboo. Palo had felt a tiny spark of intrigue when he considered the girl, but she was much younger, and so he had dismissed the notion.
"The sketch, it's beautiful," she explained, pulling Palo from his thoughts. The girl leaned closer and tapped the corner of the pad that rested on his lap. When she did so, Palo caught a hint of an intoxicating scent, one of flowers and meadows. "It reminds me of the lake country on my home planet. Are you an artist?"
Palo looked down at the drawing he had created. He had thought it to be a pitiful attempt to capture the beauty of something as wondrous as the lake country on his home planet. Yet, this relative stranger had not thought it to be without merit. Palo's heart swelled with pride. His euphoria soon ended, however, as he thought of his father's disapproving stare.
"No, I'm not an artist," he answered softly.
-----signature-----
A long time ago in a house far away, there was a mother who was strong in the ways of the Force.
She "forced" her sons to clean their room, she "forced" her sons to behave.
- Part of a story written by my 9 yr. old sons I found while cleaning their desks
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divapilot
Registered:
Nov '05
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Date Posted:
4/17 10:05am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Short Story
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Very nice! I love the way you misdirected there a bit in the beginning. This is going to be lovely, and as layered as a painting. Looking forward to more.
-----signature-----
 Never tell me the odds. AKL "Beyond the Wall" http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28964433/p1/?6 The Society for Girls Who Like Things that Go Boom. (M. Corde, Pres.) "This is your badness level." ~ Lilo!
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DarthIshtar
Title: Former CR
Star Wars Trivia Hostess
Registered:
Mar '01
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Date Posted:
4/17 10:10am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Short Story
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I loved this start and am looking forward to more. Can I have PMs for updates?
-----signature-----
"You are some self-important encyclopedia with too much time on his hands. I will see to it personally that you are used for spare parts every time my speeder needs an overhaul. You and that overpriced forklift out there." ~Dr. Bel Maden
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slow_dawn
Registered:
Apr '06
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Date Posted:
4/17 3:42pm
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Short Story
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Good start! Could you please PM me with updates?
-----signature-----
O, Life! That persistent struggle which rises slowly with with the warmth of dawn but fades quickly in the twilight of dusk! The Tragedy of Anakin Skywalker??? The Vig Challenge Board - http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/28176650/p1
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Idrelle_Miocovani
Title: Solar Power loving Scattergories Hostess
Registered:
Feb '05
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Date Posted:
4/17 7:13pm
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Short Story
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This is beautiful, Gina! I'm looking forwards to more. 
-----signature-----
"He said, 'Don't die under my command, you're enough of a pain without the paperwork.' That was it."
"Tell him, 'Fine, there's no way I'm dying before you do, you morally bankrupt Colonel with a God complex.'"
Padawan of DarthIshtar
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NarCranor
Registered:
Mar '05
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Date Posted:
4/17 8:54pm
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Short Story
- Date Edited:
4/18 10:19am (2 edits total)
Edited By:
VaderLVR64
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Very well done, I like the flashback structuring, Im assuming the first person "present" narrative will continue as he attends the funeral and what have you. Definitely very interesting. I like the idea of using Palo as a main character simply because we know he is an artist, and artists are usually interesting characters because they are so internally troubled and conflicted. Obviously this guy is still carrying a torch for padme despite being married, thats great conflict right there. I am interested to see if his marriage survives, if he survives, and what the eventual outcome of dealing with Padme's death is for palo and arriana, and how the young padme relationship has shaped him into the person he is, and if her impact was overwhelmingly positive or negative on his life. Maybe she is just a magnet for obsessive little stalker boys, and anakin is just the last in a small string of them?
Anyway, well done.
In any case, it was a lovely opening section, and I can't wait to see where you take it!
Keith "Nar" Kappel
http://www.fandomcomics.com
Concrit is done ONLY at the author's request, especially when posting in a story. Perhaps PMing an author might be a better way to open a dialogue.
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randomangel22
Registered:
Feb '06
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Date Posted:
4/17 10:02pm
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Short Story
- Date Edited:
4/17 10:33pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
randomangel22
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I just found this and must say you've got me hooked. 
I can't wait to see how Palo remembers Padme through the years considering they were friends afterall.
Please add me to your PM list!
Great post!
-----signature-----
I think the worst time to have a heart attack is during a game of charades...or a game of fake heart attack. --Demetri Martin
Yeah that would suck now wouldn't it?
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VaderLVR64
Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots
Registered:
Feb '04
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Date Posted:
4/18 10:16am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Short Story
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LOVELY!!!
"She's…gone," I whisper at last, my voice sounding foreign to my own ears.
I stand on shaking legs and begin to pick up the jagged shards of the paint jar that are scattered about the floor of my artist's studio.
From behind me, I hear Arianna's quiet sobs. "She was so young."
I stare at the wall, the splattered red paint slowly beginning to congeal in places. I reach out to touch it, assessing the damage where the paint jar impacted after I hurled it in anger and sadness upon hearing the news.
She was so young. And so…beautiful.
 You know to PM me when you update! 
-----signature-----
If you have to choose between tears and laughter, remember that laughter burns more calories.
Proud New Army Mom - off to bootcamp!
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Darthana
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
4/18 6:45pm
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Short Story
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Sad but beautiful. I never liked Palo as a character too much, but your fic made me change my opinion a little.
-----signature-----
"There is still good in him." "You have my undying... gratitude." Anakin & Padmé 4ever! 
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MandalorianLegecy
Registered:
Mar '08
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Date Posted:
4/18 7:10pm
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Short Story
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Very good story, I want MORE .......
If there is an PM update list add me
-----signature-----
Apprentice to SilverFighter
Writer, Artist, and RPer
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nabooqueen2008
Registered:
Jan '08
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Date Posted:
4/19 10:38am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Short Story
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Loved the way you began the fic. Can't wait to read more. Please pm me!
~nabooqueen~
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KELIA
Title: Moderator: Fan Fiction
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
4/21 4:45am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Short Story
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That was so beautifully written
It was a nice change to see the impact of Padme's death on a barely mentioned character.
And I loved the flashback to their first meeting.
Wonderful beginning. I'm looking forward to more
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Gina
Registered:
Jun '03
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Date Posted:
4/26 12:17pm
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Short Story
- Date Edited:
4/26 12:23pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Gina
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divapilot
Thank you for your kind words. Hope you enjoy the rest of the fic.
DarthIshtar
Thanks for reading! And I'll be glad to put you on the PM list.
slow_dawn
You're on the PM list, also! 
Idrelle_Miocovani
Thanks! The update is on its way!
NarCranor
He isn't still carrying a torch for her, but as this fic will show (hopefully), she had an impact on his life. Because of this, he remembers her fondly as a good friend and was quite saddened by her death.
Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoy the remaining chapters.
randomangel22
Glad you're hooked, LOL! There will be strolls down memory lane aplenty in this story.
VaderLVR64
You know to PM me when you update
Yes, ma'am.
Darthana
I never liked Palo as a character too much, but your fic made me change my opinion a little.
I don't know why I've always written Palo as a villain. It's just sort of worked out that way. But, he was probably actually a nice guy, LOL! So, I decided it was time to write him as the good guy for a change.
MandalorianLegecy
Thank you! The update is on its way!
nabooqueen2008
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the beginning.
KELIA
It was a nice change to see the impact of Padme's death on a barely mentioned character.
Thanks! I thought it would be interesting to see how someone from her past was impacted by her death.
Thanks again for reading, everyone. Here's the update. Hope you enjoy!
Part 2: Beginnings
I hadn't known it then, but it was to be a beginning…
Awkward introductions that day had led to a casual acquaintance, the sort that often grows from a discovered common bond when in the midst of strangers. Then the smiles and waves to one another from across debate chambers soon led to shared meals and study sessions and even conversations during our free time, our talks usually concerning home and the familiar.
The more time we spent together, I realized how different she was from many females her age. She had no patience for frivolous topics such as fashion and idle gossip. Her love of politics resided not in a desire for personal glory and achievement, but in the longing to help others. She was passionate in her beliefs, yet it was a quiet passion, her restraint and dignity in the debate chambers speaking volumes, much more so than the long-winded blustering of many of our young colleagues.
Yet no matter how brief our meetings or how intense our workload, she always found time to inquire about the progress of my sketches, her eyes glowing with wonder when I would reluctantly show her my latest efforts.
She always believed in me, even when I couldn't believe in myself.
Sighing heavily from the weight of old memories, I turn from my task of cleaning the spattered red paint from my studio walls. Discarding the damp rags and cleaning agents, I press a button on the control unit, and the holoscreen comes to life.
The HoloNews continues to broadcast reports, not only of Padmé's death, but of her life, her legacy. But interspersed with the archival footage of our former queen are continued reports from Coruscant concerning an attempted coup by the Jedi Order and its destructive aftermath. The reports thus far have been unsettling, and I have tried to keep my Arianna from viewing them. She needs her rest, and it would not be good for her to worry. So I listen for any approaching footsteps as I listen to the broadcast. Staring into the holocamera solemnly, the announcer recounts yet again how the Jedi tried to assassinate the Supreme Chancellor. This time, however, the reporter even hints at rumors that the Order may have somehow been involved in Padmé's death.
Disgusted by what I am hearing, I deactivate the holoscreen. To the Naboo, the Jedi are heroes. The story of their heroism, especially that of the boy, Anakin Skywalker, during the Battle of Naboo is part of our planet's history. Padmé trusted the Jedi, and I believe her judgment to be sound. For our people, rumors that the Jedi are murderous traitors intent on destroying the Republic won't easily be believed.
I can still remember the grand parade and celebration marking the end of the conflict as well as the newfound alliance between the Naboo and the Gungan peoples. Standing atop the podium, our young queen had looked radiant and truly happy. She had led her people well, protecting our planet's peace and way of life. And my heart had swelled with pride for her.
She had seemed so young, yet there was so much promise. But now…only the gods will know what imprints she could have left on our galaxy's history. I turn to stare at that first sketch of the lake country, the one that had caused that young girl to stop and take notice on that fateful afternoon. It hangs in a place of honor in my spacious studio, not for its merit, for it was merely the early efforts of a young boy not yet sure of himself, but instead I hold it in high regard for what it represents.
That beautiful young stranger had been the first being to see me for what I could be, rather than for who my family thought I should be.
*********
"Why don't you just tell him?" she asked matter-of-factly.
He laughed bitterly. "Don't you think that I've tried, Padmé? He doesn't care."
The late afternoon sun was warming, but Palo found little comfort in its golden rays as they walked through the ornate courtyard, surrounded by small groups of their fellow students lounging on the grass. Snippets of their conversations floated to them on the breeze, and Palo wasn't surprised that all of them concerned politics in some form or another.
The Young Legislator's Program was only mid-way through the season's session, and the galaxy's youth gathered here were eagerly anticipating the mock elections that would soon take place. It was an election in which Palo was a candidate for the position of Supreme Chancellor, much to his family's delight.
"But it's your life," Padmé continued. "You should be happy, and if this isn't what you want..."
"My father doesn't see it that way," Palo argued. His pace quickened as his anger grew, his long legs and gait making it difficult for Padmé to keep up with him. "Happiness is found in money and position. If his only son turned away from the realm of politics to become a lowly artist, he would be humiliated. In his eyes, I will have brought dishonor to my family."
Padmé's hand slipped into Palo's, and she tugged slightly, forcing him to stop. Palo turned to look at her.
"But if you do not follow your heart, Palo," she said softly, giving his hand a gentle squeeze, "won't you be dishonoring yourself?"
Despite her simplistic reasoning, Palo couldn't help but smile at the young woman standing before him. Over the last few weeks, they had formed a fast friendship, one that was obviously growing much closer. Palo reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from Padmé's face, but much to his own surprise, his hand lingered there, softly fingering the mass of silken curls. Palo stared down at her, feeling as if he was truly seeing her for the first time.
"You are a rare creature, Padmé," he whispered. In his words, there was a new curiosity, a hint of yearning. And as Padmé returned his gaze, Palo saw that same hint of longing shining in her dark eyes.
-----signature-----
A long time ago in a house far away, there was a mother who was strong in the ways of the Force.
She "forced" her sons to clean their room, she "forced" her sons to behave.
- Part of a story written by my 9 yr. old sons I found while cleaning their desks
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randomangel22
Registered:
Feb '06
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Date Posted:
4/26 12:38pm
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Updated 4/26
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Well, its a good thing that Palo listened to Padme's advice about doing what he wants. 
And I couldn't agree more with Palo that Padme was different from all the other kids there because she always did want to help people because she wanted to and not to gain wealth and glory.
Too bad no one like that is around in our politics today.
Great post and thanks for the PM!
-----signature-----
I think the worst time to have a heart attack is during a game of charades...or a game of fake heart attack. --Demetri Martin
Yeah that would suck now wouldn't it?
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nabooqueen2008
Registered:
Jan '08
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Date Posted:
4/27 11:10pm
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Updated 4/26
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That was fantastic! I'm glad that Palo followed his dream. It is really sad though...seeing Padme through his eyes and when he knew her.
Great post!
~nabooqueen~
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KELIA
Title: Moderator: Fan Fiction
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
4/28 3:33am
Subject:
RE: Portrait of a Lady ~ A Padmé Short Story - Updated 4/26
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I loved Padme's belief in Palo and her encouraging him to follow his heart despite his father's reaction.
That is a tough road to take.
I'm glad he didn't just blindly believe the reports of the Jedi. It's good to see the Empire wasn't able to fool everybody.
Great update
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