Saga Dinner Party - AU Romance (Anakin/Padme, Sola, Bail, Barriss...) Author announcement 8/21

Title: Dinner Party
Author: Reihla
Timeframe: @ 1 yr pre-AOTC
Characters: (Anakin Skywalker, Padmé Naberrie, Sola Naberrie, Bail Organa, Barriss Offee, for a start?)
Genre: This is an AU Romance, perhaps with bits of action, angst or drama thrown in

Co-Winner - Winter 2004 Readers' Choice Romance!

Notes: "Dinner Party" began as a one-post entry for a writers? challenge. Specifically the call was for a romantic story about Anakin & Padmé, pre Ep II., which involved Padmé's family (any sort of relative) and Obi-Wan had to be on a trip off-planet (so that Ani would be alone and unsupervised). This story begins with a highly modified and extended version of that vignette.

Normally I let sleeping vignettes lie, but several questions were posed to me after this one and for some reason I just keep wondering what else happened. So, for my own peace of mind I'm going to try to answer those questions.

I should probably warn anyone reading that I plan to merge this story with the off-shoot vignette ?After the dance,? which was a Bail/Sola romantic story written for a ?First Kiss? challenge. I revised and posted that challenge as a short story back in February. Hopefully I can be forgiven for reposting it at the appropriate time during this thread. I would like to answer a few of the questions that came up about that relationship as well.

Some might call this ?fluff.? Indeed, it is. It makes no pretense to being anything else. I have no set schedule for updating, but I'm going to try to come up with something new each week.

Summary: Anakin and Padmé cross paths shortly before the events of Episode II. Other characters may also find unexpected romantic entanglements. (What else would you expect from fluff?)

Disclaimer: George Lucas and Lucasfilm own Star Wars and all its characters. I won?t make even so much as a dime from playing in his universe. Darn it.

 

Dinner Party. Ch. 1. Old Friends and New.

?Anakin, are you ready? We?ve got to get over to the Senatorial Conference Center.? Padawan Barriss Offee stuck her head in the open doorway to Anakin Skywalker?s quarters. ?C?mon! You know Master Koth will take points off our scores if someone tells him we were late!? She peered into the dark sitting area. The sight was familiar. She shared similar living arrangements with her own master. A single arc of light spilled into the dimness from one of the sleeping rooms just beyond the kitchen.

?I?m coming!? Anakin?s smooth tenor replied from that general direction. ?Just let me grab my cloak.? He appeared in the brightened doorway, settling the cape onto his shoulders before heading her way. ?All right, let?s go!?

He didn?t bother to lock his quarters - theft was unheard of here at the Jedi Temple ? he merely waved the door shut and they took off down the hallway.

It wasn?t far to the senate chambers and the buildings were connected by public service conveyor belts. These automated transit walkways were handy, yes, but they were also very slow. Both padawans decided their cause would be furthered if they added brisk walking to the steadily moving passageway.

?So, how?s it going without Master Obi-Wan around?? Barriss asked. Both her master, Luminara Unduli, and Obi-Wan had been sent on assignment to mediate a political dispute on the mid-rim world of Ando Prime. Their padawans had been left behind this time so they could complete this evening?s special assignment ? a task for Master Eeth Koth?s political awareness study.

They, and other apprentices in the class, were to serve as personal guards for many of the senators at tonight?s political banquet. Security in the Hall was already tight, so the point of their mission wasn?t the personal safety of the dignitaries. Rather, it was an exercise in blending in to the background, paying strict attention and gaining new insights. In other words, it would be deadly dull.

?I?ve been enjoying myself actually.? Anakin grinned at his Mirialan friend. ?Plenty of time to ignore academic pursuits and tinker in the shop. You??

Barriss answered his wide grin with one of her own, a hint of mischief sparkling in her deep blue eyes. ?I?ve been dancing a lot.?

Though Anakin didn?t pretend to understand his friend?s fascination with moving to music, he knew what it was like to enjoy something as much as Barriss loved to create the artistic dances of her native culture. Flying was like that for him.

?This evening is going to be so boring.? Anakin dropped his voice an octave and mimicked Master Koth. ??Stick to your representatives. Listen to their conversations. Make detailed mental notes on key political items and be prepared to share your perceptions in class.??

Barriss laughed at his impression of their Zabrak instructor before inquiring, ?Who are you assigned to??

?I?ve been given that Alderaani Senator, Bail Organa.? He couldn?t keep the irritation out of his voice. He?d hoped to be assigned to the Supreme Chancellor; they?d become quite close over the past few years. Unfortunately Ferus Olin, Master Siri Tachi?s padawan ? not to mention Anakin?s number one rival - had been given that duty. Of course. Ferus was known around the temple for being the perfect apprentice and the Supreme Chancellor deserved nothing less than the best.

Anakin and Barriss both slowed as they neared their destination. From the sounds of music and conversation emanating from the double doors leading into the huge banquet chamber, the party was already in full swing.

?I?ll be with Senator Amidala of Naboo.? Barriss volunteered the information.

Anakin almost didn?t hear her, so focused was he on being annoyed at Ferus. When her words sank in he stopped cold. Now this was an interesting development. Amidala was a Senator now?

?I don?t suppose you?d consider switching with me?? he proposed, proud that he managed no

 

Oh, loving this!

Yes, I'm sure Anakin will find ways to amuse himself, and maybe even get himself into a little trouble.

Your descriptions are so vivid. I could picture the entire scene so well.

 

Great job!! I'm liking it extremely well so far! hehehe yeah... man Ferus gets all the great jobs! Not fair! (*snrk* hehehe)

Hehehe so Bail knows some about Anakin? Great I like Bail

Great work on Bariss! Can't wait for more

 

I'm looking forward to seeing more as well. Great start!

 

WOO-HOO! Love it! Can't wait for more, so don't make me wait too long. Please?

 

Yay! I loved this (and the Bail/Sola one, too) as a vig, so I can't wait to see what happens in it as a story!

JS

 

Oooh... this is interesting!

 

I like it very much! Excellent descriptions. I hope you post more soon!

 

Oh I am so adding this to my Favourites! YES! YES! YES! She's continuing this!

I love the changes you made! YES!

 

Very nice! I like the interaction between everyone. I can't wait to read more.

 

Gina ? Anakin, find trouble? Ya think?

Kynstar ? Yes, Ferus does seem to get all the great jobs. One more nail in his coffin as far as Anakin is concerned?

Thanks qtrhrs78, I?m glad you like it so far.

VaderLVR64 ? Not too long. I promise.

Jazz_Skywalker ? Thanks for checking out the ?extended version, ?or maybe I should say the ?director?s cut.?

mixza ? Thanks!

Dally ? Yup, there?ll be more soon.

leia-naberrie ? See what happens when I?m left to my own devices? There really were too many unanswered possibilities. My curiosity got the best of me.

Jedi_Chani ? I enjoyed throwing these characters together. Glad you like!

 

This is so great so far!

 

very, very interesting. I like your use of Barriss- I just read a EU novel with Barriss and it really sort of opened my eyes to her character. I like the characterization of Barriss and Anakin here- the friendship dynamic displayed between the two is great. This looks like the start of another great story. I look forward to your next update, Rei!

 

love it so far!UP!!

 

This is absolutely fantastic and lots of fun! I can't wait to see what happens next.

 

Up!

JS

 

DarthIshtar ? Thanks, Ish. I?m glad you?re reading.

Vivid_Sripts ? Heya! I?ve always been curious about Anakin?s friends in the Temple and figured Barriss was a good one to throw in the mix. I?ve been fascinated by her character since AOTC first hit theaters. Nice to see you here.

searth_99 ? Thank you!

AnakinsHeir ? Wait no longer! Here?s what happens next?

Thanks for the Up Jazz!

 

Dinner Party. Ch. 2. Interesting Developments.

Political dinners, with their endless courses, were long, tedious affairs. This was particularly true for eighteen year-olds forced to endure endless discussion about trade routes, taxation and the latest topics of debate within the senate. The only thing saving Anakin?s sanity as he stood behind Senator Organa during the meal was that he had an unimpeded view of Senator Amidala.

She was seated at the same long table as Organa, but on the opposite side and some 12 seats down. To Anakin?s immense relief, she appeared to be unescorted. Rather, she was sitting with a lady to whom she bore a striking resemblance. He considered the other woman only long enough to wonder if she might be a relative of some sort. Then he turned his attention back to Padmé.

Padmé. He just couldn?t seem to think of her as ?Amidala.? It made no difference what she wore. Whether it was the unassuming garb of a Tatooine peasant or the elaborate gowns of a Queen, to him she would always be the girl who wandered into Watto?s shop that afternoon so long ago.

He studied her with covert sideling glances. She was even more exquisitely beautiful than he remembered and stole his breath in a way she hadn?t the last time they were together. Perhaps that was owed to the fact that he no longer saw her through the eyes of a child. Or perhaps it was the fact that she was no longer a child herself.

The gown she wore was remarkably similar in style to the one she wore for the Unity Parade all those years ago on Naboo. The style, however, was the only similarity. This dress wasn?t a youthful swirl of pastels ? not the pale and innocent colors of a girl-queen.

Rather, this dress was a symphony of vibrant golds. The fabric of the silky sheath dress glowed like the dawn as it draped Padmé?s slim curves while detailed embroidery and beadwork decorated the neckline and hem. In contrast to the simplicity of the garment, an elaborate overdress cascaded from her shoulders to the floor. Its filmy layers ranged from palest yellow to deepest amber and golden threads woven throughout the material made it sparkle in the candlelight.

This time, there was no stand-up fan across her back. No elaborate headpiece or crown. Instead Padmé wore only a necklace of beaten gold set with crimson and orange jewels. These same brightly colored gems were woven throughout her upswept sable tresses.

She emanated light and warmth, Anakin thought, like a life-giving sun.

Suddenly the room seemed warmer. A fine sheen of perspiration had collected on his brow and upper lip. Even the texture of his clothes against his skin was uncomfortable. His heart was beating fast and his chest felt constricted. Breathing took a genuine effort. It was a completely uncontrolled response - unlike anything he?d ever felt before - and not entirely unpleasant.

He closed his eyes for a moment, shutting Padmé?s image out of his mind as he sought the calm center he could usually manage to find during meditation.

When he opened his eyes again a few minutes later he felt more controlled, though not nearly as much as he would have liked.

Anakin sighed. The nine long years since they had said goodbye on Naboo had changed them both. Padmé was definitely a woman and he?well, he definitely felt like a man when he looked at her.

He had to admit that despite the many years between then and now he was still annoyed at how easily she?d managed to deceive him about her identity. He smiled then, as an idea came to him. In his mind, one good turn deserved another.

This evening would become more interesting indeed.

---

?Padmé, why is that young Jedi staring at us?? Sola Naberrie asked, waving discretely in the direction of the Senator of Alderaan.

Sola waited for her sister to look that way, but by the time Padmé did the boy wasn?t looking at them at all. In fact, he had turned and now appeared engrossed in conversation with the Rodian padawan next to hi

 

hehehehehe sucker! Well *snrk* that wasn't nice hehehe Glad Sola and Bail are dancing Poor Sola... she should allow herself some joy if it has been a while since her hubby has passed on.

Hehehehe way to go Anakin! *snrk* (if that is him which I'm hoping it is hehehehe) great way to woo her

Excellent chappie!!!

 

Anakin is a smoothie, isn't he? Where did he learn a move like that! I like the tension between them, very much. And I'm glad Sola and Bail seem to be hitting it off. Nice chapter! Post more soon!

 

Snrk indeed. How is padme so unobservant?

 

A smoothie is right! If that lady is not careful, Anakin is going to have her eating out of the palm of his hand before nightfall.

 

Wonderful chapter! Anakin is certainly a smooth one, I don't blame Padme, I would share his cloak, too!

She emanated light and warmth, Anakin thought, like a life-giving sun.

Suddenly the room seemed warmer. A fine sheen of perspiration had collected on his brow and upper lip. Even the texture of his clothes against his skin was uncomfortable. His heart was beating fast and his chest felt constricted. Breathing took a genuine effort. It was a completely uncontrolled response - unlike anything he?d ever felt before - and not entirely unpleasant.

Awww, poor Anakin, he's in lust...er, I mean love. I can't wait for more!

 

Well, well, well. The Jedi Padawan has some moves for the ladies! Great story, you've done a fantastic job with these characters.