#( * padmé naberrie : interactions. )

[virtuousouls]

@galaxydrcaming | any!

padme spun the tiny tornado around in her hand as she sat on the park bench. this and being able to create small gusts of wind were about as much as she could do with this new found power. it was surprising she could do anything at all. the former queen wondered if this was something to do with the force. it was inside of everyone, but not everyone had the talent to use it. she hadn't thought she had been one of those people. but padme supposed she had never thought to try. noticing the other close to her, the tornado stopped and padme looked up at them. "i'm not sure any of us will understand this place," she jested, referencing the many strange things that happened to residents of the city.

[chiliconsharls]

“Triangles are the strongest shape there is. Any weight placed on them is evenly distributed on all 3 sides. They represent geometric sturdiness; no matter how much weight you put on any side, it will not break.” With this science fact in mind,

let’s talk about ObiAniDala

(a ship manifesto brought to you by the joined forces of my silly brain and my much smarter besties at the discord server)

Also known as “Prequel Trio”, this is the triad ship for Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala (Naberrie), our main protagonist characters of the Star Wars prequel films (Episode I, II and III) as well as the subsequent shows, comics, and novels.

Most of the basis for this ship is centered around their interactions and established dynamics within the films canon more than any other piece of media but fans do not neglect the rest, as it also expands on their relationship. It also presents, as most polyam-oriented ships, a solution to fandom phenomenon known as shipping wars, in this instance mostly between the Obikin (Obi-Wan/Anakin) and Anidala (Anakin/Padmé) fans.

Obianidala is, as of January 2023, the second most written trio relationship in the Star Wars fandom on Archive of Our Own, with 536 works on their tag. They’re only topped by the sequels trio, Poe/Finn/Rey, who have over one thousand works.

Their nature of being the protagonist characters in two of the three films of the prequel trilogy is enough to warrant some people would’ve shipped them, but the special interest fans have in them has to do with the fact that they are intrinsically connected, even if only by proximity (in Obi-Wan and Padmé’s case). Anakin is the protagonist -turned antagonist-; Padmé is his love interest; Obi-Wan is his mentor/brother/best friend figure. Each of them have a loud presence in each other’s lives and thus, the importance of the others in each of their stories is pivotal.

What’s established in canon?

While I’m not a firm believer that we, as a society, should be bound by the shackles of canon, I also understand sometimes knowing you’re not picturing things in your head feels very vindicating. It’s good to know creators are onto something you’re digging with your little fan goggles. And Obianidala is no exception to that.  

As I mentioned above, they’re all connected. Narratively speaking, Obi-Wan and Padmé pose two opposing forces for Anakin, even though some fans even see them as foils of each other (as they do with Obi-Wan and Anakin as well); yet it is evidently clear that he loves them both deeply and strongly, equally. They are the most important people in Anakin’s life.

In fact, Anakin’s personal view of Padmé and Obi-Wan as opposing roads for him to take and the amount of love he feels for them is something that contributes to his falling to the dark side, aided by Sidious latching on his weakness and exploiting this internal turmoil he has.

From Matthew Stover’s Revenge of the Sith novelization:

Now, this quote infuriates me for several reasons but mostly because people see it as an ‘end it all’ to arguments of how much more Anakin loved one or the other. Personally, I see it as Palpatine pushing Anakin to his already preconceived idea that he had to give one up (and a perfect showcase of his reluctance to do so, too). Anakin ultimately had to make a choice, yes, but saying he loved one more than the other based on that is very debatable.

Throughout the films it is established that Anakin gravitates around them both, but the novels take a very special dive into this, often highlighting how Anakin’s mind seems to have Padmé and Obi-Wan as a single unit:

(From the RoTS novelization)

(Both from Wild Space by Karen Miller)

(I’m personally insane about that last one because sure, that’s a TOTALLY normal thing to think about. ‘I wish me and MY WIFE would make my BEST FRIEND be less alone’. Anakin Skywalker, I know what you are)

As for Obi-Wan and Padmé, the same thing goes, albeit in a more reserved and collected way – as it is their nature. While Anakin is constantly struggling with how much he loves the both of them and how he suffers because he eventually will have to make a choice, Obi-Wan and Padmé are at peace with their affection/love for Anakin AND the presence of the other in his/their lives.

In fact, they also care and deeply trust each other as well.

Padmé is the one who decides to go to Obi-Wan’s rescue in Attack of the Clones, and she also suggests they could trust him to help them with the whole pregnancy ordeal.

Then, there’s also this from the RoTS novelization:

Which even goes on to suggest Padmé might’ve even trust Obi-Wan more than she did Anakin. 

She accepts, willfully and unreservedly that they both love Anakin and therefore will always be present in each other’s life. And she spares some affection, warmth, and yes, perhaps even some love for him, too: 

Obi-Wan, the super-ego character of the trio, also cares for them very deeply, even past his otherwise private and reserved nature. It’s established in an episode of Clone Wars (7x02) - as well as a deleted scene from RoTS- that Obi-Wan is aware that Anakin has a relationship with Padmé and has been for quite some time yet he never tells the Council about it and he only ever tries once to talk to Anakin about it, trying to remind him that attachments are forbidden for the Jedi. Yet, Obi-Wan doesn’t press on this because he himself is attached and Anakin’s happiness is more important to him than Jedi rules. (Ok, maybe I’m interpreting it but, it’s true, I’ll show you). 

Snippet from the RoTS novelization because the screenshot was gonna be too big:

"Senator-Padme. Please." He gazed into her eyes with nothing on his face but compassion and fatigued anxiety. "I am not blind, Padme. Though I have tried to be, for Anakin's sake. And for yours." "What do you mean?" "Neither of you is very good at hiding feelings, either." "Obi-Wan-" "Anakin has loved you since the day you met, in that horrible junk shop on Tatooine. He's never even tried to hide it, though we do not speak of it. We... pretend that I don't know. And I was happy to, because it made him happy. You made him happy when nothing else ever truly could." He sighed, his brows drawing together. "And you, Padme, skilled as you are on the Senate floor, cannot hide the light that comes to your eyes when anyone so much as mentions his name."

From Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View: 

What I find interesting in this quote is the fact that Padmé is paired with Obi-Wan’s canonical love interest and the other two characters Obi-Wan has a more canonically familial bond with. So, yes, I do have the receips when I say Obi-Wan loved Padmé as well as he did Anakin.

This is from the RoTS screenplay, and it’s also RoTS canon, it just didn’t make it into the final cut but it’s very important to point it out because while here it’s explicitly said, in the film it’s implied, so it still counts: 

“I know you both too well” // “We’re all friends, I care about both of you”... Obi-Wan Kenobi, I SEE you. And so does Padmé: 

(I’m adding this one simply because it’s very inch-resting to me that both Anakin and Padmé seem to be very concerned with Obi-Wan’s loneliness... THAT’s suspicious) 

Even going to present content, the Obi-Wan Kenobi show very clearly establishes that Obi-Wan is mourning both Anakin and Padmé as they were the closest people to him in their last days. 

He sees Padmé in Leia (”Nothing, you just reminded me of someone” -1x02- “When I look at Luma, all I see is her mother’s face” -1x03-) and he finds a new life purpose in looking after Luke simply because he’s Anakin’s son (”To keep watch over Anakin's son-" Obi-Wan sighed, finally allowing his face to register a suggestion of his old gentle smile. "I can't imagine a better way to spend the rest of my life." -RoTS novelization-). 

It’s also very evident how much he loved and how high he regarded Padmé and Anakin when he’s listing the qualities of them that he finds in Leia: 

“Both were exceptional people who bore an exceptional daughter.” (From Obi-Wan Kenobi (TV series) – 1×06)

What about them from a meta point of view?

Now that we talked briefly (and I do say briefly because I could’ve gone even deeper with the canon stuff), let’s dive into this ship from a meta lens. What’s the REAL juice in this one true threesome? 

Well, we talked about this in the Obianidala discord server a few days ago, prompted by me asking why they shipped the trio, mostly because I couldn’t believe no one had written a ship manifesto yet, and as acting CEO of this OT3 I felt it needed to be done.

Here’s the masterpost of all their valid and incredible answers:

Pluto: Poly. I’m biased bc im poly, but like, I love poly ships

Saathi (@saathi1013): The balance among the three of them! How each pairing has its own dynamic but the whole is so much more than the sum of its parts! It's because it feels like any of the other pairings are incomplete and/or unstable comparatively? They're def enjoyable and I throw no shade to ardent supporters of the sub-pairings, but in MY head:

-Padme/Anakin are the impetuousness of youth, passionate but not grounded;

-Anakin/Obi-Wan carries the tension Anakin feels about the Order (and the War), lacking the outside perspective Padme brings;

and any way I slice it, Padme/Obi-Wan are either clinging together out of grief post ROTS or I have to mentally rewrite AOTC so she & Obi-Wan get together instead of Padme/Anakin, which might either precipitate Anakin's fall OR they end up like Obi/Satine so however I slice it, it's kind of heartbreaking.

Bere (@bereweillschmidt): Because they complement each other and are a perfect balance in their relationships. Both O and P are perfect pillars for Anakin. Also they’re all beautiful af

Ash (@cypanache): Okay so I’m coming at this from the perspective of an obidala shipper first but here’s my view on them.

Both Obi-Wan and Padme’s relationship with Anakin is flawed and doomed to fail on its own. Not just for the fact that the act of trying to love both of them separately tears Anakin apart because he simply doesn’t know how to love in moderation and the resulting sense of being forced to choose us what contributes to his descent. But also for the fact each only speaks to one half of Anakin and it’s weakness is the other relationships strength

For Obi-Wan his ability to set boundaries to hold Anakin to a standard of expected behavior Padme has never been able to maintain.

For Padme her ability to make Anakin feel unconditionally loved in a way Obi-Wan has never been able to get him to believe

At the same time I truly believe Obi-Wan and Padme’s relationship that love is the missing piece of what they all need. And the lack of it is why they all fall apart

Obi-Wan’s respect for Padme and his willingness to challenge her is what would give her the strength to hold her own in a relationship with Anakin without losing her sense of self

Padme’s caring.  Her compassion and heart and her passion is what would pull Obi-Wan out of his rigid ‘perfect Jedi’ persona and allow him to feel free to love and be loved he couldn’t do with just Anakin alone because of their history and the tempestuous nature of their relationship.

You need all three pieces for them to work.

Loki (@chaoticdumbassrogue): Polyamory for the win

Jeka (@darlingamidala): There are countless reasons why I ship these three characters together. I don’t feel like I need to go into the reasons anidala, obikin, and obidala are all fantastic pairings on their own, and it goes without saying that they all have chemistry with each other. So instead, I’ll focus on why I love them so much more as a polyamorous triad.

A large part of it is the way they balance and complement each other. Any two of them have the potential to bring out the worst in a each other, but when you put the three of them together, they bring out the best in each other. They balance each other in ways that allow their relationship as a triad to be greater than the sum of its parts.

Anakin and Padme are rather hopeless romantics, and they can get swept up in their relationship to the point where it almost becomes an escapist fantasy. Obi-wan is more practical and pragmatic, he keeps them grounded in reality, which is important for maintaining a healthy relationship in the long term.

Anakin and Obi-wan have such a complicated relationship, where they know each other on an incredibly intimate level and yet also struggle to see eye to eye. And Padme I think understands them both where they fail to understand each other. She helps them fill that gap and communicate their feelings when they don’t know how.

Padme and Obi-wan are deeply dedicated to their duties and responsibilities, often to the detriment of their personal lives. Both of them would feel like pursuing a romantic relationship would be a neglect of their duties. But Anakin is passionate and stubborn and devoted, and he pushes them not to neglect their own happiness.

There’s so much history between the three of them, their fates are woven together from beginning to end. They’ve been through a lot together, and they care about each other so much. They trust each other so much, and they love each other so much. Even when everything falls apart in Revenge of the Sith, and they’ve all broken each other’s hearts and can no longer trust one another, there is still a deep love between the three of them that can never be broken.

Jui (@nicolos): Like yes balance, and their delicious delicious dynamics, but also I got into OAD first bc I kept getting annoyed at one or other character being fridged or vilified in fics. Which is a fandom answer not a canon one, but it did get me thinking about it

Leo (@anakinkshamer):  I ship OAD bc it’s hot, I love polyamory, and the ✨chemistry✨

Vic @//vesper29: 1. Anakin is the chosen one. Very powderful. Fight of the immediate people he loves (padme and obi). 2. Because Obiwan and Padme if you look into their personalities and life purpose, they are cut out of the same paper. And to balance the raw force nature of Anakin, we will need both Obiwan and Padme. One show him way of life (career, life goal); the other love, family.

Joey (@alabama-metal-man​): it's all about how they dull each other's harsh edges, and temper their more more bullish traits, while also honing their strengths and hearts, thus creating this incredible balance. 

In summary, they balance each other, just like the triangle is meant to spread all stress equally to make up for the strongest of supports. In a perfect world, them together would’ve saved the entire galaxy from a lot of troubles.

So, if you’ve made it this far, I hope we got you at least quirking an eyebrow at the way Anakin stares intensenly into both Padmé and Obi-Wan, or Obi-Wan’s ridiculous use of plurals all the time, or how obvious Padmé is that even Yoda can tell:

[hellotherekenobi]

LOVE ME AND MEND

02. THE CLIMAX

Chapter Summary: the stage is set, the curtain is drawn, and Qui-Gon’s plan for matchmaking is set in motion.

Word Count: 4.3k

Index: Previous Chapter. Next Chapter. Masterlist.

For most of his life, Obi-Wan has considered himself a decent man. A good fighter, a pleasant cohort, and a loyal friend. He aids the lowly and is balanced with the force and, should he rather die, considers his abilities to be noble.

But when he’s around you, he might as well be amongst the seven deadly sins.

He’s more arrogant, haughty, and impulsive. You bring out the worst in him in a way he’s never been with anyone else. Maker help him, you might as well be influenced by the dark side for all of your despicable traits.

And he’s lost his brother, Anakin, to the hand of love. What a fool.

He remembers when Anakin’s drive was to the Order, not to a woman. Granted, Padmé is no mere woman—she’s not only a great friend but a great lady of influential status. Yet, he never thought he’d see the day that Anakin would turn to the dark side, so to speak.

There will never come a day when Obi-Wan will be caught in that web of lies. Love never lasts and he’s not the fool who thinks to fall for it when it comes his way, only to be head under water with no escape.

If he were ever to marry, she would have to be a great deal of many things.

Rich, for one. Living his life devoted to the Order has not given him much weight in his pockets.

Wise as well, to match his intellect.

Virtuous or else he won’t lay a hand on her.

Fair in both appearance and mind.

In all things mild, Maker rest his soul.

Noble, if he can win the hand of such a lady.

An excellent musician, a great dancer, and who has a sweet voice.

Her hair will be… well, whatever pleases her.

But the day he falls in love is a day that will never come, lest he is in the dirt. Many women he’s delighted an eye on and many he’s delighted in other ways, but never with her hand or with his heart.

Now Anakin, once such a fierce Jedi, is no more than an oyster, transformed by love. Never will Obi-Wan be changed in such a way. If it should happen, let everyone laugh at his downfall.

But, oh, he had made such a fool of himself last night. He danced with you and flirted without a sober thought, and now you’re carrying that with you like a scored prize. One which you’re happy in telling others about, seeing as his master had known.

He kicks the pebbles at his feet as he kicks himself mentally for the lack of intuition on his part. Even while intoxicated, he should have been able to feel your signature through the force. It’s a rather distasteful and agonizing presence, so he should know it immediately.

In any case, he’s made sure to stay clear of you and his comrades this morning, instead, walking throughout the gardens as he grumbles to himself. It’s also an excuse to clear his foggy head some since he had woken up with quite a dizzy hangover.

Truthfully, this planet is beautiful. He can admire the lush nature, clear water, and blue sky with peace of mind. It is, in fact, the only beautiful thing he will devote himself to; this vast and extraordinary galaxy he fights for.

If only he can say that he will be fighting alongside his brother in future battles. After their stay here ends, Anakin will be connected to his wife with a red, sturdy string. No sharp blade or fresh saber could cut it in half. Maker rest his soul.

It is typical that as Obi-Wan ponders such matters, he sees in the distance Qui-Gon, Anakin, and Sir Naberrie enter the gardens. Can he not have a moment alone? In his honesty, he has a slightly pounding headache after drinking so much wine last night and the last thing he needs is the loud, joyful voices of a man who’s soon to be married.

No, he will not be dragged back into the reality of this new development, and so he dashes behind the hedges in an effort to hide himself. Anything to avoid that social interaction, yet he has a month of torture left.

When they all walk to where he once was and continue their chatter, Obi-Wan knows they didn’t see him at all. And so he hears them speak whilst he is crouched behind the foliage, mindlessly fonding the leaves as he eavesdrops with no significant intention.

“And her dress?” Jinn asks, obviously continuing whatever they’ve been speaking out.

“I do not know,” Anakin chuckles. “She has a flair for style, so I’m sure it will be impressive.”

“You know, Sir Jinn, that a groom cannot see his bride before the ceremony,” Ruwee says, raising an eyebrow.

“But plans have been made for the dress?”

“Well, she has several handmaidens, sir,”

They laugh and Obi-Wan rolls his eyes. What delight is there in wedding planning, anyway? So much effort and money are wasted on a single day that, in most instances, never lasts for long.

Besides, the dress will be worn for the daytime and never again, and most likely torn for the evening. If there is one thing that interests Obi-Wan in marriage, it most certainly is the wedding night.

“But none of that,” Jinn says, “I am still baffled by what you spoke of over breakfast, Sir Naberrie.”

“Yes,” Anakin says. “I cannot believe it myself.”

With a sigh, Obi-Wan looks around where he is, hoping for something more interesting than a plant to play with since he believes their conversation will go on for a long while. He spots a Shuura tree beside the hedge, so he leans up on one leg to snag a piece of fruit, though it is out of his reach.

“What was it you told us that your niece is in love with Obi-Wan?”

As soon as the words reach his ears, Obi-Wan’s footing slips and his hand falls right past the dangling fruit and him, too, as he goes tumbling to the ground with a weighted oof.

“I never thought that she could love any man,” Anakin says.

“Nor I,” Ruwee agrees. “But she told me herself. You can imagine my surprise!”

“Especially as she seems to detest Kenobi,”

That is, in fact, what Obi-Wan has believed his whole life. Or rather, the whole time that he’s known you. Sometimes it does feel like longer because of how you seem to age him with every word you speak, or spit.

Now, as they say, you’re infatuated with him? He’s completely baffled, lying on the ground and staring up at the sky as if a speeder should fly past and write the truth by the smoke of its engine.

“Perhaps she’s lying?” Anakin suggests, and Obi-Wan scrambles to his feet to peer over the hedge.

“My niece, lie?” Ruwee stands quickly. “She has no room for lying! Everything she says is true and as well in her confession of passion for Sir Kenobi.”

“Really?” Jinn asks, leaning his elbow on his knee. “What confessions?”

“Uh— what confessions?”

“Yes, Sir Naberrie, do tell,”

They ogle at each other and Obi-Wan hopes that one of them will speak fast as his heart is beating faster in anticipation. Now that he’s heard the start, he will hear the end.

“Well… you heard my daughter tell you herself.” Ruwee speaks.

Padmé? So, she knows of it as well. And if you confided in Padmé about something, then it has to be a true matter which you speak.

“Tell me again, for I cannot remember,” Jinn says.

“I cannot say it so outwardly, here—”

Ruwee grabs Jinn by the tunic, pulling him in close. Anakin leans into them, listening with a delighted smile on his face. Damn the distance, now Obi-Wan can’t hear what they’re saying.

He would think it a trick but Ruwee himself declares it and Padmé, too. Your own family. This cannot be a lie. If they have your word and stake their honesty on it, then, wildly, you cannot be lying about how you feel for him.

“She is hopelessly in love!” Anakin whines, turning away from the men who equally look the same.

Ah, blast! What did they say? Obi-Wan is too focused on his own thoughts to hear them clearly, so he sneaks past the hedge he’s behind to dip over to the next one which is closer. Though he stumbles a bit into the bush, they don’t seem to notice.

“Has she told Kenobi how she feels?” Jinn asks.

“Of course not,” Ruwee shakes his head. “She’ll never admit it to him and because of that she’s in torment.”

“Oh, to love unrequited,” Anakin sighs. “She must be in a great deal of pain, especially to keep her feelings hidden for so long. I know that pain.”

“Padmé believes that also. It is very true.”

“Well,” Jinn rolls his shoulders. “It would be best if Kenobi knows of it.”

“No,” Anakin shakes his head, “he would make fun of her feelings and torment the poor lady worse.”

How dare they say such a terrible thing! Yes, you and Obi-Wan have giddily fought with each other since your first meeting, but for them to think so lowly of him that they would agree about him teasing you for your feelings is offensive, to say the least.

He admires anyone who admires him. It is only right that he would be kind regarding it.

“I am sorry for her,” says Ruwee.

“Please, friends,” Jinn reaches out a hand to both of their shoulders. “I think we should tell Obi-Wan and see what he says.”

Yes, do!

“That doesn’t seem like the best idea,” Ruwee says.

Stop being so stubborn!

“No, I know my master too well,” Anakin says. “And if he were to tell her that he doesn’t feel the same way it will kill her.”

“But she’ll die if she tells him the truth and she’ll die if he woos her.”

“There’s no hope,”

There is plenty of hope if they will just put some faith in him. With a snarl, Obi-Wan reaches up to peek over the top of the hedge, watching the scene unfold before his eyes.

“I see your reasoning,” Jinn nods. “If Obi-Wan finds out, he’ll tease her relentlessly. As we all know, he has a contemptible spirit—”

He doesn’t mean for it to be so loud, but Obi-Wan gasps in offence at his master’s words. He realizes it too late, he thinks, when he sees the three men turn their heads to the noise, and he ducks behind the hedge again, mimicking the sound of a Quadduck.

It will get him nowhere, most likely, but it seems it works rather well as his comrades simply ignore the sound and carry on with their conversation.

“I love Obi-Wan well,” Jinn says, “and I wish he would examine himself to see how his pride gets in the way. He’s not worthy of such a humble lady.”

“You speak highly of my niece, I thank you,” Ruwee says. “Now, let’s head inside for dinner. I cannot worry so much on an empty stomach.”

The three of them walk toward the entrance of the garden and when they know they are out of Kenobi’s ear range, they snicker childishly with arms draped around each other.

“If he doesn’t dote on her I will never trust your plans again, master,” Anakin smiles.

“She will need the same push,” Jinn nods his head. “Sir Naberrie, you made sure that your daughter and her handmaiden are ready?”

“Yes, they are waiting at the statue as you instructed,”

“Good. In the meantime, let us send for your niece to call Obi-Wan into dinner.”

“Oh, master!” Anakin laughs behind his hand. “You are a wicked man.”

They all snicker with each other before practically skipping away from the gardens back to the château to find you. If they could tag along, they would. But this is most effective if you go to Obi-Wan alone. Oh, how rich the interaction will be.

When Obi-Wan finally walks out from behind the hedge, one hand on his hip and the other on his head, slightly dragging his feet so that the pebbles under his boots make a sound, he wonders if he’s still drunk and everything that happened was a hallucination.

Or maybe he’s dreaming. In any case, however, he knows he’s awake and if the morning sun did not succeed in it, then the words of his comrades have sobered him up very efficiently.

This can be no trick. Sir Naberrie spoke of your torments so explicitly and they have the word of your cousin, Padmé. Yes, the family and the friends say it to be true.

You love him!

Why?

He’s been so brash with you, so tormenting. So cruel. So… in love. Yes, he knows with certainty that he loves you too. He always has, hasn’t he? After all, his heart races after each merry war between you two and it must be because of his sentiments.

Maybe he did know it was you behind the mask and he let himself hide behind a masking of his own, saying sweet words to you in the only way he knows how.

He never thought he’d marry. He would live and die a bachelor and that would be his life amongst the Order. Now, he sees the picture so clearly in his mind and it’s the most breathtaking image he’s ever seen; you walking down the aisle to marry him.

Yes, your affection will be requited! He will seek you out and tell you plainly that he loves you.

Wait, no. He can’t do that. They had said that you are living in torment with this burning feeling for him and if he were to woo you, you’d die.

This must be natural. Obi-Wan will encourage your feelings for him to the surface. He will be the most respectable gentleman to you, he will compliment you in every way, and he will tell you how he feels in a manner which won’t send you running for the hills.

His comrades say that you are fair and it is true, he can bear the witness. Amazingly, you are everything he’s thought of settling for. Virtuous, indeed. Wise, of course, though in the hindrance of loving him. With a spark of wit, no doubt.

Truthfully, he has been a target for your wit as he has been so unpleasant in the past, but that changes now just as his appetite for marriage is now well received. After all, the world must be peopled.

He cannot believe it but it’s true, as much as you love him, he loves you.

There is a newfound light inside of him when he feels entirely overjoyed that he is cared for so deeply, but when he begins to walk out of the gardens, you step right into it and almost right into his chest as well.

“Oh,” you huff, looking at him with narrowed eyes.

Oh, yes. He can see the marks of love in you.

“Against my will, I have been sent to call you in for dinner,” you say.

Obi-Wan smiles three times wider than usual, his cheeks pinched with delight.

“My lady,” he coos, “I thank you for your pains.”

Clearly, you are not pained in the slightest. Having come all this way, you must have been eager to see him. He doesn’t blame you for he is quite the catch.

Ah, yes, it was inevitable, really, that you would fall for him.

You look him up and down. “I took no more pain in telling you than I did for coming here.”

“You take pleasure, then, in the message?”

“Yes, as much pleasure as you might take upon a saber’s point.”

Laughing loudly at your joke, he nods his head in agreement. You’re an alluring woman, that much is certain. Now he knows the origins of all your ridicule. It is much more heartfelt than mindful than you let on.

“Sir, are you not hungry?” You ask him.

Realizing that he hasn’t responded to you in words, he straightens his posture.

“Oh, no—”

“No? Well then, goodbye,”

You’re turning on your heel before Obi-Wan can correct you and are out of the garden as quickly as you came, and he watches as you march away. By this day, you are a beauty.

What a delicious discovery he has in knowing that you love him. For how long, he is not certain, but he believes with his spirit that you have felt this way since the moment you laid eyes on him.

Against my will, I have been sent to call you in for dinner.

There’s a double meaning in that.

─────── ⋯ ───────

As you stomp your way back to the château, completely confused and irritated about Kenobi’s attitude, you wonder why he didn’t bite back with a quip when you had thrown one at him.

Perhaps he is still tired from the night before, or perhaps he is so hungover that he hasn’t a clue what he’s doing or who he’s talking to. It is still so funny to think that he didn’t realize it was you who he danced with before it was too late.

Interestingly, despite his drunken state, Kenobi led you rather well in the dance before you had to take the reigns and that was only because with an already foggy head, spinning around and around surely made him too dizzy to walk straight.

In another life, you can see him being quite the gentleman. Unfortunately, in this life, he is a rotten scoundrel and you detest men like him. You happen to like nice men.

This morning has been puzzling, to say the least.

First, Sir Jinn had sought you out to find Kenobi—as if he’d be anywhere near you or that you would even care about his whereabouts—but your uncle had asked you kindly to bring him in from the gardens for supper.

Second, he was so polite when you spoke to him. Nothing of that bitter complexion or spiteful tongue. He had let you talk over him, too. Usually, if you speak above him, he’s quick to drag you back down in any way he can.

But your day is becoming even more puzzling when you walk across the terrace and amidst the slapping of your sandals you hear Padmé’s voice.

“Sir Kenobi is sick in love with my cousin,”

Halting at your spot, you feel your heart do the same, going completely still on you. It kicks back to life a moment later when you look over at where your cousin and Sabé sit beside the statue erected in the centre.

“Are you sure?” Sabé asks, and as soon as she turns an inch in your direction, you’re leaping behind the pillar.

“Sir Jinn himself told me and Anakin agrees,” Padmé replies.

Peeping around the corner of the pillar, you watch as your cousin and her handmaiden sit facing each other, as close as two friends would be when discussing a secret.

Surely, this is a secret! To think that Obi-Wan is in love with you seems preposterous. He hates you. There is no room in him for love and he himself has stated that very fact. He’s sworn never to grow attached—as much as it is a rule by the Order—and that the only loving he does is under the sheets.

You shudder to think of him in that scenario and pray for the poor, foolish women who have left disappointed by his fervor.

“Have you told your cousin this?” Sabé asks.

“No,” Padmé shakes her head. “I told them that if they care about their brother then they will encourage him not to say a word,”

How outlandish a suggestion she’s made to Qui-Gon Jinn and her betrothed. Here a man has confessed to being in love with you and your cousin turns him away? All she’s ever wanted is for you to be married or at least to find a suitor, though you’ve been as stubborn as a Fathier in regards to that.

It is baffling you that she is not happy about this. The only reason why you aren’t is that out of all men, it happens to be Kenobi. It’s just your luck.

“Why not?” Sabé inquires, and you nod. “Shouldn’t he deserve the right to tell her?”

“Of course, he deserves the right to admit he’s in love but with my cousin? She has such a prideful heart, she’ll likely break his.”

“Oh, she wouldn’t do that.”

“Face it, Sabé, she cannot love.”

By leaning in closer and closer against the pillar with strong interest, the moment your cousin makes such a remark you slip forward and about fall right in front of them. Fortunately, you gain your footing before you can do so, but have to run to the next pillar over so as not to be seen.

You wait a moment, especially as it’s gone quiet, and hope with every muscle in your body that they haven’t seen you and that you’ll stick to your spot so that they never will. When they continue talking, you know you’re safe. Unbelievably.

“Maybe not in that way,” Sabé sighs, “but we should tell her how he feels.”

“No, instead I will go to Sir Kenobi and tell him to stop doting upon her,”

“No!” You shout, then immediately cover your mouth with your hands, knocking your head back against the pillar because, Caraya’s soul, are you that stupid?

There is no point in hiding now after you’ve just screamed out. They must know that you’re right there and that you’ve been eavesdropping this entire time, but then two of Padmé’s handmaidens come walking across the terrace and wave at them.

Oh, please, think that it was them who had spoken. Maybe you can evade revealment yet.

Sabé and Padmé wave in return to the handmaidens and you let out a breath, believing that they’ve associated the noise with the two girls instead.

As they pass, they notice you pressed up against the pillar as an insect swatted to a wall, and they furrow their brows, but you hastily motion your hand by your neck, waving back and forth, in an effort to let them know not to say a word.

Though they appear confused, they don’t stop to talk to you. They simply look at each other and then back to you again, hesitantly nodding their heads, and disappear around the corner.

Mother of Moons, that was a close one.

“Don’t dishonor your cousin,” Sabé continues now that they’re gone. “She can make up her mind for herself. Besides, she would be a fool to turn down such a man as Sir Kenobi.”

“I agree. He’s the greatest duelist in the Jedi Order. Aside from my dear Anakin, of course. But she’s blind to even that.”

Rolling your eyes, you want to groan aloud but have already risked being found once before and will not let it happen again. Oh, yes, Obi-Wan is a great Jedi, a great fighter, a great pilot, a great master, and so on and so forth. You’ve heard it all before. You’re not blind, you’re just stubborn.

Sabé smiles. “Yes, when will you be married?”

“Tomorrow,” Padmé says happily. “Let us go inside to prepare.”

Well, that’s a rather quick arrangement for a wedding, you think, but you know she’s more than eager for the moment she says her vows and with her happiness, you can’t deny it. As they skip away, it is only proven further.

But here you stand, now slouched against the pillar, and mind reeling with all the information you’ve just learnt within only a few minutes.

Obi-Wan, your loathed, loves you.

He loves you.

You!

Letting out an excited breath, you push yourself off of the pillar and laugh. Not with ill or scorn, but with merriment and bliss. You are loved and not by anyone, but by the man you thought never could love, that he would never dare to, and yet, as sure as your cousin says it, he is enraptured by you.

They say that you are prideful, that you will turn him down, but no, you will only turn down those bitter traits and all your ridiculed quirks. No more will you poke fun at Obi-Wan in the way you have been doing since you met him the first day he arrived on Naboo.

Instead, you will requite his love. You must because you know it to be true, deep within your heart, that you are in love with him fervently.

So, Obi-Wan, love on! You will tame your wild heart to his loving hand. As honest as his feelings are for you, there is all honesty in your zeal to marry him.

To think, the woman who swore off love and the man who swore off marriage, soon to be held in matrimony. It seems too good to be true, but if your cousin assured it, then you are assured that you are in rosy love with Kenobi.

Beaming with glee, you spin around the pillar with one hand, gleaming up at the sky that rains sunshine on you and your mood. This spring will blossom unlike any other before it since you are now blossoming in love.

Around the corner, away from your prying ear and gaze, Padmé and Sabé laugh amongst themselves, watching as you begin to dance.

“She is enticed, I’m sure,” Sabé chuckles.

Padmé nods, holding onto her handmaiden’s arm with jollity, seeing you the happiest you’ve ever been.

“If this works,” she says, “Sir Jinn’s statement is true. Some Cupid strikes with arrows, some with traps!”

Taglist: @penfullofwordsaheadfullofstories @alwayssleepingforreal @kyber-crystal @immoral-rose @bloodybunnyuwu @nagitokomaeda-onthe-nintendo-ds @the-mandalorian-clone-lover @princessxkenobi @mythandmagik @i-cant-hear-you16 @pradahux @inukako @whyiminlove @cosmicsierra @dxnxdjarxn @voidmalfoy @darthkenobii @iamtracyz @chogisss @nectav @disastereyebags @hellolitty @stareyeddie @liviiii98 @dameronology @overly-obsessed-with-you @onewholikesthings @shadowhuntyi @greeneyedblondie44 @doublesunsets @night-ace @mkr31011 @petalcranberry @house-of-kolchek @djarins-riduur @fresians101 @frodo-jojo @romi-yularena @cheoriemoawa @just-dreaming-marvel @tejabrynn @jupitersiberis @moonlight-fox @newmoonn @sylphene @easilyconvinced @auryborealis @friskynotebook @lostdeidamia @songoficecreamandfireworks @ohbeewankenobi @peters-parker @heyhawtdawgs @moonlight-prose @gardening-tools @badhollandfluff @mylifeisjustasongreference @gurldeuces @agirlunderarock @mischief-and-maryment @catsnkooks @pond-bitch @wannabehamlet (let me know if you’d like to be added/removed from the taglist!)

Dove divider credit: firefly-graphics

[regaldiplomat]

# regaldiplomat : an independent , mutually exclusive rp blog for padmé amidala naberrie of the star wars franchise . headcanon based & highly canon divergent . est . 2 january 2023 . penned by reed . rules beneath the cut . exclusive with @h1ghground & @jedibetrayed.

001. PORTRAYAL / ACTIVITY; Portrayals on this blog will vary! Any muse that has a book series will likely be book based rather than movie based. Muses are all completely up to my own interpretation and headcanons! This blog is also likely to be low activity as it is not my main blog, but I’m excited either way!

002. REPLIES; I’m usually good at replying, but sometimes ( most of the time ) I’m very slow and I’m very sorry about that. If I don’t reply for a while, you can totally feel free to let me know if you want me to reply and I’ll see what I can do!

003. SHIPS; I ship based on chemistry and am open to most things. Please don’t try to force any ships.

004. NSFW; Mun is of age, though I’m typically not comfortable with NSFW threads unless I’m writing with someone I feel comfortable with/have talked with out of character. Any NSFW threads or content will be tagged appropriately. Same goes for any triggering or mature content I may post. If there’s ANYTHING you need tagged that I am not currently tagging, please don’t hesitate to let me know!

005. EXCLUSIVITY / MAINS; I’m not really a fan of being exclusive to certain portrayals of characters. I really don’t like to limit my interactions in that way. That being said, do participate in mains. I really do love having a close connection with the people I write and create with.

006. ICONS; Any icons you see me using were made by me, so please don’t use or claim them as your own. PSD currently being used is an edited version of THIS ONE by venuscommissions! Icon border is the third border from THIS PACK by somresources!

007. FOLLOWING; Right off the bat, I’m just going to say, I might not be following back everyone who follows me. It’s nothing personal, I promise. I have previously had some not so great experiences in a few fandoms across the board, so I may be a bit hesitant to follow back any blogs within those fandoms. Again, it’s absolutely nothing personal and is for my own comfort, and I implore you to do the same! Also! I am duplicate friendly!

008. DRAMA; I do not and will not participate in drama of any kind. I’m old and tired and I’ve been around this neck of the woods far too long. I love some open communication and talking through our issues. Let’s all just be nice pls.

009. CONTACT; This isn’t a rule, but I have Discord and will give my user out to mutuals upon request! I’m also easily available through tumblr’s IM feature, and through my ask box. Please do understand that I can be a bit slow at replying to people at times. However, this isn’t because I don’t like you, or don’t want to talk to you! I’m just easily burnt out at times, and I don’t like to half ass plotting or conversation.

INTRODUCTION

Hi! My name is Reed, I am currently 25 years old and I reside in the CST timezone! I use she / her pronouns.Just a heads up, I am a particularly slow writer and likely won’t be posting many starter calls, so the best ways to interact with me will be plotting via IMs or discord, as well as sending memes! This blog is also 18+ and I will not be interacting with minors under any circumstances. Thank you for understanding! I am so looking forward to interacting with you all!

[galacticwildfire]

One of my favourite ever comics.

We see Leia on Naboo, which is heartwrenching in itself, defending it without even knowing she should have been born and raised there. We see her force sensitivity and dare I say a dash of psychometry in the scene when she enters the hanger on Naboo and senses Darth Maul having been there. I just love this comic for so many reasons, seeing Leia flying and truly exhibiting that everything Luke inherited from Anakin so did she, she just chose to follow Bail and Padme's path politically. She's flying an N1 starighter, this whole comic is a massive call back to the Trade Federations invasion and I love it. Then there's Leia and Shara's conversation mid battle and the fact she would later be the one to write the condolence letter to Kes and Poe and their interactions are a beautiful set up to the sequels with Leia and Poe's relationship, I also love in another comic Leia lecturing Kes about the chain of command. Everything about these comics and specifically this edition is so beautifully and brilliantly written and I hope so badly we do get a comic of Leia discovering who her mother was and exploring her connections to the Naberrie family and actually learning about Padmé from the handmaidens (if they survive the Darth Vader 2020 comics) since in legends she did know her cousin Pooja since they were senators together and she shared her memories of Padmé and Anakin with Leia.

In the comic "Shattered Empire" from 2015, Leia is piloting an N1 Starfighter from Naboo alongside Shara Bey (Poe Dameron's Mother) and Queen Soruna of Naboo to protect the planet from Operation Cinder.

[hopeshreds-arc]

@univaersum​   //   senator skywalker.

many  years  had  passed  since  the  last  time  padmé  had  set  foot  on  her  home  planet  of  naboo,  but  she  knew  that  any  gratitude  that  she  felt  for  it  was  inappropriate  given  that  it  was  under  the  threat  of  anakin’s  life.   but  her  master  was  investigating  the  threat  &  it  was  unlikely  to  last  for  long. there  were  many,  many  worse  places  to  be  hidden  than  in  the  lake  country  of  naboo.   no  one  in  their  right  mind  would  think  to  look  for  the  tatooinian  senator  out  here.   it  was  peaceful  &  quiet.   beautiful.   she  missed  home  &  knew  that  she  shouldn’t,  knew  that  it  was  for  the  good  of  the  republic  that  want  took  the  back  seat.

“i  hope  this  place  is  up  to  your  standards,  senator,”  her  voice  was  light  &  teasing  as  she  spoke,  a  smile  nearly  threatening  to  give  away  her  expression.   the  sun  was  warm  but  not  too  hot,  sky  a  crystal  clear  blue  above  rolling  green  hills  as  far  as  one  could  see.   “no  one  should  find  us  out  here.”

[chamerionwrites]

 @cosmonauthill replied to your post:

Padmé not seeming to give a shit about Anakin committing unrepentant slaughter is like, darkly fascinating specifically because it makes NO sense within everything else we’re told about her character. It’d almost make more sense if she straight up shot him for it and justified it as “uhhh well I’m a senator so I’ve decided that was legal.”

Well...like I said, I don't think it's entirely inconsistent with the rest of her characterization, but it certainly is startling. Honestly one of the only ways I can reconcile Padmé as a character is to really lean into the weirdness of Naboo's teenage rulers and conclude that she’s kind of the classic case of the really bright, well-behaved, high-achieving kid (girl, often) who gets loaded down with a lot of praise and even more responsibility at a very young age because she’s so ~mature~, but doesn’t necessarily get the emotional support she needs because she’s treated like a tiny adult rather than a kid with a kid’s developing brain and emotional needs. Except like...raised to the 100th power, because she’s queen of an occupied planet at fourteen years old and fuckin’ Sheev Palpatine is her political mentor.

Idk, I feel like nobody could possibly get out of that entirely unscathed.

[sithdestined]

Anakin had felt an immediate connection to Padmé, more than simply attraction, though that was there, too. He felt, in the moments after laying eyes on her, that she had pulled him into her orbit, and that he had been floating listlessly in cold and empty space and suddenly he saw her, a bright and warm star. She was beautiful, of course, but it was more than that. The interest, the fascination had been immediate and the more he'd learned about her, the more magnetic she became. By all appearances, she was just another politician, who Anakin held little love for if he was being honest. But he'd noticed things about her that spoke to her character - not even just things she said but things she did, things she had done in the past (he'd checked her out, of course, unable to resist), things people did when they thought others wouldn't notice. She was kind and generous and candid.

Nothing about her felt duplicitous or like a performance. And she was beloved by many, having seemingly endeared herself to almost everyone she met. The opposition might not appreciate her politics but there had been little personal mudslinging - Padmé Naberrie did not have a past that could be used against her. He trusted her, and more than that, he wanted to help her. The case was more personal than it should have been, even Ben knew it, but once Anakin grabbed hold of something, it was very hard to make him let go. He was dedicated to solving this case, even as it seemed to escalate. "They'll be here soon, but I'll escort you to a hotel and make sure you've settled in. You already have my number and if anything comes up to night...if you need someone to talk to, or you just want some company, I am a bit of a night owl." He'd be going over anything he could have missed since their first interaction, trying to find out how she'd been targeted a second time with detectives on the case. Whoever was doing this clearly didn't care.

"And yes, I do. Do you want to call her? Dorra? You can in the car, if you'd like. I'm sure she'll want to hear about this from you." Would someone leak the story to the news? Mayoral candidate targeted again, news at eleven. He felt, suddenly, a fierce and earnest need to shield her from it all. She was a grown woman, of course, and very capable, and yet it felt like he should protect her, guard her, keep her from the bad things in the world. A sentiment common among those in law enforcement but nothing quite so personal. As she went about collecting things in a bag, he looked around her bedroom, though he didn't move from his spot. There was so much of her there, and he was in no position to take it all in and wonder and ask. She was afraid and shaken and the last thing she needed was more questions. When she returned with her laptop, Anakin offered her a tentative smile, and held out his hand for her bag.

"I'm sure the hotel can provide anything you might have missed. You'll be safe there." He wished he could personally reassure her, wished it would be he that might take post at her door, but that was beyond professional courtesy and besides, he'd need to come back to the apartment to see Ben.

She was so numb from shock that it felt like she was walking through a fog as he led her into her bedroom and sat with her on the end of her bed for a moment. He was saying something about needing to call Ben, and she nodded dumbly, staring down at her hands where they were clenched together in her lap. Try as she might, she couldn't pull her mind off the singular fact that someone had broken into her home, nor could she stop the flashbacks to eighth grade... hiding and shivering under her desk with her other classmates all while listening to the sounds of gunshots drawing nearer and praying to every god she knew of that the classroom door wouldn't open.

By the time Anakin returned to her room, she'd wrapped her arms around herself as a measure of comfort. His question got another nod from her, and she finally cleared her throat and responded verbally: "Thank you- for coming so quickly. I'd rather not disturb the neighbors and have police around everywhere." Even if he hadn't suggested it, she would have stayed somewhere else. Just the idea of being here alone, even once the door lock was replaced, made her shiver in dread. Unbidden, the question flitted through her mind of if he could just stay here with her. Crazy as it might seem given they'd known each other for little more than a week, she trusted him. He made her feel safe and relaxed, although being around him did have her mind wandering rather often to ponder how plush his lips looked or wonder how his hands would feel in hers.

Speaking of his hand in hers, she took it briefly as he helped her to her feet. And maybe she held onto his hand a few seconds longer than was strictly necessary... "Um... just Dorra really knows my schedule. And she would never-" She cut off, shaking her head vehemently. "Do you think this is related to the break in at my office last week?" She certainly suspected as much. "I guess a hotel is better than staying here tonight. Just... give me some time to pack a bag." She went to her closet to pull out a suitcase and begin throwing things into it: pyjamas, a fresh change of clothing, toiletries, makeup, the biography on her nightstand and finally, she disappeared into the living room for a moment to grab her laptop.

[virtuousouls]

closed for @totouchthcstars​ | any in rivendell

padme had found a room with lots of scrolls and books. however, she could only understand the language in a select few of them. so far they had only been stories and poems. she had been hoping for maybe a history of this place, this world they were now in. padme’s head turned when she heard someone else enter the room and she gave a polite smile to them. “i wonder if you can understand this language?” she asked the other, gesturing to one of the scrolls. “it’s not one i’ve seen before.”

[genitrice-blog]

               @ereborsking   said:    “ your world doesn’t make sense . ”

 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐒   𝐎𝐅   𝐂𝐎𝐒𝐌𝐎𝐆𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋   𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆,   all   the   chaos   bleeding   into   order   ;   once   upon   a   time,   even   stars   wailed   in   newborn   indignation.   she’s   feverish   with   it   ━━━   the   ancient   rite,   words   written   in   blood,   bound   into   tomes   dusty   with   the   aeons.   turbulent   demeanor   burnished   ‘till   it   shines,   cutting   in   the   way   all   diamonds   are.   eye   of   the   storm.   and   herein   lies   the   conundrum   :   she   feels,   and   the   feelings   turn   into   birds,   flutter   of   wings   inside   her   rib   cage,   the   thrum   of   it   becoming   hurricane   ...   circle   of   life.   the   world   around   her   listens,   greenery   parting   under   naked   step,   curling   leafblade   and   stem   around   her   ankles,   and   even   the   trees   bend   and   lean,   drawn   by   celestial   light.

 queen   crowned   in   cosmos   and   king   under   the   mountain.   there   is   something   amused   to   the   tilt   of   her   mouth,   even   as   dark   eyes   cast   their   gaze   towards   the   sky.         ❝   doesn’t   it   ??   ❞         genuine   curiosity   laced   with   ambrosia,   such   is   the   means   through   which   words   drip,   and   then   it   darkens   into   secrecy,   focus   solely   on   him.         ❝   would   you   not   hate   it   if   it   was   easy   to   decipher   ??   if   i   thought   you   less   intelligent,   i   would   have   offered   you   the   cypher.   ❞

[spell-cleaver]

Day 11: The Wrong Tomb

(Also Day 16: Love & Hate)

@angstober​

Luke wondered at what he felt. It was a peculiar lack of feeling. Absolutely… nothing.

He had not known this woman. He would never know this woman.

Senator Mothma, who’d told him gently about who she suspected his mother to be when he’d come back from Bespin so shaken, had said that Padmé Amidala Naberrie still had living relatives on Naboo. There were people to tell him about her, what she’d been like. To add some flesh to the bones of the stories Leia had told him, so his perception of his mother was more than just Aunt Beru’s shadow or a skeleton dancing on a string. If he wanted, he could approach them.

He didn’t want to. He’d be going back to the Alliance immediately after this visit. It was already impossible to stay too long—anyone he interacted with could have recognised him and reported him to the garrison. He might already have brought Vader down on his mother’s home planet. His mother’s family—in his head he couldn’t be rights call them his family—deserved better than to find a grandson only to lose him to war again.

But he had wanted to sit in front of his mother’s tomb for a little while, if he was in the Chommell sector already.

He sat on the bench in the public memorial gardens and closed his eyes. Reaching out helped nothing; there was no lingering presence of her, here. At least, not one he could recognise. Leia had mentioned before that she had been adopted, with only trace memories of her birth mother, but Luke didn’t even have that. Thousands of sensations, impressions, emotions pressed upon his consciousness when he sat there and felt the life of the garden thrum through him. But if any of them were the ghost of his mother, dead for twenty years, he would not have known.

After a trembling moment, he stood. Stepped forwards, under the canopy and the shine of the stained-glass windows. The Naboo sun wasn’t nearly as intense as Tatooine’s suns, but the red, blue, yellow light seemed to burn through his fatigues, through his skin, his bones, through to his blood and heart and DNA as he stood in the light of Queen Amidala’s image. The slash of lipstick on her lip, the red headdress, made it look like she was swimming in her own blood.

But when he looked back at the image of her carved on her tomb, exactly as she’d looked at her funeral, he was told, she was at peace in the water, gentle and drifting. The weather of twenty years had worn the grooves soft, but when he knocked his head against the flowers sticking out of her hair too hard, they still drew blood across his knuckles. He tilted his hand and let it drip out, let it latch onto her forehead, like that blood connection could somehow make the one they already shared any stronger.

He had wasted his time. His mother wasn’t here—only cold stone, cold glass, and cold bouquets of flowers, wilting untouched at her feet. If she was here, it was only the bones of her, walled away from him.

She was even more distant than his father, in his own cruel tomb. Trying to reach the legendary Senator Amidala was worse than trying to grasp the legends of Anakin Skywalker. Water, sand—both trickled through his fingers all the same.

But he still had so many questions.

How had they met? Had she known what he was? Had she known how far a hero like Anakin Skywalker had fallen, how it happened? Or had she died too soon, Luke stolen from her cooling body, and that had been the moment Anakin Skywalker had been lost?

Had his father even loved her at all?

There was only one person he could ask. But sitting here was easier: sitting and staring, answerless, at the stone cell that held his mother was easier than having to face the durasteel one that held his father.

“What happened?” he whispered. “How did he become a monster?”

Slowly, as if from a great distance, he noticed it began to rain. The patter of droplets on the stones behind him made his mind itch; even though he was under the canopy beside the tomb, water slipped down his cheeks.

“How could you have loved him?” he said, even more hoarsely. There was Death Star-sized lump in his throat. “Did you love me?”

No answers came. Only a serene, unchanging face—one that he despised for a few, intense seconds, even as he loved and adored this unknown, untainted parent for several more—and the chilly fall of rain. And Luke knew, in a deep-hearted way he couldn’t deny, that he was standing at the wrong tomb.

Trapped in darkness or not… he would have to get his answers from someone else.

[padme-amitabha]

Anidala Week 2021

 Day 1: Missing Scene or Favorite Scene(s)

Anakin Skywalker could not take his eyes off the girl. He noticed her the moment he entered Watto’s shop, even before Watto said anything, and he hadn’t been able to stop looking at her since. He barely heard what Watto said to him about watching the shop. He barely noticed the strange-looking creature that had come in with her and was poking around in the shelves and bins. Even after she noticed he was staring at her, he could not help himself. He moved now to an open space on the counter, hoisted himself up, and sat watching her while pretending to clean a transmitter cell. She was looking back at him now, embarrassment turning to curiosity. She was small and slender with long, braided brown hair, brown eyes, and a face he found so beautiful that he had nothing to which he could compare it. She was dressed in rough peasant’s clothing, but she seemed very self-possessed. She gave him an amused smile, and he felt himself melting in confusion and wonder. He took a deep breath. 

“Are you an angel?” he asked quietly. The girl stared. “What?” 

“An angel.” Anakin straightened a bit. “They live on the moons of Iego, I think. They are the most beautiful creatures in the universe. They are good and kind, and so pretty they make even the most hardened space pirates cry like small children.” 

She gave him a confused look. “I’ve never heard of angels,” she said. “You must be one of them,” Anakin insisted. “Maybe you just don’t know it.” “You’re a funny little boy.” The amused smile returned.

“I’m sorry,” she said quickly, looking upset and embarrassed. “I don’t fully understand, I guess. This is a strange world to me.” He studied her intently for a moment, thinking of other things, wanting to tell her of them. “You are a strange girl to me,” he said instead. He swung his legs out from the counter. “My name is Anakin Skywalker.” She brushed at her hair. “Padmé Naberrie.”

Both Anakin and Padmé were laughing now, and their laughter increased as they saw the look on the unfortunate creature’s long billed face. Anakin looked at Padmé and the girl at him. Their laughter died away. The girl reached up to touch her hair self-consciously, but she did not divert her gaze. “I’m going to marry you,” the boy said suddenly. There was a moment of silence, and she began laughing again, a sweet musical sound he didn’t mind at all. “I mean it,” he insisted. “You are an odd one,” she said, her laughter dying away. “Why do you say that?” He hesitated. ” I guess because it’s what I believe…” Her smile was dazzling. “Well, I’m afraid I can’t marry you..” She paused, searching her memory for his name. “Anakin,” he said. “Anakin.” She cocked her head. “You’re just a little boy.” His gaze was intense as he faced her. “I won’t always be…” he said quietly.”

— Terry Brooks, Star Wars : Episode I - The Phantom Menace

This is one of my favorite Anidala scenes ever because their story starts so sweetly. This scene is so unique to them and after watching the OT, it’s fascinating to see a young Darth Vader as a sweet and innocent child. His interactions as a slave boy with a young queen in disguise is also fits with the fairytale-ish tone and themes in Star Wars. Anakin and Padmé’s first meeting is just precious. 

This is probably the only time, Anakin and Padmé can be themselves without older figures telling them what to do. This is one of the few times Padmé is Padmé Naberrie - not Queen Amidala or Padmé Amidala. It’s interesting to see two young people from different social classes and vastly different cultures and worlds sharing a genuine moment of connection. 

I can add very little to this scene but Anakin proves he has enough clairvoyance (as Admiral Motti mocks him in ANH) to be certain he has met the girl he would marry someday. Even in TPM, little Anakin Skywalker is just as much a slave to Watto as he is to the Emperor in ANH. 

Even Padmé is somewhat surprised by his intensity at such an young age. Anakin also emphasizes on his identity as a person so this scene has dark undertones and references to Darth Vader.  

Another scene I love is the chilling visual parallels with Vader and Padmé in ROTS. The stark contrast between their “deaths” but also the similarities show that they are still connected even while their lives hang in balance. 

Padmé gives birth to life and Anakin loses his humanity. She is in a well-lit medical facility and he is in a cold, dark one. Even their heartbeats are in sync as if they are connected via the Force (which could very well be true, since she was slightly force-sensitive from carrying the twins). 

As the mask lowers on Vader, he whispers (since his vocal cords are badly burnt), “Padmé, help me” and Padmé, always on Anakin’s side, hears his plea and tries to tell that to Obi-Wan with her dying breath. It’s very likely that she heard him through the connection they shared like their connection during the ruminations scene and how Leia felt Luke in ESB and but she was unable to respond as she had given birth and probably lost the temporary force sensitivity. 

 As Anakin takes his first breath as Vader, Padmé takes her last. 

Vader rises like Frankenstein’s monster and Sidious marvels at his new “creation”. Padmé dies all in white, like the angel Anakin believed her to be. The parallels are also reminiscent of the “Death and the Maiden” motif.

Anakin has always felt connected to Padmé since he met her and this is the last time he feels their connection. And that’s how he knows Padmé is truly dead and he has lost her forever.  

Even the chorus “I am a Sith Lord but I could not save her” (even though the lyrics are actually Sanskrit) is haunting. This is where the colors of the republic fade and the black and white symbolism of the empire begins. 

Anakin is now Vader - more machine than man - and stands beside Sidious to assist him in building a tyrannical empire while Padmé dies and takes with her all the colors, love, laughter, cultural beauty, and freedom of the Republic era. Padmé was the personification of the Republic - a flawed but well-intended system and her death represents the democracy whereas Vader represents the Empire. 

Her funeral arrangement makes it seem like she’s drowning like Ophelia - implying that she’s returning to where she belongs. (Her planet Naboo is mostly associated with water and Padmé has often expressed her love for water and lakes in AOTC).

Padmé dying of a broken heart is also fits in with the fairytale whereas Anakin finds himself in a very different world after he wakes up - a world where most of the Jedi had been slaughtered and the survivors were declared traitors, a world where democracy doesn’t exist anymore. And he finds himself kept alive my machinery and he cannot die like his beloved, even if he wishes to. He is now very much a part of the new empire - with his humanity and limbs lost - and he gradually accepts his role as the imperial enforcer. 

Anakin and Padme’s story comes to a conclusion here as their reverse arcs are completed. They have both come a long way since TPM and Padme’s experiences mold her into becoming more emotional and in touch with her feelings from the stoic, reserved Queen Amidala whereas Anakin’s dreams, compassion and search for his identity are lost as he becomes his master’s servant and becomes colder and more stoic. Padmé’s journey was to become more human and learning to put love and family over duty and transition from Amidala to Padmé as Anakin’s unfortunately was to become more inhuman and machine-like, from Anakin to Vader. 

These scenes are where the prequel trilogy ends and the originals begin. 

[exitiosae-arch]

.

[hopeshreds-arc]

@sithdestined​   //   anakin skywalker.

it  was  easier  to  sleep  when  anakin  was  here.   more  difficult  to  sleep  with  the  size  of  her  stomach,  tossing  &  squirming  relentlessly  to  find  a  position  to  get  herself  truly  comfortable,  but  knowing  that  he  was  here  on  coruscant,  safe  from  the  war  for  even  a  night  ––  it  mollified  some  of  her  insomniac  tendencies.   she  hadn’t  wanted  to  disturb  him  with  the  nightmares  that  she’d  been  having,  opting  not  to  tell  him  before  they  laid  down  for  the  night.

now,  it  seemed  like  she  wouldn’t  have  that  choice.

“no!”   she  shouted  in  her  sleep.   a  sweat  had  broken  out  across  her  forehead,  blistering  hot  despite  the  cool  temperature  of  her  bedroom.   “no...”   padmé  shifted  suddenly,  elbow  hitting  anakin’s  ribs  as  she  let  out  a  pained  moan.   everything  was  red  heat,  mouth  open  yet  she  seemed  to  choke  on  air.

[padawanlost]

your metas made me realise how /well/ sw portrayed how families and relationships work. There are so many aspects of my live's relationships with families, friends, ext that resonate very well with those shown. The long woven effects of choices, big or small, moulding these characters into who they are and how they interact with others makes it feel so familiar and real. yknow what i mean? the perfectionism in the fandom is so strange to me. they almost seem to favour one dimensional characters.

Yep, flawed people build flawed relationship. No relationship is ever ‘perfect’ because no one is perfect. Considering how obvious that truth is, I’m constantly amazed by how many people fail to realize that. I just hope from the bottom of my heart that someday people will realize that well-written fictional characters = flawed fictional characters. Anakin’s relationship with Obi-wan, Padmé or even Shmi didn’t have to perfect to be loving and meanginful. You can love someone and still hurt or be hurt by them. Relationship doesn’t have to be happy *all the time* to be considered happy relationships. People fight or disagree sometimes, it’s part of being together.

People often talk about Anakin and Obi-wan or Anakin and Padmé when discussing familial relationships in Star wars, but when I think of how well written these types of relationships were written in the Prequel I always think of the Naberries.

On paper they had everything – money, love, trust, happiness, etc – so it could’ve been so easy to turn them into unrealistically movie-perfect family. And yet, they aren’t. They don’t present the kind of conflicted relationship we see for most of the franchise – Qui-Gon & Obi-wan, Anakin & Obi-wan, Anakin & Leia – but they still feel real. And it takes good writing for that to happen. IMO, they feel real because they feel relatable even when they are being good: Padmé’s mom is the kind of mom who overfeeds everyone. Padmé’s sister is a little too invested in her love life and her wish to procreate, her gradma’s grief after Padmé’s death is as heartbreaking as it’s real. Those behaviors is what makes them real because they are recognizable ones: we all know what’s like to be asked if we are in a relationship or if we want kids, we’ve experienced grief or overbearing relatives, etc.

The jedi don’t have that kind of familial relationships, they are not allowed to so their relationships must take a different shape. You can’t have obi-wan play the role of the overbearing mother because mothers aren’t allowed. That’s why their conflict must take a different shape.

[virtuousouls]

closed for @rosewaterdrunk​ | leia organa!

the city seemed to be in a state of constant chaotic mess since the disaster of the new year ball. padme had no idea why she thought that would be a good idea. wishful thinking. now all these strange creatures and this library. many people were saying it was pointless trying to control it all. but padme wouldn’t give up on trying to make the city a safe home for everyone that had been displaced here. but curiosity had gotten the better of her, despite avoiding the library until now. padme didn’t need to relive what happened to her. but obi-wan had reassured her that her children had survived and the former queen wanted to know what happened about them. but once she was at the library entrance, padme stopped suddenly, changing her mind. “sorry,” she said, once she realised she had been blocking someone’s way. “i didn’t mean to stop in front of you.”