maskormenace | ( video )

[ The woman who appears on the screen will be familiar to many, her dark eyes fixed on the camera to directly address whoever may receive the message. ]

Hello. My name is Padmé Amidala, though many of you may already know me.

[ She doesn't hesitate or show any signs of the nerves she's feeling, the worry she has over what this may do to the others here. They have a right to know. ]

I understand that this isn't my first time here, but I have no memory of these previous experiences, and so I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to all who knew me before. I am truly sorry for the pain this may cause you, and would very much like to meet all of you again when you are ready.

[ There's a pop of noise and she looks over her shoulder at a cloud of dust blooming from the room behind her. With a slight frown, she turns her attention back to the screen. ]

Also, I don't believe my apartment's cleaning droid likes me very much. If anyone has some advice on this, I'd be very grateful to hear it.

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Senator Amidala. Such a pleasure to see you once more.

[The greeting is stiff but polite, his lips set in a thin line.]

My name is Hux. I know your grandson and Anakin Skywalker.

[ His demeanor reminds her of a myriad of politicians she's dealt with over the years — formal, polite, and without any sort of actual warmth. Perhaps it's simply his usual manner, though there is also the possibility of there having been difficulties in their relationship here in the past.

Whatever the reason, his association with her family immediately earns him her interest and attention. ]

I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Hux. Is that how I should address you? [ A cautious question, testing the waters of how to proceed. ]

Just Hux is fine.

[He can tell she definitely doesn't recognize him and he assumes no one has filled her in yet on what he's done.]

I take it you've had the chance to meet Kylo Ren?

Yes, we met not long after I arrived.

[ And how strange it is to meet so many people here who have such intimate connections to her. ]

It must be confusing to arrive here and suddenly have a grandson. What is the last thing you remember before you arrived here?

[He's mostly curious to know if she knows the Republic has fallen or not which will be an interesting discussion to have.]

Confusing is somewhat of an understatement; I haven't even had children yet. [ She and Anakin haven't even taken that step in their relationship, though she's certainly not going to share that particular insight with Hux. ]

I was involved in a battle on Geonosis before I arrived. It was around the time of a proposal for creating a military for the Republic.

Ah, that would be the first Battle of Geonosis if I recall correctly.

[His history lessons at the Imperial Academy had been very thorough and he had heard many stories from his father about the war.]

Ren and I come from at least 50 years after that point in time.

Fifty years. It's... difficult to comprehend, honestly.

[ Despite the admission, her expression stays even and composed, not betraying just how lost she feels in that moment. Fifty years lie between her and this man, between herself and her grandson. How much would change in the galaxy in that time? How much would she— No, it was better not to think of that. ]

I'm sure. The galaxy is very different now than it was during the days of the Republic.

[He figured someone would eventually tell her the Republic fell, he's just getting straight to the point.]

[ The way he says it... Even if she knows, it still breaks her heart to think about everything she believed in and worked so hard to protect just falling apart. ]

Yes, so I've heard...

I'm sure Ren will be able to bring you up to speed.

[The only reason why he's not rubbing it in her face is because of Anakin and Kylo's connection to her.

Playing nice is hard and awkward but he's trying.]

Has he shared our address with you yet? You and Skywalker are of course welcome anytime.

[ There's an awkwardness to this conversation that bothers her, but she has no real idea of how to fix it. She doesn't know this man or the history he shared with her before. Perhaps when she does... ]

No, not yet, but— Thank you. That means a great deal to me, truly.

I've attached the address to the message.

Your previous self had been willing to help Ren in the past and I assume that will hold true for you as well.

[ Does it really have to be said? ]

Of course it will. He's my family, that's all that matters.

[ Especially now. For all her many attributes, Padmé is quickly learning that when it comes to her family, she will make allowances she would afford no other. It doesn't matter what may lie in Kylo's past, he is her grandson and she will do everything she can for him. ]

I am pleased to hear that.

[he comes from a family where that definitely isn't an assumption so he has to check, just to be sure but her answer doesn't surprise him.

There is a very long pause.]

We have that same interest then.

I'm glad to know he has someone else in his life who cares for him.

[ She doesn't need to know the specifics of Hux's relationship with Kylo to read between the lines and see that they're important to each other. That makes Hux tangentially important to Padmé, and despite the awkwardness, she finds herself determined to make certain she has a decent relationship with this man as well. Kylo doesn't need to be between them when they're both grown adults who can sort things out on their own. ]

[There are a few moments of silence, he's not good with emotions and admitting things but he doesn't deny it either. Feelings are hard and not something he faces easily.

He may not agree with her when it comes to politics but like Anakin, when it comes to Kylo, he's certain that he can place some measure of trust in her.]

I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again then.

I'll be looking forward to it.

[ And she will, in fact. If this man is important to Kylo, then she wishes to get to know him. And she was intent on learning to navigate whatever minefields might have existed between herself and Hux during her previous time on this planet. For better or worse. ]

As do I, senator.

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