( video )

[senateur]

[ 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.

Comments

[senateur]

[ There were hints of things Padmé wasn't entirely sure she was ready to face, but she knows she can't stay in the dark forever. She needs to know what lies in her future, what lingers in the past for her family, so that she might best support the people here. So she takes a deep breath, using the moment to gather her thoughts, then shakes her head slightly with a small smile. ]

I do wish to know more. I told Anakin as much when I first arrived. But I feel that I might need a little more time to... come to terms with all of this, I suppose. Perhaps we could meet in a few days?

[articulations]

Of course. You have the choice I never had. It's easier to take things in stride as they come. I didn't reach out or talk to anyone for roughly a month when I'd had been talked to about everything all at once.

[ What a time that had been. ]

[senateur]

I'm so sorry you were put in that position. I can't imagine... Thank you for supporting my choice.

[ Leia could have very well insisted on meeting straight away and discussing absolutely everything in full detail, and Padmé is beyond grateful that she didn't. ]

[articulations]

I've been here for about a year now. You catch on quick when it comes to these situations.

[senateur]

[ A year. So many of them have been here for so long... ]

Do you know how long I was here before?

[articulations]

About the same time. A year.

[senateur]

I wish I could remember it. Were we...

[ Close? Friendly? She can't decide how to end the question. ]

[articulations]

We were on friendly terms.

[senateur]

I'm glad to hear that. I hope we can continue to be so.

[ Friendly, but perhaps not overly close? It bothers her, but there's nothing she can do about it now. ]

I'll contact you soon about meeting, if that's alright?

[articulations]

[ They'll learn more the next time they speak, perhaps then it wouldn't bother her so much. Hopefully. ]

Of course. Whenever you're ready. I'll be here.

[senateur]

Thank you, Leia.

[ With one last grateful smile, she ends the recording. ]