He tightened his fingers around her neck, like a carnivore teasing the prey before the kill. Vader did not speak. He only remained silent, allowing the Senator to understand their predicament. Allowing her to understand the fact that the end of her life was within his grasp. The clock was ticking and not in her favor. Her time was running out.
"Don't tempt me, Senator." Vader threatened, death tingling on every word, "Because I will have no regrets."
"Lord Vader!" Dorme screamed moving to stand beside the Sith Lord before making her demand. "Let. Her. Go."
He didn't let go, nor did he acknowledge that Dorme had even spoken to him. His hidden eyes remained locked with the Senator's as they continued their wordless battle.
Dorme looked between the two figures before speaking again. "I have come to give my Senator this." She said as she held up a datapad, "The Queen has requested her to look over the files."
Padme broke away from his gaze to turn towards her friend, silently begging for help. Dorme nodded with her eyes signaling her protection of her best friend. Vader, however, remained motionless as his gaze remained on the Senator.
Padme silently begged for Vader to release her, but after a few moments it was obvious that he had no such plans. It was impossible to break the monster's grasp and there was nothing anyone could do about it… or so it seemed. Knowing that Padme was in distress, Dorme thought of ways how she could encourage the Sith to let go.
"Of course, the Emperor has already approved of this." Dorme added with a small smile. "We would never do anything without the approval of his Majesty." To that statement, Vader instantly responded. He snorted loudly, making his distrust known. He could see through their plan. "We will see." He responded coldly.
And without another word, Vader released the Senator from his grasp and watched as she fell to the floor gasping for air. Dorme was immediately by her friend's side voicing her concerns, but all seemed well. Vader had not caused much damage besides frightened nerves and a few bruises. It could have been much worse and everyone knew it. When Dorme was satisfied with her friend's well being, they both looked up to see that the Sith had become motionless once again. Frozen in place. But Padme did not need words. She knew he was waiting, commanding her to his side. Wordlessly, Padme nodded to Dorme as she took the datapad from her hands. They both rose from the floor, hugging tightly before Padme turned away. Only then did Vader regain motion as he turned and walked towards the exit of the Senate, and Padme was forced to follow.
Vader and Padme sat in silence as the Sith steered his speeder through the Coruscant sky. It wasn't like Padme to hold her tongue, but the pain she felt through her body was dreadful. She could do nothing but concentrate on it. It was only when Vader commanded her to put on the blindfold that Padme acknowledged his existence.
"Oh? You're not going to do it for me?" Padme growled, raising an eyebrow at him.
"I will if I have to." Vader responded emotionlessly.
"Y-you can't just lock me away forever!" Padme cried, finally turning towards the monster beside her.
"And why not?" Vader growled, as his head snapped towards her. The feeling of his gaze on her sent chills through her body and if she was not reminded of the monster that Vader was moments ago, she certainly was now.
"I- I just mean." Padme stammered, turning away from his intimidating glare. "I just need some human interaction."
"Am I not human?" Vader asked.
"I don't know!" Padme yelled, turning back to Vader. "Are you?"
Vader shifted in his chair, as his hands tighten over the controls of the speeder and his gaze moved back towards the traffic of the Coruscant sky. "That is none of your concern." He growled.
"Exactly!" Padme exclaimed, "I need a real human being. I have done nothing wrong during my time with you! Just allow me to return back to my home and to work–"
"No." Padme wanted to scream. He is so cruel. Does he enjoy making everyone suffer? "Lord Vader," she began again regaining he composure, "Just allow me to return home. Allow me to return to work full time. Allow me to have my life back! You may watch me–"
"I have more important things to do than watch a foolish girl play senator all day." Vader growled, once again cutting off any of her attempts to change his mind.
"Foolish girl play senator?" Padme growled, angered by Vader's comment. "Are you saying that a woman can't be a true senator? Are you just like Palpatine? Because let me tell you–"
"Senator." Vader growled in annoyance, "I did not mean to insult your gender and no, I am not like my Master. The Emperor is a fool to believe that all men are stronger than all women. So do not call me sexist." "Then what did you mean?" Padme whispered as she turned away. She couldn't help but to feel small once again in his presence. He was so intimidating. He was so heartless. He was so… interesting.
No! No! No! Padme screamed at herself. Stop thinking of him in that way! He just had his hands around my neck! He could have killed me!
But he didn't. Her mind responded.
Ugh! This is so confusing. Padme didn't know what she wanted more; to jump out of the speeding speeder to her death below or to stay in the speeder to learn more about the mysterious monster beside her. Actually, she didn't know what to think anymore.
Don't get off topic! She reminded herself. What did he mean?
When she received no answer, she turned her gaze back to Vader and realized that he was ignoring her. Immediately, she crossed her arms tightly over her chest, and fell back into the passenger seat like a spoiled child. "It's not mature to ignore people." She growled.
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