Still, no matter how hard she tired to forget, the image remained.
"I– I'm almost ready." Padme announced turning back to the mirror to finish her makeup. Her voice was laced with fear and she was sure Vader could hear it. She hated how much he intimidated her. He hadn't even said a word and she could already feel his very presence overpowering her.
He did not respond, but he didn't have to. Padme felt his irritation heighten and the silence between them caused Padme's nerves to flare. "I swear I'm almost finished." Padme said nervously without turning her face away from the mirror.
"I didn't say anything, Senator." Vader replied.
Padme fought the urge to roll her eyes at him, knowing that it would not be an acceptable gesture to do to someone such as Lord Vader. She could only imagine what he would do to her if she were caught doing such a thing. Though, her gut told her that today she just might be able to get away with such an act. Not that she was willing to test her gut feeling correctness. She still thanked the Force that he was in what seemed like a good mood today, or at least so far. She quickly decided that she would not be the factor to change Vader's good mood onto a bad one, before she hurried along, finishing the rest of her makeup.
Moments later she turned back to the motionless Sith Lord, "I'm ready." "Good." Vader said lifting his gloved hand to reveal the black fabric in his grasp. Padme was about to ask how he managed to retrieve the fabric off her bed when everything turned to darkness. In one swift movement Vader was beside Padme and putting the fabric over her eyes. When he was satisfied with the job, he grabbed gently onto the senator's arm. Padme was amazed by his gentleness. How could this Sith Lord, the murderer of millions have a gentle bone in his body? Who knew Vader was capable of being somewhat gentle? He held onto her, closer to her back, almost as if fearing to touch the spot of her arm where he had inflicted the now healed bruises.
"It's okay." Padme said timidly and instantly Vader paused. "It doesn't hurt anymore." She paused letting out a small laugh; "I suppose I should thank you for that."
Vader was silent for a long moment, before he made a sound that could only be described as a sort of snort. His grasp around her hardened immediately and his hand slide down to his usual spot on her arm. "Let's go." He growled, "You made us late." With all gentleness gone, Vader pulled Padme into the hall and in the direction of the lift to the speeders.
Much to Padme's dismay, she found herself once again covered by the blindfold while Vader flew through the Coruscant sky. She hated being blinded. It made her feel weak and powerless; something she didn't need help with while being in the company of Darth Vader.
In an attempt to clear her mind, Padme began to count, hoping that perhaps, she would be able to figure out how long it took for Vader to fly to the Imperial Senate building. Perhaps, then I can figure out where Vader's establishments are.
Within a few seconds, however, Padme knew her attempt was in vain. She could feel by the way her body rocked back and forth in her seat, that Vader was not following any of the traffic laws and therefore the number that she would count would still leave her clueless.
Why didn't I notice his driving before? Padme thought as she felt her body shake violently. Sith, he is going to kill us both. I'm going to die in this speeder and I don't even know where I am. Her body shifted again causing her nails to dig into her seat. Kriffing Sith Lord! How did I not notice this before? He drives like a headless nerf herd–"
"My driving skills are perfectly fine, Senator."
Padme stilled. He is listening to my thoughts!
"Stay out of my head!" She snapped, angered that he had been listening to her thoughts. Did he not understand privacy? Did he have nothing better to do? Or even worse, how often did he listen in on her mind?
"I was not actively listening to your thoughts." Vader growled. "However, you are thinking them so loudly that they are impossible for me to ignore."
Padme couldn't help the blush that appeared on her face. "Oh." She whispered, failing to hide her embarrassment.
"Yes, oh." Vader agreed in annoyance.
Before Padme could respond with an apology, a small com signal echoed from beside her. She heard Vader shuffle as he retrieve the device from his cloak. She dreaded the thought that he possibly had taken his hands off the controls to retrieve the device, but knew not to voice her fear. He probably could hear her concern anyways.
"Vader." He growled.
"My Lord," A man's voice began, "I rescheduled everything that you have asked. All meetings are to be held at the Imperial Senate instead of the Imperial Military Base until further notice. Grand Moff Tarkin, however, has voiced his concern with this arrange–"
"I will deal with Tarkin." Vader snapped, "He will have to deal with the inconvenience, just as the rest of us will. Anyone that has a problem with this can meet the end of my blade. "
"Yes, my Lord." The man agreed.
Padme was somewhat surprised at how the man's voice did not seem phased by Vader's statement. He must deal with this all the time.
"Inform me if anything changes." Vader said simply before ending the communication.
It was silent for a few moments as Padme processed the conversation she had overheard. It seemed that Vader was actually quite busy and she was keeping him from his work. It had even come to the point that he was now moving his meetings so that he could stay to watch her… or so it seemed. She knew he hated the situation just as much as she did… probably even worse. She could feel his irritation and hatred during the conversation… but was it really due to her? Perhaps, it was just the Senate? She hoped so.
"You don't like the Senate, do you?" Padme asked before she could stop herself.
"It's a flawed system." Vader surprisingly answered automatically.
Padme suppressed her laugh and couldn't help but argue. "Flawed because of your friend, Palpatine." She growled. "If the Empire wasn't implace –"
"Then it would take twice as long for things to get done." Vader replied sharply.
Padme had to agree; he did have a fair point. The Republic did take long and had many flaws, but that still didn't mean an Empire was right for the Galaxy. "People don't always agree; that's why it takes time." She retorted, hoping he would see her point. "That is why they are made to." Vader hissed.
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