01 ★ video & action

[diplomacme]

Who: Padme Amidala
Broadcast: Fleet-wide
Action: The Marsiva
When: Jan 19th, evening

[ It's cold.

That's the first thing Padmé thinks in her half-awake state. It's cold like metal, like space. Whatever she's laying on is lumpy and uneven. Some part of her mind thinks wake up, you're in danger!.

Her eyes snap open and she sits up quickly. Her body is tense, like she's ready to run or fight at a moment's notice. Her elegant headdress and long robes might make it a bit more difficult, but Padmé is used to them. She scans the room for threats, and her eyes settle on a device not too far away. It's unfamiliar, but she knows it's a recording device transmitting to nearby ships. It unsettles her that she knows that but not how she got here.

She could turn off the feed if she chose but she might as well try to communicate. Whoever is watching already know she's here. Padmé sits up straight, trying her best to look confident and approachable. As she speaks, it's clear she's choosing her words carefully. ]

Hello, everyone. [ She realizes that she has no idea who she's addressing, only that she's speaking to someone. Or many someones. ] My name is Padmé. [ She carefully uses her first name, rather than Senator Amidala. On the off-chance these people don't know that she's a Senator, she doesn't want to tip them off. ] I would greatly appreciate any information about my current situation. I'm afraid my memory is rather vague.

If the people in charge are receiving this, I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you.

[ She doubts she'll get a reply, but she says it anyway. Although it irritates her to no end, she's careful to avoid inflammatory words like 'kidnapping' or 'hostage.' She's decidedly Not Happy about any of this, but her political poker face is strong enough to hide it from people. Most people. ]

Thank you.

[ She shuts off the feed and her expression shifts from careful calm to determination. Kidnapping Padmé Amidala? Never ends well. ]

Comments

[video]

[imahologram]

[Padme.

The name hits her like a blaster bolt to the chest. Leia peers at the woman, her dark eyes and oval face, and feels a thrum of recognition. It might be the Force working through her, or it might be pure common sense.

She knows who this woman is.

Hastily, she switches on her video feed.]

Padme Amidala? [A not-entirely necessary verification.]

The people you wish to speak with are unlikely to answer your request. [And more's the pity--if Anakin's word is to be trusted, Padme might well be able to shake loose everything they want to know.] However, I would like to speak with you at your earliest convenience.

[video]

[diplomacme]

[ Well, there goes the possibility that she wouldn't be recognized. But this woman certainly has her interest. Urgent business already? ]

About what, may I ask?

[video : private]

[falconing]

You alright?

[ as gently as possible, and han really wants to tell leia to let anakin and padme talk first, but he knows better than to tell her what to do over this. ]

audio;

[sinuosity]

Ask what you wish, the answer is not guaranteed to be easy or indeed, much of one.

[ audio]

[diplomacme]

[ Well. At least she's honest. ]

Are you another [ kidnapee ] passenger?

[neverknight]

Holodrama.

It's a holodrama. And you're in the cast.

[A long worldweary sigh from this side of space.]

Really, that basically covers the high points.

[diplomacme]

A holodrama? [ Her voice is tinged with incredulity. ] For whom?

[video]

[falconing]

[ ohhhhh boy this is going to be an actual clusterfuck. ]

Good luck getting whoever is in charge to answer you.

[video]

[diplomacme]

[ By now, Padmé has started exploring the ship. She seems to be wandering idly, taking everything in with passing interest. In reality, she's memorizing the layout of the ship and trying to determine what kind it is. ]

That has been the general consensus so far. It seems there is no crew to speak of either.

video;

[firstrebel]

From what I've been able to figure out, the Atroma aren't likely to respond to you, I'm afraid.

Any more than that, Kanan's already told you. That's what we're told - whether that's really what's going on is anyone's guess.

I'm Hera, by the way.

video;

[diplomacme]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Hera, in spite of the circumstances.

[ Ah, she's clever. The first one to state openly that she suspects something else at work here. ]

I have to say "you're starring in a holodrama" is something I've never heard before, true or not.

[bryces_pup]

[For as young as she is, Riona can spot a politician from a league away. It's the wording and tone and facial expressions, things she's grown up years taking note of. Looking for hidden meanings in the carefully chosen words, clues in a guest's mannerisms, and so on. And politicians are damn good at masking themselves and appearing calm and polite despite nearly any situation.

It also helps she's technically one herself.]

Unfortunately I doubt you'll be hearing from our... hosts. Very secretive, quiet, all those endearing little qualities.

If you were just brought here I believe you're on the Marsiva. All the newcomers seem to go there first and then are "shuffled" out onto the other ships once a week.

[diplomacme]

I suppose it was too much to hope for. It seems whatever little is known about them is kept as vague as possible.

[ Is Atroma a race? A clan? An organization? She's never heard of the term, so she can't begin to guess. ]

What do you mean by "shuffled?" [ An odd choice of words. ]

[ video ]

[beardstrokes]

[ Well. It was only a matter of time. Nevertheless, he finds himself stiffening. He's not that close to Padme, though they've spoken before. How she will take the news is debatable. ]

Greetings, Senator Amidala. You're a sight for sore eyes.

[video]

[diplomacme]

[ A familiar face. Padmé smiles, more Padmé than Senator Amidala. ]

As are you, Master Obi-Wan. I can't even begin to guess how I've gotten into this. I don't suppose you have any insight?

private

[sandhate]

[ He knows they've had a few ...issues lately but the relief that spreads at seeing her is almost instant. By just being here, she is a balm to all the irritation and worries that's he been collecting unnecessarily.

Softly, a bit of his wry humor laced in: ]

Came all this way to see me, huh?

private

[diplomacme]

[ She smiles, the tension in her body leaving a little. ]

Well apparently you took a vacation without me.

video;

[enshields]

Ma'am.

[He even ducks his head a bit, in greeting.]

As far as arrivals go, sounds like yours matches up with everyone else's. I'm afraid all I can tell you is what's already been relayed - Atroma has brought us here as [his tone stays perfectly polite, but there's a slight edge to it as he says,] 'contestants' on a televised entertainment program.

video;

[diplomacme]

[ She catches the edge easily. His double-talk makes her wonder if he's the sort who uses his words as tools, the way she does. ]

I don't suppose they've said what the prize is.

video

[resnipstance]

Senator Amidala!

[Ahsoka breaks out into a wide grin.]

Boy am I glad to see you.

video

[diplomacme]

[ She smiles back. ]

Ahsoka! I'm glad to see you too, in spite of the circumstances. Have you been here long? Anakin said he's been here for a standard month.

text;;

[reconstitution]

I doubt that the Atroma will respond. They only broadcast at their convenience.

text;;

[diplomacme]

Do they broadcast regularly?

video;

[coolhand]

[It was a matter of time, he tells himself. Anakin, Leia, Han, Obi-Wan, and the few other Jedi here-- it was only a matter of time before their captors brought her in. Why wouldn't they? She's as integral a part of their story as anyone else.

Knowing it, though, doesn't make this any easier to watch.

Perhaps easier isn't the right word. Luke watches the transmission eagerly, after all, drinking in every word, desperate to find a connection in this woman. She sits tall and proud, shoulders back, voice confident but not arrogant. He can see Leia in her, not himself. You're a lot like her, Anakin had said, but right now Luke feels the furthest thing from that.]

Hello.

[Leia and Anakin will have forewarned her-- so Luke just smiles, anxiety and shyness hiding behind Jedi calm.]

video; private

[diplomacme]

[ It's such a quiet, simple response that Padme can't help but smile back. ]

Hello.

[ She pauses. His response is very unusual. No questions, no suggestions, no answers to her questions.

It takes her a second, but she catches on. He looks so much like Anakin. ]

You're Luke? [ An unnecessary question, perhaps, but one she's compelled to ask anyway. ]

video;

[ino]

[ Oh! She looks a little excited to see this post, though she's never met this woman before. ]

You must be the Padmé that Anakin was talking about. He was right, you are really pretty.

video;

[diplomacme]

[ Politely: ] Thank you. I didn't know he spoke of me.

[ She's not surprised, but she didn't realize he spoke of her so openly. Though if their marriage is no longer a secret, it stands to reason that he might. ]