(closed) build a brave new foundry close to home

[functusofficio]

WHO: Padme, Luke and Leia
WHERE: Maurtia Falls #007
WHEN: backdated a day or too, 10/26
WHAT: (Partial) family reunion / dinner, take one.
WARNINGS: It's Star Wars, so there's a solid chance canon typical upsetting topics will come up, I'll edit in if anything specific comes up heavily enough.

[ Padme hasn't gone to any sort of intense lengths on decorating or presentation, because she doesn't want to seem like she's pushing too hard, but that doesn't mean the house isn't spotless and she found candles to light on the table. It seemed cozier like that, somehow, more family like, she hopes. There hasn't been enough time here for her to really put much of anything into the house to make it feel more like somewhere she lives, and she would have to consult Major as well on that, but she has found some wall hangings that had reminded her of Naboo, and they hang on the dining room walls at the moment.

She had managed to learn enough from Major and Boyle that there's crockpot stew ready to go, but if either of them don't want it or are inclined for something else she has the numbers of about ten different take out places on a list pinned onto the refrigerator. (It's a list that was already present. She's really not accustomed to this whole cooking for herself thing.)

The closer the time comes that she'd set for them to arrive, the more nervous she finds herself, even as she tells herself there's no reason to be. She's spoken to both of them, by now a few times. Things seemed to be going smoothly.

It's hard not to think that at any moment something is going to happen to make this all go wrong.

And Anakin - she wants so desperately for her children to know their father as well, know him as she did, but if she is not careful about how she brings up that desire it could all come crashing down.

Everything looks all right. The bowls for the stew are already set out. There's bread (store bought) and butter to go with it, and wine because -- well, that seems like an appropriate addition. Everything's prepared.

The nerves won't leave. ]

Comments

[articulations]

[ Leia wondered if she was the first to arrive, ringing the doorbell. She part hoped that Anakin wasn't going to be there. Padmé did say she wanted her and Luke there with no mention of him. She just wasn't ready, even with his offer to help her and Luke with their training.

Should she have brought something? Wine? A snack or a dessert for after their meal? That would've been the considerate thing to do. ]

[faithfulson]

[ Leia was totally the first to arrive, as Luke was running up to the house just as Leia pressed the button. He came up next to her, looking a little winded as he stopped, very nearly bending over and clutching his knees. ]

I-I got caught up in something I was working on. Thought I was going to be late.

[articulations]

[ She stepped back to give him some room as they waited. ]

No, I'd say you're right on time. I just arrived myself. What were you working on? A big project?

[faithfulson]

[ He flashed her an excited grin. ]

I’m helping with the moonbase project. Trying to figure out a proper gravity generator to span essential areas at the very least.

[articulations]

The moonbase project? Sounds interesting.

[ Sending his excitement before turning back to the door, Leia smiled. ]

I wonder if I should ring again...

[faithfulson]

[ Luke paused, leaning over slightly like he was trying to glance into one of the windows. ]

...maybe she's trying to cook?

[ He cast a worried look at Leia at that, knowing very well that their cooking skills were less than... functional, for lack of a better word. ]

[functusofficio]

[ The door swings open at that moment, Padme smiling at them. Her clothes are very simple, pulled by her powers from her brief times spent on Naboo at home in private.

It's so good to see them together, and she steps aside to welcome them both in. ] It's wonderful to see you both. I hope you both had a good day.

[articulations]

[ The door opening caught her in the beginning of a response. Leia looked over and smiled as their mother stood there, alive, looking warm and healthy and— ]

Good evening.

[faithfulson]

[ Luke shot himself back upright once the door opened, a bright smile on his face. ]

Good to see you again, mother.

[ He's so happy to say that, he'll never stop. ]

[functusofficio]

[ Her smile is equally bright as both of theirs, and --

Goodness, it's wonderful to see them both together, as good as she had thought it would be. She gestures them in again, pauses a little nervously once they cross the threshold because it's so much less than anything she would have been able to show them back home. ]

I made crockpot soup - I can't promise it's good, but my roommate showed me the basics and it seemed rather simple, something like what my mother and sister used to cook, so I thought I'd try.

But we can also call out for food as well.

[articulations]

[ At the motioning, Leia steps forward and inside. She stands off to the side and waits, feeling awkward; does she hug her? Do they embrace in the way a mother and daughter should? Instead, her arms hug over her chest as she pushes the feelings and thoughts away, forcing a smile.

Padme is trying, it's clear. She wants them to be a family. ]

I'm sure the soup will be delicious.

[faithfulson]

[ Luke seemed to pick up on her unease, his hand slipping down toward hers, giving it a squeeze. He leaned a little toward the entrance before starting in, a grin creeping onto his face. ]

Is that what that smell is? It smells great.

[functusofficio]

[ Luke's body language is easy to read, clear - Leia's clear as well in other directions. There's a slight pause, but she reaches out, places a hand on Leia's shoulder for a moment as they move across the threshold and into the home.

Her smile is still warm and hopeful, the nervousness buried as far as she can. ]

It should be eatable, at least - I'm not sure about great.

[ A pause, and she can't keep herself from saying ] Seeing you together, it's -

You're both so strong.

[ That was too emotional too soon, though, she thinks, so she turns to move into the dining room, takes a deep breath to settle herself. ]

I've spoken to you both individually, but I thought if the three of us were together - I hoped I would be able to answer any questions you both might still have, and in turn learn more about your lives. But only as much as you are comfortable with.

[articulations]

[ Leia quietly accepts the show of support from Luke, and she knows that Padmé is trying. She hopes her smile is strong, despite feeling unsteady on the inside. ]

It'll be something new. Like everything else we've experienced here since we've all arrived.

[ Pausing to look around, to take note of any decor and the furniture, Padmé's words draw her attention forward again. She glances at Luke and then back to Padmé. ]

We have to be.

[faithfulson]

[ Luke paused a moment, looking between his mother and his sister. There was so much he wanted to do or say to comfort them both, but none of it seemed like enough. Still, it was better than nothing; and after a moment, he let go of Leia's hand, only to wrap his arm around his shoulders, doing the same for Padme. ]

We've all been through a lot. And we'll go through a lot.

[ Some of them more than others, though not because of peace... A bit of a pained smile came to his face. ]

But our time is paused right now, while we're here. I want to make the most of it that I can.

[functusofficio]

[ Aside from a few deep blue embroidered wall hangings, the only real decoration of note aside from the candles on the table is the van gogh print she's placed on the wall. There's no frame, she just -- likes it. ]

This place is certainly liberal with new experiences.

[ But if she is too openly nervous, that will not serve to be of any help in this, and Leia is already on edge.

She laughs a little when Luke wraps his arms around both of them, shoots a small smile under him at Leia. It's good that he can still be so open and warm, and for her at least it serves to break the ice a little, put her at ease.

She's still talking a little more than she might normally otherwise, but there's more lightness to it. ]

First, let's see if my roommate has actually managed to teach me anything about this crockpot or if we're going to need to order out.

[articulations]

I won't be of much help. I've never even heard of a crockpot until tonight. Luke on the other hand... I hear he's handy with most things.

[ Well, flying X-Wings. Leia wasn't sure if what skills he possessed worked for crockpot. Hopefully neither of them suggested that Anakin come down and make an attempt.

She smiles with her teasing and then carefully extracts herself from the...family hug. Or whatever it's supposed to be. ]

Is it in the kitchen?

[faithfulson]

H-handy with ships and things, not cooking!

[ Luke flushed a little, looking embarrassed that he was being volunteered for this. Look, he was lucky he knew how the food processor on the Falcon worked sometimes, okay? ]

[functusofficio]

[ She laughs as she heads into the kitchen. ]

Well, thankfully all I need to know to do right now is turn it off. It's right in here, if you both wouldn't mind bringing a bowl for me to fill.

[ Easy and friendly as she can make things. She will keep this light hearted and fun if she possibly can. They both deserve that, for their first real family dinner. ]

I'm finding upon arriving here that all the time I spent in the Senate has hardly prepared me for living by myself. It's rather strange.

[articulations]

[ The small nudge she gives Luke through the Force is faint. Leia goes to get a bowl from the table, passing it over to Luke as she retrieves her own. ]

You were always living with someone else?

[faithfulson]

[ Luke very nearly pouted at her as he accepted his bowl, but his easy smile was back before long. ]

So... were there others that were with you when you were in the Senate?

[ He had no idea how any of that worked, really. ]

[functusofficio]

Not with someone else in the way you might think. [ A pause, because she wants to say something about how little time her and Anakin were able to spend truly in private, but she doesn't think that will go over well, so there's just that hesitation, the slight falter of her smile, but it passes and she fills bowls and returns them to her children. ]

But I almost always had handmaidens or bodyguards within close reach. I can think of very few times since I was elected Queen that I've ever been truly alone.