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With a sigh, Obi-Wan follows her example and takes a seat in an adjacent chair, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. "Usually, it's not an issue with him. Or at least... I didn't think it was." Obi-Wan doesn't like speaking about others behind their back, and feels like it's some sort of breach of trust to be telling Padmé about his pupil's behavior. But as it directly involves her, there doesn't seem to be much other choice.

"I honestly don't know if there is anything you could do, or stop doing, that would make it better," he admits quietly, glancing down into his wineglass. "I have tried to limit his interactions with you, and supervise when it's unavoidable, as you may have noticed. You're not overly friendly with him, but I fear if you try to distance yourself, it would make things worse. The boy's only 13, and prone to emotional outbursts anyway, but... Frankly, he's jealous of me. Explaining to him that this is just another form of body-guarding does little to sway him."

Leaning back, Obi-Wan stared out the window. The surrounding countryside was beautiful, but his thoughts were too tumultuous to appreciate it. "We will wait and see what happens, for the time being. He may require a different teacher, but at his age, no other Jedi is likely to train him. I refuse to give up on him, though."

Padmé would much rather not be having this conversation, she too has reservations about speaking of people when they aren't present, but she doesn't want this to come between them. Not her and Obi-Wan, but him and his student. She might not know much about the Jedi and their way of life, but she does know that the bond between Master and Padawan is intense and long-lasting. Losing Qui-Gon hurt Obi-Wan deeply, she'd seen it each time he visited the palace over the years since the man's death, and she doesn't doubt that he'll form a similar bond with his own Padawan. Doing anything to damage that bond, intentionally or not, is the very last thing she wants.

"As do I," she promises, turning slightly to more directly face him. "I don't want this arrangement to strain your relationship with him, I know how important it is to the both of you. When we return to Coruscant, I'll defer to your judgment on this matter, and I'll do whatever I can to not negatively affect things."

No matter what reservations he has about this arrangement in the long-term, Obi-Wan is exceedingly grateful at the moment that it is Padmé with him; someone who understands, if not the full scope of the situation, at least she is understanding and mindful of his judgment. She may prove to be a handful to protect, but it could have been so much worse if he'd been selected to marry someone he wasn't familiar and friendly with already.

His gaze shifts back to her, and Obi-Wan gives her a grateful smile. "There is nothing to be done for it at the moment, so I suggest we let it rest in our minds. A solution may resolve itself there in the meantime."

With that being the end of the discussion as he sees it, Obi-Wan finishes his wine, and changes the subject. "It is early yet. What would you like to do?"

What a very Jedi thing to say. They really are all about patience, aren't they? Far from a foreign concept, she's spent most of her political career extolling the virtues of being properly patient, personal matters tend to be where she is certainly not patient. But he's right, as there isn't anything they can do now, and his change of subject is a welcome one; she does not enjoy being idle.

"Well, the purpose of this retreat is to get to know each other," she reminds him, though she doubts that it has been far from his thoughts. "Having an understanding of each other's routines and habits will, at least hopefully, keep us from getting too much on each other's nerves." There's a smile at that, and part of her would very much like to see this stoic Jedi get annoyed and loosen up a little from time to time. She hasn't gotten to see much of that side of him.

"What would you normally do on a day like this?"

Echoing her thoughts from earlier, Obi-Wan thinks that the two of them come from very different backgrounds, though he thinks there is some overlap; but as far as routines and habits, probably not much at all.

"Well. If there are no pressing concerns to be dealt with, no training left to do, I would probably study, or meditate." He laughs a little self-consciously, glancing down and away from her for a second. "I've been meditating quite a lot recently. But it helps calm my emotions and center my mind." He leaves unsaid just what he has needed to calm himself about lately.

"And what about you? On a day with no meetings or functions to attend. When your time is truly your own." An occurrence he thinks neither of them encounters very often.

She imagines there are a great many things of concern to him lately, not least of all matters to do with Anakin. The Jedi Council regularly sends him on missions that require all sorts of knowledge and skill, and probably pose no small amount of danger to him, so she doesn't question that he would need a little calm to deal with all of that.

Her own self-conscious laugh follows his question, because really she should have expected it. "There haven't been many of those days lately. Preparing for my term to end, getting the new queen settled, assuming my post in the Senate -- some days, it feels like I hardly have the time to breathe." She shakes her head slightly and lifts a hand up to ensure her hair is still as she'd arranged it that morning: an assortment of loose braids carefully twisted into a smooth bun held in place with a golden lace covering. Elaborate, but not so much so that she couldn't take it down herself.

"But I do enjoy reading, especially now when it helps to know about the history and cultures of my fellow representatives," she acknowledges, setting aside her own now-empty wine glass. "And I love being outside, whether walking around and exploring or just sitting in the fresh air. I miss that most when I'm away from home."

Obi-Wan finds himself tracking the motion of Padmé's hand as she touches her hair. He takes a slow, steady breath in, centering himself and focusing on the conversation at hand, pushing away the thoughts lingering just on the edge of his mind. He cannot examine them now, but he will have to deal with whatever is troubling him, and soon. Perhaps he will meditate before retiring to bed. He's not sure Padmé has ever learned meditation - if she has, he will ask if she'll join him, and if not, he will offer to teach her. With her stressful schedule, it will probably do her well.

Ah, there is something they have in common, as well. "So what you're saying is," he begins with a small, teasing smile, "that the library will be the most used, most well-stocked room in the entire house? With the most comfortable furniture I imagine as well; one doesn't want to sit for hours on end on a hard surface."

There's no stopping the laugh that bubbles out of her, or the huge grin that spreads across her lips. Of all the things they could have had in common, she's glad this one aspect of their lives makes the list. It will be something they can enjoy together wherever they are, be it Naboo or Coruscant or... who knows where life will take them, really.

"My dear Jedi, I am pleased to inform you that your deduction is correct," she says with that smile still beaming. "If you'll follow me..."

Rising from her seat, she turns and heads toward one of the studies, glancing back only once to be sure he was indeed following. The study itself is nothing special, full of the same expansive windows as the rest of the house, the furniture all in rich but elegant colors, all of it well-maintained over the years. One of the interior walls is lined with shelves sporting a few books, a handful of small art pieces, nothing particularly striking, until she walks to the farthest left shelf and pulls it forward, the fixture swinging out as easily as if she were using the Force to move it.

"After you," she says with a mischievous smile as she steps back to let him pass through the 'hidden' door and into the library -- it's only hidden from this entrance, a large set of glass doors leading out onto a balcony offering another way inside.

The playfulness of their exchange infuses Obi-Wan, and he easily stands to follow the senator. He glances around at the ornate decorations, remembering them from his earlier sweep of the manor. His eyes widen as she swings open the doorway he'd missed on the previous inspection. "Are there any other secrets to this place I should be made aware of?" he asks, making sure that while he sounds serious in the request, he also says it lightly enough she can tell he's not upset at being taken by surprise.

His steps slow to a gradual halt as he surveys the library proper, with its wide windows letting in the early evening light, the comfortable chairs he predicted, to the grand chandeliers and fireplace some of the chairs were situated in front of.

And of course, the books. Obi-Wan wandered over to the shelf nearest him, not surprised to see economics and political history represented, but also several sciences, native cultural histories not just for Naboo but several other planets he knew were nearby, and probably had ties with the Naberrie family...

"All that's missing are the tales of daring and oft-times bawdy adventures of rogue pilots, retired Jedi and the like."

She follows him to the shelf, reaching up to run her fingers over a few familiar spines, the titles of those books like old friends from the many holidays spent here as a child. "Those are housed at our house in the mountains," she informs him with a playful smile, leaving it to him to judge whether she's telling the truth.

Turning to point to a corner of the room with a digital setup on a desk, she explains, "We have datapads with access to the national library as well, but I've always preferred the feel of paper books in my hands. It's more relaxing, I think, because it doesn't remind me of work." All those hours spent poring over official reports and requisition orders, mountains of files needing review and approval - it was much easier to 'escape' for a while without the emotional weight of a datapad.

"As for your question, this is the only secret to the house, everything else is much more straightforward, I promise."

Obi-Wan almost hopes there are some of those ridiculous books at the other house; he enjoys reading them, though not for the same reason as so many other people. The absolute absurdity of some of the elements and situations in the stories, the characterizations - it gives him quite a good laugh and helps him relax when he's tired of meditating.

Nodding at her explanation of the library set-up, he smiles as she explains her enjoyment of physical books.

"I will take your word for it, milady," he responds with a friendly wink to her promise that there are no other architectural surprises. "Unfortunately, if I want access to Jedi study materials, I have to access the national library. The Jedi information is guarded rather strictly. I've always been more comfortable with a screen than paper, but the charm of a book holds great appeal to me."

She's only read perhaps a handful of the stories he's described, and all of them when she was younger and hadn't yet met actual Jedi. Perhaps she would find them more amusing now that she's well acquainted with a few of them and knows they aren't all dashing romantic heroes sweeping ladies off their feet.

"We all have our own ways, one isn't necessarily better than the other," she comments with the same diplomacy she'd always used as queen. "You should be able to access all your materials while here, but if there's a problem with the connection, it's easy enough to have someone service it."

"Of course not, milady, that wasn't what I was implying," he states serenely. "And while I do believe one never finishes learning - the nice thing about no longer being an apprentice, is that I know longer have to study so arduously." Obi-Wan gives her an innocent, and yet conspiratorial smile.

"Is this what you would do when your family would stay here, then? Read and study? You mentioned enjoying the outdoors, as well," he recalled, glancing out the large French doors.

She doesn't believe that innocence for a moment - she's met you before, Master Jedi. He might appear the wise, sage Jedi, but she recalls his sassy ways and playful nature that had to have gotten him into trouble when he was younger. One doesn't just shed their nature like changing clothing for the day, however hard they might try.

"What a good memory you have," she teases him before moving to those doors, flipping the lock and pushing on the glass to let them slowly swing wide. The stone balcony is one of many throughout the house, overlooking the expanse of water the estate was perched upon, nestled at the base of the forest-covered mountain. Stepping outside, it was almost possible to see the boat they'd come in on, secured to the dock far below.

"There are a number of hiking trails leading up over the mountain, and it's only a short boat-ride to get to the meadows. I used to swim out to that island as a child," she tells him with a nod to the patch of land, "and I'd climb any tree I could get into."

Obi-Wan is watching Padmé as much as he is taking in the scenery, enjoying this glimpse at a rarely-seen side of her.

"Ah, yes," he intones. "I do recall you being rather brash and daring, so that makes absolute sense." He gives his head a little shake even as he smiles. "I've been made to climb far too many trees in my life to find any real enjoyment in it."

"Well, that is unfortunate," she muses, not minding the attention one bit. She's used to being the focus in a room, and while it's never enjoyable for her, it's long ceased to bother her in any way.

"I suppose that means I won't be able to challenge you to a race then. I wager it's for the best, though - you'd probably cheat." Her tone is quite serious and woeful, but there's a smile in her eyes that will give her away.

Amusement crosses his face; he's quite familiar with someone goading him, trying to maneuver him to do what they want. And between his Force-sense and recognizing the look in her eyes, he knows she's not seriously accusing him of cheating. It doesn't upset him, but he allows himself to be pulled along in her banter.

"A Jedi never cheats," he tells her gravely, his beard twitching slightly. "We are, however, taught to use any and all advantages that we can find."

That earns him another laugh; she's seen some of those advantages in action and she'd never bet against a Jedi. She almost pitied those who tried, but really they should know better.

"I'll save the challenges for my handmaidens, then," she decides with humor. "It'll be a fairer fight that way."

"Ah," he responds with mock-gravity. "Now there's a challenge I'm not sure I'm up for. If they are as formidable as you were, I think I would rather graciously bow out, with my dignity still intact." Unable to hold it in any longer, he grins at Padmé, enjoying the silliness of the moment.

Her grin matches his as she nods her approval of his plan. "They're even more formidable than I, truth be told, but luckily, they've always quite liked you."

He'd made an impression on them all those years ago, and their various meetings since had done little to sway the positive memory of the young Jedi who had helped liberate their planet. There had actually been quite a few choice comments when she'd given them the news of this marriage, comments that she would not be repeating to Obi-Wan. Not yet, anyway.

"Oh, dear heavens." His dry wit is in fine form now, as he pretends to consider the ramifications of what she's saying. "If they're that formidable, what could you possibly need me for?"

Not wanting to drag the conversation down with the serious answer she might give, he holds up a hand. "No, don't tell me. You wished to keep me from wasting away in bachelorhood, and decided to save me."

It's good that he moved along the conversation, because her answer would have been quite serious, and she's not yet ready to talk about her handmaiden who had been killed recently. Her friend who had died when the attacker had been after Padmé herself.

"Yes, that's it exactly," she confirms with solemnity, leaning against the stone railing of the balcony. "All of this has been entirely for your benefit."

His nod is one of grave understanding and gratitude. "Thank you then, milady, for saving me from myself. To think, I would have continued my days, meditating, trying to teach patience to the perpetually-impatient, and amassing knowledge and wisdom such that I would rival the greatest Jedi Masters. Truly, it's a horrible fate, and I am in your debt for rescuing me."

It is now that Obi-Wan is struck with the thought he's been unable to capture, that niggling doubt and worry he's been suppressing since arriving here, alone with Padmé. Now that he is relaxed and enjoying her company, it is as clear as the lake they're overlooking.

The thought is this:
He could easily find himself falling in love with her.

After all, this conversation proves just how easily they can get along as friends, how well they enjoy each other's company. He isn't sure if it's a true premonition through the Force, or merely his trained talent for seeing patterns and outcomes, but he can see it happening easily, as smooth as glass.

And he can't let it.

Padmé has a long career as a senator ahead of her, and Obi-Wan is her protector. More, he is a Jedi Knight: despite being assigned to one person for the rest of her life, he cannot allow his emotions to cloud his judgment. Friendship is one thing, but love, a real relationship, even if she were amenable, goes against everything he's been taught.

Obi-Wan's smile slips slightly, but he turns to lean on the railing beside her, looking out over the horizon, hoping she will assume his mind has simply wandered to something else.

The truth is, currently he's not sure he could think of anything other than her.
It is the opposite of what he needs to be contemplating.

It's only the levity of the conversation as a whole that keeps her from apologizing. While the life he describes is one that she would never understand, she knows it is the way of Jedi and she has taken him from it. Some of it will continue as expected, but so much of his life will be different from now on - he'll forever be tied to her career and where that takes her. This arrangement is meant to be until one of them passes, but-- Well, it's not unheard of for divorce to happen in these marriages, should circumstances change. She makes a mental note to discuss that with him later, to make certain that he understands that despite the agreement the Council made for him, she would never hold him if he wanted to go.

She cares far too much about him to ever do that.

Watching him for a moment, taking in the way he looks out at the water, she does assume that his thoughts have strayed. "I think I'll leave you for now and unpack my things," she announces easily, turning back to the glass doors. "And it will be dinnertime soon -- do you have any special requests?"

Startled at her sudden retreat, he looks at her with slightly wide eyes. Even if she speaks casually, even if she doesn't suspect where his thoughts lie, there are no coincidences. He feels poorly for being the reason they're no longer sharing easy conversation and banter. "Padmé--"

What will he say to her? What can he say to her, that won't ruin this moment even more than his sudden epiphany already has?

Obi-Wan shakes his head. "No. No special requests. I have an adventurous palate and strong stomach," he jokes, giving her a smile that, while not as happy as before, is just as sincere.

If he can keep this, he could be happy. This, and nothing more, and he would still be happy.
It's a thin ledge, but he will try to walk it.


P a d m é	A m i d a l a	N a b e r r i e

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