"Hmmm," he hums, leaning forward to kiss her. "Trusting me and listening to me are two very different things, my lady," he murmurs. "Is your family aware of that?"
Drawing the blanket from her arm, he shakes it out before placing it down, close enough to the cliff edge to still be able to appreciate the spectacular view, but far enough back so as not to feel as if they're in imminent danger of toppling over.
She accepts that kiss with a smile that turns into a laugh. Her family is well aware of that fact, but they still tend to hope for the best in spite of her nature. And truthfully, she loves them all the more for it.
Settling on the blanket, she leans back on her hands and gazes out at the water for a moment before turning her attention back to him and something he'd said earlier. "I want you to know, your comfort is no small thing to me, Obi-Wan," she informs him, keeping her tone gentle instead of letting any senatorial authority slip into the words. "If I can do something for you, then I want to."
In the middle of pulling out their lunch from the satchel, Obi-Wan glances over at her in surprise at the non-sequitur. He smiles at her affectionately, but shakes his head a little. "I do appreciate that. I want for very little though, and comfort is a small thing for me. Clean clothes, a comfortable bed to sleep in and shelter from the elements are all luxuries I've had to forgo in the past, and so they are the only comforts I know I truly require. Anything else feels like extravagance."
It's not that he enjoys comfort and luxury when he can get it, but he is a tactile person, and enjoys the comfort that seems to only come from well-made, expensive items. He can't stomach too much rich, fine food, instead preferring simple fare, but even then he can appreciate the quality of it. Clothing is where his downfall lies, and he has always held his appreciation and love of fine linen, watery silks and supple leather close to his chest, unwilling to let anyone else know that he is not the austere Jedi one would expect.
It comes as no surprise to hear him say any of that; it seems the Jedi way to make do with very little and be content with a simple life. A life so very different from the one she leads, the one that he is now a part of. Again, she wonders how that will work between them, how they will fold their lives together, but those are thoughts for another time.
"Just because you don't require something doesn't mean you aren't allowed to enjoy it," she points out earnestly. "You'll have more than just a comfortable bed and clean clothes in our home -- and I would like it to be our home, for you to be able to relax and take comfort in being there." It's incredibly important to her that that happen, actually.
Smiling, he reaches over to pick up her hand and kiss the back of it. "I promise, I will be able to relax and take comfort there. It's not--" he pauses, trying to find the right words. "You're right; not requiring something doesn't mean I can't enjoy it. I'm not disputing that. I do enjoy luxury, but it's not something I was... raised to expect, I suppose you could say. Have I seemed ill at ease here?" He gestures toward the manor they're staying at, down the cliff.
"I don't want you to think, just because I prefer simpler things, that I'm... thumbing my nose at those who enjoy luxury and extreme comfort." He gives her a mischievous smile and nod of his head. "Or those who were raised with it, my lady. But I'm much more comfortable wearing simple tunics rather than elaborate formal clothing. My system isn't used to rich food, and so I have a natural tendency to--" he holds up a slice of cheese, "--go for the simple things. That's all."
Everything he says is filed away in her mind, stored for analysis and planning later when they return to Coruscant. She means every word of what she says and fully intends to do what she can to make his life with her as unobtrusive as possible. If he prefers simple things, then she won't force anything else on him, though she'll make certain he always knows he has the option.
"Thank you for explaining," she says with a soft smile. "I'm sorry to press so." Hopefully he understands that she does it out of affection.
Smiling with pleasure, Obi-Wan shakes his head. "No, no need to apologize. That's sort of the whole point of us being here together, away from everything else, isn't it? To figure out how we can fit our lives together."
Obi-Wan doesn't mind the questions, is happy to answer them.
While he knows that no question is stupid, and it's far better to ask than make a fool of yourself later for not knowing something, he himself tends to be a little reticent in asking questions sometimes, preferring instead to observe and act as if he knows what's going on.
It's true, that's exactly why they're here. An entire week of just being together, for the express purpose of being able to smoothly transition back to their normal lives afterward. She's grateful to have the time, especially now, though there had certainly been occasions during the planning when it had seemed like far too long.
She tilts her head slightly, observing him for a moment before voicing her thoughts. "You haven't asked me any questions yet."
Caught out, Obi-Wan laughs a little. "I'm not sure what there is to ask. I already know I'll be intruding on your life." He waves his hand before she has a chance to protest, which he thinks she would. "I mean, any time two people try to live together, blend their lives together in a significant way, it feels like an intrusion at first. It was the same with-- when I became a Padawan, as well." His voice drops at the last part, and he glances away for a moment, before turning back with forced lightheartedness.
"Tell me about your family," he requests. It's not a question exactly, but since he's got a fairly good idea of her public life, he wants to know more about what, and who, has shaped her as a person.
She would have protested, quite strongly in fact, so it's good that he headed her off before she could start. She reaches out when his words falter, setting her hand on his shoulder because she understands who he's speaking of and how much it still hurts him, and then she welcomes the change of subject.
"You met my parents, Ruwee and Jobal," she begins, leaning back to watch him fondly as she speaks of the people who mean the most to her in the galaxy. "Their mothers were good friends and always hoped they would one day marry, but it was still surprising when they met and fell in love. My father was a member of the Refugee Relief Movement then, and after they were married, they founded a village in the mountains not far from Theed. That's where I was born."
The hand on his shoulder is appreciated, and he slants his gaze toward her to acknowledge it, but he's grateful when she takes the change of subject without mentioning it further. Qui-Gon's fate, and his feelings on it, are what they are, and nothing can change the former, and only time and contemplation can change the latter, in his experience.
"Meeting your parents and hearing you speak about them are entirely different things, though," he says, smiling at her story. "So you have altruistic tendencies in your blood. I can't say as I'm surprised."
There's a slight pause, before Obi-Wan asks, in a manner that aims for nonchalance, but is slightly tentative for him, "What about the village? Have you been back there recently? Is it still a village, or has it grown into a town or city by now?"
Her parents had raised her and Sola to be compassionate and caring people, lessons she still values greatly to this day. Without those pillars in her life, she couldn't begin to guess where her path would have diverged, and she wouldn't change a thing about her life before now.
With a shake of her head, she answers, "I haven't been back in a very long time. It's still small, I believe, though it's expanded as the families have naturally grown. I think the people there like it that way, and I remember it being a very peaceful place."
Obi-Wan is quiet for a moment, staring out toward the water with a contemplative look on his face.
Eventually, he ventures, aiming for nonchalance but sounding a little tentative, "What if we had a house there? If it's close to Theed, it would be near where you needed to go, but still separate as well." He rather obviously doesn't glance toward Padmé to gauge her reaction, but he's highly attuned to her through the Force.
When it comes to personal preferences, Obi-Wan isn't very well-versed in asking for what he wants; he's used to making due, and appreciating what he's given. But the village holds sentimental value, if not childhood memories, for Padmé, and it sounds like the kind of place he would enjoy, despite being Coruscanti and thus the very definition of 'city boy'.
The suggestion takes her by surprise, for she'd never even considered it herself. On Coruscant, she has to stay where her security can look after her, and on Naboo she'd always stayed with her parents. But with Obi-Wan, they have a choice, and Captain Typho wouldn't object to her being so far from his watch when her main source of protection will now be sharing her home.
Moving closer to that her side presses against his, she leans her cheek against his shoulder and rests a hand over his chest. "I would love that," she tells him with utter sincerity, the thought of returning to her childhood home filling her with joy, even more so because she knows without doubt that he will have peace there.
Even with Padmé moving to sit against him, it isn't until she answers that Obi-Wan realizes how stiffly he'd been holding himself and relaxes against her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. A soft, pleased and peaceful smile crosses Obi-Wan's face, and he presses a kiss to her hair.
Lunch is eventually finished and the remaining detritus gathered back into the satchel - Obi-Wan manages to get the blanket in as well, now that there's no food taking up room - and the two of them wander back down to the house, enjoying a little more of the scenery and chatting, with what Obi-Wan was quickly beginning to think of as their 'usual' teasing banter.
With the stress of the past few months, she'd forgotten how good it was to just relax and enjoy the company of someone she cared about. As the hours pass, she can feel a weight lifting from her shoulders, as if Obi-Wan had found some way to take her burden from her through the Force. Honestly, she wouldn't put it past him.
Upon returning to the house, and after putting away the things from their picnic, Padmé leans in close to slip her arms around Obi-Wan's waist. "What do you say to a few hours relaxing in the library?" She remembers how pleased he'd been with it.
Surprised, but infinitely pleased at the open affection, Obi-Wan returns the embrace for a moment, before wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I say that sounds like a marvelous idea. Come along, milady, you can direct me to an appropriate lazy-afternoon-reading book."
Not that he really expects to get much reading done, but that's sort of the point; you hold a book and pretend to read, while your mind and occasionally your eyes wander. It's almost as good as meditation, if the atmosphere is right.
She grins up at him in agreement, already having quite a few titles in mind. The list is narrowed down to the best options as they make their way to the library, entering through the study once more.
Retrieving a datapad, she takes a moment to call up three books: a tale of seafaring explorers from a nearby system, a dramatic story of espionage and betrayal on Coruscant, and a recently published compilation of Gungan folktales that grew increasingly ridiculous with each tale. "I'm certain one of these will provide you sufficient amusement for a lazy afternoon," she informs him as she hands over the datapad.
Accepting the 'pad, Obi-Wan steals a kiss with a grin, still enjoying the novelty of open, easy affection. Glancing at the options, there's an internal debate over explorers and folktales - if he wants espionage and betrayal on Coruscant, he'll just go talk to the Jedi Council, or interrupt a Senate meeting, thanks - but there's really not much debate, because he remembers meeting the Gungans quite well, and he has to know what their traditional stories are like.
"And what tales shall you select to wile away the afternoon?" Obi-Wan gives her a mildly reproving look. "And no working."
Each kiss and smile from him makes Padmé's heart sing, her own smile echoing his -- until that look he gives her, anyway. Then she's narrowing her eyes slightly, as if debating arguing the point with him, followed quickly by an exaggerated roll of her eyes.
"No working," she agrees, a faint smile fighting through her put-upon expression. "Though my reading is indirectly work-related. I've been studying the history of Alderaan's capital city. Bail and Breha are good friends of mine and always inviting me to visit - if I ever do, I want to be able to properly appreciate their home."
Obi-Wan raises an eyebrow challengingly at her narrowed eyes, his own smile barely contained. He's almost disappointed when Padmé capitulates - he would have enjoyed the ensuing mock-battle of wills - but does add his own obvious eye-roll as she says it is tangentially work related.
He doesn't know the Organas well, though he's had occasion to visit with the Senator, as he's a pacifist and vocal about helping other systems that are in need, a sentiment that aligns with the Jedis' own tenets and oaths.
"Would you not appreciate it as fully, if you visited without knowing, and allowed your first glimpse to be through their eyes?" he asks, settling down on the sofa. "Don't get me wrong, I agree that knowing the background and history of a place is important, but reading about it is never the same as hearing from one who's lived there, has memories and stories of it."
"You're right, it isn't the same," she agrees, retrieving her own datapad to call up the volume she'd been slowly reading. While she did vastly prefer physical volumes, it was easier to continue from where she'd left off this way. "And I've visited many places with the method you suggested, allowing my vision to match their own. But I've heard so many stories already from the Organas that I'd like to be able to participate in the telling in the future."
She settles down on the opposite end of the couch from Obi-Wan, slipping off her boots to curl her legs up and get more comfortable. "And I intend to ask them about their preservation methods for the older parts of the city. Even after all these years, there are still sections of Theed we're trying to restore, and I know the Queen would appreciate advice on how best to proceed."
Watching Padmé get comfortable, Obi-Wan gives a knowing look at her last remark. "Ah. Now I see where the 'indirectly work-related' part comes in." He gives her another reproving look, before it melts into an indulgent smile. "I suppose so long as you're relaxing, it can be allowed. But if you start to get tense, I shall have to find a way to distract you..." His tone is warning, and his face stays innocent and slightly stern, but his eyes make it quite clear what he's implying.
Oh yes, she knows exactly what he's implying and wholly approves. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind," she acknowledges quite seriously, though there's a thrilled mischief in her eyes. She'd never say no to a little well-timed distraction, after all. And he is so very good at it.
Trying to hold in a laugh, he nods at her and asks, "Is that why you're sitting over there? Am I already so distracting you can't bear to touch me?"
...Actually, that might very well be the case; he's certain that if she curled up against his side, he'd hardly be able to read two words of his own book, but he hadn't considered until after saying it that the same might be true for Padmé.
Still, it's a lazy afternoon, and what he finds he wants most is to spend it curled up with his wife.
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Drawing the blanket from her arm, he shakes it out before placing it down, close enough to the cliff edge to still be able to appreciate the spectacular view, but far enough back so as not to feel as if they're in imminent danger of toppling over.
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Settling on the blanket, she leans back on her hands and gazes out at the water for a moment before turning her attention back to him and something he'd said earlier. "I want you to know, your comfort is no small thing to me, Obi-Wan," she informs him, keeping her tone gentle instead of letting any senatorial authority slip into the words. "If I can do something for you, then I want to."
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It's not that he enjoys comfort and luxury when he can get it, but he is a tactile person, and enjoys the comfort that seems to only come from well-made, expensive items. He can't stomach too much rich, fine food, instead preferring simple fare, but even then he can appreciate the quality of it. Clothing is where his downfall lies, and he has always held his appreciation and love of fine linen, watery silks and supple leather close to his chest, unwilling to let anyone else know that he is not the austere Jedi one would expect.
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"Just because you don't require something doesn't mean you aren't allowed to enjoy it," she points out earnestly. "You'll have more than just a comfortable bed and clean clothes in our home -- and I would like it to be our home, for you to be able to relax and take comfort in being there." It's incredibly important to her that that happen, actually.
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"I don't want you to think, just because I prefer simpler things, that I'm... thumbing my nose at those who enjoy luxury and extreme comfort." He gives her a mischievous smile and nod of his head. "Or those who were raised with it, my lady. But I'm much more comfortable wearing simple tunics rather than elaborate formal clothing. My system isn't used to rich food, and so I have a natural tendency to--" he holds up a slice of cheese, "--go for the simple things. That's all."
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"Thank you for explaining," she says with a soft smile. "I'm sorry to press so." Hopefully he understands that she does it out of affection.
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Obi-Wan doesn't mind the questions, is happy to answer them.
While he knows that no question is stupid, and it's far better to ask than make a fool of yourself later for not knowing something, he himself tends to be a little reticent in asking questions sometimes, preferring instead to observe and act as if he knows what's going on.
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She tilts her head slightly, observing him for a moment before voicing her thoughts. "You haven't asked me any questions yet."
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"Tell me about your family," he requests. It's not a question exactly, but since he's got a fairly good idea of her public life, he wants to know more about what, and who, has shaped her as a person.
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"You met my parents, Ruwee and Jobal," she begins, leaning back to watch him fondly as she speaks of the people who mean the most to her in the galaxy. "Their mothers were good friends and always hoped they would one day marry, but it was still surprising when they met and fell in love. My father was a member of the Refugee Relief Movement then, and after they were married, they founded a village in the mountains not far from Theed. That's where I was born."
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"Meeting your parents and hearing you speak about them are entirely different things, though," he says, smiling at her story. "So you have altruistic tendencies in your blood. I can't say as I'm surprised."
There's a slight pause, before Obi-Wan asks, in a manner that aims for nonchalance, but is slightly tentative for him, "What about the village? Have you been back there recently? Is it still a village, or has it grown into a town or city by now?"
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With a shake of her head, she answers, "I haven't been back in a very long time. It's still small, I believe, though it's expanded as the families have naturally grown. I think the people there like it that way, and I remember it being a very peaceful place."
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Eventually, he ventures, aiming for nonchalance but sounding a little tentative, "What if we had a house there? If it's close to Theed, it would be near where you needed to go, but still separate as well." He rather obviously doesn't glance toward Padmé to gauge her reaction, but he's highly attuned to her through the Force.
When it comes to personal preferences, Obi-Wan isn't very well-versed in asking for what he wants; he's used to making due, and appreciating what he's given. But the village holds sentimental value, if not childhood memories, for Padmé, and it sounds like the kind of place he would enjoy, despite being Coruscanti and thus the very definition of 'city boy'.
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Moving closer to that her side presses against his, she leans her cheek against his shoulder and rests a hand over his chest. "I would love that," she tells him with utter sincerity, the thought of returning to her childhood home filling her with joy, even more so because she knows without doubt that he will have peace there.
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Lunch is eventually finished and the remaining detritus gathered back into the satchel - Obi-Wan manages to get the blanket in as well, now that there's no food taking up room - and the two of them wander back down to the house, enjoying a little more of the scenery and chatting, with what Obi-Wan was quickly beginning to think of as their 'usual' teasing banter.
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Upon returning to the house, and after putting away the things from their picnic, Padmé leans in close to slip her arms around Obi-Wan's waist. "What do you say to a few hours relaxing in the library?" She remembers how pleased he'd been with it.
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Not that he really expects to get much reading done, but that's sort of the point; you hold a book and pretend to read, while your mind and occasionally your eyes wander. It's almost as good as meditation, if the atmosphere is right.
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Retrieving a datapad, she takes a moment to call up three books: a tale of seafaring explorers from a nearby system, a dramatic story of espionage and betrayal on Coruscant, and a recently published compilation of Gungan folktales that grew increasingly ridiculous with each tale. "I'm certain one of these will provide you sufficient amusement for a lazy afternoon," she informs him as she hands over the datapad.
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"And what tales shall you select to wile away the afternoon?" Obi-Wan gives her a mildly reproving look. "And no working."
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"No working," she agrees, a faint smile fighting through her put-upon expression. "Though my reading is indirectly work-related. I've been studying the history of Alderaan's capital city. Bail and Breha are good friends of mine and always inviting me to visit - if I ever do, I want to be able to properly appreciate their home."
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He doesn't know the Organas well, though he's had occasion to visit with the Senator, as he's a pacifist and vocal about helping other systems that are in need, a sentiment that aligns with the Jedis' own tenets and oaths.
"Would you not appreciate it as fully, if you visited without knowing, and allowed your first glimpse to be through their eyes?" he asks, settling down on the sofa. "Don't get me wrong, I agree that knowing the background and history of a place is important, but reading about it is never the same as hearing from one who's lived there, has memories and stories of it."
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She settles down on the opposite end of the couch from Obi-Wan, slipping off her boots to curl her legs up and get more comfortable. "And I intend to ask them about their preservation methods for the older parts of the city. Even after all these years, there are still sections of Theed we're trying to restore, and I know the Queen would appreciate advice on how best to proceed."
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...Actually, that might very well be the case; he's certain that if she curled up against his side, he'd hardly be able to read two words of his own book, but he hadn't considered until after saying it that the same might be true for Padmé.
Still, it's a lazy afternoon, and what he finds he wants most is to spend it curled up with his wife.
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