Anakin entered the training room looking somewhat apprehensive. I wonder what was wrong now—after hearing of Chewie’s death, I was devastated, and I didn’t think Anakin could take anymore.

"Uhm, Tahiri?" he asked nervously, in a shy manner. "See…mom and dad and I…we have to go to this…diplomatic…thing…and mom said I should probably bring someone…and I was, uh, wondering, if you’d like to come…" A blush crept up his face and I could feel one rising on mine.

"I’d…I’d love to, but I wouldn’t know what to do…or have anything to wear…" I felt like a rock had been dropped in my stomach. I could picture myself on Anakin’s arm, walking around a large room full of finely dressed people, in a swishing dress like a princess…but as a poor orphan girl from a desolate planet, I had never really even thought about such a thing before. I hadn’t ever even cared about that type of thing, but if I was with Anakin…the thought sent my cheeks on fire.

"We can get you something," he said quickly. "And us kids don’t have to do anything, really. We’re just there, I guess. Mom says that it helps pacify everyone else from getting ugly on her…" he went on for sometime, but all I could think about was those eyes.

I felt an odd fluttering sensation in my chest and nodded, following him out of the room.

<^*^>

I sat awkwardly, frowning at my reflection as Leia herself pinned up my hair into some elaborate design. She freed a few hairs from the tight up-do and having already applied various forms of make-up on my face, she helped me into my dress.

It was a beautiful gown. It wasn’t too tight, but it wasn’t one of the ridiculously puffed ones either. The straps were off the shoulder and it was slightly low-cut, in a shade of perfect white.

I grinned until Leia held up my shoes. They looked uncomfortable even by normal standards, and I couldn’t help grimacing as I put them on and stood up.

Anakin’s mother surveyed me, nodded, and smiled. She was looking gorgeous as well in an evening gown of silky gold.

We walked out to see Han and Anakin waiting. Han looked uncomfortable in his tuxedo, even after years of numerous functions such as this. Anakin also looked slightly annoyed by his attire, but his face brightened when he looked at me.

He slid his arm in mine, following his father, and we were off.

<^*^>

When we arrived, the room was already full. Anakin wore a bored look, but I couldn’t help examining every nook and cranny with my wondering eyes.

He smiled at me and asked, "May I have this dance?" I nodded and grinned as he led me out to the dance floor.

I’d never really waltzed before, but I followed Anakin easily enough. The soft fabric of my dress twirled, grazing my legs with a small burst of cool air each time. He smiled the whole time as he spun me around in a pattern that I could never learn, though it was one he knew all too well.

Several dances passed, and we moved to the side. A Zabrak man came up to us and began making small talk with Anakin. Eventually, he looked over at me. "And who is this beautiful young lady?"

Anakin blushed and so did I. "She’s my, uh, friend, Tahiri," he mumbled.

The Zabrak grinned understandingly and nodded. "Ah. Well, enjoy yourselves." We assured him we would, and walked away.

Suddenly, after a few moments of silence, Anakin turned to me. "Do you want to sneak out?"

I blinked. "Sneak out?"

"Yeah. You know…just get away or something. Go outside…he told us to enjoy ourselves, so let’s."

I didn’t know how it could be any more entertaining on the streets of Coruscant than in here, but I nodded and we ducked behind pillars and tables, managing to get out undetected.

Anakin led me to an old, abandoned looking building after walking for about ten minutes. He grabbed a rickety ladder and began to climb up it. I hesitated, being almost certain that it would ruin my dress, but I followed him anyway. Sure enough, I was halfway there when I felt resistance and recklessly pulled and heard a large rip in return. I sighed, but kept going.

When I reached the top, I was disappointed to see nothing more exciting than a normal rooftop. Anakin sat with his hands around his bent knees, and I joined him. He was gazing out over the city, and I could tell he was mourning many things, and trying to glimpse the uncertain future.

That sight wasn’t so disappointing.

<^*^>

Leia sighed and shook her head, a few hours later at the rag that had been my white dress, which was now torn and dirtied.