(Text)

[politicallyinclined]

I was supposed to be going on my honeymoon. Now I know more about my future than I ever thought possible!

I'm used to problem solving and developing strategies to overcome obstacles, but there are things I find hard to swallow. I don't want to believe them and yet I must.

How do you overcome your fear? Your anxiety? I want to do what's right. Justice can seem cruel, yet what would we do without it?

I know I'm rambling and I truly have only one request of those reading: if one named Sheev Palpatine ever arrives, please let me, Padmé, know. It's urgent and crucial that you do so for the sake of my home galaxy.

Comments

un: gaine

[sangreine]

I'm so sorry. That's a great deal to handle.

I wish I had a good answer as to overcoming fear and anxiety, if one exists I've yet to find it. Some things help, though. Distractions, loved ones, embracing another purpose.

Doing what's right can be cruel, I know that too well. At least for me it never felt easy. I don't think there's ever a way to truly do what's right and know for certain, without any doubt, that you have. There's always questions, what if this or that had been different. All we can ask of ourselves is our best... which certainly is easier said than done.

I realize none of that is helpful. It's just the best answer I have.

UN: amidala

[politicallyinclined]

Distractions are precisely what blinded me. Then again, maybe I'm being too easy on myself? I suppose I could have been blind because I wanted to be. I was happier that way.

No, it is helpful to hear that someone else is struggling with questions of morality. I can't be blind anymore. I have to be stronger than I have ever been even if it's daunting.

[sangreine]

If you were being too easy on yourself, you wouldn't be asking.

I've been blind because I was happy. It's just in the nature of people to look toward the good things and away from the bad. Instinct, if you want to call it that. Protecting ourselves. That doesn't make it the right choice, it just makes it understandable.

I know we're strangers, but if you need to discuss it with someone who understands how complicated things can get... I'm happy to.

[politicallyinclined]

I've served others for so long that I haven't given much thought to protecting myself. I guess I knew I needed to when it came to matters of the heart, but this goes considerably beyond that.

I'm sorry you've been faced with a similar situation. I'm happy to listen to you too if you would like to talk.

[sangreine]

When things get personal, it just happens. Trust me on that. But you're obviously trying to do the best thing, so that counts for a lot.

That sounds nice... I'm Saya. Would you like to have tea or something?

[politicallyinclined]

I can't not try.

Tea sounds lovely. I'm Padmé, Saya. Thank you for answering and being so kind. Where would you like to meet?

[sangreine]

There's a small park near a lovely tea shop that should be private enough. I'm sending you a map pin for the location. [ The place is in Sunwaning, so has plenty of Japanese-style tea and snacks. Saya's made a habit of spending time there. ]

It'll be nice to meet you in person, Padmé.

text | un: shinkirou

[kingside]

[... Hmm.]

In an ideal world, justice is impartial. "Cruel" seems a mischaracterization.

[Yes, he's focusing on this, LIKE A FUCKING WEIRDO.]

text | UN: amidala

[politicallyinclined]

What if justice includes watching someone you love suffer?

[kingside]

[Then they probably deserve it? But that would probably go over poorly, so.]

Why would you have to watch in this scenario?

[politicallyinclined]

(It's complicated considering certain Sith powers.)

What do you mean? I wouldn't leave them to suffer alone.

[kingside]

[Okay, well.]

From what you've said, their suffering hurts you as well. Including you in their punishment doesn't seem terribly just to me, but then I don't know what their crime was or if you were somehow complicit.

[politicallyinclined]

(Was she complicit?

The answer... Somewhat.)

Whether I am included or watching them suffer, I am punished nonetheless.

I was complicit in one crime.

[Text] un: runyu

[nightimmortal]

Focus on what you believe is right, then watch and listen to how others around you respond to any action you take. If they respond with horror, then perhaps check the depths of how far you go.

As for this Sheev Palpatine, I would ask what they have done, or if this is just a request because you hope to see them here.

[Text] UN: amidala

[politicallyinclined]

I don't mind holding my own; I have had to make many difficult decisions as Queen of my world. But I don't have that kind of sway anymore and I fear the path those around me are taking. I don't know how to appeal to them.

I do not mind telling you, but not here.

[Text]

[nightimmortal]

I would be glad to meet with you. Where and when is most convenient for you? I can get around with fair ease.

[Text]

[politicallyinclined]

In an hour I will be free. Would you be available? We could meet in one of the Spring gardens. (She gives more useful directions here.)

[Text-->Action]

[nightimmortal]

I will be there. You will know me by the white deer-like creature beside me.

[ True to his word, Runyu is there in the garden with the little Dream Beast beside him, prancing around and enjoying being outside. ]

[Action]

[politicallyinclined]

(Padmé blinks, a little surprised at the description, but she is accustomed to encountering different races and species.)

Thank you. I won't be long.

(Something tells her he can travel faster than her. He had said it was easy for him.

She arrives an hour or so later, thankfully not wearing her wedding dress. Instead, her outfit is much more comfortable and her long hair is mostly free.)

Runyu? (She approaches him with a hopeful smile.) I'm Padmé.

text; un: e'kayan

[orangebrained]

Sometimes things that seem cruel aren't really at all, and sometimes the 'best' course of action is the one causes the most harm. If I'd known the path my future would take I don't know if I would have ended up doing anything differently.

For a long time I thought I was overcoming my fears, but it turned out I was just ignoring them. That's not something I really recommend trying. It doesn't help. The only way to overcome a fear is to start by acknowledging it.

text

[politicallyinclined]

I don't know if I can say the same. (If keeping Anakin at arm's length, if denying their hearts had kept him from turning into a Sith Lord, she would have done it.)

As you said, sometimes the best course of action is the one that causes the most harm. But there is a difference between harm you can cope with and harm that erases all of the good in someone's heart.

[orangebrained]

Of course there's a difference.

I've seen both.

But I guess what I'm trying to say is that even if you knew and tried to do things differently you could end up coming to the same ending by a different route, and that might be worse than what was going to happen anyway.

[politicallyinclined]

You make a good point. (And one that frightens her more than she wants to reveal.) But I can't leave things as they are. I have to try. If I give up, then I abandon hope.

[orangebrained]

And hope should never be abandoned. I understand that.

I've seen great, impossible things done in the name of hope.

[politicallyinclined]

As have I. I refuse to lose it for that reason, especially for someone I love.