"Bail said to lay low. He didn't say to stop living," Dormé argued with a shrug before standing and motioning toward Padmé. "Look at yourself. You're worrying yourself to death. You deserve a night away from all..." Dormé circled her hand around the room. "This." She moved closer and took Padmé's hands. "Do something fun in your life. For once. Please. For me." Padmé shook her head, yet she felt an odd and unfamiliar current flowing through her. It sharply contrasted with the sadness and pain that smothered her, prompting her to pursue it simply because she no longer wished to wallow in her misery. She wasn't sure whether the feeling was terror, foolishness, or excitement, though it was peculiar how those three emotions often coexisted within her. She chased it, even though she was certain that the decision stemmed from the wine.
"We shouldn't," Padmé said, suddenly feeling incredibly mischievous, her eyes darting toward the vacant doorway as if her security detail on the other side could somehow read their minds and appear in the room, knowing exactly what their plans were and forcing them to stop them.
"That's exactly why we should," Dormé argued, staying true to her nature as the bad influence. A certain thrill coursed through Padmé's veins, sharply contrasted by anxiety. "W–Where could you possibly want to go at this hour?" Padmé stumbled, almost afraid to ask.
Dormé smiled, a mischievous glint in her eye. "It's a surprise," she said, leaning down to take Padmé's hand. With a firm tug, she pulled her to her feet and headed toward Padmé's bedroom. "Come on. I'll pick out something for you to wear."
Night had fallen over the city of Coruscant, yet despite the darkness and the hour, the city remained awake. Coruscant was the one place in the galaxy that never rested, and tonight it was more vibrant than ever, with flashing lights and blaring music filling the air, inviting everyone to join in the fun. Hundreds of ships soared through the city-lit sky like racing shooting stars, while people of all races and species bustled along the ground below. It was impossible not to be noticed– at least for some.
The streets bustled with people, thoroughly crowded with herds that included individuals of every species moving up and down the capital's thoroughfares. In such a large crowd, Padmé and Dormé's presence should not have held much significance, but anyone with two functioning eyes could see that they did not belong there. The two women appeared too clean, too proper, too wealthy, and mainly too perfect to be part of the usual Coruscant night scene.
In contrast to the people walking around them, the women were truly angels among men– not that anyone or any man would complain. The two women were invariably dressed to impress, with attraction and teasing on their minds. Dormé wore a sultry red dress that clung to her body in all the right places, while Padmé's dress was even sexier. Her knee-length little black dress fit her like a second skin, accentuating every inch of her petite frame.
It was truly the perfect dress for seduction– if only it weren't hidden beneath a cloak that Padmé had slipped on before leaving her apartment. She had hoped that the cloak would help her maintain some modesty, but unfortunately, she could tell from the lingering gazes that it hardly served her purpose at all. Padmé hated that she felt like nothing more than a piece of meat under the ravenous eyes of starving wolves. To them, she was merely a companion who could offer a night of pleasure. This scene was not something she would condone for anyone; unlike her usual events, it was clearly not the setting to find an attractive, protective, and loving man ready to settle down.
So why am I going again?
She didn't know what had possessed her to agree to such an idiotic idea, other than the wine and the pressures of her life. She regretted the decision from the moment Dormé had shown her what she was to wear for their secret night out. The other woman had made her swear to abide by her rules for the evening before revealing their outfits, knowing that Padmé would most likely back out. Padmé certainly would have if Dormé hadn't made her swear on Taleski and Mageteé – their favorite birds from the lake country when they were children. It was a low blow, if Padmé could say so herself, and led her to agree quite unwillingly to everything Dormé planned thereafter.
Padmé had to admit that Dormé, when she focused, could rival Palpatine. That woman was certainly cunning enough when she sought to get her way.
Padmé blamed the wine, but she had to admit that part of her, deep down, also allowed Dormé to have her fun because Padmé felt guilty. She couldn't argue because her best friend had a "marvelous" plan for them for the night, but in truth, it wasn't Dormé's first attempt at a "Perfect Plan." Dormé had been trying to get Padmé out for years, and she couldn't crush her excitement now that she had finally succeeded. Plus, Padmé knew how her friend's usual plans turned out and just hoped this time it would end in her favor.
Preferably with a distinguished gentleman who has wealth and an esteemed family name, and good manners at her side.
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