"I'm still surprised that Clovis accepted the invitation so quickly," Wasp muttered to Natasha as they sat at a table not far away, casually eating their meal.
"Yeah, I can't quite figure that out either," Natasha said, glancing sideways at Padmé, who sat alone at her table wearing an elegant and elaborate dress. The senator's hair was styled to fall around her ears, concealing the communicator hidden there.
Hope also observed, "That headdress looks incredibly heavy, like wearing a helmet. I'd suffocate in that thing."
"This is my natural hair," Padmé said through the comm.
"Right, we know," both Avengers replied in unison.
Padmé felt her fashion sense being insulted. She would have them know that she took great pride in her appearance.
"Do you think that style would catch on back on Earth?" Natasha asked Hope.
"Probably not, but fashion is subjective," Hope admitted with a shrug.
"Focus, ladies," Padmé said over the comms. "Clovis is approaching."
"I see him," Hope muttered, taking a sip of her drink to mask her observation of the Scipio senator as he made his way to Padmé's table.
"Padmé," Clovis greeted warmly, "it's been far too long."
"Indeed it has, old friend," Padmé smiled in return.
A service droid approached, served them drinks, and departed efficiently.
"It's wonderful to see you again, Rush," Padmé said with a soft smile. "I hadn't realized how... lonely I'd become until tonight."
"Perhaps I can help alleviate that loneliness," Clovis said with obvious affection. "Once I return from Cato Neimoidia, my schedule will be much lighter, and we can spend more time together."
"Wow, he really hasn't gotten over her," Hope muttered, then looked down at her plate to avoid drawing attention.
"Most people find it difficult to move on once they've met someone truly special," Natasha observed quietly.
"Do you have someone special?"
"Everyone has a story, Hope."
Padmé ignored the commentary filtering through her earpiece and asked Clovis the obvious question. "You're traveling to Neimoidia?"
"It's business, actually. Concerning the Trade Federation," he clarified.
"The Trade Federation?" Padmé mused. "I've had... extensive dealings with them in the past."
"Yes, I remember," Clovis said knowingly. "You know how they operate. They love borrowing credits from the Banking Clan, but they despise paying them back."
Padmé sighed. "Perhaps you could put in a good word for me." Her expression grew troubled. "I spend every day in holoconferences with Neimoidians, demanding concessions from the Trade Federation, but I never seem to make any real progress."
Clovis considered this thoughtfully before looking back at his dinner companion. "I have an idea. Come with me to Cato Neimoidia. You can address them directly."
"Are you certain?"
"I have the backing of the Banking Clan. You have exceptional diplomatic skills. We could be quite effective together."
Padmé studied her former lover with a curious expression. "Are you inviting me for political reasons, or... because you want to rekindle our friendship?"
"Both, honestly," Rush admitted, "though I confess I'm more interested in renewing our personal connection than advancing any political agenda."
"Oh my god, is this the beginning of some romantic subplot?" Natasha asked over the comm, causing Hope to nearly choke on her food while Padmé blushed at the observation.
"Padmé? Are you alright?" Clovis asked, noticing the sudden color in her cheeks.
"Sorry, it's nothing. Just feeling a bit warm."
Clovis studied her briefly, then shrugged and glanced casually toward the restaurant's entrance, giving Padmé a moment to shoot an annoyed look at Natasha, who couldn't hide her amusement at the Naboo Senator's reaction.
"Well, your proposal does sound... like old times."
Rush chuckled. "On the contrary, I'm hoping it will be much better than before."
The next day, Natasha stood on a landing platform with Padmé, surrounded by several Coruscant Guard troopers, while C-3PO loaded supplies and other necessities onto the ship that would transport them to Cato Neimoidia.
Natasha looked around and spotted the nearly imperceptible figure of Hope in her miniaturized form, flying around before landing on her shoulder.
"Comfortable?"
"It'll do," Hope shrugged.
The tiny Avenger looked around, examining the ship that Natasha would obviously be piloting. "So you actually know how to fly these things?"
"Of course I do," Natasha said, adjusting her Naboo pilot disguise. "When I first arrived in this galaxy, I had to spend countless hours learning to pilot various spacecraft. It's not much different from Earth vehicles. Just a few technical variations, that's all."
"If you say so."
Natasha adjusted her outfit again. "Padmé, how are you only half-dressed? These robes are like wearing a tent."
"They take some getting used to."
"I bet they do."
"Here comes Mr. Brooding," Hope said to Natasha and Padmé as she spotted Rush approaching.
"Senator Clovis," Padmé greeted him formally.
"Padmé," Clovis said, moving closer to her, "you look absolutely stunning."
He then kissed Padmé on the cheek in a decidedly intimate manner.
Rush stepped back and regarded Natasha. "May I ask who this lovely woman is?"
"Oh, aren't I attractive enough for you, Senator Clovis?" Natasha replied with mock offense.
Clovis stammered for a moment while Padmé suppressed a laugh.
"My friend here serves as both my pilot and my personal aide," Padmé introduced. "This is Shara, and she's also a trusted confidante."
Rush nodded respectfully toward Natasha.
"She's a very dear friend, and one I trust implicitly," Padmé emphasized.
"Any friend of Padmé's is a friend of mine," Rush said, extending his hand. "Rush Clovis, at your service."
"Of course, Senator," Natasha replied, then gestured toward the ship. "Now please take your seats, as we'll be departing momentarily."
"If you get tired during the journey, you're welcome to rest your head on my shoulder," Rush offered to Padmé.
"Oh wow, that's laying it on thick," Hope commented, flying from Natasha to one of the passenger seats.
"Someone's really struggling here," Natasha whispered, causing the miniaturized Hope to stifle a laugh.
Padmé heard the teasing commentary through her earpiece and could only roll her eyes silently.
"We're ready for departure, Shara," Padmé announced.
Natasha nodded to her co-pilot, and they quickly ran through the pre-flight sequence before lifting off toward Cato Neimoidia.
The spacecraft rose from the platform and accelerated into space.
Shortly after takeoff, Rush attempted to move closer to Padmé, but she politely maintained her distance.
For most of the journey, the miniaturized Hope found herself bored and began observing more of Padmé's behavior—mannerisms that seemed oddly familiar to her.
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