ic contact. mask or menace.

[functusofficio]

 "You've reached Ambassador Amidala. Office hours are between 9 am and 7 pm each day, but if those hours do not work for you I am happy to set up an appointment outside of them whenever is convenient for you. Please leave a message with your name, means of contact and details of our business and I will ensure that it is attended to as promptly as possible."

voice. video. text. drop by her office.

Comments

text.

[littlemissfutility]

can i ask you something???????
i know you know a lot of people since you're in the government
i need to know if somebody's okay

text.

[functusofficio]

Of course, Beth. If it's somebody that I know I would be happy to give you my opinion as to them. What specifically are you looking to know, and about whom?

[littlemissfutility]

her name's cassandra anderson
do you know her??????

[functusofficio]

I do, yes. I have not had a great deal of indepth contact with her, but what I have had indicates that she is a person of honor and dedication to justice. So far she has given me no cause to find her otherwise, nor has my research on her on the network shown anything otherwise. Since we are making an effort to work together in an official capacity, I feel I can say I've done my research adequately.

May I ask why you are inquiring?

[littlemissfutility]

[This is a question she should've expected but didn't--and as a result, there's a slightly longer pause than usual.]

just curious
thanks padme

[functusofficio]

I'm always happy to answer what questions I can for you, Beth.

But "just curious" is hardly a response to my question.

[littlemissfutility]

[dang.]

i wanna talk to her about stuff but i wanna make sure she's safe
it sounds like she's okay

[functusofficio]

[ politician, beth. ]

From what I know of her, but the extent of that knowledge only goes so far and does depend on what specifically you wish to talk to her about.

I will accept that as an answer to my question for the time being, but I might be able to further provide help if I knew any more of the matter.

And perhaps I would also be able to provide some aid. You're someone I would want to find help for any difficulty you are experiencing, certainly.

[littlemissfutility]

[Beth hesitates a long time before answering, but...Padme's trustworthy. She's kind and smart, and she might have ideas to do something about Woden.

But she's also ambassador of Nonah, and Beth's got the feeling Padme won't like what she has to say.]

i don't want you to be in a bad position if i tell you
because you can't tell anyone
and it can't get into your political stuff
it has to stay a secret

[functusofficio]

[ There's a pause between replies long enough to indicate it's something Padme is certainly thinking about carefully. She doesn't know Beth as well as perhaps she would like, but she knows her well enough to know that this is not a request she is making lightly, which means it is likely something Padme will want to respond to. But promises come first, so she sighs and gives her answer. ]

If it helps you make a decision as to whether to tell me or not, I have had a great deal of experience in making political decisions despite knowing the personal costs.

If you wish it to remain a secret, I will keep it so, and I will not let it affect my public policy. I cannot promise I will not counsel a different approach if it is something I feel warrants one, but I will not force any other options on you or do anything about it without your consent.

You have my word.

[littlemissfutility]

[It comes out fast, as soon as Padme's promised to keep the details to herself. Beth hasn't told anybody before now--not in more detail than this man tried to kill me, and not under her own name.]

a guy kidnapped me during that week when the same day kept happening
he took me out to the woods with a bunch of other people and told us to run
i don't think everyone lived
i have to make sure he can't ever do something like that again
she said she'd help me

[functusofficio]

[ The first response comes very quickly. ]

I'm so sorry, Beth. Nobody should have to go through that.

[ The more substantial response takes a little longer, but not a great deal. ]

As I said, I will keep this to myself as long as that is what you desire.

As to what can be done, I'm not sure exactly what she or anyone can do at this time that does not involve killing him and then waiting for him to resurrect, something I cannot personally condone.

What do you hope to do to make sure he cannot do that again?

[littlemissfutility]

[She's mostly grateful, when Padme's response comes, that she didn't turn on voice or camera--or went to see her in person. This way, she can hole up with her dog in her bedroom, and nobody needs to see what her face looks like. (She could use a hug, admittedly, but as tactile as Beth is, she's learned to make that a smaller part of herself where she can. Right now, she wants to talk solutions.)]

i don't know
he can teleport, it's not like we can keep him in jail
if we could find a way to cut out his powers we could

[If I were at home, I would kill him feels loud in its absence, but Padme doesn't really know that about her, does she? And Beth has the feeling she should keep it that way--she admires Padme, values her opinion, and she's sure she already knows what that opinion would be.]

[functusofficio]

The jailing system they have for Imports actually does have the capacity to nullify powers. The sentences given are fairly minimal, but even two months of his absence might be better than nothing.

But that requires him to commit a crime during a time that it can be remembered and proven. So not an immediate solution, but one to bear in mind certainly.

Do you have the support you need, Beth?

[littlemissfutility]

so we're supposed to pretend he never hunted people down like animals because the police don't remember repeating any days
we have to wait for him to hurt more people, maybe worse next time
what if that's why he did it during the repeating days????? what if he keeps waiting for times when the police can't do anything because they don't have "proof"?????

[She forgets to answer the question. Whoops.]

[Video]

[faithfulson]

[ Luke's hand is lingering in the way of the camera as the call goes through, as he's distracted by a computer screen he's looking at. Padme will get the pleasure of seeing her son peck typing for a moment (he really hates these old style computers), before he turns to her, an excited look on his face. ]

Mother, I need to ask for a really, really big favor.

[functusofficio]

[ She takes the call more or less immediately, at her desk in her office but looking relaxed and in comfortable enough clothes that it's clear she's not in the middle of any meetings, her smile wide at seeing him as ever. ]

A favor? [ He has her attention, and she looks a little bit more business like though the smile lingers. ] What can I help you with, Luke?

[faithfulson]

Did you see the post that went up on the MirrorNet? About building the engine to go to Mars?

[ He is just barely containing his excitement. He's really hyped for this. ]

I'm helping out with that. Father and I are going to the airplane junk yard in Arizona soon to try and pull out some parts we'll need.

[ He glanced back at the computer a moment, waving to it. ]

But I'm reading here that anything military grade gets stripped down and torn apart. It doesn't end up hitting any junk yards at all, including full planes.

[ He turned back to her then, an earnest expression on his face. ]

I need a full plane in order to run tests.

[functusofficio]

I saw it, yes.

[ If her focus has been on other areas, that has not escaped her attention entirely And it brings a warmth to her heart to her Luke call Anakin father so easily. ]

And that is something that you think I can help with?

[ She considers, her gaze moving to her work computer. ]

I might be able to do something about it, but it won't be easy, and I won't do it lightly or simply because you're my son. I believe in your good intentions, but they will have to believe in them as well.

[faithfulson]

[ Luke gave her a look, like Padme had kicked a puppy in front of him. ]

I haven't done anything for them to think otherwise.

[ No, really! He's the nice Skywalker! Just... any clones and doppelgangers don't count. ]

As an ambassador, you might have some pull with the government. If it makes it easier, all I need is the body and a seat in the cockpit; any weapons or anything else isn't necessary.

[functusofficio]

I don't foresee them having any problems with you, but I'm not sure I'll be able to simply ask for a plane and be given it without some amount of background check and information.

[ She pauses, glances over some papers. ]

However, they have given at least nominal support to this effort, yes? In which case it seems likely so long as I act as guarantee that it will not be misused it should be a simple enough matter.

I hope. You need this as soon as possible, I'm guessing?

[faithfulson]

...oh. Right.

[ Luke had the grace to look a little sheepish at that. Of course there would be a background check. He didn't know why he didn't think of it before. ]

I can afford to wait; I'm still trying to catalog the basic needs, and I need to get my hands on the plans that are out there and make adjustments. It will be awhile yet before I have something to start testing.

[functusofficio]

[ She smiles at him, laughs a little. One hand reaches out towards the screen - if he were there in person, she'd be touching a finger to his nose in amusement. ]

Bureaucracy. No matter the world, it never ends.

I'll do whatever I can, though.

[ A pause, and then with a more quiet and private smile. ] You and Anakin are working together on this?

[faithfulson]

[ Luke can't help the warm smile on his face, almost looking like he would reach out and hug her if they were closer. ]

Yeah, we are.

[ He paused, before almost rolling his eyes. ]

Well, we're going to try. I think he's going to be focused on turning the engine plans into more of an ion engine.

[ His bias is showing in his tone alone, not to mention the look on his face. ]

[action, office shenanigans]

[cigarbribery]

[At some point in July, days after the protests, Foggy shows up at the Ambassador's office with both a bouquet of flowers and a box of cupcakes. The bruises on his face aren't as noticeable as they were before, thanks to concealer and time, and he gently lays the bouquet and cupcakes on Padmé's desk before saying:]

I'd offer drinks, but I don't know if you've got the time or the inclination to hit a bar and drink, so—I got you cupcakes.