The rest of the evening was spent much the same. Leia was attempting to commit names, faces, and other information to memory, and Amalia wandered about the apartment, talking some, but mostly leaving Leia alone to her work. Though Leia did take the time to help Amalia get situated in the small guest room she would be staying in.

It wasn't like there was a lack of anything for Amalia to do to kill time, Leia had told her to look about freely. Leia's apartment had hookups to just about everything, and from what attention Leia did pay to Amalia, Amalia spent most of her time in a nearby chair catching up on the latest holonet news.



The next morning, Leia awoke with a start, someone was pounding incessantly on the door. She found she had fallen asleep on the couch whilst reading, because she felt the weight of the datapad on her stomach. A blanket had also been thrown over her, and this she noted with a smile.

The ever insistent person outside pounded again, and Leia sat up groggily, rubbing her eyes.

"All right, I'm awake, I'm coming!" She shouted in the direction of the door, knowing quite well she'd rather go back to sleep than hop into what was on the other side of the door.

A quick glance at the chrono on the wall confirmed her assumptions- it was quite early, just after 6 AM.

She rose from the couch and padded across the room to the door, which she only cracked open at first to look through.

"Yes?" She said, quite calmly.

A man in a New Republic Intel uniform met her gaze.

"We need to get going, we're already running behind, and besides debriefing you obviously need showered and clothed... but everything can be taken care of at the Center, of course..."

Leia smiled amiably and opened the door the rest of the way. "Yes, of course. Do we need to wake up Amalia?"

The man shook his head and grinned. "No, we'll let her sleep for now and then send for her later, but right now you're coming with us..."

"I'll be a minute, first..." Leia announced, and dissapeared back inside.

She returned a few minutes later still in her socks and the wrinkled shirt and pants she had been wearing since yesterday, also holding a pair of fuzzy slippers in one hand and her brush in the other.

"What? Come on, we're late" she said in response to everyone else smiling when they saw her, and strode past them.

She let her hair down and brushed it out on the ride over to the government center, and put on her slippers.

Upon stepping out of the hovercar she was immediately greeted by an entourage of military people, who directed her inside the large complex to a large meeting room deep within the bowels of it. Here was where they were staging planning for tonight's "party", and here Leia sat for most all the rest of the morning being assaulted with as much information as the Spooks could pump into her...



Just before noon, Amalia was sent for. The same Intel officer that had knocked on Leia's door so early this morning found himself knocking again...

Amalia awoke just a bit after 10 AM, on most days though she usually was awake by 8 am, but being that she was not in her usual surroundings probably had something to do with the change in schedule, at least she suspected that to be the case.

She took her time in getting up, and she was all dressed and fully awake by 11:00 AM.

She entered the living room area to find Leia gone, the blanket and datapad still lay on the couch. Amalia smiled lightly, picking up the blanket and folding it neatly. She set the blanket back onto the couch after she had finished folding it. She picked up the datapad, her eyes swept over it for a moment. She was tempted to read what was on the datapad but she did not read it, instead she placed it onto the table top and then sat onto the couch.

She quietly sat on the couch, wishing she had had something to do to keep her busy. Sometimes Amalia felt like she had more time on her hands than need be.

She suddenly remembered what today was, or rather more of what was to happen tonight.

Well, looks like I'll have more than enough to keep me busy tonight, if not during the day...

She thought of Leia and what she was probably doing right now, probably having some meeting or other, going over this or that, something important.

She looked around suddenly, another table catching her eye near the window. She walked over to the table, a bowl of fruit was centered in the middle of the table. An odd look crossed her face, she was trying to recall if she had seen that bowl there yesterday, she had not, maybe she had not bothered to notice, too busy concentrating on other things.

She scanned the bowl of fruit, picking up a purple something or other, she giggled as she turned the fruit around in her hand, inspecting it.

Say, I wonder what these things taste like...

She took a big bite out of the fruit, it was sour, yet sweet, a little too sour for Amalia's tastes though. Her face became twisted up in a look of displeasure. She was more inclined to spit the piece of fruit out that was in her mouth, but just decided instead to swallow it.

Ugh! I don't know which is worse, this or that milky stuff!

She shook her head, as if doing so would get the taste out of her mouth, the taste went away after a time.

"S'ok, I was not much hungry anyhow."

She tossed out the fruit and went to sitting on the couch again, she jumped suddenly though when the knock on the door came, a little louder than a normal knock would be, but not to loud.

Note to self...have some type of noise around so as not to scare self half to death when new sound comes when all is quiet.

"Some Jedi I am," Amalia quietly mumbled to herself as she made her way to the door.

She stopped forzen suddenly though as she got to the door, just who was at the door? Was she even supposed to answer the door?

"Er...hum..."

She decided to answer it, guessing that it could possibly be someone sending for her.

She opened the door slowly, being greeted by an Intel officer, he smiled, not at all startled by her presence.

Yup. I was sent for...

She smiled back, he was the one to speak first.

"Amalia, I pressume?"

Amalia nodded silently, not really sure of what else to say.

"I came to get you, you'll be expected soon. Leia was taken already, early this morning. She had lots of business to attend, I'm sure you know how it is...Anyway, are you ready to depart?"

"Yes," Amalia said softly, though she still was not sure exactly where she was going, but she was sure she would see Leia there.

Amalia remained quiet for the most part of the ride inside the hovercar as it made it's way to the place where the "party" would be held.

After a short time, she found herself being escorted into the large complex, but that was as far as she went. She silently stood standing, waiting for someone to direct her somewhere or another...

OOC: We are actually currently in the main Government Center of Corellia (and the whole NR), The Senate meets in there, Leia's offices are in there along with many others... all sorts of gov't workings go on within. Sorta like the Imperial Palace on Coruscant, ya know?
We are not at the place will the party will be. So please adjust future posts accordingly, and don't worry about editing that one :)



Leia was half asleep when Amalia finally entered the room upon arriving at the complex.

Both of Leia's slippered feet were propped up on the table, her chair was leaning back as far as it would rotate, and her head hung off the back of the chair; her chin pointed towards the ceiling. Leia's hair was a cascade of shining brown down the length of the chair and onto the carpeted floor. Her eyes were half lidded, her jaw was slack, and both arms hung limply over either side of the armed chair.

She had finished her meeting with the Chief Intel Officer(an aged man with a steely look, who still retained his edge) a half hour ago, and now he was sort of keeping an eye on the sleeping Head of State while he shuffled papers about and continued his work there.

But when he looked up and saw Amalia enter, he rose and walked over to Leia, lightly resting a hand on her head; only for a moment. She revived almost instantly, and came back upright quickly to look at the newcomers. But her first words were not of greeting, instead of good humored jest.

"Okay, she's here, now will you let me out of here and feed me?"

The Chief smiled(as did the others who had also been working in the room earlier), and looked over to Amalia with a courteous nod.

"I am Thrace Riker, the Chief Intel Officer, though the head of the whole department is Han Skywalker... nontheless, I answer to very few..."
He smiled, carefully walked around Leia's chair, and then gestured to the door, addressing Leia again. "And yes, we can speak while we head up to the main conference room, where your lunch awaits."

Leia seemed to brighten at this prospect, and as the full group of people assigned to the mission now joined together and filed out of this room on the way to the main conference room, Leia popped up suddenly next to Amalia with a smile.

" 'Morning. Sorry I sort of dissapeared on you, but I had no choice... the Intel Gestapo here kidnapped me."

She rolled her eyes in mock annoyance, but she was still grinning.

"I trust you slept well and weren't too bored... and now aren't too lost with the current situation, despite all that time I just spent in meeting. They still haven't told me what we're doing..."

"That is coming" Riker offered, though he fell silent afterwards, and they soon were nearing the larger conference room.

OOC: heh, I figured so, had no idea what to call it. Thanks for filling me in, much appreciated.:)

IC: "Okay, she's here, now will you let me out of here and feed me?"


You??? What about me?? I took a bite of one of those nasty purple fruit things...ruined my appetite...

Amalia smiled at the man as he introduced himself.

"Pleasure to meet you, sir."

Leia popped up next to Amalia, smiling, Amalia returned the smile with a smile of her own.

"It's ok, I kind of figured you'd be gone when I awoke. Glad to be here now though, um...not that I'd rather be somewhere else or anything but um..."

She paused kind of one of those duh moments when one was gonig to say something but then they end up forgetting what they wanted to say.

"....Yes, like I said, glad to be here...."

Amalia smiled sheepishly.

"I know less than you do, but don't worry, I catch on quickly."

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Purple things? I wouldn't know, I didn't pay attention to whatever they left out for me this time...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"..I catch on quickly..." Amalia was saying now.

"Hey, I think I should know that by now, I did teach you once upon a time..."

They were entering the main conference room now, so Amalia didn't have a chance to respond.

Leia took her seat at the head of the long conference table, and Amalia was given the first one to Leia's right down the side. The Chief Intel Officer had a seat on Leia's left, across from Amalia, and everyone else just plopped into a seat.

As per Leia's rather adamant requests, lunch was served firstly, and then the briefing presentation was prepared. Riker was to give it, and he stood up and cleared his throat. The room quieted at this and all attention turned to him.

"You all should already be aware of why we are here: Intel caught wind of an impending terrorist attack on the political ceremonies tonight.

After some extensive research we have come to believe that the terrorists will attack with either another bomb, or a showy hostage situation and mass gun holdup, shootout, what have you.

In anticipation of this security has been tightened, and there will be bomb squads combing the building that the ceremony is to be held in. They have already started this, and will continue straight through, hopefully until the end of the ceremony.

Also, we have managed to recruit two Jedi Masters to keep an eye on things."

He gestured to Leia and Amalia.

"I know that it is extremely questionable to place our Chief of State in such a certain danger zone, but the pros outweigh the cons, Leia here sort of insisted on attending, and she is a Jedi, after all. She can take care of herself, and we as usual have a few extra precautions....

She will go about her usual business, and keep an eye on things.

It is Jedi Master Amalia Azalin, here, that may be our greatest asset. She shall 'mingle' with the guests freely and of her own accord. What she finds, you listen to and redirect necessary forces to help, no questions asked, no disputes. Just do it, and do it quickly.

Master Azalin, you shall be taken aside separately later to be further instructed on what you are to do."

He clasped his hands together, looked around the table.

"Simply put, there's nothing special or difficult about what you each will have to do, or have been doing. Yet, your tasks are still of great importance... most of the leading senate members will be in attendance tonight, as well as many important visiting dignitaries. We can't let anything happen to them."

Leia looked over at Amalia with raised eyebrows.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> When was the last time you attended a High function of any sort? It's not like you don't have to do anything but walk around with a smile glued on your face, but...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Amalia sat quietly, being very attentive to all that Riker had to say. Not once did she take her eyes off of him, until he was finished speaking.

She did not turn to Leia, even though she knew Leia was addressing her through the force. Amalia's expression seemed almost lost for a moment or so, as if she were somewhere else, but she was only thinking.

She turned to look at Leia, a puzzled look crossing her face. A cool gaze finally swept over her face, her left eyebrow rising up slightly as she continued to look at Leia.

But...but what....Princess?...

Amalia continued to let the cool gaze stay on her face. She knew exactly when the last time was that she had attended a high function of any sort....never. The only functions she ever attended where of the high council, but that would not exactly help her here and now.

...I catch on quickly???...

That was the only answer she could give Leia, and even then it was more of a question type answer, hoping that it would be good enough for Leia.

Leia grinned.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> You got it!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Now Riker turned his gaze on Leia.

"I suppose you are free to be released to your aides and your own devices, seeing as you have yet to freshen up and all..."

Leia nodded, and rose from her chair, though she did not take her leave just yet.

Riker turned to Amalia.

"Proper facilites will be provided to you as well, it is your choice as to whether you wish to wear your Jedi robes or a fine dress that we can find for ya."

Leia nodded to Amalia. <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> And you know where I'll be.... my offices, of course...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Leia departed to attend to her own needs, leaving Amalia alone again for the time being.

Riker smiled at Amalia.

"It seems to be my duty to get you to where you need to be. So if you'll please follow me, I shall lead you to a set of rooms where you can attend to your own needs as well..."

He led Amalia out of the room, and they continued down the hall. After a few moments of silence he spoke up, trying to stir a little conversation. After all, it was a long walk...

"Best friends with Leia Organa Solo huh? Must not get to see her too much, I imagine...?"

Amalia silently thought of what Riker was offering to her. She gulped slightly, but it went unnoticed.

Just exactly when was the last time I wore a dress??

Not in a very long time had Amalia worn a dress of any kind. There was never a reason for her to wear one. Well, except when she was out with her husband, which at that was very rare, she could never find that much time anymore for the alone time.

Amalia watched Leia walk away. Smiling lightly, Amalia turned her attention back to Riker.

"Thank You.."

She followed him out of the room, entering the hall. Amalia glanced over at Riker as he spoke, keeping in stride with him as they walk. She did not answer him for a moment at first. Amalia was as shy as anyone could be. She did not always feel comfortable with talking to a new face, she was also careful with the conversation she brought forth to a new face. However, she could plainly see that he was just trying to strike up conversation, so she saw no harm in continuing on with the conversation at hand.

"No, not really, but I'm glad for the chance to see her when I can. I'd rather it be this way, than not being able to see her at all."

Amalia answered Riker directly as conversation went on, but she tended not to want to trail off in topic, prefering to stick with whatever Riker wished to speak of, as she often did with a new and unfamiliar face.

Amalia was finally spared any more conversation, as they reached their destination and Riker said his farewells.

Two women and an Intel operative greeted Amalia now. The two woman quickly took wardrobe measurements on Amalia even as they said hello and introduced themselves as Stella and Tara. They quickly interrogated Amalia on dress preferences, and then sent the waiting Intel operative off on some errands bearing a quick note they made out to him listing what they had just heard.


With that Amalia was shown to the showers and left to herself while a selection of dresses was made for her from what she had given them to go by.

These people sure had a way of coming and going rather expeditely...


***


Unlike Amalia, Leia was taking her own sweet time in getting around. Her office group contained not only her office and it's waiting room, but a door in the back of her office led to a back room with a small lounge area and 'fresher, not to mention most of her Coruscant faring diplomatic wardrobe. Leia had spent many a night in here rather than her own apartments.

After a long, hot shower, Leia threw on a clean t-shirt and pants, then allowed her 'public relations aides'- a man and a woman, in to help her firstly get her hair tamed, not always such an easy task.

That being accomplished, they left while Leia changed clothes into the dress she would be wearing for the evening- customarily white, it was long and sleek, barely brushing the tops of her feet as she moved.

It took a good twenty minutes for Leia applied her own makeup, plus an additional ten or more as the ever so picky aides touched up her work to perfection.

At any rate, a fully transformed Leia stepped out of her offices on her way back to the conference room over a full two hours later.

They had to depart in less than an hour now, Leia wondered how Amalia was coming along... she supposed she was about to find out, as she was told Amalia had finished a little while ago and was already there waiting.

Her primary aide met her and the small entourage of people following her halfway, however. He handed her a datapad.

"I'm sorry you are going to have such short notice, but you will have to make an introductory speech after you finish greeting people..."

Leia sighed, but took the datapad, turned it on, and began typing out notes as they walked.

A few minutes later they entered the conference room and rejoined the rest of the Intel 'team'...

Amalia was not used to being pampered and looked after in such a way. Only two women, and an Intel operative, but it was enough to drive the Jedi Master nuts. She was not used to all the instruction and all the fluttering about.

Oh! Leia is soooooo going to hear about this later!

Amalia silently thought to herself, though she knew it had nothing to do with Leia. Though her manners still managed to remain intact as the two women worked with her, Amalia had never been so glad to see a set of people go. Maybe Leia could handle such hustle and bustle, but not Amalia, it was all too overwhelming for Amalia.

She let out a breath of fresh air as the people left her. It was then that Amalia began to wonder how Leia could possibly enjoy such things as what had just happened with her, however, she figured that Leia was just used to it by now.

She smiled lightly to herself as she went to go shower.

"Well, at least I get a pretty dress out of all this, so I guess it all seems worth it. I just hope I catch on quickly, real quick..."

An hour or so later Amalia found herself being escorted to some new place.

They sure do a lot of moving about here, why can't I just stay in one place. It is not like I know where I am being put anyhow, I was perfectly fine in that nice room and...

Amalia looked down to find a light yet gentle hand touching her forearm. Both of her forearms were covered in long pale white silky gloves, reaching up past her elbows and up a little ways up her upperarm.

Her dress was made of the same material, just as lnog as Leia's, perhaps a tad bit shorter, but only by an inch or so. Only difference was that Amalia had trouble walking in her dress. She was an accident just waiting to happen.

Her hair was neatly tied up, though not in a fashion Amalia was used to. It felt heavy on her head, perhaps it was just a bit too tight up there.

It had been a while since she herself had worn any sort of makeup, and even now it was barely noticeable on her face. The makeup highlighting her facial features well.

Amalia still was not used to wearing the dress that adorned her body now, it was not like the dresses she usually wore, more elegant than what she was used to.


She looked up slowly at the person whom had touched her, she smiled lightly.

"This way..."

...And so she found herself entering into a new room, only difference was that this one was filled with people, the other room had been empty for the most part.

She found herself standing off to the side, not wishing to be in the way. After all, someone would come get her if they needed her....