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English
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Part 4 of Obidala-Disney Ficlets
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Published:
2021-07-23
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432
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1/1
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Reflection

Summary:

After the events of the Battle of Naboo, Queen Amidala wanders in the palace gardens, deep in thought when she comes across another soul, also deep in thought.

Notes:

This takes place in the time between the end of the Naboo occupation and Qui-Gon's funeral. This is more Obidala friendship, written with a spirit of innocence, reverence and admiration in mind.

Song referenced: "Reflection" from Disney's Mulan.

These are a collection of AU Obidala ficlets centred around titles from Disney film songs. Bonus for including more song lyrics!

First posted on the Obidala Fan Forum Celebration 2018.

Work Text:

Who is this girl I see, staring straight back at me? thought Padmé. She saw a girl, wrapped up in a voluminous regal robes and elaborate hairpieces, hidden behind a mask of white. To everyone else, she was Queen Amidala of the Naboo. But as she looked at herself in the fountain water's reflection, she saw simply Padmé Naberrie, mountain village girl with a desire to help others.

Twilight was her favourite time of the day, where the stars shone, the night birds sang and she could transform into her real self once more. Bending down, she scooped up water from the fountain and washed her mask away. Next her hair came unbounded as her headpiece was placed on the ground. Then her elaborate robe was shed so that now she only wore a simple golden gown.

Turning her head, she spied a figure near the next fountain along, adopting a pose similar to her just moments previously. Not wanting to intrude upon his reflection, she turned to go when but halted when she heard him speak.

"....butterflies are the most remarkable creatures on Takodana. I have heard that they also live in the swamplands of Naboo. Have you ever seen one?"

She turned and walked towards him, curious as to what he would say. She had seen the grieving Jedi Knight the previous night and had respectfully given him some privacy, instead walking to the north quadrant gardens. But it seemed tonight he was open for companionship.

"Once, but it was on display at the Theed Natural History Museum. It is rare to see them in the wild."

Shyly she approaches him. He doesn't look at her - instead he stares intently at his hand, considering a piece of golden material. She looks at it, surprised to find that it is actually a golden shell, woven threads gently coming undone. She touches it, surprised at its softness against the callouses on his hands.

"The cocoon. It starts off as a caterpillar, then spins itself into a cocoon, before emerging transformed into a beautiful butterfly." He finally makes eye contact - she finds herself drawn into the sea of blue-green. In the deep pools she can see her reflection and suddenly she gets the feeling that he wasn't just making polite conversation about wildlife.

Out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly saw a flutter, before hearing him exclaim, "Your majesty, the butterfly has landed on your shoulder."

She stays perfectly still, save only for her eyes that gaze upon a rare beauty. She feels his eyes are trained in the same direction.

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