it was the silence underneath the stars

[democratically]

Who: Padmé + various
What: Catch-all event + various prompts
When: March
Where: Various locations
Content Warnings: Will update as needed.

PROMPT 1: JUNGLE LEVEL : OPEN

PROMPT 2: CATACOMBS LEVEL : OPEN

PROMPT 3: BLOOD DETOX : OPEN

Comments

[democratically]

Inner parts, I believe, and perhaps some outer work as well.

[Amongst other uses. Threepio is gold plated, for example. Padmé isn't certain how much use an actual droid that saw battle would be with gold plating. Usually a sturdier shell to protect against attacks.]

With something that seems insurmountable, take it one day at a time.

[thisislife]

Really? Wow. I had never thought about androids needing gold parts. Is that like a superconductor thing?

[because she has heard that if the US took a stronger stance against other countries, they wouldn't have the gold needed for iPhones]

Yeah. I'm trying? It's just. All of this is so far outside my frame of reference. Except this place, it's like the treasure hoard in "Aladdin" crossed with the one in "Raiders of the Lost Arc." And therefore, fucked up on every level.

[democratically]

I honestly don't know. My knowledge of them is fairly basic.

[Anakin would be the one to ask about that. He'd created his own out of scrap parts as a child. A genius, really.]

Mm. There is much that is different here, but there are also things that are the same.

[thisislife]

You know more about them than I do. I mean, I've heard of androids, but they've all been fictional. Like Data in Star Trek.

[she'd known that East Highland High had a robotics team and while it sounded like fun, she wasn't really a joiner]

I'm almost afraid to ask what's the same. I feel like someone drop-kicked me into some dystopian fantasy novel.

[democratically]

We have many different uses for them - protocol, astromech, battle, medical...

[Assassin ones as well, amongst others. They had a variety across the galaxy, with some planets relying on them more than others. Even different planets having different views on how to treat them... Naboo was fairly forward thinking in that regard.

Her gaze flickered over, and she offered a smile.]

The ability of those to aid each other.

[thisislife]

That's...a lot of androids. Are all of them specialized in one job? Though, I could probably use a protocol one, to translate me being...well, me into a normal, confident person.

[she was not and never would be cool. she'd mostly come to terms with that in her freshman year of high school, but it was easier to not be cool with company than it was on her own.

she smiles back a little nervously]

--oh! So it's a good thing! Yeah, most people seem really nice. It's almost weird, but I'll take it.

[democratically]

No, some can do multiple things. It just depends on the particular droid.

[Although a fair amount did have only one duty, so to speak, although it may be various skills that they had. Her gaze did flicker over, softening.]

Confidence comes from within. Believe in yourself.

[She pauses, to look back across the chamber. There has to be something... Unless all the gold and jewelry is covering something?]

It is, yes. I am glad for it though. Working together makes one stronger.

[thisislife]

Hmm. A multitasking one would be cool back home. It could help me with the housework. [and she'd treat it nice! having someone to do the vacuuming while she took care of the kitchen would've been great]

I'm...well, I'm trying? I'm not sure how much good I'll be at it 'cause for most of my life, my sister was the beautiful, popular one and I was kind of there. Not really involved in things, kind of watching from afar. But, a friend of mine told me that no one can tell if someone's faking confidence or not. Sort of the whole pretend until it's real thing?

[she was not touching any of the gold, especially not since she remembered the thing with the Knight Templar in "Raiders of the Lost Arc." Damnit, she watched too many movies]

[democratically]

I suppose you can come to mimic it.

[Thinking of her own upbringing. She and the others had learned how to wear many masks. A voice had been adopted and a persona, a cloak that went further than just clothing. Looks, mannerisms, speech. Not one area had been overlooked in the masquerade of attempting to protect her.]

But it does become the question of when reality and pretend cross.

[thisislife]

"I hope so? But I'm not doing rhinestones for eyeliner, I still can't understand how she always got those so perfect"

[such a situation would have made Lexi so self-conscious and not in a good way. she was already afraid that she was terminally uncool (and this time without having Rue there to be uncool with. and the more outgoing Cassie was, the more Lexi retreated into her own mind]

Yeah. I mean, eventually you have to prove yourself. Either you're confident or you're not. [a pause] I'm trying to make myself be confident now.

[democratically]

[Rhinestones for eyeliner? That, too, must she something that was from her world. Padmé knew of various make-ups, and her own face had often been painted in the traditional manner of Naboo when queen. She didn't really bother now, unless she was going to a function or a party that needed it. Even then, it was often based upon how easy it was to replicate, in case she needed to switch places.]

That's the first step, but even people who are confident... It doesn't mean you are all the time. You still have hopes and fears, and days where you're broken down. I think part of it it is how you deal with it.

[thisislife]

[definitely something from Lexi's world. she never had any idea of how Maddy could get her make-up so perfect every time, even after Maddy used her as a dress-up doll and did her make-up. and Jules, too, her eye make-up especially was always the most avant of the avant garde.

and Lexi took in what Padmé had to say with wide, dark eyes] I keep telling myself that while I'm here, I can't let myself fail. But that's unrealistic, right?"

[democratically]

You can try not to, but not everything will always go as you want. It's what you do after that gives the true measure of who you are.

[Padmé has stumbled so many times... And there had been instances where she had fallen and failed. When it had been hard. Each time she had come out stronger.]

[thisislife]

Lexi squeezed her eyes closed tightly and released a depressed-sounding groan. "Yeah. Figured as much." But she opened her eyes, meeting Padmé's head-on. "But I can do this. Right? They wouldn't have let me come on shore if I couldn't do this."

But she'd still be willing to sit on shore for months if it meant that Rue would eventually arrive. By herself? She'd be okay, given time. By Rue's side? She'd be fearless.

[democratically]

"Of course you can." There was sincerity in her voice as Padmé met her gaze in return. She was a glass half full type of a person and knew that hard work could go a long way. There might be missteps or falters, but with perseverance and determination, people might be surprised at what they could accomplish.