Chapter Seventy-Eight

Mira

I watched Satine take in the Coruscant skyline from my apartment's balcony. The endless streams of air traffic flowed like rivers of light through the evening air, casting moving shadows across her face. Even after countless diplomatic visits, she still wasn't quite used to the sensory overload that was the Republic's capital.

"Different from Sundari, isn't it?" I asked, joining her at the railing. Below us, the city-planet pulsed with its usual chaotic energy - speeders weaving between skyscrapers, holographic advertisements painting the clouds in neon colors.

"It never sleeps," she said, shaking her head slightly. "Sometimes I miss the quiet of home." She paused, watching a Republic gunship cruise past our level. "Though I suppose 'quiet' isn't quite the right word for Mandalore these days."

I could feel the weight of her words. The situation back home was getting more complicated by the day, and being here on Coruscant, surrounded by Senate politics and bureaucracy, wasn't making things any easier.

"The Senate meeting tomorrow..." I started.

"Will be another exercise in patience," Satine finished, a hint of that dry humor I'd come to appreciate slipping into her voice. "Hours of debate that ultimately lead nowhere while Death Watch grows bolder by the day."

A warm evening breeze carried the sounds of the city up to us - snippets of conversation in a dozen languages, the hum of engines, the distant thump of music from the entertainment districts. Up here, in the upper levels, it was easy to forget the darkness of the lower depths. Kind of like politics, really.

"At least here we can speak freely," I said. "The walls in the Senate building have ears, but this place is secure. I made sure of it."

Satine turned to me with a grateful smile. "A rare commodity these days - safety and honesty." She straightened her shoulders, ever the duchess even in an informal moment. "Now, shall we discuss our strategy for tomorrow's session? I have a feeling Chancellor Palpatine will be particularly interested in our... situation."

The way she said 'situation' made me wish, not for the first time, that I could just solve everything with a lightsaber. But Satine's way - fighting with words and diplomacy instead of weapons - had its own kind of strength. I just hoped it would be enough to save Mandalore from what was coming.

I reached out to her, offering my hand. "Come on - let's review tomorrow's plans over dinner. I know a place in the upper levels that even the HoloNet reporters haven't discovered yet."

Satine looked at my outstretched hand for a moment, then took it, her fingers sliding between mine. The gesture felt more significant than it should have - maybe because on Mandalore, every move we made was watched and analyzed. Here on Coruscant, we could just be ourselves.

"That sounds wonderful," she said, genuine relief softening her features. "A few hours away from emergency transmissions and Senate briefings might help clear our heads."

As we walked through my apartment complex's corridors, the ever-present hum of Coruscant traffic provided a constant backdrop. The weight of everything - Death Watch, the Senate hearing, Mandalore's future - was still there, but somehow easier to bear when shared.

"Tell me something," I said, guiding us toward the landing pad where my speeder was parked. "What's your comfort food? And please don't say whatever the Senate cafeteria serves."

That got a real laugh out of her, the kind that made her eyes crinkle at the corners. "Tiingilar - traditional Mandalorian stew. Spicy enough to make a Hutt cry. Though I suspect most places here on Coruscant serve a rather... tamed version."

"I know exactly where to go," I grinned, already plotting our course through the skylanes. "There's a place in CoCo Town - run by an old Mandalorian expatriate. Makes it the real way, no compromises."

We reached the speeder, and I caught a shift in Satine's Force signature - something warmer, lighter than the careful diplomatic mask she usually wore. "Mira... thank you," she said quietly. "Not just for dinner, but for being someone I can trust. Someone who sees past the title."

"Always," I promised, meeting her gaze. "Whatever storms are coming, we'll weather them together."

She nodded, and for a moment we just stood there, the neon glow of Coruscant painting everything in shifting colors. Tomorrow would bring another round of political battles, but tonight was ours - just two friends sharing a meal somewhere in the endless city, trying to carve out a moment of peace in the midst of gathering shadows.

-

Satine

Mira and I walked through the stunning corridors of the palace, the soft glow of the lights casting gentle shadows along the ornate walls. We chatted and laughed, letting our conversation flow effortlessly. It felt so refreshing to share this moment—just two women bonding over life, dreams, and the challenges that lay ahead.

It had been far too long since I'd had a friend to share my thoughts with, especially one as supportive and understanding as Mira. The laughter we exchanged felt like a balm for my weary spirit, soothing the weight of the responsibilities that burdened me. I found myself sharing stories from my childhood on Mandalore, the mischief I and my friends would get into, and the beautiful landscapes that shaped my memories.

"And then there was that time I tried to ride a speeder bike for the first time," I laughed, recalling the chaos that ensued. "I ended up crashing into a pile of crates. My mother was furious, but my friends thought it was the funniest thing ever!"

Mira giggled, her laughter bright and infectious. "I can just imagine the look on your mother's face! Did you ever get back on a speeder bike after that?"

"Of course! But I was much more careful," I replied, smiling at the memory. "It's funny how moments like that stick with you, isn't it? They remind us of our resilience."

We paused for a moment, standing on the balcony that overlooked the bustling city of Mandalore. The vibrant streets were alive with activity, the people going about their lives, seemingly unaware of the storm brewing on the horizon.

"I cherish these moments," I said quietly, looking out at the view. "It's so easy to lose sight of what really matters when you're caught up in politics and duty."

Mira nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "I feel the same way. Sometimes, it's nice to just step back and appreciate the world around us, to breathe and be ourselves."

I turned to her, feeling a surge of gratitude for her presence. "Thank you for being here, Mira. Your friendship means a lot to me, especially now."

With a soft smile, she reached out to squeeze my hand. "I'm here for you, Satine. Always."

As we continued our stroll, I felt a sense of lightness that I hadn't experienced in a long time. For a brief moment, I was just Satine—a woman with dreams and fears, enjoying the company of a friend. Whatever challenges awaited us, I knew we would face them together.