She Don't Know She's Beautiful

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A/N: I do not own Star Wars

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Chapter One:

"And who might this lovely thing be?" Grand Moff Ravik asked.

Mara Jade paused beside her Master the Emperor as attention was drawn to her. She felt awkward in her gown, one that the Emperor had selected for her. It showed more cleavage than she felt comfortable with, and had a slit all the way up to her upper thigh, exposing her right leg seductively. Her Master had made it clear that she was to be 'available' for anyone who needed further encouragement to remain loyal to the Empire.

Mara schooled her features into something she hoped resembled naive innocence. She hated these parties only because she was nothing more than a decoration to be placed upon some visiting dignitary or pawn the Emperor wanted her to keep a close eye on.

"This is Arica." Palpatine said, gesturing the redhead forward.

Mara obeyed without question, and bowed to the severe-looking man.

"Grand Moff."

Mara could feel the Moff's eyes roaming over her lustfully, and she gritted her teeth. Resisting the urge to run for the nearest shower, Mara allowed Palpatine to hand her to the Moff with a promise that she would be at his beck and call that evening.

Mara swore that she would do anything but sleep with him. She had a vibroblade hidden under her dress if he got any ideas to the contrary. She would gladly take a bout of her Master's Force lightning over having sex with the reek before her now.

"Arica, do have a good evening, My Dear. And treat my guest well." Palpatine said as he left.

"Yes, Master." Mara murmured.

"Mara?"

Mara Jade blinked once, realized her employer was addressing her, and blinked again in rapid succession.

"I'm sorry, what?" she asked, feeling her cheeks burn slightly.

Talon Karrde lifted an eyebrow, but made no comment about her wandering mind.

"I asked if you would attend the Grand Coruscant Ball next week?" he repeated. "There would be a great many opportunities to make new business arrangements."

Mara closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Is that the only reason to go?"

"Pardon?"

Mara sighed, and shook her head. "Nothing. Next week you said?"

"Yes. I hope you don't mind, but I also selected a gown I think you would look lovely in." Talon said.

Mara stifled a groan. "Fine, I'll go."

Talon cocked his head. "Is something wrong Mara?"

Mara thought about telling Talon the truth, but decided now was not a good time to relay past experiences.

Just for once, would it be too much to ask that I get to attend such a function as myself? She thought sourly.

"No, I'm fine, just tired." Mara finally allowed. "I think I will retire early if you don't mind. I'll leave in the morning to get started on my time off before the big event."

"I will have Shada bring you the dress then. Thank you Mara." Talon smiled.

Well, at least Karrde is more pleasant than Palpatine ever was. Mara mused on her way out. At least he doesn't outright order me to go, so I guess its step up.

Mara caught sight of a wall chrono and grimaced. It was two hours to midnight, which meant that if she wanted a decent night's sleep, she needed to be in her bed soon.

Tomorrow would begin early: she needed to make reservations to get her hair and makeup done, as well as her nails. No doubt all the salons and other various beauty parlors would be crammed full of women desperate to 'look their best' the day of the ball. Personally, Mara didn't see what all the big fuss was about.

If a woman had to cover up her natural beauty, what did that say about the person underneath?

Mara only dolled herself up for such occasions in an effort to blend in… or out of habit, since all her life she'd been required to put on a stellar performance. Otherwise, she didn't look too much into making herself "pretty".

Which I guess just puts me into the not-so-self-confident category. She thought. I don't really see myself as much of a catch… After all, who could love a former assassin?

Mara shook her head in an attempt to clear her mind, but as she prepared for bed and finally put her head to the pillow, she was assaulted with various memories of her time as Palpatine's pet.

Mara tossed and turned in her bed for a few hours before she gave up on trying to rest. She checked her chrono and moaned tiredly. It was only 04:00.

Hell with it, there is no point in delaying the inevitable. She groused. Grand Coruscant Ball, here I come. Yippee…

00000

"Remind me why I have to go to this thing?" Luke Skywalker asked his sister. "I'm not a politician or a governor."

Leia Organa Solo gave her brother a hard stare over the holo transmission.

"Because you are the Jedi Master. You will be representing the Jedi in this event; it's a great honor, Luke."

"Then why does it never feel like one at these huge parties?" Luke pressed. "Please tell me what I am missing here."

She cocked her head just-so. "Try changing your attitude toward these events." She said coldly. "That might help tremendously."

Luke glared for a moment, but eventually dropped his gaze.

"It's not like there aren't any other Jedi anymore you know." Luke sighed, returning his gaze to his sister.

"No one else is a Jedi Master, Luke." Leia reminded him.

Luke looked away. "I'm doing my best to rectify that fact." He muttered.

"Luke, I know these balls aren't your favorite events." Leia said softly. "But please, at least promise to make an appearance? Just for a few hours?"

The Jedi closed his eyes and wished his sister would just drop it.

"I have no one to go with. I thought one of the requirements was to bring a date?" Luke tried.

Leia lifted an eyebrow, seeing through his attempt to dodge what his sister clearly saw as his duty.

"I'm sure if you walked onto the street and told a random woman you need a date for the ball, they'd jump at the chance."

Luke sucked in an incensed breath, and cut the transmission abruptly. He felt Leia scolding him through their link, but he shut her out there too. Leia tried to call him back but he ignored her call, instead grabbing his robe and leaving the apartment.

He used the stairwell in case Leia tried to come see him physically, and was soon out of the Imperial Palace.

Luke drew his hood down low so his face was mostly hidden as he walked agitatedly. He passed many curious ladies, and their obvious stares only drew him into a worse mood. Growling low in his throat, Luke used the Force to conceal his identity further.

Cool our afterburners Skywalker. Luke scolded himself. It's just a ball. It will be over before you know it.

But Leia's comment still stung. Luke didn't always relish it when Leia decided to 'lend a hand' in his private life. Usually she at least used a polite degree of tact, but this time, she'd stepped over the line.

So what if his love life wasn't perfect? That didn't mean he wanted some casual fling with someone he picked up off the streets. That wasn't his way of doing things.

If Luke was going to settle down, which seemed unlikely at this rate, he wanted it to be with someone who made him feel whole. Someone who could love him for him, not for his status as the galaxy's only Jedi Master.

Luke sighed heavily, feeling his spirits droop further. But his anger drained away with it, so he decided to take that as a good thing.