[Third Person]
THEED ROYAL PALACE, NABOO
The strategy room was filled with palpable tension. General Anakin Skywalker, in his new Jedi General robes, paced back and forth. Queen Jamillia and Captain Typho reviewed fleet reports. Even Jedi Master Kit Fisto, sent by the Council to be a liaison, waited with a calmness that seemed forced. All awaited the architects of their new, strange alliance.
From an adjoining private chamber, noises began to emerge. First, Kaelen's voice, in a tone that sounded suspiciously like a plea.
"No, wait, sweetheart! That was purely hypothetical laughter! We were exploring the parameters of theoretical villainy!"
Then, Padmé's voice, dangerously quiet. "I gave you a warning, Kaelen."
"It was a high-heeled shoe! That's a disproportionate use of force! I could have lost an eye! A real eye, that is!"
There was a series of dull thuds, followed by a choked yelp and an "Ow! Right on the implant! That's going to need recalibration!"
Anakin exchanged a look of utter confusion with Kit Fisto, who simply raised an eyebrow elegantly.
A moment later, the chamber door opened.
Padmé Amidala entered first. She was immaculate. Her senatorial gown draped perfectly, her hairstyle was a work of art, and on her face was a serene, satisfied smile. She walked to her seat at the strategy table as if nothing had happened.
Then, Kaelen entered.
He looked... devastated. His hair was disheveled, his uniform robe was slightly askew, and he was rubbing his shoulder with a wince of pain. He walked with the air of a soldier dog who had just been caught chewing the furniture. He slumped into his chair beside Padmé, avoiding everyone's gaze.
"My apologies for the delay," Padmé said, her voice pure sweetness. "My husband and I were just finalizing some... key points of strategy."
Anakin looked at Kaelen, then at Padmé, and back at Kaelen. The image of this almost omnipotent being, who had neutralized a Sith Lord and created reality-breaking weapons, now reduced to a scolded husband, caused a short circuit in his brain. He couldn't understand it. The fear he felt for Kaelen was suddenly complicated by a strange, confusing pity.
Kit Fisto hid a smile behind his hand. "We hope the... 'finalization'... was productive, Senator."
"Extremely," Padmé replied, casting a glance at Kaelen, who winced slightly in his seat.
SMITH HOUSE, SEATTLE, EARTH DIMENSION
Meanwhile, a multiverse away, Beth and Summer were in the living room, watching TV. Rick's interdimensional communicator, which he had left for them for "apocalyptic-level emergencies or if the nachos run out," chimed.
It was a message from "Grandpa-Tyrant-69."
"What does he want now?" Summer complained, opening the message.
The subject of the message was: Galactic Spousal Discipline Lesson #1.
Attached was a video file: Shoe_vs_Genius.mp4.
Curious, they played the video. The image was from a hidden security camera, showing the private chamber on Theed. They saw Padmé, with a look of "patience exhausted," take off a shoe. They saw Kaelen recoil, stammering excuses. And then, although the action was blurry, the sounds were unmistakable.
"Ow! Not the metal arm! That one's new!" "MY DIGNITY! YOU'RE HITTING IT RIGHT IN MY DIGNITY!" "OW! OKAY, OKAY! NO MORE EVIL LAUGHS! I PROMISE!"
The video ended. Summer and Beth looked at each other. And then they burst into laughter.
"Oh my God!" Summer laughed. "Aunt Padmé does not mess around! She just became my favorite person in the entire galaxy!"
"Well," Beth said, wiping a tear of laughter and taking a sip of wine. "At least we know someone in that relationship has their feet on the ground. Or, in this case, their shoe in their hand."
Back on Naboo, Kaelen cleared his throat and straightened in his chair. His demeanor changed instantly, the façade of the scolded husband vanishing, replaced by strategic genius.
"Alright," he began, his voice now firm and clear, to everyone's surprise. "The plan to collapse the Republic Credit is ready for execution. But first, we need to create a massive distraction that draws Palpatine's eyes away from the financial centers."
He projected a hologram of the Outer Rim. "And I know exactly where and how to do it."
Everyone in the room leaned in, captivated. Despite what they had just witnessed, when Kaelen Ror spoke of strategy, everyone listened. They had learned he could be a terrified husband and a terrifying genius, all at the same time. And that duality was, perhaps, his greatest strength.