⚔️ For @prodijedi who liked for a starter ⚔️
To the surprise of absolutely no one, the discovery request was taking its sweet time being fulfilled. Whispers of suspicion were quick to rise and just as quick to die down with a few key words from a few key players. The last thing they needed was Palpatine to be made aware that there was an ongoing investigation occurring - one that could, and likely would, end with his execution. Unfortunately, the rumor mill had turned. And though it had been stopped, it was not without the ears of a certain few having been perked up and put on edge to the point where they were now digging their heels in, or otherwise dragging their feet in an attempt impede the investigation.
The High Chancellor? A traitor? Certainly not! We'll have no part of this witch-hunt.
So it went. And while many on the Council, including the Grandmaster, were convinced that they'd find enough evidence, the tension remained. Again, the idea of Dooku testifying and using his journals as evidence was raised, but that was a whole other debate that was ongoing in the council. To trust or not to trust the word of a treacherous count. The idea certainly had its merit. But the evidence was circumstantial at best. They needed concrete proof to back it up. At least, that was Master Yoda's belief.
Because if they could find that, then it could mean the fall of the Sith, and the exoneration of his old Padawan.
For now however, both the Council and their investigation were in gridlock. Still debating, still searching. And for Dooku, that meant he was stuck in a limbo of sorts. Back in the Temple at last but still donning his force-suppression cuffs, afforded only as much freedom as his leash would allow him and left in the care of his handler. His bond-mate.
"Nothing yet," she sighed as she walked in, carrying with her a datapad that displayed the current updates from the scribe recording all the ongoing conversations in the Council's chamber. "They're waiting on some sort of breakthrough from the investigation team. But they've been at a halt for the last two weeks because neither the Banking Clan nor Nute Gunray want to answer any questions. They won't even respond to invitations from the likes of Senator Amidala."
The datapad slipped from her hands into the basket tucked into the crook of one arm as she collapsed into a chair near the door, one paw rising to press at her temple. She was aggravated. Her brow and her tail were both twitching, indicating that she likely had a tension headache from all the stress. After a moment of trying to soothe it was some small circles, she looked back at Yan and smiled. Oh that smile. All these years and it never ceased to be so warm, so comforting, even with the exhaustion she felt lingering in the corners of her eyes. "I don't know how you were ever able to do all this. Politics, I mean. It all just seems so exhausting."
She sighed, trying to cast the thoughts from her mind for the moment. Trying to bask in the relief that came with the realization that such a job would never be hers. Instead, she redirected her attention to the basket still hanging off of her free arm and moved to pull it into her lap. The datapad was removed and banished to the table beside her and she moved to navigate through the actual contents within, verifying it was still intact before setting it on the floor and pushing it towards him. "Enough about that though. Here, I brought you something."
Handmade tarts, just like the ones she used to bring to their picnics when they were still just younglings. Carefully folded pastries filled with sweet creams and jam made from various fruits across the galaxy. A rare sweet treat indeed. And to think, her first thought upon seeing them for sale was of him.
