An Enemy of a Different Sphere
"You know Padme? I think these sorts of balls are what I miss most." mused Ciaran, sipping on her drink.
"Well, peacemaking certainly is a lot of work. It's no wonder you don't have much time nowadays with how busy you are." replied Padme. "I'm honestly surprised you had enough time to attend this event. I never knew you had a passion for Icarii culture."
"I couldn't care less about the Icarii." scoffed Ciaran. "But my best friend does, and she invited me to a ball supporting that culture. You
make time for things like these."
"I'm not surprised you're incapable of understanding the nuances of Icarii culture. A shame too. You could certainly use a bit of culture." Padme and Ciaran turned around to see the man who had butted into their conversation.
He ran a hand through his blonde hair before taking a sip from his glass of wine.
"Oh, if it isn't Coruscant's #1 Most Eligible Bachelor. Fancy seeing you here, Arcangelo. Nice tuxedo." Ciaran's smile was far more forced than Arcangelo's cocky smirk.
"Isn't it? I decided to go with midnight blue. Black would have been the safe option, but fortune favors the bold." Arcangelo squinted his eyes as he examined Ciaran closely. "I see that you, on the other hand, have elected for a 'crippling poverty' aesthetic. It really suits you."
"Did you come over here just to be rude?" asked Padme, very much done with him.
"On the contrary, I came over here in order to catch up with my archnemesis. We so rarely see each other these days Ciaran. Did you finally realize you couldn't cut it on my level of society? I don't blame you. After all, society doesn't get any higher."
"Oh no, I've just been a little busy bringing about galactic peace, rebuilding planets, making connections, advancing medical science in leaps and bounds, researching bioweapons. That sort of thing."
"Figures you'd still be working for your money. Here's a tip from the pros Ciaran. You don't work for your money; you make your money work for
you." Arcangelo paused, furrowing his brow in confusion. "And you don't even have a bioweapon yet? I knew you were nouveau riche, but I didn't think you were
that nouveau."
"Well forgive us for trying to make the galaxy a better place." snarked Padme.
"Before you tackle the galaxy, maybe you should tackle your wardrobe. That shade of heliotrope just… does not work on you. If you want my advice, and trust me, you do, I'd suggest a nice burnt sienna next time you attend an event like this. You could probably make a nice chamoisee if you're going for a more understated look." said Arcangelo, slowly shifting from insult to sincere fashion advice.
"I'll keep it in mind." Padme was glaring fiercely now, though Arcangelo didn't seem to notice.
"As well you should. See Ciaran, Senator Amidala can take some constructive criticism. If I recall correctly, I mentioned that you should ditch the drab colors and expand your palette to include some brighter options." Arcangelo paused a moment, as if remembering that he had come over with the goal of insulting Ciaran.
"I own brighter clothes. I already owned brighter clothes then, Arcangelo, I just like to dress for the company I keep." Ciaran smirked to drive home the thinly veiled insult.
"I find the best company is one's self. It's a shame you think so lowly of yourself. If you ask me, you're at
least worth a passable chartreuse." Arcangelo looked across the room at the sound of another group's faint applause. "If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go mingle with people who matter."
Padme and Ciaran watched him saunter away, waiting until he was out of earshot before resuming their own conversation.
"I really don't like him." said Padme.
"I've never really met anyone who did." Ciaran shook her head, deciding to focus on more important things. "So I was thinking. If we snuck some laxatives into Sheev's morning biscuits, there's no way he'd make it to the Senate Chambers. They'd have to postpone the vote. He'd lose too many supporters without being in the room to intimidate them."
AN: So I binged Neo Yokio, and goddamn is Arcangelo the
best thing
ever. He also made me realize Ciaran didn't really have any low level opposition. Everyone who doesn't like us has a bioweapon. Or is a Sith. Or a Sith with a bioweapon.