Kijani was feeling nervous as the “couple” approached Eskel’s father. She was surprised to see the King looking so haggard. There was an exhaustion in his bearing. As he spoke, she kept her head held high, and kept her eyes focused despite wanting to look around. There was a churning beginning in her stomach that she didn’t like.

The strange, red-garbed guards were very strange. Somehow, she couldn’t get a full sense of them. No emotions at all seemed to come through the Force, which was actually rather unnerving.

And then - 

Kijani stumbled ungracefully as the black cloaked man turned around. If he was even a man anymore. She had never felt anything like this. This icy, unknowable darkness. This raw, primal fear. Cold sweat broke out upon her brow, and it was only her royal training and her grip on Eskel’s arm that kept her upright.

“Emperor Palpatine?” Despite the fear starting to weaken her knees, she dipped into a curtsy. “It’s an honor to make your acquaintance, truly. I’ve read so much about you. Clearly, words do not measure up.” She wasn’t lying when she said that. The history books mentioned a charismatic and capable man who was disfigured by the Jedi. They mentioned his successful rise to Emperor in a bid to unite the star systems under unified control. They certainly didn’t mention the fact that the dark side of the Force simply leaked from this man like an unending faucet.

“It will be a joy to see my father again.” Almost all of her attention was going to focus on her breathing. But she was starting to look very wan, and a little lightheaded. “I… f-forgive me. Perhaps the journey here took some energy out of me.” She gave Eskel a gentle look. A look that she would have given Adam; a lover’s gaze. Behind that, she simply thought as loud as possible, in the hopes that he would pick up on her intention.

Get me the hell out of here.

“Perhaps I should… take a small rest.” And then she let go of her control, letting her eyes roll back and her body fall forward.