They had long abandoned the pretense that they didn't despise each other, at least in their minds. It wasn't that they acknowledged it. They maintained respect between them, but they both knew the truth. And if Vader were forthcoming about those details, such as his irritation and hatred, it meant that Palpatine was satisfied enough not to seek more pressing matters in his mind.
Vader sighed as he was forced to relive the dreadful night while Sidious flipped through his memories. The old man was resolute in extracting whatever knowledge Vader had acquired from that dreadful night with the senator, ensuring that the information would not be lost to torture. The mission was not a total failure, even if his master would never acknowledge it.
After a few moments, Sidious withdrew, and Vader took a deep breath, feeling the pressure in his head diminish significantly. He didn't dare move or respond beyond his breathing. He waited obediently on his knees for the man to speak, his eyes cast down to the floor.
"Rise, my servant," Sidious' voice crackled as he finally acknowledged him, deliberately choosing his words to stoke Vader's already simmering anger.
Vader obeyed his master's instructions, accepting his words without complaint. Standing tall, he loomed over the old man once more. Nevertheless, he remained a humble servant, with Sidious as his devoted master.
Gradually, his master rose from his chair and approached his dark disciple. "Such arrogance, Lord Vader," Sidious snapped. "To make such a decision without my command or approval."
Vader knew the Emperor had no desire for apologies; he had no interest in them. Apologies signified weakness.
"He deserved to die," Vader replied, struggling to provide a more compelling justification. It was better than admitting that he simply wanted to do it.
"I suppose," his master slowly agreed, "but at the right time, my apprentice."
Vader remained silent, knowing that arguing was futile. It wouldn't benefit him or change anything, especially regarding the ever-shifting nature of his master's plans.
"If I am not mistaken," Sidious continued, "your mission was to remain unnoticed. You were tasked with providing me with answers." He raised his bony hands to gesture to the empty room. "I have no answers, none of which I desire." He took a step closer, his face twisting. "Then to create such a scene." He shook his head. "It appears you have failed me."
"Yes, master," Vader responded automatically, lowering his head.
"You disappoint me, Lord Vader. I expected more."
His master's insults had long since lost all regard for Vader. He hated failure enough on his own. He didn't need the man to remind him.
"I am aware of my failure, my master..." he replied simply, his voice somewhat dry.
"Is that so?" Sidious cracked a yellow smile, enticing him. "Then why did you reveal yourself? Why did you come to the aid of the Naboo girl?"
Vader lifted his head to meet the golden gaze of the other man. Something doubtful bubbled in his belly. "You said to keep her unharmed," he explained, curious about how Sidious would twist the situation against him. He knew Sidious would find a way, but Vader was merely following his orders until everything had spiraled out of control.
"Do you think I care if that absurd girl is raped?" Sidious laughed, almost relishing the thought. "Lord Vader, you really do disappoint me." Sidious shook his head as he took a turnabout the room. "I do not care about such meager matters. I just wanted to ensure she did not make any kind of escape."
Vader's chest tightened, uncertain of the emotion in the pit of his stomach. His jaw clenched as his eyes remained fixed on his master, silently listening.
"Perhaps, if you had allowed it to happen, it would have made it easier to reveal the information in her mind." He spoke to the room, more so than to Vader. "I would have enjoyed her shame." He paused, turning to Vader, almost appraising him. "Perhaps you could even do that."
Vader's stomach twisted as a distant memory threatened to take hold of his mind. He pushed it aside, forcing himself to remain still.
"If that is your command," he said instead, his voice steady, and immediately catching his master's attention.
Sidious paused and turned toward Vader, another idea clearly forming in his wicked mind. His lips curled over his teeth, slightly puckering in thought. His eyes narrowed with suspicion, though Vader could not discern the cause.
Sidious suddenly invaded his mind again, sifting through his memories until he paused on the recollection of the young senator just after Vader had halted the entire ordeal. She stood before him in her undergarments, the image freezing like a picture in his mind. Vader hadn't truly noticed her state before, but with the vision before him, he suddenly felt hot. Something deep within him stirred, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was- only the weaker side of him.
He tried to push the image away, but Palpatine kept it steady before their eyes for both to see.
In this way, it was hard to ignore what Vader hadn't noticed before. Vader could see the swell of both her breasts rising and falling with each breath, the small amount of hair that peaked out from her panty line from where the man had removed his fingers. Her hair was disheveled from the ordeal, and her cheeks sported a charming shade of pink. Not that Vader ever considered the color pink to be pleasant.
Her body was… attractive, yet it failed to excite him. Not truly. Just barely.
Vader summoned all his strength to push the image aside, enabling him to concentrate on his master. Although the old man's face stayed neutral, as if oblivious to this act, Vader sensed that he was being tested.
"Do you find her... pleasant, Lord Vader?" Sidious suddenly asked, and Vader couldn't help but frown.
What kind of question was that?
"No," he replied sincerely. He didn't find her pleasant in the manner his master was implying.
.
.
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