Creepy... The Emperor can really be creepy, and you made him very creepy indeed.

Poor Mara; so young and trusty and her life is gonna be twisted by the Emperor.

I can't say 'nice' vignette since creepy is much more appropriate. ;)

Hugs Lora

This is the best Mara Jade explanation I've ever read. Really wonderful - especially in Palpatine's enjoyment of childish trust... it's Anakin Skywalker all over again. LOVED IT!!

Wow, this is great. Ethereal and spooky
It kind of had an unsettling distance to it all which I always love in writing - a sense of someone on the outside looking in, with tiny details scattered here and there to make it subtly unsettling.
Bravo!

This was really good. I particularly enjoyed that you showed such a slight crack in the Emperor--that even he's not completely immune to human sensations. I like to think that there was something to his relationships beyond sheer objective manipulation--which is not to say that they're in any way healthy or good, but nothing can be really, viciously wrong unless there's something genuinely good at the root. I think you portrayed that very well. It's so easy to just caricature Palpatine but you gave him dimension here, and Mara too, and it makes such a refreshing change. There's not many writers who capture him so well; I'd like to be one of them but I think I have a way to go. :)

Anyway, lovely vignette and definitely one for the favorites list!

Wonderfully written! An unusual insight into the moment Mara's future was decided upon. You capture the essence of such a young one: the innocence, blind faith and trust they have at a young age before life changes them. Palpatine taking advantage as always of these situations. Well done!