That was . . . amazing. Seriously, wonderfully amazing. I've not read a Star Wars fic that good until now. You have a gift and I look forward to reading more of your work.

Thank you for sharing with us.

Very well done. The title is perfect.

A look into Padme and Anakin/Vader's relationship from the eyes of an outsider who doesn't know what truth he's seeing.

Palo deleting such a perfect picture was horrible. And I'm sure that he's baffled by his conversation with Vader.

VFA

Excellent. Your intelligent subject matter is rivaled only by your deft turns of phrase ("two repetitions past irritation" was a particular favorite. Fan fiction rarely sees something as intellectual and just plain well-constructed as this tale. But nor does it bog one down with depth--Vader looking for art that reminds him of Padme is sure to draw in more casual readers.

If you don't mind nitpicky comments-- I'd cut "He and Ganfré had escaped the general destruction of Theed and the violent purging of anti-Imperial factions that had happened three years after Palpatine rose to power, and the horrendous industrialization of the countryside that had begun then--the industrialization that had left it all but an arid wasteland and had always struck Palo as nothing more than wanton cruelty--but in a way he hadn't escaped at all." into a couple separate sentences so it's not such a run-on.

I think of Vader more as the "[won't] think anyone is brave who won't pick up a blaster...[not] as particularly subtle or given to intellectual protests." type, not the art-appreciating type, even though his pursuit of the picture of Padme is understandable. He is deep in regrets and memories (Padme, Tatooine)as you protray him here, and that's good because it points right to his redeption in RotJ.

Aw! So touching...and the painting was so momentary, like truths are in life...

This is a rare story.

Very good, though sad at the same time.

That was such a good story and sad.
SO different from other fics. I really liked it.

Wow... that was good. Powerful. It was a very different perspective on Vader and Padme. I enjoyed it.

What an unusual and amazing piece, just like the atrwork described.

And what a deeply sad ending.

This was beautiful, I loved your description of the final painting and the truth that Paolo can't know. I would think Vader would be a bit more put off by the cavalier dismissal of Padme's first kiss, but it works.

excellent piece.

amazing, well-written, and beautiful. I especially liked the line where Palo realizes his work "contained some truth he couldn't quite wrap his mind around;" how you describe the creative process, creating something really true and meaningful. wow, wow, wow!

Beautiful, so well written, you have a real talent for writing.

I loved this. A side view no one else has done. Intense. Shows Vader's feelings and the repercussions it could have on an innocent artist-time for a career change indeed. I also read A Father's Heart and loved it too. If you have a listing of readers to contact when you write something new or update, please add me to it! I'm a huge fan now!

Whoa! Awesome story. :) I really like these little stories about bit-players in the greater drama and how they see things. Gives a deeper perspective on the story. You're really good at describing things and people. And art! Coolness.

wow.
Oh, and I luv this line...
"A secret," Palo mused. "Wonderful. The Emperor's minister wants to share a secret with me. That can't be good for my health."

Anyway, I am everly amazed at your writing skills. Please write something else that's Lord of the rings! Star wars is great, but...

I just discovered this little gem! It's a haunting backstory for Palo, and I like the idea of Vader collecting Naboo art. I'm almost sorry it ends like this, although I can see how the short story structure works. Bravo!