Dearest readers and loyal devotees of the guilty pleasure of gossip I have copious amounts of fodder for you to delight in today. So get a beverage, kick back and get in on all anyone will be talking about this week...

I'm just going to start at the beginning. Game 6 of the Hyperball Championships at the ArialDome last night. The Coruscani Crushers won but really, who could care? They we're so not the story of the evening. It was all about the Skywalkers. That's right, Padme accompanied Anakin to the game. The jaw of many a girl dropped when she walked in on his arm. Obviously, it was a shock to see her but everyone was more fascinated with what she wore to the event. Everyone is always totally impressed with the straight-laced Senator and her exquisite choice of adornment on a given day on Coruscant but last night, Padme took it to a whole new level. She wore a Phillipe Xu creation and left her usual comfort zone behind. The ensemble consisted of a white leather skirt adorned with metallic detailing that couldn't have been any shorter, a matching corset top that revealed assests one forgets she possesses and matching thigh high stiletto boots. For a minute I'd thought she'd dressed for Obi-Wan, like the rest of us. She wore her hair up but more simply than we're used to seeing. Her jewelry was amazing also. She wore matching fire gem earrings & necklace. She was definitely one of the hottest women in the arena and I think from her posture and demeanor, she knew it. It certainly garnered her the attention of many a male at the game. Most specifically, Anakin seemed to have trouble concentrating on the game and he also seemed to have quite an issue with keeping his hands to himself as well. Rock on, Pad!

The second most important thing at the Hyperball game was that Obi showed up. Looking absolutely amazing and totally unattached. The JO's most eligible bachelor was the object, destination and obsession of many a woman in attendance and we wouldn't have had it any other way. Things were somewhat tame until after the game when everyone was leaving. It seems there was a mob of a sort that kind of chased him for a bit. Okay, okay, it was a mob and there was a chase... and of course, I was one of the participants. It could be referred to as a riot but really, that's just an egregious exaggeration. It was more of a controlled chaos sort of thing. Sure, there was some disrobing of Obi and he may have been grabbed by someone who assumed it was his lightsabre... or not... but really, it was all quite innocent. Anyway, after much pushing, shoving and all out hair pulling within the mob, he broke out the whole JMT on the mob and most were pretty overcome with the idea that Master Windu was even more of a post game treat and took off after him. The last I saw of the Master at the arena, he was well in hand and pretty much detained by quite a number of scantily clad women. Maybe it's just me but he didn't seem to be putting up that much of a fight.

Anyway, it was a mad dash home and a quick wardrobe change to get ready for the party. Let me just say, there were tons of people in attendance... some of whom weren't even invited. The Skywalkers were nice enough to let them in, but really, how rude to just show up. Granted, this was arguably the party that if you didn't receive an invitation you may as well be dead because your social status surely is. Even so, there's no need to be declasse. Anyway, the party was going on at quite a nice pace and just as previously assumed, Padme's gown was spectacular. Florin Kelith outdid herself this time. The gown was of the finest purple silk of Naboo and was absolutely flattering. It was sans embellishment and showcased Padme's shoulders well when she went without the accompanying wrap that seemed to encompass all of the colors in the Nubian palette. She was absolutely resplendent. A thing few of us will forgive her for any time soon.

Additionally, I shan't forgive her handmaiden, Sabe either. She was off for quite some time, alone with Obi and I think a woman or hundred may be contacting Fett to put out a hit on her. All I'll say is... it's on Sabe, I was willing to share Obi but you aren't playing fair so... let the games begin!

As with all things, just when you think it's going to be a routine bore, something happens and it turns into what you'd hoped for all along. Scandal! Everyone was engaged in polite conversation when a glass of wine went flying across the room. We all turned to look and found it was set into motion by Padme and landed quite clearly on Anakin. This launched them into the fight of all fights, right in front of everyone. Padme spent the next few minutes basically putting all of their business into the street... or at least confirming what I'd already done in the column. Apparently Pad reads the column too and she was none to happy with Ani. And the whole turbolift thing... no holovid confirmation needed, Padme put the spec to rest.

We were all astonished and agog and then... it got even better. It may be that Pad will be on the starting lineup for the Coruscant Crushers next season, she's certainly got the arm for it. She put on an exhibition for all when she threw Anakin's lightsabre off the veranda. Good arm, girl! She also confirmed what I'd alluded to in a previous column. Anakin's scar was definitely from one of her rage fits and she's so not sorry. How long does it take to construct a lightsabre anyway? I guess he'll be putting in long hours at the temple for a while. Hint, hint, girls. And a word to the wise for Ani, you may want to make an extra backup sabre... just in case. And not to worry about the truth getting out about the scar, it matters not to us. Obtained on the battlefield during the Clone Wars or on the battlefield of marriage, you're still hot. And to the JO, you can't spin with these two, they're way too unstable and high profile.

Anyway, the lightsabre was followed shortly by a flurry of colorful clothes from Padme's wardrobe. Anakin tossed those off the veranda. I swear, whomever was below must have thought it was bizarre to say the least... well, except if they happened to be concussed by the lightsabre falling from such a height. Oh yeah, Anakin also tossed some pricey jewelry too. You gotta' love it, right? It got better, as unlikely as that seems, when Padme, who'd clearly had enough launched herself at Anakin in a full on tackle. Professional sports, Pad... professional sports. If ever you tire of the Senate, it could be your next calling.

As hard as it was to pull myself away at that point, I had to silently slip out with everyone else. Just as we made our exit, a vase crashed and we could hear Anakin asking her to let go of something and all I could think was, "The gown won't survive the night." Suffice it to say, the Skywalkers aren't the best hosts on Coruscant but they are damn entertaining.

With plenty of evening to burn I dropped in at Suspension but the vibe was pretty much dead and I don't much enjoy being hit on by a certain Supreme Chancellor (note, I didn't say former). It's just skeevy, so I headed for the lower levels to my favorite hot spot, Flux Infinity. Everyone from the party made the exodus there at some point in the evening. Master Windu was in a corner with a couple girls I recognized from the melee at the Arena and he looked pretty happy. Yoda and Yaddle were back in the slave pit, showing everyone how it's done. And then Obi arrived, with Sabe and more than a little inebriated. I can't wonder what Sabe was thinking (then again, she was pretty fargone herself) bringing him right into the lions den. It was clear pretty soon that she arrived with him but she wasn't leaving with him. Obi was virtually swarmed and eventually draped by scantily clothed bodies and his avoidance technique from earlier in the evening was quickly abandoned.

And everyone was none too surprised when Padme dropped in in the wee hours of the morning sans Anakin! Drunk or not, I think everyone had a WTF moment. She drilled a few shots at the bar and headed straight for the cages. Who knew, right? Something must not have gone as expected in the end for the couple. It's one thing to see Anakin there, but Padme? I've got to find out more on that whole situation and as soon as I know more, I'll let you all know. What I will say is that there was a certain person in attendance and he paid her quite a bit of attention. Can you say, Paolo? Oh dear, what will Anakin say? Will he slip into that freakish but hot Sith thing or will he be all crestfallen and broken hearted? Can't wait to find out.

So there was much partying and the evening was a complete success afterall. I don't exactly know who left with whom... and I include myself in that group ... but from all indications, the evening was a complete success. So thanks, Ani & Pad!

As an aside, reports are that none other than Shmi Skywalker was seen arriving at 500 Republica this morning for an impromptu visit. We all know how she dotes on Anakin and I think it doesn't bode well for Padme. Just when you thought they didn't have enough drama in their lives, Mama Skywalker shows up. Oy vay! I'm sure she'll give us plenty to talk about and I hear she has no definite date of departure as of yet.

That's all for now and don't forget to tune in for Game 7 of the Championships. It's the final and deciding game and yeah, Ani & Obi will be there, so don't miss it. As always, if you do, then don't miss my next report