"Thank you, Senator." 

"I like to acquaint myself with the best of the new Jedi. We may be working together in coming years."

"Thank you, Senator. I hope you're right." 

"Have you thought about how you'd like your career to go?"

"It would be rather strange not to have, Senator." 

"I'd like to hear your thoughts."

"Mostly what I want is to be in a position that lets me do good in the world. The rest is — not quite window dressing, but it's less important to me."

He's aware that this sounds like the sort of thing you say when you're trying to polish yourself, but he's entirely sincere. 

"It can be difficult when you want to do good," Palpatine says mildly. "There are so many people suffering, and whenever you help one it feels like you are abandoning the others. I myself-- but you do not want to hear the ramblings of an old man." 

"You yourself?" he prompts. 

He stands up and stares out the window, which has a beautiful view of Coruscant. "When I was an ambassador, there was a young girl who asked for sanctuary in the embassy. We sheltered her for a while but eventually traded her for political concessions. Improved conditions for millions of Twi'leks. I often see her terrified face pass through my mind."

He opens his mouth and closes it and opens it again and says, "I don't know if I could survive in politics, for that very reason." 

"The duties of a politician and a Jedi Knight are in many ways similar. We must both avoid... attachment."

"Yes," he agrees, because he isn't sure he can say anything more detailed than that and still sound neutral. 

"But I am sure you have no difficulties with that. And you did not come here to listen to an old man reminisce about the glories of bygone days."

"I came here to listen to a Senator give whatever advice he cared to," he says, instead of commenting on whether he's had any problems with attachment recently. 

Palpatine asks Marlo more questions about his assignments. He is thoughtful, perceptive; he listens; he gives good advice.

He doesn't talk much, but then, he never does. He listens closely, thanks Palpatine whenever it seems appropriate. 

Eventually the half hour is up and Palpatine says, "Thank you for your time."

"And thank you for yours, Senator," and he goes. 

Elvee is in their room reading about Gray Jedi.

Gray Jedi are very interesting and if Marlo ever asks he will be prepared. He is drawing up a lesson plan. 

He does not in fact ask about Grey Jedi, then or in the next few days. He does ask about ancient civilizations, and listens enthusiastically to what Elvee has to say; he doesn't hug Elvee again no matter how much he wants to. He adds a third heavy blanket and deals with being too hot at night. 

Elvee happily tells Marlo about ancient civilizations, and does not suggest that droids are better than blankets for being heavy at night.

Marlo gets another unsigned message:

the outfit was not my decision. it's tacky. the boss wouldn't let me veto it. xoxo

.......he doesn't respond to that. 

He doesn't report it or delete it either. 

That afternoon Marlo is given an assignment. 

Apparently the non-Force-sensitive human with a lightsaber has kidnapped a minor princess from the Hapes Cluster. His job is to rescue the princess and neutralize the threat.