Something about Vader stiffens as Leia approaches, though she doesn't visibly move. 

She steps in close. "I wanted to apologize for keeping your daughter this long," she says, then eyes Vader's posture. " - It's loud in here, do you want to step out? Dalia will catch up."

(She has no idea why she said that, but... Sometimes Leia's instincts get ahead of her mouth.)

Vader nods, the movement jerky, and then turns and sweeps back into the much quieter reception room - and then into a side room off of it. 

Leia follows.

And, tone polite and even, continuing her apology without a hitch: "I should have realized Dalia would be spending some time with family today, and asked her about her other commitments."

"...It was not your responsibility."

She inclines her head. "Still."

"Family is important."

She's quiet for a long moment, then: "It is."

"She has... Other commitmemts than me."

(...There is absolutely no non-awkward way out of this, and Vader is known for her temper.)

(Leia makes decisions and also choices, sometimes.)

"She lost track of time," she says, carefully. "She very much wants to celebrate with you as well, though."

"Tonight is not for celebration."

Leia thinks of the Empire Day celebrations going on throughout the galaxy right now. The parades are likely all done, the after parties still in swing. Alcohol flowing freely, curfews relaxed, people celebrating the end to war.

((She thinks of the dissidents being arrested. She thinks of fights, of drunks cornering a non-human refugee. She thinks of state dinners, of keeping her face perfectly blank while Tarkin bragged about catching a spy within Alderaan's Palace staff, no need to thank him. She thinks of executions. She thinks of all the places the war never ended. (She thinks of an imperfect thing, a thing better than what came after it, a rallying call and a beacon of hope, destroyed the day she was born. (She thinks of rebellion.))))

"A controversial opinion," she says, voice distant.

"Truth and ideas the court dislikes seem to go hand in hand, lately."

She gives a noncommittal hum.

Then, slowly: "But your daughter was born today, too. Whatever else happened."

"...Yes."

"At times..."

"Tragedy and new opportunity can coexist."

She nods, and tries to think of what to say next.

Dalia reappears.

"Hey you two. Everything going okay?"

She gives Dalia a soft smile. "Yes."

Dalia's mom nods.

"Good." She turns to Leia. "So, um, we usually go and do some meditation for a while..."

" - You would be welcome to join us."

Leia had been opening her mouth to politely agree and excuse herself.

She just blinks, now.

"...If you wish."

Her brain reboots pretty quickly. "If it's alright with you, Dalia - ?" she asks, glancing at her girlfriend.

"If you want to, sure."

Smile. "Then I'd love to."

"Great." She hooks one arm through Leia's, and the other through her mama's.

Off?