Shortly after landing I see Padmé dressed in desert clothes as well. "You're going?" I ask as she walks by with Captain Panaka.

"Yes," she replies. "I'm curious."

"Stay out of trouble," I tell her.

"You know how it is for me." She continues walking followed closely behind by Panaka.

"Sadly, I do," I murmur as they are out of ear shot. Having already checked on Sabé, I had nothing to do, so I continue walking aimlessly around the ship. Soon I come to find the Jedi apprentice fiddling with part of the ship, what I believe to be the hyperdrive generator.

I stop for a moment, unsure of what to do, although I have no idea why I'm unsure. Despite my age, maturity, and occupation, I've never been very good with people whom I don't know. Padmé and the other handmaidens got me to open up. I'm still awkward around Captain Panaka and have never exactly spoken to anyone else unless it has been to ask them to get something for the Queen.

"You can come on out," the Padawan says abruptly, pulling me out of my thoughts. "I don't bite."

I feel a blush creep onto my cheeks before I silently chided myself for many things. For one, letting myself get so lost in thought that I just stand there hiding. Two, for letting myself even blush. I step forward, wondering how he even knew I was there.

He looks up at me, his blue eyes meeting my brown ones. "You're worried," he states. My eyebrows furrow in confusion. "Jedi trick. The force allows me to feel basic emotions. You're worried, scared, and confused. It also allows me to tell when someone or something is near."

"That must come in handy," I suggest walking forward more. I turn my gaze to the generator.

"The whole thing is shot. We need a replacement," he tells me.

"So why are you still messing with it?" I inquire.

"To see if I can salvage any of it for other damaged areas of the ship."

He didn't say anything else, and I studied him. The man was tall, had fair skin, pale blue eyes, and broad shoulders. He looked any bit as Jedi Knight as his master did. I noticed the displeasure and irritation behind his stoic expression.

"You're irritated," I state as bluntly as he did when he revealed my feelings.

"Jedi don't always like every assignment we get sent on."

"What don't you like about this one?"

"I've never cared for the Trade Federation," he confides. "They are power hungry, yet cowardly. Something feels off about their ploy on Naboo."

"Maybe it's the new Viceroy?"

"No, it's something else," the Padawan says surely. The corners of my mouth twitch up in amusement of his unwavering confidence. He obviously noticed but made no move to point it out. "What's your name?"

"Cattleya Aput."

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Obi-Wan Kenobi." He bows his head in respect, and I curtsy. "You seem quite a bit older than the Queen's other servants."

"That's because I am. While the Queen is fourteen, I am twenty. Not only was I trained to protect her highness, but also to be someone she could confide in, like an older sibling. If she needs help, I'm there for her. If she needs advice, I aid in that too. My age lends me more experience than the others, but also lets me stay close to her side as a handmaiden. What about you? How long do Jedi stay at the rank of Padawan learner before advancing to Knight?"

"It takes quite a bit of time. First we start as younglings, Jedi Initiates, around the age of three. We learn the ways of the force and of many different cultures thoughout the galaxy. Around adolescence we participate in the Initiate Trials to see if we would continue on to become a Padawan or not. If we passed and a Knight or Master chose us, then we would become their apprentice, learning their beliefs, going on missions with them.

"We usually stay with our masters for about a decade, but there is no set time. We are at the rank of Padawan until the Master sees fit that we are ready for the Trials or simply they have taught us all they could. If we pass the trials, the Council grants us Knighthood."

"That's quite a lot," I presume.

"It's tedious and hard work, but worth it," Obi-Wan proclaims.

"I can imagine," I utter. "Jedi Knight. That is a high honor."

"I believe so."