When they landed, Jupiter was nothing less than amazed at the sheer size of everything. "I suddenly feel very small." She murmured, gazing around the platform to look at the overpowering buildings that seemed to touch the very sky, disappearing from view as hoards of traffic flew above them. Her eyes remained wide and mesmerised, constantly in awe around her. It had taken Jupiter practically the entire journey to grow accustomed the vastness of space, but here it was so busy that her mind and all five senses were simply overwhelmed.
"It takes a while to get used to, but I think you'll adjust quickly." Obi-Wan said as he joined her, placing a protective hand on her shoulder to keep her close.
"You think so?"
"I am sure." He promised her with a reassuring nod of his head. "Master Qui-Gon has asked that you remain with us, he wishes to bring you before the Jedi council immediately so please, don't wander off and get lost." Jupiter chuckled. They had very quickly discovered that Jupiter had no sense of direction and very easily got lost even upon such a small vessel ship. In the end, Obi-Wan had had to practically remain with her everywhere in order to make sure that she didn't end up locked in the engine room for a fourth time. All three times previous had been very unamusing for her and extremely worrying for everyone else when they could not find her aboard the ship anywhere.
All the way there Jupiter wrung her wrists, chewing her lip nervously. "You always chew your lip when you're nervous." Anakin said to her pointedly so she hurriedly stopped, sucking on her lower lip for a moment before exhaling.
"I'm sorry. It's just all so new and I'm not entirely sure what I should expect." She admitted so Anakin gave her a cheeky grin which instantly made her feel a little better so she ruffled his hair and teasingly pinched his cheek, making him protest and wriggle but she trapped him against her, chuckling as she held him close.
The Jedi headquarters was a massive building with bright banners and towers running back for miles and miles. To Jupiter, it was an architectural phenomenon and one of the most awe inspiring things she had seen in her life. "You live here? Wow." She breathed in awe, still hardly able to grasp the sheer size of everything around her. This entire planet was one giant city. Suddenly her little room back in Shmi's hut felt like it had been even smaller than she first realised.
Inside the temple was no less than magnificent. The fine marble walls, pillars and staircases looked perfectly carved and positioned. Everything was spacious, open, the air was easy to breathe and it was much cooler than back on Tatooine though Jupiter found that she welcomed the change. She had never liked the intense anyway and the air had always been so dry but here, it was moister and although there was the slight smell of fumes, metal and other industrial scents, it was not revulsive to Jupiter as she readily allowed her senses to bask in new sensations.
Men, women and children of all species and races walked about the halls as Qui-Gon led the way and Jupiter found it hard not to stare. So many of them were completely alien to her, though a fair number of them were human just like her and predominantly, the species were humanoid to an extent. They all dressed similarly, in long robs and they seemed to walk with a serene air about them. With each step Jupiter grew increasingly nervous, unsure what to expect. Obi-Wan had told her all about the masters that sat on the Jedi Council, however as her nerves took over she found she could not even remember a single name. They took a lift to the very top floor until it opened out to a narrow passage way.
Jupiter chewed on her lip, fidgeting slightly however when a gentle hand was placed on her shoulder she found herself relaxing, turning her head to see Qui-Gon smiling at her. "Relax, everything is going to be fine." He murmured to her in his relaxing and comforting voice. Feeling a little braver Jupiter gave a smile and nodded her head, turning to face forwards. As they all stepped out the elevator, Obi-Wan sent her an encouraging wink before they made their way to the Jedi Council room. "Wait here both of you, there are some matters that need to be discussed before I can introduce you."
"You mean like that guy who attacked you?" Anakin asked inquisitively and Jupiter placed a hand on his head, giving him a look.
"That's for the Jedi to know and for us to probably never find out." She said to him before giving Qui-Gon a nod. "We'll be fine out here, we'll wait." An affectionate smile touched the older Jedi's lips as he reached out and gently brushed a finger against her jaw, earning another smile in return as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were allowed to enter.
"What do you think they're like?" Anakin whispered excitedly, turning his expressive orbs up at her.
"I don't know. I assume they'll be like Qui-Gon." Jupiter mused thoughtfully, keeping her voice low as not to disturb the councillors who were just on the other side of the door. Inwardly Jupiter had a strong suspicion that they would refuse to accept her as a pupil. All the other students looked very young, much younger than Anakin, even, so they may think it is too late to even begin training someone like her. All the same, perhaps they'll offer her a position of work or help her find a place to settle in a new life. She didn't mind, just so long as she did not have to go back to slavery.
"How long do you think they're going to be?" Anakin pressed so Jupiter chuckled, deciding to take a seat on the floor and make herself comfortable, offering Anakin a seat in her lap and he took it, his legs aching from walking and standing for so long on the journey over from the space port.
"I assume they'll take as long as they need." She answered, wrapping her arms around him to cuddle him close, tucking her chin over his head as Anakin rested back against her. "These kind of people might take all the time in the world to discuss and contemplate things, or they may simply receive the report and dismiss it. Who knows? Just be patient Anakin, you're going to need a lot of that if you're going to be a Jedi someday."
The time ticked by and weariness settled over the travellers from a distant planet. Anakin fell asleep against Jupiter and soon enough she too had drifted off, however when she felt someone gently shaking her shoulder, she blinked herself awake and looked to find a smiling Obi-Wan crouching in front of her. "Rise and shine." He whispered quietly before nodding towards Anakin. "The council will see him first, or would you like me to request the meeting be postponed until you are both better rested?" He offered sincerely but Jupiter shook her head, beginning to wake Anakin up.
"No, he's been anticipating this ever since leaving Tatooine." Smiling gently Jupiter gave Anakin a firm shake and he groaned, waking up before suddenly leaping to his feet.
"I didn't miss anything did I?" Jupiter laughed as she got up, pushing herself off the ground but Obi-Wan kindly offered her his hand, helping her to rise and she smiled to him gratefully.
"Not at all racer, they want to see you first so make sure you're bright eyed and bushy tailed before going in." She instructed him, giving his cheek a quick kiss as Qui-Gon exited but hovered in the door, giving Anakin a reassuring nod as the boy took a deep breath to calm his nerves before entering. Jupiter only got a swift look before the door closed behind Anakin, leaving her standing with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. "What do you think? Will they accept him?"
"If they are wise they will train him. It is my belief that Anakin holds a very special destiny, he is extremely strong with the Force and he could be the one to return balance." This puzzled Jupiter greatly, unsure of what Qui-Gon was talking about however Obi-Wan caught her expression so inched a little closer, lowering his voice to explain briefly.
"The Jedi have a belief, or rather a prophecy, that there will be a Chosen One who will return balance to the Force by destroying the Sith. They are also users of the Force but they are our opposite. They belong to the Dark Side." Jupiter nodded her head, understanding but her brow remained furrowed deeply.
"And you think Anakin is this…Chosen One? But he is just a boy. That is too much pressure to place on someone as young as he is." Jupiter worried however Obi-Wan reassured her that it was not definite, that Qui-Gon only suspected that it might be Anakin. This calmed her a little, though in her mind she was already in turmoil of thought over what will become of Anakin. Knowing that thinking things over would do her no good, so she took a calming breath to empty her mind.
Only then did she realise that Obi-Wan still had his hand resting on her arm and when she looked down, he quickly removed it, taking a small step away from her. "My apologies."
"No it's alright." Jupiter promised him, giving a small shrug. "It is just…usually I do not like people making physical contact but neither of you do not make me feel uncomfortable. Is it a Jedi thing?" She questioned, earning a soft chuckle from Qui-Gon who reached out and rested his hand on her head, smoothing back her raven hair where she had tied the crown section away from her face in a style identical to his. She had not even noticed this until now.
"Perhaps you are merely finding it easier to trust others." He suggested and she thought for a moment before giving a bashful shrug, clutching her arm against her side as Qui-Gon gently ran his hand over her head and she felt greatly appeased by the sensation, his warm presence making her feel relaxed and good about herself. Jupiter felt pulled towards him, knowing that as long as Qui-Gon was nearby, she had someone who could comfort and if necessary, protect her. It was a strange feeling, it was more of a connection. One she had only ever felt with Shmi before.
They waited in silence after that, slightly anxious to know what the council's decision for Anakin would be. Jupiter was so concerned for Anakin that she had completely forgot that she was there to request training also, however when the door opened and Anakin walked out, Qui-Gon guided her forwards with a soft hand against her back. "Don't be afraid." He whispered to her but as she walked through, she looked behind her with a smile.
"I am not afraid." Turning back, she strode into the council chamber to meet the Jedi Masters of the Council.
