BlueElli, Thanks again!! :D Looks like this is all for you!! ;)
Anyone else out there? Please let me know what you think!! I really, really want to know!
AN: //'s = emphasis
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The following morning, Qui-Gon rose with the light of the first sun. He performed his normal routine of stretches and settled down to meditate. Much remained on his mind from the previous day's proceedings. And he marveled at his reactions to the slave boy, Obi-Wan. Regulating his breathing, Qui-Gon easily slipped into the calm place in his mind. He could hear the Force whispering to him but their words still eluded him. That's when he felt a presence hiding by his doorway. Wanting the intrusion, he opened his eyes to find the very same young boy he sought to decipher. The youth looked fresh and innocent now that he was bathed and neatly dressed. "Good morning, Obi-Wan." He greeted.
"Morning, Master Knight." Obi-Wan replied as he took a step into the room. "I didn't mean to disturb you. I just wanted to let you know Tia is almost finished with breakfast and invite you to eat." His voice was light and meek. Qui-Gon watched the child enter enough to be inside, but not far enough from the doorway to loose support.
"I would love to join you. And please call me Qui-Gon." Qui-Gon smiled at the thought of finally spending time with him. He was rewarded with an eager smile that radiated warmth and happiness. The sea change eyes sparkled in the morning light with harmony. Nothing like the terror Qui- Gon witnessed the night before. Suddenly, Qui-gon came to the decision that he needed to have this boy with him. The glow of light that flowed from the child spoke only of the purest form of the Force. Qui-Gon vowed at that moment to do whatever he could to set this slave free and bring him back to the Temple. He waved to call the boy to him. Obi-Wan obeyed the commands without even thinking. Qui-Gon admonished himself as he saw the boy sway for only a moment to get his balance. The boy had been through so much since they had met the day before, and he should not have asked any more from him. But Obi-Wan did come to stand in front of the kneeling Master. Qui-Gon reached for the boy's hands and held them firmly but tenderly. "Obi-Wan, we can't thank you enough for helping us in the alley. You were very brave. May I ask you a question?"
"I just felt it. I often feel things. I could sense the trouble near by and I knew that I should help." Again Qui-Gon was astonished at the remarkable cognitive powers the boy possessed. Obi-Wan answered the question before Qui-Gon could ask it. "It's alright, Master Qui-Gon, sir. I was happy to help." And the smile full of acceptance returned even brighter.
"You are special," The Jedi Master reaffirmed. "Let's go and collect Padmé for breakfast." The Knight's forefinger traced the child's jaw line before reaching up to ruffle the ginger hair. Together they went to rouse the handmaiden from her sleep, hand in hand.
Padmé was surprised to find the pair at her doorway. But she was also overjoyed that Obi-Wan looked much better than he had yesterday. He greeted her, "Good Morning, Hig.Padmé." She noticed the slight bow he offered to her. And gave the slightest nod as recognition. Qui-Gon gave her a quizzical glance for a moment and then looked down at Obi-Wan. Could he know that as well? Simply Amazing!
"We've come to take you to breakfast, Padmé." The Jedi announced. Again she nodded, as she finished readying herself. Obi-Wan held out his free hand toward the handmaiden. Padmé gladly accepted his offer and the three walked through the apartments to the kitchen.
Tyaña was setting the table when the group arrived. She smiled at the knowledge that Obi-Wan was happy. She watched the youth come in surrounded by the two visitors with a gleeful smirk on his face. Something that had recently been lacking in his life, and thus hers as well. "Morning all. Breakfast is ready. Please make yourselves at home." She offered. The trio sat down to eat their fill.
"How long will you be here?" Tyaña asked. Qui-Gon and Padmé exchanged a worried glance.
"Unfortunately, we're not sure." Padmé said. "Our ship has been damaged and we are trying to acquire the parts we need."
"And it appears that our credits are not acceptable here. So we have no means to pay for the items we seeking." Qui-Gon added. He could tell Obi- Wan was thinking beside him.
"There's nothing you can offer, other than credits?" Tyaña had never heard of anyone travelling to the outer rim without a means of trading.
"I'm sure another way will present itself." He assured her. He continued to watch Obi-Wan play with his food as he thought.
"These junk dealers must have a weakness of some kind." Padmé surmised.
"Gambling, everything here revolves around gambling of all sorts. Mostly racing." Tyaña declared.
"There's a big race tomorrow. Maybe there's something I can do to help." Obi-Wan announced. His gaze took turns stopping at every face around the table.
"Obi, you know Watto won't let you." Tyaña stated. But Qui-Gon noted a slight hint of fear creep into her voice.
"Remember what you said, Tia? The biggest problem in the universe is that no one helps each other." His compelling eyes stared up at her. And she felt herself give into them.
"No one, except you." She replied pointedly.
"I've built a racer. The fastest ever. You could make Watto believe it was yours and have him let me pilot it. We could enter it into the Anchorhead Gymkhana. The prize money would more than pay for the parts you need." He explained. Tyaña wanted to protest but knew she would never win.
"It could be dangerous. And you have already offered your services enough." Qui-Gon declined the boy's solution. He heard Tyaña sigh. Obi- Wan bowed his head in defeat.
"He can help you. He was meant to help you." Padmé stared at the healer. She could tell the older woman was not pleased with the proposition, but had accepted it none-the-less. Obi-Wan's gaze returned to the gentle woman with thankful eyes.
"What kind of racing is it?" Padmé asked. Her curiosity peeked. Obi-Wan turned a growing smile to her until it was a full toothy grin.
**
He led them out back behind the small clinic. "I've been collecting parts here and there to build it. It's just about finished. I'm not that great of a mechanic, but one gave me pointers while Tia took care of him." Obi- Wan stopped near the back wall and pulled a tarp off of a large hump. "Here it is. What do you think?" He asked his new friends.
"It's very nice." Padmé responded. She gazed upon the hunk of metal and wiring trying to determine what it was. Qui-Gon, on the other hand, had a completely different reaction.
"It's great." He said admiringly. He thought it had a character of style and finesse that would lend it greater speed. Despite the lack of some coverings, the machine was sleek and highly aerodynamic.
"I've got to go now. Before Watto gets mad. Come by soon so we can set up the deal." Re-covering the racer, he waved and then dashed back through the house. Padmé and Qui-Gon stare after him for a moment before heading back in.
**
Dashing through the streets, Obi-Wan suddenly skidded to a halt. If it weren't for his heightened awareness, he would have run full force into the woman in his path. He glared up at the tall woman in the slick body armor. Her baldhead and defiant façade made her look ferocious. "Hello slug." She insulted.
"Ona." Obi-Wan returned her curt tones.
"Careful where you're running, shag. Wouldn't want you to get injured before we have the chance to race again." Her piercing eyes mocked him.
"You'll have to wait your turn, Bounty Hunter. Unless you're /man/ enough to show up at Anchorhead tomorrow." Obi-Wan watched the fire burn behind her eyes. He knew how infuriated she gets when someone insults her abilities.
"Next time we race, it'll be the end of you! If you weren't a slave, I'd squash you here and now!" The Bounty Hunter hissed.
"Yeah, it'd be a pity if you had to pay for me," he said softly. Ona Nobis growled down at the boy and then pushed past him. Shrugging the encounter off, Obi-Wan hurried on his way.
**
"Are you sure about this?" Padmé asked. She followed behind the tall Jedi questioning their propose. "I know he's special but trusting our fate to a boy we hardly know, seems wrong. The Queen would not approve."
Qui-Gon met her gaze squarely, "The Queen doesn't need to know." He smirked at her knowing whom he was addressing.
"Well, I don't approve." She replied and then flopped down on a ledge along the building. Qui-Gon gave her one more glance before heading inside the shop.
The Toydarian noticed the tall man instantly, "The boy tells me you want to sponsor him in the race tomorrow. How can you do this? Not with Republic credits, I think."
"My ship will be the entry fee," the Jedi advised. He reached beneath his poncho and brought out a tiny holo-projector. Clicking on the power source, he projected a hologram of the Queen's ship. The Toydarian flitted closer, studying the image carefully.
"Not bad. Not bad. Nubian." The wrinkled blue proboscis bobbed.
"It's in good order, except for the parts we need." Qui-Gon flicked off the projector and tucked it back beneath his poncho.
"But what would the boy ride?" Watto demanded irritably. "He smashed up my swoop in the last race."
Qui-Gon glanced at Obi-Wan, who was clearly embarrassed. "It wasn't my fault, really. Ona sliced off my front stabilizer panels." Watto grunted at the memory.
"I have acquired a swoop in a game of chance," Qui-Gon announced with confidence, drawing Obi-Wan's attention. "The fastest ever built." He added. Obi-Wan smirked at the comment but quickly pulled it back.
"I hope you didn't kill anyone I know for it," Watto snapped. He looked the tall stranger over one more time before continuing. "So, you supply the swoop and the entry fee; I supply the boy. We split the winnings fifty- fifty, I think."
"If it's going to be fifty-fifty, I suggest you front the cost of the entry. If we win, you keep all the winnings, minus the cost of the parts we need. If we lose, you keep my ship." Qui-Gon counter-offered. Watto was clearly caught by surprise. He thought the matter through, rubbing at his snout. Qui-Gon put out his hand palm up. The offer was too good, and the Toydarian was suspicious. Qui-Gon reiterated the bottom line, "Either way, you win."
Watto pounded his fist into the open palm. "Deal!"
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FEEDBACK, CRAVE FEEDBACK!!!! :..(
Anyone else out there? Please let me know what you think!! I really, really want to know!
AN: //'s = emphasis
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
The following morning, Qui-Gon rose with the light of the first sun. He performed his normal routine of stretches and settled down to meditate. Much remained on his mind from the previous day's proceedings. And he marveled at his reactions to the slave boy, Obi-Wan. Regulating his breathing, Qui-Gon easily slipped into the calm place in his mind. He could hear the Force whispering to him but their words still eluded him. That's when he felt a presence hiding by his doorway. Wanting the intrusion, he opened his eyes to find the very same young boy he sought to decipher. The youth looked fresh and innocent now that he was bathed and neatly dressed. "Good morning, Obi-Wan." He greeted.
"Morning, Master Knight." Obi-Wan replied as he took a step into the room. "I didn't mean to disturb you. I just wanted to let you know Tia is almost finished with breakfast and invite you to eat." His voice was light and meek. Qui-Gon watched the child enter enough to be inside, but not far enough from the doorway to loose support.
"I would love to join you. And please call me Qui-Gon." Qui-Gon smiled at the thought of finally spending time with him. He was rewarded with an eager smile that radiated warmth and happiness. The sea change eyes sparkled in the morning light with harmony. Nothing like the terror Qui- Gon witnessed the night before. Suddenly, Qui-gon came to the decision that he needed to have this boy with him. The glow of light that flowed from the child spoke only of the purest form of the Force. Qui-Gon vowed at that moment to do whatever he could to set this slave free and bring him back to the Temple. He waved to call the boy to him. Obi-Wan obeyed the commands without even thinking. Qui-Gon admonished himself as he saw the boy sway for only a moment to get his balance. The boy had been through so much since they had met the day before, and he should not have asked any more from him. But Obi-Wan did come to stand in front of the kneeling Master. Qui-Gon reached for the boy's hands and held them firmly but tenderly. "Obi-Wan, we can't thank you enough for helping us in the alley. You were very brave. May I ask you a question?"
"I just felt it. I often feel things. I could sense the trouble near by and I knew that I should help." Again Qui-Gon was astonished at the remarkable cognitive powers the boy possessed. Obi-Wan answered the question before Qui-Gon could ask it. "It's alright, Master Qui-Gon, sir. I was happy to help." And the smile full of acceptance returned even brighter.
"You are special," The Jedi Master reaffirmed. "Let's go and collect Padmé for breakfast." The Knight's forefinger traced the child's jaw line before reaching up to ruffle the ginger hair. Together they went to rouse the handmaiden from her sleep, hand in hand.
Padmé was surprised to find the pair at her doorway. But she was also overjoyed that Obi-Wan looked much better than he had yesterday. He greeted her, "Good Morning, Hig.Padmé." She noticed the slight bow he offered to her. And gave the slightest nod as recognition. Qui-Gon gave her a quizzical glance for a moment and then looked down at Obi-Wan. Could he know that as well? Simply Amazing!
"We've come to take you to breakfast, Padmé." The Jedi announced. Again she nodded, as she finished readying herself. Obi-Wan held out his free hand toward the handmaiden. Padmé gladly accepted his offer and the three walked through the apartments to the kitchen.
Tyaña was setting the table when the group arrived. She smiled at the knowledge that Obi-Wan was happy. She watched the youth come in surrounded by the two visitors with a gleeful smirk on his face. Something that had recently been lacking in his life, and thus hers as well. "Morning all. Breakfast is ready. Please make yourselves at home." She offered. The trio sat down to eat their fill.
"How long will you be here?" Tyaña asked. Qui-Gon and Padmé exchanged a worried glance.
"Unfortunately, we're not sure." Padmé said. "Our ship has been damaged and we are trying to acquire the parts we need."
"And it appears that our credits are not acceptable here. So we have no means to pay for the items we seeking." Qui-Gon added. He could tell Obi- Wan was thinking beside him.
"There's nothing you can offer, other than credits?" Tyaña had never heard of anyone travelling to the outer rim without a means of trading.
"I'm sure another way will present itself." He assured her. He continued to watch Obi-Wan play with his food as he thought.
"These junk dealers must have a weakness of some kind." Padmé surmised.
"Gambling, everything here revolves around gambling of all sorts. Mostly racing." Tyaña declared.
"There's a big race tomorrow. Maybe there's something I can do to help." Obi-Wan announced. His gaze took turns stopping at every face around the table.
"Obi, you know Watto won't let you." Tyaña stated. But Qui-Gon noted a slight hint of fear creep into her voice.
"Remember what you said, Tia? The biggest problem in the universe is that no one helps each other." His compelling eyes stared up at her. And she felt herself give into them.
"No one, except you." She replied pointedly.
"I've built a racer. The fastest ever. You could make Watto believe it was yours and have him let me pilot it. We could enter it into the Anchorhead Gymkhana. The prize money would more than pay for the parts you need." He explained. Tyaña wanted to protest but knew she would never win.
"It could be dangerous. And you have already offered your services enough." Qui-Gon declined the boy's solution. He heard Tyaña sigh. Obi- Wan bowed his head in defeat.
"He can help you. He was meant to help you." Padmé stared at the healer. She could tell the older woman was not pleased with the proposition, but had accepted it none-the-less. Obi-Wan's gaze returned to the gentle woman with thankful eyes.
"What kind of racing is it?" Padmé asked. Her curiosity peeked. Obi-Wan turned a growing smile to her until it was a full toothy grin.
**
He led them out back behind the small clinic. "I've been collecting parts here and there to build it. It's just about finished. I'm not that great of a mechanic, but one gave me pointers while Tia took care of him." Obi- Wan stopped near the back wall and pulled a tarp off of a large hump. "Here it is. What do you think?" He asked his new friends.
"It's very nice." Padmé responded. She gazed upon the hunk of metal and wiring trying to determine what it was. Qui-Gon, on the other hand, had a completely different reaction.
"It's great." He said admiringly. He thought it had a character of style and finesse that would lend it greater speed. Despite the lack of some coverings, the machine was sleek and highly aerodynamic.
"I've got to go now. Before Watto gets mad. Come by soon so we can set up the deal." Re-covering the racer, he waved and then dashed back through the house. Padmé and Qui-Gon stare after him for a moment before heading back in.
**
Dashing through the streets, Obi-Wan suddenly skidded to a halt. If it weren't for his heightened awareness, he would have run full force into the woman in his path. He glared up at the tall woman in the slick body armor. Her baldhead and defiant façade made her look ferocious. "Hello slug." She insulted.
"Ona." Obi-Wan returned her curt tones.
"Careful where you're running, shag. Wouldn't want you to get injured before we have the chance to race again." Her piercing eyes mocked him.
"You'll have to wait your turn, Bounty Hunter. Unless you're /man/ enough to show up at Anchorhead tomorrow." Obi-Wan watched the fire burn behind her eyes. He knew how infuriated she gets when someone insults her abilities.
"Next time we race, it'll be the end of you! If you weren't a slave, I'd squash you here and now!" The Bounty Hunter hissed.
"Yeah, it'd be a pity if you had to pay for me," he said softly. Ona Nobis growled down at the boy and then pushed past him. Shrugging the encounter off, Obi-Wan hurried on his way.
**
"Are you sure about this?" Padmé asked. She followed behind the tall Jedi questioning their propose. "I know he's special but trusting our fate to a boy we hardly know, seems wrong. The Queen would not approve."
Qui-Gon met her gaze squarely, "The Queen doesn't need to know." He smirked at her knowing whom he was addressing.
"Well, I don't approve." She replied and then flopped down on a ledge along the building. Qui-Gon gave her one more glance before heading inside the shop.
The Toydarian noticed the tall man instantly, "The boy tells me you want to sponsor him in the race tomorrow. How can you do this? Not with Republic credits, I think."
"My ship will be the entry fee," the Jedi advised. He reached beneath his poncho and brought out a tiny holo-projector. Clicking on the power source, he projected a hologram of the Queen's ship. The Toydarian flitted closer, studying the image carefully.
"Not bad. Not bad. Nubian." The wrinkled blue proboscis bobbed.
"It's in good order, except for the parts we need." Qui-Gon flicked off the projector and tucked it back beneath his poncho.
"But what would the boy ride?" Watto demanded irritably. "He smashed up my swoop in the last race."
Qui-Gon glanced at Obi-Wan, who was clearly embarrassed. "It wasn't my fault, really. Ona sliced off my front stabilizer panels." Watto grunted at the memory.
"I have acquired a swoop in a game of chance," Qui-Gon announced with confidence, drawing Obi-Wan's attention. "The fastest ever built." He added. Obi-Wan smirked at the comment but quickly pulled it back.
"I hope you didn't kill anyone I know for it," Watto snapped. He looked the tall stranger over one more time before continuing. "So, you supply the swoop and the entry fee; I supply the boy. We split the winnings fifty- fifty, I think."
"If it's going to be fifty-fifty, I suggest you front the cost of the entry. If we win, you keep all the winnings, minus the cost of the parts we need. If we lose, you keep my ship." Qui-Gon counter-offered. Watto was clearly caught by surprise. He thought the matter through, rubbing at his snout. Qui-Gon put out his hand palm up. The offer was too good, and the Toydarian was suspicious. Qui-Gon reiterated the bottom line, "Either way, you win."
Watto pounded his fist into the open palm. "Deal!"
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FEEDBACK, CRAVE FEEDBACK!!!! :..(