The new knight's internal chronometer was interrupted during its regularly scheduled waking process by an incessant pounding and thudding noise that was drifting in through the shuttered window next to the single bed he lay on.
Obi-Wan moaned and rolled over, embracing the plush down pillow over his head in an effort to dampen the noise, but nothing could drown out the high-pitched series of squeals that followed. He immediately sat up in bed and grimaced in response to the blaring auditory offense.
"What in the bloody hell…" He grumbled as he swung his legs off the bed and padded over to the window, splitting the shade with his fingers and glaring out into the new day.
On the street below he could see numerous parade watchers already gathering, and what appeared to be a Gungan band warming up on the Theed Palace steps.
Had he overslept? He wondered as he searched out the chrono on the table next to his bed. No. It was still early. Too early for all of this racket! Did these bloody creatures never sleep? He knew that the Gungans had stayed up late partying the night before. He had heard their raucous activities outside until the wee hours of the morning. Only his highly trained Jedi skills in sleep inducement had allowed him to finally dose off.
"Damn Gungans…" He mumbled as he moved to the 'fresher and prepared for the day.
Several clicks later, he opened his door and was surprised to meet a much older-appearing gentleman standing there. The man appeared to be friendly due to the grin on his face and the twinkling of his blue eyes. He reminded Obi-Wan of some of the elder Masters back at the Temple. All white bearded and wise countenance. Until the man spoke, and Obi-Wan wondered if perhaps the Theed Palace was also serving as a convalescent home for the somewhat decrepit and senile.
"They say that it's the early Gungan who gets the gooberfish."
"I guess so." Obi-Wan muttered confusedly, unable to move past the elderly man who was still blocking his doorway.
"A tog in a well shaft still sees the sky."
Obi-Wan gawked at the elder. "If you insist." He humored the older man, wondering how long this was going to take. His stomach was grumbling from a too-early-eaten meal the night before.
"People can dream different dreams in the same bed." A broader smile appeared on the man as he paused. "Sio Bibble." The elder finally announced with an outreach of his hand, which Obi-Wan hesitantly shook. "Governor Elect of Naboo."
"Great." Obi-Wan murmured under his breath, immediately concerned with the mental faculties of a people who would elect an official with such obvious signs of dementia.
"Allow me to escort you to the banquet hall for first meal."
"Thanks." Obi-Wan responded, actually wishing he could go find it by himself, but then decided that probably wouldn't be such a good idea. The Theed Palace was enormous, and he had no idea where the banquet hall was. So, he strolled along slowly and slightly behind the older gentleman, and rolled his eyes toward the towering buttresses overhead as their walk slowed even further. He could get there faster if he had crawled along on his belly.
"Is the Queen dining this morning?" He finally asked to the back of the silver haired gentleman.
"Queen Amidala has already eaten and has joined Boss Nass, the leader of the Gungans, to go over the details of the day's festivities." Bibble responded over his shoulder.
Sith! Can't he walk any faster? By the time they got to the banquet hall, the parade would already be over! Not that he would mind, actually. But he should have met with the Queen this morning himself. He hadn't even met her yet!
"Here we are." The governor noted with an out-sweep of his hand, which he promptly landed on the knight's shoulder as Obi-Wan immediately tried to move past him.
"Your fingers cannot be of the same length."
An upsweep of brow and a patronizing nodding of his head was the young knight's response.
"As you wish." Obi-Wan said before he quickly moved to the banquet table and hastily began picking out some items that he could devour as rapidly as possible, aware that he should have already met with the Queen.
"Captain Panaka, Head of Security, at your service, Knight Kenobi."
Obi-Wan turned with a mouthful of a sweet concoction to face a dark-skinned man dressed in a brown leather uniform. Before he knew it, his hand was being vigorously shaken and then completely abandoned, the captain afterwards assuming his posture of duty, hands behind his back, chest swelled and chin held high.
"It is my duty to inform you that guards have been posted a regular intervals along the main thoroughfare leading to the palace, with two posted guards at the entrance to the palace, three fly-bys scheduled for 0800 hours, and I, myself will be in attendance, two meters from the queen. All of my men are equipped with blasters, the most efficient and long-range communicators, and longer range blaster rifles."
Obi-Wan kept chewing, taking occasional bites as Panaka continued on.
"We do not expect any trouble, mind you, but it never fails to be safe. Naboo is typically quite peaceful, but sometimes the festivities lure out those who are, shall we say, a little less righteous in their behavior. And like I've always said, caws on any planet are equally black."
The knight's brows furrowed as he swallowed what was in his mouth. What was wrong with these people? Did they all talk this way?
"Good job." He finally commented dryly, which seemed to appease the head of security, as the man abruptly bowed and walked away. Obi-Wan shook his head in disdain as he quickly gulped down a drink of chav and headed for the exit himself.
He exited the palace and began down the set of steps that led to the street below. The actual ceremony would take place on a grand platform directly east of his position. He could see the decorative flags surrounding it from here, and kept his eyes focused on his goal.
Which was the reason that he did not see the lanky being who had quickly approached him from the opposite side of the stairs.
Before Obi-Wan realized what was happening, his hand was once again being shaken quite vigorously. Actually, far more vigorously than before. He spun around and was face to face with the cause of his morning's sluggishness and poor night's sleep.
"This is the first time meesa meet a Jedi!" The Gungan announced quite excitedly, and Obi-Wan had to fight the urge to activate his lightsaber and lop off the spotted hand that gripped him and threatened to dislocate his shoulder blade.
"Weesa excited to be seeing you here, Jedi!" The creature continued the far-too-physical greeting. "Gungans all know Jedi are bombad."
"Huh?" Obi-Wan asked as he pried his hand out of the being's grasp.
"Meesa called Jar-Jar Binks." The creature proclaimed as if his name was of some great importance. "Meesa be honored to escort the Jedi."
"That won't be necessary." Obi-Wan attempted to wave him off and once more began his trek down the flight of stairs, noting with disgust that the Gungan followed.
"But meesa insist!" Jar-Jar continued, walking much too close for the knight's comfort. "Meesa the Jedi's humble servant!"
Just then, Obi-Wan noticed he was in the line of sight of what appeared to be the leader of the Gungans and Queen Amidala herself, so he opted not to Force shove the annoying creature down the existing flight of stairs. But it did not keep him from uttering the one word that he felt adequately described the being that had quite disturbingly decided to latch itself onto him.
"Pathetic."