A/N: Ah finally, another chapter. I forgot just how much I enjoy this fic and as I hada spare few moments I thought I would upload! Not a very interesting chappie but I'm building it up slowly and want to draw it right out (It'll probably end up 100 chappies long!!) Anyway thanks Red Bess Rackham and Miz Greenleaf for my reviews- thank you very much! Glad you're enjoying it!
When Ariana stepped off the ship and felt the springy, spongy ground of the planet Naboo under her feet, she felt a strange sense of belonging. The planet was hot and humid but not uncomfortably so.
She looked to Obi-Wan who didn't seem to bother about the climate. Infact, he was acting as if nothing in the universe bothered him when she knew it did. Obi-Wan had merely resumed his melancholy disposition once again with a face that clearly said 'Do not talk to me unless you are Master Yoda or Qui-Gon.'
Ariana then looked to her Master who was looking across the forest like area they were in and into the distant looking village place which Ariana was itching to look around.
"We have a meeting with the Senator to attend," Qui-Gon said to both Padawan's even though he looked to Obi-wan who nodded in understanding.
Ariana was torn between the meeting or wandering the market. She knew which one Obi-Wan would prefer her to do but this was the perfect time for Ariana to show Qui-Gon how responsible and mature she was. Ariana decided she would keep melancholy like Obi-Wan, which Qui-Gon never seemed to frown upon.
It would be difficult to keep her excitement down however, especially now as the threesome were making their way toward the market. Ariana could make out the people milling around, all of them with lives of their own, all with a life time of stories to tell. Ariana wished she could hear them all.
After a few moments of her melancholy induced stupor, Ariana was already itching to ask questions. What sort of tree was that? What animal makes that noise? Why did they have to land right out of the way? Who is the Senator and what is happening about Queen Arliss?
Ariana supposed she wondered most about why they landed the ship in the middle of undergrowth and had to take a long trek into the actual village place and that was all before they even got close to the palace, Ariana supposed. Strange but she bit her lip and took delight in watching plants and flowers instead while shooting looks at Obi-Wan, who was merely looking straight ahead, not glancing at anything which Ariana couldn't really understand as everything was so colourful and exciting.
Qui-Gon made a noise like he was about to say something but thought better of it. Ariana saw this as her chance to dive in with a question.
"Will we have time to look around the market place Master?"
Obi-Wan made a superior huffing noise at her request which Ariana chose not to rise to, she really wanted to stop and browse so decided it would be best to keep in Qui-Gon's good books. If that was possible.
"No Ariana. You are to stay with Obi-Wan and myself at all times. You understand? I do not want to waste time because you've wandered off. We're here for a reason and that isn't to look at cheaply made rugs and pots."
"Why are we here exactly then?" Ariana quipped, finding she couldn't stop her mouth asking questions. Deciding the damage was done Ariana decided to stand her ground and wait for an answer.
This time Obi-Wan gave an audible annoyed sigh but said nothing more. Qui-Gon was quiet for a little while before he answered.
"We are here in secret to speak with the Senator, Peridala Naberrie about the situation this planet is truly in. I fear we only know the tip of the iceberg. We are to keep extremely low profile here because we do not know who to trust. Do you understand my words?" Qui-Gon said very seriously.
Ariana nodded her head quickly, shocked at his words. She didn't know it was that bad. She glanced at Obi-Wan once again, like she found she always did when she was nervous or upset and his grim expression hadn't changed. Clearly he was already aware of the situation.
As they approached the market, Qui-Gon nudged Ariana and fastened his hood over his head so it covered most of his face. Ariana noticed Obi-Wan doing the same so she decided to follow suit. The material rested on her cheeks and hung just above her eyes. Ariana was feeling hot already.
The people were rushing around and buying all kinds of things but there was a strange air about the crowd. They didn't seem to have spirit. Ariana assumed they must miss their Queen and were scared for her.
Ariana decided that must be the reason and busied herself looking over all the trinkets and things. Jedi's were not supposed to be romanced by material things but it wouldn't hurt to just look, would it?
"Does the young lady see anything she likes? Pretty lady? Anything?" A market seller called at Ariana as the threesome walked past.
"No, she doesn't," Qui-Gon replied firmly, putting a hand on Ariana shoulder and leading her away before she had chance to reply. She was now in between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan and had very little chance of looking at anything.
"I was only looking Master," Ariana muttered, keeping her head down to avoid the confrontation of Qui-Gon and her red cheeks.
"I know my young Padawan, I know," Qui-Gon replied, his tone slightly softened. Obi-Wan glanced up at once after hearing his tone but said nothing. For the hundredth time in his head, Obi-Wan decided bringing Ariana was a very bad idea.
Strangely, the market seller's words rang in his ears. Pretty lady? Obi-Wan had seen beauty in many forms but did not consider Ariana to beā¦Ariana was a sexless, completely platonic playmate to him but the words bothered him in a strange way. He wished the seller had just kept his mouth shut which bothered Obi-Wan more than the actual comment.
Quietly, Qui-Gon sensed a rift in the Force surrounding them, a peculiar feeling was looming over his Padawan's and he wasn't entirely sure why, which was just as peculiar. But Qui-Gon couldn't think on trivial things between his young learners when there were much more important and hideous things to sort first.
