Qui-Gon Jinn could hear the Initiate's argumentative voice from the beginning of the winding corridor that led to the Dragon Clan's dormitory. It was raised in childish indignance, however, what was more than slightly amusing, was the loud voice of the Dragon Clan's Twi'lek instructor, B'ink Utrila, raised in equal fervour. Rounding the corner, Qui-Gon walked into the standoff between the instructor and the very Initiate he was sent to collect.
Tempted by the faint merriment the scene induced, he kept quiet for a moment longer, as B'ink brandished a broom at the purple haired Initiate perched on the very top of one of the tall cupboards. The other Dragon Clan Initiates were caught between concern and obvious amusement, some of them stifling laughter into their hands, some of them looking worriedly at the wobbling of the cupboard as B'ink resorted to the Force to try and get the tiny girl down.
One of the eldest in the room, a Rodian male, caught sight of him – and bowed deeply, blue eyes widening comically. "Master Qui-Gon, sir!"
B'ink stiffened, and turned around, lowering the broom. She looked torn between fury and embarrassment, and coloured a deeper red underneath her orange skin. She bowed mechanically. "My apologies, Master, I regret you had to… see this." She whirled on the girl, who was now sporting a huge grin, flashing white teeth, and the pointed canines typical of her race. "Raiko, get down!" B'ink hissed. Raiko hadn't developed all of her markings yet, only small parts on her forehead and cheekbones, but Qui-Gon could see some more intricate swirling underneath her jaw beginning to come in. She was flushed a faint green with all the excitement, and didn't look the least bit sorry about the disturbance.
Her grin widened, and with all the self-abandon of a lunatic, threw herself from the cupboard. B'ink screeched, and darted forwards, but Qui-Gon was faster, and with a gentle push at the Force, caught the girl before she hit the ground. She felt heavy within his Force-grip, and he realised she'd been attempting to catch herself with her own meagre Force influence. B'ink rushed to the girl as she landed, and brushed her down – concealing her panic with irritation. "You- Raiko! You could have been hurt – you're lucky you didn't hit your head! Master, I am so sorry for her behaviour. She can be an annoying little tooka sometimes." Raiko's face grew solemn.
Qui-Gon smiled faintly at the girl's inquisitive look and probe at him. "I don't mind a little excitement sometimes, it keeps me on my toes." Her answering smile was brilliant – and he was reminded of the renown of Arcturian beauty. She would be a pretty little thing one day. "If you don't mind, Knight B'ink, I need to speak with Raiko for a moment." He could feel his face grow grave at the reminder of why he had come to find the Initiate. B'ink nodded, and turned to the assembled Initiates, and began to grumble at them to clear out and head to their next lesson. Qui-Gon beckoned Raiko out into the corridor, watching in amusement as she clambered up onto the window ledge to be eye-to-eye with him, watching him with a serious expression.
"Am I in trouble?" she blurted out, poker-face failing as panic made her pout, the line of purple on her bottom lip catching between her teeth. "I was just tryna catch a spider and put him outside, because B'inkie doesn't like 'em." Qui-Gon fought a smile at B'ink's apparent nickname, and wondered how much of the instructor's reprimand had been an act.
"No, youngling, you are not in serious trouble – though you should be mindful of your behaviour. You shouldn't worry your instructor so much." Qui-Gon rebuked gently. Raiko nodded, swaying slightly in place. "I'm here because something is happening to Naboo and Arcturia, and we need your help."
Raiko's brown creased. "Arcturia?" she asked wonderingly. The youngling had never known her planet – not really – but he knew that she had learnt the language and cultural intricacies as part of the youngling's education program. If there had been another option – a Jedi master, or knight, or even padawan that had been of Nabooian or Arcturian descent, then Qui-Gon would be with them. As it was, Raiko was the only person in the Temple hailing from the Naboo system, and the only one with the knowledge of the culture and languages of the system needed. The negotiation process required delicacy, and intimate understanding of both sides of the treaty – and Raiko could provide it. The Council had been mostly in favour of taking the youngling – who was drawing close to Padawan age anyway – on what was going to be a peaceful negotiation. Mace Windu had been the most vocal about his disapproval, and if it had been about anyone else, Qui-Gon would have thought it was a mark of the Master's disbelief in their abilities, but because he knew both the Master and the circumstances of Raiko's admittance into the Temple – knew that his disapproval stemmed from a protectiveness over the only youngling he had brought to the Temple.
Qui-Gon also knew that Mace was considering taking Raiko on as a padawan. However, knowing Yoda's mind, Qui-Gon knew that Mace's attachment to Raiko would count against him. Whoever was going to train Raiko would need to be tolerant, and though Mace was strong and wise, he was not particularly… patient.
"The Trade Federation has set up a blockade around the planets, and the Senate and the Council has advised for me and my padawan to go assist in negotiations – however, we need you and your knowledge of the planets to help us." Qui-Gon explained, trying to read Raiko's face. It was blank, but he could feel her tumultuous emotions through the Force, flashing by too quickly for him to get a real read on any of them. "You'd be perfectly safe. It's just a negotiation, and I'll be with you the whole time."
"When do we leave?" Raiko asked suddenly, and Qui-Gon could feel her determination and slight anxiety, palpable and heavy in the air. He wondered if the girl knew how much she was projecting.
"As soon as you collect your things."