Out of the many things that the races living on Naboo and Arcturia shared, one came from two very different species with a shared biological trait.
Gungans, born underwater, lived underwater and died underwater, were not, in fact, a solely aquatic race. They were amphibious, suited for land and air, and as a result – didn't develop gills, but instead, a capacity to hold their breath for hours, due to an extra set of lungs that functioned like absorbent sponges for oxygen.
Arcturians, who lived in an environment which was 50% land and 50% water, were also – very slightly – amphibious. This manifested itself in a few small ways. First, they were good swimmers, compact and small, with long arms and flat feet with webbed toes. Secondly, their eyes were adjusted to see better in the water, not affected by salt or fresh water, nor the darkness underwater. Thirdly, much like their Gungan neighbours, Arcturians could hold their breath for some time. Not quite to the extent of hours, like Gungans, but certainly longer than a human. Raiko had researched everything she could about her people, because she was the only one in the Temple.
So when Raiko slipped into the water, and felt at home, comfortable in a way she hadn't in a while, she knew why. She pulled ahead of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon quickly, slipping her too large robe from her body, wriggling free like a tadpole, and swimming towards Jar Jar, who looked delighted at her underwater grace. Her joy didn't last long, as they approached the main entrance, slipping through the bubble-like wall into dry air.
Being suddenly heavy again, and dripping wet in uncomfortable robes made her shift in place. She didn't have time to feel discomfort for long, as she grew aware of the disquiet from the other Gungans, as Jar Jar proclaimed his relief loudly. The quick approach of the guards made her equal parts thankful and wary. They may have been in trouble, but at least they were heading for someone in charge, hopefully someone who could help them contact the Republic. She touched her pearl once for luck as she followed the still robed Jedi.
There was no luck to be found.
She hadn't realised that the distance between the Naboo and the Gungans was due to animosity rather than literal distance between the underwater cities and the Naboo cities. But Qui-Gon had managed to secure them a transport, and though it was a little mean, Raiko thanked the stupidity of the Gungan leader as he fell for Qui-Gon's mind tricks.
Then she was crammed into a tiny transport next to Qui-Gon and realising very quickly she wasn't a fan of deep water as her eyes adjusted to the dark and she grew aware of the strange creatures they were passing. Soon though, it grew deep enough that she could only see as far as the front beams.
They were struck by a huge Gooberfish, and Raiko watched in horror as they were drawn towards its gaping maw – only to be saved when another creature rose from the deep and swallowed the fish near whole. She sat back, gaping. "There's always a bigger fish." Qui-Gon said, though he sounded slightly shaken. Their luck took another turn for the worse as their engine began to fail, and they sunk lower and lower, damaged by the Gooberfish's attack.
Raiko, distracted by Jar Jar's incessant babbling, was as shocked as the rest of them when after Obi-Wan reset the engine, the lights illuminated a crocodilian monster directly in front of them. Raiko couldn't help it – and screamed, loudly – clapping a hand over her own mouth as Obi-Wan steered sharply to the right, just missing the snap of the creature's jaws. It was after them in the next moment, and Raiko clung to her seat as they headed towards the exit of the tunnel, only to see the huge monster from earlier approaching. Obi-Wan's mask cracked, and an expression of fear crossed his face as his pulled on the wheel, steering them up and over just in time, skating over the plates of the monster's armour as it crunched down around the crocodile monster.
"Head for that outcropping." Qui-Gon was composed as ever, voice even and sure, and Obi-Wan did as he commanded, Raiko settling back against her seat, swallowing thickly.
She wanted to go home.
She wasn't ready for this. Any of this.
So, she had a little skill with a blade – it wasn't even a real lightsaber she had trained with, and she had only just passed her final Form. What was she thinking? That it somehow equipped her to be able to handle the outside Galaxy? She was useless. Weak. And the fear that was coursing through her just made her more unsure of herself. She couldn't even use the Force. She would never be a real Jedi.
Listlessly, she watched the world around her brighten as they headed for the surface. Breaking the surface to the glittering city of Naboo didn't even lift her spirits. If anything – it added to her growing turmoil. This could have been her home. Arcturia and Naboo were twin planets, two peoples intertwined, and they were in trouble and she couldn't do anything about it.