By the time they reached Anakin's home, the sandstorm had hit full force. They came up to a very humble apartment. Inside, it was very small, but homely and cozy.
"Mom? Mom I'm home!" Anakin called. From another room, a lady who looked to be in her 40s came out. She was wearing the rough spun clothing that was common on the planet. Her gray eyes shone in the dim light, contrasting from her dark hair that was pulled back. However, when she saw the Naboo group, she looked a little scared. Ayame realized that she wasn't planning for guests for dinner and they had very little to begin with. Giving Qui-Gon a look, she opened up a small bag that she had brought with her. Between both Jedi, there was enough food for a meal. Anakin was introducing the group to his mother.
"I'm Qui-Gon Jinn," Qui-Gon said, smiling kindly at Anakin's mother.
"My name is Ayame Melma," Ayame said, inclining her head to the woman. "Your son was kind enough to offer us shelter." She took a few things out of her bag before handing it to the woman. Qui-Gon also took some things out of his belt pouch.
"We have enough food for a meal," Qui-Gon said, handing what he had in his belt to the woman as well. Her expression changed from fear to relief and thanks.
"Thank you. I'm sorry, but I'm not used to Ani bringing friends home," she said. "My name is Shmi Skywalker."
"It's very nice to meet you, Shmi," Ayame said, smiling.
"Do you want some help in the kitchen? I'm pretty handy," she asked.
"Oh, I couldn't ask you to do that. You must be very tired," Shmi replied. But Ayame shook her head.
"It would be no trouble at all," she said. "I'd be happy to help." Shmi nodded and Ayame followed her into the small kitchen. As she worked, she noticed Shmi looking at her.
"Is something wrong?" Ayame asked
"You're a Jedi, aren't you?" Shmi said.
"How could you tell?" Ayame said, feeling it was best not to lie.
"I recognized your outfit...that, and I saw your weapon. The man who came with you, is he a Jedi as well?" she said, referring to Qui-Gon.
"Yes he is. He is the Master that I am traveling with," Ayame replied.
"Have you no master of your own?"
"Yes, I do. But he doesn't travel much anymore. He's head of the Jedi Council, and he has younglings to teach," Ayame said, smiling at the classes she took with Master Yoda as one of the younglings.
"But if you are a Jedi, why are you in love?" Shmi asked, giving a sly but kind smile. Ayame froze.
"What do you mean?" she asked, starting to shake.
"You have that light in your eyes. I've seen it before. Its okay, you can tell me. I wouldn't tell your Master unless it was in your best interest," Shmi replied. Ayame sighed. She knew that Obi-Wan would kill her for telling someone, but she trusted Shmi. She was an honest woman and Ayame was sure that she had plenty of secrets of her own.
"Alright. His name is Obi-Wan. We're traveling together with Master Qui-Gon. He's Qui-Gon's real apprentice. We've known each other for about 4 years now. I just found out that he loved me about three hours ago." Shmi smiled.
"What does he look like?" she giggled. Ayame was surprised to see this. Shmi must have not had a talk like this since she was Ayame's age. So, Ayame pulled out a small hologram projector. After making sure that Qui-Gon wasn't around, Ayame turned it on and an image of Obi-Wan was projected in the air. Shmi smiled. "Oh, he's a handsome one. You're a lucky girl," she said, patting Ayame on the back. Ayame put the projector away, her face turning bright red.
"What was Anakin's father like?" she asked. Shmi stayed silent. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
"No, it's alright. Actually, there was no father," Shmi said. Ayame was confused.
"No father? How could there not be a father?" Ayame asked her. Shmi shrugged.
"I'm as confused as you are. I can't explain what happened," she replied. Then, the sound of Jar Jar's stomach came from the dining room. Both of the girls laughed.
"I suppose we'd better get a move on before that Gungan starts exploring in here," Ayame said through her laughter. Together, Shmi and Ayame brought the small but hearty meal for the hungry humans and alien. For a while, they talked of current events. Then, the subject turned to slavery.
"All slaves have a transmitter place inside of their bodies somewhere," Shmi said.
"I've been working on the scanner to try and locate mine, but no luck," Anakin put in.
"Any attempt to escape..." Shmi began
"And they blow you up...BOOM!" Anakin finished, slamming the table to emphasize his meaning. The others were horrified.
"I can't believe there is still slavery in the galaxy. The republic's anti-slavery laws..." Padme began to protest, but Shmi cut her off.
"The republic doesn't exist out here. We must survive on our own," she said, shaking her head. Just then, Jar Jar used his long tongue to get a piece of fruit from a bowl in front him.
"Has anyone ever seen a podrace?" Anakin asked the group. Padme shook her head, but Ayame and Qui-Gon nodded.
"They have pod racing on Malastare. It's very fast and VERY dangerous," Qui-Gon said.
"I'm the only human that can do it," the boy said proudly.
"Well then you must have Jedi reflexes to be able to race pods," Qui-Gon told him, then demonstrated his own by grabbing Jar Jar's tongue as he went for another piece of fruit. "Don't do that again," the Jedi told the Gungan, before releasing Jar Jar's tongue back into his mouth.
"You're a Jedi aren't you?" Anakin asked Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon looked at Ayame and Padme before answering.
"What makes you say that?" he asked.
"I saw your laser sword. Only Jedi carry them around," the boy answered.
"Well, perhaps I killed a Jedi and took it from him," Qui-Gon said with a grin.
"I don't think so," Anakin said. "No one can kill a Jedi." Ayame chuckled quietly, but there was a hint of sadness behind that chuckle. Qui-Gon heard that and grinned at her.
"I wish that were so," he said sadly. Ayame was thinking about a former teacher of hers and Obi-Wan's. Master Sypho Dias was killed a year ago in a battle. He was a great teacher and a close friend to many in the Temple.
"There must be some way to get those parts," Ayame said. Qui-Gon had told her about the argument he had with the shop owner, the Toydarian, Watto
"The pod races offer a lot of prize money," Anakin said.
"But we don't have a pod to race with," Ayame replied.
"I've built a pod, it's the fastest ever. There's a big race tomorrow on Boonta Eve. You can enter my pod..."Anakin said, speaking a mile a minute.
"Anakin, Watto won't let you," Shmi protested.
"Watto doesn't know I've built it," Anakin said. "You can make him think it was yours, then get him to let me pilot it for you," he said to Qui-Gon.
"No Anakin it's awful, I die every time Watto makes you do it," Shmi said.
"But Mom, I love it. The prize money would more than pay for the parts that they need," Anakin protested.
"You're mother is right, Anakin," Qui-Gon said, and then turned to Shmi. "Is there anyone friendly to the Republic that can help us?" he asked. Shmi shook her head.
"Mom, you said that the biggest problem in the galaxy is that nobody helps each other," Anakin said softly. Shmi looked thoughtful.
"I'm sure that Qui-Gon doesn't want to put your son in danger. We'll find some other way," Padme said. Shmi shook her head.
"No; there is no other way," she sighed. "I may not like it but he can help you. He was meant to help you." Anakin smiled and looked at Qui-Gon, who looked thoughtful. After the sandstorm was over, Qui-Gon went outside with Ayame.
"Ayame, I want you to go back to the ship. I'm going to try and get a blood sample from Anakin to test his midi-cholorian level. Go back and make sure that they don't send any transmissions. If they won't listen to Obi-Wan, then they will listen to you. Do you understand?" he said to her. Ayame bowed.
"Yes Master Qui-Gon. I understand," she said. And with that, she ran back to the ship...and Obi-Wan.
