Disclaimer: Not mine. Really!
To RandomCorpse826: Thanks for being the first reviewer for 'Don't Freak Out: The Beginning'! Also, love the quote. Fits perfectly. As for mister 'I just want to go home and forget you all exist,' sad to say he might not make an appearance until the collection of one-shots 'Don't Freak Out: The Calm before the Storm' as more of a Gruff Mentor. Still, it's a good idea. Thanks!
Chapter 2: Hey Look! Sand!
Rae grumbled as she played with the slop they called food on this hunk of metal they called a ship. Okay, so she was being a little harsh, but she felt justified in her irritation. She wouldn't say she was angry, not really, but she was most definitely miffed. Why was she feeling miffed? Well,because she felt a crush on Kenobi forming. Now, it wasn't Kenobi she had a problem with, it was the fact that she was falling for him after only one day. Why was she the one falling for him? Sure, the guy got the short end of the stick many times, but it all... worked... out... Okay. So he got killed by his fallen Padawan that he had once loved as a brother. And he had to look after Luke who started out really whiny and a true Farmboy. And, yeah, he lost his father figure(she shoved that thought away, not wanting to think of that particular, looming, death). But all of that doesn't mean she should fall for him! What about Siri? Or that Mandalorian Duchess? What was her name... Satine? Eh, it was something like that anyway. Shoddy memory for names she barely eve heard aside, why her? Rae sighed and forced herself to eat what might, in some dire circumstance, have passed as oatmeal. That was when Obi-Wan came and sat down beside her. With a groan, she let her head fall forward and connect with the table with a meaty sounding 'thunk.' "And here I thought I could cheer you up with the news we were about to come out of hyperspace," he said, mild amusement coloring his voice. Rae shifted her head so she could glare at him.
"Drown in your cornflakes, morning person," she growled with an ineffectual glare, if the smirk her personal distraction wore was any indication. Obi-Wan shook his head.
"Wow, you are really grouchy," he remarked dryly. She snorted, laboriously lifting herself back off the table... before slumping against it, right hand propping up her heavy head. She was not a morning person, and considering the fact that she was on a Star Wars ship, if not the most famous un-named ship in the franchise... well. She hadn't slept well the previous night.
"What happened to The Great Negotiator?" she asked. He gave her a confused look and she repeated her Head Table routine, arm comically remaining in place as she groaned against the cold metal. "Right. Not yet. Darn. I could really use his brand of wisdom right now. Oh well, that's life. I'd say it in French, but the writer can't spell it," she said, voice only barely muffled. Obi-Wan chuckled again.
"How do you know this is a... fanfiction?" he asked. She gave him another Look... which he again responded to with a faint smirk.
"I cannot tell you how many of this type of story I've come across. Honest. There's lots. And there are bound to be more that I simply haven't found. Of course, I haven't found this cliche used in this fandom, but I'm sure there are some... or there will be," she said. Obi-Wan shook his head just as Qui-Gon entered. "Great. Tag team. Simply wonderful. So, what is it now?" Rae asked. Qui-Gon shook his head.
"Relax. I asked one of the Queen's Handmaidens if she had any clothes you could borrow so you could get cleaned up after our trip into town," he said. Rae latched onto the end of that sentence.
"Our trip? Into town? As in Mos Espa? Oh no! No way! Unuh! I am not going into that sand trap! I hate sand! And it's hot! Hotter than noon on my birthday! All the time! Oh heck no!" she said, rebelling against the idea of actually going to Tatooine. "Besides, Padme should go with you. She has someone she needs to meet down there. Please, just leave me here," she added, more like begged really but really, who could blame her? Tatooine was, in the words of Old!Obi-Wan, 'A wretched hive of scum and villainy.' Sure he only said that about one city but come on! Tatooine was, is, basically a Slave World ruled by giant, sentient, slugs! So no, she did not want to go planet-side. Qui-Gon shook his head all the same and Rae deflated sightly. 'Stupid Jedi and their Holy-ier than Thou attitude,' she muttered unpleasantly within her mind.
"The Queen requested that you come with us. She will not take no for an answer," Qui-Gon told her firmly, though not unkindly. Rae sighed. So, Padme was just as stubborn as Anakin. Lovely.
"Fine, but I want a hood and cowl. Ain't no way I'm lettin' sand get in my mouth or my hair if I can help it! Are there any goggles on board? You might want some. Sand gets everywhere you know," she said, resigned. Qui-Gon nodded and left, presumably to get what she had requested. She sighed and sat back. "This... is going to be a long week," she said, thinking about what she knew of the Naboo Crisis. Tatooine was just the sandy tip of a Titanic worthy iceberg, if her admittedly excellent memory was to be believed. After the train-wreck of a podrace gamble, they'd take Anakin back to Planet Politico/Every-City-and-Standard-of-Living-Smushed-Together where they'd have to dance around not only the Jedi Council, but also the Senate. Which included Palpatine. 'Ugh. So not looking forward to that,' Rae groused to herself, unconsciously scrunching her face in distaste. Then they went back to Naboo, Jar-Jar bumbled his way through a battle, Maul was a Sith-level Jerk, Obi-Wan had his Beserk Button punching in the gut(pun not intended... or was it?), Anakin got a taste for Dog Fighting while simultaniously blowing up a droid control ship, Qui-Gon pulled a Mentor Occupational Hazard and Passed the Torch to Obi-Wan, the Gungans were recognized, big parade, Obi-Wan was made a Knight, Anakin was his Apprentice, and then... "Ten years..." Rae mused, mind turning from the plot of the movies, and some of the animated shows, and onto what she could do with those ten years.
/*/
Obi-Wan couldn't help but agree with Rae's prediction. He had a bad feeling about all this, and his bad feelings were generally right. However, when he looked at Rae... he felt a good feeling. She was like nothing he had ever seen before, though that one Duchess on Mandalore came close. He watched as her fists flexed before she blew out a harsh breath. "Are there any punching bags on board? I need to hit something. Hitting things is good stress relief... and it might help me not get into a fight," she said. Obi-Wan smiled faintly and motioned her to follow him. Soon, they were at the room set aside as a gym. She gave a grin. "Brilliant," she said, shrugging off her jacket and easing into a back stance. Obi-Wan watched as she laid into the bag with her fists, elbows, knees, and feet. She appeared to hold nothing back, the bag swinging wildly, battle cries ripping their way from her throat. He could see holes in her form and ways to make her strikes more powerful and energy efficient, but he could tell she was above the average civilian.
"You're pretty good. Care for a spar?" he asked, shucking off his outer robe. She turned to him, eyes bright and bouncing on her toes.
"Take it easy on me soldier! I'm not a fighter you know," she said, though there was a teasing lilt to her words. Obi-Wan couldn't help but smirk at her before attacking. She dodged and blocked and countered and attacked, but Obi-Wan knew he was the better fighter, even if Jedi didn't usually use their fists to fight. Most preferred their lightsabers. Despite that, the fight was over in two minutes. Obi-Wan won. She huffed and puffed, face red and eyes bright. "I told you, I'm no fighter." He laughed.
"You did fairly well, Rae. Don't sell yourself short," he said, helping her up. She shook her head at him, then fell into him as the ship exited hyperspace. She made a rather impressive face.
"Let me guess... Sand Pit Time," she groused. Obi-Wan bit down on his chuckles and set her back on her feet.
"Yes, we just came out of hyperspace," he informed her. Rae looked up at him and sighed.
"Get ready, Obi-Wan, this is when the 'fun' really begins," she said ominously before heading out of the gym. Obi-Wan sighed, running his hand through his short hair.
"I really don't like it when she talks like that," he muttered, that bad feeling of his coming back full force.
/*/
Rae was pleased with the extra clothing offered to her. A head scarf, a face mask that reminded her of Kakashi from Naruto, and a pair of darkly tinted goggles that fit over her glasses. She really hadn't been looking forward to getting her glasses sandblasted. Once she was properly kitted out, she took a quick look in the mirror. "I look like a Middle East freedom fighter," she chuckled to herself, then shook her head and joined the 'away team.'
"Are you ready?" Qui-Gon asked. She sighed.
"As I'll ever be. You do have money on you, right?" she asked, even though she knew he wouldn't. Silly Jedi, thinking everyone would accept credit.
"I'm sure we have enough credits to purchase what we need," the Jedi hedged. She narrowed her eyes, even if he couldn't see them.
"We're in the literal middle of no-where, in the most miserable, backwater, dust-bowl in the system, which is home to some of the most wretched hives of filth and villainy in the galaxy... and you think Republic Credits will be accepted as valid currency?" Rae asked, ignoring Obi-Wan's amused smirk and Padme's confused face. It would not do for her to start laughing now, no sir.
"We're still within Republic space," Qui-Gon hedged once more. Rae shook her head at him.
"What are they teaching Jedi these days," she muttered, then looked to Padme. "Does Her Majesty carry any other form of currency aboard Her cruiser?" she asked.
"No," Padme responded. "She doesn't often travel to the Outer Rims."
"Well then... that's just dandy! We'll have to trust that Qui-Gon's faith is not misplaced, though, knowing my luck, we'll have to bet money we don't have down at the race track just to get something to eat!" Rae ranted in a poor attempt at a personal in-joke, seeing as she knew that was basically what would end up happening, before stalking out the door. "Let's just get this over with, alright? I don't want to drag this nightmare out longer than it needs to be," she called back. Qui-Gon shared a look with Padme before following Rae, swiftly overtaking the petite woman.
"This should be interesting," Padme muttered softly before following along with Jar-Jar.
/*/
Qui-Gon was wondering why, in the Force, did he take Jar-Jar Binks with him. Rae didn't help much either. She was arguing with the thing. And growling. And calling him the king of goobers. What, exactly, a goober was, Qui-Gon had no idea, but it sounded like it fit Jar-Jar perfectly. When he saw the town looming in the sand, the Jedi Master was quite pleased. 'Perhaps this incessant bickering will finally end!' he thought, speeding up slightly.
"Master Jinn? Could you kindly take pity on us poor mortals cursed with lesser stature than yourself?" Rae asked, a faint strain in her voice, like she was trying not to sound winded. He sighed. Perhaps he was pushing it a bit. Only Jar-Jar could claim to match his height and the other two were female. Not that females were in any way inferior to males, they were simply different. Plus, Rae was a civilian. She wasn't used to hiking through sand like this. And she had been a trooper, making it this far with out complaining. And she was polite in her request. He slowed a bit. "My thanks, Master Jinn," Rae said, a smile in her voice. Qui-Gon nodded his head to the girl, though he didn't turn. Soon, they entered the town. Rae made a bee line to a matronly looking Human. "Can you understand me?" she asked. The woman smiled.
"Yes dearie, I speak Basic," she said. Rae's eyes twinkled briefly.
"And here my people thought Chinese would be the Language of the Stars. Who would've thought English would become Basic!" she said. The woman looked at her oddly. "Long story. Anyway, we need parts for a, what is it? J something Nubian?" Rae said, looking back at Qui-Gon. He nodded and gave the correct name for the make and model. "I hear Watto's the guy to ask about parts. Real honest about what he has, if not the worth. Could you tell us how to get there?" Rae asked. Now Qui-Gon was wondering what the girl was up to. No-one had mentioned a Watto on the ship, and... wait. This must be part of the fanfiction thing she'd mentioned before. Yeah, that was it. She knew things. And she was on their side, which was pretty awesome. If she mentioned Watto, then he must have what they needed. When they reached the shop the woman pointed them toward, Rae immediately grabbed Jar-Jar and tied his hands behind his back. "Sorry Jar-Jar, but I'd like to not have spare parts rain down on my head. So... I'll be guiding you around. If I sit you down, you stay down, got it?" she hissed in the Gungan's ear. He nodded, a slightly fearful look stealing over his froggy face.
"Aren't you being a bit harsh?" asked Padme. Rae gave her a blank look.
"Trouble. Electro. Magnet," she said pointedly. Qui-Gon chuckled.
"She has a point," he said. Rae beamed at him and the Jedi Master had to fight down a warm feeling in his chest. Was this what it was like having a daughter? He'd only had male apprentices, and they had been raised as Jedi. Perhaps... this girl would be good for both him and Obi-Wan. Shaking these thought from his head, he entered negotiations with the toydarian who owned the shop... and a little boy.
/*/
Rae decided that she really didn't like the little flying alien. He was greedy, he was smelly, he was a slaver owner... what was there to like? Anakin, however, was a little cutie. "Well now, here's someone I could stand talking to," she said, sliding up to the counter. "I'm Rae, and these are my friends, Padme and Jar-Jar," she said to Anakin. He smiled up at her, but when his eyes landed on Padme, she saw something pass through them, kinda like the 'zing' in Hotel Transylvania. She chuckled. "Do you believe in love at first sight, Anakin?" she asked, then kicked herself when he looked at her in shock.
"How do you know my name?" he asked. She sighed, but smiled.
"The stars told me," she said.
"Rae... can you ever give a straight answer?" Padme asked. Rae chuckled.
"I did. It just doesn't make sense to you," she countered. Just then, Jar-Jar looked like he was getting too close to a stack of parts and Rae hustled him outside.
"Whysa yousa doing that?" Jar-Jar asked. Rae gave the amphibious alien a Look.
"You were about to poke your nose where it didn't belong," she said evenly.
/*/
Jar-Jar wasn't stupid, he was just different. Almost like autism. Anyway, he wasn't stupid. He could reason things out, just not the way most people did. And right then, Jar-Jar wasn't sure what to make of this new addition to their mission. She was odd, as all humans were, but more so. She knew things, things she likely shouldn't. And she could alternate between unnervingly perky and chatty to withdrawn and prickly at a moment's notice. Like now. She had been quite and contemplative on their way to the shop and then, when she saw the boy, she had gone all chatty, but not like she had with him on the way to town. No. She spoke like a Seer. She knew things. And from the sounds of it, they were terrible. "Please stop staring," she asked softly. He sighed, something he wasn't quite used to doing.
"Yousa... strange," he said. She turned to him, a vaguely questioning look in her eyes.
"So are you. Does that make you dangerous?" she asked, voice still soft. He shook his head.
"Mesa no meanin it like dat. Mesa just sayin... yousa different. Yousa knowin what yousa no need be knowin. Howsa yousa knowin dem?" he asked. She blinked.
"Since when were you perceptive?" she asked. Jar-Jar smiled.
"When peoples boder lookin," he said. She chuckled, then looked up at the sandy sky.
"Jar-Jar... I know what this mission could turn out as. I know the most likely outcome. If I hadn't shown up... what I know would likely be exactly what happens to you, and your companions. So much pain, so much fear, so much death... that cute little boy? I know what can, and likely will, happen to him, and it makes me feel cold inside. The Queen? I know how she'll likely die, and it makes me want to cry just thinking of it. Obi-Wan? His future makes me want to hug him and tell him it wasn't his fault. You? I'm... not too sure how you end up, and I am glad of that. I am so glad... because that means I won't be thinking about your demise every time I see you. Jar-Jar... what I know is terrible and tells me that the future is dark and painful and won't get better for, like, forty years! I don't know why I'm telling you this, Jar-Jar. Maybe I just need to get it off my chest and you're here. You won't tell anyone, will you?" she said, suddenly looking at him with fearful eyes. Jar-Jar felt his heart ache for her. She was so brave, so far from home and around people whose futures she had Seen.
"Mesa no tellin nobody! Yousa... yousa no needin dat. Ah, Rae-Rae, yousa so brave. Yousa bombad lady," he said. She chuckled.
"Thank you, Jar-Jar. I'm glad you were the one I ended up ranting like this to. You're a good listener, you know that?" she said, turning to face him properly. Sure she was Human and he was Gungun, but he thought she was quite pretty when she smiled like that. He'd keep her secret, and he'd help her how he could.
"Okei-dokie. Nowsa, what yousa sayin bout love?" he said. She chuckled again, a mischievous smirk on her lips.
"The Queen and the Slave. Sounds like a bad soap opera, doesn't it?" she said. Jar-Jar nearly choked. The boy and the Queen? Did that mean...
"Padme da queen?!" he asked in shock. Rae grinned at him.
"You catch on quicker than the movies made out," she said. He shook his head. "Beginning to wish those pesky Jedi had just left you alone, aren't you?" she said. He gave her his own Look. "Eh, don't get too bothered by it. As far as I can tell, the big trouble won't be for another ten years yet. And you'll get some respect, Jar-Jar. Just stick with it," she said before she stood and vainly tried to brush the sand off of her. "I do believe they're done. Let us collect our companions, hum?" and then she was back in the store. Jar-Jar shook his head. Yes, he didn't quite know what to make of her, but he did know she was good. That was enough for him.
/*/
Anakin was confused by these off-worlders. The first girl, the one who had tied up the tall pale red skinned alien, was odder than most deep space pilots but she seemed nice... if a bit foreboding. Her manner of dress was a bit different, except for the head dress and goggles, but that wasn't what had him wary of her. He honestly didn't know what set him on edge around Spacey, but something was definitely off. The alien was trouble on legs, even he could tell. The tall man was dangerous. He had a light sword. That meant he was a Jedi. The last one though... she was beautiful, like an angle. He liked her. She listened. When Watto told him he could go, he left happily, and was passing a stand when he saw Trouble on Legs getting harassed by his greatest opponent in the podraces. Getting the Dug off Trouble on Legs was easy. Dealing with Spacey muttering about how she hated sand and how she wished storms in the desert came with rain was the difficult part. Though, why she was muttering about desert storms he didn't know. And then he was told by Madam Marsh that a storm was coming. "See? This is why I didn't want to come!" Spacey complained. Tall Guy gave her a look, but she ignored it and kept muttering about stubborn people and plot points.
"Where is your ship?" Akakin asked.
"On the outskirts," replied Angle. Anakin blinked. The outskirts? They walked into town from the outskirts? And they expected to beat the storm back when Madam Marsh could already feel it coming? Nope. Not going to happen. The outskirts were too far away and storms moved quickly. So he took them to his house.
"Thank you, young one," the tall man said.
"No problem Master Qui-Gon sir," Anakin said, closing the door behind Spacey. She pulled down her mask and removed her goggles, grinning at him with her eyes twinkling like she knew something. Crazy woman.
/*/
Qui-Gon kept getting a weird feeling off of the boy. It was as though the Force were screaming out, but he couldn't hear what it said. It was a rather uncomfortable feeling for the Jedi Master. He noticed the boy had a scrape on his arm, and decided to take the opportunity. "Anakin, might I take a look at your arm?" he asked. Out of the comer of his eye, he could see Rae smirking at him, like she knew what he was feeling and why, but that it amused her to watch him flounder. He had a feeling he was really going to hate that smirk.
"Okay," Anakin said, holding out his arm. Qui-Gon quickly took a blood sample before cleaning the small abrasion.
"All done," Qui-Gon said.
"Hey, Mister Qui-Gon sir, do you know how to talk to the stars?" Anakin asked. Qui-Gon blinked. Okay. He'd heard some weird things in his life, but talking to stars?
"No. Why do you ask?"
"Well, when you came to Watto's shop, Rae knew my name before I said it. When I asked, she said the stars told her," Anakin explained, looking puzzled. Qui-Gon shook his head.
"Rae is... difficult for even myself to understand. Especially when she beginnings ranting. You'd have to ask her yourself," he said. Anakin sighed.
"Why did I have a feeling you'd say that?" he asked.
"Because of who you are, Fearless Hero," Rae said from behind them. "Your mother says dinner's ready, Anakin. I need to talk to Qui-Gon for a bit, alright?" she continued. Anakin was still confused, but went to help his mother.
/*/
Rae sighed as she watched Anakin head back to his mother. "Such an innocent boy. Seeing him in the flesh makes what I know of his future so much harder to bear," she said softly, almost as though she were speaking to herself more than Qui-Gon, watching the cute little nine year old bounce away. Qui-Gon clearing his throat made her turn around and give him her full attention. "Qui-Gon... be honest with that boy. He doesn't need you sugar coating things. Honestly, that could hurt him more in the future. What the boy needs is honesty, and discipline, and support. He's smart, but he's headstrong as well. It's something of a family trait." She leveled the Jedi what she hoped was a piercing look, but had a feeling it failed. "He was raised with love and attachment as the only things holding him out of the miry darkness. Do not force him to forsake his emotions. He will rebel. Another Skywalker trait," she said gravely. Nodding, she left the Jedi to do what he would and went to get dinner. Qui-Gon came a moment later and they enjoyed a pleasant meal. When the others had gone off to bed, Rae went up to Anakin's mother. "Your son loves you very much," she told the woman. Shmi smiled and nodded.
"He's a good boy." Rae nodded as well.
"Shmi... I know things. I told a little to Anakin earlier, but I need you to know something," she said. Rae could see the older woman stiffen a little. "You will be freed, but not yet. You will find peace, but if I cannot change things, you will die within ten years." Shmi gawked at Rae. "I know, bombshell. But I didn't know when I'd be able to come back here. As far as I know, sometime before Anakin turns nineteen, you're going to be bought off of Watto by a moisture farmer named... I can't pronounce his given name, but his surname is Lars. He has a son of his own. When Lars buys you, eventually, he'll free and marry you. Don't be afraid to. If I can, I'll try to make it out here around the time of the trouble I know is likely to come after you. Your death may be able to be avoided, and if it is... it would help keep the galaxy as we know it from collapsing. You are very important to Anakin and if he saw you die, in his arms... it would drive him to the brink of madness. A mad Jedi is a very dangerous thing, Shmi, and Anakin won't be just any Jedi. He'll be one of the most powerful, if unfocused, Jedi ever. And I'm going to be working on the anger management and focus issues alongside his master, whether they like it or not," she expounded, a little shocked by herself. She hadn't been aware of the decision to so firmly implant herself into the fabric of the Star Wars plot but once she said it... it felt right. Shmi shook her head.
"How do you know?" she asked. Rae smiled sadly at her.
"That... is a story more unbelievable than what I've already laid on you, so forgive me if I do not tell it," she said. Shmi sighed, but nodded. Rae smiled, her eyes feeling dry and heavy. "I need sleep. I've been doing all the talking for days!" she said. Shmi smiled as the young woman went to the couch and curled up.
"Sleep well, Rae Mayar. I'll wake you for breakfast," she said. Rae smiled as she settled deeper into the couch, seeking sleep.
/*/
Obi-Wan was not worried. Rae had given him the feeling that they'd get off the giant 'sand pit' in good time, and that nothing truly horrible would happen for another ten years. No, Obi-Wan was not worried. But he still didn't like Rae being out there. Tatoonie had a reputation! A hard earned one at that. She was less handy in a fight than Padme, though he'd still trust her to watch his back better than Jar-Jar. So when Qui-Gon checked in, Obi-Wan was very happy and asked after the rest. "Rae is fine, Obi-Wan. No trouble at all. In fact, she saved us some time at the junk store and kept Jar-Jar out of trouble. Though... now he's a little wary around her. I'm not entirely sure if it's fear... or awe. It seems she told him something of herself and he's not quite sure how to take it," Qui-Gon said. Obi-Wan chuckled.
"Yes, she does seem to have that affect on people. How long should you be master? I'm quite eager to get off this planet," he said. Qui-Gon sighed.
"We have to stay for the podrace. It's the only way to get the part we need. Also, I want you to check the midicholrian count in the blood sample I sent you," he said. Obi-Wan sighed, mildly agitated, but did as he was asked. The result he got was crazy.
"Master... it's off the charts. Not even Yoda has a count this high! Who is this?" he asked. He heard his master chuckle and felt tendrils of amusement through their bond.
"A nine year old boy named Anakin. Rae knew him on sight." Obi-Wan couldn't help the swift intake of breath at the news. Rae had proven to him that if she knew something, it was important. And if she knew Anakin on sight...
"It's him, isn't it? The Chosen One?" he asked. Qui-Gon sent a smile along the bond and the young man felt a brief flash of pride.
"Most likely. Rae seemed to know a lot about his future. She confused him a great deal when they met. He asked me if I could talk to stars, because she told him that's how she knew his name. Would you talk to her when we get back to the ship?"
"I don't think that would do much good master. She seems to take joy in being confusing," Obi-Wan said. Qui-Gon sighed again.
"We may be a while. Take care, my Padawan."
"Sleep well master, and may the Force be with you," Obi-Wan answered before shutting down the comm. He leaned back and thought about this Anakin kid. Had Rae mentioned him at all? He didn't think she had. But she knew him. He sighed and sank into meditation. He didn't particularly like meditation, but it felt like the thing to do. A small smile tugged at his lips. It seems, Rae would be having him meditate a whole lot more than he was used to. The Force was comforting as he slipped into Its embrace. He contemplated Rae and what she had told him. The Force showed him a vision of her watching a show on a computer. It appeared to be a computer generated show about a war.
'Anakin! Slow down!' a Jedi General said in a reasonable approximation of his own voice. Anakin?
'It'll be fine master!' the Anakin character said. Obi-Wan wondered if this was part of the 'mythos' Rae had mentioned. The scene changed and the auburn haired Jedi was suspended by his ankles in a force shield headed straight for a masher. Rae snickered at his comments as he approached death.
"Ah Obi-Wan. Master of sarcasm," Rae said with a smirk. More scenes flashed by; a few fights, a few negotiations; and then he was back on the ship. He sighed.
"Well, that just gave me more questions!" he groused, though he did wonder if he could really be that general and if Anakin would really be that close a friend. He shook his head and went back to waiting for the 'fun' to begin.
/*/
Rae hadn't been expecting to have fun at the podrace. In fact, she was expecting to be a puddle of sweat. She wasn't disappointed, but she still felt a thrill as she watched the race and cheered herself hoarse when Anakin crossed the finish line. "I knew you would do it, Anakin," she said, clapping him on the back. "Jar-Jar, Padme, care to accompany me back to the ship? Qui-Gon can finish up, and we need to let the captain know the parts are coming," she said. Padme smirked.
"Your enthusiasm for returning wouldn't have anything to do with a certain Padawan, would it?" she asked. Rae smirked and used one of her favorite Obi-Wan lines.
"From a certain point of view." Padme blinked.
"You sounded... a lot like Padawan Kenobi just then," she said. Rae grimaced.
"Accent?" she asked, hoping her little verbal quirk hadn't acted up, but knowing it likely had. Padme nodded. "Darn. I was hoping that wouldn't happen. Don't worry about it, it pops up every now and again but it's harmless. Oh! And Ani? Don't worry about your mom. She'll get out too, just not yet," Rae said before striding out of the arena. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Anakin leaning over to Qui-Gon, likely to ask if she was sane. A mad grin spread on her face. Oh, it would be so fun confusing the Force out of the Jedi with her cryptic ways! Then she thought of what came next and fought down a growl. Great. She was headed to Courasant. And Palpatine the Pretender. Joy. 'Could I explain away my distaste for him as not trusting people who smile too much? Or would he sense my true feelings? Man, this is going to be a long week,' Rae thought as she trudged through the sands of Tatooine. 'And I really don't like sand. Blasted deserts and their blasted sand!'
/?/
A/N: A~nd... CUT! So? Review!
