Dinner With A Sith

"Mom, we're home!" Anakin called out as he and Braylen entered the house. "Braylen and I brought guests for dinner!"

Shimi, surprised but smiling warmly, looked up from her work. "What? Guests?" she asked, coming into the room.

"Hi, I'm Qui-Gon Jinn," Qui-Gon introduced himself with a respectful nod. "This is my padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and these are my companions Padmé and Jar Jar."

Shimi smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you for having us," Qui-Gon continued politely.

"No problem at all," Shimi replied with a warm laugh. "I'll just set a few extra places at the table."

As they settled in, Shimi couldn't help but notice how Ani had seated himself right next to Padmé, his youthful excitement evident. She glanced over at Braylen, who had taken his usual spot beside her, and smiled knowingly.

"So," Shimi asked as she began arranging the table, "how did you find yourselves here on Tatooine?"

"Our hyperdrive was damaged in an attack," Qui-Gon explained. "We were forced to land for repairs."

Shimi nodded in understanding. "Well, it looks like you had a better landing than Braylen did," she teased, nudging Braylen playfully. "I found him half-dead in front of his ship not long ago."

"For the record," Braylen replied with a smirk, "I had just survived a three-on-one dogfight. Landing wasn't exactly my top priority."

Padmé, amused by the banter, looked between Braylen and Shimi. "So, you've known each other long?"

Shimi smiled warmly. "Yes, Braylen's been a part of our lives for a while now. He's looked after Ani and me ever since he crash-landed here. I'm grateful for everything he's done for us."

Braylen gave a humble nod, downplaying the praise. "Just returning the favor."

As the table was set and everyone sat down, the conversation shifted between stories of survival and adventure, creating a warm and lively atmosphere in the small home on Tatooine.

"So, Ani," Qui-Gon began as they sat around the table, "you said Braylen was your teacher. Is that how you became such a good mechanic?"

Anakin shook his head, a proud smile forming. "No, I've always been good with machines. I even built my own droid and Pod-racer!" He grinned but quickly added, "Although, I haven't actually won a race yet."

Braylen chuckled. "That's because the other racers cheat."

Anakin huffed, "Exactly! But yeah, I call Braylen my teacher because I'm going to be a Sith like him."

The room fell into a sudden silence. Qui-Gon, not expecting that, froze but quickly recovered. Padmé, confused, asked, "I'm sorry, what's a Sith?"

Obi-Wan spoke up, his tone serious. "They're an order of killers who think of nothing but gaining more power."

"That's not true!" Anakin protested, his voice full of frustration.

"That's enough, Anakin," Braylen interjected, his voice calm yet firm. "From his point of view, he has every reason to think that."

Qui-Gon leaned forward, intrigued. "Perhaps you can enlighten us."

Braylen paused, glancing at Shimi, who smiled knowingly. "Maybe it would be best to start from the beginning."

Shimi chuckled softly. "How about you give the summarized version, otherwise, we'll be here until dawn."

Braylen smirked. "Force of habit," he muttered. Then, looking around the table, he continued, "Despite what the Jedi teach, we Sith have a long and rich history. But rather than bore you with all the details, I'll tell you about one of my own experiences. Ani, why don't you tell them which one?"

Anakin's eyes lit up. "Tell them about the pirates!"

Braylen nodded. "Good choice. Well, I was once hired to retrieve a shipment for a client. My contact had taken it to a small colony for security, but when I arrived, he was dead, and the shipment was stolen. Pirates had taken it. So, I boarded their ship and took it back. They had looted the entire colony."

Padmé's brow furrowed as she listened. "What happened next?"

"We got into a dogfight, but my ship was superior. I destroyed their ship," Braylen said calmly. "When I returned the stolen goods to the colony, they treated me like a hero."

"You were a hero," Padmé said, her voice full of conviction. "You saved those people."

Braylen's gaze grew thoughtful. "Maybe. But let's say I later ran into one of those pirates' wives. Maybe she's struggling to buy food because her husband is no longer sending money to support her, since I killed him. To her, I'm not a hero. I'm a murderer."

Obi-Wan's expression hardened. "Then you should've taken them alive and let the authorities deal with them."

Braylen met his gaze, a somber look in his eyes. "I can tell you from personal experience that the right client or enough money can make those 'authorities' look the other way. They'll never be convicted, and more people will suffer."

Qui-Gon nodded slowly, his voice filled with understanding. "There's no simple answer to situations like that. It's never black and white."

"Exactly," Braylen agreed. "Sometimes, what we call justice depends on whose side you're on."

As Braylen's philosophical views on leadership and the Force settled in, Padmé grew more thoughtful. His insights into power, manipulation, and the weight of consequences resonated deeply. Qui-Gon remained quietly observant, absorbing Braylen's approach to teaching and his unique take on the Sith. This was not the dogmatic approach he had come to expect, but one rooted in understanding multiple perspectives—something that intrigued him.

Obi-Wan, still processing the earlier conversation, glanced at his master, wondering what conclusions Qui-Gon was drawing from Braylen's words. He couldn't deny that Braylen's demeanor was more measured than any Sith he had imagined, but there was still something unsettling about his presence.

Braylen leaned back in his chair. "You see, life isn't always about who's right or wrong. Sometimes it's about who's strong enough to see both sides and make the harder decisions."

Padmé remained silent, but in her heart, she began questioning what it truly meant to lead. Meanwhile, Anakin sat proudly, gazing up at Braylen, eager to one day make his own mark.

Shimi smiled warmly as she spoke. "Now that we've all eaten, why don't you all stay the night? Tomorrow, you can head out."

"We don't want to impose," Padmé said, glancing at the others.

"Nonsense," Shimi replied, her tone gentle but firm. "It's night out, and a sandstorm is likely already on its way."

Braylen chuckled softly. "Take it from me, there's no sense in fighting her on this."

Padmé nodded, accepting the offer. "Thank you, Shimi. That's very kind of you."

"You can take the guest room," Shimi said, turning to Padmé. "And the rest of you can use the beds in Braylen's ship."

"Looks like we're staying," Qui-Gon said, smiling at Shimi. "Thank you for your hospitality."

The group agreed, and as they prepared to settle in for the night, there was a sense of calm despite the uncertainty of their situation. Anakin looked especially happy, proud that his mother and Braylen had welcomed their new friends so warmly.