After giving Qui-Gon the parts he needs and helping him find an eopie to load them up on, Din makes his way back to the hovel where he – and his aliit – have been living. This will be the last time they'll be here, and they need to move out to the starship. While he doesn't know what the situation is for the Nubians, he knows it's better for them to be together at the ship. He doesn't doubt his ability to protect them, of course, but the Jetii certainly seemed to. The prospect of going to the ship alone, without any of the others, had worried him, but Din promised him that he would protect them. He will, with his life, if need be because this is the Way.
When Din gets back, everyone is ready to leave. Shmi and Anakin finished packing their meager belongings, leaving whatever they didn't want for their friends, while Anakin stopped to bid his friends farewell. Probably with a promise that he'll someday return to help them, but Din doesn't ask. A part of him can't believe that this is really happening, though he'll be glad to be off Tatooine. If Naboo doesn't work out, hopefully they can at least get a starship there.
They walk to the starship, getting plenty of attention on the way, but no one bothers them; Din hadn't expected they would, because again, he's a Mandalorian. The sight of him is more than enough to keep everyone away. The walk is long but uneventful, and they arrive just around noon, when the suns are almost straight overhead. Qui-Gon greets them outside the ship, looking relieved to see everyone there and unharmed.
"I need to update the Queen," Padme tells them once they're all onboard. "I'm sure she'll wish to speak with you afterwards."
Din watches as she leaves, Jar Jar and Artoo wandering off as well, before turning towards where Qui-Gon is, only to realize that he's not alone anymore. Huh. A second Jetii, apparently, though this one is much younger. He also has a small braid, which is quite long, and Din decides not to comment or ask. Some strange Jetii custom he assumes.
"Anakin and Shmi Skywalker, meet Obi-Wan Kenobi," Qui-Gon announces.
"You're a Jedi too?" Anakin exclaims, looking intrigued. "Pleased to meet you."
Qui-Gon laughs quietly, before giving the younger man a look. "Escort them to a room. I'll contact you when – and if – the Queen wishes to meet them."
There's an awkward pause, before Obi-Wan sighs. "Follow me," he says, leading them to a small hold-like area. "It should be big enough for all of you here."
"This will be fine. Thank you," Shmi replies before giving Threepio permission to shut down. The protocol droid does so, standing idly in the corner. It might be more unnerving for Din to see it there if he didn't know that it was Anakin who built and programmed it.
"Qui-Gon never told me why you're here," Obi-Wan states in what is obviously an attempt to get them to talk and probably to break the slightly awkward silence.
Din lifts Grogu from the satchel and sets him down on a cushioned couch, handing him the shiny metal ball to keep him occupied before sitting next to him. "You didn't have credits to pay for the parts you need, so we made a deal: the parts in exchange for passage off-world to Naboo," he explains.
"We're going to Coruscant now though," Obi-Wan responds, frowning.
"So I heard. What is Coruscant like? I don't think any of us have been there before," Din remarks. Grogu looks up at him and makes a noise, obviously a contradiction, but Din doesn't bother correcting himself. The less anyone knows about the kid, the better.
"It's the capital of the Republic," Obi-Wan tells them, sitting on a chair. "It's one huge city, so it's quite busy. And populated. Very different from Tatooine. The Senate is there, obviously, and so is the Jedi Temple."
Well, this is news to Din. Ahsoka may have mentioned something about Grogu having been in the Jetii Temple – which was also news to him, at the time, because the Jetii have a Temple? – but he didn't realize it was on Coruscant. "The Jetii have a Temple on Coruscant?" he asks, disbelieving. It seems very unpractical for the peacekeepers to live on the capital of the Republic when they're supposed to be maintaining the peace. That probably explains what Qui-Gon was saying about them listening to the Senate. Din doesn't even know anything about how the Jetii work, and he already doesn't like it. It seems inefficient.
Obi-Wan is visibly taken aback. "You don't know that?" His tone is semi-hysterical. "How could you not know that?"
It's not Din's fault that he grew up in an era where the Empire was in control or when he didn't even know that the Jetii were real until he met Grogu. Although, that probably would have been true regardless. "You'd be surprised," he answers dryly. "Very few people believe the Jetii exist. They're just tales in the Outer Rim. Legends who no one ever sees."
Obi-Wan gapes at him for a moment, shaking his head. "That's – I didn't know that. There are so many Jedi... I would have thought that people actually knew they existed."
"And it's a big galaxy," Din points out with a shrug. "If you're all living at the capital, it's no wonder that you are so rarely seen in the Rim." Grogu babbles, and the ball hits the floor with a clang. Din leans over to pick it up, dropping it back into the kid's hands.
Obi-Wan seems uncertain, but he dismisses it, eyes focusing on Grogu. "Where did you find him?" His curiosity is unmistakable. "I only know of two of his species."
Din looks down at his first foundling, who perks up with a quiet squeal when he's mentioned. "He was my target, but I protected him, since he is only a child." He leaves it at that. The Jetii does not need or have any right to know what Din and Grogu have been through together, much less about the depths of their bond. It's private. Personal.
"What is the situation on Naboo right now?" Shmi questions, thankfully, before Obi-Wan can ask any other questions which Din will refuse to answer. That... is a good question. Why didn't he think to ask that earlier?
"The planet is being blockaded by the Trade Federation," Obi-Wan explains grimly. "I'm afraid we – they, that is – may be forced to react with violence if the Senate doesn't help."
Din stares at him blankly. Which cannot, thankfully, be seen because of his buy'ce. "Why would the Senate help? The Republic doesn't do anything for the Rim." And he's never heard of the Trade Federation before – probably some sort of corporation from the sound of the name – so he doesn't really know what it did or didn't do, especially at this point in time. "Look, I know you probably support the Republic, but it is only effective in the Core."
"That's not true," Obi-Wan retorts defensively.
"Yes, it is," Shmi counters, evenly, staring at him and laying a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "My son and I were slaves on Tatooine. The Republic has never done anything for us. Mando freed us, and he's protected us."
Anakin's eyes slide to Din, and he momentarily sees the boy's appreciation and affection before he hides them again. Obi-Wan remains quiet, obviously having nothing to say to that. Din can't blame him exactly because he has grown up in the Core. He doesn't know how difficult life is in the Rim. He doesn't really understand how ineffective the Republic – and maybe even Jetii – are. Din didn't see the Republic coming to help on Aq Vetina.
A strained silence descends on the room in the aftermath of Shmi's words, but Din doesn't really mind it. He has long preferred silence, opting not to speak if it's an option. That changed, of course, when he got Grogu, and he's grown accustomed to talking to the kid about what's happening and explaining things to him. For other people, it really depends.
They stay there for some time – he doesn't know how long; he gets lost in watching Grogu play quietly with the ball – before Qui-Gon comms Obi-Wan to let him know that the Queen wishes to speak with Din. His first thought is to take Grogu with him, even though he knows it's not really necessary since Shmi and Anakin can watch over him. And so, he stops to make sure the kid knows. "I'm going to speak with the Queen, Grog'ika," he tells him. "I'll be back soon."
Grogu tilts his head with a coo and then nods, so Din leaves, following Obi-Wan to the throne room where the Queen is waiting. He's never met royalty before, so he doesn't really know how to behave. The Jetii both stay outside, while he's ushered in. The Queen is sitting on a throne, surrounded by four handmaids, all of whom are wearing hoods. Din scans them, but he doesn't see Padme among them, although there is one that... kind of resembles her? Maybe. It's hard to tell with the hoods, but he assumes she must be elsewhere if she's not here with the Queen.
Queen Amidala is wearing an elaborate gown of multiple shades of dark purple. Her face is painted white with red markings that must have some cultural meaning, while she has a fancy headdress. Din is... confused, to say the least, about her style of clothing. How can she even move in them? It seems like it would be extremely awkward and uncomfortable. Although, the decorations definitely leave plenty of room for concealed weaponry. The headdress, however, he doesn't understand. How does it not fall off if she tilts her head? And it seems as if it would reduce her viewing ability while making it difficult for her to turn her head.
Another thing that Din very quickly realizes, with no small amount of apprehension, is that Queen Amidala is a teenager. A teenager. That is... well, he wasn't expecting it, and he hasn't met very many – or any really – monarchs, but having a teenage queen seems like a terrible idea. Din frankly can't imagine such a thing working out long-term. In his experience, teens can be extremely stupid. And petty. And he doesn't even want to think about some of the incidents from when he was that age, because they're too embarrassing. But being a teenage queen? Not really a good idea, especially if said queen is ruling an entire planet and is expected to make decisions that will majorly affect her people.
Despite his reservations, he remains silent about all of it. It's their planet, and it's not his place to express his feelings about how they choose to run it. He is more than willing to respect their culture, no matter how illogical and incomprehensible it seems. Too bad that more people can't do the same for his. But... that is neither here nor there.
"Your Highness," says someone who Din is quite certain is the captain of her security, though he doesn't know the man's name, "This the Mandalorian who we picked up from Tatooine."
The Queen regards him, expression cool and distant, and Din quickly realizes that it's a well-created mask, designed to make her difficult to read. "Thank you for agreeing to give us the parts," she tells him. "Our journey to Coruscant is of utmost importance."
Din nods. "The Jetii Kenobi told me about the Trade Federation blockade of your planet."
"It is more than a blockade now," the Queen informs him. "It is an invasion. Their droid armies have occupied the planet. Unless the Republic answers our plea, we are on our own."
Even if no one can see his expression, Din is still accustomed to keeping his face black, because he knows that subtle changes or displays of emotion can be read by those who are skilled in reading body language. Still, he stiffens involuntarily at the mention of droid armies, an unbidden chill running down his spine. Though it's been many, many years since he was orphaned – and rescued by Mandalorians – on Aq Vetina, Din still remembers every detail; they haunt his nightmares, even now.
He remembers how the droids had marched through the streets, killing indiscriminately. There were no fighters there. Only civilians. And he remembers the screaming, the explosions. He remembers how his parents hid him in a cellar where they hoped he'd be safe, how he'd watched through the crack as the battle droid got closer and closer, how he'd feared that he would die there, how the Mandalorian who would become his buir saved his life.
So, no. Din has no love for droids. He's learned, recently, that he can trust that not all of them are bad, but... some things run far too deep to be buried forever. He doesn't know what will happen to Naboo, or what happened to it in the past at this point in time. He does know, however, that he can't let droid armies terrorize the people of any planet if he can do something to stop it.
"I'll help," he blurts out before he can think better of it. He would have decided on this course of action regardless, but now that he's committed himself, he can't back out.
The Queen does not show her surprise, but Din still gets the feeling that she was not expecting his reaction. "Are you certain this is what you want?" she questions.
"Yes," he answers firmly. "I don't like droids."
"Very well," she agrees, with a regal nod. "Your help will be much appreciated. I will call on you when I need you."
Din recognizes the dismissal for what it is, so he inclines his head to her before leaving the room and returning back to the area where the rest of his aliit is staying. They should probably know what he decided to do, being as it will affect them. It will be just another job, except this time, it's one that will undoubtedly have repercussions. He doesn't know or care about how all of this time travelling business works; nothing can stop him from doing what he needs to do to help people, especially those in need.
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Anakin plays on the floor with Grogu for a short time before deciding that he probably should talk to Mom about Qui-Gon's offer. Buir already said that he's okay with whatever Anakin chooses, but he still doesn't know what Mom thinks about it. "Mom?" he questions, turning towards her.
"Yes, Ani. What is it?" Her smile is as gentle and warm as it was in the past, but now, it's also brighter, happier.
"Qui-Gon talked to me," he begins. "He asked me if I want to become a Jedi."
"Do you?"
That... is a difficult question to answer. At least it would have been if Anakin hadn't already talked to Grogu about it. "Yes, I – I do, but I'll miss you all."
Mom is visibly surprised. "You could visit us though," she points out.
Grogu interjects with a nonsensical babble, but the meaning is clear: Anakin can't. "Grogu told me that if I became a Jedi, I wouldn't be able to see you because of attachments. I dunno. It doesn't make sense, but I want to learn Jedi magic and I want to know how to use a laser sword. Buir said I could leave the Jedi after being trained and come back to be a Mandalorian though."
"Is that what you want?" Mom asks evenly, kindly.
"I think so," Anakin replies hesitantly. "If I change my mind, I can always leave sooner."
Mom reaches out to ruffle his hair. "Exactly," she agrees. "I will miss you, of course, as we all will, but I'm very proud of you, Ani."
He grins up at her, slightly abashed, feeling a warmth in his chest.
The moment is broken when the door opens and Buir returns. "I spoke with the Queen," he relates when the door is closed again, "And she told me about their situation. I have offered to help them reclaim their planet from the Trade Federation and its battle droid army."
Anakin knows that, for whatever reason, Buir really doesn't like droids. He doesn't know why, and he's never asked, because it felt wrong to do so. He isn't surprised that Buir wants to help Naboo. If Anakin was old enough, he would be helping too! He hates the thought of Padme's planet being in danger like this. She doesn't deserve that; she's a good person, and she's his friend, too.
"Is that wise?" Mom worries.
"It can't be any more dangerous than my regular jobs," Buir assures her. That is not terribly reassuring, but Anakin doesn't say so. He knows how dangerous it is to be a bounty hunter, and he tries not to worry about Buir, because he's good at what he does, like Grogu said. Even if Anakin hasn't actually seen him fighting, he still can tell. People don't wear that much armor and carry that many weapons unless they're skilled.
Anakin knows that Mom worries as well, but she, like him, doesn't say anything... until she does, changing the subject entirely. "Ani is considering becoming a Jedi," she announces.
"That's great, ad'ika," Buir tells him with a nod. "Perhaps we should let the Jetii know now, so that they can arrange whatever they need to before our arrival." Well, that makes sense, since the Jedi apparently have a Temple on Coruscant, which is where they're going.
"Okay," Anakin agrees, excitement warring with nervousness.
Buir leaves again and returns with Qui-Gon. "When we arrive on Coruscant, I will tell the Jedi Council about you," Qui-Gon explains. "They will likely test you to determine how sensitive you still are to the Force, but first, I would like to take a blood sample to measure your midi-chlorian count."
"What's that?" he inquires, confused.
"Midi-chlorians are a microscopic life-form... that resides within all living cells," the Jedi elaborates.
"They live inside me?" Anakin has never heard of anything like this before, so he's mystified by Qui-Gon's words. He doesn't think he's the only one, even if Grogu seems completely unconcerned by the conversation. The toddler is sitting in the middle of the floor, rolling the metal ball back and forth in front of him.
"Inside your cells, yes," Qui-Gon confirms. "And we are symbionts with them."
"Symbionts?" Anakin echoes, uncertain.
"Life-forms living together for mutual advantage. Without the midi-chlorians, life could not exist... and we would have no knowledge of the Force. They continually speak to us, telling us the will of the Force... When you learn to quiet your mind, you'll hear them speaking to you."
Buir makes a noise that sounds like a scoff. "Jetii magic," he says, dryly. Anakin feels the same.
Qui-Gon looks at him, askance, though he says nothing to that. "You will understand with time and training, Ani," he promises before taking a blood sample. He doesn't come back.
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Mando'a Translations:
aliit - family, clan
Jetii - Jedi
buy'ce - helmet
buir - father, mother
ad'ika - little one