Night on Coruscant is only different from the daytime in that the sky is dark. There's just as much activity in the skies as usual, not that Din is surprised. He's already gearing up mentally for what is bound to be one of the most difficult jobs ever. He's done many difficult things, but helping a mostly untrained, under-armed force try to fight off a corporation with a seemingly endless supply of battle droids is... probably the hardest yet.
He hovers in the background, Shmi at his side as they follow the Queen onto the landing platform. The Jetii are already waiting there, and so is... Anakin? Din blinks, confused, but yes, that is definitely Anakin. Concern instantly rises in place of confusion. Did something happen? Grogu coos softly at his side, peering up at him from the satchel, and Din knows that the kid senses Anakin as well. But he seems completely unconcerned about it, so maybe Din doesn't need to worry.
The Jetii approach the Queen, bowing their heads to her respectfully. "Your Majesty, it is our pleasure to continue to serve and protect you," Qui-Gon states.
"I welcome your help," Amidala answers, "Senator Palpatine fears that the Federation means to destroy me." Even though this is her life they're discussing, she doesn't sound fearful.
"I assure you I will not allow that to happen," Qui-Gon promises, and he steps aside to let the Queen pass to her starship, her handmaids and guards following. Then, he approaches Din. "The Council made its decision clear regarding Anakin," he tells him quietly. "They refuse to let him be trained as a Jedi."
Din frowns. "Why not?"
Qui-Gon sighs. "It's complicated. I can explain once we depart."
Din silently intends to hold the Jetii to that, so he reluctantly agreed to wait to get answers until after they leave. But that doesn't stop him from going to greet his foundling. Despite everything, Din is glad that he's here... even if he would be far safer with the Jetii in their Temple. "You'll have to tell me what happened," Din says quietly to Anakin, squeezing his shoulder before guiding him up the ramp.
He gives Shmi a moment with Anakin while he ensures that everything is secure before going to the room which they shared on the way to Coruscant. Now that they're going to Naboo, there's no way of knowing what will happen next. Qui-Gon comes to the room not long after Din feels the starship make the jump to hyperspace, interrupting Anakin explaining the situation to Jar Jar, who stopped by to say 'hi' to his newest friend.
"– they said I was too old and attached to Mom and Buir to be trained as a Jedi, which is stupid," Anakin announces, "And they wouldn't even listen when Qui-Gon insisted I was the Chosen One, which is something from some old prophecy or something, according to Obi-Wan."
Din looks at Qui-Gon, raising an eyebrow. "Is that true?" he questions, while Jar Jar gives Anakin a hug of sympathy in the background before wandering away out of the room, possibly to go find Padme and appraise her of what happened.
"It is," the Jetii replies, perfectly calm, "But I would like to see to Anakin's training regardless. I can train him even without the Council's approval."
Din... isn't so sure that he likes that idea, especially since it could cause problems with the Jetii. That's the last thing he needs, and he needs to think about the good of his family. "No," he replies flatly. "I will not let you train him after your Council said no." Grogu starts trying to clammer out of the satchel at his side, so Din lifts him out, handing him to Anakin. The toddler coos, snuggling in Anakin's arms and looking delighted, and that evaporates any unease which Din had been experiencing. Grogu has a way of doing that.
"Don't worry, An'ika," he assures him. "I'll train you as a Mandalorian. For us, the issue is more likely to be that someone is too young to start, but you're old enough now to learn the basics."
Anakin looks a little upset still, even though he nods. "I want to learn Jedi magic too. You said I was this 'Chosen One,'" he continues, turning to Qui-Gon, "If that's really so important, why did the Council refuse to train me?"
"They don't always hear the will of the Force," Qui-Gon admits. "They let their adherence to rules overrule what the Force wants them to do."
Din and Anakin stare at him. "What?" they chorus, almost in unison, both sounding equally confused and lost.
The Jetii sighs. "The Force is an energy field which binds all living things together," he explains. "It's not magic. Those of us who are Force-sensitive have the ability to actively tap into it to use it, as opposed to the passive use of most sentients."
"So, magic, basically," Din says dryly. "It's not something you can really explain by the laws of nature. What you Jetii do..." He trails off and shakes his head. The Jetii can call it whatever they want. As long as Din can't see any reason for how they're able to move things with their minds, it'll be magic to him.
He looks back at his foundling. "If these Jetii can't train you, I'm sure I can find one who isn't part of this Order who can," he offers. "They can't all be living in that Temple."
Qui-Gon winces, looking visibly uneasy. "I don't recommend that," he interjects lightly. "There are some very dangerous Force users out there who wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of Anakin's abilities. Not all Force users are... good."
Din gives him a pointed look, remembering how the Jetii tried to use his magic on him on Tatooine. "I know," he states flatly, sarcasm creeping into his tone.
"I think it's a good idea though," Anakin argues. "Buir will know if the people we find are trying to hurt me. He won't let them."
Those words sound more like something Grogu would say than Anakin, but Din doesn't comment. Qui-Gon looks both disappointed and uncertain as he nods. "If that is what you truly wish," he concedes, "But my offer is still open." And then, with those words, he slips from the room, leaving Din alone with his aliit.
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There are not many words said on the way to Naboo. The tension is high in the starship, everyone doing what they can to take their minds off the imminent danger. Din wishes that he could have found a safer place to leave his aliit while this is going on, because he hates having to take them into so much danger, not knowing what will happen to them, but he doesn't have much of a choice since he doesn't have a starship of his own. Although, if he did, he wouldn't be here to help Naboo in the first place...
He leaves Anakin with the pilot once the starship comes out of hyperspace, far enough away so that the Trade Federation ships won't sense them immediately, while Shmi is watching over a sleeping Grogu. Anakin is still as fascinated by the ship as ever, and it couldn't hurt for him to learn how the controls work.
Din joins the Queen, her entourage, and the Jetii as they discuss their next course of action. "As soon as we land the Federation will arrest you, and force you to sign the treaty," Amidala's security guard, Captain Panaka, declares firmly.
"I agree," Qui-Gon nods. "I'm not sure what you wish to accomplish by this."
"I will take back what's ours," the Queen replies coolly, eyes flickering between everyone in front of her, lingering on Din for a moment longer than everyone else.
"There are too few of us, Your Highness. We have no army," Panaka argues.
In this moment, Din suddenly realizes how much the Queen trusts him. She planned out her next moves with him, and she hasn't even shared them with her security or the Jetii yet. He... doesn't know how that makes him feel. On one hand, he hasn't done anything to deserve that trust, but on the other, he is honored that she seems to think so highly of him.
"And I can only protect you," Qui-Gon adds, "I can't fight a war for you."
"Jar Jar Binks, I need your help," Amidala proclaims. "When we arrive on Naboo, we must speak with the Gungan leaders. If we work together, your army can act as a diversion, while the few of us who are here infiltrate Theed and reclaim the palace, capturing Viceroy Gunray. Our pilots will take their starfighters up and destroy the droid control ship, bringing the army to a standstill." She has put a lot of thought into this, and Din is well aware that much of her plan came from their private conversation together.
"Mando, do you have anything to add?"
He shakes his head. "It seems sound, to me, but I have never been involved in military actions. Missions with a small unit of people are the most I've dealt with."
Amidala nods, looking at the assembled, her silence a clear indication that she's waiting to see what everyone else thinks about her plan. It's daring and risky, but Din suspects that it may be their only option.
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They come in from the far side of the planet, but even so, Obi-Wan feels quite certain that they were spotted, so it'll only be a matter of time before the droids come looking for them. They have to move quickly, so matter how outrageous of a plan they have. He has to admire the Queen's courage though, especially being that she's only a teen.
The starship lands quickly in the middle of a vast swath of trees, their leavy canopies concealing it from aerial view. Once they land, Jar Jar is dispatched on his way to the Gungan city, and Obi-Wan goes to find his master. His anger is still simmering, but not as much as before. Instead, all he feels is hurt. He can tell, after talking to Anakin, that the boy is special, and he would never begrudge him the chance to be trained, not when it's clearly his dream, but why did Qui-Gon have to handle the situation like that? Does he really care so little for Obi-Wan's feelings?
"Jar Jar is on his way to the Gungan city, Master," he reports, feeling it best to start with a safer topic. For now, Mando is still on the starship, talking privately to his companions about something, while the rest of the encourage lingers right inside or outside of the ship, waiting.
"Good," Qui-Gon answers, staring out at the trees as if they hold the secrets to the universe.
"Do you think the Queen's idea will work?" Personally, he doesn't know, but he is wary, because so much is hinging on chance and the ability of everyone to do their jobs perfectly.
Qui-Gon is silent for a moment, considering. "The Gungans will not be easily swayed, and we cannot use our power to help her."
Obi-Wan knows that he should say something – the silence between them is growing ever more strained, as if the gap is becoming almost insurmountable. They still haven't talked since the Council meeting. You wanted to abandon me, he thinks, but doesn't say it. He doesn't know what to say. "I told you the Council would never accept Anakin," he finally settles on. He does his best to keep his voice neutral, but he thinks that the bitterness he feels still leaks through.
Qui-Gon sighs, finally turning to look at him. "It was not unexpected," he admits, "But I don't think that leaving him untrained is the solution. You have felt his power, just as I have. You know how dangerous it could be if he fell into the Sith's hands."
"You... actually believe that the Sith exist?" Obi-Wan asks dubiously. "We have no evidence other than his vision."
"I think that is evidence enough," his master replies. "The boy is very strong with the Force. He was created by it. He follows it already, even without training."
Another, somewhat strained silence follows, and Obi-Wan swallows before meeting Qui-Gon's eyes. "I am grateful you think I'm ready to take the Trials, but why didn't you tell me?" His voice is quiet but accusing. It still stings, and even though he's trying to let go of it, it... isn't working the way he hoped.
"I've been thinking about it for some time now, but I wasn't sure," his master admits. "I was waiting for a sign from the Force that it was time."
"And you think Anakin is that sign?" Obi-Wan isn't sure how to feel about that. Dubious, to say the least. Qui-Gon doesn't apologize though. Obi-Wan hadn't really expected him too, but he had hoped...
Qui-Gon doesn't answer the question either. "You've been a good apprentice, Obi-Wan," he assures him. "And you're a much wiser man than I am. I foresee you will become a great Jedi Knight." Obi-Wan doesn't know how much of that is the truth and how much of that is simply meant to placate him, but... it does make him feel better. He nods his head in silent acknowledgement and stands next to his master as they wait for Jar Jar to return.
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Din wants Shmi to stay with Anakin and Grogu somewhere safe, but she refuses to stay behind, pointing out – probably rightfully – that they'll be far safer if they stay with the group, so whether Din likes it or not, his aliit is coming with him right into the line of fire. He's always stressed with Grogu is with him, and this will be profoundly worse.
When he and Shmi finish their private conversation, he steps back into the room where they've been staying to retrieve the kids and take them outside. And he walks into what is probably the strangest... argument he's ever heard. It doesn't help that it's entirely one-sided.
"No!" Anakin retorts adamantly, frowning down at Grogu who is clasping one of Anakin's fingers in his right fist so they can talk. "You are! I'm more mature!"
"Uh-uh. Mental age matters more," he insists.
If Din could facepalm while wearing his buy'ce, he would. "... Are you arguing about who is the older between you two?" He is well aware that both will hear the amusement in his voice.
"Grogu called me vod'ika," Anakin explains, "And I'm trying to tell him that he's younger."
"Mentally, yes. Physically, no," Din agrees. He will not take sides in this argument. "Now, let's go outside for a little bit." With those words he lifts Grogu from Anakin's arms, stroking a hand over his head with fondness.
"I told you so," Anakin mutters under his breath before running outside after Din. He sucks in a shocked breath, eyes widening when he sees the trees all around them. He turns in a slow circle, staring. "I've never seen anything so... green."
His voice is hushed, his awe obvious, and Din's lips curl into a smile. "You've never been off Tatooine before, and the galaxy is a big place," he says fondly. Grogu squeals and wriggles, and Din finally obliges, putting him down on the ground. Anakin plops down, running his hands over the grass with curiosity.
"I've heard about places like this, but I never thought they were real," Anakin breathes. "I want to stay here forever."
Din chuckles. "We can," he agrees, exchanging a look with Shmi. There's warmth in her eyes too as she watches her son touch the greenery with reverence and fascination.
"Wizard," Anakin whispers, standing and stroking the bark of a nearby tree, fingering some of the leaves. "How can it be so tall?" He tilts his head back, staring up at the top of the tree before poking at a nearby fern plant which reaches nearly up to his waist. "I want to explore. Can I explore?" He looks up at Din with a bright, hopeful expression, and Din finds that he can't say no to it, not that he would have anyways.
So, he smiles. "Of course, but stay close by."
He watches as Anakin scampers around, fascinated by his surroundings, while Grogu pokes around in the dirt, hopefully not trying to find a living creature to eat. As soon as Jar Jar returns, they'll have to get moving, but for now, they can take a moment to enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of the planet.
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Mando'a Translations:
Jetii - Jedi
aliit - family, clan
buy'ce - helmet
vod'ika - little brother, little sister