"The suns glaringly beat down on the group as they made their way towards the city. Padm\u00E9 wished that the cloak she wore had a hood as she could feel her face starting to burn. Danta did not look too pleased with the heat either, he was picking at his loose orange skin and muttering in an unintelligible language. Only Qui-Gon and Artoo looked unperturbed, but then again Artoo was a droid and nothing would really affect him. The Jedi Master wore a rough grey poncho over his robes, he looked like a farmer and his long strides made it an effort to keep up. \u201CHasn\u2019t anyone told you?\u201D he asked her."@en . . . . . . "The suns glaringly beat down on the group as they made their way towards the city. Padm\u00E9 wished that the cloak she wore had a hood as she could feel her face starting to burn. Danta did not look too pleased with the heat either, he was picking at his loose orange skin and muttering in an unintelligible language. Only Qui-Gon and Artoo looked unperturbed, but then again Artoo was a droid and nothing would really affect him. The Jedi Master wore a rough grey poncho over his robes, he looked like a farmer and his long strides made it an effort to keep up. The suns were at their zenith when they entered the city, it seemed as if beings from everywhere in the galaxy were there for some reason that Padm\u00E9 could not fathom. Master Devi had told her that the worst denizens of the galaxy usually chose equally bad places to congregate. As they walked to the spaceport, Padm\u00E9 could not help but agree. Here and there were landspeeders of various makes and designs as well as beasts of burden such as dewbacks, eopies, banthas and once they had to precariously walk past a large bucking ronto. Most beings gave the impression that they would rather be elsewhere, either by their species, dress or the furtive way they carried themselves. If Padm\u00E9 was feeling slightly lost in all of this, Qui-Gon was on his guard knowing full well that some beings simply existed for stirring up trouble. But most paid them no heed, a few glanced at Danta but on the whole they were ignored. \u201CIt\u2019s almost as if it\u2019s part of our duty to see dark ends of the galaxy,\u201D Qui-Gon said to Padm\u00E9. \u201CMost of Tatooine\u2019s wealth is done through trafficking in illegal goods, piracy and the slave trade. All of which are controlled by Jabba the Hutt, he controls the cities while the Jawas and Tuskens dwell in the desert. This planet might be out of the way, but most of those who do not wish to be found end up here.\u201D \u201CLike us,\u201D Padm\u00E9 agreed, she lowered her gaze so to ignore the stares of the many sentient males. Danta had reluctantly left his spear on board the Naboo starship and was staring rather sulkily at everyone. He thought space travel would be interesting but this blistering heat was unbearable. And what would he do if he was attacked? The moment he turned his back on someone he felt they were still watching him. At the far end of the spaceport they turned down a side street where a small array of junk shops and dealers stood, almost on top of each other. At the pile of parts outside Qui-Gon stopped. \u201CWe\u2019ll try one of these small dealers first,\u201D he said, then stooped through a low doorway to enter a shop. Padm\u00E9 followed him, wrinkling her nose at the collection of smells that greeted them as soon as they entered. Almost immediately a pudgy blue creature flew straight into their faces making Padm\u00E9 jump back. A Toydarian, Padm\u00E9 thought and she noticed Qui-Gon had recognised the being as well. He flitted about his shop rather suspiciously, he had large bulging eyes and a long nose that hid part of his scruffy stubble. \u201CHi chubba da nogo?\u201D the Toydarian snapped, demanding to know their business. \u201CI need parts for a J-type 327 Nubian,\u201D Qui-Gon replied evenly. The Toydarian seemed to leap in the air with delight. He beamed as he rubbed his hands together. \u201CAh, yes! Nubian! We have lots of that!\u201D He searched Qui-Gon\u2019s face, then inspected them each in turn ending with Danta. Danta merely stared back. \u201CWhat\u2019s this?\u201D Qui-Gon dismissed his question with a wave of his hand. \u201CCan you help us or not?\u201D The hidden threat that he would take his business elsewhere resonated loudly. \u201CDepends if you can pay me or not,\u201D the Toydarian retorted, folding his arms defiantly across his chest. \u201CWhat you after farmer?\u201D \u201CMy droid has a readout of what I need,\u201D Qui-Gon replied and gestured to Artoo. The Toydarian shouted over his shoulder to the back of the shop. \u201CPeedunkel! Naba dee unko!\u201D A small boy with sand-coloured hair ran in from the salvage yard. His rough clothes were ragged and grime streaked and he flinched fearfully as the Toydarian stared at him, his blue eyes smarting. \u201CWhat took you so long?\u201D \u201CMel tass cho-pas kee,\u201D the boy replied in a rush, he examined the newcomers but his gaze stopped at Padm\u00E9 until the Toydarian spoke again. \u201CChut-chut!\u201D The Toydarian threw up his hands in admonishment and the boy started nervously. \u201CWatch the store! I\u2019ve got some selling to do!\u201D He then turned back to Qui-Gon. \u201CLet me take you out back. You\u2019ll find what you need.\u201D He gestured towards the doorway and the Jedi followed, Artoo trailing him. Danta occupied himself by staring at a sand-blasted droid, Padm\u00E9 looked around rather anxiously then sat down on a storage bin with her back against the counter. The boy was staring at her, he was sitting on the counter and pretending to clean a small device but kept stealing glances at her. He looked about nine or ten and perfectly at ease with himself, yet he looked at Padm\u00E9 rather longingly. Finally their eyes met. \u201CI\u2019m sorry,\u201D he said with a smile and blushed, \u201Cyou\u2019re very beautiful.\u201D \u201CWhat?\u201D the compliment had taken her completely off guard. \u201CHasn\u2019t anyone told you?\u201D he asked her. \u201CNo,\u201D Padm\u00E9 replied and it was true. Master Devi had told her that facetious glances from males were a fact of life. But that was nothing like this, and yet the way he said it in an innocent and practical way as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. \u201CI was wondering if you were an angel,\u201D he said with an impish grin, \u201CI heard they live on the moons of Iego and they are so pretty they make space pirates cry,\u201D he paused, then continued solemnly, \u201Cbut it just seems funny that you would be here if you were an angel.\u201D \u201CI\u2019m not an angel\u2014\u201Dshe paused as she did not know his name. \u201CAnakin,\u201D he said with another smile, \u201CI\u2019m Anakin Skywalker.\u201D \u201CI\u2019m Padm\u00E9 Naberrie,\u201D she replied, smiling in spite of herself. \u201CHow do you know so much, Anakin?\u201D \u201CI listen to all the traders and pilots who come here,\u201D he said, \u201CI\u2019m a pilot,\u201D he added proudly. \u201CAnd someday I\u2019m going to find away from this place.\u201D There was something about his innocence\u2014or was it is naivet\u00E9?\u2014that was comforting, the first comforting feeling she had had ever since coming up on this planet. \u201CHave you lived here long?\u201D Padm\u00E9 asked. \u201CSince I was little\u2014three, I think,\u201D Anakin answered after some thought. \u201CMy mom and I were sold to Gardulla the Hutt but she lost us to Watto. Watto\u2019s a better master, I think.\u201D \u201CYou\u2019re a slave?\u201D Padm\u00E9 stared at him in shock. \u201CI\u2019m a person!\u201D he replied indignantly. His face reddening with anger. \u201CI'm sorry,\u201D Padm\u00E9 said defensively. \u201CI haven\u2019t been to very many places; this is a very strange world to me.\u201D Anakin looked at her, yet something in his expression made Padm\u00E9 blush and touch her hair self-consciously. What was wrong with her? Anakin smiled innocently at her, then his gaze flickered to Danta who was poking a gonk droid with a sharp tool. \u201CDon\u2019t stick that\u2026.\u201D Anakin flinched as a jolt of electricity went though the Gungan\u2019s body and he fell to the floor. In a moment Anakin and Padm\u00E9 were bent over him. \u201CI think he\u2019s out,\u201D Padm\u00E9 said, slapping his face. Watto\u2019s eyes were as bright as the twin suns as he flitted around Qui-Gon, talking rapidly while checking his datapad. He waved his other arm wildly in flamboyant gestures which Qui-Gon chose to ignore. Finally he came to a stop near a battered metal hulk, caked with sand. \u201CHere we are, a Nubian!\u201D the Toydarian announced triumphantly. \u201CThough for the price, you might as well buy a new ship, hey?\u201D Qui-Gon ignored the joke and Watto scowled. \u201CSo,\u201D he resumed his patter, \u201Chow are you planning to pay for this?\u201D \u201CI have ten thousand Republic credits,\u201D Qui-Gon replied mildly. \u201CCredits?\u201D Watto\u2019s brow furrowed further. \u201CThey no good for me, I need something real something of value.\u201D \u201COf course,\u201D said the Jedi deferentially, then moved his hand very slightly, \u201Cbut credits will be fine.\u201D \u201CNo, they won\u2019t,\u201D Watto insisted. \u201CCredits will be fine,\u201D Qui-Gon moved his hand more noticeably now, putting the full weight of the Force into his words. He tried to touch the Toydarian\u2019s mind with his own, but while he could sense the being\u2019s presence, at the mind he drew a blank. \u201CNo, they won\u2019t! What do you think you are waving your hand about like that?\u201D Watto barked, moving his own hands frantically. \u201CYou think you are a Jedi or something? Mind tricks don\u2019t work on me, only money! No money, no parts, no deal!\u201D he finished crisply. \u201CI will take my business elsewhere then,\u201D Qui-Gon said, turning away and walking back into the shop. Watto trailed after him. \u201CNobody else has a Nubian generator, I can promise you that!\u201D he said, yet Qui-Gon didn\u2019t comment. Padm\u00E9 and Anakin managed to revive Danta, yet the Gungan could not stand without support. Padm\u00E9 had her arm around his shoulder, and the rubbery skin felt slippery under her touch. \u201CDoes he normally get in so much trouble?\u201D Anakin asked with a grin. \u201CI don\u2019t know,\u201D Padm\u00E9 confessed, \u201CI haven\u2019t known him long.\u201D Danta shook out his face making a rude-sounding noise as he did so. At this Anakin and Padm\u00E9 jumped back and the Gungan toppled over again. Anakin laughed as he and Padm\u00E9 pulled Danta to his feet. \u201CYou need to stay away from power droids,\u201D he told the Gungan, \u201Cif you had any hair it would be straight up and full of sparks.\u201D They were both laughing as Qui-Gon and Artoo entered. \u201CWe\u2019re going,\u201D Qui-Gon said, not stopping. Anakin started at this news, he watched Padm\u00E9 rather nervously as she supported Danta. \u201CI was glad to meet you Anakin,\u201D Padm\u00E9 said as she followed Qui-Gon out. \u201CI was glad to meet you too!\u201D Anakin replied, smiling in spite of himself. If there was any trepidation in Anakin\u2019s voice, Padm\u00E9 didn\u2019t notice it and she didn\u2019t look back. \u201COutlanders,\u201D Watto barked in Huttese when she had gone, \u201Cthey think they can do whatever they want.\u201D \u201CI didn\u2019t think they were that bad,\u201D Anakin replied, almost hopefully. \u201CHmmmph,\u201D Watto turned away from Anakin with the air of knowing much more about the natures of life than his nine-year-old slave. \u201CClean up the back and then you can go home,\u201D the Toydarian said, flitting out of sight. As Anakin ran out to the back of the shop, he could not help but give a tiny cheer."@en . . . . . . . . . . . . "The Phantom Menace (AU)/Chapter 7"@en . . . . . . . . . .