The boy's midichlorian count was higher than Master Yoda's! Obi-Wan couldn't believe this. The readings were off the chart. Perhaps this boy would be able to win the race tomorrow. This thought brought hope, a hope he wanted to share with the queen, late though it was.

He was about to go the rooms she and her handmaidens slept in, but didn't sense she was there. The hum of the queen strengthened as he moved to the back of the ship. She was outside!

Obi-Wan found her, but was surprised that she was alone. 'Pardon the intrusion, Your Majesty--'

Closing her eyes Sabe tries to find her center and tries desperately to find the right words to express what she wants to say without furthering the damage already done. Why did you have to go and say that Eirtae she inwardly chastizes before sighing deeply to herself. But then the familar hum grows in her thoughts and growing concerned she is about to return indoors to appear less conspicious when she finds herself staring at the very person she is about to seek.

She steps back instinctivally to put a little space between them lest she almost bump into him. Her eye flicker in curiousity as she inwardly hoped he wasn't here because her handmaidens were looking for her. As it was, slipping out of the room while they slept was no easy task for both were very light sleepers. She hate to think her quiet escape was for nothing.

"Jedi Kenobi. What are you doing out at this hour?"

She politely asks slipping into Queen mode although inwardly realizing he's probably thinking much the same about her.

Obi-Wan's first reaction was to defend himself. 'I was looking for you because I have just been in contact with my master--'

Then he stopped short, shooting her a queer look. 'What are you doing out here alone?'

The desert actually got pretty cold when the two suns weren't blazing down on them.

Sabe's expression turns curious at his admittance and to the fact he had spoken with Master Qui-Gon. Perhaps there was a further update on the situation? Any news would be most helpful she thinks eagerly hoping to get some word of Amidala as well if possible. But his strange look and obvious question quells her eager thoughts leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable. What if he suspects she thinks in horror realizing she should have anticipated the possibility of him being up at this hour and woken Rabe. But she needed to think and wanted a moments peace to collect her thoughts and figure out how to handle the delicate matter of the days events.

The air is chilly now and she is beginning to feel it in her bones despite the cloak she has wrapped around her.

"I needed some fresh air."

She admits quietly before adding as she stares ahead.

"That and a little time to think over certain matters."

She glances to her hands briefly. She feels awkward and she knows the Queen would never portray herself in this light. Once more she tries to think what Amidala would do and soon the answer demands she speak.

"I actually wanted to speak to you as well. But if you would I'd prefer you inform me of the recent contact with your master first."

It will give me more time to figure out how I'm supposed to approach this matter she inwardly thinks.

'Oh I see,' the padawan Jedi replied. Surely it was a reasonable excuse, but she ought to have at least one other person to watch out for her, queen that she was. Well, I can provide the security, he figured, his hand resting on his lightsaber.

'You know the boy I mentioned earlier, the one who will be racing tomorrow? He actually has a surprisingly high midichlorian count... Higher than Master Yoda's!' His face showed his amazement. 'I think we have a real shot tomorrow.' Her gaze caused a blush to rise in his cheeks and he looked away. 'So we could be leaving this dust bowl tomorrow afternoon. I just wanted to let you know.'

Once more his presence seems to offer a hidden peace to which she is most welcome though from the corner of her eye she catches his hand on the lightsaber and furrows a brow slightly. Was there some sort of threat nearby? She ponders briefly her eyes shifting to the darkness ahead. But then it slowly dawns on her that he is now playing the role she normally accompanied as security. The thought causes her heart to warm though it does little to ease the nervousness felt at teh apology to come.

At his words her expression turns to confusion as she shakes her head slightly in misunderstanding.

"I'm not sure I understand how his midichlorian count will play an influence in the races. Is this because he has had previous training elsewhere pertaining to the Force?"

She is genuinely curious but also a little concerned. Not because of the high count but rather the fact if the boy was that old it meant the family was hiding it from the Order. Which begged the question would it be possible for them to discover others who are hiding their numbers as well. The thought sends a chill down her spine but she does her best to hide it as she offers a relieved smile to his final words.

"That is good news indeed thank you for informing me of this."

When she eyed his hand, he dropped it to his side.

Obi-Wan's first thought was to go on a long diatribe about midichlrians, but she didn't seem like she cared about that. 'It measures one's Force sensitivity, which aids in their ability to wield the Force and train as a Jedi. He should have been found earlier and trained, but it will definitely help his reflexes in the pod race.'

He was glad that she seemed relieved and begged the question, 'What did you want to speak to me about?'

She tries not to wince as he speak of the fact the boy should have been found earlier and trained in the order. It was a delicate matter for the Naboo and normally she would have argued teh point but after Eirtae's diabolical it definately wasn't a good idea.

"So in other words this child can manipulate the energy around him without him realizing it?"

She comments as casually as she can while building her own mental walls to new heights suddenly and painfully concious of her own numbers.

"That would prove advantagous."

But as if it isn't bad enough the topic turns to her direction forcing Sabe to close her eyes a moment as she tries to center her frantic and edgy thoughts. Finally regaining some semblance of control she casts him a brief glance before guilt causes her to look away.

"I wish to discuss the matter of your conversation with Eirtae earlier today."

She says politely unsure how else to approach the subject as a queen but knowing this is definately something Amidala would do.

Obi-Wan nodded at her question.

When she closed her eyes, he felt a bit uncomfortable, though he didn't know why. He watched her carefully. Perhaps it was to do with the earlier message about her people dying?

His conversation with Eirtaé? His eyes went wide. 'If I've said anything inappropriate, I apologise, Your Highness. I am not familiar with the ways of the Naboo.' He hung his head in shame.

She raises a brow to him in surprise. This definately wasn't the reaction she expected from him. If anything she imagined he would have been defensive and rightfully so. Furrowing her brow slightly she shakes her head tightening the cloak around her as the cold seems to worsen or so it feels.

"No I fear it was my handmaiden who has been inappropriate."

She says softly feeling shame creeping into her thoughts as her cheeks warm further.

"Though we may not always agree with the methods that your Order practices, that is no excuse to speak to you in such a fashion. For that I wish to apologize."

Obi-Wan was flabbergasted and his mouth dropped open for a second at her words. 'Oh,' was all he could say at the moment.

'Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and though others might not see eye-to-eye on the manners or practices of another culture or group, I appreciated her candidness.'

He met her eyes. Though his feelings might have been hurt, at least she was honest, something that was rare with people affiliated with politics.

Sabe can't help but study him for a moment as she feels her respect for him grow. It is a rare trait for one to appriciate honesty over sweet talk and it served as a sign of a good character. Still it did not make Eirtae's actions right and Sabe finds herself quietly speaking once more.

"Perhaps so, but it does not make her actions right. There are other ways of handling delicate matters, honestly, without having to resort to thinly veiled insults.

It was rude of her and I apologize for it."

She says quietly as her eyes now filled with sincerity and seriousness study his own blue orbs.

Obi-Wan listened to her thoughtfully, but something about her confused him. It was subtle, but there all the same.

He didn't know if saying it was 'all right' would be viewed as disrespectful, so he merely nodded in response to the apology.

Her gaze held his his as if some outside force compelled him; a silent war to see who would break first.

She can't help but still feel guilty for her friend's words. Though she wasn't responsible for them she can't help but feel as though it was her duty to give this Padawan and ultimately ambassador to the Jedi a good impression of her people and of her queen.

Yet as she watches him Sabe soon finds his blue orbs studying hers intently though she can't say why she continues to hold his gaze torn between looking away and losing the unspoken battle or remaining in position and drowning in the blue oceans that are his eyes. Either way she couldnt help but feel as if somehow she is in a losing battle.

There was a hint of...self-reproach?..coming from the queen. She was not easy to read, albeit slightly easier than her handmaidens were.

And that realisation struck a chord with him.

He refused to break their gaze and smiled broadly. They would get the part for the hyperdrive tomorrow and she would be able to give the senate a piece of her mind!

Obi-Wan couldn't imagine addressing such a large crowd of important, influential people. Very courageous indeed.

She finds herself struggling not to laugh or smile as he continues to stare at her with a smile creeping into his features. There was something oddly charming about this impromptu came that she can't quite say though now determined to win she only raises a brow slightly in reply as if to challenge him to look away now.

 

Obi-Wan's smile grew larger when she perked her eyebrow at him. He defiantly continued matching her stare, not caring she was a queen. Queen or not, he would not back down.

Her eyes soon sparkle as he continues to stare at her. Soon a smile plays on her features as she is unable to resist a grin.

"You're not going to win this match you know."

She says finally as she struggle not to giggle finding this oddly amusing and a great break from the stress of the evenings early discussion.

'I was not aware we were in the middle of a war,' Obi-Wan replied, still grinning.

He felt an odd sort of ease filtering in, but if this was a battle to be won, he would have to figure out some sort of way to distract her...

She grins now unable to hide her mirth as she tilts her head her gaze never leaving his.

"Alright call it a challenge then. Either way I'm not letting you win."

She says stiffling back the giggles now finding herself oddly at ease in his presence and yet still determined not to let him win.

Studying his opponent carefully for a moment, he debated about his options.

Then the thought hit him.

Deftly, he reached out to grab her sides, for if she was ticklish, this would be a very short battle.

 

Her eyes widen in horror as he moves to tickle her. How he could have guessed her weakness was beyond her but Sabe soon jerks back as she tries to maintain her stare.

"You wouldn't dare!"

She challenges narrowing her eyes though she is grinning from ear to ear as she prepares to dodge him or possibly return the favor.

Had she not been smiling, the padawan would have backed off immediately and resumed his formal, reserved stance, but as it was...

Obi-Wan used his Jedi reflexes to his advantage and slipped past her attempt to dodge him, finding a few unguarded places to tickle her, all the while, maintaining eye contact. He couldn't help laughing.

She moves quickly trying to dodge him struggling to keep her eyes on his as before he strike leaving her squealing in laughter a she tries to grab his padawan braid as she exclaims between peels of laughter.

"Stop it now or I'll...I'll pull on your braid!!"

As if to prove her point she moves once more to grab it as he catches her once more causing more laughter to escape as she tries to escape his tickling.

   

She grins as she continues to try and avoid his 'attacks' dodging as best she can though laughing so hard that it only makes it easier for him to move. If she noticed his lack of formality it didn't show as she was laughing too hard to even notice.

But suddenly she feels her back againt the side of the ship and she knows there is no where left to run still giggling even as he ceased to tickle her Sabe tries to catch her breath. At his remarks she raises a brow and in a very unqueenly fashion pokes out her tongue and gives his braid a little tug.

"I did warn you!"

She says still laughing.

In reaction to her tugging on the braid which marked him as a padawan learner, Obi-Wan clamped his hand to the place on his head where it tugged at the root. It didn't hurt, but it was his automatic response.

His cheeks flushed, embarrassed at her exclamation and playful teasing, but he was still smiling.

Tilting his head to the side, but not stepping back, he asked, 'Do all of your people have an ill opinion of the Jedi or is it just Eirtaé?' He struggled a bit with her name, sounding foreign with his Coruscantii accent.

 

She pulls her hand back turning apologetic as she notes his hand moving to his braid. She wonders noting how the nlight dances on his features if her face is as flushed as his looks. It certainly felt that way...

"I'm sorry i hope i didn't hurt you."

She says a little sheepish before his question pulls her back to reality like a bucket of cold water on her head. Her eyes fall to her hands suddenly very concious of herself before forcing herself to return his glance as she feels her cheeks burning from a new source of emotion...Conflicted shame.

"The Naboo do not agree with the Jedi Council's actions to remove children from their families without consent. So it has bred some hostility towards your Order."

She says carefully feeling her cheeks burning now as she decides to add lest she offend him as Eirtae did.

"But I am aware that this has nothing to do with you. You are just as much a victim to this decision as others in your position."

She pauses as she glances away hoping that what she is saying is appropriate and hoping he knows somehow that much of her views towards his order has changed for the better because of him.

'I don't think you could ever hurt me,' he softly replied before she continued.

The weight of words sounded reproachful at first, but he refused to take offense as he could sense the confliction in her.

'Victim?' he snapped, though not intentionally. 'You must understand, Your Highness, it is a rare gift to have a midi-chlorian count as high as we do. I do not feel victimised, but rather honoured that I can serve so noble a cause. There are so few Jedi, yet the galaxy is in such a great need for us.'

When he realised how he'd spoken so abruptly and passionately, he too looked away, not imagining his cheeks could feel any hotter than they did at that moment. He believed highly in the idealisation of the Jedi Order, but knew it was not his place to force such an opinion on someone else.

She glances down to his soft reply inwardly grateful she didn't cause him any harm while feeling more then a little sheepish for her display of silliness earlier.

But the moment passes and suddenly the air seems to turn stormy as he snaps back at her reply causing her eyes to spark in agitation of their own. She too was a firm believer of her peoples culture and the idealism it represented. Not to mention his words played on her own fear that one day the Jedi Order would learn of her secret and force her onto a path she had no intention of ever travelling.

"I agree with you up to a point Jedi Kenobi."

She states refering to his title once more as she turns professional once again.

"I believe that it should be up to the individual if they wish to join the Order or not. I hardly think it is fair to have this "honor" bestowed upon them against their wishes or the wishes of their families."

She sighs deeply realizing how much she sounded like Eirtae just now as her own cheeks burn on fire. An awkward silence seems to fall between them before she sighs deeply.

"Well I did a fine job of that apology didn't I?"

She says weakly feeling utterly terrible now before casting him a glance noting he looks about as uncomfortable as she feels. Then remembering something Padme once told her and her handmaidens before she left with QuiGon and the Gungan.

"Be always on your guard with this Jedi ambassador; especially you Sabe. It if imparative that you don't let your guard down. Yet do not forget that ignorance is breeding ground for prejudice, fear and hate. The three children of Chaos.

I don't expect you three to trust the Jedi, but do try to give them a chance. After all they have chosen to help us in our cause and that alone should speak for itself."

Sabe knew Amidala didn't trust them either but for the sake of her people she was willing to try. As such posing as her the decoy knew she too would have to put more effort in trying to understand their very different culture.

"I admit this is not a normal place to hold such a discussion, but I do respect the fact that you are an ambassador of the Jedi Order. Just as I am a representive of the people of Naboo.

Having said that, I would like you to tell me of the Jedi Order and why it is you believe it is an honor to serve it. Give me insight to what life is like for you so that I may come to understand why it is that your people do as they do."

 

Obi-Wan shuffled his feet, resisting the urge to kick the sand absentmindedly as she resumed her formal tone, feeling a bit guilty for having been so obstinate about the Jedi Order.

No one chooses their fate. It is the will of the Force, he thought at her just as obstinate retort about the honour being against their will.

Then she faltered and seemed to be just a girl again, instead of the queen. Obi-Wan decided he liked the girl better.

Feeling he had been given leave to speak again, he found his voice a bit hesitantly, careful to speak more calmly this time. 'We use our gift, training to become Jedi Knights to aid the Republic, preventing injustice, fighting for the rights of those who are unable to do so themselves. We promote peace throughout the galaxy and hlep solve disputes in a peaceful manner.'

She grows thoughtful taking his words into consideration. What he spoke of reminded her of the Old Guard that once served to protect the Naboo. Suddenly her thoughts are filled with the legends of old and it causes her expression to fill with dismay.

"...I never realized."

She says quietly surprised to learn that even now they existed only by another title.

"We, the Naboo used to have an Order that was simular though not Force sensitive of course. They used to protect Naboo from outside threats but with the formation of the Republic they disbanded and formed the guards as we now know them."

She says careful to keep her peoples secret safe.

 

 

'Perhaps our cultures aren't so different as we thought,' Obi-Wan said, nodding at her words and offering her a smile.

'I hope you will hold a higher opinion of the Jedi in the future.' After all, they were doing quite a bit to help out the Naboo--well not at the moment. Perhaps after they reached Coruscant in one piece...

She nods slightly to his reply returning his smile with a more shy one of her own as she blushes.

"I certainly do now. You and your master are doing us a great favor. For that I am indebted to you both. I foresee this to be the beginning of a more positive relationship between our peoples."

She says as her smile relaxes a little before shivering as a cold gust of wind passes by she casts Obi-Wan another look as she turns a little apologetic.

"It is a bit cold for my liking, perhaps we should return inside?"

An idea occurs to her and she takes the chance and asks.

"I'm going to make some tea to warm myself up, would you care to join me?"

 

And that was an offer he couldn't refuse.

'I would like that very much, Sabé,' Obi-Wan replied, glad that they had at least started to understand each other better.