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❝𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧: 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘛𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘴. 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘴é! ❞
- 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐬é 𝐀. 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐍𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞

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»»-----------►Ｃｌａｒｉｓｓé

𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐘 𝐖𝐀𝐒 beautiful in its own way, with its sandy dunes and big glowing sun. The atmosphere of the planet was enough to make me smile as I fixed the compressor for Anakin's pod. He had asked me if I wanted to help him, and despite not having any engineering training whatsoever due to me having no need for it as the Queen of Naboo, I immediately jumped at the opportunity, wanting to spend time with my newfound friend.

"So," Anakin started as we continued to fix his pod for tomorrow's big race, "you have two older sisters?"

I nodded as I tightened a bolt with a sturdy wrench in my tiny hands, the pressure making them turn a paper white.

"Yes. Sola's the oldest at eighteen. She's getting married soon to a very nice man named Darred. Padmé, the one you've met, is fourteen, making me the baby of the family at only nine."

"Is having siblings fun?" My little friend asked, looking down at me by his feet as he sat in the pod, fixing the mileage.

"Oh, yes," I exclaimed, looking back up at him as I smiled slightly at the mention of my two dear sisters, "Granted, they can get annoying from time to time, but overall they're the most wonderful people in the world. They listen to you about anything, and always make the time for you. That's on sisters, though. I haven't had a brother, and I probably never will. I might have a nephew or niece when Sola gets married; she's almost guaranteed to have children."

It was silent for a moment after my explanation. It was a comfortable, cozy silence, however. It felt as if we didn't need words to talk to each other.

Only feelings.

"Do you want children when you're older?" Anakin piped up after that brief moment of silence, wondering if I wanted to be a mother.

I didn't need to think very long before I responded, "Absolutely, but only if this conflict in the galaxy has ended. I wouldn't want to subject my children to something so horrific. Everything deserves to grow up in a safe, and kind galaxy. Besides, would you want children?"

"Probably not," Anakin replied, wiping the newly repaired mileage meter with a dirty, oil stained rag, "Kids are noisy, and they don't listen the way they should. I wouldn't want to deal with that for the next eighteen or so years."

"I suppose," I somewhat countered, still focusing on the yet to be fixed compressor, my tiny hands still shaking and raw from the pressure I applied, "I'd want one little boy, to know what it's like raising boys (my mother says it can be increasingly difficult, although I'm not sure how she knows, considering the last time I checked she didn't have any sons and I didn't have any brothers), and two little girls."

"If I were to have kids," Anakin proclaimed, looking back down at me, "I'd want a little girl. They're easier than boys, my mother tells me. Also, girls are so cool, and they can do things boys can't."

His answer surprised me slightly. I had figured he would be the type to want a boy, but I suppose not. I giggled slightly at his answer, the response making me laugh.

"I could agree with that," I managed to get out through my giggles, my wide, bright smile breaking through.

Once again, it was silent for a hot second.

"What would you want to be when you grow up?" I asked this time, shattering the silence because I was enjoying our conversation.

Anakin must've thought about it for a while, as he didn't respond right away.

When he did figure out what he was going to say, he responded to my question, "I'm not really sure yet. I want to be a podracer, for sure, but that doesn't seem like something I would actually commit my life to doing. What I really want is to be a Jedi. I want to save everyone here in Mos Espa. But, Jedi's have to have special powers, and I certainly got none."

My wide smile dimmed a little at my friend's words. Anakin was usually very positive, and I didn't like the dejected tone he took at my question.

"Who knows," I countered, sitting up from my laying position and giving the blonde in front of me an award winning smile, "maybe you are a Jedi. And maybe you do have magical powers. My mother always says that a little bit of optimism never hurt anyone."

Anakin looked back at me, his bright eyes looking at my smiling, knowing face. His fallen lips slowly perked up into a breathtaking grin.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're an incredible motivational speaker?" Anakin giggled at my encouraging words.

I giggled back, answering his question with, "I can't say anyone else has. You would be the first."

We laughed together once more, the sound carrying to wherever it wanted to.

Our laughter was cut short, for a thundering group of footsteps and loud, childish voices broke through our melodious giggling.

I tilted my head at the sound, confused on where it was coming from, and how there was so many.

My answer came when a group of five or so children rushed in through the entrance of the Skywalker's backyard, skipping and giggling as they went.

Every child was different, and none of them were similar to the next.

One had frizzy red hair that blew wildly in the harsh wind. Another was a chubby Rodian with pruny skin. There were also two girls. One was about six years old and the other was around my young age of nine.

They must have been playing some sort of game and stumbled their way into the Skywalker's backyard, their giggles never ceasing.

I bent my head down a little towards the ground, a tad bit shy when it came to meeting children my age. My milk chocolate bangs fell in front of my freckled, porcelain forehead. Anakin and I were natural, and even though I had just met him, I felt comfortable around him.

These children, however, did not make me feel comfortable in the slightest.

Artoo Detoo, who had insisted on helping us due to never wanting to leave my side, beeped a greeting towards the children, all of them practically gushing at the sight of a droid.

"Wow," one child with dark hair marveled at my droid friend, "a real Astro Droid... how'd you get so lucky?"

"This isn't the half of it," Anakin exclaimed, his eyes excitedly darting around at everyone, including me, "I'm entered in the Boonta Race tomorrow!"

"What? With this?" The same dark haired boy replied, looking at Anakin's pod with wide eyes, glistening with a hint of respect.

"Ona joka, Ani," the Rodian joked, calling Anakin a joker with his hopes of winning the race with his pod. I frowned at the comment, not really appreciating the slander towards my newfound friend.

"You've been working on that thing for years," the nine year old girl observed, her eyes flitting over to me.

Her muddy eyes looked me up and down, judging me in a way.

I could have sworn she scowled in my direction.

I ducked my head even further into my cardigan, praying to the Force that my bangs were shielding me from her disapproving gaze.

"It's never gonna run," the little girl of six years commented, her eyes glancing my way as well. The little girl didn't snarl or scowl at me, unlike her friend, or sister, perhaps.

She just stared, as if she knew who I was but couldn't put a face to a name, or vice versa.

I gave a tiny wave in her direction, my hand tilting up higher as I silently greeted her. She gave a small smile, and little wave back in response.

The red headed boy noticed my interaction with the little girl right at that moment, staring at me with a profound question in his pale eyes.

"Who's your friend, Ani?" The same boy questioned, his bushy auburn eyebrows raising into his messy hairline, "I've never seen her around before."

Anakin glanced at me and smiled slightly before turning back towards the red headed child, responding, "This is Clarissé Naberrie. She's not from around here. She's actually from Naboo. She showed up today."

"You're from Naboo?" The older girl of the group called out, her face twisting up in disgust, for whatever reason. I was almost positive that she had never even heard of my planet before, "No wonder you look like you've just attended some fancy dinner party. You probably shouldn't even be here. You wouldn't know the first thing about living on Tatooine. You know, with you living on such a nice planet."

My face contorted into a frown, my heart falling at the hateful words spewing out of the girl's mouth.

Instead of backing down, I stood up taller, my chin raised high into the air, ready to defend myself by any needs necessary.

This girl, in short, was making me extremely angry from her condescending tone talking about my planet.

My planet that was currently at war with the high and mighty Trade Federation. The federation that was currently attempting to control all trade; including Naboo's.

"I'm not really sure what I've done to offend you, but I am sorry if that's the case. My own planet right now is in the midst of a horrible war caused by our supposed ally's. So please, for the sake of everyone, don't go complaining about other planets, because I can assure you, there are things happening in this galaxy that have a greater impact than you think," I responded as politely and calmly as I could, despite the fact that a storm was brewing deep within my crowded mind, constantly filled with thoughts of Naboo and my family.

The little girl humphed with agitation evident in her sour expression, her dark eyes casted towards the sandy floor in distaste.

I smirked in triumph at my success.

The girl's arms crossed and she quickly sent a glare towards my uplifted figure, her gaze almost venomous.

"C'mon, Seek," she whined, addressing the red headed boy, "Let's get out of here. We don't need to hang out with losers like Ani and whoever this priss thinks she is."

"Come on," the so called Seek exclaimed after the dirty blonde girl's request of getting out of there, "let's go and play ball."

Every child in that group, minus the sweet dark haired boy, quickly ran out of the backyard, with the exception of the annoying Seek, and the dirty blonde girl, who quickly both turned over their shoulders towards Anakin and I.

"Keep racing, Ani, you're gonna be bug squash," the red head called out, him and his little dirty blonde friend snickering in response.

"Yeah," the girl yelled out as well, her eyes slitting into small slots at me, "Hope you have a nice flight back to your precious, perfect Naboo, Pigtails."

And with that, the two of them ran off, never to be seen again.

I scowled deeply at the spot the little girl once was, my fingers penetrating my soft palms once more. My teeth could almost be heard grinding and rubbing together. In any other situation, I would be meditating or taking deep breaths to calm myself down, but at this point, I was just angry.

Angry at the treatment of my planet, my home.

Angry at the complete dismissal towards major conflicts like the one back on Naboo.

And angry at the despicable Trade Federation, and those horrid little aliens. They were the cause of my recent nightmares and sleep insomnia. They were the cause of everything wrong in the galaxy.

I took a shuddering deep breath, my skinny rib cage slowly expanding at the intake of air. Due to the stress of the conflict back at home, I had taken to skipping meals in order to focus more on my planet.

The things I did for them, and this galaxy, although I didn't mind in the slightest. I loved them both dearly.

I almost jumped after a warm hand was placed on my shoulder, the warmth spreading like a wild fire up into my mind and calming it almost instantly.

"Are you alright?" Anakin questioned, his bright eyes holding concern in the ocean irises.

I sighed heavily, nodding in confirmation at my friend's question and letting him know that I was alright.

For the time being.

"Yeah," I croaked, my voice coming out in a slight haze. I coughed to relieve the pressure budding in my lodged throat, "I just haven't slept in a while. That's all."

Anakin really didn't look convinced from my answer, but he went along with it anyway, probably for the sake of my mental health, if I'm being honest.

As my blonde friend walked away from his pod and over to tell Jar Jar something (the Gungan was currently messing around with one of the energy binder plates for a nearby pod), I noticed how dejected he looked. I assumed it had to do with those rotten kids we had encountered, causing my heart to twinge at the thought of my talented friend hurt in a cruel way.

"You shouldn't listen to what they say," I called softly towards my friend, his head whipping back around to lock eyes with me, "I believe in you. And so does Qui-Gon. You'll do great at the race tomorrow. I know you will."

He smiled in response to my statement, his smile growing more as he looked at me. I smiled back at him, my pearly teeth curling nicely around my lip.

He turned back around to address our silly Gungan friend, who was still fiddling with the energy binder.

"Hey!" Anakin called out, catching Jar Jar's attention as the Gungan whipped around to see Ani, "Jar Jar! Keep away from those energy binders... If your hand gets caught in that beam, it will go numb for hours."

Jar Jar clearly didn't seem to reciprocate that warning, as he quickly dropped his tool in fear of Anakin's words of caution. When the Gungan went to pick up his fallen wrench, he accidentally came right up into the purple strike of energy. As expected, the energy field zapped him straight in the mouth, causing Jar Jar to yelp in surprise. He jumped back, his arms flailing around and his flexible ears flopping around. The Gungan opened his mouth in an attempt to speak his thoughts on the matter, but it ended up coming out all jumbled and scrambled.

"Ouch muy tonge is fat. Muy togne. Oucho."

I giggled at the scene before my eyes, finding the entire thing to be absolutely humorous.

The Gungan ended up getting his hand stuck in the gears of the binder after he saw a tool of some kind jammed in there, and Jar Jar, being the child that he was, decided to stick his hand into the unstable gear, obviously trapping his hand in the process.

"You know," Threepio started, standing at the edge of the backyard and looking at the Gungan with a hint of distaste, "I find that Jar Jar creature very... odd."

Artoo twittered a response in reply to the proper interpreter droid.

"Jar Jar's fine, Threepio," I stated, smiling kindly at the Gungan, who was surely hearing everything coming from the droid's fat mouth, "We all get a little clumsy sometimes. I know I do."

The droid sighed heavily, surely not wanting to disobey me.

"Whatever you say, Miss Clarissé."

The little dark haired boy from earlier slowly stepped up to Anakin's pod, looking at my slave friend with doubt in his dark eyes.

"You don't even know if this thing's gonna run."

I frowned a tiny bit at the boy's pessimistic attitude.

Does nobody else believe in Anakin Skywalker's talent other than myself?

Anakin, in response to the doubt laced throughout the statement, jumped into a little capsule behind the two giant engines of his pod.

"It will," he affirmed, a confident smirk plastered across his dirty and ashy face.

Qui-Gon, along with Padmé, entered the backyard at that moment, the Jedi of the duo holding some sort of small battery in his calloused hand.

"I guess it's time to find out," Qui-Gon offered, probably hearing the entire conversation, "Here use this power charge."

Qui-Gon handed the battery over to Anakin as the young boy nodded and slid the power charge into its slot down by his feet.

The older Jedi eventually took my left shoulder in his hand, dragging me lightly into the archway to the entrance of the backyard.

"Come on, Clarissé," he replied to my tilted up head at his face, "You too, Kitster. Let's move away."

The dark haired boy, whose name was apparently Kitster, stood next to me as we both watched with curious eyes. Padmé stood behind me with Qui-Gon, her hand protectively on my shoulder with the older man's.

"Mm... my mout. I'm stuck. Hep I'm stuck..."

Jar Jar didn't get to finish his sentence for very long as I disobeyed my sister and Jedi friend, running towards the Gungan to help him.

He was my friend, despite how childish he could be, and I didn't want him to get hurt.

When I got to him, I started to guide him back towards the back of the yard, one hand on his shoulder while the other sat on his slim waist, lightly pushing him to where we needed to go.

"Muy tonge is fat..."

"I know, Jar Jar," I soothingly replied, my hand gently patting his shoulder with comfort. He instantly relaxed after my words and gentle pat.

In the distance, I could hear Artoo beep something else to Threepio, the two droids stuck in their own little world.

"You're quite right," Threepio affirmed at my astro mech friend, "He's very odd indeed."

Jar Jar, like before, had obviously heard them, and noticeably sunk into a hunched figure, his shoulders sagging with hurt.

I frowned at his sadness, almost as if I was feeling it myself.

"Hey," I softly whispered, the Gungan's puffy face looking up at my greeting, "Don't listen to them. I happen to like odd things very much. My mother always says that we should never shield our oddness, but rather wear our oddness with pride for who we are."

The Gungan slowly smiled at me with his big, toothy grin, the sadness fading in his eyes quickly.

"Ow, th... thank yous," Jar Jar thanked, not really even fully understanding what I had just said moments prior. I didn't really care if he got the message or not. To see him smiling and grinning again was enough to put me back at peace with my overflowing compassion for others.

Jar Jar looked towards Anakin and gave him a weak yet energetic thumbs-up.

I shook my head amusingly at the Gungan, perplexed but amazed at my silly friend.

What a strange creature.

Anakin took a deep breath and looked towards me for encouragement. I gave it to him, nodding my head with excitement in my vibrant green irises. He smiled back, his face uplifting with exhilaration.

His small hands reached towards a switch in the center of the dashboard. He flicked it, crossing his fingers in hope that everything would work out.

And it did.

The engines of Anakin's pod lit up, creating a deafening roar, but none of us minded the sound. It had meant we had succeeded.

"It's working! It's working!" He exclaimed, his eyes lighting up into something utterly beautiful.

All of a sudden, the young boy bounded out of the still running pod, sprinting over to my awaiting, small figure.

My young blonde friend pounded into my petite chest with his arms already wrapped around my non-constricted shoulders, my spring green cardigan still falling off of their small form.

I didn't hesitate for a second as I engulfed my upper limbs around his slim frame, liking the feeling of his arms around me immensely.

I wish we could stay like this forever.

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A/N: Hey guys! As promised, here is Chapter Eight, right on schedule. This chapter was pretty fun to write, and I've