...Because. Just because. But be gentle!

[podracer]

You shouldn't be nervous, Mun. Remember: fear attracts the fearful, and that basically goes hand in hand with what you're feeling.

[Softly:] I don't think Wattoo has any reach here, and even if he did, being nervous around that pudgy-blue-bug is stupid. [Still, he glances over his shoulder.] For you, anyway.

[Then, he brightens.] So, you really think I'll see Padmé again? [Suddenly, he looks embarrassed, and a little nervous himself.] I mean, she was really nice to me, but I guess if she and her friends were in a hurry...

No point in not being hopeful, right?

Comments

[tippedthescales]

Anakin? You're-- [--small. It almost made her want to laugh. Very awkwardly and nervously.] Are you doing all right?

[podracer]

[His young face splits into a wide grin.] Hi again!

[He tilts his head.] I'm fine. Better than my Mun, anyway. She thinks people will laugh about this.

[tippedthescales]

Hi. [She smiles in turn. She really did start to forget how cute he was when he was small, and how charming. It's completely disarming.]

Why would anyone laugh at this?

[THERE'S NOTHING STRANGE GOING ON HERE. NOT AT ALL.]

[podracer]

[He shrugs.] Apparently a lot of people do. I'm not really worried about it.

[But... he is curious.] You look different, Padmé. [Older. Fancier. And even prettier.]

[tippedthescales]

That's good. You shouldn't pay them any mind.

[She reaches out to pat his head softly, and she might flush just a little at his next words.]

For me it's been a long time since we met on Tatooine. Ten years have passed and I'm not a queen anymore. We're still friends, of course.

[That's her story and she's going to try to stick to it.]

[podracer]

[His eyes go round.] You're a queen? [From his canon-point, he's only just met her. You'll have to forgive him.]

[He ponders her other words.] Well, that's good. I'm glad we're friends. [He grins again.]

[tippedthescales]

[Ha...haha... Cue backtracking.] No-- I mean, I was, but it was a long time ago. I'm sorry I didn't tell you when we met; I was hiding.

That's how we meet again, actually. You help me hide on Naboo. I think you really like it there, even though, by then, you've seen a lot of different worlds.

[podracer]

[He frowns.] What were you--?

[But, y'know, he knows what being rude is, and asking a former queen such a question seems really rude. So he looks a little abashed, before brightening considerably.]

So I make it off of Tatooine? [Clearly thrilled.]

[tippedthescales]

You'll find out in time.

[She ruffles his hair a bit.] Do you remember Qui-Gon? He came to Watto's shop when I did. He helps you get off of Tatooine.

You're a pretty special boy, you know. I've never been so amazed by anyone else.

[podracer]

The farmer, right? With the little astromech droid.

[He blushes, and ducks his head.] Ah, thank you, I guess...

[tippedthescales]

[Thinking of Qui-Gon as a simple farmer causes her to choke back a small laugh.]

I think you'll find Qui-Gon and Artoo are more than meets the eye.

[podracer]

[His eyes go round again, exhibiting the type of wonder only children can possess.] Like what?

[tippedthescales]

[She gets a sly look in her eyes and leans closer conspiratorially.] Like a Jedi.

[She almost giggles, but manages to hold it back.]

You've heard of them, haven't you?

[podracer]

[Her revelation nearly topples him over, but he manages to remain something a cool composure.] Have I heard of them? I'm going to fly with Jedi Knights someday!

[tippedthescales]

You will do that. And so much more.

[sandwormie]

[Oh hey he is the older one. Luke kind of likes that. ...Even if he's not much taller; they were the same height at ten but he's not grown as much as he'd like.]

Hi Annie.

[podracer]

[His brow puckers into a frown.] Um, hi?

[sandwormie]

Guess you forgot that, huh...

My name's Luke. [Eh why not tell him again.] Kids back home call me Wormie, 'cause I'm the little guy.

[podracer]

Forgot what? [He has great hearing, Luke. It's pretty cool.]

You don't seem that little to me.

[sandwormie]

We met once, in the desert. It was weird. I was coming down with really horrible dust fever, and you helped me out - thanks, by the way.

[Long suffering sigh.] I am to them. Most are older than me - and I'm small for my age. Thirty-nine seasons. [Thirteen years. Moisture farmers pay more attention to seasons than to years.]

[podracer]

Oh. [He falls unnatural silent for a nine year old. Why didn't he remember...? Usually he remembered everything.]

You shouldn't listen to them; people who talk like that are usually the most insecure.

[sandwormie]

Sorry. Time travel makes people forget, sometimes.

[Luke has to shake his head.] They've got nothing to be insecure about from me. Well... okay, I'm as good a shot as any of them and better than most, but they're all racers now. My uncle would move to Imperial Center before he'd let someone under fifty seasons race anything better than a hoverscoot.

[He disdains the hoverscoots, because... well, look at this thing.]

[podracer]

I'm a racer. [He states suddenly.] A podracer. I was supposed to race in the Boonta Eve Classic, but something kind of... messed up the last time.

[...Ick.]

[sandwormie]

[Slight headtilt.] You know, everyone says it's not possible, but I heard about a human kid podracer once... You're that Skywalker?

[Least cool thing to ride ever, but if you're guilt ridden about killing a dewback and too young for something better...]

[podracer]

[Once again, a head-tilt, before he grins.] Guess so.

[sandwormie]

[Grin. Luke has issues with taking pride in himself - doesn't like seeming to have an ego - but this is different.] Great! So what's it like, anyway? Podraces are banned when I'm from; there's talk of one being set up in a few seasons, though.

[...no, he's not going to participate, he's just going to watch. Luke won't podrace until he's nineteen.]

[podracer]

It's great. [Going by his tone, it's a whole lot better than just great, but that's the first word that comes to mind.] I don't think there's anything else like the feeling you get while podracing in the whole galaxy!

[Good for you, Luke. Responsibility, and what not.]

[sandwormie]

[Luke makes an inarticulate 'aaaagh' sound that he probably wouldn't use around an adult; it's mingled envy and happiness.] My friend Biggs lets me fly his landspeeder sometimes. It's the best feeling in the planet - just wind and speed and no boundaries.

['Responsibility', yup. It had nothing at all to do with getting into a fight with a racer and killing him, then being coerced by the racer's patron to fill that same place. ...And his sister won't have to threaten to kill the only being the patron loves to let Luke free after he wins one. No way.]

[podracer]

Landspeeder's have nothing on podracing. [He pauses.] But if that's the best you can get, then I guess you're right. [He hates bringing people down.]

[sandwormie]

[Wry smile. And here comes his free person privilege:] I'd actually prefer a landspeeder. Yeah, they're a lot slower and less powerful, but you can take them anywhere. You don't need to answer to anyone to take one out - so you can do it any time you don't have work or whatever. And one with a good engine is quiet.

They're way more maneuverable, too. Also, safer, which is good when you're with someone. Since they mostly have more than one seat, that's actually possible.

And they help train you to be ready to fly an airspeeder. [Luke wants an airspeeder. Man, does he want one.]

babbykin ;w;

[mywaywardson]

[she'll put a hand on his head, fondly.]

You can do whatever you set your mind to, Ani. Especially here.

mommy ;__;

[podracer]

[He grins.] If you say so, Mom.

[mywaywardson]

Of course I say so.

[she crouches down and puts her hands on his shoulders.] Wherever you go, you're sure to do wonderful things. You were born to help people.

[podracer]

[He looks at her for a long moment, blue eyes intense.] I only do it because you taught me too, Mom.

[karkdestiny]

[. . . cannot snark to this :c]

...hey. You have any issues with a pudgy-blue-bug, you call me, okay? I'll fix him.

[podracer]

[He shrugs.] I can deal with Wattoo, but thanks anyway.

[He sticks out a small hand.] I'm Anakin.

[karkdestiny]

...Cade.

[he'll be shaking that hand. lightly.]

[podracer]

Nice to meet you! [And he beams in a friendly way.]

[karkdestiny]

[ALL THE MIXED FEELINGS]

Yeah. You too, kid.

[podracer]

[LOL SORRY CADE]

So... ever seen a podrace?

[karkdestiny]

...haven't heard much about them. Are they exciting?

ahhh, so much love. <3

[obiwankenobi]

[Now this is the Anakin he remembers. He offers a smile.]

There's always room for hope. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

<3

[podracer]

I know. I just need to remind her that. [And he gets that exasperated look only children can really pull off.]