Dumbstruck Jedi

While Watto goes to get the hyperdrive for me, I observe the Jedi with a lost look on his face. He has shoulder length brown hair with a shade of grey. Meanwhile his facial hair is mostly grey with a few shades of brown.

The fact that he's wearing traditional Jedi robes takes me a bit by surprise. Not the fact that they still have a uniform, but the fact that it hasn't changed in four millenia. And as far as I can tell, it's just basic cloth. Not even a single modification to make it more protective during combat.

'Did they make peace with the Sith or something?'

I shake my head free of my musings as the boy approaches me. As he does so, I sense a strong connection to the force within him. Behind him is his mother, gently guiding him with a hand on his back.

"Hey mister." His first words are a challenge to me, and behind me I can hear both Mission AND Bastila laughing at me! Of course, I have far too strong a connection to the force to let that bother me.

Plus they'd know if I used the force to prank them later.

It's honestly strange how sensitive the non-Force users have become to it. They obviously can't use it, but they can at least tell when it's being used on them. Even the most subtle or indirect things.

Like when Bastila first tripped Mission with the Force. Had she not been in the middle of encouraging Bastila to use the force on people who irritate her, Mission might not have known it was the Force at all.

Now though, not only would they be able to tell if and who is targeting them with the Force, but they've also become EXTREMELY resistant to negative effects when it's applied to them.

For example, the mind trick. Not only would they know when someone is trying to use it on them, but they're also immune to it.

No idea why that is though. Probably from the near constant battles with Dark Jedi.

Before I know it, I've been looking at the freakishly powerful child in front of me for several minutes. I decide to play it off as if nothing happened.

"Yes child?"

"My mom said that you're our new owner now. How'd you manage that, and what ya' panning on having us doing?"

Once he hears this, the Jedi's jaw drops open, and the girl sitting at the front of the store looks up in surprise.

I pat the kid on the head as I reply. "Well, I gave Watto something he'd never seen before, and I'm not sure what I'm planning on having the two of you do." I scratch the back of my head. "I didn't think that far ahead."

I'll probably train him to use the Force. I'm not sure what the Jedi doctrine is like in this time, but I'll lead him down my own path. A path that balances both the Light, and the Dark side of the Force.

Afterall, it's worked out that way for all the Force users on the ship except for Jolee. Honestly, considering all the stuff we get up to, I have no idea how he's managed to stand firmly in the Light. Have to respect him for that.

The Jedi finally manages to speak. "Pardon me, but can you please explain what just happened here?"

Hmm, he does seem lost, so I'll make it simple. "Well, our ship's hyperdrive was busted so we were forced to land nearby. I came to this shop and found out that Watto had one in stock. I negotiated with him for an apparently unique item I had in exchange for both the engine, and his two slaves. Now here we are."

"Once I finish my explanation his face becomes clouded and he becomes lost in thought. Probably thinking about what to do now that the hyperdrive he needed just got bought. The girl certainly seems to have some ideas.

She jumps up and approaches us. The alien is still outside, now peering around. "What do you mean you bought the hyperdrive the Toydarian has!?"

I just look at her. "... Exactly that? I needed it, so I bought it." It wasn't all that complicated. Maybe she's dumb? Or didn't get a good education? Maybe learning standards dropped.

"But WE need it! It's of the utmost importance!" She has tears at the corners of her eyes. And judging by the way the Force is shifting around her, her mission IS important. And I am always looking to stick my nose into things.

"Very well, if you like, the two of you may accompany my friends and I to our ship where we can discuss your mission."

Hearing this, Mission opens her mouth. "Cool! If they have another me, I wanna meet her! Maybe she's green!"

Ignoring the befuddled looks on the two humans, I mutter under my breath. "Every damn time. This is why we started referring to things as quests."

Then my words seem to sink in to the two of them. "Thank you very much." The girl tilts her head and starts to make the motion for a curtsey before realizing that she doesn't have a dress.

My eyes narrow fractionally. 'Interesting.'

Just as Watto brings back the engine, the Jedi seems to realize something. "You said the two of us? What of our third companion?" Everyone turns to look at the alien who's since made his way inside. Somehow he's managed to get himself stuck to a pit droid.

"..."

"I would prefer if you sent him to wait on your ship while we talk."

""That's fair."" The two of them answer in sync.

"Here you go," Watto says as he gestures to the engine. "One hyperdrive engine, all ready to be installed."

I nod at him and grab the handles for the trolley it's resting on. "A pleasure doing business with you Watto."

"No, no! The pleasure was all mine. Do come again if you ever need something." While he talks, he rubs his hands together, obviously thrilled at the idea of getting more unique items.

Though what I gave him was literally the most generic type of blaster I have.

As we leave the shop, we notice that the sun is starting to set. "Well that's a problem." I mutter.

It's now that Shmi finally speaks up. "Um, if you need a place to stay the night, you can all feel free to stay at our house." She suddenly freezes up. "T-t-that is, if it's alright with you master." She bows her head in my direction and I can't help but sigh. It'll take some work to help her get rid of the slave mentality.

Bastila speaks up for one of the first times since we've left the ship. "That's a very generous offer Shmi, and we would be most honored to take you up on it." I simply nod as I think of what I'll do for Shmi.

Then my mind drifts to those slaves Davik had back on Taris.

'I wonder if she can give massages...'