Rosaline was walking alongside Qui-Gon when a voice called out from behind them. "Wait! Wait." She turned to see Captain Panaka approaching, flanked by Dahlia and Padmé.

"Her Highness commands that you take her handmaidens with you," Panaka announced firmly.

"No more commands from Her Highness today, Captain. The spaceport won't be a pleasant place," Qui-Gon replied, his tone resolute.

"The queen insists," Panaka pressed. "She's curious about the planet."

Qui-Gon sighed, clearly reluctant. "This is not a good idea. Stay close to me," he cautioned.

Padmé and Dahlia exchanged glances before quickly falling in step behind the two Jedi, their faces a mix of determination and apprehension as they prepared for whatever lay ahead.

They arrived at the bustling spaceport, and Dahlia looked around with curiosity and caution.

"Moisture farms, mostly," Qui-Gon explained. "There are some indigenous tribes and scavengers. The few spaceports like this one are havens for those who don't wish to be found."

"Like us," Padmé noted quietly.

Dahlia stayed close to Rosaline, her unease growing as she took in the unfamiliar sights and sounds around them.

"Dissen berry, berry bad," Jar-Jar muttered nervously.

They continued navigating the crowded spaceport until Qui-Gon stopped, scanning the area thoughtfully. "We'll try one of the smaller dealers," he said, motioning the group toward a nearby building.

Inside the shop, Dahlia's gaze fell on a peculiar winged creature who floated toward them. "Good day to you," the creature greeted.

Qui-Gon stepped forward. "I need parts for a J-type 327 Nubian."

"Ah, yes! Nubian. We have lots of that," Watto replied, gesturing behind him and muttering something in an alien language.

"My droid has a readout of what I need," Qui-Gon said as a young boy appeared, descending the stairs and approaching the group. The boy exchanged words in the same unfamiliar language with Watto before being abruptly cut off.

"Watch the store—I've got some selling to do," Watto instructed him, then turned back to Qui-Gon and Rosaline. "So, let me take - a thee out back. Ni you'll find what you need."

As Qui-Gon and Rosaline followed Watto to the back, Dahlia instinctively reached out, feeling uneasy as Rosaline left her side. The unfamiliarity of the place only deepened her discomfort, and she struggled to steady herself in the strange environment.

Dahlia glanced around the shop, noticing the boy perched on the counter, his gaze fixed intently on her. "Are you an angel?" he asked suddenly.

"What?" she replied, taken aback.

"An angel," he repeated. "I heard the deep space pilots talk about them. They're supposed to be the most beautiful creatures in the universe. They live on the moons of Iego, I think."

Dahlia smiled faintly. "You're a strange little boy."

The boy grinned. "I listen to all the traders and star pilots who come through here. I'm a pilot, you know, and someday, I'm gonna fly away from this place."

"You're a pilot?" Dahlia asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Mm-hmm. All my life," he replied proudly.

She tilted her head. "How long have you been here?"

"Since I was really little. Three, I think," he said. "My mom and I were sold to Gardulla the Hutt, but she lost us betting on the podraces."

Dahlia's smile faded. "I'm sorry," she said softly.

"I'm Anakin," the boy introduced himself.

"Dahlia," she replied.

Just then, Jar Jar pushed the nose of a small droid, causing it to spring to life and march around the shop, knocking things over. The Gungan struggled to control it as the droid wreaked havoc.

"Hey!" Anakin called out.

"What?" Jar Jar exclaimed in panic.

"Hit the nose," Anakin instructed.

Jar Jar pressed the droid's nose, and it instantly shut down. Dahlia couldn't help but smile as Anakin gave her a shy glance before looking away.

Outside the shop, Qui-Gon and Rosaline walked alongside Watto, who was chattering animatedly. "A T-14 hyperdrive generator—thee in luck! I'm the only one hereabouts who has one," Watto chuckled. "But thee might as well buy a new ship; it'd be cheaper, huh?"

Watto tilted his head, his eyes gleaming. "Saying of which, how are you planning to pay for all this, hmm?"

"I have 20,000 Republic dataries," Qui-Gon replied.

Watto scoffed. "Republic credits? Republic credits are no good out here."

Qui-Gon's gaze focused as he raised his hand subtly. "Credits will do fine," he said, attempting to use the Force.

Watto only laughed. "No, they won't."

"Credits will do fine," Qui-Gon repeated, insisting a bit more firmly.

Watto's amusement turned to annoyance. "No, they won't! What, you think you're some kind of Jedi, waving your hand around like that?" He glared at Qui-Gon. "I'm a Toydarian. Mind tricks don't work on me—only money does. No money, no parts, no deal. And I promise you, no one else has a T-14 hyperdrive in this whole system."

Rosaline exchanged a concerned glance with Qui-Gon, recognizing that securing the part they needed wouldn't be easy. Qui-Gon gave a slight, reassuring smile and turned back. "Come along, Rosaline," he said calmly.

Inside the shop, Dahlia looked up as the two reentered, followed closely by R2-D2. "We're leaving," Qui-Gon announced.

Dahlia glanced back at Anakin, offering him a warm smile. "I'm glad to have met you, Anakin."

The boy's face lit up as he called after her, "I was glad to meet you too."

With a last nod, she turned and quickly caught up to Rosaline.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Rosaline watched as Qui-Gon contacted Obi-Wan, discussing their lack of funds to pay for the parts they needed. "And you're certain there's nothing left on board?" Qui-Gon asked, his tone edged with frustration.

"A few containers of supplies, maybe some of the queen's wardrobe," Obi-Wan replied, "but nowhere near enough for the amount you'd need to barter with."

Qui-Gon sighed, glancing around the dusty market. "All right. I'm sure another solution will present itself. I'll check back later." He ended the transmission, tucking away his comlink.

Dahlia cast a worried glance toward Rosaline, who offered a reassuring nod, though her own concerns were growing.

The group made their way toward the main street when Jar Jar grabbed Qui-Gon's arm nervously. "Noah gain... Noah gain bein' hereabouts cawazy. Wesa be robbed un crunched," he muttered, eyeing the crowded area with apprehension.

Rosaline gave a dry smile. "Right, because we're just brimming with valuables."

They continued down the street, passing an outdoor café where a group of aliens lounged, their gazes briefly following the group. Dahlia instinctively moved closer to Rosaline, her worry apparent.

Rosaline gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "It'll be okay," she murmured softly.

Dahlia glanced up at her friend, attempting a small smile. "I do wish I could believe you."

"I won't let anything happen to you," Rosaline promised, her tone steady and protective.

Before Dahlia could respond, she noticed Anakin stepping in to help Jar Jar out of trouble. Qui-Gon approached the boy with a nod. "Hi there."

Anakin glanced at Jar Jar, amused. "Your friend here was about to end up as orange goo. He picked a fight with a Dug—a particularly nasty Dug named Sebulba."

Jar Jar frowned. "Mesa haten crunchen... Dat's da last ting mesa wanten."

Qui-Gon looked at Jar Jar, raising an eyebrow. "The boy is right; you were heading for trouble." Turning back to Anakin, he nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, my young friend."

Anakin smiled, his gaze drifting over to Dahlia. She returned his smile with a warm nod, which seemed to make the boy's face brighten.

"But mesa didn't do nutten!" Jar Jar protested, looking embarrassed as the group moved on.