☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

°•. ┊ Haunted┊.•°
✧ ˚ ━ mystical time, act one

— prologue
( the phantom menace)

✧

Qui-Gon and Reyna exit the shop with Watto, leaving Carra and Padme with Jar Jar and a strange young boy who entered moments ago. The clumsy creature amongst them begins to explore the shop, as the two girls stand together, quietly surveying the area with their eyes. "Are you an angel?" The boy speaks up, staring directly at Carra, and though the young Jedi hears the question, she is unaware that it's directed at her; she is preoccupied with watching the Gungan mess with something in the shop that he shouldn't be anywhere near. Padme notices and smiles, nudging the small girl to grab her attention and gestures her head in the blonde's direction.

"H-Huh?" Carra turns her gaze to the boy, a soft pink hue dusting her cheeks as she looks up at the boy on the counter.

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

"No...no, I'm not an angel." She says, toying with the delicate gold cuff that decorates the end of the small Padawan braid in her hair. "I'm a Padawan. A Jedi."

"Well, you're beautiful like an angel." He compliments with a smile, as the young girl moves to climb upon the counter beside him, his gaze never straying from her, as though he's entranced. "Maybe even more."

"I'm Carra."

"Anakin." The boy says warmly as the two shake hands. "You can call me Ani."

☰

The group is sitting down for a meal, as they wait out the storm in the Skywalker residence and the Masters are droning on about something or other, as Padme speaks with Anakin's older brother, Atticus, about the Republic's slave laws and how they don't apply to Tatooine. "You gonna eat that, Ani?" The boy is quick to lift his head, looking towards the girl whom the voice belonged to, as he assesses the mouthful of food she's chewing on, lingering for a moment, before returning his attention to Qui-Gon. "Anakin, over here." His confused gaze meets Carra's once more, as she takes a big gulp of water and he stares over at the other patrons of the table, checking to see if they heard anything. His actions cause a giggle to escape the young girl's lips and she swiftly stifles it with more food.

"Carra." Reyna says lowly from her left. "It's not nice to tease."

"Luc does it to me all the time." The girl argues, her lips forming a pout, as she crosses her arms over her chest, the actions a clear indication of her young age. "At least this time it's actually funny because Ani has no idea what's going on." Another laugh escapes her lips, as the older woman continues to scold her, but Carra can see clear signs of a smile on Reyna;s face that indicate she finds amusement in the Faolan girls' antics.

"You do not want to get in trouble with Master Qui-Gon, do you?"

"I suppose not." She frowns, looking down at her plate.

"Carra, sweetheart, would you like some more water?" Shmi asks, a warmth to her tone and a smile upon her face, showcasing the maternalism she's shown to Carra since meeting the young Jedi such a short time ago. The Faolan girl's smile returns and she nods her head, murmuring a soft thanks, having taken quite fondly to the woman.

☰

"Carra, my dear, we must make haste." Qui-Gon says, ushering the small girl forward.

"I'm coming! I'm coming, I've got little legs!" She calls out, her voice high-pitched, yet soft, as she runs to keep up with the adults and the girl trips in a sand hole, falling forward. "Ow."

"Are you okay?"

"Hm? Yeah, Ani..." She says softly, taking his hand and letting him help her to her feet, then she dusts the sand from her robes. "Thanks." The children rush forward, hand in hand as they try to catch up with the Jedi Masters, until a strange sensation washes over her and the Force urges her to turn around, so she glances over her shoulder, seeing something heading straight for them. Reyna shouts a warning and Carra is quick to tackle Anakin, taking them both out of the threat's path, then Qui-Gon instructs the children to head for the ship.

"Come on." Reyna urges, grasping an arm of each kid and practically launches them towards the ship and away from danger.

☰

The ship lands on Coruscant and everyone files off of it, meeting Senator Palpatine and Supreme Chancellor Valor outside. The Jedi bow to the men and step aside, making way for Queen Amidala to address the pair. The young Faolan girl shifts uncomfortably beside Anakin, a clear expression of anxiety on her face, the blonde is quick to notice her emotions and speaks up. "Are you okay?"

"I don't like him." She mutters quietly, gesturing to Palpatine, as she shields herself behind Anakin and Luc, and her brother giggles to himself at his sister's expense.

"He's not scary, little sister." Lucian states with an eye roll, still smiling in amusement. "I don't know why you're so afraid."

"You're only older than me by five minutes!" She grumbles beneath her breath, crossing her arms over her chest, not even addressing his remarks about the Senator. Anakin reaches behind him and locks his pinky with Carra's, the gesture, although quite simple, does a remarkable job at calming the girl. The young Padawans and potential Padawan walk with the Queen and her handmaidens, away from their elder Jedi, as Carra works to remain as far away from the Senator as possible; always having an unexplainable feeling of illness when in his presence.

☰

Carra, Anakin, Obi-Wan, Reyna and Qui-Gon stand before the Council, awaiting their decision on whether Anakin is to join the Order or not. The young Padawan is confused as to why she and her Master are here, when Anakin's training has nothing to do with either of them, but she knows not to ask, especially when she feels she's never been given a proper answer to anything, not from the Council. "The Force is strong with him."

"He is to be trained, then?"

"No, he will not be trained." Master Windu states and Carra glances up at the three elder Jedi behind her, before looking at Anakin, as Master Qui-Gon questions the decision, clearly confused by it. "He is too old."

"They are the chosen one's. They either bring balance to the Force together or not at all." Master Qui-Gon speaks resolutely, hoping the Council will understand the mistake he feels they're making in their choice. "You must see it."

"Mmm...clouded this boy's future is. With him, empty becomes our Carra's future." Yoda says, causing the aforementioned girl to tilt her head in confusion, wondering what that could mean. Wondering what an empty future looks like. And wondering why Yoda suggests that Anakin is the reason for it. Then Qui0Gon steps forward, declaring that he will take Anakin on as his Padawan, which is met with a dismissal; both Yoda and Windu reminding the Jedi Master that it's forbidden to take on two apprentices at once.

"Obi-Wan is ready." Qui-Gon states, to which the man mentioned steps forward to agree with his master.

"Our own counsel we will keep on who is ready."

"He is headstrong, and he has much to learn of the living Force, but he is capable." Qui-Gon voices his praise for his Padawan. "There is little more he can learn from me."

"Young Skywalker's fate..." Master Yoda starts, ready to change the subject. "Is to be decided later." Then the Council members go on about the political issues happening at the moment, while Carra and Anakin pay no mind to the chatter, lost in their own thoughts, all the while, their pinkies are interlocked.

[word count: 1319]

lexi's letters: psa for anyone new to my account, i write in first person pov. the only reason the prologue is in third person is bc it was easier to write for nine year old carra that way lol