While she had no idea what the Industrial Automaton or the Naboo Royal Engineers were, Helena just related to them things she knew. "Ah well, I have to say that Artoo is a very handsome droid." She smiled, looking over R2-D2 again with great admiration for the work that went into building him. And from what she had seen of the droid's ability to move and make noise on his own, there had been great attention and care put into his creation. Though she did note the way Ani had answered her question, which more or less proved that the boy had, in fact, built a droid of his own.
As Ani inquired about what she was building, Helena smiled. "I have yet to figure out what I am building. The most I have right now is wanting to give my mind a puzzle to work out." That curiosity only endeared her more to the boy despite only having just met him. Helena had a great admiration for intelligence and creativity. She would have to inquire later about the things the younger Anakin had built all ready.
Watching the exchange between the older and younger Anakin's, Helena could only smile bemusedly. She took the opportunity to grab a few more various parts before she felt she could start constructing something. She heard that put-upon tone of the younger Anakin's voice and briefly couldn't help but think Christina had been much the same way when she didn't wish to do something she was told. There was a brief flicker of sadness that passed through her heart before she pushed it aside once more. Looking back at the younger Anakin as he addressed her, she smiled warmly.
"I would be more than happy to show you what I make when you come back." As Ani left the room, she couldn't help but to add one more thing, "don't forget to clean behind your ears." It was a reflex, one a mother had. She didn't even fully realize she'd said it until after the mud-covered boy had exited the room. At R2-D2's scathingly rude comment upon leaving, Helena could only chuckle and shake her head. "It would seem that Artoo-Deetoo is quite opinionated," she commented with that bemused smile, looking over at the older Anakin.