Staircases usually end up holding much more significance than we think they do. For example: many times in our lives we will walk either down or up one of these staircases. They can be in any sort of shape. Some of them will be large and ornate. Some of them will be crumbling and rather unclean. No matter how you put it these staircases will often symbolize a journey to a new part of our lives.
The staircase that Ahsoka Tano was now descending was a set of stairs she thought she would never descend like this. Her life had been flung into chaos just a week or so before with the bombing of the Jedi Temple. It was the stairs of the Jedi Temple that she was descending now. She knew when she took her first step downwards that there was no turning back. The Jedi Temple was the only home she had ever known since the age of three and yet here she was at sixteen departing it for good. The face that her old master Anakin Skywalker made as she turned to make this final departure was a look that she would never forget. Given Anakin's reckless nature she felt surprised that he did not chase after her in an instant. Her decision was final: she could not ever return to this place she once thought she would spend her life in.
In the moment of her greatest need the Order had turned on her. She understood why. The world was not in a normal state and tensions were running high across all boards. The Jedi were fearful of many things; particularly traitors. When an unknown individual bombed the Jedi Temple Hangar through Letta Turmond and her husband they then framed Ahsoka for the crime. Ahsoka knew now that that individual was Barriss Offee - a fellow Jedi she had once considered a friend. Memories of the recent events swirled in Ahsoka's mind as she felt her heart sag with the betrayal of her old friend. Only Anakin had stood by her side during this trial and it would be him that she would miss most of all.
Ahsoka knew that with all of his heart Anakin did not want her to leave the Jedi Order. Moments ago he confessed to having similar thoughts about leaving. Ahsoka knew why. She would never give her knowledge away but her connection with her master was strong enough for her to have discerned it. She knew this would hurt him more than anything. Anakin, great Jedi that he was, struggled most with controlling his emotions. Perhaps it was because of his age when he began his training. But Ahsoka suspected that it had to do with the fact that his midi-chlorian count was far greater than most. While this gave him power beyond what many Jedi dream of it also intensified other aspects of his life as well. This intensity most likely affected why he could not control his emotions the way a Jedi should.
Ahsoka was aware that this tendency had also passed on to her. She was her master's Padawan. Well, she had been. Ahsoka Tano was not a Padawan nor Jedi any longer. Her life was altered without denial. She finished her descent of the staircase and sent one glance backwards. She had no clue where to go from here. Not a single idea of what her future might hold. But she knew that this was something she would work out on her own.
It was early enough in the day that Ahsoka knew she would be able to find some place to stay the night. "Not everyone on Coruscant lives in a luxurious temple on the surface." The words Asajj Ventress had once spoken to her came to mind. Considering she technically had 5127 levels of Coruscant to choose from Ahsoka was certain at least one level of the never-ending city world would have a place for her. Of course credits would be of some concern. Jedi did not value notions of wealth or greed. Although they would take donations and payment for deeds done often the money was shared with all Jedi or donated towards good causes. Ahsoka knew she had very little to her name and what she did have technically was not entirely hers. Credits were essential to survival in this universe and Ahsoka was well aware she would need some.
Walking with purpose Ahsoka began her journey to the Financial District of Upper Coruscant. Strangers gave her wary glances as she passed them. This was probably due to her face having been plastered across the city only days before. These warnings had condemned her and confirmed her as a criminal. It was no wonder that many individuals of varying species took second glances. She tried not to let her mind wander too much as she walked. This was something she had grown so accustomed to doing to make sure she kept her emotions in line. She realized that with her new life she was no longer bound to the Jedi Code, but it would take some time before she would ever break out if it.
Finally, after lots of walking and aversion to conflicts, Ahsoka arrived in the Financial District. The streets were lined with mostly only wealthy humanoids. Several of them turned their noses up at Ahsoka. It did not matter however, because Ahsoka had never been ashamed of her Togruta heritage and never would be. She was still a young Togruta. Her lekku and montrails were still quite short compared to what they could be. A faint memory of one strange vision she had had on Mortis came to her. It was possible it could have been a trick but the way her older self looked was pleasing to Ahsoka. The message then had been concerning. Ahsoka could not quite remember it fully but felt it was no longer a concern now that her apprenticeship to Anakin had come to an end.
She paused for a moment as the automatic doors to the Bank of Coruscant opened for her. You would think that at such a tumultuous point in her life someone so young would be acting wild or distraught. Anyone who knows anything about the Jedi though would understand exactly why and how Ashoka was remaining so calm. She waited patiently in line until it was her turn. When the administrative droid clerk at the desk asked for her name she prayed silently that the withdrawal would be possible.
"Name?" it droned synthetically.
"Ahsoka Tano," she responded in a cool and calm voice. For some reason today she did not feel 'snippy' as Anakin would call it. She felt almost relieved in a way. It was strange. She did not expect to feel relieved at losing everything she had ever known. And yet she did. The droid buzzed off to collect something, or so she hoped. She noticed the Cybot Galactica logo on its shoulder. It returned a few minutes later with a very small pouch of credits.
"How much will you be withdrawing today," it paused before mechanically saying, "Ahsoka Tano?"
"All of it thank you." The droid scanned her and handed her the pouch.
"Have a nice day," it began as Ahsoka turned to depart, "we hope you will return to the Bank of Coruscant soon!" it proclaimed as she walked away. 'Not likely' she thought with a slight smile.
Well, now she had the money and all she needed was a cheap place for the night. She could also use a new cloak. Good luck finding one with a hood big enough for her montrails and lekku. It was strange that a day ago she would not have considered anything to be fully her own. Now Ahsoka was beginning to see what this new life meant for her. It could mean many things. Some of these things would be her learning to own and take responsibility for possessions. That was a scary thought. She knew in her current clothes it would not be easy to blend in at all. Not to mention the fact that the garments she currently wore were the clothes of a Jedi.
Suddenly she felt a hand grab her shoulder. Instinctively her hand flew to her hip where she then remembered her lightsaber no longer resided. 'Thats a bit of an issue' she mused to herself as she turned to face the person who had grabbed her. Ahsoka was face to face with a rather cross looking human. His face was flushed red and he seemed quite annoyed at her presence.
"Aren't you that brat! That Jedi brat? You're that Jedi brat that bombed the Temple huh! Didn't they arrest you?" he yelled. The people around them began to gather. Ahsoka felt mildly frustrated.
"I believe you are referring to the incident involving the bombing of the Jedi Temple Hangar?" she managed to say cooly. The man nodded emphatically. "I don't think it has been reported yet but I was framed for that crime. Another Jedi - Barriss Offee - framed me for the bombing. This was only discovered last night-" but the man cut her off.
"I don't believe you! You're like the rest of them Jedi! Pretentious liars," he spat at her feet. Some members of the crowd seemed to agree with him. Others seemed disturbed by the social impoliteness of his spitting. Ahsoka felt many feelings all at once and yet she was aware of her innocence. It seemed that her heart might overflow and still she felt so calm. She merely shook her head politely at the man and began to walk away.
"I wasn't done talking to you!" he said angrily and grabbed her once more. She jumped away from him using only a slight fraction of her Force ability and faced him once more.
"I am aware of your concerns," she began in an authoritative voice, "I am also aware of the distrust for the Jedi. I will tell you now I myself have decided to leave the Jedi Order because of its shortcomings. But let me make one thing perfectly clear. This war is not their fault and never has been. They are doing their best I'm sure, but for now all you can do is give them your support. Or not if that is what you choose. But do not blame the Jedi for problems they didn't create."
And with that statement Ahsoka melted into the stream of moving citizens. She followed it and masked herself slightly with the Force. Eventually she reached one of the mainline elevators and descended a few levels. There she boarded a public train that took her to CoCo Town. By now it was mid-afternoon and already she could feel the day slipping away. She considered stopping in at Dex's Diner but felt that it held too strong a connection to her past for it to be a safe idea. However considering the many resources available to her in CoCo Town Ahsoka felt confident that she had made a good choice. Dewback Inn would be alright for the night and she could most likely find a new set of clothes and a cloak at a price she could afford.
The only problem left in sight was the question of her weapons. Ahsoka knew she could not survive too long without a way to defend herself. Considering what journeys could be in store Ahsoka spent her walk to the Dewback Inn pondering the possibility of finding her blades once more. They could be destroyed once the crystals inside had been removed and she suspected that this would be the case. However who knows what sort of employee could be in charge of the process. Who wouldn't want the extra credits that a lightsaber sold to the black market would bring. 'A true Jedi' she responded automatically. That was true. Jedi did not think of such personal gains. Meditation would answer her question as to their location. But the next question became whether or not she really wanted them anymore.
Ahsoka thought it best to build her own new ones. That would take a whole lot of work. But it could be worth it. In the meantime she began to preoccupy herself with the fact that she was approaching the entrance to Dewback Inn. It was a rather small cantina with a separate floor or two of shabby rooms. She knew that. But one of those shabby rooms was sure to be open. Ahsoka walked through the door and coughed slightly at the smoke-filled room. Neimoidians flocked to this particular location for the rarity of the agaric ale they offered. Silently Ahsoka made her way to the bar where she spoke politely to the owner. The owner seemed surprised but pleased to be speaking to an individual with manners and was more than happy to offer Ahsoka a very cheap offer on the smallest room they had.
Graciously she accepted and retreated from the main cantina to a well-worn room on the second floor. The music thumped through the floor but that was no matter. Ahsoka relaxed on the bed for a few minutes as she tried to regain her focus. Instinctively she began to prepare for mediation but then second guessed herself. She was no longer a Jedi. Was it not allowed for her to follow the Jedi way? Was it illegal for her to continue Jedi practices? She sat on the floor crosslegged and confused. Several minutes went by before the young Togruta composed herself and began to block out her surroundings. As the thumping music of the inn faded away she felt the anguish of another course through her. She knew it was Anakin. It was strong enough to almost break her concentration but she was determined.
Ahsoka meditated for quite some time. By the time she finished the sun had begun to set. Her search for her sabers led to the conclusion that they had already been destroyed. She had expected that. Finally she slowly awakened from her trance-like state and lay down on the poorly carpeted floor. The ceiling, like the floor beneath it, harbored many unidentifiable stains. While Ahsoka did not wish to know where they came from she knew she must decide where she herself would go. The owner had been kind enough to give her quite a discount and her credit amount would last her only a few days at best. New clothes, food, and one trip to one location was all she could probably afford.
She sat there feeling lost and alone. The days not too long ago had been much more simple. She laughed inwardly. Here she was calling some of the most dangerous battles of the war "simple". But it was true. Rations were provided for her, she had respect, she was in a place of authority. Now she was no one. 'That's not true,' her brain told her, 'you're Ahsoka Tano!'
"And Ahsoka Tano is no one now," she replied to herself aloud. She shook her head. That was a conversation for another time. Now was the time for action. She had to decide where to go what to do. More importantly she had questions to answer. Most important of all, she had to stay alive.
She peered out of the dirty and smudged window of her room. She could feel the weight of her Jedi clothes weighing on her and knew she must be rid of them soon. Tomorrow she would pick her destination. Tonight she would begin her new life. New clothes and a makeshift weapon can always change a person. Ahsoka Tano went down another flight of stairs and began the journey of her lifetime.