-3654 BBY, Ziost-
Aayes held the datapad in her hands, trying to pick up a Holonet signal again. Ziost was dry and cold, and she hated it. Ixarte, her adoptive mother, often said it was because Twi'leks originated from a desert planet, and that was why the 8-year-old hated the Imperial planet. But according to Ixarte, Aayes was born on Corellia, so she didn't understand that logic. Right now, she was focused on re-reading that article on Marka Ragnos again, because Sith history fascinated her.
She was distracted by a tug on her lekku. She sighed and scooted down. Another tug came and this time, it hurt. She let out a yelp, purple eyes welling up with tears.
Mom said, don't let them get to you, Aayes.
The young Rutian Twi'lek stood up and turned around. A young Sith Pureblood female-not her adoptive sister, Xenli, but another, who looked even more threatening at a young age than Xenli did-towered over her, glowering.
"Why did you pull my lekku?"
The Pureblood snorted. "You're alien filth. All you're good for is bullying anyways."
"I'm Sith, like it or not."
"I don't like it, alien, because you're an embarrassment to the galaxy."
Now Aayes was as much angry as she was hurt. "Why? Because I have purple eyes and lekku instead of orange eyes and skin tendrils? That attitude is ruining the Empire, or so my mother says."
"Your mother is one Sith, scum, and neither of you matter to me." With that, she raised a fist to strike her down. The blow was stopped by a mid-sized flash of black and red.
Xenli had jumped in and restrained the other Pureblood girl. She had the girl's arm twisted and held behind her back. "Why are you bullying my sister?"
"You admit to being family with that scum?"
"Answer my question, jerk. I'd call you hella worse if I were older."
"Let me go!"
Xenli did let her go, but with a shove to the ground. "If I ever see you hurting Aayes again, you're done for. Got it?"
The bully hissed at Xenli and said something in old Sith tongue, which Aayes was learning. Then the girl stormed off.
Xenli rushed to her sister's side. "You alright? Sorry I couldn't get here sooner."
"I'm fine." Aayes was beginning to calm down. "I don't like mean kids like that."
"Mom says attitudes like that are passed down. Also, she says we're almost ready to move to Korriban. Let's go home."
She took Aayes' hand and led her back home. Ixarte was checking off a list of something, which Aayes assumed related to the move. The tall Pureblood woman smiled at her two daughters.
"We're ready to go to Korriban. You both know what that means, right?"
"Training!" the girls squealed in unison.
Ixarte tutted. "You do realize that Sith training is no walk in the park?"
"Mom," Xenli rolled her orange eyes, "between the two of us, we'll be fine."
"Xenli..." Ixarte sighed. "Aayes has to fight by herself. She must if she is become a Lord."
"Mom, another Pureblood kid was bullying her, and I-"
"Xenli, you have to let her fight."
"She's a bookworm!"
"Hey!" Aayes' purple eyes seemed to spark lightning. "Don't call me scared!"
"I didn't, you're just a reader, not a fighter, sis..."
"I can fight! I'm Sith! Mom!"
"Aayes, you have to learn to stand up to people," Ixarte replied weakly. This is my fault. If she fails, it's on my hands. I sheltered her too much. "That doesn't mean you have to give up reading. You just need to prove yourself."
"I will, Mom, I promise."
"So will I!" Xenli chimed in.
You have to. You have no choice. Why does my Empire do this to me? "Good. Get some rest. We have a long flight tomorrow."