POV: Anakin Skywalker
It took almost eight hours to get off of Felucia and land on… whatever planet we were on. There were several Togruta infested planets throughout the galaxy, so I had no idea which one I was actually on.
I'd been beaten for almost an hour earlier, in an attempt to 'break my will' as the translator said to me. Yes, they felt so badly for me that they actually got me a translator… My body was covered in fresh and open wounds as well as slowly forming bruises. My chest and back had been damaged the most, but I wouldn't fall before them. I wouldn't let them see my weakness. I'd fight until my last breath.
A heavy collar was placed upon my neck and chains connected my ankles. The binders were still on my wrists and I felt vulnerable. I was stripped of my Jedi abilities by all of these pieces and there was no way I could reach into the Force and attempt to contact Obi-Wan.
Of all of the people in this galaxy, why was I chosen to be tormented beyond my wildest nightmares? To be honest, this was actually worse than my childhood. I didn't have to watch my mother suffer anymore at least. I was alone in the dark throughout most of the voyage, so I had time to collect my thoughts and attempt to ease my pain.
I was dragged out of my cell by a chain attached to the collar. I practically tripped over the chains on my ankles because they dragged slightly. I was led down several hallways, passing several beasts and creatures that I'd never seen before. We made it to a landing ramp that slowly began to fall to the terrain below. The sunlight shining down on me burned my eyes momentarily. I put my arm in front of my face and closed my eyes, cringing at the brightness. The guards chuckled and pulled me along, not caring about how their sun affected me.
I was able to lag a bit behind them, but not very much. The translator walked beside me. She kept watching me very intently and it was driving me mad. I wanted to snap on her, but I'd done that once already. Needless to say, I'd learned my lesson… "You wish to speak?" she whispered, coming closer to me. I growled lowly and her eyes widened. She looked at the guards and spoke quickly in Togruti. They stopped, allowing me a moment of rest. She came closer than she ever had before and actually touched me. From what I'd learned on the cruiser, I wasn't supposed to be touched because I was inferior to them… "You may speak with me, little human." She traced the scar that ran above and below my right eye slowly. "I am not your Master." Again, I growled. The guards stepped closer and pulled out their spears. I mentally prepared myself for their attack, but the translator stopped them, holding her hand out. She spoke in Togruti again before turning back to me. "Speak."
"Why me?" I managed to gasp, my voice cracking and shaking. I hated when my voice did that. It made me feel weaker than I already was…
She stroked the side of my face gently, knowing that there were bruises forming there as well. "The Queen requested a male servant. She saw you within a crystal ball and you were hunted. Once the ball finds you, you cannot escape."
I cleared my throat and closed my eyes. "So what you're saying is that I was brought here by some ball?"
"Yes, but it's not just any crystal ball. It knows all there is to come in the universe. Your destiny is still very uncertain. The Queen wanted to see what was in store for you, but nothing appeared. She was intrigued by your lack of future." That was such an inspirational piece of information. I apparently had no future according to this magical ball. I grimaced and felt my chest tightening. If I had no future, why did I even try to keep going? "Do not worry yourself over that. The ball has no future set for those whose future is always in motion."
"Well, then let's get on with my future. Perhaps I'll die before it even happens."
She put her hand on my neck and rubbed my jaw with her red thumb. Her lekku pressed against my chest gently and she frowned up at me. "You will not die. The Queen does not slay her servants unless they are disobedient of her wishes."
I rolled my eyes. "Let's just hurry this up. I've got nothing to lose as it is." She sighed and nodded. She muttered something and I was tugged forward, falling onto my knees. I fell directly onto the muddy trail. I pushed myself up and growled, raising my upper lip. I could feel my anger consuming me, but that would only lead to my quick death. The translator helped me stand and attempted to brush the mud away from my Jedi garments. It was a pathetic attempt, so I shrugged away from her. "Don't touch me," I said, glaring at her.
The rest of the trip was pretty intense. Well, for me, that is. The Togruti people laughed as I passed them. Some felt remorse and looked away from me, but I knew they pitied me. The last thing I wanted was to be pitied upon. I was led to a large, elegant and intricate building. I had a very bad feeling as we crossed the threshold. More Togruti guards stood inside with sharper spears and armaments.
My heart sank as I realized that I was no match for all of them.
The walls were golden as well as the rest of the building as we continued. Two large thrones stood atop a platform on the far end of an empty room. Two elder Togrutas sat in the seats, one a male and the other a female. Judging their appearance, I assumed they were the King and Queen of this wretched planet.
The translator came up to me and put her right hand on my back. She began to speak directly to the two above us as the guards dropped down onto their knees. Conversation boomed back and forth between the woman beside me and the couple above. The Queen stood and stepped down from her podium, her long dress dragging behind her as she stepped towards me.
I had to admit, she was beautiful for a Togruta, but my respect for her was as low as it could be. She grabbed my chin and lifted my head slightly, making me look into her eyes. She whispered something and the translator spoke. "She wants to know what you think of becoming her slave."
I clenched my teeth together and glared into the Queen's eyes. "What does it matter?" I asked through my teeth. "I have no say in the matter."
She repeated my words to the Queen and the Queen smirked. She released my chin and waved her hands to someone standing behind me. She shouted something and the guards ran. She whispered once more and the translator pushed me down onto my bruised knees. "Look at her." I reluctantly tore my gaze from the floor and slowly looked into her eyes. She said something as she stared at me. "She thinks you're a perfect fit."
"For what?"
I heard a snarl behind me and I quickly spun around, not standing up. A younger female Togruta stood in the doorway. She growled and began to speak quickly in Togruti, motioning towards me and the guards every now and then.
The Queen barked something at her and the younger one cowered, nodding slowly. She came towards me slowly and looked into my eyes. After several more minutes of conversation that I couldn't understand, I was yanked from the floor and led down a hall behind the younger female.
She looked like she was a few years younger than me. For both of our sakes, I hoped I wasn't going to be her personal servant…
We entered a large chamber and I gaped at the beauty of the room. Well, until I was attached to the wall, that is. I was able to move a bit. The guards removed the bindings on my ankles, but kept the collar and wrist binders on.
They soon exited, leaving me alone with the girl. All I could think about was getting beaten for not being able to understand the child. The translator hadn't come in here with me, so I was completely and utterly – "What's your name?" she whispered. Her voice sounded so small, yet so beautiful.
I gaped for a moment. "You speak basic?"
She nodded. "I wanted to be tutored in basic. Again, I ask, what's your name?" I growled. "I must know," she whispered. "How am I to address you?"
"Slave."
"I can see that it doesn't please you to say that word. May I inquire as to why?" I stared at her, glaring as I continued to bite my tongue. "If it were my choice, you wouldn't be chained to the wall."
"What?" I asked, losing my anger momentarily. I didn't expect to hear that from my new Master.
"I believe that this is abuse, in a sense. I do not wish to abuse you. You're more of a… bodyguard to me than a slave. My mother thinks I can't handle myself in the real world, so you're to go with me wherever I please."
"Look, child, I know how this works. You're saying sweet things to me so I fall for you and sleep with you. Well, you're out of luck. I'm not doing a –"
"I will not abuse you."
"That's a load of –"
She put her hand over my mouth, muffling the profanities that were meant to escape my lips. "I'll free you tonight and you may sleep on the bed. I'll sleep elsewhere. I want you to be comfortable. I'm not able to take you off planet…"
"I don't need your pity, too."
She brushed my sweaty hair out of my face and smiled at me, stroking my jaw line slowly. "I don't pity you. Had my mother not seen you, I wouldn't have met you."
"You know nothing about me," I growled.
"I know and I want to get to know you better. I'm Ahsoka."
"Don't you have a title or am I just supposed to call you Master?"
"In front of others, you have to call me Master, but in the confines of my room, I'm just Ahsoka to you. I don't want to hurt you. I want to get to know you better."
I rolled my eyes and slid down the wall, resting my elbows on my knees. I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the wall. I felt warm skin brush against my hands and I cringed. "Don't touch me."
She fell back a bit and I thought she'd hurt herself. I tried to leap forward, but the chain restricted me. She sat up and smiled weakly at me. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." After seeing that she was all right, I relaxed into my original position. She came closer and crossed her legs as she sat in front of me. "I still don't know your name," she whispered, clasping her hands in her lap. "May I have the pleasure of knowing it?"
After moments of avoiding eye contact with her and attempting to refrain from revealing information to her, I gave in. "My name's Anakin…"
"Well, Anakin, I'm glad I met you," she whispered, smiling. "We could become wonderful friends."
"Grow up, child."
She stood up quickly. "I'm not a child!" she shouted. "Why does everyone call me that? I'm almost sixteen years old! That means I'll be out of this place and married! Why can that be known, yet not be important?" I stared in awe as she lost her happy composure. "Sixteen and married? Don't you think that's too young?" she asked, turning to face me.
I shrugged. "It's your planet, not mine."
She sat down in front of me and slid closer to my legs. "Are you married?"
"No. It's forbidden for me."
"Oh," she whispered. She looked away from me, but I saw the sadness building in her eyes.
