Held My Tongue
aayla is not bound by the laws of the galaxy
1. Despite what her fellow age mates might think, it was Barriss who came up to her and decided that they were going to be friends.
2. Aayla has always wanted a pink lightsaber.
So when she comes out of Illum's caves with a blue blade, she's wonderfully surprised.
She never knew the crystals could match skin color!
3. Over time, Aayla has dealt with many leering gestures and facial expressions. She asks why, not truly understanding and barely fifteen standard. Quinlan answers, rather warily, that on many planets—especially the less civilized ones—Twi'leks are treated as toys, dancers; alive for no other reason than to entertain.
4. (She rages to Barriss for what seems like hours, even knowing that Jedi don't do anger. When Aayla takes a breath, the younger Mirialin girl places a tattooed hand on her shoulder.
"And now," she says, "you fight back.)
5. (Aayla has never been passive, but now, she fights even harder.
Especially, she thinks but does not say, for those who cannot.)
6. She fights in the Clone Wars like her fellow Jedi, and tries not to find a pleasure in it.
(A lasting effect from her flint in the darkside, but she doesn't mind so much.)
7. While Aayla works well with Jedi, she works best with the clones.
Her clones.
8. Even betrayal will not make her feel any negative emotions towards the men.
9. Once, while stuck on Endor, Aayla was called a forest spirit—a god. She dismissed the title as nonsense, but now, free in the Force, free to be with Barriss when she chooses, Aayla thinks the title is more than appropriate.
It is true.
10. (When Barriss finally joins her years and years later, she laughs and asks for a dance.)