As soon as she had walked even five feet away from her son, Aidan protested her leaving with cries and chirps.
Ahsoka groaned. This was a test, and Aidan was failing miserably.A Togruta mother had to be able to leave her baby, sometimes for hours at a time, to hunt. Yes, Togruta were tribal, but that was also a disadvantage in itself as children were so closely bonded with their parents until an older age.
So, while the mother left, the baby had to stay still and quiet, or risk being found by a predator, despite the fact that Togruta technically were the predators. The number one cause of infant deaths was being found by an Akul, hungry for an easy kill, be the infant alone or not.
It was a harsh world, and Ahsoka didn't plan on leaving Aidan alone in the wilderness anytime soon. Still, she couldn't run around with him strapped to her back forever.
She had brought him out here to the caves, the ones she had found on one of the days she was out alone,so he could learn. So she could teach him.
It wasn't working out.
"Aidan, I'm right here. I'm five feet away, why are you still crying?" She asked,exasperated.
Do I expect too much from him?
He's not a full blooded Togruta, in case you haven't noticed,her conscious said back. His human genes are cancelling out vital Togruta instincts, you can't train him like one.
Ahsoka looked at her son sadly. She had no idea how humans grew up, how they were taught when they were young. When they walked and talked, when they ran, and so many other things. She could ask Lux, she supposed, but what was the point of popping in every few months to a man she loved but could never be with, when all it was to do was ask about advice for his baby son that he wasn't allowed to know.
So instead, she thought, What would Lux do?
Lux was a kind hearted man who loved children and got along nicely with people of all ages. If he saw a baby in distress, there was no doubt that he would get down on his knees and comfort them.
So Ahsoka sat down and called Aidan toward her with a chirp of her own. In an emergency, there would be no time for words, just chirps to convey the urgency of the situation.
As soon as she called him, Aidan stood up and ran toward her, falling into her arms with a satisfied babble of her name, "Mama".
It was official. She was Mama. They had lived on Raada long enough for Aidan to grow to the age of walking and talking in one word sentences.
They had also lived on Raada long enough for the Empire to come again.
Ahsoka began to wonder if she should just give up, surrender to Aidan's demands and take him to his father and say "You know what, Lux? I give up. He's yours, so help me take care of him. I can't do it alone."
But there was a problem with that.
Ahsoka wasn't a quitter. She didn't give up. She didn't admit when she needed help.
So she laid there on her back and let Aidan believe he had wrestled her over and was victorious, as he sat on her chest with a smug look on his face. His face was beginning to shape nicely, his jawline like Lux's, but his face thin like hers, so it appeared to come to a harsh sudden point instead of being round and smooth. His hair, as blonde as could be, was beginning to curl, oddly enough. Ahsoka didn't know where that came from.
His personality was really coming to show too. He knew his strength, like she did, but catiously approached things, like Lux did. He was a cheeky, funny boy, much like Lux could be at times.
He was the perfect median of his parents.
He was perfect in every way, as far as Ahsoka was concerned. As perfect as a half Togruta baby could be.
With the Empire watching them, they'd eat and sleep here for now, and Ahsoka would run back under the cover of early morning to get them back before anyone got suspicious.
"I still don't understand why you bring a baby here." Kaeden said. "I wouldn't bring my sister here at that age."
There was no chance Ahsoka would leave Aidan alone after the stormtroopers had showed up at their door that morning. Besides, he had been lulled to sleep by the run Ahsoka had taken back from their cave. He slept soundly against her shoulder, not disturbing anyone.
"Yeah, especially after what happened last time." Hoban pointed out, causing Ahsoka to grimace and Miara to pale noticeably, remembering the untimely execution of Tibbola.
"I'll protect him."Ahsoka said, determined. "Besides, he's too young to be left alone."
"He's not adopted, is he?"Miara blurted."Like you are?"
Ever since her arrival here, Ahsoka could tell people were confused. Miara was the only one brave, and slightly foolish enough, to ask.
"No. He isn't." Ahsoka said curtly. Her hand protectively curled titghter around Aidan.
"Then where's-"
"Miara, shh." Kaeden chided, shoving her younger sister lightly.
Ahsoka was hardly conscious of the fact that her face had changed to the view of others. She tried not to be offended, but in a way was. It was to be expected of course, given her and Aidan's drastic differences.
Nobody seemed to know what to say or how to say it next. Surprisingly, it was Hoban who attempted conversation next.
"We've started to slow the growing, like you said. The ImperiLs don't like it, but they can't do anything about it. They haven't even stopped our rations yet."
"They will soon."Vartan said,"They always do, that's what organizations like the Empire are all about."
"But they risk not having good workers. They would not stop feeding you."Ahsoka countered, then winced. She sounded too experienced. In a way, she was.
"I will never understand people like the Imperials." Neera said. "Taking what little people have, for what good? They'll strip us of all good work and then leave, sucking the soul out of the next planet they go to."
"If you aren't planning on helping us do something, we'll do it ourselves!" Hoban announced to Ahsoka. He was angry at how long she was taking.
"I am trying to help, Hoban."Ahsoka tried."I'm-"
"I don't want to hear it. I'll see you guys later."The young man stood up and angrily stalked away.
Neera left hastily after her brother.
"He's right."Kaeden said, quietly."We're getting tired of waiting, Ashla."
With that, she and Miara were the next to leave. Vartan was left, but said nothing, just made eye contact with her, sighed heavily, and left.
With the last of the group gone, Ahsoka felt her hope dissapearing too. "I cannot help them if they do not have the wisdom, or the patience,to be helped."She whispered to herself.
Not ready to leave, Ahsoka stayed to talk to Selda. The fellow Togruta was nice to her, and everyone, but seemed surprised to realize the son she had talked about was human.
"Fun fact."Ahsoka said, in their native language. "Togruta and humans can interbreed."
Selda was obviously thankful for the humourus interlude after the unfortunate events of late and chuckled as he gave her the leftovers.
"I was going to say, he looks like quite a Togruta." Selda chuckled and leaned down on the bar across from her. "He looks strong, though."
"I named him after the most free spirit I know, because that's what he is." Ahsoka shifted Aidan so Selda could see him easier. During this shift, Aidan's eyes slowly opened and regarded Selda with interest. Prosthetics were a mystery to him, one he intended to find the answer to as he squirmed away from his mother and stood independently on the counter.
"Tall, too, for his age."
"That's a bit Togruta of him."Ahsoka agreed.
Selda beckoned Aidan to come to him with his non-proshetic arm. "Come here, little one."
Despite the fact that Selda gave off the aura of a kind grandfather, Aidan was still skeptical of this strange metal limb. He backed up slowly, reaching an arm for Ahsoka while the other went to his mouth.
Luckily, Selda didn't seem offended by the act of rejection from the little boy. "It's alright, I'd be a little scared of a robot man too."
"He'll get better about it, I promise." Ahsoka tried to say, but really didn't know if Aidan would anytime soon.
"If you ever need any help with him, just let me know." Selda told the young mother."Little ones are tough, I know from experience."
"Thanks, Selda."
"Looks like you'd better get him to bed."
It was true, Aidan was already yawning again, and rubbing his eyes. Ahsoka bade Selda farewell on behalf of both of them and then took Aidan's hand, walking out the door.
"Mama!"Aidan pulled on Ahsoka's arm and then began jumping for the box she carried.
"What do you want, Aidan, use your words."
"My do it!"Aidan stood on his tippy toes and stretched his arms for the leftovers until Ahsoka let him have it. It was heavy to him, but Aidan managed, and Ahsoka kept a hold of him by holding a light grip on his head and steering him home.
When they walked inside, Aidan dutifully set the box down on the table and then toddled over to the bed, trying to climb onto it.
"I think you're forgetting something."Ahsoka chided with a smile.
Aidan turned to look at her but then dismissed it, curling dramatically up with his back to her.
Ahsoka glanced at the time, then back to her son, who was already asleep. "Alright."She decided."We'll do a bath in the morning." She had to gently take Aidan's shoes off and put them by the door before she could officially lay down herself, but eventually the task was done and she was joining her son in the world of sleep.
