Queen Scintel has been the best master I have ever had. Unlike my previous masters, she talks to me like I'm equal. Although my job is to serve her in any way she needs, it is nice to be treated with a tiny bit of respect. All my life, I have been a slave. Born into it right after my village was stolen. I miss my mom, even though I only knew her until I was 7. It bothers me knowing that I have somewhat replaced her with Queen Scintel. Her majesty is the closest thing I have to a parent. Numa is like my twi'lek sister. She too is a slave in the palace. She has been here longer than I. I got here 3 years ago but she has been here for 4 years. We have a lot in common other than being a slave. We both love the stars and like to do flips. But I am the best at flips, no competition. We will sometimes sneak out during the night when the Queen is resting and look at the sky. Sometimes you can see the slave ships entering and leaving the port. I think Queen Scintel knows we do it but we still sneak anyways. Tonight is a perfect night to lay out under the stars but we have an auction tomorrow so I have to prep the clothing and make sure everything is spotless.
"Morning Ahsoka, is everything ready for our guests?"
"Yes master, all of the floors are cleaned, tables are set, viewing areas are prepped, and..."
"And what?"
"Well there was a communication error, and well…"
"Yes?"
"We only have 2 deserts instead of 12."
"WHAT!"
Kriff. I knew this would happen. She always becomes a mess if anything goes wrong during events. Last time she threw a knife at one of the guards and he was lucky it was only in the shoulder. Nobody wants to be the one to tell the queen that something messed up. I only told her because Numa was the one who made the mistake. In our sleep-deprived planning, she misread the number and requested it wrong. I try to protect Numa in any way I can because she is abused enough. She is not directly the queen's slave, she is the queen's brother's slave and he is not nice. I got lucky with Queen Scintel and I will not get any broken bones if I tell her.
"WHO MADE THE MISTAKE?"
"I did your majesty, when I did it I was so tired and accidentally ordered wrong. I am so sorry. Please forgive me."
"Stop your groveling, I trust you Ahsoka to make the right decisions. Unlike the others you are special. So when you mess up like this it makes me wonder what really happened."
"I swear I am telling the truth it was an honest mistake you can even check who placed the order."
"Fine then, if it was truly you, maybe you need to learn how to make better decisions. Turn around."
I know what is coming next. The hot evil whip slashing my skin. As if her scorning is not enough. I am strong and it does not hurt me.
"Expose your back."
I slowly take off my cloak and sheath and reveal my scared and orange back. I hear the whip fly back, slide across the hot air and meet my back. Tears well up in my eyes each time she does it. I muffle my pain, she does not like the sounds of my screams. She says it makes her think I am weak.
"One slash for each dessert you didn't order."
Once she is done she calls in a droid and the droid wipes up the wounds and covers them.
"Don't get any blood on your dress. I need you to look nice for our guests."
"Yes, master."
My clothing covers my back once again, hiding the truth of what really happens when you are a slave.
The buyers fill the room, creatures of shapes and forms. Some are blue and smooth, others are furry and brown. Numa and I are dressed in our event robes and we stand at the entrance holding itinerary. Some of the buyers are nice and say thank you or smile at us. Others push us, spit on us, or check us out. The majority ignore us as if we are palace ornaments. Only our eyes shine through our robes. Numa has pretty purple eyes that compliment her pink skin. The buyers have all entered and we led them to the auction area.
"Welcome to the bi-monthly auction at the Zygerrian palace. We are happy to provide such workers for your pleasure. Payment will be at the booth around the side of the stadium. Let the auction commence."
I have been on the auction podium three times. Once when I was 7 and I was bought for clothing production. Those days were hard, even though I excel at the job, we were worked to the bone. Many children all in one place on top of each other, producing clothing for the ignorant. The second time I was on the podium was when I was 10. I was sold to the mines and those two years were even worse. We were fed almost nothing. It was always hot and dirty. I was at the age of sorting and sifting materials. It felt like I didn't talk or shower or eat or drink for the entire time. Each time I slowed down they would make a new cut on my body to keep track of how well a worker I was. Then I was on the podium a third time when the Queen bought me. She loves saying that she saw through the ragged clothes and dirt on my skin and saw that I was a fighter and deserved to be in service to royalty. Now I get to watch weak and broken people flaunted in front of greedy creatures as if they were appliances only meant to be used and thrown away. I look over and see Numa is supplying a toydarian with a red liquid. She looks back, ignoring her clumsy feet, and slips on her robe, pouring the red liquid all over the white cloth of a buyer. Shoot. The tall man towers over her and slaps her across the face.
"How dare you spill this juice on my supreme clothing. Guards escort her away from me."
She is taken out of that booth. I leave my booth and run towards her in order to defend her.
"Please don't take me to my master. I accidentally did it. Please have mercy."
Her master approaches her with a glowing whip.
"How dare you embarrass me in front of the buyers. You will regret ever retrieving that juice. KNEEL!"
"I am so sorry master. My robe was too long. My foot got caught."
"No excuses and KNEEL!"
Tears stream down her face as they rip off her garments. She shakes as if she was a ship with turbulence. I watch from afar for a sec then run forward and before the whip meets her skin, it blows out of his hand. He looks at me fiercely and points. Guards surround me and yank my arm. I am thrown down beside her. He picks up the whip and rips off my robes too. The marks from this morning lay fresh on my back.
"I see that you are a troublemaker. I love teaching troublemakers how to follow the rules."