Faye - Thank you very much, and I like the word sychophant too. : D
Lighted eagle - *blush* Thank you!!! No offence taken.
Katt - I'm sorry you haven't gotten many reviews. : ( I know how frustrating it can be. *hint - This is my second persona, just hang in there and keep at it. Sometimes it just doesn't come when you expect it. ; ) *
Lil'laylah - I greatly appreciate your review. I sometimes wonder if I'm on the right path or not. And get very excited when I find that I am. So keep telling me how I'm doing, alright?? Thank you! : )
Now, here is chapter 2:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
In Here I'm Nothing
After his head stopped throbbing, Obi-Wan concentrated on freeing himself. Hours passed when he finally managed to loosen the ropes enough to slip one hand out. His wrists were raw and red as the course material shredded his skin. Gingerly, he removed the remaining ropes. Sitting on the ground he cleared his mind, contemplating his current situation. His arm was aflame from the searing blow he was dealt at the end of the match prior to the bout that led him here. He knew it needed Bacta, along with his wrist, but he also knew his time was drawing short.
Carefully, he rose to his feet and headed for the kitchen, he needed to prepare dinner. He realized he would have to take care of his other responsibilities after the evening meal. Once he entered the meal preparation room, he found some old rags and ripped them into strips. Quickly, he wrapped his wound and his wrists and then moved to the cabinets.
Hastily, he gathered ingredients and concocted a meal fit for a king, he only hoped it would please his stepfather. As the last portions finished cooking, he went to the dining room and set the table. Three settings were placed on the large table, in readiness for his stepfather and stepbrothers. Re-entering the kitchen he moved the entrees into serving dishes and set them aside to bring out.
Obi-Wan could hear his brothers running down the hall, laughing. He wondered if they hoped he had not gotten free. Sorry to disappoint. He thought sarcastically, knowing that they would find someway to show their displeasure.
He made his way back to the dinning room to find his brothers running around chasing each other, when they suddenly stopped. Obi-Wan could feel the dark presence of his stepfather the moment he entered the room. Instead of turning to face the man, he placed the dishes he brought in on the table. Keeping his head bowed, he stepped back to allow the imposing figure the room to come in. The man paced over to the head of the table and stood waiting. Obi-Wan swiftly moved to pull the chair out and repositioned it while the man sat. Once seated, Obi grabbed for the napkin and started to place it on his stepfather's lap, when a hand grabbed his wrist harshly. "I have noticed that your chores have not been completed. Why?"
Wincing, Obi-Wan replied, "Master Xanatos and Master Anakin requested that I spar with them, my Lord."
Xanatos chimed in, "But that was hours ago, father. More than enough time for him to complete his duties." The smile that crossed his features was not a kindly one but one of sadistic pleasure.
"It's true father, we left him in the training room hours ago." Anakin quickly backed his brother.
"Then why are your chores not done?" Again the prominent man questioned.
Obi-Wan knew better than to blame his brothers, knowing full well that they would deny any accusations directed at them. Besides, he also knew his stepfather would believe he was the liar and punish him further. Thinking quickly, he said, "I was cleaning the training room and accidentally fell asleep on one of the mats. I'm sorry, my Lord." The grip on his arm tightened and he could feel his knees starting to buckle, but he refused to show any signs of weakness.
"You will not be allowed any supper tonight. After dinner, you will complete your chores until before you will be permitted to sleep. I want you to wake me when you have completed your task." The stepfather announced.
Obi-Wan now looked up, "But, my Lord. That might not be until much later this evening. I don't wish to wake you."
"You should have concerned yourself with that prior to your untimely nap. You will wake me and I shall determine a suitable punishment for you. Do I make myself clear?" The tall white haired man pierced the boy with his glare.
"Yes, my Lord," The boy replied dutifully, and finally his wrist was released.
"Now serve us our meal." The patriarch commanded and Obi-Wan rushed to do his bidding, avoiding any further conflicts as best as possible.
~~
Once the meal had been consumed by the greedy trio, they headed off to bed, whilst Obi-Wan finished his work. Cleaning the dishes first, he completed his tasks one by one. Hours wore on s he moved from room to room, dusting and cleaning and anything else that needed tidying. Now well past the midnight hour, Obi-Wan sighed as he finished sweeping the main hallways floor. Of course, all these jobs could have been done by droids, but his Lord sold them all in order to generate credits. For a time they were in need of funding as his Lord worked his was up the positions in the Senate.
Cautiously, he made his way to his stepfather's room. Lightly, he knocked on the door before entering. He came to stand next to the large comfortable bed and whispered, "My Lord?" After a moment, and still no response, he called again, "My Lord Palpatine, I've finished."
At this the elderly man stirred, rising slowly, he pushed away the fatigue. "Now what shall we do with you?" He pondered aloud and stared evilly at the boy.
Obi-Wan could not suppress the shudder that ran through him. He recognized that glare and begged silently that his punishment would not be that severe.
The man rose and went to his dresser. Opening the bureau, he pulled a piece of flexi-ribbing from a drawer. Turning back to the youth, Palpatine eyed him thoughtfully. He returned to his bed and grabbed the boy by the arm as he sat. Quickly, he positioned Obi-Wan and dealt the child a sound thrashing. When finished, he decreed that Obi-Wan sleep in the cupboard, and then settled himself back into bed.
The agonized boy found his way through the pain-filled haze to collapse in the cupboard. At that moment, even the floor was a welcome relief. Drifting off into a nightmared sleep, Obi-Wan sleep until dawn.
Lighted eagle - *blush* Thank you!!! No offence taken.
Katt - I'm sorry you haven't gotten many reviews. : ( I know how frustrating it can be. *hint - This is my second persona, just hang in there and keep at it. Sometimes it just doesn't come when you expect it. ; ) *
Lil'laylah - I greatly appreciate your review. I sometimes wonder if I'm on the right path or not. And get very excited when I find that I am. So keep telling me how I'm doing, alright?? Thank you! : )
Now, here is chapter 2:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
In Here I'm Nothing
After his head stopped throbbing, Obi-Wan concentrated on freeing himself. Hours passed when he finally managed to loosen the ropes enough to slip one hand out. His wrists were raw and red as the course material shredded his skin. Gingerly, he removed the remaining ropes. Sitting on the ground he cleared his mind, contemplating his current situation. His arm was aflame from the searing blow he was dealt at the end of the match prior to the bout that led him here. He knew it needed Bacta, along with his wrist, but he also knew his time was drawing short.
Carefully, he rose to his feet and headed for the kitchen, he needed to prepare dinner. He realized he would have to take care of his other responsibilities after the evening meal. Once he entered the meal preparation room, he found some old rags and ripped them into strips. Quickly, he wrapped his wound and his wrists and then moved to the cabinets.
Hastily, he gathered ingredients and concocted a meal fit for a king, he only hoped it would please his stepfather. As the last portions finished cooking, he went to the dining room and set the table. Three settings were placed on the large table, in readiness for his stepfather and stepbrothers. Re-entering the kitchen he moved the entrees into serving dishes and set them aside to bring out.
Obi-Wan could hear his brothers running down the hall, laughing. He wondered if they hoped he had not gotten free. Sorry to disappoint. He thought sarcastically, knowing that they would find someway to show their displeasure.
He made his way back to the dinning room to find his brothers running around chasing each other, when they suddenly stopped. Obi-Wan could feel the dark presence of his stepfather the moment he entered the room. Instead of turning to face the man, he placed the dishes he brought in on the table. Keeping his head bowed, he stepped back to allow the imposing figure the room to come in. The man paced over to the head of the table and stood waiting. Obi-Wan swiftly moved to pull the chair out and repositioned it while the man sat. Once seated, Obi grabbed for the napkin and started to place it on his stepfather's lap, when a hand grabbed his wrist harshly. "I have noticed that your chores have not been completed. Why?"
Wincing, Obi-Wan replied, "Master Xanatos and Master Anakin requested that I spar with them, my Lord."
Xanatos chimed in, "But that was hours ago, father. More than enough time for him to complete his duties." The smile that crossed his features was not a kindly one but one of sadistic pleasure.
"It's true father, we left him in the training room hours ago." Anakin quickly backed his brother.
"Then why are your chores not done?" Again the prominent man questioned.
Obi-Wan knew better than to blame his brothers, knowing full well that they would deny any accusations directed at them. Besides, he also knew his stepfather would believe he was the liar and punish him further. Thinking quickly, he said, "I was cleaning the training room and accidentally fell asleep on one of the mats. I'm sorry, my Lord." The grip on his arm tightened and he could feel his knees starting to buckle, but he refused to show any signs of weakness.
"You will not be allowed any supper tonight. After dinner, you will complete your chores until before you will be permitted to sleep. I want you to wake me when you have completed your task." The stepfather announced.
Obi-Wan now looked up, "But, my Lord. That might not be until much later this evening. I don't wish to wake you."
"You should have concerned yourself with that prior to your untimely nap. You will wake me and I shall determine a suitable punishment for you. Do I make myself clear?" The tall white haired man pierced the boy with his glare.
"Yes, my Lord," The boy replied dutifully, and finally his wrist was released.
"Now serve us our meal." The patriarch commanded and Obi-Wan rushed to do his bidding, avoiding any further conflicts as best as possible.
~~
Once the meal had been consumed by the greedy trio, they headed off to bed, whilst Obi-Wan finished his work. Cleaning the dishes first, he completed his tasks one by one. Hours wore on s he moved from room to room, dusting and cleaning and anything else that needed tidying. Now well past the midnight hour, Obi-Wan sighed as he finished sweeping the main hallways floor. Of course, all these jobs could have been done by droids, but his Lord sold them all in order to generate credits. For a time they were in need of funding as his Lord worked his was up the positions in the Senate.
Cautiously, he made his way to his stepfather's room. Lightly, he knocked on the door before entering. He came to stand next to the large comfortable bed and whispered, "My Lord?" After a moment, and still no response, he called again, "My Lord Palpatine, I've finished."
At this the elderly man stirred, rising slowly, he pushed away the fatigue. "Now what shall we do with you?" He pondered aloud and stared evilly at the boy.
Obi-Wan could not suppress the shudder that ran through him. He recognized that glare and begged silently that his punishment would not be that severe.
The man rose and went to his dresser. Opening the bureau, he pulled a piece of flexi-ribbing from a drawer. Turning back to the youth, Palpatine eyed him thoughtfully. He returned to his bed and grabbed the boy by the arm as he sat. Quickly, he positioned Obi-Wan and dealt the child a sound thrashing. When finished, he decreed that Obi-Wan sleep in the cupboard, and then settled himself back into bed.
The agonized boy found his way through the pain-filled haze to collapse in the cupboard. At that moment, even the floor was a welcome relief. Drifting off into a nightmared sleep, Obi-Wan sleep until dawn.