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Chapter 11

The Gift

Kiya followed Boba Fett into the throne room, the hood of her borrowed dusty cloak pushed back. The item they traveled to Mos Eisley to fetch still rested in the inlaid box she carried. A sand storm had chased them for the last several kilometers. A thin layer of sand and dirt coated her skin and hair and Fett's armor.

Jiliac reposed in her hoverchair next to Jabba's platform. The two near-human guards who arrived with her stood just behind her, flanking both sides. One had a particularly nasty look about him. His face was so scarred Kiya had no idea how he might look without it. The other wore a helmet similar to some of Jabba's guards; all you could see were his eyes. They both wore blasters strapped to their hips. Nola stood just to Jiliacs right.

Bib Fortuna appeared at the she Hutt's shoulder; he leaned close, speaking by her head. His red eyes lifted toward them; Jiliacs slitted orange-eyed gaze also did. Bib Fortuna motioned Kiya closer.

Boba Fett stepped just to the side when they reached her mistress. Jiliac extended one small hand toward Kiya.

"My lady," Kiya said softly. She held the box out to her in both hands as she knew Fortuna would expect and bowed her head slightly. The room quieted around them.

"Wedd oone, Boba Fett."

Jiliac didn't take the box.

Head still bowed, Kiya watched intently, unaware that she bit her bottom lip. She had looked for a locking mechanism as she waited for Boba Fett. There wasn't even a visible seam. But the casket was beautifully made. The wood was unlike any she had seen, as was the pearl white inlay.

Jiliac pressed down on the inlay, and the very top of the box lifted; there was a hidden catch under the bit of white stone.

Jiliac carefully lifted the lid and handed it to Bib Fortuna. Kiya let out a soft noise of surprise. A lightsaber handle laid nestled inside on a silk cushion. It was wooden. The top was wide and grew wider before it tapered inward at the center to form the handle. The wood was highly polished and of the same medium-grained color as the box itself. There were durasteel accents at the top and bottom. The artistry was unlike anything Kiya had ever seen.

Remembering herself, she looked up. The female Hutt lifted one small hand toward Jabba. Kiya took two steps back, turning her attention to Jabba. Kiya approached the other Hutt with the box resting in outstretched hands as she'd done with Jiliac. Eyes respectfully downcast. Kiya bowed her head.

"Geetah uba, oear nephew," Jiliac said as Kiya presented Jabba with the open box. Jiliac was presenting the lightsaber as a gift. "Jee sash told bu jeedai sash wookee."

Jabba's eyes grew more prominent, and he licked his bottom lip as he lifted the lightsaber from the box. Kiya took several steps back. The Huttese word for Jedi had just lengthened vowels in the same word. Wookee was the word that held her interest and was as easily recognizable but completely unexpected.

"Lo stidd works." Jiliac offered next, interrupting Kiya's thoughts.

There was a whoosh as a long green energy blade grew from its end.

Kiya watched, fascinated. It made another sound as Jabba waved the blade back and forth. She had never seen a lightsaber before, let alone one that worked and belonged to a Wookie.

"The Great Jabba is very pleased with his new lightsaber, " Bib Fortuna said in basic. "Boba Fett continues to impress."

Kiya's attention traveled to Fett. He had moved so that he stood between the two Hutt's, but he didn't move or acknowledge Bib Fortuna's words in any way.

"Invarioolee," the female Hutt said in apparent agreement. Kiya pondered the word.

Bib took the box from Kiya's hands and motioned her away; Kiya moved to her place behind Jiliac. Nola had taken her place this morning. The girl smiled like normal. Kiya slid the cloak from her shoulders, handing it to Nola. "Thank you," she said softly.

XxX

Eyes narrowed, Bib Fortuna watched the slave girl slide the cloak from around her shoulders. The Nautolan girl took it and hurried from the throne room. The slave girl took her place just behind and to the right of Jiliac, folding her arms behind her back.

She was dirty and should never have come into her Ladyships presence in such a state. He would deal with her momentarily.

His attention returned to the bounty hunter dressed in his usual green armor. Bib Fortuna contemplated Boba Fett for a moment. IG-88 suggested that Fett wasn't a man at all but a droid. Or a doppelganger for the actual Boba Fett who was off in the galaxy somewhere living off the credits his mechanical double provided. The bounty hunter droid maintained that the cold analytical tactics Fett employed were beyond most sentients' ability.

Bib Fortuna never questioned if there was a living entity under that Mando armor. The wearer was irritatingly recalcitrant, but Bib Fortuna did not doubt there was a sentient hidden inside. Luckily for Bib, he knew an opportunity when he found one, and Jiliac Desilijiac had offered it to him. Until those plans could come to fruition, there were other ways and means to show Boba Fett, who was in control.

"Our most prodigious Boba Fett is also a great hunter," Bib Fortuna began, bowing his head deeply. "He should be bestowed with the great honor of leading the hunt for tomorrow's feast." In truth, there was nothing honorable about any of it, just like that last time.

"Indeed," Jiliac said before Jabba could speak. For his part, Fett did not react as expected. Bib Fortuna knew he wouldn't. If Bib were very lucky, very soon, he wouldn't have to worry about the Mandalorian bounty hunter ever again.

"Bu suu-est of honors." Jiliac went on.

"Heh. Heh. Heh," Jabba laughed, still playing with his newest toy. "Fett bu best kiddah jee doo."

"Then it's settled," Fortuna said in Huttese, bowing his head in a show of respect.

"No, Boba Fett will stay," Jilaic contoured. "He is my bodyguard."

Anger instantly boiled inside Bib Fortuna at her words. His posture and face remained passive, however. "Surely one of The Great Jabba's other patrons would be an adequate replacement. The Trandoshan, Bossk, perhaps?" The green humanoid lizard stepped out of the crowd; his tongue slipped out of his mouth as he hissed softly.

"He looks capable. May I suggest you send him in Fett's place?" Again the female Hutt shot him down.

Jabba spoke before Bib could say a word. "Mah urdamin wants Boba Fett oom-main. Send Bossk."

Bib lifted one finger and opened his mouth, looking over his shoulder. Anger already danced through the Trandoshans eyes.

Bib turned back around, bowing deeply. "As Your Greatness' Wishes."

XxX

Kiya watched the exchange between Bib Fortuna and the Hutts. Again most of the discussion remained a mystery, but Fortuna was not happy with the outcome. Nor was the Trandoshan. Some Huttese words sounded so similar to their basic counterpart they were easy to understand. Others were identical. Kiya was pretty confident Jabba had said Boba Fett was his best killer, and they discussed hunting. The more specific words remained a mystery, however. Her limited understanding had always been adequate before. Now, however, Kiya found herself wishing she had paid more attention when Huttese was spoken around her when she was a child.

Bib Fortuna looked up, meeting her gaze, and started in her direction.

"Come," Fortuna said when he reached her. Kiya followed him past the others to the kitchen area behind Jabba's platform.

He spun around, irritation flashing through his eyes. His gaze traveled down Kiya's frame before it snapped back up."I told you if you need clean clothing to see Melina Carniss. You are no longer a scullery maid. You are to remain clean and tidy at all times."

Kiya bent her head. "I'm sorry.." Her words trailed off for a moment. "Your Worship." she had to force the title out, yet again. She had had every intention of doing as he had instructed, but later.

"Do not ever come into the presence of Her Esteemed Ladyship, filthy again," he ordered, looking down at her.

"Yes, Your Worship," she said a second time.

"It is a great honor to be chosen to serve one as exalted as her Ladyship, " he said, hands clasped in front of him. "See that it doesn't happen again," he warned. "I will attend her ladyship. You will go bathe and change immediately."

Kiya her head down and her gaze on the floor. "Yes."

Kiya moved to take a step back, and Fortuna spoke again. "You will need to rise and acquire a fresh set of clothing early. I will need your help preparing for the arrival of more Hutt's. Nola will attend her ladyship after her morning ablutions."

XxX

Kiya tightened the knot holding up the long burgundy-colored sarong Melina Carniss shoved into her hands this time. The soft material slipped under her fingers. The top she was given, if you could call it, that was made of black linen, like the earlier tunic. It was sleeveless with a rolled collar and ended just above her waistline, leaving her midriff bare this time. You could just see a hint of the burgundy bandeau she wore underneath through the thin fabric.

The material had no give, and the top was nearly too small. Kiya's stomach knotted as she studied her reflection. This costume was far more provocative than the last; her right leg was bare from her hip down. Kiya had always remained in the background, she had absolutely no wish to draw attention to herself.

Sighing, Kiya leaned closer to the mirror, wiping a missed smudge from under her eye.

"Are you ready?" Kiya asked Nola, meeting the girl's dark gaze in the mirror.

"Yes," Nola said with that innocent smile of hers.

She waited for Kiya to sit down so she could brush her damp hair and plait it. Kiya took the seat. She tried to cover her legs with the sarong, to no avail. Her leg was bare nearly to her hip no matter what she did.

Nola stepped onto a stool behind her. "What is your father's name?" Kiya asked as the girl began brushing Kiya's hair.

"Nolo," she said, meeting Kiya's gaze with her large inky eyes.

"Nolo," said Kiya, testing the name on her tongue. "Are you named for him?" Kiya hadn't met many Nautolans, she had no idea if that was a tradition in their culture.

"Yes," Nolo replied as she stopped brushing and began pulling Kiya's hair back. "Do you like being a handmaiden?"

Kiya watched Nola in the mirror. "No," she began. Again, Kiya found herself being drawn toward the personal side of things. Kiya had decided long ago not to form attachments. She hadn't wanted to be drawn into any of this. It was better if you passed through this life in the shadows. Invisible. The female Hutt and the slimy Twi had made that so much more difficult as had Sarita. "But I don't like being a slave."

Nola said nothing.

"Where are the dancers?" Kiya asked.

"Practicing. I heard Madam Carniss say Jabba had requested more extravagant entertainment like on Nal Hutta."

Kiya continued to watch Nola thoughtfully as she finished weaving her hair into an over-the-shoulder style. She wondered exactly what else the child had heard for a moment. Nola was truly capable of fading into the background far more than Kiya. People often forgot about children. They were, after all, children. Kiya's father had always said little ones had big ears, and that being said, Kiya's were bigger than most. Kiya thought for one moment about asking the girl if she had heard Madam Carniss say anything about Sarita. "What do they do on Nal Hutta?" she inquired instead.

"Father says they're acrobats."

"Really?" she asked, genuinely surprised. Melina Carniss' girls did not in any way seem acrobatic. A smirk tugged at the edge of her mouth, and she snorted. Truthfully there were times when Kiya wasn't even confident you could call their "dancing" dancing. At least Max Rebo's girls could sing and perform their moves in unison.

"How long will the band stay?" Kiya asked.

"Usually for a few weeks." Nola finished arranging Kiya's hair and stepped down from her stool.

"Thank you, Nola," Kiya said. Standing up, she made her way to the full-length mirror again. She turned her head to the side so she could see Nola's handiwork. The girl had gathered Kiya's thick hair into a tight weaving of several small braids and left the tales to fall freely over her left shoulder.

Kiya took one last disparaging look at her clothing; cheeks puffed up, she let out a deep breath. She turned to find Nola already gone. Kiya made her way across the room and down the hall.

XxX

Boba Fett stood to the side in the archway of the alcove where Solo was displayed. The door hidden in the wall behind him opened and one of the kitchen servants emerged, carrying a tray. He turned his head, watching the kitchen boy as he hurried past and into the room.

Bossk stood directly across from Boba Fett in the doorway that led to the stairs. He glared at Boba Fett. The Trandoshan was angry. This was not the first time in Boba Fett's life Bossk had been mad at him. Most recently was when Boba Fett left him and Dengar and went after Solo on his own. Either of them would have done the same to Boba Fett if they could have. His history with the Trandoshan went much further back, however, as it did with Dengar. Way back to before he started wearing his father's armor.

The band was on a break at present. Bib Fortuna had vanished as well. It was apparent the Twi'lek was not happy when Jiliac thwarted his effort to send Boba Fett himself on a hunting party. The Trandoshan spun around and disappeared as well. Boba Fett didn't believe Bib Fortuna and Bossk were in league with each other. Not at this time anyway. If Bossk thought backing Fortuna was a better play than backing Jabba, he would do it. Or, at the very least, he would stay out of it until things played out. He had always been good at picking the bones.

The Desilijiac clan leader and her nephew were in deep conversation about the imminent arrival of more Hutts tomorrow. There was a proposed marriage in discussion, and that had been the reason Jiliac gave for coming. The marriage between two clans outside of their line was always a concern. It meant shifting allegiances and powers.

The dancers were absent, except for the Wroonian girl and one other. The former stood tucked against a human male's side. The male had his arm draped over her shoulder, she had one small hand resting in the center of his broad chest. She no longer had the look of a frightened child clinging to her. Spice had hold of her. For a moment, he wondered what the other one would think. He had seen the worry in her eyes already.

She stepped into the doorway a moment later, stopping abruptly, her attention on her young friend. Her brows creased with concern, she looked like her stomach had just dropped.

She was dressed far more provocatively than before. The short dark-colored top ended halfway down her ribs, revealing an expanse of smooth bare skin and a narrow waist. She clutched the side of the burgundy-colored skirt she wore, holding it closed. It was tied at the waist and left one long leg bare clear to the floor, despite her efforts. Even with the scar, it was clear she would fit the part of one of Jabba's dancers. Boba Fett didn't find her scar detracted from her appeal, at all. She was attractive. She counted on the mark to hide her, however. Boba Fett had seen for himself it worked.

It did nothing to hide her eyes, however. They were large and almost startlingly pale, with thick lashes. They were also far more alert and intelligent than she wanted others to notice.

She pulled her attention from her friend and looked about her as if remembering herself. The worry she felt receded to the background and was replaced with discomfort. The color drained from her face, and she hesitated a moment. She was completely uncomfortable in her own skin.

He watched as she seemed to steel her nerves and straighten her spine before she stepped into full view of the room, fixing her attention on Jabba's platform. Boba Fett had established an uplink with Slave 1 and forwarded the holo image and the other information he had gathered onto Xo. Hopefully, he would know soon who she really was.

The Weequay who was crossing the room stopped on the steps, watching her as she moved past him. He reached out, grabbing her arm, pulling her around, so she faced him.

Boba Fett lifted his rifle slightly, ready to step in if he needed to. She glared up at the Weequay as he moved closer and ran the back of his fingers along her jaw. Her face reddened as the Quay spoke. She lifted her chin, eyes flashing as she yanked her arm away from his grasp and turned and continued toward Jiliac.

Boba Fett stepped back. The Weequay watched her walk away, laughing heartily. Unlike Hotsa earlier today, the Weequay wasn't toying with the girl for Boba Fett's benefit. But Boba Fett wouldn't have let Hotsa go too far with the girl either. He wouldn't usually intervene on behalf of a slave or anyone, no matter the situation, without credits involved, but these circumstances were unusual. She was Jiliacs servant, at least for now; as such, Boba Fett had to protect her. Jiliac also liked this girl. Well, as much any Hutt could like another creature. The girl amused the female Hutt. It wasn't dissimilar to the way Han Solo had amused she and her brethren once. If the girl was a rebel, she wouldn't end up frozen in carbonate.

Things would go far worse for her, and much more painfully.

Starting when he delivered her to Jabba.

The band began to file back into the throne room. Boba Fett watched them for a moment before he moved. Rystáll waited for him at the foot of the steps. She reached out, smiling at him seductively and running her hand across his chest.

"Boba," she said coyly. She moved past him, taking her place with the others.

XxX

Kiya sunk down on her pillows, tucking her legs up beside her, she unfastened the strappy sandals she was given earlier. She silently set them next to her pillows on the floor. She reached up and started undoing the hooks that held her top closed along the right side. There was no way she could sleep in this one. The tight garment made it difficult to breathe. Kiya decided not to slide it off completely. She had no idea where Fett was, but part of her wondered if he had taken Rystáll Sant up on her obvious offer to visit her in the pit tonight. Kiya knew it was an invitation most males would jump on. The Theelin dancers oozed sexuality. The image of her body pressed against Fett's side filled Kiya's head.

Yarna had told Kiya, Rystáll was territorial with Boba Fett a long time ago. Well, Yarna actually said, like a blurgg in-heat. She would devour Fett once she had had him. Kiya could see how territorial Rystáll Sant was. Fett hadn't seemed particularly receptive or encouraging, but she had no idea how he might have appeared without the helmet. She supposed he could be hidden away somewhere with the beautiful redhead right now. Maybe she should thank the singer. Any moment she kept Boba Fett occupied was one Kiya didn't have to spend in his presence.

From what she had seen, most of the females here acted like they were in-heat all the time.

She dismissed the thoughts a moment later. She had other things to worry about, like the arrival of more Hutts. Fortuna had told her she would be responsible for helping him ready this chamber for a meeting tomorrow. The bounty hunter's presence was unsettling, but Kiya thought she would rather spend time with Boba Fett than Bib Fortuna. Kiya's thoughts drifted back to just after they returned. Kiya had caught enough of what the Twi said to know he was volunteering Boba Fett for something, and Jiliac was having none of it.

Hunting, she thought, maybe, but she wasn't one hundred percent sure.

While she didn't lament Fett's absence tonight, there was something ominous about knowing he could walk through that door any second. There was something equally unnerving about the idea of sleeping in just thin layers of silk and linen in his presence. She did suppose, however, that Fett's company might be preferable to that of the Weequay. She had found him watching her as she followed Jiliac from the throne room.

Kiya started quickly working the braids from her hair; the floral scent of the soap she'd used filled her nostrils as the still damp tendrils slipped around her fingers. Kiya had forgotten what it was like to feel clean or to wear clean clothing. Kiya finished working the braids free. Sarita was obviously on spice tonight, and the creature Kiya saw hanging all over various male sentients was not the terrified girl she had met. That girl never would be able to stand there smiling while she was pawed at. Kiya had tried to steal a moment with Sarita, but it hadn't worked. Yarna had warned Kiya that they would get the credits they paid for Sarita one way or the other.

Kiya ran her fingers through her loose hair and laid down, curling up in a ball. She pulled her sheet over her, forcing her mind to go blank just as the door opened.

XxX

The blast door whooshed open, and Boba Fett stepped inside Jiliacs darkened chamber. He surveyed his surroundings like always as he took his place by the inside of the door. His attention caught on the display pedestal, the lightsaber resting on top of it. The gift had the desired effect. Jabba was enamored with the show of respect and the honor of having such a rare and priceless prize.

The corpulent she Hutt slept soundly on her stone dais, curtains drawn around her. The same faint floral scent he smelled earlier hung in the air. Boba Fett's attention moved to its source, his gaze narrowed behind his visor. The small lump curled up on the pillows beside her mistress's bed. She was not asleep, but she wanted him to believe she was. Many or even most would miss her presence. Covered up with a sheet and curled up, she was easy to miss. He wouldn't, but most would. That might be true in this room, but below, she was no longer invisible, however.

Melina Carniss made sure the slave girl stood out. Every sentient being present that cared to look got a clear impression of what lay beneath her clothing.

Carniss would do it for no other reason than despising the slave girl for being a slave.

The image of the Weequay running his scaly knuckles along her jaw filled Boba's head. She had been wary but also furious. He'd seen it there in her eyes. Unfortunately for her, now that Carniss had made sure everyone got a look at her, it would make it more difficult for her to fade into the background. Jabba had also noticed. He ran his thick tongue over his bottom lip as the girl served her mistress.

There was a defiant streak in her that would attract those who liked to break others.

It wasn't just the Weequay that noticed her either. Others would follow.

Rystall had noticed. She would make the girls' life as miserable as she could, just like Melina Carniss would.

If she was a rebel, as he suspected, all of this attention would make her much more likely to make a mistake.

The girl shifted, stretching a leg out; one small foot peeked out from under her covering. Boba continued to watch her just as he had last night.

XxX

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