Back to the present time
Ben looked up to see a small and young asian women approach his cell. He had no idea who she was, but she was carrying food. Ben's mouth salivated at the sight. He didn't show it on his face, but he hadn't eaten for days and was starving. He didn't want to embarrass himself by showing his desperation for what this woman had in her hands. Especially after Poe told him not to expect any other kind of special treatment. The women walked right up to the bars. The guards didn't seem to flinch. Ben just stared into her eyes; watching for what she would do next. She kept her eyes on him too. An expression of disdain on her face. Without tearing away her gaze she put the tray of food through a horizontal slot in the bars, and held it in her hands — expecting him to take it from her. Ben just continued to stare. After seeing that he wouldn't take it she contemptibly let go, expecting it to fall to the floor and spill. Instead it floated steadily where she had held it. A look of shock crossed her face, and before she could do anything else with the tray, Ben flew it to him. He reached out and grabbed it and finally let his eyes gaze to the feast before him. Looking up at the girl once again, he managed to hesitantly mutter "Thank you."
The girl's face went soft for a split second before hardening again to a stern glance. "My sister died because of you." She blurted.
Ben had begun to eat when she said that, and he stopped to look at her once again. He slowed his chewing and swallowed before answering. He wanted to tell her that a lot of people had died because of him. His parents included.
...but because he sensed that this conversation wasn't about him he said instead "Who was your sister?"
The girl's eyes began to drown as she responded with a trembling lip "Not that you would care... but her name was Paige Tico." She paused to look at the sky.
Frustrated that his meal was being interrupted, but careful not to anger this girl Ben put his food beside him and leaned forward onto his knees. He clasped his hands together and had his face to her so that she would know she had his full attention. "I care." He said with a soft voice. And he did… One of his biggest internal struggles has been deciding if he would be able to face the people who were affected by the things he had done. He had no idea how he could make it right again. Or if he ever could.
Rose looked back at him and frowned. Her eyebrows furrowed in anger and tears began to slip down her face. "It's too late for that." She spat. Ben breathed in heavily at that sentence. At those words… too late.
"I know…" He sighed. He turned his face away and picked up the food that was beside him. He carried it to the door of his cell. The guards turned a careful gaze on him, but he kept looking at the girl in front of him. "What is your name?" He asked calmly.
"Rose." she said straining her neck to look up at him as he approached. "Rose Tico."
"Well Rose," He handed the food back through the bars. "It seems we both agree I don't deserve this."
"You're right. You deserve far worse." said Rose who grabbed the tray just before Ben landed on his knees.
"You… put something in the food" He mumbled in realization to himself as his muscles became weak and his arms became heavy to lift.
"Don't worry." Rose assured "It's just something I cooked up that will inhibit you from using your fancy powers for awhile. Those Jedi texts proved to be very handy." Rose gave the tray to a guard and folded her arms.
"I'm impressed." Ben smirked as he glared at his shoulder which wouldn't move. Rose looked at him in confusion. Is he trying to manipulate me? She thought.
"You won't be so impressed when you can't dodge jogan fruit." Rose's tear-stained face smirked in return, but her eyes remained hard. Before Ben could answer she turned on her heels and walked away.
Ben's stomach growled at the mention of food and in an attempt to console himself he whispered "I like jogan fruit..." With the strength that he had left he nudged his body so that it fell to the dirt floor on his back. It's going to be a long night. He thought as the rest of his body become limp and immovable.