Author's Note: This story was inspired when we wondered what would have happened had someone else been in Anakin's place. How would they have reacted to their circumstances? What kind of person would they have become? This story answers those questions with Ahsoka. :P
~ Amina Gila
WARNING: This chapter contains references to inappropriate behavior towards a female Togruta, you can probably guess why... Nothing graphic though!
Padme Naberrie Amidala is far from comfortable on this dustball of a planet which no doubt contains a nest of the galaxy's lowest criminals. Really, she only came so she could see personally how the Jedi is planning to conduct himself. It's not that she doesn't trust him -- she does -- but she's wary, especially with her people and planet at stake.
She follows Qui-Gon Jinn into a shop, and though it appears to be a junk shop, it's probably the best place to start. A blue Toydarian hovers near the doorway, small wings flapping incessantly.
"What do you want?" he demands.
"I need parts for a J-type 327 Nubian," Qui-Gon answers politely.
"Ah yes yes," the Toydarian murmurs, "Nubian. We have lots of that. What kinda junk?" He flies towards the back of the shop, yelling something in Huttese.
"My droid here has a readout of what I need," the Jedi replies. Artoo rolls forward, but Padme's gaze is pulled from the droid when she sees movement. A young Togruta scurries into the shop from the junkyard out back. Padme would estimate her to be around nine or ten, maybe. Her clothes would more accurately be rags which are becoming increasingly worn, and her normally orange skin is covered with dirt and grime from whatever she'd been doing.
Watto waves a hand in the air, growling something Padme can't understand. She doesn't miss the young girl's flinch, though. After a short conversation, the Toydarian turns away from the Togruta back to them.
"Soooo, let me take you out back. Ni you'll find what you need." He flies over to the backdoor of the shop, disappearing around the corner.
"Don't touch anything," Qui-Gon warns Jar Jar who's already poking around on one of the shelves, before he follows Watto out the backdoor.
Padme glances around, not seeing much that she recognizes, though there seems to be mostly droids. The Togruta climbs onto a counter, picking up a small object which she starts cleaning with a rag that's in no better condition than her clothes.
The girl studies her silently for a moment, head tilted in obvious curiosity, before she finally blurts out what's on her mind. "You aren't from around here, so what are you doing in a place like this?"
"We were going to the capital of the Republic, but our ship broke down," Padme explains carefully. "Until we can repair it, we're stranded here."
"Oh. What are you going to trade?" the child wonders.
Padme blinks at her in confusion. "What?"
"Trade. Y'know, you have to exchange stuff to get something." One orange hand waves slightly, before returning to grasp the rag.
She doesn't need to be a Jedi to suddenly have a very bad feeling. Granted she doesn't know much about Tatooine, but if they have to trade... Well, they don't have anything that they can trade. This is not looking good. "How long have you been here?" she queries curiously, trying to cover her mounting unease with friendliness. Besides, she doesn't want to be rude to the girl.
"Since I was very little, three, I think," the Togruta replies, "My Mom and I were sold to Gardulla the Hutt, but she lost us, betting on the Podraces to Watto, who's a lot better master than Gardulla... I think."
Sold? Wait, that means... "You're a slave?!" Padme exclaims in shock. She winces at the untactfulness of the question, but the words escaped before she had a chance to think them over properly.
She glares at her, blue eyes flashing with anger. "I am a person! My name is Ahsoka."
"I'm sorry," Padme hastily apologizes. It sounded worse than she realized. Sure, she'd thought that Watto was engaging in child labor, but child slavery? "I don't fully understand." Her gaze flickers around the shop for a moment. "This is a strange world to me."
Ahsoka gives her an unimpressed look. "Are you a princess or something? I thought everyone knew about the slavery out here."
Padme sighs quietly. She didn't mean to offend her; now, she needs to figure out how to appease her. "There isn't slavery on my planet," she explains. "I thought that slavery was pretty much outlawed in the galaxy, and I've not been to many other places."
A sudden shriek draws Padme's attention across the shop. Somehow, Jar Jar has turned on a droid which is now running around, and as he runs after it, he trips over nothing apparent and goes sprawling. Padme really wants to sigh. He's well-meaning, but he seems to have a penchant for getting in trouble. The Gungan jumps up again, grabbing for the droid, picking up the flailing machine by its neck.
"Hit the nose," Ahsoka calls, unable to suppress her laughter. Jar Jar looks vaguely confused, but finally does as she instructed. The droid deactivates and falls to the ground motionless.
Suddenly, Qui-Gon strides quickly back into the shop, heading for the exit. "We're leaving," he says simply, then exits. Artoo rolls after. From that simple reply, Padme can only assume his search went nowhere.
"I'm glad I met you, Ahsoka," Padme says, stepping back towards the door.
"Glad to meet you too," Ahsoka calls as Padme steps out of the shop, turning to follow the Jedi.
"You didn't get anywhere?" Padme deduces as she catches up with Qui-Gon.
He shakes his head. "They won't accept Republic credits out here. We have to trade." Just like Ahsoka had warned her, then. This will not be easy.
"I don't think we have anything to trade," Padme worries.
"I'll call back to the ship. There might be something," Qui-Gon replies.
They move to a quiet area in between several buildings, trying to avoid the street bustling with creatures of countless species as the Jedi contacts the ship.
"Obi-Wan, are you there isn't anything of value left on board?" he inquires.
"A few containers of supplies, the Queen's wardrobe, maybe. Not enough for you to barter with. Not in the amounts you're talking about," his padawan responds.
"All right. Another solution will present itself. I'll check back." Qui-Gon breaks the connection and they head back out into the street.
"Noah gain," laments Jar Jar as he follows, "Da beings hereabouts cawazy. Wesa be robbed un crunched."
"Not likely," Qui-Gon replies, "We have nothing of value, that's our problem."
Padme suppresses a quiet groan. No. She refuses to be trapped on this planet. They will find a way to leave. There must be something they can trade, right? Shrugging, she follows her companions as they move back into the crowd and begin walking down the sandy street. Maybe all they need to do is keep looking.
* * *
Ahsoka is elated to finally be out of Watto's shop and on her way home with her mother, Sharlan Tano. Thankfully, today wasn't as long as some of the days she's endured. The extra time will allow them to spend a little longer on their way back to their hovel. Maybe they can even purchase a few pallies on the way back.
