Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I

Pain. Blistering, white hot pain and just as bright. Shards in skin. Pure power coursing through his veins, making them go black and crackle with lighting.  Two beside him, doubled over, screaming, and bright yellow eyes piercing in and watching them suffer. Suffering. Pain. That was existence. And through it…power.

Caleb Widogast shot up in his bed, his forehead and chest slick with sweat and his forearms tingling.  He waved a hand, calling the Force to him as easy as breathing, and checked over the long-faded scars that criss-crossed along his pale skin.  They were still closed, still empty of the crystals that were once forced into them, though he knew the tingling would take hours to go away.  He sighed, and ran his fingers through his hair and scratched at his beard.  He knew better than to try and sleep again.  It would be of no use.  As soon as he closed his eyes again, he would see yellow ones staring back, hear the screams and–

No.  He needed a distraction. He needed a drink.

He pulled himself up out of the bed and went to the ‘fresher that had come with the dank, tiny little apartment that he’d been renting for the last few months, and splashed his face with some water. He took a few deep, steadying breaths and tried to quell the anger that was beginning to roil in his stomach. Now was not the time to have a blow up, especially not with Nott in the living room sleeping.  And anyhow, he couldn’t afford to pay for any damages to the place if he lashed out and destroyed it. He could barely afford the drinks he was going to go drown himself in.

Once he was sure he was calm enough, he put his shirt back on, strapped his pack to his thigh, and threw in a few loose credits from the night stand.  His duster and boots were by the door, and he did his best to sneak out without waking Nott. If she did notice him leaving, she chose not to say anything, the little goblinoid just turned and shifted at the whoosh of the opening door.  As always, he made sure to lock it behind him.  Even if he was too drunk later to remember the code (He wouldn’t, of course, it was 4271137 and even while drunk his mind was sharper than most) it was better that he be locked out in the alley than someone get in.

The lower levels of Coruscant were always busy, even in the dead of night.  Hell, they may even be busier now, when drinks were flowing, spice was being passed, and bets were being made.  The neon lights gave the streets a constant glow of bright pinks and greens and blues, making it impossible to know the true colour of anything one looked at.  It was like living in a dream, though not always a good one.

Caleb wove his way through alleys and backstreets and other patrons, until he came across the bar that he chose to frequent.  The Aurebesh writing above the door normally shone in a bright green hue, and read “Vaba Blanks' Midnight Den”.  Tonight though, the cracked neon flickered and faltered, and as Caleb approached he saw that the windows and door were boarded up. 

“Kriffing Hutts…” he sighed. He knew that the owner had defaulted on a few payments to the Hutt bosses that owned the property, and it was only a matter of time before it got shut down. It was the fifth cantina on the level that had fallen to the same fate.  He had been hoping to earn enough credits to cover the debt, but the odd jobs that he’d been working weren’t nearly enough.  Too little, too late, it seemed.

Caleb really didn’t want to go to another bar, but he didn’t want to go back home, either. Being alone was unbearable at the moment. He needed the buzz of booze and the smell of sweat and a crowd to get the feeling of being watched out of his head.  And maybe…well maybe he should check out the Hutts who had closed down his favourite bar.

Going down levels in Coruscant was always dangerous. As a rule, the goal was to keep on moving up, until you maybe had the luck to reach a mid-level, or you got a miracle that took you topside. But, the heart of the crime syndicates were always lower down, so that was where Caleb headed.  Far, far down to level 2685, where he knew Club Kasakar was flourishing at this time of night.  It was a newer club, and a front for one of the many Hutt families who ran the city, and Caleb had keenly overheard the owner of the Midnight Den mentioning it a few weeks ago.

He wanted to hate the place, purely on principle, but he couldn’t deny that it was the perfect place for him right now.  He could see the lights from a black away, and hear the jizz music from across the street.  There were some surprisingly nice-looking speeders parked out in front of the club, telling Caleb that there was some high rolling gamblers coming to drink and buy their pleasures inside. He walked in the door, half-expecting to be kicked out, but he was far from the scruffiest one in the building.  In fact, when he decided to hold himself a little straighter and keep his chin higher for the show of it, he turned a few heads. 

Ignoring all of them, he headed to the bar, hoping that he’d be able to order more than one drink with the meager credits in his pocket.  Then, he saw the trick.  Booze was cheap, so people would gamble more. 

“Captain’s special.” Caleb said, when the bar-droid came over to take his order.

“That will be two credits.” The metallic voice came back, and Caleb gladly handed them over.  The drink was strong, but not quite strong enough, another part of the money-making scheme he guessed. Cheap, weak drinks and expensive gambling…typical of the Hutts. But still, it was good, and Caleb sat at the bar, watching the people in club. 

He had been right about the high rollers, but there were more than a few people that he recognized from his brief interactions within the criminal underworld. Since coming to Coruscant, he had done his best to lay low, but there were always desperate times that required the occasional spice run or smuggling job.  Still, he hoped none of the patrons recognized him tonight.  Not that he owed anyone money or anything (in fact he was sure a few people in here owed him money), he just wasn’t in the mood to talk.  He was in the mood to escape.

Downing the first drink in a few gulps, he ordered another, and watched as the people milled about.  It was easy to lose himself in the din as the booze kicked in, and the memories slowly began to fade away. 

“Ladies and gentleman!” a voice called out from across the room.  A bright red humanoid stood on the little stage in front of the microphone, addressing the crowd. “please, give a warm round of applause for the crown jewel of Club Kasakar…The Starlight Sapphire!”

The crowd around him began to clap, and Caleb followed suit, as a velvet curtain pulled back to reveal the Sapphire herself.  Deep, beautiful blue skin and long lekku, the Twi’lek woman was barely clothed in semi-sheer silver silks, and adorned with what looked like a durasteel choker, with matching bracelets and anklets.  As soon as she stepped out, she started to dance and sing, her voice radiating through the room, drawing everyone’s attention towards her. Her dancing was lithe and fluid, like flowing water. It was ethereal and entrancing and Caleb jolted a bit as he felt the faintest twinges of the Force pulling at him too.

Far more attuned than the rest of the patrons, he was able to cut off the pull, and pay closer attention to the Sapphire. She was beautiful, that much was clear, but upon closer inspection, he could tell something was off. The way she moved was poised and practiced, but her lekku weren’t in time with the rest of her.

It had been some time since Caleb had stayed with Twi’leks, but he still remembered it. Huddled on a ship on his way off Corellia, the family had been kind to him from the start, even if he hadn’t, and he had grown to recognize the way that they communicated through their headdtails. Looking at the Sapphire, he could sense the distress in the twitches, and it hit him. Durasteel jewelry, the clothing, all of it…the Sapphire wasn’t just a performer. She was owned by the Hutts who ran the place, a slave. And yet, she was clearly sensitive to the Force.

Caleb sat back in his chair and continued to watch the performance, lovely as it was.  Without a doubt she was a skilled performer, and no one else likely recognized the little twinges of discomfort that he did.  Still, he enjoyed watching her, and spent the time trying to gauge if she was trying to draw everyone in like she was, or if it was simply natural to her. It was hard to tell though, weak as the pull was. It wasn’t even really a pull, more a gentle tug, a nudge towards her saying look…look at me and fall into the trance…go on, spend your credits.

Eventually, the singing came to a close, and the Sapphire bowed before the audience.  Everyone clapped for her, Caleb included, but he could tell she took little joy in it. Her smile was hollow and her headtails limp. Still though, it fooled everyone else, and the blue-skinned Twi’lek took her leave behind the curtain once again. Caleb returned to his drink, only to find a couple of ladies sidling up next to him. One, an auburn-skinned Twi’lek, immediately began to run her fingers through his hair.

“We match.” she crooned.  Caleb took a sip of his drink.

“So we do.” he replied.  The disinterest laced his voice, though the woman didn’t pick up on it, leaning in and doubling down.

“Care to see what else matches?” she offered. Caleb simply stared at her, his gaze icy cold.

“Not partic-“

“Oh, come on now Ayul.” A male Togruta appeared behind Caleb, topless, and clearly also a ‘worker’ at the establishment. He ran a finger along Caleb’s cheek. “Can’t you tell you’re not his type? I think he needs…the stronger touch.”

“Actually, my tastes are quite varied.” Caleb interjected, more than a bit annoyed at being interrupted. “I’m simply not in the mood tonight. I’m here to drink. That is all.”

“Hear that, Ayul’lote?” the Togruta said, “He’s just here to drink. Well then…maybe I ought to fetch you one, hm?”

“Oh I think I know what he likes a bit more than you do, Beghote…isn’t that right Mister?”

“Excuse me…I believe the man said he wasn’t interested?” The two turned around, immediately flushing deep hues as they saw the blue skinned Twi’lek, the Sapphire herself, standing there, hand on a cocked hip and eyebrow raised. “Go on, get outta here! Credits to be made with willing patrons.”  The two scattered, though they each looked back at Caleb with disappointed looks. He rolled his eyes. 

“Ah, thank you.” he said, fully expecting her to leave and continue her rounds. Instead, she took the orange skinned Twi’lek’s place beside him.  This close he could see her features better now.  Her face and body, already a lovely shade of blue, were dotted with clusters of freckles, and makeup accentuated her features, silver swirls to match her adornments. And yes, he was very much right about the adornments. The collar and cuffs had been polished to a sheen, so much that the trained eye would hardly be able to discern them from silver. But Caleb knew the difference. These were blaster-proof. Hell, he wasn’t entirely sure how one would remove them short of a lightsaber.

“You’re staring.” the Sapphire said, and Caleb blinked. He hadn’t meant to stare so intently, but he found the woman fascinating. And now, this close, it was like he could feel the Force radiating from her, in the gentlest little waves.  She couldn’t be aware of it herself, it was too low and uncontrolled, but still, he could sense it.

“Ah, apologies…” he said, trying to maintain the same cool air he’d had already. The Sapphire smirked.

“You looking to buy tonight?” she asked. Caleb shook his head.

“Not at all, Miss…Sapphire?” Caleb was unsure how to address the Twi’lek. She took a few steps forwards, though, and leaned in to whisper in his ear.

“You can call me Jester…Mister?”

“Caleb.”

“Mmm…you can call me Jester, Mister Cayleb.” Her accent was interesting, elongating the already long vowels and almost playful in a way.  It was cute.

“Well, Miss Jester, my sincerest apologies. I didn’t mean to stare.” 

“Oh, it’s alright if you do…that’s kinda why I’m here, isn’t it?”

“I suppose so. Care for a drink?” Caleb offered. Jester cocked her head to the side.

“You’re offering me a drink? Such a gentleman.” She laughed a bit. It was a bright, joyful laugh, but Caleb could see right through it.  He could see the mask that she put up around him, the way she smiled and touched right when expected. She was good at this.

“I am, yes. I would enjoy some company while I drink tonight.” he said. Jester raised an eyebrow.

“Just while you drink? Or perhaps…hrm hrm hrm.” Caleb couldn’t help but laugh at the way she insinuated it, but he shook his head.

“Just a drink, Miss Jester. Join me?” Jester nodded, and took him over to a booth seat, waving over a few glasses.  Caleb put out the credits for them, and the two sat and drank.

Above anything else, Caleb couldn’t help but notice how funny the Sapphire was. She was witty and quick to respond with clever jokes, but she had a caring ear and listened when Caleb told her stories of his far-off travels.  Or at least, the stories he could tell.  The ones that didn’t make his gut twinge with guilt or his heart ache with a homesickness that he couldn’t bear.  Which didn’t leave a lot of stories left…but still, she took them in eagerly and asked questions, and Caleb realized how long it had been since he’d had good company.

“Well,” he said, finishing his fourth or fifth drink, the buzz only barely starting, “I suppose I should make my way home.”

“Oh, but you’ll be back, right Mister Cayleb?” Jester asked. Caleb nodded.

“Of course, Miss Jester.”

“You don’t have to call me Miss, you know that, right?” Jester corrected.

“It feels polite to.” Caleb replied. And anyways, he could tell that the Sapphire was incredibly valuable, even in her current station, it wouldn’t hurt to lay on the charm. IT seemed to work, after all, given how she blushed.

“Well then, I’ll see you soon.”

“Indeed you will.” Caleb left a few more credits on the table before heading back out into the streets. Now early in the morning, sunrise only a few hours off at most, the streets were a dead quiet, especially as he made his way back up to his own level. He was happy to see that Nott was still sleeping soundly on the couch, and stayed that way as he made his way back to the bedroom.  As soon as he hit the bed though? Caleb felt a sinking feeling, and swore to himself.

What the hell had he just done?  All he had wanted were a couple of drinks and a distraction, and now he had promised this Twi’lek, one owned by a powerful Hutt clan no less, that he was going to come back and see her? With what money? And to what end? Sure, the girl was clearly Force-sensitive but what was he supposed to do with that?

Train her…use her against them…or better yet, turn her in to them.  They would take you back if you came bearing a gift you know.

Caleb smacked himself in the face, trying to get that voice out of his head. It was hard though…the voice was his own. And he knew it was right. But still, he couldn’t.  He couldn’t do that to her. But…he could keep an eye on her. He should keep an eye on her, especially in a place like that. Who knows what danger may come her way.

But why do you care?

“Because she’s innocent.” Caleb found himself answering out loud. Fuck, he was exhausted.  He needed to sleep.  Or at least, he wanted to, but as soon as he laid his head on the pillow, his alarm went off. Groaning and frustrated, he crushed it, the Force smashing it to shattered pieces as he clenched his fist. Fine…he would figure this out later.

_____

As much as he tried, Caleb could not put it out of his mind. He had thought that coming here to the speeder shop, his fifth job in six months, would clear his head. Give him a chance to focus on the engines in front of him and fix what needed fixing. But his mind kept wandering down to the lower levels of Coruscant, to the Sapphire and her song.

He wasn’t quite sure what exactly was drawing him back towards her, why he saw so much value in the little blue Twi’lek.  He did, though, and he couldn’t ignore it. Not as he wiped the sweat off his brow with a grimy rag, not as he got back to work, fixing the thrusters on this speeder. Not even as the owner came back to pick it up, and Caleb stowed away his small share of the credits.  With every passing moment his mind was full of Jester and her ethereal, entrancing song.  In some way it was a relief, it was the first day in months he hadn’t worried about what trouble Nott was getting into.  But then, checking on Nott didn’t require hundreds of credits and walking into a Hutt crime den.

Okay, so maybe hundreds was a stretch.  The drinks there had been extremely cheap, so honestly, with a few days’ work?  He wold have enough credits to see her again this weekend. See her and what, though? Hang out and talk like she wasn’t selling her body to every paying customer? Be a customer and sleep with her?  Caleb still couldn’t figure out what he actually wanted with her, let alone the best way to go about it. It was like he was being drawn to her, though.

The Force guides us towards power…towards opportunity. The voice of his old Master filled his mind, repeating the old adage.  Caleb tried to shake it out, but he knew it was true. Jedi or Sith, all Force-users knew that they were being led wherever they were meant to be.  Maybe, just maybe, this young woman was where Caleb was being led. To what end, he didn’t know quite yet.  If the Sapphire really was more powerful than she thought herself to be, then there was nothing saying he couldn’t train her. He was no Jedi, after all, so there was no pesky limit on how old one had to be to begin learning. But then again, if he took on an apprentice, surely his old Master would sense it.  And then there would be far worse problems. No, he couldn’t train her.

You don’t even know how powerful she is. What if she’s useless, hm? Another voice crept into his head, and though annoying, it was right. Caleb had no business worrying about training Jester in the ways of the Force.  He should just go visit her a few times, see what the pull is about, and then decide. Yeah, that would be the best plan.

_____

By the end of the week, Caleb had made enough credits to justify another trip to the lower levels, to Club Kasakar. It had taken him working overtime at the speeder shop, and picking up three or four one-night jobs from the customers he served in order to make it work, but it was enough.  And, through it all, he couldn’t get her out of his mind.  Jester, the Starlight Sapphire, her twirling dances and mesmerizing voice, and the way she pulled everyone in around her. And the unexpected part of her, too.  Her bubbly attitude and happy demeanour, despite the discomfort he could sense in her.

He shoved his hands in his pockets as he walked through the streets of the lower levels, grumbling a bit about how the chill could have possibly made its way this deep into the city-planet.  But, soon he could see the neon lights of the club shining in the nightscape, leading him in.  The scent of cheap booze and the sound of singing…her singing. 

It was beautiful, and so was she.  Wearing a gorgeous golden ensemble, it was as though she was dripping with molten stars. Caleb took a seat at the bar once again, ordered his drink, and began to watch.  As he did, he could feel it again, that pull. It was so subtle, and easy enough for him to tune out, but he could see it affecting the others. The way that people turned their heads from their drinks when she changed keys, or the bated breath the held the room when she stopped, as everyone waited, almost prayed for her to continue. And then, the relief when she did.  Even the gamblers looked up from their hands when she started up again, this time a lively, peppy song that she danced to, seemingly just as happily.

Caleb brought his attention over to the individuals at the gambling table.  There were a few, of course.  Sabbacc, Dejarik, even dice games at one table.  Occasionally they would look up to watch the Sapphire, but out of everyone besides him, they seemed most able to focus on what was at hand.  Likely due to the amount of credits on the line, of course. But, Caleb decided that there was no harm in sitting down with them, and hopefully learning a bit about the dancer.  He decided to take a seat at the nearest dice game.

One of them looked him up and down when he sat at the table, and scoffed.

“You know, it helps to have money before coming to the table.” he said. He was a large, scaly Trandoshan, dressed somewhat nicely, save for the dirty leather harness that crossed over his chest, and the blaster that hung from it. Caleb shrugged.

“I do have money. Just not a lot.  But I am not here for money right now. I’m here for information. Chatter, if you will.” Caleb could tell that his demeanour had begun to annoy the Trandoshan, who growled slightly.  Beside him, an Arcona took a swing of his drink, and muttered something in Huttese.  Caleb struggled to understand it, but caught the gist.

“Chatter is for serious players, not nosy bum drifters.”  Caleb shrugged, and tossed a couple of his remaining credits into the middle of the game.

“Deal me in for the next round, hm?” The Trandoshan growled once again, but took the credits. Caleb watched as the round went, gathering the rules of the game as he did. Each player rolled their set dice, and covered them with a cup.  After checking what they had rolled, one of them guessed at how many of a certain face were on the table. If they were called on the bid, and it was revealed they were wrong, or lying about their own hand, they lost a dice. losing all the dice, Caleb learned, also lost you your spot at the table.  Winning the round meant a small portion of the pot, but they were playing until last man standing, who would win it all. When the next player was eliminated, Caleb was invited to take a seat across from the Trandoshan. 

“Well, since you’re new at the table, you get to go first…” There was a menace to the offer that Caleb could feel radiating off of the man.  Like he knew he was setting Caleb up to lose.   He just smirked, and rolled his dice. Reaching out with the Force as he rolled, he tipped them subtly in a few directions.  Of all five of his dice, none rolled a four.  But, when he tipped his cup up, he said with confidence:

“Three fours.”  He turned to look at the green skinned Twi’lek woman sitting beside him.  She checked her cup again, and followed suit.

“Four fours.”  She seemed confident, so she must have at least one four, Caleb could guess.

“Six fours.” the Arcona said, upping the bid on his turn.  The Trandoshan was next, considering his cup carefully.  Still though, he calmly and cooly upped the bid.        

“Eight fours.”  Caleb clicked his tongue.

“Absolutely not.” He said, the turn coming back to him.  “I’m calling that.” The Trandoshan looked worried for a moment, and when all the players lifted their cups, he cursed.

“You didn’t have any fours!” he shouted, clearly upset that he had been lied to so successfully.

“I don’t recall that I had to tell the truth in my hand, did I?” Caleb asked, a bit smug. It had been year since he’d gambled, but he remembered it fondly. It probably wasn’t fair to use the Force in games, but he always had with…with them. Before.

Caleb shook the memory from his head before it had time to form all the way, and went back to watching the Trandoshan as he took a die out of his cup.  Caleb scooped up his part of the pot, and placed a couple more credits in for the next round. He was a clever player, and an even clever cheater. On purpose, he threw a couple of rounds, just to make sure they knew he was simply a very lucky man, but in the end, it was easy to tell when the other players were lying to him, or to tune into the Force to rig his hand and guarantee a win.  And to boot, they were a chatty bunch.

“So,” Caleb asked, a few rounds in once had convinced the Trandoshan to let his guard down. “The Starlight Sapphire…she’s quite something?”

“Aye, if you can afford her company it’s well worth it. From what I’ve heard anyways. Afraid that even when I win this pot it’s gonna be hard for me to afford a night with her.”

“Oh? How long has she been here then? Must have been awhile to gain such a…prestigious reputation?”

“Three or so years, yeah, from what I’ve heard. Hutt boss that owns this place won her in a bet, or got her as a gift or some kriff like that. You know how they are.”  In the back of his mind, Caleb did, in fact, know they were like that, but he shrugged noncommittally instead.

“Seven fives.” he said, upping the bet from the Trandoshans four. The Twi’lek beside him slammed her fist on the table.

“No way! Liar!” Caleb smirked as he lifted his cup. All five of his dice were fives and so were two of hers. One of the Trandoshan’s were too, but even without that, Caleb won the round, and the Twi’lek was eliminated.

It appeared that the table had become a bit of a show to the people around, fewer taking the places of the eliminated, until it was just Caleb, the Arcona, and the Trandoshan, whose name he had finally learned was Xegib.

As the last round came, it was just Caleb and Xegib, with one die left each.  Caleb had managed to rake in more credits that he ever had in a month’s work, and had learned valuable information about the Sapphire. Her taste for wealthy clientele, but her warm heart towards newcomers.  The way that she was treated behind the curtain, the source of some of the bruises. Some were clients…many were her Hutt owener.  However, he was about to learn one more thing, that even he hadn’t expected.

“See, the house doesn’t like to lose, drifter…and it’s about to.” Xegib said.

“The house?’ Caleb asked. As far as he had been aware the tables were supervised, but only played at by guests.

“Karlio, of the Trask Hutts of Coruscant…owner of this fine establishment?” Xegib asked, as though Caleb should have immediately bowed at the mention of the name. He didn’t, of course. Caleb didn’t bow to anyone anymore, let alone a Hutt. “He’s not exactly a fan of me losing the house’s money, see. So my…recommendation is that you put at least half of those winnings back in the pot. Play fair, yeah?” Caleb couldn’t help but laugh.

“I prefer to play smart. If your boss has a problem with that though, I would be happy to have a chat with him about it.”

“I really don’t think you would be” Xegib challenged.

“Really? Well then, maybe you should mind your own business. And I’ll bet what I want to bet.” Caleb tossed in the table minimum.

 Just then, the Sapphire stopped singing.  A hush fell over the crowd, and the chatter stopped. A curtain, near the back of the bar opened, and Caleb watched as the crowds parted.

“You wanna have a chat with me, hm?” the Hutt said, sliding out from where he’d been sitting. Behind the curtain, Caleb could see his private room, full of booze and smoke and ladies hanging at his chair.  It made him sick.

“Well, it appears I may have to.” Caleb replied.  “Your friend here is quite the liar, I’d say, and isn’t too happy about losing all this money. I guess he’s a bit too used to having his ego stroked.”   The Hutt snarled.

“He is my house better.  He makes sure I don’t lose…too much money to lucky drifters like yourself, who aren’t going to put their credits back into my establishment.”  Karlio the Hutt spoke in heavily accented Basic, reminding Caleb of his brief times spent out in Hutt space a few years ago.  He looked around the room, trying to read the situation. All around him, people were watching, breath held. He knew that with his saber at his side, hidden beneath his tunic, he would be safe even if someone shot at him. But he found himself worrying for the Sapphire…Jester.

Now is your chance. The voice in his head encouraged. He wants the money to stay in the house…

“Then make me a better offer.” Caleb said, stupidly.  Karlio laughed.

“A better offer than your life and the credits you win fairly?”

“Yes. Somehow, I gather that your friend here won’t be winning very fairly.  And I really don’t want to lose these credits, you see. So, perhaps…there’s something else you’d be willing to bet?” Caleb pressed, hoping that the information he’d gleaned was right. Because if it was, Karlio like only one thing more than money. Power.  Specifically, power over other people.

“Oh? And what else do you have to offer, drifter?”

“Not much, but I quite like your…star attraction over there.” And he pointed at Jester.

“The Sapphire!” Xegib laughed.

“Yes, I find her…fascinating and I think I’d like her.” Caleb said, trying to act coy and cocky as he could. He could see the shock in her eyes as she heard them speaking.

“In trade for?” Karlio asked.

“Myself of course. I’ll bet the whole of what I’ve earned tonight. If I win, I take half of it back, and the Sapphire comes home with me. If I lose you get all of it, and my servitude. I’m in need of work anyways.”

Good, yes…you know that you’ll win…this is your chance to get back into their good graces you know. Caleb clenched his teeth. That wasn’t why he was doing this. Then why else? Because…it didn’t matter why. It didn’t.

“Hah! You are an idiot…go ahead Xegib. Make him regret his foolishness.” Karlio said, before going and taking a seat in his private room. He left the curtain open though, so he could see what happened. The Sapphire did not sing during this round.

Briefly, Caleb felt a twinge of regret. If he won he was about to turn this girl’s life upside down, all for a feeling and few weeks of good company. But, it was too late now, and he had put his freedom on the line. And in doing so, Nott’s safety as well. Kriffing hell he was a fool.

While they had been chatting, a server came and brought them new dice.  When I was just two people, and two dice, the game was played by guessing the total on the two faces.  Nothing higher than twelve, nothing lower than two. And as soon as Caleb held the die, he could tell it was weighted to the six.  He knew why, of course. It put all the power in Xegib’s hand. But, Caleb could change that very quickly.

The two men rolled their dice, and covered them with the cup. It was so simple for Caleb to push his own dice over to a one. Just a small little nudge with the Force and the game had flipped on its head. It was Xegib’s turn first.

“Five.” he said.  Caleb checked his die, made a noncommittal shrug, and nodded.

“Six.” He countered.  Xegib laughed.

“Eight.” He clearly thought he was winning, but Caleb knew he had just lost. He should call it now. Call him a liar and lift the cups because they couldn’t be higher combined than seven.  But the part of him that missed this, that missed the fight and the rush and the deception…wanted to bluff. Wanted to push until Xegib was so sure, that the fall would break him.

“Ten.” Caleb bet, knowing it was a lie. Just to be sure, he reached out, feeling the pips on the dice through the Force. It was a six. Good. So Xegib was probably sure that the total was twelve. So sure, that he bet.

“Eleven.” 

“No.” Caleb said, his rational brain speaking before his impulse did something dumb. Xegib looked shocked. “You heard me. No. You’re liar and I know it.” Caleb reached over the tale and pulled the cup up, revealing the six-pipped face. Xegib smirked.

“I’m really not, drifter. So, ready to sign your life awa-” Caleb interrupted by lifting his own cup, revealing the one. “You cheating bastard!”  Xegib shouted, pulling out his blaster. Immediately, the Sapphire was on him, pulling his arm down.

“Well, sorry Xegib but it looks like you lost fair and square. But look at all the money you got the boss! That’s a few weeks wages you saved by making him bet, hm?” Jester was trying to placate him, Caleb could tell, but the Trandoshan wasn’t having it.

“You belong to us, you Rim-running bitch!” he hissed, and aimed the blaster at Caleb’s head.

“Xegib!” Jester shouted. 

“Now, come on friend, you didn’t have to bet if you didn’t want to.” Caleb offered, his hands saying down by his sides, ready to pull out his saber if needed. Luckily, he didn’t, as Karlio slithered back out of his chamber, seething now.

“Xegib you idiot.” the Hutt said, pulling Jester off of him, and practically throwing her at Caleb.  Then, he turned to face them. “Take your prize and get out. If I ever see either of you here again, you will be blasted into smithereens.”

“Y-yes Sir sorry Sir...” Jester trembled in her finery, and Caleb held her close. He grabbed the bag of credits, and placed it into his pouch.

“Not a problem. Plenty of places to frequent these days after all. You know, maybe I’ll give these credits to Vaba Blanks.  Reopen the Midnight Den?”

“Why you little…” Karlio began to slide towards them, arms outstretched to strike whatever he came into contact with first. But luckily the two of them were considerably faster than a Hutt slumlord, and bolted out the door.

Caleb half expected Karlio to send Xegib or some other bounty hunters after them, but even as they ran back to Caleb’s little apartment, no one followed. That in and of itself lef this suspicious, but for now he had a Twi’lek that needed his attention.

"Wh-why did you do that?” Jester asked, when they finally stopped at Caleb’s home. He pulled off his cloak, and wrapped it around her.

“I…don’t really have a great answer for you, Sapphire.” He said. It was true, of course, he wasn’t sure. So many reasons swirled in his head, from her Force sensitivity to her pain, to the fact that Caleb just found her very beautiful.

We take what we desire…it is ours. His old Master’s voice rumbled in his head again. No. It wasn’t like that. Caleb was not like that anymore.

“I just…heard about how they treated you and I couldn’t stand for it, Miss Jester.”

“Then you’ll help the rest of them too?” Jester asked, a bright, naïve hope in her eyes.

“I um…”

“Oh, please Mister Cayleb you sound so good and strong and I’m sure you could! Right?”  Jester clasped her hands around his. He felt it, the guilt settling in as he realized the mistake he had made, and how selfish his real reason was.

“I…I can’t go back, you know that. But, Miss Jester, I will alert the authorities to what has been happening, ja?” He offered, some of his old accent slipping out at the end. “For now, why don’t you come inside? It is cold on this level and you can stay with me until we figure out what to do. Okay?”  Jester looked unsure, but nodded.

“Okay, Mister Cayleb. But only because you're the first guy to want me in his home for something that isn’t…well…hrm hrm hrm.” Caleb couldn’t help but laugh again at the way she said sex, without saying the word sex. It was cute, in the way an inexperienced but eager partner was cute.

Caleb unlocked the door, and walked her into the space. It was by no means fancy, but it served is purpose.  Nott was still asleep on the couch, curled up in the corner under some blankets.

“Oh, so I’m not the only girl you’ve brought home, Mister Cayleb?” Jester asked wiggling her eyebrows. Caleb rolled his eyes.

“That is Nott. She is…a work friend. And you do not need to call me Mister, okay?”

“Okie dokie Cayleb.” Jester said. Whether it was a front or not, Caleb had a hard time discerning, but Jester really did seem happy to be out of Club Kasakar.  She practically skipped around the room, looking at some of the measly décor that he and Nott had put up over the bit that they’d lived here.  Caleb wanted to direct her to the bedroom, but couldn’t bring himself to do it. He knew it was selfish to make a guest sleep on the couch, but he knew that the saber scars on the walls in his room, the stench of the Force, would give him away.  So, Caleb went and gathered as many blankets and pillows as he could muster, and returned to the living room.

“Um…you can have the bed for now.” He said, whispering so as not to wake Nott.

“Oh! That’s okay, those look really comfy, I can take a spot on the floor.” Jester offered.

“You sure?”

“Mhm! It’ll be more than enough Cayleb. Thank you.” She reassured him, grabbing the bundle of soft things, and placing them in the corner of the living room. Caleb watched as she spent a few minutes arranging them, making a little next out of the blanket and pillows, before curling up in the centre. Before closing her eyes, she gave Caleb a little wave. He couldn’t help but blush.

Alone, as always, Caleb eventually went back to his room. Now finally by himself he began to pace back and forth, yanking at his hair and pounding at his own head. How could he have been so stupid? Surely this idiotic idea was going to turn on them. Tomorrow the place would be swarmed with bounty hunters waiting to take them in, or they wouldn’t wake up at all tomorrow, killed in the night by assassins. And all for what? A selfish desire for this Force-sensitive Twi’lek?  He could feel the pressing voice of his old Master about to offer thoughts, but Caleb drowned it out my downing some whiskey before it could.  And then he drank some more, to drown out the guilt of telling Jester he would help the others. And then some more, to block his own brain from calling him an idiot. And then more still, to erase the memory of…them. To force them out of his head. And then, finally, he drank more, until Caleb passed out in his bed.

Chapter Text

II

Six Years Ago

Jester loved to watch her Mama sing. The Ruby of the Stars, they called her, a jewel of the Outer Rim. Everyone could see why when they first met her. Vibrant red skin and heavily decorated lekku, and a voice that drew in even the most hardened of criminals and lowlifes.  Jester watched as they all turned their heads to face the Ruby, their conversation quieting and their attention falling solely on her.  Her voice filled the cantina with beautiful melody, and Jester just looked on with love in her eyes.

Marion Lavorre was the perfect Mama, according to Jester. Loving, sweet, and so beautiful, ad she even let Jester come up and sing sometimes. Ever since she was old enough know what her Mama did, Jester wanted to be a singer too. She wanted to draw people’s eyes and hearts in the way the Ruby did, and be able to command a room with the same sort of graceful presence. But, she didn’t want to do it here.  Tatooine was dry, and dull, and Jester had spent her childhood in a cantina hearing stories of the stars. Of pilots running spice from planet to planet, of Jedi and their adventures, of treasures and mysteries and other worlds.

More than anything, Jester dreamed of Coruscant. That big, shining Core planet where big things happened.  Someday she would get to go there, and she would sing for everyone, just like her Mama. And she would be rich and live in a luxurious cantina with all the guests falling in love with her like they do her Mama. And maybe, just maybe, she’d be lucky enough to meet someone like her dad…

Jester had never met her dad, of course, but she had heard all about him. He had loved her Mama so much that he bought her from the Hutts who used to own this place, and then bought the whole place to boot. It belonged to Marion Lavorre now, and no one else. But, her Papa had left them, off to fly his starship to some far away planet. She was sure that he would come back some day to sweep her Mama off her feet.  She was just sure of it.

But, in the meantime Jester got to sit in the cantina, and listen to her Mama’s singing. It was so easy to let herself float in the music like the people did, but Marion had always told her not to let it go too far. Not to fall too deep into the trance of the music, if she wanted to keep her head on straight. Good thing to, because-

“Thank you! Thank you, all. Now, if you would all give a warm and lovely welcome to my daughter, Genevieve!” Marion announced. Jester hopped up, her lekku twitching excitedly as she skipped to her spot beside Marion. Looking out at the crowd, she could see dozens of people staring back, their faces just as loving. She was Marion’s, and by that alone she was beloved.

As the music started, Jester waited for her cue, coming in with her high, angelic voice in harmony with her Mama. It felt wonderful, to perform for these people. To see their loving gaze on her. One man in particular seemed to be especially interested in her, his bright green eyes never leaving her for the whole set. Jester could feel herself blushing. He was handsome, with ruffled brown hair and youthful, happy face.  She hoped he stuck around until the end, so she could talk to him. Maybe he was a pilot, one with stories and adventures that he could tell her about. And she would get to hear another little snippet about the stars she yearned for.

Eventually, the song came to an end, and Jester was surrounded with the sound of applause and cheers. She smiled, waving at the loving crowd as she descended from the stage, and went to take her seat once more. As she did though, the handsome man with the green eyes winked at her, and patted the seat beside him.

Jester knew she should look to her Mama to be sure it was okay, to make sure he didn’t set off any warning bells in her head.  But, he couldn’t possibly be bad, could he? He seemed so sweet, and his smile was so genuine.  Jester couldn’t help herself, she practically skipped over, and took a seat beside the man.

“That was some lovely singing, Genevieve, was it?” the man asked. He had a lovely drawl to his voice, that pulled Jester in even more. She nodded, lekku wiggling.

“Mhm! But mostly everyone around here just calls me Jester.” she said.

“Ah! How lovely! You’ll have to forgive me, I’m new in town.” The man tipped his cup towards her. “Just passing through, really. I’m a freighter pilot and I needed to land for fuel.  I’m glad I chose this cantina.”

“Oh! Yes! It belongs to my Mama. Isn’t she just beautiful?” Jester asked, leaning forwards in her seat. “But you’re a pilot?  Do you have any good stories?”

“Plenty, my dear, plenty.  I’ve been all over the galaxy.”

“Even to the Inner Rim?” Jester couldn’t help but start to bounce a bit.

“Oh, further than that. I’ve been all the way to the Core Worlds, Jester.” he said.

“Woahhhh.” Jester looked at him with big, bright eyes. “Oh, I forgot, I should be polite and ask you your name. What is your name, Mr. Pilot?”

“Hah…Jed.” the man said, laughing a bit. “My name is Jed.”

“Mmm that is a good name. So, Jed, what is your ship like? Is it big? Is it fast?” Jester asked, still bouncing and wiggling a bit in her chair. Jed smiled again.

“Oh, it’s all that and more. Would you like to see it?” he asked, leaning in and whispering in Jester’s ear. “I’ve got it parked in your docks, I could show you some of it?”  Jester nodded.

“Yes please! Oh, but, I have to ask my Mama first, she gets real worried when I leave the cantina without telling her.  Says I might get kidnapped and sold off to Hutts or something.”

“Ah, smart thing. but your mother is so busy, and I’m just outside. I’ll keep you safe, yeah?” Jed asked, holding out a hand. Jester looked into his eyes, trying to gauge if he was trustworthy. He had to be. He was so kind, and he was going to show her his ship! She took his hand, and followed him out of the cantina while her mother was still singing.

The twin suns of Tatooine hung low in the sky, casting an orange glow across the sand, as Jester followed Jed outside into the hangar. Many of the bays had beautiful ships in them, showing the wear and tears of lives well lived and journey’s taken. Jester marvelled at them, wondering where they had been, where Jed’s had been. She was practically vibrating with excitement.

Jed led her over to one of the bays, one with a closed hangar door, and motioned towards it.  As Jester went over, he began to enter a code into the keypad.

“Well, she’s in here. I’m sure you’ll love her.” he said. The pad beeped, and the door began to open, and Jester bounced with excitement. A real ship! It was going to be wonderful.

As the door opened fully, Jester leaned inside to see…darkness. Complete and utter darkness, and no ship to be found. She took a few careful steps in, looking for maybe a speeder bike or other craft, but it was all dark.

“Where’s the–Ah!” Jester shouted as she was shoved into the darkness, and felt strong arms wrap around her, holding her tight. She tried to wriggle and scream, but in moments the door closed again, leaving her in the pitch black. “Let me go! Let me go or my Mama will–ngh!” she groaned as a fist made contact with her face, stopping her threat in its tracks.

“Your Mama ain’t gonna do nothin.” An unfamiliar voice crooned in her ear from behind. In front of her, she heard Jed speaking.

“You really did make this too easy, little one.” With that, Jester felt a sharp, stinging pain in her neck, followed by the spreading fuzziness that came with the tranquilizer's formula. She wanted to scream. To fight, to kick, to run, anything, but she couldn’t. All Jester could do was sob a bit, as the blackness around her filled her mind, and she went unconscious.

_____

When Jester woke, the twin suns were gone, as were the triplet moons. In fact, everything was gone, and all Jester could see was dim light through a black fabric blindfold. She tried to call out, but found her mouth stuffed as well, gagging her. She tried to breathe, to take stock of her situation, but all she could hear was her heart beating in her ears, and her brain wouldn’t focus on anything.  She was blindfolded, and gagged, and she could feel cuffs around her wrists and ankles, but beyond that she couldn’t think straight.

“Oh, she’s awake. Good.” A familiar voice spoke to her…left? Right? She could hardly tell, the drug still addling her mind. But she knew the sound of it. Jed, from the cantina, the handsome pilot who…oh no.

Her Mama. Jester’s Mama would be so worried that she wasn’t home, wasn’t in the cantina. And she would never think to check and see if Jester left, that by the time she searched the whole bar…who knows where Jester would be?

She began to thrash and struggle against her bonds, sobbing in earnest as she tried desperately to break them. To get out so she could run and get back to her Mama before sunrise. Before she could, though, a hand yanked on one of her lekku, and the same voice filled her ear.

“Now now, behave little one. Stop squirming. I don’t want to have to damage the merchandise more than I already have.”

Jester could only grunt questioningly in response to him, and continue her squirming. All it earned her was a slap in the face.

“Don’t worry, if you’re a good little thing then maybe you’ll get a nice master, hm?”  Jed laughed, before tossing Jester back to the ground. She curled in on herself on the hard, sandy floor, and kept sobbing, praying that maybe, just maybe, she would get lucky, and a Jedi would burst in right now and slay everyone and free her.

No such luck, of course. No, the only sounds Jester could hear was the jeering and cheers, far enough away that they had to be in another room.

“And now!” Jester heard a man speaking faintly, “This lovely young lady from the Inner Rim! That’s right, lads, we’ve got ourselves a high class one! She can read, and write, and boy can she dance! And if you pay her enough she’ll even, well…you’ll see.” The room filled with jeers and laughter again. “Can I have one thousand credits for the Togruta?”

Jester’s sobs started up again, as she heard them bidding. Each one raising the price and fighting to get the right to buy the other woman. She would be next, she just knew it. She couldn’t hear anyone else in this room, who might be going first. It was just her and Jed, if that was even his real name, and she could hear the cries of the Togruta outside.  She had been sold. Her time was up.

Jester felt as she was dragged to her feet by her lekku, and shoved forwards. As she passed through a doorway, the smell of ale and liquor and sweat filled her nose, as did the same leering shouts. She tripped over wooden steps as she was forced up onto a central stage, and the blindfold was ripped off. The lights were blinding for a moment, but as she adjusted, she saw the sea of people surrounding her. It was hard to make out faces, her mind addled as it was from the drugs, but their gaze was markedly different from what she knew. Jester Lavorre knew the loving gaze of a crowd who wanted her. Who respected her Mama and wanted to see what their little jewel would become. The proud gaze of people who would one day say they had seen that little gem when she was just starting to shine.

This was something else entirely. This was hungry, ravenous, and piercing. Like they wanted to slice into Jester and take a piece to snack on, not caring if she became nothing in the process. She almost wished she was still blindfolded.

“A singer and a dancer, this little one is worth a pretty penny! Can I get a starting bid of 500 credits?” the man began, but the bids went up rapidly. Offering hundreds of credits at once for her, Jester was frozen in terror at wondering where she would end up. Who she would end up with.  It was then that she saw the Hutt sitting in the back of the room, behind everyone else, watching. He raised his hand, commanding the silence of the room.

“Five Thousand credits.” he declared. There were a few moments of pause, no one else speaking. No one challenging the Hutt.

The gavel banged, the sound ringing in the room.

“Sold!”

Then, Jester woke up.

_____

The room that Jester woke in was cold, and dark, and deeply unfamiliar. The walls were covered in unfamiliar shapes and faces, and the floor was…covered in pillows? And blankets? She was surrounded in soft things, warm things, that all felt lovely. She picked up one of the fur blankets and lifted it to her face, rubbing the fibers against her skin. It was divine.

The memories of last night flooded back to her. The charming, ginger-haired human, his incredibly stupid gamble, and what he had done to free her.  She curled up, letting the warmth and comfort wash over her, almost overwhelming in its unfamiliarity. She hadn’t felt anything that soft since Tattooine…since the cantina, with her Mama. It was hard not to let tears fall as she remembered it. For the first time in six years, she was sleeping somewhere properly warm and comfortable, without the eyes of a master on her. She was, more than she had been in a while, free.

“Jester?” a thickly accented voice came from the doorway.  Jester squeaked, and hastily wiped away her tears. It was Caleb.

“H-hi Mister Cayleb…” she said, curling in and making herself small. “I’m...I’m sorry if I woke you I didn’t mean to I’ll go back to sleep soon I promise I just–“

“Nein. Nein, Jester, it is fine. I was awake already...just needed a drink is all.” he said, rubbing his eyes, and running his fingers through his hair. Jester noted the accent, how thick it was now that he wasn’t fully awake, wasn’t trying deliberately to hide it. It was nice. She liked it. No matter how much she liked it, though, it didn’t stop her from trying to wipe away the evidence of her crying.  She stifled in a sniffle as Caleb walked past her and into the kitchen.

I’ll give you something to cry about you little whore!

Ohhh is the poor little slut sad? Too bad! Get back to fucking work!

If you think that hurt, wait till you see the last girl that cried on the job!

The voices of old masters flooded Jester’s mind. Large, looming Hutt bodies throwing her around, or the awful, tank-like handlers that they hired to ‘care’ for the slaves. She wasn’t allowed to cry, especially now, when Caleb was being so kind to her and clearly wanted her here for whatever reason. If he saw her crying, she would look ungrateful, and then he would throw her out again, for Xegib and the other hunters to find her. So, by the time Caleb came back with a cup of water in each hand, Jester was curled up in her nest of blankets, pretending to be asleep.

“Jester?” Caleb asked, walking over to where the little blue Twi’lek was laying.  He placed one of the cups of water on a side table next to the couch, before crouching down and sliding the other over to Jester. “Please, Jester, you sound distraught. Let me help you, ja?” Jester sat up, scooting back farther into the corner. Caleb could see her lekku twitching in a way that signalled her anxiety and fear. He just slid the water cup closer.

“I’m okay, thank you.” Jester said, her voice tiny.

“Still, you should drink. It is good for you, and will help you sleep.”

“Are…will you get back to sleep okay, Mister Cayleb?” Jester asked, wiping the last of her tears and sitting up a bit straighter.

“Mm? Ja, I will be fine. I am a bit of a night owl anyhow.” Jester leaned forwards in response. “Why, would you prefer that I stay here and give you some company?” he asked, seeing her lean into him and taking it as a desire for comfort.

“Is that what you want, Mister Cayleb.” Jester said, her voice dropping a bit and growing louder. She had to make sure Caleb knew she was grateful for his care. Things like this never came free, and Jester knew that she was going to have to pay her half.

“I…you do not have to call me ‘Mister’.  I am just Caleb.” he said, a bit confused.

“Oh, that’s alright. I…” she took a steadying breath. “I can call you whatever you want. Master? Sir? Whatever you like, Cayleb.” It was then that the human caught on.

“Are you…? Jester nein, I…I am not here to have sex with you. I was just coming to check on you.  You sounded like you were crying.”

“Oh no…no I’m fine Cayleb. Just having a hard time sleeping, like you. But…but I can fix that. I can help you relax…make you feel good. Men sleep so much better after a good lay, yeah?”

“Nein! Jester!” Caleb said, worried for the young woman. He could see how quickly her demeanour changed, from scared little thing to seductress. It would have been alarming on its own, if it weren’t for the added fact that he could still see her lekku twitching anxiously. She didn’t actually want sex. She just thought Caleb did.

“A blowjob, then? I could just suck your cock until you fall asleep? You can even pull on my tails if you wanna. A lot of guys do.” she offered. Caleb shook his head, and tried to reach out and cup her face.  She grabbed his hand and kissed his palm. “A handjob? Or maybe you…maybe you just wanna touch me?” She placed his hand on her breast.

“Jester I do not need to have sex with you!” Caleb said, pulling his hand away. “I do not want to have sex with you. That…That is not why I brought you here.” He tried to reassure her.

"O-oh…did you want a dance then?” Jester said, the panic coming back into her voice as she ran out of options. She had to figure out what he wanted. What he would take from her. “I can give you private dance, and you can touch whenever you want?”

“Jester…” Caleb sighed, and stood up. As he turned around, Jester could see the webbing of scars that criss-crossed at his back.  She brought herself up to kneeling.

“Do you want to hurt me?” she asked, reaching out her hand to him. Caleb whipped around.

“What?”

“D-do you want to hurt me, Cayleb? I…you can, if you want. You wouldn’t be the first master to buy me and hurt me. If..if that’s what you like. What you’re into.” She saw Caleb wince at the suggestion. Fuck. That wasn’t it either. “Please, just tell me what you want.” she begged. “Are you going to sell me? Take the money and go? I-It’s okay if you do just please tell me…please tell me why you wanted me.” The tears started again, no matter how hard Jester tried to hold them back.  She expected Caleb to throw something at her. To scream or yell or kick her out into the cold. To her shock, though, he just grabbed her hand, and knelt on the ground with her, holding the hand to his face.  His stubble was rough from days without shaving, and his hands were calloused from years of labour.

“I…I cannot tell you the exact reason I wanted you so badly, Jester.” he said. “But, I could not bear to see you in that place any longer. That is why I got you out. Not for sex, or money, and certainly not to hurt you.  Just…to take care of you, and to help you.”

“Wh-what?” Jester asked. Why would he want to help her? Why would he do that? She glared at him, suspicious.

“I know that probably sounds hard to believe, given the life you have lived thus far. But I assure you…I have no intentions of doing you harm.” He gently led her back to the nest of blankets and pillows, and handed her the water cup again. Seeing her look of suspicion still there, he took a sip of it first. “See? Nothing in it.  Just water.”

“O-okay…” Jester said. She was still wary, but she took the cup, and drank some of the water. It was as though her body was just realizing how thirsty it was as she did, though, and soon she was gulping down the whole thing. “Thank you.” she said with a gasp as she finished it, and handed the glass back to Caleb.  He took it, and placed it on the end table with the full one.

“There we are. Gut. Now…are you okay to stay here while I go back to bed? You will sleep some more?” Jester nodded shyly, and curled back up into the nest. Caleb patted her cheek sweetly. “Gut.” he repeated.

He stood up, and grabbed the second glass from the end table, drinking his own share, before putting the glasses away.  Jester could hear the faint clink of it as he put them in his sink. Then, with an awkward smile and a nod, he went back to his room.

Jester curled back up even tighter, her heart pounding in her chest. She tried to trust Caleb’s words, but it was proving to be easier said than done. Sure, he had rescued her, smiled at her, and been kind to her. But, so had other men in her past. Trusting men like him is what landed her in this life in the first place, and even if the water hadn’t been drugged and he had turned down the offers for sex, what was to say he would be the same tomorrow? What if it was a trap?

Still though…his eyes looked so kind. He sounded so sincere when he was talking to her, it was also hard not to trust him, at least a little bit. He didn’t even want money.  Living in a place like this, he still didn’t sell her off to the quickest and highest bidder the second he had her in his home. That was something, wasn’t it?  And most men who were squeamish about buying sex from her at least took a dance. And he hadn’t.  he had just given her water, and tucked her back into bed for the night. It had been a long time since anyone had done that.

Jester settled in and closed her eyes. For now, she would just enjoy the kindness.

_____

The lies rang in Caleb’s head as he lay in bed. I…I cannot tell you the exact reason I wanted you so badly, Jester…I have no intentions of doing you harm. He shouldn’t have said it. He shouldn’t have, because he knew it was a lie. He did know why he wanted her, even if he didn’t know what result he wanted from that yet. She was Force sensitive, if only the slightest amount, and felt called to her in that. And he couldn’t say that he intended no harm, because he didn’t honestly know what he intended.

He stared up at the ceiling in his room, and pondered the paths before him. One half of his mind said to take her and Nott far away, train Jester to use the Force properly, teach her how to harness her powers.  Empower her and give her the freedom to choose that he never had. But then, the other half, the darker half that still dreamed of his old master and his fellow students…that part said to turn her over. Train her up on the way back, so she had noticeable power, and hand her over to his old masters.

Master Ikithon would love her, Caleb knew that. His mission in life was to manipulate the Force itself. Not just in the way that other Jedi and Sith did, connecting to it and calling on it for aid.  No, he wanted more. Always more. Wanted to learn to manipulate the very essence of the Force and bend it to his will. He had talked of imbuing people with Force sensitivity when they had none, of stealing it from those deemed unworthy. Of using kyber to create droids that would serve him just as well as any Sith did. And this girl? With her ability to draw people in with performance and hold them there? He would have a field day with it.

And he would tear her apart. You know that. He would vivisect her and manipulate her and distill her powers into a draught if he thought he could. Is that what you want? It wasn’t. he knew that. He didn’t want to hurt her.         

But you want to come home to us…don’t you? Caleb shut his eyes and pressed his palms to them until his ears rang. The voice sounded like her. Like Astrid. Her cool, vibro-sharp voice cut into his brain, followed by the deep growl of his other former companion, Eadwulf.

You want this again. You miss this. Caleb shook his head, pressing against his eyes harder. He didn’t. He didn’t want to go back to the pain and the suffering that came with his old master. No matter how he ached for his old comrades, he knew it wasn’t worth it. 

Fine. He would do it. He would just train her himself.

Caleb looked at the saber hanging on the wall across from his bed, hanging in its spot. Surely she would know what it’s colour meant, the second he ignited it. But still, maybe he would be able to her to trust him.  Maybe, through her, he might start to redeem himself.