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Quinlan pulled the hood over his head as he ran. He had to get out. He had to pass on the information. Stewjon may stay out of intergalactic politics, but they were close enough to Mandalore to hear the whispers of war, of Death Watch making its move against the New Mandalorians, and about contingency plans that included Stewjon's involvement. He even had the documents that proved Stewjon was in a cold war with some other systems, and that they considered themselves at war with the Jedi Order.
Which was why he had been on Stewjon in the first place. They needed to know why Jedi kept disappearing from this sector, why Mandalorians, why Death Watch were targeting Jedi in a way that they hadn't even in the direct aftermath of Galidraan.
It was his first solo mission. Something that only happened because he was a senior padawan. They couldn't risk two Jedi, and a younger Jedi was safer. He was certain if they knew that Jedi were disappearing because Stewjon considered themselves at war with the Jedi Order... He would not have been the one sent undercover. It should not have been this dangerous for a new senior padawan, just eighteen years old.
And they had caught him in the act of downloading the information. He just had to make sure this got back to the Order. The Jedi had to know not to send any more Jedi this way. Even if it meant he was never going to get off this planet.
Quinlan ran into his ship, started frantically prepping it for take off, ensured the ramp would not open for the Stewjoni after him, and then he used his emergency codes. He ignored Master Tholme's frantic questions in favor of uploading the information. It all had to make it to the Jedi. Once it was uploading, he slumped and breathed.
“What's this? Padawan, what's going on?”
“They caught me downloading the information. I wasn't careful enough.”
“I'll order a extraction team.”
“No, Master,” Quinlan said, emotions bubbling to the surface and making his voice crack. “You can't. It's not safe. Stewjon is at war with the Jedi Order.”
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end. “That's why you prioritized the information over your escape,” Tholme said in understanding. “I am sorry, Padawan. You do not think you can get off the planet?”
“No, they were too close.” He flinched at the sound of the door being battered down. “I'm running out of time.” He checked the download and swallowed. It had five minutes left, and he could not risk getting shot down before the transfer was complete. “You're getting all the files?”
“I am. Quinlan?”
“Yes?”
“I am proud of you. You found the information we needed, and prioritized the information, and recognized that once we read over the information, we would not be able to send you help.”
“Thank you, Master. I... I'm scared. I don't know what they're going to do with me.”
“You can handle it, Padawan, I have faith in you. You are resourceful, smart, and most importantly, you are strong.”
“And what if... what if I never make it home?”
“That doesn't change that I believe in you. That you are resourceful, smart, and strong. It is okay though to not be able to escape, to come home. I will never think anything less of you.”
Quinlan flinched at the sound of the door clattering to the ground. “They're here.”
“May the Force be with you, Quinlan.” Tholme's voice was warm but shaky.
Quinlan rubbed his eyes when he realized they were damp. “May the Force be with you too, Master.” He checked the upload. It was done. “Good bye.” He destroyed everything, destroying anything that Stewjon could use to get at the Jedi Order aside from himself.
He had just finished with the destruction when the guards who had been chasing him finally appeared. He spun and blocked the first round of blaster bolts with ease, falling into a rhythm even though he knew he would not last. He was trapped.
“A Jedi!” the exclamation caused stunned silence all around.
Quinlan decided to use that to try to take down as many with him as possible. He leapt at them and fought, and fought until his hood flipped down.
“Wait, he's just a kid!” the Captain exclaimed. “Don't aim to kill!”
Quinlan fought harder. He would rather die than find out what they do to Jedi, especially Jedi spies who steal their information. There was also the fact that he's a Kiffar and if they hadn't picked up on it before, they would, and then he would be really in trouble.
After he took out several of the guards, some dead, some just injured, the Captain caught him with a paralyzing poison dart. Quinlan pulled it from his hand, only to realize he couldn't move. His limbs were too heavy. His lightsaber slipped from his grip, dropping to the ground. Quinlan followed when his legs gave out, unable to support his weight any longer.
The Captain stood over him while the guards took care of the wound. “You fight well for one so young. Come.” She lifted him and carried him easily. She took his lightsaber, likely to store it away where he could not get it.
Quinlan tried to see what was going on, but he could barely even move his eyes. That was some paralytic.
A short while later, he was being dumped on the floor of the throne room. He was cuffed, and collared. Unable to escape. They didn't even cut him off from the Force entirely. They apparently just had ways to keep the Force from leaving his body, which meant he would be able to meditate and enhance his body, but not much else. It was better than nothing, but it was still terrifying. Terrifying that he could not reach with the Force the way he was so used to, even as he could feel it right there.
“Your Majesties, I have found our hacker.”
“Really? He's just a boy.”
“That boy is a Jedi in training and killed three of my guards, and injured five others. He managed to get all the information he got from our systems to the Jedi, then destroyed everything that would help us.”
“What would you suggest we do with him?”
“He is a prize of war, my Queen. He can be anything you want him to be. But might I suggest you consider gifting him to your youngest son?”
“Ah, yes, that is a wonderful suggestion. A war prize for my son. He is at the right age and getting restless... A pet is the perfect gift for him. Set up Prince Obi-Wan's guest room for his new pet. And make sure he cannot escape.”
Quinlan found it hard to breath as he was dragged away once more. He was being given to a prince? A dozen worst case scenarios flooded his mind. He pushed them away. Maybe the worst wasn't going to happen. Maybe it would work out okay.
.
Obi-Wan was reading in his window seat when the door to his rooms opened and several people hurried in. He closed the book and set it aside curiously as he padded over to peer out into his living space to see what they were doing. They were cleaning out his guest room. They never did that.
Sure, he had been discouraged from using the room for anything over the years, but there had not been any reason to actually clean it out in... well as long as he could remember.
He stepped out and kept watching, smoothing over his tunic. Finally, after everyone cleared out, the captain stepped in. Carrying... a Kiffar?
“Hello, Captain. May I ask what is going on?” Obi-Wan asked politely.
“My prince.” She dipped her head in greeting, unable to properly bow while holding onto the Kiffar. “This Jedi is a war prize we have claimed for stealing our information despite merely being a child. He is currently under the effects of the paralyzing serum. It should be wearing off soon.”
As if to prove her point, the Kiffar's fingers twitched.
“He will be your responsibility. You can do whatever you wish with your pet, but if you wish for him to live, you will need to make sure his needs are met.”
Obi-Wan smiled, excited to have the company of someone else for once. “I understand Captain. I will take care of my pet.”
“Then I will leave him on his bed. You do remember how the serum works?
“Of course. I studied all the serums and their effects two years ago.”
“I remember that,” The captain replied dryly. Everyone did. It had been terrifying because the Prince purposefully had people dosed just to see the effects.
Quinlan groaned when he was dropped on the bed. He was sore from the fight and the rough handling after his capture. It was the only way he knew to let out his feelings without actually crying. Because he really did feel like crying. He had screwed up, and was now paying the price.
At least he could wiggle his fingers and toes, and feeling was slowly coming back everywhere else. He would be able to move around and explore the room soon enough. If he really wanted to. He was still a little paranoid though. He didn't know about this Prince. What would he be like.
And then a pale face with an earnest, kind of cute face was right next to his. Quinlan hissed in surprise.
“Hi, I'm Obi-Wan.” Obi-Wan poked him a few times, and watched his reaction. “Oh good, feeling should be back enough for you to talk. What's your name?”
Quinlan considered lying, then decided there was no reason to hide the truth. “Quinlan.” Huh. He was right. Quinlan did have enough feeling back to talk.
“Quinlan,” Obi-Wan repeated thoughtfully. “That's a good name. You're really a Jedi?”
“A padawan learner,” Quinlan replied grudgingly. Again, there was no reason to hide the truth from his captor.
“Still, a real Jedi, right here!” Obi-Wan grinned widely, excited. “I have so many questions, and no one ever lets me get close enough to a Jedi to ask them. Those that survive anyways.”
Quinlan flinched at the reminder, looking away. He wasn't entirely free of the paralysis but he was slowly improving and soon he would be able to move under his own power. But without entirely accessing the Force... he couldn't escape. Not with the cuffs, small enough to almost feel like bracelets on his wrists and ankles. Not with the collar around his neck promising pain if he did. He'd have to get them off, first.
“I want to know everything! Can you show me the Force? Oh, wait they wouldn't let you live here if they hadn't ensured you couldn't use the Force.” Obi-Wan tapped his chin thoughtfully.
Quinlan couldn't bring himself to respond. He moved away to the farthest corner of the bed, relieved to mostly be able to move again.
“Awww, you're suspicious of me.” Obi-Wan climbed onto the bed and joined him, keeping about six inches between them.
“Of course I am,” Quinlan shot back, glaring. “I don't want to be here.”
Obi-Wan sighed. “I guess that makes sense... you were claimed as a war prize... you didn't come here of your own free will. But that's okay, pet, I'll take good care of you! Mom and dad must've remembered that I asked for companionship for my sixteenth birthday, months late but I'm glad you're here!”
Quinlan stared at him again, jaw slightly ajar. He was expecting to be the 'pet' of someone older once he heard he was being given to a prince. Not this baby faced teenager, just two years younger than himself!
Obi-Wan tilted his head, studying him. “You really are pretty, you know.” Obi-Wan reached and stroked his cheek, running a finger over the tattoo. “And you get to stay here with me! Forever!”
Quinlan noted that there was no lust there. Good. He didn't need to worry about that either. But he was getting the impression that he was missing something about Obi-Wan. That there was more to Obi-Wan than this naive prince who apparently was a bit of a nerd. But what? He'd have to keep his eye out.
“I didn't know Kiffar could be Jedi...” Obi-Wan mused. “They don't leave their planet much, do they?”
“Anyone with enough Force sensitivity can be a Jedi, they just have to choose to follow the Jedi way.”
Obi-Wan tilted his head. “But I thought Jedi were baby stealers.”
Quinlan rolled his eyes. “You and the rest of the galaxy,” he muttered. “Jedi do not steal babies. The only ones that get taken without parents' permission would have been in the care of the local government or dead because of things like abuse. Or the parents dying. Everyone else... they get the information for the Jedi, and then they have to make the choice to let their children be Jedi or not. Mine almost didn't,” he added, just to reinforce that it was a choice. “But my family decided that it was better for me to be at the Temple, no matter their misgivings, with no pressure.”
Obi-Wan hummed, eyes alight with interest. “That's so fascinating!” He leaned forward, almost nose to nose with Quinlan. “I want to know more.”
Quinlan jerked back and fell off the bed, groaning at the spikes of pains from the bruises. “So you can use it against us? No.”
“Oh my parents don't look to me for stuff like that, and they said you're just a kid. Which means they don't think you can know anything and they won't think I know anything.” Obi-Wan waved a hand cheerfully as he moved to look over the edge of the bed. “Besides, why share information about the fact that Jedi do not steal babies?”
“Because that should be public knowledge but no one cares about that.” Quinlan sat up and leaned on the wall, pleased to have the feeling almost entirely back, even if it meant that he was in a bit of pain. Better to be able to move. He may have been backed into a corner and made a choice, but he was still going to try to escape. He just needed more information. A fake escape should get him most of the knowledge he needed, but first... wait a few days. Let them think there was no way he could escape.
Obi-Wan hummed. “I suppose that does make sense. You're smart, you know. Not many people would have thought of that. At least people I know. Even my older siblings are dumb.”
Quinlan blinked. “I... see...” How was he supposed to react to that?
There was a noise from outside the room.
“Oh, it must be dinner time. Come on, Quinlan, you must be hungry.” Obi-Wan jumped off the bed and grabbed Quinlan's hand, dragging him out to the rest of the quarters.
Quinlan was a bit startled by Obi-Wan's actions, being dragged for a few seconds before he recovered. He followed Obi-Wan to the table in what looked like a kitchenette. Food was already on the table. They were both eating here? He wondered, but didn't say anything.
Obi-Wan pushed him into a chair then sat down in one himself. He filled two plates full food and put the other in front of Quinlan. Then he dug in, oblivious to Quinlan's confusion and reluctance to eat.
Quinlan had never seen most of this food before, so he poked at a few times with a finger. He picked up the fork, ignoring the flashes of someone washing dishes while humming cheerfully, and slowly started eating. It wasn't terrible. He tried a bit of everything before settling on his favorite and focusing on that first so that he could get something in his stomach before he completely lost it. He really wasn't feeling great about this situation.
Obi-Wan watched him, eating slowly. He finally had someone to talk to. Someone who didn't want to be here. His family didn't really like him, and they gave him his own pet finally. Someone he could annoy instead of them, and the pet couldn't do a thing about it. It was nice to have someone to put up with him for once.
Too bad his pet was a Jedi and needed the collar though. He'd be prettier without the collar. Or the cuffs. But they were necessary, since he was new. Older pets didn't need them usually, but then, Quinlan had the Force. He was Cursed.
Obi-Wan would have pitied him, but the Jedi were so interesting, and he couldn't find any information on what being Cursed was like. And Quinlan seemed happy enough about being a Jedi, he wasn't angry about his family giving him up, he didn't talk like the Force was a Curse.
Obi-Wan needed to know more. After all the rumors of him being Cursed had followed him since he was little. He loved learning, and the Jedi were so fascinating and he couldn't help but be drawn to their Order and want to learn more. And maybe talking about the Jedi would help his pet feel more relaxed.
And maybe some knowledge on Kiffar would help. And Kiffar culture? Quinlan did have clan tattoos after all. Which meant he had to be somewhat in touch with it. Obi-Wan remembered reading somewhere that Kiffar didn't tattoo their younglings until they were older.
Obi-Wan already liked his pet, his companion. Quinlan. He was very pretty, downright gorgeous, really. He was a bit scared, which was to be expected, really, but Obi-Wan was going to take good care of him. Make sure he did not feel like he had to be scared at all. Make him feel at home here.
Quinlan was also a bit sarcastic, brave, since he didn't let his fear deter him, and he was good at talking. Good at explaining his points. Very intelligent.
Obi-Wan's siblings were actually smart, but just not the way Obi-Wan was. They couldn't follow his logic, and he struggled with theirs sometimes because it could be so irrational. And he was the baby being more irrational than his siblings, the oldest of whom was ten years older than him.
He looked down at his food and resumed eating, occasionally watching his pet some more. He really liked Quinlan so far. He wanted Quinlan to stay. A pet was forever, anyways. Even after Obi-Wan was married when he was twenty five, he would still have his pet to play with, so any marriage would automatically be easier with Quinlan in his life.
Obi-Wan hummed happily, finishing his food for once. He took note of the foods Quinlan had eaten, which ones were pretty much untouched, and how much Quinlan ate before he decided he was done.
Quinlan let out a sigh, pushing away his plate. “Okay, what are the rules here?”
Obi-Wan tilted his head. “Rules?”
“What am I allowed to do and not do?”
“Oh!” Obi-Wan smiled. “You can do whatever you want here, pet. As long as you stay within these quarters. This is your home now.” He stood and moved over to Quinlan. Obi-Wan rubbed his shoulder, something he'd seen one of his sisters do with her pet years ago.
Quinlan stiffened, then jerked away, looking distinctly uncomfortable. “I don't think I can do anything I want. You have the control here.”
“I guess I do. But I don't know what kind of rules I want yet. I just wanted someone to talk to and play with.”
“And what happens if I don't want to do that?”
Obi-Wan pouted at the idea. “I guess I'll have to punish you but I don't really want to... I don't like hurting anyone, even pets.”
Quinlan winced. “Okay.” He looked down at the table and let out a breath. “So, for now?”
Obi-Wan blinked at him. “For now it's time for me to practice my music, for the next hour. You can do whatever.” Obi-Wan went and started warming up on his preferred instrument, plucking strings.
Quinlan decided to start exploring. The better he knew the rooms, the easier it would be to escape. He absently noted that Obi-Wan was actually good at playing music and his voice was rather nice to listen to.
And really, he thought he and Obi-Wan could be good friends if the circumstances were different. Quinlan ran his fingers over the books, noticing how much non-fiction there was, and the specific tastes Obi-Wan had in fiction. It was a fascinating look into the kind of person he was living with, along with the impressions he was picking up everywhere.
Obi-Wan was lonely. He loved to learn, and got excited by everything he read. There were a few fiction books that were his go-tos in certain moods, like depression, based on how deep those echos of feelings went on those books. Obi-Wan had a strong set of morals that put him at conflict with his family at times, such as not wanting to harm others.
Quinlan eventually selected one of the non-fiction books on Stewjon, glancing at Obi-Wan uncertainly as he settled in to start reading it. The music was a good background to his reading, actually. Made it go a lot easier.
.
That night, Quinlan sat on his bed, thankfully alone, and meditated. It was unfortunate that he couldn't actively use the Force, couldn't even use his bonds to reassure everyone back at the Temple that he was alright, reassure Tholme that he was alive. But at least he could meditate with the Force. Being able to meditate daily would greatly help with handling his new situation.
By the end of the meditation session, Quinlan was firmly resolved. He would bend, pretend to go along with everything, and fight as little as he was comfortable with. But he would not break. He would do his best to escape until they broke him. Do his best to get off of this horrid planet. He would never let them win. One day, if he could not escape, it might break him. But he was going to hold out as long as possible. He had to try. And in the meantime he would have to keep gathering information as much as he can.
As he laid down to get some sleep, his mind drifted to the book he had read. The one thing that stood out was the repeated mentions of a Curse, of being Cursed. He would have to see if he could find a book on that so he could learn about it. He didn't want to step on any toes if he could help it, after all. Just what was this 'Curse'?
.
Obi-Wan woke up with a grumble. He hated getting up in the mornings. Everyone thought him a morning person because once he was around people he was as chipper as can be, but that was the only way to get him through the morning. Being hyper and happy. Otherwise he risked falling back asleep.
He laid there the extra ten minutes he usually allotted himself every morning and then it hit him. He had a pet! He wasn't facing another day alone because his family was too busy with duties to care about the weakest link! Obi-Wan broke into a grin and rushed through his morning routine.
He finished just as breakfast was brought up. He filled his plate and then his pet's with the delicious breakfast. One of his own favorites.
Then Obi-Wan darted over to his pet's bedroom and opened the door. He stopped a few feet in and tilted his head, studying his pet. His pet was adorable. Curled up around a pillow, blanket falling off of him... the tattoos framed his face nicely, especially in sleep. He was so perfect.
Obi-Wan had never felt so fond of someone before. Even with how much Quinlan had avoided him the night before after dinner, he had enjoyed watching his pet. Had enjoyed seeing his pet read and relax as much as he could. But Quinlan still tensed when he got too near.
Considering Quinlan's concern about the rules, Obi-Wan supposed he couldn't blame his pet for being scared. This was a scary thing. He remembered when Sosa, his older sister only three years older than him got her pet. That one had been terrified for weeks and it took a long time before he was willing to do more than cower in the corner. Well, from what Obi-Wan had seen. That had been about four years ago, and shortly before his family started deciding he was worthless.
But Quinlan didn't seem to think he was anything to dismiss. Even though he was scared, he treated Obi-Wan like a person. Not even like the extra prince, but a person. It made Obi-Wan excited and he hoped Quinlan would stay and they could have the same sort of relationship he had read about some pets having with their owners in his books.
Close, anything goes, so long as the pet doesn't step out of line, and a substitute for a spouse in times when the marriage was poor. Obi-Wan was excited. He knew he was to get married at 25, but that was 9 years away. By then, he and Quinlan would be well established as owner and pet and he would be comfortable.
Obi-Wan shook himself, reminding himself that it was time for breakfast. His stomach grumbled in agreement. So Obi-Wan gently shook Quinlan.
“Good morning, Quinlan! Breakfast time!”
Quinlan groaned and curled around his pillow tighter, grumbling.
“Come on, Pet, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!”
Quinlan stiffened at the title, then cautiously opened one eye to look at Obi-Wan as his memories of the day before flooded his mind. He stared at the prince, bright and cheerful as he was. Quinlan wanted to keep sleeping and forget this was happening, but he doubted the prince would actually let him.
“Good morning!” Obi-Wan beamed at him. “I'll let you do what you need to, five minutes to breakfast.” He skipped out of the room.
Quinlan groaned and flopped onto his back. This sucked. A pet. He was a pet. At least Obi-Wan was only interested in companionship because being a pet could mean way worse for him than that. He really needed to find a way out of there. Before it did mean worse.
He allowed himself a bit more time to process the situation. He didn't know exactly what was expected of him, where the boundaries were. And he wasn't about to start pushing them, not yet. He needed to try to escape first. And he could not escape if he was injured. So better to stick to caution.
Which meant taking the time to get ready for the day before joining Obi-Wan at breakfast. As he did so, he ran his hand over the collar. He didn't like how it irritated his neck, how big and obvious it was. But there didn't even seem to be much of a catch or anything to remove it with. He might have to find a way to deactivate it rather than try to remove it on his escape.
He quietly joined Obi-Wan at breakfast, to find his plate already full of food. He nodded to Obi-Wan and started eating.
Obi-Wan started chattering about palace life, his usual daytime routine, about other pets he'd seen before, and how much he'd looked forward to having one of his own.
Quinlan listened intently; any information was good at this point, no matter how little he wanted to accept this life as his. He was a Jedi, and he could never just be a pet. Not even for anyone as sweet as Obi-Wan.
That day was apparently a day off for Obi-Wan, so they were able to get to know each other a little better. Quinlan had to give Obi-Wan one thing. He was certainly persistent and even sometimes knew when to back off.
Quinlan found some time to explore the quarters, under Obi-Wan's watchful but eager eyes. He thought it might even be easy to escape. Obi-Wan didn't seem to expect him to try. He seemed to expect Quinlan to take time to adjust, but didn't even seem to have thought that Quinlan would be resistant and not want to adjust. He had been a free person, a Jedi, before this. How could he ever be content to be a pet?
The next day, Obi-Wan had lessons. Some were done within the quarters, and Quinlan was allowed to sit on the floor next to Obi-Wan for them. Others were outside the rooms. From the discussion Obi-Wan had with his primary teacher, it sounded like taking pets out of the rooms was normal and even expected, but it was far too early to introduce him to the rest of the palace.
Obi-Wan was disappointed. Quinlan was relieved, even if it meant the didn't get the opportunity to fully plan an escape route. Instead, he had the quarters all to himself, and now he could properly explore them and see what was even there. If there was anything useful.
He was going to escape, no matter what it took.
.
In the end, he waited three more days for the first escape attempt. It wasn't even meant to be a real one. This one was purely information gathering, trying to find what was going to work the best. Trying to see even how good the guards were, what the consequences were. If he did actually manage to escape, great, but he didn't expect to. Not with so little information.
Obi-Wan was in lessons. Quinlan waited half an hour after Obi-Wan left, then opened the door. He was a bit concerned that the door was never locked behind Obi-Wan. Was there a reason beyond naivety that had Obi-Wan leaving it unlocked?
He took one step outside the door and rubbed his neck above the collar as it felt a little strange. Quinlan kept walking, sneaking around and taking in as much as he could, psychometry being of great use.
All the while the strange sensation kept getting worse. He reached the ground floor. At that point, it felt like several needles were poking him in his neck, wrists, and ankles. He was starting to feel lightheaded.
But Quinlan was going to keep going until he was caught. No wonder they were confident about leaving him to his own devices... he'd have to figure out what was the connection. How could he stop this side effect or even slow it down enough to escape? He needed to figure out something or he would never make it.
He stumbled into what seemed to be the guard's office and decided to look for information. It was abundantly clear he was not making it off planet this round. Or maybe even the next one. He needed more information.
He found more useful information out of psychometry compared to the documents themselves. At least until he stumbled across a how to thing about the pet's collars/cuffs/even jewelry apparently depending on the 'owner's preferences once the pet was 'trained'. Quinlan studied that until he had it memorized, then he put everything away carefully and quickly.
Quinlan hurried away, staggering, lightheaded, and in a lot of pain. He didn't want them to know that he knew how the damn things worked now. There was sensors involved, and he would have to figure out how to disable them before he could truly escape. And even then, he had to have a way to reactivate them so they didn't realize he could tamper with them if he was caught again.
He really hated having to think so far ahead but it was necessary if he wanted any chance of escaping without losing the best plans.
So for now he was trying to make it look like he got lost and was trying to find his way back to make it all stop. He was slowly losing his ability to think beyond the pain, his eyes were drooping and all around he was going to collapse any minute. As he expected.
Finally, just as he found a door to the outside, his legs gave out and he curled up in a ball to try to withstand the pain. The collar and cuffs had moved onto shocking him; there wasn't just a proximity measure but a timer. The longer he was out of the room, the worse it got. But he was past the point where he could return, he just had to wait for someone to notice.
Quinlan lost track of time as he got lost in the pain, whimpering with tears streaming down his face. Eventually he felt someone picking him up, chuckling about a pet with spirit. There was some mention of forgoing the usual punishment, since it was his first attempt and he clearly had gotten on the worse end of the collar and cuff combination.
He was still whimpering when they finally reached the quarters. As soon as they entered the quarters, the pain stopped abruptly, leaving behind the echoes of pain. Quinlan remained limp, but shaking as they deposited him on his bed and waited until they were gone to let himself fully breakdown.
He could withstand pain, could withstand torture even. But that didn't mean it didn't hurt. And he had hit a point where he couldn't handle it without letting some of his feelings become very outwardly obvious.
Quinlan had a lot of planning to do if he wanted to escape and avoid that in the future. He didn't want to be conditioned into being a pet. He didn't.
.
Obi-Wan was worried when he got home from his usual outdoors lessons. He had heard his pet had tried to escape and the poor thing had been found whimpering and shaking from the pain. He of course was given the blame, though it wasn't like he could have stopped his pet from leaving with an unlocked door. His rooms were required to be unlocked after all.
But... He hadn't seen this coming. Quinlan had been so good and such a good companion, Obi-Wan hadn't thought he would try to escape. And yet, Quinlan hadn't even started settling, still skittish and cautious. Obi-Wan was hurt that even his companion didn't want him. Disappointed that his pet had actually tried to escape, and been so determined he hadn't even attempted to get back to their rooms.
He was still worried, and rushed to check on his pet. Quinlan was still shaking and crying on the bed. Obi-Wan's heart broke at the sad sight and he rushed forward. He sat on the bed.
Obi-Wan gently pulled his pet into his lap and started hugging him. Rather than stiffen or pull away, as was the norm, Quinlan clung to him, burying his face into Obi-Wan's chest as he sobbed.
Quinlan had been avoiding touch for too long, and had been isolated undercover for even longer. He was in desperate need for some touch, and it helped ease the lingering effects of his escape attempt.
Obi-Wan stared down at Quinlan wide-eyed, stunned. His pet was trusting him, seeking comfort from him! Obi-Wan had never been able to take care of anything before. He wasn't allowed but his pet was his responsibility.
After a few minutes, Obi-Wan got more comfortable, humming a lullaby. Quinlan was calming down, but didn't seem too inclined to let go any time soon. Obi-Wan was thrilled. His pet had chosen to trust him! This was just the first step. And hopefully Quinlan never tried to escape again. He loved his pet and didn't want to see him go.