(Star Wars) ~ Alice

II

Dak stood outside his bedroom, the party long forgotten. Mama Jae was inside with Alice, dressing her wounds and helping her get cleaned up. The only sounds he had heard so far was what sounded like a strangled cry and soft sobs but those had died off rather quickly. Finally the older woman appeared a deep frown on her face.

"I've finished up with her Dak... Poor child, I have yet to see a slave of Jabba's come here in such poor condition. Did you hear her cry out before? That was because I had to set her ankle; it was broken, so very broken and she was walking on it... She hasn't said a word, won't even tell me her name. She's pretty thin and suffering from severe malnourishment... I'll get something sent up for you, okay Hun?"

"Thanks Mama." Dak hugged her, giving her a squeeze. "Is she dressed?" The elderly woman rolled her eyes. "No, she's in there stark naked... Of course I dressed her, Dak!" She answered, slapping his arm with her hand. "Damn, Mama Jae, I was just checking!" She just chuckled at his remark. "Of course you were; now go, I'll send some food up for the little thing." He nodded, waiting until she was around the corner before knocking. "Little One... It's Dak, can I come in please?" A surprised sound came from the room but that was all so he compromised by opening the door slowly. When she didn't scream, he decided she was decent and opened the door fully to find her curled up in a ball on a corner of the bed.

"Alice..." He sighed in relief, shutting the door behind him. The poor girl was dressed in one of Padme's purple dresses and her blonde hair was clean as well as braided over one of her frail soldiers. Taking quiet, slow steps, Dak carefully approached the bed and sat down on the side of it. "Did Mama Jae take good care of you? Are you feeling any better?" Alice seemed to think about that before nodding her head firmly. Alice stretched her leg out to show him the bandaging there, moving it about as though pleased with it.

"That's good to hear... Sort of." He chuckled moving to sit beside her instead of across from her. "Why won't you talk to me? Is it something I said?" Alice's head snapped up and she quickly shook her head, looking worried that he had thought that. Before they could continue, the door opened and Mama Jae appeared with a tray loaded with grapes, strawberries, small crackers and chocolates, all kinds of small tempting morsels. "Here ya go, Sugar. Let me know if you guys need anything; I'll be down the hall helping Padme bathe the little ones." With that, she left Dak and Alice alone.

He noticed that she stared at it hungrily but had yet to reach out to take anything. "Eat up. You'll need your strength if you wanna get better." Alice raised an eyebrow and looked surprised. "It's alright?" She asked, speaking for the first time since she came out of the box; her voice was soft, almost musical. "Of course it is. You just have to share the chocolate..." He joked, smiling as she immediately reached for the grapes. She ate a few rapidly, like she was afraid he would take it away from her while watching him the whole time; there wasn't alarm in her face though, just cautiousness.

"While you eat..." He started, cautiously trying to keep her from closing up again. "...how about we play a game? I'll ask you a question and after you answer it, you can ask me anything you want. The only rules are you have to keep eating and you have to talk to me. Sound fair?" Alice seemed to think about it for a moment before she gave a single nod of her head; all the while reaching for another grape and quickly putting it in her mouth. "What is your full name?" He wanted to keep it simple at first because he didn't want to scare her away.

"Alice Voss." She answered, shifting a little on the bed; the goosebumps rising on her arms told him she was cold. "Before you ask me your question, come sit by me so you can cover up." He held an arm up so she could sit beside him. Alice inched her way over; it took her a while but finally she was pressed agianst his side. "Are you a Hutt?" She asked, picking up a piece of chocolate and tilting her head upwards to look him in the eyes. Dak pulled the blankets up so it came to the tops of their waists. "Technically, no but I am considered to be a part of their clan. How old are you?"

"Twenty-one." She answered, picking up another piece of fruit but deciding against it; she hadn't eaten in awhile and her stomach was telling her to slow down her assult. Instead, she surprisingly leaned against Dak, using him as a pillow. He wrapped his free arm around her shoulders, keeping her warm and snug against him. "Well, I'm nine years older than you, Little One. I'm old and thirty."

"You don't look old." She answered without thinking. A moment later, her hand came to cover her mouth in shock as she looked back at him frightened. He simply grabbed her hand, holding it with his own. "I'm glad to hear that. I was starting to think I did..." He pressed the back of her hand to his lips. "You can speak freely as long as the actual Hutts aren't around. I like hearing you speak, especially when you're talking to me..." She smiled a little and blushed. "Okay... They didn't want me to talk before." She said, snuggling against him more. He wrapped both of his arms around her now, pulling her even closer to his chest. "Well I love hearing you talk, Little One. What's your next question for me?"

"Do you have lots of girls?" This time she sounded worried. Dak shook his head, feeling her stiffen. "No, I've never owned a slave. To be honest, I hate slavery and it just kills me to see such a beautiful woman like you involved in it." He gave he a light squeeze, feeling her relax again once he released. "How long have you been a slave?"

"Since I was five." She answered in a matter-of-fact tone, shrugging her shoulders. "You poor thing... Those sick bastards will pay when I get my hands on them." His yellow eyes leaked with redness, his anger slowly seeping into his irises. "Don't get angry." She whimpered, shrinking back slightly at the change in attitude. He turned his head to look at her, seeing Alice try to scoot away from him. "I'm not mad at you, Sweetheart; I'm mad at the slavers who didn't take care of you and took away your childhood." He gently cupped her cheek, feeling himself slowly calm down. "Do your eyes always do that?" She asked, curious, looking at him with innocent eyes. "Only when I get angry." He brought her back into his side. "What's one thing that you've always wanted?"

"Well... I've always wanted a stuffed animal. I had one when I was little; I don't know what happened to it. They're nice to have around though; they love you even when there's no other soul near." Dak didn't say anything for a minute, simply hugging her tight to his chest. His heart continued to break for her; she could ask for anything in the world and all she wanted was a stuffed animal so she wouldn't be alone ever again.

"I'll get you the best one I can find. You're mine to take care of, Alice; I promise you'll never be hurt again."