Ashes

Chapter 15: A Crossroads

AHSOKA TANO

For as long as she could remember, Ahsoka had always been seeking the attention and praise of her superiors. Her skills with a lightsaber were always one step ahead of her peers, which caught the eye of her Masters. When she became a Padawan, her troops' eyes were on her at all times, awaiting her next command.

The minute she was ripped from the galaxy and put in chains, all that authority she'd worked so hard to gain disappeared. She was stripped of her title as a Jedi and a military leader. She couldn't even use her real name.

Now, standing in the middle of the dance floor wearing a beautiful, expensive gown with an ornate golden crown on her head, Ahsoka Ra'Tano couldn't have felt more uncomfortable being the center of attention. She could feel everyone's eyes glued on her, watching her every move. She knew it came from a place of respect for the Ra'Tano name, but it still made her want to retreat to her bedroom.

She excused herself and walked over to the buffet table. There was a rather large display of truffles, so she reached out and took one.

A man came up beside her and reached for one as well. Their eyes met briefly, and he smiled.

"They're good, aren't they?" he said.

She nodded, despite wanting to spit out the truffle and wash down the awful taste with some champagne.

"I'm Mylas," he said, extending a hand. "Mylas La'arne."

"Ahsoka." She shook his hand, giving him a once over. He was slightly taller than Ahsoka and in reasonable physical shape. He wore a light brown tunic with crimson accents. His skin was a slightly darker orange than her own, and his lekku were an ashy gray with jagged and vibrant turquoise stripes. "Pleased to meet you."

The musicians drew their tune to a close, and as the last chord resonated through the hall, Mylas bowed slightly and extended his hand once more. "May I have this dance?"

She placed her hand in his outstretched palm and flashed him a fake smile. "Sure." 

He led her to the edge of the dance floor and wrapped his arm around her waist. Their free hands met, and the dance began.

"It's so good to finally meet you," he started. "I've heard so much about you."

Mylas must've been one of her suitors. Why else would he be taking an interest in her?

She raised an eyebrow. "And am I living up to your expectations?"

He paused a moment as he spun her around. "To be honest, I didn't really know what to expect."

"Oh." At least he wouldn't be disappointed. That could work to her advantage. "Then what drew you all the way out here?"

"My parents, actually. They've been trying to set me up with royalty ever since the incident on Kadavo, but no matter how many times I tell them to stop meddling in my personal life, they just won't stop."

She froze when he mentioned Kadavo. What if he recognized her from the rescue mission? If he knew about her ties to the Jedi, she would be as good as dead.

His confused expression kept her from following that train of thought.

Get it together, Ahsoka. She picked up with the dance steps and drew in a sharp breath.

"You're from Kiros."

He nodded. "It feels like just yesterday that the Separatists arrived and ripped us from our homes."

Her gaze fell as she pictured the Slave Correctional Facility on Kadavo. She had been processed in a similar facility when she first became a slave, and just thinking about the things she witnessed and endured made her want to vomit. "I'm so sorry," she said in a small voice.