𝗕𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 || 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝘆𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝘅 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿

1-The Face of an Angel

*EDITED*
༻✦༺

(y/n)'s POV
I stood before the holo-table, staring up at the blue outline of my Master. "You have been training well, my young apprentice," Dooku's hologram said, and I nodded in agreement. If you considered his relentless methods of pushing me until I got it right as training, then yes, it had been quite effective. "I think it's time for you to take your skills to the temple now, that is, if you feel ready."

"Of course I'm ready, Master." I felt like I had been ready for weeks. But Dooku insisted on extra practice, especially in clouding my force signature. It was crucial for me to master this skill to blend in among the many Jedi without being noticed.

"I shouldn't have to remind you how vital it is that you succeed." His gaze was intense, and his voice dropped to a low, menacing tone. I felt a shiver run down my spine; I remembered all too well the consequences of disappointing him. "I trust you will not let me down."

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my nerves. I nodded, trying to project confidence. "I promise, I won't fail you."

"I certainly hope not, for your own sake." His image flickered and vanished without a farewell, leaving me to exhale deeply as I pressed my hands against the table and leaned forward.

I can do this.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to the battle droids standing quietly behind me. "You two," I pointed at them, "I will be heading down to Coruscant. Once I leave, you will take this ship to Geonosis, where Count Dooku will be waiting for you." I hoped their mechanical minds could grasp such a straightforward command.

"Roger Roger," they replied in unison, saluting me.

"Good." I let out a sigh as I passed by them on my way to my room, if you could even call it that. It felt more like a cramped storage closet, barely big enough for a small bed and a dresser. There wasn't even a light. I looked around the room with a heavy heart before heading to the dresser to change out of my dark clothes and into something more ordinary.

As I changed, I felt a wave of relief knowing I wouldn't be sleeping in this place for a while. Every time I entered this room, memories flooded back of the countless nights I spent crying myself to sleep, tormented by the aches and pains inflicted by my torturer.

With a packed bag in hand, I stepped out and made my way down the metal corridors toward the hangar where my Naboo ship awaited me, a little treasure I had taken for myself a few weeks back.

I couldn't very well arrive on Coruscant in a separatist ship, could I?

As I strolled toward the hangar, a lone battle droid blocked my path, clearly not recognizing me in my new outfit and altered eye color. "Halt, intruder!" it shouted, raising its blaster at me.

Without breaking my stride, I waved my hand, and the droid went flying into the wall of the side hallway with a shriek. "I don't have time for this," I muttered, rolling my eyes at their sheer foolishness.

༻✦༺

I finally arrived at the edge of Coruscant and headed toward the Jedi Temple. With each step closer, my nerves began to rise. I felt ready, I knew I had prepared well, yet a tiny flicker of doubt lingered in my mind, whispering fears of failure and the doom that might follow. That nagging thought likely stemmed from Dooku's constant reminders of what would happen if I failed. I took a deep breath, shaking off the negativity, and concentrated on what lay ahead.

Dooku had mentioned that a position would be waiting for me upon my arrival—a role as a housekeeper, if I recalled correctly. It was the perfect cover, allowing me to access many rooms without drawing attention. How he managed to arrange this was a mystery to me; whenever I inquired, he would only say, "I know a powerful man." Who that man was remained unclear.