SWG Realm

[Nisha]

Sevita liked guns. The look of them, the feel of them. Even the smell of them. But she wasn't allowed to have any.

She often took advantage of the time Essku spent babysitting the twins, when her parents weren't around. The toddlers kept Essku on his toes and he spent most of his time chasing after them. It wasn't hard to sneak out of the house and hit the many shops that Tatooine had to offer.

Sure..she had snuck a small pistol out of the house a few times. But that wasn't nearly as exciting as a lightning cannon.

Pulling the borrowed speeder up to the large building, Sevita glanced at the small sign out front: Archilles Guns, Ammo, and Armor.

She beamed and shoved the small hand-drawn map back into her pocket. Some locals from Mos Eisely had pointed her this way. They said it was the best selection of weapons in the area.

Sevita removed the key from the ignition and hopped off the speeder, skipping up the steps. The door opened automatically and she walked inside.

The light in the room seemed brighter than the twin suns, but it didn't bother Sevita. Her eyes adjusted just fine to the light.

She stopped and stared at the rows and rows of glass cases, every weapon imaginable incased inside. The walls were covered by many different kinds of armor available. A small sign on the wall read: "New to the field? We give lessons for a small fee." Another sign read: "Custom armor available upon request."

Stepping forward, Sevita could hardly contain her excitement. But one weapon in particular caught her eye. A huge lightning cannon. She leaned over the counter, gazing at it in wonder.

"Hey kid, try not to drool all over the counter." A gruff voice said from the back room.

Sevita immediately stood back from the counter, nodding quietly.

He was a dark haired human with a rather scruffy face. His sleeveless shirt revealed many tattoo's and scars that covered his arms.

"Sorry Mister, I was just lookin'." Sevita said quietly.

The man looked her over suspiciously. "You can't afford my wares. Beat it." He growled.

Sevita was about to do just that but her stubborn nature kept her feet glued to the floor.

"Why are you assumin' I can't afford anything here? I've got money." She said, rifling through her pockets for credits.

The man chuckled and began stocking some artillery behind the counter. "Cause ya look about 14."

Sevita scowled. "I'm almost 20!"

The man looked her over again. "Coulda fooled me..
What were you looking at the cannon for anyway? A tiny thing like you couldn't handle that much power."

Sevita glanced down at the cannon. "Well maybe you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover."

He smirked slightly, nodding. "Perhaps."

Sevita looked up and smiled. "My name is Sevita. But you can call me Sevvy."

"Nice to meet you Sevita. Ardus Archilles."

Sevita brightened. "You're the owner of this shop?"

"Sure am."

Sevita grinned. "Good. So you can show me how to work this?" She said, nodding to the cannon.

"Well I never said that, missy."

Sevita nodded to the sign on the wall.

Ardus looked at it and chuckled. "Yeah..about that..my old partner gave lessons. But he upped and found himself a new career."

Sevita crossed her arms and looked at him sternly.

Ardus snorted and shook his head. "Alright, alright..fine. Damn horn heads.." He muttered.

Sevita peered at him silently but moved down, looking at all the other weapons under the case.

"Be here first thing in the mornin', missy. And don't be late either."

Sevita beamed and squealed with excitement. "I won't be late Mr. Archilles, I promise!"

She skipped out the door excitedly.

"Kids." Ardus muttered as he disappeared into the back room again.
_________________
"Goodnight, sweet Prince. May flights of devils wing you to your rest."

[Nisha]

Sevita dashed out the front door, nearly dropping her backpack as she hopped onto the speeder.

"Excuse me Miss Sevita..but where exactly do you think yer goin' on my speeder?"

Sevita grumbled and turned to see Essku standing on the porch.

She smiled and waved. "Oh I'm just taking it for a quick spin."

"What's the pack for then?"

"Well just in case I get thirsty. It IS Tatooine after all, Essku." Sevita grinned at him.

Essku stared at her for a moment before speaking again. "..Alright. Just be careful, ok Sevvy?"

Sevita nodded. "I will! Don't worry."

She waited until Essku went back into the house before pulling away.

She sighed and shook her head as she made her way to Ardus' shop.

"That was close. I gotta be more careful and make sure I make less noise next time."
She grumbled to herself.

After a short drive she pulled the speeder up to the shop. She was somewhat startled to see Ardus standing in the doorway, arguing with a mohawked Rodian.

"I told you and your crew before - you're not welcome here. Now get the fuck off my property." Ardus snarled, giving the Rodian a shove.

The Rodian glared at Ardus. He clenched his fists like he was going to do something but ultimately grumbled something in Rodese before briskly walking down the steps. He started up his swoop and rode away in a cloud of dust.

Ardus rubbed his temple and sighed.

Sevita smiled and waved.

He noticed her and nodded. "Oh..hey kid. Sorry about that."

Sevita shrugged and turned the speeder off. "It's ok. The bad language didn't bother me. Though I don't understand Rodese..what'd he say?'

Ardus chuckled. "Something that's not fit for a young lady's ears."

Sevita shrugged. "If you insist."

"I do."

"Ok then." Sevita said, and brushed past him into the shop.

Ardus followed her in and went behind the counter, jotting something down in a notebook.

Sevita leaned over the counter casually. "So why don't ya want him shopping here Mr. Archilles?"

"Because him and his little "friends" are nothing but trouble, that's why."

"Did they steal stuff from you or something?"

Ardus looked annoyed and stopped writing. "Kid, you're prying into things that aren't any of your business. Don't ask anything else about it, alright?"

Sevita nodded and peered behind the glass. "Can I practice on the cannon today? Please?" She said, staring at it.

Ardus snorted. "You're not ready to handle that yet. Lets try practicing on something a little smaller, ok?"

Sevita crossed her arms across her chest and mumbled.

Ardus pulled out a small rifle. "Lets start with this one. It's about your size."

Sevita looked at it for a moment before nodding. "Well..Ok, I guess."

Ardus chuckled and pulled a bandolier over himself. "Good..then lets get started."
_________________
"Goodnight, sweet Prince. May flights of devils wing you to your rest."

[Nisha]

Ardus sat in the back of his workshop, polishing a carbine he had just built for the front case.

He suddenly heard a soft chime of bells. Customers. More than one.

A loud chuckle quickly alerted him to their identity and he picked up a rifle hidden under the work table.

Stepping out from the backroom, he aimed right at the head of the chuckling man.

"What are you doing here, Kelg?" Ardus snarled.

A brown furred Bothan quickly grabbed for his pistol and aimed it at Ardus.

The mohawked Rodian did the same.

The scruffy zabrak turned and grinned. "Well well, if it isn't Ardus Archilles himself. Been a long time, Ardus."

He turned to his two associates. "There's no need for guns here gentlemen, we're old friends."

The bothan and rodian nodded and re-holstered their pistols.

Ardus grumbled and lowered his own weapon, setting it on the counter. "Thought I told you and your scum bucket friends not to step foot in here ever again." He said, his eyes moving to the mohawked rodian.

Kelg smirked and glanced at the Rodian. "Ahh..you'll have to forgive me. Loovek over there is a little deaf. Field accident."

The bothan laughed out loud. The Rodian glared and shoved him.

The two got into a shoving match in the back of the store just as the sound of bells chimed again.

Sevita stepped inside, her backpack over her shoulder as usual. "Err..did I come at a bad time, Mr. Archilles?" She asked, looking at the three strangers.


Ardus glanced over at the doorway. "Hey, kid..uhh..no, you're fine. Why don't you go in the back and get ready for yer lesson, eh?"

Sevita beamed and nodded, skipping off to the backroom.

Kelg smirked. "Who was that Ardus, your new girlfriend?"

Ardus peered at him before responding. "No, she ain't. Just some local kid learning to shoot big guns."

Kelg nodded and took a glance behind the counter. "Where's that lovely twi'lek of yours?"

Ardus' face faltered slightly. " Jaron took her with him."

M'larkai laughed. "You let him take your slave with him?"

"She wanted to go." He muttered. "Now..kindly get the hell out of my shop."

Kelg leaned over the counter and snorted. "Not until you put our order in."

Ardus sighed impatiently. "How about no."

Kelg chuckled and peered at him coldly. "Alright then. Guess we'll just be takin' your little girlfriend with us then." He nodded to the back. "Retto, Loovek - go get the bitch."

They started to go behind the counter but Ardus picked up his gun again. "You aren't welcome back here, scum bags."

Retto and Loovek looked at each other and grinned. Retto whipped his pistol out again and pointed it at Ardus' crotch.

Kelg chuckled. "Gotta love bothans. Guns get pointed wherever their eye level might be. In your case, it's your manhood, Archilles."

Retto grinned through black teeth. "You'll be havin' a tough time fuckin' yer little girlfriend without yer equipment."

Ardus' face looked flushed as he glanced towards the backroom, hoping Sevita wasn't hearing any of this conversation. "I told you before, she's not my girlfriend. She's a customer. You can't just kidnap a customer."

"Watch us." Loovek snapped and began to shove towards Ardus.

"Wait - " Ardus pleaded. "Look..don't involve the kid in this. It doesn't have anything to do with her. Just leave her outta it."

But before anything else could be said Sevita was walking out of the backroom in her light armor. "Mr. Arch-"

Retto and Loovek grabbed hold of her arms and shoved her against the counter towards Kelg.

Kelg grinned and ran a hand through her mohawked hair. He chuckled as he watched her struggling to get free as the rodian held the back of her neck. "What a lovely young lady this one is. Fiesty too."

Ardus set his gun down slowly, not wanting to risk Sevita's life. "Kelg, she ain't involved in this..let her go."

Kelg glanced at the struggling young girl and back at Ardus and sighed. "Alright, alright..fine. You've caught me in a good mood, so I'll do just that."

He nodded to the two men and they released hold of her.

Sevita snarled at them wildly. The Bothan and Rodian jumped back, startled.

Retto pointed at her eyes. "They ain't natural, her eyes. Ain't zabrak..ain't even human." He and the Rodian began backing up towards the door until finally they pushed it open, the bells chiming again as they left the shop.

"I won't bother the girl as long as you continue our orders. I believe you still have an open order from about 6 months ago. Lets re-do that one, eh?"

Ardus glanced at Sevita, concerned, then nodded slowly. "Ok, fine..whatever you want.."

Kelg grinned. "Good. Well I'll be going then. The local cantina's show is about to begin. And I wouldn't want to miss those beautiful women for anything." He said, winking in Sevita's direction.

"I'll send one of the boys to pick up the merchandise when it's ready. Goodbye Mr. Archilles. We'll see you again soon." Kelg said, grinning as he left the shop.

Ardus frowned and looked at Sevita. "I'm sorry about that Sevita, are you alright?"

She brushed off her pant legs and shrugged. "I've been through worse."
_________________
"Goodnight, sweet Prince. May flights of devils wing you to your rest."

[Nisha]

Sevita started packing up the weapons and glanced over at Ardus, who was cleaning one of his rifles, staring up at the setting suns.

"Mr. Archilles, can I ask you somethin'?"

Ardus seemed to be lost in the beautiful Tatooine sunset.

"Mr. Archilles?"

He blinked and looked at her. "What is it kid?"

"Who's Jaron?"

Ardus' face darkened slightly. "That isn't any of your business." He said coldly.

Sevita frowned. "I'm sorry Mr. Archilles. It's just that I heard his name and I was curious.."

Ardus peered at her silently. "And what, I'm obligated to tell you because you asked?"

Sevita didn't respond. Instead, she continued packing up the weapons into a large tote.

Ardus rubbed his temple quietly. Letting out a huge sigh he shoved the rifle into the tote Sevita was packing up.

Sevita seemed slightly startled at the sudden action.

He turned to the sunset again. "Jaron was my business partner."

"He sold weapons too?"

"Yeah. But armor was more his thing. He was an armorsmith."

"So what happened to him? How come he's not still around?"

"We started having arguments all the time..about stupid smurf really. Business things mostly, but not just business.."

Sevita waited for him to finish.

"Personal stuff too. Like my slave..he ran off with her."

"So he kidnapped her?"

"Not exactly.. I err...I fell in love with her, and so I freed her. I thought she loved me back but.."

Sevita stared at him, waiting.

Ardus contined gazing at the sunset. "She was just pretending to love me. She never had any feelings for me. It was Jaron she loved. I went out of town for a few days for business..but when I got back, they were gone."

Sevita frowned. "I'm sorry Mr. Archilles. I shouldn't have nosed in your business like that."

Ardus snorted. "Yeah..you do know what happened to the curious cat, don't ya?"

Sevita shrugged. "Nope."

Ardus chuckled. "Curiosity killed the cat."

Sevita stared at him for a moment than slowly began to chuckle. "Well..good thing I'm not a cat then." She grinned.
_________________
"Goodnight, sweet Prince. May flights of devils wing you to your rest."

[Nisha]

Ardus heaved the tote onto the counter, exhausted. He turned to Sevita and grinned. "You were really good out there today Sevita. I was impressed."

Sevita blushed slightly, setting down two smaller totes besides the other. "Thank you."

He crossed his arms, peering at her. "Where'd you learn that stuff from?"

Sevita shrugged, absentmindedly plucking at a loose thread on her shirt.

Ardus cleared his throat. "That ain't an answer."

She sighed and leaned against the counter slightly. "Somewhere else." She mumbled.

"What did you used to do? You a former Reb or something?" He asked, narrowing his eyes.

Sevita looked annoyed. "No."

"I ain't ever seen a kid your age do things like that with a gun. I would've guessed you're from a Hunter family, but something seems a bit off.. It's not the same kind of hunting."

Sevita nibbled on some sort of chewy candy, staring off into space.

"What're you hidin', kid?"

Sevita narrowed her eyes. "Nothing!"

"You're lying. And if there's one thing I don't tolerate, it's liars. Especially people I'm trainin'. If you're gonna lie to me like that, I'm not going to train you, understood?"

Sevita looked desperate to get out of the shop and away from his questions. She peered at the door longingly.

"I...."

She trailed off, then looked up at Archilles.

"I was forced to watch things that I didn't wanna watch. Forced to to do things I didn't wanna do."

Ardus looked shocked. "You were raped or somethin'?"

Sevita scowled. "No, nothin' like that."

"I -"

But their conversation was interrupted by the soft chime of bells. A customer.

They both turned to see a Devaronian with an eye patch stroll inside.

He looked at Sevita for a moment before turning to Archilles, nodding, then spoke something in Devaronese.

Ardus stared at the man. "Excuse me?"

"Weapons for Mr. Kelg. They ready?" The man repeated in a heavily accented basic.

Ardus snorted. "It's only been a week and he's sending you scum bags here already? I said I'd send a holomail when they were finished."

The Dev snarled and pulled out a gun from his jacket, sticking it in Archilles' face. "Mr. Kelg is tired of waiting. He's been waitin' for months already..He wants his wares NOW."

Ardus stepped back, his hands up. "Now wait a minute - I've had a lot of orders I've had to fill. Business has been a little busy this past week."

The Devaronian smirked at Ardus. "You ain't busy here. We've been watching ya. Hardly any business at all. Just lots of time spent outdoors with the girl." He turned his gaze to Sevita. "Too much time."

Archilles glared at the Dev. "You scumbags have been watchin' me this entire time? What the hell for?"

The Dev adjusted his eye patch with his gauze-wrapped hand. "Mr. Kelg is curious about your traffic flow in here." He looked at Sevita with a lecherous grin. "And the girl."

Ardus growled. "Damn him, he said he'd leave her out of this. That filthy horn-headed son of a bitch.."

The Devaronian grit his teeth and roughly shoved the butt of his rifle into Ardus' abdomen.

Ardus groaned and keeled over, clutching his stomach in pain.

The Dev shook a finger at Ardus. "Don't insult Mr. Kelg, weaponsmith. Bad things happen." He smirked, aiming the gun at Ardus' temple.

Suddenly the Dev had a surprised expression on his face as a blade was stuck in his gut. He clutched at the weapon as blood seeped from it, then fell forward onto Ardus as the blade was removed.

Ardus stared at the lifeless body then quickly pushed it away from him, shocked.

Sevita quietly wiped the blood with a rag, replacing the blade into a sheath on her thigh. She glanced up at Ardus.

Ardus looked at her, unblinking.

"You asked what I did." Sevita said quietly, then grabbed hold of the Dev's legs, dragging him to the back room.
_________________
"Goodnight, sweet Prince. May flights of devils wing you to your rest."

[Nisha]

"I can't believe I'm doing this.." Ardus mumbled under his breath.

"Wha?" Sevita asked from in the hole.

Ardus ducked as more sand was heaved out at him. "I said I can't believe I'm doing this."

"Doing what exactly? You're not really helpin'."

"You murdered one of Kelg's henchmen. He ain't exactly the kind of guy a kid should mess with."

The digging stopped and a shovel came flying out of the hole.

Ardus jumped to the side to avoid it colliding with his head. "..What the hell!"

Sevita hopped out of the hole, not unlike a cat.

"Mr. Kelg doesn't scare me."

Ardus stared at her. "You're kidding me..right? You've met the guy and his thugs. You've seen what they're capable of."

"And you didn't just see what I was capable of Mr. Archiles?"

"Err...yeah. Good point. But that's another thing...where'd you learn to do that?"

Sevita remained silent, looking off into the distance.

Ardus stared at her, expecting an answer.

Instead, Sevita knelt down next to a large tote, unzipping it. "Can you help me with this Mr. Archilles?"

Ardus slowly walked over and took hold of the body, helping to carry it over to the grave. He winced, covering his mouth. "Uggh, this bastard is already starting to reek."

Sevita pushed the body into the hole with her boot and picked up the shovel, handing it to Ardus. "I dug it out, now you cover it up."

Ardus snorted but took the shovel anyway. "What the hell did I get myself into with you, eh kid?"

Sevita folded her arms across her chest and watched him cover up the body with sand.

Ardus stopped a few minutes later to wipe the sweat from his brow. He looked at Sevita. "You ever going to answer my question?"

Sevita looked at him quietly. "Which, the one about where I learned that from?"

"Yeah, that one. Why all the mystery?"

Sevita shrugged, going through something.

"Is that his?"

Sevita nodded, holding up an identification card.

"Why the hell would you take that? It's evidence that points towards us."

"Nobody is going to find his body."

"And you know this...how?"

Sevita peered at him. "I just know. Trust me."

Ardus peered at the ID in her hand. "And what about that? I hope you plan on burning it."

"Nope."

Ardus stopped shoveling sand into the grave and looked at her. "Excuse me?"

Sevita looked up from the ID and peered back at him. "I'm keepin' it."

"What, as a fucking souvenir?"

Sevita winced slightly.

"Oh don't start that. You just killed a guy. You aren't innocent, kid."

He stepped towards her, grabbing for the ID. "Now please give me that."

Sevita stepped away. "No. I said I'm keepin' it. And that's that."

Ardus's face flustered in frustration and anger. "No, it's not. You just murdered one of Kelg's boys and you're gonna keep the evidence around like some trophy. Like it's no big deal."

Sevita nodded. "Yeah, pretty much."

Ardus glared at her. "I'm not gonna be implicated in this with you, kid. I want no part of this."

Sevita snarled. "I told you before, they'll never find his body."

"Sevita, don't act stupid. You know damn well just having the ID of a missing Kelg thug is enough to implicate you as the murderer. And *my* shop as the likely crime scene, since the Dev went there to check up on the order and that's the only place Kelg's ever seen you."

Ardus sighed and rubbed his forehead in frustration. "They're going to come lookin' for that scumbag at my shop. Do you understand that?"

Sevita clutched the ID tightly in her fingers.

"Drop the fucking ID into the hole or you'll be joining him real soon." Archilles snarled viciously.

Sevita stared at him, shocked, but her hand instantly went to the blade strapped to her thigh.

Ardus watched her, not moving. His fingers tightened on the handle of the shovel.

Watching his movements Sevita stepped back, walking backwards a few steps before turning and running.

Ardus threw the shovel down angrily. "God DAMN it kid, get your ass back here and give me that ID." He shouted after her.

She kicked up sand as she ran full force towards her speeder. Grabbing the backpack from next to it she slung it over her shoulder and started up the speeder, heading back towards the Ranch.

Ardus cursed in every language he knew.

He looked down at the barely covered body in .

Walking a few feet he crouched down to his backpack on the ground, unzipping a pocket. He removed his datapad and opened a holomail window.

"Ain't gonna take the heat for this one." He mumbled as he typed up a quick message;

Kelg,

The Dev you sent to acquire the weapons is dead. Let it be clear that I had no part in his murder, however I can deliver you the one who did. Meet me at my shop tomorrow at noon. No thugs, just you and you only.

PS
Your wares will be finished tomorrow as well. Feel free to pick 'em up before you leave.

- Archilles-

Ardus sent the holomail and closed his datapad, putting it away. He looked off towards the distance. "Should've listened to me, kid." He said, shaking his head.

He picked up the shovel and went back to work.
_________________
"Goodnight, sweet Prince. May flights of devils wing you to your rest."

[Nisha]

Sevita sat on the steps of the old Rock Shipping buillding, shining one of her blades. She quickly caught a familiar scent and looked up to see Ardus standing at the foot of the steps.

His face was tired and weary. He smiled weakly at her. "Sevita..."

She stood up quickly, her fingers wrapped tightly around the blade handle. "What do you want?"

"I....I came to warn you kid." He said, eying the blade.

Sevita sneered at him. "Who did you send after me Mr. Archilles?

Ardus looked down at his feet, not answering.

Sevita narrowed her eyes but simply snorted. "It doesn't matter. Whoever it is, I'll take care of - just like that Devaronian."

Ardus looked up at her, somewhat saddened. "I don't think so, Sevita. Not this time.."

She glared at him.

"Kid, please. Please just listen to me..You gotta get outta here. They know where you live. Don't go home. Don't hang around this town. Just run away..get off this Hellhole of a planet. Run while you still can Sevita." Ardus pleaded.

"I'm not going anywhere Mr. Archilles. This is my home. I'm not gonna just run away like some coward. I'm Zabrak. I don't run."

Ardus rubbed his temple in frustration. "God damn it kid, don't you start that Stubborn Zabrak shit on me now. This isn't the time for it!"

But Sevita remained where she was, not moving one inch.

A moment later Archilles turned to see a large landspeeder pulled up. And out of the landspeeder came several thugs and Mlarkai Kelg himself. Behind the landspeeder were several swoops with even more thugs.

Kelg removed his hat and bowed his head to Sevita politely. He nodded to Archilles. "Thank you Ardus, I'll take it from here."

Ardus nodded awkwardly, stepping back.

Sevita quickly felt around for her blaster but couldn't find it.

Ardus glanced at her. "That was only for practice kid.."

She felt her face fluster in frustration and fear.

Kelg grinned at Sevita. "Well good afternoon Miss Sevita. I'm sure you remember me. We met at Mr. Archilles' shop. And If you don't mind I'd like to invite you back to my humble abode. I think you'll find it very comfortable there. "

She clutched the blade of the dagger even tighter, watching the thugs step closer to her.

"No...I'm not gonna go with you. You're not a good person." She growled.

Kelg smiled. "Well that depends on who you ask.."

Several henchmen chuckled, amused.

Kelg cleared his throat and they shut up quickly.

He turned back to Sevita. "Now..be a good girl and do as you are told. And If you do I'll give you lots of pretty dresses and jewelry. Wouldn't you like that?"

"She doesn't like girly stuff.." Archilles mumbled quietly.

Kelg eyed him. "I said that will be all, Ardus. You're free to go."

Archilles balled his hands into fists, biting his lip.

"Don't touch me with your filthy hands." She snarled, stepping back as Kelg moved closer to her.

Kelg pretended to laugh, then nodded to the men. "Get the little bitch."

The Bothan and Rodian began walking up the steps, followed by another man in a helmet.

Sevita found herself backing up with no way out. A few more thugs came behind the others, all brandishing large rifles and guns.

"I'm sorry my dear, but it seems guns outdo blades." Kelg said, putting his hat back on.

Several thugs grabbed hold of her.

Sevita punched and kicked at them, her blade getting dropped in the process.

Ardus stood back and watched helplessly as they shoved Sevita into the back of the landspeeder.

Kelg strode past him quietly.

"No...w-wait!" Ardus stammered, catching up with Mlarkai.

Kelg stopped and looked at him, intrigued. "What is it Archilles?"

Ardus swallowed nervously, looking at the thugs standing by the landspeeder and the size of the weapons they held.

Kelg stared him down, narrowing his eyes. "Unless you are going to inform me that your Twi'lek lady friend is back in town, our business is concluded."

Ardus stepped forward, about to speak.

"Oh but don't worry. I'm sure I'll have another order for you soon enough." Kelg said, grinning.

He made his way to the landspeeder, stepping inside as one of the thugs held the door open for him.

The Rodian got back on his swoop and followed the landspeeder as it took off in a cloud of dust.

Ardus watched them go, frozen in place.

He stood there for a few moments before finally collapsing onto the ground, his head in his hands. "What did I just do.."

A flash of light caught his eye and he looked over to see Sevita's blade lying on the ground.

Reaching over, he picked it up.

He sat down on the step and looked off into the distance quietly.

The twin suns beat down on him for hours but he simply sat there, staring off into the distance.

He finally stood, the blade in his hand. "I'm so sorry Sevita..Please forgive me.."
_________________
"Goodnight, sweet Prince. May flights of devils wing you to your rest."

[Nisha]

Ardus paced back and forth in his shop, a bead of sweat dripping down his forehead. He had been doing this for hours. He couldn't believe what he just did. He let one of the most dangerous men on Tatooine take away his friend. Though he never really told her, Sevita was really the only friend he had left. Even with all of her mystery and oddness, she was still a sweet girl and a good listener.


Jaron was Ardus' best friend from childhood, and when he betrayed him, Ardus swore he would never trust anybody that much again.

But he did, and now she was gone. Or was she?

Ardus was no saint. He had several slaves in the past, including the one Jaron ran off with. Maybe..just maybe..for a little money and free weapons, maybe Kelg would agree to sell her to him.

He took a deep breath and went into the back room of his shop. Sitting down at a table, he opened his datapad and began typing a holomail to Kelg.

Kelg,

I want the girl back. At her young age she would make an excellent slave. I could use help here at the shop, now that Dara is gone for good.

Let me know what your answer is. I wouldn't want a perfectly good slave going to waste.

- Archilles -

At Kelg's HQ's he heard a soft chime and gestured for Loovik to bring over his datapad. The Rodian nodded and picked it up, bringing it across the room to Kelg, who was busy eating dinner.

Kelg opened the holomail, scanning it quickly.

He stared at it for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"That man never ceases to amaze me. Does he really think I'm that naive? Like I would really believe he wants her back as a *slave*."

Kelg hit 'reply'.

Ardus,

If you truly wish to purchase the young lady back from me, you'll have to come and prove how much you desire her. I'll send the boys to pick you up tomorrow morning around 9. Don't make them wait because you won't get another chance.

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

M'larkai

He sent the holomail and closed the datapad shut.

Nodding to a dreadlocked man in a helmet, he glanced at the girl on the sofa. She was bound tightly with rope, heavily sedated.

"Kaj'ta, please take our young friend to her room. She's going to need her rest for the long day ahead."

"Yes sir." He replied, then carefully picked up Sevita, hauling her down the hallway towards the bedrooms.

Sevita groggily opened her eyes to look at who was carrying her. She couldn't see his face from under the helmet.

Akul glanced down at the familiar markings on her face, some emotions stirring in his soul. Sevita stared back at him quietly.

Akul took her into her room and placed her on the bed.

"Who...who are you?" She stammered groggily, her eyes straining to look at him.

Akul glanced back at her but said nothing. He walked down the hall. "Nobody." He mumbled.
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"Goodnight, sweet Prince. May flights of devils wing you to your rest."

[Nisha]

Sevita woke groggily, trying to sit up.

"Lay back down Little Miss, you need your rest."

Her eyes strained to see who else was in the room with her. "Who..who are you? What are you doin' in here?"

The woman sat on the edge of the bed. "It's ok, I won't hurt you."

Sevita felt a cool rag on her forehead. Her eyes squinted to see the face of the woman. "..th-thanks..I was burning up.."

Her vision finally cleared enough to reveal a purple skinned Twi'lek with many scars adorning her body.

"I'm not surprised. They don't exactly take good care of prisoners here." The woman said, her voice full of sadness.

Sevita stared at her for a moment. "You're a slave, aren't you?"

The woman nodded quietly. "Mr. Kelg's. I've belonged to him for a very long time now. I can't even remember how long it's been. Every day blends into the next."

Sevita strained against the ropes. "Can't you cut these damn things?"

The woman shook her head. "I'm only allowed to tend to you, not release you from your bonds. I'm sorry, Little Miss."

Sevita looked annoyed. "Why do you keep callin' me that?"

The woman blushed slightly. "I'm sorry. It's just..you remind me of somebody I used to know a long time ago."

Sevita briefly wondered whether this woman knew her mother but didn't dare bring up the matter. That was private.

The woman smiled softly, dabbing at a cut on Sevita's cheek.

Sevita scowled, turning her face away. "That HURTS."

The woman looked at her sadly. "It will only get worse, Miss."

Sevita grit her teeth. "This is all because of him..because of Mr. Archilles..Damn him.."

The woman applied some alcohol to the wound, causing Sevita to flinch. "Not to pry into your business, but I overhead Mr. Kelg and his men earlier..they mentioned something about you killing one of their associates. Did you really do that..?"

Sevita snorted, looking away. "I was defending myself..and Mr. Archilles..

"Then how can it be this Mr. Archilles' fault?"

Sevita tried to sit up, glaring at the woman. "Well you really are nosin' into my business now, aren't you?"

"Miss..killing one of Mr. Kelg's henchman is one of the worst things you could do..Second to killing one of his slaves of course. He takes it very personal."

Sevita sighed and lay her head back down on the bed. "I guess you're right..it's my fault too. I was wreckless..stupid..I should've known better. I was taught better."

"Taught?"

"Long story, one with a not so happy ending. Don't ask."

The woman nodded, dabbing at a cut on Sevita's forearm. "My name is Toryi by the way."

"Sevita."

Toryi smiled. "Well at least I don't have to call you "Little Miss" anymore.

"Yeah, I really hated that." Sevita mumbled, thinking of Essku's irritating cutesy nickname.

The sound of the door unlocking and opening startled them.

A brown furred Bothan threw some clothes at them. "The Boss says dress the brat up in that skimpy get up. And do it fast. We've got company comin'." He added with a grin.

The door shut once more.

Toryi turned to Sevita, attempting a reassuring smile. "Maybe it's a buyer..maybe you'll be ok after all."

Sevita's heart sank. She knew herself, and she knew what she could tolerate. But she was not her Mother.

She had barely escaped this before, and she wasn't about to start a second term of it.

"Somehow I doubt that."
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"Goodnight, sweet Prince. May flights of devils wing you to your rest."