Star Wars: Ahsoka

“Of course not,” Hoban protested. He didn’t even try to mop up the mess. “I just meant he’ll be curious because she’s new.”

“You’ll have to forgive my brother,” Neera said. “He never thinks before he speaks.”

“You’re forgiven,” said Ahsoka.

“I didn’t—” Hoban started, but then gave up. “Where’s the food? I’m starving.”

Every cantina Ahsoka had been in before had been full of transients. Even on Coruscant, the bars were populated by people who were on their way somewhere else, even if it was only to a concert or another party. It was strange to be somewhere where everyone was local. On Raada, she was the stranger, and she got the distinct impression that if she’d walked through the doors alone, the music and the talking would have stopped and she’d have been the center of attention. Even shielded by Kaeden and her friends, Ahsoka was the focus of quite a few covert stares as people tried to figure her out.

“They’ll get used to you soon enough,” said Vartan. He stood up and prepared to push his way back to the bar for refills. “Do you want to order anything special? Tonight the drinks are on us.”

“He’s being ridiculous,” Miara said. “Selda only has one kind of alcohol. Just get another round, Vartan.”

He saluted her, a mocking gesture that Ahsoka found uncomfortably familiar, and went on his way. Miara and Kaeden started arguing with the twins about something, and Ahsoka let herself half listen while she looked around the cantina. It was a habit, assessing her surroundings, but now would be a good time to find out if anyone was too interested in her. She mostly saw tired people who just seemed to want a hot meal at the end of the day. If it weren’t for the music, she would have thought this was a commissary or mess hall.

“That’s why Selda keeps it so loud,” Kaeden said, when Ahsoka told her what she was thinking. “You eat in a lot of mess halls back wherever you’re from?”

“Sometimes,” Ahsoka said. “More often it was eating what we could where we could.”

“You moved around a lot?” Kaeden said with some sympathy. “Even when you were little?”

“Not when I was little,” Ahsoka said. “But for the last few years, yes.”

“My parents settled us here when I was four and Miara was one,” Kaeden said. “They died in the accident that cut up Selda so bad, but I was fourteen by then and just old enough to draw a wage. Vartan took me on because of my circumstances, even though everyone else thought I was too young. Then he took Miara on, too. Did you travel with your parents?”

The question shouldn’t have caught Ahsoka off guard, but it did. She said the first thing that popped into her head.

“No, I don’t remember my parents very well.”

“Who’d you travel with then?” Kaeden asked.

“I’m, uh—dopted,” Ahsoka stuttered, and hoped the noise of the cantina was enough to cover her hesitation. “Sort of.” She went through her days trying not to think about her loss, lest her grief incapacitate her, but that just meant that every time it came up, it hurt like new.

Whatever question Kaeden had next was interrupted by the return of Vartan carrying a tray of drinks, Selda trailing behind him with a tray of food. Once everything was passed out, Selda took the seat beside Ahsoka and leaned in so only she would hear him.

“Are you set up okay here?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied, surprised at his kindness.

“There’s been a bunch of new people, coming out from the Core worlds,” Selda said. “Nonhumans.”

Ahsoka had heard the rumors. The Empire was highly selective in who it admitted to positions of power. Palpatine wasn’t afraid to step on his old allies, even on his home planet.

“I’m not running from anything that specific,” Ahsoka said. Ashla’s lies came easier every time. “I just wanted to be somewhere quiet.”

The cantina band began what must have been a popular song, because most of the people in the room started clapping and singing along with it. Ahsoka winced, and Selda laughed.

“I know what you mean,” he shouted over the increased noise. “But if something changes, let me know. Or tell Vartan. He’s closemouthed, but he knows which way is up.”

Selda clapped her on the shoulder, the familiarity of the gesture surprising her again, and got up to return to the bar. Ahsoka watched him walk away. She could see the lines in his tunic and trousers where his body stopped and his prosthetics began. It must have been a terrible accident.

“What did he want?” Kaeden asked as Ahsoka turned to the plate in front of her and began to eat.

“Just saying hello,” Ahsoka said. “It’s good business for him to know people, isn’t it?”

Kaeden nodded and let her eat.

* * *