"I'm telling you, it's against all morality!" Jokasta's voice rang out, loud and passionate in its desire to argue, unceremoniously intruding on Asoka's thoughts.
Along with the actions of this woman. She unceremoniously approached Thano, took her by the chin, and lifted the Togrutta's face to hers. Asoka stared at the thin, almost fleshless face of the former archivist: her small but piercing eyes, her sharp, bird-like nose, and her thin, snake-like lips that continued to spit out words:
"Can't you see what she has become and what she did in the recent past! Remember how she shamelessly rejected the offer to stay in the temple and thus preserve her good name! She then went off to who knows where and who knows what she did. She may even have become a whore. She gave birth to a child by some unknown man, whom she may have killed herself so as not to cause problems...
Jocasta could have continued to spit fire for a long time, but when the conversation turned to Asoka's occupation and that absurd assumption, she couldn't hold back and, gathering all the determination her tormented, injustice-weary soul could muster, she raised her face sharply and said loudly, enunciating every word:
"No! You are mistaken!
"Madam Jocasta, please..." Yoda began in a soothing tone.
He was not evil by nature, but the necessity of constantly taking responsibility for hundreds and thousands of lives had inevitably made him harsh and prejudiced. Nevertheless, he did not forget that a Jedi must above all be objective, but now this feeling was beginning to change, forcing him, against his will, to agree with his colleague. The former Padawan Tano really did look as if there was nothing decent left in her. It was reflected in everything: in the way she was dressed, in the way she behaved, and in the way she looked at everyone with her huge, lake-like blue eyes.
"No, you're wrong," Shaak Ti joined the conversation. "But even if you're not, who else is capable of raising those poor twins? Maybe you can do it?"
"No, not me," Jocasta recoiled in horror.
"There you go, I knew it," the Togrut nodded with satisfaction. "You wouldn't be able to squeeze a drop of milk out of your dry udder.
"Master Ti, I beg you," Yoda tried to intervene.
Jocasta's eyes burned with rage, but Shaak Ti ignored her and turned back to Yoda, speaking in the most earnest tone:
"Master, you know very well that it is the duty of every Jedi to respect and preserve life in all its forms. Yes, officially the Order no longer exists, but that does not mean that we must cease to be true to ourselves and our beliefs. And so, despite the fact that there are few of us left, we must preserve our traditions, and in this situation, there is no other way than to entrust Asoka with the care of the newborns. After all, no one else can do it but her.
Jocasta pursed her lips and walked away from them, clearly showing that from now on she was not responsible for the decision they would make.
"The decision must belong to the child's father," Yoda said after a moment's thought. "Let us find out what Skywalker has to say," he added, turning to the unfortunate father. "Knight Skywalker, give me your answer. Are you willing to take a chance on saving the children?"
Ahsoka turned away silently. She no longer cared what anyone thought of her or her appearance. She had heard enough today to strengthen her resolve to leave the camp as soon as she felt a little better. She would fly away to a place where no one knew her and start a new life without the ghosts of her past.
But her mind was drawn to the other end of the room, where two babies lay in a small double cradle, covered with a thin blanket. Hearing their father get to his feet, Asoka stared wide-eyed at these tiny creatures clinging to life with all their might. Anakin Skywalker raised his bowed head and looked for the first time at the girl who had caused the commotion that had prevented him from continuing to wallow in his grief for his wife.
He recognised her immediately.
It was her, the one who had once been closest to him, but in an instant had become distant and unbearable simply because of her existence. And, oh Force, what a sight his former apprentice was. He knew what kind of women allowed themselves to walk around like that in front of strangers. And how thin she had become; from behind, she looked like a teenager. She stood with her head bowed, barefoot.
No, enough. He didn't need this now, when his heart was already so full of grief and he was going through the worst time of his life. It was too painful to let someone who had already almost ruined his life once get involved. And, Sila could see, he would not let her do it again. Especially now. Standing in the middle of the room, the man looked around at everyone gathered and declared loudly and categorically:
"I do not want this person to touch my children. And I ask you to leave immediately and leave us in peace. Let us die in peace.
"Praise the Force, at least someone has shown some sense," came from the right corner.
"Shut your mouth, you old fool!" Shaak Ti snapped, looking contemptuously at Jokast. "Anakin, you've always been a sensible man. Do you really think there's no way to save your children? They're dying of starvation! Think about what Padmé would say to that!" the Togruta resorted to her last argument.
"I've tried everything I can," Anakin said wearily. "Banty milk, sugar water. Nothing works."
"They need their mother's milk," the Master declared. "And Asoka has it.
Skywalker looked at his former student again. Now, in the dim light of the lamp, only her silhouette was visible. Her loose shirt hid her figure, but her breasts were clearly visible in the neckline. Was it his imagination, or had they become larger and heavier? And yet, why was she wearing a shirt? Even illness was no excuse for such indecency. How could she come into a gathering of people, especially men, barely covered? I wonder if she came here straight from a brothel? Could it be the same one she went to after leaving the Order, the temple and... him? Padmé would be horrified if she saw their former friend now.
"I am strongly opposed to my wife's children being fed by a woman of that kind and occupation," declared the unhappy father firmly and sternly.
"Do you know more about her life outside the Order than I do?" Shaak Ti raised her eyebrows.
"It's written all over her! Can't you see? She's got a brand mark on her! She gave birth to a child by one of her clients and strangled it to death!
The powerless anger at fate for the death of his beloved wife finally found an outlet and now poured out in a generous stream onto the innocent Asoka.
"It's possible," Shaak said cautiously, "but not in these difficult times, when Imperial soldiers walk wherever they want, confident that the entire galaxy now belongs to them alone...
Asoka stopped listening to their conversation, her attention completely absorbed by the babies. She had never seen newborns other than her own, but these were smaller. She even felt afraid that such tiny creatures would survive. Their skin looked unhealthily pale, and their tummies trembled with cries.
A strange jolt struck the young Togruta's heart, like fainting, but without her vision darkening. The quiet cries of the children sounded to her like the calling song of a forest witch. And a sharp, almost unbearable desire to give these unfortunate orphans everything she had: her love, her soul, her heart — became simply unbearable.
And soon she herself did not understand how she began to slowly approach the crib. How carefully she picked up one of them, just as carefully lowered his head onto her bent elbow, and slipped her other hand under his back. How she sat down on a chair and, this time not by herself but using the Force, pulled out the second child and placed him on her lap.
And now she had unbuttoned her shirt one button at a time and, letting it slip off her shoulders, bared both her breasts. Then she carefully lifted the children and guided them both to her nipples. They understood everything in an instant and, greedily grasping each one, began to suck vigorously. The sudden cessation of crying caused everyone in the room to turn towards the children's crib and freeze at the sight that met their eyes.
Anakin, who had been frozen at the thought that his children might be dead, now watched with mixed feelings as this girl sat there feeding them from her breasts. He could see clearly how eagerly they sucked, how the milk bubbled around their pale lips.
"It seems that the situation has resolved itself," Shaak Ti concluded. "Master Yoda, please escort Lady Jokaast, and I will help Asoka settle in here.
Anakin kept his heavy gaze fixed on the feeding scene. How unbearable it was for him to think that Asoka had reappeared in his life. She had dared to come back after what she had done there. Under no circumstances could he allow her to stay, or else it would end up just like it almost had in the past. Now he might not be able to vouch for himself.
But against his will, he began to look at Tano, whom he hadn't seen in almost a year. Now Anakin had the opportunity to see every detail of her once familiar face. Huge blue eyes, now full of peace and tranquillity. Long black eyelashes. A small, slightly upturned nose, white patterns on her forehead and cheeks. And her lips. Plump caramel lips, one look at which made his heart beat faster. And she wasn't ashamed of herself at all. Well, well, she had become completely shameless.
"While these comrades are busy, I'll find you a place to sleep," Shaak interrupted his thoughts, and Skywalker snapped out of it as if he had been slapped:
"I'm not leaving her here. As soon as the children have finished eating, take her back.
"Do you think they won't want to eat anymore? Or do you think we should bring Asoka here every time it's necessary, dragging her across the entire camp? Or will you bring the children to her yourself? I doubt that would do them any good," Shaak shook her head. "And besides, I had nothing against Ahsoka being in my house, just as I would have had nothing against her son, had he survived. Besides, if your wife had found herself in a similar situation, or, God forbid, you yourself, rest assured I would have done the same. But that doesn't mean I have to keep your children here when you have much more space and peace in your own home.
"I didn't ask you to do that," Skywalker began to get annoyed. "But this woman cannot stay here.
"Her name is Asoka, if you haven't forgotten," Shaak Ti reminded him gently. "And besides, her presence here will be necessary for the children. Who will look after them when you are busy or away?
"She's dirty, too!" Anakin added.
"Yes, that's true," the senior Togruta agreed. "I didn't dare wash her because of her high temperature. Seeing her child die, I was afraid I might lose her too. And if you're talking about a hereditary ailment, your beautiful, noble wife would have had the same thing. It will pass soon, and in the meantime, I'll take care of her.
Enakin turned away and fell into deep thought, weighing all the pros and cons. At least five minutes passed before he turned and said with a heavy sigh, as if sacrificing himself:
"All right, let her stay, but only for a while. As soon as I find a way to take care of the children myself, she will be gone. This is not a charity, and I cannot entrust the children to someone who has already betrayed everyone's trust once. So, are you ready to stay here, knowing all this?" He nodded dryly, turning to Asoka.
"What are the children's names?" Tano asked calmly, as if she hadn't heard her former teacher's last words.
"Luke and Leia," her father replied, just as she had. "Padmé wanted to name them that.
Ahsoka nodded contentedly and, raising her head and meeting his eyes, which were similar in colour to hers but a different shade, said resolutely and firmly:
"That's great. I'll take care of Luke and Leia, and I'll stay with them for as long as it takes, even if it means putting up with their dad's endless selfishness and rudeness.
***
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