Need Chapter XXVI - Obi-Wan
by Esmeralda
A sharp spike of pain had embedded itself in the back of Obi-Wan's skull; making even minimal movement unbearable. He decided to lay perfectly still and try to get his bearings. The soft muted rumblings, and faint tremors were familiar to one accustomed to space flight. So...he was on board a ship. Now other questions surfaced. Such as - who's ship was it? and how did he get here?
His memory felt strangely blurred...He remembered waking up in the shelter...getting dressed...going outside...and...Qui-Gon!
Obi-Wan shot upright, ignoring the flare of agony which ripped down his spine.
"Aah, so my new pet has woken up. I would suggest you not move around so quickly little one...The pain will fade in time."
At the sound of the voice Obi-Wan turned, his eyes slowly focusing on the figure sprawled indolently across a large chair in a corner of the cabin.
The owner of the voice was male, humanoid and might once have been handsome. Even now, despite the large scar bisecting his face - turning one eye milky white - he possessed a certain roguish presence.
Obi-Wan pressed a hand to his head and winced, "Who...Who are you?"
The man laughed, "Who am I?" Standing he crossed the room and seated himself beside Obi-Wan - who had realised with a faint qualm that he was sat upon a large bed. "I am Rigel." He reached out to touch Obi-Wan's cheek, smiling patiently when the young man flinched away. "However you will address me as Sire."
"Wh...what?-" Obi-Wan fought back a wince as Rigel's fingers gripped his jaw painfully. The older man lowered his face close to Obi-Wan's; his voice a harsh whisper,
"What...*Sire*."
Biting back a reply, Obi-Wan struggled to control the rising tide of emotions churning within him - fear and anger warred for dominance. With effort he fought back his anger...but the fear was for Qui-Gon, and it refused to be silenced.
Rigel seemed to have regained control of his own temper. The fingers holding Obi-Wan's jaw relaxed, and began to stroke the bruised flesh. Obi-Wan barely suppressed a shudder; but the older man either didn't notice his revulsion - or was indifferent to it.
"You are concerned for your companion?"
Obi-Wan tried to school his features into bland neutrality.
"Don't be. He doesn't miss you." Obi-Wan was unable to hide the concern in his eyes. Rigel shrugged. "An unfortunate side effect of our stun device. Sometimes an individual has his memory wiped." Obi- Wan knew he had failed to keep the horror from his face when Rigel's eyes glittered maliciously. "It might come back...If he lives long enough."
Obi-Wan looked away. *It...it couldn't be true...It couldn't...* //Qui-Gon...Master!//
"He means so much to you?" Still stunned, Obi-Wan failed to catch the jealous tinge to Rigel's question. "Is he your father?" Rigel stroked his fingers down Obi-Wan's throat. "Hmm no, I think not." Regarding Obi-Wan thoughtfully he continued to speculate. "Just a friend then?" A cold, pale blue eye took on a sudden hard gleam. "Or perhaps...a lover?"
Obi-Wan sat like stone.
"No matter", Rigel's tone was dismissive; his fingers strayed to the folds of Obi-Wan's tunic. "Though I wonder...What would you give to keep him safe?"
Even Rigel seemed a little taken aback by Obi-Wan reaction - the youth started wildly, a panicked look upon his face. However, as the young man tried to pull away, Rigel caught both his arms and held him fast.
"Such spirit!" Tightening his hold Rigel grinned savagely. "It will be a true challenge to tame you little one!"
Obi-Wan summoned enough strength to twist free. "That will *never* happen!" He snarled the words between bared teeth.
"Ah my little cat has claws." Rigel stood up, amused by Obi-Wan's defiance. "Still, we shall see little one...We shall see."
End.
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