Leave didn’t happen very often. It was even a rarer opportunity when that included Ahsoka being able to do something fun. Most of the time, leave was for the men. She’d stand with Anakin and Obiwan in the drop ship and listen to the plans the troopers around her were making. Leave for her, however, mostly meant study time at the Temple. But, Anakin had agreed that this time could be for fun. She had worked very hard the last two months and never complained once (that he heard).
She was trying to think about what she could do on Coruscant, being a novice when it came to the planet’s nightlife. She heard Jesse and Fives mention something called Limmie, talking about attending a small match later that evening. She didn’t want to just invite herself, as she knew how important it was for the men to have time to themselves. But she didn’t want to wander around clueless for her free time either.
“What’s Limmie?” She asked, Jesse looking down at her like he’d just noticed she was there, he wore a startled expression.
“It’s bolo-ball, there’s a match tonight between two local teams. Nothing big but it’s fun.” Fives explained, giving a shrug. Ahsoka gave a nod,
“That sounds fun.” She replied. As things between the three grew quiet, Fives looked and Jesse who shrugged. They weren’t sure what Jedi did for fun really. Studying and training didn’t sound like a good time on leave to them.
“Do you...want to join us?” Fives asked, raising an eyebrow and looking at the young Padawan. He must’ve said something right because her face lit up.
“Yes! That would be great!”
Fives and Jesse explained the rules of Limmie to Ahsoka, who was taking mental notes. She had met them out in front of the Temple and they shared a cab to the location. She’d never seen them in casual clothing before, or rather as casual as clone troopers got. The two wore matching PT outfits, black shorts and a grey top with the Republic’s symbol printed in the center in a slightly darker grey. It was almost invisible really. She just wore her regular Jedi getup, feeling a bit out of place in anything else. The cab soon stopped at a sports field, a small one but it was well-kept. Ahsoka truthfully had no idea there was a sports complex in Coruscant.
Tonight it had been rented out by two local Limmie teams. The Raging Rontos and the Red Banthas. There were a fair amount of fans for each team.
“This is nothing really, not in terms of field size or fans. Coruscant has always been skimpy on the Limmie love, even though the Galactic Cup is held here.” Jesse explained, buying their entry tickets. He handed Ahsoka a lanyard with a tag on it that showed she’d paid. She thanked Jesse who waved nonchalantly. Fives picked out a good spot in the stands, Ahsoka spotted some other clones from different battalions in the crowd. They were on their way to their seats when a Rodian called Jesse over.
“Hey man, you just get in?” The Rodian asked, shaking hands with Jesse and then with Fives. Ashoka stood back a bit, it was clear these three knew each other.
“Yeah, about an hour ago really.” Fives said with a shrug. The Rodian looked at their badges.
“Did you just buy those? I’d ask for a refund bros.” Jesse and Fives glanced at each other.
“Why?” They asked in unison.
“Well, two of our guys have been injured and one got called into work. So we’re down three players. We were going to forfeit to the Banthas. Unless....” The Rodian looked the two troopers up and down.
“Do you two want to play? You’ve played in the causal games.” The Rodian offered. Jesse and Fives readily agreed.
“Now we’re only down one.” The Rodian stated, trying to think of someone else. Jesse looked over at Ahsoka, who had been standing awkwardly to the side. He nudged Fives who also looked over at Ahsoka.
“I don’t know, she’s just learned the rules...” Fives said uncertainly. Ahsoka picked up on what they were talking about.
“I can do it! Trust me.” Ahsoka said, not wanting to be left out. The Rodian considered her. She was small, but that wasn’t really a bad thing.
Soon the three were wearing Raging Ronto shirts, Ahsoka’s nearly swallowed her. She laced up the cleats they had found for her and stretched like Jesse and Fives had. The other team looked disheartened since they were expecting a forfeit. Ahsoka decided not to use the Force, as she was sure that was against the rules. The team huddled, Ahsoka elated to be included as if she’d always belonged. The play was laid out, a couple other team mates giving Ahsoka a run down of her role. A whistle was blown and it was time to start.
Jesse and Fives had certainly played before. She heard their names called out in the stands. She looked over and saw Echo, Kix, Boil, and Waxer in the stands. When they noticed her, they looked at each other uncertainly but cheered for her too. Their team was given the ball first and they took off with it down the field, passing the ball off to a free member when the opposite team players came upon them. It was a fast paced game and you had to know who was around you. Early on the other team members zoomed in on her as being a newbie, knocking her over and stealing the ball from her a couple times. Once Jesse came over and helped her up as Fives stole the ball back. Ahsoka shook off the frustration.
She soon got the hang of the game, she was a fast learner. Stealing the ball and knocking other players over. She soon had some people chanting her name in the stands. The adrenaline high had kicked in and she found it something she craved. Right up until one of the Red Bantha’s elbowed her in the face, Ahsoka fell backwards, stunned. Her team was suddenly at her side as the ref called foul on the offending player. Laying on the grass, Ahsoka stared up a the skylanes. Her nose throbbed and felt a bit numb. The team medic, a Zabrak, was at her side and helped her sit up. Fives and Jesse grimaced as blood started run from her nose.
“We should get her back to the base.” Fives said, Jesse nodding.
“No! Then the Rontos will be three down again.” Ahsoka said, attempting to stand.
“See, I’m fine. I can play.” She wobbled into the Zabrak medic.
“I’d advise against that.” The medic said, already leading Ahsoka to the benches. The game paused to allow the Rontos to figure out a game plan.
Echo, Kix, Boil, and Waxer were already at the barrier that separated fans from players. Kix asking the medic what happened.
“Bloody nose and slight disorientation.” The medic replied, handing Ahsoka an ice pack from the cooler and sitting her on the bench.
“Why did you two let her play?!” Echo asked Jesse and Fives, who shrugged.
“Captain Rex is going to be upset and I don’t even want to know how General Skywalker will react.” Boil said, shoving a handful of popcorn into his mouth.
“No! We can’t tell him! He can’t know i got a nose bleed like this!” Ahsoka said, raising her head from where the Zabrak had positioned it.
“Keep your head low so the blood flows out and not back.” He instructed again, pushing her head gently back towards her knees.
“Keep playing Fives and Jesse! You can play with one out right?” Ahsoka asked the Rodian, who was the Ronto’s coach. The alien nodded,
“It will be tough but not impossible.”
“We’ll avenge you Tano.” Fives assured.
The Rontos went on to win the match, by just one goal. Ahsoka walked out with Jesse, Fives, Kix, and the gang with a Raging Ronto’s shirt that fit her.
“That was so much fun!! Fives, the way you stole the ball and kicked it to Jesse like that! Golden!!” She expressed. Her nose had stopped bleeding but was bruised. They walked towards the entrance to the base, Ahsoka feeling like one of the guys.
“Where have you guys been?” Came a familiar voice. Anakin. She turned and saw him walking toward them with Rex in tow. He saw her bruised nose and his eyes narrowed. He took in the dirt on her arms, legs, and face.
“Have you been in a fight!?” Anakin demanded, noticing her shirt.
“The Ranging Rontos?” Anakin asked.
“Local Limmie team sir.” Rex clarified. “Did they win?” He asked Jesse.
“Uh, yeah...it was close.” The trooper replied, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Ahsoka, what happened to your nose?” Anakin asked again. Fives noticing Kix, Echo, Boil, and Waxer had ditched them.
“Well, Master, the player on the Red Banthas elbowed me in the face because he was mad I stole the ball back from him. But don’t worry, Jesse and Fives avenged me.” Ahsoka said causally. Anakin staring at her, mouth agape.
“You...you played?! Do you know how hurt you could’ve been?!” Anakin exclaimed.
“Fives, Jesse, why did you let her play?!” Rex added. Ahsoka held her hands up.
“I wanted to play, it’s not their fault. And I didn’t get hurt much. Besides, I do way more dangerous things in the field!” Ahsoka said defensively.
“I agree.” Obiwan said, appearing from out of no where, one hand on his beard. Startled, Anakin grabbed his chest.
“By the Force, I thought you left!” He muttered at his Master.
“Need I remind you of your podracing days Anakin?” Obiwan mused.
“Podracing?” Ahsoka asked, that sounded fun.
“No! No you do not!” Anakin said quickly, ushering his Padawan aside.
“I just don’t want you to get hurt where I can’t help you.” He explained to Ahsoka, his tone more gentle.
“I know Master, but you can’t protect me forever.” Ahsoka debated. Anakin smirked.
“I can try. Did you have fun?” He asked. Ahsoka immediately launched into an excited re-telling of the match. Play by play.
@wille-zarr I hope you like it!!
