Private As Snug as a Bug...

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi

​

Score Board

Braze 10 | Loomi 10

Never have I ever piloted a space-capable craft.
Braze 10 | Loomi 9

"Never have I ever been to an ocean,"
Braze 9 | Loomi 9

" Never have I ever told anyone about my one specific recurring nightmare."
Braze 9 | Loomi 8

"...been in a speeder."
Braze 8 | Loomi 8

" Hmnn... Never have I ever... Lost a sock. "
Braze 8 | Loomi 8

"Never have I ever... swung a lightsaber."
Braze 7 | Loomi 8

"Never have I ever hidden things under my bed."
Braze 7 | Loomi 8

"Never have I ever... been in a race."
Braze 6 | Loomi 8

Braze listened attentively to Loomi's response about socks and her concerns about training sabers. He nodded understandingly, his eyes widening with a mischievous glint.

"They can be dangerous. My training saber mostly leaves small burns or welts and bruises. I know it's like a real saber but it has some sort of locking mechanism that keeps it in that 'powered down' mode. I hate it; it's like they made it young-ling-proofed. "

As the topic shifted to hiding things, Braze giggled and leaned in closer. "You're so sneaky with your net hanging from the ceiling! That's genius! No one would ever suspect a thing," he whispered in an exaggerated spy-like manner, playing along with her idea. "And you're right, who needs to hide anything if you don't have secrets? "

At the mention of a race, however, Braze's eyes lit up with excitement. "Never been in a race? I've raced some of my peers before. But not like on swoop bikes or a speeder or anything like that. " he exclaimed, his voice filled with childlike enthusiasm. "We should totally have our own race someday, just for the fun of it! "

Braze couldn't contain his playful nature as he continued. "Loomi, you're a master at this game. I have to tip my hat to you." he declared, trying to think of something good to say that maybe she had done that maybe he didn't.

"Never have I ever... Made a wish on a falling star."

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Braze

"Loomi, you're a master at this game. I have to tip my hat to you."

"I-I don't know if that's a good thing," Loomi laughed awkwardly. "I-I think it says more about how little I've done."

Her antennae perked up at the next thing Braze said. Wishing on a falling star? She didn't really know what that meant. Did people just... make wishes when they saw things? Loomi never really made any wishes, which seemed odd. There were things that she certainly would like to happen, but something abut wishing felt so...

Hopeless. She didn't know if she could do it and not feel miserable.

"I... didn't know people did that," she muttered. "There's still a lot I don't understand about the culture of the wider galaxy... It seems... interesting."

Okay, it was her turn again.

"Never have I ever... held a lizard."

Loomi did like the idea of lizards. She couldn't help but imagine what it may feel like to hold one.

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi

​

Score Board

Braze 10 | Loomi 10

Never have I ever piloted a space-capable craft.
Braze 10 | Loomi 9

"Never have I ever been to an ocean,"
Braze 9 | Loomi 9

" Never have I ever told anyone about my one specific recurring nightmare."
Braze 9 | Loomi 8

"...been in a speeder."
Braze 8 | Loomi 8

" Hmnn... Never have I ever... Lost a sock. "
Braze 8 | Loomi 8

"Never have I ever... swung a lightsaber."
Braze 7 | Loomi 8

"Never have I ever hidden things under my bed."
Braze 7 | Loomi 8

"Never have I ever... been in a race."
Braze 6 | Loomi 8

"Never have I ever... Made a wish on a falling star."
Braze 6 | Loomi 8

"Never have I ever... held a lizard."
Braze 5 | Loomi 8

Braze's eyes widened with a mix of excitement and nostalgia as he absorbed Loomi's words. "Yeah, it's kind of like an ancient tradition," he chimed in, his voice brimming with youthful enthusiasm. "When you see a shooting star, you're supposed to make a wish and keep it secret, so it has a better chance of coming true. It's like a magical connection with the universe!"

The thought of catching lizards in the gardens elicited a spark of childlike joy within Braze. His face lit up with a mischievous grin, and he couldn't contain his excitement. "Oh, you've never held a lizard before?! We can go to the gardens and catch a few. They are fast. I used to catch them all the time. " His words tumbled out in a rush, a testament to his unrestrained enthusiasm.

Braze paused for a moment, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. His voice grew softer, tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "You know, Loomi, making friends that last more than a month or two... Sometimes I wonder if there's something wrong with me. But hearing about your friendship with Ko Vuto gives me hope. Maybe I can make a comeback there too."


"I'm really glad I met you, Loomi," he added with a genuine smile. "You've shown me that friendships can endure, and that's something I've always longed for. Maybe we can start our own tradition of catching lizards, one that lasts for a lifetime."

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Braze

"You know, Loomi, making friends that last more than a month or two... Sometimes I wonder if there's something wrong with me. But hearing about your friendship with Ko gives me hope. Maybe I can make a comeback there too."

"Braze..." Loomi began, a frown forming on her face.

She knew that feeling. Maybe not for the same reasons, but she did.

"Friends are... a very new concept for me," she admitted. "I-I didn't have any before coming to the Temple. I... haven't even been here for a year yet. I don't remember much of it, b-but I remember being looked at like I was different... lesser... some kind of animal. Then I came here... and all the shouting and jeering went away."

Loomi turned her face to his, reaching out to grab his hands. A warm smile spread across her face. Her expression was still solemn, but a level of care and compassion was reflected in her lone functional eye.

"E-even if you can't convince any friends to stick around, that's okay," Loomi assured. "You'll have one. A-and that's okay, I think."

The Godoan tilted her head, her smile growing bigger and her antennae curling back.

"I'd love to catch lizards with you," she finally decided. "It sounds like a lot of fun."

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi

​

Braze was taken aback by Loomi's words. The idea of someone wanting to be his friend and make a long-lasting commitment was foreign to him. He had grown accustomed to temporary connections and fleeting relationships. But her offer touched him deeply, warming his heart and bringing a genuine smile to his face.

"T-that's... uh... very kind of you, Loomi," he stammered, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. His expression turned more somber, reflecting the weight of her words. "Catching lizards can be our 'thing'," he suggested, his smile growing wider and goofier. "We'll make wishes on them too before we let them go." The thought of sharing a unique bonding experience, creating cherished memories, and making wishes together brought a sense of joy and lightheartedness to his being. " I think I must concede defeat to you with our little game. " He added softly.

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Braze

"T-that's... uh... very kind of you, Loomi,"

A stammer? Loomi felt her mouth curve into a wobbly smile. Her words really did mean something after all. Never before in her life did the Godoan actually consider such a thing to even be possible. What she said carried weight now, and with that came great responsibility. This was far more complicated than a simple connection in the force.

She didn't want to hurt him.

Loomi leaned forward, slightly unprompted, wrapping her arms around the other padawan and hugging him tightly. He talked about making wishes in a way that seemed far more positive than she had thought of them. Maybe she needed something like that.

"I'd like that," she told him.

She managed to snicker a little.

"I don't think it was the best game to choose if you wanted to win," Loomi noted. "Everything is new to me."

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi

Braze blinked in surprise as Loomi embraced him, and he instinctively wrapped his arms around her, pulling her gently into a warm hug. As his hand rested on her head, he delicately stroked her hair, mindful of her unique antennae. The sensation was soothing, comforting, and it made him feel a sense of closeness and affection towards her. His blush intensified, turning his cheeks a rosy pink.
"No, perhaps not... Do you know any fun games, Loomi?" Braze asked softly, relishing in the moment of shared comfort. He leaned in slightly, embracing her in a gentle and reassuring manner. Memories of his own childhood, when his mother would offer him tender affection during times of illness, flashed through his mind. The warmth and care he felt from Loomi reminded him of those precious moments.

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Braze

The Godoan's face flushed red when Braze's head touched hers, followed by a gentle hand stroking her hair. She let it happen, though, remaining in the hug, It was warm. Safe. Eventually the silence broke and she was being asked questions again. Loomi pulled back, though still remaining closer to Braze. An awkward smile spread across her face when he asked if she knew any games.

"Golly, not really," she admitted with an embarrassed laugh. "Th-this is sort of the first game I've ever played."

Her smile remained warm though, less bashful now. There was a look of gratitude in her eye, even if she couldn't pick one spot on the boy's face to keep eye contact with.

"I had fun though," Loomi assured. "I feel like I learned a lot. Thank you, Braze."

She tilted her head, putting her hands between her legs.

"I think you'll have to be the one who comes up with games," the teen added.

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi

​

Braze's mischievous smirk adorned his face as they released the hug, and he playfully ruffled Loomi's hair. "Don't mention it," he said with a playful tone. "We talked about so many fun things. Now we have a bunch of ideas on how to make the most of our free time when you're not stuck in here." He reached over and pulled up that small card, holding it out to her. "By the way, this card has a message from Ko. One he wanted to make sure I gave you; Are you sure you want to read it all on your own? I mean, you could always use a little help from a master reader like me," he added, teasingly.

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Braze

"Are you sure you want to read it all on your own? I mean, you could always use a little help from a master reader like me,"

"You're only saying that cause I don't have a reference for good readers," Loomi remarked, laughing a little. "But... I appreciate the offer. I-I still wanna read it though. It'll be good practice for me, right?"

A frown came to Loomi's face. She folded her hands in her lap, tilting her head and flattening her antennae. Braze would have to go soon. He had a mission to get to. She'd be stuck here on her own for at least another day or so.

"You... promise you'll come see me when you get back, right?"

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi

​

Braze nodded reassuringly, his smile warm and encouraging. "Absolutely, it's great practice to learn the sounds each letter makes. You're doing amazing, Loomi; I'm proud of you for sticking to your determination to learn." He couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness as she asked if he would come back and make that promise, and a devious little knowing grin spread across his face.

"Promise, I'll be back," Braze said with a playful glint in his eyes. "We'll catch lizards together and make fun wishes. And if I get hurt, I'll live out of spite just so I can come and see ~my~ cute little Lady Bug again." He emphasized the words with a playful grin.

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Braze

"And if I get hurt, I'll live out of spite just so I can come and see ~my~ cute little Lady Bug again."

"...Okay," Loomi nodded, a gentle smile on her face.

That was all she needed to hear. Loomi scooted back, settling into a more comfortable position on her medical bed before pulling the blanket Braze had brought over her lower half. She rested her lands in her lap, her cheeks still considerably rosy. It was probably time for him to get going so he could prepare for that assignment.

"I won't hold you up anymore," she continued after a moment of silence. "Thanks... for all of this. You're a good man, Braze."

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Loomi

Braze's smile widened as he leaned closer to her, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. But he didn't hesitate. With a tender gesture, he brushed her hair away from her face, his gaze filled with care and affection. Then, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, a gesture of comfort and reassurance.
"You're welcome," he whispered softly, his voice barely audible. "And remember, you can call my com link whenever you want." He spoke with a warm smile, his words filled with sincerity and a genuine desire to be there for her.

 

[Loomi]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Braze

Loomi's face went flush red as Braze's face came close to hers. The realization of what he was doing when it finally happened only made her more red. Her heart was beating faster than it ever had in her life. As he pulled back, Loomi's antennae drooped down, almost as though to cover her face, all while an awkward and very wobbly smile spread across her face.

"And remember, you can call my com link whenever you want."

"Okay..." Loomi muttered, almost in a daze. "I'll... see you... later."

She was twirling her thumbs now, her singular eye drifting off towards the wall on the other side of the room as a content expression grew on her face. Whatever focus the Godoan had, by this point she had very clearly lost it.