Private The Brain Demon

[Starlin Rand]

Starlin beamed at her praise. “Oh yeah, I mean, y’know. I practice a lot.”

He shrugged.

“Finish my pilgrimage here, go home. Maybe fight the Bryn or do some hot Silver Jedi secret mission stuff. Fly around. Go on adventures. Be a Jedi.”

Starlin loved being a Jedi, and it came through in the way he spoke of it. Enthusiasm laced his words. Perhaps this was why he had such a hard time comprehending how she could have stopped being one.

“What about you?”

Amani Serys​

 

[Amani Serys]

Starlin Rand

Amani couldn’t help but find his enthusiasm infectious. It reminded her all too much of how she used to be. Still, her own distaste for the past kept her from commenting much on the matters of Jedi-hood. “Well, good luck, Starlin. I hope it all works out for for you.” It was a neutral enough way to wish well.

When the question was turned back onto her, Amani paused, her face scrunched up in thought. “... I guess I’ll probably pack up and... I dunno, head somewhere else,” She shrugged, “The galaxy’s a big place, and I think with that action I’ve more than had my fill of Tatooine. I think stopping an evil brain cult sufficiently qualifies for my good deed done.”

 

[Starlin Rand]

“Yeah, heh. Well, I hope you’re happy, at least. Wherever you end up going.” It was an earnest, sincere response, especially considering that he had been struggling to come up with something that didn’t sound generic. It was the thought that counted, right? “If you need a ride or something, you could come along with me.”

Wait a minute, his starfighter had only one seat! “Uh, I mean—I could set you up with a ride. My, uh, my ship doesn’t really have enough space. I have another ship that could take you, but it’s not here. With me. Right now.”

Starlin swallowed, suddenly aware of how awkward and quiet this conversation was getting. Was it just him? Had they slipped into that strange territory where the shared experience of their little adventure together made it feel like they knew each other better than they did? Maybe he was just making it more complicated than it needed to be. Yeah, that was probably it. That, and maybe because he had kissed her on the nose earlier. If they had died, that kiss wouldn’t matter. But they had both lived, and now it felt kinda weird. Whatever, at least she had a cute little upturned baby nose.

“What I really mean is, you’re welcome to join me on future adventures, or call on me for help if you need it. I’m just a comm call away.”

Amani Serys​

 

[Amani Serys]

Starlin Rand

Starlin’s awkwardness was met with a snorty giggle. Usually Amani was the one who ended up making a conversation weird, and it was oddly freeing to switch places here, “Don’t worry, I’ve got a ride.”

It was a sincere appreciation. But right now their goals diverged; Starlin had Jedi duties to tend to, and Amani was trying her best to run away from exactly that sort of thing. Still, having a Jedi on call was certainly useful, and it was nice to know she had someone else she could count on. “I’ll keep it in mind. I’m sure we’ll see each other around again some time. Thanks, Starlin.”

 

[Starlin Rand]

“You’re welcome.”

He grinned, starting to back out of the room.

“Hope you schnoz is okay after the smooch I gave it.”

He disappeared around the corner, then peeked back in.

“Bye Amani.”

He disappeared.

Amani Serys​