The Doppelganger
In answer to her question, Kai turned and headed deeper into the forest, away from the river. Eventually he came upon a hollowed-out tree trunk, inside of which a sealed waterproof bag had been stuffed. Since she seemed concerned about his modesty, he opened it and pulled out a teal-colored jumpsuit.
Putting on old clothes didn’t feel so bad, but once he was zipped inside, he reached around toward his bicep, where the NJO logo sat. He hesitated, fingertips tracing the edges of the patch, then let his hand drop. Maiming his uniform wouldn’t make him feel better, but wearing new clothes might.
Before he slung it over his shoulder, he did retrieve one other item from his bag: a silver ring with a purple gemstone. The moment he slid it onto his finger, his aura in the Force changed, hiding the darkness within. Perhaps he wouldn’t need it where he was headed, but he was so used to putting it on for the sake of his own safety, the action had a ritualistic, habitual, and almost comforting feel.
He turned to face Asha again. <Okay good, okay fine. Let’s go.>
Putting on old clothes didn’t feel so bad, but once he was zipped inside, he reached around toward his bicep, where the NJO logo sat. He hesitated, fingertips tracing the edges of the patch, then let his hand drop. Maiming his uniform wouldn’t make him feel better, but wearing new clothes might.
Before he slung it over his shoulder, he did retrieve one other item from his bag: a silver ring with a purple gemstone. The moment he slid it onto his finger, his aura in the Force changed, hiding the darkness within. Perhaps he wouldn’t need it where he was headed, but he was so used to putting it on for the sake of his own safety, the action had a ritualistic, habitual, and almost comforting feel.
He turned to face Asha again. <Okay good, okay fine. Let’s go.>