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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ankh-Morpork Guard" data-source="post: 2940814" data-attributes="member: 10079">Chapter 379: Not So LittleThe brat was still stuck in Jyren’s quarters. As far as Toby knew, the guards that had escorted him there were still standing outside, and he wasn’t going to risk trying to sneak out if he didn’t have to. Besides, this was different than being at the Palace...he had no idea of the ship’s layout...    So, instead, he had simply done what little exploring of the small quarters as was possible. The holos were interesting, but Toby had seen them all before so they held no interest for him. But it hadn’t taken long to find something that was interesting. Jyren was terribly predictable, really. After only a few seconds of digging, Tobias dug out his father’s lightsaber from, of all places, underneath the pillow on the small bed.    If he was trying to hide the thing, Toby was going to have to teach Jyren how hiding things was done. But where it was, in the end, didn’t matter. Holding the metal object carefully, and feeling the unease wash over him at the cold item in his hand, Tobias tried his best to focus through it all. This metal could kill him. His body knew it and pushed him to remove it from his touch, despite the fact that he was currently human. But...all around him, there was metal.    It was the first time he’d been away from Alraxia since he was a child, and he suddenly understood why Alraxians kept to themselves. It was...it felt...wrong. His imagination suddenly ran wild with the possibilities of what could happen...a simple chip of the metal in his skin from the hilt of the weapon or...or...    A few deep breaths later, Tobias silenced the near panic. He was raised around metal. He was not a normal Alraxian. Yes...it could kill him, but he was not afraid of it. Well, not terrified at least. Most of the time...usually helped when he wasn’t alone and his mind wasn’t allowed to go crazy with all of those...    No!    Focus.    Calm.    This time, he attempted some of the calming techniques that both of his parents had taught him. There were so many that it was easy to go through one at a time until one of them, finally, set his mind at ease. And then, slowly, he opened his eyes and again looked at the weapon in his hand. All of his life he’d wanted to hold this, and every single time he’d gotten a chance to, it had been ripped away. He was ‘too young’ or ‘playing around’ or something equally annoying.    But no one had come into the room now. And, from what he could feel through the Force, no one was going to be anytime soon. Tobias was safe...    Snap-hiss!    The blue-green light bathed Tobias and the nearby pieces of furniture in a new light, while the thrumming of the energy blade drowned out all of the ambient noise. And it was...amazing. Despite the blade, there was no added weight. Not even a slight shake of the hilt from the surge of power it must have taken to activate the weapon. Just...just a burst of energy and power at the touch of a switch.    Very carefully, Tobias tested the weapon, gently moving it from side to side and getting the feel of it. Or, trying to get the feel of it. The fact that the only weight was at the hilt where his hands were simply felt wrong. How anyone could wield a weapon like this was beyond Toby. Sure, he’d never really held a normal sword...but it was just natural to expect something! Here it was nothing.    And then there was a soft beep from the door.    With a yelp of surprise, Tobias nearly dropped the weapon...which would have taken his arm off and at least a few pieces of the desk that was a little too close. But, thankfully, he caught it, fumbled for the activation switch and dove for the bed in one swift, if not clumsy, motion.    In a matter of seconds, the lightsaber was stashed away again, and Tobias was trying to not look guilty as he tried to figure out what to do. Wouldn’t Jyren just walk into his own quarters?! Of course he would! Then who was it?! Did they know he was here? What would they do if they found him?!    Before any other questions could race through Tobias’ head, there was another beep and the door slid open with a soft hiss. Eyes darting to the door, Tobias saw a somewhat short, blue-skinned humanoid standing there looking somewhat confused. When she tilted her head to look over to where he stood, Tobias noticed that there were two long...tails of sorts hanging from her head. And then, putting a few pieces together, he realized she was a Twi’lek...and, from the look of the uniform she was wearing, a pilot.    “Um...” she stared at him a moment, obviously unsure of who he was, “...the uh...um...Captain BlueIce said to just come in if he didn’t open it and...uh...this is his quarters, isn’t it?”    Tobias had managed to fight back his look of guilt, but it was still obvious that he was uncomfortable with the situation. He’d never been good with new people. Male, female, Alraxian, Jendari, whatever they were, he just had a way of hiding and keeping to himself.    Quickly, though, his mind reminded him that a question had been asked, and he did his best to find some kind of answer, “Y...yes...?”    And that was why he usually had trouble around people he didn’t know.    The Twi’lek blinked a couple of times, then tried her best to figure out exactly what had just been said. It didn’t take her long to give up on that, and so she attempted a different angle, “...who are you, anyway?”    Tobias went white. He was in trouble now. He knew he should have been with Jyren! Now who knew what was going to happen?! Lie! No! By the Force, NO! Tell the truth and then they’ll find Jyren and then all will be fine.    “T-Toby...err...” he shook his head a little too roughly, “Tobias. Um. Tobias...BlueIce.”    Just as he finished speaking, a very large smile formed on the Twi’lek’s blue face. She then made Tobias even more uneasy by actually stepping into the quarters, “So you’re the little monster he’s talked about?” she laughed and extended a hand in his direction, “My name is Rea. I’m your father’s wingmate.”    Knowing what he was supposed to do, Tobias did his best to greet her properly and shake her hand. Of course, his hand was shaking on its own the entire time so it was even more awkward than it should have been...but even though he was now left speechless, Rea just laughed quietly, “Not so little, though.”</blockquote>

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