Disclaimer: Star Wars and the wonderfulness of its Universe and all the characters and places within are property of George Lucas and Disney. I just like dipping my fingers in their stardust a bit :)
~Tales of Kamino~
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They stood with their toes along the edge of the platform, backs to the wind and eyes to the sea. Two small identical outlines against the threads of sun hemming the horizon.
The last fingers of light blazed a path across the water, flashing on the ripples and spilling gold on their boots.
They both stooped to marvel at it, running small fingers across the tops of their feet as though hoping to snag it in their grasp in some way. But it wasn't something to be caught and it receded with the rest of the light, sparks flashing bright and crimson before them once more, then fading until the waves were cool and shadow. Together they rose to gaze across the surface in silence. The currents had became a vague and dark mass beneath and around them as far as the eye could see.
37 finally sat, breaking the spell of their immobile wonder with legs dangling over the edge and small hands gripping the rim of the platform. The breeze was beginning to pick up and he closed his eyes to enjoy the sensation of it ruffling his tunic and hair, letting it rock his feet.
28 looked down at him with a frown.
"Don't fall."
37 opened his eys and looked up at the other boy with a grin.
"I won't unless you push me." 28 rolled his eyes but sat beside him, legs crossed and hands on his knees. Not quite as close to the edge as 37, but as close as he dared.
" It just feels...nice." 37 sighed then flung himself back upon the platform, arms out and boots still hanging over the edge. He felt 28 twitch beside him although he quickly corrected himself by feigning indifference.
37 chuckled and gave him a conspiratorial look.
"Worth it, right?"
28 studied the horizon for a few moments. His head swiveled as he took it all in. The gloss of the sea and the sizzle of the waves. The hiss of the water below connecting with the stilted legs of the platform. The salt-fresh smell of the wind.
He'd been outside only once so far in his life, but that one time had left a craving that just hadn't be satiated by any virtual experience since. He knew there would likely be a day when he'd be outside for far longer than he liked. A time when he might curse the sun on his back or the rain on his face. He knew there would be. But right now he couldn't imagine it. Right now it was new and wondrous.
He held out a small hand to catch the breath of the wind against his palm. The recycled air within the complex felt nothing like this. It seemed suddenly stagnant and lifeless in comparison. This air was fresh and free and danced like water between his fingers.
When he looked up 37 was watching him with a small smile.
At last 28 nodded, although he frowned again.
"We'd better head back."
"Just a little longer. We have all day, every day to be back in there. I want to enjoy this while we can."
"We won't enjoy anything else if they catch us." 28 raised an eyebrow and glanced over his shoulder a little nervously. He couldn't see much.
"Cleaning detail can be enjoyable."
"I think this is above cleaning detail repercussions."
37 frowned. "You think?" The question was genuine. He obviously hadn't considered that.
28 wasn't surprised. 37 usually didn't think things through further than what he assumed would take place. And all his assumptions were based on previous experiences. He had no fear whatsoever of acquiring new ones, good or bad. By his logic, he'd survived so far and therefore would weather whatever came somehow or rather.
It was a mindset that made him fun and daring, but also careless. Sometimes too careless.
"It's just a thought."
37 seemed to consider his words, or perhaps just responded to the worry in his friend's face. He let out a long breath and rose.
"Alright. Let's get back."
They both gave their surroundings one last long look, catching the sound of the sea in their ears and the taste of the breeze in their mouths. They raised their heads to the sky. The stars were too far and faint to be useful for vision, but the expanse of them was breathtaking. Especially considering how rarely the planet's storms paused their raging to offer a clear view.
They made their way to the far side of the platform, the wind dancing off the soles of their feet, masking the small squeaks of their boots with whispers of incoming rain. It took long minutes in the darkness but finally they half tripped upon what they sought, and with deft fingers found purchase on the lip of the ventilation cover.
With a few grunts they managed to pry it from the platform enough to squeeze through. 37 held it up with his back and motioned for 28 to slip into the passage first. The grate was heavy and he struggled with the weight, wobbling a bit before finding good footing. 28 got on his stomach and scooted backwards between 37's legs, his own legs dipping into the tube. Once inside, there was a bar which could be used to prop the grate open enough for 37 to follow.
They were so focused on their task that they didn't notice they were being observed until the voice came, deep and throaty in the darkness and a tall dark figure leaned over them.
"So that's how you came."
They both jumped so badly in surprise that 28 knocked into 37's leg and he toppled on top of 28, completely losing his grasp on the grate. It would have come down on them heavily if a hand hadn't caught it and prevented it form doing so.
But as perilous as that would have been, the two boys seemed oblivious to it, the fear of the figure towering above them numbing them to anything else.
They scrambled to their feet and snapped to attention.
The grate was allowed to fall heavily back into place and the sound was sharp and loud, a metallic screech against the grooves of its fitting. The figure resumed its full height and it towered over them, thin and stark and faintly illuminated in the night.
The kaminoan regarded them thoughtfully for a brief time, taking in the purposely blank faces and resolute gazes. The painfully perfect postures and visibly quaking shoulders. He was aware that their bodies ran at a higher temperature than his, and that the air was chill to their skin. But he doubted that was the cause of their shivering.
"Cadets. You are far from your barracks, and I imagine without permission. Am I correct?"
"Yes, sir." The one on the left answered, and he managed to do so without the trembling of his shoulders carrying to his voice. The other audibly swallowed.
Others of the tall being's kind may have used this opportunity to amuse themselves. To revel in the obvious fear of the two younglings, to get a rise from punishing them.
He guessed others had, judging by the reactions of the two before him.
Others who fed their egos with beliefs of superiority or satisfied their cravings of control by taking advatage of the unwavering obedience of their charges.
Senim Te was not of that character.
"Best head back, then."
He spoke softly and said no more, but stepped to the side and gestured with a long arm which caught the shine of the stars for them to go.
Their uniforms ruffled softly as they shifted with confusion.
"S-sir?" The one on the right ventured at last. He licked his lips before continuing. "Our punishment was...?"
Unable to look the figure before him in the eyes properly due to the darkness, the cadet had settled his stare on his boots.
Senim Te blinked and regarded them curiously.
"I gave none. Do you wish for one?"
The cadet's gaze danced over his feet.
"No. Sir. We just...I mean, don't we...need one?" He was blinking rapidly as though doing so fueled his ability to speak. The other cadet had an expression of deep confusion on his face, trying to make sense of his friend's words, or perhaps Senim Te's. At least the boy was no longer trembling, he noticed.
Senim Te pondered the question. He supposed it wouldn't do to send them back without some sort of reprimand. If nothing else, it might prevent future instances of wayward behavior which would lead to punishments by others less willing to see it as positive light as he did.
If he was honest to his thoughts, and not matching his musings to regulations which he often skirted, the appreciation and deep wonder of the two cadets for the night and the sea, which he had observed in silence without their knowing, far surpassed the importance of their disregard for rules to Senim Te.
It meant so much more in the scheme of things. That the blind obedience of their charges wasn't so blind as he'd thought. That it could be overridden by curiosity and desire.
That was something he'd like to think on, and witness more within these small beings, so brave on their own yet timid in his presence. Perhaps proper circumstances were necessary.
He gave them one more roving glance and an idea came upon him then.
"Very well, cadets. Cleaning detail for two weeks."
He saw the gratefulness in their faces, the slight relaxing of their shoulders. They were once more in familiar territory and had a grasp of what to expect, which seemed to bring a world of comfort to them. Another curiosity for ones so disobedient and intermittently daring.
With two curt nods and snapped salutes the younglings began making their way in the direction SenimTe had pointed before.
The sky was black by now and they stumbled slightly due to their blindness. With a fluid movement, Senim Te caught pace with them and placed a hand on each small shoulder, steering them beyond the domed walls and around the building to the entrance. They were so small he had to stoop to do so and they both flinched at the contact. But neither pulled away and they allowed themselves to be guided without protest.
Their pace steadied greatly and quickened once the light of the door and the hallways within fell upon them.
Senim Te pulled his hands away and stopped to watch them enter. They both paused, turning on their heels lightly to look back at him once more before entering, as though confirming it was his request.
He inclined his head and smiled, although kaminoan facial expressions seemed largely unreadable to their kind.
"One last thing cadets..."
They both eyed him in rapt unison.
"For your cleaning detail you will report to me, on this platform. Your tasks will be performed out of doors in the evenings. Dress appropriately."
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Let me know what you guys think :)
Just a note, this is a companion tale to Tales of Coruscant, and although no reading of that story is required to follow this one, you might find it neat to pair the men they grow into with their childhood tales.
For any of you who have read TOC, could you guess who the cadets were? (They are both OC's featured in TOC).
Also, regarding TOC...sorry! I've been having some mad writer's block on Cody's chapter. It should hopefully be done by Tuesday, though. Sorry for the wait, and hope you enjoyed this one! I wanted to get something out to you guys to make up for it, and I've been thinking on this one for a while. Feels good to finally take the plunge on it.