"Xantos Fuil Andromias!" A blonde boy freezes for a moment, as he hears an all too familiar voice. He turns then, on his heel, peering over a heavily bandaged shoulder. He stares blankly in response to the voice. This voice is yours.
"You didn't listen to a thing your dad told you!" You are a child, and this boy, Xantos, has approximately six years on you. He is your elder, fourteen years of age, a dreaded teenager.
Regardless of your age, your tone is but an annoyance to him- though you see it as an indistinguishable threat. Xantos' hand is stretched precariously toward a tree branch, though he'd lowered his leg when he heard you barreling through the undergrowth after him.
"Dad didn't say anything about climbing." Though his tone is harsh, stand-offish, it's similar to that of an older sibling's. But, his voice is still daring, devilish. Your brows furrow at this, your stance widens, and you feel an annoyance growing rapidly in your chest. You huff, and an idea strikes you.
In a heartbeat of a moment, you feel a triumphant grin mark it's way across your youthful features. "I'm telling!"
It's a childishly ecstatic screech and you have loud enough laughter to call attention from anyone in the three mile radius. Though it's not inexplicable, you take back off through the undergrowth.
"Hey! Don-"
You don't stop to listen to the teenaged boy scramble after you, caught off guard. You feel his panic and exasperated feelings coming off of him heavily. It makes you giddy, and you laugh harder. He's longer legged and significantly faster than you are, but you're more clever than he gives you worth for. With a sharp veer to the right, you run toward a rocky hill you'd climbed numerous times before, and scramble up as fast as your legs can carry you. You're heaving, out of breath, but still laughing nevertheless.
"Qira!" Your voice is loud, sing-song almost, as you see her home at the bottom of the hill. She is only eleven, but you look up to her greatly.
"What?" The girl bellows in response- not an unhappy question, but inquisitive. You only give a shriek of laughter in response and clamber clumsily down the hill. You slip a few times but never fall.
When you reach the bottom of the hill, Qira stands waiting, arms crossed and brow raised, it's a put-on sort of thing you realize- her actions are too animated. You know she does her best to downplay her excitement at seeing you, you can sense the admiration between the two of you is mutual, if slightly different.
"I'm telling on Xan." You point a finger towards yourself, a prideful smile coming on. Qira gives a hoot of a laugh, knowing full well the look of exasperation that crossed the boy's features so often because of your prying eyes and curious nature. She was still hesitantly doubtful, as you still did retain a habit of fibbing occasionally. "For what? You can't get him in trouble for being a dork."
You feel your prideful smile go impish, and your hands are balled into fists as you give another laugh. "I caught him climbing!" Qira's hands cover her mouth, but this action doesn't silence her laugh as her eyebrows both flick upwards. "Even with his dislocated shoulder?" You just nod quickly, giggling as children do.
Qira's eyes flicker behind you and then upwards to the hill in one fell sweep. In your breathless, quick conversation, he had caught up- and looked even more panicked seeing you laughing with Qira.
"What'd she tell you?" Xan's voice is loud, but hesitant, unwilling to give any implication he did anything wrong. Qira grins wickedly, your name rolling off her tongue, a mock question to him, and no other response.
You're in the middle, gazing back and forth between the two older children. When you start to think this awkward quiet is going to be too much to bear, Xantos shifts from one foot to the other, wringing his hands. "She's lying y'know." His hands slowly make their way out from his body, open palmed, offering a shrug and a slight head shake. You make a noise of offense- no, protest rather, looking to Xan with fire in your gaze.
"I am not!" You aren't yelling, not yet, but being provoked by the older boy could make that soon a reality. Xantos sneers, voice softly mocking, "C'mon Qira, you can't believe this." The boy's brows raise, and he pouts his lips slightly, shrugging again.
"She doesn't even have any evidence."
All in one moment you feel a childish, but wildfire rage roar through your being. You stamp your foot down onto the lush grass beneath you. Hands balled into your fists at your sides, you spin on your heel to face Qira, "I know what I saw, and I'm still telling, if you believe him or not!"
It is the best you can manage at your age for an asserting of your power, and it works as Xan lets out an exasperated, "Damn it!" Before you take off again, you point an accusatory finger toward him after his remark. It's a silent, but universal gesture of, 'I heard you', before your little boots are squelching upon the moist ground as fast as you can manage. You hear Qira's booming laugh and can see her freckled face lighting up in your mind, it's enough to usher you onward. It isn't long at all before you round another corner and another structure stands before you. It's a floor bigger than Qira's and a little better kempt, though the thick growth along all of the building proves that the plant fauna is nearly uncontrollable here. A bulky blonde man is loading things out of his freighter, you scrunch up your nose at the sight of it.
Even as a youth you know the thing is a piece of junk. With the man is your very best friend, an unusually tall Twi'lek girl with skin as blue as the ocean, Aeshin'Zava, though you always called her 'Aes'; as that was easier for the both of you. She had at first disliked it, as she thought it was too similar sounding to a boy's name, but you think she grew fond of it in habit. You both were the same age, and were only born about a month and a half apart, her being younger. Your mother had known Aeshin's since they were youths, and you had always known Aes' mother as 'Auntie'. Though, something had happened between your mother and hers, and they both refused to talk. You were much too young to wrap your head around it anyways, so long as you had your friend.
"Sebastian!" You call, waving your arms wildly to capture the attention of the man. He stops in his work, and wipes dirtied hands off onto his pants, he crouches with open arms and a warm smile, readily expecting your approach. "Hey there kiddo, didn't think I'd catcha' today."
You bolt forward, laughing allowing him to sweep you up and swing you 'round. Sebastian Andromias was the father of Xantos, and had briefly dated your mother in her early adulthood. They hadn't clicked as romantic partners, but they worked extraordinarily well as friends. You saw him as a secondary father figure- or perhaps a first? Your father was often busy with work, and you didn't see him often- besides, he had a temper as wicked as your mother's and they frequently butted heads. You never voiced it, but preferred when yourself and mother were around Sebastian, compared to your father. She only yelled when she was around him, but with Sebastian, she seemed (albeit only a little) more happy. You then remembered why you were there.
Clutching at the back of the bulky blonde's jacket, you stiffened. "I saw Xan climbing, and he said a bad word!" Your words were spouted with a devilish fire, and you felt satisfaction when Sebastian turned to the side, still holding you, to watch Xantos burst into the clearing. The teen's face betrayed his feelings. Shock, annoyance, and a vague disappointment.
"Dad..." He started softly, and then Sebastian spoke up, interrupting him. "What did I tell you, Xantos?" The blonde boy's eyes were trained on his father's feet, and he mumbled something inaudible.
"Look me in the eyes when I speak you."
Xantos' grey eyes sparked with something you couldn't pinpoint as he stared his father dead-on, perhaps it was a new-found defiance? "You said not to overexert myself. Climbing a tree wasn't going to do that." There was an edge on his words like a knife, and you could feel Sebastian's shoulders tighten beneath your arms. He was a quiet, slowly angry sort of man when provoked, and it radiated off of him like heat.
"If it wasn't for that little tattle-tail than you'd not have to worry about it either." Xantos' brows were arched, his hand was outstretched toward you, accusatory. You flinched, now very much angry, and decided to put on your best act.
You were going to ensure he got his for this.
You pinched your brows, and buried your face into the large man. "I just didn't want Xan to get hurt." Your words wavered like your grasp, and you forced a shaky breath, it wasn't easy conjuring tears- but you managed. Once Sebastian felt your tears through his jacket, he just about lost his temper.
"You're going to apologize Xantos. Now. To me, and to her." Sebastian's words were crisp, unquestionable.
You had this man wrapped around your finger, and both you and Xantos knew it. The boy would be asking for the firm hand of punishment it he disobeyed. You could feel a matched fury to his father's, only outweighed by a stark rebellion.
"No." Was all he said, loudly, clearly, in a tone just as crisp as his father's.
In an instant, Sebastian sat you down, blurry eyed on a crate he'd just carried off of his ship, and took hold of the teen by his ear. It was almost comical as you watched, as the heavy scolding began, the list of repulsive chores Xan would be stuck with almost bringing on a laugh. You were a touch guilty, but more or less pleased you had gotten your way. You watched as Xan stormed inside to start, slamming the door behind him. Sebastian sighed deeply and shook his head, disappointed, and vaguely sad. He was reminded of his wife, who had been just as hardheaded as his son. You could feel it, but said nothing.
"I know you were trying to be a good person." Sebastian said to you after a quiet moment or so, rubbing your back. "Thank you for telling me."
You only nodded, now feeling a significantly more guilty. You hadn't intended to upset Sebastian, all you wanted was your revenge on Xan. Then again, you were technically doing both a favor. You were keeping Xan safe from harm and letting his father keep up on his activities. Xan was a free spirit anyway, this was good for Sebastian to hear. This was what you convinced yourself anyways, and being a child, you accepted it.
"Don't beat yourself up kiddo." Your thoughts were interrupted by the words murmured by Sebastian, who let on a crooked grin. "I gotcha' something when I was on Naboo." He prompted, helping you off the crate with a steady hand.
You squinted a tad, suspicious, "Last time you went to Naboo you only brought back spare parts for your ship. Xan likes that stuff a lot more than me." The bulky man hummed softly, "Mhm. Too bad then, because that's all I brought." You frowned, unable to tell if he was teasing or not.
Turning over his shoulder to look to see if you were following, he noted that you'd slowed considerably.
"Kiddo," Sebastian chimed gently, at a loss you hadn't comprehended his teasing. "C'mon now."
You huffed in response, feeling exceptionally prone to begin to pout. "Seb, I don't need to know how to fix a ship, you and Xan will always be there to do it."
This prompted a laugh from him, deep and clear, you were puzzled as to what he found so funny. You crossed your arms, and he ruffled your hair.
"You're awful gullible, kiddo. I'll teach you someday though, but for now I do have something you'll like more."
Yet again, your interest was piqued as you saw Sebastian stick his hands in his pant pockets and shuffle his hands around. His gaze strayed to the right, and his brows pinched. It was such a stark contrast to his previous expression you wondered if he was trying to make you laugh. You offered him a smile and it seemed to work. It wasn't a spectacular sight, but your gaze lingered, eyes sparkling as you cooed a soft, "Oh!"
The crystal-esque stone shined brilliantly in the light, polished and pristine, your hands reached to touch it. It was a blocky looking crystal, clear as glass. And tiny. Even in your small hands, you noticed it was small; perhaps three fourths of an inch, but all you really recognized at first was how smooth it felt in your palm. It was a clumsy design, and the leather string that tied around the stone seemed to have been dropped in ship fuel by the consistency, but you loved it, the feeling fluttering in your chest was personal proof. You knew this was yours- something meant for you, rather. In an instant something struck you, an unusual emotion you couldn't form into precise words. You'd opened your mouth to speak, but your eyes grew wide and you nearly dropped it. In a matter of seconds it was glowing, a fluorescent green that illuminated your features. It was unusually warm to the touch.
"Seb?" It was more of a question than a simple statement of his name, and your voice was deathly quiet. You weren't sure if it was supposed to do this, and you expected an explanation, and soon, because you'd never seen anything like it.
The look on Sebastian's face displayed a pertinent shock, and he ran a hand through his hair. "Ah well, the guy I bought it from said it was a..." He squinted a touch, lips pursing. "Ky...somethin' crystal. He said they were used by force users a time ago. I though it was silly, but maybe not."
He took it gently from your palm, twirling it between his fingers. "M'not sure if it's safe kiddo, but I'll ask around." He gave you a pat on the shoulder and pocketed it again, slipping into his home, likely going to put away the little necklace for safe keeping.
You approached Aeshin softly when he left, toeing the damp earth with the toe of your boot. Neither of you said anything at first, but you saw a smile grow upon her round face as she pulled something from out of her own pocket. A necklace near identical to your own. A spark of curiosity arose in you, and you hesitantly held out a flat palm,
"Can I see it?"
Aes' eyes shined with something knowing, you both were thinking in sync, and you both knew it too. Sometimes you wondered if you two were twins in soul with how similar your thought patterns were. The alien girl sat the necklace softly in your hand, and almost immediately upon contact you noted it changing. Like swirling smoke, the green glow came upon it again, and in a few short moments it was glowing, warm, almost living. You felt oddly connected to it, now that you considered your feelings. Your hands longed moreso to hold the stone you had first touched, though this was a 'close enough' content.
"It's you." Aeshin whispered excitedly, a child like yourself, discovering something foreign and exciting.
"Whatever you're doing..." The girl's voice trailed off. "Do you think you can do it again?"
It was this day, fourteen years ago that you discovered your abilities.
But of course, this is just a memory.