S.R.F. Ch. 1

Ezra was worried. This wasn't usually a problem for him. Growing up all alone at the age of eight on Lothal had taught him that fear was a good thing, if he used it wisely. Fear told him he was alive and that something was about to or is dangerous. But this, was for lack of a better word, different. He wasn't in moral peril, so he couldn't push it aside as he decided on how to stay alive. This wasn't a situation he could escape. He wasn't in danger. Wasn't hungry. He was having feelings.

"What is there to be worried about?!" The street-rat asked himself. "It's not like I'm sticking with these people for much longer. Hell, I don't even want to be here. Yeah, yeah, next time I see them I'm demanding they take me back." Ezra was spooked when a sudden knocking, bordering booming, made him jump.

"Hey! Are you trying to ruin my do- er, the door! It's not exactly mine to break, ya know!" Ezra shouted over the knocking as he walked over to see who wanted what from him. Someone always wanted something from him.

Erza opened the door to see that he had guessed correctly. Only the Lasat could make that much noise and not break his hand.

"Hera wants to see you boy." The former Honor Guard said glaring at the boy.

"I'll be right there." Erza said, surprisingly formal. While these people were insane for sticking their necks out fighting the Empire, Hera was one of those kind souls that Erza knew had everyone's best interest at heart. She, if he theoretically liked any of them, would have theoretically warmed up to her first. Although if I finally got that Mandalorian to take off her helmet. . .

"Well, eh, you better be there." Zeb said rather weakly, having been expected one of the witty remarks that the kid had become rather famous for.

"I'll be there in a second."

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"We aren't seriously going to keep the little punk with us, are we?" Zeb asked, realizing that he might have broken one of the few rules he lives with, that rule being not pissing off Hera, if that frown was any indication.

"That boy has no one Zeb! He fights the Empire too! Even though what he does looks insignificant to you, remember that what we do also looks like nothing if the entire Empire is considered. But it's something! He has that same passion as we do!"

"I'm still not convinced. Seems like this guy is a lost cause."

Hera was positively fuming. She was about to practically shout something when Sabine silenced her by putting her hand on her arm.

"That's cruel, even for you Zeb. You of all people 'ought to know how it feels to be all alone."

Zeb snarled at her. Had she ever done a single thing to disrespect him in any way and he might've done much more. He did realize though, that she could see where she was coming from.

"Hhhhhnn." He growled before he stormed out of the room before he said anything he'd regret, or even more likely, she said something she'd regret.

Chopper started whirring his arms, uncharacteristically silent. Before Sabine could ask what he wanted Hera snapped her head up at her.

"Ezra's coming! I don't want him to hear about this, got it?"

"I'm not stupid Hera. I'm not going to tell the kid that we aren't arguing about him leaving." Sabine said, crossing her arms.

"Not even going to argue about it, are you then? Glad to see that none of you will lie to my face. At least you're honest enough to tell no one wants me around." With that Ezra walked back to his room.

Hera was glaring daggers now. "Now look what you did! He got the wrong idea."

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Ezra was trying his best to walk as slow as humanly possible. If he were to be a little more honest with himself, he didn't want to walk in with Hera. She was the nicest person he'd been with in a while, and he knew she'd be the one they'd choose to break any bad news to him. Ezra was so preoccupied that he didn't notice a disgruntled Zeb ram into him.

"Hey!"

"Watch out!"

"What's got you so mad?" Ezra asked, picking himself up from the floor, only a little mad that Zeb had only been forced a step back while he fell on his ass.

"Why don't you go see for yourself!" Zeb retorted as he stomped away.

Ezra was even more anxious now. He was beginning to warm up to the furball, and if he was mad, then they either wanted to kick him out or he didn't return the favor.

He slowly picked up the pace, near running when he finally got to Hera's room. He stopped when he heard their voices. It was just mumbling, until he made it to the door, and caught then end of what Sabine was saying facing the motherly Twi'lek pilot. ". . . we aren't arguing about him leaving!" The mandalorian said with her arms crossed. "Not even going to argue about it, are you then? Glad to see that none of you will lie to my face. At least you're honest enough to tell no one wants me around." With that he walked calmly until he made the turn, and proceeded to run to "his" room, refusing to give them the pleasure of seeing him cry.