He's nine years old when he's finally able to see the original Star Wars movies.
They're old – a lot older than he'd expected when so many people he knew gushed about them constantly – but he asks his mom if they can watch it anyway, because every other kid in his class is absolutely obsessed with getting a lightsaber – whatever that is – or becoming a Stormtrooper.
So, he watches the movies, despite it taking a lot more time out of his usual schedule than he would prefer, and is immediately hooked; those kids were right about the lightsabers. Small, portable lasers you could use to slice stuff up.
Heck to the yes.
He wanted one.
Of course, when he expressed this need to his parents, mom had rolled her eyes good-naturedly and dad smiled at him and pulled out the keys to the car, stating he deserved a reward for his streak of good grades lately – all A's. Mom was really happy about that, so she agreed and off they went.
He spent the twenty minute ride to the store practically vibrating in his seat, unable to contain his excitement.
Turns out, once at the store – with its loads of screaming children and decidedly unordered toy aisles; he hated coming here, even when it was for something he really wanted – he was to be greatly disappointed by the cheap plastic replicas hanging on the wall.
"I don't want one of those," he stresses, almost certain his father is playing a trick on him. "I want a real lightsaber!"
His father laughed. The audacity.
"Son," he sighs, leaning down and patting him on the shoulder, "Lightsabers aren't real. Those were just special effects made to look like lasers in the movie."
"But Mr. Takahiko says lasers are real! So why aren't lightsabers?" he protests immediately, feeling a bit triumphant.
His father pursed his lips. "Lasers do exist," he admitted, continuing before his son could interject, "But scientists haven't quite figured out how to make them work like a lightsaber."
"Then I'll figure it out!" he exclaims, pointing at his parent's nose with just a hint of neurotic mania. "Mr. Takahiko says I'm smart! I'll figure out how to make lightsabers work!"
His father smiles; it isn't until he's much older that he recognizes the disbelief hiding in his eyes.
But he's going to make that childish dream a reality; even if it does take a while.
A/N: Forgive me for the utter cheesiness, but in my defense we don't know much about most of the characters. See you tomorrow!
~Persephone