Ch. 5
The upbeat, joyous sounds of the cantina pulsed around Maicah as she sat on a bar stool, running her fingers around the top of her glass continuously. Occasionally she would lift the glass to her mouth and take a sip of her drink, but it would be set back down on the countertop right after. Any person could tell just by looking at Maicah that she was in no mood to be social at the moment, so most kept away. But there also were the few foolish, lonely men who attempted to strike up a conversation with her. Whatever line they decided to use was shot down without a seconds hesitation and they all walked away defeated. She smiled to herself, guessing everyone got the message since she hadn't been bothered for some time, but realized a figure was now moving towards her. By the time the twi'lek reached her, she could feel his eyes burning through her. With a glare that could make the most confident of men turn away, she looked to him and waited for him to spit out whatever he had been planning to say to sweep her off her feet.
"Well, hello beautiful woman." He said in the smoothest tone he could muster. It was obvious he was new to speaking Galatic Basic, but at least he was saying what she assumed to be the words he meant. "I was watching your beauty and wanted to know if you dance for new group I make. All human women, you know. Very nice, very fun." He stopped to wait for her response as she looked away and took another sip of her drink. After she had put her cup back down, she looked at him once more and opened her mouth to speak.
"Who said I was a woman?" She asked, making her voice sound much deeper than it really was. The Twi'lek stared in shock for a quick minute before hurrying away, yelling back random apoligies. Maicah smiled, finishing off her drink and tipping the bartender before standing from her stool. She wasn't exactly sure where she was going now since she had only spent an hour or so here, but she needed to leave. All this unwanted interaction with others was beginning to make her cranky and she didn't want to do anything she'd regret later on, so she decided to remove herself from the problem.
She whistled as she exited the cantina, leaving the loud chatter and music behind her to instead wander around the empty hallways of Citadel Station. It had been so long since she last came here, but she still remembered it's layout like the back of her hand. It wasn't very hard to get used to it, it was so small after all. After a bit of walking, she stopped and looked out one of the many large windows. She and Atton had stood here before and talked of the many places they had seen as they both waited for Disciple to finish up in the little men's room. She could feel her throat becoming dry once again as the thoughts began pouring back, so she closed her eyes and took a deep breath then brushed back some hair that had fallen infront of her face. She had to figure out what she could do to recover from this grief soon because she couldn't continue going on this way. The remedy would have to wait though because the sound of a muffled cry for help reached Maicah's ears. Turning from the window, she took hurried steps down the corridor and peeked around the corner.
It was strangely dark, but she could clearly see a young man, probably about 15 years of age, struggling to get away from a large man who had him pinned to a wall. All Maicah could hear were hushed whispers, but it didn't take a genius to figure out the boy didn't want to be in the situation he was in. Maicah was now around the corner, leaning against the wall cooly. The two figures hadn't noticed her, so she cleared her throat to get their attention. She frowned, realizing that hadn't worked, so she tried it again. Only this time it was louder and obviously forced. Thankfully, the man turned his head towards her, keeping his strong pin on the smaller boy.
"What do you want?" His voice was husky and rough to fit his large build, but she wasn't frightened. Honestly, look who had the better weapon here.
"Let the boy go. Now." She demanded, her arms crossed and waiting. This man was obviously lacking something in the intelligence department, however, because instead of cooroperating, he was laughing at her.
"Oh yeah? What if I don't?" He asked stubbornly, appearing to be challenging her in some odd way.
"Trust me, you'll want to cooperate with me on this. So, I'll say it one more time. Let the boy go." Her arms were now unfolded and she was standing upright instead of seeking support from the wall.
"No." The larger said simply, turning back to the boy and slamming his fist hard against his cheek. The boy grunted loudly, the bruise all ready beginning to form. Maicah's eyes narrowed as she mumbled a don't say I didn't warn you. One thing she hated more than innocent people being hurt was innocent young people being harmed and this would certainly count as something to make her upset.
She outstretched her arm to aim her fingers directly towards the large bully then slowly rotated her hand so the palm was facing her. Not only was her palm facing her, but also the recalcitrant man who also happened to be hovering in mid air. His victim was seated on the ground, panting heavily and staring in shock at what was happening before him. With her free hand, Maicah drew her lightsaber, the silver light's soft humming reaching each of their ears.
"If you ever lay a hand on this boy, or anyone else for that matter, you can be sure I won't be as friendly next time." Besides her harsh tone, Maicah appeared completely calm. She dropped her hand, allowing the man who, in the light, appeared only a few years older than his victim, drop to the ground. As soon as his bottom landed on the ground, he scurried up and ran by her, yelling random curses on the way. After she was certain he was gone, she looked to the boy who had been in need of help and hurried over then offered her hand to help him up. He took it hesitantly, watching her closely.
"Thank you." He said quickly, dusting himself off. Maicah gave a nod, stepping back to give him his own space.
"Are you a Jedi?" He asked, eyes wide again. She nodded again, shrugging.
"I figured that would be obvious enough by the robe and lightsaber." She clipped the lightsaber back to her belt, shaking her head. "But I guess it just takes some people awhile now-a-days." The boy winced slightly at her sarcasm, expecting all Jedi to be the patient, soft spoken, and wise ones he had heard about. Maicah sighed, realizing her remarks had come out harsher than she had intended.
"I'm sorry. My name's Maicah…Jedi, at your service." She did a mock bow, waiting for his own name.
"I'm Dumond." The boy, Dumond, thought for a quick moment before appearing anxious. Maicah watched the different emotions he displayed for a few seconds before raising a brow, convinced that this boy was a bit different than most.
"Well, now that you're fine, I think I'll be goi-..." Dumond cut her off with a sentence of his own.
"No! You must wait here. My brother, I would like him to speak to you." Dumond sprinted past Maicah, leaving her by herself in the dim hall. A look of irritation played across her face as she spun around, calling out after the strange boy.
"I'm a Jedi! Do you realize how many things I have to do today?" Well, to be perfectly honest, she didn't really have anything to do at all. Therefore, she chose one of the walls surrounding her and leaned against it, waiting patiently for whatever Dumond wanted to show her about his brother.
Dumond returned shortly after with a tall, muscular man who looked nothing like him. Dumond was a platinum blonde, short, and scrawny boy and this man beside him was the complete opposite. Even their hair color was different from one another. Unlike Dumond's, the man's hair was shaggy and dark brown in color but still well kept. Besides the physical differences, there was also something else that made this stranger stand out to Maicah. Something echoed within him, she could sense it, and she knew it needed to be let out. She stood up straight as the two approached her, looking from Dumond to whom she assumed was his brother.
"Hi, I'm Dumond's older brother, Kyle." The stranger introduced himself with a grin as the two stopped before Maicah. Maicah nodded and offered her hand.
"The name's Maicah." She was shocked when Kyle took her hand and, instead of hand shaking it, kissed it lightly. She pulled it back when he let go, looking to Dumond.
"So what was it you wanted me to talk to him about?" Dumond looked between the two with a slight smile then finally answered Maicah. "Well, isn't it obvious? My brother should join you and your friends as a Jedi!" Maicah raised both brows, looking between the two like they were both crazy.