Chapter Thirteen
That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry;
For having lost but once your prime,
You may forever tarry.
To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time (stanza 3-4) by Robert Herrick
The setting suns cast long shadows in the courtyard of the Lars' house. Luke sits on a blanket spread on the ground under the shade of one of the reflectors that have been erected to ward off the afternoon heat. Surrounded by his friends, he is opening the gifts in a small pile beside him. On his right, Windy and Deak are admiring a model Alderaanian gunship that Luke's Uncle Haro had given him.
Sitting on Luke's left, Camie, Rasca Darklighter, and her little sister Anya, were looking at the clothes he'd been given by Kallie and Veeka. The militia girls give him clothes every year as a tradition but there are always credits hidden in one of the pockets. Luke picks up and unwraps the present from the Gault family which is a pocket vibroblade that looks expensive.
"That's a top of the line model," Jabe says from across the courtyard where he is sitting at table with his parents and stepsiblings.
"I cannot believe you would give Luke a vibroblade," Luke's aunt Dama says.
Orin Gault shrugs. "I had one when I was his age."
"He's a thirteen year old boy! A vibroblade is not a toy!" she nearly shouted.
"The kid'll be fine. You worry too much," Orin says in exasperation. "It's not like it's a lightsaber."
Luke catches his dad's eye and ducks his head to keep from laughing.
"But—"
"He can have the blade so long as he is responsible with it," declares his dad. "You will be careful, right Luke?"
Luke nods his head vigorously. "I'll be very careful aunt Dama. I promise."
His aunt doesn't look happy but Luke opens his next present from Jula Darklighter's family before she can say anything else.
"Do you like it?" Rasca asks. She had turned twelve not long ago and would be starting at Anchorhead Secondary School next month.
"Yeah, I could definitely use another droid repair kit. I almost used up my last one."
Luke unwraps another gift, this one from Deak. Inside the a small box is a datapack containing several dozen datacards with information about starship and droid construction.
"I know you like reading so I thought you'd like it," Deak says somewhat uncertainly. Deak is the most timid of all of Luke's friends and he perpetually radiated nervousness in the Force.
"I love it! I'll have a lot of fun reading these," Luke playfully punches Deak in the arm.
Luke has one present left. He is surprised to see that it is from his dad. But his dad gave him his gift this morning, a new datapadd that had been released by MicroData Technologies only two months ago. Frowning, he unwraps a small velvet bag. Inside is a crystal, deep blue in color, about the size of his thumb. Luke gasps quietly because the little gem shines in the Force like a candle flame.
"It's beautiful," Camie breathes.
Windy snorts. "It's just a rock. Hey Luke, can I see your vibroblade?"
Luke nods absently, engrossed in the way crystal shone in the light, almost as if it was lit within.
Do you know what that is, young one? his dad asks through the bond.
No. what does it do?
It is Adegan crystal. It is used to focus a lightsaber blade. Traditionally a Jedi apprentice would built their first real saber at thirteen. It is time you learned how to build your own.
Grinning and vibrating with excitement and anticipation, Luke places the crystal back into the bag and slips it into the pocket of his tunic.
"Luke?" Camie asks. "Can you show me where the refresher is?"
"Yeah, come on,"
They both make their way into the house.
"There is the kitchen over there and the 'fresher is right here," he points to the door.
"I don't really have to use it," Camie admits. "I just wanted to give you your birthday present in private."
"You don't have to get me anything," Luke says. Camie's parent are moisture farmers and Luke has heard that they are struggling to make ends meet. Some month ago Camie's family lost most of their crops after the thermoregulator broke in one of their hydrostations. Luke did not want to make her feel bad and had not said anything about her lack of gift.
"I don't have any credits but I can give you this,"
Camie leans forward and, to his surprise, kisses him on the lips.
"Happy birthday Luke," she says, her face red, and then heads back toward the courtyard.
Luke, his own face burning and his heart thrumming like a repulsorlift, follows her.