Chapter 13
'A Winter's Tale'
'Can't We Bring Him, Please?'
'Head Beaters Buffet'
'Uncommon Bond'
'We starve-look at one another short of breath
Walking proudly in our winter coats…' – G. Ragni
The trio, Sigrid, Fern and Dantius make their way to thee dining hall. It is Intergalactic cuisine night with 'Sullustan Dynasty Delights.' The specials this evening include Sullustan Monk Barbecued Shaak, Sweet and Sour duck, sautéed Naboo watercress with garlic and rice. There is also a Geonosian 'Meat eaters buffet' featuring dewback, bantha, shaak, and Eopie. The sides include scalloped potatoes, corn, and vats of gravy and steak sauce. Dantius and the girls pick up a tray and venture over to the regular steamer table where able-bodied servers are at the ready with their ladles and spoons.
Boone, Magnus and Roman have arrived early, scouted out a large table and are already seated. They stop eating as soon as they see Dantius emerge from behind the girls. He is carrying all of their food on his tray. Boone whispers to the others.
"Guess who's coming to dinner?"
Roman holds his fork halfway to his mouth.
"Who's she got with her?"
Magnus answers without emotion.
"Her latest recruit."
"Recruit?"
Boone interjects.
"Her new puppy."
Roman butters a roll as he responds to Boone.
"They always fall in love with her."
"What's not to love?"
"You fell in-love with her."
"But the spell was broken. I knew we were destined to be just friends."
Magnus stares at Boone's plate.
"Yeah, after she took notice of your eating habits."
"Come on, Mag, you know you used to have a thing for her too. Admit it."
"It was a momentary infatuation, I admit but Sigi is more complex than that. I have come to respect her. She's smart."
Boone taunts him with a comment that Magnus must have made a long time ago after getting to know Sigrid.
"'Looks aren't everything. I only date chicks with a brain.' Was that your way of coping with rejection?"
"You're exaggerating."
"Oh, puleeze! You had it bad for her. Everyone knew it, man. The student body may be morally bankrupt, but that doesn't mean they're blind!"
"Will you shut the 'eff' up? Here they come. Shhh!"
Boone keeps egging Magnus on; mocking him.
"If only she had my sardonic wit; we would be perfect for each other."
Magnus gives Boone one of his blank stares. This unnerves Boone.
"Alright! Can't you take a joke?"
"No."
Fern and Sigrid arrive at the table and join the three guys. Dantius winds up sandwiched between Boone and Roman. Sigrid sits across from them between Magnus and Fern. She is smiling that infamous toothpaste commercial smile of hers.
"Who can't take a joke?"
Boone and Roman look at Sigrid. Boone explains.
"Nothin'...just talking. You know us guys."
Fern takes a sip from her tumbler filled with Bimmisaari red bubble tea with milk.
"Yeah, we know how you guys talk smack. You're so pathetically predictable"
Magnus watches as Dantius distributes the plates of food from his tray to the girls. Magnus looks at his bandaged hand. He points to it.
"How's the hand?"
"It's okay. Thanks."
"Bet you got a real eye opener today."
Dantius panics with the sound of guilt in his voice.
"It wasn't intentional! I didn't mean to look."
"Easy…easy there, sport."
Boone eyes Dantius with an air of amused suspicion.
"We were referring to the medical outreach. What are you thinking about? Got something to confess?"
Dantius tries to recover with an excuse. He was wondering how anyone knew he saw Sigrid's nude body from the mirror in her room.
"No! Nothing! Oh, yes! The clinic was something to see. I never knew it was there. It's run quite well."
"Don't worry; no one is gonna rat you out. Okay? Chill, dude,"
Dantius figures he had better get a grip. This confusing conversation is making him sweat. As it turns out, everyone at the table knows about the medical outreach centre. Fern looks around. She notices the pile of sludge on Boone's plate and wrinkles her nose.
"Hey, where's Fin?"
"He's busy in the Philosophy department working on that paper."
"Oh."
"I think he's trying to distance himself from the 'activists."
"Hah-ha! I believe you have a point there. Rebel rousers like us don't get the calling to serve on the Galactic Senate. He can't be seen fraternizing with us."
"But there are a few exceptions. "
"Dani, do you have aspirations to be an upstanding member of the Galactic Senate?"
"Well, I haven't given it much thought. That's a lofty goal."
"You need to start out thinking small…like university ombudsman or dorm resident assistant….*sith* like that."
"Bribe some slimy member of the senate. A senate seat can't be all that difficult to obtain."
"You could be a school community organizer like Sigi here."
"Oh…I'm not much of a public speaker. I still have to declare a major."
"Who said anything about that?"
Magnus decides to stay on topic.
"What do you plan to do when you grow up?"
"Ohm…I though perhaps a teacher…"
"So you can mold young impressionable minds?"
Everyone laughs.
"No one's going to crack Boone's brain."
"That's right. No one's going to dictate my destiny."
Magnus is serious as usual…even when making a joke.
"Boone the powers that be would be sorely disappointed by what they find in that brain trust." He turns his attention back to Dantius. So, Dan, why don't you join the student senate? You could start small and join a committee. It could help your post-graduate career."
"Hmmm…the senate could be interesting."
"There you go. I like a guy with ambition. Go for the brass ring. Why don't you start out by running for school senate? We need to get the jock vote. They're brainless and can be easily swayed... once lured with food…preferably a chunk of raw meat. And it appears that you are becoming quite the chick magnet. The female vote is always important."
Dantius blushes.
"Gee…I don't know about that. I'll think it over though."
"Yeah…think it over the Befana Eve holiday at your parents' house while they hold their thrilling client holiday hootenanny you talked about."
Boone and Fern howl with laughter. Fern remembers something. She nudges Sigrid and whispers in her ears.
"Did you ask him?"
"Not yet. I was waiting for the right time."
"Now is the right time."
Sigrid taps Magnus on the shoulder then whispers in his ear.
"Can I see you for a moment?"
"Sure…what is it?"
She gestures for them to step away. He follows Sigrid into an alcove where all the soiled dining trays are deposited for cleaning. A kitchen droid retrieves them as soon as the racks are full. Magnus stands in the alcove of the tray deposit area. His tall-sculpted body with arms folded leans against one of the tray trolleys.
"What's going on?"
It is true that he once held a romantic interest in Sigrid, and even though that time has passed, he was thinking perhaps she wanted to rekindle the relationship? His ego is somewhat deflated when he realizes what she wants from him.
"I was wondering if you invite Dani to our ski holiday."
"Why? Are you feeling pity for him or something?"
"No-I think he likes being with us and I don't think he has many friends. It would be a great boost to his self-confidence…He'll pay his way of course."
She waits staring into his eyes. Magnus is not comfortable about this and he makes it clear.
"This trip is for our group. You've barely known this guy for what? A day? Now you decide he should join us? We don't know anything about him."
"Please?"
"You can't rescue everyone, Sigi? Come to think about it, I'm not so sure he needs rescuing. He doesn't look as naive as he lets on…besides, he's smitten with you."
"I think he just needs some friends. Come on, Mags."
"Have you wondered why he might not have any?"
"Be nice."
"I'm just saying. I heard some things earlier today about your new charge. Before the mid-term break he had a big blow-up with one of his professors."
"Oh, come on…who hasn't had a disagreement with a professor on this campus?"
"I haven't."
"You're always so calm and diplomatic."
"I pick my battles."
"So, can he come or not?"
Magnus sighs heavily.
"Why me? Why didn't you ask Roman? This is really his event…and Boone's."
"You met him first. I trust your judgment."
"I don't know if I trust my own judgment right now."
"So, can he come or not?"
Magnus ponders for a moment. He sneaks a look back at the table. Boone and Roman are telling a funny story. Dantius joins in with the laughter. Magnus turns his attention back to Sigrid. He is compelled to say 'No.' but he cannot say 'No' to Sigrid. He rolls his eyes as he gives in to her request. He knows that he will regret his decision.
"Fine…he's got to pay his share for the chalet and he's got to bunk with Boone."
"Why Boone? I love Boone but he's a slob."
"Exactly. Someone has to suffer this year. Besides, it will test the newbie's mettle. Those are the conditions. Pray I don't alter them again."
"I'm sure he won't mind. I think they'll get along nicely together."
"If he can put up with the stinky shoes and the day-old food in the room, then I guess he'll be alright."
"Thanks, Mags. You're the sweetest." She kisses him on the cheek. "I promise he'll be fine with the arrangements."
"If anything bad happens, I'm blaming you." Magnus points to her.
Sigrid flashes that irresistible smile then plants another kiss on his cheek. They return to the table. Sigrid is in a bubbly mood as she gives a discreet 'thumbs up' to Fern. Fern has never been patient enough to hold on to a secret. She hops out of her seat and takes Sigrid aside to chat.
Boone is still telling one of his stories. He has yet to tackle all the food piled on his plate. It is a combination of everything from the menu: broccoli, scalloped potatoes, barbecued shaak, sweet and sour duck, melon, rice, and an extra-large tumbler of Rodian soda.
A new person joins the table of friends. It is a female student. She looks as if she were born with a permanent scowl on her face.
Boone looks up from his plate as he picks over his food.
"Oh-oh, here comes 'Miss Cheerful.' Who rained on your parade?"
She is obviously not in a cheerful mood as she plops down the dinner tray with the vegan-filled plate of food and a bottle of pure mineral water from Kamino. The intricate label on the bottle features water flowing through submerged mountains of Tipoca. The waters 'natural effervescence comes from air pockets of the thermal mineral springs. The unique molecular structure and submerged aquatic plants gives the water its sweet rather than salty aftertaste. She flips off the cap and takes a sip before speaking.
"I came back to my room to drop off my books and….all my '*sith* is broken. I mean-what the 'eff'?"
Boone grins.
"Oh, man…I bet something happened to her precious knick-knacks."
Roman chuckles.
"You think Sigi broke your stuff in a fit of rage?"
"I'm glad you think it's funny, guys."
"It's probably your next door neighbor entertaining one of her lovers from the frat house for a few credits. Tuition here is expensive."
"Thanks Boone."
"Well, you know how these things go. She's on her third frat pledge…things get a little frisky…then the bed starts rockin'and the next thing you know, the cheap walls rattling…you've got a five point three quake going on…"
"Thanks for the reenactment, Boone 'di Sicko'."
A small voice emerges above the banter.
"How-how bad is the damage?"
"I think only one broke. The rest were just in disarray." She wrinkles her nose, not sure if she wants to engage in a conversation with this stranger.
"I'm pretty handy. I…I could probably repair all of the broken pieces…if you show them to me…"
"It's okay. You shouldn't have to take all your time to repair something you didn't break in the first place. I'll just leave a note on that tramp's door when I get back. I'll make her pay."
Boone is thoroughly amused as he listens to the conversation. He sips on his Rodian soda.
"Careful now, anger will turn you to the Dark Side."
"Cute, Boone. Bite me."
"Someone give this chick a shaakburger. All those veggies are making your brain flaky."
Dantius tries once more to reason with the angry co-ed.
"You know, I'm sure your neighbor is a reasonable person. It's not her fault that the walls to your dorm are cheaply made. I implore you. Let me help."
Boone and Roman mouth the word 'implore' as they look at one another on the verge of giggling.
She is wary but soon warms up to the idea.
"Alright."
"Drop them off at my dorm."
"Okay"
Boone chirps.
"And now there will be peace! Dano, you finally shut her up. Thank you!"
"I'll always help when I can."
The girl smiles and gradually sheds her guard as she extends her hand to Dantius.
"Hi, I'm Son'ya."
Dantius stands.
"Dantiu…Dani. Nice to meet you, Son'ya."
Boone is observing Dantius very closely as the newcomer connects with Son'ya.
The group is bonding better than ever this evening. The energy at the table is palpable. Everyone seems to be getting on well with the newest 'inductee.'
Boone's plate of 'Mt. Cafeteria' is gone. He has disappeared from the table. Several minutes later he returns to the table carrying a larger salad bowl filled with four flavors of ice cream topped with a generous helping of honey-soaked nuts, chocolate fudge, imported Yavin bananas, loads of fresh whipped cream all dotted with Corellian marinated cherries.
"Dig in, folks! It's 'sundae' madness on a weekday."
Roman has a question but does not hesitate to pick up a spoon.
"How did you finagle this, Boone?"
"The kitchen comes with privileges, my friend. This is one of the great benefits of the student financial-aid work-study program. Bon Appétit!"
The group wastes no time partaking in the frozen concoction. Son'ya hesitates.
"I can't eat this. It isn't vegan."
"Well…if you want to continue grazing on that tray of twigs and mulch…"
"Maybe I'll just taste some of the banana."
Magnus, in a rare moment of joyfulness, savors a spoonful of the dessert as if it were fine Kachirho caviar or an expensive bottle of Corellian wine. He promptly congratulates Boone with a hearty slap on the back
"Boone, I have to admit, this is the one time you have created chaos at dinner and it turns out to be a good thing. Cheers, my man."
"Mags, a compliment from you? I'm chuffed."
Boone feigns humility as he touches his hand to his heart. This makes the experience ten times better for all of them.
Son'ya sits watching the others. He has finished eating the end of a banana untouched by the other ingredients. He spoon dangles idly from her fingers. Boone grins.
"I should have known you wanted my banana." He puckers his lips as if he is blowing her a kiss. Son'ya is shocked by his crude remark.
"Boone, you are so disgusting, I hate you! Is any other female at this table insulted by his behavior?" She releases a frustrated sigh. Her mouth is agape. Boone sticks a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth. She can't scream because she would feel like an idiot. Magnus scolds Boone.
"Boone, you know you were wrong." He hands Son'ya his espresso cup. Spit it out, Son'ya."
Son'ya takes the cup but begins to sense all the flavors bursting onto her taste buds. Boone nods 'yes' to her.
"It's awesome, isn't it?" She agrees. Boone helps her dig into the bowl with her empty spoon. "See? She likes it. She really likes it. Admit it. It's good."
"Okay! It's good! But you're still a pig, Boone."
"I don't know what that is. I do know one thing. I will not stop until I have cured every vegan on campus." He smiles, pleased that everyone is happy and enjoying each other's company and friendship. Fern feeds Dantius a spoonful of the Gin-jang berry ice cream. He nods with boyish approval then leans in to select another flavor.
Just as the group works on the last few servings of the huge treat, someone approaches their table. The two towering figures belong to the jocks that live in the same dorm as Dantius. One of the jocks has a blond crew cut with a single braid from the nape of his neck to his shoulder. His name is Doug 'the Boar' Cooha'ki. He has hazel eyes that resemble a cat. Doug is wearing heavy cargo pants and a ribbed pullover. He dons a bulky leather varsity jacket with the number '1' on the back with the name 'Cooha'ki stitched in scarlet below.
His accomplice is Chip Neider who has a similar jacket with the number '6' on the back with his name. He wears a white turtleneck under a slate blue zip-front cardigan. Chip is muscular but leaner than Doug is. This is because Chip is on the Theed Water Polo team. His short sandy-brown hair is neatly parted on the side. His sparkling blue eyes and smile reveals a potential good person underneath the jock façade. Doug is a team player but he is also a follower. He is actually the attractive one of the pair but his association with Doug Cooha'ki is destined to be his downfall. Cooha'ki speaks first.
"How sweet. Dessert from scruffy hippie to the campus 'commies.' I see you added a new member. Hello, silent Dan."
Dantius is still holding his spoon. He lets the ice cream slowly melt in his mouth before he swallows. He has a very bad feeling about this. Since his return to university, his life seems to be making a turn-around. He has never had any trouble from the 'jock squad' or 'jerk squad' as Boone calls them. Why they chose this first full day back on campus to start trouble remains a puzzle to him.
He continues to hold the spoon in his hand. The two thugs, oozing testosterone, continue to hover. Chip giggles.
"Enjoying Boone's ice cream…sweet."
Doug continues taunting the group.
"Hmmm…I guess that's as good as it gets. Right, 'ragamuffin hippie freak'?"
Boone speaks without looking up at the two.
"I was told that 'Cooha'ki' is actually slang for a female body part…or something a nexu coughs up. Can't remember which…"
Doug Cooha'ki flicks Boone in the head with his beefy fingers. Even though Boone has that thick mop of hair on his head, the flick still causes pain.
"Owww! What the -. "
Magnus sighs and very calmly addresses the duo. Magnus has both a low opinion of jocks and even less tolerance for campus bullies. He looks up at Cooha'ki.
"Leave him alone. We don't want any trouble here."
"Oh, 'Mr. Peacemaker' commie leader of the pack, I'm so sorry. Was I speaking out of turn?" He sees Sigrid across the table and winks at her. "Hey, gorgeous. Why are you with these weirdoes? The jock table is so much cooler." She ignores him. Magnus responds to Doug's first question.
"I believe you were…speaking out of turn that is. We're just here to enjoy dinner, so, if you would just move along..."
"You and Boone were responsible for spearheading that 'Respect for Women' campaign. Very noble. The girls are just lining up to express their gratitude."
"Yes, and we would do it again if it makes one more woman on this campus feel safe."
Magnus is referring to an off-campus incident at a populate watering hole frequented by Theed students. He is growing weary of all of this hostility on campus between the jocks and a majority of the frat houses. It seems he is constantly called on to douse the flames of anger and violence. He knows that these two, in particular, are itching for a fight. The jocks are not backing down. Dantius speaks up and everyone turns; even the students at the neighboring tables take notice.
"He asked you politely to be on your way."
Doug and Chip laugh.
"The geek-freak defends the commie. That's new."
"He doesn't need me to defend him." He looks across the table at Magnus. No offense."
"None taken."
Dantius continues to address the two jocks.
"Now you're bothering me. I was spending time with my friends."
"Whoa! Well, in that case, we will leave you to your guests, your liege." The two jocks bow and give a rolling hand salute in an exaggerated fashion. They step back before finally leaving the table.
Everyone at the table is dumbstruck. The surrounding tables erupt in thunderous applause. Dantius takes another spoonful of ice cream. Boone puts his arm around him and grins.
"Not good at public speaking, eh?"
"The ice cream was melting."
Roman plants a kiss on Dantius' head.
"You're alright, bro."
Boone holds up his hand for a high-five.
"You da man! Don't mess with Dano and his ice cream 'cause he will mess you up! Let me have one right here, man. Boo-ya! High-five. Dano! Now…you know that Roman just used your head as a dinner napkin…right?! "
Dantius has never bonded with anyone to do a 'high-five.' Boone guides Dantius' hand to his own like a toddler learning a trick for the first time. "There you go!"
As the large bowl is emptied, the group of friends leaves the table. Boone drops the bowl off in the staff dish cleaning room. He grabs his coat and catches up with the crowd outside. Fern shoves Boone when she sees him.
" 'Cooha', Boone? Is that what you think of us women on campus?"
"I was trying to make a point."
"Gee, thanks for nothing."
Son'ya walks up behind Boone and slaps him in the head.
"And that's from me! I would kick your ass, Boone, but dessert was totally awesome tonight."
"Hey, I already got hit in the head once tonight."
"Apologize for that sexist remark."
"I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted. Now get out of my way."
Sigrid walks with Dantius on her arm on that frigid evening. Chrome lampposts dot the walkway.
"Dani, I need to ask you something."
"No autographs, please." He stops and smiles. "I'm joking!"
Sigrid does not get his joke and continues speaking.
"Oh…okay…Well, we were wondering if you would like to go on ski holiday with us during winter break."
"Oh, really? Well, I'll have to think it over, as you know, my family has…"
She completes the sentence.
"…Their annual client party. I know, but, Dani, this is going to be so much fun. There are no stuffy adults lecturing you about how tough life was when they were young. You'll be around people your own age. We have a big cabin and there's lots of activities to do. Think about it…please?"
"Okay, I'll think it over. Thanks for the invitation."
He knows this is a last minute invitation but he is pleased just the same.
Boone catches up with Sigrid and Dantius, squeezing between the two with his arms around them.
"What's going on?"
Sigrid is bundled up in her parka. Her alpine earflap hat covers her head. Her beautiful blond hair flows over her shoulders like long golden ribbons. She rests her head on his shoulder.
"Nothing, Boone. Thanks for the ice cream by the way. It was the best." She gives him a kiss on his cheek.
"You're welcome, my dear. Sigrid, may I have a private moment with my man Dano?"
"Why?"
"It's confidential. Get out of here. Go! Son'ya needs cheering up. Her figurines are all broken."
"Really?"
Sigrid backs away then runs to catch up with Fern and Son'ya. Before she does, however, she gives Dantius a warning.
"Dani, don't lend him any money!"
Boone pretends to be hurt.
"Sig, I'm truly insulted." He turns to Dantius with a smile on his face. You're rich? Step into my office."
He leads Dantius off the paved path and onto the snow-dusted grass under the starry night sky.
"So, my man, tell me all the details."
"What details, Boone?"
"Oh, don't play coy with me…you were too anxious to help Son'ya with her weird little figurines." He points his finger at Dantius. "You have been in their room."
Dantius nervously denies this.
"No! I-I-I never said that."
"Actions speak louder than words, 'stylus boy'. You and Sigi were hanging out all afternoon. So, tell me, what got you so nervous that you knocked over all her stuff? You're blushing…what did you see? Don't leave out any details."
"A gentleman does not tell."
"Ah! You did see her! I knew it! You perv! I love you, man. You're my hero!"
Dantius shushes him nervously.
"Shhh! It was an accident! She doesn't know."
"Awh…give me a break!" Boone is behaving like a lecherous old man. Dantius is slightly amused by the fact that Boone is behaving like a 12-year old. Dantius refuses to discuss the matter. Boone is satisfied with the 'non-information' he already has. "Awesome!"
Dantius looks down at the ground. He likes the crunching sound the crusty layer of snow makes beneath his boots. The remaining grass under the snow feels bouncy much like the mood he is in right now.
"Boone, you seem very intuitive. Why aren't you in the Jedi Order?"
"Ha! Oh that…Well, I was actually…for a very brief time. I was a youngling…just a little kid. One of the Padawans recruited me. Qui-Gon Jinn…That's his name. He's a wild dude but cool. So I'm in the Council as a bunch of old dudes give me the once over. Turns out, since Qui-Gon was still a Padawan, he had no authorization to sponsor me but then they recognized my talents and took me in on a trial basis.' It was cool for a while. My parents got a break…You may not have noticed, but I was sort of a handful to manage. Heh-heh."
"You don't say."
"Anyway, I was hanging in there for a while, but being a kid, I didn't understand the importance of the whole Jedi credo. Those other kids were geniuses. All I wanted to do was make stuff float. Then this little dude…the 'kindergarten cop' of younglings. What was his name? Oh yeah…Yoda. Well, Yoda decided I was too unruly and too easily distracted to be a Jedi. I was not Jedi material. He returned me to my parents and said I was better suited for manual labor or something in the civil service industry. He didn't even recommend farmer, which is what some of the other rejects go on to become. They go into the Jedi Service Corps. Apparently a farmer ranks higher than a postman."
"Your future was to be a postman?"
"Yeah! Go figure. What was I going to do, teleport packages to Tatooine? I was unceremoniously kicked out at the tender age of three. That's enough to wreck a kids' self-esteem."
"Were you upset?"
"Heck no! I was three and totally clueless. I was a resilient little bugger…still am. They worked out a deal, since they still felt I had some talent, I was accepted into one of those advance placement schools or, as we graduates called it, the 'Jedi Failure Academy.' It wasn't so bad…too dumb for the Jedi Order but smart enough to attend their 'alternative school' but I was smart enough to land here at the hallowed halls of Theed U. Got a scholarship too! It was a sweet arrangement. My parents were relieved. They had no idea what to do if I didn't get into a good university. How about you?"
"Ohhh…I wasn't interested in the Jedi Academy. My talents lie elsewhere."
"Where? The Dark Side?"
Dantius stares blankly. Boone suddenly laughs.
"Dude! I'm teasing you. You need to lighten up when someone makes a joke."
"Oh! I knew that. I'm just trying out my deadpan expression." Dantius attempts to make a stunned expression then breaks into laughter. Boone grins.
"Don't do that in front of Mag, man. He'll swear you were goofing on him."
"Oh, never."
"That face you made was hilarious…it's almost Mag…almost. Mag still manages to look cool. You just look constipated."
"Oh, god!" The two double over laughing. Their figures are illuminated under the lamppost.
"Okay, man, no more facial expressions, you're cracking me up."
Dantius can barely catch his breath.
"Oh, I've never laughed so hard in my life."
Roman, who is still with the others on the path, calls out to Boone.
"Hey, Boone! Get a move on, will you? We've got studying to do tonight! Stop goofing off!"
Boone yells back.
"Alright! I'm coming!"
Dantius looks up at the night sky. Snow flurries dance around them. He flips the hood of his blue parks over his head.
"I think he means business."
"Yeah…So…can I borrow some credits?"
Dantius laughs as they continue walking, preparing to part ways.
"Sure. See me tomorrow."
Boone pats Dantius on the back.
"Gotta go. Everyone wants to be my study partner.
"You must have all the answers."
"Nope! I have all the grub! Hah!" He pulls a plastic food container from the deep pockets of his winter coat. It is filled with leftover duck wings from the dining hall kitchen. Dantius chuckles and waves. He turns suddenly, apparently remembering to ask Boone something. He shouts something to him. The others are either too far away or not listening.
"Do you have one?"
Boone turns around.
"What?"
"A lightsaber. Do you have one?"
Boone is confused as to why this matters anymore but answers.
"Yeah, it's not a great one. I haven't used it since I was a kid. It was just a practice saber. The crystal is busted anyway. Why?"
"Just wondering."
"Oh. Well…the guys are going to kill me if I don't get a move on."
"Oh yeah, you've got the grub."
They wave one last time.
Dantius takes several paces backwards, turns and then heads east towards his dorm. Boone makes a similar gesture and hurries to catch up with Roman and the others. Dantius smiles to himself as he hears the friends bickering in the distance. It is a sign of true brotherhood. It leaves a warm feeling inside him.
Dantius has a lot to think over. He wonders if it was an accident that Boone detected the aura of darkness growing inside him. He just met these people and he likes them. For the first time he felt he had made a positive human connection. Someone likes him. He may not need the 'other' stuff in his life. He secures the hood with the snap so the wind does not blow it off his head. He crosses the snow-covered grass to get back onto the path leading to his dorm. His new friends are no longer in view. He is alone. A hard thud hits him across his back. The blow causes him to stumble. He turns to look his attacker in the eye. He is not surprised as his attacker speaks.
"Hello, Big man. I see your posse is gone."
"What do you want?"
It is Chip and Doug. Doug brushes bits of the icy snow from his gloved hands.
"We just thought you wanted some company on your way back to the dorm. I mean, we are neighbors after all, right?"
"Leave me alone."
"That's no way to speak to your dorm buddies."
Chip backs away and tries to pull Doug with him.
"Doug, come on…he's had enough. Leave him alone."
"No!" He thinks he's better than everyone else. The whole campus knows you had a meltdown in that philosophy class, you little freak." Doug tries to block Dantius from getting away. "Where do you think you're going? Don't look around. Your 'peace and love' buddies aren't here to save your ass."
"I'm warning you. Get out of my way."
"Or what?"
Dantius thrusts his bandaged hand forward.
Doug is hurled upwards into a giant Gallo oak tree. Chip stumbles and is hit in the head by a snowball. Dantius turns.
"What the - - what are you doing here?"
"I was trying to help. They were ganging up on you."
Boone and Dantius look at Chip lying face down in the thin layer of snow.
"Is he dead?"
"I don't think so." Dantius looks up in the tree. Doug is straddled over a heavy branch. His legs dangle precariously on the snow-covered tree. His snow boots are the only thing keeping him from crashing to the ground. Dantius carefully walks directly under the branch. Doug's face is banged up but he is still breathing. Boone cannot resist a joke.
"That's going to be one scurrier with some sore nuts in the morning."
He whispers to Boone. "Hurry up. Go! Get out of here!"
Boone slowly backs away the picks up the pace. He is careful not to run under the lampposts. He disappears into the night. Dantius hears a droid operated security cruiser in the distance. He runs. He only turns once when he is close to his dorm. He can see the flicker of a halogen flashlight in the distance. Dantius composes himself then inserts his data card in to the scanner at the door. The door opens. Dantius sees Officer Frank Jarman at the desk reading the sports section of the evening news. He waves to the officer.
"Hey."
"Hello." Frank watches as Dantius steps into the waiting elevator.
Dantius is exhausted but he feels happy. He skips his study time and gets ready for bed. It is the best sleep he has had in quite some time.