Star Wars: The In-Betweeners

41- Common enemy

Nerak's POV (1 ABY)

Roxxanne insists that we sneak back into the manor, but I just can't stop giggling at her definition of stealth. I mean, she's good, she's a trained soldier in the arts of stealth and all that shit, but she does it in such an exaggerated way that I can't help but believe she's doing it to cheer me up. One time, as she rolls on the ground and hides behind a column, I burst into a laughing fit until my ribs hurt and my throat is sore.

"Shhh, you're gonna get us caught!" She reproaches me as she leans on the column, laughing even louder than me.

"I'm not the one making me laugh!" I giggle, laying on my back and holding my aching side.

"Okay, okay, let's act our age and be the responsible adults we are!" She finally coughs, still laughing. She stands up and helps me up.

"Wait, we're adults?" I smile, my face hurting from how much I've smiled this day already.

"According to most cultures..." She shrugs, pulling my hand and guiding me back to my cell. We manage to take two steps before her brother, Niko, appears from behind another column.

"Hello, baby sister," he says, smirking smugly as he sees me. Mirth disappears from my features as my eyes harden. "Dad wants to talk to you," he walks past us and chuckles upon seeing me. I stick out my leg and make him trip. He glares at me and is about to kick me when he thinks better and just ignores me.

"To say that I am disappointed is an understatement," Captain Grumpy comments or whatever his name is. Rox looks down, ashamed. Every single soldier from her Clan has been summoned to present this humiliation. I am seething with anger as I see some smirking smugly at the disgraced daughter. Where before I felt comfortable in Rox's oversized clothes, now I feel trapped in a space that is not mine, the collar of the shirt itching my neck as I stand tall next to my new friend. "I never expected this behavior from you, really," her step-dad continues. Rox grimaces, face red, though probably now as red as mine as I open my mouth to tell mister Angry what's on my mind. Roxxanne sees me and grabs my hand, stopping me before I embarrass myself. "To speak to a Jedi is one thing, but to sympathize with one is another. I expected better behavior from you, really." Rox's grip tightens with every word. Next to her father sits a middle-aged woman with bright orange hair --like Rox's--, gray streaks decorating it. She's wearing a decorative armor, not fit for fighting, same as her husband. That's all for show, something to impress visitors and strangers. Her face remains impassive as she stands her daughter getting scolded and humiliated in front of basically the whole clan's population. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?" The Clan leader finishes, leaning back on the high-backed chair and lacing his fingers on his lap, eyes intent on me.

"Nerak has been in her cell for weeks. That's enough to drive anyone crazy. I was just taking her out for some fresh air," Rox replies.

"Giving her your clothes, it seems. No shackles, either," the captain shakes his head. "What would you have done if she had turned on you?"

Roxxanne's mouth opens and closes several times before her head drops.

"You didn't even take weapons with you!"

"She's not dangerous!" My friend shouts. "She's not dangerous at all. Just because we hold a thousand-year grudge against Wielders, it doesn't mean that they're as bad as the legends tell!"

"One of these Wielders almost killed your boyfriend and destroyed his Clan!" The old man spits, face red with anger. Some warriors even shout out insults as slap spears against the ground. "QUIET!" The man booms, sound reverberating across the room as I cover my ears with my hands, the sound unbearable. Rox drapes an arm around my shoulder and holds me close to her. My body relaxes. "You, Wielder, explain why you are here!" He shouts over the tumult.