Galaxy (GIVEN UP)

Chapter 26

"And that's really all I know." Roman said. Virgil pulled on his bag strap.

"That's a lot more than I know." He said. "Thanks." He wasn't really paying attention to what he was saying. Virgil's eyes were sweeping the market stalls, trying to find good places to pounce. Where were the easy exits? What stalls were the least populated?

"You know, I've been thinking-" Roman started.

"Ya're always thinkin', Princey." Virgil muttered. "Come on."

Everything on this planet was beige. The buildings, the sky, the ground, the ships, everything. But the market centre was the one splash of colour. So vibrant it almost hurt; there were huge reels of bright materials, garishly coloured fruits and - what Virgil needed most - spare parts of all variety.

Small stall at the edge of the market. It was more risky than the others as there weren't many people around and about but it'd be a good start. Roman needed to learn how to pick-pocket somehow. Here would be a fine place to start.

"No, but, seriously, Virge, just listen-" Roman cut himself off at a wave of Virgil's hand. He narrowed his eyes. "Don't you try any of your Force-user tricks on me."

Virgil almost laughed. "If I was doin'that, Princey, ya'd know. Believe me, ya'd know." Virgil scratched his nose. The stinging pain had already died down to an itch that wouldn't go away for hours.

Virgil pulled on his bag strap again and tilted his head to the side as he examined the wares. Bits of shield, random wiring, power converts, speed-shields. All in all, a damn good stall.

Virgil reached out to pick up a bit of shield but a red hand descended on the shield before he could.

"Money up'front an' then we'll see about what'ya want." Virgil's eyes widened as he froze. He knew that voice.

"Ax?" He asked quietly. The alien's eye widened and xe grinned.

"Na way, Virgil?!" Xe asked. Virgil shrugged. "Damn, ya made good far yaself. What're ya doin' here?"

"Nevermind'that, what're ya doin' here?" Virgil asked. "Thought eve'yone went to Tatooine?"

"Woah, what'happened ta ya accen'?" Ax asked, back-tracking. Xe blinked and laughed. "Ya sound differen'."

Virgil shrugged. "Somehow, I got landed on a 'proper-speakin' planet. They tried to teach me how to speak 'normal' and this is what ya get." He laughed. Roman tapped him on the shoulder.

"Virge, who's that?" He asked. Virgil clapped.

"Oh Genar, I forgot!" He said. He turned to Ax. "Ax, this is my new friend. Roman." He dropped his voice low. "Resistance fight but don't tell anyone."

Ax nodded slowly and put a finger to xir lips. "Light's Oath." Xe hissed, grinning. Virgil laughed.

"And, um, Roman, this is an old friend, Ax." Virgil introduced, looking between the two. Roman looked frankly terrified. Ax blinked at him.

"Hey, they okay?" Xe asked. "Don't look sa hot."

"Yeah, I don't know what's wrong with him." Virgil said. He gave Roman a shove. "Ya were talkin' just fine earlier, what's goin' on now?"

"Virgil, Virgil, it's fine." Ax said quickly. "Earthlin'?" Xe asked. Virgil nodded. "Thought as much. They don't really know how ta react when faced with," Ax gestured to xemself, "all af this."

Virgil laughed. "Yeah, I guess. Usually, he's a lot more talkative." He said. Ax shrugged.

"It's fine. Prolly wouldn't understand anyway." Xe said. "Anyway, what can I do far ya?"

"Look, um, we don't got no money and-" Virgil stopped as Ax waved xir hand.

"Stap, stap, stap." Xe said. "Whoever said anythin' about money?" Xe grinned. "Ga ahead an' grab anythin'. On the house far an old friend." Xir grin grew. "My Earthlin' might be a bit rusty but I heard what ya said about me."

Virgil glared at xem before grabbing about three shield parts at once. "Ya're an absolute otheran, thank ya so much!"

Ax shrugged. "Eh, na problem." Xe smirked at Roman, leaning on two of xir arms. "Maybe ya could hook me up with the Earthlin' far... language lessons as a thanks?"

Virgil snorted with laughter and looked at Roman. He looked between Ax and Virgil, eyes wide.

"What did they ask? Why are you both looking at me like that?" He asked. Virgil snickered.

"Xe said... xe wants to see if ya could go with xem." Virgil explained. "For language lessons."

Roman's eyes widened in something akin to horror as he got Virgil's meaning. He swallowed. "Well, um, tell xem that that's very... nice and I'm flattered but I really don't think that'd be for the best."

Virgil rolled his eyes. "No can do, sorry." He said to Ax. "He don't think it'd be for the best."

Ax sighed over-dramatically. "Well, it were wortha try, eh?" Xe laughed. "But he's hot. Ya gonna have ta hold onta him if ya wanna keep him."

Virgil shook his head, scrunching his nose up in disgust. "Gross. It's not like'that."

"So he's single?" Ax asked, taking in all of Roman shamelessly. Virgil rolled his eyes.

"Ya idiot." He muttered. "Seriously, thanks a lot. We'd better go, though. Before ya start doin' anythin' to Roman I'd regret bein' present for."

Ax laughed and grinned at Virgil. "Please, I'd never da'that with other people present." Xe put a hand to xir chest dramatically. "I'm nat a monster!"

Virgil rolled his eyes again. "Ya sure abou'that?" He laughed at Ax's face. "Whatever. Seriously, thanks. Bye."

I may have gone a little over-the-top with this chapter but... Ax. That's all I need to say. Ax!
Bye,
Blaize