Working Alone.

Sparklers Are Evil. (And Blow Up)

"And with that, it's now 9:00pmish and bed time everyone," said Neeran, looking at her wrist.

"You're just going to end them like that?" asked Zeb.

"They were just getting good," said Sabine.

"Well, you maybe able to stay up to unusual hours in the night but some of us can't," replied Neeran, indicating to several of the younger members who were starting to fall asleep.
"Stories are quite popular here, you'll dhear more of them."

"Okay," replied Zeb and Sabine.

"So, let's all go to sleep now and visit the time portal of tomorrow," said Neeran.

Sabine, Ezra and Zeb all went to ask something, but Kanan said, "Don't ask. Just don't. You'll be more confused than when you heard it."

"Caleb speaks words of wisdom," said Zach, quietly.

"I heard that!" said Neeran, waking up some of the younger kids and whispering to them, "Bed time."

"Night mum." said many of them as they quickly hugged Neeran and Zach before following the older members of the group to their huts that were spread around the village.

Only Shakkuri, Chopper and Kyipen remained.

"You three head to our place, we'll be there soon," said Neeran.

"Alright," they said as they hugged them goodnight. "G'night mum and dad."

"See you lot soon," said Zach.

With that, Shakkuri picked up Kyipi, who was yawning widely and almost asleep, took Chopper's hand and lead them both towards their home.

"See you all tomorrow then," said Neeran, turning to face the crew of the Ghost.

"Definitely," said Sabine, Ezra and Zeb, wanting to hear the end of the stories.

"Guess so," said Hera.

"We'll see you in the morning," said Zach, waving goodnight.

Ezra felt a suddenly pang in his chest. He'd wanted to give Neeran a goodnight hug and thank her for the blankets and photo, but he didn't want to appear weak in front of the crew.

'Ezra, if you ever want a hug don't hesitate. No one here will judge you. Trust me in that,' said Neeran telepathically to Ezra so no one heard. 'Not even the crew of the Ghost will judge you. They just want you to regain your cheerfulness from when they first met you back on Lothal.'

'How do you know that?' asked Ezra.

'You all project your thoughts very loud, so it's hard to block them out,' replied Neeran. 'Goodnight Ezra. I'll return you memories soon.'

'Thank you, Neeran,' replied Ezra.

<The next morning...>

Ezra awoke early the next morning. Everyone on the Ghost was still asleep. Ezra looked at the clock on the wall and saw why. It was only 5:55am. Ezra sighed and lay back down to fall asleep. But sleep wouldn't come as Ezra tossed and turned on his bed with four small blankets Neeran had given him and the cover Hera had given him for the night. Ezra groaned and got up.
He wasn't going back to sleep anytime soon.
Ezra walked through the ship, into the hull and down the ramp. The sun was peeking through the trunks and from above the trees. Ezra noticed that a few of the kids from last night were awake. Shakkuri, Chopper and Kyipen were awake and playing out the front of what Ezra assumed was their home. Yukio was watching from a short distance away at his place and Janan was running over to join Kyipen, Chopper and Shakkuri. Hiccup and Astrid were also awake and watching them play.
"You're awake early," said a voice behind him. Ezra jumped and whirled around.
"Relax, it's just me," said Neeran.
"When did you get there?" asked Ezra, recovering from the shock Neeran had given him.
"Just then, from that hill," said Neeran, pointing to the large bare hill behind him and the ship. Ezra squinted at what looked like smoke.
"Oh, don't worry about the smoke," said Neeran. "It's only a couple of incense I lit."
"Incense?" asked Ezra, confused by the need for incense up on the hill.
"Yeah, but there was accidentally a super charged sparkler in the mix," said Neeran.

"I blame Chopper!"

"Not my fault!" shouted Chopper, with a slightly guilty look on his face. "Tucker did it!"

"RvB references won't save you!"
"Sparkler?" exclaimed Ezra. "What were you doing up there?"
"Lighting incenses," replied Neeran.
"Then how did you get so dirty and covered in minor burns?" asked Ezra. "And why does it look like there's a tree in your hair?"
"Yeah, that sparkler exploded," replied Neeran, scratching the back of her head.
"How didn't you notice it was a sparkler?" exclaimed Ezra, his eyes turning a yellow-amber colour.
"They all looked the same!" replied Neeran throwing up her hands and not noticing his eyes.
Neeran and Ezra continued arguing back and forth until everyone in the village was awake and it was time for breakfast.