The Life and Times of Jarik Solo

Chapter 5

For a moment, Jarik couldn't summon the courage to say a simple greeting. But the second he DID open his mouth to say something, he immediately regretted it.

"I-I'm Jarik S-Solo," he stammered. "I'm a pilot." Really? he thought, this freezing up thing better not become a habit.

Xista raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"A pilot, huh? Maybe you should tell that to your poor ship. And hire a pilot droid."

Jarik scowled. This girl wasn't nearly as nice as she looked. Quickly jumping to the defensive, Jarik shot back angrily, "Well, it wasn't my fault! If it weren't for that picket ship up there, my landing would have been perf-" Behind him, Xaver cleared his throat.

Uh oh, he thought, not even two minutes in his home, and I've already started an argument with his daughter. Great. Just great.

Xaver gave him a death glare, while Xista merely looked on and smirked.

"I trust," Xaver said, malice lacing his voice, "that you will find your stay here most comfortable. I have to deal with more inportant matters elsewhere. Xista will show you around" As an afterthought, he added, "And try not to get into any more arguments." With that, he sauntered back out the building.

Without so much as a word Xista turned and started down another hallway.

Jarik watched her go. After a moment, he realized that she had intended for him to follow. Half walking, half jogging, Jarik caught up to her and started walking normally alongside her.

A long silence passed, in which neither spoke a word. Or at least until Xista decided to open her big mouth.

"So, what are you really?"

"What?" Jarik was befuddled. Out of all the things she could have said, this was it? No sorry, huh? he thought, alright, two can play at THAT game. Out loud, he said nothing.

Xista rolled her eyes. "C'mon, Solo," she said "you can do better than that. Do you really think anyone buys into your 'great-aunt on Coruscant' story?"

Jarik was startled. How would she find out about that? he thought. As if in answer to his unasked question, Xista replied.

"I have my ways of getting information, especially since my father is head of military and covert operations here."

"Meaning you stalked me?"

"Meaning, I'm cautious about who's going to live in my house. I'm not about to let some criminal live in my house, no matter what my dad says."

Well, he thought, she's definitely right about the criminal part, and I'm definitely right about the stalker part.

Of course, he did not outwardly express his sentiments on the matter. No need to complicate things more than they already were. Instead, he asked, "So, you think I'm a criminal?"

"Oh, I'm certain. Apparently, they start really young."

At this, Jarik was actually affronted. He'd always prided himself on looking the right age, perhaps even a bit older.

"Well, you look a bit too young to be in the stalking business." he remarked, crossing his arms and taking on a defensive position

Xista gave him a glare that could melt the snow on Hoth. Letting out an indignant huff, she turned on her heels and exited the room with a slam of the door.

Jarik realized that he hadn't told her what he really was.

That was probably for the best.

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