Perils of Peridea

Epilogue - Hope For Tomorrow

Perils of Peridea
Epilogue
Hope For Tomorrow

It was the first night Ezra was going to spend with his new friends. They had walked all day and the star destroyer was long gone over his view of the horizon. Ezra let out a sad and listless sigh. He had regrets but also had to believe he made the right decision, yet somehow he still hurt and felt a little uncertainty. He had to trust in the Force, trust in himself, and trust in his new little companions. The Noti had two small, but for them large, motorized campers of sorts that they used to carry things to set up camp or sleep in if needed, mainly used to protect the young or old or injured. Ezra thought of Thrawn's offer to salvage junk and scraps from the star destroyer, perhaps Ezra could make them more or something similar. They set up camp for the night, making a fire and preparing their dinner. Ezra watched them all with fond amusement but it made him very homesick. They tried to offer him food but he declined, knowing what they were eating was poisonous to him. His stomach growled slightly but he ignored it. They didn't have enough water on them for a human so Ezra used the pot to boil some of the water for himself to drink as he had seen Thrawn do.

"Tomorrow we will reach the safe water source, you won't have to drink that toxic water." The leader was saying.

"It's fine, don't worry about it." Ezra mumbled, still feeling a little depressed.

"We can also try to see what plants and fruits may be edible to you."

"I know that's necessary, but I'm still really nervous. What if they make me sick again, or they end up killing me? What if I can't eat anything here? I don't know how to cook, Thrawn was the one who prepared the fish, I don't feel comfortable killing a creature even to eat it." He let out a sad shaky sigh that was filled with doubt and concern. "What am I gonna do?"

"Do not think that way!" The Noti jumped into his lap and grabbed his face, pulling it close to his own. "You are an incredible creature and you will survive! If we can, surely you can too! Look at us compared to yourself, if those scavengers can live here, then there must be sustenance that can stabilize you."

Ezra stared into the Noti eyes and finally let out a sigh and smiled, "You're right. You're starting to sound a little bit like my old master. If he were here he would probably lecture me about not giving up too. Then make me do hours of meditation practice and about a hundred sit ups."

"I don't know what this sit ups is, but he sounds like a very strong wonderful master."

Sadness darkened Ezra's eyes behind his smile and he looked up to the dark night sky, "Yeah, he was."

The Noti patted his leg and jumped down, "I may not be your master and we may not be your family, but you are more than welcome to be one of us for as long as you like. I will take care of you as if you were one of my own."

"Thank you. I appreciate that."

"And.... I have a feeling the others feel the same way." The leader stepped aside as all the young little Noti gave a battle cry and ran to Ezra, jumping onto him.

"Oh no!" Ezra cried out in pretend agony. "Ack help! You have defeated me! Have mercy please!" Ezra laughed as they all began to playfully attack him, he shot a glance at the older Noti and they exchanged a smile. They may not be his family, they may not even be human, but Ezra was glad to have new friends that gave him a feeling of home. The other Noti all were chanting and dancing around their campsite, the leader watching them with proud contentment. Ezra smiled, if they could be happy on this desolate rock, then he could learn how to be happy too. The little ones decided they wanted to sleep outside with Ezra, they all cuddled up together in a big pile. "Good night everyone." Ezra smiled to himself as he closed his eyes to sleep, the little ones cooing in response. They were such pure innocent little creatures, he was very lucky to have been taken in once again in his life by a group of such good hearted friends.