Chasing Starlight

Chapter 3: A New Face

The morning sun bathed the village in a warm glow as Rei made his way to the gathering. The villagers had organized a casual meet-up by the riverbank, a place where stories, laughter, and food flowed freely.

Rei had barely arrived when his eyes caught a figure among the crowd. Standing a head taller than most of the villagers was a man who seemed to command attention effortlessly. His broad shoulders and confident stance gave him an air of quiet strength, and his dark eyes scanned the scene with a sharp curiosity.

Rei found himself pausing mid-step.

“New visitor detected,” Miko said, hovering beside Rei.

“Yeah, no kidding,” Rei murmured, his gaze fixed on the stranger.

The man caught Rei staring and gave him a slight nod, followed by a friendly smile. Rei felt a flush of embarrassment creep up his neck but smiled back.

Elias, ever the host, stepped forward to make introductions. “Rei, there’s someone you should meet. This is Kae—another traveler like you. He arrived just last night.”

Kae extended a hand, his grip firm but warm. “Kae Arlund. Pleasure to meet another explorer.”

“Rei,” he replied, shaking Kae’s hand. “Rei Thalor. I didn’t think I’d run into another traveler here—Aurion seems a bit... off the grid.”

Kae chuckled, his deep voice resonating like a soothing melody. “That’s the appeal, isn’t it? Quiet, untouched, and full of surprises. Perfect for someone like me.”

Rei couldn’t help but feel drawn to Kae’s energy. There was a quiet confidence about him, a mix of experience and charisma that made him stand out.

“So, what brings you to Aurion?” Rei asked, trying to keep his tone casual.

“Exploration, mostly. I’ve been hopping between planets for years now. Aurion’s reputation as a hidden gem piqued my interest.” Kae gestured toward the villagers bustling around them. “And I can see why. The people here are incredible—welcoming, grounded. It’s rare to find that.”

Rei nodded, feeling the same way but struck by how eloquently Kae expressed it. “I couldn’t agree more. It’s my first time here, but it already feels... special.”

For a while, the two talked casually, sharing stories of their travels. Kae’s stories were laced with adventure and wisdom—discovering ruins on distant worlds, navigating treacherous star systems, and befriending strangers who became lifelong friends. Rei found himself listening intently, almost forgetting to contribute to the conversation.

“You’ve seen a lot,” Rei said, impressed. “I’ve only scratched the surface of what’s out there.”

Kae smiled, a mix of humility and pride in his expression. “We all start somewhere. Besides, every journey has its own rhythm. What matters is that you’re out here, experiencing it.”

Rei’s heart skipped at those words, though he couldn’t quite place why. There was something about Kae that made him feel seen, like they shared an unspoken understanding of what it meant to wander the stars.

Kae leaned against a tree, crossing his arms. “What about you, Rei? What drives you to explore?”

Rei hesitated, caught off guard by the question. “I guess... it’s the thrill of discovery. I love learning about new places, meeting new people. It makes the universe feel a little less... vast, I suppose.”

Kae’s dark eyes studied Rei thoughtfully. “That’s a good answer. Honest. The stars can be lonely, but connections like these make the journey worthwhile.”

Rei felt a warmth spread through him at Kae’s words. There was a sincerity in Kae’s tone that made his heart stir in a way he wasn’t used to.

The conversation shifted to lighter topics—Aurion’s breathtaking scenery, the kindness of the locals, and, eventually, their ships.

“You’re traveling solo?” Kae asked.

Rei nodded. “It’s just me and Miko. My ship’s small, but it gets the job done.”

“I noticed it near the village. Compact, efficient—nice choice for exploration,” Kae said approvingly. “I’ve got something a bit larger, though. Makes longer journeys more comfortable.”

“Larger, huh?” Rei teased, trying to suppress a grin. “Compensating for something?”

Kae laughed, a deep, genuine sound that made Rei’s chest tighten. “Touché, Rei. But size does have its advantages—more room for equipment, better range, and it’s a lot more forgiving in rough conditions.”

“I’d love to see it sometime,” Rei said before he could stop himself.

Kae raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Maybe I’ll give you a tour. It’s not every day I meet someone who appreciates the details of starship design.”

Rei’s face warmed, and he quickly changed the subject, asking about Kae’s favorite discoveries.

As the day went on, Rei found himself relaxing more around Kae. The man’s easygoing demeanor and sharp wit made him incredibly engaging, and Rei couldn’t help but feel a pull toward him.

By the time the gathering began to wind down, Rei felt like he’d made a genuine connection. As the villagers packed up, Kae turned to him, his expression soft.

“Thanks for the conversation, Rei. It’s been a while since I’ve met someone who really gets what this life is about.”

“Same here,” Rei admitted. “It’s nice not feeling like the only wanderer in the galaxy.”

Kae nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Well, I’ll be around for a while. Maybe we’ll cross paths again soon.”

“Yeah,” Rei said, trying to keep his tone casual despite the flutter in his chest. “I’d like that.”

As Kae walked away, Rei watched him for a moment longer than he intended. There was something magnetic about Kae, something that lingered in Rei’s mind long after he returned to his ship.

Back in the Starship

That night, Rei sat in the pilot’s chair, staring out at the moons of Aurion. Miko hovered nearby, its lens glowing softly.

“You seem distracted,” Miko observed.

Rei sighed. “Just... thinking. I met someone today. Another explorer. His name’s Kae.”

“Noted,” Miko said. “What about him has captured your attention?”

Rei hesitated, unsure how to articulate the feeling. “I don’t know. He’s different—confident, experienced, but... approachable. It’s like he understands what it’s like out here, in ways I haven’t even figured out yet.”

Miko whirred thoughtfully. “Human connections are complex, but they often provide significant emotional value. Perhaps this interaction is one worth pursuing further.”

“Maybe,” Rei murmured, leaning back. “I don’t know what it is about him, Miko, but... he’s interesting.”

“Interesting,” Miko echoed. “An intriguing choice of words.”

Rei laughed softly. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“I strive for accuracy,” Miko replied.

Rei shook his head, his gaze drifting back to the stars. Tomorrow, he would explore more of Aurion. But for now, his thoughts lingered on Kae, wondering what more there was to discover about the man who had so effortlessly captured his attention.