In a swirl of opulent fabrics and eye-catching accessories, Braze took to the streets of Hapes. He had outdone himself in choosing his attire for this outing. Instead of his usual elegant yet understated robes, he was adorned in an ensemble of vibrant silk threaded with glistening strands of gemstone-infused material. A cascade of silver chains lay gracefully over his chest, accompanied by ornate cufflinks and a jeweled dagger hilt protruding from his belt—not for fighting, but as a fashion statement. His lightsaber, a symbol of his Jedi status, was cleverly integrated into the design, more as an accessory than a weapon.
Braze was unsure of how he felt in the lavish attire, a stark contrast to the utilitarian robes he was accustomed to. The tailored suit shimmered in the lights of the opulent Hapan city, its silken fabrics were a fine luxury with how well the gradient dye patterns were made, and how the fabrics draped and moved. But it wasn't just the garments; the high collar and detailed brocades on his jacket felt like they were whispering secrets about social standing and wealth that he was not a part of.
He had heard tales of the Hapes —its wealth, its love for the arts and beauty—but standing there amid its architectural elegance and exotic gardens, Braze felt a little out of place. Yet, he ventured out into the sprawling city, driven by curiosity and his mission to establish some form of diplomatic relations.
His outfit shimmered and radiated a certain allure that caught the eyes of Hapan passersby. While he felt somewhat like a living ornament in this extravagant ensemble, he was well aware that on Hapes, men were often considered as such—deliberate accessories to the dominant women. And so, Braze played the part best he could. Being alone set him apart, however. Braze's solitary presence would undoubtedly draw attention. The fact that he is a young man, unaccompanied by any female, would already be a subject of intrigue and possibly suspicion.
As he wandered through an extravagant marketplace, his eyes widened at the variety of wares. Rare gems from distant stars, exotic fruits that released intoxicating fragrances, and all sorts of trinkets and artifacts filled the stalls. Braze found himself drawn to a peculiar shop filled with delicate, blossoming plants.
"You have an eye for beauty, young sir," said the shopkeeper, a Hapan woman adorned in robes that matched the grandeur of her surroundings.
"Would you like to know the tale of the moonflower?"
Intrigued by the tale, Braze nodded, listening intently as the shopkeeper spoke of a flower that bloomed only under the light of Hapes' many moons, its petals glowing softly in response.
"They say their glow matches the beauty of our legendary Queen Mother," she concluded, a look of pride adorning her features.
"Your culture is fascinating," Braze replied, genuinely interested.
"Such depth and beauty, it's unlike anything I've experienced before."
The shopkeeper cast an appreciative eye over Braze's luxurious attire.
"You appear to be here on some diplomatic mission, or perhaps serving a high-ranking Hapan woman? An errand boy, but a rather exquisite one, I must say."
Smiling at her almost accurate guess, Braze clarified,
"I'm actually here on business, though not formally affiliated with anyone."
"Business, you say? How interesting! It's rare for a man to roam Hapes unaccompanied unless he's generating talk. Perhaps a Hapan woman of rank sent you out alone to create a little mystery? To have the court buzzing about who you might be—or rather, whose you might be?" The shopkeeper looked amused, her eyes twinkling at the notion.
Braze chuckled at the shopkeeper's imaginative theory.
"That would make for an interesting story, wouldn't it? I'm simply here to explore and understand."
"Hmm," the shopkeeper pondered, intrigued but not entirely convinced.
"Well, if you're looking to take a piece of Hapes with you, a moonflower would be perfect. It's not just a symbol of our beauty but also our resilience."
Braze considered this.
"A moonflower sounds like the perfect keepsake. I'll take one; Thank you."
As she wrapped up the glowing flower carefully, the shopkeeper said,
"May this moonflower light your path, wherever your 'business' may lead you. And who knows? Maybe you'll end up as the talk of Hapes, the mysterious little young man with the moonflower."
"Wouldn't that be something," Braze mused, paying for the moonflower and carefully picking it up.
"Thank you. This has been enlightening in more ways than one."
As Braze stepped out of the shop, the shopkeeper couldn't help but wonder about this mysterious, unaffiliated man who had so briefly entered her world. Regardless of his reasons for being on Hapes, she was certain of one thing: He'd definitely be the talk of the town, and the moonflower would only add to his allure.
As he left the shop, a small moonflower carefully secured in a pot as a keepsake, Braze was approached by a group of Hapan children. They looked up at him, their eyes full of wonder and a bit of mischief.
"You look like royalty! Are you a prince?"
Smiling warmly, Braze kneeled to their level.
"No, not a prince, but I am someone who knows how to appreciate the beauty of your world."
"Are you a Jedi?" one child boldly asked, pointing at the lightsaber discreetly hidden beneath Braze's coat.
Caught off guard, Braze chuckled.
"What makes you say that?"
"My mom says only Jedi carry those laser swords. Are you here to 'save the day'?"
Smiling warmly, Braze bent down to their eye level.
"I hope I won't have to 'save the day,' as you put it. I'm here for peace and friendship."
The children gasped in awe, the youngest one tugging on the end of his ornate coat.
"Will you show us a Jedi trick?"
His heart warmed at their innocent curiosity.
With a flick of his wrist, he used the Force to make the petals of his moonflower expand and contract as if the flower were breathing. The children gasped in awe and delight. Braze used a subtle manipulation of the Force to make the small moonflower he had just bought bloom in its pot, its petals glowing in the waning daylight.
The children's eyes widened in delight, their laughter filling the air.
"You really are a Jedi!"
The braver ones approached Braze with a volley of questions, trying to separate myth from reality:
"Is it true you can lift things with your mind?" "Do you fight monsters?" "Why are you here?" Their wide-eyed innocence would contrast sharply with the more measured, wary stance of the adults around them.
For Braze, the mission on Hapes wasn't just about diplomacy or Jedi duties. It was a path into the heart of beauty, culture, and simple, innocent wonder. Standing back up, Braze felt the weight of his mission and his out-of-place feelings fade, replaced by the universal joys of curiosity as he attempted to answer the youngling's barrage of questions.
Elias Edo
, long before he had arrived.
