Mase doesn’t speak to me the whole way back to the dwelling. I messed up royally in ways I can’t comprehend. But I also want to celebrate that I woohooed for the first time.
We run into Clementine when we arrive. Maybe I should have stuck to getting to know her instead of Inata. I never wanted my first woohoo encounter to be clouded over by strife between me and one of my brothers. I have to figure out how to make this up to him. I turn to face him –
Wade: Mase, I really –
But he’s already disappeared inside the dwelling. Not good. I wanted this trip to bring us closer, but I only made things worse. The guilt is heavy, but at the same time, I’m also remembering the feel of Inata’s body pressed against mine. I tremble just thinking about it.
Mase and Dray return, and I quickly wipe the grin off my face. I have to make this right.
Wade: Mase, can we talk?
He turns to face me but doesn’t say anything, which forces me to continue.
Wade: I’m not one hundred percent sure why you’re mad at me, but I get it. If this is about Inata – I’m sorry.
He continues staring, not giving me any indication if I’m correct in my assumptions or not. He’s going to let me dig myself further into this hole. Oh well, I might as well pull out a bigger shovel.
Wade: This is all my fault. I read the situation wrong in the cantina and put you in a bad spot. It was me she was after. I should have known better. Because it’s like you said…she’s way too old for you –
Finally, there’s a grunt of frustration as Mase covers his forehead with his hands.
Mason: This isn’t about Inata.
No?
Wade: Then what’s this about?
Mason: It’s about everything – or nothing. I don’t know. I – I just want you to leave me alone.
Wade: But I’m your brother. I can’t just leave you alone. Please tell me what I can do to fix this.
Mason: You’re not interested in fixing it. Not really. You’re just interested in having everything for yourself.
Okay, but what does he mean by that? Is it Perla?
Wade: So this is about Perla? Look, I didn’t know you were interested in her. I’ll back off. I’ll never talk to Perla again.
Mason: Perla was my friend! My friend! My only friend.
Wade: I know, and I was wrong for pursuing her.
Mase continues as if he doesn’t hear me.
Mason: You have plenty of friends, but you had to take her too! She’s not even your age.
Wade: I know, and I’m sorry. Please – tell me what I can do!
Mason: Nothing. There’s nothing you can do. I don’t want you around me. I don’t want you around my friends. Just go away and leave me alone.
Wade: Mase! You don’t mean that. This trip is about us. Let’s grab something to eat and talk this over.
Mason: This trip is about you! Only you! You didn’t even hang out with us. Go away and continue doing what you came here to do.
Wade: It’s not like that, Mase. I just – I got caught up, and –
Mason: Goodbye!
Mase runs off towards Dray, and I’m left standing and watching him.
Words are not going to work in this situation. The only thing that’ll fix it is actions, but how do I repair the damage? I’ve enjoyed myself on this trip, but have Mase and Dray? Mase is right. I didn’t spend enough time with them, but I thought they were content hanging out with each other, enjoying independence away from home. I guess I was wrong.
I can follow Mase around for the rest of the night like a lost puppy, but that’ll make him angrier. I can think of one thing I can do to make this trip more memorable for them, but I need to earn some credits. It’s time to go back to the cantina to find Hondo.
There’s one mission available – beat Hondo in a game of Sabacc. If I complete it, I can earn some Galaxy credits, but there’s also the chance I’ll lose everything we have. I already know that this place is full of hustlers. But maybe I can out-hustle just this one time.
Things are looking bad. I lose the first round and am down to only 33 credits. How far will that take me? It’s Hondo’s turn to deal – my fate is in his hands. I observe as he passes out the cards and hold my breath as I peek at them.
Luck is on my side! It’s the best hand I could ask for, but he can’t know that. I allow the panic inside to seep out and show on my face. My hand shakes as I push my last few credits across the table. A smile spreads across Hondo’s face. He believes he has me beat.
I throw down my cards, and his face instantly melts. I’ve bested him, and he knows it. But a hustler is a hustler; he has another game to play with me.
Hondo: It looks like you can use more credits. I think I can help you out with that.
Instinct tells me I steer far away from him, but making up with Mase is my priority, and I’ll do anything to make it happen.
Wade: I’m listening.
Hondo gives me a mission that feels like trouble. But then again, the faux sense of danger may all be a part of this incredible immersion experience. I take it as just a part of Batuu’s many amusements and follow his instructions to the T.
I begin breaking into Hondo’s so-called ‘friend’s’ warehouse. But just as I progress, one of the First Order officers taps me on my shoulder and asks to see my security clearance. Luckily, Hondo made sure that I had what I needed. The officer returns my ID, and I go back to work, successfully securing Hondo’s package and plenty of credits to go along with it.
With my newly earned credits, I make several big purchases—lightsabers with display stands for Dray and Mase in their favorite colors. Then I head back to the dwelling, realizing everything I’ve just done might be in vain. There’s no guarantee that my expensive gift will help make things better with Mase. But I guess I’ll know soon enough.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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