Jinny sought out her friend the second class ended, nimbly dodging the other students that couldn’t wait to escape the confines of the classroom. “Bastian? Bast- there you are!” The short Zabrak looked up at her friend with a toothy grin. “Thought you fell asleep again.” Despite Jin’s outward joy, there were signs of pain in her face. It was something she never really discussed with others – these strange changes her body was enduring. Only those who knew her well really got that truth out of her. Bastian was one of those few. 

“Something interesting is happening on Dock 2. I overheard Knight Corran informing Master Skywalker just a few minutes ago. General Solo’s coming to visit, and I don’t think it’s just for snacks and war stories.” Jin looped her arm around Bastian’s to lead him. 

“And since it’s free period, they can’t stop us from taking a walk, right?” She needed to do something to keep her mind off the pain. As they walked, and things got quieter, it only seemed to get worse. Her shoulders slumped, and she sighed faintly. “Hang on a sec.” Without preamble, she leaned over to him and pressed her forehead against the cool durasteel plating of his armor. 

“Ahhh…”  A sigh of relief, as her voice was half muffled against him. “Do your people have horns, Bast? There’s got to be a better way to deal with this. I can only meditate the pain away so much.” There weren’t any other Zabrak in the Academy yet, and she didn’t feel quite comfortable asking for assistance from the older Knights. Not yet, anyway.