### *Tobias: Stuck in the Stars*
Days turned into weeks aboard the orbital station, and Tobias—now going by Raven—found himself increasingly restless. The excitement and novelty of his new identity had worn off, leaving behind a gnawing sense of purposelessness. The station, once a temporary refuge, now felt like a cage, and the lack of guidance or direction made each day feel heavier than the last.
Tobias sat in his small quarters, staring blankly at the ceiling. His raven mask lay on the desk beside him, untouched for days. The communicator that once brought him messages of encouragement now sat silent, and his only companion, Blueberry, seemed busier than ever with her own work.
---
### *A Growing Restlessness*
The station bustled with activity, but Tobias felt increasingly disconnected from it all. People moved with purpose, their lives filled with missions, assignments, and responsibilities. Meanwhile, he drifted aimlessly, his days consumed by half-hearted attempts to search for opportunities and long walks through the station’s corridors.
As he wandered through the observation deck one evening, Tobias stopped to gaze out at the stars. The vastness of space, once a source of inspiration, now felt like a reminder of how small and insignificant he felt.
“What am I even doing here?” he muttered to himself. “I thought leaving Evergrand would give me a fresh start, but I’m just... stuck.”
---
### *A Talk with Blueberry*
Later that night, Blueberry found Tobias sitting in the common area, his hood pulled low over his face. She sat down beside him, her blue eyes glowing softly.
“You’ve been quiet lately,” she said, breaking the silence. “What’s going on?”
Tobias shrugged, not meeting her gaze. “Nothing’s going on. That’s the problem. I’m just... stuck. I don’t know what to do or where to go. It feels like I’m going in circles.”
Blueberry frowned, her mechanical fingers tapping against the table. “You’re not going in circles. You’re in a transition period. It feels slow now, but things will change if you keep pushing forward.”
“I’ve tried,” Tobias said, his voice tinged with frustration. “I’ve looked at every opportunity, applied to everything I thought I could handle, and nothing’s worked out. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to be doing anymore.”
Blueberry leaned back in her chair, studying him carefully. “Maybe you’re trying too hard to force it. Sometimes, when you stop searching so desperately, the answers come to you.”
Tobias let out a bitter laugh. “That sounds great in theory, but it doesn’t help me figure out what to do right now.”
---
### *The Weight of Isolation*
As the days continued to pass, Tobias’s frustration grew. His friends from Evergrand sent occasional messages, but the distance between them felt insurmountable. The Kains, his adoptive family, continued to reassure him that he would find his way, but their words did little to ease his growing sense of isolation.
One evening, as Tobias sat alone in his quarters, he pulled up a message from Martha that he had listened to countless times.
“Hey, Tobias. I know things are tough right now, but you’ve got this. You’re the strongest person I know, even if you don’t see it. Don’t give up, okay? We believe in you.”
He sighed, closing the message. “If only I believed in myself as much as they believe in me.”
---
### *A Glimmer of Hope*
The next day, Tobias decided to visit the station’s library—a quiet, underused part of the station where he could escape the noise and distractions of the bustling corridors. As he browsed through the shelves, a book caught his eye: *Navigating the Stars: A Guide to Finding Your Purpose in the Void.*
He flipped through the pages, intrigued by the title. The book was filled with advice for travelers and wanderers, focusing on the importance of patience, resilience, and self-discovery.
One passage, in particular, stood out: *“Even in the vastness of space, you are not truly lost. Every star is a point of light guiding you forward. Trust in yourself, and the path will reveal itself.”*
Tobias closed the book, a faint flicker of determination returning to his eyes. He didn’t have all the answers, but maybe that was okay. For now, he would focus on taking things one step at a time.
---
### *Looking Ahead*
That evening, Tobias sat on the observation deck once again, the book resting in his lap. Blueberry joined him, her presence as steadying as ever.
“Find anything interesting?” she asked, nodding toward the book.
“Maybe,” Tobias said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “It’s not a roadmap or a plan, but it’s... something. A reminder that I’m not as lost as I feel.”
Blueberry grinned. “That’s progress. Sometimes, all you need is a little perspective.”
As the stars shimmered outside the station, Tobias felt a small but significant shift within himself. He still didn’t know where his journey would lead, but for the first time in weeks, he felt a sense of quiet hope.
He didn’t have to have all the answers right now. All he needed to do was keep moving forward, one star at a time.
