### *Tobias: A Place Without Me*
The orbital station was quieter than usual that morning, or at least it felt that way to Tobias. Messages from his friends and family had been sparse over the last few days, leaving him with an uneasy sense of detachment. The silence felt heavier than ever, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted.
---
### *The Message*
As Tobias sat in his quarters, scrolling through old communications from Martha, Bruno, and Luna, his communicator suddenly buzzed. His ears perked up as he grabbed it, hopeful for some good news. The message was from Bruno.
“Hey, Tobias,” Bruno’s steady voice began. “We just wanted to let you know that we’ve found a new place to settle. It’s a small colony on Nyrellis III—peaceful, quiet, and away from all the chaos we left behind. The Kains are heading there too. We’re setting down roots and starting over.”
Tobias’s chest tightened as he listened to the message. The words felt like a farewell, even though they weren’t explicitly saying goodbye.
Martha’s voice chimed in next. “We wish you could be here with us, Tobias. But we know you’ve got your own journey to figure out. Just remember, no matter how far apart we are, you’re still part of our family.”
Finally, Luna’s characteristic teasing tone came through, though it carried a hint of sadness. “Don’t go thinking we’re forgetting about you, Cat Boy. You’ll always have a spot here if you ever find your way to Nyrellis III.”
---
### *Processing the News*
Tobias sat in stunned silence for a long moment, the message replaying in his mind. They had found a home—a fresh start—without him. He was happy for them, of course. But the realization that they were moving on while he remained stuck on the station hit him harder than he expected.
“They’re doing what I wanted for them,” Tobias muttered to himself. “They’re safe. They’re happy. That’s what matters, right?”
But no matter how much he tried to convince himself, the ache in his chest refused to fade. For the first time, he truly felt the distance between himself and his friends. It wasn’t just physical—it was the knowledge that their lives were moving forward while his felt like it was standing still.
---
### *Talking with Blueberry*
Later that day, Blueberry found Tobias sitting on the observation deck, staring out at the stars with his hood pulled low over his face.
“You’ve got that ‘galaxy on your shoulders’ look again,” she said, sitting down beside him. “What’s going on?”
Tobias sighed, handing her the communicator. “They found a new place to settle. Nyrellis III. It sounds perfect.”
Blueberry read the message, her expression unreadable. “And you’re happy for them, but it still hurts.”
Tobias nodded, his ears drooping. “They’re moving on without me. It’s what I wanted for them—to be safe, to have a fresh start. But... it feels like I’m being left behind.”
Blueberry placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s not about being left behind, Tobias. They’re not forgetting about you—they’re just doing what they need to do to survive. And you’re doing the same thing, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.”
---
### *A Message of His Own*
That evening, Tobias sat alone in his quarters, his raven mask resting on the table beside him. He stared at his communicator for a long moment before recording a message to send back to his friends.
“Hey, guys. I got your message. Nyrellis III sounds amazing. I’m really happy for you—honestly, I am. You deserve a place where you can feel safe and start over. I just... I wish I could be there with you. But I get it. This is how it has to be right now. Just don’t forget about me, okay? I miss you all more than I can say.”
He hit send before he could second-guess himself, leaning back in his chair with a heavy sigh.
---
### *Finding Peace*
Over the next few days, Tobias began to come to terms with the news. While he still felt the ache of being separated from his friends, he reminded himself that their happiness was what truly mattered. They were safe, and that was enough for now.
Blueberry continued to check in on him, offering her usual mix of blunt advice and quiet support. “You’ve got your own path to figure out, Tobias,” she reminded him. “Just because you’re not with them right now doesn’t mean you’re not still connected.”
Tobias nodded, her words slowly sinking in. “Yeah. I just have to keep moving forward.”
---
### *Looking Ahead*
As Tobias stood on the observation deck one evening, staring out at the stars, he felt a faint glimmer of hope. His friends had found a place to call home, and while he wasn’t with them, their bond remained unbroken. Someday, he would find his own place too.
“I’ll see them again,” Tobias said quietly to himself, gripping the edge of the railing. “When the time is right.”
The stars outside the station twinkled faintly, a reminder that the universe was vast and full of possibilities. Tobias took a deep breath, his resolve strengthening. The journey ahead might be uncertain, but he was determined to find his way.
