"Thanks for helping out with my new curtains." Zella thanked her little brother Xiam. She didn't need help with the living room drapes. She simply wanted him to be around. Being alone was not a comfort to her right then. Even though there was no one else who came to prey upon her, for the good of the kingdom, her last encounter had shaken her up. Yesterday she convinced her brother darker curtains would complement her house nicer than the light airy off-white colors she used to have.
She lied of course. Dark curtains brought no extra beauty to her home and the stark deep burgundy was almost silver, making it feel like a prison. Why had she been cursed with the luxury of perfect lineage? She was no genius, no beauty, no one special at all. She was just an innocent bystander who was dragged into a fight for keeping her race alive. For all she cared the originals could turn into the evolved one day, it didn't matter to her.
The annoyance of intrusions in her life had been avoidable for some time, but after she met that pretentious pretender in the restaurant a month ago, she would no longer take the king lightly. After waking up in a compromising manner in an alley, her tune had completely changed. Somehow, she needed to keep the kingdom out of her life.
Besides, the Kingdom did not deserve to win against her, and she had no sympathy for it. In fact, if they wanted nothing but for her to shake King Sheward's hand she would still refuse. Let it sink; let the whole damn place sink.
"Zella, I know it won't be easy to do, but you're not getting any better. Why don't I try to locate Zeph, he could help," Xiam suggested.
"Zeph?" Zella's stomach felt queasy. "I'm fine, don't try to contact him." If Zeph found out how she had been deceived, her shame would never go away. He taught her from a very young age how to treat men, and she couldn't bear to think what her old friend would say if he found out the truth.
Zeph knowing? Absolutely not an option. Zella didn't even want her own brother knowing what had happened. Xiam had poked and prodded at her though and she was never good at lying. If only she had the gall to go back into his restaurant to say goodbye then he would have never known. "I'll be fine Xiam, but could you hold the left corner up higher? It isn't catching the hook." After they placed the hooks on appropriately, someone knocked on the door.
Zella glanced at the door. Please, not another man trying to con her. She looked toward her brother with a small plea in her eyes. He took charge and answered the door, Zella staying slightly behind.
"Hello?" Xiam asked.
Zella stared at the man from her distance, but it was as she feared. Deep dark pants, shirt, even the uniform vest. A Guard. He had the typical silver tail and silver eyes. She kept her distance, only stealing a glance before going back behind Xiam.
"Is Zella-" The voice sounded irritated, probably coming down with a virus. Served him right. "Xiam?" The sound of the voice corrected itself, becoming a deeper baritone. "Wow, you've really grown. Are you still outdoing Muin and Zelly or did they leave you in the dust?"
"Zelly?" Zella's heart skipped a beat, only one man besides Xiam ever called her that.
"Zeph!" Her brother knew it too. She felt a sense of happiness within, she hadn't heard or seen Zeph in a long time. They had become close childhood friends when her stepmother and stepfather gave him shelter and food when he was young and in training. In return, he had helped take care of her and her family. They were all so close until his training was completed.
They had all tried to keep contact with letters, but Zeph's work was all over the place. They soon lost contact with each other.
He was a great Guard. Her smile slowly faded away though. Oh no...with what just happened, he was not someone she could handle seeing right now. She heard Xiam and him chit chat, telling him about where they all lived now, even inviting him over to his own house. That would be a great idea, it would give her some time to gather herself before talking to her old Guard.
Then again, maybe he's changed? Zella's reasoned. It's been awhile since they'd been kids, maybe he'd loosened up?
"Muin married Zaria?! She's not even 300 yet. That girl has no idea what she just did," Zeph bellowed through the door.
Never mind that thought. Zella groaned, if he was upset when Xiam told him about Muin, he wasn't going to be tickled pink at what she did. She heard Xiam switch conversation subject, asking him why he was here.
"Work. I've been assigned to someone in the area and I bet you know her."
Oh no. Her, was it really her?
"Zella?" Xiam's voice groaned. "Well, normally she'd be thrilled to see you, but now isn't a good time, something bad happened.
Gee, thanks Xiam, spill it all, Zella thought angrily.
"How so?" Zeph's voice sounded curious. "Is everything alright?"
That's it, she couldn't let Xiam tell him. Zella came from behind the door and appeared in front of Zeph. "Xiam, who is it?" She faked dumbness, not knowing quite how to act yet.
"Can't you tell who it is?" Xiam smiled at her. "It's Zeph."
"Hi." Zeph smiled. "I've got great news, I've been appointed to guard you. Yeah, got all the paperwork out of the way myself."
Zella didn't look comfortable as she shifted her feet and rubbed her left elbow. "I guess so." Oh geez, that was lame.
"Sorry about her bashfulness, your timing's just off." Xiam hid his hand beside his mouth and spoke softly to Zeph. "You already missed out."
Zella gawked at her brother as he said that and ducked quickly back inside. Couldn't she tell him in her own way before her brother blubbered it out?
She headed to the kitchen to fix a sandwich, she had to keep her hands busy.
"Zella?" Zeph's voice came from behind her. No doubt Xiam invited him inside, did he tell him too?
"I don't have room. I mean, prepared. I don't have a room prepared." Zella cursed herself as she heard her jumbled words.
"I'll help." Zeph went over closer to her. "You okay Zelly?"
"Fine." Zella lied.
"Liar." Zeph leaned against her table. "Come on, I'm not clueless. Did it have to do with what Xiam said? It's okay, everyone slips up every now and then. You learn from your mistakes. If you never make any, what do you learn from?"
Zella looked at Zeph oddly. This was no mere mistake; this was huge. She had been taught so many times what to do with males pursuing her that he should be showing great disappointment in her. "I still don't remember what happened." She moved away from the table. "I was in Vallencio's waiting for someone and then the next thing I know I'm in an alleyway and-" She stopped her sentence right there not wanting to say anything more.
"...It happens Zella." Zeph spoke in a soft tone.
"It shouldn't have," Zella said, glancing briefly at Zeph. She wished he would just yell, but he had chosen to be sensitive? Knowing him, he would probably wait until she felt more at ease, and then let her have it. Zeph was a great guy and easy to get along with for those who knew him, but he was blunt and uncaring to those he didn't know or felt cross with. "I've been taking pills to keep me in check every year. I never missed one, and it shouldn't have gotten out of hand. Why did they mess up and why wouldn't I remember? I mean, I'm sorry, I...ugh."
"It's fine, I deal with it all the time." Zeph smiled at her. "Don't worry! Now that I'm here, whatever happened, it won't ever happen again."
"Just the timing." Zella looked over at Zeph. "You don't think that maybe the King had-"
"The King's got way more important things on his mind!" Zeph quickly interrupted for some reason. "What would one thing like this accomplish? It's fine, okay? It was a mistake, move on."
Zella didn't agree. "He brought some others around before." She looked over at Zeph and asked the biggest question she needed to know. "What if the guy at the restaurant had no corrupted lineage? What if I was setup?"
"Don't think that way." Zeph waved it off. "The King would never do that, it was an accident! Chances are you'll never see this guy again, and you can work on getting past this."
Zella nodded. "I hope you're right." She scratched her forehead not knowing what she'd do if she saw the guy walking down the street. "That dark green jacket and those clothes and that voice." She covered her eyes for a moment. "He knew exactly what he was doing."
"You know it's been forever since I've seen little Muin. What do you say we go see her and meet-" Zeph had interrupted her sentence. "That guy."
"You mean Zaria?" Zella forgave his interruption, even welcomed the subject change. "He's not such a bad guy."
"She's not even 300." Zeph mumbled and half glared at a wall. Zella knew him well enough to know what was going on his mind. Muin should have been at least 400 before pursuing any kind of partnership with a male, let alone marriage. "She's way too young."
"Xiam is only a few years older." Zella stood up for her sister.
"Yeah but that's different. He's male, he can't be bagged." Zeph disagreed. "How old is this guy who has no respect for the age tradition?"
Zella sighed. "Muin's not the same little girl you used to know Zeph, she grew up just like I did."
"Oh, I hope not," Zeph winced.
"Not with so much boy trouble," Zella chuckled. At a young age Zella had a strong pheromone scent which attracted trouble from her whole block. Her sister had been fortunate to be blessed with weaker attractants. "She did grow up though and Zaria's a real nice guy. You'll probably like him if you give him a chance."
"Yeah," Zeph muttered. Zella didn't believe him. "She still shouldn't have married anyone so young, and how old is he again?"
Zella rolled her eyes, oh she almost got away with it. "A little older."
"Fine, I'll meet him but first, let's head over to Xiam's!" Zeph grinned. "Last time he wrote he was interested in a female, did he get her?"
Not that word again, damn it. Zella bit her lip gently, then smoothed her tongue over it. The word 'female' was used by Guards and sometimes by true gentlemen. It was more polite than even the word lady or madam, however, Zella never had good experiences with that word. "Yes Xiam did, but please don't call me female. I hate the word female." She crossed her arms. "Just call us women or ladies, please?"
Zeph nodded, his expression filled with confusion, most would be. "Is there a reason?"
Zella watched Zeph's questioning look, but she refused to answer. She moved slightly, realizing she had brought herself into an uncomfortable territory. "I'd rather not talk about it." Zella insisted. "Just...can we please go?"
Knowing Zeph wanted to pry, she didn't know if he would back down. Watching him place his hands in his pockets, she knew he didn't care enough to make a big deal. "Okay, let's go."
Zella and Zeph walked out of the house. Zella glanced over at Muin's house for a moment. Her sister's plumgrass was dying and there was only one dead tree standing in her green home's yard. Muin was never one for gardening and it seemed Zaria never would be either. She continued to walk along the winding sidewalk toward her brother's midnight blue home. His plumgrass stood gorgeously, but needed a trim. Iri had a talent for gardening and his house was always beautiful. Her own house had nothing but plumblu grass that was still brown in spots and two small bushes. Oh, to have half of her sister-in-law's talent. She knocked on Xiam's golden front door and waited until it was answered.
"Hello Iri." Zella gestured to Zeph. "I brought our old friend over." Zella caught Zeph's forehead pimpled in sweat and watched as he rubbed his arm across.
Had his vest made him too warm?
Iridescent smiled at Zeph. "You know, you look kind of familiar. I don't know, I can't place my finger on it." She shrugged her shoulders. "It'll come to me though. Xiam, your friend has arrived!"
---
Zeph smiled and listened to Xiam, doing his best not to let his feelings show through his expression. He had been so careful when he came, he dyed his hair the common silver so he wouldn't be easily detected, and even changed his voice tone with a special lozenge called a mucus pill. He thought he'd be in the clear, but maybe he wasn't.
"…so after that started to really take off, someone recommended coming out here instead. It was a big risk, but our restaurant couldn't grow and get more customers without it." Xiam smiled at Zeph. "It's called Vallencio's."
"Vallencio's," Zeph nervously chuckled. "Good name." You idiot, you picked Zella up in Xiam's own restaurant.
"Yeah, you can come see it soon." Xiam smiled encouragingly. "Iri waitresses there to help out when we run short and she's really good at it. She always has a knack for remembering even the smallest details about our customers and she's never got an order wrong."
"Thanks." Iri smiled at Xiam and gave him a kiss.
Xiam smiled as he watched her walk away. "Small compliments gets you loads when you're married."
"No need to paint a picture," Zeph said with certainty, as he tried to concentrate on his friend's words, and not on the fact that he broke his Guard's vow right outside his restaurant. "Really."
"So, did you reach the highest caliber class like you wanted? Are you an A?" Xiam asked him as Zella and Iridescent went out for some fresh air. "I mean are you really appointed to Zella just like that? Usually all the paperwork takes a year."
"Yes I am, yes I did and I helped file it myself," Zeph said with vigor.
"Well good, anyone else and Zella would just tell them to take a hike again." Xiam smiled. "You know, it's kind of weird talking face to face after all these years. Just think, I was only a kid back then!"
Zeph chuckled. "Yeah, you were all still kids."
"So we're you," Xiam reminded him.
Zeph shrugged his shoulders. "Eh, this day and age it's hard to say when being a kid ends and adult begins anymore." Yeah, look at Muin. Married at 300!
"I know." Xiam fiddled his thumbs. "You're close to King Sheward, right? Well with all this fuss they cause with Zella, I've been thinking. Do you think the evolved are going to pull another attack one day? I mean, a really big one?" He looked away for a moment. "There's nothing to stop them."
Zeph stared over at a nearby pot. In truth, he expected more than a small attack, but the evolved were not a topic they needed to talk about right now. Instead, he kept staring at a pot. What is that? It wasn't a plant, looked more like a statue made up to look like a plant. It was a lighter shade of neon green, bright but not blinding. In the sunshine where it was placed it sparkled like glitter. Detailed carvings of leaves were imprinted upon it, so it must have been a stone or a mineral carved into a plant. He would have not paid so much attention, if it had not given him creepy vibes. "Xiam, what is that thing over there?"
Xiam turned to look at the pot. "It's inhibitor, only carved into a plant. Inhibitors are really all the rage right now, didn't you know?"
"Get rid of it." Zeph turned to Xiam with a serious expression. "Those belong in the ground, they aren't decoration. They shouldn't be mined, they should be left alone and revered from afar." He noted the concern on Xiam's face but wouldn't address the matter further.
Inhibitor was a mineral that grew in vast amounts on top of mountains and was specific to their planet Pagnia only. It had been scientifically proven to have a relaxing effect on their kind, and even history experts speculated that before inhibitors originals did exist, but purely in an animalistic form with little knowledge. What that so-called scientific community refused to address though, was why evolved's civilizations had been built upon those structures. "Don't mess with what you don't know. Promise me you'll get rid of that thing?"
"I'll ask Iri about it," Xiam answered. "She spent money on it, not me."
"Xiam! We've got news!" A jumpy voice broke in.
Zeph turned around and saw Muin standing in the doorway, bouncing up and down. She was far from the cute little girl playing with blocks he remembered. Her outfit was outrageous, pink and neon orange flowers on a silver background, with ridiculous green neon shoes. She wore a jacket of metallic blue, and nothing about her matched except that every color clashed. About everything always clashed with her bright sunshine hair.
"Ah, ah! Less bouncy Muin." A man next to her demanded. His appearance was boring standing right beside Muin. A plain pair of brown pants, a plain beige shirt and a dumb blue jacket. He couldn't be more bland if he tried.
"Less bouncy?" Zeph stood up and held a solid stance next to the boring guy. This must have been the predator who took advantage of Muin. "Why are you commanding Muin around, is that what you do in your home?"
Muin's mouth grew wide. "Only one guy talks like that. Zeph?"
Zeph nodded. "Good to see you Muiny, how-?"
Muin bolted right for him and gave him a hug. "Oh, I missed you! And you stopped writing-why'd you stop writing like that-you're a jerk!"
"Ah, ah." The boring guy quickly tried to pull her off. "Muin honey, please don't do that right now."
"What? Don't hug me?" Zeph was trying to keep the peaceful laws of marriage in his head. "You must be…Zaria."
"Guilty."
He was tall, almost as tall as him and his blue eyes screamed of distrust. He tried to look hip by wearing a jacket but didn't pull it off successfully. No
way, this guy was no one that should have been with Muin, they were polar opposites. "I bet you are guilty." Zeph practically snarled as he looked at the guy.
"Whoah, easy." Zella butted in . "No hurting anyone in the house."
"Well I can take it outside." Zeph smiled at her a bit too cheerful. "I wouldn't dream of ruining Xiam's floor."
Zella wouldn't go for it. "Hey Muin, how are you?"
"I'm- I'm!" Muin tapped her foot, apparently wanting to jump up and down. "I'm gonna be a mommy!"