Errors of My Way - Wishbone Ash
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"Out of respect."
The human appeared to accept the reasoning as he went back to staring towards the floor with a conflicted expression.
Was this a trait all humans possessed? The inability to keep their focus on more than a singular thing at a time? Why did this being take such interest in the flooring that he appeared drawn towards its grey luster. No matter- the thing had hardly consumed anything, and Mierv knew better than most that a person's mass equated directly to how much they needed to intake regularly.
The train of thought had the smaller of the two preparing a larger batch of the stew that seemed to greatly satisfy the human's abnormal appetite. Mierv had enough foresight to predict that despite the ragged appearance to the human- their natural and healthy build was bulkier and more resilient given the way his body language and mannerisms showed universal signs of malnourishment and severe fatigue. Noiselessly pouring the mixture into a cooking vat that was capable of holding over [1.5 liters] of any given substance, the terracotta hued insect hoisted the hefty pot onto the countertop as they finished preparing the meal.
"Fair judgment. . ." David's deep voice broke the otherwise quiet atmosphere as he fiddled with a small patch of uneven ground absently.
"Why did you help me?" The man spoke again, his eyes now trained on the insectoid. Twitching their feelers for a moment, Mierv turned towards the large alien as the said man made a flippant gesture with his hand. A strong emotion burned in the creature's eyes that put Mierv on edge, postulating what could possibly be occurring within the predator's intelligent mind.
The human being's capability for perceptive thought and intuitive body language was a marvel- even for known life within the CoP, and the questions begging to be asked seemed endless when it came to this creature. His obvious and striking circular pupils only served to plainly showcase every emotion or thought that came to him, a characteristic only displayed by one other species within recorded history of the Confederation. The strong muscles comprising his jaw clenched as his eyes bored holes into the floor; a wrathful energy surrounding the being as his lips pulled down in a glower.
Unable to control the uncomfortable twitch of their antennae, Mierv approached the figure sitting just outside the kitchen threshold before jumping back in surprise. The human -quicker than they could process- snatched the two dishes from the former's hands with such speed it was alarming. Quickly making work to gulp the viscous porridge down, Mierv shuddered as they wrung their hands for a moment at the subtle jumpscare.
"Ah-! Oh. Help yourself, I suppose." Came the instectoid's rattled comment as the human made a grunting sound in response- seemingly too occupied with their newfound dinner. Observing the being's throat move and constrict with each swallow, Mierv quietly turned away to give the human a moment of privacy- and to distract themselves from their prey-like instincts screaming in alarm at the disturbing visuals and sounds.
"You-" The human paused as he wiped his mouth, his sulking replaced with a straighter posture as he set the first bowl down at his side, "-appear to see me better in here. What's up with that?"
Getting up from his spot on the ground, David mustered up the courage before crouching; the human carefully emerging from the small hallway as he sat down. Turning to answer his query, the bug witnessed to their amusement the human nestle himself in the corner furthest from the row of cabinets they were currently utilizing.
From the perspective of the room, David appeared comically larger than the set of dining chairs to his immediate right as the scientist couldn't help but chuckle at the bizarre sight. Whenever the human appeared in a neutral or relaxed state- their aggressive and brutish demeanor faded completely. Though said tendencies appeared to have a hair trigger regarding specific subjects.
"Well- Careful with that!" Mierv flinched; the chair nearest to the man's leg falling over during his effort to get comfortable against the two wall. Swiftly setting the piece of furniture upright, David glanced towards the bug,
"Sorry." Came his sheepish response. "I'm just not used to being even bigger. . . Every other place around here has always been atleast more than half my size."
Making a subtle face at the utter lunacy that rambled from his mouth, David cleared his throat, brushing the strands of layered dark hair out of his eyes in what Mierv interpreted as a nervous habit.
Such a familiar mentality for such an abnormal species.
"Go on." He mumbled.
"Well, so I don't bore or puzzle you- my kind has evolved to live partially underground so that we can study and live alongside our livelihoods as modest agriculturalists. Overtime our eyes have become solely accustomed to lower light levels than most species; so whenever we surface we acutely rely on our other more heightened senses to adequately perceive the outside world. That is the reason I was unable to detect your presence until I was nearly ontop of you."
David nodded wordlessly before waving a hand curiously infront of Mierv as they leant back from the odd action, the insectoid eyeing the human skeptically for a moment.
"I can see that, you know." Instantly ceasing his motions, David's mouth pulled into an impish smirk as the man snapped two of his fingers towards the scientist.
"Is your hearing better?"
"Ow! Yes- how did you do that?" Came the bug's spooked response, rubbing the sides of their head; their feelers wiggling in a frenzy.
"It's called snapping." Came the human's jovial reply, outstretching his hand before slowly repeating the process without causing the loud crack Mierv found upsetting. "Incredible." The bug murmured softly, watching with enthusiasm as they took a keen interest in the dexterity of David's fingers, "Your species is astounding. Having completely mobile digits on your hands is remarkable. Does your species work with them?"
Flexing his hand, David shrugged his shoulders as he reached over and grabbed the second bowl residing by the doorway. "Yes. We do all sorts of things with them. I don't know what I would do without these puppies." The human remarked, bringing the dish up and finishing off its contents.
"How intriguing." Mierv hummed before twitching a bit as electronic fanfare emanated from the living room,
"What the hell's that?" David quietly rumbled, suspiciously glaring towards the abrupt sound.
"A broadcast from the government- shit." Mierv grumbled, scurrying past the man and hurried to the main space of the dwelling.
"Government. . ?" Echoed the man in alarm as he got to his feet, "What do you mean? What? Like a PSA?" David asked again, his tone taking a higher pitch as the insect waved him off.
"I don't know. Hush, now." Came Mierv's stressed response as they wiggled their feelers, a worldwide announcement showcasing itself as a small white rectangular box projected a hologram with the Confederacy's official seal atop the coffee table.
Bending through the doorway once he exited the corridor, David did a double take towards the vision box as his expression soured to puzzlement momentarily; though remaining silent to Mierv's relief. Hovering by the entryway for a brief pause- in what the elder could only interpret as trepidation- the dark haired male quietly sat down on the elongated bench where he had previously awoken.
Watching the creature as he leant against the wall; his eyes fixed on the screen with a glower that sent chills down their spine, Mierv turned back to the broadcast as the music cut.
"Good evening." The transmission morphed into a green screen of the High Hukibin Priestess; her form sitting in view as her headdress glinted. An error from the projection-? David couldn't tell, as he stared intently towards the slender and aged female alien.
"As you are aware, four solar cycles ago the human predator escaped custody of the Confederation during his sentencing for his crimes against the people." An overlayed image of the human appeared by her covered head- his expression pure hatred, his gaze turned up towards the balcony in a clear display of malice that greatly juxtaposed the Priestess' calm voice and level expression.
"Assholes." David scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest as Mierv made a quiet trill to shush the being.
"We acknowledge your, and our, efforts to locate and detain this dangerous predator. Information about his last known whereabouts can be found by contacting your local authorities. The human is considered to be armed and extremely minacious. Do not engage if you encounter it-"
A huff came from behind the insectoid as David restlessly picked at his nails, a brooding atmosphere exuding from the man as Mierv observed his irked demeanor. The Priestess continued her speech as David looked back up from his fingers, his fiery gaze locking onto the ant as they shuddered uncomfortably,
"What happened during the trial?" Came Mierv's quiet squeak as the human's mouth downturned into a brutal scowl.
"Everything." Came his foreboding response as Mierv anxiously turned off the broadcast with a sigh. "Not to be melodramatic, but that was probably one of the worst days of my life." He continued as the bug twitched with intrigue. What could the human have fathomably experienced that rivaled the death of his admitted close friend.
"How so?"
Shooting another firm look only confirmed the bug's suspicions as they made a soft sound, "Ah. Of course, my apologies."
Clearing his throat, the human made a disgruntled sound before getting to his feet and glancing around. "I don't suppose you have anywhere I could piss, do you?"
Grabbing a small piece of cord from the table, the human reached up and tied his hair back with haphazard motions. Choosing not to question it, Mierv quietly stared at the man before the true meaning dawned to the scientist.
"Piss-? Oh! Of course, yes. . ." They paused, David raising an eyebrow, "Although, I am unsure how your kind relieves their waste." Trailing off, David's eyes blew wide as an appalled expression briefly flashed across his features.
"I am not pissin' in no crazy alien contraption. And you're not watching me do it. . .I'd rather just take my chances outside." He grumbled, a slight disgust to his tone as Mierv chittered for a moment, waving their arms at the human as he walked past.
"This it?" Came his stiff query, walking towards what was indeed the front door as he looked for a handle only to groan, "How do I use this?"
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"You just pass through it. The technology recognizes your dimensions and features to permit exit and entry." They spoke as I experimentally stuck my hand out before marveling quietly at the sight before me. Upon breaching what should have been the solid hunk of wood for a door; I instead felt cool air on the other side as I wiggled my fingers.
Freaky.
"What the hell." I couldn't help but mumble, drawing my hand back inside as I examined the unharmed flesh of my palm and fingers. Closing my eyes, (I had no idea how this worked, ok?) I passed through the weird futuristic death trap and emerged into a hidden clearing in a secluded area of the wilderness I'd wandered beforehand.
Whirling around to check if the small green door was still there -it was- I stood up straight as I popped my back. Tall trees immediately greeted my vision as I walked towards the side of the large earthen mound that I figured was the top of the bug's house.
That's honestly cool. Who knew living in a weird sub-ground Narnia home would actually be sweet in reality.
Still cramped though.
"I'm not an alien." I whispered under my breath, of course I would be weirdly out of place in a home built for child sized imps. Too bad my back was already giving me crap for being bent over so often.
Is this how all tall people felt? Yeesh.
It's been hurting since we left the Station, dumbass.
Toeing a branch out of my designated path, I made sure to put a few yards between the house and my new piss spot as I hopped over a few bushes and went behind one of the more girthy tree trunks. Deciding on whether to be an asshat, I briefly contemplated marking my territory for the sake of amusement before taking the more mature route.
Looking down, I faltered upon realizing no visible buttons or a zipper presented itself to be able to undress myself. "Oh, c'mon. . ."
Feeling down the front of the delicate threaded designs running parallel against the contours of my body, worry crept into my mind. A few moments passed before relief flooded through me as I felt the familiar roundness of what I was searching for.
Finding a set of small buttons hidden behind a flap running down my side, I let out a huff of air as I swiftly undid my clothes. The call of nature urgently reminding me of my obligation to piss like a race horse as I shed the top half of the suit and aimed at the tree. Shuddering a bit, I glanced around at the foliage in an attempt to relax and enjoy the peaceful moment.
Peeing on an alien planet. Sweet.
Quietly doing my business, I looked back to my left before startling as I let out a yelp of surprise, "Can you not?! I'm busy here!"
Following with a, "Where the hell did you even come from?"
Groaning a little in exasperation at the lack of reply, I buttoned up my jumpsuit before turning to face Mierv as I paused. "You okay?"
Their strange little face was twisted like they'd eaten a lemon, fear mixed in too if I counted the way their antennae wiggled about in a frenzy.
"They found the doctor's body." They spoke quietly as I froze, adrenaline pumping through me in an instant.
Feeling suddenly sick, I bent over slightly as I held my churning guts; all sorts of curses and building furies mounting in my head at the horrid news. Why did it take so long for then to find her?
That was impossible, they had to have followed my movements and found her a few days ago.
By Mierv's recount, I had been out cold for three. And they were now finally telling the worlds days after the fact? Sickness raged up as I fought the instinctive urge to puke, my head spinning as flashes of Doc's happy little form danced about my mind's eye.
"What?" The low grumble escaped my throat as Mierv twitched anxiously.
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