Three days later...
"This is a bad idea." Chaor spoke his mind as Kaz handed him a large box. It was wrapped in purple paper and had a pink bow on top of it.
"You asked me to help you for a reason, right?" Kaz tried to sound confident, but he was never any good with human girls, much less the Underworlder ones. There was a large, ivory teddy bear in the box, but Chaor didn't know that. Kaz had been very careful to pick out one that was just right, but he was still afraid of Chaor blaming him if something went wrong. "Trust me. I know Takinom like the back of my hand."
"How long will this take?" Chaor was obviously embarrassed to ask, but he needed to know
Kaz cringed before answering. "Considering your current relationship and how difficult she is, probably a few weeks."
Kaz expected the impatient creature to lose his temper the minute he heard that, but Chaor remained suprisingly calm. Chaor didn't have time to try to reason with the human. Kaz had brought the toy to him during Takinom's and Agitos's lunch break, but Chaor had ordered Takinom to leave a few minutes early so that she could get back a few minutes early. She didn't question him.
"Ulmar is upgrading my Vile Driver." Chaor told Kaz "I want you to have the first scan of it when it's done."
"Me?!" Kaz wasn't expecting that big of a reward. An upgraded Vile Driver would be very useful in the Dromes. "Scanning the Vile Driver? Upgraded?!" he stopped for a moment to let it sink in before asking "What kind of upgrades?"
"It's a suprise." Chaor teased "Now get going. Takinom will be back soon."
Kaz just waved as he ported out with a big smile on his face. Chaor grinned once Kaz was gone. But the grin faded as the Underworld ruler looked down at the box in his large hand and wondered what was inside of it.
Takinom better like this. Chaor thought as he sat down in his throne.
It was only a matter of minutes before she arrived. "Chaor, I'm back, just as you asked of m-" she stopped talking as soon as she noticed the box. Judging by the colors, it was clearly meant for a female.
Chaor didn't like the look on her face. He was expecting her to be exited and happy, practically snatching it out of his hands, but instead she looked absolutely terrified. She blinked a couple of times before taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. She walked up the steps to her usual place before taking the present from Chaor with a quiet "Thank you."
"Aren't you going to open it?" Chaor asked, hoping she would be happier once she saw what was inside.
She used one claw to carefully cut the top of the box. She closed her eyes as she opened it, not really wanting to know what was inside. Takinom bit her bottom lip as she opened her eyes. Her gasp and the shocked look on her face worried Chaor.
"What's wrong?" Chaor had a little more concern in his voice than she was used to hearing.
"I-it's fine, Chaor." she sounded uncomfortable, but she quickly changed her voice to sound more grateful "Thank you. I love it."
"Don't lie to me." Chaor tried not sound to strict with her, but his tone still commanded the utmost respect "What do you really think of it?"
"I'm afraid I just don't understand." Takinom said as she pulled the large stuffed bear out and dropped the box. "What are you trying to tell me?"
"Take the rest of the day off." Chaor ordered as she propped his head on his fist again.
"Chaor, you've never given me such an order before." Now Takinom was more unaware of what Chaor was trying to say.
"That's no reason to disobey me." if Chaor was not her boyfriend, then he was not going to act like he was "Now get out!"
Takinom grabbed the box and ran, stuffing the bear back into it on her way out to make sure no one saw it. She passed Agitos on her way out, but she payed no attention to him. The sighted of her running away from the throne room sent chills down her co-worker's spine, but he continued on his way back to the place she was running from, knowing that Chaor was very upset.
