CHAPTER 3: KARRASS
Sooo…rough day?
Karrass sat on an overhanging ledge. Below lay a small pool of water, in which his forelegs were submerged. He listened to the insects buzz and the sound of the water as he move his hooves. Water was one of the few things that fascinated him. He also listened to his shorm, Timo, grill him.
Well…. You haven't been acting right. Do you care to enlighten me? , Timo prompted rather impatiently.
Wha? Oh, it was fine. Timo noticed that his friend seemed distracted.
Then what the hell is wrong?! Timo was one to worry.
For one, you're getting upset over nothing. I had a very interesting day and you showed up before I had time to reflect on it as much as I wanted to. Are you satisfied?
No. You don't have to act so sour about it. I was concerned, forgive me. Now that you have "found your tongue," as they say, tell me, Timo was relieved.
Who says?
Who says what?…you ass. You know what I mean. What's gotten into you?
Not what, who, Karrass said, smiling inwardly at the thought of Mariel.
Who? As in a person? Timo perked a this bit of information. He had tried several times to include Karrass when he hung around with his other friends. But for some reason, they adamantly turned tail at the mention of Karrass.
Yeah, Karrass said dreamily, I was doing a job for Ithileran, the "assistant to the head of planetary communications," because his highness couldn't be bothered with delivering instructions to a lowly member of society such as me, Karrass said with a dramatic sweep of his right hand. Anyhow, that's when it hit me…really ploughed into me. Karrass turned again to the water. The moons were beginning to rise, casting wan light onto the glassy surface of the pool. I've moved around a bit and I haven't the chance to meet a lot of people. I'm alone, simply put.
Timo shuffled and watched the grass bend under the light weight of his hoof. By Andalite standards, he was not too attractive. Very thin, gangly. He had a beautiful disposition that made up for all he lacked. Attempting to lighten the mood he said, What am I, the invisible Anadlite? Because if that's the only special ability I get for all the crap you give me, I'm not interested in being your hero.
Shut up, Karrass said as he batted playfully at Timo's face, You know what I mean. Even you have a marriage arranged for you. I don't even have a family to do that for me.
Yes, I do have a girl set up for me to marry in about three years…
But you are younger than me, by three years. Karrass protested.
…And I have no idea who she is, what she looks like, what she likes, what she dislikes, any of it.
Karrass looked down at the liquid lapping around his ankles, That's more than I'll ever find. I can't obtain more than two or three friends…guilty by association. Nobody wants to be around the son of the greatest military disgrace since Seerow. My father is the scourge of the universe.
Not by choice, Timo felt sympathy for his shorm. You can't help who you were born to. Alloran-Semitur-Corrass is a great person, so I've heard.
So you've heard? When? Ten years ago? Come on, he was a disgrace then, with the whole Hork-Bajir thing. They all wanted to lose him, Timo put a hand on his shoulder, a show of great caring. Just not to the Yeerks, Karrass added quietly.
I don't think it is your father's name that people tend to shy away, I think it's the way you smell. Karrass's brow furrowed. Timo had said that with such sincerity it took him a minute to realize it was a joke.
Very funny, Karrass said as he made as if to chase Timo off. He laughed, for he was easily brought out of a bad mood. I'm going to go home. I have a long day tomorrow.
With the mystery person? Timo said teasingly.
Maybe, Karrass said as he trotted off.
Maybe? Maybe what? Hey, maybe, What do you mean maybe? Come back! Timo called after Karrass. Upon seeing that his shorm had no intention of humoring him, Timo, too, turned and left for home.