Sorry if this seems rush but I just wanted to get this done, one more chapter after this before the Date chapter (or chapters I guess)
Insanity
"Why was it urgent for you to speak with the humans?" Minor Calron asks as he drives them back to the Keep.
"If you value your life don't ask me that again," Alasha growls a warning.
However her hearts sinks when Calron snorts in a way to hide his laughter. Even when she is wearing her armor that was specifically designed for war she doesn't gain much respect from the guards.
This is probably why she was more comfortable being with the humans, only they show respect. Or rather fear.
She frowns a little as she ponders about the male she had encountered, her current suitor apparently.
When she had heard the invitation she was humiliated. Not only was her suitor a alien, but his sanity seems to be slipping. He wasn't wearing any upper garments, was covered in glowing particles and even had a daze expression on his face as if he wasn't aware of where he was or even what he was doing. His slurred speech, introduction and proposal was further indication that he was not speaking from a clear mind.
She wanted to kill the human who had showed her the "video" as he had called it, believing that this was some form of an elaborate jest. After some assurance that the invitation was genuine, she had no choice but to give her answer.
She wears a scowl as she remembers the feeling all too well. It has been a long time since she was courted by a male and had enjoyed it. All of her suitors were either clueless or cared more for their own opinions, making sure that they enjoyed themselves and not her. Her favorite courter was a male who would take her to different places whenever he travels, at least then she revel in the elaborate new locations. It was better than having to listen to a male boast about his past feats and expecting her to accompany him to bed. Such occasions were few and far in between.
She doesn't know how it is that human's court, but she was expecting him to claim dominance over her or act arrogantly especially when he made it clear that he was a warrior.
Or at least he is supposed to be, she has never seen a warrior "faint" before and wonders if this is common amongst humans.
However his actions, his thoughts and his manners all caught her off guard. He respectfully introduce himself to her, he was careful with his words and when she showed her discontentment at being watched so closely he relented and apologized.
She had never experience this before, a male who seems so genuine towards her and that was before she made reference to her acceptance of courtship. A acceptance that he answered with by passing out.
After he lost consciousness the first time she was forced to carry him to his healers. He was light and wasn't much trouble but was still hindering nonetheless. As she had carried him in her arms, she had a better look at him and whiffs of his scent. He smelled of dirt, vegetation and a natural musk that was plain alien to her.
His appearance was also unique and spell bounding. Humans came in different shapes and colors, and this one was different form the ones she usually sees. His skin is deeply pale while his body is lean, but still possess some muscles. His lost his helmet at one point and this allowed her to see that his hair was a light yellow which was cut short to the point that she was able to see the scalp. And his eyes were blue, like the rest of his body it was soft in color but it doesn't possess the hardness or the recognizable spark of a self-loving male. He was a new and unique person altogether, new unexplored territory that no Sangheili has ever experience before.
To say that she wasn't curious about the human would be a lie, however she would have preferred to know the male better before being asked to be courted. Then again she isn't sure if she would have even dreamed of being courted by a creature of another world. The reality of her current situation is still unbelievable to her.
Finally they arrived before the gates of the Keep and waited a moment before they slowly open to allow them in.
She dismounts from the vehicle.
"Return this to its designated building and return to your duties," she orders the Minor.
The blue Sangheili glowers, but nods in acknowledgement before he drives away
It isn't until she is alone did Alasha allows herself to release a heavy sigh as she places a hand against the gate and lean heavily on it for a moment so that she could gather her strength. Trying to maintain a strong and certain appearance is taking a larger toll on her than she originally thought. The heavy suit of armor isn't helping either.
She is almost embarrassed to admit it, but this is only the second time she has ever worn it aside from when she first received it as a gift upon becoming a woman. When she entered maturity she was supposed to look after her own well-being which included ensuring that she continues to hone her muscles. She however all but disregarded her previous exercises and now she is regretting it. The armor was barely tolerable then, but now she is barely able to wear it for more than a few units without feeling winded. Even her human suitor didn't look to be overburden with his armor, then again hers was much more…excessive than his.
Finally after feeling ready, she stands up tall and presses her hand against the wooden frame and the doors open.
As she enters she glances out of the corner of her eye and spots the gate master standing not too far away from her with an energy spike held at the ready in his hand. However he relaxes upon seeing it was her and bows his head respectfully towards her. She gives a brief nod before hurrying across the threshold.
On most days she would have enjoyed coming in through the side door, when she isn't in much of a hurry and walk calmly through the garden, especially when the weather is as fine as this.
Today however is not one for relaxation as she was all but fast marches through the trail, not even bothering to smell the beautiful fragrance the plants were emitting. As she walks she could hear the clash of wooden sticks smashing into one another, occasionally accompanied with a male roaring instructions, indication that the daily combat lessons for the younglings are still in progress.
She reaches the back entrance of her Keep and enters. Her feet claps against the floor as she walks through her large home. She moves through the dining area where her family would normally eat, but for now it is empty. The thought of her eating alone again that night is a depressing one, but she tries to keep her head held high as she reaches the staircase and begins her ascendance.
She stops twice due to the bulk of her armor and pants lightly as she leans against the railing, not at all worried of falling considering the height wouldn't harm her. Still, she must remain as poised as possible.
As if to reaffirm that thought she hears the sound of guards walking in formation and she immediately stands up and steps to the side. A few moments later, a small crowd of warriors file pass her. They maintain the emotionless face that many warriors sports and aside from them bowing their heads and a few words of acknowledgment, they retain their harden personalities.
As they move past her, Alasha found herself comparing the Sangehilis to the humans that she had encountered not too long ago. The evaluation almost causes her to laugh despite the peril of her absurd situation.
The humans were an energetic species, or at least the ones she had met earlier. They didn't strike her as fearsome warriors, more like cheerful commoners and if she dare say it they were acting almost like children. How many summers are they? They were only serious when she was frustrated and angry, other than that they laughed and showed fear. She was initially enraged when one of them, Knott if she remembers correctly, openly laughed at her before swapping insults with his comrade, Derek. She had thought they were ignoring her like most males would, but for some reason this was different. Though she wasn't directly involved in the conversation, she still felt included in the friendly barter in some strange way.
Finally returning to her senses and seeing that the guards have passed, she quickens her haste to her chambers near the top of the fortress. She reaches her family's living space and walks to her door. She presses a hand against the portal's controls and a moment later it opens before her.
She walks in and closes it behind her. Only then does she allow herself to release the heavy breath that she has been holding as she looks the room over.
It is empty aside from her wardrobe, table of possessions and bed. One side of the room was a glass wall with a portal that opens out to a terrace that gives her a nice view of the village and the hill where the humans were stationed.
She walks towards her bed and lays down with a sigh of relief as she lies on her back and stretches out her body. She rubs her temples with one hand while the other removes her golden helmet and puts it beside her.
What a mess.
The Keep's respect is in danger and the only way to save it is for her to be courted by a human.
Humiliation doesn't come close to describing what she is feeling. She is also fueled by ager. Why did this happened? How could the human be so stupid? And why did he decide to take leave of his senses on the day that her father isn't here to dissolve the matter?
She had wondered about contacting him, but decided against it. Unless the Keep is under attack there is no need to summon her father back, especially with him discussing the Quas Clan's future. She knew what must be done in order to preserve their honor…as well as her and her sister's virtue.
Here she looks out the window and strains her hearing to listen as the younglings outside continue their drills.
'Guisha,' she thinks to herself, 'what will you think of me when you learn of our connection? What would you do in my position?'
Normally siblings would stick together, not knowing who their father is but still have a relationship with other family members. Alasha's and Guisha on the other hand are in a different situation. Many summers had passed before Guisha was born so she would still be a child when Alasha is proclaimed to be the Keep Lord's daughter. In order to keep the age old tradition of Younglings beginning their lives equally, Alasha wasn't allowed to acknowledge her blood relations with Guisha.
Even at a young age Alasha notice this suspicious act but remained silent and agreed to honor the Keep's decision. Sometimes she played it in her mind that there was a chance she was related directly to the Quas family and soon she was proven correct. Now she is living as the only known child of the Keep while Guisha remains oblivious to her inheritance. Guisha will become a woman after the next summer though and then she will be told of her bloodline. Would she be overjoyed or angry?
Most likely she'll be glad that she and Alasha are related. Though she never revealed their lineage, Alasha made sure she was one of Guisha's closest friends and had watched over her throughout the years. She has even planned Guisha's coming of age festival when it will be revealed that she too is the daughter of the Keep Lord, she'll make sure all of Guisha's favorite dishes will be made and that she will be presented with a special gift.
Guisha is a nice and wonderful girl, respectful, but also tough and highly defensive. She would make a fine Keep Mistress one day. Which is why Alasha has agreed to this outrageous courtship.
True, her own reputation is endangered but so is every other female who is born within the Keep, including Guisha. She as well as Alasha will be dotted upon the most as potential mates for powerful Keeps throughout Sanghelios, but their reputation and chances of securing a stable life will be severely damaged if someone, particularly a male warrior, proclaims any of them as unfit mates.
This brings her back to the human in question and instantly she feels her blood boiling.
Derek Heath. Odd. Strange. Human. Alien. She isn't sure which she loathes more.
At least he knows not to stare at her. She has no idea how many times her past suitors would just gaze upon her body and made her uncomfortable, so she is happy that for once she could scare the male into behaving.
Still... aside from that there was nothing really wrong with him…as far as she can tell.
As was observed earlier he seems to lack confidence, intelligence and the usual sway of a male from a noble linage.
What linage is he from? Is he a noble or a peasant?
He is evidently fearful of her so she shouldn't fear him attacking her. He may not be powerful but he still has training and she has learned from her old drilling that any being, even if he's a fool, can be dangerous if trained correctly. Same for his allies as well, she shouldn't rule them out as non-threatening either despite the fact that they seem to lack the discipline that is usually hammered into a Sangheili during their young training days.
She gives a small smirk; she is preparing herself mentally for a battle than for a night of courting. What should she expect? Knott said they would feast and…dance.
She ponders that word, what does it mean to dance? To what is it entitling? She has been taught a…way to seduce males with the movement of her hips but she definitely doesn't want to do that in public, especially for her human partner.
She sighs in agitation. This is all new to her so she really have no idea what to expect. She just hopes that the human will remember his place and won't attempt anything disgusting. She'll just need to stay aloof and threatening to further discourage him.
A frown soon draws her mandibles together.
She is planning on using threats and fear on her suitor. As amusing as it is to finally have some advantage over a male is this…right? True her past courting partners were rude and deserved her wraith, but what about this male? So far he has merely stared and fainted, but could she blame him for that?
This fainting business seems to be a natural occurrence considering how the humans treated it as non-life threatening.
As for the staring…she suddenly feels quite warm and can tell her cheeks are flushing as she remembers what he said.
'You have a nice figure…'
True more than one male has paid her a compliment, but they were usually tied in with an invitation or desire for her to mate. She likes the comments but when they are obnoxious and are said with the expectancy for her to give something in return the words loses all forms of affection.
Derek on the other hand, she could almost sense it, that he has no such thoughts on his mind when he told her of his opinion. True she has been admired before, but rarely has she heard the sincerity behind the words. She had never truly thought of herself as being beautiful despite the fact that she concentrated on keeping an active body, but the males obviously has seen otherwise.
So why did it take a human's words to finally have her considering the possibility that she is beautiful? As far as she can tell there is a large difference between her and a human female. Was he just being courteous? But she sensed him telling the truth, so what does it all mean?
Absentmindedly, towards the back of her mind, she wonders what the human is doing now.
"Wow," Knott says as he looks Derek up and down as the young Marine returns freshly washed in clean camo-pants and a standard olive green t-shirt, "you cleanup good."
Before Derek could answer, Mi slinks up behind him and sniffs from the small of his back all the way up to his neck, causing the young man to shiver violently from the action.
"Smells good too," she practically purrs with half lidded eyes, that alone made Derek flush a darker shade, "I'm actually impressed Jade."
"Thanks, but he's not perfect," Jade says with a look of disappointment on her face, "if only we had time to get him tanned."
"I'll say," Jonah concurs, "he looks like a fish out of water."
"Ha-ha," Derek sarcastically as he crosses his arms and tries to ignore the others as they crowd around him like predators around their prey, "I'm not that bad."
"We can try make-up," Tray suggests. Derek couldn't tell if he's being serious or not.
"Hmm," Knott thinks to himself before shaking his head, "probably not, be a bit embarrassing if the mascara starts running when he sweats."
For a moment Derek wonders if he heard correctly, "When I sweat?"
"Dude, you're not exactly Mr. Smooth when it comes to Alasha," Knott points out, "you fainted in her presence. Twice."
Derek doesn't move for a moment before finally shrugging his shoulders. No argument there he supposes.
"Still," he starts off again, "don't you think it's…unnecessary for me to get ready this early?"
"Can't chance it kid," Mi answers with a smirk, "we need to make sure you're squeaky clean," she turns to Jade, "you made sure he wiped all his crevices right?"
Derek flinches at the words, "No," he states firmly, "no she didn't, I did all the 'scrubbing' myself. She just locked me in the showers with over a dozen different shampoo brands, and I had like only five minutes to wash myself!"
"Well get used to it," Jade retorts, "I'd suggest you clean yourself like that until the ball tomorrow, maybe three times before evening."
"Three times?" asks an incredulous Derek, "I'm lucky to get one a week!"
"Maybe Knott can bribe some officer to give Heath unlimited shower time for the next day," Mi thinks out loud.
Knott raises an eyebrow, "Me? Bribe an officer? With what? I got nothing."
"What about that secret batch of moonshine you're making?" the female Marine suggests.
Instantly the Corporal's eyes widens while his jaw drops open as he sputters out, "How do you know about-uh-cough-cough," he began coughing fiercely as he turns away from the others, trying his hardest not to look anyone in the eye.
Mi rolls her eyes at this, "And you were telling the kid he wasn't Mr. Smooth."
"Okay…" Derek says uncertainly, "what else can be done?"
Everyone falls silent as they slowly look among themselves, silently thinking. What could be done? What can they do?
"What about dinner?" Tray voices.
Jonah shakes his head, "Dinner is provided Private," he tells the kid, "We got that covered."
"No wait," Mi voices, "He's onto something."
"He is?" Jonah asks.
"I am?" Tray asks as well, sounding just as surprised.
"Yes," Mi says with a nod, "she's nothing short of royalty right? Ergo, she should have her own special dish."
"Like what?" Knott asks after regaining his composure, "I don't know about you two girls, but the only thing us guys know how to cook are MRE's."
"I don't think MRE's are even cooked Knott," Tray voices out.
"Not the point," the Corporal mutters in response.
Jonah raises his hand and says, "I know how to cook chicken."
Derek gives a helpless shrug, "I only know how to make stew."
Knott looks at Derek out of the corner of his eyes with a hitched brow, "Really? How?"
"Just heat up water and throw stuff in it," Derek answers truthfully. Knott for his part just rolled his eyes.
"No we need something more than regular food," Mi continues as she rubs her chin, "something…extravagant."
"I got it!" Jade voice but instead of explaining, she grabs Derek by the arm and starts dragging him out of the barracks again, "Come on Heath, there's someone you need to speak to."
"Can't you just let go and I'll walk there?" Derek asks as he tries not to trip as he is yanked through the doorway.
"Where's the fun in that?" is the only response he gets from the female Marine.
I'm also sorry it's been a while and I plan on describing the Sangheili castle in detail later in the story.
