Hello beautiful peeps and peepettes of the internet. I have to say that this is the second longest chapter I've ever written. And it's all for you. So I hope you sit back, relax, and enjoy this heap of words and oh so sweet punctuation.
CuHnadian: Thank you good sir. I'm glad you enjoyed that D'aaaww worthy moment.
EddyPM: Glad to see my medical know how actually was up to snuff. Maybe I should quit being a writer and be a doctor...nah.
BrokenRose99: Can I get an Emmy? I'd like to thank all my followers and readers for being just too awsome!
Chapter 9: Last Days
Klenon winced when he felt the needle prick his neck. This was the last test he had to endure before he could be released from the hospital. His parents were already there to take him home. Pranae paced about anxiously in front of the bed, eager to get this all over with. Meanwhile, Michael was flipping through a magazine, obviously more patient than her.
"Readings are looking good again. We're all done. We'll just get the register and you'll be free to go." The nurse said as she withdrew the needle and set it down on the cart. Klenon flipped over onto his back and rubbed his neck.
"Can I uh…get up? To stretch my legs?" he asked. The nurse nodded and exited the room. Before Klenon could push the covers off of him, Pranae rushed to his side and pulled him into a tight hug.
"I've been so worried about you. Are you okay? Do you feel alright?" she asked. Michael came up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Easy honey. Don't suffocate him." He smirked. Pranae pulled away and settled herself on a chair next to him.
"I'm fine, mom. Just a little sore is all." Klenon insisted. He pushed the covers off of him and got out of bed. The floor was cool to the touch and sent a shiver down his spine. He flexed his fingers and stretched his arm over his head. Klenon couldn't wait to get out of here. When his parents told him what happened during the operation, he almost started to regret joining the Alliance. He could only imagine what was going through his parents' heads when they saw that.
"I know the feeling, pal. My hand still hurts after your mother squeezed it too hard during her blood donation." Michael said, twisting his hand in a circle. Pranae glared daggers at her husband and pushed him.
"Bosh'tet. You know I hate needles."
"About that mom, thanks again for doing this." Klenon said to her. Pranae wrapped an arm around him and pulled him closer to her.
"Anything to help. I just hope you won't need it. But I know you can take care of yourself." She said. Michael sat on the bed and crossed his arms.
"She's right, you know? We both noticed how independent you're getting. You're growing up to be a fine young man. Before we know it, you'll be in your twenties and off on your own; leaving the bird's nest." He said with noticeable pride. He rubbed the top of Klenon's head and snickered. "You were born to do great things, pal. I'm sure of it."
"Thanks, dad. I'm umm…going to put on my suit again. I'm getting flashbacks from being stuck in my bubble." Klenon said as he entered the bathroom where his suit was sitting next to the sink in a box. After pulling all the pieces out, he began to methodically place everything back where it was. He was familiar enough with how to put on his own suit so he allowed his mind to wander.
The first place it went was what transpired two nights ago after he woke up from his surgery. He could perfectly recall everything that was said and done. Kasumi hadn't come to see him after that. He imagined that she was still trying to work things out in her head. He could understand why. It wasn't easy being a friend one day then being something else the next. However, he was patient. He was willing to wait for an answer even though he never asked her.
"I should probably do that. The least I could do." Klenon said to himself. He slipped on the sleeves of his suit and felt the material tighten around his arm as they sealed themselves in place. After putting the sash around his abdomen, Klenon grabbed his helmet and slipped it over his head. His suit activated a self-diagnosis as Klenon put on the rest of his suit. Walking back out of the bathroom, Klenon stopped in his tracks when he saw Captain Harris with his parents. The captain looked more disheveled than usual. His eyes were red and had bags under them and his hair was a mess. He looked like he had been through hell for the past few hours. Klenon also noticed how angry his mother looked. She had not stopped glaring at him for even a second.
"Good to see you're up and about. Everything working?" he asked. Klenon replied via a curt nod. He noticed that Harris was holding something behind his hands. Harris took two steps back and moved his hands away from his back, revealing a plastic cup in his hand.
He set the cup on the table behind him and came to Klenon's side, "Pull it."
Klenon looked at him confused, "Right now?"
"Yes. Do it." Harris encouraged him. Klenon shrugged and focused his attention on the plastic cup across from him. He held out his hand and blocked out everything in the room, from the chirping of the birds outside to the beeping coming from various machines in the room. His palm opened and Klenon could feel an aura emanating from his arm. But now it felt different. It wasn't just coming from his arm; it was coming from all around him. It was all over his body and Klenon almost lost focus when the power started to grow and spread inside him.
Klenon watched in astonishment when he saw the cup being surrounded by a blue aura. The piece of plastic lifted into the air easily. Without warning, the cup ripped through the air and into his hand. Klenon stood dumbfounded at the feat he just witnessed; the feat he caused. He stood completely still, his hand wrapped tightly around the cup. Harris finally took it from his hands and patted him on the back.
"Excellent. You've exceeded initial expectations." He said, setting the cup back down on the table. Klenon didn't answer. He held his hands up and stared at them as if he had seen them for the first time. It was unbelievable. He had never felt anything like it before. Before, it took so much effort to even move it. Now, it only took a fraction of the concentration to achieve so much more.
Klenon lowered his hands and turned to Harris, "This…I don't even know what to say."
"You're just scratching the tip of the iceberg. Basic training will teach you more. You have a bright future ahead of you, Klenon." Harris said. He looked at his omni-tool briefly before looking back at Klenon, "I have a meeting to get to. Keep practicing your talent, Klenon. I'm proud of you."
Klenon couldn't help but smile at his kind words. They hadn't known each other long, but for some reason, Klenon felt like Harris only interested in his case. He had never seen Harris interact with, or even mention, another recruit. He just assumed that there wasn't any other recruit with biotic capabilities.
Harris nodded to Klenon's parents before showing himself out, the clacking sound of his dress shoes following him until the airlock door shut behind him. Klenon held his hands inches apart and tried to focus again. The familiar sensation returned and centered itself on his palms. Blue tendrils licked his hands and gathered between them, forming a sphere the size of his fist. It was surprising how easy it was to control. A mere thought lead to exactly what he wanted.
Klenon licked his lips and tried to increase the size of the ball. His hands spread further apart, giving the sphere room to grow. Klenon felt a lingering heat in the back of his head as the ball increased in size. It began moving on its own, shaking slightly between his palms. Klenon didn't know whether that was good or bad, but he decided to keep trying.
His parents watched with astonishment and pride. Pranae kept repeating 'Keelah' over and over as she watched her son test his limits. Michael on the other hand, was watching with the biggest grin on his face. He enjoyed watching his son bend the law of normalcy right before his eyes. He knew that Klenon was determined to be the best he could be. Watching what he was capable of now, he could only imagine what he'd be able to do in the near future.
Klenon spread his hands wider. The space caused the ball to move in an erratic fashion, but Klenon insisted to continue. The lingering heat was growing, but Klenon couldn't stop now, he wanted to see how far he could take it. Biotic energy began to whip out from the orb as the distance between his palms grew. Klenon could feel a single bead of sweat dripping from his brow.
Then, without warning, the sphere grew twice its size and imploded on itself, turning the sphere into a blue mist that dissipated in the air. Klenon stood there, unmoving. He didn't tell it to do that. Whatever the orb decided to do was entirely on its own.
"I uh guess I still need some practice." He said.
"Don't sweat it, pal. I bet that's a lot more than any other recruit can do with their amps." Michael said. The airlock door opened once more and the nurse that gave Klenon his last test came in with a datapad in hand.
"So, all ready to go?" she asked him while handing Michael the datapad. He flicked his finger across the screen several times and filled in the information needed.
"I guess." Klenon answered her.
"Just keep practicing, hon. Try to keep concentration and focus at home. It really helps when you start using your biotics for more elaborate techniques." She suggested while running a finger though her blonde hair. Michael tapped the datapad a few more times then handed it back to her with a curt nod.
"Okay, you're free to go. Have a pleasant day." She said while looking over his information. Pranae got up from her seat and all four entered the airlock.
"Please stand by, locking inner doors." The hospital's VI said over the intercom. "Unlocking outer doors."
The circle in the center of the door turned and split in two. The nurse walked out with measured steps and settled herself back at her desk. The smell of antiseptic that Klenon was accustomed to wafted through the air. Michael put and hand on his shoulder and motioned his hand down the hall, "C'mon, let's get something to eat."
Harris removed his cap and set it down on the table in front of him. He was back at the Alliance offices and was going to make a final confirmation on the lists of recruits that have received their amps. Once he submitted it, it would be uploaded to the Alliance database and space and accommodations would be made for each; along with a review of each recruit.
Matt collapsed in his leather chair and propped his elbows up on the table, burying his face in his hands. It had been a long, arduous day. He raised his head and pressed a few keys on the terminal in front of him. For a brief moment he glanced at a picture next to his terminal. A baby boy lay in a crib staring up at the camera, smiling. Matt let the slightest smile pass him for a second before disappearing. He was so full of life and happiness. It almost made Matt forget everything that happened in the past.
He shook his head clear and tapped another few keys. The list of recruits under his supervision popped up on the screen. There were about 150 of them, all from different colonies and systems. Among them included the quarian, Klenon'Lehto-Strauss vas Cuervo. Matt had a brief chat with his superiors a few weeks ago about him. It took some convincing, but he managed to persuade them to accept the quarian with open arms.
Matt closed his eyes briefly to let them rest. The only light in his room came from the terminal. Night was already falling and he had a deadline to upload his dossiers. Opening his eyes again, he pressed the send key and shut off his terminal. Left in complete darkness, Matt reached over and unscrewed the cap of a bottle of whiskey. He grabbed a glass from a table behind him and poured himself a long drink.
He set the bottle back down without closing it and drank his whiskey in one big gulp. The spice tickled the back of his throat and sent a pleasant, warm feeling throughout his body. He sat motionless, staring blankly at the monitor. Time flew by without him noticing, but he didn't care. He had nowhere to go, nobody waiting for him. All he had was his liquid comfort and a picture of the past.
Klenon sat outside of his apartment. His back was leaned against the wall of his home as he stared up at the sky, observing all the dots floating high above him. He always had a fascination with space. On nights like tonight he'd come outside and stare into the sky. Everything was always so serene at night. Sounds were lessened to the whistling of insects and the rustling of leaves. There were no lights coming from buildings or skycars. Everything was quiet and tranquil. Klenon looked down at the concrete. Spread around him was rocks of various sizes and shapes. He had been spending some time picking them up biotically and flinging them back a few inches; practicing his focus like the nurse said.
Klenon found it difficult to keep his concentration at times. There were a few moments where his mind would drift back to that night with Kasumi. Every time he thought about it a huge grin would grow on his face. His fingers gently stroked the side of his helmet where Kasumi kissed him on the cheek.
He would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous to see her. Despite her previous display of affection, he still wasn't sure if she felt the same way he did. Now that his emotions have calmed, he wondered if everything that happened between them was heat of the moment. The thought scared him. He didn't want to ride this emotional high just for it to come crashing down if she said it didn't mean anything. Of course, he wasn't going to find out until he saw her again. She said they would talk later. Now that he was out of the hospital, he hoped that she'd see him as soon as possible.
Klenon caught movement out of the corner of his eye. He whipped his head around and smiled when he saw Kasumi there. Her hands were clasped in front of her and she stared at him for a few moments before taking an awkward step towards him. Klenon could sense something was wrong when he noticed how she kept her eyes on the ground.
"Kasumi…" Klenon stood up to face her "What's wrong?"
She finally looked up at him, but there was no cheer in her eyes. The usual spunk that radiated from her was missing, Klenon could feel it.
"There was something you wanted to tell me, wasn't it?" she said. Klenon nodded and took a step away from her. He took a few deep breaths to calm his nerves and looked her straight in the eye.
No distractions, no interruptions. She's right there in front of you. Prove to yourself that you want her. His mind told him.
"Kasumi…we've known each other for years. And during that time you've helped me through the darkest moments of my life and joined me on the brightest. Every time I see you, my day gets better. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I care…so much about you…and uh I sort of like you. More than just friends." He stuttered. It felt increasingly hot under his suit and he could swear his legs were going to fall out right from under him. Kasumi flashed a smile only for it to disappear a second later.
"I…I don't really know what to say." She said. Klenon panicked on the inside. Did he do something wrong? Did he break some human rule he didn't know about? His shoulders slumped. If he made a mistake, he was never going to live it down.
"Well…maybe this was a mistake. I shouldn't have brought it up…it was stupid of me to try…I-" He said. Kasumi took a step closer and put a hand on his shoulder. Klenon stopped blabbering and turned his head up to face her.
"Klenon, I…I appreciate it. I really do, but…" she said. Her last word made Klenon's heart sink. He was starting to regret ever having feelings for her. His hands trembled the more she talked, "I've thought about it for a long time. It's just…with everything that's going on, with you going to the Alliance, I don't know if we can. It's not that I'm don't feel something for you but I'm afraid that if I give you a piece of my heart, I might not get it back. If something happens to you…"
Klenon lowered his head. He felt like he just had his heart ripped out. Kasumi moved the hand on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his neck. Despite the comforting gesture, Klenon didn't feel any better.
"I'm just worried about you, okay? Believe me, I'm certainly not against the idea, but every time I think about the Alliance, I think that it's a death sentence. I don't want to put us through that." She said. She was telling the truth, but she still felt selfish for putting him through all this. It wasn't fair for either of them. Kasumi pulled away from the embrace, but held onto his gloved hands.
"Listen, if they ever give you leave or you ever get out of the military, I'll be here waiting for you when you get back, I promise. Just believe me when I say that you're very dear to me." She said. Klenon kept his gaze averted from her. Instead, he watched her hands supporting his own. It wasn't what he wanted, but it was all he could ask for. He had desire to go beyond that. Her fingers stroked the top of his hand and Klenon realized she was waiting for a reply.
"I believe you. And the last thing I want to do is hurt you. I'm sorry for bringing this up between us." He said. Kasumi cocked her head.
"You don't have to apologize. I wondered the same thing too at times. It's good to finally know." She said, her trademark smile returning. Klenon lifted his head and met her stare. Dark, sweet eyes meeting bright, shielded ones.
"So…do you think…somewhere down the road…we could…act on it?" Klenon asked awkwardly. Kasumi let go of his hands and gave him another tight embrace.
"Maybe someday, tiger. For now, we still have time and the pleasure of each other's company. Let's savor it for as long as we can." She said. This time, Klenon returned the hug and wrapped his arms around her waist. No more grief, no more regret. Only hope filled his heart. A simple word that brought complex feelings. Hope for life, hope for love; a flurry of emotions that were both needed and wanted. The next few years would be filled with that simple word. Afterwards, determination and persistence would be companions to achieve what he was hoping for. With the thought of Kasumi in his mind, Klenon knew that no matter the obstacle or the task, he would overcome it; even if it was escaping from hell itself.
Klenon was laying down his life for his family, the people who cared and nurtured him through his young life. Now he had more motivation than ever to come back from it. The adventurous, sweet girl who cracked open a shell no one even noticed was there. Klenon was done with dreaming of a future with her. Now he was going to act. Now he was going to fight for it.
Ever since that night, Klenon had been working towards the goal of staying alive. He would often ask Harris or any of the other doctors for any help or training they could suggest to him. At night, he'd consistently push his limits with his biotics. During the day, he'd exercise almost non-stop; constantly working to achieve his goal.
Two years passed with the same routine. In the middle of Cuervo's summer, Klenon sat against the outside wall of his apartment seeking shade from the sweltering heat. His heart was beating rapidly. Not from exhaustion or fatigue, but from nervousness. Tomorrow, an Alliance shuttle was landing in Cuervo to pick up the recruits. Klenon was among them. The shuttle was going to take him to an academy on the colony Amaterasu. The first day of the rest of his life would start tomorrow. Klenon was unsure if he was prepared for it.
He had known it would happen since he signed up for it when he was sixteen. But it didn't help ease his mind. He was leaving everything in his life behind. He was going to be by himself and it worried him immensely. He always had his parents as a safety net. Once he boarded the shuttle, he would have to do everything on his own. Leave the nest, his father told him.
It scared him. He had been sheltered his whole life. He had no knowledge of the outside world. He'd never seen another planet or another species besides humans.
Klenon got up to his feet and entered his home. A duffle bag was sitting on the couch. It contained basic things to repair his suit along with a month's worth of food tubes. The only sentimental thing he would bring with him was a holo of him and his family.
Klenon searched through his bag to make sure everything was there when he heard footsteps behind him. He looked back and saw his mother standing behind him, "Hey, mom. Is there something you need?"
Pranae stopped next to her son and took his hand in hers. "Honey, I've thought about something for a long time. You've truly grown up to be a wonderful adult. So, there's something I want to give you; something that I held on to since I left the fleet."
Klenon looked at her curiously, "Okay, what?"
Pranae tugged lightly at his arm and he followed her into her bedroom. Michael had left the house on errands so they were alone. Pranae figured that now would be the best time to explain everything. Next to her bed was a nightstand with a small shelf. Pranae reached inside and pulled out a long, blue cloth.
The design depicted a zig-zag pattern that covered the cloth. The length was almost as tall as Klenon was. "This, my son, belonged to our clan. The Lehto's were a prominent family in the past, always holding positions of power or influence. Do you know why?" she asked, sitting down on the bed.
"No."
"It's because of what the color represents. In quarian culture, different colors represent different virtues; like green for intelligence or purple for loyalty. Your ancestors picked blue, determination, as their virtue. So every Lehto in history followed this example and were very driven to achieve their goals." She explained with a hint of pride in her voice. Klenon reach out and ran his fingers over the soft cloth.
"You never wore this?" he asked. Pranae absently traced the patterns as she replied.
"I did once. Long ago, before I met your father. But after things turned sour and I had you, I decided to wait until you were old enough to pass this on to you." She said. "So please, take this. Wear it proudly and bring honor to the family name."
Pranae pressed it against his hands. Klenon stared into it, deep in thought. A piece of his heritage was lying in his arms. Of course he was going to take it. But there was something she said that reminded Klenon of something else.
"Mom, now that dad isn't here, can you tell me about my biological father. I really want to know." He said. He wrapped the cloth around his arms and waited for her response. She hesitated briefly, but relented. She knew if there was ever a good time to tell him, it'd be now.
"Your father was an engineering supervisor for the ship, the Ghalia. His name is Joam'Hano. We met when I finished my pilgrimage and joined the Ghalia's crew. Back then he was only another engineer." She said. Klenon, captivated from finally learning about his father, sat down next to her.
"Over the next few years, your father and I started working closely on the engineering deck. Eventually, after being promoted, we started to explore a more personal relationship when I was twenty-five years old. After three years, we married. Between your father's new position as supervisor and mine as a senior engineering officer, we figured that we would have some semblance of a comfortable life." She said. Klenon's eyes fell towards the cloth in his hands.
"So what happened?" he asked.
"Around the time you were conceived, a friend of mine, Anora'Vanya, noticed our defense schematics were outdated. She and I both agreed that we needed to contract some specialists to upgrade our defenses for the good of the fleet." She replied while staring up at the ceiling, recalling every detail from the event. "But something went wrong. When we gave the defense schematics to our contractors, they passed them on to a pirate gang. We essentially gave them the means to wipe out the entire fleet before we could have a chance to act."
"What did you do?" Klenon asked. Pranae lowered her head and shook it.
"Nothing. I did nothing. I didn't know what to do. I was just an engineer, not a marine. I couldn't fight my way to the pirates to get the schematics back. When the admiralty found out, they immediately called Anora and I to the Rayya. We were being tried for treason. When I got the notice, I showed your father…that was the last time I saw him." She whispered. Klenon tore himself away from the cloth and turned to his mother in shock.
"The last time? What do you mean the last time?" he asked.
"I showed your father the notice one night. When I woke up the next morning, he was gone. I asked his friends and they didn't know where he went either. Then I learned that Anora had left as well." She said. She sounded like she was on the verge of tears. Her throat was tightening with every word that passed through her lips. "So with your father gone, along with the only other person who was involved with the incident, I was the only one left. My defense was swiftly shot down and I was exiled while pregnant with you. I only learned afterwards that Anora sacrificed herself to destroy the pirates before they could attack the fleet. She was posthumously pardoned and it overshadowed my exile, leaving me with no help and no record that I was even there." She said. Klenon looked down at the cloth then back to her.
"That's why dad doesn't want to talk about it, right? You were basically betrayed by him." He said. Pranae nodded and pulled her son closer.
"Michael was always passionate about our family. That's why he never likes it when I bring up Joam." She said. Klenon stood up and leaned against the wall in front of her.
"Did you ever find out where he was?" he asked.
"I had some old friends track him down. Turns out he requested a transfer to another ship after I was exiled, the Torpa. I don't know what he's doing now." She said. She got up from the bed shortly after ending her sentence. She took the cloth from Klenon's hands and began wrapping it around his head and shoulders.
"Since you're leaving tomorrow, I want you to wear this as long as possible before you go. I want to see you dressed in what our ancestors wore." She said as she sweeped her hands over him. She flattened the creases in the cloth and made sure it was draped securely around him before taking a step back and admiring how he looked.
"You look very handsome." She said. Klenon looked over himself in a mirror in the corner. The cloth was wrapped neatly over his shoulders and head. Klenon had never worn a head wrap before but he knew it was a social norm among quarians. Even his mother still wore one.
Klenon was about to say something but a knock on the front door interrupted him. "I'll go get it." He said to his mother. Klenon left her bedroom and stopped at the door. Once he opened it, he was greeted by the sight of Kasumi.
"Hey, nice head wrap." She remarked when she saw the cloth that adorned Klenon's head and shoulders.
"Hehe, thanks. So umm, what's up?" he said with a smirk. Kasumi rotated her hips and had a smirk on her lips.
"Well, I thought it would fun if you would accompany me to a party. We're celebrating our graduation and I thought you'd like to come along. You know, have a good time before you go." She said. Klenon raised a brow in surprise. He was skeptical that the offer was genuine, but he had no reason not to trust her. He just found it odd that Kasumi never mentioned something like this before. But he had to admit that he was a little nervous about accompanying her. Klenon could function well enough with a group of three or four. The same couldn't be said for when he was in a room of more than ten. Throughout his life, he only ever interacted with three people extensively: his parents and Kasumi. Living his entire life at home, he never had to deal with strangers for more than a few minutes at most. While he was grateful for the safety of his home, his sheltered life left him without a clue as to how to socialize with others.
Klenon rubbed the back of his neck. Every fiber of his being yelled at him to say no. He knew that once he'd set foot in there, he'd start shaking and be reduced to a silent but embarrassed mess. He didn't want to put himself, or Kasumi, through that. "I don't know…umm who's going to be there…exactly?" he asked.
"Just some friends from school; and some of their friends. Also Keiji, you remember him right?" she said. Klenon leaned against the door frame. It didn't sound like a lot of people were going. It'd make it easier for him to adjust. Kasumi crossed her arms and shifted her weight to one leg, "So are you coming along or should I go home disappointed?"
Klenon was yanked out of his thoughts. He shifted himself away from the door frame, "What? Oh, yes. I guess I can tag along."
Kasumi grinned, "Great. I'll see you then. Don't worry; I know exactly where the place is."
She turned on her heels and left with a bounce on her step. Meanwhile, Klenon was wondering what he just got himself in to. With a shake of his head, he shut the door behind him and turned to face his mother. Pranae was casually leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, a large grin plastered on her face, "I knew it! I knew you liked her! Oh wait until your father hears about this. I told him he'd be eating his words."
Klenon's face flushed with heat. But his mother didn't realize and she pulled him into a pleased hug. Klenon released an awkward cough, "So you're okay with it..? I thought you wanted me to be with another quarian or something."
"Honey, what matters is what you want, what makes you happy. As long as you have that, I'm as happy as can be." She replied. She held Klenon by his shoulders, "Plus, you two seem perfect for each other. "
"Well, I don't think that much about it, mom. But I guess I might as well have some kind of fun before I leave. It only seems fitting." He said. He meant it too. If he was leaving tomorrow, he might as well try to have fun tonight.
The time had come quicker than he expected. It was getting close to eight o' clock. Klenon was sitting on the sofa, hoping to squeeze some biotic practice in before he left. His fingers moved in sync with the datapad he was lifting. The pad glided gracefully towards his hand. Klenon relaxed his brain and his aura disappeared. He heard a knock on the door and felt his heart skip a beat. He set the datapad down on the table and answered the door. If he wasn't wearing a helmet, his jaw would have dropped to the floor. Kasumi was wearing a black dress that ended at her knees. Near the end was a golden floral pattern. Her bottom lip was painted with a dark purple color and she wore bright, shining earrings.
"I uh…wasn't expecting this. It certainly looks…very good" Klenon babbled. Kasumi grinned and took his hand.
"Come on, we shouldn't be late." She said. She snatched his hand and pulled him outside. The door shut behind them and the two walked out into the street. Klenon could see other people his age walking down the road, wearing formal attire as well. Klenon could hear the faint sounds of music coming from further into the colony.
"I thought you said it was only going to be a few people." Klenon said when he noticed how many people were following the same path they were. He was sure everyone was staring at him. Kasumi gave him a playful bump on the shoulder.
"I thought you'd be more reluctant if you knew there were more people." Kasumi said. "Come on, it's not so bad. Most people won't cause you much trouble. If anyone does, I have your back. Though with those fancy biotics of yours, I'm sure that you won't need it."
"I guess so. You…look good." He said in an attempt at small talk.
"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself. Blue really suits you." She replied. Klenon opened his mouth to say something but the sound of something screaming into the air caught his attention. It was soon followed by a loud bang. Klenon looked up at the sky to see red dots soar across the sky in a crackle before disappearing into the night sky. Soon after they vanished, Klenon spotted a red object rocket into the sky with an orange streak tailing it. It reached the same height as the last one before erupting into a luminous green.
"Is this what humans do at all their parties?" he asked. Kasumi joined him in watching the beautiful firework display.
"Only the fun ones." Kasumi took his hand and escorted him down the street and into the alley where the music was coming from. They exited the alley and came to a stop where the music was coming from, a courtyard. Paper lanterns hung on ropes that ran across the courtyard. At the end of the area was a fountain spouting water from its tip. Tables and chairs encircled the area in front of it where the others were dancing. The dance floor was illuminated by lights sitting on the surrounding rooftops.
Klenon was blown away by the lights and the sounds. The place felt so lively. Klenon could feel the thumping of the music resonate through his body. The beats sent waves of euphoria coursing through his veins. Kasumi came up next to him and crossed her arms, "Not a bad place to get a little light on your feet, huh?"
"I guess so. There are a lot of people here." Klenon said when he noticed how full the courtyard was. Almost every seat was taken and the party-goers on the dance floor were always bumping shoulders. Kasumi just shrugged.
"Cuervo knows how to throw a party, tiger. Come on, let's see what you got." Kasumi tugged on his hand towards the dance floor. Klenon reluctantly followed her. As the thick crowd drew closer, Klenon was finding it harder to breathe. He swallowed large gulps of air to calm himself. Kasumi must have sensed his anxiety because she stopped at the edge of the dance floor.
Kasumi turned to him with a smile that melted his heart. She held out her hand with the top facing upwards and fingers pointed down. "May I have this dance?"
Klenon stifled a laugh and took her hand. "The pleasure is all mine."
Kasumi grinned and began moving with a grace Klenon had never seen before. Her body flowed with an irresistible allure. Klenon tried his best to keep up. He tried to let the music steer him. His feet moved in tune with the beat of the music, but his arms hanged limply at his sides. His movements were jarring and erratic.
Kasumi, however, was dancing much more fluidly. She moved as if she was the very essence of the music she was dancing to. Some of the other party-goers were even eyeing her with fixated interest. The speed of her movements accentuated with the music's rising tempo. Klenon wasn't able to keep up with her rapid motions.
Just when the music reached its peak, Kasumi began twirling her arms, her smile broad as the music flowed through her. Klenon took a deep breath and tried his best to mimic her actions. His feet moved awkwardly and the rest of his body was stiff. Part of him just wanted to quit, but he would not allow himself to do that. Giving up would have been infinitely more embarrassing than continuing. Not to mention how unacceptable it would be if he just left Kasumi there.
Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Klenon opted to keep going. Before long, the music's emotion died down to slow beats. Klenon released an inward sigh and slowed down his movements to almost nothing. The music made a few more beats before stopping. The other dancers in the courtyard clapped and cheered, eager for more. Klenon was not one of them. He forced a polite chuckle and turned to Kasumi, "Well that could have gone better."
"If it did, you would have stolen the spotlight." Kasumi replied. Klenon rubbed his arm and shrugged.
"I think I need to sit down for a few minutes. If I'm up here any longer I think I'll regret it." He said. Kasumi gave him a nod and waited with the rest of group for the next song. He sat down on the rim of the fountain, content to watch the others. The rhythm of the music steadily picked up. Klenon rested his arms on his knees and stared down at the floor. As the intensity of the music climbed, so did the tapping of Klenon's foot. Even when he wasn't dancing, he responded to the earthly sound of the music filling the air.
Klenon absently sank his hand into one of the pockets on his hip. Two of his fingers pinched the small edge of a piece of paper. His hand dove even lower and grasped a ticket stub. He pulled it out and read through it.
Klenon'Lehto-Strauss vas Cuervo
Destination: Benjamin Baker Training Facility, Amaterasu
Shuttle 1209-A
Row R
Seat I
His eyes never moved from the stub. Though he had finished reading through it, his mind pulled him away from reality. He wondered what would happen when he arrived to Amaterasu. Since he was leaving tomorrow, Harris had given him a more in-depth explanation to the test he would take when he was done with basic training.
According the Alliance's research, there were three areas Klenon would be tested on: Telekinesis, Kinetic Fields, and Spatial Distortion. The first one was easy enough; Klenon had been practicing moving objects since he first learned about his biotics. The other two were a bit trickier. With enough concentration, Klenon would be able to summon a barrier around him, but it would disappear after a few grueling seconds. The third one was the most complicated. Klenon had only attempted a warp once and it ended with a costly repair to his right glove.
It was possible he was worrying for nothing. He had more than half a year to sharpen his biotic skills. Coupled with the teaching from the Alliance's finest instructors, he was confident that everything would work itself out.
He stuffed the shuttle ticket back into his pocket and raised his head. Kasumi was still on the dancing floor along with her new dancing partner, Keiji. Even though Klenon felt a twinge of jealousy, he had to admit that he was doing a better job at dancing than he did.
Klenon lowered his head and shut his eyes. The music resonating throughout the courtyard flooded his ears. The sounds of people talking and laughing were but a faint whisper to him. As the rest of the world faded away, he wondered one last time whether he was making the worst decision of his life or the greatest.
Time passed by without Klenon noticing. He had to assume it was getting close to midnight. The shuttle was going to leave at seven in the morning so he had to get up early. As much as he'd rather stay and enjoy being here a little longer, he had to go back home. Just as he was getting up, Kasumi unexpectedly sat down beside him.
"Hey Klenon, going somewhere?" she asked. Klenon sat back down next to her.
"Um, yeah. It's getting late so…I think I'm going to head home." He said.
"You sure? Party wouldn't be the same without you." Kasumi said. Klenon just shrugged in response.
"I guess. Shuttle takes off early so I need to rest."
Kasumi perked up when she heard the music's intensity dissolve to a cool, slow setting. A smirk played across her lips. "Okay, would you at least give me the courtesy of another dance?"
"Umm sure. But I don't think I'll do any better." Klenon said. Kasumi stood up and ushered him back to the dance floor.
"Don't worry. This is right up your alley."
Klenon followed her uneasily. Once he stepped foot on the red tiles on the ground, he noticed that the other dancers were holding their partners close to them. He looked back at Kasumi. Her grin never left her face.
"What did you just drag me into?" Klenon said under his breath. Kasumi gave a nonchalant shrug.
"The most fun you're going to have all night." She replied. She took Klenon's hand and put it around her waist. In turn, Kasumi placed both of her hands on his shoulders and cocked her head towards to the other side of her waist. Klenon nodded to himself and laid his palm where she wanted. Kasumi pulled him closer and together they moved in unison. They stared at each other as they did. Kasumi locked her hands around his neck.
"Do you think you can talk to me while you're out there?" she whispered to him.
"I'll certainly try. I know soldiers get leave from time to time. If I ever can, I'll come back home. And If I can message you, I will." Klenon said. "Are you going to be staying here?"
"No. I want to go out and see the galaxy. Have a few adventures of my own. There's plenty of opportunity ripe for the picking out there." She said. Klenon nodded. They continued their serene dance in quiet. Kasumi rested her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. Klenon tilted his head towards her and smiled. His heart warmed from the sight of her. This girl, the person responsible for getting him through the storms and meadows of his life, was pure poetry. The fruits of his labor were grown from the sunshine she provided.
The lights in the courtyard transitioned to a relaxing blue and purple. All around them people took the same steps as them. Everyone in the courtyard was dancing. Nobody was sitting this dance out. Not even Keiji, who was dancing with a pretty blonde girl.
Minutes rolled by. Klenon looked back at Kasumi. She lifted her head and didn't break eye contact with him. She always enjoyed little moments like these. And with only mere hours before they parted ways, this was definitely to be something to remember.
She thought back to when they first met. Back then he was so shy, a sheltered boy with a simplified view of the world around him. She took it upon herself to expand that view; a decision that defined him years later. Now he was able to act on his own. And now here he was, being more than what he thought was possible. She admired him for that and for a lot of things. But now wasn't the time to tell him. Tight now she simply wanted to enjoy this moment for all it was worth.
The music receded into silence. Klenon and Kasumi came to a stop. Monstrous clapping erupted around them. Everyone cheered and yelled for more. Klenon was just about to tell Kasumi goodbye until she cocked her head away from the dance floor. Curious, Klenon followed her. Together they sneaked out of the courtyard and back into the streets. Aside from the melody being played from behind them, the colony was tranquil.
"One last talk at the hill?" Kasumi asked as they wandered down the street.
"One more time? Sure thing."
By the time they reached the hill, the moon hung high above them. Kasumi settled herself at the base of the tree. Beside her, Klenon leaned against the massive trunk of the tree. "So do you have any plans on where you're going?" he asked her.
"I'm taking a shuttle to the Citadel. I've heard amazing things about it. Not to mention more than a few stores that catch my interest." She said. Klenon nodded. She was relieved that he took her answer at face value. Klenon didn't know about her little hobby. There was a few times where he grew suspicious. He knew about her skills at sneaking. What he didn't know was that sneaking was merely a means to an end.
He didn't know that she was a thief. He didn't know that she stole valuable items on a regular basis. He also didn't know that there was hundreds of credits worth of jewelry stashed inside the hole of the very tree he was leaning against. She wasn't sure how he'd react if he found out, but she knew it wouldn't be an approving response.
"Ah? Sounds like a fun place to be in. You're…not going to be breaking into any apartments, are you?" Klenon joked.
"Of course not." Kasumi said in a tone that mocked being hurt.
It's not a crime if no one notices she thought. The two shared a laugh and joined each other in observing the plains they watched for five years. Klenon thought for a moment before reaching his hand back into his pocket.
"Hey, do you remember this?" he asked. Kasumi looked down at his palm. His smile grew even wider when she saw what was in his palm. The very paper crane she gave him when they first met lay in his palm.
"You still have it."
"I never found a reason to get rid of it. Besides, it's a good memento, don't you think? A way to remember the first day we met." Klenon said. He held it out for Kasumi to take it. When she did, she very carefully turned it in her hands.
"Do you remember when we were fourteen? I tried to teach you how to make your own?" Kasumi asked. Klenon looked up at the sky for a moment before nodding.
"Yeah. It's not as easy as it looks, especially considering I'm short on fingers." He said while holding up his hands.
"You were getting the hang of it. Though extra fingers would help." Kasumi grinned. Klenon shot her a playful glare.
"You humans are always so high and mighty with your extra fingers. At least we can keep track of ours." Klenon shot back.
"Well I'm sorry that your attention span can only handle keeping track of three fingers." Kasumi replied with a spirited giggle. Klenon narrowed his eyes and leaned towards her.
"Hey, my attention span is fine, thank you. I can use my biotics just fine." He said. Kasumi matched his move and leaned closer to him as well.
"Yeah? Take away the biotics then what are you?" she asked. Klenon leaned in closer.
"A determined, intelligent quarian." He said. Kasumi copied his action and leaned in further.
"Is that so?"
"It is."
Klenon opened his mouth to say something but froze. He realized how close they were. Her face was only an inch away from his visor. Kasumi stared at him through half-lidded eyes. The grin on her face changed to a warm smile.
"Was this your plan all along?" Klenon asked, his voice taking a low, affectionate tone.
"It wasn't, but I'll take the credit for it." She said. She raised two fingers and pressed them lightly against the light of his helmet. The origami figure fell to the soft ground beneath them.
"We've managed to stay friends for two years since that night, you know. I think that I can handle this." He said.
"I'm sorry that I put you through all that. But I hope you'll feel better knowing that I won't forget you; ever." She said. Klenon wrapped his hand around hers. How badly he wanted to feel her smooth skin. He'd give up so much for just that one moment.
"I hope so. You're my motivation for coming back home. Your memory is the one that's going to keep me going through everything." He said. Kasumi removed her fingers from his helmet.
"Under every sun
Shall you find warmth, but the best
Is always at home." She said. Before Klenon could reply, she closed the distance. Klenon didn't move a muscle. His heart moved a mile a minute. Warmth flooded his body and his cheeks hurt from his uncontrollable blush. Gloved hands snaked around her own, fingers filling in the gaps between hers. Kasumi pulled away, leaving a purple smudge on his visor.
"Sorry about that." She said. Her own voice was as low as his. Klenon's hands unwrapped themselves from hers and ran his thumb over her palm. The material of his suit glided over her skin with tender ease.
Klenon cleared his throat and tried to keep his voice steady. "umm…what was that?"
Kasumi snickered and tapped on the purple blotch on his visor. "Consider it more motivation."
"Umm heh I guess. Right." Klenon stumbled on his words. The pair stared at each other for a moment, but felt like it lasted hours. "Now I don't want to go."
"I don't want you to go either, but we both know you have to. We'll keep in touch, don't worry." She said. Klenon sighed and released his hands from hers. The origami figure was scooped up into his hands and placed back into his pocket.
"I hope so. It'll get me though this. I know it will." He said. Klenon scooted closer to her. Being this close to someone was something alien to him, the weight pressing against his arm, the warmth that transferred from her skin to his suit. It all felt strange, but it all felt good at the same time. He felt like he belonged next to her. And it was the most pleasant thing he could hope to experience.
"What was that, by the way?" he suddenly asked. Kasumi turned to him.
"What was what?"
"What you said before you kissed me. It sounded poetic."
"It was a haiku. It is a poem, just like you said." Kasumi explained. "My mother is a real poet nut. She always used to tell me that."
"Sounds beautiful."
Another lull of silence drifted upon them. Klenon felt his eyelids drop like blocks of lead. His head bobbed from side to side until he could hold it up no longer. It leaned to its side and fell against Kasumi's. He was immensely comfortable here. He did not want to get up and go home to sleep when the same could be done here, with the person most important in his life.
"You know it wouldn't be comfortable sleeping against a hard tree, right?" Kasumi said, though she also had to admit that sitting here was very soothing.
"I beg to differ." Klenon replied.
"We can stay here as long as we want to. But for the sake of both of us, let's not get carried away." She snickered. Klenon gave her a weary nod and closed his eyes. Heaving a sigh, he kept his mind blank in favor of enjoying the moment laid before him. A smile danced on his mouth when he felt Kasumi's fingers link with his. He was in a state of bliss. Even with the dread of leaving the colony, and her, tomorrow, he still found a reason to smile.
Absolute silence crept in his ears. He could hear nothing beyond his slow, deep breaths. With a yawn, he pressed himself further against the tree. His mind drifted into an abyss until he could no longer remember where he was. Klenon didn't try to fight it. Just as he fell asleep, a thought entered his mind.
No matter what happened, he would come back.