Fictober Prompt 15: "I like that in you."
First Choice to be My Second-in-Command
Bobby was a strange specimen. Of course, he was an alien. His lack of cultural and social understanding mitigated some of his behavior. While Chloe disliked his seemingly inherent penchant for crude antagonism, she was still fascinated by him.
His confidence varied. If he stood in front of a smaller human, then he was arrogant and lashed out at them regardless of their age or abilities. But if someone older or stronger than him appeared, then he was running for the hills. He fought his battles strategically. If they were on a spaceship together, then she could rely on his split-second decision-making skills.
He was knowledgeable in some areas. She would not trust him to be able to spell certain words, but his memory was strong. He had a keen eye for detail in both storytelling and artistic measures. Although he wouldn't do either in public for reasons she deemed peculiar, she found herself intrigued by his craft. He'd get down to what earthlings called the "nitty-gritty." Unlike Vernon, where no detail was spared, his tales and artwork stoked the imagination. Everything he wanted to show was presented in a way that had her full attention.
There was one persistent aspect of Bobby Zilch, an ambassador from Fath 703, that kept bringing Chloe back to him when everyone else in camp wouldn't go within ten feet of him. She knew a majority of her fellow PSI cadets placated her. Whenever she tried discussing outer space with them, they huffed and reacted with negativity. They claimed she was annoying, or as Franke said, "She's like a horse girl," whatever that meant.
Bobby believed her. Unquestioningly and unconditionally, he trusted her every word. She hadn't found any traces of doubt when she thought a modicum of skepticism was acceptable. He'd sit with her, and he'd allow her to tell her truth. He never accused her of lying. If anyone else did, then he'd get enraged on her behalf, even if she preferred a civil discussion over disagreements instead of violent means of persuasion.
It amazed her that she found someone so understanding. Although he rarely expended the same effort to anyone else, Chloe was delighted to have a friend in Bobby. She told him anything she wanted without fear of mockery. She'd show him her latest blueprints for her spaceship, and he'd take them in without sneering at her. And when she needed time to be alone, he always accepted her request and gave Chloe the space she needed to contemplate or work on her latest project.
He was a wonderful Fathian representative regardless of whether he needed help comprehending Earth's societal values. Chloe was glad to call him her friend.
"Which is why," she said as they sat on a log in the wilderness, "I've decided that you would make for an excellent second-in-command of my spaceship, and I'm extending the offer to you right now."
Bobby blinked. Confusion shone in his beady eyes. She had admittedly gone on a bit of a tangent. She had described the responsibilities of a second-in-command while intermingling those duties with her adulations about his progress toward becoming a better ambassador for his people.
It took Bobby a moment to fully process what she said. When he did, he quickly shook his head. He pointed a crooked finger at himself, asking, "Wha-? Me? You want me for the gig?"
"Affirmative," Chloe replied, nodding. "There is still work to be done on you before you're presentable to the Greater Galactic Community, but you have improved your behavior. I find that to be admirable."
"Uh, what have I improved on?" he asked, scratching his neck. When he pulled his hand away, she noticed a few red lines marring his light blue skin. She wondered if she had scratched himself too hard out of habit or nervousness. Combined with his persistent fingernail-biting, that was one of his more prominent tics.
Chloe had just spent the past few minutes explaining exactly that. His quick thinking, his creativity, his honesty, his belief in her. Those were the aspects she appreciated. But staring at his face, she found confusion still etched in his features. It seemed that he was unable to fully accept her explanation about his qualities despite being entirely friendly and empathetic with her on everything else.
When Bobby stared at the dirt, wedging his toes between the stray rocks and grass, it hit her. He simply couldn't accept those factors about himself. Perhaps, she conjectured, that he had spent too long mulling over his negative qualities that any positive ones must have been flukes.
"I got it," she whispered, nodding to herself.
Bobby arched an eyebrow at her. "Uh, got what? You thought of somethin'?"
Chloe adjusted her posture and faced. She reached for his hand, leaving her palm upturned. Bobby hesitated. It had always been a struggle for him to touch her. She had been the one to initiate most physical contact that he reciprocated after freezing in place or going bright red in the face or "sweating bullets" as Lili once said.
After taking a breath, he placed his hand on top of her palm. She gave it a reassuring squeeze, noting it was clammier than usual. She met his gaze, which wavered when he locked eyes with her, and he shifted them to the surrounding trees.
"While there is much to still work on you, I believe you're making steps in the right direction. Out of our fellow PSI cadets, you have shown to me that you're someone I can rely on," she said, feeling Bobby's fingers curl around her hand. "I like that in you. You're trustworthy."
"I am?" he blurted, his pitch sharp. When she winced, he lowered his voice. "Um, I'm sorry. Wow. I just - I don't know what to say, uh, other than, thanks, Chloe."
She tilted her head. "If you are unsure of what to say, then you can give a response to my proposal to continue where we left off."
Bobby flashed her a smile filled with gaps between his stained teeth. "Sure! Hell yeah! I'll be your second-in-command. Sounds way better than hanging out on this crappy planet," he exclaimed, shaking her hand.
Chloe beamed. "And you can also visit your people and file a report about your findings on this world."
Bobby's eyes widened, but he quickly relaxed. "Oh, yeah! Yeah. True. My bosses are, uh, probably waiting on my essay."
"Indeed! We should focus our attention on contacting your galaxy, too," Chloe offered, Bobby nodding in agreement. She hummed, reaching into her helmet to rub her chin. "Specifically, should we combine our skills, your artistic ways and my understanding of technology, we can invent a new communication device similar to a souped-up radio."
Bobby stared at her, his face a blank mask. It took him another moment to wrap his head around her words before he laughed. "That sounds sick!"
Chloe smiled, realizing that good progress had been made, and also, that he continued holding her hand. He still had a long way to go, but he left the starting gate with a bang, and she treasured the warmth in his palm that spread up her arm.