Chapter 4 - You smell good
Sara hummed as she made her way down the windy moonlit path. The walkway opened up into the large market square, but it was unusually deserted. Most likely many of the angara were either home under quarantine or turned in early to take care of sick loved ones.
["Sara, three angarans closing in," warned SAM.]
'Noted SAM,' Sara replied as she became wary of movement from her peripheries. They didn't call to her or make their presence known as a friendly citizen would. Instead the three angara were quietly stalking her as she continued down the path.
'Of course it's when I'm completely unarmed,' Sara grumbled. Then again, she was a biotic, a walking weapon, definitely not some timid prey. The young woman reached another large area just outside of headquarters and took in a deep breath before halting in her footsteps. She whipped around to assess the arrivals; two males, one female. While all three were in regular civilian clothes, it was their behavior that betrayed their guilt for the three angara paused and clung to the shadows. 'Roekaar,' Sara growled. 'SAM are they armed?'
["Each harbor a hidden Firaan strapped to their backs," SAM informed]
The tallest of the three stepped forward into the moonlight. He was of a lankier build with pale blue skin and icy galaxy eyes. "Now what is an alien doing walking about Aya, like she owns the place?" His voice had the aussie-like accent similar to Evfra's, but it was higher in tone, nasalar, and as cold as his frigid eyes.
"I'm just making my way back to the dock," Sara replied as she raised her empty arms up in the air; as if to indicate her innocence.
"We don't take kindly to aliens," spoke the female angaran as she revealed herself in the moonlight. Her smooth mossy green skin had suffered from several small scars and her lilting feminine voice had an angry edge to it.
"We aren't the Kett," Sara began passionately. "We've sided with the Angara, and fight against the Kett." The young woman trying to keep her voice even and calm as she relaxed her arms to her side. At least they were close to the Headquarters. If this interaction was to escalate, Sara might be able to find someone inside.
"Empty words," a third voice boomed, like Jaal's, but without any of her crewmate's warmth. The last male stepped forward, revealing an ashen grey skin with charcoal speckles. His steel grey eyes flashed in the moonlight.
"Empty?" Sara clenched her fists, before catching herself. She could feel the air began to crackle with electricity. "I've brought Moshae back. She knows we are on the Angara's side."
"You've put a spell upon the Moshae," stated the icy angaran, causing the other two to murmur in agreement.
"You think that I am so easily bewitched, Goshra?" Came the warm, yet strong voice of Moshae.
All eyes peered to the side to watch the renown angaran stride smoothly towards them. The luminescent moon glowed upon her golden jewelry, giving the matriarch an ethereal glow as she appraised them wisely. "I suggest the three of you return to your homes," Moshae said with a knowing look at the Roekaar.
The three angarans bowed their heads in acknowledgement, but sent glares at Sara before they shuffled back up the pathway. The young woman released a weary sigh before realizing Moshae was now appraising her.
"Come," the revered scholar beckoned as she prompted Sara to resume her journey. "Tell me, how does our Resistance leader fare?"
"Well, I do believe he is doing better, but if it's like the flu we humans get, then Evfra is still in for a rough ride," Sara remarked as she walked alongside the angaran.
Moshae sighed, "If only he took the medicine."
"Oh he did," Sara stated.
"He...Evfra took the medicine?" Moshae asked, as if double checking that they were still talking about the same angaran. "Well, I won't press you for what torturous methods you must have used."
Sara chuckled. She didn't have to torture Evfra that much as it turned out to be a pill swallowing aversion. But the young woman wasn't going to tell Moshae that; it was her little secret with Evfra. The thought caused a small smile to linger upon Sara's lips.
Meanwhile, Moshae appraised the Pathfinder's softened expression when talking about the cantankerous leader. The wise woman had gambled on Sara taking up the call to help Evfra. But the fact that Sara stayed by ornery angaran's side nearly the whole day without any major adverse events, was surprising. Just as unexpected as Evfra's recent message to the matriarch. It all made Moshae wonder, and dare contemplate something she had long ago given up hope for.
"There, we have arrived," Moshae remarked pleasantly as they stepped out onto the dock. "Thank you for looking out for our General."
"Well, I may have helped shorten the flu, but I think I took a few years off his lifespan," Sara confessed as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"I think you added to it dear," Moshae remarked with a knowing smile. "You don't give yourself enough credit."
"I'll believe it when Evfra says it," Sara scoffed.
"Oh, I'm sure he will, in his own way," Moshae replied with a gentle pat on the young woman's shoulder.
Sara couldn't contain her dubious snort. "Yeah, maybe he'll gift me with a mission to a place not so cold!" The young woman then remembered herself and politely added, "Good night Moshae."
"Sleep well, Sara," the matriarchal angaran bade the Pathfinder with a gentle smile.
The young woman beamed before scurrying up the rampt. Moshae reminded Sara of her mom, Ellen Ryder. A being who exuded serenity and warmth. A solid rock in the tumultuous thing called life.
Sara was soon curled up in bed, worrying her lower lip as her fingers hovered over the omnitool. She never had this much trouble before when it came to composing a message to the resistance leader. But something had changed. It had always been 'General Tershaav' the cantankerous veteran; now it was 'Evfra,' one who had shared his weakness to her. The young woman sighed as she was at a loss on how to even how to start… 'Sup dog, Sara here...Ugh!'
While Sara was figuring out what to write, the angaran in question was getting ready for bed. Evfra paced about his bedroom. The leader had already gone through his nightly tasks which included: closing all windows, checking the locks, activating his home alarm, and ensuring that his assault rifle was within reach. Evfra would not be taken by surprise by the Kett...never again! But now sleep eluded him as he kept checking his silent communicator. [0 MESSAGES] The angaran huffed grumpily and began to pace around his bed again. He had ensured that Ryder would reach the ship safely, so why hadn't she messaged him? Had she forgotten? Did she think so little of his request?
PING!
Evfra nearly jumped like a startled cat; which didn't help his achy muscles and joints. Quickly the angaran opened Ryder's message, [Safe on the Tempest. See you tomorrow! Goodnight :) ] Evfra felt a rush of relief, though he was unsure of the two symbols the young woman had used. Feeling more at ease, the leader climbed into bed and before he slipped off his communicator, Evfra sent another message off. [Thank you for escorting the Pathfinder, Moshae.]
Moshae was leaning against the railing, admiring the night time view of Aya. The warm gentle breeze caressing her cheeks was a reminder that she was truly back home and not fantasizing it while still in the clutches of the Cardinal. The scholar would have been lost in thought had a PING not shaken her awake. A small smile spread along her lips as she read Evfra's message. Earlier she had been quite perplexed about the leader's request to escort the Pathfinder back to her ship. But he had been fortunate to reach out to her and Moshae was certain the leader's concern was more than just ensuring no negative diplomatic incidences occurred. "Well done Sara, well done," The wise angaran whispered before gazing back out upon Aya again. Hope bloomed once again for the future of the Angara.
As usual, sleep was fleeting and wrought with dreams for the resistance leader. The what ifs or what weres haunted him from dusk to dawn. It was as if his brain didn't want him to forget and over time Evfra's heart had grown rigid and cold so that it would no longer ache. A dark whisper, a reminder, that everyone was expendable in time of war...even himself… 'and Ryder?'
Evfra's molten blue eyes shot open in worry, before calming as he recognized his surroundings. The leader took a moment to collect himself before he became aware of a little tickle in the back of his throat. It tickled with no relief until the angaran gave a cough. Grumbling, and coughing, Evfra tossed the blankets off and made to rise when he felt his brain swim about inside his head. It was as if his head was a glass bowl of water that his brain was sloshing in. Evfra groaned as he took a moment to steady himself. Once his head felt leveled, the angaran dared to peer down at his clock, only to groan again as he realized he had overslept...quite a bit.
He shuffled over to the bathroom to wash up and change into his lounge wear, no longer embarrassed to have Ryder see him in it. Speaking of the Pathfinder, the angaran wondered when Ryder would arrive. She hadn't specified a time and Evfra found himself meandering around his house in anticipation, coughing and sniffling here and there. How was it that he felt even more miserable than yesterday? The angaran grumbled before the idea of fresh air caught his fancy. Trudging over the large kitchen window, Evfra pulled it open to attract the fresh warm breeze, 'or a rogue Ryder.'
And then he spotted her, busy carrying crates towards the Taveteen. Instead of her long sleeve jacket, Ryder had opted for a light blue short sleeve shirt. Toned arms caught the angaran's eyes and he recalled, quite vividly how they cradled his arm. An unexpected deep rumble emitted from his chest.
'Cough.'
Surely it was just admiration, the young woman carried such a huge burden upon her shoulders, yet took the time to help those around her. Those whose troubles were quite insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but not to Ryder. Everyone mattered, even aliens who were not part of her mission.
Yes...he admired her greatly.
Meanwhile, Sara was enjoying the sun's warmth upon her skin as she ran around Aya completing a task for Lexi. Upon telling Dr. T'Perro that she handled Angaran fruit barehanded without breaking out into rashes, the Asari doctor tasked the Pathfinder with scanning the local fruit. Not a bad idea at all, though one thing led to another, as usual, and she somehow ended up agreeing to take crates of fruit to the Taveteen. It was her first time visiting the establishment and the young woman easily fell into conversation with Roaan Aabe, bartender extraordinaire.
The friendly angaran would have talked her ears off had Sara not peered down at her omnitool and..."Shit! I'm late!" She spluttered.
Roaan laughed at the young woman's expressiveness. "Here," He said as he handed the young woman an armful of various fruit and nutrient paste tubs. "As a thank you for putting up with our grumpy leader!" Roaan chuckled as the Pathfinder scurried up the path.
Slightly out of breath, Sara rapted her elbow on the door as she juggled the various goodies in her arms. It only took a few moments this time for Evfra to open the door. When the angaran did, Sara's words tumbled right out of her mouth at the sight of him. "Oh Evfra, you look terrible…"
The angaran's nose was red, his skin was sallow and dry. Evfra scowled and wanted to say, 'I feel terrible,' but just as he opened his mouth a series of coughs escaped his lungs. It was now a deep rattling cough that resounded in his chest. Covering his mouth with his arm, Evfra made room for the young woman to pass by. And just before he closed the front door, Ryder said, "You should take a shower."
The angaran's arm fell back to his side as his sluggish brain processed her words. 'A shower? Do I smell bad?' He waited for Ryder to continue into the kitchen before he gave himself a surreptitious sniff. Wait how would he know if he smelled bad to an alien? But as Evfra opened his mouth to say something another series of coughs escaped. Grumbling, the leader shuffled upstairs to start the hot water. Steam plumed into the air, and upon taking in a deep breath, Evfra felt his throat soothed by the humidity. As the coughing fits subsided, the angaran began to wash himself.
Feeling his muscular body relax, Evfra ran his hand along his skin. His fingers trailed along several scars scattered across his body. The consequence of his various escape attempts from the Kett internment camp. The longest scar was one that nearly ran the length of his back. It had been the worst...but it also had been the last. Just before Evfra overpowered his torturer.
He nearly lost himself in the memory, until he remembered that Ryder was downstairs awaiting him. Evfra quickly patted himself dry with the softest towel imaginable, before lathering himself thoroughly in a special lotion prized by the angara. Evfra had been neglecting his self-care as of late and it showed. Skincare was of the utmost importance for the angara due to their sensitivity and ability to smoothly channel electrical currents. Also smooth glowing skin was a sign of a healthy potential mate and considered very attractive, aside from strength and stature.
Though Evfra's skin was riddled with scars. He had learned to accept his body, be proud of his scars for it meant he was a survivor. And only the one worthy of him would realize that. Besides, the leader was not interested in finding a mate! Though Evfra caught himself rubbing on an extra layer of lotion all over his face and neck ridges.
Meanwhile Sara busied herself brewing the spiced tea before finding her favorite knife in Evfra's kitchen to tackle the angaran fruit. The elmohk fruit was the size of a bowling ball and almost as heavy as one. It had yellow to orange smooth skin and sported several large orange thorns. Taking care of the sharp bits, the young woman found the elmohk fruit to be like a papaya, and a bit stinky too. She quickly sliced and diced the orange meat, and transferred it into a large bowl.
Next was the paripo fruit, which was the size of a grapefruit with yellow to green bumpy skin. Once cut open, it reminded the young woman of a passion fruit; alot of seeds and not much meat. But it had a soft pleasant aroma to it. The most surprising fruit was the small lemon sized quilloa with golden yellow skin. Sara wasn't expecting much from this small lightweight crop, but nearly gasped as sweet smelling juice gushed out on the first slice. 'That's what I get for judging from looks alone!'
Sara heard Evfra's heavy footsteps down the stairs and the lack of coughing was reassuring. He even looked much better, and was his skin glowing? 'Must be a trick of the light,' Sara shrugged as she resumed her cutting. As the angaran walked by, the young woman caught a sniff of something soft and floral. A sudden vivid memory of earth grown carnations of various color flourishing in a well tended garden seized her mind. The scent ensnared her so fully that Sara nearly cut off her finger!
Hoping the leader didn't take notice of her near digit amputation, Sara quickly finished up the quilloa, adding it to the medley of elmohk and paripo chunks. Evfra was already sitting at the table sipping on the spiced tea and looked quite eager for the bowl of fruit.
Unfortunately Evfra was so stuffed up, he couldn't appreciate the fruit. A shame as he knew fresh fruit was a rare treat. One fruit alone could feed twenty angara as nutrient paste. Something Roaan constantly boosted about any time Evfra dared to set foot at the bustling Taveteen. The leader peered over at Ryder and an idea stuck him. "Why don't you try some fruit?"
Sara was just about to unwrap her initiative nutrient bar, or as Liam lovingly called it 'Cardboard delight' when she paused at hearing Evfra's offer. "I didn't want to take your portion. I know your body needs fresh nutrients to boost the immune system."
Evfra raised a gloved hand, "I insist." There was a nice feeling in offering something to her. However, his sentiment wasn't truly altruistic as Ryder was the one who brought him the fruit. It made perfect sense to Evfra that she should partake in this rare bounty. He watched with interest as Ryder's un-fused fingers worked dexterously together to grab a piece of fruit. She had chosen a golden slice of quilloa.
"Huh! Not bad at all, sweet, but tart. Like if an apple and a pineapple had a baby," Sara commented with a wide grin.
Evfra had no idea what an a-pel or a pine-a-pel were but Ryder's next motion made the leader halt in mid-chew. The young woman was now licking her fingers, causing Evfra to watch intently, as her small pink tongue gently gilded upon her sweet sticky skin. The angaran felt a jolt of electricity run down his spine and nearly shuddered. Quickly Evfra looked back down at the fruit and cleared his throat to channel his thoughts somewhere else.
"I meant to ask earlier," the leader began. "What did that symbol mean? The two dots and curved line?"
"Oh, it's a smile." The young woman replied, having finished licking her fingers. "See," Sara pointed to her two eyes then traced her smile with her finger. "Can you smile Evfra?" She playfully teased.
Evfra scowled at her, as if he was affronted by the very idea that he could not. Then Sara watched as the leader, seemingly painstakingly, tried to smile...and it looked...bloody menacing. "Oh god," Sara whispered. It was less a smile and more as Evfra was relishing a memory of a Kett disembowelment. The leader snorted and returned to his fruit. Yep, a forced smile from Evfra wouldn't do. The young woman needed a more candid and true smile to fulfill her mission.
"You seem quite eager," Evfra commented between bites as he noticed Ryder was fidgeting. "What are you so anxious about?" The leader was starting to pick up on the young woman's cues and her many fingers drumming against the wooden table was one of her favorites.
"Well," Sara began, wondering if Evfra would even be interested in it. "I wanted to watch an Angaran movie and Jaal recommended 'Vemero and Loniet'. He said it was a timeless Angaran classic and was sure you wouldn't have seen it."
"Huh," Evfra mused as he finished the last slice of fruit. Jaal was correct for the title wasn't familiar. Then again, their movie preferences didn't really align. Jaal greatly enjoyed sappy love stories, while Evfra favored informative documentaries...but if Ryder was requesting it, then the leader would make an exception, just this once. Evfra found the movie through his communicator and casted it onto a nearby monitor for better viewing from the couch.
As the two made their way over, Evfra was immediately aware of how far Ryder sat from him. And this time he was pretty sure he didn't smell! The angaran busied himself with setting up the movie, though the thought of Ryder's distance annoyed the angaran for some reason.
'I'm not some contact starved adolescent,' Evfra scoffed. He had cultivated years of squashing that need into oblivion, but now that he had a reminder of what physical contact was like for his species...molten eyes peeked over at Ryder, taking in her relaxed posture, the smoothness of her well toned arms. The angaran suddenly gulped. It was only because he was sick, and in this weakened state, instinct had kicked in for the comfort of loved ones. And his body mistook Ryder's touch as such, Evfra reasoned rationally. Once he recovered, this need would subside and Evfra would be back to normal as if nothing happened. Yes, it all made sense now.
So...in the meantime shouldn't he just accept the comfort of Ryder's presence since it would help him heal faster? But how does he suggest closeness? Evfra wasn't sure how to enact cuddling even to his own kind, where such matter was instinctual. Wait...did humans even cuddle? They seemed squishy enough for it unlike some of the other Milk Way aliens.
Evfra stared at the monitor on the coffee table, nearly lost in thought before an idea occurred to him. "Can you even see the screen from over there?" The angaran began innocently. "Here, just come closer. I don't bite," he added with some levity.
Sara's neck nearly suffered a whiplash as she turned to stare at Evfra, wondering if she heard him correctly. 'Here, just come closer. I don't bite.' For some reason the idea that he may, mixed in with his invitation tantalized the young woman. But this was Evfra afterall and Sara quickly covered up her naughty thought with a jest. "Not what I heard from the medical assistant," Sara chuckled, though she scooched a bit closer.
The young woman had been worried about traipsing into Evfra's personal space. She knew he wasn't chummy like Jaal, who craved physical contact and would purr like a cat. But if Evfra didn't mind, then Sara was glad for the better view. Indeed the grumpy leader was consistently quite good at being an immaculate host, even when sick!
Evfra released the breath he had not realized he had been holding onto as the young woman moved closer towards him, though still keeping a respectable distance between them. But now that Ryder was closer, the angaran was aware of a very weak electromagnetic field that beckoned to his. Was that why his field kept inching towards her? The leader also became acutely aware of the soothing warmth that emitted from the young woman, and he had to quickly quelch the pleased rumble in his chest.
The opening music of the movie called Evfra's attention to the monitor as he watched the scene open upon a silent daar bathed in moonlight. The planet looked like a more civilized Havarl, rather than its current wild state. A female angaran with luminescent purple skin, dressed in a flowing silver gown, walked out onto a balcony. She sighed wistfully and began to talk to the moon above about finally being with her Taoshay.
Then a speckled sea foam green male angaran in formal emerald robes carefully made his way through the tropical garden below. But he stepped on a twig, causing it to snap underfoot.
"Who goes there!" The female angaran gasped as she peered about down into the garden, her purple galaxy eyes wide with worry over being overheard.
"It is I," boomed the deep voice of the male angaran as he sauntered into the clearing. "Vemero!"
Sara started to feel a nagging sense of deja vu as she listened to the passionate pair talk to one another. "Stars above!" The female angaran gasped as she leaned over the railing, "If they find you here, they will kill you!"
Vemero shrugged off her warning with his broad shoulders, "Loniet, my Taoshay, I don't care. At least, I will have seen you for the last time."
"Oh Vemero, you're so sweet. I wish you were a Darmulet so I could marry you…"
"Fear not Loniet, the Runtagos will not keep me from you. Come, let us run away and get married!"
Wait a damn minute...Vemero and Loniet...Romeo and Juliet? Holy shit it was! From the fateful meeting between the young lady of the Darmulet family and the Heskaarl of the Runtago family. Both finding love during the Kett embroiled invasion, only to be torn apart due to their responsibilities. The angaran actors and actresses were passionate performers, and it had Sara transfixed.
Evfra ontherhand found himself more distracted by sneaking side glances Ryder, noticing how enrapt she was in the movie. The young woman was on the edge of the couch as she gasped, chuckled, and whopped as the two angarans found each other on the battlefield.
The epic Kett battle now captured the leader's attention, though he snorted at how atrocious the Kett costumes were. "You can see the zippers on the backsides," the angaran stated pointedly. "At least they did get all the weapons correct. But the Kett would never cower like that mid-battle." The resistance leader scoffed at the inaccurate portrayal.
"They do if you bulldoze them down with the Nomad," Sara smiled as she wiggled her eyebrows.
Evfra just stared at the young woman with his mouth slightly ajar, "How are you still in one piece?"
"Ya' know, I get asked that an awful lot," the young woman grinned back.
"I'm not surprised," Evfra snorted, but the corners of his mouth twitched upwards.
Finally as the credits rolled, Sara remarked in amazement, "Huh, starcrossed lovers, a tale that transcends galaxies!"
"What does it mean, to be starcrossed lovers?" The angaran asked with a frown. It wasn't a term he was familiar with when it came to the stars.
"Well," Sara tried to formulate a good explaination. "It's a phrase we use to describe a lover's relationship that is so hindered at every turn, that it seems like even the stars are conspiring against their union. It stems from a time when we believed the alignment of the stars ruled over our fate."
"I mean," Sara continued as she waved her hands over to the monitor. "Look at Vemero and Loniet. Even after getting the Darmulet and Runtago families to work together against the Kett, their love was not accepted. In the end they took their own lives in order to be together."
"A waste in the great effort against the Kett," Evfra snorted as he turned off the monitor.
Sara chuckled at his remark; of course the resistance leader would think that. She wondered if Evfra could ever be 'romantic' . The thought of the grumpy leader wearing his finest robes, professing his love to his Taoshay was very entertaining.
Sara relaxed and leaned back into the couch. The young woman caught another whiff of whatever Evfra was wearing. The carnation scent was the strongest, but now that she was closer to the angaran, another scent grabbed the young woman's attention. Sara couldn't describe it, but it beckoned to her, enticing her to breathe in deeply. And when the young woman opened her eyes, it was to find her nose nearly just inches from the leader's neck ridges.
"Pathfinder," Evfra started, keeping stalk still as he was acutely aware of how close Ryder was suddenly to him. "What are you doing?" There wasn't anger in his voice, instead he was genuinely curious and utterly baffled. One second Ryder was sitting comfortably beside him, the next she leaning nearly into him with her nose hovering ever so close to his sensitive skin, as she sniffed him. Ryder sniffed him...was this some regular human interaction? Evfra's sensitive skin had prickled under her warm breath, sending pleasant electric tingles across his skin. This time Evfra really had to work on quelching a rather loud rumble from deep within him.
Sara froze, buzzing static filled her thoughts as she tried to figure out an explanation. "You...you smell good." The words tumbled out of her mouth though her before her brain realized it. 'RIP Sara Ryder...death from embarrassment.'
"I…" Evfra's mind froze as molten blue eyes widened in shock.
PING!
The sound and flash of light was enough to make Sara jump off the couch as she quickly put distance between herself and the angaran. A message from Director Tann, [Please join for vid comm. Urgent!] Sara thought she would never say this, but blessed be the day she was actually grateful for one of Director Tann's incessant interruptions!
"Everything alright?" Evfra inquired as Ryder seemed to be lost in thought after reading the message. The leader was a little miffed at the interruption. He had questions as to what that sniffing and her comment was all about!
"A summons to chat with the self-proclaimed head honcho of the Nexus, Director Tann." She down played the urgent part. Everything and anything Tann wanted done was suddenly 'urgent' in his eyes. "I'll spare you the headache he gives me. But I've gotta run! Don't forget to take your medicine and there's leftovers in the fridge. Bye!" And with that Sara had sprinted out of the house before the leader could blink.
The angaran was left sitting there on the couch feeling utterly baffled. One moment Ryder was near him, nearly touching him, and then gone in a blink of an eye. Evfra was truly tipped off balance by the young woman's very nature. She was a whirlwind of energy, that left the house quiet and a tad bit empty in her absence. Finally Evfra pushed himself off the couch and busied himself with cleaning up the mug and fruit bowl, humming as he did so.
Turning around, Evfra surveyed the empty living room, warmed by the glow the afternoon sun. The leader recalled the series of events with the Pathfinder; from her unexpected arrival at his doorstep yesterday to her equally unexpected departure just now. He then remembered Ryder's soft smiles, playful banter, and ease at which she seemed to be around him.
The memories made Evfra feel odd in his belly. As if there were little winged creatures flitting within...or maybe he was just hungry? The leader shook his head, as if it would shoo away the fluttering feeling. While Evfra was sure Ryder was just treating his flu like a mission to overcome in order to secure the angaran alliance with the Milky Way aliens, a part of him...a very small part of him, hoped the young woman was doing it because she genuinely cared.
'Don't think of her that way,' a dark voice in the back of the angaran's mind whispered in warning. 'In time of war, everyone is expendable...everyone.' The whisper echoed before retreating back into the deep recesses of Evfra's brain. It was the part of him that had been beaten and molded by the Kett's cruel hands. The part that now shielded him from feeling heartache when the leader saw the growing numbers of angara lost or stolen. The part that reminded him not to be selfish in time of war; so he could do his damn job.
Evfra sighed deeply into the silence. Soon he would return to work and not feel this conflicted emotion within him. Until then...the angaran should show thanks to the young woman. It was only proper and it wasn't selfish if it promoted a better the alliance. But what would an angaran give a human?
'You smell good…' Ryder's soft voice whispered.
'Hmmmm' Evfra mused at her remark for it gave the angaran the perfect idea. But in order to make it, Evfra needed guidance from the master, who will undoubtedly tease him endlessly
Gloved fingers hovered hesitantly over the communicator. 'Just do it, do it for Ryder,' Evfra willed his stubborn hand. And finally placed a call to Jaal.
Jaal picked up, his deep cheery voice booming through the house, "Evfra! What a pleasant surprise. How are you feeling, dear friend?"
"Better," Evfra replied gruffly, before a moment of thoughtfulness. "Much better actually," his aussie voice softened. "Jaal, I wanted to ask you for something." The leader paused, summoning the determination from deep within him to just come out with it. "Can you send me the recipe for the lotion you made?"
There was a pause on the other end and Evfra could imagine his friend's surprised expression before it frowned into utter confusion.
"You want to make the lotion?" Jaal asked, just to be certain. The ever-cheery angaran had half a mind to double check that Evfra was truly feeling better...or that this was indeed Evfra de Tershaav!
"Yes," the resistance leader grunted back in a very convincing Evfra-esque manner.
"You hate making lotions, that's why I make them for you!" Jaal stated, feeling quite perplexed at this newfound interest.
"Yes," the gruff angaran sighed. Evfra could feel the wheelcogs churning in his friends mind as pieces of the puzzle were coming together.
"Ahhh, and why might you be suddenly so interested in making lotions dear friend?" Jaal nearly purred with curiosity.
Evfra paused at this before trying, "I want...a new hobby."
Jaal whooped at this declaration, slapping his thigh with glee. "Oh! You are a terrible liar dear friend!"
"Look, will you help me are not?" Evfra grumbled with exasperation.
"Oh, I will help you," Jaal replied sweetly. "I'm eager to find out who it is for!" The angaran teased. Lotions were highly prized in angaran culture. The act of gifting such a item, especially made with one's own hands was suggestive of close friendship...and sometimes something more.
'Skkut! Jaal would instantly recognize it on Ryder!' Should Evfra just come out with it? Why was his heart racing as if he was in the midst of battle?! The angaran quickly weighed the situation and tried to calm his pulse. He knew he should be honest with Jaal. Apart from Moshae, Jaal was the only other angaran close to the leader. "Fine, it's a present for the Pathfinder," Evfra confessed, still feeling his heartbeat quicken.
There was a pause...quite a long pause for someone as loquacious as Jaal.
"Dear friend," Jaal began soberly. "Do you have feelings for her?" He asked in a gentle tone.
'Feelings?' What did he feel for Ryder. "Well," Evfra began in an unsure tone that was unlike him. "I feel admiration...and gratitude." The leader's voice grew stronger with certainty as he added, "That's why I would like to thank her for...caring for me."
A soft chuckle emitted from the other side. "I will send you the recipe and special ingredients. Good luck, Evfra."
"Thank you, Jaal," Evfra truly meant it.
After hanging up, Jaal smiled fondly down at his omnitool. Who would have guessed that the notorious resistance leader was falling for the human pathfinder. Jaal just wondered when Evfra would finally realize it...
