Braids

Chapter 11
The Journey Begins



Dib and Esther gazed out at the breathtaking view of space, "It's beautiful," said Esther. Teq, Zim and Gaz exchanged glances, they didn't see it as all that amazing. They had been flying for five hours, and Esther and Dib still gawked at the beautiful stars and passing planets.

The Razerken vessel they traveled in was enormous; it was the size of an average home. It had a bedroom with a bunk bed, and another against the far wall. There was a bathroom, a small kitchen, a control room, and a storage room. "It's like a floating house," Dib said lying down on the bed he would have to share with Esther.

Gaz climbed onto the top bunk, which she had claimed for her and Zim, as soon as they left Earth's orbit, "Me and Zim traveled in something like this on a cruise. Only it was three times bigger, and was more of a floating hotel."

"That must have been nice," Esther said sliding into bed next to Dib.

Soon Zim and Teq entered the room, "Ship's on cruise control," yawned Teq. He fluffed the pillow on his bed, "We should reach planet Zirbi within four days."

"I thought we were going to Sidini," Esther said confused.

"Yeah, but we gotta make a few pit stops," informed Zim, "To rest, and refuel." He switched off the lights, and crawled into bed with Gaz. "So Dib..." began Zim, "I heard from Teq, you and Esther got married... When were you planning to tell me and Gaz?"

"You didn't tell them?" Esther frowned at Dib, "You said you would."

"You two got married?!" Gaz said, just hearing the news.

Dib said nothing, until Esther's frown grew deeper, "I-- I didn't know how they would take it..."

Zim laughed, "I was shocked when I heard the news! Dib-worm got married, damn I thought he was going to be a loner forever. And to Esther? Ha, I knew you liked her Dib!"

"Another reason why I didn't tell 'em. I knew the alien would rub it in my face."

"Me?" asked Teq.

"No, Zim."

"Can we just sleep?!" Gaz complained.

"Yes, let's go to bed," agreed Esther.

"See Zim?! Now you got the girls mad!"

"Me!?" exclaimed Zim, "You--"

"Shut up and go to bed," Teq said pulling the covers over his head.

"But--" Dib protested, but Esther bonked him on the head with a pillow, "You're acting like a kid," she warned him.

Zim snickered and was about to tease Dib, but Gaz also bonked him with a pillow.


The next morning, Teq and Zim sat on the pilot seats steering the ship through space. Dib watched, and Gaz and Esther sat at the kitchen table chatting. "You can speak Kenzian?" Esther said.

Gaz nodded, "Zim taught me. He says it's the most used language throughout the universe."

"Yeah, he mentioned that to me..." Esther said taking a sip of her orange juice, "Can you teach me?"

"Sure," said Gaz. "Uh, where do I start?"

"I dunno, the basics..." she paused, "How do you say 'hello'?"

"Kwi. And bye is ku."

"Kwi.... ku..." Esther repeated.

"Good is wabi, and bad is rizi."

"Wabi... rizi... Hee hee, this orange juice is very wabi."

"That would be: Ju raba zink ez loy wabi."

Dib walked into the kitchen, Esther turned to him and held up her glass of orange juice, "Ju raba zink ez loy wabi!" she grinned.

Dib made a weird face, "Are you feeling OK?"

Esther and Gaz laughed, "Say: Zu pho ku ladza," she whispered into Esther's ear.

"What does that mean?" she questioned.

"Just say it."

"Uh.... Zu pho ku ladza!"

"What?" Dib scratched his head.

Gaz broke out in laughter, Zim walked in, "She said you smell like poop."

"Heeeey... I didn't want to say that!" Esther said.

Dib poured himself some juice, "What are you two up to?"

"Gaz is teaching me Kenzian."

"Kenzian?"

"Yeah!" smiled Esther, she turned to Gaz, "Teach me some more!"