I swam in the pool for my allotted amount of time, blind, nearly deaf,
helpless, until it was my turn for re-infestation. I swam over to the pier
and felt Katie's head being held down in the liquid. It was far easier
taking control this time, since I was more familiar with the human brain
and the path to it.
Don't you want to know what I did while you were gone? Katie asked playfully. She was almost a bit smug.
Humans, I thought in exasperation. I sighed. No, actually; I'm not particularly interested... But since it will apparently make you happy: what did you do while I was gone?
Oh, you're no fun. I'll make you find out on your own. With that, she was silent.
I really had nothing better to do, so I searched her memories until I found what she wanted me to see.
Causing problems again, I see.
Oh, come on. Singing never hurt anybody.
Maybe so, I conceded.
Besides, She continued, I helped cheer them up a bit. Most of the people here hate being controllers.
You don't seem to understand that their discouragement is a good thing. My tone was haughty, and I could feel my host's hurt at this. For some reason it made me uncomfortable. I added, But it really was a kind gesture, I suppose.
Katie seemed somewhat cheered by this praise and said no more.
I walked Katie out of the Yeerk pool and headed for the park, which was where she usually spent her afternoons.
Illarim?
What? I said.
I didn't really need to ask since I could easily read her thoughts, but I had agreed to let her keep her thoughts to herself and share them with me only when she wanted to. I suppose my fellow Yeerks will consider me, to borrow an Earth term, a 'softy'. But as I have said before, even despite myself, I found that I was growing a bit fond of Katie and had decided to allow her this small freedom, most of the time.
Could you maybe, possibly, consider granting me a favor? She spoke slowly, hesitantly.
What is it?
Do you think that maybe, on occasion, I could have a little bit of control? You know, like, being able to move and talk a little.
I was startled. No. No, I couldn't. You know that, I said. I could get in a great deal of trouble, I mean, well.
You know me, Katie prodded. You probably know more about me than I know about myself. You know I won't do anything that would harm you. Besides, you're still in there and would be able to stop me if I did.
I suppose, I said. That it wouldn't really harm anything to allow you *some* freedom. But only on occasion.
I felt Katie's immense wave of gratitude. She didn't say anything, but she didn't need to. Her emotion made up for any lack of words.
Don't you want to know what I did while you were gone? Katie asked playfully. She was almost a bit smug.
Humans, I thought in exasperation. I sighed. No, actually; I'm not particularly interested... But since it will apparently make you happy: what did you do while I was gone?
Oh, you're no fun. I'll make you find out on your own. With that, she was silent.
I really had nothing better to do, so I searched her memories until I found what she wanted me to see.
Causing problems again, I see.
Oh, come on. Singing never hurt anybody.
Maybe so, I conceded.
Besides, She continued, I helped cheer them up a bit. Most of the people here hate being controllers.
You don't seem to understand that their discouragement is a good thing. My tone was haughty, and I could feel my host's hurt at this. For some reason it made me uncomfortable. I added, But it really was a kind gesture, I suppose.
Katie seemed somewhat cheered by this praise and said no more.
I walked Katie out of the Yeerk pool and headed for the park, which was where she usually spent her afternoons.
Illarim?
What? I said.
I didn't really need to ask since I could easily read her thoughts, but I had agreed to let her keep her thoughts to herself and share them with me only when she wanted to. I suppose my fellow Yeerks will consider me, to borrow an Earth term, a 'softy'. But as I have said before, even despite myself, I found that I was growing a bit fond of Katie and had decided to allow her this small freedom, most of the time.
Could you maybe, possibly, consider granting me a favor? She spoke slowly, hesitantly.
What is it?
Do you think that maybe, on occasion, I could have a little bit of control? You know, like, being able to move and talk a little.
I was startled. No. No, I couldn't. You know that, I said. I could get in a great deal of trouble, I mean, well.
You know me, Katie prodded. You probably know more about me than I know about myself. You know I won't do anything that would harm you. Besides, you're still in there and would be able to stop me if I did.
I suppose, I said. That it wouldn't really harm anything to allow you *some* freedom. But only on occasion.
I felt Katie's immense wave of gratitude. She didn't say anything, but she didn't need to. Her emotion made up for any lack of words.