Opening Up
Epic Nine
Written by Cartman's Girl and Poe

Night fell.. well, as it usually does around this time of day, er, night. Vist flopped onto his bed, causing it to bounce, folding his arms behind his head. It wasn't long until he drifted into sleep. Vist wasn't one to dream often, but this was one of those nights; This one was a little different, though. There he stood in the dark mists of his subconscious,

"This's new," he muttered, glancing around. He started walking, then almost bumped into a night lost. It gave off a faint glow, showing the dirty concrete ground he was walking on, but also a pair of black boots half hidden by the light. Then the boot slowly stepped out, revealing a rather tall Irken stood before him, dressed in an array of colours. Atop his dark green skin was a pink hat. The Irken also had a rather nasty scar running over his neck, he then tilted his hat back revealing his orange eyes which were rather dull with dark bags under them. Vist blinked and jerked back, scrunching up slightly at the sight of the tall Irken, who shadowed even Poe. Whoever he was, he didn't like the vibe coming from him - even if it was familiar somehow. He put on a scowl, though, and demanded in his best threatening tone, which wasn't much right now,

"Who the hell're you?" The Irken glared back at him, snarling slightly and showed off the jagged sharp teeth in his mouth.

"Folks called me Snab." he grunted, walking forward into the light more using a cane he held tightly in one of his hands. "You though..." Snab smirked slightly, "You can call me Dad." Vist's antennae drooped at the snarl and at the news,

"You?" He shook his head in wary disbelief, "Mah said you were dead.."

"Whaddya think THIS is?!" he leant forward and pointed to the scar, rather poorly stitched I must say. "I got this from that black eyed rat who ripped it out!" Snab regained control, somewhat, backing off one step. "It's quite nice, isn't it?"Vist let out a yelp despite himself and jumped backwards, wincing at the scar.

"Poe.. did that?" Over time he'd slowly gotten over the fear he'd had of his 'step' dad, from their less than favourable first encounter, but it started to creep back into the back of his mind.

"Yes, yes he did.." Snab crossed his arms, smiling cruely. "But I must say... It's good to see I've got blood running in the family line either way and you're so like me." he sniffed sarcastically and wiped away a fake tear. "I'm so proud."

"Like you?!" Vist's eyes widened at the idea, and he shook his head violently, growling, "Mah told me about you, I ain't like that! I'd never do what you did to Mah to Athra, to, to anyone," his lip twitched.

"Ah, you may not do that..." he then grinned evilly now and chuckled. "But you did do that one thing, and you did know what you were doing." Snab looked at him critically. "Remember 'Eggy', Vist?"

"Eggy?" A look of confusion crossed his face; he'd been far too young at the time

for him to remember it now.

"Close your eyes and think back, Vist." Snab leaned forward on his staff, "Your Mommy dearest had just laid an egg to Poe, who was half insane at the time." he then spoke in a childish voice, "You didn't wanna share your Mommy with anyone, so when you saw the machine which kept Eggy warm you hit it. Remember, Vist?" He blinked a few times, frowning, a few of his teeth protuding.

"But I din'.. Din't hit it that hard.. I was jes mad, and.. what're you sayin'?" He looked back up at Snab, a look of what might be horror creeping into his features; he could put 2 and 2 together, he just didn't want to.

"You killed at such a young age.. not many Rejects can say that." Snab stood back up, grinning at him. "Now that made me proud, even from this place I now live in, seeing you do that made me realise you'll end up like me sooner or later. You're in for quite a ride Vist." His antennae went limp, and he started to bite into his lip,

"No, it was, was an accident, din't mean to.." He took a deep breath and clenched his fists, glaring up at Snab, "I won't! Maybe before I knew any better I was like that, but I'm better!" His upper lip raised, "Better than you."

"You keep telling yourself that." Snab snapped, glaring at him feriously now. "But you have in you the blood of Rejects the like of me who have done FAR worse then just murder and rape you know. You CAN'T ignore us forever, we're in you Vist... you can never be rid of us..." at this point, Snab started to fade away into a black smog, but his mouth was still visible at least. "Never." Vist swallowed back a whimper beneath Snab's hard glare, then took another breath, though this one was ragged,

"No! I ain't like you.. I won't be like you!" He shouted this at the fading Reject, into the fog; everything started to fade, but he was still shouting, something that probably translated over into the physical world. Indeed it did! His shouts of 'I won't be like you!' echoed throughout the house, and soon enough his door was opened by Cten who was still in her nightgown, tying the dressing gown around it.

"Vist?" she asked, stood in the door way to at least check he was awake before going in, "Vist are you awake?" Vist was tossing and turning violently in bed, holding his head and kicking off his sheets in the process. His eyes snapped open at the sound of Cten's voice, and he blinked a few times, sitting up slowly. She walked into the room, hopping over the bed sheets.

"Honey, you okay?" Cten asked gently as she stopped by the bed.

"I.." He panted, obviously looking shaken by his dream. He looked over at her with a horribly guilty expression, unable to look at her after learning what he did; he suddenly leapt out of the bed and bolted, nearly bowling over Poe who was sleepily joining the investigation by the door.

"What the.." Cten blinked, looking after Vist as he ran from the room.

"Vist! What is it?" she called out, then hopped over the blankets again, stopping by Poe and glancing out the door to see Vist rush down the stairs. She looked up at Poe with a puzzled look before continuing after Vist. He'd already managed to pull on his disguise; they got out onto the stairs just in time to hear the front door slam shut. Poe blinked a few times and rubbed his eyes,

"What on Earth's gotten into him?" he mumbled, still half-asleep.

"I... don't know..." Cten mumbled, staring at the door blankly. "Whatever it is, it isn't good obviously."

Vist ran, not really paying attention to his direction; he stopped when he was exhausted, leaning over and holding onto his knees, gasping for breath. He looked around at the unfamiliar houses that surrounded him; by daylight, he might've known them, but the night distorted their features. He winced, but at least he felt like he'd managed to outrun whatever was persuing him; guilt, the message of his dream, it was hard to say. The night was still and silent, now and again the cry of an owl pierced through the darkness startling him. Course, he didn't see the figure stood in the shadows or the glint of black glasses which flickered as light from a street light hit them. He jumped at the sound, biting back a whimper and folding his arms tightly for warmth, as it was a rather chilly night. He wandered towards the street light, figuring he'd be safer there.

The figure tilted his head to the side, then slowly slid off the sunglasses revealing white eyes. Anzto it was, and he'd just awoken from his one hour slumber and was doing his usual wader around the streets. Seeing how nervous Vist was, he stood there and chose to watch him for now. Last thing he wanted was Vist bolting off and getting more lost. He sat down by the lamp post and caught his breath, setting his forehead into the palm of his hands. He started muttering under his breath, a mantra of "Jes' a nightmare, jes' a nightmare.." but he didn't seem to be convincing himself. Anzto then started walking forward slowly, the boots somehow making not much noise as he did. He eventually arrived near Vist, but just stood there for now but it seemed like he'd always been standing there. He looked down at Vist as he pocketed the raybanz. Vist blinked as the light suddenly cast a shadow on him, and he glanced to the side, seeing a pair of boots. His eyes widened, trailing up the tall figure, and for a moment he thought the nightmare'd come true; He gasped and started scrambling backwards,

"Wh-who're you?!"

"Relax Vist." Anzto said calmly. "I'm Ivy's.. friend, Anzto."

"Friend?" He echoed, but seemed to relax; at least it wasn't Snab again. He then blinked again, recalling that he and Ivy weren't on the best of terms, and now her rather tall friend was looming over him, "L-look, I, I don't mean those things I say, I'm jes.." Well, there really wasn't an excuse for it, not one he could think of. He blinked in surprise when he saw the pure white eyes, wincing slightly.

"Hey it's okay, I'm not a hired hit Beast." he smiled, then slowly sat down on the ground, kicking his legs out. "What're you doing out here so late and only in your boxers anyway?" yup, Vist seemed to forget he only slept in boxers, but I guess in the midst of guilt and fear he forgot to pull pants on.

"Ehm.." He blinked down at himself and scrunched up, shaking his head, "Guess I.. kinda.. reacted badly to a.. dream." He twitched, not really wanting to admit he'd been scared of a nightmare like a little smeet, but he was too stressed to be as sly as he usually was.

"Ah. I get those." Anzto nodded slightly, then took off his jacket and handed it to Vist. "Here, before you freeze your antennae off." He stared at the offering, about to refuse it when he slumped and took it hesitantly, pulling it over his shoulders. He mumbled a thanks and squeezed his eyes shut,

"I hope Mah ain't out in the cold lookin' for me.."

"Your Mom care 'bout you a lot huh?" he wasn't about to ask about the dream, that was Vist's choice to tell him or not.

"Yeah, but.." The look of guilt crossed his face again, "She won't when she

figures out what I did.."

"Oh my." Anzto raied his eyebrows, "Not good huh?"

"No.. but I ain't.. I didn't.." He clenched his teeth, "Didn't mean to kill it.." Anzto blinked in surprise, looking at him.

"Now that's... surprising." he didn't suspect it was something like that. Vist shook his head,

"I was jes a kid.. I didn't.. know what I was doing.. I was.. I'm not like him!" He bit down on his lip hard, muttering more to himself.

"Well, I know this is hard but you shouldn't run from your Mom. What you did, you didn't understand obviously, so you can't be blamed for it." Anzto wasn't sure what to say, but before the midnight chill arrive he'd have to get Vist somewhere warm at least.

"But she'd hate me.. and I.. I woun't blame her," he said quietly, then cringed,

"An' Poe.. he'd probably tear out my throat like he did.. my dad's.." Anzto shook his head,

"From what I've seen and heard of Poe, he'd have more self control then that... you are his mate's son after all." he slowly stood up, scratching his hair. "But right now, you need to get someplace warm before you do freeze." Vist nodded reluctantly, standing up with some difficulty. The coat was practically dragging behind him,

"You mean.. I gotta go back home?"

"Well you don't have to go home, you could go to Athra's." he started walking, fighting the urge to smirk at how small Vist seemed to be while wearing his jacket.

"Her parents ain't too fond of me," he muttered, following him, "Guess there's

nowhere else though.."

"They gotta accept what you two are some time." Anzto said simply, as the two crossed the street. He just sighed, walking in brooding silence behind the tall Beast in disguise. They eventually came to Zim's base, and Vist looked up at it warily,

"Think her room's upstairs.. maybe I can.. get in through the window're somethin."

"C'mere." Anzto held his hand out to him, "I'll get you up without making a sound." He looked over the hand, then clenched his eyes shut and took it, probably expecting to be mauled or something similar. Anzto then shut his eyes, and then from his back sprouted the dark brown leathery wings. He then flapped them, and surprisingly enough no sound was heard. The two lifted off the ground, Anzto keeping his hold on Vist's hand. Vist nearly yelped, tucking up his knees as the ground suddenly fell away.

"Which window is she in?" he asked quietly. Vist managed to point his foot at the window on the right. Soon enough Anzto was at the window, kind of hanging in mid air then tapped on the window before slowly lifting it up and placing Vist on the window ledge.

"There. Now, I better not catch you running around at night again you hear me?" he fake scorned as he took his jacket back. Athra, inside was awoken by the tapping and slowly sat up in bed rubbing her eyes.

"Whua?" Vist was a bit too stunned to reply, just nodding mechanically and gripping the window with his bare feet, before slowly stepping in. Shivering, though, made him less than stable on his feet and he more tumbled in, soon sprawled out in the middle of Athra's room in naught but his boxers and disguise, looking dazed.

"...Vist what are you doing here?" Athra stared at him blankly, not seeing Anzto fly off into the night as she got out of bed to help him up.

"I.. uh.. ran away.. I guess." He stood up with her assistance, still a bit shakey, what from all the cold and stress and what not. He had an odd, vulnerable expression on his face, one she'd probably not seen before. She raised an eye-ridge at him, taking his hands into hers.

"But why'd you do that?" He mumbled something about a bad dream, staring down at the ground, but holding onto her hands and taking an uneven breath. Athra looked more concerned now, then lead him to her bed.

"Come on then, get in. You're freezing." She pulled the bed sheet back, "You're no good to anyone freezing."  He complied, sitting down slowly and leaning back against the headboard, staring ahead blankly. The fact he didn't make any comments about being in her bed, or heck, even seem to notice, was rather out of character. She took notice of this, looking more concerned as she pulled the blanket up over him.

"Do you want anything?" she asked quietly. He shook his head slowly and pulled off his wig, letting it fall to the side. His contacts came off next, and he rubbed at his eyes with the back of his arm; 'course, eyes were usually watery after removing contacts, but in this situation one had to wonder. Athra wasn't sure what to do, so she just kissed his forehead before sitting on the bed. There was enough room for him as well, but she felt like sitting for a while now. She'd never seen him like this before, and all because of a dream he ran away from home made her wonder what it was all about. He closed his eyes at the kiss, then blinked them open, staring at her.

"Sorry," he mumbled, with what almost sounded like a sniff, "Pro'lly.. shouldn't stay too long before.. yer parents find me and you get in trouble."

"I don't care 'bout them Vist." she said, shaking her head. "You're in trouble and I'm not going to let you wander the streets by yourself." He stared at her for a little while, before lowering his eyes, his antennae limp against the sides of his head, then lowered his eyes

"Thanks, Athra…"

"You're welcome." Athra smiled, then lifted the sheets and got under. "Now come on, we got like, six more hours till the day starts. You can either talk to me, or we can rest." He was silent for a while, partly tired since he'd been woken up early, not to

mention all the running around, but shook his head. Part of him wanted to tell someone, and besides Cten there was probably no one he trusted so much as Athra.

"I dunno," he leaned back, lowering his head, "It was.. 'bout my dad.." She nodded slightly, looking up at him.

"What happened?" she asked gently.

"He.. I dunno.. He was tall.. even taller than Poe," he shuddered slightly, "And he said.. I was like him.. and I'd end up just like him no matter what I did." He ground his teeth, narrowing his eyes, "I said, said I wouldn't, and told me about.. something.. I did when I was.. I was li'l.." Athra frowned,

"That doesn't sound good at all... and he said something that made you feel scared?"

"I.. I guess so.. but if what he said was true, an' if Mah and Poe ever figured it out.. I.." He chewed on his lip with his fangs, "They'd kill me.." And with the tone of voice

it used he didn't mean metaphorically, either. She put her arm around his front, and leant her head against his shoulder.

"I wouldn't let them do that.." He glanced over at her, his look softening somewhat. He slid his arms around her in return, half-closing his eyes,

"But still.. they'd hate me.. they'd have to."

"Will you talk to them again though?" Athra asked, closing her eyes now.

"I.. dunno.. they're gonna find me eventually." He sighed, tightening his grip on

her.

"When they do, will you talk?" she didn't like the idea of Vist running from his parents, and she can imagine how distraught Cten would be.

"I.. dunno.. I mean.. I guess they must not know if they ain't said anything yet..

But I.. don't wanna," He cringed slightly, "Should though.."

"Well, when you feel ready I'll go with you." Athra yawned slightly.

"Really?" He looked down at her, "Y'don't.. have to.. I mean.. I'm not sure even

you'd wanna.. if you knew what I did too." She looked up at him,

"Vist I care about you, okay? Whatever you did, you didn't understand. So I can't

hold it against you." He stared at her, lowering his eyelids,

"I care.. 'bout you too." He glanced away, "When I was really little.. Mah and Poe had a 'nother egg.." Athra looked up at him, keeping quiet as to not put him off of telling her what happened. "It was.. sittin in an incubator.. you know," He made motions, "To keep it warm.. an I saw it one day. Mah had been.. I dunno, guess her illness was gettin' bad and.. Kinda shoving me away." He shook his head a bit, "I was kinda clingy when I was a hatchling.."

"Hmm-mmm." she murmered, pulling the blanket more around them.

"I guess.. I got.. jealous." He winced, at the next part, "An' I kinda.. kinda hit the machine.. I didn't think I hit it hard.. can't remember that well.. but.. I guess I hit

somethin'.."

"...and since you have no siblings, I take it was a fatal hit?" she asked quietly.

"..y..yeah." He drew up his knees tightly, looking rather distressed, "I din' mean

to, I swear.. he said.. he said he was proud of me," he rasped, closing his eyes tightly. Athra wrapped her other arm around him,

"Vist.. your father sounds like a real jerk, and you're not like that. He said that to just get to you, don't let him.." He fought back his tears and squeezed her tightly, setting his temple down against the top of her head. He didn't say anything in reply, just a strangled sound that could've been a whimper. She held onto him, slightly rocking now and then since that's how her Mum usually hugged her. The two just sat like that holding onto each other, until both fell off into slumber land again.

Soon enough, the sun started to shine into Athra's room as morning broke. Zim yawned outside her door, stretching his back and opening it slowly,

"Time to get up--" He started, before he noticed the other shape in Athra's bed. The other nude, male, Vist shape. His eyes widened, before he shriek/yelled/roared, "WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!" Vishti arrived at the door, looking in and her expression was pretty confuzzled and shocked as well. Athra's eyes snapped open and sat up in bed, looking at her parents.

"Mom, Dad!" she rubbed her eyes, wiping the sleep away. "It isn't what you think, really!" Vist blinked and woke up, the bottoms of his eyes looking darker than usual with weariness. He snapped out of it, wincing,

"We weren't doin-" Zim clenched his fists and marched over to the bed,

"I have a very good idea of what you two were doing!"

"Dad, we weren't doing that." Athra frowned, "Vist.. Vist's having problems at home and he didn't have anywhere else to go. But don't worry!" she waved her hands, getting out of the bed, "We're gonna go see his parents today." Vishti glanced at Vist, eyeing the stripes on his arms.

"U-huh...?" Zim narrowed his eyes,

"Problems?" He turned his glare towards Vist, "What sort of problems?"

"I.." Vist backed away slightly, seeming unusually subdued, "It's.. a.. long story," he murmured, rubbing his arms and only drawing more attention to the stripes. Zim noticed them as well, scowling,

"What kind of Irken has stripes?!" Vist shrunk back and followed Athra out

of the bed, seeming a bit cornered.

"Dad, leave him alone!" she walked around to him, standing between the two now. "He doesn't have to answer to you if he doesn't want to now shoo!" she made 'shoo' hand signals at him, "Get!" Vishti looked to Zim, then Athra.

"Can we really trust you though?" she asked,

"Mom! Yes! Gaw…" she scoffoed. Zim blinked, looking rather surprised at his daughter's outburst, then scowled,

"How dare you speak to your-" But he was dragged out by his more reasonable mate before he could finish. Vist looked a bit self-conscious now, but he relaxed once they went, staring at Athra gratefully.

"Oh don't worry about it." she smirked at him, then picked up a loose t-shirt. "Here, put this on before anything else." Athra handed it to him. "I'm afraid none of our pants will fit you though, since you're so tall and we're.. short." He pulled it on, shaking his antennae out of the collar. It was a bit tight on him, but still,

"Eh, that's alright," he looked down at his boxers, "These could look like shorts 'n a pinch."

"If you say so." she walked into her closet, closing the door behind her. "So what do you want for breakfast then?"

"Anythin' works, 'm starved.." He yawned and stretched, making the shirt shrink on

him some more, but he pulled it out again, looking at it. "Pink really ain't my colour,

y'know," he teased slightly, a bit better after having had some sleep.

"Well sorry, it's not like I have a choice of colour.." she stepped out dressed, fixing her gloves on. "Come on, I'll find something to eat." He followed her into the elevator leading to the lower level. He glanced around the elevator; he hadn't actually been inside her house that many times, if at all, largely because of Zim.

"Interestin'," He commented, eyeing the 'I Eat Food' poster in the kitchen once

they emerged.

"Heh, even as a new base it had that picture." Athra giggled, before opening the fridge and getting some assorted food things out. "He says his old one had the same thing." He smiled slightly, peering over her shoulder at the contents of the fridge. "Ugh, what's with all th' taco stuff?"

"That's Gir." she smirked, putting the tacos away. "How about waffles? Waffles are nice."

"Sounds good." He reached over her for something that looked like maple syrup,

holding it up and scowling at the Irken lable, "Jeeze, everythin' in this house is in Irken."

"I know.. and yeah, that's Maple." she got a toaster ready and put the waffles in. "You should really learn how to read Irken, it's neat."

"Dunno.." He set it down on the table, "English is 'nough trouble," he muttered,

as his grades would indicate.

"Well I'll help you if you want." Athra got some plates out and set them near the toaster, as well as knifes and forks.

"Maybe sometime." He glanced at the floor, leaning back against the table, "Got

enough things on my mind right now.."

"I know." the waffles were ready and she put them onto his plate, poured Maple syrup onto them and handed him his plate. He took it and sawed off a chunk with the side of his fork, eating it slowly despite his hunger, like he was a prisoner on death row being served his final meal.

"I'm surprised your Mom hasn't checked here first." Athra mused as she ate her waffles.

"Maybe she figures Zim or his security system would've kicked me out." He pulled

the fork out of his mouth, "I thought the same 'till Ivy's friend helped me.." Athra stopped eating, looking at him silently for a while.

"...the alien helped you out? The alien threat Dad's been talking about all week?" she asked, sounding amazed.

"Yeah." He hacked off another chunk of waffle, "He actually.. seemed.. kinda nice. Lemme borrow his coat." He glanced down at his boxers, "S'what let me get up onto your window sill.. he grew.. wings. 'Least, I think they were wings.."

"...I'm surprised he didn't eat you I mean, that's a carnivourus beast alien! Who knows what he eats!..." with that she leaned across the table and picked up the newspaper and quickly flipped through to the 'Death's Collum. "Yes..."

"Well.. he didn't eat Ivy either." He shrugged, "Maybe Irkens ain't got the best taste, I dunno."

"Oh come on Vist... our species destroyed his home after all." she thumbed through the first page. He shook his head, setting his empty plate on the table.

"He seemed alright.. but he might be tryin' to gain our trust one by one fer all I know."

"Exactly, which is what I'm getting at!" Athra pointed at him, then back at the paper. "Huh.. no change in death totals so he's not eating humans.."

"No Irkens either, apparently," He glanced down at the paper, squinting, "Maybe he lives on rats? Plenty of those 'round here."

"No, they'd say something about the rat population going down or something..." she put the paper down, frowning. "Stupid alien, getting us all worked up."

"Maybe he's a vegetarian," He mused, then squinted at the upper level, "Speakin' of worked-up aliens, maybe we'd better go 'for your dad becomes jes as dangerous as that beast thing."

"Good thinking." Athra got up, putting her plate into the sink. "And over to your place, which... I don't know, might be a bit better. Who knows." He frowned, his antennae drooping,

"Maybe." He put his plate in as well, then tried to put his hands in his pockets; failing that as his boxers had none, he settled for hooking his thumb in the elastic waist, and started on his death march towards the door. Athra sighed, pulling on her wig and contacts, same as Vist did before they stepped out into the morning air. Soon enough they were stood out in front of Vist's house, all seemed pretty quiet.

"...maybe they're out looking for you?"

Might be.." He opened the door and looked around, "Mah? Poe? Beka?" The house was pretty quiet, as the two entered and looked around. Beka then entered the room, boy I bet you thought she was no longer working huh?

"Master Vist!" she said, "You're back!"

"Hey Beka.." He said quietly, looking around, "Where's Mah?" Before she could answer, Poe walked in from the kitchen, hands in his pocket,

"She's out looking for you, Vist."

"Oh.." He frowned, more guilt setting in. Beka stepped to the side allowing Poe entrance into the room since she was kinda in the doorway.

"Ma'am's been out since you ran off." she nodded.

"He made it to my place," Athra said, looking up at Poe. "He was cold 'n kinda... afraid I guess so I said we'd come back here..." she couldn't help but feel like she was standing on the witness box what with the tall menancing Poe looming over her. Poe could sense the unease from both of them, so he kneeled down, his standard procedure to appear less intimidating,

"I'd wondered where you ended up, Vist. What spooked you so badly?"

"I.. eh.." He closed his eyes and swallowed, "Was a.. dream.. I guess.."

"Dreams, no matter how bad, generally don't make people bolt from their rooms in the middle of the night." He tilted his head, "What were you running from?"

"I.." Vist opened his eyes and stared ahead blankly, looking almost on the verge of breaking down, "He said he was proud.." was all he managed to murmur, starting to sound like a broken record. Seeing how distraught Vist was, Athra took one of his hands into hers and looked to Poe.

"He dreamed his... um, his real Dad appeared to him and said how that, no matter what he does, he'd end up like him." she said gently, then looked at the ground.

"Not a very pleasant sounding dream." Beka thought outloud, only to be sushed by Poe, who seemed to consider this, while Vist just squeezed Athra's hand and stared despairingly at the ground. Poe finally took a breath, then asked,

"He showed you why, too, didn't he?" Vist blinked and looked at Poe,

"How.. but.. you.. know?" Poe leaned on his knees and slowly stood up, then exchanged a look with Beka,

"We've known for a while, Vist." The robot nodded sadly,

"I'm afraid so, Master Vist... we sort of put two and two together back when it happened." Athra blinked, looking at Vist then at Poe.

"Does, does his Mom know too?" she asked quietly.

"No." Vist, who had been looking somewhat hopeful, sagged at that.

"She's gonna hate me.." Poe stared at him, his general attitude stern, but not dangerous.

"Vist, what you did was terrible," The teenager flinched at that, "But you weren't much more than a hatchling, one with mental problems I'm sure my behaviour helped cause. If I can forgive you, I'm sure your mother can too. It just might come as a shock to her.."

"Sir Poe, should I alert Ma'am to the fact Master Vist has retrurned?" Beka asked, tugging on Poe's jacket. Athra glanced at the door, expecting Cten to just arrive now; but knowing how through Cten was she's probably combing he entire city.

"I think that'd be a good idea." Poe glanced down at the robot, nodding simply. Vist trudged over to the couch and sat down slowly, resting his jaw on his palms and staring at his yellow and black shoes. Beka nodded, walking from the room as her communicator popped out.

[To be continued]