Sweet Voices Part II

He walked into the neat well-arranged kitchen. Stormy was standing by the stove putting the kettle on, "Go sit in the living room make yourself comfortable and I'll bring the tea in," she waved him toward the living room

He nodded and walked past her. The other room was very much the same as the kitchen, neat and clean with a storybook charm. He looked around and took a seat on the couch that sat just in front of the large bay window that looked out onto her flower garden. Over in the corner was a large wooden easel, many shelves of paints and other art supplies. A number of sketch pads where stacked neatly against the walls. Surprisingly out of touch with everything else in the room, was a very high tech computer system with every piece of equipment known to the computer world. He shook his head trying to figure out a little bit more about his somewhat mysterious hostess but what he saw only confused him more.

His wondering was interrupted when she walked into the room carrying a hand painted wooden tray with a pink rose decorated tea serving place on the top with an extra large sliver mug.

Stormy sat next to him placing the tray on a low wooden table directing in front of the couch, "would you like sugar, lemon or cream?"

He turned his head to look at what seemed to be a familiar painting hanging on her wall, so she had not hear his answer. She tapped his shoulder and he turned to look at her, "Did you say what you wanted in your tea?"

"Oh yeah, just sugar thanks." He smiled apologetically.

She fixed his tea and handed him the mug, but her expression had turned sad and she dropped her head, "I'm sorry, I know talking to me is aggravating. I guess that's why I live out here by myself I don't have to deal with many people."

Again his hand lifted her small chin, " Oh no. I really don't mind. It just takes a little getting use to. I'm sure looking at me takes getting use to. I'm sure my mug isn't easy to look at."

 "Looking at you doesn't take any effort, it's more of a pleasure," she blushed at her unusual boldness.

"Thanks. That painting it's real nice, but I think I've seen it somewhere before, who drew it," Throttle reluctantly took his hand away and pointed to the oil painting of a quaint little house by a small stream that hung on the far wall.

"I did. I do illustrations for Children's storybooks. That's how I make my living. I paint them here, scan them and send them to my publisher over the Internet. That way, I can keep my privacy, do what I love and pay the bills."

"That's where I've seen that picture. My bros and me brought a friend of ours a storybook and that picture was in it. One of those cottage in the woods, stories with dancing pigs or somethin'. "

"Oh, The three little pigs. I used that painting for the oldest pig's house."

She said very proud of her work.

He stood up and walked over to have a closer look running his hand long the gold painted frame. He turned to look directly at her, " You said you had other pictures you'd drawn of me, may I see those too."

Sure, I would love to get your opinion. If you reach behind the else you'll see a green covered sketch pad you pictures are in there."

Throttle picked up the book and sat back down next to her opening it to the first page. He stared at it and look back to her, "You caught how I was feelin' pretty good. Boy, was I down that day."

"What happened? If you don't mine my asking?" She asked carefully

Nah, I don't mind. It's, what is it your people say, water under the bridge?  The girl I'd been dating since high school and me, just realized that who we were then, ain't who we are now. The revelation was a shock to the old ticker but it needed to be done. So she went to her life back on Mars and I stay here with mine." He looked away hoping the true hurt he felt wasn't too visible in his face.

"You're not over it as much as you want everyone to think. I've dealt with hurt to long to not see that." She told him touching his shoulder to make him turn back toward her.

"You don't miss anything, do you?" He smiled.

"Well, when you spend a lot of time having to watch people you can pick up a lot of what others miss. Tell me about where you come from," she changed the subject to what she thought would be a happier topic but the expression on his face said it wasn't.

"Mars, it was a beautiful place once upon a time. Nothing like your Earth movies show. Before it was ripped apart by the Plutarkians there wasn't a more beautiful place in the universe."

"Wait, by the who?" she gave him a puzzled look.

The alien plague that all but killed my world and is tryin' to destroy yours. That's what me and my bros are doing here, tryin' to stop em'. Look, if you'll let me I can show you better than I can tell you."

"Show me, how? Don't tell me you ride around with a video player in your pocket."

"Well not exactly in my pocket but you gonna have to trust me?" He touched her shoulder gently.

She looked at his hand then back at his face," I know I don't know you very well but I do trust you. It's not going to hurt is it?" She smiled nervously.

I'd never hurt you." He said reassuringly placing his other and on her shoulder.

"Okay, what do I have to do?"

"Just relax and close your eyes and I'll do the rest." Throttle waited until she appeared relaxed and leaned slightly forward touching his antenna to Stormy's forehead.

His voice came crystal clear into her head. It felt like swimming through a soft gray cloud and was filled with all the emotion that remembering what his life had been brought back. It was as if he was holding her hand walking her through all his memories and she could actually experience the emotion that was attached to every moment, something that even another Martian couldn't do. It startled Throttle and he began to pull away but Stormy's understanding heart touched his and he found a haven in her that he never felt before.

Moments past and a lifetime was shared then silently the physical connection was broken but an emotional one was forever forged. Throttle looked at the delicate young Earthling and wondered why it had happened. As much as he thought he loved Carbine he never felt this particularly kind of strong attachment to any other person in his life.

Stormy was taken aback by the experience too. Other than her dear mother she was never very close to other people. Feeling the strong connection with this visitor from another world was not exactly on her things to do that day and she was more than shaken by what had just happened.

"Does this always happen?" She asked in a slightly tired voice.

"No, it never had before."

"What does it mean?"

"I guess it means that I've found a very special friend." He smiled and held his hand under her chin.

"Then it was a good thing," she smiled and rested her head on his shoulder.

Throttle leaned back and put his arm around her shoulders so she was cradled against his chest. "Yeah I think it's one of the best things that's ever happened to me." He kissed the top of her head and let her rest.

To be continued….