EverSun:
Part Two
by supergirl309

I laid my head down on the lumpy hotel pillow. The TV buzzed in the background. I lay stretched out across two beds I'd pulled together. The sound of Ayou's snoring drifted in from the next room over. I sighed and slowly turned over onto my back. I reached to my bedside table for the remote, and turned the TV off. Silence.

The glowing red numbers on the radio clock flashed dully. Silence. One of Ayou's snores broke the silence. I sighed heavily and stood up, walking towards the window. It was a calm peaceful night in the desert outside my window. I could see the distant blur of dark shapes that was Sahkmet City across the long flat stretch of sand dunes. Slowly, I pulled open the sliding glass door and stepped out into the cool of the evening. I took a deep breath of the fresh air and sighed.

I glanced at the door to Ayou's room. I was just a thing to them, just a tool they could use in their pointless war. Did they even observe the fact that I was a living creature with a mind of my own? No... they didn't.

I was just their weapon.

A cool breeze ruffled my shaggy black fur. A Scarabug scurried around my gigantic paw. I bent over and scooped it up in my paw. It stared up at me with large, unblinking eyes. Then, it turned its head to the cresent moon. I followed its gaze. Another breeze shifted the air, blowing along on its current a single word that echoed in my mind: trust.

I stood still for a few minutes, the Scarabug remaining motionless, in my paw. I contemplated that word. Trust who? Who have I to trust... Finally, I set the Scarabug down on the sand. It stared up at me for a moment, then scurried off into the desert.

I stood for a long time in front of my door, letting the breeze cool my hot furry face, and the sand soothe the worn pads on my feet. I turned again to the moon, and, on a sudden instinctive impulse, I howled sadly. It echoed across the dunes for a moment, fading away into the desert air. Then, slowly I walked back inside to the sound of Ayou's snores, leaving the door open behind me.

* * *

The next morning, I was shaken awake by a tall green Lenny. he said flatly, you're to be at the dining hall for breakfast in fifteen minutes.

I pushed him towards the door with a giant paw. I muttered. I'll be late, but I don't expect anyone'll care, I said sarcastically.

The Lenny glared sternly at me. He didn't seem to care that I was roughly eight or nine times his size. He walked over to my bedside and continued to glare. I wouldn't advise being late, Jadus, he said sternly. There's to be a very important meeting during breakfast this morning.

I sighed and rolled my eyes, slowly and reluctantly pushing away the blankets that smothered me and stumbling blearily out of bed. I pushed the scrawny Lenny aside and blundered over to my bathroom. I'll be there... I murmered dully. Now get outta my room!

The Lenny cast me a final scornful glare and trotted out the door with his beak in the air, slamming the door loudly behind him. I growled, stumbling into the shower and cranking on the hot water. I sighed deeply as a curtain of warm, misty water soaked my thick fur.

I grabbed for the hotel-size bar of soap, which was like a doll's item in my paw.

I quickly scrubbed at my fur, then stumbled out of the shower and dried myself off quickly with five fluffy grey towels. I turned off the water, then glanced at my reflection in the mirror. I frowned... they were all right to glance at me like I was some sort of freak, because the truth was, I was hideous. I sighed and turned away from the mirror, walking out of the bathroom.

Staring out the sliding glass door (it had been closed sometime while I was asleep, probably by the Lenny) I noted that the sun was not even up. The sky was just as it had been last night, with the absence of many of the stars that had it lit it then.

I glared out at the desert. I wasn't anxious to know just what time it was, it'd probably make me more likely to spring out and kill that stupid Lenny...

Glaring, I walked out the door and down the hall, my dirty looks succeeding in making any pets in my way move readily to the side of the hall.

The dining hall was crowded with pets, and buzzing quietly with sleepy conversation. I trudged over to the buffet and grabbed a plate, which I procceeded to pile with large amounts of food. Several pets who were also in line for the buffet glared at me and started to protest, but were silenced when I shot them a dangerous cold look.

When I couldn't fit anymore food on my plate, I trudged over to a vacant table and started to eat slowly.

Several minutes later, Ayou walked up to my table, looking just about as well-rested as me. He sat down at a chair opposite me and cleared his throat.

I looked up from my plate. Whaddya want? I grumbled.

Ayou glanced akwardly up at the ceiling. Erm, I need to introduce you to some people, Jadus, he said in a small voice, still wary after the incident at the airport last night.

They here? I asked, munching on a dry bran muffin.

Ayou said. He gestured to a table several yards to our left. Right over there.

I sighed, downing the remaining contents of my plate and standing up reluctantly.

Ayou led me over to the table, constantly scratching the back of his neck in a very nervous manner. Figures. Ayou was always nervous about something, whether he had real cause to be or not.

Ayou cleared his throat as he stepped up to the table. There were three pets sitting at the table--a tall, slender silver Shoyru, a glaring sand-colored Zafara with a curved sword at its belt, and (to my great dismay) the blue Lenny who'd awaken me this morning, now garbed in a dull grey military uniform, making him look more stern than before.

I shifted my facial features into an icy glare and aimed it at the Lenny, who returned it with a severe, accusing stare. Ayou looked more nervous then ever, tugging and scratching at his ears. He cleared his throat again. Erm, gentlemen, he began. The Zafara glanced coldly at him. Ayou's face paled. Oh, and lady of course, he said hurriedly. I would like you to uh, meet project ES21. I glared at him and stared at my unsheathed claws. He turned another shade paler and gulped. But uh, you may call him, er, Jadus.

I stared darkly at the three pets, jerking my head in a quick sort of bow. I grumbled.

Ayou winced. He tugged at his ears again and gestured at the Shoyru. Erm, Jadus, this is Doctor Mills, one of the proffessors who first had the idea to um, create an expiriment like you.

The proffessor's stern silver features melted into a smile. Well, I am quite excited to meet you, Jadus, he said, smile glowing on his face. You may call me Pherin.

I glared intensely at him. He was the one who had the idea to destroy me. I hated him instantly. Ayou was sweating heavily now, and tugging furiously at his ears.

He glanced at the proffessor, an obvious apolagetic look on his face. Then, he turned and pointed to the Zafara. This is Xere, the chief warrior of the Ayamins, he said, wincing in preperation for whatever rude thing he expected me to do next.

I nodded at her. I decided not to hate this Zafara. She seemed like someone I could put up with.

She nodded curtly in return, but I could see a smile twitching at the edge of her lips. I glanced Ayou letting out a quiet relieved sigh. He gestured a paw at the Lenny. And lastly, this is Luitenant General Maurin. He is one of the head honchos in our little erm, army of sorts.

I glared at him, reddish eyes filled with hate. He held out a stiff wing, expecting me to shake. When I only stood there glaring, he withdrew his hand and narrowed his eyes. Have it your way, he said stiffly.

I will, I muttered in a low voice. I could see him cast another accusing look at me out of the corner of my eye.

Ayou looked desperate. Well, then, he gasped. I'm sure you all enjoyed meeting Jadus here just as much as he enjoyed meeting you! That could have almost been an insult. He tugged at his ears some more, and glanced at the door to the cafeteria. Well... erm, the meeting, I suppose, will be starting soon, so... Jadus and I will go sit down...

He waved shakily at the three pets, then practically dashed back to our table, which was thankfully still vacant.

Upon sitting down, Ayou let out a low moan. Well, there goes my chance of making a good impression for you. Way to go, Jadus, he said sarcastically, head in his paws. Only Xere seemed to like you, and she's only one person.

I shrugged, picking a bit of bran muffin off my fangs. Since when's it your place to decide whether or not I want em to like me? I said dully, not angry, just slightly annoyed with Ayou. It was much to early to be angry anyway.

Ayou sighed. Well, get ready to have a great time arguing with your superiors, he said, his still mournful voice thick with sarcasm.

I watched out of the corner of my eye as Xere, Maurin, and Proffessor Pherin walked up to the front of the cafeteria, accompanied by a starry Draik, a shadowed Grundo, and a tall white Uni. They began discussing what was going to happen during the next few days and weeks.

I sighed heavily. Like I was going to have a good time anyway, I muttered dully.

to be continued...