Blending In
8




Carol.
Carol Folgers.
Her name sent cruel shivers down Tonkeshin's spine. The blood drained from his face, making it feel cold. He still hadn't forgotten what she tried to do. Or what Greg said about her over the phone. Having her show up on the same airplane was more than a coincidence. It made him wonder if he'd be the first person ever to use a barf bag before takeoff.
Tonk leaned over to Greg, "Has she noticed us yet?"
"She glanced at you," Greg shifted in his seat, "But she's not coming this way. The stewardess is directing her to a seat up front. Right behind the big fat lady."
Tonkeshin sighed in audible relief. He faced his rotund friend and smirked crookedly, "Do you think anybody would notice if I blasted her out the airlock during takeoff?"
Greg's laughter answered him. "Maybe you should flush her down the toilet instead. She'll be right at home with all the other piles of crap."
"Oh, ha, ha!" Tonk couldn't control his laughter in time. He covered his mouth with one hand to muffle it. The surrounding sounds of people talking, stuffing luggage into compartments and walking to their seats didn't change. Pretty soon everything became just a mass of different noises and scents. Perfume, leather, some baby powder here and there and bits of sweat.
It wouldn't be long until the plane took its place on the runway.
Tonkeshin leaned back in his seat and sighed, stretching his long legs a little. His mind easily tuned out the instructions of what to do in case of a crash. As if something like that would harm him!
He did, however, perk up when he heard his name. ". . .so it looks like we have a celebrity on board with us!"
Applause swept through the cabin like a wave. Tonk ducked his head as prickly heat crawled into his previously clammy cheeks. He hated having attention called to himself for all the wrong reasons. It made him feel like people were going to be staring at him for the whole flight. Just to see how he managed.
Yeah, let them stare, he thought, I'll just show 'em I'm not helpless.
Greg elbowed him in the ribs, interrupting his thoughts. "Carol's smiling at us back here. The bitch, she's the one who mentioned you being here!"
"Figures."
Ding.
"All passengers, please fasten your seat belts."
"Oh boy, here we go." Tonk felt around the edges of the seat. He located his seat belt and quickly fastened it. Then he reached for the puke bag, clutching it in his lap. Anticipating the nausea to come. He just hoped nobody took any pictures of him with his face buried in the bag.
All around were metallic clicks and clatters of belts fastening. Somebody sneezed up front. Beeps sounded as people turned off their cellular phones and laptops. Others just kept talking. Yap, yap, yap. The newly-weds sitting in the seats across the aisle were having an interesting conversation about their impending honeymoon.
Then the plane lurched into motion. Tonkeshin quickly became disoriented. Unlike a car, the plane moved in a smooth manner that didn't let him distinguish which direction it was moving.
"Okay, buddy, we're backing out and turning left towards the runway." Greg provided a much appreciated commentary. Tonk gripped an arm of the seat when he felt the plane shift.
Greg went on, "Almost there. . .right. Get ready, Tonk, here it comes."
"Ugh." But at least he had some sense of direction.
Tonkeshin heard the engine whine louder. The floor vibrated under his feet. He set his teeth. An instant later he sensed swift forward motion. A backwards pull told him when they were leaving the ground.
And, like clockwork, the contents of his stomach turned over and rose into his throat. Tonk lifted the barf bag to his mouth and puked his brains out.

The seat belt lights went off. Tonkeshin knew this because he heard Greg fiddling with the metal clasps. He did the same, his fingertips searching the smooth coolness for the release button.
"I'm going to the bathroom to wash my mouth out. Is there anything between me and the door?"
Greg's seat rustled twice. "Nope, it's all clear."
Tonkeshin nodded and stood up, letting gravity unfold his cane. The first swing detected a narrowing in the walkway ahead. He stepped into it and laid his free hand flat on the cool metal wall to find the door.
It was a tiny bathroom. Tonkeshin's first indication came when he bumped his head on the doorway. That shook off the rest of his nausea. He slammed the door shut, locked it and used his cane to find the sink.
Tonk located the faucet easily enough and scooped some cool water into his mouth. He swished, spat and repeated once more. Struggling all the while to relax. It was only a plane. A plane he shared with the last person he ever wanted to run into.
He stared blankly towards where he knew the mirror was set up and wondered if he looked as sick as he felt. He chuckled to himself. Yeah, there's a nice first impression.
Opening the door, Tonk slid his cane out first before ducking into the narrow corridor. He felt the tip bump someone's ankle.
"Excuse me."
The scent of banana hand cream and a low female voice greeted him, "Hello, Tonkeshin."
His grip on the leather cane handle tightened. Great, just great. "Hi, Carol. Could you please get out of my way?"
"You're trying to avoid me," Carol's tone sounded hurt. Something leather, perhaps an article of her clothing or a purse, creaked.
Politeness restrained Tonkeshin's tongue from the lashing he felt she deserved. His eyes burned, but he kept the rest of his expression carefully composed. The last thing he wanted was to make a public spectacle. Maybe if he stayed nice about it Carol would get bored and find someone else to crush on.
He turned his face and eyes towards where he last heard her voice, "I've just been busy lately, I guess. Getting ready for the Tournament and stuff."
Her presence came closer. A cool, smooth hand touched his. The same one still gripping the cane. "I can tell. Your muscles are bigger. That turtleneck you're wearing, it's nice and tight, and the color looks nice on your skin. I like it." Carol's tone changed to something Tonkeshin couldn't comprehend. Kind of husky. "Don't be too surprised if every woman stops to stare when you walk by. Trust me, Tonkeshin, it's not because you're blind."
That made Tonkeshin uncomfortable. So much so that his antennae twitched on their own accord. He hated that, it always gave his nerves away. Prickly heat crawled into his cheeks and a bead of sweat dripped off his temple. He licked his lips. "Yeah, thanks a lot. Um, I uh. . .I think I'll go back to my seat now. We're blocking the bathroom."
Carol's hand withdrew. "Okay. I'll see you later."
She slid past him. Her body brushed his in a way that made him really uncomfortable. The restroom door clicked shut and locked.
Tonkeshin took six steps forward and wilted into his seat, angrily folding his cane. Greg said something to him. He didn't quite hear it because his head was too clogged by Carol's actions. The sooner he could get away from her, the better he'd feel.
"Yo, green bean!" Greg's beefy hand grabbed his shoulder, "Hel-looo?"
"What?!" Tonkeshin snapped. He faced Greg's general direction with a fierce fangs-bared, nose-wrinkled scowl.
A brief silence told him his expression startled Greg. He sobered. "Sorry. What did you want?"
"I saw what happened back there. She's crazy." Greg moved his hand away and rattled a plastic bag. The smell of peanuts wafted up. Crunching followed. "Let me know if you want me to tell her off for you."
He went on, "Anyway, I ordered you a water. It should arrive pretty soon."
Tonkeshin touched the seat in front of him and lowered the tray. He got the feeling of eyes watching him, but didn't comment on it.
Stupid Carol, now she has me thinking everybody's looking at me!
A moment later his water arrived. He sipped from the plastic cup, sighed and finally said, "You'd think Carol would get bored with me after awhile."
"Not her. She's persistent."
"Humph!"
Carol passed their seats, her banana scent drifting behind like a veil. Tonkeshin wondered if sighted men stared at her the way she said women stared at him.
Greg elbowed him in the ribs. "You up for some Blackjack?"
Tonkeshin lowered his glass and grinned, showing his fangs. "Always. Bring it on."
Playing cards. Now there was a way for Tonk to keep his mind off Carol for awhile. He settled back in his seat and waited for Greg to deal.

Author's note: And so ends another chapter. Boy, ain't Carol a bitch? grins

My sincerest apologies for taking so long to get this chapter up. I've been having bad luck with my computer. First my monitor died - and my stupid screen reader won't work without a monitor. Kind of stupid if you ask me. Then I discovered my mom opened an attachment that let an internet worm into my system, so I had to get that cleaned out.

And lastly, someone accidentally closed a car door on my fingers. They aren't broken, but they've been sore and bruised. I'm just having a bad month, aren't I? laughs

Again, I apologize for taking so long. sheepish I hope this chapter makes up for it.