Kaetila

The boy wanted to know why I was here, so I told him. I was afraid he was a controller, but he looked pretty small, so I figured I could handle him. I told him all about the Yeerks and why they were here. I figured he had a right to know what he and his people were facing.

I told him no, he could not come fight with me. I told him to go back to his campsite.

Then I asked him if he'd seen anyone else like me, which was rather stupid, as he obviously hadn't.

After that, I bade him farewell. I hoped to someday see the little guy again, though I knew that the odds were that I wouldn't.

I ran not really knowing where I was going. Not really having any clue of time either. Even though I had an internal biological clock, it was still a bit off, since I'd been on and off a ship ever since I'd gotten here and in and out of space and in and out of the atmosphere.

By the time I got a clue, I was exhausted, and it was late, and growing dark.

I came upon a small cliff like hill, that I slid/scurried down, still wary from my past three days of having become trapped by falling off of one.

The scene that awaited me at the bottom was unbelievable.

It was a moonlit, gorgeous field, with trees in neat rows, yet spaced out oddly. These trees probably served some sort of function. From them, hung large, red fruits. I loved the smell of this place. It was exquisite. The grass here was soft and lush and I quickly fed, gorging and quite enjoying myself.

Tired, I allowed my hooves to carry me near a few of the trees, and I allowed my legs to collapse beneath me and to fold comfortably, my belly to the dewy, wet grass.

My eyes closed involuntarily from the sensation of being full and sleepy and content and warm and so...so...comfortable...

Mertil

Daisy left late that afternoon, asking us if we were sure we would be alright. I said yes, we would. I figured since the Visser had already searched for Kaetila here and had not found her, then we would be fine. What would be the purpose of him coming and searching again?

Nothing, I hoped.

Their parting was definitely sweet to watch. I certainly did not miss the way Gafinalan held her hand (still in human form) and tenderly kissed it with his human lips. Nor did I miss the longing I saw in his eyes afterward, for what I believed to be to kiss her cheeks and perhaps her own lips.

I quickly turned my eyestalks away. Something about seeing them gave me great pains.

Gafinalan took off his human clothes and demorphed to Andalite form after seeing her off and closing and locking the front door to the best of his ability (as it was badly damaged from being knocked in by Hork-Bajir).

He was not fooled by my quick retreat to our newly reconstructed hideaway room.

(Mertil, please, if Daisy and I are bothering you?)

(No, really Gafinalan, it is not-)

(Is it because she's human?) he sounded so anxious.

(Honestly Gafinalan, no.)

Anxious that our friendship was in danger...

I smiled. (Gafinalan, who you choose to court is your business.)

He smiled. He knew that I had seen right through him too. I saw a grateful look in his eyes and though it made me feel good, it also made me feel very bad inside, at the same time. Like seeing him with Daisy.

Was I jealous?

No!

Was I jealous?

Perhaps...