A/N: Well, my schedule seems to be finalized now. I only have two study halls now because I can't have three. So now I have journalism, a second English. I figured I devote my first study hall to actual academic pursuits and the second to my writing and drawing. I'm now eight chapters ahead of posting with a writing speed of about a chapter every two to three days. Mind that's two to three days of actually working on LaF, not just calendar days. I've also reworked my estimate for how long this story will be and I'm guessing a minimum of 22,000 words, based on how many chapters will be needed to cover key points of the story, plus the filler/character development chapters for the others, while maintaining a chapter minimum of 800 words. Having just started on page 65, I estimated my current word count at 14,200 on page 63.

Also, there should be a bit of a lull not only because of school starting but because AP English 12 students are required to write a novella and the first marking period calendar our teacher gave us shows us writing five pages a week. So the good news is that I'm eight chapters ahead of posting, but I don't have all those typed up and can't get away with typing them in Graphics to use on my webpage project anymore (Independent Study people are doing print work this year since someone needs to get it done before the next school year starts.).

Tek- I'm glad you think so, since this chapter may be a bit dull. But I really hope to make up for it in Kintore's next chapter!

Disclaimer: Jhonen Vasquez owns the Irkens. I guess I somewhat sorta kinda own these early Irkens, but they wouldn't exist without his version. Since this is set in the (very distant) past, I own all the characters and all other species mentioned.

P.S.: Hey look, it's Mala! Remember when I mentioned her?

P.P.S.: Mala is quite fun to write. And if you can get through this chapter I promise Kintore's next chapter will be more interesting, although I can't promise that any one person will like it. It just has to be written.

Translations:

Aggi rudukai bu- Literal: Good little male. In context: Good boy

Aggi rense- Good answer

Cothu ossi- Thoughtful one

Rudukai ossi- Little one

Imru ossi- Impatient one

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The Alama

The longer the walked the more the pounding in Kintore's head hurt. It seemed that wherever Arktos was leading them would be where the source of the energy was. Whatever it was, his current companions were not contributing.

Arktos thundered on in front of him, trampling bushes and displacing innumerable creatures. Roydon followed, a serious, contemplating look on his face. However, Kintore knew him well enough to know that he was really brooding and simply attempting to figure out who had caused the sulk. Once he figured that out he would proceed to press his emotions onto whoever caused them, more often than not by fighting with that person.

Through the thrumming of the air, Kintore felt that they were getting close. It was a good energy, pure and joyous. It was wild, leaping up through the levels before falling to rest, pausing only for a second before they shot upwards once more. It was the spray of rough water, the dancing lights in the night sky.

At the same time, there was something dark in the energy. It reeked of doom and dark doings. He hoped it was just the dieing energy pattern of the Pirkku.

A bit of concentration chipped away at the unwanted energy, easily picking out Mala's distinct pattern. It was a dark pattern with a predictable sort of irregularity, spiky and mischievous. It was constantly in an elated state, dark but not evil.

Indeed he could practically see them. They were his family, happy and excited. They were Layo'aros, with dancing energy levels as they feasted on the festive air around the pack.

And there was something else there too. He couldn't place it to a species but it was weak and sad. The low, struggling levels spoke of depression and death. The loser of a hunt?

Scarlet filled his vision. He screeched, pulling backwards to fall gracelessly on his rear. Dark laughter filled the air as he blinked rapidly. The female lowered her face to his again, eyes lidded as amusement danced in her reflective eyes.

"Mala…" The name came out as a tired sigh, wary and unwilling. She smirked, pushing her face closer.

"Hello Kintty," she cooed softly. He flinched. He hated the name she had made for him.

"Mala…" same tired tone, a force of habit; reflex.

"Shhh… Is that any way to talk to your Alama?"

Another sigh, a subconsciously stifled response. "No…"

"Aggi rudukai bu." She leaned in to kiss his cheek, nibbling the flesh there. "Aggi rense," she mumbled around the skin of his cheek.

He frowned, staying perfectly still as she touched him. She did this often, always teasing touches. He hated it.

She pulled away, nuzzling his cheek one last time. "Come, cothu-ossi." She turned away from him. "Come help me with this thing." She moved gracefully away, carelessly, yet still managing to avoid plants and insects.

He sighed, rising. His antennae were low as he followed her. He was so submissive to her and he wasn't sure why. He had considered talking to Dabbu many times but didn't think the other would be able to take the news.

He wondered offhandedly where Arktos and Roydon had gone. He hadn't even noticed that they'd disappeared. At least it meant they hadn't seen the exchange with Mala…

"Problem cothu-ossi?"

"No Alama."

"Aggi rense rudukai ossi."

"Mala-"

"Shhh…" She looked back at him, a soft smile on her face. She turned, nuzzling his cheek again. "Hush, rudukai ossi. Later. Softly." With that she turned away again, continuing through the forest.

He felt sick. It scratched at his insides, settling in his throat and stomach. He swallowed, then flinched. Thinking would be a bad idea.

He followed her submissively, mind purposely blank. Like a Flex- Thinking was a very bad idea.

It seemed like wherever Mala was leading him was on the opposite side of the territory. Shouldn't we have caught up to Arktos and Roydon by now? Thinking equal very bad.

"How much farther?" A giggle.

"We're already here, imru-ossi."

"Really?"

Hope, so cute... "Sure. We're always here."

"What?"

So smeetish... "Wherever we are is here, isn't it?"

"I... guess so..."

Such disappointment. So emotional... She snickered. "We're here."

"You've mentioned."

"Yes but this time here is where we want to be. More so than usual, that is." Another snicker.

"..."

"Come on, they're waiting."

"Who's waiting?"

"Everyone. Except Dak, that is. But that's because he's useless."

"So... We're here?

A laugh. "Aren't we always here?"

"Yes, we are, I suppose. You've mentioned."

"Aggi bu!" A sigh. "And everyone else is here too."

"We're here?"

"Of course, I've mentioned."

"But you just said we weren't..."

"And we weren't. Rule of life: Public whining is always a means to the end."

"...?"

"Come on, rudukai ossi!"

"Mala-!"

"Later...!"