Chapter Three
The great, black hunter carefully stalked, her attention focused. Her whole body was like a coiled spring, waiting to be released. Her prey was unaware as she tensed, readying for her attack. With reflexes like lightning, she pounced on her hapless prey, dark hands closing tight. With a feral grin of silvery teeth, she opened her hands . . .
Kyle looked over from his easel and grinned as the tiny, indigo butterfly fluttered out of Sophie's hands and perched delicately on her face. Sophie purred as she rolled onto her side and playfully batted at the tiny creature that was not afraid of her in the slightest, perching on her finger and refusing to be disturbed. Kyle drew in a deep breath of the fresh, salty sea air as a gentle breeze blew across the top of the cliff, the warm sun shining as Sophie played and he put his paint set to use.
Currently, Kyle was making an underpainting in oil of the city and the harbor. Due to the thinners used with oil paint, it was easier to work outside, than inside. It was early spring, and the trees hadn't even started to bud yet. The weather was delightful, but, having spent a couple of days on Zerichs II, Kyle knew the weather might very well be dark and stormy by that afternoon. Kyle wanted to take advantage of the weather while it was good, and finish the first layer of the painting.
Sophie trilled as the butterfly took wing and fluttered over to one of the floating flowers in the small pond and partook of the sweet nectar hidden there. Her attention turned to her mate as he applied brushstrokes to the canvas with gentle, yet sure strokes. She caressed his mind with hers as she came over and gently placed her hands on his shoulders as she looked at the forming painting.
How lovely. You're very good. Kyle smiled at her praise.
Thanks, Sophie. I'm not as good as other people, who were taught. I just learned by doing. Sophie was amused as Kyle thinned the paint and gently applied it with a small, flat brush to form the ocean.
That's a sign of talent, my love, she observed. Kyle smiled and blushed slightly as Sophie gently kissed his cheek.
Since Kyle had opened and used his paint set, he had never had so much fun before. The kit was more centered on the method of oil-painting known as glazing, rather like Rembrandt used, and he very much liked working in thin layers of transparent paint, rather than huge globs of thick paint. He hadn't yet tried the watercolor set, but knew he'd enjoy that as well. Sophie was elated that Kyle was enjoying himself so well and having so much fun. It was one of the joys of their Bond. This was Kyle's fourth painting, with several others in various stages of completion.
Sophie was elated and so glad they had come up to the top of the cliff.
Kyle had been becoming quickly disheartened at the dreary feeling he felt in the port, especially around the Black Fence. It brought up uncomfortable memories of a similar place of his youth, where there was no color but gray and muddy-brown, and a similar feeling of despair.
The little glimpses they had seen of the buildings and life of Zeraven City made them both happy.
The buildings were mostly made of a combination of stone, and the local, floating coral, Coralyte. They reminded Kyle of some pictures he had seen of buildings on Old Earth in Britain and Ireland, before the oceans rose and destroyed most of it.
Some houses had roofs of wooden shingles, but most had tiles that looked like slate. No two buildings were alike, and none were very tall. It gave the overall appearance of a small village, rather than a city. Through the binoculars, Kyle had even seen people using carts pulled by animals. They hadn't even gone into Zeraven, yet, and already Kyle was feeling culture shock.
Kyle had been especially surprised to see sail-powered boats pulling into the docks and unloading their cargo. Most of them looked to be fishing boats. It was all so amazing and so exciting. They could hardly wait for their lanyards and bracelets to come.
Zerichs II was a stark contrast to industrialized worlds, like Thedus, Bivarra, or Earth, much less the closed-in, tightly-packed life on a space station. Kyle smiled as he finished the thin underpainting and cleaned his brushes.
Let's head back. Sophie purred her agreement as Kyle closed his painting case and folded up the built-in easel. Kyle carefully held his painting as Sophie crawled down the face of the cliff to their ship below.
Inside, Kyle set his painting to dry against a wall as he set his paints down. Sophie purred as she looked at his other works.
Kyle had painted a few other paintings to get used to the paints, and try a few experiments. The ones of storms, clouds and rain had turned out very well, and were moody, but not dour. Sophie gently wrapped her arms and tail around Kyle as she nuzzled him.
Cuddle with me, my love. Kyle smiled as they settled down in the captain's bed as Kyle brought up the file they had been given when they landed. If they were to live there, it was knowledge they would need.
As Kyle adjusted the settings of the holographic screen, Sophie gave a hiss. Stop. Kyle stopped what he was doing, looking at her.
"What?"
What you were just doing, go back, she instructed. Kyle blinked and changed the settings. Sophie purred as the hologram changed ever so slightly, the edges a little fuzzy to human eyes. Kyle, I can see it! Kyle blinked as Sophie linked her mind to his.
She was right. She could see the image, albeit without color, but she could see and interact with the holo-screen. Kyle was elated.
I'm so glad, Sophie. She hugged him as she trilled, happy she could now read and learn without the need to link to Kyle's mind. She still liked to do so, though.
Hours seemed to fly by as they read the file for new emigrants.
Kyle was most surprised to learn that Zerichs II was a True Democracy; the people represented themselves. There were no elected officials. It was law that every citizen vote, or face a fine, and they were not small ones, either. As well as that, citizens were expected to know history and civics, as well as such things like the symbols and colors of the flag, and what they represented.
People were also expected to be self-sufficient. With more than eight-thousand islands across the whole planet, and some very remote, people were expected to be able to grow their own food and maintain their homes. The file advised them to make sure the fusion furnace and reactor of the home was in working order before buying, as it was often the only source of energy. It was almost impossible to supply electricity to far-off islands. Wood-burning stoves or fireplaces were only allowed as a last resort. Kyle was surprised how incredibly strict the environmental laws were. Sophie purred as she nuzzled him.
That must be why their world is so beautiful, she surmised. The file also had much information about the weather and climate in different parts of the world. Zeraven was in the Northern Hemisphere, so it was cooler than the Southern, below the Equator.
As they looked at the file, they were awed to see so many environments. Some looked like a desert, others were tropical, and some looked like shots of the old forests of Ancient Earth. Forests that, sadly, were no more. Zerichs even had its own Arctic and Antarctic areas, that were as cold as could be. Kyle was awed to see the rocky, Rainbow Mesas of Tribulure Island, that stretched almost a thousand feet in the air, brightly colored after millions of years of pressure pressing the rock and Coralyte together. They were also amazed at the native wildlife of Zerichs II, which was just as varied and wonderful as that on any other world.
From the small, flightless and goofy bird, the Tropocos, to the huge and majestic Zerichs whale, the Norba, that grew to be over three-hundred feet long. Understandably, there were also many cautions about said wildlife too. In particular, the types of clams and oysters that were native.
The file warned never to eat or gather any Zerichs shellfish of these types from late fall through early spring, as they became so toxic, they could kill a human hours after eating. Thankfully, many would display certain subtle color changes when they were unsafe to eat.
It was all so amazing. It would certainly take them a few days to sift through it all, but they were excited, nonetheless.
Sophie was surprised when Kyle closed the file and brought up another program. What're you doing? she asked, curious what her mate was up to. Kyle grinned as he typed.
Sophie, it's time you learned about the Ethernet . . ., he declared. Sophie trilled and tilted her head.
XXX
Sophie purred as she typed on the holo-screen, Kyle snuggled against her, sleeping soundly as she looked up anything and everything, her curiosity almost boundless.
They had spent hours on the Ethernet, Kyle showing her how to send and receive email, look up websites, and use a search engine. Sophie already had a favorite website; Galactipedia, where she could learn anything and everything. Sophie purred as she gently stroked Kyle's face with her tail, letting warm thoughts gently caress his sleeping mind. Kyle smiled and snuggled closer. She smiled tenderly as she glanced down at her beloved mate. She looked back up at the screen.
Currently, she was looking into humans. Everything she could learn. How they lived, how they evolved, how their bodies worked, everything. Sophie's fascination and curiosity seemed to know no bounds, particularly when it came to her mate's species.
She clicked the tab, marked: Humans; relations with other species. Sophie purred as she read all about humanity's relations with other races they had encountered. Among all the pages, she found a link in the references about human romantic relations with other species. Curious, she clicked it, and was taken to a site. She tilted her head as she read the title of the downloadable book:
To Love Man: an Alien Female's Guide to the Human Male.
By
Dr. Athalia Malilwa.
Sophie's smile turned into a wide, toothy grin as she clicked the button to download it.
XXX
Kyle gave a soft moan as he awoke. He could feel Sophie's amusement as she studied and read, endlessly fascinated by how much she could learn and find out over the Ethernet. His eyes fluttered open as he sat up. Sophie was sitting on the other side of the bed, tapping the holo-screen and reading.
Kyle glanced to the side, and saw a blinking green light. He smiled as he slipped out of the bed, trying not to alert Sophie. It was an exercise in futility.
Good evening, Kyle. What're you doing? He smiled as he headed for the door.
Getting our delivery, he replied, surprising her.
Kyle smiled as he opened the door of their ship, and saw the crate of items. Sophie trilled as she came closer. He smiled at her as he picked up the crate of foodstuffs and carried it into their kitchen. Sophie was delighted at the bounty he had ordered and had delivered. There was pasta, hard cheese, prawns and shrimp, cream, herbs and bread. Kyle stroked Sophie's face as she purred.
What are you making? she asked. Kyle grinned wider.
Not sure yet, but it should be good!
The improvised dish consisted of cooked shrimp and prawn and thin noodles with creamy sauce and herbs, some chives and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. With some of the fresh, local bread, it made for a most delightful and wonderful meal.
Sophie purred as she slurped her noodles, relishing in the taste of the delightful fare.
Mmm, Kyle, that was delightful! Kyle smiled as he finished his portion.
Glad you like it. Kyle took their plates and placed them in the sanitizer to clean them.
The food of Zerichs II was unlike anything Kyle had ever tasted before, as it was made of real, organic protein, from real animals and plants. The artificially-created, synthetic protein used in Autochefs on spacecraft and space stations was not only bland and twangy, but it lacked important vitamins and and fiber. Only the most well-off, wealthy people on space stations could afford, or were allowed, real meat or vegetables. Having lived on artificial protein for so long, Kyle's stomach had been a little upset the first few days, eating such rich foods. It had quickly adjusted, but it made Kyle see just how unhealthy people who spent their lives on space stations truly were.
The fact he was buying the food from real people was also a change, as it was all done at automated kiosks back on space stations. Kyle smiled warmly as he thought on just how different the whole world of Zerichs II was. He looked at Sophie as she purred.
We'll have to really explore the market, see what they have. Sophie trilled her agreement.
I would like to come with you. If I wear the burnoose Gur gave me, I won't stand out. Besides, I've never really met other humans, besides you. Kyle smiled and nodded.
All right. We still need to be careful. Not everyone is friendly, Kyle warned. Sophie purred as she gave a positive.
As Kyle placed the last of the plates in the sanitizer, Sophie gently wrapped her arms around his waist, purring softly and warmly as she caressed her mate. She gently nuzzled the side of his face as they softly swayed back and forth, enjoying the feeling of being close.
I love you, Kyle. My sweet, beautiful mate. Her lips softly caressed his cheek as she let her warm feelings of tenderness and love flow between their minds, like a gentle stream of warm water. Kyle smiled warmly as he placed his hands over Sophie's, letting her hold him and enjoying the intimacy.
Sophie had only read a little of the book, To Love Man, but she had already learned a lot. Above all, Ms. Malilwa had said that human males needed to be held and cuddled just as much as females did, if not more. Sophie took this to heart, and held Kyle tightly, but softly against her. Above everything else, they were friends, which was the perfect foundation for their relationship. Kyle moaned softly as Sophie's tail caressed his chest with supreme gentleness and care.
And I love you, Sophie. My wonderful, lovely lady. Sophie moaned gently as she kissed Kyle's cheek. She trailed soft, feathery kisses along his cheek and jaw, gently and tenderly kissing his ear as her hands gently rubbed the muscles in his chest and stomach. Kyle gasped softly as Sophie kissed his neck. A shudder went through his entire being.
Ah ha. Sophie grinned to herself. She'd found a sensitive spot, as she could feel the pleasurable feelings through their link. She didn't need to ask if he liked it, as she could feel the warm feelings flooding through her mate's body and mind. As she kissed his neck lower, Kyle tilted his head, allowing her better access. Although the subtle meanings might be lost to a human, as removed as they were from the natural world, they were not lost on Sophie.
As she softly kissed the base of his neck, just where it joined with his shoulder, she could feel his pulse under the skin. Her instincts told her how vulnerable he was in this position. If she chose to bite him, it would almost certainly be lethal. It showed, on a primal level, just how much he trusted her. Her long fingers gently caressed his cheek as she softly kissed his sensitive neck, her feelings of love, tenderness and protection flowing into Kyle's mind. A soft whimper of pure ecstasy escaped Kyle's lips as he turned his head. Sophie's lips gently captured his as her long fingers ran through his soft, sandy-blonde hair. He was almost breathless as she released him. He gazed at her through lidded eyes. She smiled tenderly as she cupped his face.
Come to bed, darling, she purred as she pulled him against her, gently picking him up and carrying him towards the bed, her tail swishing happily.
XXX
The next day found them out in the market, exploring and enjoying the sights, sounds and smells. Kyle was glad to learn that, wearing her burnoose, people gave Sophie a wide berth. Since nothing of her face showed, most people thought she was a Shamolene, which suited them fine.
Sophie was amazed as she walked through the crowd with Kyle, listening, seeing and learning all the while. Kyle could feel his mate's fascination and curiosity as people came and went all around her. Seeing the streets and people from the rooftops was one thing, from the street was quite another. At first, her senses were almost confused, they were so overwhelmed. She quickly adjusted, but it still amazed her.
When they got to the meat market, Kyle couldn't help smiling with amusement as Sophie looked at everything, her curiosity, and her hunger evident.
Wow! Look at this! This smells delicious! So does that! This one is complete! Ooh! This one smells nice and fresh! This one has a nice, bloody smell! Kyle chuckled lightly as Sophie went from stall to stall, looking at all the delicious meats, her inner predator almost ecstatic with hunger and anticipation of a meal.
That as when a new sound brought Sophie's attention. She looked up at the new sound, her senses focused. Kyle was surprised at the abrupt change in her focus. Before he could ask, she trilled. Little ones! Kyle turned his head at the sounds of laughter as several human children scampered down the sidewalk with their mother. Kyle smiled as Sophie trilled musically. Oh, they're so cute! Kyle's smile broadened as he felt the warm feelings from Sophie as she watched the children, wishing she could touch and play with them. Kyle looked at Sophie as she purred deep and low. Just as Kyle was about to speak, one voice rang out loud and clear in the crowd.
"Mommy, look at the piggies!" a child yelled. It was quickly followed by several squeals.
"They're loose! Somebody catch 'em!" The situation quickly became pandemonium as the piglets squealed as they ran through the crowd, numerous hands trying to catch them and many voices yelling. Somebody managed to catch the mother, and a few of the piglets, but one enterprising little porker managed to squeeze though the crowd and escape down an alleyway, squealing loudly.
The stall-keeper ran up, out of breath as Kyle appeared from the alley, the piglet held in his outstretched arms as the piglet, strangely now silent, emptied its bladder.
Wee, wee, wee, all the way home . . . Kyle mentally groaned, much to Sophie's amusement.
Aw, couldn't we take it home . . . for dinner? Kyle gave a light chuckle as he handed the piglet back to the stall-keeper.
"Thanks. Those little devils are tough to catch when they get out," the man groaned as he took the piglet from Kyle. Kyle chuckled as he shook his head.
"Don't mention it," he replied as the man took the piglet back to the stall. Kyle looked down at his feet and pants, making sure the pig hadn't peed on him.
"I'm sorry, mommy!" Kyle looked up as a little boy wiped his face, looking close to tears. "I didn't mean to let the piggies out! Honest!" The man tending the stall smiled and patted the boy on the head.
"Aw, shucks. Don't you worry, little fella. No harm done! We caught the little squealers, so don't bother yourself," the burly man replied. The boy's mother smiled as she hugged her child. Sophie purred from behind Kyle as she watched, fascinated to see how human children and mothers interacted.
As Kyle watched, his eyes looked misty, a look of longing and regret upon his features as he watched. Kyle felt a hand on his shoulder.
Kyle? What's wrong? Kyle quickly shook his head.
"Ah, nothing's wrong. Let's get some food and go back to the ship," Kyle replied, smiling. Sophie hissed softly, tilting her head at the jumbled feelings she felt from Kyle.
XXX
Back on their ship, Kyle sat in the pilot's chair, idly sketching as he stared out the window. He had been able to keep down his distraught thoughts and feelings, lest he upset Sophie. He glanced over his shoulder at his beloved mate, napping in the captain's bed.
He frowned as he remembered the mother and her children in the market. He didn't know exactly why, but it had dredged up something, a feeling he had thought long-buried and forgotten. Fragments of memories came drifting back, faded and lacking color. Memories of a world without colors, except for gray and brown. His chest felt tight as the feelings of cold, helplessness and hopelessness came drifting back, like vague nightmares barely-remembered. Kyle took a shuddering breath as his vision blurred slightly. "Why did they leave me?" he whispered, softly, almost inaudible. His eyes drifted down to the sketchpad in his hand.
Kyle gasped as he stared at the stark image upon the page. He quickly stopped his hand and set the pencil and pad down, his breathing uneven. He ran a hand through his hair. "What am I doing?" He quickly stood from the chair and walked around the ship as quietly as he could, trying to take his mind off the subject. Kyle was almost hyperventilating as he walked into the bathroom and washed his face with cold water. When he looked at his hands, they were trembling, badly. He took several deep breaths as he tried to calm himself. He tried not to panic as he thought on what to do.
He could try the Autodoc, maybe it could help. Give him a sedative, perhaps. He gave a sharp nod before looking up at his reflection in the mirror. He looked like a mess and his pupils were tiny. He was only a half-step away from a panic-attack. He shoved away from the sink and exited the bathroom. As he walked back into the main room of the ship, he stopped dead in his tracks.
Sophie was awake, and holding his sketchpad, looking at it. She looked up at him and moaned.
Kyle, what is this? she asked. Kyle blinked as he tried to breathe. Sophie hissed softly as she came closer, a feeling of concern flowing from her. She immediately sensed her mate's distress, and set the pad aside. Kyle, what's wrong? Kyle finally managed to let out the breath he hadn't even realized he was holding.
"Nothing. Nothing's wrong. I'm fine." Sophie looked at him like he'd lost his mind.
Kyle, please tell me what's wrong. Before he could speak, Sophie wrapped her arms around him, giving a soft moan. She gently touched his forehead with her hand as her mind connected with his, thinking about the image on the sketchpad. Sophie hissed as she heard the echoes of voices, shadows of memories of that place:
"Suffer the little children unto me . . ."
"Another one gone. Damn shame . . ."
"The Lord is my shepherd . . ."
"No greater tragedy than the death of a child . . ."
"Please forgive us . . ."
"They left me. They left me to this . . ."
She recognized the last voice as Kyle's, but as a child. Sophie pulled her mind back as Kyle whimpered, tears running down his face.
No. You're not alone. I'm right here with you, she softly comforted, her mind gently wrapping around his own. Sophie gently carried Kyle to the bed with her. As she looked at the image in the memory, she held her mate with as much tenderness and love as she could muster. What is this place? she asked. Kyle sighed, both in body, and mind.
The Childrens' graveyard. Sophie moaned sadly as the memories grew more vivid, and she entered them herself:
XXX
Sophie gazed around at the huge cave they were standing in. The ceiling looked to be at least a hundred feet above them. The tunnel was circular, extending far, far off into the distance, fading into shadows as it stretched off into the rock. There were small holes in the sides of the cave, all along the sides, following it down as far as she could see. There were ladders here and there. The entire place was silent. Eerily so. There was a feeling of profound loss and sorrow in that catacomb.
Even though she was seeing it through Kyle's eyes, she noticed that it lacked color, because there was none. The rock was shades of gray and brown, as was the dirt. It was as if all the color and life had been sucked out of that place, if there ever was any.
Sophie detected movement, and looked. A group of human men were carrying something. The men were somber, not a hint of a smile on any of their faces, all of which looked worn. She watched as they took what they carried, wrapped in cloth, and formed two lines as they handed it to one another, passing it along, towards one of the niches in the wall. As Sophie looked, she recognized the wrapped form as that of a human being, but this one was small. She moaned sadly.
She was watching the funeral of a human child.
Some of the men were trembling, others had tears in their eyes. Something seemed wrong with these men, Sophie thought. They seemed not to move right, as if they were pained, or lamed. Some limped, others moved stiffly. Most of them coughed very frequently. It was clear as day they all were sick, somehow. As they laid the tiny body in the niche, one of them put something in with it; a strange thing, carved to look like some animal. Something told her it was a "rocking horse".
The men stood, solemn as they bowed their heads, some removing their hats or helmets.
Sophie looked away from the men, and saw a tiny form, standing far away, watching the men, just as she did. The child's face and hair were dirty, but she knew who she was looking at.
Kyle . . .
I'm so sorry, Sophie. I never wanted you to see this, he mentally replied, watching the memories with her. Sophie reached out to Kyle's mind, holding him mentally to her.
No, Kyle. You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm right here for you, Sophie's always here.
Thank you, Sophie. You know, it looks different, now. It was really scary down here when I was little, he observed. Sophie purred as she let her warm thoughts of love and tenderness flow into his mind.
You're older, now. And you have me with you, too.
As Sophie looked around, the memories were changing, but she never released her mental grip on Kyle. She tenderly held him to her in a warm mental embrace.
Now they were in a building. It was made of cold, gray steel, and felt cold and lonely. Normally, Sophie wasn't bothered by tight spaces, but the close walls of the house they were in made her nervous. Once again, it was devoid of color, as cold and gray as the graveyard had been. There were several doors in the hallway. Sophie moved towards one, which slid open automatically. She moved through it, and saw she was in a room full of human children. However, there was no feeling of joy or warm, which she usually associated with children.
Instead, there was a nervous, agitated feeling to the whole place, and the children were no exception. Males and females, of varying ages.
"What're you looking at, Dork-Face?!" one of the children, a male, yelled. Sophie's attention was quickly caught at the sound of something hitting something. All the children were gathered around something. One of the bigger boys was standing over something on the floor. As Sophie moved closer, she hissed with surprise and anger.
Little Kyle was on the floor, looking up at the boy who had pushed him. The tears in Kyle's big, green eyes made Sophie growl. Sophie had never before thought about hurting a child, but she reached for the boy who was glaring at Kyle, only for her hand to pass right through him. They were only memories, ghosts of the past. She could no more interact with them than she could with fog.
The boy sneered at Kyle's tears. "Oh, are you gonna cry? Wah, wah, wah!" he mocked, making Sophie even more angry. Why weren't any of the other children helping him? Where were the adults?
Hmph. Eugene. I'd almost forgotten about him. If it's any consolation, he made everyone's life at the orphanage hell, not just me, Kyle offered. Sophie snorted, not at all assuaged.
I hope something ate him, somewhere, she grumbled.
Things seemed to haze and mist as the memories moved forward, to another time, but still in the orphanage. Sophie saw it was Eugene who pushed Kyle into the pool, and almost drowned him, but, at the same time, when Sophie saw how viciously Eugene was smacked for it, she had a little more sympathy. Bullies were often abused themselves.
Sophie was bewildered when she saw the world outside the orphanage, and it was just as cold, and uncaring as the orphanage was. It was a world of no colors, save gray and muddy-brown. The sun never shined there, clouds always hung in the skies. It was damp and cold, and it smelled bad. It didn't stink, but had a strange, metallic smell that made her very uneasy. The buildings all were made of metal, sharp and stark. There was no happiness on this world of misery. Sophie was bewildered as she took this strange world in.
This is Berren Prime, Sophie. This is where I grew up, Kyle replied to her questioning mind. Sophie responded by wrapping her mind tenderly around Kyle's consciousness, holding him to her with love and tenderness. This is where my parents abandoned me. Sophie looked at the dismal world as the people came and went. Her gaze traveled out towards the impossibly-huge mining pit that the town was situated next to.
Something nagged at her, something didn't quite ring true. It wasn't that Kyle was lying, but a piece of the puzzle was missing, so to say. As Sophie embraced his mind, she followed the tendrils of thought, followed them back as far as she could, searching for what had disturbed him so, brought up these unpleasant ghosts of the past.
Sophie was surprised when she saw the little boy they had seen in the marketplace on Zerichs II, near tears as his mother comforted him. The image melted and changed, to show Kyle in the same situation.
"Don't cry, Kyle. It's all right," a voice that was as warm as the sun and gentle and tender as Sophie soothed. Sophie could feel Kyle's surprise as he watched the woman with blonde hair smile and pick up the tiny little boy and hold him. A feeling of utter disbelief flowed from him as he stared.
I . . . I don't-, he wasn't able to finish, nor did he need to. Sophie purred as she held her mate mentally as she affirmed what he almost didn't dare to believe, himself.
Yes, Kyle. She's your mother. As they walked off, and the image began to fade, Kyle almost panicked, desperate to follow. Sophie held him close as she followed the trails of faded memories that Kyle was unable to find on his own.
They were in an apartment, on a space station, if the cramped space was any guide, but the atmosphere was warm. Sophie was filled with warmth as she watched Little Kyle, probably only two years old, sitting on his mother's lap.
"Honey? Have you seen my glasses? I can't find them!" came a male voice. Kyle's mother looked up and smiled as a man entered the living room. Sophie was surprised, and happy when she saw who only could be Kyle's father.
He was rather on the tall side, and had light brown hair and blue-green eyes. Sophie could very much see the resemblance between father and son. Adult-Kyle was shocked, as if seeing him for the first time.
Dad . . .? Adult-Kyle watched as his mother giggled at his father as he looked around for his glasses.
"They're right where you left them, darling," she replied. Kyle's father looked all around, turning around several times as his wife giggled, as did Little Kyle. As he looked at his wife, she touched her forehead. Kyle's father blinked as he touched his hair, and found his glasses, resting up on top of his head. He smiled sheepishly as he pulled them down.
"You'd lose you head, Alphonse, if it wasn't attached to your neck," clucked an old woman's voice. Alphonse scratched behind his neck as the little old lady chuckled at his forgetfulness. Little Kyle giggled as he reached for his Grandma. The old woman smiled as she picked up her grandson. She did, indeed, look like Granny Rose.
Sophie watched, filled with warmth as she watched the family.
Aw, Kyle! You were so cute when you were little! As Little Kyle was held by his Grandma, his mother and father were reading something on a datapad. Alphonse looked vaguely worried as he looked at his wife.
"Honey, are you sure about this? I mean, Berren Prime is one of the worst mining worlds out there. I'm really not comfortable about going there, let alone with Kyle and your mother," the nervousness was evident in his voice. His wife smiled softly at him.
"It's only for a few weeks. And don't forget why we're doing this. There are lots of people there who need aid. Food, medical supplies, warm clothing. Things the mining administration can't be bothered getting," she replied, softly, but with conviction. Alphonse closed his eyes and nodded. He looked at Little Kyle in his Grandma's lap as she played with him.
"You're right. If I was a parent on Berren, I'd want the best for my kids." His wife kissed him on the cheek, before going over to her mother and her son. As he turned to walk away, Alphonse tripped on something, his glasses comically flying through the air as he fell, face-first on the floor. "I'm okay!" Little Kyle laughed, while his Grandma rolled her eyes.
Sophie was immensely amused at this, thinking that it wasn't only his looks that Kyle had inherited from his father. Adult-Kyle couldn't help being a little embarrassed.
The Williams family was now in a cramped space that Sophie knew was on Berren Prime. Kyle's Grandma was looking very worried as her daughter and son-in-law were packing travel cases.
"I wish you'd reconsider this. Malera is a war zone! The fighting is still going on!" said the old woman. Kyle's mother smiled her soft smile at her as she closed and locked her bag.
"Mom, this isn't the first time Alphonse and I have done aid in a war zone. It's no worse than Tienison or Valdarr was, and we came through those just fine."
Alphonse smiled from where he was, inspecting his video camera.
"And there's reports the United Systems Military's been violating the Rules of War. We can't just stand by. Maybe we'll catch them in the act! How'll they lie when it's all on camera?" he grinned as he put the camera in its case and locked it.
"Mama?" They turned, surprised, at the tiny voice. Little Kyle was rubbing his eyes, holding his favorite blanket and stuffed toy puppy.
"What're you doing up?" Kyle's mother asked as she scooped him into her arms.
"Where're you going?" asked little Kyle. His mother looked at her husband, who shared the same, worried look. She smiled gently at her son.
"Mommy and daddy have to go for a little while." Little Kyle hugged his mother tightly.
"Don't go, Mama! Don't go! I'll be good!" he began to cry. His Grandma looked pained as Kyle's mother rocked her son in her arms.
"Shh, shh. It's okay. We'll be right back. It'll only be for a little while." She set him on the bed, getting down on her knees as she held his tiny hands in hers, smiling tenderly. "You remember the song I taught you?" Little Kyle softly nodded as tears streamed down his little face. His mother smiled further as she gently swung his hands with hers as she sang. "My Mommy comes back, she always comes back." Little Kyle began to smile as he sang with her.
Adult-Kyle felt like someone had hit him in the chest with a baseball bat. Sophie felt her mate's distress, and wrapped her mental arms around him, holding him close and cuddling him.
They didn't abandon you, Kyle. They loved you more than anything in the universe, she observed as Little Kyle and his mother sang. Kyle held onto her as he watched, filled with conflicting emotions.
Then . . . why didn't they come back? Sophie held him close as they followed the trail of memories, and things shifted and changed.
They were in the same space, one of the cramped apartments of Berren Prime, but it seemed darker. Kyle's Grandma sat at a desk, her head in her hands, a datapad glowing next to her. She looked up as she felt something tug at her long sweater. She looked down at her grandson.
"Gramma? Why're you sad?" Little Kyle asked. She sighed as she shook her head.
"Come here, love," she said softly as she picked him up and set him on her lap. She hugged her little grandson warmly and lovingly. Little Kyle looked at the glowing datapad on the desk, too little to comprehend it, let alone read, but Adult-Kyle and Sophie could read the legend, clear as day:
Malera Conflict, list of known dead (civilian) The list was very long, but the datapad was stopped on two names: Williams, Alphonse. Williams, Marissa.
Little Kyle was on the bed, next to his grandma, shaking her shoulder. "Gramma, wake up!" He shook her again. He gently touched her face, not able to figure out how his grandma could sleep without breathing. He leaned down and yelled in her ear. "Gramma! Time to get up!" Sophie had briefly seen these memories before, back on Reinhardt's research station, but that made it no easier to see. She held Kyle as his younger self began to cry.
They watched as the police came in, people came to and fro. Sophie felt a feeling of sadness as one of the police officers picked Little Kyle up and carried him out, not even stopping to get his blanket and stuffed toy, the last links to his mother and father . . .
XXX
Kyle gave a shuddering moan as Sophie held him against her with as much love, tenderness and affection as she could. The way she held him was almost reminiscent of how a mother holds a frightened child. She pulled the blankets of the bed tighter around them, rocking him gently as she placed a soft kiss on his cheek. It felt like they had traveled billions of miles, when they had never left their ship. Kyle smiled sadly as a tear rolled down his face.
"So, that's how it happened . . ." Sophie moaned as she stroked his hair with her long, dark fingers.
Kyle, your mother and father loved you with every fiber of their being. I know they tried, with all their might, to get back to you. Kyle swallowed the lump in his throat. Sophie gently took one of his hands and kissed it tenderly, moaning softly as she looked into his face. Kyle snuggled against her.
I feel so ashamed. All this time . . . Sophie gave a negative as she nuzzled him.
No, Kyle. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You were just a little child. You didn't know. Human minds don't, they can't remember everything. She purred softly as she stroked and caressed him, letting her warm feelings of love and tenderness for him flow across their link, soothing his troubled mind. I'm here for you, my darling. I always will be. I promised you I'd never let you be sad or alone, and I stand by that. She gently brushed his tears away as she kissed him on the forehead. I love you, my sweet, wonderful Kyle. My beautiful friend. My Bonded One.
Kyle smiled as he slid his arms around her neck, nestling his face against her neck as she gently tightened her grip on him, her tail winding around them and pulling the blankets tighter around them, making a warm, soft, protective cocoon of cloth around them. Sophie stroked his hair as Kyle drifted off to sleep, safe and warm in her embrace.
Sophie loved Kyle with everything she was. If it had been within her power, she would have changed things for her beloved mate. She would gladly have saved his parents, if she could have. She would have taken little Kyle from that horrible, lonely orphanage, if she had been able As she stroked his hair, she remembered how cute Kyle was as a little boy, and wished she could have met him, then.
It was that thought that brought an idea. Sophie purred softly as she stroked Kyle's soft, sandy-blonde hair. She smiled softly as she thought how to put her idea into action.
XXX
Little Kyle sat on his bed, knees pulled up to his chest. It was night. The lights had been turned out, and the other children were asleep. He whimpered softly as he let the tears flow. "Mama . . . Daddy . . . I miss you . . ." he whispered softly into his knees. He heard the door softly hiss open. He looked up, and blinked. At first, it looked like nothing was there, except shadows.
Why are you crying? Kyle jumped at the voice. He looked around. He was surprised when one of the shadows seemed to move. It moved towards the bed, stopping at the foot of his bed. In the dark, Kyle couldn't entirely see it. Don't be afraid, said the voice. It was soft, and gentle. It was a woman's voice. Kyle wiped his tears as he sat up, looking at the shadow. In the dim light, he could see two large hands on the bed, a long, curved head resting its chin on the covers as the being seemed to study him, despite the fact it didn't have eyes.
"Who are you?" Kyle asked. The being's lips turned up into a soft smile.
My name's Sophie, the being replied. Kyle thought it was strange she could talk without moving her lips.
"Hi. I'm Kyle." Sophie purred, like a cat would.
Kyle. What a lovely name. And what a cute little boy. Sophie tilted her head from side to side as she purred, her long, black tail waving slowly behind her. Kyle smiled shyly. Sophie seemed nice.
"Why are you here?" he asked. Sophie purred again, smiling more.
I'm here to take you to find your parents. Kyle's eyes lit up.
"You know where my Mama and Daddy are?" Sophie purred and nodded.
Yes. And they're looking for you. Kyle smiled with excitement and joy. Sophie purred as she walked around to the side of the bed on all fours, looking at Kyle, then her back. Get on, and I'll take you out of here. Kyle looked a little nervous.
"If the grown-ups see you, they'll get real mad," Kyle warned. Sophie replied with a deep, husky chuckle, amused.
They can't see me when I'm in the shadows. Even you couldn't. Sophie looked at him and purred. Don't be afraid, Kyle. I'll protect you, no matter what. Kyle smiled as he carefully got on Sophie's back, holding onto two of the tubes on her back. She glanced back and purred at him. As she headed for the door, Kyle looked at her.
"Sophie? What are you?" he asked innocently. She purred as her tail softly and gently touched him.
I'm a friend. Kyle smiled as they both disappeared out the door, leaving the orphanage behind forever.
XXX
Kyle smiled as he awoke, the dream fresh in his mind. He wiped the sleep from his eyes as he opened them. Sophie was still curled around him, her arms and tail holding him in a tender embrace. He could feel she was barely awake. He gently kissed her on the cheek.
"Good morning, beautiful," he greeted softly. Sophie purred as she pulled him closer.
Good morning, my darling. Did you sleep well? Kyle kissed her on the lips, sweetly and lovingly. He could hardly put into words how he felt.
He knew it wasn't a real memory, but the thought behind it moved him. He couldn't even imagine how much effort it had to have been for Sophie to have made a false memory for him. The real memories were still there, but the comfort brought by Sophie's gift was immeasurable. He gently touched his forehead to Sophie's.
"Thank you, Sophie. Thank you so much."Sophie purred tiredly as she stroked his hair.
You're welcome, my love, she replied as they snuggled.
Author's note: I apologize for the long wait, but life got in the way. I hope this makes up for the long absence, and I even more hope you enjoy it.
Read, Review and have a wonderful day!