It had been another two sunsets since Kershala had arrived on this planet. Kale had continued to show him great hospitality and his body was on the mend. Even though Kershala hadn't really spoken to him he could feel a bond forming between them. He had taken his time to grieve alone and Kale had been respectful of his wishes to remain silent. Kale had left for the "grocery store" and Kershala found himself wandering around the home he had spent the last days in. It was rather large and well lived in. Still images in wooden frames lined the walls in certain rooms. Memories of a time since passed. Some of the images were colored some were black and white. All of only a couple different humans, the concept of the images was strange. The ancient Daora had done similar things to preserve the past but now since their people lived on the run, they had to store them on portable computers like the AI, Anubis, Kale named it. Nothing like this existed of the Daoran people anymore. Kershala picked up one of the pictures and looked it over. He touched the glass plate that protected the image. The image was that of a youngling with an animal, not unlike the one that seemed to follow him around the house. Kale referred to it as Rhodie and had explained that it was his grandmothers' dog in conversation with the AI. The youngling was clearly Kale at an earlier age. He sat the picture back on the table that lie just in the door of the "living room" and walked further into the room. The floor creaking under his feet he looked out the large glass window and into the yard. It had started raining and the day was dark with the sun hidden behind clouds. The rainfall was calming he was able to hear it through an open window in the "kitchen".
The quiet was something Kershala wasn't used to being comfortable in. He had spent his entire adult life defending his family and running for his life. He had grown accustomed to the fact that if it was silent something was likely going to try and kill him or his family soon. By nature, it made him uneasy, but the fact that the Shiron were likely unaware of this planet's existence brought him solace in the quiet. He couldn't recall a time when he could completely let his guard down. He walked over to the "couch" that sat along the wall and took a seat. The AI core was on the table next to it.
"How are you feeling Kershala?" it asked.
"It still hurts," Kershala paused, "but it is bearable." Rhodie came into the room and curled up at his feet. Kershala had taken a handful of the heart shape treats the dog seemed to enjoy from the kitchen and put them in his pocket. He sat one on the floor in front of it and the dog happily crunched down on it. "It is nice to feel truly safe, for once isn't it?" Kershala pet the dog on the head then rested his elbows on his knees and gazed at his surroundings for a little bit. "I cannot remember ever experiencing this kind of quiet before."
"You never have." There was the sound of a combustion engine outside and Kale's vehicle pulled in the yard. Kershala watched from the seat as Kale got out of the car with a couple of sacks in his hands and walked out of sight. He could hear the door in the kitchen open followed by the rustle of the bags he carried. Kershala sat and listened to the commotion from the other room. The sound of doors opening and closing, and drawers being moved around echoed through the house. Kershala heard a glass break, startled at the sound he joined Kale in the kitchen.
"Oh, hey Kershala," Kale bent over to pick up glass shards that had fallen to the floor. "Watch your, step. I didn't see the glass by the sink." Kershala watched him take several larger shards and place them in the "garbage can". He grabbed a tool from next to the counter with bristles at the end of it and began running it across the floor to get the rest of the shards. "Hey, remember I said about cleaning you up a bit? I watched a YouTube video last night about how to trim a beard like yours and I'm convinced I can get you looking pretty slick. I got some stuff for it at the drug store." Kale smiled at him as he finished cleaning up the mess. Kershala was initially offended at the fact that Kale thought he looked unkempt but after seeing himself in the mirror a few times he realized he was right. It had been a long time since his last real grooming. Something the oldest Patriarch would traditionally help him with as a young man, but they hadn't had time in recent months as they fought to avoid detection.
"Recently, there had not been time for personal grooming," said Kershala.
"It's okay I'd like to give you a hand with it. Wait," Kale turned from what he was doing and looked at Kershala. "Are you…" he paused, seemingly formulating a response, "I'm glad you're feeling better." Kale smiled wide, Kershala detected his heart rate increase, "Were you hungry or did you want to get right to it?"
"I am not hungry," said Kershala.
"Okay," Kale shrugged his shoulders and grabbed a bag from the counter top, "then let's get you tidied up then. Come on." Kershala followed Kale up the stairs the dog wasn't far behind them. Kale led them into the bathroom and began running water into the sink. The water was hot Kershala could tell from the steam rising from the pool that formed. Kale left the room and came back with a couple of chairs and sat them facing each other. "Have a seat." Kale took his communication device from his pocket and looked at it for a few seconds. "I picked a couple of styles that I thought would be a good fit for your facial structure."
"My facial structure?" Kale passed him the device with a couple of pictures on it. The first picture was a young man with just a small patch on his chin. Kershala could swear the man he was looking at was Daoran, but he was wearing human clothing and his eyes were more like Kale's. "I do not like that one, too short." Kale laughed a bit at Kershala's reaction then used his finger tip to change the picture. The next one was a man with a full yet trimmed beard that wrapped the length of his face and around his upper lip. "This one."
"I was hoping you'd pick the other one, it's easier. But I'll see what I can do." Kale turned the water off and took a couple things from the bag. "Wet your face for me. Careful the water is hot, and you should probably take that shirt off. I can't guarantee this won't get messy." Kershala stood up and lifted the shirt over his head and let it drop to the floor beside them. He dipped his finger in the sink to test the water before bending and flushing the water over his face. He sat back down in the seat in front of Kale with water dripping from his face and beard. Kale had a small tube in his hand. "This stuff is supposed to soften the beard, prep your skin for the razor." Kale passed Kershala the tube seemingly expecting him to do something with it.
"I am sorry I…" Kershala felt embarrassed at not really knowing what to do with it. Personal grooming had become so far from important to him that aside from bathing he knew nothing. Kale smiled at him and took it back from him.
"I don't mind, as long as you don't get weird about me touching you." Kershala looked at him confused. "Um, never mind. I tried to get all-natural stuff, so it should be pretty good." Kale squeezed a sizable portion into the palm of his hand and rubbed both of his hands together. "Smells good anyway." Kale raised his hands to Kershala's face and began to massage the cream into his skin and beard. He seemed timid at first but quickly realized Kershala was welcoming it. It felt good having someone else massage and touch his skin, Kale was gentle but stern in his actions. The cream quickly started to foam around his face, Kale was careful not to get it into his eyes. Kershala stared at him not sure what to do so he just let it happen.
"It does smell nice." Kale smiled at him and stared intently into his eyes as he lathered the cream on his face and neck. Kershala had never known the touch of someone not family, he let himself relax in Kale's hands. He closed his eyes as Kale rubbed a thumb beneath his eyes then moved his fingers down to his neck and around his upper lip making sure to spread the lather evenly.
"There now that just has to sit for a minute or so." Kale took his hands away and started to stand up when Kershala took his hands and placed them back on his face. Kershala wanted him to keep going, he enjoyed the contact and the way Kales hands felt to his face. He stayed quiet but looked up at Kale for a second.
"It is a strange sensation I have never felt before, to have another touch my face in this way."
"You're too cute," Kale smiled at him and sat back down. "I thought I may overstay my welcome if I kept going." Kale continued to massage his face and Kershala let out a content sigh and closed his eyes taking in the feeling. The cream was starting to leave a cooling sensation that triggered senses in Kershala's skin he hadn't used in a long time. This went on for another minute when Kale stood up. "Okay that should be enough time. Now rinse your face in the sink okay?" Kershala nodded and stood over the sink he bent over and splashed the water to his face getting most of the lather off. Kale passed him a towel and he wiped off what little bit was left then took his seat again. "That should get your skin ready anyway." Kale took a different tube from the bag and then dipped a cloth in the sink. He took the cloth and wet Kershala's face again. He put the contents of the tube on his hands and rubbed them together this time not hesitating to apply it to parts of Kershala's face and neck.
"What is this?" asked Kershala.
"It's shave cream," said Kale, "It makes the razor glide over your skin better."
"Ah, a lubricant then."
"Yeah actually." Kale stood again and took a small tool off the counter. He popped the top from it and replaced it with a new one from in the storage above the sink. "Be really still when I'm doing this, I don't wanna cut you by mistake." Kershala watched Kale grab a cup from the counter and fill it from the sink. He dipped the razor in the water and put it to Kershala's skin. He began carefully shaping Kershala's beard starting at his cheek bones and working it down to his neck. The razor felt strange, the last time Kershala groomed his face he used a laser tool, nothing actually touched his face. Kale repeatedly dipped the razor to rinse it getting off the excess hair and shave cream.
"Is grooming always so intimate on this planet?" Kershala watched as Kale's cheeks flushed red.
"Um, not all the time, between close friends or… lovers I guess it often could be." Kale stuttered through his sentence.
"I am sorry, I did not mean to make you uncomfortable," Kershala apologized.
"I'm just glad you're talking to me, I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever speak to me." Kale ran the razor slowly along Kershala neck when he felt it cut him. "Sorry, you okay?" He pulled the razor away and a dab of violet blood mixed with the cream fell to the floor.
"Yes." Kale smiled at him and continued clearing his neck of facial hair. "I barely felt it." Kershala smiled at him as Kale passed the razor over the final stretch of skin and dipped it in the cup.
"Almost done," he said wiping the excess shave cream from Kershala's face with the wet cloth. He took a different tool from the bag that was in a box, Kershala watched him open it and pulled the tool from the casing. Kale plugged it into the wall and fiddled with the tip of it adjusting it to a particular length. He adjusted a switch on the side of and small tool came to life with a buzzing noise.
"What is that?" Kershala was curious.
"It's a clipper." Kale looked over the tool as it buzzed.
"Unpleasant little thing." Kershala disliked the sound it made it was ruining the mood.
"Don't worry you shouldn't have to use it often after the first time. Depending how quick your facial hair grows anyway." Kale looked the clipper over seemingly checking if it was adjusted properly before running it through what was left of Kershala's beard. The process was quite quick not taking long for Kale to cover what was left. The small hairs fell to the floor as the clipper did its job. Kale making sure to make more than one pass over the whole beard. "I think that should do it. Looks pretty even shaped now." Kale placed his thumb and forefinger on Kershala's chin and looked him over turning his face left then right. "All good. You look great." Kale ran his fingers through Kershala's thick coiled hair. "We should try and do something with this too. Maybe just shaved down the sides and leave it on the top." Hairstyles were certainly something Kershala hadn't had the time to consider. He had no idea what to even consider.
"Whatever you think will be good," Kershala shrugged. Kale smiled and took hold of his communication device from the counter top once again, using it for a reference point.
"I'll probably just leave it like it is on the top and short on the sides," Kale repeated himself, "It'll look good but also because I'm not entirely comfortable doing a whole lot more in case I mess it up. I don't imagine the salon here in town would be able to fix it." Kale sat his phone back on the counter then adjusted the clipper. "Hold still." He stood up behind Kershala and started to run the clipper over his head. Kershala watched as the coiled locks fell to the floor and kept still as Kale told him. His Karu had cut his hair the better part of a year ago when it had gotten too long for the nanite helmet to encase properly. She had chastised him for not taking the time to groom himself properly. Joking that before the Shiron he'd have been sent to a monastery where he'd fit in. Kershala smiled at the memory of her laughing at him. It wasn't often they got to experience those kinds of moments, they were treasured as they happened. "What are you smiling at?" Kale spoke softly observing his reflection in the mirror.
"A memory of the last time someone cut my hair?" Kershala went quiet and focused his eyes on the floor. "There is not much to be happy about in recent memory." Kale turned off the clipper to listen.
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
"I… am not ready, Kale." Kershala turned and looked at him. "I am sorry. It is not that I don't want to. My people are very open with their feelings and experiences." Kale gave him an understanding smile. "It is too painful." Kershala turned back to his position in the chair. He felt a comforting hand rest on his shoulder.
"Whenever you're ready, I just want you to know I'm here… okay?" Kale turned the clipper back on and went about the haircut. Kershala had never been shown compassion by another race. The Daora were often alone in their emotional expression, these humans seemed to at least be able to share in it.
"Thank you."
Kershala remained silent for the rest of his haircut. Kale was quite happy at how everything turned out and he was sure Kershala would fit in, if no one stared at his eyes too long. It was around seven thirty in the evening the same day. Kale had just finished cooking supper for them and was doing up the plates. He decided to make a basic meat and potatoes kind of dish, with chicken. Kershala was sitting at the table watching him, do up the plates. The AI core sat on the counter beside him.
"Thank you for preparing food for me," said Kershala. "It is very different than what I am used to, but it's good."
"What are you used to?" Kale asked as he walked the plates to the table. The table was completely set with utensils, bread rolls and butter and a glass of water.
"A lot of our food would come from a protein synthesizer. It was just easier on the Patriarchs." Kershala explained as Kale sat at the table.
"That's an interesting dynamic. In our culture, the mothers often do the most cooking. All be that a bit antiquated at this point." Kale grabbed a roll from the bowl on the table. Kershala did the same. "My grandmother will be home on Friday morning, so we'll be heading back to the Halifax before then." Kershala stared at him and Kale laughed quietly. "Right, you don't know how our weeks work yet. So not tomorrow but the day after."
"I see," Kershala took a bite of the bread roll.
"You guys should do a little reading over the next few days to maybe get an idea of how things work here and how you could fit in." Just then Kale's phone went off with a text notification. He picked it up and looked at it.
Hey buddy, how ya feelin Jason saw you out getting groceries and stuff? Kale had forgotten about her over the last couple of days and realized that he couldn't pretend to be sick anymore. He glanced up at Kershala who was content in his food.
Yeah, I'm thinking I'm pretty good, whatever it was passed. Kale watched his phone he could see that she was typing a reply.
Good then let's go for coffee tonight then no excuses I know you're leaving in a few days. Kale smiled to himself, "going for coffee" meant a lot of things to them. They usually went to the drive through at the local Tim's, he'd get a tea, she'd get a double-double. They'd go for a ride around town and talk about some of the local gossip and probably end up at her grandmothers where her family would be. Even at all hours of the night the old women would be awake, and Miranda's siblings or cousins would be there just hanging around. Then they'd end up driving or talking again before she'd drop him off at the house.
Okay. When are you going to be free? Kale typed knowing full well the answer would likely be…
Probably 9:30.
See ya then!
"What is that thing? You seem to use it for a lot. I know its for communications." Kershala had stopped eating and was looking at him.
"Oh, it's a phone. It can do a lot I guess. I was just talking to my friend Miranda. I use it mainly for internet access, social media," Kale explained not really sure if the explanation would make things any clearer.
"May I take a look at it." Kale held it out and passed his phone to Kershala, he looked at it and held up to Anubis. The AI core shimmered as it quickly scanned the phone. "It is fragile." Kershala looked it over as well. Kale assumed he had gotten information from the AI's scan. "Glass?"
"Yeah, expensive glass, don't drop it," Kale laughed even though he was serious.
"I'm detecting several moving parts, plastic and metals contained in a glass frame. Minimal processing power," said Anubis.
"Hey don't be insulting. It's no AI, but it does the trick." Kale smiled as Kershala sat the phone on the table both going back to their meal. Kale took a bit of the potatoes, chewed and swallowed. "So tonight, my friend and I are going to go out for coffee. Up for a little experimenting? She's a pretty laid-back person I just wanna see what she thinks of you." Kale really wanted to see if Kershala would fit in in a semi-public environment before they were faced with the city. He knew that if it came to blows Miranda could keep a secret, even one as big as this.
"That will be acceptable," said Anubis. "If we are going to be here, Kershala must learn to blend in."
"I would welcome the opportunity to socialize." Kershala looked up and smiled at Kale.
"Okay great. Just don't mention anything about how you got here. I'll fill in the blanks when she asks because I know she will. If she says anything about your eyes just say it's a birth defect." Kale glance over at Kershala and realized he would likely need different clothing, he had been wearing the same sweatshirt and shorts for a few days. "I'll have to get you some clothing. I've got some comfort cloths upstairs that I think will fit you pretty good. They're a little big for me."
They had finished eating and were now just getting ready to go it was about eight thirty, the two of them were upstairs. Kale and Kershala had each showered and Kale had gotten dressed in the only clean clothing he had left. He had taken the clothing out for Kershala to wear, a pair of tearaway pants and a larger sized hoodie he'd often wear. He picked it up and went to the bathroom.
"Hey, Kershala, here's those cloths I was talking about." Kale walked into the bathroom to see him standing looking out the window fully in the nude. "Oh man, sorry," Kale turned his back to Kershala quickly his heart racing. "Put the towel around your waist!"
"Forgive me," Kershala grabbed the towel from the counter top, "I did not mean to offend you."
"It's not that," Kale stuttered, "not at all. You should just warn me if you have no cloths on?" Kale wasn't sure how to explain modesty to an alien. He turned around and handed Kershala the outfit and left the room. Luckily there were no neighbors to worry about offending. Kershala stepped out of the bathroom fully dressed. Kale threw him a pair of his older slip on running shoes. "Put these on too."
"I am ready to go."
"Okay then." Kale exhaled and headed down the steps, Kershala followed close behind him. "She should be here any minute." Kale checked his phone and looked at the screen and texted Miranda.
I've got a friend with me, just so you know. He just lost a lot of his family in an accident and I thought it'd be good for him to get away for a few days. So if he's a little quiet … Kale typed quickly, hoping to get it to her before she got there. He realized he probably should have told her he had a friend along with him if nothing else than to avoid the first awkward few moments when they got into the car. He never got anything back from her but could see that the text had been delivered. It wasn't long before he could see her silver colored compact hatchback pulling into the yard. He and Kershala went out onto the patio and Kale locked the door. As he approached the car he could see that she hadn't noticed Kershala yet and was checking her phone. She looked out the window to see both of them and her eyes changed to that of surprise at seeing Kershala. The window rolled down on the passenger side as they approached the car.
"What's up buddy! Get in!" she called. Kale looked at Kershala who met his eyes, he looked down at the handle to the door and lifted it to open it. Kale hoped Kershala would see that he was showing him how to work the door. He lifted the latch and opened the door, he got in the car, Kershala did the same with no issue. "Who's your buddy?" She smiled at Kale and looked back at Kershala in the back seat.
"This is Kershala," Kale decided making up a name would be a stupid idea, it sounded foreign enough to stop any inquiries she might have about its origins. Kale wasn't really sure what else to say to her.
"I'm Miranda, good to meet ya."
"It is nice to meet you too," Kershala smiled and nodded at her.
"I'm guessing you're not from around here, that's quite the accent." Miranda turned around and put the car in reverse starting to pull out of the yard.
"He grew up in Kenya he's been in the city a few years though. We only met a few months ago." Kale hoped that the darkness of the night would at least conceal some of the doubt he was sure was on his face. Miranda looked at Kale from the corner of her eye. He could tell she believed him, but he knew she was going to come out with something that would likely embarrass him.
"And he's just here to, "keep you company". I know what that means," she laughed.
"Don't do that, that's not funny. Don't embarrass us in front of my new friend," Kale was sarcastic in tone, but he was serious. "Let's go get something to drink."
"Where do you think I'm headed, fool." The car had whipped around and they were driving on the route into town. "So, what really brings you here, Kershala? Are you after my boy here?" Kale could feel the color flush from his face with embarrassment.
"I am not sure I know what you mean," Kershala hesitated, "I am not after anyone."
"Awe well that's a shame," she slapped Kale on the knee abruptly, "Well better luck next time I guess buddy."
"Christ women would you stop it," Kale laughed, and Miranda joined in. Kershala stayed quiet in the back but Kale could see a smirk on his face from the rearview mirror in the light from the dash board.
"So, Kershala? That's a pretty name what does it mean?" A question that Kale was interested in the answer to as well given their situation.
"Where I come from…" Kershala hesitated, "My name means loyal warrior." After the simulation Kale had seen the warrior side of Kershala, the loyalty was present in his dedication to his family.
"That's cool. Kale where did you guys meet anyway. I can't believe you've never even talked about him before this. Considering what he looks like anyway." Miranda laughed clearly happy with herself at her comments.
"We met at work," Kale didn't feel the need to give any more details. Kale worked in security, so he would meet a lot of different people and Miranda knew this. It wasn't long before they were pulling into the drive through. The restaurant was only open for drive through, so the parking lot was empty, they could see a couple employees moving around behind the counter through the windows. The car pulled up to the order box of the drive-through.
"Hey guys, just be the regular orders tonight?" The worker was someone that served them often even though Kale didn't know her name. It was someone Miranda knew quite well.
"Yes, and we have someone else with us tonight," Miranda turned to Kershala, "What're you having hon?" Kershala looked dumbfounded not expecting the question.
"Just get him what I get, he's not really a Tim's guy," Kale explained glancing back at Kershala.
"Okay," Miranda turned back to the window, "Add a second tea to that."
"$6.86 See you at the window." With that Miranda brought the car around the building to the drive through window. The women passed the drinks out to Miranda in a tray and she passed them to Kale.
"Is it my turn or yours?" asked Kale. Not remembering who had paid last. They usually alternated.
"I'll get it don't worry. It'll be debit girly." The young women held up the card reader and Miranda held her card out to it. With a quick beep it was over. "Thanks baby we'll see you later!"
"Have a good night guys, drive safe," the attendant shut the window and Miranda pulled out of the parking lot. Kale took his tea from the drink tray and gave Miranda the double-double before passing back the tray to Kershala.
"Careful, it's really hot. Give it a little bit of time to cool," Kale advised.
"Thank you." Kershala took the drink from Kale's hand and it was indeed quite hot. He could tell the beverage was safe with a quick scan from his implant, but it would be too hot to drink for some time. He watched Kale and Miranda's interaction he could tell that Kale was nervous with him being around his friend. He wasn't sure what to think of Miranda, she was different than Kale, she was human, she had black hair and an almost ochre skin tone that made her look different. She had very rigid facial features with a strong nasal ridge and jaw bones and her eyes were a very dark brown compared to Kale's which were almost as blue as the planet he lived on. Kershala looked out the window and watched the buildings passing by. They appeared to be in a business district of some sort. He could tell by the signage and lay out that most of these buildings were not homes but shops of different variety.
"Park at the high school?" Miranda asked.
"Yeah why not. Good place to sit for a chat," Kale responded. The vehicle started to slow down as they pulled into a lot that was lit from overhead by an electric light. They found their spot and Miranda shut the car off and pulled out her phone. Kale did the same.
"So, you weren't sick for very long any idea what got you?" she asked her finger sliding over the screen of her phone.
"Yeah I don't know what it was. It might have just been something I ate that day." Kershala knew that Kale wasn't being truthful, he hadn't been sick.
"Jesse and I went out to that meteorite spot and found a bunch of strange dust all over the place. I've never seen anything like it before," she explained. Kershala knew that the dust she saw was a residue that the nanites left behind once they self-destructed. It would become un-recognizable very quickly once exposed to the elements.
"That's so weird I wonder what it was from." Kershala took a sip of his drink, it wasn't what he expected at all though it was cool enough to drink. It was sweeter than he expected but just a little bitter as well, he enjoyed it.
"You're awful quiet back there." Miranda looked at him in the small mirror that sat above the dashboard and smiled at him welcoming.
"Sorry," Kershala apologized, "I did not really know what to say." Kershala didn't want to appear to out of place. "The dust is very strange. Maybe the meteorite turned to dust when it hit the atmosphere." Miranda acknowledged his explanation with a nod and lip curl.
"Good thought." She looked down at her phone. "Kale did you see that status Janey posted this morning?" Kale looked down at his phone and scrolled through it a bit.
"No, but I bet I know what its about. Did she lose her kids again?" Kale shook his head.
"Yes, can you believe she keeps getting them back? You'd think three times would make it solid." Miranda took a sip of her drink. "Those poor babies I can't even imagine how confused they must be. They're going to be so messed up."
"I know, and they're just getting to the age where they're going to know exactly what's going on." Kershala only partly understood the concept of what they were talking about.
"That is very sad," he said. Kale looked turned and looked at him clearly worried about his reaction. "I feel for what they will go through." Kershala pushed the image from his head to avoid an over-reaction.
"Holy shit," Miranda spoke urgently looking closer at her phone. "Shayla Grant's house is on fire!"
"What really?" said Kale, "Let me see." Kale edged closer and looked at her phone.
"Her sister just posted a picture of it on Facebook. Her kids are still in the house."
"Let's go check it out, we might be able to help them," Kale put his seat belt on and sat his drink in the holder next to Miranda's. She quickly started the vehicle and pulled out onto the road. Kershala felt the vehicle shift and his drink spilled a bit onto him.
"It's only a few streets over," said Miranda. Kershala could tell she was intent on her actions seeing the tension in her hands on the steering wheel. They came to the bottom of the street of their destination and they could see the light from the fire breaking through the darkness of the sky behind the street lights. There were also people standing out in front and a vehicle with flashing blue and red lights on top of it. They pulled up to the end of the yard and stopped. Miranda and Kale both got out of the car, Kershala watched as they were approached by a younger woman. He watched as they exchanged words before embracing several people seemed to come from the yard and approach. Kale looked around before beckoning to Kershala. He got out of the vehicle and approached the small group of people. A couple of them glanced at him he seemed to be eliciting an alarmed reaction. "Where the hell is the fire department?" Miranda seemed angry. A larger older man approached from the vehicle with the flashing lights. He was dressed in a uniform and Kershala could see that he was likely a member of law enforcement.
"They're on their way, Miranda but they're coming from forty-five minutes away."
"My children are in there!" cried the women who approached them when they arrived. Kershala could feel an encroaching helplessness from the crowd. There was a child's scream, and everyone went silent quickly turning toward the building. They watched as the entrance to the structure collapsed. Kershala took a deep breath feeling the sadness fall over the people around him, he knew too well the helplessness they were feeling. Kershala made up his mind and started walking towards the building, his skin was naturally resistant to high temperatures, so the flames would likely not do any major damage.
"Kershala what are you doing?!" called Kale.
"Hey! You can't go in there!" shouted the officer. Kale ran up to Kershala and grabbed him by the arm.
"I will not watch this again! They are helpless, I am not…" Kershala pulled from Kale's hand and kept going quickening his pace. He heard heavy foot falls behind him he was sure the larger man was about to attempt to stop him. He peered over his shoulder to confirm his suspicion before he took to running. The larger man quickly fell behind him and he arrived at the blockage from the collapse.
"Kershala don't go in there!" he heard Kale call from behind him. Kershala put his hand up to the fire he could tell by the color it wasn't burning so hot as to cause damage to him without direct contact. He looked up and down the structure trying to find a weak point, his implant feeding information directly to him about his surroundings. Kershala looked to his left to where there didn't seem to be any external flames he approached the side of the building and touched the wall. It was hot to touch and there would be fire on the other side. A quick analysis from his implant told him there were no structurally relevant supports here. He drew back his arm and landed a fist against the wall as hard as he could his fist went straight through the building. He grabbed onto the edge of the hole he created and pulled his arm back through creating a hole for him to force his way through. The clothing he was wearing was now on fire he patted it out with his free hand before quickly entering the building.
As he stepped inside the building he stopped and listened for several seconds, above the flames he could hear a child sobbing. He closed his eyes briefly homing in on the sound and he was able to determine that it was above him. He began moving with haste through the house searching for the way upstairs. Luckily, he had seemingly entered through the living area and the stairs were not far away. Ensuring he was light on his feet he bounded up the steps hoping the structure hadn't decayed enough under the flame to still support his body weight. At the top of the stairs the fire was worse, the flames devouring the walls and ceiling. There was black smoke resting just above chest level, Kershala tapped the implant behind his ear and his helmet formed around his head. He could tell the nanites were weak as the smoke seemed to be getting through slightly, but they would get him through. He stayed low and moved forward with caution toward the crying sound. He could tell it was likely in the last room and unfortunately there was plenty between him and there. He crept along and came to the door. He put his hand on the knob the hot metal was almost hot enough to cause damage it would not move. He quickly decided he did not have time to wait he kicked the door only hard enough to knock it down. There was a scream in fear from the corner at the sound. Kershala could see a youngling cowering in the corner with a small plush animal in her hand. He approached her quickly and extended his hand. She looked up at him fearful when he realized his helmet was probably scaring her. The helmet retracted to the back of his head revealing his face to her.
"It is okay, I am here to save you," Kershala smiled at her hoping to comfort her. She cried out and threw her arms around him. With ease he lifted her and kept one arm around her. "Hold on tight young one." He knew he had to get her out of the building fearing that she may have already inhaled too much smoke.
"My brother is still in his crib." The little girl spoke quietly in his ear.
"I have to get you outside, where is he?" Kershala looked around fearing the structure wasn't going to last much longer as he heard something crash down elsewhere in the house.
"Mommy's room," she cried. "Downstairs." Kershala shielded the little girl with his body and crashed through the window, he was air-born and luckily it was in the back of the house that he would land. He hit the ground with the little girl in his arms and quickly ran back into the building, crashing through the back door. He stopped for a brief second to listen for sounds of crying from around him but there was nothing. He decided he didn't have time to be careful, he pushed himself through one wall after another causing his exits to seal behind him. He came to a room with a large bed in it, admittedly he didn't really know what a crib was to find what he was looking for. The bed was completely engulfed in the flames and there was not much left to it. His implant scanned the room for signs of life, a small heartbeat in the corner it was getting faint. Kershala glanced in the direction of the life sign, there was a small wooden framed bed that had partially fallen over. He rushed to the side of it. He could see what appeared to be a newborn youngling laying on the floor. It was seemingly covered in black dust from the fire. Kershala quickly took it into his arms. Its heartbeat was faint he knew it needed to get out of the fire and into better air.
"Hang on little one, your mother wants to see you again," he whispered. He looked again at his surroundings, the child lay silent in his arms and there was no way out. He walked over to the wall and put his hand to it. There was an unusual amount of structural strength in this area, Kershala didn't know if he had the strength to break through it without both hands free. He turned again when the structure above him gave out. He covered the child with his body luckily only a couple of boards fell but he felt the garment he was wearing catch fire. He bounded from the fire and using his free arm ripped the cloth from his body and threw it to the fire. There was no easy foreseeable way out of the building. Kershala knelt to keep them both out of the fire and to regain a bit of his strength. He was starting to realize he hadn't completely recovered from the crash. He looked around looking to his implant to give him a way out. It scanned the room feeding him information about the temperatures and smoke but also it found a weak point through the closet he hadn't been able to see. It was otherwise engulfed in flame and he would likely get at least residual burns from the damage, he worried about the infant, but he was confident he could get through it quick enough to not take any severe damage. Kershala summoned strength from somewhere within himself and shielding the infant he ran through the flames and crashed through the wall beyond it. From there he could see a large window he quickly ran and jumped through it. He hit the ground and immediately the cold night air hit him. He checked the infant in his arms and could see that it was breathing, likely shaken a bit from what they had just been through. He could see the little girl standing where he left her, when she saw him she came running to him.
"Oh, thank you Mister." She threw her arms around his neck and as he rose from his kneeling position she held onto him he put his free arm around her. He felt her warm tears against his skin as he started walking back around the house. His helmet retreated to his implant as he came around the corner of the house.
There were now several large red and white vehicles with lights flashing all over them. As soon as Kershala and the children were visible both Kale and the children's mother ran to them. Kershala could see the desperate look in the mother's face as she approached them. He recognized the look as he had seen it in his Karu's face many times after he returned from battle. He could feel the tears welling in his eyes as he looked at her. Joy, in that one more family wouldn't be torn apart tonight.
"Oh my god, thank you so much," she put her hands on her daughters face then touched Kershala's face. "Oh baby, come here." She took the little girl from his arms and looked at the baby. "Is he okay?" Kale ran up to them with an urgent look on his face and a garment in his hands.
"He is breathing. I think the smoke may have hurt him though," Kershala explained. The fire fighters came and took the baby from him. Kale walked beside him as they headed back to the side of the road, he stayed silent but Kershala could tell that he was worried. "I had to do it Kale. I am sorry."
"Your markings," Kale whispered, he threw Kershala the garment in his hand and he put it on quickly. It was quite tight compared to the last one. "I already talked to Miranda just get in the car and we will go back to the house." As they walked toward the vehicle the children's mother approached them again. The children were being looked at by a couple of the men from the new vehicles that had arrived Kershala could see them by the road.
"They're going to be fine," she said standing in front of him. She looked up at him her eyes stained red from tears and worry. "You saved my children's lives and I don't even know your name," she breathed. Kershala was happy that the children would be okay.
"My name is Kershala," he smiled at her subtly. "I am glad I could help." The women put her arms around his waist her grip was tight. At first Kershala didn't know what to do, he glanced at Kale who gave him the motion to do the same back to her.
"Thank you, Kershala." The women pulled back from him before reaching up and touching his face gently. She smiled at him again before walking away pulling her jacket around her. Kershala began walking to the vehicle again with Kale a couple of steps ahead of him.
"No human could have done what you did, I can't believe you ripped a whole in the wall," said Kale quietly. They arrived at the vehicle, Miranda was already sitting in the driver's seat waiting on them. She looked at them as they approached with a beaming smile on her face. She didn't say anything until they got into the vehicle. Most of the officers and other servicemen seemed occupied with the children and their mother. Others were using water to douse the flames.
"Man, I've heard of adrenaline, but I've never seen no man rip a wall off a house before. That was incredible!" Miranda exclaimed as she started the vehicle. "How didn't you have any burns." Kershala sat back in the vehicle and took a mouthful of the drink Kale had ordered for him.
"If you do not mind, I would prefer not to speak." Kershala sat back in the seat and sunk into himself, the exertion did prove to be too much once he had calmed down.
"Suit yourself, friggin hero man." Everyone in the car stayed quiet until they were pulling into the driveway. Kershala sat with his eyes closed and his hands around his drink when he felt the vehicle stop. "Well that was a pretty eventful coffee run," Miranda laughed.
"Yeah well, we get an exciting one every now and then," said Kale agreeing with her.
"Will I see you guys again before you go back to the city?" Kale and Kershala both started to get out of the vehicle.
"I'm not sure, I've got some cleaning up to do before she gets back. I told her the house would be clean before I left."
"Okay, well if not, next time as always." Miranda rolled down the vehicle windows as they shut the doors. The light from house reacted to their movement coming on brightly.
"For sure."
"It was awesome meeting you, Kershala." Miranda looked at Kershala and her expression changed from a smile to a confused expression. "Man, what color are your eyes?"
"Yeah that's a birth mark of his. They're purple," Kale responded quickly. Kershala thought briefly that he must have had that in his head for a while to come out with it so quickly.
"Weird, that's cool though. Anyway, like I said great to meet ya."
"It was nice to meet you as well, Miranda." Kershala smiled back at her.
"Alright, I'm outta here! Night boys play safe." Kale smiled at her words and Kershala assumed there was an inside meaning as she pulled the vehicle out onto the road and sped off. They both stayed quiet as they walked into the house.
As they stepped in the house Kale took his shoes off and sat down at the table. Kershala sat across from him and they sat in silence for a few seconds. Kale was looking over his phone and Kershala couldn't help but feel that he had done something wrong.
"I am sorry, if I worried you," said Kershala quietly. Kale looked up from his phone and sat it face down on the table.
"I just…" Kale paused as if collecting his thoughts, "Look I can't tell you what to do and I won't try to but, you have to be careful. You realize if you get hurt and need serious medical attention that there is no one here that can give it to you? Like if you get hurt and end up in a hospital they could find out that you're not human, ahh," Kale grunted, "Look you clearly don't need anyone's protection, I've seen you fight. I know you can take care of yourself and it's weird but for some reason I've gotten really attached to you over the last few days. I don't know why but I have. I just don't wanna see anything happen to you." Kale paused again but Kershala could tell there was more. "What you did tonight was awesome, Miranda was right you're a hero to those kids. But you need to think of yourself and the consequences. Humans are used to thinking they're the only ones in the galaxy, there are some that assume the truth and would be thrilled to know you exist, but others will fear you and some may even try to imprison you." The implant told him that Kale's heartbeat was racing, Kershala stood up and Kale stood up to block him, clearly assuming that he was going to walk away. Instead Kershala put his arms around him before he said anything more. Kale almost seemed stunned at the gesture. Most of the Daora enjoyed physical contact and this was the typical end to an argument among his family. Though he wasn't entirely sure if this was even an argument, he wanted to set Kale at ease. Kale hesitantly put his arms around Kershala returning the gesture. "Don't scare me like that anymore, okay?"
"I apologize for worrying you, I did not want to watch another family be destroyed if I could stop it," Kershala explained.
"It's okay, let's just go to bed okay." Kale pulled from the embrace and looked into his eyes smiling gently. Kershala returned the look before Kale picked up his phone before heading up stairs. Kershala followed him up and went to his bedroom for the night.
"You have had an interesting night," Anubis greeted him quietly.
"Yes." Kershala stripped out of the clothing Kale had given him and laid down on the bed on his back, he lay staring at the ceiling. The AI core is next to him on the table.
"Interesting, they use a physical and digital currency system." Anubis seemed to be processing the information that had been received throughout the night. The Daora had long abandoned any form of physical currency. The need for wealth had long passed from their society. Before the Shiron came along if they wanted or needed something they had it amongst their own people, the Shiron took that from them along with many other things.
"I found it strange."
"Your body is still not fully healed you need to be careful. I'm still detecting strain, your neck and the stab wound has not completely healed internally."
"I will try to rest more in the coming days."
"You should spend the day in the sun tomorrow, it would do you well." Kershala closed his eyes not really wanting to have any further discussion about the nights events. As he lay there falling asleep his mind turned to that of his family. He recalled the way his younger siblings would stealthily crawl into his dwelling at night, he'd often wake up with them laying up against him or with their arms wrapped around him. As he closed his eyes he could almost feel his Matriarch's hand on his face wishing him a good slumber.