Starling spent the next several days trying to track down the extremely elusive Onyxian. When she finally did, he pretended he didn't know her. Finally, frustrated at his dispassionate attitude, she pulled him off into a back alley.
"Max, why do you keep avoiding me?"
"Because!" He suddenly shouted, after which he promptly covered his mouth with his 4-fingered hands. His face darkened with a deep blush, and he looked down at his feet, which shuffled nervously.
"Because why?" She demanded. When he finally looked up at her, he saw the strangest combination of feelings in his eyes; a mix of disgust and lust.
"Because... because... we're not supposed to care..." He finally answered. She blinked a bit, but pressed him for more.
"What do you mean, 'you're not supposed to care?'" She queried. He glared at her, which wasn't hard because he was about a half-inch taller than her.
"We Onyxians are told from a young age that emotions are an unacceptable risk. We're taught how to suppress them, keep them under control." He turned to look skyward.
"Max, have you ever considered that, because humans are that way, you may need to understand-"
"I have no interest in you HUMANS!" He screamed angrily, eyes now filled with hatred. He raised his hands to her neck, clamping down roughly and lifting the Sky Knight off her feet and shaking her in emphasis.
"Don't you get it!? We can't get involved! It's... it's disgraceful!" He realized that he was hurting her, and slowly lowered her back to the ground. His eyes returned to their normal impassivity as she coughed and gasped for air. After finally regaining her breath, she put 2 and 2 together, and realized just what it was he was saying.
"Max, are you... are you saying you have feelings for me?" She asked with hesitation, unsure how he'd respond. His eyes slowly filled with tears as he looked at her again. His slow nod told her what she wanted to hear.
"Max, I'm not asking you to marry me; I just want to get to know you!" She said, obviously unsure what his problem was. She watched with a curious look as he wiped the tears away. He told her they had company by slowly turning his head to face the newcomer.
"Max, it's time to go. We have an appointment with the Chancellor, and I don't want to be late." Krala said, staring at the Mesan with a suspicious glance. The hybrid walked along with the black-skinned woman as they left together. But as he left, he did something she never expected; he turned to face her after Krala had left her view, and blew her a kiss.
Starling smiled slyly. Maybe... just maybe she was getting through...