I posted Chapter 13 in the beginning of February, and I'm posting Chapter 14 at the end of March. My goodness! Sorry for the long wait, those of you who read this. I've been busy though, so can't really blame me. Plus, in two days I'll be hop'n on a plane to Spain for 10 days, I'm super excited! I'll have internet while I'm there, but I'm not sure how active I'll be (I'll probably be too tired from walking all day to do anything but sleep. Plus I'll have AP Spanish homework to work on too...pooh.) Okay, enough jibber-jabber. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Things are about to get real. 3,909 words.

Chapter 14: Expectations

"So they really treat you that way here too, huh? As an outsider?" Bernard asked as he sat next to Roxanne on a bench in the city's center, and Abraham stood as the ever silent sentry upon her shoulder. The povoirian ship lay dormant ahead of them as they talked.

"Yes. Most of them do, anyway. They'll treat you the same way, too, if you try to mingle. It doesn't matter how alike you are to them, they only see what is different." Roxanne replied, slightly amused. She had already had this conversation with Bernard more than once, yet he still had trouble believing it.

He grunted and ran his fingers through his hair, "That's completely ridiculous. And I was so sure I'd fit in with these people better than with povoirians. What if they knew I made my own jetpack?" He wondered suddenly. "Would they be more hospitable then?"

"As if! Making jetpacks and lasers is something Scirian infants do for fun. Believe me, they won't be impressed."

"You know when they first saw me I thought they were excited to find another intelligent life form to learn from. Then I wondered if they were going to experiment on me. And then you appeared." Bernard sighed and rested his chin on folded hands. Ever since he landed here a week and a half ago, he and Roxanne had been meeting together every afternoon to learn from one another. They had become increasingly close to one another. He looked at her straight faced without turning and said, "Well, that's one good thing about this trip. I got too meet you."

Roxanne smiled and brushed away some of her shortened hair. "Yeah. So, do you want to look at the Earth Encyclopedia again?"

"Absolutely."

She brought out the E.E and activated it. He swiftly took it from her, preferring to navigate the handheld on his own. "What are you going to look up this time?" She asked.

"Books."

"Again?" Roxanne laughed and smirked, peering at the screen over his shoulder. "You know there was more to Earth than just books."

"Yes, I know. But they're fascinating. I've learned enough about the rest of Earth for now; I want to learn more about books again. The rest of the Earth can come after"

"Books are fascinating, hmm? That sounds familiar." She said smiling, thinking of Nigmadem. She subconsciously tucked some hair behind her ears.

"I wish there was a library on Geoluperia. We have something sorta similar, but not really. The povoirians aren't exactly skilled in documentation." Bernard sighed.

"That's a shame," She noticed he was squinting through the odd looking spectacles on his face and said, "You know, you could have your eyesight fixed here pretty easily, if you wanted too."

"No thanks, I don't need anyone bringing knives and lasers near my face. But maybe I'll have someone redesign these glasses for me." He murmured in response and then went quiet, getting lost in learning.

Roxanne shrugged and, stretching her back against the bench, noticed the darkening sky. Not only was Igneefe setting, but clouds were rolling in. She turned to Bernard, "Hey, shouldn't you be getting back to your group now?" Abraham directed her attention to the distance with the tap of a paw, and she noticed Yanew as he approached, floating about five inches from the ground, an expression of controlled annoyance shaping his features. "Pardon me, Miss," he began, "but if you wouldn't mind excusing my friend here, it's past time he should have been back."

Roxanne sent him an icy look with her blue eyes and Abraham mimicked, "I wasn't stalling him." She said matter-of-factly, "I was actually just saying the same thing. Pardon yourself."

Yanew blinked at her, looked at Bernard a moment, who was still immersed by books, and back at her. "Apologies," He mumbled. "I don't think we've met. I'm Yanew, and I believe you are Rox–"

"– Roxanne, yes. I'm hard to be mistaken. It's nice to meet you." Yanew held out his hand, and she hesitated only a moment before offering her own. Their palms touched briefly; not the customary povoirian greeting ritual, which was usually a slap of the hands, but close enough. She had to stop herself from flinching; Yanew's skin temperature was a bit feverish. She reminded herself it was normal for a povoirian.

He gave a flashy smile, "Pleasure is mine." Yanew then turned to Bernard again and tapped him on the shoulder. Bernard jumped a little from being completely focused, but tried to cover it up by growling "What is it?"

"C'mon, Bernard, it's time to go. You're already really late; you don't want to be punished for missing attendance."

He huffed something about getting punished for sneezing and then stood up, handing the E.E back to Roxanne, who also stood. "See you tomorrow?"

She smiled, "Yeah, you bet."

He nodded and faced Yanew, "Alright, lead the way Mr. Chaperone," His sarcasm was thick.

Yanew frowned and began heading away, but not before giving Roxanne a quick wave farewell. She mirrored the gesture and went in the opposite direction.

The two went in silence for a few moments, Yanew levitating with Bernard walking beside him and a little behind. Yanew looked him up at down once, "You're not hunching anymore." He observed.

A pair of rich brown eyes flickered in his direction, and were accompanied by an cheery sneer, "Lower gravity does wonders for the spine," He demonstrated by pressing his hands to his back and leaning backwards, all the while still walking. The action was rewarded by three satisfying cracks down Bernard's vertebrae.

Yanew gave a thoughtful "Hmmm," There was a few more moments of silence before he spoke again. He exhaled deeply and said, "I don't think I like this place anymore."

Bernard groaned exaggeratedly and rolled his eyes, "Of course you wouldn't."

"I mean, I do like it here," He continued, "I love how the sky is always changing and the stars and weather and everything, I just…" He paused for a moment, fighting for the right words.

Bernard finished his sentence for him, "You just miss being worshiped, Son of the Lord?"

"I've just been getting this vibe." There was a hardness in his tone that wasn't there before. Bernard took note of it. "I've been getting this vibe, Bernard, this bad vibe, like…like something bad is gonna happen and it's gonna…"

"It's gonna be bad?" Bernard finished again, slightly mocking, but then became serious. "Bad like what? What do you think will happen?" His brows burrowed, and he added, "You think it will happen to me?"

Yanew shook his head and shrugged, "I don't know. Just be careful. And walk faster," He ordered, dropping the subject, "The other's are waiting on you. We're going on another educational tour."

Bernard stuffed his hands into the pockets of his uniform and picked up the pace.

Roxanne walked quickly, trying to beat the growing darkness. Just before she exited the city's center, however, a shadow crossed her path followed by a pair of violet-brown eyes. She felt her lip begin to curl, "Vivinie."

"Hello there, Roxanne!" Vivinie greeted friendly, her smile bright and warm. "It would seem things are going smoothy, yes? Ooh, I'm so very happy for you! Aren't you happy? Of course you are." She flailed her hands in front of her face, "Silly me, clearly you're happy. Why wouldn't you be?"

Roxanne was certain she felt her jaw hit the ground as it went slack. What in the name of reason is going on with this girl? She couldn't make any sense of it. Before, Vivinie had been her worst enemy, but now, now she was acting as if they had been best friends since birth, and it was freaking Roxanne out. "Wha–,"

Vivinie gladly interrupted, "Oh, yes, please, tell me all about it! But wait, we should find a proper place to sit down first before he we chat, don't you agree? And Roxanne," She fixed her with the sweetest smile she could muster, "I cannot say it enough – I am so happy for you." She opened her arms wide and came closer for a hug.

"No no no no!" Roxanne said quickly, warding her away with her arms. "No. Not another hug. That first one nearly put me into cardiac arrest. And also, what on Caelumar are you blabbering on about?"

"Come now, Roxanne, quit being coy," Vininie scolded playfully with a small slap at Roxanne's wrists. "You know exactly what I'm talking about."

"Umm, no, I don't." She insisted, blinking dumbly and losing patience.

Vivinie brought a hand up to cup her chin as she pondered aloud coldly, "Are you acting stupid or does it just come that naturally for you?" She rolled her eyes righted herself so she was back to acting overjoyed. "I'm talking about you and Bernard, you goof, you!"

"Me and…me and Bernard?" Roxanne sounded utterly confused, and she was.

"Yes!" Vivinie dodged Roxanne's attempts to block and she wrapped one arm around her shoulders companionably. "Everyone is talking about it. It was a match made by destiny. The two humans that found each other in the great big universe – ooohoohoo, it gives me chills." She shuddered exaggeratedly. "We're all very happy for you, as well as relieved."

Roxanne slipped out backwards from Vivinie's embrace and tipped a contemplative finger at her, "Relieved? Why relieved?" She asked in a serious tone.

Vivinie's face melted into a sly giggling grin, "I was trying to say it in a roundabout fashion, but I'll give it too you straight forward if that's what you wish." Her violet eyes glittered as they narrowed and she leaned in slightly to say in a low voice, "Now that you have a human male, you can stop paying attention Nigmadem and he can focus on being with someone of his own species. Someone worthy of him. You know, someone like me like me?"

"You're vile," Roxanne hissed back.

"Oh, but I haven't gotten to the best part yet, Roxy." She continued gleefully, the words rolling off her tongue honey-smooth, "Everyone is relieved now, because no one has to worry about any ugly, disgusting, tan and blue hybrid babies."

Someone caught Roxanne's fist before it connected with Vivinie's chin. Roxanne saw the mechanical hand and her head whipped around to see two milky yellow eyes staring at like poison ready needles. Tasslers bent her arm backwards until it was painful, Roxanne's breath hitched in her throat. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," His gravelly voice whispered in her ear. Abraham did his best to fend him off, but the eel simply grabbed him and tossed him elsewhere. He let her go and she fell to her knees.

Tasslers went to his master's side and the two turned to leave. "Have a good rest of the night, Roxy," Vivinie said, "You and Bernard have my blessing. Trust me; it's how it should be."

Abraham returned to Roxanne and patted her shoulder gently, his face up turned to hers.

"It's okay, Abraham, I'm fine." She said quietly. Roxanne let him up her other shoulder and she picked herself up off the ground. Her head was spinning with thoughts about what Vivinie had said as she restarted her walk home.

Was that really what everyone was thinking? If she stepped back from the situation, she could see where people would make that connection, seeing as she was girl and he was a boy, and they were the only known ones of their kind. She and Bernard had only just become friends though; nothing more had ever crossed her mind. Had it crossed Bernard's? Did he look at her as a potential mate? And what did Nigmadem think? They were pretty close as friends, certainly, but did he feel any stronger than that? Wouldn't he rather be with someone who looked like him? Though, she really couldn't imagine him being with Vivinie. That vituperator is delusional. Roxanne snorted. Vivinie would probably be surprised she even new such big words.

What did she think of it all? She wasn't sure. So long had she been ostracized and frowned upon, she'd never really imagined settling down with anyone. She did know one thing, though – that when she looked at Bernard, her chest twisted in both happiness and sadness at seeing another human, but when she looked at Nigmadem, her heart sped up, her face warmed, and her stomach fluttered.

Which is exactly what happened then, just as she reached the croscalator. There he was, leaning against the silver railing, looking up at the overcast sky. He spotted her in his peripheral vision and suddenly his green eyes were on her, and his mouth upturned – just like always. And then he said, "Roxanne!" with the same excitement and friendliness as always. It seemed like seeing her was a happy surprise that made his day, even though he knew she was going to meet him.

"Hey, Nigma," Roxanne said, with a sad excuse for a smile. Nigma's expression turned into one of concern. "You don't seem happy; did your meeting with Bernard not go well?" He asked as fell in beside her on her walk home.

She reached up to massage her shoulder where it had been abused, "No, that was fine. I even met one of his friends today," She mumbled in response, "but afterwards I ran into Vivinie."

His lips pursed and brows furrowed, "Aaah that explains it. So how did that go?"

"It was interesting to say the least. You could say her friendly streak is over." Roxanne opened her mouth to say more, but no words came out. She wasn't ready to bring up that topic yet. So what she said instead was, "Tasslers twisted my arm pretty good, too."

A high pitch gasp came from behind her and she jumped. She turned around to see Minion holding his metal hands in front of his dome as though he was covering his mouth, it was a look of pure outrage. She hadn't even realized he was with them. "He did not! How dare him! He didn't dislocate it, did he? That no good worm," Minion fretted and came closer to inspect her shoulders.

She laughed and shooed him away, "I'm fine, just sore. Don't worry, Mom." She teased with a smirk. "Besides, he actually kind of had a reason this time. I came pretty close to breaking Vivinie's jaw with my knuckles."

"Well, that's still no excuse for his behavior," Minion insisted, crossing his arms.

"And I'm sure Vivinie would have deserved it," added Nigma, though he didn't go further by asking what she had done. He stuck his nose in the air and crossed his arms, mimicking Minion's gesture. Roxanne smiled genuinely. What a pair. These guys never fail to make me feel better.

Minion continued, "Do you know what the name 'Tasslers' means, Ms. Ritchi? It has two meanings. The first and most common meaning is 'Burden'." He gave a harrumph, "I'd say he's lived up to his title pretty well so far."

"What's the other meaning?" Roxanne asked out of curiosity.

"Its other meaning is 'Slave'. You could say it's an old fashion name," Nigma answered grimly.

She looked appalled, "How cruel." It was easy for her to imagine Vivinie giving her Minion such a name.

Nigmadem looked at the sky again and groaned. Minion chided, "I told you it was going to rain today, Sir. You should have brought your reflector ring like I suggested."

"Oh hush, Minion,"

"I have an extra I can lend you so you don't have to walk home getting wet," Offered Roxanne.

He was still pouting when he looked at her out of the corner of one eye and replied, "Yeah, sure. Whatever."

Roxanne took one of his crossed hands and unfolded it from his chest so she could hold it as she led the way to the Life Center. Nigma's face brightened immediately.

Once at the door, she invited them both in. Minion decided to wait outside, saying, "I don't want be a bother."

Roxanne told Nigmadem to wait at the door while she went off in search of the extra ring. She found it with little trouble, but she paused at what she saw when she came back. Nigma had his hand stuck in the air in what seemed to be a wave hello while his face looked worried, and across the room at the entrance to the next hallway was Nannarry who had gone nearly chalk white like she was about to faint. She was frozen that way and was staring at him with dewy silver eyes, and Nigma didn't know what to do. When he noticed Roxanne he sent her a look that asked for help.

She came closer until she was able to touch Nannarry's shoulder, "Hey," she spoke gently, "Are you okay?"

Nannarry came too with a jolt, and Roxanne took her hand away. Nannarry put a hand to her temple and blinked her eyes in a flurry, "Fine, I'm fine," she said, "…just…flashback…no matter," she muttered almost inaudibly.

"Are you sure?" Roxanne persisted.

"I said I'm fine, didn't I?" Nannarry said sharply. She looked back too Nigma who stiffened under her gaze, "This is Nigmadem, I suppose? You didn't mention he had green eyes."

Roxanne's brows furrowed a bit, "I didn't realize that was important…?"

"It's not," Nannarry grumbled, "It's just rare…that's all. Nice meeting you, Nigmadem. Please excuse me," She left the way she came, hand still at her head.

An awkward silence followed. Nigma finally broke it with a cough, and then asked, "Is she, um. Is she okay? She's not always like that, is she? Because that was…"

"Odd. I know." Roxanne said, concern hidden in her tone. She combed her fingers through her hair and let out a tired breath, "I'll check on her later, don't worry."

"So that was your guardian," He said. It wasn't really a question.

"Yes, that's Nannarry." She nodded, and then held up the extra reflector ring between two fingers.

"Oh! Right," She expected him to take it from her, but instead he held his hand out, palm down. She took it and slid the ring on the appropriate finger. She slowed down when she noticed their hands together. What was it he had said about orange and blue? It was a stark contrast between the two tones of their skin, and his fingers were slightly thicker, and longer than hers. The ring went on smooth and easy.

Nigma also studied their overlapping hands. He thought back to the day of Deciemesh, when Roxanne and Bernard had hugged like they had known each other all their lives. His green eyes shifted to her speckled face. Her blue orbs were still rested on their fingers in thought. Nigma made a decision then. If Bernard can hug her, I should be able to, too.

His grip on her hand tightened, and he used it to guide her closer until he took his hand away to wrap it and its partner around her back. Roxanne stiffened at the unexpected action, her hands still trapped between their bodies. "See you tomorrow, Roxanne," she heard him say. It took her a moment for her brain to process, but finally she removed her hands to encircle him with her arms slowly. She gave a small squeeze.

Nigma relaxed in relief when she hugged him back. They separated, and he found her face had reddened. Roxanne gave a small wave, feeling suddenly shy. "See ya." He smiled at her and went out the door, activating his ring as he went so the rain drizzled down an invisible water-repelling force field.

Six pairs of heels clacked in unison as they walked down the shadowy corridor, echoing off of the polished stone walls. A dim tube of glass snaked in and out of the ceiling like a sea serpent, and within it blurry glowing orbs of synthetic light traveled in a never ending row. The feet were moving with haste, yet their movements were perfectly unified.

"Unimaginable!"

"Improbable!"

"Inconceivable!" The first three men in the walking row exclaimed.

The fourth, a woman, continued, "Completely unthinkable! How could this have happened?

"Something has been overlooked, as unlikely as it seems." Said the fifth, also a woman, and the woman beside her in the position of sixth responded, "It shall be discussed in depth. It will not be overlooked again."

The Minds continued walking until they came to a pole that fed up into a hole in the ceiling. At the base was a platform. They stepped on to it at once and instantly their shoes were magnetized to the surface. Slowly it rose upward in a spiraling motion. At the next floor they began walking again.

"Our Mastermind will not be happy." The first Mind said.

"She will be rather displeased,"

"Enraged!" The next two concurred.

"She will not have seen this coming, indeed," The fourth shook her head.

"No one will have," Agreed the fifth, and the sixth stood up straighter with confidence, "She will know what to do."

The group of six came to what appeared to be a dead end. The wall before them was ornate with engravings of precise 90 and 45 degree angles that radiated a soft blue. In a swift movement they pressed their palms to the wall. Something within the flesh of their hands flashed, and the solid mass blocking their path was no longer so. They phased through, and the wall silently regained its former state.

Beyond the wall was a large dome of a room. Computers, control panels, and monitors made up the circumference of the space, all which encompassed a thick central pillar. A hollow within the pillar held small woman whose cranium seemed to level out like a plateau. Her brown eye brows curled upwards at the ends and her amber eyes were close to bulging. In the background a minion was carrying out tasks.

Too their knees The Minds fell in respect, "Greetings, my Wiser."

"Rise," Ordered the Mastermind, "What brings the set of you Lessers to my headquarters?"

Number six stepped forward to represent, "A predicament has come about. There has been…a breach,"

"A breach? What exactly has been breached, Mind?" She asked. The minion in the distance paused to listen.

"Humans have been –"

"– Humans!" The Mastermind stood from her perch. The minion dropped something and clumsily picked it back up to begin working again. "Humans as in plural, there are more than one human on our planet? How can that be?"

The Mind nodded, "Two to be precise. One is male, and one is female."

"This cannot be aloud, this cannot be aloud!" Her amber eyes were practically yellow with shock. "They could reproduce if left be."

Number one approached, "Perhaps we should have them neutered and spayed," he offered.

She quickly dismissed the idea, "No, that's too generous of a solution. These creatures have primitive brains and so should be dealt will primitively. We will kill them." She faced them and came to a decision, "One of you, whose ever province these humans are in, have your Logic gather its Thoughts and dispose of the invaders. Make sure they are disposed of thoroughly, beginning with the female."

"Yes, my Wiser."