Beast

Walking through the hallways with Snake Eyes was quite as one would expect. He never changed his pace. He would turn and I would follow. I started thinking about his vow of silence. From what I read in his file, he was fairly young when he made the vow. I empathized with him. I knew what it was like to lose someone close to me. 'I wonder what his last words were.'

It took me a moment to realize he had stopped. We stood in front of a standard metal door just like all the others in the hallway. I placed my hand on the security pad and the door slid open.

"I guess this is my room…" I trailed off, not knowing what to say. I faced Snake Eyes.

"You are an impressive opponent," He signed.

I smiled at his compliment, I had a feeling he didn't give them often. "You were also impressive."

We stood in silence. I sighed inwardly. 'I hope this doesn't become a normal thing.'

My guide's hands started moving. "Would you like to spar again this evening?"

That caught me by surprise. "I'm sorry. Could you repeat that?"

"Would you spar with me this evening?" he paused. "Am I signing too fast?"

I shook my head. "No, not at all. I just wanted to be sure I saw that right." I placed my forefinger and thumb on my chin and made a thoughtful face. "Spar, huh? I suppose I wouldn't mind defeating you again."

Snake Eyes' head tilted a fraction. I mirrored his movement, smiling.

"Hey Beast!" BQ yelled down the hallway, she was waving at me.

"I'll see you later." Snake Eyes signed before walking away towards the rooms further down the hallway.

The door across from mine slid open. It was Hi-Tech. He ran a nervous hand through his hair. "I guess we're neighbors."

Hi-Tech always seemed anxious around me. "That means we'll have to arrange a game night, right?" I smiled in attempt to relax him. "My place or yours tonight?"

He sucked in a deep breath, exhaling sharply. "How about my place?" He shifted around uncomfortably.

I laughed a little and nodded. "It'll be like that time in Mexico. Only without the stripping."

Hi-Tech turned a beet red before mumbling something in agreement and retreating to his room. BQ came down the hall and was laughing, so I assume she saw Hi-Tech's face and was clamoring about it. I frowned. 'She never was very nice to the poor dear.'

A/N: Short, but the next chapter will be up soon.