The morning meeting wasn't what I thought it would be. The meeting was them simply laying down their rules with me and making sure that I understood my place in their group. Though I did wondered as to why they needed the whole group to explain simple rules. That is until they told me their plan...
I stood awkwardly in front of the humans, arms crossed over my chest. They not only had me morph into a human but also had me come out into public. I felt inadequate inwardly, but outwardly I stared their leader directly in the eyes. The human instincts told me this was the best course of action for some odd reason, despite it being very uncomfortable as well.
"Yeah… it gets kinda creepy when you just stare at someone like that." My attention was turned away from Jake for just for a moment so I could look at the human who spoke. The smallest human of the group was looking at me with a small frown on his lips. I couldn't help but frown back before turning away to the cage we were standing in front of.
"So you wish for me to not only go into a cage with a dangerous animal but also walk to it and touch it?" I asked as I examined the elephant just across from us. I could hear Rachel mumble something under her breath but I cared not to find out just what she had said. It was more than likely something rude seeing how she treated me earlier.
Jake frowned at me as he glances around himself. The park was currently close to closing and we were practically the only ones here, save for a few security guards and stragglers. But I believed he just wished to make sure no one overheard us.
"Yeah, me and Ax thought it was best you get a battle morph. It would be kind of suspicious if you appeared in battle all of a sudden. That and Rachel has an elephant morph so it would be less suspicious." He said glancing over at Ax, who seemed to be eying a waste receptacle with a hungry expression. He only replied when he was nudged in the ribs by Marco.
"Oh yes! Great idea. Iddy. Idde-ya." He gives me a smile which caused me to sigh ever so slightly at him.
That was hardly a good reason to give. Though having a female andalite appear in battle with you wasn't very intimidating. Males were large in both body size and tail while females tend to be small. But that didn't make their reasoning any better. I fight better in my own body that and having such an unwieldy morph would be more of a detriment in most situations.
But there was no point in arguing with them. After all I was here to earn their trust, not cause arguments.
"Very well…" I muttered, trying to fight the urge to play with my words. Aximili might not have any control over himself but that didn't mean I couldn't either. I didn't want to appear suspicious to humans and talking like he was certainly would draw attention.
"So how do we plan on getting her to touch it? Throw her over the fence? Maybe we could sneak in the back and play chase the kids again with the nice friendly security guards." Marco rests an elbow on Aximili's shoulder, looking between us with a smile. Aximili looks at him with a slightly confused look but didn't really say anything. He didn't look uncomfortable with the boy's sudden body contact. Perhaps he was used to it.
But why was he afraid of security guards if they were nice? That confused me far more. Perhaps Marco was using this thing Aximili called 'sarcasm' again.
"Going through the back maybe our best bet. They bring in the elephants during this time of year so they'll be kept in cages in the back." Cassie says as she glances around the group before settling her gaze on me. I shuffled a bit before giving her a small nod. "If you wish for me to take the back entrance then I will."
Jake glanced over at Cassie then back at me. "Yeah, then I guess it might be a good idea if you and Cassie went alone. If there's too many of us back there it might draw a lot of attention. Plus Estrid would need to demorph so we need even less attention."
Cassie quickly looked to Jake, giving him a small frown. Jake raises an eyebrow at her but says nothing. It was a few moments before Cassie turns around, motioning with a hand for me to follow.
"We'll keep watch okay? If anything happens in there-" Jake looked at her with a quiet, slightly gentle look. Cassie stared back at him, biting her lip.
"I'll try to morph and get out there there. Come on Estrid." She sighs, stuffing her hands into her clothing. I felt confused by the odd exchange but said nothing as I followed after her. But once we were out of hearing range of the other humans, I leaned towards Cassie.
"Why did you stare at each other like that?" I asked as we headed down the uneven brick path towards a group of buildings behind the cages.
"Like what?" She looked at me confused before her eyes lit up in surprise. "Oh! Uhm, you see that's kind of hard to explain. Let's just say me and Jake know how to speak silence."
"Speak silence?" The corner of my mouth twisted a bit on it's own. "Is it a thing all humans do?"
Much to my surprise, Cassie lets out a quiet giggle. "Naw, just me and Jake… Maybe Tobias and Rachel too but I think Tobias is just talking to her in private thought speak." I unconsciously let out a low rumbling noise that caused my throat to vibrate. I did not feel like that was the entire case.
"What?" She looks at me surprised.
"What? Wuh-tah?" I quickly clamped my mouth closed, displeased that I sounded out my words. I needed to watch myself more closely. You can not blend in if you do not act as the locals do. Playing with one words is certainly something that you do not do.
Her cheeks puffed out for a moment and she makes a sputtering noise through her lips. "Oh, you do that Ax thing too? Where you play with words?" Her cheeks quickly turned a darker shade before she looks away, digging her hands deeper into her pockets. I tipped my head at her for a moment.
"Yes, but it's not what humans do correct?" I ask her with uncertainty.
"Yeah, we don't mess with our words like that. I just thought it was something that Ax did." She replies quickly, her cheeks an even darker shade of color now. "Sorry, I shouldn't have pointed it out."
"No it is quite alright. You have not offended me." I noticed her tone of voice could be described as apologetic. I hadn't realized she thought she offended me.
"Yeah but whenever Marco or Rachel tells Ax to stop he gets pretty offended." Cassie glances up at me with a sheepish smile. Ah that's why she was apologetic, because of Aximili getting offended when they point out his errors.
"Well that is because he's part of the military. They get offended at everything." I sighed, crossing my arms over my chest. That wasn't news to me at all since it is quite known among us 'civilians' that our military is too sensitive. Though what I had said seemed to shock the stocky human. She stops at the edge of the path, covering her mouth.
"Did you… make a joke?" She asks, a strange chorkling sound coming from her now. I tipped my head at her wondering what she mean by that. Her eyes widened even further in shock and her shoulders began to shake.
"You actually meant it." She gasps, still hiding her mouth behind her hand.
"Well yes I meant it. Is it not quite obvious that he is easily offended?" I asked, feeling like she was stating something obvious. She continued to stare at me with that surprised yet amused expression of her's.
"Okay, I think we should get going before I completely lose it." She chuckles before striding down the dirt path towards a door as quickly as her short legs could. I started after her with a frown, wondering what was so funny. Was stating the truth funny to these humans? I really hoped that was not the case.
She stops at the door and glances around for a moment. I would've done the same but it was rather dizzying turning your head from side to side to look around. I was starting to wish that I had my eyestalks. It would be far easier to spot danger with those than this single pair of eyes. I was starting to look forward to morphing back into my andalite body. Humans had a fantastic sense of taste but everything else simply did not work well with me.
Cassie fidgets with the door for a moment before it swings open with a quiet creek. She pokes her head inside glancing around. I couldn't see much but a tile floor and some grey walls in front of us. Once she motioned me to step in I realized that there was more to that than I saw.
On either side of me was a long hallway with several doors on each side. Some of them had bars while others had plaques that were embroidered with some kind of lettering. I turned my head from side to side before my gaze settles on a pair of humans heading down the hall. Before I warn Cassie I felt a rough grip on my arm before I was dragged off to another door.
The door swung open and I was shoved inside. Feeling a bit disoriented stumbled against the right wall with a dull thunk. Letting out a small gasp of pain I clutched at my shoulder glancing around the darkened room.
Cassie was standing at the door, peering out through the bars. I felt rather surprised that she was able to move me around like that with practically no trouble. She must have a good amount of strength in her arms to not only drag me but also to throw me too.
(You are rather strong Cassie.) I said in an admiring way. She glances over her shoulder, pursing her lips before turning back her attention towards the door. I wasn't expecting her to reply anyway.
*Click* *Click* *Click*
Hooves?
I couldn't help but scramble up straight and glance around. That sounded incredibly close. Actually it sounded like it could possibly be in here or the next room.
Bright light suddenly flooded over us as a hatch opened in the back of the room. I spun around with a unsuppressed gasp just in time to see a large creature with massive flat horns step into the room.
It's feet could've easily been twice the size of mine in my normal form. It's bulky body alone was practically nearly three times the size of my current one. A large flap of skin hung under its throat and swayed with each step it took towards us. It's oblong face and rounded muzzle were pointed in our general direction, pink nostrils flaring with each breath.
I could practically feel the ground shake with each step it took. I quickly scrambled back towards Cassie and practically fell into her when I tripped over my own foot. She catches me rather quickly, pressing herself up against the door. Her eyes widened slightly in shock as the door behind the creature slammed closed leaving us both alone with the strange beast.
(Cassie what is that?) I quickly snapped at her in thought speak watching as the creature slowly stomps forward, lowering it's head as it does. The size of those antlers had to be at least six feet from one side to the other. I wouldn't want to think of what it could do with those once it came in contact with our soft defenseless bodies.
"M-Moose… I-I… when did they get a moose?" Cassie whispers in reply, clutching my arms as she does. "I didn't see a moose here before. This cage was empty wasn't it?"
(Are moose dangerous?) It stopped moving just a few feet away from us, sniffing quietly at us.
"Not if you don't provoke it."
(Ah… well let's not provoke it then.)
I shifted around Cassie, reaching behind her for the door knob. But I found empty wall behind us instead. I sucked in a breath keeping my eyes trained on the large creature before us.
(Can you open the door?) I asked Cassie, moving out of her arms as I do. I had an idea but it was going to be possibly bad for my health. But if I could buy Cassie a few moments I would need to do this.
"N-Not while we're stuck against the wall like this. What are you doing?" She lets out an audible gasp as I take a few steps towards the creature, morphing back to my body slightly. The moose jerks it's head back in shock as it's hooves clopped against the ground a few times. I kept myself as straight as possible when it let out an angry snort.
Energy flowed through my limbs making me shaky. My body was preparing to fight or run and I knew I couldn't do either of those. I felt sweat bead down my forehead before dripping into my eye forcing me to close it as it started to burn. But the human did not notice the stinging pain it was more focused on the threat in front of us.
(Just get ready to open the door.) With that I lunged forward ignoring my instincts screaming to run away instead. I grabbed the creature by the nostrils digging my fingers into the soft insides of the nostril. The creature jerked it's head back, practically sending me off of my feet when it did. I held on tightly, gritting my teeth as I focused on acquiring the creature.
The moose bucked upwards slightly but quickly goes still and silent, eyes hooding as the soothing effect acquiring had on an living being took over. It's hooves clopped against the ground once it fell back on all fours again. I breathed in a shaky sigh, glancing over my shoulder at Cassie. She was fidgeting with the door now, muttering something under her breath.
(Ten seconds until it awakens.) I called to her, watching the creature carefully as I demorphing my arm. A wave of relief washes over me as the door swings open with a loud creak. I quickly let go of the Moose's nostrils, ignoring the trail of mucus that followed after my fingers. I quickly shook off my hands running through the door that Cassie had left open.
I listened to the moose suddenly snort as it slowly woke up from the trance before Cassie slammed the door closed behind us. I heard rapid breathing soon after which I realized was my own. Nauseated and shaking, I walked a few feet away before suddenly bending over.
"Hey Estrid are-"
I heaved before throwing up yellowish liquid onto the ground. After another few more heaves I threw up more before stumbling back onto my hindquarters. I twisted my tongue around my mouth finding that the aftertaste it left was considerably unpleasant. I gave a small shudder but I oddly felt better now for some strange reason.
(Yes Cassie?) I looked over my shoulder to see what she was doing.
Cassie was standing by the door, hand covering her mouth as she stared down at me. She quickly looks away once her eyes meet mine.
"I thought Rachel was the only one crazy enough to do that." She was now glancing from side to side. I slowly get to my feet using the wall for support as I do.
(I take it what I did was considerably hazardous.) I observed once I was on my feet again, wiping the rest of the moose mucus onto my shorts.
"Well I wouldn't recommend sticking your fingers into a moose's nose to anyone." She stuffs her hands into her overall pockets again. "Let's just call it a day and get out of here. We'll just have to wait on the elephant later." She then quickly heads off as I looked after her.
(But we have not completed our mission.) I replied as I walked after her at a slightly slower pace.
She stops by the door, glancing over at me with a small frown as she does. "I know but one near death experience with a large herbivore is enough for one day." Her calling it a herbivore came to a bit of a shock to me. The large horns and bulky appearance didn't really make it seem like a plant eater. I would've guess omnivore.
"Wait!" I called after her as she leaves out the door we came in. "That creature really was a plant eater?"
(So wait instead of acquiring an elephant you both get stuck in a room with a moose and Estrid then decides to stick her fingers up it's nose to acquire it? Okay why would we trust her to be back up if she's insane enough to stick her fingers up a moose's nose!?) Marco exclaimed from somewhere behind me.
We were all split up into different distances and heights to avoid gaining the suspicion of a group of people called 'bird' watchers. I was the one towards the middle flying far lower than the rest of them. Tobias actually complained about me taking the morph of a crow saying that they might as well invite some sparrows while we're at it. Thought that I could quite understand what he had against crows but something told me that sparrows were worse than them.
(Hey if she's willing to throw herself at a moose then she'll probably throw herself at a hork bajir. That's all I can ask for with backup.) Rachel replies.
I flapped my wings, taking a thermal higher up into the sky. I was starting to get the feeling that they were not too pleased by my decision with the moose earlier. Marco believed I was mentally unstable which was considerably rude but I kept silent. I did not feel like starting trouble with him.
(I believe it was rather brave of her.) Aximili started, (If she had not thrown herself at the moose then you two wouldn't have escaped so easily. Isn't that correct Cassie?) I felt a rush of pride at his words but it was quickly killed by a snicker from Tobias.
There was silence for a few moments before Cassie finally started to speak. (Yeah but-)
(Can we stop talking about this?) Jake groaned. (Yeah she did something stupid but they're both alive, right? Let's just stop nitpicking now, it's been thirty minutes.)
I was glad that Jake had finally taken control of his warriors. Though if I was him, I would've done it sooner instead of allowing the conversation to go on so long.
(Now then let's just get home and get some sleep. The yeerks have been quiet since… what happened at the pool.) I did not comment on this but I felt like he had intentionally brought it up. (So we might as well get a break. Estrid?)
I flapped my wings quietly for a moment before mentally sighing. (Yes Jake?)
(I want to meet you at Ax's scoop tomorrow afternoon.) Jake informed me.
(As to what reason?) I asked before receiving a bit of an annoyed sigh from Aximili. But I ignored him. He did not tell me I couldn't question his prince.
(I think we should talk alone.) He replied simply. I was surprised that he wished to speak to me alone. That seemed to be a rather risky move on his part. I felt like he was showing some form of trust to me. But yet it seemed odd considering what happened during the meeting this morning. He had sounded like he was doing me a favor when he told me that I would be allowed to join in some of their missions.
(Hey man, you think that's a good idea? I mean she's got a smaller blade than Ax-man but I've seen what she could do with it.) A trickle of irritation ran through me at this. I was starting to realize that Marco was the more cautious one of the group. He had been the one so far to question everything.
(I'm going to have to agree with Marco here.) Rachel chimed in. Once again, I wasn't quite as shocked. She had been the loudest to protest me joining them. (I think you should at least bring Tobias with you.)
Silence fell upon me which was considerably odd until I realized that they were probably privately speaking to each other now. I gave a few rapid flaps of my wings, irritated. I know that they had little reason to trust me but I certainly had no reason to outright kill them. Is this a human trait or simply something they picked up during their time in war?
(Okay, tomorrow then. Estrid I'll see you tomorrow.) Jake suddenly spoke again before the avian ahead of me turned and disappeared down to the right.
(Yeah, I've got a report to do anyway so I guess I'll see you guys later. Come on Cassie, you promised me that you would help.) Another avian broke from the group before a second disappeared with it. I realized that left four of us. I half expected Marco to tell us he was going to leave but much to my surprise, everyone stayed silent.
It started to become unusually uncomfortable when the silence continued for minutes. I decided that it was time for me to try and make conversation.
(Is Marco joining us to the scoop tonight?) I inquired as the landscape below slowly changed from sparse human buildings to sparse forest, We were already getting close to the scoop.
(We have invited Marco to watch TV with us tonight.) Aximili replied to me. I turned my head in the direction where I thought he was flying but with the sky darkening quickly. I couldn't make out his shape so I looked forward again.
(Ah.) I fell silent for a moment, feeling uneasy that the human would be joining us to the scoop. I found myself feeling jealous too. I was hoping for another night like last night where it was simply just me and Aximili. But Aximili was probably more in the company of the others of his group than alone. (Well I will go have my evening feed then.)
(I was hoping you would join us as well.) My heart skipped a beat when Aximili said that. I was amazed that he was wanting me to join them. Perhaps he was hoping that I would bond with them over human televised programs like the one show that we were viewing last night.
(Yeah we can't exactly kick you out of your house anyway. That would be pretty rude.) Tobias added, seeming to be agreeing with him. Once again, my heart skipped another beat. I was starting to feel slightly accepted now. Even if the human Marco was staying silent.
(I shall join you three if that is what you wish.) I would've been smiling if I was in my andalite form. Group activities were simply the start of acceptance which was what I could only hope for if I wished to truly be part of this battalion.
We were all settled down in front of Aximili's Television. Tobias was perched on one of Aximili's chairs and Marco was stretched out across the ground, leaning on the edge of the chair. Aximili was curled up behind him, front legs tucked under his body along with his hind legs stretched out beside him. I was settled just outside of the scoop near the television itself. On screen were some oddly drawn and animated sea creatures that had the expressiveness of humans.
Apparently this show was called 'Spongebob'.
"Aw man, why do we have to watch kids shows?" Marco had been complaining quite a bit since we've decided on this show. There had been quite an argument over between Marco and Aximili as to what to watch and finally Tobias decided that the first channel they turn to they were going to watch. That channel ended up being this show.
(Marco will you just quit complaining? If you hadn't fought over the remote then we wouldn't be watching kid shows.) Tobias snaps, fluffing up his feathers. It was quite apparent he was getting annoyed with the small human.
(How does the strange yellow creature survive getting crushed flat like that?) Aximili ponders after the creature named 'Spongebob' got crushed under a vehicle. I turned an eyestalk on him at this.
(Perhaps they have a gelatinous inner structure that allows them to flatten their body? But that doesn't explain as to why they are able to keep their form. Maybe they lack any kind of hard inner structure and instead are simply made of some form of biological sponge like material? Their name is Spongebob after all.) I theorize, crossing my arms over my chest. I noticed with my other eyestalk that Marco was staring at me with a raised brow.
"Okay, you're thinking way too hard about that. It's a TV show for kids it's not supposed to make sense okay?" He sounded exasperated as he spoke.
(Why would it not make some sort of sense? Wouldn't children want to be trying to make sense of their world not be confused by it?) I shift slightly, keeping my primary eyes focused on the screen.
(I am going to have to agree with Estrid. Why would you be showing your young something they won't be able to learn to make sense of?) Aximili broke in as he turned one of his eyestalks on Marco.
"It's for fun . Do you guys not have cartoons on your planet? What do you guys do for fun?" Marco flops back, crossing his arms over his chest as his eyebrows furrow together. I couldn't help but glance over at Aximili with my main eyes. He was more focused on the television than anyone else.I then looked to Tobias, who was still fluffed up. But because of his facial structure, he remained expressionless. But I could see he was focused on the conversation.
(We play drift ball, draw, tail fight… we also do have a form of entertainment similar to your television but it is mostly focused on showing imagery to the viewer. We do not often have sounds in our programs.) I informed him with a small smirk. Aximili snaps his attention away from the screen, turning his primary eyes on Marco.
He glanced at me before glancing back at Marco, adding, (We computerized simulations similar to your video games. Though not quite as primitive in concept.)
"Hey, hey, hey! Are you calling Doom primitive? I'll tell you that it's one of the fastest pace shooters out there!" Marco points a finger towards Ax who seemed to be smirking now.
(I have played your 'Doom' and I can tell you that it doesn't compare to the battle simulation games we have developed on the Homeworld. It was rather simple in structure.) Aximili lifts his chin in a smug gesture. Marco flushes a darker color for a moment before crossing his arms over his chest.
I couldn't help but smile a bit at the two as they continued their back and forth over the complexity of games. I might've played a few myself on the homeworld but they didn't appeal to me in the same way they appealed to other Andalites. That and I didn't really have a lot of free time to enjoy them anyway. I was always busy with my studies.
(So Estrid…) I turned a stalk towards Tobias when he spoke. Neither Marco nor Aximili seemed to have noticed he spoke. I turned both eyestalks on him, questioning. He had his head cocked slightly to the side as he spoke to me again. (Why did you really stay? You could've just gone home.)
I shifted slightly, noticing that the other two still weren't looking at us. It would seem that Tobias was speaking to me in private thought speech which didn't make me any more comfortable. He was looking to have a serious conversation in front of these two and yet in private thought speech? How odd…
(Because what use would I be if I had? I might be able to tell the people what was happening on Earth but they wouldn't believe me most likely. After all, I am but a young female.) As much as I hated to admit it, that would've been the case. I did not hold sway on our planet in any shape or form. I was no politician or well known warrior or even a revered scientist. I was just a simple young female who just happened to be sent to Earth at one point. (I would be far more useful fighting here.)
Tobias was silent for a few long moments.
(So Ax was right, they really were planning on you dying here.) He sadly replied as he turns his gaze onto Aximili. (Why else would they have chosen a couple of criminals, a madman, and… a nobody. They were expecting you all to die and if you did return well…)
I lowered my main eyes to the ground, silent. Yes, I had already figured that out by the time I broke into the records and read that our ship was supposedly destroyed in combat. They wanted us to all die. I would've not been missed nor would anyone else on that ship would've either.
I felt unease turn my stomachs as I agreed with Tobias. (Yes… We were dead as soon as we stepped onto that ship.)
Silence stretched between us like a cold night on the homeworld. I really didn't matter in the grand scheme. The government was willing to throw lives away and even more horrifyingly enough, promote genocide of an entire race just to protect our own. That wasn't right. No andalite should be willing to go so far as to do that. It wasn't honorable at all. Yet they would get away with it in the end or find someone else to blame it all on.
(Estrid, I do believe it's time to go feed.) Aximili's voice suddenly breaks into my thoughts causing my attention to snap back to him. His primary eyes were focused curiously on me. I managed to muster a smile as I got to my hooves. There was no point in dwelling on sadness for long. My battle was here and now.
I turned a stalk on Marco, who was still reclined back against the chair. I noticed his cheeks were an odd shade of darker tan and he looked as if he had gotten into a fight with a rowdy hoober. Aximili on the other hand seemed as calm and as collected as he normally was. I couldn't help but give an genuine smile at the sight.
(Yes it is. Will Marco be going home?) I queried, motioning a stalk towards the quiet human.
Aximili shook his stalks at me, smiling slightly as he does. (He will be here when we get back.) I glanced once again at the human male before dipping my stalks at Tobias.
(I will do my best for the group Tobias. I might not have your trust but that will not stop me from performing my best.) With that I turned away, trotting away from the scoop. Aximili soon joined me by my side, glancing over his shoulder with a stalk.
(Were you and Tobias talking?) He asks curiously, breaking into a canter as he does.
I bobbed an eyestalk to confirm this. (I rather like him.) I simply said not giving away the context of our conversation to him. I noticed Aximili break into a grin at this.
(Yes, I rather like him myself.) He beamed.
I couldn't help but feel there was something more to that. It looked like he was closer to the nothlit than he was giving away. I wasn't sure if I should've been shocked or amused. It was considered taboo to make an alien your shorm especially a primitive one. But seeing how Aximili acted so far, I couldn't feel as shocked.
A week later found me and Aximili at the stream again at dusk. We were practicing our tail fighting for whenever the next battle would come. Fighting in the stream provided extra resistance for us since we could not move as adeptly as we normally would on dry land.
A flash at the corner of my eye and I was quick to meet it with the flat side of my blade. A massive crack echoed all around us as our blade connected. The power of his attack forced me to bend back onto my hind legs ever so slightly. I was quick to use his momentum against him to shove back his tail.
Aximili planted his front hooves firmly into the ground, swinging his tail back above his head. His stalks were firmly focused on my blade as his primaries stared into my own. I twisted my tail around as well, holding it high above my head. He might have the advantage of size but I found that he lacked severely in speed. A male's larger tail could not move as quickly as a female's.
We slowly paced around each other, muscles twitching at the slightest movement of our tails. Aximili lets out a snort at the tension as we uneasily continued to circle around.
I struck!
My tail arced around my side aiming for his arm. He was quick to meet mine, the edges of our blades meeting with another bone shaking crack. I stood firm against the power of his strike and instead slid my blade down on his. I hooked it around the bottom of his own blade and suddenly yanked back using the momentum of my attack. Aximili's confident look turned to surprise as he slid forward slightly.
He let's out a startled gasp as he finds his tail being pulled well beyond it's normal range. A smirk of satisfaction crosses my face as I hear a sharp pop as one of the bones at the base of his tail broke apart. I could feel a shock of pain run through my skull telling me that my plan had worked fine. I was aiming to pull his tail muscles enough to slow his movements to nearly forty-seven percent of what they normally were. But it would seem that I didn't need to do that. He was pulling back so hard that he was already unbalancing himself.
I let loose his tail and watched in amusement as he falls completely back onto his haunches, water splashing up. He quickly starts to scramble up but with one final swipe, my tail was at his throat; Aximili stared at my tail before looking up at my primary eyes, surprised.
(That was a terrible trick.) He stated as I moved my tail away from his throat. A look of amusement crosses over his eyes as he gets to his hooves, testing his tail. He flinches slightly after a few swipes before gazing at me once more.
I let out a small thought speak laugh, keeping my tail raised. (It worked didn't it?) I asked teasingly, slowly walking around him. He shakes his tail then lowers it towards the ground.
(Yes it did.) He confirmed walking by my side as I stepped out of the stream. He quickly shakes the water off of his haunches then gives my tail a playful tap with his own. (You really are a brilliant tail fighter Estrid.)
I felt myself go hot under my fur at his praise but managed to keep my smug look. (Maybe you can not simply beat a female.) I strode away, keeping a stalk on the male. Aximili looked at me in shock for a moment before he started to laugh.
(I see you've been learning humor.) He sounded pleased at this.
(Perhaps I am. Maybe it's all of those comedy shows we have been watching lately.) I mused smugly before shaking out my hooves. Just as I was finishing drying off my last hoof I noticed something out of the corner of my eye.
I felt the fur along my haunches rise in surprise as I noticed a large avian flying low above us. Both me and Aximili slowed down at the sight of it. We glanced between each other with our primaries before Aximili trotted forward a few steps.
(Jake? Is there something wrong?) He asks uncertainly. I quickly stepped to his side looking up at the avian that flew so silently above us. So this was another one of Jake's morphs? But why was he here? Wasn't he supposed to be at home?
(I've got bad news that neither of you are going to like. We need to meet at Cassie's barn pronto. I've already told Tobias so just head straight there.) With that he circled once more around us before disappearing into the trees. I felt myself paw a hoof into the grass a few times, unease turning my stomachs. Aximili quickly bumped me with his side before cantering off.
(Come!) He calls over to me as he breaks into a sprint soon after. I leaned back onto my haunches before springing forward into a sprint. I soon caught up to Aximili, the fur along my tail starting to rise as well.
(This is serious isn't it?) I couldn't help but start to feel slightly shaky in my hooves.
(Yes it is Estrid.) He confirmed firmly as we sprinted our way through the forest, hopping over uneven ground and dodging around trees.
It didn't take us long to come upon the broken fence in which we hopped over. The sprint across the open field seemed to take longer than the first time we had done it. But once we made it to the barn where Cassie and her family kept animals everyone was already there waiting for us.
I skidded onto my hind legs just as we came upon them, kicking up a cloud of dust and grass as I did. Aximili came to a stop a few feet in front of me, eyestalks sweeping across the room. It took me a few moments to realize that there was another human here. A young, slim human that was wearing some kind of eyewear on his face. As I examined him, he seemed to be examining me as well.
"Okay Erik, explain to everyone what you just explain to me." Jake announced as Cassie closed the barn door we entered into. The young human 'Erik' glanced between all of us before clapping his hands together.
"We've been hearing reports of andalite sightings by many yeerks in the last day and a half. Some even say this andalite has been seen dragging away human controllers in some cases. None of us can figure out where but we do think it's not for good reasons." Erek reported as he continued to glance around the group.
"Okay so we've got another andalite getting rid of yeerks. So what? Less of them means less work for us." Rachel was quick to reply, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.
"I dunno Rachel what happened the last time a group of friendly andalites decided to help get rid of our yeerk problem?" Marco was looking directly at me, mouth turned into a half smile. I ever so slightly raised my tail as I stared back at him.
"Well Estrid? Maybe this is just another one of your little buddies." He moves his hands, palms up as he smirks. A flash of annoyance made me stiffen my muscles and I raised my tail slightly.
I quickly lowered my tail once I realized the others were staring at me, their postures tense. Aximili had actually lifted his own tail as if he was anticipating me attacking. I stomped a hoof, flaring my nostrils as I did. But I wasn't going to quite let him get away with talking to me like that.
(I do not know Marco. Maybe if you spent less time making jokes and more time actually trying to think, you might just know the answer. We were the only ones coming. I do not know who this andalite is you exuberant FOOL.) I snap as I turned all my eyes onto Erek. I noticed from the corner of my eye I noticed Aximili giving me a rather surprised look. Though Jake had his mouth tightly closed and Rachel seemed to be giving me a slow nod now.
I had a feeling it was a weak reply but I wasn't well versed enough in human humor to do better. Perhaps I needed to watch more human comedy to get a better grasp on it.
"Lame…" Marco mumbled but I decided not to dignify that with an answer.
(Erek is there any description on what this andalite looks like? Have they heard them say anything?) I questioned the human as my arms stiffly crossed over my chest.
Erek leaned over to Jake and whispered quietly into his ear. Jake whispered something back before Erek narrowed his eyes at me. Jake just nodded with a sigh before Erek replied,
"All we know that it's a male, younger than Visser Three's host most likely, yellow eyes, and with a cracked tailblade. But the reports are incredibly mixed when it comes to appearance. Also they hadn't spoken to anyone that we know of." He replies as he folds his hands in front of himself. He was looking a bit uneasy now. What did Jake tell him?
But that description sent shivers up my spine. There was one male I could think of that matched it but that was practically impossible! Aximili left him at the yeerk pool to be devoured by the taxxons! There was not even a chance that he could be alive!
Right?...
I snapped my primary eyes to Aximili. (You don't think?) Aximili looked to me, his forehead crinkling as his primary eyes narrowed. At first I was confused by this expression but then I realized that he was mimicking a human expression. Grimacing perhaps?
(No he's dead Estrid.) His thought speak voice was low, almost vibrating in my head. (There was no way he could've survived. This is another andalite.)
He sounded certain of himself as he spoke. I could feel myself relaxing slightly but something made my stomachs twist with anxiety. I was not willing to face my former mentor.
(Yes Aximili… He has to be. After all there was no way for him to demorph or to run away. He would've been infested if he survived.) I grimly agreed as my fingers curled around my arms as tightly as they could. If he had been infested then we would've been found out anyway. There was no way a yeerk would keep that kind of secret.
Cassie dropped a hale bale that she had been carrying and dusts off her overalls. "Well should we try and find him? If they're going after yeerks they could possible be willing to help us right?" She asks, focusing her gaze on me personally.
(Perhaps Cassie.) I bobbed my eyestalks at her, shuffling my hooves. (If he's a warrior then we should very much try and get his help.)
Marco jumps off the stack of hay bales he had been sitting on and landed on the ground with a small thud. "But what if he isn't friendly huh? What if, now just bear with me for a moment, what if reveal ourselves to him he decides to get rid of us? I mean we're not suppose to have morphing technology right?"
He crosses his arms over his chest, looking at both me and Aximili. Aximili stared right back at him, the skin above his nose wrinkling ever so slightly. He looked offended by Marco's suggestion. Actually I felt offended by his suggestion.
No Warrior would outright kill another being without cause. Only a rogue or a criminal would. Yet something about what he said did make me agree slightly. It wouldn't be safe still, just not in the way he described.
Aximili stepped forward, still staring Marco directly in the eyes. (That is why me and Estrid will be the ones to speak to him first. If that is okay with you Prince Jake.)
Aximili looked to Jake with his primary eyes.
Jake shuffled his feet when Ax directly addressed him before giving a nod. "I think that would be our best course of action. We'll all keep a look out for them but when it comes to contacting them, we send Ax."
I noticed that he hadn't said my name almost immediately. It made me wonder if he just wanted Aximili to go.
(I will be bringing Estrid with me then. It would be best if there were two of us. If they're a warrior then I would feel comfortable having back up.) Aximili was careful not to make it sound he was directly defying Jake's order. Jake nodded at this, narrowing his eyes.
"Tobias you're on first look out then. Follow Erek home and then head for the mall. When it gets to nightfall, send Ax. Rachel you can do morning run with Cassie since you're both free." Tobias ruffles his feathers before letting out a low keen in reply to Jake. Rachel crossed her arms over her chest, crushing her lips together as she does.
"Yeah I guess… not like I was going to go to the mall or anything." She grumbles before blowing a strand of hair out of her face.
Jake rolled his eyes then pointed to me and Marco. "You two can take mid-day shift with Tobias. I'll do afternoon shift with Ax then we'll repeat the schedule until we find this guy. Just search all known pool entrances and follow known controllers." The humans nodded in reply to Jake before he claps his hands together.
"Okay then, tomorrow we start working. We need to find out if this guy is going to be help or going to be a danger." He turns to Erek, who had been silent the whole time we had been talking. "Thanks Erek, if you hear anything else-"
"Tell you. Yeah, I will Jake." He turns away and calls over his shoulder. "Nice to meet you Estrid, hopefully we'll get to know each other better in the future."
With that he leaves through the other side of the barn.
(Ah, you've told him about me.) I was looking at Jake now, unamused. He shrugs his broad shoulders then stuffs his hands into his pocket.
"I had to Estrid, he wasn't going to stick around if you just suddenly showed up." He replies to me in his own calm way.
(Who is he anyway? He doesn't seem like he is part of your group. Is he rouge?) I questioned him quickly, not too happy that he's been telling others about me. Especially those who I did not know the name of yet.
"He's just a spy for us. He spys on the yeerks and if there's anything we need to know he tells us." Jake replied with a shrug, still keeping that calm look of his.
(Spy on the yeerks? How?) Now that was rather surprising to learn. A human that could spy on the yeerks? That was wonderful but the yeerks were not easy to spy on, even for us andalites. There was only one way I could think of on how a human would spy on the yeerks and it did not comfort me one bit.
"Estrid I think it's best you learn about that later. It's a really, really long story and one that I don't think I want to tell right now." He groaned as he rubs the back of his neck. I suppressed the urge to stomp my hoof in response. He was doing what humans call 'dodging the question'. But there wasn't much I could do to convince him to tell him. Jake was not one to sway easily.
(Very well, I shall look forward to hearing what you have to say.) I curtly responded, straightening myself up to full height. I then turned away before walking back towards Aximili.
Everyone was starting to disperse with Tobias leaving first through the upper barn window. Aximili walked to Jake's side and looked like he was starting to talk to him. Cassie was quietly moving around the barn looking in on the animals they had in cages. Rachel was already leaving by the time my gaze reaches her.
Marco brushed passed me on his way out the door, stopping for a moment to say,
"If you want to learn how to be really funny, you know who to look up."
I frowned at him for a few moments before replying, (I'm sure if I know of such a person I will ask them personally.)
I smirked, feeling a flash of satisfaction that I was so quick to think of that. I had heard it on a show a few nights ago and I had kept it in memory for a time exactly like this one.
Marco spun around to face me, mouth opened slightly. He breathed in deep looking like he wasn't expecting that answer. But then his lips spread apart and he bared his teeth at me in a 'smile'. "You know what, maybe you andalites can learn humor... At least you can."
With a chuckle he walks away, shaking his head as he does.
I flicked an ear in response to this, wondering why he had praised me so suddenly. Though I still thought of him as a rude person, I wondered if perhaps we could be at least on good terms. Though I knew that was still a long time away.
(Come Estrid, we need to get back to the scoop.) Aximili was at my side once more. I dipped my eyestalks towards him in acknowledgement before following after him. Cassie pushed open the back doors for us.
(Thank you.) I told her as we passed by on our way out. She just waved at us as we cantered off across the field.
(You are learning human behaviors amazingly fast. I didn't even start to understand human humor until recently.) Aximili's praise once again caused me to go hot under my fur. I tossed my head in embarrassment before giving him a shy smile.
(Well I've had a good teacher.) I responded, dipping my eyestalks towards him. Aximili simply shook his head in reply to me. For a moment I wondered if he got dizzy when he shook his head like that. It wasn't something andalites did normally unless we were dislodging something from our ears.
(No Estrid, you are just incredibly intelligent.) He grinned at me, lowering his eyestalks. I noticed he was starting to look bashful now. I would've laughed if I wasn't afraid of offending him. Though something about how he looked at me in that way caused my hearts to beat faster.
(You think too lowly of yourself.) I playfully knocked my tail against his, causing him to let out a small snort. Though it was the truth too. If he hadn't started teaching me about humans I would've been farther behind. He was good at teaching.
The rest of our run was spent in silence, either of us seemed to be willing to speak. Once we came up to his scoop he ducked inside. I stopped a few feet away, stalks turning in each direction. A few moments later he comes out again.
(Come let us go feed. I will need to leave for my own shift soon enough.) He said broke into a trot once he got close to me. I let out a sigh, feeling tired from our run from the barn but followed him anyway.
Without warning he gives me a playful tail slap before cantering off. I was left confused for a few moments before I laughed and ran after him as well. I didn't know why he wanted to play; but the relief in tension it brought was very much needed. Soon we were both racing one another across his field as we fed.
(Come on Aximili! Can you not keep up?) I asked as once I noticed him lagging behind. I was running back to his scoop now finishing the last leg of our 'race'. Aximili was starting to breath heavily, a sheen of sweat glistening over his fur as he does.
(You know very well that you have more endurance than I!) He calls to me, kicking up his back hooves in an attempt to speed himself up. But sadly his effort was wasted as I continued to get farther and farther away. I slid to a stop in front of the scoop and pranced around as my chest heaved with each breath I took. I could feel my fur sticking to my sides, wet with sweat.
Aximili jumped forward the last few feet before gently slapping my lower shoulder with his tail. I hopped back with a laugh then pawed at the ground.
(So is there a reason as to why you wished to play?) I asked, smoothing down my ruffled chest fur. He was eying me with a smirk before turning away, shrugging his shoulders in a very human manner.
(I was testing your endurance and speed.) He answers as he stretched out his legs one at a time. I playfully stomped a back hoof in response to this.
(Why do I feel you tell a lie?) I teased, giddy from the run. Though I was feeling utterly tired from running so much today, I could still feel energy running through my limbs.
(Why do you think I would be lying?) He asks one he finishes his stretches. I crossed my arms over my chest, looking him over with a stalk as I turned my other towards the sky. Tobias was circling overhead, rapidly flapping as he does.
(Ax, you're up!) I heard Tobias say as he slowly comes to a land in a tree near the scoop. His timing was almost too perfect really. I shook my lower body then sighed mentally at Aximili.
(Well whatever your reasons, I do believe that wasting so much energy before your 'shift' was rather foolish of you.) He was already morphing, his hind legs snapping forward and his front legs disappearing into his body. His fur was sucked back into his body as he falls forward onto his chest. He lets out a startled gust of air before replying,
(I'll manage.) He replies, the outlining of feathers appearing on his skin. I had to look away when his beak sprouted out of his nose with a snap. I wasn't about to lose my evening meal by watching him contort into some other creature.
Five minutes of gut twisting crunching, slurps, and snaps I heard the quiet rustling of feathers before a large avian similar to Jake's own morph appeared the sky above me. He circled above me for a moment then starts heading off. I looked after him with a stalk as he flaps away into the darkness of the forest. Once he was out of sight I let out a lofty sigh and slipped into his scoop.
There was a quiet rustle of feathers before I noticed that Tobias had joined me in the scoop, landing on the back of a chair as he does. I carefully laid down on the ground in front of the television before picking up the remote.
(Feel like watching some documentaries tonight Tobias?) I asked as I switched on the television with a single click of a button. I was already getting used to finishing my days watching television for an hour or two.
(Yeah, but do you mind not ranting over it tonight?) He sighs, fluffing up his feathers as he settles down.
(I'll try not to.) I replied, amused. But that probably didn't mean I couldn't explain what was wrong with the science presented in the show… Right?
End of Chapter