Eva strained her ears as she listened to Argen's instructions. The boy was sitting on the floor. Alon curled around his wrist, trying to comfort him. Argen tried to relay all the details of the tunnels that lead to the surface. They've bumped into a few hazards, but they were nothing compared to the Monarch. Before long, they had managed to get back into space.

Eva sank into her chair. "Finally…It's over."

"For now at least," Aikka added. "We don't know if they have ships that are up and running. If they do, The Monarch might come after us." He gently rubbed his beetle's head. G'dar cooed softly under his touch.

Eva leaned back into her chair. Her hands on her stomach. "Well I think it's time for some comfort food right now."

Prince Scorpio cocked his head. "Do you think that's wise?"

Rush got out of his chair. "Works for me. We're a good distance away. Might as well check to see if anything was taken out while we were away." He walked away. His large body moved deeper into the hull.

A growl echoed around them. All eyes soon landed on Prince Scorpio. His ears drooped in embarrassment. "By Kroooommm! I haven't eaten anything since…" He looked at Argen. He slowly got up. "Will anyone volunteer to take me to the kitchen?"

"Mistress will!" Ishtar chirped before anyone could say anything. She began to nudge Lydia.

"Huh?!" Lydia's ears and tails stood on end. She got up and tried to push Ishtar. "N-now hold on. I-uh…You…he-" Her words were cut off by her own stomach. "Uggghhhh….I'm hungry too."

Ishtar and Symphony pushed Lydia hard. They pushed so hard, that Lydia's hindpaws squeaked on the floor. Alon just watched it all in disbelief.

Lydia was able to find some control in her feet only to crash into Prince Scorpio. Her arms wrapped around his large one. She looked up at him. Her tails wagged hard, smacking Spirit and General Leo in the process. Her face turned red with the blush. "Come on…I'll show you." She let go of his arm and hurried down the ship. Her ears picked up a small tinge of laughter.

Lydia and Prince Scorpio walked for a long time. She was so in thought that she almost missed the kitchen entirely. She gripped the entryway hard. Her hand outstretched. "H-here's the kitchen. Hopefully there should be something available to us."

The kitchen was large enough to fit all five giant aliens and a small party of humans. Only a few contents were spilled onto the floor. It had one island and a few sinks that lined the room. Spoons and forks gleamed in the light. Some plates were broken in two. Across the entryway, the fridge stood tall and proud. It's white metal untarnished.

"I guess they were about to clean out the food before we came." Lydia pulled on the cool metal handle. The door revealed that a few shelves contained some food. Mostly Nourasian food from their time with Aikka's parents. She grabbed a large mango-like item and noodles. Her tails slammed the door with ease. "I'll let Eva know that we're going to have to find the next planet to get some supplies."

Prince Scorpio stared at her. His eyes took in every movement she made. The twitch of her tails. Her fox ears stood tall and proud. Gray fur that started to turn silver in the harsh lights of the ship. He even found himself wanting Lydia to turn around and show him those dainty silver eyes.

Lydia did turn around. Her arms shook a bit. Would it be ok to go back to another planet? Worry began to crawl into her head. She thought of Cuppunio's dying breath. Argen's despair in his eyes. Aikka's sister almost being taken away. The cold malice that was in The Monarch's eyes. Ever since I've been into space…Someone gets hurt. Now…someone died and I couldn't do anything… She placed the food on the table. I'm so stupid! Useless! Her hands balled into fists.

Prince Scorpio took in a sharp breath. His ears drooped at the sight of her. It's annoying to see anyone sad, but he didn't know how to help her. No one taught him how to handle these situations. Not even his own mother. He lightly tapped his finger on her head. "Now come on. Snap out of it." His chest tightened as her eyes fell on him. "We…We managed to get off the planet. We just need a new course of action."

Lydia pounded her fist. "Course of action?!" Her head whipped upward. Tears streamed down her face. "I couldn't save Cupunio! I let The Monarch try to kill me and Argen! You all nearly died because I have no control of my power! I could've even-" Her words stopped the moment Prince Scorpio placed a hand on her head.

"That wasn't your fault." Prince Scorpio rubbed his thumb against Lydia's fox ear to human ear. "We didn't know anything about that planet or its inhabitants. Plus, you're still learning about your power. It's no different than picking up a weapon." He gave an embarrassed chuckle. "You wouldn't believe how many times I had difficulty in that."

Lydia sniffed. She finally noticed that Prince Scorpio no longer had the orange glow or the features that made him a black fox. Strangely enough, having Scorpio here was the only comfort that she would take from it. She began to wipe her tears.

Prince Scorpio's eyes gave a happy gleam. "There. You seem a bit better. It felt like an eternity…since we've last met."

Lydia nodded. "Are…are you remembering the first time we met?"

Prince Scorpio sighed. "Now that you mentioned it…" He sat down and laid his head down. "I never got to apologize for my attitude when we were on the Kitsellas planet. Let alone for my current behavior."

They both sat in silence for a moment. Each made a bowl of their own food. Their eyes were unable to meet each other for a moment. The sounds of chewing were the only thing that broke the silence.

Lydia could feel the exhaustion creep over her. Her mind slowly began to think back to the days were her mom would make dinner late at times. Even when Lydia pitched in, it was still late in the night. Lydia would rest her head on the table and her mother would carry her to bed or ask her to head to her room. The warm sheets. Her mother's lullaby. Tears began to return to her eyes. Large droplets spotted the table.

Lydia swallowed hard. "I can't take any more of this…" She sobbed. "I can't take any more of this pain…" She clamped her hands to her head. Nine tails curled inward around her body.

Prince Scorpio stared at her in surprise. "What do you mean? Are you broken somewhere?"

Lydia sniffed. "N-no. I…I lost my mom. She disappeared from the hospital in critical condition! I'm so far away and I should be looking for her!" Her fingers dug deep into her hair. "Now here I am-" She felt warmth surrounding her. Her feet were off the ground.

Prince Scorpio held her up. His head pressed against hers. "I…know this won't make up much for my behavior, but I think it's best to have someone hold you right now." His ears were still lowered. His arms cradling her without squeezing the life out of her.

Lydia didn't say anything. Her mind was filled with sorrow over what happened the past couple of days. She pressed her head against his chest. Her sobs continued throughout the ship. Lydia couldn't remember much after that. All she could remember was Prince Scorpio carrying her into her room. Sheets and her familiars wrapped around her exhausted body before she fell into a deep sleep.

—-

Lydia just needs a good cry at the end of the day. Her mom is still missing, and she failed to save Argen's grandfather. Can you blame her?! Review please!