Chapter 2
Helen raced around Plumber Headquarters, thankful that the halls were empty at the moment as she was searching for the male Kineceleran she had seen last week. Ever since she had seen him, he had been stuck on her mind to the point that she felt like she'd go crazy if she didn't find out who he was.
Snare-Oh and Rachel happened to see Helen pause and then take down another hallway, to which the young woman chuckled. "Oh, yeah, that arrow is definitely looking to hit the bullseye," she said.
"Arrow?" The Thep Khufan asked curiously.
"Cupid's arrow," Rachel clarified. "Last week, Helen saw one of the new recruits and I think he saw her too, because Whampire told me the other day that there's a male Kineceleran asking about a female Kineceleran."
"And right now, Helen is the only female Kineceleran here at Headquarters," Snare-Oh said with a smile. "You going to do your matchmaking magic?"
The young woman chuckled before shaking her head. "Not yet," she said. "It's still a bit early and I don't think they've officially met each other yet. Besides, a good matchmaker has to make sure all the signs are there."
"How many signs so far?" He asked.
"Only two for both at the moment," Rachel said. "One sign that they are looking for each other and most likely are thinking about each other."
Snare-Oh nodded. "You're right, way too early," he said. "I see why you don't always jump in to do matchmaking."
"Right," she said. "Because if I do that too soon, the two people will either be humiliated and too embarrassed to face each other, or just become friends, but the situation will be very awkward. And I'm trying to make sure that doesn't happen."
"Well, do you think we can see about having them at least meet?" The alien mummy asked. "Maybe like in the mess hall or another hallway?"
Rachel fell into thought. "Well, that should be okay," she said. "But we'll have to be suave about it. We don't want to scare either of them away."
Nodding, the two headed down another hallway, coming across the male Kineceleran, who was looking around. "Hi, SE-VE," the young woman said.
"Oh, greetings, Miss Jocklin," SE-VE said before nodding to Snare-Oh. "Snare-Oh, good to see you."
"How are you settling in?" Snare-Oh asked.
"Well, the place is not as fast-paced as my homeworld, but everyone's been nice and understanding," he said before looking rather shy. "Um, I don't suppose I can ask you two something?"
"Go for it," Rachel said, smiling.
"Can you tell me the name of that beautiful Kineceleran lady that is here? I've only seen her once, but...I can't stop thinking about her."
"Have you seen her around here since you last saw her?" Snare-Oh asked.
"I've seen her picture on the boards for missions and such, but haven't seen her," SE-VE said.
Rachel called up a picture on her phone. "Are you talking about this Kineceleran?" She asked, showing him a picture of Helen.
"Yes, that's her," he said.
"Her name is Helen Wheels," Snare-Oh said helpfully. "She's actually a very special Kineceleran."
"How so?" SE-VE asked.
"She's a hybrid," Rachel said. "Part human and part Kineceleran."
The male Kineceleran looked intrigued. "Is that why she looked a little different?" He asked. "Not that that's a bad thing. I just noticed some of her features are unique."
"Yes, but Helen is a wonderful Plumber and works hard," Snare-Oh said. "Anytime she had teamed up with someone, they often tell others that she is a good teammate."
"She is," Rachel said. "Remember that one mission I with her where we had to go stop Psyphon on Mars? If it hadn't been for her, I'd have gotten caught in those traps that creep had hidden from our scanners."
"And she's good at making sure we have everything we need before missions and that all the paperwork for meetings is delivered."
SE-VE listened intently. "She's dedicated to her job?" He asked.
"Very much so," Rachel replied, smiling. "Sometimes we have to convince her to take a break or go have a day for herself."
The male Kineceleran suddenly looked nervous. "Does she...have a significant other?" He asked, looking afraid of the answer.
"I don't believe so," Snare-Oh said. "At least, she hasn't mentioned having someone special in her life. Has she, Rachel?"
"Not to my knowledge," the young woman said honestly.
SE-VE looked thoughtful and Snare-Oh smiled. "But you know, the only way to really find out is to observe her," he said. "I think she's in the mess hall at the moment."
"Maybe you can ask to join her for lunch?" Rachel said.
The male Kineceleran nodded. "Thank you both for your time," he said before speeding away, not seeing Rachel and Snare-Oh grin at each other.
Helen sat down with her lunch and sighed. "No luck at all," she said to herself. "I wonder who he is."
"Pardon me," a voice said and she turned to see the very Kineceleran she had been searching for standing in front of her, holding his own lunch tray. "May I join you for lunch?" He asked.
Helen felt a blush come to her face. "Sure," she said, smiling sweetly, but she was nervous as she observed the other.
SE-VE blushed a little himself. "I'm SE-VE," he said.
"I'm Helen," she said. "Are you new here?"
"Yes," he said. "I was brought aboard to assist the Plumbers."
"What made you want to join them?" She asked curiously.
SE-VE looked a bit nervous. "Well, the young man with the watch was an inspiration," he said.
"You mean Ben?" Helen asked and he nodded. "Oh, yeah. He actually inspired me and some of the others to join the Plumbers."
Rachel and Snare-Oh came in with their own lunches and happened to see the two sitting together and talking. The young woman smiled. "So far, so good," she said to her brother.
"They're both blushing a bit," he said. "Is that a good sign?"
"It usually is," she said.
They sat at the table next to Helen and SE-VE. "Hi, Rachel! Hi, Snare-Oh!" Helen greeted them.
"Hey, hon," Rachel said before looking at SE-VE. "Hi, SE-VE. Did you find who you were looking for earlier?"
"Yes, thank you," he said before looking at Helen shyly.
She gasped. "No way! You were looking for me too?!" She asked, but the three noticed her tone was one of surprise and happiness. "I was looking all over for you today."
"Oh," the male Kineceleran said, blushing a bit.
"This place is quite a maze," Snare-Oh said, hiding a chuckle.
Rachel smiled before looking apologetic. "I should have introduced you two sooner," she said. "Sorry about that."
"That's okay, Rach," Helen said forgivingly. "It was actually fun trying to find SE-VE, like solving a mystery."
The male Kineceleran nodded in agreement, gazing at Helen with a lovestruck look as she giggled, but when she turned towards him again, he quickly looked like he hadn't just been looking at her like a lovestruck person.
Snare-Oh and Rachel looked at each other before the young woman put a finger to her lips in a quiet gesture of 'shh' with a knowing look, to which the Thep Khufan nodded, seeing Rachel was quietly saying they should wait on the next step of matchmaking the two Kinecelerans.
After all, a budding romance could not be rushed.
Hmm. Looks like romance is budding between Helen and SE-VE. :)
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GoldGuardian2418
