Chapter 13 - Divulging
Staring at the computer screen for a couple of minutes, nothing else happened. Trying to calm herself down, the feeling of something watcher her still remained. Thinking it was the Primusian masters doing tricks or the scout that was in the high trees, something about it did not sit right. Recalling the garden incident at Robert's school, both events did not seem like the slavers' tactics. The aspect that there was a third-party involved in doing these activities seemed more probable.
'But why would someone try to protect and contact me?' Aerialus wondered. Walking away from the office room, she headed back to the kitchen.
'I haven't talked to anyone outside of the family...other than cashiers at various outings. But that was with Sue, Howard, or Robert,' she mused.
Walking into the dining room, she stopped and looked up. Seeing how everything was after everyone left, there were a couple of dishes remaining from breakfast. However, they only had bread and pastries on it. Blinking, she decided to put them away in the bread container on the counter. While doing so, her mind kept turning its wheel to figure out the unknown mystery figure.
'Could it be...the neighbor?' the alien woman pondered. Placing the food in the storage bin, she put a hand on the lid to close it. Stopping herself, she stared without focusing on anything.
'It...could be possible...but...I don't have any evidence that directly ties to the person next door.'
'I saw him in my dream...but only as mimicking someone else.'
'Based on the dream interpretation...I subconsciously...want to meet with the neighbor,' Aerialus continued in her mind. Closing the lid, she grabbed the plates and went to the sink. Pouring soap on a scrubby pad, she turned the faucet on to moisten the cleaning tool. Stopping the water by turning a the handle, she began rubbing the soft abrasive side on the plate.
'At the same time...I fear the interaction...'
'Despite panicking...it did not...kill me,' she said in her mind. Visibly shaking a little from memory and sensation the dream gave, she shook her head. Finishing one plate, she went to the next one.
'I think I remember what it said...something about...sanctuary?...asylum?...and something about...no calamity?' the woman thought.
Furrowing her eyebrows, she concentrated hard on cleaning. Feeling a finger get scrubbed instead of the plate, it caused her to blink. Looking at the plate, it was completely covered in suds. Seeing that her hands were foamed with soap, she mildly shook her head. Turning the water back on, she washed down the dinnerware.
'Maybe if I look up those words...I can find a connection between them...it possibly could lead to a message of some sorts.'
Nodding to no one, she stopped the water running. Putting the dishes on a drying rack, she wiped her hands on a towel. Turning around and heading back to Harold's office and computer, she halted. Not even out of the kitchen, the possibility of the unknown person trying to reach her again came. Remembering the bookshelf cabinets in the living room, one of them was a dictionary. Changing course and going to one, she picked it off the shelf.
Looking through it, she found what she was looking for. Holding onto the thick book and going to the living room's coffee table, she set it down. Looking each word up, she searched for something to use as a bookmark. Gathering loose paper found in the kitchen, she marked the three entries. Walking back to the family room, she gathered the notepad. Returning to the previous room and sitting on the couch, she opend up to the first bookmarked page.
'Asylum...protection granted by a state to one that left their nation as a...political refugee?' she read in her mind. Seeing more to the definition, she continued.
'It also indicates shelter from danger...'
'For some reason...both of those don't seem to fit the figure in the dream,' the Baklavaian pondered before seeing the last remaining text. 'Use to mean...an institution for the mentally ill?'
"..." Aerialus blinked and felt confused. Shaking her head, she wrote what was listed on the notepad before going to the next one.
'Calamity...an incident causing great damage or distress...a disaster...
'It said no calamity...so that means no harm.'
'Does it mean...there is no stress where it resides,' the alien wondered. '...it does connect to asylum in a way...one more to look up...'
'Sanctuary...a location of safety...a nature reserve?...a holy place?'
"The common aspects from all three...shelter from danger...no harm...location of safety," she muttered to herself. Feeling like she got something out of it, she flinched a little from hearing the house phone ring. Sighing to herself, she got up and walked to the kitchen. After the third ring, she picked up the phone. Mentally thinking of what to say, the rehearsed line given by Robert came to mind.
"Steinbur's residence."
[...rather interesting greeting slave] Captain Olton replied through the other line. Not seeing the Baklavaian stiffen immeidately, he heard a more controlled tone.
"Y-yes sir. The host family advised me to use that phrase to answer phone calls when alone at the home."
[I see...how have you been?]
"...I'm...fine...I think."
[You think? Something troubling you...maybe...guilt for committing something that you shouldn't have?] he asked in a dark amused tone. Hearing a tense intake of air followed by a pause, the Primusian leader grinned.
[You are...awfully quiet...makes me very suspicious]
"...I did not have...a pleasant dream last night," she began after composing herself. Willing herself to suppress the instant anxiety that generated, she tried to answer as neutrally as possible.
[Hoo? A nightmare?]
"I was captured...by a being that can mask its appearance as one of the host family members."
[A shape-shifter you say...sounds very scary] the Captain commented with an amused tone. [Did tentacles come out of its face as well?]
"...!?" Aerialus became startled and blinked a couple of times. "...h-how...did you know sir?"
[...] he responded with blinking a couple of times.
'As much fun it is to rile her...she isn't one to lie bluntly to me,' he thought then looked at the monitor readings at his desk. 'Even the readings are saying she is being truthful...hmm.'
[Your masters are all knowing Aerialus...we know where you are and what you are thinking about...don't doubt our capabilities] the Primusian threatened.
"Y-Yes sir...I have seen the scout in the high trees," she responded feeling a little rattled. Not enough to lose her mental stronghold on herself, the aspect that they could monitor her dreams was creepy.
'Hmm...guess she would be able to detect her own kind.'
"I was a bit startled when it used a blue tracking laser sir...I thought...I was going to be executed."
[...] Captain Olton blinked more times. Feeling confused, he remembered that the slave he sent to monitor did not have that type of equipment. Understanding which of the scouts was discovered, he calmed down a little.
[Heh heh heh...better watch yourself slave...that individual will if you overstep your boundaries...you will commit yourself to your orders unless you'd like to end your...extended stay now]
"Y-yes sir...I have no intentions to break your orders."
[Excellent. Now then...there is a public event in that metropolis coming soon...I will be attending it as a...guest so to say...you...will attend it as well]
"...which public event captain?" she asked surprised that he was even telling her. Let alone bringing her to the same event.
[The humans call it...a ball. A gathering party of different individuals and figures of the local authorities. I will be the representative of my race there...and you will be my...show and tell. Understand?]
"Y-yes sir," she answered though felt ambivalent his explanation.
[A soldier will deliver invitations to the event...you are required to bring at least one of your host family members...you are still under my authority of needing to be in close proximity to them. It would be a shame if you failed to commit to my...demand]
"I...will be there sir."
[Gooooood] the leader cooed then hanged up the connection.
"..." Aerialus blinked from being a little started. She wasn't expecting him to abruptly end of the call.
Removing the phone from her ear and looking at it, she replayed the entire conversation in her head. The striking fear and doubt were expected including his mentioning of her almost getting removed from the host stay program. However, that apprehension was slowly dying away. What really caught her attention was him attending a human event. Putting the phone back on its receiver, she stared at it in deep thought.
'Most Primusian leaders I have overheard...tend to think highly of their race over others,' she mused. Turning to the kitchen and walking to the dining table, she went to her normal seat. Pulling it out a little and sitting down, she stared at the table.
'They don't normally...attend intergalactically held events...even alien ones...so why now?'
'I kind of figured if the Captain was going to talk with the people of this planet, there was another motive behind the action,' the woman spoke in her head. Blinking, she turned her head to look out to the backyard. Seeing tall trees in the distance, she focused on not looking directly at the top portions of the green leafy trees.
'What...is his real purpose for doing this? And to order me to attend...most likely means I am just a decoy.'
'Looks like another day of staying inside the house until the older human female comes home,' Fiona remarked in her hiding spot.
Adjusting her position, she felt a little stiff from sleeping in the same position in the high tree. Using the binoculars and scanners, she marked down any observations worth notating. After some time passed, her communicator did soft beeps repetitively. Knowing that would be from the Captain, she grabbed it. Putting it close to her ear, she accessed the device.
"S-1057 here."
[Well...that is a more appropriate response] Captain Olton remarked and gave a soft chuckle. [How is it...being perched in a tree?]
"...Is that a question...or rhetorical one sir?" the slave scout asked in a tighter tone of voice.
[Why so...defensive? Woke up on the wrong side of a branch?] he asked amused.
"Comfort...is secondary sir."
[Hmmm...not much of having conversations...are you] the Primusian stated losing his humored voice. [Straight to business...I can...respect that even when one is a slave]
"..."
[Anything to report since the star rise?]
"Given the day of the week sir, Aerialus stays in the host's home until the older human female returns first. From there, they depart to a selection of buildings before returning back to the home. From there, she stays indoors and partakes any of her host family's activity or one by herself till the evening."
[Very routine...makes it easy to be suspicious if there is deviation...what of outside factors?]
"...which...ones?" Fiona asked carefully.
[...there is more than one?] Olton repeated a little surprise.
"I am assuming you are referring to the neighbor...and the other scout that is in another set of high trees," Fiona answered neutrally as possible.
'So both know of the council's addition...how...favorable,' he thought smiling wide to no one. Clearing his throat, he spoke.
[Why...of course that is what I want to know]
'He didn't think there was another factor?' she pondered a bit confused. 'Or...is he hiding something?'
"Nothing to report so far this morning sir."
[Given past reports...I wasn't expecting much changes...however...I have another assignment for you]
"Yes sir?" she responded and tensed up a little.
[I will be attending a local event in the metropolis...you...will accompany me]
"...?" the Baklavaian blinked a few times. Shaking her head to get out of her daze, she answered him.
"Y-Yes sir."
[Good...I will have my second in command send you details...time...location...and materials. Do be...punctual unless you rather be scrubbing the prison decks again]
"...yes sir..." she replied with a stoic tone. It seemed to make the Primusian leader entertained again.
[It is a shame that you were born to a slave race...I can see greater heights for you if you were a Primusian]
"...thank you sir..."
[Until then...do keep a sharp eye...for any deviations] the leader mentioned then killed the link.
"..." Fiona made a frowning face and removed the comms device from her ear.
'Attending a local human event...smells like a scheme,' the alien woman said in her mind. About to put the contraption down, she saw its light begin flashing. Tensing her lips together from feeling agitated, she put it back to her ear. Already assuming of who it would be, she heard the connection go through.
"S-1057 here," she stated a little irritated.
[...] came from the other line.
"..." Fiona blinked and stared at something. After a few seconds of silence, she began to wonder if this was a trick from the Captain or some Primusian sailor on the comms. Waiting longer until someone spoke, nothing came from the other side. However, a nagging feeling was occurring in the back of her mind.
Concentrating on listening, her eyes became unfocused of what was around her. An invisible weight slowly pressed down on her body from an unknown source. The silence coming through did not feel empty. Her gut was telling her that something was on the other line. A presence that seemed to pronounce itself and take hold of her attention. So much so, she felt an airy movement moving over her right shoulder.
"...!?" she flanked her head to the right with dread. Nothing was there. The tree swayed very slightly from her sudden jerk movement but stopped immediately after. Looking around only with her eyes, her skin began to feel prickly. Knowing that was due to fear, that unknown source causing it made the emotion seem stronger.
[...h...E...l...L...o...F...i...O...n...A...] a haunting whisper came through. It sounded so foreign, it was accompanied by the sudden feeling of something reaching out to get her.
"NIYEE!" the Baklavaian flinched hard. Removing the device from her ear, she pressed the power button hard. Breathing heavily and staring at the small machine item, her hands shook a little.
'...w-w-what w-was...t-that!?' she thought in fright.
Blinking and looking around, she saw no one staring at her. Looking at the location of the other scout, there was no blue tracer light. Moving her eyes to the neighbor's house, no silhouette or ice blue orbs were seen in the windows. Trying to calm herself down, her attention was drawn to the garage door. Despite it being closed, her intuition was yelling at her to run away. Staring at it and repositioning herself to jump down a branch, she waited in silence for something to occur.
'...I...probably need...to find another scouting...spot,' she whispered in her mind while swallowing a lump in her throat.
"You seem to be in a good mood sir," Commander Utern commented. After the second call, the Captain had a smug look on his face. Leaning back on his chair, he put his feet up on his desk.
"It is because I have such...devoted slaves to command," Olton remarked then looked at his second in command. "They are proving to be useful tools in the grand scheme of things."
"So you say."
"I take it you don't believe me."
"Bringing both of them to a local event as their representative...is just a front."
"As expected of my lieutenant commander," he stated then began to stroke his beard. "Now if you knew what kind of meetings I have been having, what is the secondary objective of attending the event?"
"I can only assume it is regarding your...special cargo you somehow...acquired," Utern answered with narrow eyes.
"You make it sound like it is a bad thing," the Captain spoke sounded a little hurt. Putting a back hand over his eyes, he leaned back in his command chair.
"How can you even think of me being such an evil person? I offer my slaves work and programs to experience things outside of their...cages."
"Two out of how many...sir?" the other man stated with an unimpressed look. Blinking in surprise, the Captain let out a short laugh. Getting his feet off the desk and onto the floor, he stood up.
"I'll let you in on something Utern because the situation is so...funny. I am meeting with authorities of the local sovereignty at this human party. And do you know what the main meat of the discussion is about?"
"..." the 2nd in command replied with a blank face. "...enlighten me sir."
"It is about...handling the special cargo."
"...?" the other individual reacted with surprise. "The government here knows about it already?"
"Yes...in fact," Olton continued. Putting his hands on his desk and leaning forward, he grinned.
"They...want to find ways...to make it easier for us to...collect the special cargo."
"I'm home," Sue spoke after entering her home. Closing the door and getting her shoes off, she heard quiet footsteps coming from the kitchen. Looking up and seeing who it was, she was about to speak when something seemed wrong. Aerialus looked physically alright; however, her face seemed restless.
"Welcome home Sue," the Baklavaian greeted with a small smile. Walking toward her, she stopped outside of her perceived personal space.
"How was work?"
"It was alright," the older woman answered with a small smile. Approaching the female alien, she gave her a soft hug. Feeling a returned one, the human moved back but kept her hands on the younger person's arms.
"You alright dear?"
"...I...think so."
"Is there something one your mind?"
"..." Aerialus looked down a little with her eyes and kept the same small smile. "...it is difficult to hide things when you know me so well Sue."
"Did...something happen? Did those nasty pirates make a home visit?" Sue asked. Feeling a little better seeing her shake her head, she waited for a response.
"The slave Captain...called here," she began. Looking up at the mother and seeing her concerned expression, the small smile began to relax.
"He...wants me to attend a local event in the city. He said it was called...a ball."
"The ball party downtown?" Sue repeated looking a little surprise.
"...?" Aerialus looked surprised at her. "...you...know about it?"
"Yes," she answered and let go of the alien's arms. "It is an event that happens a couple of times a year. Even since our government made the collaboration with alien governments, they hold a ball party to have humans and aliens intermingle with each other."
"...I...see," the Baklavaian responded blinking a couple of times. Comprehending the brief explanation, the unknown event felt less concerning.
"The Captain did not explain about it much...though required me to attend. If not, he will remove me."
"That...sounds a bit strange to say the least. I can look into getting tickets for it."
"He...said that he is sending one of his men to deliver invitations."
"I see...well...if you want to read about the event, I can pull it up on Harold's computer," Sue offered. Seeing the alien freeze for a couple of seconds, it seemed she was contemplating in a nervous fashion.
"...okay..."
Following the human to the computer and watching it turn on, Aerialus watched with alertness. Seeing Sue look up something and open up a web search, she began typing the name of the local event. After verifying the information on the website, no hidden message of someone trying to contact was seen. Feeling somewhat relieved, Aerialus felt that if she was alone, then whoever was watching would try again.
After breaking away from the looking up on the ball event, small talk was established between the two. Deciding to go out for lunch, Sue drove the Baklavaian to one of their frequent outing places. Getting out of the house and doing their normal mid-week routine helped relieved the current stress and worry from the younger female. By the time they returned, there was a small package on the front door mat.
Picking it up and entering the home, they opened it. Finding tickets, it was for the ball event downtown. Seeing a total of 4 tickets, Aerailus assumed that it was for all family members to go. Sue mentioned that she wasn't sure if Harold was really interested in attending, but she'd ask when he got home. Nodding and watching the older woman disappear in the house, the alien stood in the living room looking at the invitation slips.
'Depending if any of the family members doesn't want to go...will that be used against?' she wondered feeling her back itch. 'I don't doubt that Sue is willing to go...as well as Robert if he is not busy.'
'I am sure Sue will do her best to convince Harold...I just don't want this to be a burden to any of them.'
'Are the masters planning on creating a scene at the event?' the alien wondered. Losing concentration of staring at the tickets, her mind continued to churn while she didn't focus on what was in front of her.
'...no...that doesn't sound like them...but the Captain...will be there to...present me?'
'What does that even mean?'
'Is he going to public show his authority and treat me as a slave in front of others?' Aerialus pondered. Tense initially, she stopped herself from becoming anxious. Turning around, she walked to the couch to sit down.
'...no...he would do the opposite.'
'He is doing this to show himself in a good light with the locals here...possibly higher up humans as well if they are attending.'
"Aerialus."
'If he is able to succeed...then what does that mean for my future? Does it mean I stay in the host family program longer? Or will he pull me? The opposite can be said as well..."
"Aerialus?"
'The event is not just for humans...all alien races that have come to this planet are invited to attend as well...based on how many I have seen in the city and in Robert's college place...it is fair to guess that there will be other species there.'
"Aerialus?" Sue called a third time. Standing in front of her, she saw her younger ward flinch and blink. Seeing her look up, it was like seeing someone snap out of talking in their mind.
"Y-Yes? I-I'm sorry S-Sue...I was...thinking too hard."
"I saw...has this event cause a lot of worry for you dear?"
"...yes...I...don't know what the masters have planned. They do not...normally do this."
"It does seem very peculiar," the older woman agreed. Placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, she gave a bright smile.
"But this would be another opportunity for you dear! We have to pick out a dress for you to wear."
"..." Aerialus looked down at what she was wearing then looked back up. "...are these clothes...not suitable for the event?"
"It is a ball party, so no. Come on," the woman answered and pulled her to stand. "I know a place that has all different styles of dresses."
"B-But Sue...this is just-"
"You want to show yourself in the best light, right?" she continued then pulled her to the door. "Let's show that Captain how a woman can put on charm regardless of status or species!"
"..." the Baklavaian kept her mouth closed as she continued to be in tow.
Getting back into the car, they both headed back towards the downtown area. After an hour or two, they were heading back to the home. Feeling mentally tired from the 2nd shopping event, Aerialus stared at the bag between her legs. The dress she got was not flashy or too elegant. Despite looking at simple and conservative ones, Sue steered her to ones that were a little more daring. Remembering how it looked staring at a mirror and how it felt, it was less clothing material than her slave outfit.
"The last time I went shopping for dresses and gowns was for weddings," Sue mentioned while driving. "That was some years ago. So much has changed."
"...it has?"
"Yes. Never seen so many different styles that catered to not only our race, but to other species as well."
"That was...different to see," the alien agreed. Remember some of the outfits made her a little red.
"There were some outfits...that were too revealing."
"Hee hee...yes...there is a market for those outfits too."
"What would those be used for? They seem very impractical."
"Hmm...to put it mildly. To attract the opposite sex."
"..." Aerialus blinked a couple of times. Thinking about it, she quickly nodded her head.
"I see."
"I bet when Robert and Harold see you in your outfit, they will be floored," Sue mentioned having an amused smile on her face. "I feel like I'm back in high school talking like this."
'...this seems to be...more Earthling lingo that I don't understand...' the younger woman mused after nodding her head.
Continuing to head back to home, the Baklavaian wondered how different the outcome would have been if she didn't wear a dress to the ball party. Thinking if she did and stood out as the odd one, she would have embarrassed the Captain. That could have resulted in negative treatment. The revelation made her go through different expressions one after another. Able to stablize herself, she took a calm breath in.
"...Sue?" she spoke looking at the mother.
"Yes dear?" the other responded keeping her eyes on the road. Coming to a traffic stop, she glanced over at the Baklavaian.
"...thank you...for doing this for me...I didn't realize that if I showed up without the appropriate attire...I would have caused everyone problems," the alien admitted then bowed her head. "I am sorry for...doubting you and your decision."
"Aerialus," Sue began. Reaching one hand our while keeping the other on the steering wheel, she placed her hand on Aerialus's cheek.
"I understand. I had my moments when growing up not knowing the rights and wrongs of things like this. I pushed back at my parents when I was around your age. I can tell you that those embarrassments I put myself in were not fun at all. Learning from those mishaps made future events much more enjoyable."
"Also...part of being a parent is not wanting to have your children go through the same struggles and embarrassment. I may have been pushy about this, but part of it was so that you could have a fun time at the ball without worrying about anything. Especially with how you look and are dressed," she informed. Letting go of her cheek and putting it back on the wheel, the traffic light changed. Moving the car forward and looking ahead, she couldn't see the happy smile from her ward.
"..." the alien looked up at the human and stared. Seeing the smile on her face and how she felt from her kind words, her worries seemed to go away a bit. Sitting back up straight and turning forward, she watched the scenery of the metropolis go by.
'...maybe...maybe this ball event...will not be bad,' Aerialus thought.