Empyrean Iris Story Collection

Rival in the Circle Pt. 2

Sunny's heart hammered in her chest, the world around her seemed to spin in tight concentric circles. Moss stood before her head proudly raised against the darkening sky. When she didn't answer immediately, he moved forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. The gesture was surprisingly human, but most of the Drev had been affected to some degree by living with their human counterparts.

"You have proven yourself to be a commanding warrior, more honorable than your mother, and more rational than your father. You led our species into a new era, and you deserve everything that comes with that, a battle partner equal to your skill, a large brood, which is an offering that I gladly give you now. Allow me to prove myself in combat against you." A beam of light cut through the volcanic smoke and glittered across his perfect green carapace.

That green had mesmerized her younger self. She had always admired it, found it entrancing. Moss himself, other than being a worthy mate in his level of attractiveness, was an impressive warrior in his own right. She had doubts that she would be able to beat him in open combat.

From somewhere deep inside her, she felt an up-welling of shame and embarrassment.

"Is everything alright?"

Sunny turned her head to find Commander Vir standing at her side looking up with concern. HIs bright green eye brimmed with worry for her. A hand rested on her arm, and she couldn't tell if the gesture was supposed to be comforting..... Or protective.

"This does not concern you, human." Moss said stiffly not taking his eyes from Sunny.

Commander Vir pursed his lips into a thin line, "To the contrary, 'Moss', it would be my business considering I am your Commanding officer, not only aboard the ship but also by the traditions of your people."

The two stared at each other for a long moment, but then Moss shrugged, "You do not have to worry, Commander. I am simply and humbly offer myself to Sunny as a proper and respectable battle partner." He glanced towards Sunny, "An offer I hope you accept." He turned to walk away, but then paused at the edge of the rock outcropping, "I will be at the furthest circle to the north at dawn. I hope to see you there."

***

Sunny stood watching as The tiny green spec vanished into the distance with Commander Vir standing still beside her. She glanced towards him from the corner of her eye trying to gage his reaction, though she still wasn't sure about her own feelings on the subject. He was hard to read, very still, unmoving staring off into the distance. His face was completely neutral.... But the eyes, what was that she saw.

He turned towards her cleared his throat and then ... smiled, "He's... a good guy, you know, smart and..... And a good warrior of course, can't forget that. Um..."

"Are you ok?"

He waved a hand, "Not important. I should be asking you the same question."

Sunny paused, distant laughter echoed in her head, "Um.... I'm not sure yet. I mean.... He is a good warrior..."

"And that carapace.... Green's your favorite color isn't it?" She watched as he glanced towards the vacant suit of Armor, which glittered a green not dissimilar to Moss's armor. The human shuffled his feet awkwardly as he looked away, "Well I, should let you prepare. I mean this is a big deal, he practically proposed, so don't let me get in your way." He gave her a smile that definitely seemed genuine, though there was something about it she couldn't place, and turned to walk away passing by the armor without so much as looking at it.

That left her alone atop the hill staring down at her own feet.

She had been honest earlier, she didn't know what she was supposed to feel, didn't know what she ACTUALLY felt about any of this. She turned in a tight circle before sighing and taking a seat on a moss-covered rock. Ever since she was young, she had longed for a true battle partner, someone who would be able to match her skill and capabilities, someone who would always have her back, but lately she realized that she hadn't thought much about that longing. Perhaps she just assumed that it would never happen, and as what Moss said about a large brood...