Little Lightning

Chapter 35

Lyrical swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. What was she supposed to do? Bow? Stand? Introduce herself?

"Lyrical!" The Tribus exclaimed suddenly, startling her and making her jump. He stood and strode forward, enveloping her in a hug. She stiffened, unsure of what to do with this random hug. She hadn't had a hug in years, mostly because no one on the Bluetiens planet knew how to give one, and she didn't want to explain it, and back on earth there was no one to give her one.

The Tribus let go, stepping back. "How was that?" He asked her, eyes bright and expectant, like a childs.

"What?"

"The... dug? Is that what you humans call it?"

"A hug?"

"Yes! That's it! Did I do it right?"  He looked at her eagerly. She nodded slowly, eyes wide and heart racing. He clapped his hands once, startling her once again. "Great! I heard that on your planet hugs are a greeting. I just thought I'd make you more comfortable!" Her brow furrowed. What had happened to the guy who had threatened to kill all of them if they didn't succeed in taking down the Bluetiens? "Come come, sit down." He moved aside to show a leather couch. When she looked at him, her confusion showing on her face, he smiled sheepishly. "I also had some furniture made, since these are what you Earthians seem to like." She turned and after glancing back at him again to see him nodding eagerly, she sat.

The leather sighed beneath her, flexible and soft, as if it remembered the feeling of countless people sitting on it. It was very comfortable, and she found herself relaxing almost right away.

"Now then!" He sat down in the leather recliner he had sat in before. "Down to business!" She looked at him, alarmed. "Tell me." He leaned close like they were sharing a secret. "What do you think of my scientists?" Lyrical recoiled slightly. She did not like those scientists. She just shook her head, not trusting herself to speak without saying something that might get her killed. "You do not like them?" She shook her head again, muttering a small no. He leaned back, stroking his short cropped beard. "Hmmm." He hummed, then looked at her again. "How come?" 

Lyrical looked down at her hands, cuts dotting them, new scars that weren't there before attesting to the things she had endured. 

"They..." She blinked, unable to find the right words. Looking up at him, she found him eagerly watching her. "They hurt me."

"They hurt you?" His brow furrowed and he turned his chair around slowly so his back was to her. "That's certainly not what I ordered." He turned to look at her. "How did they hurt you?" 

She looked at him blankly. Did this man not know what his people were doing? "The put needles in me. And they..." She trailed off, looking away, then looking back at him again. "They put some sort of weird different colored liquid in me. It hurt really bad."

"I see..." He mused, rubbing his beard thoughtfully. "And what did you think of Alias?" Again, she shook her head.

"He's rude. And I can tell that hes dangerous." She said, the words almost pulled out of her mouth.

"That's unfortunate..." He sat back, propping he head up on his fist. "I was hoping he could be your caretaker." She shook her head slightly.

"I would not like that." Ok, that time she definitely didn't mean to say that out loud. She shut her mouth and grit her teeth. Something cold, and strangely familiar, coiled around her mind. Her eyes widened. The Tribus was using the same trick that Zyan had tried. 

"Now, one more question." He looked at her, his blue eyes no longer filled with the childish joy they had been filled with earlier. They were instead filled with something more dangerous, like a snake planning its next move. "Do you feel for the Bluetien you came here with?"

Her mouth opened, but she shut it before she could say something she would regret. Or before the Tribus could pull something out of her that she didn't want to hear. She shook her head. He raised a brow.

"I suggest you tell the truth, child. It wouldn't be too hard to kill you."

"You can't." She blurted out. "You need me." He looked at her, something sparking in his eyes. He chuckled.

"Perhaps." He smiled, all his teeth showing. "But I do not need him. What was his name again?" He pretended to think hard. "Ah yes! Kirtash?" 

She jerked, trying not to let her mouth open for anything. She pushed against the cold snake in her mind, but this one was far larger and heavier than Zyans.

"Listen here, child." He leaned forward, his smile more strained. "I could destroy all of you with a single snap of my fingers. So I suggest you tell me what I want to know, or I will not hesitate to kill all of your little Bluetien friends."

She grit her teeth, fighting against the snake. He laughed. "You have strong control, I'll give you that. The only reason I haven't forcefully broken your control over your mind is because your mind would be shattered. And then I wouldn't have any leverage, now would I? My weapon could attack us without a second thought."

She closed her eyes, fighting with all her strength as the snake curled tighter around her mind. After several moments of her fighting him, he sighed and the snake released.

"Fine. Keep your secrets. I'll find out soon enough." He smirked, then smiled thoughtfully, looking her over. "You know, I am a merciful host," --Lyrical almost snorted at this-- "and as such I will allow you to see him. For how long, is up to you. If you plan anything, he dies. If you try anything, he dies. If you do anything that might cause me suspicion--"

"--he dies." She finished, sighing slightly.

"There you go, you got it. I will have Alias escort you to him." He grinned and clapped his hands once. The door opened immediately, revealing a scowling Alias. "Good luck to you, Lyrical Cyrax. I do hope you don't cause me to kill you, as I rather enjoy your company."