Star Child

Nine - White Whale

Dhare glared at the projected video message of Artemis smiling at him. Seeing her well was good but he wasn't in the mood for pleasantries.

He wanted answers.

Artemis rocked a sleeping Orion in her arms, sitting on a plush couch with the bustling city in the background. She was on Yautja Prime. Last he heard, the clanship had returned to orbiting the planet with Rhage having decided to bring everyone home after the Queen hunt. He was happy to see her home but memories of Valam's betrayal burned anew in his breast.

"Dhare, hey hun! Sorry for not responding faster, Orion has kept me super busy. He's crawling now!" She showed her blunt teeth with a wide smile.

He forced a pleasant Yautja smile in return, his top mandibles lifting upwards. "I admit I was...frustrated by the lack of a quick response."

Her smile dimmed to a frown as she finally took in his distress. Dhare sat upright in his chair with narrowed eyes and his arms crossed, the tiny black quills on his shoulders hard with tension.

"Oh Dhare..." she licked her lips as she gazed at him with concern, "Are you okay? What's the problem?"

"A human."

"A...human?"

He grunted an affirmation.

Artemis's face lit up almost instantly, "You found her? You found your princess? The woman you sa—?"

Dhare cut her off with a chuff, "She will hear you! I am withholding that information until I deem necessary." His step-bearer's face screwed up slightly.

"Why not just tell her now? She has a right to know."

If he told her then he would have one less thing to have over her. Once she found out, she could find a way to escape his custody and then he would have to hunt her and kill her. He didn't want to do either! Something twisted in his gut at the thought of her being dead, that curved mouth of hers silenced forever. With a growl, he shook his mane out sharply to banish his thoughts.

"Reasons," he replied, tapping his tusks together quietly.

Artemis twisted her lips. "Mhmmm. Then what can I help you with?"

There was so much she could help with but the first issue on the list took priority...

"How do I develop trust with the female? I destroyed her ship and she sees me as the enemy. She is in my custody for a reason, I—"

With a heavy sigh, her eyes rolling to the ceiling, "Dhare...you destroyed her mode of transport and possibly her home! Then you say you kidnapped her, so of course she'll hate you!" She rocked the pup more when he began to stir, issuing soft little whines.

"I'm saying this with love and to help you, Dhare, but you're an idiot."

Dhare straightened with a snarl, "I am not—"

She made a sharp noise with her lips, "I'm not through yet!" Artemis sat back against the couch with a sigh cutting him off. "It's obvious that what I just said is the issue. You have to get her to trust you by trusting her. Stop being rude to her and maybe she'll come to forgive you...eventually."

The Yautja chuffed and narrowed his eyes even more. He processed her insults first, but then wondered what he would have to do in order to gain Ashaki's trust. One word snagged.

"Eventually?"

"Eventually..."

"She has the tongue of a kiande amedha." Dhare grumbled.