The Autobiography Of An Alien

Chapter 18 - Hatchlings, part 1

Draft #80 - Hatchlings

Hatchlings are not something I have seen in my future. I do not think I would be a good parent. I am... not the greatest at emotions, and hatchlings are, by nature, rather emotional. I fear...

Draft #82 

Sometimes, I wonder if fatherhood would suit me. I am a busy Vokkrus, I am brash, I am stunted; I am everything that is not a parent. I did not necessarily have great examples -

Draft #86 

When Nohkka had been a little thing, just barely able to open her eyes, I had gotten the chance to hold her. She was so small that I felt as though I might kill her simply by looking at her. She was beautiful. I had felt something, then - perhaps it was jealousy, or perhaps it had been the burning desire to protect this fragile thing, I did not know. 

I hope... one day, I might have one of my own. 

Draft #89

It would be a bad idea. I am not suited for such a thing. I would ruin whatever hatchling is in my care - 

Draft #95

Just get rid of this entire section. It was a bad idea. 

***

Grateful to be out of the cold, Rulshkka barely protested when Rukka's mate, Kac, pushed him into the worn, comfortable couch in their living room and shoved a warm bowl of stew into his claws. He didn't even want to eat it, so wrapped up in the warmth emanating from the ceramic. 

He stared at the misshapen lumps of meat in the bone broth, hyperaware of Kac's silent judgment radiating off her from the other end of the couch. 

"Did you get this from Korat'ska's rival? I hear she is very good at firing bowls like this," he said conversationally, voice a touch strained. 

"Rulshkka," Kac said flatly. They rarely spoke. Ever since Korrashkka had kicked him out, Rulshkka had barely seen Rukka and therefore, her new mate. Really, it had been sheer coincidence they had bumped into each other on the street. Rulshkka had just been trying to find a place to sleep for the night when he had knocked into Kac - literally; her groceries had spilled out all over the ground. "Where have you been?" 

Rulshkka's face stretched tight as his pleasant expression froze, "You know, I think there is a leak in this bowl. How about I go to the kitchen and get myself a new one-" 

He was halfway through standing when Kac shoved her claws against his chest, knocking him back on the couch. He only just diverted the slosh of stew that threatened to spill all over him by clutching the bowl close to his chest. 

"You'll answer my questions," she threatened. Rulshkka understood what his sister saw in her. 

"Around," he offered vaguely, sipping at the stew in an attempt to stall. When Kac didn't answer right away,  instead simply staring at him with that accusatory expression on her face, he continued, just to fill the silence, "It's not really easy being kicked out, you know." 

"You could've stayed here," Kac insisted. Rulshkka grunted. "Rukka would have let you." 

"Where is my beloved sister, anyway?" he changed the subject quickly. "She'd usually have a lot to say about my current... predicament." 

"She's with the egg," Kac said with an air of fondness. "You know, the egg she's been protecting with the Need." 

For the first time in a long time, Rulshkka was speechless. His mouth was slightly ajar as he processed this information. "Egg? She got the Need? It wasn't you?" he finally said after a few long moments of silence.