Life-Like

[2] Sera

"Coby Robia, you will be damn lucky if I don't report you to the guards for this," Suddenly the doctor, Stephanie, was standing behind him.

Coby's lips twisted into an angry frown as he stared at the ground in front of him, refusing to face her, "So what if you did?"

She looked taken aback, "Excuse me?"

Coby stood up, dusting off his pants, but keeping his eyes trained on the ground, "Sorry ma'am. It was nothing. Shall I get to work?"

I glared at her, "What the he-"

Coby's hollow gaze met mine.

Sigh...

"As for you," she looked past Coby, to Appy sitting on the ground.

Appy smiled up at her, his soft, pink hair swaying gently in the breeze, "Yeah?"

Perhaps it was just my imagination, but in that moment, I saw the slightest hint of hesitation in her demeanor before she continued, "You would do well to get out of town immediately. I've already reported this incident to the guards and they'll be keeping a look out for you."

With that, she and Coby went around the corner, into The Clinic. I tightened my fist, trying to wrap my head around everything at once and process how much of a bitch she was at the same time.

"Well...That's to be expected. We should get you a disguise quickly, Appy," Ray finally spoke, squatting down to be almost eye-level with me as I stood up.

He grinned, "Well, she said I should probably leave. Sounds like the people here don't want me here, so shouldn't I just leave?"

"No, man. You don't have to go anywhere. I'll make damn sure nobody gives you any trouble," I said, feeling a sudden sense of duty to keep him out of unnecessary trouble.

Ray's eyes again narrowed at me, but this time I didn't feel like keeping quiet.

"What's your deal, frog? Let's just get this out of the way so I don't have to deal with your judgemental looks."

"Hm?" Appy said, looking up at me confused.

Ray's sharp-toothed grin returned, and he chuckled, "What do you mean?"

I sighed, frowning at him, "You keep narrowing all of your eyes at me. What's the problem?"

"Ahhh. Forgive me, I didn't mean to offend. It's perhaps a difference in our cultures - I just find you to be particularly curious for a human. I've never met one before, but I'd heard some terrifying things about your race. A 'ruthless, conniving race that regularly partakes in self destructive habits as a form of entertainment, participates in tribal warfare to kill their own kind, and perhaps the most xenophobic race ever to grace the skies.'"

I raised my eyebrows, feeling a bizarre sense of pride at the analysis, "Well, that's actually pretty accurate. I can't imagine other races are much different though."

Appy laughed, "Humans sound pretty scary! There's no way this guy-Hey wait, what's your name? You never told us!"

I looked down at him, "I...Uh. Odo. It's a weird name, so..."

"Nice to meet you, Odo! Pretty cool name!"

Ray peered around us, then back at me, "I'm inclined to agree with the demon. Considering what I had read about the human race, you're....Well, you have the temperament I expected, but I certainly didn't expect a kind heart and a selfless desire to protect."

"I don't-" I sighed, "Thanks, I guess...? I'm just...Trying to do the right thing. I've done enough bad already."

Appy hopped to his feet, "Well, whatever you did is in the past now :). Don't worry about it."

"Meh..." I said, absentmindedly dusting off my own clothes, "Can't just erase the past."

"Would you two be willing to follow me back to my place? We'll have to be careful not to be spotted by the guards, but once we get there, you two can hide out while I go out to get some replacement clothes that should hopefully hide Appy's horns and make him appear more normal in an every-day setting," Ray explained, gesturing towards what I presumed was the direction of his house with his bulbous fingers.