Fangs and Diamonds

Reflections

No parents? What in the name of Delfor is going on in the Le'ran homeworld? Lekel thought with confusion. His face was just filled with bafflement as he watched her leave. "Uh... nice meeting you," The Maurian called out before quietly adding to himself, "I guess." He was left unsure of what to make of the Le'ran.

It feels like she's hiding something, but what? Lekel paused to consider the options as he began heading to the turbolift. Unless I'm overthinking it. His stomach let out a quiet growl, reminding him that he was still famished from eating little today.

He went into the turbolift and moments later he was outside his quarters. The Maurian took a deep breath before entering.

"Where have you been?" His mother immediately snarled before Lekel could even fully step into the door. His parents were clearly arguing just moments earlier, based on how his father was pitifully sitting on the old couch with their pet crekk. The red, serpent-like creature hung loosely around his neck.

Lekel tensed slightly. "Uh... school?" He replied as he looked away awkwardly. He already knew where this was headed, but he couldn't bear to face her either way.

"'School?' You should have been back hours ago," 013 snapped, crossing her arms and leaning over. "Where have you been? Do not lie to me."

"I promise," Lekel insisted, instinctively recoiling. I was primarily there... Sure, a little distracted, but I was there.

Before 013 could unleash her fury, his father, 024, spoke up, the crekk still lying around his neck, "Let Lekel be. He has done no wrong."

013 glared at 024 before arguing back, "How do you know?"

"Because he is honest. He has not lied to us before, has he?" 024 challenged, now standing. Thank Delfor.

Yet, that certainly didn't appease 013. "How can you prove that? Do you not remember what he was like on Gultak? Constantly lying to us about 051," She irritably huffed before mocking him and turning to 024. "'Oh, she is just a friend,' 033 said. 'She is not anything more.'"

That made Lekel feel sick to his stomach, his mind whirling with various emotions tied to 051. Anxiety struck him when he was referred to by his code. He wanted to just leave, anything to be away from here, anything to be away from her. He gave 024 a look that said "Can I please go now?"

His father gave a brief, understanding nod to him before turning to 013. "Now is not the time to discuss this. Let him be. I am certain he has work to be done regarding school," 024 replied firmly.

Before 013 had a chance to snap, Lekel quietly–and quickly–made his way to his room. He was definitely not going to do any homework.

Oh, Delfor, why does 013 think she has the right to mock me? His mind muttered irritably. What have I ever done to her? He sighed, rubbing his tired eyes. He took off his satchel before lousily flopping into his bed like a corpse.

He could hear muffled arguing coming from the main room, but Lekel was too tired to even bother to listen. His mind began drifting back to Kioroh as he sat up to grab something out of his satchel.

Something is strange about her, I know that much... But... what? He thought as he grabbed out a worn sketchbook. His mind flashed elsewhere for a second. He's dead. His grip around the book tightened for a moment before he shook his head, dismissing those thoughts.

Kioroh is... odd. What was it she said?... Something about... nutrient supplements? What does that even mean? She seems to avoid anything when talking about the Le'rans. And what about those white hairs she has? She doesn't have wrinkles, and she's in school, so she's clearly not an adult... He contemplated as he flipped through pages.

The first few pages had been ripped out, the next several contained childish doodles, after that came several leaf prints with varying degrees of success, and finally... came forward what the majority of the book had contained: sketches of humanoid corpses.

He hesitated as he came upon a blank page. He scavenged for a pencil from the satchel before continuing one of them. It's like she's... hiding something. But what? What is it...? Is there something after her...? Is she on the run?

What if... What if I accidentally do or say something that I'm gonna regret? What then? "Argh.." He muttered to himself, frustrated. I'd be in so much trouble...

Why must everything be so difficult?