Fangs and Diamonds

Guilt

Unable to sleep, Lekel stared at the ceiling. Guilt from pushing Kioroh away the day before was still looming in his mind, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to apologize to her. It didn't help that his face was particularly itchy this morning.

What am I supposed to even say? He wondered worriedly. Where am I even supposed to find her?

Maybe I'm just overthinking this... Maybe I shouldn't do anything at all. I mean... would 013 and 024 even want me to interact with her...? Maybe I should just... stay put.

The thought of doing nothing was tempting, as he had done it many a time before, but it made the Maurian feel worse. To do absolutely zilch never really fixed anything before–and possibly made things worse–, but perhaps this time it would work for him?

No... I should... I should apologize to her, He reasoned to himself. She might as well be your only friend here. I shouldn't've just pushed her away like that... That's mean.

Lekel's ears perked a little as he could hear the dull, muffled sound of arguing coming from the other room of their quarters. It was coming from their bedroom, if he were to guess. They're awake already?

If they're arguing, it can't be too early then... maybe 0600 hours? He considered, turning onto his side to now stare at his closet door. As convenient as it'd be to ask the computer for the time, he really rather not alert his parents, more specifically 013, that he was awake.

He waited a moment to convince himself it was fine to get up and that he could slip away from their quarters without either of them realizing he was leaving.

Ever slowly and carefully, Lekel snuck out from under his blanket and onto the floor. He crouched, trying to make as little sound as possible, as he steadily and pain-stakingly inched across the floor to his closet, towards the small pile of clothes on the floor.

It won't matter if I wear dirty shirts... It's not like I've shedded recently, The Maurian convinced himself. I doubt anyone will notice...

Huddling near the pile, he picked through clothes, searching for something he hadn't worn in awhile on the off-chance his parents did catch him before he left. He eventually pulled out a teal shirt with long, dark sleeves. Along one of them, there was a simplistic, light blue pattern of a crekk wrapped around the sleeve. The shirt had several, hastily-done stitches scattered across as evidence of Lekel's handiwork.

The Maurian grabbed another set of black pants before getting dressed as silently as possible. He grabbed his boots and satchel and waited a second beside his door, listening to see if they had moved to the main portion of their quarters. After seeming like nothing changed, he left his room.

Hurriedly, he went to the cabinet. His stomach snarled faintly as he opened it and saw the jerky. He was tempted to eat more than he should, but he knew it'd be a horrible idea.

If I get caught... I don't think I'll be able to eat this for awhile... 013 and 024 won't appreciate seeing me eat more than I should... but...

After a moment's debate, Lekel decided against having two servings. His parents were eating this too. It wouldn't be fair towards them. Plus, he did sneak a few to his room a few days ago, and if he snuck too much of it, they would certainly notice the missing ones.

The Maurian unwrapped a piece, eating it quietly. His green gaze was pinned to the door of his parents's room as he consumed it. If he was caught now, he would be in loads of trouble.

Once finished, he disposed of the wrapper and rushed to the door. He bolted for several feet before slowing down and walking. He nearly had to pause to catch his breath.

I gotta apologize to Kioroh. I shouldn't sit and do nothing... she has to be on the station somewhere.

When he arrived at the turbolift, Lekel remembered seeing her on the second floor of the Promenade while walking to school a couple days ago.

I'll check there, He decided. ...hopefully she's there...

Despite his better judgment, he was still hesitant to find her, but now it was a bit too late to stop. He had to apologize, even if he feared regretting it.

She isn't going to hate me for this... is she?

...Is she?