NoP: Rise of The eagle

Chapter 12: Suspicion

(Oh my Goodness, this hiatus has gotten longer then I've expected to be. But here's another chapter of this story. Don't worry, The Remnants Past and American Rebirth are getting updated, just need to hold out a little bit more.)

Alfa, Guest Rooms: March 18, 2570

Eighteen days had passed since the minutes-long speech, and Governor Tarva observed that the human ambassador hadn't left the room. Trying to ease Noah's boredom, she engaged him in alien games and monitored events on TV, but his unspoken agitation was palpable.

Chauson, the Zurulian prime minister, visited daily, studying Terran culture and subjecting Noah to various tests. Today, the Zurulian testified before the Federation assemblage, sharing his findings, hoping to be the final speaker in a prolonged discussion.

"No one knows what decision they'll make," Noah remarked, penning a final sentence in his journal. Tarva sensed the weight of the impending verdict in his words.

"I'm tired, Tarva. Wake me up if the execution squad arrives," Noah said sarcastically before retiring for the night.

Tarva studied the dark circles under his eyes. "Good night, Noah. Sweet dreams."

The human tucked his notebook into a table drawer and shuffled out of the living area. Waiting for the sound of his footsteps to recede, running water reverberated for a few seconds before the spring of the bulky predator hitting the mattress reached the ears of Tarva. The heartrate quickened, as the temptation to sift through his journal called again.

'Noah never had to know he looked. The aliens' fear had taken its toll on him, and ultimately, it would help with being supportive and empathetic, right?' Tarva thought.

Tarva took a deep breath and counting back from 200 in the mind, satisfaction settled in that the human was drifting off. her paws meandered over to the table, and the drawer slid out without a sound. The diary was lifted. 'surely, there was nothing wrong with just a peek.'

Flipping open to a random page, Tarva read the first entry the eyes landed on.  

-March 17.

'An accidental smile sent Chauson fleeing in terror, and my heart is heavy with guilt...'

Tarva recoiled, guilt rushed through her veins as she continued to read the entry. These writings sounded depressed and bitter, unlike the optimistic persona he projected. 'Was Noah's self-image that low, because of me? That comment that was made to Recel wasn't at all what he thought of him now.' Tarva thought.

Perhaps cabin fever had placed wild ideas in his head, and his outlook was cheerier before the speech. her claws tugged back through several pages until an earlier entry was reached.

'Recel is a wreck from being near me, but what am I to do? Throw myself into space? The visor, the mask, none of it makes a difference, thank God that...'

A cough came from behind Tarva, spooking the Venlil. Turbing around she saw Noah was standing with crossed arms, watching her with a livid glare.

"That's private, Tarva!" Noah snapped, and ears lowered against the head. That was the first time the Govenor had ever heard him raise his voice. "You can't just go through my things!"

"You were supposed to be sleeping!" Tarva said as she took a few steps back instinctively, flinging the book on the table. "I thought you seemed agitated. And I knew you wouldn't tell me what's wrong."

"So I tell you 'no' when you ask to read it, and you go snooping anyways?" he growled. "Well congrats, you've dug up some dirt on the predator."

"Noah...you know I'm so proud of you, don't you?" Tarva whine, tucking her tail between the legs. "You have no idea how glad I am that we met. Your kind never disappointed me. Humanity are wonderful friends, that I am siding against the entire galaxy to protect."