The Nexus

Chapter Nine

"So, what would you prefer to eat?" Xavier asked as Arayna stiffly followed him through the hallways and into a large expansive kitchen.

Counters lined the walls except for one that was full of windows and two sets of double doors that led out to a stone balcony, a large prep island in the middle.

Arayna wasn't sure what to say, or do as she stood there, looking around at everything made from steel, a large wood fired cooking stove set in the corner. She was baffled by the way they treated their prisoners. If she didn't know that she could not leave, she wouldn't even think she was a prisoner.

"As long as it's not human," she muttered as she moved to the opened balcony doors. A warm breeze danced across the air, tussling strands of her hair bringing along with it an oddly sweet scent, mixed with a salty aroma of a ocean.

"We don't eat humans." Xavier groaned and scrubbed his face with frustration. "How many times must I tell you this?"

Arayna hid the way she rolled her eyes as she moved through the kitchen, wondering where to even start. She didn't know what kind of food they had on this planet, how to cook it, or whatever it even was.

Not to mention, she had never been the greatest cook in the first place. Ironically enough, Asher had been the one with the culinary skills and usually cooked most of the food they ate. And then again, they hadn't eaten a true meal since going into cryostasis.

She felt Xavier's observant gaze like a palpable touch as she stood there.

"Do you even know how to cook?" Xavier pointedly asked, with a hint of accusation in his voice that made her bristle.

She looked over her shoulder at him with a glare, then took a subtle breath.

"Sort of." She softly admitted and cleared her throat, partially embarrassed by the way he pinpointed her hesitation so easily. "Not...really."

"Not really?" Xavier repeated smugly. "So, you do not know what you are doing then?"

Gritting her teeth, she let out a tense breath as she turned to look at him.

Behave, be polite, be cooperative. She told herself several times before forcing a polite smile and shook her head. "No. Not really."

"Hmm," Xavier made a noncommittal noise before he rolled up the sleeves of his off-white shirt, exposing tanned, muscular forearms. "Then would it be alright if I cooked for you, and you watched so that you know I am not putting anything abnormal in there?"

Arayna wasn't sure what to think, or feel, about the unusual considerate, thoughtful, offer. She knew what it was like to be a prisoner, and this was so far from that. "I...suppose that would be okay. Thank you. You know how to cook?"

"I can survive." He smirked as he moved around the kitchen with ease, pulling out pans and utensils.

She watched him for moment, unsure what to do, what to feel, before moving backwards towards the opened balcony doors. She turned to look out into the darkness, stepping out through the doors, arms crossed over her stomach.

She took a deep breath of the oddly sweet smelling air. She couldn't pinpoint what it smelled like, but she kind of liked it. A strange sound reached her ear. It sounded familiar. Like something she had from a hazy dream.

Something large and black dropped from the dark sky, landing in front of her on the stone railing of the balcony. The unexpected action sent air into her face, a pair of large, but strangely familiar, blue eyes with large white speck, looking directly at her. Black wings hung off to the side, the kitchen lighting from behind her reflecting off white sharp teeth.