Amethyst ✔

17- horns*

"Why are you on the floor? We have provided seats."

"Just because it's there, doesn't mean it needs to be used." I shrug and try look deeper into space.

He looks around confused.

"Just sit and see how it feels" I can see his confused face in my peripheral  but he huffs and sits down eventually

He sits crossed legged beside me.

A pregnant silence falls over us but it's not awkward.

"You looked shaken at the end of the simulation. Why is that?"

I look over at him. He's large enchanting, emerald eyes stare at me curiously. I find myself answering even though I didn't want to.

"I was having flashbacks."

"Flashbacks?"

"Uh.. like reliving a bad memory" he nods.

"What bad memory were you reliving?" I looks away. I don't want to talk about it. I really don't but something about him makes it easy to just spill your guts.

"You know what my job was on earth?"

"Yes. A warrior" I shake my head at that. He makes it sound like I'm brave.

"A soldiers I fought with fellow  soldiers to protect the innocent. We are the first line of defence. We were sent to aid another country in war. I was out on the field with my squad. Things were going well until we were ambushed. Bombs went off, bullets were flying. We tired to retreat but I got hit and blacked out. When I came to, I found out they were all dead. Gone and I was in charge of them. I was supposed to keep them safe but I didn't. I failed their families. I had one job" I look at Zhor for a reaction. A look of anger or disappointment or even the usual disgust but I find non of that.

Instead I see empathy and understanding.

"You didn't fail. You simply didn't see the ambush coming. That is not your fault. You are brave. I saw it in your eyes whilst you were fighting. You would have died for your companions but you didn't seem to want them to come with you in the beginning . I found that peculier."

"I didn't want to get close to them because the closer you get to people, the more it hurts when they go" we stare into each others eyes silently. Him with a look of curiosity like a puppy.

"Can I touch you?" Wait. Did I just ask that!? My big mouth just opens and spits rubbish! This was not a good-

"Yes" he doesn't look fazed. If he was an earth guy, it would have inflated his ego enormously.  

I tentively reach my hand out. I run my fingers over his blue hand. It's silky smooth. Even the sparkly parts are smooth. I turn his hand over, palm up. It's a lighter shade of blue. There are no prints and lines like human hands. Just smooth skin. He's fingers are short but strong. I let go of he's cool hand and move onto he's hair.

He's silver hair is smooth and silky. I squeeze he's cute man bun and smile. I run my hand up he's head where my fingers graze he's horns.

He jerks back and makes an almost growl sound. I also jump back in fright at the sudden change.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you or something" I say with my hands up in surrender. His angry eyes disappear and shoulders ease.

"you did not hurt me. You caught me off guard by touching my horns."

I scoot back forward. Him sitting cross legged and me on my knees.

"And that's a bad thing?"

"Not neccercerilly. If a Pranus Armygadius let's you touch their horns, it's a sign of submission or acceptance. That they are of equal rank and and trust you completely and utterly with their life. Its almost intimate.  People don't usually touch others horns, only parents still can after maturity"

"Gee. That's something."

"Yes. It is something."

I smile. The whole language barrier will never get old.

Zhor tilts he's head to the side. The confused puppy look back on he's face making me smile wider.

The small devise chimes on the floor beside us. I frown and pick it up.

"That means it's dinner time" he stands and I do too.

"I will escort you" I nod and let him lead the way.

We walk in silence until we reach the cafeteria.

Where we separate.

***
Chapter outlook-  we don't have control over everything. We may not be able to control the things that happen to us but we are able to control how we feel about it. Don't let life dictate how you feel. Sometimes the answer is as simple as a laugh or a cry but sometimes it's not that easy and in those moments, stop, breath, live. Don't live with regret, shame or embarrassment, face it, move on.