The Wraith

A greater respect

For the following five days it was the same. I would wake up to see Astor, we would talk as he readied himself for the day, then I spent the better half of it with Kai, talking about different random things, then top it off with an afternoon with Astor again. Today was no different, but it would in fact be my last day used to heal. Then I would return to my 'worshipping' duties. for now, however... I get to talk with my new gossip buddy.

"You gave him a name? Like a pet name?" Kai asked, his voice humored as a shit-eating grin spread across his face. I giggled as if we were highschoolers gossiping about the latest hotty. Granted. He's nothing to turn a nose up at. "It's not really a pet name per se, but...Yeah, I totally did." He leaned on the edge of his seat, his eyebrows raised. "well? are you going to share or keep it to yourself?" I laughed at his curiosity. "I named him Astor." His face suddenly becomes serious. "Astor?" He says it quietly as if it were some taboo word. "How did you come up with this?

I smiled, overlooking his odd change in behavior and told him about my idea of Astor reminding me of an asteroid belt. How I found him to be content in his own way, moving as if others did not exist around him while he roamed as he pleased. Never truly wishing to gain. Just plain and simple, content. By the time I finished my explanation, his features were soft with a smile. "You named him based on his personality. I like it. Does he know?"

I smile, rolling my eyes as shaking my head. "Yeah, tell a wraith commander you gave him a name that sounds like a pet name. Great idea. I Have to admit, I find myself very comfortable with him. But that's a set of waters I'm not willing to test." I thought for a moment. "Yet." He snorts and his smile widens. "Yet." He echoes knowingly. Knowing the same as I that I would either slip up and call him by name without thinking, or I would soon admit it on my own accord. Though he suddenly held tension, like the idea of me using the name set him on edge. I didn't understand why, but I chose to ignore it. For now at least.

Either way, it's a secret that wouldn't be kept for much longer. "The commander, Astor as you call him, tells me you have progressed in learning at an impressively quick pace." I simply shrug, as the name 'Guide' flashes through my mind, along with images of me and the first wraith I've ever encountered flash through as well. From the age of five to seventeen. And my chest swelled with fond memories that I could not allow myself to dwell on at the moment. "Guess I'm just a quick learner." He gives me a curious look before shrugging it off, and the room returning to silence.

"So tell me oh-so mysterious commander that never visits the human commons. What is it you do?" He leans back in the chair with a shrug. "Nothing so important. I mostly fill my days with constant checking of the systems. Taking orders from those of higher rank. Although in all honesty, I could run the job of the queens first commander." I give a questioning look to him. "So why don't you?"

"I would have to officially challenge the first commander himself. He is far older and stronger than me. He would kill me with ease. I was originally simply waiting for my opportunity." I smiled. "Was," I emphasized the short word and he nodded. "Was." He replied back calmly. knowingly, his eyes trailing to the door as if someone could have entered without us noticing. After a moment of silence, he looked back up at me again. "So, tell me human. Have you given me a pet's name as well." My only response was a grin and his eyebrows arched with curiosity. "Well, what name did you give me?"

I giggled and crossed my arms. "what fun would it be for me to just tell you?" He cocked his head to the side. A small grin appearing. "Ah, I see how it is. You'll tell me the name of your commander but not my own." I nodded. A shit-eating grin plastered across my face. "Exactly. So glad you understand how this works." Then I added in an overly sassy and exaggerated tone. "Like oh my god! you  know me so well already." This got me a What-the-fuck look while he busted out laughing, and it even got me to start giggling.