Xeno Love

Chapter 7: Quelle Surprise

I hope to surprise my Bonded, but these infernal machines! I repeatedly press my large fingers into the tiny buttons, managing to press at least seven instead of the one target one. I search Jake’s memories for the name of the device. Microwave. I growl in frustration as I try to press the ‘clear’ button, as I’m pretty sure that gets rid of all the glowing numbers on the screen. Instead, I hit 7, 3, 6 and 1. I barely manage to stop myself from ripping it away from the wall and tossing it across the room. In fact, now that I mention it... I grip either side of the box-like machine and prepare to heave it away, consequences be damned. Then I feel a smooth, warm hand rub my shoulder affectionately. I can’t help but sigh and let my anger melt away.

“Relax,” Jake commands, his voice soft but stern. I hang my head in shame, but instead of punishing me for what I was about to do, we gives my head a quick rub. “Yes,” he says. “You do know how to pick ‘em.” I smile to myself. It is a wonder how I ended up with him; it was hard to find an Xenomorph who would treat a female with this much respect! Let alone a human. He however, seems to think he has a normal attitude towards others, which is both naive and incredibly charming. I step away from the ‘Microwave’ and allow him to press the delicate buttons.

 

“Try it,” Jake suggested. “It’s good.”

“Yes, but you are an omnivore. I am a carnivore.” Jake sighed and spooned a mouthful of baked beans into his mouth.

“You went to a lot of trouble to cook some food you don’t even like,” Jake commented sourly.

“I was cooking it for you...” Oh. Jake put his hand over hers, which was resting on the table beside her pile of beans.

“You shouldn’t have.” God she’s cute.

“You do know I heard that...?” Jake blushed. Whoops. Advena sniffed the air. “Hmph. I suppose I’ll try it...” Her inner maw slid out cautiously and took a small portion of baked beans off the plate. She chewed them thoroughly, deciding if they tasted good or not. “Tangy,” she observed. Jake shook his head with a goofy grin. If ‘Tangy’ was a good or bad thing was beyond his comprehension, but Advena cleaned her plate, so they couldn’t have been that bad. Jake took a little longer to finish his breakfast, but luckily when you have telepathy, talking with your mouth full isn’t a big problem.

“So, you ready to tell me your super important secret yet?” Jake asked.

“Er... soon!” Advena seemed quite nervous, and that answer had been slightly too quick. This was something important.

“Advena...” Jake protested.

“I promise, it won’t be long! I just need to wait until the time is right, otherwise...” Advena did not seem inclined to finish her sentence. Jake let the matter drop yet again. He realised he wasn’t being very assertive, but then again, he was a very submissive person. He tapped his fingers on the table, before dropping his dishes into the sink and settling down on the couch in the next room. Jake wondered once again what could possibly be on the TV, but knew it would be rude to find out because Advena didn’t have eyes, and wouldn’t be able to watch. Wow, Jake realised. That raises more questions than answers. Maybe she could see, just not by conventional means, or maybe she did have eyes, just not where Jake had expected them to be. Maybe he should ask her? “Maybe you’re thinking too loud again,” Advena intruded. “Turn this... TV of yours on and I’ll do my best to explain everything.” Jake did as he was told. There was currently a documentary on; it was about some planet and the creatures that inhabited it. None as impressive as the Xenomorph next to him though. “Okay, relax your body and mind. You may feel a bit of discomfort, but don’t panic. Whatever you do, just stay relaxed, else this won’t work.” Jake took a deep breath, calming himself. He nodded. “Good idea, keep your eyes closed.” Jake felt like he had suddenly shifted without moving a muscle. Blood rushed in his ears and he felt really dizzy. Suddenly, he could hear every tiny noise clearly. A pair of scissors dropped on the floor three rooms away from them. Slowly, his hearing got less intense as he zoned out. Finally, he opened his eyes. All the colours of the room seemed to blend in to each other, making the world look like some beautiful painting. It was quite odd really, he couldn’t make out details, but he could still recognise things easily. He glanced at the TV screen, and instantly got a slight headache. “Don’t stare at it for too long,” Advena warned him. The TV was just a blur of light and colours, constantly shifting and moving with no apparent purpose. Jake looked to his right, where Advena should have been. Instead, he was looking at the wall. He looked to his left, and shrieked. He then proceeded to trip over his tail and fall off the couch. “Oi! Stop that! You’ll bruise me!” Jake rubbed his sore domed head. He looked back at Advena, and once again saw himself.