IV: MARS

truth.

"Okay," was all Dakota could say. He shifted his weight and struggled to keep eye contact.
"You can come in and sit down."
The tone in his voice was icey, so he figured he didn't have much of a choice. He awkwardly made his way to the couch and sat on the opposite end. There was a millennium of silence as Malakai just watched him marinate in his own nervous sweat.
"I was talking to Baddar today. He said something surprising. And now I'm wondering if it's true."
Dakota looked down at his lap and focused on the threads around his sleeves.
"I think you could help me."
"Okay. What do you need me to do?"
Malakai turned his head quickly.
"I haven't told you anything yet, why did you agree?"
"Because I want to help," Dakato said, looking up at him. His big doe eyes were empty of any mal intent; it freaked Malakai out, to be honest. Malakai squinted at him in disbelief. No one would be that eager to help out someone they barely know without knowing what it is they agreed to. He's either really dumb or really naive.
"I just need you to tell me how you learned how to fight."
Dakota relaxed his shoulders.
"Oh! Okay well, I started basic defense training when I was 8 and from there I've just been studying different forms. Jiu jitsu, Karate, Aikido, Sanshoa— the works. Dr. Panoma said it was essential that I learned how to defend myself because I'm of such high interest."
Dakota didn't sound like he was bragging; his tone was casual. His eyes still wide and doe-like.
"If you know all this then why the hell are you in the first level class?"
"Dr. Panoma doesn't want me in the same class as you," He responded a bit quieter, looking down at his sleeves.
"Why not?" Malakia asked defensively.
Dakota didn't respond right away and avoided his eyes.
"She thinks you're going to hurt me," He admitted.
"That doesn't make sense, you can't even feel pain!" He said rubbing his forehead.
"Maybe you won't hurt me, but your blood might."
Malakai sighed and admitted defeat; he had a point. There's a reason Malakai doesn't practice with anyone besides Baddar; the risk of blood spill could lead to a pretty hefty controversy.
"Okay, but I can't even teach you? What does she think I'll do, beat you up in an alley?"
"Yes," He answered flatly.
Malakai laughed thinking it was a joke but the puzzled look on Dakota's face told him otherwise.
"Oh come ON! After she put you through years of training she thinks YOU are defenseless against ME?"
He saw the gears turning in Dakota's head.
"Don't try to test that theory, if you make a move on me I'll cut you into tiny pieces and toss you in a salad."
"I won't, it's just," Dakota said, "I've never really thought about my training until now. She said I'd need to defend myself, but from what? I've always been protected by the guards."
His voice trailed off into a hush. Malakai suddenly felt antsy waiting for Dakota's next reaction. Is he mad? Is he going to burst into tears like Venus does? He'd prefer the first over the latter.
"What else did you do growing up?" Malakai sputtered out in an effort to change the subject. It must've worked because Dakota's face lit up.
"I went on field research trips, a lot of them. Growing up in a lab, I didn't really get an opportunity to socialize with people other than the researchers. But I got to meet plenty of different animal species from all over the galaxy!"
"Did you ever go to school?"
He shook his head.
"I was taught by private tutors. Never met anyone else my age until I came here, actually."
What Malakai wanted to say was "Shit, that's sad," But he suddenly felt very self conscious of his words; he wouldn't want to send him into another spiral.
"Did you go to school?" Dakota asked wide eyed.
"Yes, unfortunately," He sighed, "It's not as fun as you'd think. A big waste of time."
Dakota frowned a little, but regained composure when he thought of a counter argument.
"But it wasn't all bad, right? Did you have friends in school?"
Malakai thought back to when he was first recruited. The memory was foggy, but he still remembers very clearly what Sol had said to him: "I know you can't help the way you are, but try to be good."
"No. I didn't have any friends, I was a bad kid."
"Didn't you at least have someone to talk to?"
He did, of course. Malakai was the first of the new generation of patrons to be recruited. He was 11 years old. Gaia was the next to be recruited. She was an 8 year old earthling who was almost as bad as he was. Almost. She threw tantrums like you wouldn't believe and then something would switch and she'd be the happiest person again. It was quite terrifying how fast her mood changed. Maybe that's why they both ended up in detention so often. Maybe that's why they ended up becoming best friends.
"I used to have one friend. But we grew apart," He said solemnly.
"It's their loss. You're fun to talk to."
"Me retelling the most painful memories of my life is fun?" He said, raising a brow. It was meant to be a rhetorical question, a jab at him. But Dakota nodded.
"Your life is interesting. And when you talk like this, it's the only time you don't look like you want to beat me up."
"That's fair, I guess. But don't start asking me personal questions, then I'll really beat you up," He warned.
"I know, Venus told me," Dakota responded.
"Does she tell you everything about me?"
"Only if I ask," He shrugged.
"So you've asked about me before?" He asked, amused. Besides intimidating them, Malakai's other favorite way of messing with people is by getting them flustered. Venus was too easy to mess with; say anything about a particular dark haired girl and she's in shambles. Perhaps he's found a new target.
Dakota's eyes widened by a millimeter.
"Yes," He answered with astounding honesty.
At least he's telling the truth. You can't beat him up for that.