“They’ve got a point,” I said, grinning.
Kur’tok pouted. He was frustrated by his own feelings, but I knew he could learn to accept them in a healthy way. I suspected he’d handle them better when he finally realized the whole village supported him.
“Come on, Kur’tok,” I said, slipping my hand into his. It was huge and warm, enveloping my fingers like a hug. “Let’s all go home.”
His red eyes flickered as they met mine. Finally, the fear lurking in the corner of his gaze vanished. It seemed like a metaphysical weight had lifted from Kur’tok. His face softened.
“Okay, flesh-bag,” he said fondly. “Show me the way.”
“So, youtalkedyour way out of getting eaten?” Levi asked on the way back to the village.
It was a long walk, and we had to wrangle a big group—four humans, five Maeleons, and Kookee, of course. Zat’tor and Linn’ar stayed in the back with Haz’rull and Arr’tow, catching up and sharing village news. Kur’tok led in the front with the humans and kept an eye on Kookee, who plodded alongside us.
“Yup. Pretty much,” I replied.
Levi snorted. “I’m surprised your big mouth didn’t get you eaten faster.”
Kur’tok growled and put his arm possessively around my waist. “Only I get to tell Paz he has a big mouth.”
Levi paled for a second, frightened at Kur’tok’s deep growl and looming form, but it dissolved when I laughed it off.
“Don’t worry, Kur’tok’s nicer than he looks,” I promised, patting his chest. “Right, big guy?”
“Hmph.”
Kur’tok complained, but he looked flustered at my compliment. He really was a big softie underneath that intimidating exterior.
“By the way,” Levi said, glancing up at Assistant 23, who lagged meekly behind. “Who the hell is that guy?”
“That’s Assistant 23. He’s a linguistics intern who got stuck on Eukaria eight years ago. Oh, and he’s also a hacker,” I explained. “I’ll tell you all about it later.”
Jaeyoung’s eyes lit up. “A fellow scholar?Anda hacker?” he said excitedly.
“Yo, hold your horses,” I said, sticking out my arm to stop Jaeyoung from running over and bombarding the poor guy with scientific interrogations. “He’s, uh... a little skittish. So don’t swarm him with questions just yet.”
Jaeyoung nodded, but scribbled down a few notes in his book. Then he paused and sidled closer, not-so-subtly examining me like a lab specimen. “Paz, you look... different.”
I snorted. “Very classy way of saying I look pregnant.”
Jaeyoung smirked. “I was trying to be polite. How long has it been?”
“Hmm. A few days?”
He nodded, then snuck out a tiny notebook and wrote down a few words. Always the scientist.
I noticed Kur’tok eavesdropping on our conversation, also not being very subtle. I guess he didn’t yet understand that he could justjoinconversations.
“Hey, Kur’tok, I never introduced you properly to my friends,” I said with a smile. “This is Jaeyoung. He’s a doctor and an engineer. Jae, this is Kur’tok.”
“Nice to meet you,” Jaeyoung said with a polite nod.
Kur’tok hesitated, then mirrored the gesture. “You, too,” he said in a less gruff tone.
Progress. It was happening!
“And this over here is Levi, our ex-captain,” I announced, patting Levi on the back.
“Sure, lead with that part,” Levi grumbled.
