Assistant 23 shifted on his feet. He still seemed unsure about the whole thing, but I could tell I was slowly getting him on my side. “You really think so?” he asked.
I grinned, happy I was finally getting through to him. “I’m positive.”
18 /Kur’tok
As we steppedinto the village, my stomach felt full of a thousand crawling insectoids. I’d never been so anxious in my life. The bustling everyday noise of the village felt too loud in my ears when I was used to utter silence. To loneliness.
What if they didn’t accept me? What if nobody wanted me here?
My racing thoughts matched my stampeding heartbeat. I glanced over my shoulder.
Should I turn around and run?
Paz suddenly squeezed my hand tighter. He shot me an encouraging smile, almost like he knew exactly what I was thinking. Stupid adorably supportive flesh-bag.
But Paz’s touch grounded me. I blew out a hot breath through my nostrils and dug my heels into the soil. I wasn’t going anywhere. This time, I was going to stay put in the village. My new home.
Kookee let out a low groan behind me. It nuzzled its nose into my other palm. My heart slowed as I gave it a few gentle strokes.
Well, if this all goes wrong, at least I still have my filum and my pet, I thought.
Haz’rull stopped in front of me. They looked relieved to finally be back in the village, which only reminded me of the long cycles they’d spent away from it—because of me. I stared at the ground, feeling guilty again.
Suddenly, I felt another touch on my arm.
One of Haz’rull’s feelers grazed me. The tip disappeared into my scales. I felt the flow of Haz’rull’s emotions as if they were my own.
Contentment. Ease. Satisfaction. They pulsed like a cool wave that soothed my anxiety.
I blinked slowly, taking it all in. Sharing feelings with another Maeleon still felt new, like a feeling I’d unearthed after being buried for a long time. I’d almost forgotten it was part of who we were.
Haz’rull wordlessly removed their feeler. They gave me a small smile before turning and joining Arr’tow in the big welcome group.
“What’d they say?” Paz asked curiously, noting the feeler touch.
They were as vivid as my own emotions, so it was easy to describe.
“Haz’rull is not angry with me anymore,” I said, finally accepting it. “They wish to move on, not dwell on the past.”
Paz nodded. “Yup, that sounds about right.”
I frowned in confusion. “You already knew?”
“Well, yeah, I thought it was pretty obvious.” He grinned. “Everyone supports you, Kur’tok. Look.”
I followed his gaze to the group of Maeleon villagers waiting to greet us. Everyone looked warm and welcoming—even to me.
Something tickled my chest. I wasn’t used to this feeling... but I liked it.
A purple hand patted my shoulder. “Welcome back, sibling,” Fhi’ran greeted. “We knew you’d return.”
Sibling.My chest tightened.
“Everyone has been waiting for you,” Linn’ar added warmly. “Come, we have much to catch up on!”
I sought Paz’s eyes, silently asking if it was okay. He flashed me a smile brighter than the sun.
“Go on,” he said.
