Xenoth slowly slid a few of his kropek up to squeeze around Arzog’s shoulder, pulling the other man as close as proprietydared to give him comfort in his grieving. Arzog had lost a great many children in the purge of Andromeda. So many warm coils gone cold.
“Arzog, my friend…” Xenoth’s kropek stroked gently down Arzog’s copper lengths. “…I do not think anyone here would dare harm the children. They are ourentirefuture.”
“Maybe so, but you know as well as I that grief comes unexpectedly and in sometimes violent ways amongst our people. Icannotlet anyone near them who has no familial or societal bond with me! The males left here are too disjointed.”
Xenoth sighed, head thunking back against the platform railing as his duties as Zah reared their ugly head once more.
“It was never like this in my fathers’ community,” Xenoth said quietly. “Everyone would have gladly helped with the children there. I’m sure my fathers would have had some brilliant team-building solution for settling unclaimed males, but I am not my fathers. I have no idea how to unite what’s left of our people…”
He looked up at the top of the bio-dome above them, watching the colorful, drifting forms of the mischievous squibbles sliding over its invisible surface. The wide-eared, tentacled creatures were quite adorable…and quite deft at sneaking inside to make a meal of the tasty gryllrogi. Yet another problem on his list; the continued protection of their food sources.
Xenoth turned away from that issue. The bio-dome seemed to be keeping them out for now, thanks to the changes his brother had made to the structure’s programming.
His brother…
“Arzog, when was the last time you had a chance to speak with my brother?”
“With Urzan? I confess it has been some time. A dozen is more brood than I ever dealt with, even at my peak with Queen Z'aliza; I’ve rather fallen off checking in with him. Do you need me to stop by?”
Xenoth grunted. “His cycle has shortened again.”
Arzog’s head swung sharply in Xenoth’s direction. “Again??”
Xenoth nodded.
“That’s…concerning.” Arzog frowned. “Well I’m happy to drain him as needed. Z’arth knows the children are keepingmedrained well enough, I wouldn’t mind a break from being sucked dry.”
“Don’t overextend yourself, Arzog,” Xenoth admonished. “Feel free to use the reserves anytime you need. We can’t have you falling ill.”
“I’m fine, Xenoth. The other males need those reserves more than I do, with no females in residence.”
“Arzog…I tell you this in confidence…Urzan has produced enough lichter fluid to feedthreecolonies the same size as ours, for at least a year.”
“Holy Light of Z’arth!” The other male’s face went pale. He turned fully to face Xenoth. “Zah, you need to get Ascending Y’arza back here for him as soon as you can! That much fluid production can only mean he is on the edge of transition.”
“You think I don’t know this?? I have no way to contact her! I only know she is alive and still behind the palace shielding with your Y’asha. How do you propose we set about getting them backhere when we cannot even approach the palace without being fired upon? Have you been able to reach Y’asha through your bond?”
Arzog shook his head slowly, frowning.
“No, but maybe…something you said earlier about community. There might be a way. I need to check the archives.” His gaze sharp. “I don’t suppose you’d be willing to watch the children for a few hours?”
Xenoth’s mouth twitched, eyebrows jumping nearly to his kropek line.
“I suppose so—if you promise to keep them away from the fire honey. Where are they now, anyway?”
Arzog flushed heavily, his kropek mane lighting up momentarily in a rush of embarrassment.
“I, ah, gave them a sedative at breakfast and locked them in the nursery.”
“ZEH!”
Arzog cringed at the use of his title. “It’s the only hour I get to myself!”
“This is why there should be more males helping in the nursery!” Xenoth snapped, then sighed, rubbing his face anxiously. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to snap at you; I am also to blame for not keeping a closer eye on your needs.”
“Xenoth, I think we’re all doing the best we can, you especially. Your fathers would be proud, you know.” Xenoth did not quite meet Arzog’s gaze. Arzog continued in a lighter tone, “I know I’m the oldest in the colony, but evenIcan say I’ve neverbeen through an apocalypse before! Let’s just agree to be nicer to ourselves going forward, hm?”
Xenoth was quiet for a moment before asking curiously, “Are you?”
