Chapter 20

They left early to prepare for coming with me tomorrow. At least Mai’Ri seemed to feel better after watching. I wondered what had happened and if there was something I could do for her. All their customs were so weird, I really didn’t want to fuck up anything as I’d done before.

I glanced at my poster hanging on the wall. What did they mean to me? I had tried to find another movie that could help me understand their customs better, but found none. Was I simply meant to jump into the unknown, just as we had done when we first went over to the other side? None of us knew what would happen when we landed there, but it had somehow worked out. Maybe I had simply gone soft since the war ended.

I didn’t sleep well, and when the alarm rang, I was still tired. At least the cold shower and coffee worked as they were supposed to, and when I was done with my workout, I was ready to meet them.

I waited on the balcony with a cup of coffee in my hand when the door to their flat slid open. An’Ri stumbled out, her eyes barely open, and she almost fell asleep in the hug after touching my forehead with hers. Mai’Ri’s eyes were sharper, her greetings brief, and her moves soft but purposeful. I patted her shoulder, and she gave me a look I couldn’t read. Was this weird for her? I had no way of knowing.

“Let’s go”

I turned and gestured for them to follow. Was her military mood spreading to me?

We walked in silence with An’Ri between us. I hadn’t planned for the extra time it would take us with her with us, but we should still arrive in time to talk to the Major.

He was waiting for us outside, and so was the crowd waiting in line in front of the warehouse to pick up their food ration. They gave us curious looks as they saw us, whispering to each other. Mai’Ri tensed, her ears flattening at their murmuring, but she turned to the Major and accepted his greeting, resting her forehead on his, and her body slowly relaxed.

An’Ri blinked, watching him with curiosity.

“I remember you. You gave us candies!”

Without hesitation, she pulled on his hand, and he bent down to greet her. She hugged him, and I saw how happy and embarrassed he became.

“Will you help us grow flowers?”, she asked.

“Let’s see what we can do. Come inside.”

He gestured for us, completely ignoring my salute. We followed him to his office and sat down on the two chairs by his desk. An’Ri sat on her lap, but she took my hand in hers. Part of me was embarrassed for the Major to see me like that, but I didn’t want to push the girl away, so I stayed. It probably looked weird sitting so close to them, but I tried not to care.

I listened as he talked, wondering how much she understood, as some of it was confusing even for me. At least we’d got our chance, and in the worst-case scenario, we would just plant some flowers around our block. Nothing to lose by bringing her here, right?

I wasn’t really needed, but stayed for their sake. I glanced at my watch. It was late, yet he hadn’t noticed, lost in trying to explain the P&D commission that would oversee the project. I stared at him until I finally got his attention, then jerked my head towards the door. He blinked and checked his watch.

“We can continue it later. I need to go.”

He smiled.

“Please, stay. I will be back as soon as I can.”

He hurried to the door, and I got up and patted Mai’Ri’s shoulder before rushing after him. I managed to grab a coffee on my way, and as I passed his office on my way back, I glanced at it. Were they okay? I gave it one last glance before continuing to the briefing room. I got more curious looks as I entered and leaned against the wall to sip my coffee. The briefing was a formality since most of us already knew what to do. Next week, someone would come to pick up the ugly Bastard, so we had to prepare the area. Nothing unexpected, and probably pretty boring

The Major still hadn’t returned to his office when I left the building and went to Fenrir. I wonder what they would agree to, but I guess I would learn once I got back home. Fenrir’s systems finally came online, and I started my work.

My curiosity didn’t fade, and when lunch break started, I actually went back to the compound, deciding to have a meal in the canteen in the hopes of getting an update from the Major if he wasn’t too busy. I got a few curious glances, but I didn’t know if it came from my unusual appearance in the compound or from having brought them here in the morning. It really didn’t matter. I went inside and headed to the canteen, where I guessed the Major would be.

He was, but what I hadn’t expected to see was Mai’Ri and An’Ri sitting at the table with him. I blinked. What did this mean? An’Ri waved her hand as she saw me. It was so weird to see them here. I picked up a tray of food and hesitantly walked over to them and sat down next to her. For once, this ridiculous policy of No Rank in the canteen actually served a purpose.

I wonder why they were still here. Were they still discussing the initiative? An’Ri was beaming with excitement, her tail flailing madly as she paid more attention to her surroundings than to her food. Mai’Ri, on the other hand, looked tense. Did she feel as out of place here as I had at the market, or was it something else? I had no way of knowing.

I sighed and rested my head on her shoulder, listening to An’Ri telling me about a committee I was apparently part of, so we could start our project in the next week.