[sylvanSpider]

“A couple of lonely sky-side nights introduced you to the bedroom Atrix then, hermano?” Mendez said, snickering, running a hand through his red hair. His neck still hurt, but he was grateful for the chance to relax, if only for a moment. Though he was comfortable with Atrix, he knew that saying the wrong thing could tip her off at any moment and he could still end up as lunch. After all, Atrix was a widow of her own making. “Children?” Mendez laughed, shaking his head, “I can only hope. Haven't been able to convince her yet. I think I still need to prove myself, and knowing her caste, that's going to have to be done through battle. It's kind of in my best bet to stick around and hope I can be of some use to you guys.”

Mendez laced his fingers behind his head, “I mean, yeah. I think that's why she called the felis in there. They're possibly the least threatening species I've ever seen, and with their culture based around love? They're kind of perfect for this job. I just hope they can actually keep him alive. There's no saying what will happen if he dies. Hyun might possibly go insane.” He closed his eyes and sighed, “Haven't been able to spend as much time with Atrix as I would have liked either, but who knows, maybe you'll get a shot with Rosalind now that she's grooming that new felis to pilot. But who's to say that they'll stick around once we get there? So...what would you propose in lieu of regicide, amigo? Try to instill a democracy? Something tells me an all female congress would be just as bad the queen – but less easier to kill.”

“I'm glad they're on our side, that's for sure,” Mendez said, opening one eye, “But there's still the two governments going after us,” Mendez said and lowering his voice continued, “Hyun's army of misfits is dead and while the strongest part of that still lives, we've seen what can happen going against just one of those fuckers from the Edensians. You said you saw the thing yourself once, si?”

=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ashi couldn't help but smile and want to get up and run into Hyun's arms. Almost dying didn't have to do the trick; she was already drawn in. “Well, if it's any consolation,” Ashi said, mustering a smile through her grimace, “I like the bonding, even if it entails being electrocuted and beat up.” Ashi was uncomfortable, wanting to shift again, but knowing the consequences sat put and focused on the woman before her. She wanted to hold her, or more like, be held by her, even if she wasn't warm and comforting. There was always comfort in the cold for Ashi, it only made sense that her first (and hopefully last) girlfriend would be cold-blooded. “I think she's doing everything in her power she can. I'm just thankful that we made a good enough impression with her that she'd take us.” Then, it wasn't like they had much of a choice. The ship they were on now once belonged to Hyun, and Rosalind carried in one of her secret accounts the billions of qanta they'd manipulated from her father.

Ashi's eyes then looked to the ceiling, as if that would shield her from being just a breath away from the man that put himself in this condition to save her as he drew his last. She swallowed, breathing with relief with Hyun as his chest continued to rise. “Well, we won't be able to hide anyway. I'm a target, as are you just for owning the cash, whether it's in your possession or not. By their standards, it's yours,” Ashi said sighing. “I wish I could have met you in another life, one where I wasn't a princess.”

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

All of the thoughts that Rosalind normally had in the confines of her mind in muscle memory she now narrated, knowing full well he wouldn't be taking everything in. There would be plenty of time to review if they decided to stick around. If not? Well, there was no telling what would become of the two. “Ah think 'e'd be the best bet if yer lookin' for Edensian information, ah jest get us where we need t'go. Ah'll take 'im after ye get done talkin' t'im. Ah dun wanna be rushed,” the Pyra responded chuckling. More than anything she wanted some alone time with him, and not just to consummate the fact that she cared for him (though, that was hopefully in the books), she just wanted some time to simply be with him. It had been a long while since anyone was able to stir up any feelings in her, let alone those resembling love, and she was set on pursuing it, even if it meant putting her life in danger. Which was good, considering her current predicament.

When all the felis left but Nokra and Rosalind was left alone with him and Atrix, she turned the conversation to him, “Ye'll get a chance to talk to Magali while the injured are being tended to. If ye've decided to not stay, we'll take ye t'where ye need t'go. Can't promise ye'll be welcomed with welcome arms anywhere but Eyama though, giv'n your species' reputation.” “

That said, she moved the conversation back to Atrix, “If ye want, ah trust ye on the ship if ye think ye'll meet some less than pleasant people.”

=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Magali nodded and resumed her place beside the large man, knowing the spots that needed the most attention, “Rosalind gives us...” she looked at the digital interface with the galactic time on it, “Less than five minutes. We should be bracing for landing.”

Fikri pressed his lips together, his ears pressed flat against his head. He knew none of those in here, save maybe the princess, had any good thoughts about him and he knew very little about the medical field. “Where can I help?” he asked, looking to Hyun.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

“Ladies an' gentlefolk of the Odyssey,” Rosalind's heavily accented voice came through on the speakers, “We've landed. Please get the injured ready t'leave. The sooner we can fix 'em, the better.”

The door hissed open and Rosalind immediately made way to alert the medical staff that they had two very injured people. She hoped to whatever gods could possibly exist in this skyless universe that they wouldn't ask for their identities.