Blind Eye
My eyes remained fixed on Agile as she held a conversation with Stella. I leaned forward against the railing, watching her.
Did she even notice how distracted I had been lately?
After the failed mission, I wanted to take my anger out on something. Did she notice the fridge door handle broken in the lounge?
Did she see the training dummy shredded to pieces by brute force?
Of course she noticed. She was the most observant person I have known. Yet when it came to me, she turned a blind eye.
"Hey, Coven," Stella called out.
I stood up straight, walking over to her and Agile.
"Why were you standing there?" Agile asked.
Finally.
"No reason," I answered. Averting my eyes from her.
My feet carried me a step closer before I caught myself.
"Is the study going well?"
I finally asked, glancing at Stella.
"Yes. I made progress with the creature. It is a Necryl Hostis. The shell is far too thick to be cut through. I asked the tech department to rent a diamond laser."
"Do we have time to dissect it while they roam free in Clematis city?"
"There have been protocols and extra security added to the perimeter of the city. I just need a little more time to get more information before Earth Protectors are sent out again."
"Coven, go get something from the vending machine," Agile said.
"No, it is fine, Agile. I ate."
Stella responded.
"Six hours ago," Agile mentioned. "Coven, go get her something."
Why me?
The words rose to the tip of my tongue.
Why not Aureolo?
Why not anyone else?
I swallowed them.
"What does she want?"
I rolled my eyes, making my annoyance blatant.
"Whatever she usually likes."
Agile turned back toward Stella before I could say anything else.
Of course.
I stood still, staring at her back.
Stella was hungry.
Stella needed rest.
Stella needed help.
Everyone always needed something.
And Agile always noticed.
Except when it came to me.
And it had been three hours since I had eaten.
Yet she never asked.
My hands curled into fists beside me. Before I could do something stupid, I turned around, leaving through the door.
My boots echoed against the marbled floor as I walked through the empty hallway. It was mid-afternoon, edging towards evening.
I came to a halt in front of the vending machine.
I took out the loose credits I had lying around and fed them into the machine. What would Stella like?
Agile liked mild food.
Doxie liked sour things.
Aureolo had an addiction to sweets.
Hornet claimed to have refined tastes but I had seen him survive on plain rice for weeks.
Stella...
I stared at the vending machine.
What would she like?
Agile would know.
I didn't.
Sweet. Sweet. I think she liked sweets, just like Aureolo.
She looked like the type who enjoyed sweet things.
Strawberry-lychee drink and a chocolate bar.
That would work.
Clink.
Should I get something for Agile…?
My thumb hovered over the keypad.
She hadn't asked.
She probably wouldn't even notice.
Still...
My thumb pressed the code anyway.
I inserted two more coins and entered the cold tea code.
Clink.
I bent down, picking up the drinks and snacks.
Ha ha.
My thoughts were still on Agile when laughter echoed down the hallway.
Who was talking?
I took a few steps closer to the branch hallway. Close to hear everything but not close enough to reveal myself.
"How are duuck tusta* going to take down the entire city filled with those creatures?"
Skarvek said.
"Why would I know? It's their problem."
Noctira answered.
"Will the GOU members help them?"
He asked.
"I don't know. And why do you care?"
"I am just curious, for Leda's sake," he groaned.
My steps slowed.
Skarvek?
Curious?
That alone was enough to make me uneasy.
Why the sudden shift of behaviour?
What was going through his head?
I glanced down at the drinks in my hands. They were already going warm in Starlight City's heat. I turned around.
Back to the laboratory.
Back to the creature.
Back to Agile.
Maybe this time she would finally notice.
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Zkarna Glossary
Duuck tusta (Dukh-tuss-ta-va) — a curse word meaning Dirt skin/Earth skin.