Episode 36: Hug?

***Alastair***

"Collin, Collin," Cyan called, shaking Star awake. Cyan had set a plate of food on the coffee table in front of him. "Food is ready."

Star couldn't resist and dug into the bowl of pasta. His human need for nourishment overrode everything else.

"Want seconds?" Cyan asked as she took the now empty bowl.

Star felt hollow inside as he recalled what En had said.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

Honey jumped up and nudged the bowl.

"If you want more, there's no shame in that. Honey seems to think you do."

Alastair sighed. "You're supposed to be on my side, girl!"

"I think she is." Cyan gave him another bowl. "Sometimes, we need things and are just too stubborn to say so."

Alastair had to ask. "Why haven't you gotten angry like everybody else?"

"What do you mean?" Head tilted, Cyan furrowed her eyebrows.

He looked straight at her. "People in this world hate Key Keepers, so why don't you?"

"Like everyone else, I grew up being taught that Key Keepers were evil people. That your kind sought to finish what Marcus began, to destroy Nachima. But getting to know you, I can't help but wonder if that's the case. It could be that you're the exception to the rule. Regardless, you aren't evil. Maybe dumb, but not cruel."

"Was that dumb part necessary?"

She brushed her fingers against his cheeks like Del often did when he felt crummy. "You can't continue to carry this burden alone. It will destroy you. I want to help you however I can."

He couldn't help but burst into tears. It almost felt like he was back in Big Brother Del's lap.

He wished he hadn't done that to her, but he couldn't stop himself.

"Are you scared?"

"It's like being a kid again..." His voice was raw. "Everything's scary..."

She stroked his hair. "New places can be like that. Especially if they aren't nice places. We have all the time in the world to change that, though."

His head flopped over. He felt dizzy.

"What is it?" she asked.

Arm out, he found the strength to smile.

"Aw..." Cyan put her arms around him. "It's alright, Collin. I really don't mind helping you like this. These little moments make that more than worth it."

In that moment, Cyan was so much like Vi. He was too drained to do anything but relish in that feeling. If he was being honest with himself, he liked it.

Cyan laid a light blanket over him after she adjusted him on the couch. "Do you wanna watch TV?" she held out the visor sunglasses. "If I'm being honest, it's one of my favorite things to do when I feel crummy like you do right now."

He put on a show about a boy from medieval times who was searching for objects to restore his kingdom. He might have gotten through most of the first episode before he fell asleep.

Alastair's head still ached when he woke up. All he wanted to do was go home. Was that so wrong?

Wait. Did he deserve to go home? His parents didn't get to.

Who were they? Why didn't he ask more questions?

How would he be able figure out what happened to his parents if he stayed on Nachima? It wasn't like they lived on Nachima, so how would that make a difference? What bearing could Earth and Nachima have on each other?

Honey nudged his leg before putting her nose to his terminal. Couldn't the nice lady on his wrist tell him about the people he wanted to know about?

His eyes got big. Like I did after the ball! I guess it couldn't hurt to try.

"Ramona." The light turned green. "Show me everyone named Helena Kurenai."

"There are no matches, my master."

What was his mom's old name before she got married? He sighed. Had he even heard it before?

"Show me everyone named Helena."

"There are no matches, my master."

"Show me everyone named Rin Kurenai."

***

"Show me everyone named Rin."

"There are no matches, my master."

The terminal rang. It was Del, so he picked it up.

"Hey, Del." Alastair smiled. "I miss you..."

He laughed. "I miss you, too, Star. I didn't wake you, did I?"

He shook his head even though he knew his brother couldn't see him. "I just took a nap. I was watching TV not long before you called."

"Oh? Is it any good?"

He was still laying down, but he felt himself perk up. "I like it. It reminds me of this show we used to watch."

"Oh, really?" Alastair could feel his warmth in the air. "I'd love to watch it sometime."

Alastair would love to show it to him. They used to watch the other show together right when it aired. It was one of his favorite things to do with Del. Just them.

"Are you doing okay?"

"The morning was bad, but things got better."

"That's good." He wanted to reach for Del, but he couldn't. "Do you need anything, Little Bro?"

Before he could answer, a voice drew closer.

"Is that Atty you're talking to? It is, isn't it? Here, let me talk to him! I couldn't finish talking to him earlier as he hung up on us."

Right, he had hung up on Noah too...

"Alright, here you go!"

"Atty!" Noah yelled.

I smiled. "Hey, little brother."

"How are you, big bro?"

I'm okay. How about you?"

"Happy to talk to you! I miss you."

Star's heart felt like it was shattering a bit. "Me too, Noh. Me too."

"Noh, the movie's about to start!" one of the monkeys yelled.

"Sorry, got to go," Noh said.

"It's okay. Enjoy your movie."

"I will! I'm recording it for when you return!"

"So, why were you feeling down earlier?" Del asked as he took back the phone.

"I met a strange guy that told me there was more to my parents' death than Hannah had let on.

Del hummed. "Hmm. I wonder why they would say that. I wish I could help you."

Alastair smiled. "I know you can't. It's fine. I'm just worried."

"About your parents?"

"Yeah."

"I understand. You shouldn't worry yourself about it, though. There's nothing you can do about it."

"But I want to know the truth..."

Del sighed. "Look, Star. You can't change what happened. And you can't change the past. The only thing you can do is move forward and try to make things better."

"How?"

"You just need to keep moving forward."

"I know, but I can't help thinking about it. I feel like I'm being left behind."

"I understand how you feel, but you can't do anything about it. All you can do is focus on your future."

"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. I'm just having a rough time right now."

"Don't apologize. Just focus on your training."

"Okay. I will."

"I'll be waiting for you to come home."

He smiled. "I'll be home soon."

"Promise?"

Alastair smiled. "I promise."