Volume 0 (2): Dread for a decadent civilization.

Chapter 2 : Signals Part 2.

Completely stunned, Peatell stuttered a dumfounded sentence —What?!, that is so, so…; Bitterness invade him and exclaim with a tint of anger —You almost became my Aunt!, i call you this way to not forget it!.

She remain calm and lovingly pronounce looking him directly to the yes —You are so clueless, and that is of my liking too.

His confusion doesn't diminish at all and a dumfounded —What?!; Scape his mouth.

Bertha reassure him quickly —Your uncle was Homosexual. Not expecting that answer he gets pretty stunn again by this unforseen revelation —What?!.

So she speak calmly —He knew i like you, and decided helping me to interact more with you.

—You were engaged!. He retorts with a anger in his voice but is less than before, she promptly dismisses the sentence —Were just words, your father was stricter than Cadette Bverxkka, but couldn't go against the brother of his one and only wife.

—My father barely was in the apartment. She smirks at him —For someone with your electronic knowledge, you are quite clueless on this …, the higher your accreditation, the more libertys you have, like impeding the entrance to a Personal Residence.

He rolls his eyes and brags displeased about his capacity —Why you didn't tell me?, i could bypass the blockage and erased all records.

She seems a bit awkward —I just couldn't, your father was really ruthless, and committing a crime was not the answer.

—Right …; Once more she ask with a whisper —About my confession?; He look at her and his voice is a bit low —It is still not obvious?. She shake her head negating —I want …, I need to hear it from you.

Peatell strengthen his resolution and speaks clearly —I, I too have fellings for you Be…; Bertha embrace him, sealing his lips with her's, the not so unexpected moment remain for a couple of seconds, being stopped by Bertha, but being resumed and enhanced by Peatell with a little to much passion, hitting each other their dark wine teeth, putting an end to the kiss with an embarrassed laugh from the new young couple.

—There is no rush…; She express, and Peatell rubs her cheek with his right hand —It was for confirmation, could be me hallucinating.

The Instructor laugh dismissively —Even if you lose 92% of your brain you still don't be capable of experience hallucinations, that's how resilient we "Hûrngöth" are.

—An it is something so disturbing that i expect never experience myself, i still don't understand why someone volunteer for that.

The discomfort in his face is so much that everyone could palpate it.

And Bertha couldn't resist the urge to assure him —Maybe she was curious. Unfortunately, the effect was entirely the opposite.

—But her hair still doesn't grow!, she is not going to get any Partners with that look!, specially while she is so young.

She understands what he says, but that doesn't change the primary fact.

—Yeah, 631 years (8834 human years), she has almost a century before reaching Fertility Age, too bad some actions had a deeper meaning.

Confused, Peatell ask —Like?. But she gets slightly mad at him —Come-on!, you should pay more attention on class!.

—The previous one was the last for this trimester. 

She didn't like a bit that remark and is obvious with the seriousness of her sweet voice —Still, from immemorial times the hair it is a form of expression and had different meanings, the most common, women with a haircut no longer than half of their necks, means "I don't need Partners".

Peatell curiosity sparks up and ask right away —Oh, so long hair is looking for partners?.

Bertha exclaim disappointed —No!, you are so clueless!, means "Untaken"!.

Peatell realize how blind he was —I …, am clueless.

And she reaffirm the fact —Yes you are!, How can i use this hairstyle if i were engaged?!.

The young Cadette respond —Because you like it, or is illeg…; Her glare explain everything and he is so shocked that stutters —I-It is?!.

Making her exclaim —Of course it is?!, at 95 years (1330 human years) an individual loses his rights as a child and gets the status of "Self-sufficient individual on training", until it gets a proper job or reach 285 years (3390 human years), so pay more attention to your future lessons, and that is an order.

Peatell stands firm, looking at the classroom rooftop and salutes putting his fist together behind his back —As you command, Instructor Cole!.

—Good …; Satisfied by the answer she smiles.

He knows how much she likes to speak about History so he keeps at it —Then no having hair means?.

—"Unwilling to live" in females, "No descendants" or "Infertile" on males.

Mockingly he state —So Cadette Bverxkka is Híper fertail and want descendants?!.

Bertha is a bit downcast —His particular hairstyle and facial hair means longing for an especific Partner, sorrow or grief and resignation, to not have descendants for scarcity on appropriate Partners …

Knowing that he has ruined the vibe, Peatell decides to return the attention to no other than himself —And my curly hairstyle?.

A mocking smirk scape the Instructor's mouth —"Celibacy", but on females is "Prostitute".

He angrily respond —Harsh!, rude even!.

Bertha gets a serious expression and states with absolute consciousness about the matter —The punishment is way worst than you could imagine, so if you want a relationship with me, change your hairstyle, i like you a lot, maybe is love, but i am not going to get dehydrated half a century (700 human years) for corrupting a "Pure Tri-Heart".

The shock for the punishment past fast over him and asks completely elated —Wow, then …, can you change it, so we can stay or be together?.

Bertha smile tenderly, and use her tiny hands on Peatell's head to turn the unruly curly orange hair into a wavier stream hairstyle, depicting he has a Partner and it is not performing the practice of "Celibacy" anymore.

Then, Bertha gather her hair and puts it in a bun that ends with a ponytail that has a length that barely reach half her neck.

The smile that she exhibits becomes more sensual, and once more she start kissing Peatell for a few seconds.

Bertha allows him to touch her waist and cop a feel of her silhouette, then he start sliding his hands to her instructor's buttocks, giving her a squeeze to feel the firmness of her lover.

A muffled moan is contain by the kisses and she grab Peatell wrist, he stop with difficulty but manage to do so.

—The lunch?; Bertha asks a bit out of breath, Peatell strengthen his conviction —I …, I am going to become worthy of your homemade food, without falling into felony.

Bertha smile again and give him and advice —Start from being much more perceptive …

*Beep-Bing*

—What is that?. He promptly inquire.

Bertha is concerned and confused about this message, so she checks her Communicator, a small rectangular device of dark burgundy metal that lies on her left ear.

This additament is capable of projecting the information required directly in the eyes of the user without being invasive, which helps to maintain the privacy.

—A notification for …, Instructor's Reunion?!, i don't recall one in the calendar, at least not this week.

—A surprise check up?; He inquire.

Not too convinced, Bertha said plainly without overthinking on it —Most likely …; And immediately after, her voice pronounce another sentence in a more caring and tender tone »—See you midday at the Institute entrance?.

—Are we going home together?.

Bertha happily reply —I accept accompanying you, see you there, don't be late or no more kisses for you.

Giving Peatell a peck on the lips, Bertha runs for the hallway in opposite direction to the lunch area, the young man watch his new Partner for a few seconds and then, oblige, he is going for food.