First Impressions

[Sae]

“Does the government not understand that they could create war?” Wildfire’s eyes snap open, flashing green. “Not just among themselves, but too against my home?”



That was the last thing Tamaran needed, more enemies and bloodshed. They already had enough planets hate them merely for being “barbaric” and “primitive”, planets like the high-and-mighty Vernathia. As much as he was sure Tamaran could destroy Earth if they really wanted to, they couldn’t take more damage if things were as bad there as they had been when Wildfire left for Okaara.



There was a long pause as he thought, remembering the last few days he spent on Tamaran. The war had taken a turn for the worst and more soldiers were dying every day.
Even the air, he remembers, smelled like war; nothing but blood and fire and hatred. And it had reduced the once lush planet to little more than a barren rock floating through space. If war broke out between the humans, Citadelians, and Tamaraneans, Earth too would be stripped of its life, beauty, and whatever shred of freedom it claimed to cling to.

"Perhaps I should visit the Titans myself."


// I'm so sorry that this took so long! D: Life got hectic even over summer.

[Deleted]

((I understand. ^^ ))

Cyrus cocked his head up at the boy.

"War?" he echoed. "I think it's unlikely anybody would go to war over it." Of course he was not sure what Ryand'r thought was a casus belli -- the alleged homicides, the cover-up, or Starfire impersonating royalty. even with his personal connection to the first two, it seemed kind of trivial on the cosmic scale. "Still, I agree. You should meet them for yourself. Just be careful."

He swung his head, looking first at the city, than at his tail. The broken collar glinted.Malevolently, he fancied.

"Who were you fleeing from?" he asked, looking back at Ryand'r. "The Titans' claim is that Earth is to be invaded by the 'Citadel'." He hoped that Ryand'r could translate the word for himself. Whatever power he had used to learn English, it obviously wasn't fully accurate.

[Sae]

Wildfire nodded solemnly. All this talk of war and trouble was making him suddenly feel much more exhausted than before. The fire of his anger and buzzing intensity of adrenaline was ebbing, leaving him to lean toward Cyrus. Soft, he thought. Soft and warm.

"The Citadel is long enemy of Tamaran. They kill and enslave whoever they can, no mercy," he murmured. "They threatened to destroy my home and took me captive to fight for them. If the Citadel invades, Earth will fall." He shivered as the unexpected sting of tears blurred his vision. Frustrated with himself, Wildfire rubbed the moisture away. He wondered what might happen if they found him here, hiding like a coward, or, worse, what they might do to Cyrus should they discover him as well. Surely a shapeshifting creature like him would be worth a hefty price to the Psions?

"You will be in danger if you remain with me," Wildfire added, bringing himself to look down at Cyrus. "You could be killed or tortured. Are you frightened?"

[Deleted]

Well, that answered his question. He found it something of a relief that the Titans had not lied about it. More than that, he deduced that Ryand' had been part of the proposed invasion force. Which did mean that the Citadel posed some threat. Still, with the hordes of superheroes Earth had, he really wasn't worried. And even if the planet fell… he was pretty confident that if he could evade Earthlings, he could evade aliens who didn't know what to look for.

As the boy leaned against him, Cyrus snugged his tail more closely around them. And, smelling the tang of tears (Aliens cry salt tears too, he thought) he nuzzled the boy's face. He would have licked the tears away had not Ryand'r beaten him to it.

"Frightened?" He asked, gently amused. "You can't outfox a fox, Ryand'r. Nobody, Titan or Citadel is going to catch me. But I didn't know that you wanted me to stay with you; I thought you were going to go into the city. He rubbed his head against the boy's side. "If you're tired however -" which he obviously was "- I can find you shelter. Meanwhile, don't worry. Earth's defenders havedealt with many, many threats before."

[Sae]

"Oh." Wildfire felt his ears warm with a hint of embarrassment. It had been presumptuous of him to assume that the werefox would choose--or even want--to stay with him, yet the statement had been made out of a subconscious hope rather than logical thought. The Tamaranean huddled closer, slumping further until he was eventually lying on his side.

"I do wish to go to the city and I do wish to find shelter," he admitted, "but..." 

He didn't finish. The tiredness that weighted him seemed to loosen his tongue too, he realized. Or perhaps there was something else that made Wildfire so desperate to trust Cyrus. Whatever the case, the boy found himself craving friendship, and he didn't enjoy the thought of losing it so soon.

"You are right. We... should find some shelter for me. Away, far away." Wildfire's body groaned with disappointment as he rolled onto his stomach and forced himself up again. The more comfortable he got, he feared the more emotional he would become. "I would not want the Gordanians to discover me so soon. Do you wish to fly, Cyrus?"

[Deleted]

As the boy leaned more heavily against him, Cyrus shifted. Slowly he lowered his forelegs, until he was laying on the ground, the Tamaranean cradled on his flank. He made a sound very like a purr, as he bent his head around to look at the youth. Who was likely not that much younger than he, but Cyrus had always felt old for his age, and the events of this year had aged him still more.

If only he were a werefox. Cyrus found himself feeling very protective of this waif, but there would be a barrier between them as long as Ryand'r did not share his Gift.

Anyway too soon the moment was over. Werefox was still somewhat puzzled by the signals the boy was giving off. He knew what they were-- embarrassment, exhaustion -- but was having a hard time putting them together. Was he again abashed at treating Werefox like an animal? Or for being weak…?

With a sigh, Cyrus got to his own feet, then reared back on his hind legs. "Ahhhhh…" This time he sighed in pleasure as he spread out his hands, his paws morphing back into fingers. Hybrid form resumed, he turned to Ryand'r. The question took him by surprise,and he had to think a second before he realised what the boy meant.

"No." The word was a bit more forceful than he meant it to be, and for a moment his ears had tilted back in anger. He took a breath. "No, thank you." Flying would mean being carried by the boy, and Werefox would never consent to being dependent on someone else like that. Still, he was sure the boy meant well. So he reachedout, placing his hand furry hand on the boy's shoulder.

"I appreciate the offer, Ryand'r. But… I do not wish to be carried by anyone."