‘That was really thoughtful and this blood stone is so amazing!’ Chel couldn’t stop smiling as she looked at the sparkly jewel. It wasn’t something she’d ever wear, but it was pretty to look at and the music was such a pleasant touch. The melody was indescribable and strangely soothing. That was a good thing, considering her discomfort at learning how it worked. DNA? It really sampled it and made music from it that fast. The technology was amazing and frightening at the same time. ‘I can’t wait to show it to mom and dad!!’
‘...’ Chel’s mood immediately shifted and the tones coming from the necklace flawlessly changed to a different song, one that while still pleasant, was very reflective of how she was feeling. Quickly, she pocketed the necklace, making an excuse, “I don’t want to annoy anyone with it.” She couldn’t show it to them.
Lexx caught the change in the tune, but wasn’t sure what caused it. Chel was still smiling, so it couldn’t be anything really bad. He blew it off as Stealth greeted them at the door of the store. Her tails were twitching wildly and she was looking very nervous, as well as licking her jaws.
“Ready to go?” Stealth murred, glancing over her shoulder. “Are you done here?”
“What have you been doing, Stealth?” Lexx demanded of the cat, casting a cold glare at her. Why was it that she caused more trouble and mischief than Zeta? She was smarter and easier to reason with than the sallomandyr, so there was no excuse for whatever she’d done. He just couldn’t leave her alone.
“Nooooothing.” Stealth bumped her head against Lexx’s leg, “Nice clothes… can we go now, I’m thirsty.”
Lexx sighed, but didn’t see anything to cause concern, so he shrugged it off. “We’re done here anyway,… we have one more stop and then we’ll return to the ship and go back to Earth. We’re going into the residential sector, Chel. Stay near me. That goes for you two as well.” Lexx gave the pair of dice a stern look, making sure they knew he was being serious.
Zeta managed as much of a condescending smirk as he could toward the cat, who laid her ears back and made a hissing sound. Then she sneezed and a flurry of tiny gold feathers puffed out of her mouth.
The walk was a long one and the halls were not busy, until they arrived at a new floor. The walls were plated with some kind of rock. Here and there, Chel could make out vehicles flashing by on the other side. “This is the residential sector. It’s where the workers who upkeep the station live.” Lexx seemed to know exactly where he was going, which made Chel wonder about what he had in mind.
Maybe they were going to visit someone he knew or he had a permanent home here? Suddenly, they were walking through a corridor that had two alien guards standing by the entrance. Lexx had his hand scanned, wordlessly, then they were allowed there.
Chel had a lot to look at in the halls, but nothing was said. Then, she heard a familiar sound echoing down the empty hall. Laughter. Children’s laughter. This was getting more and more perplexing. Lexx glanced at Chel, wondering what she was going to think of this. He was afraid to tell her exactly what was going on and grateful she hadn’t asked. Lexx wasn’t going to volunteer any more information than he had to on this matter and didn’t want to have to say why he had taken charge of Maenae. Especially if it involved him displaying more of himself to Chel than he wanted her to know.
Zeta suddenly perked up, a look of horror crossing his face. “Oh,… no….!” He gasped sharply, suddenly falling behind Stealth.
“You didn’t know where we were going?” Stealth whispered, basking in her mental superiority. “You lose,… she can ride you, not ME this time!”
“Ooooh,…” Chel couldn’t disguise her glee as they stepped through a door into a play area. There were kids everywhere, all different kinds. “Little kids! They’re so cute!!” More to see that no one else would ever see!
