by Cara Violet
“You don’t know me!”
“When did this happen? And what possessed you to leave your dorm today? Walking the streets, eating baked goods and ice-cream?! Are you crazy!”
“Why are you speaking to me like a child?”
“Because you’re acting like one! The Underworld are still monitoring you, why do you think you’re safe here?”
“Wait. How did you know where I was and what I was doing?” She said. He didn’t answer her. “You followed me?”
“I was going to leave you after you began stuffing your face with that cone but I could tell you had no intentions of remaining alert. There were Underworld following you. Yet you were in another world, eating ice-cream!”
“What!? It was sorbet!” She heard her lungs fight for air to keep shouting at him. “Just get out! Now it’s my turn. Get out!”
“Kate,” Kaianan heard the muffled voice of Gaylene. “Is everything okay in there?”
“Yeah, sorry Gaylene, I’ve just had some music on.”
“Honey, your door seems to be locked. We tried you at dinner and no answer.”
“Yeah, I was asleep, feeling unwell, and you’ll have to fix the door for me tomorrow.”
Kaianan heard a few jabs to the door like Gaylene was trying to break in and then nothing. “Okay honey, I’ll call in tomorrow.”
It was an awkward silence when Gaylene had unknowingly left Julius alone with her.
The water dripping from his unhappy face and down his sturdy charcoal combat attire made her laugh. His hair had stuck to his face and he was fishing it out of his eyes.
“Is this funny to you?”
“Satirical, yes.” She said the words but she felt like they were someone else’s. Someone else would say them to her.
“Have you calmed down now?”
“Well, we need to assess the situation, Julius. When I’m angry I turn into a ten-foot man-beast. We haven’t seen that here today. So I think you just haven’t been able to work out how to push my buttons.” Kaianan said it, not in a flirty way, but she had been staring him up and down the whole time it probably seemed it.
“Are you suggesting,” Julius began, “that you have buttons that can be pushed? Because from all I can gather, you seem to be a wireless computer with no other input but your own.”
“I have buttons,” she snapped. “It just takes longer to locate them.”
“Good to know.”
Was she really standing here, daydreaming about moving toward him and taking him out of those wet clothes … fantasizing about touching him? Her body was seizing up. She thought she was replying, but she deceived herself, she actually was flirting.
“I think you should go,” Kaianan breathed out.
“I think so too.” He walked past her, and as usual her body became rigid. She leant forward to smell him. She scowled herself for doing so.
“Hey, who’s that?”
At Julius’ words Kaianan rushed into the bedroom.
Bushy red hair poked out from behind her white sheeted bed. “Ka.”
“Oh holom, Reddy!” Kaianan shrugged with her hands up. “What are you in doing here?!”
“You know him?” Came Julius’s scowl.
“Just shut up,” she elbowed past him, dripping water all over the carpet.
“Gaylene said you’re in trouble,” Reddy sobbed out. “I wanted to warn you.”
“I’ll be fine Reddy; I can handle myself. Come on let’s get you back to your room and in bed.” She grabbed Reddy’s hand and then, soaking wet, turned to Julius. “I’m going to take Reddy to his room and be back in five minutes … if you’re still here, I’ll throw you out.”
Kaianan tried not to laugh as she recited the words Julius had said to her standing in his apartment a few nights ago. She walked out her bedroom door with Reddy and may have heard a faint laugh as she did.
She was dripping wet when she shoved Reddy in bed, but that didn’t stop him from clutching to her hand and asking for a bedtime story.
“No,” she said sarcastically and yanked her arm back. “I’m wet.”
“You’re going to spend some time with me soon, aren’t you?”
Kaianan stood at the door not answering him. She couldn’t put him in danger. The further they were away from each other the better. Especially with the Underworld monitoring her. She would never want Reddy to get hurt. Why did she even care?
“Good night, Reddy,” she said and closed the door behind her.
Getting out of her dirty clothes and washing in warm water was the best thing Kaianan had felt all day. Although what was even better was when she crawled her sore body into her small warm bed half hour ago. She felt each of her muscles aching, especially her shoulder. She closed her eyes and wanted to sleep away the rest of her time here. Maybe it would go quicker that way.
No such luck. Her ears twitched when she heard someone knocking. She looked to her door; it wasn’t coming from there and the sound was more of a knuckle on glass vibration. She sat up.
There was someone standing outside her window.
“Julius!” she said scathingly.
She threw her quilt and sheet off her, grabbing her nightie at the front to keep herself hidden and lifted the window up.
“What the holom are you doing here?!” Kaianan said quietly but agitatedly. “Everyone is asleep.”
“I,” Julius ran his hands through his hair, “I wanted to say sorry about following you.”
“That’s great. What are you doing here?”
“Can you come up top with me?”
“What?”
“Get dressed, I’ll be up this way,” and then he climbed the double storey roof by hoisting himself on a type of steel boxed contraption on the side of the wall. She stood back inside. What was she doing? She raced for her cupboard and pulled out half the clothes. Where was something suggestive when she needed it. Oh my gosh, the thought crossed her mind she was turning into Chituma, an actual dish rag! A hussy! No way, she let that idea go completely.
Instead, she grabbed a huge grey jumper and found a pair of black pants and settled on comfort over suggestiveness. She quickly brushed her hair and pinched her cheeks for some colour, then flew out the window. Her heart was racing as she jumped up on the metal box that was actually warm beneath her fingers, Kaianan was sure she heard water bubbling it in. She lifted up on top of it and moved her body up into another window frame on the second storey.
“Wait, who’s inside—”
Gaylene. Kaianan climbed the bulky frame, pushed her arm out aiming for the gutter, instead, Julius’s hand came down and he hoisted her up and over the gutter and onto the roof tiles alongside him.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, fine.”
He moved away from her and sat down. Kaianan followed him, then took her eyes to the full moon shining down on them.
“I didn’t realise how beautiful some planets and their moons are.”
“Yes,” he said. He was sitting with his knees up, one hand holding the other wrist and his elbows holding his legs up.
“So, hi,” Kaianan whispered, she sat down beside him and crossed her legs flat.
“Hi to you.”
“Why have you been following me?”
“I just have.”
“Keeping me alive?”
“Something like that,” he said facing her. Kaianan couldn’t help but notice the way the light made his green eyes glow.
“Did you at least have a good day?” She said smiling, not sure why she had completely let her guard down. Or why she had hurried to the roof, or what possessed her to even see him again?
He laughed. He was laughing; an airy laugh that she couldn’t quite establish if it was fake or not. Either way she couldn’t take her eyes off him.
“I did have a good day,” he finally said. “I learnt a lot too.”
“Oh, you did? Like what?”
“That you like pastry and sorbet,” he smiled. She laughed. “But
also, that you care about animals and preforms.” This time his words came out serious. “I mean, why? In your position, you shouldn’t care about others.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! You should be able to look out for people that need help. What would the universe turn into? As much as I know I have a lot to focus on in my own life, I’d never walk over anyone’s toes to get it, and I sure wouldn’t ignore those that may need me.”
“In my family, that makes you weak.” Julius said, staring off into the distance. “It is a way someone can find leverage against you.”
“What is the point of it all, if after everything you’ve gained, you only have yourself to share it with?”
He shrugged. “I guess.”
“It’s in small acts of kindness you can help other people, right?” she raised her eyebrows looking for an answer but got nothing. “I’m sure that’s why you’re here? You’re following me because your kind?”
He snorted at her sarcasm. “Well, let’s go with that, but I was told to.”
“By who?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
She said nothing. He wasn’t forthcoming with any information at all, it annoyed her to no end but she had to let it go. If he wasn’t going to speak his truth, then she wouldn’t allow him to get that close. She’d learnt that lesson with Xandou.
“You’ve grown from how I remember you,” he said.
“And how do you remember me, Mr. I-can’t-tell-you-who-I-am?”
“We were younger then, Kaianan.”
“And were you Julius or someone else then?”
“I’ve always been Julius.” He said slowly. “I met you at one of your parent’s parties.”
“That doesn’t really narrow down where you’re from, does it? Because my parents have half a galaxy over each time, they celebrate anything.”
“I must admit the food was always good … I stopped going ten years ago.”
“Why?”
“Because someone caught us playing together and advised me to stay away from you.”
“Who?”
“Dersji Brikin.”
Kaianan frowned. “Who’s he?”
“What do you mean?” Julius had his eyes on her in surprise. “He’s your Liege.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve never heard of him in my entire life.”
“Kaianan, are you kidding right now, the guy nearly beat me to death to stay away from you, you train with him every day!”
“You’re lying,” she said harshly.
She watched his face drop.
“I won’t speak on it anymore,” he said, sounding confused. “Though I will tell you, you need to do some homework. He is a powerful Liege, Kaianan, and he is your Liege … and maybe now I understand why you don’t remember me.”
“Well, I don’t know. The Felrin seem to be a species I study from time to time. I don’t really know anything else about it or anyone else for that matter, I mean people that I’m close to, sure … stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m some sort of wounded animal.”
“I’m just amazed you’ve gone through your transformation without him.”
“Again, I don’t know him.”
Oh, yes, sorry.”
Kaianan let the silence fill her. This ‘Dersji Brikin’ fellow was firmly implanted in her mind. When she got a chance, she would have to do some research, spend some time in her books back home. Something just wasn’t adding up. Maybe what Julius had to say could help her connect the dots.
“So, when do you have to go home?” she said, intentionally diverting the subject away from her.
Now it was Julius who looked unnerved. “I, I don’t know, and I don’t even know if I want to.”
“Why not?”
“Facing my father … it’s just—”
“Just what?”
“I just have a lot of expectation on me, that’s all.”
“Like what?”
“I just need to live up to some things that I disagree with.”
“Then compromise,” Kaianan said casually.
“Easier said than done.”
“Don’t give me that Julius. You know perfectly well it works.”
He smiled then turned away to hide it from her.
“I’m over here,” she shifted her neck out toward him.
He turned back and this time Kaianan had to catch her breath, the look he gave her, his smouldering eyes and agape mouth, melted her soul.
He leant forward and Kaianan skipped a heartbeat. Then he touched his hand on her knee. “I know where you are,” he said, and her heart almost came out of her chest, “at all times.”
She tried to speak but nothing happened.
“We always got along,” he said. “We always had fun. We were kids. I’ve got so many memories with you.”
“I’m sorry I don’t remember at all,” she muttered out, outwardly irritated.
Then he took his hand from her leg. “Maybe it just didn’t have as much an impact on you as it did me.”
Kaianan stared at the spot where his fingers were on her leg, quite sure he had burnt a hole into her skin. “I don’t know.”
“Sometimes you can be anywhere in the universe and still be able to find someone who gets you. We’re in a completely different galaxy, Kaianan, but I’ve never felt I’ve been able to talk to anyone like this, so, so carefree.”
She swallowed. Should she be allowing herself to be this casual with him? Was dropping her guard such a smart thing to do? Here he was opening up, and so was she to an extent. She wanted to tell him more, tell him everything. But her brain was squandering her heart. Apart of what didn’t add up in her life was him. And research included finding out why he was on Earth and who told him to follow her.
He suddenly had his fingers between the strands of her hair, and then pushed the strands back behind her ear and left his hand at her neck. Why was he looking at her like that? Wait, he’s edging forward. His eyes are closing. His face is nearing. Kaianan’s heart was racing like a volatile Seevaar; fast and uneven.
She couldn’t allow herself to do it, couldn’t allow herself to meet him half way. She pushed back away from him. Instantly, anger filled his eyes when they opened.
“I think we should call it a night,” she said, eyes downward.
He stared at her for what felt like an eternity. “You know, not everyone is trying to corner you.” Then he smirked and stood up, “let’s go, give me your hand.”
She took it and made her way back to her room without looking to him again.
Having spent the past few nights completely sleepless, Kaianan’s eyes struggled to stay open.
Julius, the night at the beach, rejecting his advance, Xandou deserting her, becoming a murderer, the fact she was a prophecy, and the impeding burden she was trapped on Earth, all swamped her brain. It was like drinking poison the more she kept analysing every situation. Her eyes were burning for sleep, begging her mind to switch off.
The shot of air that came out of the back of the bus when they turned a corner, snapped her eyes awake. She sat up.
She was sitting amongst the rest of the foster kids. She yanked her head around at the two columns of blue seats. Everyone was still sitting in their place. She rolled her eyes at her insecurity. She wished she could’ve objected to the idea of visiting a museum today, but she couldn’t, not when Gaylene pointed out, in her potent tone, it was compulsory, especially for Kaianan, who had spent too much time alone in her room apparently.
Pity, because after her recent experiences on this planet, she cared little, if at all, for human history.
Assessing her bland black pants and grey long sleeve choice in preform clothes, she sighed at the planet now becoming morbid to her. Through her window, the city bustling with its human populace—running, walking, going up into yellow and green trams, down streets paved with old and new buildings; arcades, markets and historical landmarks from centu
ries ago that sat between modern office towers— had all become boring to watch.
Kaianan felt eyes on her. She glared back at a girl in the seat across the aisle who was staring at her for too long. The girl nearly fell out of her seat on top of her friend when she met Kaianan’s eyes. They scampered about not looking back at her. It was entertaining at least. And who could blame them, she would be sacred too if she was them—in their remote presence was an uncontrollable, murdering monster.
“BOO!” Reddy in his bright daisy ensemble, jumped into the empty seat next to her, full of overwhelming joy and excitement.
“You know I avoid talking to others for a reason,” she stated spitefully, feeling the bus come to a stop.
He beamed at her disinterest. “I love coming here.”
What is with this kid? “Why don’t you go on and tell me more then.”
“I used to come with my parents … before they died,” he admitted in an upbeat tone.
Kaianan sat up and felt the words slowly soak into her skin. She took her eyes to his. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he replied. “Race you,” he said and pummelled through the middle of the bus to the front as the door was about to swing open.
Kaianan felt confused when it came to Reddy. Whether it was complete stupidity he was acting out of or not, he kept it jovial at least, something she was starting to admire.
As they were lined up and directed off the bus, the rest of the foster kids were whispering in excitement, pointing out the windows and giggling. Kaianan was the last to hit the concrete and take it all in.
Elevated slightly above the cityscape, the museum’s striking front wall was an architectural design of angles with the white capitals “MELBOURNE MUSEUM” neatly positioned across the top. Kaianan warmed at the views of the luscious Royal Gardens surrounding Victoria Parade. It definitely wasn’t Layos, or Rivalex, but the scope of art and diversity, even for a brief moment, cheered her up.
“Venus, Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty,” a man said, pointing to a statue, inside the foyer. Kaianan looked up and past the statues, to the large white room they were in. Chatter filled her ears as it echoed and bounced off the walls. The man, poorly dressed, was talking to a student while waiting for the rest of the foster kids to pile through.
