Chapter 43

Ravok

Leelee's plan to cover up my ‘alienness' is to have me wear the same clothes she's already provided me, but I'll keep the hood on the shirt flipped up, covering my head. She also hands me eyewear with dark lenses to hide my eyes.

I look over the items with concern. I don't believe this is enough to create an adequate disguise.

Leelee must automatically come to the same conclusion because she grabs her first aid kit and starts searching its contents while mumbling.

With a triumphant look, she pulls out a medical face cover and a thin pair of gloves. "I think these should be enough, as long as you keep your hoodie up and don't get too close to anyone."

Nodding, I flip up the hoodie, feeling the soft fabric against my scalp. I take the gloves and face covering and put them in my pocket to put on when we leave. I'm still uncertain whether this will be adequate, but I am hopeful. If this is what it takes to blend in, so be it.

"Here's what we'll do. If anyone gets too close to you or starts acting suspicious, we'll announce that you're wearing the face mask because you have a terrible cold and are afraid of spreading it. Then you'll start coughing really loud. That should send them running."

"If you think it'll work, that's what I'll do. I will try to keep away from people and keep my head down," I state, hunching my shoulders and hiding my face to demonstrate.

"If push comes to shove, we'll just leave town. We can hide your ship in the woods and then make a run for it. I'll get my car back while we're in town so we can just hit the road and head to Aunt Zizi's house. We can come back for your ship once the dust settles."

Leelee stares at my feet with a worried look. "Hopefully, no one notices that you don't have shoes."

With that decided, I follow Leelee outside and get into the vehicle's passenger seat. I must be getting used to how primitive everything on this planet is because the state of the ancient vehicle doesn't even phase me anymore. I'm just happy to be with my Leelee.

Watching Leelee maneuver this ‘car' is a curiosity. I find it fascinating to watch how efficiently she maneuvers the large machine. There's no holographic interface, no voice guidance, just these oddly shaped levers and a wheel. The vehicle is archaic compared to Cryzor technology, it is a boxy metal beast that's herded with both hands and feet. The array of dials and buttons dotting the console resembles nothing of the sophisticated mechanisms on my ship.

As the scenery zips by, bathing us in alternating bouts of shadow and sunlight, Leelee reaches over to the console and pushes a button. Screeching noises ring through the interior of the vehicle. I flinch at the racket as Leelee reduces the volume with an apologetic grimace.

Upon noting my confounded expression, Leelee's lips curl into a reassuring smile. "It's alright, it's just music," she explains. Her hazel eyes gleam with amusement and curiosity, reminding me of the vast gulf of cultural knowledge between us. "Humans love music; we find joy in it," she elaborates. "We love to sing and dance. We have a vast variety of music. We can check out a couple of genres and see if we can find you something you like. You'll see."

"Music," I echo her, the foreign word strange and heavy on my tongue. She nods enthusiastically and turns up the volume of the sounds, but not quite to their former levels. It sounds as if the air itself is in distress, but she sways in her seat, her eyes twinkling with enjoyment.

She calls it an ‘oldie', her soft voice matching the rhythm of the melancholic tune floating around us. Her voice dances with the whirring melody, a story in tones about a man intending to abandon his lover. The song's subject matter should be sad, but the words seem humorous instead. I may not fully comprehend human music, but seeing her joy, I think, perhaps, I can come to appreciate it.

Next, Leelee switches to a different genre she calls ‘rock'. It is nothing but screeching noise piled on top of a thumping rhythm. I suddenly miss the oldie song.

As we approach the town, Leelee instructs me to put on the darkened eyewear, the ‘sunglasses' as she calls them. She suggests I wait to put on the gloves until the last moment because they can get hot.

Once I don the sunglasses, I put on the paper mask, which covers my nose and mouth. Next, I tighten the strings on my hood so that my neck and much of my face are covered in fabric. I glance at Leelee for approval of my ‘disguise'. The sunglasses are slightly too small for my head, uncomfortably pinching the skin above my ears. That, in addition to the face covering and the tightened hood, makes me feel slightly smothered and overheated, but it is worth it to keep us both safe from discovery.

The human town comes into view as Leelee turns a corner. A panorama of human life unfurls before my eyes as I stare mesmerized out of the car's window. I am used to tall, soaring buildings made of glass and gleaming metals. What I see before me are squat structures that are only a few stories tall and made from stone, wood, and bricks instead. I try to take in every detail, interested in seeing Leelee's people in their natural habitat. On one side of the vehicle, the ground gives way to a body of water. Dozens of boats are tied to wooden platforms that hover over the water's surface, each gently bobbing at their mooring. I watch as a white and gray bird lands on a thick wooden post, calling out a plaintive cry before immediately taking off again.

"Leelee," I begin cautiously as she maneuvers the vehicle into a lot with a small building. She pulls the truck to a stand-alone area that is mostly just a roof on poles. "Is this the mechanics shop?" I ask. Based on her earlier description, I pictured a place that looked different. When Leelee shakes her head, I ask, "What is this place?"

She grins, her eyes once again on the road ahead, "This, big guy, is a gas station."

Ah, I understand, it's a fueling station. When we were researching car batteries, I learned that Earth vehicles run on liquid fuel that humans extract from the ground. Such a primitive, inefficient energy source.

Leelee stops the vehicle next to a metal box under the roofed area. A thick tube is affixed to it. Once the truck is turned off, she gets out and smoothly takes the tube, inserting its end into the car's side. I watch, captivated by the whole process.

A nauseating scent fills the air; the strong smell of the ‘gas' makes my nose burn. I glance at Leelee, but she seems unaffected. Is this just another norm for humans? Comforted by the sight of her unconcerned expression, I keep silent, my gaze returning to the gas station in its entirety.

Soon, there is a soft click, and she pulls out the tube, returning it to the metal stand. We soon pull away, returning to the street, leaving the odd-smelling place behind.

Leelee waits for an opening and then pulls the car into the traffic, crowding the town's main thoroughfare. Dozens of human vehicles in a myriad of colors zip hastily up and down the paved asphalt. Their movement, though chaotic, follows a certain logic.

I gaze upon the throngs of humans engaged in what Leelee called a ‘festival', their voices rising and falling like ocean waves under a midday sun. The air is filled with animated conversations, ties of friendship, familial bonds, and laughter echoing with genuine delight. A grassy area is covered in decorated stalls in a rainbow of vibrant hues. It is joy-filled, milling chaos.

So many younglings, running free and unrestrained. It boggles my mind. Shouldn't they be in their training pods learning their trade? Their laughter and freedom spear me with a strange, unnamed emotion, making my throat tight and hot.

I stare at a male and female strolling down a walkway, each one holding the hand of a tiny female child. Together, they swing the child up, high into the air as the child kicks her legs in joy and squeals in delight. We drive so near that I can hear the child crying out ‘again' as soon as her feet once again touch the ground. I realize that I am fully turned in my seat, staring out the back of the vehicle's back window, trying to keep threesome in view as Leelee takes a turn and they disappear from view.

I… I don't know what to think. My feelings are so twisted up inside me that I can't tell if I am curious or angry or even… jealous? My childhood was so different as to be completely unrecognizable from that interaction I just witnessed. A big part of me wants to demand to be taken back to the cabin – that I need time to process and think about why that interaction bothers me so much. However, I know that it is a silly urge and that we have much to accomplish today. I push my strange feelings away, packing them up to examine later when alone.

My people, the Cryzorians, are different, more so than just our physical differences apparently. My world is monochrome; everything is executed in a rigorous order. My people could never imagine such a spectacle. I can hardly believe it myself, and I'm witnessing it firsthand. My reserved people who revere disciplined silence and strict emotional regulation wouldn't even know what to think if they saw a human festival.

It's such a dazzling celebration filled with laughter, happiness, and color – it's bizarre, disconcerting even. Yet somewhere deep within the recesses of my being, I find myself intrigued, ensnared by the spectacle unfolding. This planet, this… Earth. It's so alien, so strange and different, and yet… Layer upon layer, it peels away my preconceived notions, gnawing at the cornerstones of my ingrained beliefs. It is a curious planet that I think I will miss. Not nearly as much as Leelee, but still… I will miss this eye-opening place.

Leelee drives a block past the pulsating heart of the celebration. Glancing back, I can still spy the celebration from a distance.

"Okay, there's the mechanic's shop," Leelee announces, pulling me out of my thoughts and pointing to a building coming up on our right.

The bricked structure of the vehicle repair shop looks like someone ground grime and grease into its fa?ade. Several doors, similar to the large door on the cabin's garage, are propped open, each filled with a human car. Leelee steers the vehicle into a gravel-laden lot. I sense apprehension and anxiety emanating from her, and my body instinctively tenses when the vehicle comes to a halt.

Before I can unbuckle, however, Leelee cautions me with her careful voice. "Ravok, stay back here, okay? Or better still, out of sight." I despise the thought of letting Leelee deal with this human ‘mechanic' on her own. I plan to stay nearby but out of sight in case she needs me. Once I pull on the thin plastic gloves, we step out of the vehicle together and into the brisk air.

I keep back, staying by the truck's back end, standing in a tree's shadow in case any pedestrians happen to look my way. I watch Leelee as she walks towards the building. As she approaches a large man with enough gray facial hair that I can hardly see his human face walks out and calls a greeting. The man's blue overalls have as much dirt ground into it that he matches his building.

I eavesdrop as they talk for a few minutes, mainly about the repairs the man performed on Leelee's car. She thanks the man she calls Rog and shakes his hand. I growl that he dares to touch a precious female so informally, but then I remember that Leelee's people have much different views on interacting with their females. I remind myself that the male isn't disrespecting her. This is how humans interact. Giving the man a final thanks, she hands him the keys to the truck and receives her set in return.

Leelee extends her hand, shaking the hand of the bigger man once again before parting. I see her head towards a smaller, light-blue car parked in the lot's far corner. My eyes drift back to the shop owner who disappears into the confines of his workshop.

Leelee circles the small vehicle, unlocking the vehicle's door. She turns towards me, scanning the area before she waves me over. I quickly stride toward her as she gets into the driver's seat. A moment later, the combustion engine inside the car roars to life. The gravel beneath my feet crunches as I race towards her, sliding into the passenger seat with a grace honed by years of training.

I look around the interior of the vehicle in curiosity.

This vehicle's interior is much smaller than the car she had been using previously. And what little space there is, is filled with boxes and cases. I'm a bit worried that I will hit my head on the ceiling if she goes over any big bumps. However, I can tell immediately that this is Leelee's vehicle. Her scent permeates the air inside the cramped quarters as if her very essence is soaked in the upholstery.

I watch as Leelee scans her eyes over the items stuffed into the small backseat of the vehicle, her hands gently tracing over the sealed flaps of cardboard.

When she catches me watching, she explains, "I'm moving to my Aunt Zizi's house. So, I had to bring everything I owned." For reasons I cannot understand, Leelee seems embarrassed by this confession – whether it is her belongings or her move, I don't know.

I don't respond because I'd rather not add to Leelee's discomfort. I wholeheartedly believe she deserves all the riches the universe can provide, so this collection seems meager. However, I own even less than she does and can give her nothing. I swallow thickly at the thought that all Leelee will have of me when I leave is memories. Perhaps… perhaps I can figure out a way to rectify this.

I watch her look over her items as if taking a quick inventory. "I'm so glad the mechanic cleaned all the broken glass! I'd hate to have to deal with it."

After ensuring her belongings are secure and won't slide or tumble, Leelee starts the vehicle and once again pulls out into traffic.

Leelee turns back toward the festival. I'm pleased because I'd like to examine the celebration further.

As we approach, I lean closer to the slightly opened window, inhaling a medley of scents. There's a unique aromatic blend in the air: sweet, smoky, salty, and other nuances beyond my ability to describe. Sensing my curiosity, Leelee explains it's a food festival, and she further elaborates there is a contest for foods dedicated to love. The mere idea seems ludicrous, associating sustenance with such a subjective human emotion.

Leelee turns the vehicle into a marked slot before a building that I assume is the ‘hardware' store.

Although it is not as crowded here, people are still wandering around and talking amongst themselves.

A frown creases Leelee's forehead as she stares at the building.

"Alright, Ravok," she murmurs. I'll go in first. You need to stay behind me so no one inside can see you. Keep your head down. Depending on where the shop owner or any customers are, you need to try to avoid them." I give her a firm nod, acknowledging her instructions. I am unsure of whether this plan is genuinely viable; however, I cannot think of a better one, and I trust Leelee.

"No worries, Leelee." I gently assure her. A surge of protectiveness washes over me. She turns towards me, worry etched onto her face. Her gaze searches my face as if seeking more assurance. I wish I weren't covered in my disguise so that I could let her see that I am confident in her plan. As her eyes travel over my mask-covered face, I mime a relaxed stance, dropping my shoulders. Leelee takes a deep breath and then nods her head. She scans the walkway before the store.

"Good. No one is outside, so we don't have to worry about pedestrians yet. Okay, let's do this." Leelee gets out of the car, strides to the front of the vehicle, and waits for me. Taking a deep breath, I step out of the vehicle's shelter. I glance into the front window and feel a sense of relief; the hardware store appears mostly empty.

I quickly join Leelee and get behind her as instructed – not that I mind being forced into proximity with my Leelee. I stay close to her heels, hunching my shoulders to appear smaller as I follow her to the store's entrance. "I'll distract the owner, Ravok. You find the batteries."

I dismiss the anxiety gnawing at me. With a last look around the surrounding area, Leelee opens the door. On hearing a bell ring overhead, I nearly falter but swiftly rein in my composure. My nerves, albeit well concealed, are rattling inside my body. The thought of being caught and returned to the human facility is unacceptable. No matter what happens, I refuse to be returned to my captors.

The smell of this place reminds me of the garage before Leelee cleaned it – dust, old oil, oxidized metal, and petroleum-based rubber.

A thick-set man with a mane of shaggy reddish-gray hair stuffed under a brimmed hat emerges through a door behind the counter, greeting us. I am unsure of the human aging process but the creases and lines on his face, plus the silvering of his hair and beard, make me believe he is at least twice Leelee's age.

His eyes lazily shift to me, studying my form with an intensity that breeds discomfort. Suppressing my innate reaction to check that my mask and sunglasses are secure, I press my lips into a tight line, turning away and heading to an aisle where I can keep an eye on Leelee while out of the store owner's sightline.

"Hi, I'm Lily. I called earlier about some batteries."

"Oh, yes. You talked to me – I'm Anton. I have your batteries right here. I put them out of the way under the counter for you."

"Oh, thank you. I really appreciate it."

With a grunt, the man places the first of the batteries on the counter.

As Anton bends down to grab the next battery, rummaging beneath the counter, I observe the way Leelee's hazel eyes follow the movement, trust and relief imbued in her eyes. Once the man collects them all, almost a dozen heavy rectangular batteries line the counter.

"I need to finish working on my accounting, so I'll leave you to look them over. Call out to me if you have any questions or are ready to check out, okay?"

"Yes, thank you, Anton. I appreciate it."

When the store owner retreats into his office, Leelee turns to where I'm waiting and waves me over.

As we inspect the batteries Leelee has procured, I feel a stirring of hope.

"Look here, Ravok," Leelee tells me, her voice soft within the hushed whispers of the store. As I pick up one of the heavy batteries, Leelee reads off the specifications listed on the side of another.

"Will these work?" she asks, her gaze intense as she looks up at me.

Grasping the large battery in my hand, I weigh its potential. They're quite dissimilar from the charging units of my disabled ship but I'm optimistic that I will be able to repurpose them to meet my needs.

"Yes," I respond confidently, my gaze unconsciously straying to the gentle curve of her smile. There's a flicker of relief in her eyes. "I think they will."

"Okay, I'll let the store owner know. While I do that, maybe you should look around some more," Leelee suggests. "See if there's anything else we might need – tools or supplies that can help us."

I nod my acquiescence, though a deeply rooted instinct to protect resists the idea of any separation from her. Regardless, I begin a systematic sweep of the establishment, my eyes analyzing every product while simultaneously monitoring Leelee. I wish my previous human captors hadn't taken my phaser. I feel vulnerable without a weapon, although my strength and claws are undoubtedly formidable, especially against this older human male.

I listen as Leelee calls to the store owner.

The man steps back out of his office with a happy grin. "I'm so glad to have these off my shelves that I'm going to sell them to you at a discount."

Leelee profusely thanks the man, so pleased with getting a discount that I am suddenly worried about the price. Am I asking Leelee to spend more money than she can afford? If so, how can I make this up to her?

As I explore the shop, examining the massive variety of goods on offer, I maintain constant vigilance, always keeping my Leelee within my sights.

The jingling of the small bell above the door signals the arrival of a new presence. Keeping my hands loose and ready at my side, I instinctively edge out of direct sight, retreating to a far shelf where I can easily see and reach Leelee without the newcomer spotting me.

A female strides in with a confidence that rivals my own commanding presence. A mane of golden curls cascades down her shoulders, bouncing as she walks. She's older than Leelee, her face showing signs of maturity, but her eyes sparkle with a startling youthful vivacity.

"Koko, hi!" Leelee greets the new woman who has joined her at the counter. Leelee seems familiar with the female and is pleased to see her, so I relax a fraction. The woman turns to Leelee with a radiant grin. I remember the name Koko. Leelee told me that she is the person who owns the cabin and is the governing body of this strange town.

I had pictured the region's ruler as an elderly, stern figure, commanding respect with an austere demeanor. What an unusual species these humans are. Instead of strict rules and rigid norms, here stands a leader who exudes an infectious warmth and charm. She doesn't even appear to be in any kind of uniform; instead, she is dressed in bright, flowing colors that make me think of a flower.

"I saw Svarog closing his shop, and he mentioned that you had picked up your car. He was pleased that you filled up the tank on the loaner truck. That was smart of you. It's always a good idea to be in the good graces of the town mechanic. Sorry again about breaking your window. I hope everything has been fixed to your satisfaction?"

"Yes, it looks as good as new. I appreciate you covering the expense. And also, for the use of your cabin. Don't forget to tell me how much I owe for the rent."

Koko's back is to me as she stands at the counter talking to Leelee, making it easier for me to keep an eye on them both. She notices the batteries lined up on the counter. "Are you buying these?" she asks.

"Um, yes, I am."

"Oh, Lily, I'm so glad they're going to find a home! I ordered them and then realized that they wouldn't meet my needs after they'd already shipped. It was too late to stop the shipment. I'm lucky that Anton didn't mind putting them on his shelves instead of making me buy something I no longer needed," Koko exclaims.

"You don't need these for the cabin, do you? Although putting solar power out there might be a good idea. Especially during the winter months. It can sometimes lose power out there after a big storm."

"Oh no, I don't need it for the cabin. I'm, um, I'm going to be heading to my aunt's place once I leave here and she is heavily interested in upgrading to solar power," Leelee lies. I hope Koko doesn't notice the blush gracing her cheeks. It's sweet that Leelee is so uncomfortable with lying. "When I was researching the batteries we need, I called this store on a whim, and Anton said they had what I needed. It was all just dumb luck."

"Luck?" Koko scoffs lightly. "I don't believe in luck. You were meant to be here, Lily, and these batteries… They were meant for you. Everything has a plan. I really believe that."

I watch as Leelee stammers, taken aback by Koko's statement. But she doesn't disagree. My species also does not believe in luck. Cryzorians make our own destinies. So, if I'm here for a reason, I have no idea what that reason is yet. Although, I will admit that getting to know Leelee has changed the entire trajectory of my life. If meeting her was luck, then I count myself the luckiest male ever born.

"Mayor, what can I do for you?" The storekeeper chimes in, his voice reverently polite.

Koko turns away from Leelee to face the man behind the counter. "Oh, yes, sorry. I got distracted catching up with Lily." Koko gives Anton a bright smile as she rummages around in a pocket. A moment later, she pulls out a crumpled piece of paper with a flourish. She smooths the paper on the counter, and then she and Anton bend their heads over the list.

"You sure you need all this stuff?" Anton asks, one bushy eyebrow raised.

Koko nods vigorously. "Oh yes, most certainly. I want to add water sports options to my little rental houseboat in the harbor. I think it'll attract the kind of customer I'm looking for. I just know that adding kayaks and paddle boards and stuff will be a big draw during our summer months."

Anton gives her a knowing look before pointing to something else on the list. "And this?" he asks.

"There's a storm coming," Koko replies. Leelee and I both look out the shop's front windows at the clear skies outside.

When she sees the mystified look on Leelee's face, Koko bursts out laughing. "Not today, silly. It'll take a couple of weeks to get here."

Leelee looks completely befuddled, staring at Koko as if she can't decide if the female is deranged or some kind of prophet. Leelee turns to look at me as if for guidance and I shrug my shoulders to indicate that I am as lost in this interaction as she is.

I watch Anton pick up Koko's list and squint at it before dropping it in a drawer behind the counter. He lifts his cap, runs a hand through his hair, and then gives Koko a reassuring smile.

"This might take a few weeks, but I'll get it all. Promise." The laughter lines deepen around his eyes, evidence of years spent in the outdoors.

With a warm squeeze on Anton's hand, Koko thanks him, and her eyes practically glitter with good cheer.

"Goodbye, Lily," she chirrups, reaching out to pat Leelee's shoulder comfortingly before she rushes out the door, leaving silence behind her.

"If I have even a fraction of her energy at that age, I'll be a happy man," Anton says, staring fondling after Koko as she bustles down the sidewalk.

"What do you me—" Leelee starts to say when Anton shakes his head as if coming back to himself and realizing he's not alone.

"Oh, yes, your batteries," Anton announces. "Is there anything else you need, or can I ring these up?"

Leelee turns and looks at me. I realize that I was so caught up in watching over her I forgot to finish checking the shelves. I shake my head. I will take a quick perusal while Leelee makes her purchase, but I'm confident that we have everything we need for now.

Leelee pays for the batteries with a small square of plastic. "You need a hand getting these to your car?" Anton asks.

"No. But thank you for the offer."

Shrugging his acceptance of her refusal, Anton pivots, heading back towards the sanctuary of his office. His boots echo against the hard floor and the door closes with a thump.

It takes a couple of trips, but we get the batteries loaded into the floor of the back seat. Once we are finished, Leelee doesn't immediately start the vehicle. She looks over her shoulder at the colorful tents with people milling around them with a longing look.

"You know… I'm hungry. The sun is going down, so it'll be dark soon." Leelee stops and turns to me as she bites her thumb.

I can tell she has something on her mind, so I stay silent and wait, letting her work out whatever thoughts are swarming in her head.

Seeming to come to a decision, she drops her thumb and gives me a hopeful look. "If we're careful and you keep your disguise on, we could check out the food festival. There are all kinds of delicious, fun human food to try. We'll find a dark spot to hang out in, like under the shade of a tree and I'll bring you treats to try. What do you think?"

Doesn't this female understand yet that wherever she leads, I will follow?