The next morning, I get up, and get dressed, and head to the dining hall. I'm expecting to see Mira there, like always, but instead I see Xilukulkas, sitting at the head of the table, a plate of food in front of him. He's wearing a simple green robe today, and his hair is up in a bun. He looks up as I approach, and smiles.
"Good morning, Sarah." He greets me, his eyes a soft green. "Please, join me."
I nod, and sit down across from him. "Good morning, Xilukulkas." I say, and he chuckles.
"You need not be so stiff and formal."
"Says the guy who has people call him Master?" I reply, taking a bite of toast.
He shakes his head. "I have my reasons." He says, cryptically. "It is not a demand. It is a... choice that some make. But I would prefer you call me by my name. You dislike the title, after all, yes?" He tilts his head.
"Then how did you expect me to be less formal?" I squint at him. "Call you Xil...?"
He lifts a hand. "None of that. I would hear my name from you. Your demeanor is the stiffness I referred to. You need not be so reserved and tense with me, Sarah."
"...why are you asking me to be... less formal with you?"
He picks up his cup of coffee, and takes a sip. "Because you are still uncomfortable here, are you not?"
I frown. "Aren't we all a little uncomfortable?" I ask, confused.
"Some of us." He smiles a strange, knowing smile. "But I would like you to be comfortable, Sarah. I would like you to feel... at home. I would like you to be happy."
"So send me back to Earth."
He looks over his cup at me. "I cannot."
"Sure you can. Just. Point me at home. And...." I gesture with my hand in a vague... zooming rocket ship manner.
He smiles, briefly, before shaking his head. 'There are many things I can do, Sarah. My wealth and my influence is nearly unparalleled. But there are things that not even I can do."
I frown at him, not sure I buy that.
"I cannot send you home." He adds. "The laws of the Galaxy prevent me, in all ways, from doing so. I cannot send you there, and even if I did, it is likely they would send hunters for you. The Empire has no love for you." He pauses a moment, looking away. "Thus. That is a request I cannot grant."
I don't like it. But...
I also can't deny that it makes sense. I don't know all the laws of the Galaxy, but it's probably not legal to free a human. Especially a human killed a bunch of their men."So you're asking me to just. Accept that."
"It is not in me to require you to accept or not accept. I only wish for you to be comfortable while you are here."
"Because you'll have me forever." I say, a bit dryly.
"A comfortable life is a better one, isn't it?" He agrees. He's smiling again, but it's that... mysterious smile that he always wears. I can never tell if he's sincere, or if he's just playing with me. "You do not have to trust me to try and enjoy your time here. But I am not your enemy."
I sigh, and look down at my plate. I know that. He's not. He's... nice. Too nice. Too kind. Too understanding. It's... unsettling. I don't know how to deal with it.
And... maybe there's a part of me that wonders if I can.
If I could accept this life. This place. This... man. If I could be happy, even, in a strange way. If I could let go of the past, and embrace the present. But...
It scares me. It feels like a betrayal. Like giving up. Like losing myself. It makes my chest hurt. Makes me feel... guilty.
"I know it is difficult." He says, quietly. "The turmoil in your heart is not a little thing. It will take time."
"I don't want it to take time." I whisper, looking up at him. "I want to go back. I want to see my friends again. I want to know what happened to them. I want to... I just want to go home."
He nods, and his hand is suddenly on mine. It's warm, and gentle. "I know, Sarah. And perhaps. That day will come. But until then, I hope you will allow me to make your stay more bearable."
I swallow, and nod. "I... I'll try." I say, and he smiles, squeezing my hand.
"Thank you." He says, and then lets go, leaning back in his chair. "Now. I do believe I have a business meeting with a very dull representative of the Zothraksyd system today. Do not fret, Sarah. If you require anything, you need only ask." He stands up, and his robes swirl around him as he turns to leave. "I will see you at dinner, perhaps."
I watch him go, and then look down at my hand. The warmth of his touch lingers, and I... I don't know what to think.
He's not a bad person. He's not a monster. He's... he's just an alien. A very powerful, very rich, very lonely alien. Who bought me.
And that... makes everything complicated.
I sigh, and finish my breakfast. I need to find something to do. Something to distract me. Something that isn't the damn Aquacave. I'm still sore from yesterday. Llywelyn and his stupid games...
I smile, despite myself. Maybe I'll go find him. He's probably bathing, and he always makes the most entertaining sounds when I interrupt that. His shrieks are far higher than his usually deep voice would suggest was possible. It's like music to my ears.
I leave the dining hall, and head towards our shared rooms. I don't knock. I just open the door, and step inside.
And then I stop.
Because Llywelyn is not in the bath. Llywelyn is walking out of the bath. Naked.
Well, he's covered. Kind of. He's got a towel wrapped around his waist, but that's it. And his hair is wet, and his skin is damp, and his chest is... there. Right there. And I can see the outline of... everything.
And he's glowing.
Brightly.
The towel does nothing to hide it.
It's like a... a... a neon sign. Pointing down. And I can't. I can't look away.
His veins are pulsing a vivid pink, and he's staring at me. His eyes are wide, and his ears are twitching, and his mouth is slightly open. He is. Frozen in place. And so am I.
For a moment.
Then I slam the door shut, and lean against it, my face burning. I hear him yelp, and then curse, and then stomp towards the door. "S'nilia-nishi-..!Nishi'an wo'! Ritzakahn hetchki nishi'an reh-!"
Oh. He's mad. Really mad. I don't blame him. I just... barged in. On his... private time.
But.
Okay, I didn't intend! Why was he walking around outside the bath?! It has a door! That locks!
I take a deep breath, and try to calm down. My heart is pounding, and my head is spinning, and I'm... I'm...
Oh, god.
I saw.
I saw.
I saw everything.
I...I need to get out of here. I need to run. Far, far away.
But I can't. There's just not very far to go.
And he's still cursing. Loudly. I don't think he's coming out anytime soon. But I don't want to be here when he does.
So I do the only thing I can think of.
I run.