“So the numbers in your head told you to betray me?”

“I feel like that’s an oversimplification.”

Jack and Orvalys had waited until everyone in camp had gone to sleep before slipping out through a small hole in their tent and walking a distance into the woods before they felt safe enough to discuss what had happened earlier. Jack obviously hadn’t wanted to wait, but even he knew that talking about it out in the open was a bad idea, especially if there was any chance of an argument. Orv had helped him put away the flyer and they had acted normal around each other until they could be alone. It had been strange to go through their evening meal and prepare for sleep while acting that way, but finally, in the low blueish glow of the grasses, Orvalys could give his explanation.

Which had better be good, Jack thought.

“I believe it would be more appropriate to say that though I acted without warning you,” Orvlays explained. “It was the most strategic way to handle this situation.”

Jack nodded. “Yeah, so what I said, the numbers in your head told you to betray me.”

“Not exactly—”

“You calculated the odds,” Jack continued, “and the odds told you to snitch on me to Genys.”

“I simply needed to test your skills,” Orvalys insisted.

Jack blinked. “My—my skills?”

“In covering up whatever it was Ki spoke with you about,” the homunculus explained. “So I could be sure it wouldn’t eventually blow our cover.”

Jack had nothing to say to that. He sat back on his knees and just looked at Orvalys. “And you didn’t think it would be a good idea to talk to me first?” he finally asked.

“Well, preparing you for the altercation lessened the statistical probability that you’d be able to play it off as well,” Orvlays answered.

“According to who?!”

“According to the statistics.”

Jack almost responded but decided not to.

“I do sincerely apologize,” Orvalys said. “I know it was a breach of trust, but it was vital for your safety to—”

Jack interrupted him, “You know I’ve fought in wars before right? Battles, skirmishes. I’ve been in actual life-or-death situations—real risky situations—some of which I almost didn’t make it out of.” He bent down so he could look Orv more directly in the eye. “I know I’m in a new world, but I promise you I can take care of myself, at least enough to be told about things like this.”

“I don’t mean to be patronizing,” Orvalys said as diplomatically as he could, “but if you knew what I do about what could potentially be tracking us right now…” he trailed off and Jack noticed he seemed like he wanted to look around them. They were in the middle of a very silent and very dark copse of trees, and though nothing seemed out of place, his words made the darkness a bit more ominous.

“I just think there’s a right time and place to get involved in a rebellion,” the homunculus said. “which is what I assume Ki was talking to you about. I know she approached you, and I know a little of your history and I assure you your intentions are good, it’s just with all of our plans I think—”

“Well see that’s a good example of why you should have asked,” Jack said. “Because I told her no.”

Orvalys stopped mid-sentence. “Ah. You did?”

“I did.”

Orvalys nodded slowly and looked down. “Well, that does slightly change the uh... I suppose I miscalculated.”

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“You miscalculated?” Jack said. “Miscalculated what, me saying yes?”

“Well,” Orvalys didn’t look up, instead explaining himself to the glowing grass. “I just figured it would be something you’d likely say yes to.”

Jack felt something—some sort of emotion and he didn’t quite know what it was. “Not this time. Not here. I’m not willing to risk our chances of getting back to Nymia.”

Orvalys nodded again to the grass. “Well in that case what I did was certainly wrong. I apologize.”

Clearly, Jack still had leftover annoyance and even some anger directed at Orvalys, but the new feeling was there as well, and it was unpleasant. “How about in the future if the numbers say to take away my choices, you won’t do that without telling me?”

Orvalys looked up. “Yes. I agree. I can’t say it will always be the smartest choice, but I do understand the importance of preserving trust between us. Besides, It's clear now that I’m not always right.”

Shame. Is that what I’m feeling, guilty?

Jack knew he shouldn’t feel that way. He knew why they were here—why he was here. Nymia was the one good thing that had ever happened to him and anything that even remotely threatened it wasn’t something he could afford to involve himself in. That was how he felt, that was what he believed, and Orvalys seemed to be in agreement. But, none of that changed the fact that when he heard the words ‘something you’d likely say yes to’ it stung him in a way he couldn’t quite pin down.

As Jack analyzed his feelings, Orv’s somber expression slowly started to shift and before long a smile began to creep up.

“What is it?”Jack asked.

“Well,” Orvalys began. “You do have to admit that you were pretty good at navigating your way out of it.”

Jack blew out a pent-up breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, “Geez, yeah? Did I? I really almost thought I wasn’t going to make it out!”

“Were you just playing a hunch?” Orvalys asked. “How did you know I hadn’t told her anything specific?”

“Well, I figured I was already done for if you had,” Jack explained. “So I went with the assumption that she didn’t know what she was looking for. It was risky but really my only choice.”

“I half expected us to have to leave right then and there,” Orvalys said. “Which, would have been safer than her suspecting you.”

“No, that makes sense,” Jack said, “And honestly I understand your reasoning—I still stand by what I said about keeping me in the loop—but it makes sense.”

“So you really told her no?” Orvalys asked. The question immediately made Jack feel that same sort of something again—not quite guilt, but similar enough that he decided to just brush it off as best he could.

Bottle that stuff right up. Unhelpful.

“I mean, under other circumstances maybe I would want to help,” Jack said. “But, like you said—too dangerous.”

“We do want to leave as little impact as possible,” Orvalys agreed. “Plus, we don’t want to become responsible for hurting anyone either.”

“Right,” Jack said. “And we’re so close, aren’t we? I mean in a few days we’ll be over the mountains and close to wherever we’re being pulled to right?”

“Everything does seem to be going according to plan,” the homunculus said. “Which is good.”

Jack sensed there was something else Orvalys wanted to say or at least something else on his mind, but he couldn’t tell what. Orv had been pretty insistent when they had first arrived in Tinaria that they should lay as low as possible so why did it seem like he was almost... disappointed?

“Did you—” Jack didn’t really know how to ask, “did you want me to not say no?”

“Oh, no,” Orv said, “of course not.”

“Ok.” A moment of silence ensued. Jack rocked back and forth on his heels for a moment. Orv was avoiding eye contact.

“So…”

“Yes?” Orvalys asked.

Jack searched for the right words, but they wouldn’t come. “What’s uh… do you… you’re sure though?”

“Me?”

“Yeah.”

“Of course!”

Jack blew a breath out slowly. “You’re acting kind of weird.”

Orvalys scoffed. “Weird? I’m not acting weird, what makes you say I’m acting weird?”

Jack doubled down. “You’re definitely being weird.”

“No.”

“Yes, you are,” Jack pushed. “Because I did the thing that I should be doing according to you, but you’re kind of acting like it’s not the thing I should have done.”

“I’m not acting like that at all!” Orvalys insisted. “I’m acting completely normal about it.”

“Did you want me to say yes to her?” Jack asked. “Should I have said yes to her?”

“Of course not,” Orvlays said. “Our priority is getting out of this world, and hiding as well as we can until that happens. Also, as far as the Yarvans go—”

He wasn’t able to finish his statement. There was a massive concussive sound and the trees around them were lit up in a purple flash.