As Bajes lay on the ground, his vision blurred, and a figure approached him. It was an impossibility, a hallucination, for he saw Abdul, his sole human friend from school days, long believed to be dead. Abdul sat beside him, his presence ethereal, and spoke, "Well, if you don't do something, are you ready to give up?" Bajes yearned to respond, but his voice failed him.
Abdul then lay next to him, gazing at the sky, and murmured, "They are coming. Don't be in a hurry to join me. Not yet, bro." Amidst the silence, another voice pierced through, sharp and commanding, "Hurry! I'll have your heads if he dies!" It sounded like Maria. Another figment of his imagination, Bajes mused, a smile tugging at his lips despite the pain. He laughed inwardly, noting the only one missing from this surreal gathering was Da'Lana, his wife, light-years away. Yet, as if summoned by his thoughts, her voice echoed, "Be careful, ensure the explosion doesn't reach him!"
His mind wandered back to his school days with Abdul. They were sharing lunch, Abdul with Bajes's royal meals, and Bajes with Abdul's simpler fare. "You know, bro, I love your royal food," Abdul commented with genuine affection. Bajes, enjoying a bite of bread laden with meat and mustard, replied, "And I love your 'unfancy' food. It's a refreshing change to taste something so... common. My usual diet is all about nutrition and fancy ingredients. But this, this is delightful."
Abdul chuckled, savouring Bajes's exotic lunch, "Bro, that's totally strange. Anyone can make bread; my mother still does it the old-fashioned way. Though, I think it's very unhealthy—you might gain weight."
Bajes pondered his friend's words. The concept of weight gain was foreign, almost amusing, considering the capabilities of psi technologies to regulate such concerns.
Bajes explained, "If the psi link detects any abnormalities in the human body, like excess fat, it stimulates metabolism and increases your basal metabolic rate." Abdul, whose studies focused on logistics and planetary governance, looked puzzled, not fully grasping Bajes's scientific explanation.
With a sigh, Bajes, both loudly and with a hint of annoyance, elaborated, "You really should learn more about the technology you have inside you. It's an older model because it takes a few generations to fully adapt to the newest versions, but psi technology can essentially sculpt you to your desired appearance. That's why you see so many attractive people around; those who look different often choose to do so."
Intrigued, Abdul asked, "Does that mean I could have muscles like a professional athlete?" Bajes shook his head, clarifying, "It's not quite that simple. You still need to put in the effort. Let's say it makes your goals easier to achieve. For instance, increase your food intake and start doing morning runs or stretches, and you'll develop a six-pack in no time."
Abdul, still confused, retorted, "What are you even talking about, bro? I've already got a 'pack'." Bajes humorously responded, "I'm not referring to your 'one pack'." After a playful poke from Abdul, Bajes noticed several Terellians glaring at them disapprovingly.
Bajes found himself in a delicate position. As a human adopted by the empress, he was considered royalty among the Terellians, a race known for its adherence to tradition and customs, which dictated that royalty must not be touched. Moreover, Bajes was one of the few individuals, alongside the crown prince and the empress, compatible with the most advanced psi link available. This unique status afforded him a high level of respect among the Terellians, despite his human origins.
Abdul caught the disapproving glances from around them. "What's their problem?" he inquired.
Bajes replied with a nonchalance born of necessity, "Ignore it, just avoid poking me in public. Anyway, are you up for a drink tonight?"
Abdul's smirk hinted at other plans. "I've got a date tonight..."
Bajes harboured doubts but chose to remain silent, savouring the simplicity of Abdul's bread. Abdul, evidently expecting a reaction, broke the silence with an exaggerated tone, "Aren't you going to ask with whom?"
Bajes maintained his silence, convinced of his friend's imminent rejection. Abdul, growing impatient, finally exclaimed, "Really? What an oblivious friend I have, lost in his royalty."
"So, tell me, who turned you down?" Bajes prodded gently.
"Why do you assume I was rejected? I wasn't!" Abdul's frustration was palpable, catching Bajes off guard.
"So... who is the unfortunate woman who agreed to a date with you?" Bajes teased, attempting to lighten the mood.
Abdul hesitated, then leaned in to whisper, "I'm planning to ask Maria from Earth, your colleague from the military studies."
Bajes fell silent, contemplating the implications. Maria was known for her frosty demeanour and rumoured espionage activities. Could Abdul unwittingly be walking into a trap? Was it possible Maria might exploit Abdul's friendship with Bajes for her own ends? Torn between revealing his suspicions and preserving his friend's optimism, Bajes found himself drifting into his thoughts, tuning out Abdul's continued chatter.
Bajes snapped back to the present just in time to witness Abdul's bold move. As Maria walked by, Abdul gathered his courage and asked her out. Her glance shifted between Bajes and Abdul, sizing Abdul up with a look that left little to the imagination. Her response was as icy as her demeanour, "Not even if you were the last chance for humanity," before she turned on her heel and left. Abdul was left speechless, and Bajes struggled to maintain his composure, the urge to laugh nearly overwhelming his sense of decorum.
Returning to the table, Abdul declared with a mix of frustration and defiance, "I hate you. Just—don't say anything." Bajes, quietly sipping his orange juice, had no intention of adding fuel to the fire. But Abdul, undeterred, proclaimed, "I'm going on a date tonight! Even if it has to be with you, Bajes!"
Bajes countered, "Didn't I already ask you out for tonight? Sorry, Abdul, but I called dibs." Abdul opened his mouth to retort but instead approached another passerby—Da'Lana, a fellow military student a year junior to Bajes. Her reaction to Abdul's abrupt invitation was one of discomfort. After a glance at Bajes and then back to Abdul, she politely declined, "I'm sorry, but I have commitments tonight."
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Abdul, trying to brush off the rejection, joked, "Don't worry... it looks like it's just the two of us then, Bajes." However, the mood shifted when Da'Lana approached Bajes and handed him a sealed letter, an action steeped in Terellian tradition. Bajes, caught off guard, inquired, "Why? Is everything alright with your family? This seems quite sudden."
Da'Lana's visible nervousness prevented her from replying. Abdul, oblivious to the tension, pressed, "What's up, bro?" Bajes, sensing the gravity of the letter's contents, replied, "It appears I have some official duties tonight. You'll have to manage without me, Abdul. Sorry."
As Bajes made to leave, Abdul reached out, grasping his shoulder in a bid for attention.
In the aftermath of Abdul's impulsive gesture, a protective Terellian bystander reacted violently, charging at Abdul and knocking him to the ground with a forceful ram. The Terellian's outrage was palpable as he bellowed, "How dare you treat Prince Bajes Terellia in such a manner, you filth?!" Poised to strike Abdul again, the Terellian was abruptly intercepted by Bajes, who, leveraging the power of his external skeleton, delivered a swift kick that sent the aggressor sprawling through the air. The confrontation left a hush over the onlookers.
Recognizing the need to assert his independence and authority, Bajes declared, "Don't look down on me. I am fully capable of defending myself. No one has the right to act or speak on my behalf. Remember your place." With that, he turned and walked away, his point made clear.
Though Bajes felt a responsibility to ensure Abdul's well-being, he restrained himself to maintain a semblance of impartiality, planning instead to reconcile over drinks later. His attention then shifted to Da'Lana, who had observed the scene unfold. "Let's address this now. Follow me," Bajes instructed, setting off with Da'Lana trailing a few steps behind, adhering to the customary protocol.
Pausing, Bajes glanced back at Da'Lana and encouraged, "If that letter is indeed an engagement request, you should walk beside me." Da'Lana hesitated, her uncertainty about protocol and the propriety of her actions evident. With no guidance forthcoming from those around them, she made the decision to align herself with Bajes's side as he had requested.
Their silent procession led them to the Terellian wing, where they ascended to the 53rd floor in an elevator. This level housed the official chambers reserved for political discourse. Upon arrival, Bajes addressed their entourage, "I request a private audience with Duchess Da'Lana. I assure you, on my honor, she will come to no harm." Da'Lana, seizing the moment, urged, "Move quickly." Once alone, they seated themselves at the conference table.
Bajes scrutinized Da'Lana, noting her outward calm but sensing the undercurrent of her nervousness. He broke the seal of the letter, revealing a marriage request co-signed by the empress and Da'Lana's father. The document bore Da'Lana's signature, with only his remaining to complete the agreement. "So... Do you want to marry a mere human?" he asked, his tone light but probing.
Da'Lana blinked, momentarily taken aback by the question. Bajes waited for a reply, but it seemed she, too, was seeking further clarification. Pushing for honesty, Bajes added, "I'm human. Are you truly comfortable with that?"
"It is an honour to join the royal family," Da'Lana responded, her answer diplomatic yet devoid of personal sentiment. Bajes's brow furrowed in frustration; her evasive response only served to irritate him further. "I believe you understand the deeper implication of my question," he pressed, seeking a genuine reaction.
Met with silence, Bajes's patience waned. He refrained from signing the document, instead handing it back to her. Da'Lana's surprise was evident as she asked, "Prince Bajes, am I not worthy of you?"
Bajes, opting for candour over courtesy, responded, "No, my lady. It's not a matter of worthiness. My aspirations and the life I envision for myself simply do not align with the expectations bound to this marriage."
Da'Lana, taken aback yet composed, sought to understand his stance better. "I respect your aspirations," she conceded. "Could you share more about your goals and vision for the future?"
Concluding the exchange, Bajes expressed his hope for the future. "I trust we can continue to respect and support one another, even as our paths diverge."
Bajes paused at the threshold, contemplating his next move, when Da'Lana positioned herself before him, halting his departure. He regarded her silently, offering no immediate reaction to her blockade.
"I had a choice between you and Duke Fe'Keisa," Da'Lana began, her voice steady. "Fe'Keisa is notorious for exploiting his authority, resting on the laurels of his forebears. You, however, have distinguished yourself through your deeds, validating your place within the royal lineage. Your actions alone have earned my respect; that suffices for me."
Bajes remained silent, evaluating her sincerity. Her words prompted him to reconsider, and he returned to his seat, though his actions were misinterpreted by Da'Lana, who promptly offered him the letter and a pen. Bajes clarified, "You misunderstand. My return to the seat isn't a readiness to sign. I am merely open to further dialogue." He gestured towards her chair, inviting her to sit once more.
"What do you seek?" Da'Lana inquired, once seated.
"I desire many things, but primarily, I seek an ally. Not a reluctant double agent, nor someone bound strictly by protocol," Bajes articulated his expectations.
"I believe I can fulfil that role," Da'Lana responded, her tone confident yet cautious.
"Those are bold claims. How do you intend to substantiate them?" Bajes challenged, seeking tangible proof of her commitment.
Da'Lana hesitated, caught in a moment of uncertainty. The prospect of establishing a direct psi link as proof was too intimate a gesture for her, especially with someone she scarcely knew.
Struggling to find an alternative, she asked, "How might I demonstrate my sincerity?"
Bajes proposed, "Perhaps you could share your expectations of me, were I to be your husband."
Da'Lana outlined her vision: trust, potential for children, mutual support. "And why do you believe I'm capable of providing these?" Bajes pressed further.
"I didn't claim to need everything at once," Da'Lana conceded. "Compatibility ensures a harmonious life. And whom else would you marry? A human? The empress would never sanction such a union. With all due respect, rejecting this proposal seems like a missed opportunity."
Bajes addressed Da'Lana with a tone of sincere consideration, "Dear Duchess, we're having this conversation because I see the potential for a missed opportunity. My uncertainty lies in whether we can have children."
Da'Lana reassured him, "You needn't worry about that. Human scientific research has advanced significantly in the past fifteen years. It's been established that our races are compatible; however, any offspring would be Terellian, not human." Bajes nodded, absorbing the new information with surprise, as he had never delved into such subjects before.
Rising to approach her, Da'Lana stood to meet him, their proximity closing as they exchanged a direct, intense gaze. Bajes, struck by a sudden inspiration, proposed, "Let's strike a deal. We'll pretend this engagement is official for a while. Let's spend time together, give it a three-month trial until the semester's end. If we both agree, I'll sign the document. How does that sound?"
Da'Lana, with confidence, responded, "You could sign it now, but let's wait these three months."
Bajes chuckled at her agreement, his mind racing with thoughts. Da'Lana, curious, asked, "What?"
Bajes, half-joking, suggested, "We should seal this agreement with a kiss."
To his astonishment, Da'Lana acted on the jest immediately, kissing him. The gesture caught Bajes off guard. "That was a joke, but... well worth it," he managed to say. Realizing her impulsive reaction and perhaps misinterpretation, Da'Lana's cheeks flushed a deep green, a Terellian sign of embarrassment. She hastily exited the room without another word.
Left alone, Bajes felt a rush of emotions, his face reddening with a mix of surprise and embarrassment. It was his first kiss, unexpected and unforgettable. Seeking to distract himself, Bajes grabbed two bottles from the bar, pondering whether they'd suffice to mitigate Abdul's dismay and jealousy.
Upon returning and revealing that they might soon be joined by another companion—potentially his fiancée—Abdul grabbed a bottle and spent the night airing his grievances about Bajes... to Bajes himself.