Boundless

...and Strings

"But later", she timidly added after quick consideration.

"Why?" Lar'jar had to ask, which made the Girl turn a lovely shade of red.

"Erm", she looked away. "I might want to bite your brother again", the Girl confessed, her cheeks already on fire.

(Somewhere behind them, Ah'kaedh smiled, aroused in the light of her admission. It was also rather cute).

"It's ok", the Enforcer answered before Lar'jar had a chance to snark Lance's soul out of her body.

***

Drowsiness took over Lance's morning like the first day - she had fever, sweats, some cramps but not nausea.

Drowsiness is probably related to the amount of blood she takes , Lar'jar mused.

The second time he came around Lance's room to check on her and change her IV, the Medic found his brother tucked inside the scanner by her side, purring for his sleeping Girl.

"How long are you laying there?" Lar'jar lifted the scanner lid, crossing his arms, looking down at his brother

"Did you suggest to Jakhar to take her guard?"

"Yes", the Medic grinned at his sibling. "I knew you would say no, so don't worry I had no intention of ditching your ooman".

Ah'kaedh scrunched his face. The elder were not the only ones weary of Lar'jar's scheming habits.

"Don't be silly. I never thought you would agree", the Medic insisted upon noticing how unconvinced Ah'kaedh seemed.

"So why suggest it in the first place?"

"Don't mind me, brother", Lar'jar counseled. "You have enough on your plate as it is".

***

Jakhar came to inspect all arrangements some hours before their departure after lunch. Which was not protocol, and given the amount of work that Elder had due to his position, Lar'jar instantly knew what the old Yautja was doing there.

"Should I assign you some help?" Jakhar asked Lar'jar while they walked away from the children's quarters.

"I won't request it nor deny it".

"Why not?"

"I can see how this situation could make someone in your position nervous", the Jerk said in his most dispassionate tone.

(And laughing inside).

"Good, because I will be doing just that", the Elder snarled.

Lar'jar nodded, almost sagely.

Jakhar keyed his wristgauntled, barking instructions at his aide and shooting a couple of messages to other individuals.

"Artisans?", the Medic cocked his head. That was not help.

(That was Jakhar dumping something onto them).

"You have the space now", the Elder growled.

"What happened to their ship?"

"Nothing. Yesterday the guild master was challenged. Again", the Elder shook his head. That Yautja was a beast, like Lar'jar, had been incredibly competent hunter, who decided to follow a different path later in life. Most career artisans were not fond of him, considering the former hunter some sort of interloper in their midst. It was rare, but there were some former hunters in their ranks.

However, what was unique to that individual, particularly, was how well he had mastered the craft, making him eligible for the position. Only masters could challenge leadership.