》Y/N pov《
I'm waking up, the lights in the room are becoming subtly brighter. Usually I would protest, ask for "five more minutes", or ignore it and keep sleeping. But the knowledge of where I was, and who I was with, brought me back. Sitting up in the nest of blankets and furs, I looked around the room. The same as yesterday, bare walls, cold floor, comfortably warm air.
My body felt rejuvenated, although sore. Muscles ached, bruises everywhere, and the bandage was starting to feel gross. Barry's dog tags felt warm against my neck. But that was the best goddamn sleep of my life! Running my hand over the materials, I felt the different textures. Soft leather like scales, cloud like fur. I could fall asleep right here right now. But I'm getting hungry, my stomach gurgled and turned. I really need to eat.
Just then the door opened. Red was back, his helmet adorned with creature jaws, and strange trench coat were now clean. All the mud and blood gone, as if it was never there. He entered the room slowly, until the door shut behind him. Kneeling down, about three feet away, he brought out a bag from under his jacket. Is that?
It's my bag! From the little convenience store, and it still has the food. Looking up at him I found he was staring. His shoulders bounced, and a strange grumble came from him. Is he laughing? Nah more of a chuckle. He came closer, presenting the bag.
"Eat" was filtered through the helmet.
I took the bag from him, practically snatched it actually. I was too hungry to be patient. Red did that same chuckle thing, and watched as I opened the bag. All of my items were still there, though slightly crushed.
"Did you poison this?" I know it's unlikely, but still something to be worried about.
"No-poison" Red stated," safe-Eat."
Glancing between him and my food, I couldn't see any tell-tale sign of lying. Opening one of the packages I couldn't stop. It smelled as good as cheap convenience store food could. Red watched me as I ate, intense purring commenced, and he kept tilting his head every now and then to read a label. After finishing most of the food I stopped, better to save it for later than starve again. He straightened up when I looked back at him.
"Thank you" it's a common courtesy, whether or not he knows what it means is beyond me.
He simply nodded then stood. My god he's tall! In the light of the room, and not being half scared to death, I could take in more of his appearance. His helmet had a reddish hue, all of his armor was dark and in earthy tones. His 'skin' beneath that was various shades of browns and reds, I could see patches of scars that his armor didn't cover. This alien is built, and ready for combat.
"Follow-medicine-Heal" he said while holding his hand out for me to take.
He led me through the halls back to the medical room. Green was still there, preparing more bandages and cream. He looked up when we entered the room, making a high trilling noise.
"Up" was all the warning I got from Red, before he lifted me back onto the table.
'At least he warned me this time'
"Arms-up-shirt-off" Red ordered, already trying to lift the shirt off.
After we removed the top, Green came around to my back. His hands were warm, and gentle, as they traced the top of the bandages. Looking for the end. When he found it he slowly unraveled it from my chest, passing it back and forth with Red. When the rest came off, out of instinct, I covered my chest with my hands. Red and Green paid no mind, as they began chirping and trilling to one another. They were talking.
》Veta pov《
"Their wound has healed significantly, scar tissue is already forming at the edges." They have made significant progress, for a 'ooman.
"And the others?" Bahtoh tilted his head, staring at some of the minor cuts left on their body.
"Most of the bruising along the ribs have healed. Their muscles are relaxing and beginning to heal, still they'll be sore for a while." All together they have healed well.
On a Yautja this wound would've healed within the hour with medi-gel, but 'ooman bodies are weak and need more time to heal. Their skin is no longer inflamed, and what remains open looks healthy. The small cuts have formed scabs, and they didn't stumble while walking into the lab. However, I could see the pained expression that flashed every now and then. They were still in pain, but they held a brave face.
"They will need to keep the salve on for a little longer, but after that they will have an impressive scar." With the outer edge of the wound healed I can almost predict the shape it will take.
"Hold-still-hurt-Like-motherfucker" I showed the cream to Brave 'ooman, they tensed but nodded.
They held their breath to prepare for the pain, I began. They didn't squirm as much this time, but they still held Bahtoh's arms in a vice grip. Eyes kept open whilst they glared daggers into the floor. After applying the salve we re-wrapped their torso, as they held a small piece of metal, attached to a chain of sorts. out of the way.
》Bahtoh pov《
After we re-wrapped their torso, I placed the shirt on their head for them to redress. The clothes we gave them were way too big, meant for a giant. But the clothes were soft and warm, it also made them look even tinier. Cute even.
"Did they eat?" Veta snapped me from my thoughts, whilst checking their vitals.
"They practically inhaled it." I chuckled. Recalling how they basically stuffed their face with the trashy food.
"Good. Ayull says that we will be reaching the market soon, there we will grab a translator for Brave 'ooman." Veta informed me after finishing the diagnosis." He wants them to come to the market as well. There should be more clothes in the cargo bay."
"Understood, I'll see you at the market." I said while setting down Brave 'ooman.
We were on our way to the cargo bay when the Brave 'ooman spoke up.
"Why am I here?" They looked up at me, hands fidgeting, and pulse rising. They're nervous.
But I'm not the right person to ask this, and Ayull would kill me if I paucked this up. They are so scared, scared of us, of me. I can't leave them hanging, that'll only make it worse.
'Cjit'
"You-important" their expression changed, great now they're even more confused. "Leader-explain-later"
"Ok" was all they mumbled, resuming their ogling of the ship.
Such wonder and curiosity filled those eyes. And not moments before they were constantly filled with fear, with hatred. I hope to change that, no longer should they feel the pain of betrayal, no longer should they fear us. We will train them to become a warrior, so they might destroy all that harms them.
When we arrived in the cargo bay I released their arm to go looking for clothes. They didn't bolt like I thought they would, instead looking around the room. I could see them out of the corner of my eye, running their hands along boxes, gazing over the textures, and mumbling to themselves.
"This is where I woke up, isn't it?" I turned and saw them looking at the far wall.
There were parachutes hanging along the wall, and cages around the floor. Their gaze fell to a corner, small scratches and marks. A small vermin intended for the hounds had escaped, and it tried to dig its way out. Pathetic rodent.
"Yes-cargo-Bay" there is no point in lying to them, we are to gain their trust.
"Why?" They looked back at me, eyes glazed with tears.
'Cjit, cjit, cjit'
"Tradition-important-needed" I moved to them, keeping my hands facing up, a sign of peace. "Not-you-Special"
Our eyes met through my helmet. Theirs were boring into my skull. They simply huffed and wiped their eyes before tears could fall. Such a brave face this one has. They've been through so much, and yet refuse to let us see, to open up. All in due time, once they become part of our circle they will have no need to hide. That or I'll bring forth those tears in a different form, a less sad one.
Reaching into a box beside them I found suitable clothes.
》Y/N pov《
Red reached beside me and began rummaging through the box. He pulled out several items before presenting them to me. There was a long sleeve shirt, giant hoodie, some pants, socks and shoes. And thank whatever gods exist; they were all clean. Still no undergarments though. He reached into another box, pulling out a bullet proof vest, and knee pads.
' Why would I need this? '
When I asked Red he sat for a moment, little bits of audio playing, till he found what he wanted to say.
"Protection-dangerous-out-there"
"Where are we going?"
"Market"
After that he made me change behind a few boxes. Layering on the shirt, and pants. Then the vest and knee pads, and to top it all off a hoodie that was two sizes too big. And of course the socks before shoes, I'm not a heathen. All in all it didn't look too bad, just a little funky.
"Follow-others-waiting" Red held his hand out for me to take.
I took his hand, not that I really need it anymore. But it helps to ground me, I get that he's a homicidal alien that tried to kill me. Still, I don't think they want to kill me anymore. If they did then why would they heal me?
' Aliens are weird. '
Red led me through the ship, to a large doorway. When we entered Green was there, with the other one. This one was much bigger, and looked meaner. His skin was dark, almost black, but the colors of his armor were purple in hue. And now they all have names, Red, Green, and 'Purple'.
As we came closer Purple stared at me, I felt like the odd one out here. But I guess I am, they're all the same.
' I'm the alien here '
They "talked" back and forth, making those strange clicking and hissing noises. With all of them together it was easy to figure out their dynamic. Red is a sassy upstart, his hand motions, and the shifting of his hips shows that. Green is a mother hen, the way he was so gentle whilst healing me, but then smacks Red on the back of his head shows that love/hate relationship. Then Purple. He's the stone faced leader, his posture never changes, his clicking is short and direct, and I've hardly seen him. Of the group he definitely likes me the least.
After a while of me sitting on a crate, and them talking, they now addressed me. Purple and Green turned to face me, while Red went to rummage in another box. Rubbing his head where Green smacked him.
"You-follow-Me" Purple ordered." Follow-these-rules"
"Stay-close"
"Follow-orders"
"Don't-die"
He counted off each of his rules on his fingers. They seemed simple enough, but what really gets me is that I'm GOING with them.
"Why am I coming?" It makes no sense right? Why would they bring me off the ship?
'Wait. '
"Are you hunting me again?" My blood froze, and my stomach turned.
' They wouldn't, why would they keep me alive just to kill me later? '
"No" Purple came close, a low rumble of a purr coming from him. "You-important."
I looked up into his emotionless helmet, my breathing quickened. I can't believe him, he's lying.
"Under-our-protection" he placed a hand on my forehead, his palm rough and warm, comforting."Promise"
Red and Green perked up at that. He just promised to protect me, why? I was grounded by the comfort of his hand, I could feel the scars, the strength, and the gentleness.
"Ok, ok I believe you." While I calmed down Purple inspected my outfit.
He poked at the vest, wiggled the knee pads, and rolled up my sleeves. He seemed pleased with it. Pulling up the hood he looked at my face, then nodded and walked away. Green came over and lifted my wrist, the one with the unwanted bracelet. Bringing his gauntlet close, it made a beeping noise. Now a red light flashed on his gauntlet, in sync with my heart beat flashing in the bracelet.
"Incase-emergency" Green nodded.
He pressed the pulse on my bracelet, then a hologram map flashed into the air. It showed the room and four bright dots. It's us, he's given me a tracking device. He tapped a few more buttons on his wrist, speech showed up. At first it was strange glyphs that reminded me of an old alarm clock. After a few moments they changed to english! It was broken, and had odd grammar. But I was just glad I could read it.
Red let out a grunt, gaining my and Green's attention. He beckoned us over, and so we went. Purple had us stand next to him, facing a wall? Red hit a few buttons on the wall, making it move downward. Like a boarding ramp.
My eyes widened at what was before me.
' The market '