Author:(I know that I already wrote about Ester,though she might be in my other book since she's half human.Probabley on her mother's side.But these three are one hundred percent alien girls.The kind some can't go without.Also I know that it the same girls just with different size and skin tone but if you manage to see the female Kraaho in the episode,you can see that they all look identical.Since they depend on nuclear high temperatures,I thought that different temperatures affecting their looks would interesting.So let's see if you can put a smile on these three cold but heat depended beauties.Also I apologize for the picture's look.I only had the heads and torsos to go on with the rest being just slimmer body parts of male Kraahos.)
The scene opens up with a man being awakened by the rays of sun and leaving his bed.His daily routine starts with a quick shower to become more alert faster,making a simple breakfast with coffee and getting dressed for work.He made some more coffee to go and left his apartment.The first sight of the morning is the enormous traffic jam and he can't help but feel guilty.You see,while others who have dreams of becoming doctors do,the ones who dream of saving lives join the arm of the law,some dream of becoming paleontologists and become diggers of a pipe line.Sure,he contributes with city's water reservoir and drinkable water is very important but it's not something to present at the career day in elementary school.Good thing he didn't have someone to have a child with so he couldn't embarrass them.Nobody cares about unsung heroes.He eventually reaches his latest work place by the side of the road.The cause of the traffic.
Colleague1:Y/N,took you long enough.
Y/N:Sorry,traffic was a mess and I couldn't even get my car out.So I didn't even bother getting in.
Colleague1:Yeah well,the sooner we get this done,the sooner will the roads be used for more than just car displays.We got some new gear and you're the first up.
Y/N:What?You got here before me.
Colleague1:It was charging until now.And since you were still late,you get the first try.
Y/N:Was that gear tested.
Colleague1:Sure.Not on the filed but if they approved it,it must be safe.
Y/N:(Sigh)Where is that gear.
Colleague1:Right here.
He lugged over a large looking drill without a handle,partially hollow and apart from the drilling end it was yellow with black stripes.
Y/N:What is that?
Colleague1:I didn't remember the long high-techy name but it's easy to use.You slip your hand at the first part and grab the handle.The on button should be below your index finger so just press it and this thing goes through rock like a knife through refrigerated peanut butter.
Y/N:Wouldn't that be more difficult?
Collegue1:Well it doesn't slices,it crumbles the rock.I find it more appropriate.
Y/N:If you say so.
He places the strange machine contraption on his hand and heads down the tunnel the started working on few days ago.
Y/N:Is there anything straight ahead?!
Collegue1:Not on these maps!You shouldn't hit anything for a few klicks!And that'll takes days!
Y/N:(Sigh)Let's get this over with.
He started the machine and nearly fell over from it's sudden intensity.After giving it a few moments to get used to it,he continues his work.He's been tunneling faster and further then with all the old machines.After a while he notices a steady rise in temperature but he's still on the clock.He could got for a little while,at least until the machine needs to recharge again.But with his arm stating to burn from overall heat and machine slowly overheating,he is forced to set the arm-drill on the ground.Y/N takes few deep breaths and wipes the sweat of his forehead.He looked back to see how far he got and notices that entrance can't be seen from this distance.Not only that,he also saw that his tunnel was slowly decreasing in level,going lower that intended.
Y/N:Wow.I've been going at it longer then I thought.Phew.I should've brought a water bottle.Is there a geothermal source round here somewhere.Maybe I should try in on the other arm from now.It's going to be a little tricky.
Y/N pulled the gizmo on his other arm but he didn't know it was only designed for his dominant arm.As soon as he turned it on,it went out of control.He tried to aim it higher but it was as if it was being drawn to the Earth's core.For some reason it was also difficult to take it off.He was being pulled into the bowels of Earth and couldn't do anything to stop it.He noticed how the air was getting as hot as fire and thought that he was somehow reaching the molten core of the planet.He didn't know for how long was he tunneling through the stone until he ran out of tangible material under himself and fell in a different way.He fell on the ground that might as well have been a frying pan with the drill shaking on it's side next to him.
Y/N:Ow!Is this how failed bungee jumpers feel?
He rubbed the aching spot on his head and hears footsteps around him,prompting him to look up.He saw a bunch of identical looking,purple humanoids with bronze high tech weaponry aimed at him.
Kraaho1:Intruder!
Kraaho2:Look,up there!
Everyone looked up to see the hole in their ceiling through which Y/N fell,effectively opening the doors to this species's ice age.While the hottest day ever recorded in a city was an Eskimo grade climate to them,temperate temperatures could spell their doom.Few kept aiming their blasters at him while others spread the panic to those whom the freezing air hadn't hit already.Y/N was surprised at what was going on.Within minutes,he was forced next to now winter coat wearing humanoid that surrounded the lava pit to stay warm and alive.They all gathered in a way that resembled a trial as the most human looking female stood above others.
Esther:What is going on?
Kraaho3:This outsider tunneled into out home and let the freezing air in.It'll be a matter of minutes before even the lava pits become useless.
Y/N:I swear I didn't know anybody lives here.I was just doing my job with the new experimental-
Kraaho3:Silence!We must punish him and obstruct the hole in the ceiling before it's too late.
Ester was stuck in a deep though.Occasionally switching between their prisoner and his point of entry to their little isolated community.
Esther:(I know I'm the tribe's chieftain now but do we really need to punish him for an accident?Most species don't know we exist.Hmmm,that gives me an idea.I had a lot of fun with Ben.Maybe they could use some time with humans.He looks pretty cute himself.Plus,it wouldn't hurt them to be more open with other species.They really need to work on their communication skills if we plan on having any diplomatic ties in the future.And if I end up being no longer only Kraaho/human hybrid at the end,oh well.)
Ester:I've made my choice.His price for invading our territory,he must stay here until such time as I deem fit.He'll live and work beside us,starting with plugging up the ceiling.
She was met with loud shouts of disagreement,ranging from it not being the Kraaho way,him not being one of their own and of course,the matter of his dwelling.Everyone was too busy to notice the dread on Y/N's face.
Esther:Calm down,calm down everyone!As for where will he live,he can take Loovis's hut.
Author:(Loovis Slerdlerk is a Kraaho that bought a date with Fistina on a auction in the episode Special Delivery and moved out of the tribe so his hut is free.Isn't it nice when a random scene in the show works out for authors and readers alike.)
Kraaho4:Shouldn't his brother get the hut?
Esther:You already have a hut.And it's big enough.Do you agree to these terms?
Y/N:Do I have a choice?
Esther:It's still a lot more merciful than the old ways.Now,does anybody have an idea how to fix that thing?
There were murmurs and disagreements but nobody offered a valid solution.Seeing how everyone began to shiver and not coming up with solutions,Y/N started to think of a way to fix his blunder.It was his fault,it was the least he could do.
Y/N:Um,I think I might have an idea.
Esther:What is it?
Y/N:If the drill can chip away a boulder of right size and ratio,and if the drill's intensity can be lowered,maybe it can wedge the bolder in and seal away the outside air.
Ester:Any objections?
Due to their shame for having an outsider save them,they kept silent.
Esther:Then let's get to it.
And they were hard on work.Or they would be if Ester wasn't the only one out of their tribe that could move and be of any help.She brought Y/N to side of their cave where it would be safe to drill away.With such an equipment,he made a short work of tearing a boulder of the right size.
Ester:Now for the tricky part.
She looked up at their subterranean Y/N-made skylight and it was quite the distance.Even with her limited cold resistance,she couldn't stretch enough to give Y/N a lift.
Ester:Any other ideas?
Y/N:Um,any ladders?
Ester:We don't really used those.
To emphasize the point,she stretched her arms to their limit and wrapped them around the boulder before lifting it in the air with only a little hardship.
Y/N:H-how did you do that?
Ester:We're the Kraaho.Well,I'm half human so I'm not as effected by the cold as the rest of them.But I reach that far.And the cold is starting to get to me so I might be a little slowed down.
Y/N:Hm...could you maybe swing through the cave's stalactites?
Ester:I'd need to carry the boulder,the drill and you.Not gonna work.Everyone else would freeze into statues.
Y/N:Any chance we can stuck up more boulders to climb up?
Ester:Too time consuming.We need to come up with something and quickly.
Y/N rocked his brain around,no pun intended,to think of a fast solution.All the while trying not to freak out about his predicament.Then he gets a bit of a crazy idea.And it all depends on his lack of knowledge of his captor's biology.
Y/N:How strong are you?
With a quick smirk,Ester replies:
Ester:How strong do you need?
Y/N:If you could toss the boulder high enough so it gets caught in the hole,you could toss me next so I drill it in place and clog it.
Ester:Sounds a bit far fetched.But we're running out of time and they won't endure it for much longer.I'm gonna need you to duck.
Y/N:What?
He didn't get a verbal response as Ester began to spin in place to get enough of a momentum.When she reached the desired acceleration,she let go and hit the bullseye on the first try.
Y/N:Wow.
Ester:Quick question,are you afraid of heights?
Y/N:Unfortunately.
Ester:Well you don't have much choice in the matter.You're the only one here than can handle it fast enough and we have to hurry.Hold on human.
She picked him up and extended her arms as he got raised in the air.
Y/N:Actually it's Y/NNNNN!
She began to spin him in the air with the drill in his arm,midsentence.Since he,even with a drill,was a lot lighter,she was gaining more speed faster than with the boulder.He was being spun at a crazy speed until he soon found himself being propelled in the air.He was approaching the ceiling at great speed and he was oh so tempted to shut his away and hope for the impact to be as least painful as possible.But it was his fault and he had to remedy it.So he sucked up his fear,got ready and waited until he would make contact.When his moment had come,he shot his drill carrying arm like a heroic Talpaedan.And he managed to push the boulder in to put a stop to the light breeze.There was one problem though.Humans don't fly or posses any armor.So he start to scream and fall until he stopped,still several meters above the ground.After initial confusion,he looked down as Ester slowly brought him down to the ground.
Ester:No a bad effort for someone without powers.Thanks for the help.
Y/N:Don't mention it.It was there because of me after all.
Ester:At least you didn't ran away when you had the chance like a coward.Now come with me.
Y/N:Where are you taking me?
Ester:There is one hut where you can stay but it's a bit further away from other.The last resident was a bit...weird.
Y/N:So,how long do I have to stay here?
Ester:Hopefully until I see some progress.Don't be mad but I had an ulterior motive for keeping you here.
Y/N:I've only just met you.
Ester:Not that,I already had boyfriends.But I did date a human for a while.
Y/N:Following in a family tradition?
Ester:Glad to see you have a sense of humor.You'll need it for the next part.Kraaho don't show themselves often and some even think we're a myth or even extinct.They're not good with other species.Except my dad apparently.So I chose this punishment for you to get them used to working alongside other species.
Y/N:Is they listen to you,why didn't you make them go out and mingle.
Ester:While there is an underground town filled with other species,forcing isn't the way to go about it.As the chieftain,I need to think of our future.They will need to be able to coexist with others if we need to make alies.But if you're interested,you could make some more hybrids like me in the future.
Y/N:W-what?
Ester:I enjoyed my time with Ben and I want the girls here to experience that.I won't force anybody but I won't oppose it.The rest of the tribe however...
Y/N:They won't kill me,won't they?
Ester:No,nothing like that.Though it'll be quite a long time and effort until you make any friends here.
Y/N:They why make me stay here?
Ester:I already told you my reasons.But don't worry,I will make sure you don't get harmed.The food might be a problem.
Y/N:Why?What do you eat?
Ester:Like I said,I'm half human.I can eat same food as you.The others however need a very special ore.But there's an underground town with other aliens nearbye.There might be something you can eat there.
Y/N:An-an entire town?Filled with aliens?!
Ester:Don't worry,they're used to humans that enforce the laws in space.I'll assign someone to to lead you there and get the food for you.
Y/N:But you said that they're used to humans.
Ester:Yes but if you went alone,you could escape.And if they went alone,they could get something that you can't eat.Just let me worry about everything and you try to get my tribesmen to talk and open up.I'm doing it in everyone's best interest.We're here.
Y/N:Huh?
Y/N looks ahead to see how she led him to a small hut,nestled at the side of the cavern's wall.Little smaller than a garage by the looks of it.
Y/N:It's...a little small.
Ester:Well it's last owner was pretty small and thin for a Kraaho.But don't worry,it's a little bit bigger on the outside since it tunnels into the wall.And we're not really big on personal belongings so it's very empty.You're probably wondering what happened to the Kraaho that lived here?
Y/N:I wasn't until you asked.Is it serious?
Ester:He moved away to look for a girlfriend.
Y/N:That...sounds pretty normal.
Ester:Yes,well...
She walked around Y/N,enough to get right behind him and whisper the next part into his ear.
Ester:The girls in our species tend to favor,broad shoulders.
She grasped both his shoulder to emphasize it.True,Y/N did have quite the broad shoulders and was quite proud of that growing up.They couldn't measure up to the Kraaho but still.
Ester:Most of us kind of kept the old body design form our ancestors.Males would venture out in dangerous areas for that special ore and protect everyone with their strength.With our flexible bodies,we really need to put more power to the punch.Girls protected the children and pretty much developed our whole culture.We didn't change too much but as long as your over all frame is wider than the female Kraaho's...
To emphasize this,she went from his shoulders,around his arms and down his body to his waist.
Ester:You should have some interested looks.
Y/N:S-sounds like you really want those hybrids.
Ester:Just giving you a reason to relax around us.Get comfortable down here and maybe,you won't want to leave one day.I'll leave you to your thoughts for now.Feel free to mingle and explore your new home when you settle down.
With a smile and a wave,she left him lone in his little,rock made home.He sighed at the inescapable situation of his and sat against the wall.Soon,he noticed just how hot it was down there.He's been too preoccupied with the conversation to notice.
Y/N:I don't know how long can I survive here.I'm trapped in this virtual boiling pot without water,surrounded with apparently antisocial aliens whom I'm suppose to teach to open up.And on top of that,I can only eat whatever alien food I can possibly link visually to what I'm used to.It's so hot.
He wipes the sweat of his forehead,seeing that it's already drenched as if he just left the pool.Y/N then proceeds to undress his upper body,leaving him shirtless before his lays down on the floor with only a shirt as his comfort and using his undershirt to cover his forehead and adsorb the sweat before it starts pouring in his eyes.He could already feel his eyelids start to sting.
Y/N:Man I hope they have water around here.
Meanwhile,few "streets" down from Y/N's new hut,Ester was talking to a trio of female Kraaho she met on her way back from Y/N.The Kraaho are an old fashioned sort and females aren't any different in that aspect.
Ester:C'mon.All I'm asking you is talk with him a little.I'm sure he'd have easier time getting used to his stay if he had a friendly face instead of a more towering and cold one.
Camera panned to show the girls staring back at her with emotion of chiseled statue.So all in all,pretty much the same as the males.
Ester:OK?Just listen.I'm doing this for the good of our tribe in the long term.I get that you want to keep the old ways and there's nothing wrong with that.But we can't always rely on ourselves.You've seen what that Tetramand princess did to us.If we can't fight back,we need allies.Or the next attack will be our last.
As her words set in,the Kaaho girls' eyes slightly widened.They share a brief look amongst each other before the middle one sighed and spoke up.
Middle Kraaho girl:(Sigh)Fine.What do you want us to do?
Ester:Just make him more comfortable.If he likes it here,he'd be more open.In turn,he'll help with the others' social skills.That will lead to better relationships with our neighbors,better chances for survival and a better position in the over all universe.
Cold Kraaho girl:Fine!Just don't expect any false compliments to feed his ego.He's built so much smaller than our males.
Ester:You don't have to marry the guy.Just make him feel at home.I have to break news to Seebik and it's take the whole rest of the day to reason with him.
She ran of to the hut of the tribe's most stubborn member,waving them off.Girls meanwhile went to carry out their chief's request.They made their way over to Y/N's hut and since they did not have anything to resemble doors,they just walked in.But when they saw his shirtless body on the floor before them,they blushed and froze.
While nobody wants that job,digging for the city in any way,it does force you to work out regardless of your choice or personal interest.And Y/N's upper body reflected on that with a muscle tone.While not a gym member body,it was enough to outshine the male Kraaho that practically inherited their physique.The tallest Kraaho girl with a bit higher temperature was first to come back to her senses,even before her colder and rash tribes mate.
Hot Kraaho girl:Ahem.
Y/N:Ha?
He looked up and saw that he had guests.And he was in no state to receive any at the moment.He jumped to his feet and started to hastily get dressed.
Y/N:I-I'm so sorry.I didn't think I'd be getting company so soon and it is so hot in here.I just had to do something to cool off.
With the distraction out of the way,the rest of the girls regain their composure but they can't quite get it out of their heads.
Middle Kraaho girl:Yeah well,it's still better than that tundra you walk around in.
Y/N:Tundra?But we've been having nice weather for a while.I guess you wouldn't like the winter then.
Cold Kraaho girl:What's winter?
Y/N:It's the coldest part of the year.Below zero,snow and ice everywhere.
The girls were visibly scared witless at the mere ideas of something so horrifying.The same idea sounded pretty fetching right about now.
Y/N:So um,do you need anything?
Cold Kraaho girl:The chieftain wanted us to make you more comfortable.Even though I don't see why.You're being punished here.
Y/N:Cooking in here is bad enough for me.
Middle Kraaho girl:Even so,we've been given orders and it's for the good of our tribe.Somehow.
Y/N:Sooo,what are your names?It would be easier to communicate,right?
Author:(According to the internet,if you can trust it,Ester is a feminine name of Persian and Slavic origins.Makes sense that I employ the same logic.You'd probably guess which is which.Persian names would with a valid guess sound exotic while Slavic ones would sound older and with a breath of dignified culture.)
Cold Kraaho girl:I'm Samira.Don't make me repeat myself.
Y/N:(How very animated introduction.)
Middle Kraaho girl:The name is Jasmin and this is Milana.
She pointed to her tall comrade who was yet to formulate a proper word.
Y/N:Why didn't she introduce herself?
Jasmin:She doesn't talk much.Rarely even.Now c'mon.
Y/N:Where are we going?
Samira:While the the men are guarding all entrances and new tunnels to protect us,we dig for ore.
Y/N:(So essentially the ancient humans and lions deal.Males are the muscle and female take care of the food.)
After a while of walking,they got to the part of the cave that was well dug in from the perspective of the human sized person but it was more like a dent compared to the entire cave.There were already several females hard at work there and Y/N's arrival didn't go unnoticed.Nor much appreciated.Samira tossed a pickax his way and went to work ignoring him.
Y/N:(Guess I better get to work then.)
He found a secluded spot away from other as to both not disturb them and be out of harmful or uncomfortable situation.He wasn't sure what he was exactly digging for so he glanced to the girls every so often to see what kind of ore he needed to find.Unlike others,Milana caught on that and blushes since she interpreted those glances differently.
It couldn't have been more than twenty minutes but Y/N was burning up.Rigorous work requiring upper body strength and the heat of he whole place was a deadly combination.And Y/N's now excessive sweat wasn't helping either.Instead of cooling him down,it was just lost fluid from his body.And he'd run out of salt in his system soon.The swings of his pickax were getting lazy and his arms might as well have been pieces of cloth like a primitive slingshot.
Few more weak swings later,he hits something other then rock that sends strange vibrations through him.He stops to feel around the spot he struck and feels a different kid of warmth but not burning.He estimates the size of the foreign body and starts to chip away at the rock around it.Once the rocky exterior was fractured,a white crystalline body with a faint glow the size of a German Shepard fell on his foot.
Y/N:Ow!
His scream caught the attention of everyone working there but they figured it's just his frail human body.But when their gazes matched his direction,they were shocked at what they saw and flocked to him.Or rather,his find.
Kraaho girl4:How is that possible?!We've never dug out one so great.
Samira:Human,how did you found such big ore?!
Y/N:I don't know,I just kept digging!And it's Y/N!Now someone please get this off me!
A pair of hands grabbed the ore and lift it,bringing relief to Y/N's flattened foot.When his mind was no longer clouded with pain,he could see his rescuer was Jasmin.
Y/N:Thank you.
Jamin:Don't mention it.
Kraaho girl5:This could feed someone for a whole day.
Y/N:If this is a common food for you,how did it end up on Earth.
Jasmin:They're actually shards of a planet that exploded millions of years ago and embedded themselves into most planets.That's how the story goes at least.
Y/N:Story?
Jasmin:It's been passed through generation long before we left our planet.
Y/N:But how could they know about planets that long ago?
Samira:That's what our elders told us and that's enough.Now get back to work.
Y/N:I don't...I can.
Jasmin:Maybe he's right.His skin is starting to match Milana's color.
Samira:Maybe it's a human thing?
But before they could pose a qestion,he had already colapsed on the rocky floor.That did not cause as much commotion as expected.
Timeskip
Y/N is laying on the ground,taking in faint breath of air until a fair amount of water is dropped on his face.With some rough cough for air,he shot up of the ground to see woke him so.
Y/N:(Cough,cough!)What happened?
Samira:You passed out human.
Y/N:It's Y/N.
He looks around and sees that he's still in the "field" and everyone was still working regardless of his situation.
Y/N:Glad to see I wasn't an inconvenience.
Samira:Now back to work.
Y/N:But I can't take the heat.If I exert myself anymore,I will suffer a stroke.Or pass out every ten minutes.
Samira:Can we just leave him like that?It be easier than bringing him back ever time.
Y/N:(Don't I feel popular all of a sudden.)
Jasmin:If we do that,Ester will be cross with us.Plus,we better keep him with us.He has a gift for mining.
Samira:Fine.But he better find another big piece of ore or no more reviving for him.
She stomped of and went back to work.
Y/N:Is she always that charming or is it just for me?
Jamin:Don't hold it against her.The love of her life chose another because he didn't find anything desirable about her.His words.She wasn't a particularly warm person before that either.
Y/N:Why?
Jasmin:They say she was born a grump.You better get to back to work.She is not one to make light of her threats.
Y/N sighed and struggled to get to his feet.He could only take so much but his survival kind of depended on it.He kept hitting at his last spot with a pickax but no matter how much he paced himself and kept going,he couldn't get another jackpot.The ores he got were only a few centimeters bigger in diameter then the ones the Krahho girls dug up.He was digging like possessed and didn't even notice that he blacked out again.He only became aware of the world around him again when when the hot water was poured over hims again.
Y/N:(Gasp!)...Again?
Samira:Again.
She crouched down next to him but only to take and examined one of the ore.
Samira:Nowhere near as big as the last one but at least you got plenty of them.We had our lunch so Jasmin and Milana can take you shopping for yours.
Y/N:I slept...throughout the lunch?
Samira:You better hurry up if you don't wish to miss yours.
Y/N:Ugh.
He rolled to his side and tried to get up,only feel a warm pair of hands lifting him up and planting on his feet.I turned out to have been Milana that for some reason avoided eye contact with him.
Y/N:Thanks.
Milana:...
Jasmin:We better hurry up.The sooner we head out,the sooner we can get back here.
Y/N's clarity was slowly returning and he noticed that the girls were now dressed up in a very Eskimo like fashion.Except in a whole different color palette.
Y/N:Is it really cold for you?
Jasmin:Why else would we be here?It's the only spot that can sustain us.
Y/N:They why come to Earth is majority of the planet is too cold for you?
Jasmin:Simple,it should be rich in that ore.We migrate from planet to planet whenever we run out of our most precious resource.Now come on.
Girls start to walk away towards the cavern's exit and Y/N follows tiredly behind them.
Y/N:(I guess that's the disadvantage of evolving for one specific food source.)
Timeskip Undertown market
Y/N:Ah,finally!Fresh air!With the rate how this is going,I might end up as red as Milana.
The mere thought of them matching in pigment made her blush as they made their way through the vendors and their stands.
Y/N:So,if you don't leave your cave,how do you have any money for things here?
Jasmin:We have our ways.
Author:(Loovis Slerdlerk bought a date with Fistina on a auction in the episode Special Delivery somehow.And Kraaho don't seem the thieving sort.For now,it will remain a secret.)
Jasmin:Just keep it light.We don't have Tayden to throw.
Y/N gulped in concern.His days would be spent in a giant cooing pot of a cave where he'd work and dig until he collapsed and the results of his work is the only thing that can guarantee swift revival from that collapse.What's more,his basic nutritious need are limited to the wallet of the alien tribe holding him captive.
He never expected something like that when he left his bed this morning.The best he could do is concentrate on the food that look the least alien to him.And that was a challenge all on it's own.It was all in weird colors and some in even weirder shapes.Some were impossible to tell whether they were a plant or some piece of meat.
Jamsmin:I know I said to keep it light but pick something.The only thing we have less then Tayden is time.It's freezing here.
Y/N:It's not like I know what food here would be safe for me or not.My only guarantee is what looks familiar enough...Like that.
He pointed ahead and saw that someone was actually selling bottled water.And that's what he really needed now.He wanted to ran to the life giving liquid but he found both girls holding his arms back.
Jasmin:Hold it.We have a clean lake back at the cavern.
Y/N:I'll try my chance with the water that's not boiling.
Jasmin:It's not boiling.It's same water at just a different temperature.
Y/N:The difference if too big to ignore.
Jamin:(Sigh)Let him go.
Milana let go of his hand but Jasmin's grip not only increased,but she wrapped his whole body in her arms and even his mouth as she dragged him away in a shady alley.
Jasmin:Listen,this is a risky busyness.When I said it was the same water,I was being literal.Apparently our cavern's waters are very pure and quite heathly.Some species would pay top Tayden to get it.And since we don't have any intention to give up our home unless we run out of ore,it's a secret between us and that market vendor.Understand?
Y/N could only nod in response in his constricted state as she began to free him.Once she made sure no one was waiting for them to leave the alley,they left for the market again.
Jasmin:We have plenty of water at home,just pick something else.And hurry.I can't feel my nose anymore.
Y/N:Fine,I'll try to hurry up.
He,tried to lower his standards and picked some fruits.They were on their way home but Milana stopped them with some meat she bought as a surprise.Y/N didn't think too much of it but thanked her still and earned another blush from her.
Timeskip Kraaho cave
After getting back,Y/N wasn't given much time to eat before he had to go back to work so he just ate some of the fruit.Hopefully the meat can cook on the hot floor of his hut until dinner.Just a day of mining in that giant over was more exhausting than weeks worth of his normal job.The rest of the day's work wasn't near as impressive as his initial jackpot but it was enough to improve on their daily quota.It's also a good thing that their food source isn't perishable.They had weeks long provisions after all but they still helped themselves to the big ore Y/N found in the morning.It was a catch none of them had in years.
And while they ate their ore in groups around lava pits,Y/N was dragging his feet to his house.The meat left to floor cook seemed only a bit raw on the upper side but it being on the floor and a bit raw paled in concern of whether he can survive the alien meat at all.If he was going to be here for a while,it was try pr starve.He tried to lift the oddly steak shaped meat but it was so hot to the touch that he dropped it upside down.So to remedy that,he took one piece of alien fruit and squeezed the juice over the meat to cool it down.It couldn't make the taste that much worse now.He started to slowly eat his dinner,getting used to both taste and temperature when he noticed someone at his doorsteps.
Y/N:Can I help you?
It turned out to have been the only three Kraaho he knows apart from Ester.Each carrying an ore for dinner.
Samira:You haven't came to dine with others so chief Ester sent us for you.
Y/N:It's been a long day for me and I think I could use some alone time.And I'm not planning to go near that lava again.It's too hot for me here as it is.
Jasmin:Then I suppose we'll have to eat here with you.
Samira:What?!
Jasmin:If we're responsible for him,leaving him alone so he could plan his escape is gonna reflect poorly on us.
Samira:Why not just let him?Less responsibilities for us.
Jasmin:The entire tribe demanded his punishment and if he escapes,the men would have to go after him.
Samira:So what?They haven't exactly prided themselves with their protection lately.And we're the ones doing all the mining.Even this human has been of more use as of late.
Jasmin:Which is why we need to keep him.
Samira:Agh!What do you say Milana?Hm?
They were quickly made aware that their tribes mate was no longer by their side and had sat across from Y/N during their argument.
Samira:Fine!
As the other two girls started to join their friend,Y/N felt the heat of the cavern join the temperature of his hot meal.
Y/N:I'm sorry but it's getting too hot.Do you girls mind if I take this off?
Once again he proceeds to take his shirt off,leaving the girls stunned and blushing.
Samira&Jasmin:No!
The redder than before Milana just slowly shook her head,not averting her eyes as Y/N tosses the shirt in a corner of his new home.
Y/N:Ahhh,that's better.Honestly,I don't know if I can survive the rest of my sentence here.
Samira:We-well suck it up.You almost froze us to death and now you're paying for it.
Y/N:But I fixed the hole in the ceiling.Wouldn't that be enough to redeem myself?
Jasmin:Those were chief Ester's orders.We all abide by them.She in turns abides by the Kraaho tradition.By the democratic vote,we all got her to preserve our ways,instead of completely changing them.And there's nothing we can-
Jasmin:(Or really want to-)
Jasmin:Do about it.
Y/N:(Sigh)What I wouldn't give for a fan and a drink with ice right about now.How come none of you have any personal items.Just those blasters,jackets and pickaxes.
Samira:We're nomads.As soon as we exhaust the ore at this location,we're moving on.That's how it always was.So not much point in gathering a bunch of stuff that would just slow us down.And don't think you're free to go if we suddenly have to relocate.
Y/N:Hadn't cross my mind.
Y/N:(So much for that plan.)
Y/N:So,do you ever get tired of eating the same thing your whole life?
Samira:It's the only thing we can eat.Why do you have to complicate things?
Y/N:Well if it were me,I'd get bore of the taste almost immediately.
Samira:Well we're not you.
Jasmin:What she meant is,your species is so much more fragile than ours.
Jasmin:(Though you don't look like it.)
Y/N:Funny coming from a species that can froze to death hundred times over from a light breeze.
Jasmin:...Touche.Why is the meat dripping in purple liquid?
Y/N:I used some fruit juice to cool it down since it was too hot to hold.I don't know whether the taste was always like that or the fruit improved it...would you like to try it?
Samira:Were you sitting on your ears the whole time?!We can't eat that!
Despite her tribes mate's rant,Milana offered the piece of ore she's been chewing on for Y/N to add some of the fruit juice on.
Y/N:She doesn't seem to mind.
Samira:She's not exactly a model Kraaho here.
Y/N:She talked to me as much as any other Kraaho.You're just doing it because you have to.
Jasmin:Actually,we have to keep an eye on you.
Samira:And just staring at you in silence is even more boring than mining.
Samira:(Just because it's more enjoyable doesn't change the fact.)
Y/N:How fortunate for me?
Samira:Drop the sarcasm.
Jasmin:Have you considered discarding your upper garments?
Y/N&Samira:Exuse me?/What?!
Jasmin:You're complaining about the temperature and that shirt of yours is a part of the problem,isn't it.
Y/N:A little yes but I can't just go around bare chested.
Jasmin:I'm sure that the others would support that idea if it would increase your productivity.
Samira:I-I suppose we need him in his best condition.Never enough ore.
Milana just eagerly nodded,faster than the normal pace with a blush on her face.
Y/N:You can't expect me to do something like that!
Jasmin:We'll suggest it to Ester and she'll decide.Keep in mind,the tribe's well being is her priority.
Y/N:Right now,I have no idea whether that's good for me or not.She did show me mercy.But after that conversation we had...I'm starting to worry.
Samira:What conversation?
Y/N:Her version of a welcome to the cavern apparently.Some parts I'd rather leave out.
Jasmin:Like what?
Y/N:I'm not comfortable with repeating them.
Samira:We're going to have a conversation with her about you later tonight anyways.You might as well tell us now.
Y/N:(Sigh)She mentioned her exact species and,this is so weird...She said how she wouldn't be opposed to the idea of there being more Kraaho/human hybrids around her apart form her.
Samira:So?
Y/N:Think about it.How would this tribe get them at the moment?
Samira:...Oh!
Y/N:There you go.Now you see why I didn't want to talk about it.How do you bring something like that up in a conversation?
Jasmin:For starters,I wouldn't propose that in a company.
Y/N:W-what?!I just repeated what she said,honest.
This time it was Y/N's turn to blush.And as he began approaching Milana's shade,she was already fantasizing about future.
Y/N:Just please forget about it.I already feel awkward enough as it is.
Samira:You're the one that brought it up.
Y/N:Only because you two insisted.It's getting late anyways.Shouldn't we start getting ready for bed?
Jasmin:I'm surprised you can tell under the caver's roof.
Y/N:It just feels like it's late.Or I'm just that tired.
Samira:You lack stamina.
Y/N:It's because it's too hot for me here.But I always was built more like lion and wolf.
The girls just tilted their collective heads and looked at him like he was speaking some strange language.
Y/N:Wolves are faster,smarter and are the symbol of stamina in the animal world.Lions on the other hand are built for short bursts or explosions of energy and strenght.And their only evidence of intelligence is living in groups and long memmory.Some can recognize their owner even if they haven't seen them since cub hood.
Samira:O-K?Whatever you say.We have to give our daily report about you to Ester.Thanks a lot for that too.
Y/N:I have to obey her too.None of this was my idea.
Jasmin:Just keep your strenght.And be ready to wake up on time from now on.
Y/N:When is that?
Jasmin:You'll see tomorrow.Goodnight Y/N.
Samira:Yeah.
Malina just gives a friendly nod and follows after her tribes mates.Outside the hut,Jasmin was first to break the silence.
Jasmin:Are we going to suggest to Ester our idea to make Y/N work with less clothing from now on then?
Samira:W-what?!You're serious about that?
Jasmin:You said it yourself,we need him in his best condition.Not too mention...his clothing is very unattractive.
Samira:What do you care about his clothing all of a sudden.
Jasmin:Maybe it would be in everyone's best interest to get rid of them.
Samira:Well I'm not suggesting something like that in front of Ester and whoever might be present.
Jasmin:Fine then.But keep in mind,your thoughts on the matter are more parallel to mine that you'd like to admit.
Samira:Don't you dare spread such nonsense.I'm just doing what I'm tasked with and it's taking up my valuable time.
Their bickering,if it may be called so,continued all the way until they found Ester.They gave their report but the topic of their conversation was left out.However,after the two girls left,Milana made a suggestion in private regarding their human guest.
Timeskip next morining
Morning came and sun was shining everywhere,on the surface.But Kraaho's internal clocks had apparently rang their alarm since more and more were leaving their slumber and their huts.Ester,being one of the first to wake up,headed towards Y/N's hut so he wouldn't miss out on the day's begining.And since girls would come to wake him up anyways,she thought it'd make him look better if he were already awake,prior to their arrival.But when she finally reached his hut,she was surprised.And it wasn't necessarily unpleasant.
Since Y/N wanted to cool of in the privacy of his new home and nighttime,he slept in his underwear with the rest of clothing piled in a pillow with only a hope to wake up before anyone visits him.As it turns out,that plan didn't work out.But Ester found even this situation to be of some use.So with a smirk and a bit of a blush,she just left the hut to let the girls wake him up since they were already on their way.
Ester:(They might like the view after what Milana told me last night.)
Soon enough,Y/N was going to get even more guests.
Samira:Why do you ask me if we need to go pick food for him in the morning?Doesn't he still have some from yesterday?
Jasmin:If he's anything like us,he shouldn't be a stranger to midnight snacks.
Samira:Sometimes I get hungry when nothing happens for a long time,so what?
Jasmin:You might develop a heavier figure and your chances at finding a partner will lower even more.
Samira:I don't see you picking potential partners.
Jasmin:I find none of them interesting.
Samira:So much for you continuing our species.
They were moving more on autopilot with their conversation taking up their full attention until they were Y/N's metaphorical doorstep and Milana touched Samira's shoulder to catch her attention.
Samira:What?
Unable to even form what rare words she has,Milana merely points ahead.When they saw Y/N,they were once again stunned.They had no idea what to do since the whole situation was new to them.Milana stretched out her arm to gently shake his shoulder but that didn't do anything.
Samira:T-this is ridicolous.He's not even Kraaho.
She walked over to him and nudged him with her foot but his body just rocked in the rhythm like he was in a crib.She tried pushing harder but his body moved on his own and grabbed her.Now she was on the ground and trapped between his arms like a child's teddy bear.Now it was her turns to match her tall friend'd pigment.
Samira:G-get me out of here.
Jasmin:I don't know.This is the closest I've ever seen you with a male.Maybe this time will be beneficial for you.
Samira:Do something this instant or I will-
Y/N:(Yaaaawn!)
Y/N's eyelids began to part with images of blurry Kraaho colored shapes before him.Something very warm and soft nestled between his arms and he pulls it closer to his body but can't tell what it is.Then he opens his eyes to see he's face to face with with still shocked Samira.Not a very welcome sight first thing in the morning.
Y/N:Aahhhh!What are you doing?!
Samira:I should be asking you that!Let go of me!
He looked down and saw that he was in fact hugging her,and in his not so public attire.He yelled out in surprise once more and let go of her to quickly look for his clothes to cover himself.
Y/N:What just happened?!
Jasmin:We came to wake you up for breakfast.You were reluctant to respond to sound or pushing.After Samira failed in waking you up,you must've mistook her for a childhood toy you slept with.
Y/N:Well can you turn around so I can put my clothes on.
Jasmin:A little late to be embarrassed about it.We've been here for few minutes already.
Y/N:Maybe but I wasn't in the conscious state of mind.Now please,turn around or step out for a moment.
Girls were silent for a second before turning around but Samira had to first get to her feet and nervously make her way to Milana and Jasmin's side where she was now shaking on the spot,unable to process last few moments.
After Y/N was dressed again,he had let the girls now he was ready and they once again gathered to eat with him.
Y/N:May I ask why don't these stone hut have doors?
Jasmin:Because we always wake up at the same time,regardless of the planet and never stay at the same location longer than necessary.
Y/N:Again,don't any of you get tired of a life like that?
Jasmin:What can we do?On some planets we heard that animals too leave when they exhaust their food supplies.And then the animals that prey on them,migrate right behind them to eat them on their new feeding ground.
Y/N:That's one way to put it.But that applies to most,almost all animals.
Jasmin:Then you see our point.
Y/N:But that's the way of animals.Only time sentient creatures would do that is when they're,relatively young as a species.By now you should've tried to find a way to live a life that you choose,instead of being forced to pick because of your heritage or others' choices.
Samira:Is that your species does it?
Y/N:More or less.But your whole tribe is a small species and-
Samira:Hold on.You think this is all of us?
Y/N:Well,isn't it?
Samira:We're just one of the tribes in the whole universe.We're just scattered.
Jasmin:In any way,we should start eating before we're late for mining.Do you still have some fruit left from yesterday?
Y/N:Yes.Though I wouldn't be surprised if it boiled in it's own juices over night.
Jasmin:That's alright,Samira's taking you shopping today.
Samira:What?!
Jasmin:Me and Milana went yesterday.
Samira:So what?Now I have to do it alone?
Jasmin:No,Milana will join you.She's been showing more enthusiasm as of late.Maybe it's something in the air.It's been a long time since I saw her so hard at work too.
Samira:Why doesn't she just take him solo?
Hearing that made the aforementioned Kraaho pause and blush for a moment but resumed eating to try and hide it.The only reason her reactions near or regarding Y/N had went unnoticed this long is her tribes mates' lack of interest.
Jasmin:You know how rare she talks.And what if confrontation ensues.She doesn't have much of a fighting spirit in her and he could use such situation to escape.We wouldn't want that.
Samira:I suppose.
Y/N:And when will that be?
Jasmin:Around lunch,same as the last time.If she doesn't forget to bring you back from your exhaustion.
Y/N:She wouldn't do that...would you?
Samira:Get te same amount as yesterday or close and we'll see.
Y/N:(Gulp.)
Samira:Now hurry up and finish your breakfast.
After breakfast,it was another few hours of mining and fainting.Although mining lasted much longer since he started earlier today and do to some resistance build up,it took a bit more before fainting.Then when the chieftain graced them with her presence.
Ester:How is it going so far?Not too tired I hope.
Y/N:It's,it's a bit easier than yesterday.No big pieces of ore though.
Ester:Well you seem to have struck a rich vein so that's good at least.
Y/N:I guess so.
Ester:There is one thing however.We can't have you faint so much and it looks concerning.It would be best if you lost your shirt.
Y/N:What?!
Ester:You can put it back on when you go to Undertown but while working here with girls,you can't keep it on.
Y/N:Don't you think you're going a little too far?
Ester:I was merciful enough as it is.It brings me no joy to do this but that's the best course of action.
Ester:(Well,not entirely no joy.)
Y/N:Where would I even put it?
Ester:That stalagmite over there seems like a good idea.
She points over to the rocky protrusion not that far from behind her.But it was some distance from the digspot.Meaning he'd have to walk from that stalagmite,all the way to the rest of the female Kraaho without his shirt on.
Ester:Now hurry up,it's not break time yet.
With a defeated sigh,Y/N hangs his head and walks over to the said stalagmite.Shyly,he proceeds to take off his shirt and while he does feel some relief with his body's temperature lowering slightly,he feels as embarrassed as a native Appoplexian.Then he walks over to the rest of the workforce,his head too low in embarrassment to notice how stunned the rest of the girls were.He hated to admit it,but it was easier to work this way and his shirt wouldn't be so soaked in sweat at the end of the shift.Though the productivity wasn't improving by much.
Especially since girls had to find good positions to still work blindly and get and eyeful of their tribe's prisoner.True,Y/N couldn't deliver the exact same result like yesterday but i was obvious he had a natural talent when it came to digging this specific ore.The number of times he colapsed from heat and sheer exhaustion was practically cut in half,but his "out cold" state did last a bit longer since that way he couldn't notice all those stares at him.
Some jealousy did brew in the local Kraaho males that had the inherit shape but no true muscles which would take long to form with their tungsten based biology.So they secretly went to work on a more impressive physique.Watching it all from a higher point,Ester almost chuckles to herself.Turns out Y/N is doing wonders for her tribe.That's when she got a phone call.
Ester:Hello?Oh Ben.Glad too see you got my message.I have a favor to ask.You still have access to Plumber computers?...Great.Now,how much to you know about geology?
Timeskip lunch time
This time,there were several volunteers wanting to take Y/N out to his lunch but Samira and Milana were the only ones apart from Jasmin in charge of him so it made no point in them wasting their time instead of finishing their lunch and going back to work.Now,Y/N was once again visiting Undertown market with his escort.
Y/N:Thanks for talking to them.I didn't expect such a...strange change in attitude.
Samira:I don't need any more annoyances,since we already have to take care of you.It would take us a whole day.So just hurry up and pick what you did yesterday so we go back where it's no so freezing!
Samira:(At least with his weak body not resisting our cavern's temperate and thanks to Ester's orders,there's need to look for an excuse for him not to wear his shirt.)
Y/N:I was kind of hoping to change it a bit today.I suppose that meat and juicy plant are a good meal.
Samira:And that meat took you half a day to cook.Why don't you just get something done?
Y/N:Mostly because I can't tell if it would poison or kill me and because Jasmin told me you guys are tight on the budget.
Samira:If it'll be faster,just buy anything when I have to to watch over you.The faster we get you something to eat,the faster we can leave this freezing deathtrap.
Samira:(And the better food,the more he'll prefer me.)
They bought some food that'd make for a more proper meal and even something resembling bread for future.They were on their way to his hut when they got stopped by other female Kraaho and Jasmin at the entrance to their cavern.Apparently they took Esters words quite seriously because they had him lose the shirt before entering.Then they led him to where the rest of the tribe ate to keep a close eye on him.
Jasmin:It would seem your private meals are a thing of the past.
Y/N:But it's so much hotter here.That was the only great thing about that hut.It was furthest from these lava pools.
Samira:Quit complaining and eat already.
Y/N:You've been complaining the entire time we've been at the market.I didn't call you out for it.
Samira:It's not like you can warm up to death.We on the other hand can freeze to it.
Y/N:I can still suffer a heatstroke and dehydrate until I look like a raisin.
Samira:A what?
Y/N:Never mind.
Female Kraaho4:If you're tired of Samira,maybe ask for someone else to watch over you?
Samira:What's that supposed to mean?!
Female Kraaho4:You are already known not to have the best of luck with males.Why should you watch over our tribe's prisoner?
Samira:Come over here and I'll show you!
Y/N:Should we be stopping this orrr?
Jasmin:Let them be.
The aforementioned female Kraahos start to clash and no one seemed to be doing anything about it.
Y/N:Is this normal for you?
Jasmin:It's normal for her.If she get's hurt,she's to tend to her injuries by herself.Sounds like a fair punishment for someone who is easy to start a fight.
Y/N:I guess.If your kind could leave the cave for longer,she could've try visiting a shrink to deal with her anger issues.
Jasmin:Doubtful.I haven't see her like this since she was trying to court one of the other males.Emphasis on the word try.
Y/N:What do you mean?
Jasmin:Can you not read the facial expressions?
He looked between her emotionless face and Samira's more annoyed yet still very like a stone statue.
Y/N:I guess it's a bridge between species.
Jasmin:Shame.I thought the long wait was you playing hard to get.
Y/N:What?!
Jasmin:Have you not notice haw nicer she is to you?
Y/N:This whole time,she was nice?
Jasmin:Milana always kept her eyes fixated on you.Were you really that oblivious the entire time?
Y/N:I-I had a bit more pressing things to worry about.Wait,what about you?
Jasmin:...My looks haven't sent the message through to you yet?I thought it was all in the eyes.
Y/N:Y-you too?
Jasmin:Apparently,the rest of them as well.Despite your smaller frame,your musculature is more prominent than those of our species' males.And with them being on constant guard duty,only enduring one attack and failing at it so far,you've been of far more use.Ester might not be the only hybrid in this cavern for much longer.Especially if you get rid of your habit of wearing that shirt.It's starting to develop a foul aroma.
Y/N:That's sweat.I don't have any spare clothing with me and it's how my species cools off.But it's not enough.
Soon enough,the male Kraaho had returned from their secret workout.Hoping to once again hold their female counterparts' attention,they casually displayed their hard work as hey sat around the lava pool to eat.But female Kraaho only gave them a glance to acknowledge their arrival and return to watch Samira's fight and Y/N.The male Kraaho all looked down in defeat.Ester on the other hand knew that this will only encourage them to work harder and bring balance to their tribe.Maybe even seek out advice from someone outside their tribe.Her play was elegant in it's simplicity and accelerated progress.
Timeskip after the fight
Samira:(pant,pant)Haa...had enough?
Female Kraaho4:(pant)I should (pant) inquire the same of you (pant).
The two females were panting out of exhaustion in the middle of their little audience.Somehow,it didn't deter anyone from eating their lunch though.
Ester:Are they finished yet?
Jasmin:I think so.
Ester:Are you two able to go back to work?
Samina:In...in a minute.
Ester:Then since you've started so many fights,I should probably assign you different punishment.Hmmm,since Y/N's hut is the furthest after all,you'll be staying the night there.
Female Kraaho population:What?!
Ester:And since Milana and Jasmin are already looking after him along with her,maybe they should stay the night as well so he doesn'try to overpower her in her weak state and escape.
Female Kraaho population:WHAT?!
Y/N:Isn't that a bit (gulp) rash?
Ester:I can't show favoritism now,can't I?
She said that with a mischievous smirk,making Y/N gulp in concern.
Timeskip dinner
Even though Samira could still dig for ore,at the end of the day,she was somehow unable to continue.Since no one in the village was to help her because of her habit of starting fights,it was up to Y/N to carry her all the way to his hut.Her complaints died down in an overwhelming blush as she practically pressed against his shirtless abdomen.Once home,he set her down on the ground where she'd usually eat when visiting.
Y/N:I have to say,it was strange to go around without my shirt the whole day,but I think I'm starting to get used to it.
Jasmin:I'm sure everyone would be glad to hear that.
Y/N:So,about that thing you said at lunch.
Samira:What are you talking about?
Y/N:Jasmin told me all of you had a crush on me.
If their shock carried sound,the whole hut would've shake by thier frozen expressions alone.Silence filled the dwelling and Y/N feared he made a huge mistake regarding their culture on some level.Though even if it weren't true,he'd expect them to protest,at least for Samira to throw insults or something like that.But she to was stunted.
Milana:It's true...
Y/N:You can talk?!
Jasmin:We never said she can't talk.Only that she rarely does.When she wants to,she talks and there's nothing we can do about it.But she warmed up to you pretty quickly.I'm surprised you didn't noticed.
Samira:Maybe that's the case with two of you but you have no right to speak for my name.
Jasmin:Then why are you so weak in the knees around him?
In anger,Samira rose to her feet,ignoring her injuries and exhaustion,to stand before Jasmin and point her index finger at her.
Samira:That is not the case!All that mining after the fight has taken it's toll on me!
Y/N:Um,Samira.
Samira:What?!
She snapped back at him,fixating her gaze at him,only to notice that he was pointing at her legs.Meaning,the jig was up and everyone's aware that she faked it.
Jasmin:You know,even if you body isn't in problematic state,you're still ordered to stay the night here.The act isn't necessary anymore.
Y/N:I...don't have a problem with it if that's what you're concerned with.If anything I'm just confused.
Milana:Why?
Y/N:I'm simply not used girls being after me.Especially more than one at a time.
Jasmin:How about this then?If Samira wants to convince us her feelings for Y/N aren't what we implied-
Samira:They're not!
Jasmin:She'll have to go through a test.
Y/N:What kind of a test?
Jasmin:Simple.You stand up and stand where you are.Samira will do the same but stand several steps ahead of you,facing you.
They followed he instuctions and were now both standing face to face on the opposites sides of the hut.
Samira.Now what?
Jasmin:All you have to do to prove your claim is true,is walk over to him without kissing him.
Samira:That's it?How is that a test?!
Jasmin:I'm confident in my methods.Now begin and accept the end result.
Samira:Fine!
She started to walk and her hands shifted to clenched fist that shook with every step.She seemed to be more nervous the closer she got to him but she forced the same expression on her face.However when she got close enough,Jasmin got behind her just as Milana did behind Y/N.Then both pushed the two into locking their lips.
They were both surprised by the sudden collision but they haven't moved apart.Instead,they were stuck in surprise,not knowing what to do or say other then staring at each other's eyes.
Jasmin:I think the test speaks for itself.
Milana:Yes.
Few seconds of more instinctive that conscious kissing later,they separated for air,still at a loss for words.
Jasmin:Well?We're still waiting for the verdict.
Samira:I'm-I'm not saying anything.
Jasmin:That alone speaks volumes.
Y/N:S-so what now?
Jasmin:Now that the point has been made,we can resume eating.
Jasmin and Milana had taken their old "seats" and began eating their ores.Y/N was still baffled by how casually they were acting about all of this but still,his hunger had grown since he worked for longer periods of time.He sat where he usually did in his hut with Samira,sheepishly joining in some time after.The atmosphere was strange and left everyone silent.Fortunetley Y/N had experience with dinners in silence but this was his first time in company.
Y/N:So um,how does your species proceed with stuff like this?
Jasmin:We don't know how it went with Ester's parents.But shared hut is a start.
Y/N:I'm guessing your species doesn't date afterwords?
Jasmin:Is that what your kind calls a wedding ceremony.
Y/N:No,that comes after.
Jasmin:After moving in together?
Y/N:No,after dating for a while.Sometimes up to a year.
Jasmin:A year?After sharing the hut,the ceremony is usually after month's worth.
Y/N:A month?Isn't that a a bit fast?
Jasmin:We have to be ready to leave at moment's notice in case there's no more ore left here.
Y/N:You keep saying that but,how long have you actually been here?
Milana:Several months.
Y/N:And how long do you usually stay in one place?
Jasmin:If we can find the ore where we can survive,it still varies.Once,we've depleated the ore in just a week.Longest I remember was a little under a year.
Y/N:How do you even find them?
Milana:We have our ways.
Meanwhile,just outside the Kraaho cavern,Ester was once again on the phone with Ben while observing how their busyness with the cavern's natural water was going.
Ester:Did you managed to find it?
Armordrillo:Yeah,but I don't get it.Your tribe's already sitting on the biggest deposit of that ore thing on the whole planet.I already sent that geographic scan you wanted me to do.Why do I have to dig for other sites?
Ester:I think we finally found a good home for us and I'd like to stay for a few years.You just find any ore that we can't get to and somehow get them to the inside our deposit.
Armordrllo:You want me to put smaller crystals into a big one?Even if I knew how to do that,won't your people feel the tremors?
Ester:Let me worry about that.Just ensure we don't have to relocate any time soon.
Armordrillo:How's your plan to make your people more friendly to other species going?
Ester:It's slow but effective.It's a little weird but when you see the big picture,you can really see the genius behind it.
Armordrillo:Ahuh.So,how is Antonio helping about all this?
Ester.Oh we broke up long ago.He still wasn't over some Sunny.Please,he was king of violent and there were some things he just wouldn't or simply couldn't understand.
Armordillo:And how long is that long ago?
Ester:Cool it.I'm won't be doing any dating for a while.It's time to think about my people and focus on myself for a while.And speaking of which,are you still going to get married to Kai in the future or will you pick someone who's not from your planet?
Armordrillo:What kind of question is that?
Ester:It's anyone's guess now really.Some think that Spanner might not even be from the future of this exact timeline.
Armordrillo:Might not be,you say?Wait,what do you mean by some think?How many people know about that?
Ester:Sorry Ben.Got to run.
She hung up and walked back to her cavern.I has gotten pretty late and most of the Kraahos were asleep but Ester wanted to check up on her project.When she arrived,she snuck her head in and smiled at the sight.Y/N and all three of the girls were snuggled together in their slumber.
Ester:Phase one,complete.
With most of her master plan goes against everything that's Kraaho way and she kew that secrecy was the key to making it work.While tradition is important,their limited way would eventually drove them to extinction.So drastic situations required drastic solutions.Step one,open her kind to a constant contact with another species.Step two,cement the foundation of their new home.Step three,improve upon the common genetic material.
With Y/N's muscles being forged by hand instead of inherited,the males of her kind will have to be stronger to keep up.They'll seem like more of a catch than before and will prevent the females that grew bored of old ways and traditions to seek partners outside the species.Step four,increase Y/N's influence so his suggestions would carry more weight.Step five and if everything goes as planned,the final step.Open up the Kraahos to the other species.
Timeskip morning
As the sun bathed everything in it's golden glow,apart from few hundred meters underground,everybody began to stir awake.And that included Y/N and his friends.He was starting to wake and noticed that his was body hotter than usual.And much softer than his hut's rocky floor.
Y/N:Ugh,did-did I pass out by the lava pit again?
He tried to rub the sleep off his eyes but found that he couldn't move his arms.Or move at all.Shutting him eyes as much as possible to copy the effect,he opened them as much as possible and turning his head he saw Milana and Samira clinging to him.Jasmin however had just came back with breakfast for her and her two tribes mates.
Jasmin:I see you've woken up.
Y/N:How,did we end up like this?
Jasmin:It started when you were already fast asleep and we pretended to be until Samira made her move.Once she was by your side and asleep as well,we joined in around you.I realize own kind show affection differently and yours most likely isn't on the same emotional level as ours but do try to give it a chance.Samira was never as affectionate as these last few days.Even Milana warmed up to you rather quickly.
Y/N:I'll take your word for it.
Soon enough,the other girls began to stir awake too.
Y/N:Morning.
Milana woke slowly with a smile like she just had the best dream of her life.Samira on the other wet wide eyes at the situation she was in a blushed deeply as she narrowed her eyes at Y/N.While he was in fear of getting attacked,Samira grabbed him with one arm and pulled him into a kiss.After few seconds,she let go and turned away from him,still blushing.
Samira:Don't...tell anyone.I'm not good with,well this.
Knowing where she was coming from,he didn't respond.Not verbally at least since she wasn't in the talking mood.So he simply got closer to her from and hugged her from behind.She gasped and twitched for a moment but didn't make any effort to move away from him or stop him in any way.
Jasmin:As charming as this scene is,we have breakfast to finish with before going back out to the mine.
Y/N:Isn't there going to be a day off?
Jasmin:We work until we run out.Then we live off of everything we collected until we find a new place to inhabit.
Y/N:Didn't your species heard of weekends?
Milana:Probabley not.
Jasmin:If your body can't take,try telling it to Ester.Though you may first want to finish the first shift.It would look bad if others worked while you walked around,trying to find her.
Y/N:Good point.
And so they went on with their breakfast and after that,their mining.Y/N was getting better but his mind was absent.He kept looking everywhere,trying to spot where Ester was.He was looking around so much that he almost didn't notice the constant looks he was getting.Once he saw her approaching the mining site,he excused himself to the nearest Kaaho girl and ran to Ester.
Y/N:Hey Ester.
Ester:Y/N,how is mining going?
Y/N:Fine but I wanted to ask you asked something.
Ester:Look,what I said before was to encourage you to stay.I'm not looking to date anyone.
Y/N:No,I wanted to ask about things like weekends or maybe days off.I don't know how long I can keep this day in and day out.
Ester:Oh is that all.Just keep it up for a while longer.I'll give an announcement today at lunch and I expect you to be there again.
Y/N:I kind of figured.
Ester:OK then.Glad to hear the mining is going great and keep up the good work.
She waved him off and went back to,whatever she'd usually do.She had a tendency to wonder off and seemingly vanish.
Timeskip lunch
Once again.lunch came and this time around grocer shopping,he also went for a finished meal.He figured a juicy fruit would be a poor idea since,in case of Ester's announcment prooves too shocking,he might spit out the juice in surprise.Few minutes in lunch,Ester stood up before everyone.
Ester:Everbody,listen up.I have an announcement to make.
Everyone stopped eating and the male Kraahos stopped posing for the females.
Ester:I have big news which will probably receive mixed feelings.I know that the Kraaho had lived by the Kraaho way for countless lifetimes and recently,there have been some small changes that weren't too welcomed.But,this one is going to be the biggest one off all.
Every Kraaho began to murmur amongst themselves as they wondered what could she be talking about.There was always a chance that she might force them into something very un-Kraaho-like with her title as their leader.
Ester:I've contacted the Plumbers and they found out that this cavern is sitting on the biggest vein of ore we ever found.The only one on left on Earth too.
Gaps filled he caverns and murmurs had only gotten louder.These news were quite stimulating for relatively boring nomads.
Ester:I estimate we might be able to stay here for several years uninterrupted.
Ester:(Maybe more if Ben finds a way to use Gatrot or Atomix to mass produce the ore in it's freshest form.)
Ester:For the first time in generations,never before seen in our lives,we can settle down and engage in activities we only knew other races do.We can rest without the worry of hunger,we can expand our knowledge and intersperses relations.The Universe will no longer have doubts of our existence and can actually live instead of striving to just survive.Today,we celebrate our new era.
She was meant with mostly confusion and somewhat shy smiles.Rather shaky ones.Amidst the confusion and denial,one hand was raised.Y/N's ones.
Y/N:Does that mean I get to go?
Everyone turned to Ester,awaiting her answer.His question actually got more attention than her news.It was clear why female Kraahos reacted like that.
Ester:No,not yet.Sorry,but it's too early still.Anyways,I knew it would take you some time to loosen up and relax so I got some help.
She whistled,which echoed across the cavern and a crowd began to enter.There were the Kinecelaran kids with various sports equipment and several aliens from the Undertown entering the open area.
Ester:We have few guests today that will show you how to have fun.After all these years,you deserve it.
The lunch was interrupted as more and more Kraaho engaged in new activities and interacted with new faces.Not everyone was eager to stop their meal.The girls stayed around Y/N and he couldn't abandon his lunch since it was perishable unlike ore.
Jasmin:You're not going?
Y/N:Well if I leave this my lunch here,it'll either spoil or burn.And I'm pretty sure they're here for your kind.Ester actually wanted me to stay here to help your kind open up more around other species.I don't see why she kept me still though.
Milana:Better for us.
Y/N:What do you mean?
Milana:What is there...out there for you?
Y/N:Well for starters,ignoring the way of life,my parents,my job,actually no.Um...I guess I didn't have much of an impact or ties back home.
Milana:You do here.
Jasmin:She's right.Your life is better here.Those around you depend on you,you made the females look at you all the while males look up to you.And even if you haven't had the best of luck with your species,there are three members of another that wouldn't think of abandoning your side any time soon.Even Samira has taking a liking to you.If that is not enough of a proof that you belong here,I don't know what is.
Samira huffed in annoyance that she was used to prove some point but since it was so valid,any argument of hers would be pointless.So she just stood up,stomped what little distance was between her and Y/N before sitting on his lap.
Jasmin:Well,she was not laying when she said she isn't good with expressing her emotions.Verbally at least.
Jasmin then neared his left side with Milana on his right as they all leaned in next to him.It was a good thing he was getting used to the temperature.The unfortunately part was that it would be difficult to finish his meal.Ester viewed all this and more as her cavern and tribe would never be the said.And fortunately,in a positive way.
Ester:(Can't wait to see those cute Kraaho hybrid.)
Author:(I apologize for the long wait but this month could've been better.I sadly didn't prepare any Easter stories,despite the season,but if Ester's name and her acting like Cupid can make up for it,hopefully you see it that way.Next story is the female monster from Sumo Slammers game from episode Rules of Engagement.After that is the long awaited female Nemuina.I still wonder what made the species so popular for several requests.)