Page 24 of Alien Haven

Chapter Six

“What a night,” Mitag enthused. Detodev followed him into his apartment after Ilid had dropped them off. “Can you believe we were so lucky to meet a pair like them? Beautiful woman and a single, professional Dramok?”

“Planning your clanning ceremony, Mitag? You should find yourself the right Nobek too, if that’s the case.”

Maybe I have.The problem was, Detodev didn’t agree.

Mitag looked the big Nobek over as Detodev conscientiously pulled his boots off and left them by the front door next to Mitag’s. There wasn’t a speck of dirt on those boots. Experience had taught Mitag they were the pair he saved for going out after work. Fieldworkers were used to taking their shoes off so as not to track in dirt. Habit or not, Mitag was convinced that deep down, Detodev was thoughtful.

His companion was a tough nut to crack, however…impossible, thus far. Another Imdiko probably would have given up on the stolid Nobek who usually kept his distance. Mitag would have too, under normal circumstances.

He knew Detodev had no contact with his family. He didn’t know why. His friend…damn it, Detodevwashis friend despite the Nobek’s attempts to prove otherwise…had formed a familial attachment to Clan Amgar. Thanks to being remanded to their care when he’d gotten in whatever trouble had landed him on Haven, he had their support. Nonetheless, they couldn’t properly be called his family.

Like Mitag, he was alone. Mitag was convinced Detodev was as despondent about his isolation as he was.

Both of us are orphans, in some fashion. He needs a confidante. I need a confidante. Why doesn’t he see it?

Detodev was already looking at his boots in the entryway, no doubt reconsidering whether he should stay. Mitag hurried to the small bar area in the corner of the room, refusing to give him the chance to change his mind.

“Bohut, whiskey, or kloq? Turn on the vid while you’re at it, see if there are any fights or shuttle races on.”

To his relief, Detodev turned toward the entertainment system. “I’d better switch to kloq. I do have to work in the morning.”

Mitag beamed as he put a few bottles in the warmer. By the time Detodev left, maybe he’d be tired enough to drop straight to sleep. And maybe he wouldn’t have to deal with any nightmares.

* * * *

To Ilid’s chagrin, his mother and Dramok father had waited up for him in the rented house’s kitchen. He did his best to answer Diju’s questions about his night on the town offhandedly, but she seized on the companions he’d ended up among and had flown home.

“They must have been very interesting men for you and Jennifer to have stayed out so late. A Nobekandan Imdiko?” Diju all but danced in her delight on the white tile floor amongst the gleaming appliances and a small, cozy table in the middle of the spacious room. “Close to your age, no less.”

“Jennifer had better rapport than I did when it came to Mitag. They’re both interested in clothes and parties. Detodev came off as barely sociable. He barely spoke two words at a time to any of us.”

“Oh, what else would you expect from a Nobek? They prefer their actions to speak for them. If he stuck close, he’s interested.”

“It was a random encounter at the bar. He and Jennifer had become acquainted on the farm. He works for Clan Amgar. For all I know, we won’t run across either him or Mitag again soon.”

“You didn’t exchange com frequencies?” At last, disappointment showed up.

As much as he hated to burst his mother’s bubble, it was for the best. Ilid avoided telling her Mitag had his contactinformation. “I hardly thought a first meeting involving a number of drinks warranted it.”

“Well, what does? Plenty of clannings have occurred after a few drinks.”

“To everyone’s great regret,” Ilid groaned.

“Diju,” Codab said quietly from the wooden chair he occupied. He sat at the matching table. “He hasn’t reached legal age to clan unless we give permission. There are plenty of future Nobek clanmates and maybe even Imdikos for him to meet here. Let him look around.”

“I wasn’t offered the option, nor was I of age to choose to clan,” she returned, glaring at him. “I was nineteen. You were barely twenty-five. It was an arranged clanning.”

“Times have changed. The traditional clan of four isn’t a guarantee any longer, no more than arranged clanships. Ilid deserves the opportunity to forge his own path.” Codab smiled at her, his gaze soft. Arranged or not, their relationship was full of love. Dramok Codab had no problem displaying it.

She continued to scowl, but the heat lessened in the face of his adoring regard. “I want the best for my son. You have to admit, the support of a protector and caregiver can’t be underestimated.”

“I have no complaints. However, Ilid isn’t me. Or you.”

She rolled her eyes and turned to their child. “At least grant them a chance if they make an effort to see you again. They might be perfect for you.”

“All right. If we cross paths, I’ll see if they’re interested in a real outing, where drinking isn’t the main event of the night.” Ilid smiled. Her love was a beacon of warmth in a cold universe. While her meddling wasn’t entirely welcome, he basked in the caring behind it.

---