Page 26 of Alien Haven

An excellent setup for a traditional clan. It was everything he wished for. Perfect, should the four of them prove compatible for a lifetime of companionship.

If only Detodev weren’t so stubbornly distant. For that matter, Ilid too. He showed signs of being nearly as bad. The Dramok’s was a warmer personality, and he was considerate toa fault. However, replaying the evening, Mitag realized Ilid had shared little of his past. Or himself.

What had Mitag learned of him? Ilid was claustrophobic and wanted to run a bakery on his parents’ behalf. All other questions had been deflected. The Dramok had managed conversation so well, Mitag hadn’t picked up on his full reticence until he’d thought it over.

Mitag had long wondered why Detodev resisted most attempts for closeness. It wasn’t only the Imdiko he fended off. Detodev was a solitary beast, except when sheer loneliness brought him to Mitag’s side, as it had at the bar.

Now Ilid. What had happened to make the two men so aloof? Or were they secretive? If so, what could they be hiding?

Maybe Jennifer’s heard the story on Ilid. He dotes on her. I wonder if he’s confided his past to her. She’s met his parents. She has to know the backstory.

Shewas an open book, at least. She’d laughed at the college prank responsible for bringing her to Haven, though she expressed regret for injuring her professor. She’d shared her positive impression of Clan Amgar and her decidedly less complimentary assessment of Haven. Which could be a problem where Mitag’ hopes were concerned. He and Detodev were firmly established in Sunrise. Ilid looked likely to stick around too.

If Ilid were to stay, if more than mere acquaintanceship could be sparked between the four, would Jennifer reconsider returning to the planet once she finished her interrupted studies? Mitag had the feeling to make such a scenario happen, Detodev and Ilid would have to crawl from behind their barricades. They’d have to open up.

It wasn’t as if they had real reasons to hide their pasts. At least, not reasons as profound as Mitag’s. For the chance at the family he’d never had, he was willing to share his past horrors.If the compelling people he’d met would share their histories, he’d revisit the infamous tragedy and scandal that had been tremendous fodder for news vids.

* * * *

It was too early in the morning to be sociable, especially before coffee and after drinking the prior night. Nonetheless, Charity did her best when the hulking human in the gray law enforcement uniform stopped by the farm to introduce himself.

“I hope this is all right by you,” Assistant Chief Wilkes told Groteg, who’d answered the door. The Nobek ushered him in the kitchen where the clan, their children, and Charity were readying for the day. “I’m not in the habit of poking my nose in where your rescues are concerned, but since Ms. Seng is human…”

“It’s appropriate,” Groteg agreed. “Jennifer should be able to rely on all law enforcement should anything go wrong.” He made the introductions.

“Nice to meet you.” Charity shook the smiling man’s hand and marveled at how he was as big as a Kalquorian. Sure, there were tall humans, but she’d encountered few boasting the muscle and bulk of their cousin species. “I promise not to pillage any fields or cause much mayhem.”

“Then we’ll get along fine,” Wilkes laughed. He accepted a cup offered to him. “Oh, thank you, Sara. Never too much coffee.”

“I’ll say,” Charity mumbled as she took her first sip and glared at Tori. If it hadn’t been for her exuberant young friend crashing in her room at the crack of dawn and demanding a rundown of Charity’s night out, she’d still be sleeping.

Unaware, the girl shoveled the eggs Imdiko Utber had ladled on her plate in her gaping maw. “Jennifer went on a date last night. She’s so popular, three men brought her home.”

“How do you know that, young lady?” Sara’s face flushed as scarlet as Charity’s.

“I stayed up and watched from the window. One of the guys was Detodev, of all people.” Tori grinned at Charity. “He can be grumpy, but he’s always been nice to me. He built me a dollhouse when he lived here.”

“You stay in bed next time. You need your sleep,” Groteg mildly rebuked.

“It wasn’t a school night. I don’t understand why I have to go to bed so early.” Tori’s curiosity-bright gaze flashed at Charity. “Are you going to join a clan? The third man is an Imdiko. Mitag, you said? He throws the best parties in town.”

Charity rushed to explain her night out to the too-interested Wilkes, feeling her reputation flushing down the toilet. “Dramok Ilid…he came on the same shuttle I did…anyway, he and I went out asfriendsto Bar, Bowl, and Barrel.” She glared at Tori again and pretended she didn’t notice Adam’s heartsick expression. “We hung around Nobek Detodev, who was in the company of another guy, Imdiko Mitag.”

“Detodev and Mitag are your age,” Wilkes observed. “Nice guys. Hard workers. I have yet to meet this Ilid fellow.”

“He seems decent enough. His family is considering buying Gertie Boynton’s bakery.” Groteg wiped up the milk James had spilled on the table.

“All three insisted on seeing me home. I kind of got the idea they might continue their night out after offloading me,” Charity went on.

“They were legally sober to be shuttling around?” Wilkes narrowed his eyes at Groteg, but his smile said he wasn’t worried about the matter.

“Ilid was, and the shuttle was his family’s rental. Just in case, I gave them directions to your house. I told them if they felt the urge to crash their vessel, that’s where it needed to happen.”

The pair laughed. Wilkes drained his coffee and looked in his empty cup. “Any chance I can be a total mooch and snag a second?” He shot Sara an appealing smile as he nodded at the fresh pot sitting in the coffee maker.

She chuckled as she mopped up more milk James had spilled. The kid had issues getting the glass to his mouth before attempting to drink. “Of course. Just give me a moment.”

“No need. I can pour it myself. You look like you could use another cup too, Jennifer. Is it okay if I call you Jennifer?” He snagged Charity’s cup and headed for the elixir of life.

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