Hmmm, wonder what she would say if she knew that her “boys” had forced me to come here…
Thane pinched my side, seemingly reading my mind as usual. I shot him a grin.
“Would you like anything to eat?” asked Lanton, gesturing to a tray next to the tea that was laden with food that I couldn’t identify.
“Thanks dad, but we’ve got a full night planned for her,” said Thane, standing up. “We’d actually better get going.”
All of their parents looked so disappointed. “We’ll visit again soon,” I promised. “There’s so much I need to learn about the three of them that they won’t be able to keep me away.”
Derrial groaned in jest, but it seemed to do the trick of raising all of their spirits.
More hugs were exchanged and we exited the dwelling, all of their parents walking out after us to wave goodbye as we took off again.
“I loved them,” I said, cuddling into Corran’s lap.
“They loved you too, kitten,” said Derrial happily.
“Where was your mom Thane? I would have loved to meet her,” I said.
Silence descended on the ship. I knew immediately that I had said something wrong.
Thane cleared his throat as if he was trying to give himself more time to figure out what to say. “My mother is in a special facility,” he said quietly.
“A special facility?” I asked hesitantly, feeling terrible for bringing it up.
“She was captured by the Khonsu when I was nine. They tortured her until she lost her mind. She’s been in the facility ever since we rescued her.”
I sat there shocked, not knowing what to say.
“I should have brought it up before we got there,” said Thane. “But as I’m sure you can imagine, it’s hard to talk about. Dad brought me up with Corran and Derrial’s parents helping out.”
“I’m so sorry, honey,” I said, tapping Corran to let me down. He reluctantly did so and I walked over to Thane, wrapping my arms around him.
“It happened a long time ago,” Thane said gruffly, but he pulled me towards him tighter and buried his head in my neck.
I had a million questions but I didn’t want to pressure him to tell me anything he didn’t want to. He would tell me eventually, and I could accept that.
Corran walked over and grabbed me after a few minutes, bringing me back to his chair to sit in his lap again. Derrial and Thane both snorted, and it lifted the somber mood that had descended on the ship.
“Where are we off to now?” I asked as Corran started kissing down my neck again. I laughed and snuggled in deeper to him.
“Dinner,” said Derrial. “We figured that it was time to show you Vepar food. So far you’ve gotten trial food and cell food. Not the greatest stuff.”
I had always been an adventurous eater so I was excited about the prospect of trying something new.
“Can I eat everything that you eat?” I ask, thinking that their altered forms hid how different they actually were to humans.
Corran frowned. “You should be able to eat most things, but I haven’t tested everything so we’ll just have you try things that I know for sure are alright.”
Thane snorted again. “I think she’ll be okay no matter what, lover boy.”
Corran pulled me in closer to him. “We’re not taking that chance.”
“Um guys,” I asked Thane and Derrial. “What is going on with Corran?”
Thane and Derrial both looked at each other with amused looks on their faces.
“Have you ever heard of blue balls, kitten?” Derrial asked.