Page 27 of Cozy Prisons (Human Pets of Talin: Origins #4)

Daxus

Although he taught Nataly every calming technique he knew, nothing stopped the anxiety.

He wasn’t surprised, not after she seemed to know what direction they were going simply by listening to her body's reactions. It was as fascinating as it was frustrating. He’d been so sure he would be able to help her.

Standing at the edge of the village, cradling her against his chest, Daxus had to admit he’d failed.

“This was a nice day.”

They’d been silent for the last section of the walk, so her sudden words caught him by surprise.

“It was?”

She nodded. “Absolutely. It’s been a long time since I spent a day out simply enjoying myself. No work, no obligations. Just sunshine and good company.”

Her words made him wish he’d been on Arise from the beginning. He could’ve kept her from working so hard. He understood the necessity, but he still didn’t like that the humans were forced to labor to help create the colony.

He focused on the best part of her words. “I enjoyed our time together also.”

“What’s wrong with Nataly?”

They looked up to see Hale rushing toward them. Nataly jerked in his arms. Instinctively, he knew that Nataly wouldn’t like anyone to think her weak. They were alike in that respect.

“We simply walked too far and Nataly became fatigued,” he said as a breathless Hale reached them.

The human was covered in sweat, as if they’d been walking for a long time. The bottom of their long wrap was crusted in dirt, and their shoes were filthy. As usual, they had an information square clutched in their hand with a data crystal insert and the sharp sampling rod in the other.

Hale didn’t look at Daxus. “Do you need someone to care for you? I could get you food and bring it to your domicile.”

Daxus didn’t like the way Hale ignored him. “I’m her caregiver.”

Hale scowled at Daxus. “Maybe she doesn’t want a Talin taking care of her. All of you are pushy and don’t listen. You should take her home and leave. I’ll actually listen to what she wants.”

From what he’d heard, this was how Hale was with all the Talins, and sadly, with most of the humans. Nataly’s ability to retrieve the information from the data crystal was probably the only reason Hale liked her.

She tapped his chest with her palm. “Please put me down.”

He didn’t want to, but with Hale watching, he couldn’t refuse or risk proving the angry human right.

Setting Nataly down on her feet, he stayed close. He knew she wasn’t so tired that she needed to be carried, but he got into the habit while they’d been testing her anxiety. She felt so good in his arms, he wished he could carry her everywhere.

“Hale, I’m fine. Daxus isn’t forcing me to do anything,” she said.

“Are you sure?” Hale asked, tapping the butt of their weapon on the ground. “I know he’s bigger than me, but I’m not afraid.”

“You’re a great friend to check on me. I promise, if I didn’t feel safe, I’d use the orb system,” she reminded them. Daxus liked the way she didn’t try to get close to the human. She stayed in front of him and leaned her back against his front.

Hale’s eyes went wide for a moment. “Oh yeah, I forgot about that.” They tucked the information square under their weapon arm and patted the pockets of their filthy wrap. Their expression changed to one of relief. They gave her a big smile and pulled it out to show her. “Here it is!”

“That makes me happy,” she said. It was clear they were carrying the orb around because she’d given it to them, not because they planned to use it.

They were much more likely to start using their weapon.

He could only hope Hale didn’t pick a fight with one of the humans.

He didn’t want them to end up ostracized.

A loud, familiar ring sounded from the center of the village.

It was a signal that the evening meal was ready.

Because Talins only needed to eat once a day, the humans had decided that their last meal of the day should be a communal one where everyone gathered and talked about their day.

Although it wasn’t a Talin tradition, they were all quick to adopt it.

“I guess it’s dinner time, want to join us?” Nataly asked.

Hale hesitated, looking unsure. “Do you want me to join you?”

“Uh, sure?”

Daxus almost rumbled with amusement at Nataly’s uncertain tone.

Hale seemed to debate for a moment, then nodded their head. “Okay. But I won’t spend the entire evening there, like everyone seems to do.”

This time, Nataly laughed. “There’s no requirement that you have to play one of Decard’s games. Half the time, we don't want to play them, but he loves making them up, and no one wants to hurt his feelings.”

For a brief moment, Daxus almost thought Hale was about to smile, then their jaw tightened. “I won’t hurt his feelings, but I won’t stay.”

Now that they were talking about eating, Daxus realized Nataly hadn’t had much all day. It was suddenly important that he feed her.

Nataly turned to look up at him. “Everything okay? You suddenly started purring.”

“I was only concerned for you,” he said. “You should eat now.”

He tried to pick her up, but she stepped away and took his hand instead. She pulled him along and headed for the center of the village. “Then let’s go.”

Hale silently followed.

Nataly

Hale didn’t talk to anyone except her. It was rude, but at least it wasn’t abrasive and argumentative. They made it through most of the meal with Hale ignoring everyone else, and everyone pretending that was normal.

Unfortunately, Cassius wasn’t paying attention to the clear indicators that Hale wasn’t interested in casual conversation.

“Why is your wrap so dirty?” Cassius asked.

Hale grunted and put more food in their mouth.

Cassius kept talking as if Hale had answered him. “It looks like you’ve been wearing it for days. I can show you where the sanitizing units are, and there are more wraps you can have. You don’t have to keep wearing the same one.”

Nataly knew Cassius was trying to be helpful, but she could tell Hale was getting more annoyed, even as they shoved a hunk of flat bread into their mouth.

“I don’t think Hale is concerned about their clothing right now,” Nataly said, hoping that would be the end of it.

Cassius ignored her and leaned over the table to get a little closer to Hale. “You shouldn’t be shy about supplies, we’ve got plenty. You won’t get in trouble for taking stuff, I promise. All you need to do is make sure to change the log numbers so we know when to order more.”

Cassius’s words made Nataly wince. She’d caused a lot of problems by not changing the logs back when the colony first started. Some day, she’d need to confess and apologize to Palathum.

Looking over at Hale, she noticed they were gripping a canister of sopa tight enough to make their knuckles white. She needed to intercede before Hale’s short temper showed up.

She waved a hand to get Cassius’s attention. “Hey, Cassius. Leave Hale alone.”

He pulled back, giving Nataly a hurt look. “I’m only being friendly. Hale, tell Nataly I’m not bothering you. Tell her!”

That was the last push. Hale stood up so violently that their chair went crashing to the floor. Without sparing Cassius a look, they snatched their information square from the table and grabbed the pole from where they’d rested it against a nearby wall.

“Hey, don’t leave!” Cassius said, looking frustrated. “Sima made col-mol pie! It’s really good.”

Nataly turned in her seat to watch Hale stalk out of the building. She was half tempted to follow, but decided against it. Turning around, she addressed Cassius.

“You drove them away.”

Cassius looked hurt. “I did? I didn’t mean to. I only wanted them to feel accepted. They’re always walking the other direction when I see them.”

Nataly thought that was probably on purpose. Cassius was the chattiest human she’d ever met, and that was saying a lot because Riff could talk your ear off, too.

“I know, but maybe give them some space until they’re ready to make friends,” Nataly suggested.

Decard was sitting next to Cassius and bumped the other man with his shoulder. “I’m your friend!”

Cassius grinned at the bigger man. “I know, but I’m not playing Find It, Yell It again. My ears are still ringing from yesterday.”

“Yeah, that might not be my best game,” Decard admitted. “But I’m working on a new one.”

While Cassius and Decard started talking about Decard’s games, Daxus leaned over a little. She thought he’d say something about Hale, but instead, he pointed to his food.

“I got too much jorjuk stew, and I know that’s your favorite, would you like the rest? You could sit on my lap and I could help you eat.”

“Help me eat,” Nataly repeated, as if confused. Then she nodded her head, “Oh, right, help me eat. Like Talins like to do.”

Daxus started purring. “I only want to make sure you eat enough.”

She really loved that purr. She’d heard a lot of Talins make that rumble, but she liked Daxus’s purr the best.

“That’s nice of you,” she said, debating about what to do. Part of her wanted to take Daxus up on his offer, but every time she sat in his lap, with his head right there, it was a fight to keep from touching his face. She wanted to rub her palms on his scent glands.

That reminded her that they'd be sharing a bed again tonight. Last night was easy because she’d been so exhausted. Tonight might be more difficult. She might need to do something drastic, like tie her hands to her waist. She wanted him near her, but didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable.

She loved his lemon candy smell.

“I’m glad you like my scent, but what is lemon candy?”

She slapped a hand over her mouth, mortified. “I said that out loud?”

He sounded an amused rumble. “You didn’t mean to? Why? I’m happy you like my scent.”

She dropped her hand. “It’s a good smell.”

“Yes, you said it made you think of lemon candy. What is that?”