Once we made it back into the facility off of the transport train, things really did go right back to the way they were before. I don't understand at all how the aliens think, or what they were doing, but those damn lessons started up again the very next day, and our food returned to the vegetable fruit.
At some point Mia told me what they're actually called, but I always forget. They taste...not bad. They don't taste as bad as that gruel in the cave before the test, but after a while of eating them every day, I've gotten tired of the taste.
The break where we got better food has not improved this at all.
At least the mindless rock pushing has stopped. Which makes me wonder if that test in the forest somehow used the physical skills we were supposed to build up doing it?
I don't know.
And I suppose there are some differences, if I'm being fair.
We're given time to wander. After lessons, before being corralled into the sleeping quarters, and between whatever inane things we're given to do, we're allowed to wander around the area.
There isn't much to see.
Of course I tried.
The whole point of coming back instead of staying with the rebels is to go snooping around and finding things.
But most doors are locked, and those that aren't usually lead to places I've already seen - other lesson rooms, other sleeping quarters. I stumbled across a kitchen once, though I've forgotten where it was now, in the mess of identical looking buildings.
I'm not even quite sure where the aliens live when they're not on duty, because as far as wandering space goes, we're not actually given enough to figure that out. The cut off for where I can wander clearly doesn't include where other human facilities are - perhaps people who have been here longer or are more advanced in whatever training the aliens want from us.
I sit down with a huff next to Eric.
"...I wish he'd have explained better how we're supposed to use being slave prisoners to get trust from aliens that look at us like worms..."
He glances at me, an eyebrow raised.
I purse my lips and glance around - just to double check what I'd already noted before saying anything. "There's nobody around, I checked, okay?" I grumble, crossing my arms and glaring at him.
He sighs and crosses his arms, shifting in his seat. "...Mia's trying. It seems like once you show enough aptitude, they start letting you try more complicated things. Like permanently unpaid internships."
"Isn't that what we already have, though?" I snort. "We don't get paid, we just work and work and they treat us like crap."
He huffs out a breath, nodding. "Yeah. Well. True. But I meant...the sorts of duties they give are more like you'd think of from an internship."
"Getting coffee?"
He reaches over, without looking at me, and performs a weird technique. It messes up my hair and shoves me at the same time. I squeal and try to slap his hand away. "Hey, that's cheating! Get off!"
"If you're not gonna be serious, neither am I."
"I was serious." I pout, fixing my hair.
He squints at me and shakes his head. After a moment though, he speaks again. "It's duties like getting into their facilities. Stuff that lets you get closer to their tech, instead of rocks and ropes."
"So...basically we have to learn the language before we can do anything else for them?"
He shrugs. "Seems like it's that. But it's just the impression Mia's gotten so far. It's not like anyone has sat down and explained it to her."
Still...
It makes sense.
It's like I've been thinking.
If I can't understand anything, even if I were standing in front of their things, how could I figure out or do anything with it?
I cross my arms and sigh.
I'm.
Not sulking.
"...I still can't understand a single word."
So I really can't do anything to help. Just sit around and wait for Eric and Mia to do everything again. Like I always do.
His hand appears on my shoulder. "It's alright."
"It's not!" I grumble, leaning forward with a huff and my chin on my hand. "How can I be here so long, and you and Mia are almost done! I've heard that first sound so many times now I think it's all I hear in my dreams! But I still can't! Figure it out!"
"Hello?" He squints. "That one?"
I throw my hands into the air. "Maybe! I can't. Say it. Every time I try, I just get shocked again, and I'm face down listening to it repeat again."
He pats my back.
"You can try to mimic me, if that'll help. I can do that sound, and I'm human."
"Jeive's human too though..." I sigh.
"Jeive?"
"The girl on the screen."
"Ah...forgot her name." He shrugs and gestures with a hand, looking off into the distance. "...I mean. If we're planning to leave, speaking the language is a waste of a skill anyway, right?"
"But..." I sigh again, sinking deeper into the bench and slouching over my legs. "...We need to do something."
"You know. I'm not good at optimism and cheering people up. Mia's that person." His tone is soft.
I snort.
"...I know." I glance at him. "...Thanks, anyway."
He rolls his shoulders. "...I'm testing out." He murmurs after a moment. "The optimism thing." His lips twitch into a faint, playful smirk.
I snicker.
"Well. Mia's a natural but. I think you're doing okay."
"You suck at lying." He says. But he doesn't sound particularly offended.
"You're a jerk."
He smirks and shakes his head.
There's a moment of quiet that falls between us.
Then, he speaks once again. "...There's more to helping than just being a nerd." He mutters, his gaze settling back on the scenery ahead.
"What?"
"Just..." His gaze is sharp as he stares off into space. "...Mia and I aren't good at...everything." His lips twist down into a grimace.
"You and Hestia. Will definitely be able to help, too. Just. Be ready, and you'll figure something out." His tone is soft, but firm. "...We'll all make it home, Sarah."
My heart flutters a little in my chest.
...He's right.
I've been telling myself that too, haven't I?
Even if I can only help a little, or in some strange way...
What's important is we'll all make it back home.