Zuri
I glance at Amit and back at the men who just barged through the door. Caspian hasn't killed them yet, and by the looks of this world, it's either him feeling generous or these are his brothers.
I'm placing my bets on the latter.
I had my suspicions about Caspian. The way he stared after (Y/N) when she wasn't looking sent shivers down my spine.
When I saw (Y/N) for the first time, she addressed us as both captain and friend. I'd expected worse when I had asked her that question. Maybe a warning or a harsh scolding. Maybe worse.
"Can we trust you, Captain?"
"Of course, Zuri."
No hesitance, no confusion. Just a wide grin framing her glowing face and eyes that twinkled with recognition and familiarity, as though we'd known each other for years. Those three words meant more than what even a hundred words did to us. It implied she trusted us as friends, not just as Captain.
That being on a ship did not necessarily bring the need to slog away and survive, but to live.
That being on her ship would always mean a place in her heart.
That her pain and bliss was ours as ours was hers.
And she lived up to that promise. She made sure those who challenged her had a voice on board, made sure no one was excluded or favoured over the other.
Made sure we thrived.
I look at (Y/N). She's facing the men who barged in, hand on holster, eyes scanning and jaw clenched. The men have stopped muttering that wretched term 'Klavor' and have taken to staring at her to an uncomfortable degree.
I will protect this girl. She may be younger than me, but she's the wisest of us all.
Amit takes her side. I turn and keep my eyes trained on Caspian.
Something tells me he's worse than the others.
Soon enough, Caspian stands up. "Ah! My dearest brothers! Come, come!" He exclaims.
The men snap their heads from (Y/N) to Caspian. They nod and make their way over to us.
Amit immediately steps in front of (Y/N) and I take a defensive stance against Caspian.
"What is the meaning of such disrespect, Captain? And here I was, thinking your planet was well-versed in manner and etiquette." (Y/N) says in disappointment, her back facing Caspian.
His face falls to that of a kicked puppy. He walks around us to face (Y/N) with his brothers.
I turn and take my place next to (Y/N) as he begins to speak.
"Captain (Y/N), they mean no harm. It is the way of our planet. Had you been from this planet, the same expression they wear would have befallen your face when you looked at them as well." Caspian explains, "Allow me to introduce the princes of this planet and future Supremes. Brothers, step forward as I call your name."
(Y/N) gestures for Amit to stand back as she keep her hand on her holster.
"You can relax, Captain. They're unarmed." Caspian says.
The brothers stare at her intensely.
"Unarmed doesn't mean they're safe to be around. Are you insinuating I should trust the ones who barged in here without permission, without manners, like brutes?" She says, her tone firm but not meant to offend, just to make clear what she wants.
Caspian turns to his brothers who all don looks of embarrassment and shame.
He turns back to us and sighs. "Very well. Meet our eldest, Heir to the Supreme, Valerius."
(Y/N)
A man with red hair steps forward with a sheepish smile. I do not know his real eye colour, for his eyes have stayed the same shade of red Caspian's has.
He's handsome, I'll give him that. With high cheekbones and a sharp jawline, he has freckles dotting his nose bridge.
He places a hand over his heart and bows. "Greetings, Captain (Y/N). I apologise for the unwelcomed intrusion. As Caspian explained to you, it is our way of life. Nevertheless, we crossed a line of respect we shouldn't have and sincerely apologise." He says.
I nod. "I'll accept it. However, next time, try to at least knock before you enter." I advise.
His eyes flash a bright red before he turns around and leaves the room abruptly.
"Our second eldest, Head of Advisory and Administrative Affairs, Ren."
A man with black hair and (once again) red eyes steps up. He has a scar running across his eyebrow that makes him look intimidating. He wears glasses that sit high on his nose bridge. His eyes are sharp and glaring as he approaches me and bows.
"Greetings, Captain. I trust you had a safe journey here?" He asks, his voice cold.
Strange.
"Yes-"
He immediately straightens and leaves the room as well.
I clench my jaw.
"Our third and fourth eldest, Amadis and Alejo."
The last two brothers make their way to us. They have blonde hair and tanned skin.
One of them takes my hand and places a kiss to the back of it with a wink.
The other just looks at me intensely.
The one who kisses my hand straightens. "Greetings. I'm Amadis, Head of Strategy and Warfare. This is Alejo, my twin. He-"
"I'm the Commander of Earth's army and navy." He interrupts in a deep, scratched voice.
Amadis looks at him in confusion. His eyes then seem to twinkle in realization and his eyes flash a brighter red.
We engage in conversation for a few minutes. Most of the time, Amadis answers my questions and Alejo only interjects every once in a while.
Eventually, Caspian speaks. "Amadis, Alejo, step outside for a moment, won't you?"
The twins look at him and nod. Soon, it's just me, Amit and Zuri in the room.
"This is not good." I say as I turn to them.
"Agreed." They say in unison.
"The Lollets have corrupted them. They've legalised murder, for gods' sake!" Zuri exclaims.
"Yes. I think we should head back to the Galaxy and inform everyone of what's happening. We still need to find that ship." Amit suggests.
I nod.
"(Y/N), I think you're the most in danger. All of their eyes turned red when they saw you. Surely that can't be good, can it?" Zuri asks worriedly.
"Yes. We need to leave and return to the ship. We'll have to set up protocols just in case we need to leave suddenly." I say.
Amit looks at us. "I think Zuri should return as appointed Vice Captain. I'm trained to protect, (Y/N), and you need that more than the ship right now." He says.
Zuri and I nod.
"Very well. I'll appoint you. Leave ASAP, Zuri." I command.
Caspian
I step outside the room to see all of my brothers shivering in need and excitement.
"Finally..." They all say.
"We share a Klavor. You all know what this means right?" I ask.
They nod.
"She's perfect.." Ren whispers.
"So smart and beautiful." Valerius says.
"So.. lovely..." Amadis and Alejo say.
"I know. The thing is, she's not accepting of our culture yet." I tell them.
Their gazes darken.
"What do you mean she doesn't accept our culture?" Ren growls.
"All of you need to keep in mind that she has a very different set of morals than we do. She may be appalled and disgusted now, but when we show her how pure her Klavors' love and adoration is..." I trail off.
"She'll love us and let us love her." Alejo finishes, his face flushed in admiration.
"Indeed. And this is how we'll do it." I grin.
A couple minutes of planning and plotting go by before Valerius speaks.
"You truly are the wisest among us, Caspian."
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