Zeph growled on reflex. "I'd die before I see them wipe us out completely."
Zella glanced back at Zeph. "Calm down Zeph, you're too obsessed with them."
"Well they destroyed my whole life, how am I supposed to feel?" Zeph looked down at his yo-yo. "Waryes' and yo-yo's. Sometimes I wonder if I'm even sane anymore." He grabbed his head.
Zella patted his back. "I know how it feels. They did something to your family, it's obvious, but they all passed on."
"They aren't gone," Zeph insisted.
"Bitterness doesn't make the past better," Zella said in warning. "Only the present can really matter now."
"You know it's that kind of thinking which backed us up into this corner we're all stuck in." Zeph groaned. "Only the present matters. Yeah, they come over and destroy our lives, go back to their side and say 'sorry'? Oh, but it was the past and the waryes' learned their lesson. So why can't we all get along?" He scoffed. "No way, forget it. They are not our friends or our allies. We've got to stop cowering and fight back for ourselves."
"Warnos don't fight," Zella said softly. "Only Guards do, Zeph."
"Then when will they?" Zeph frowned. "How far do we have to be pushed before we stop hiding our tails and fight back? How many of us are even going to be around before someone does something, huh?"
"We just want to be happy and live freely." Zella tried to convince him again. "We don't fight."
"Yeah, I know. Risks have got to be taken to keep that freedom though." On reflex, Zeph looked at her stomach. "How are you doing?"
Zella looked down at her tummy. "I don't know. Besides the nausea and loss of appetite…it's strange. A different kind of feeling I'm not used to." She gently touched her tummy. "I'm not getting big though yet, not for some time." She looked back over at Zeph. "How am I really gonna do this?"
Zeph shrugged. "I don't know. We'll just get through it."
"We'll?" Zella said, chuckling. "That's a funny word coming from you."
"Well I'll be here guarding you. It's a part of you, so I'll guard it too," Zeph reasoned.
Zella smiled at him. "Why are you really here? It's apparent you're too late."
"Not so," Zeph disagreed, "you are now with child. Even though Guardians mostly guard single females from males, it's not always the case." He gestured toward her stomach. "You are pregnant with a baby whose father is unknown. Some warno's will see this as a chance to snatch you with minimal effort."
"Minimal effort?" Zella joked. "Well, I guess I wouldn't be able to run very fast."
"You know what I mean," Zeph said. "They'll try and say they'll be a good dad, just give them a chance and some 'incentive'. Then after they get what they want, they are out the door. I know, it's typical predator activity."
"Is that really why? Is that what you told the King?" Zella asked.
Zeph sighed. "Alright, alright. I'm mostly here because I always promised you guys I'd be here if you really needed me." He gestured toward her. "I was already late, I'm not going to mess the whole thing up by letting some jerks deceive you just for a good time."
Zella stood up. "I guess that makes more sense. You always were very good at guarding."
"Guarding?" Zeph smiled. "What, me? A Guard being good at guarding? What sense does that make?"
"Hardy har har." Zella chuckled. "Come on, it's almost time to eat."
"What are we eating? Mnui?" Zeph smiled. Mnui was the best food known to him. Flat soft batter baked with one part dessert, one part meat, and one part vegetable. When cooked right, it was an amazing feast for his taste buds. Oh and Xiam? His friend could cook it just right.
"What do I look like, a chef?"
Zeph gestured outside. "Do you think our Chef Xiam is having that tonight?" He rubbed his hands together. "Say, I just thought of a great idea."
"Go over at suppertime, pardon the intrusion, and know Xiam would invite us in?" Zella said as she grabbed his hand. "Not on your life Guard Zeph." She giggled. "Come on Zeph, I'll fix something decent and I promise I'll try to make sure it's cooked this time."
"Or not burnt?" Zeph smiled at the possibility.
Zella's demeanor as she glanced back at him, her eyes full of fire. "Don't test me."
Ah. "Okay." He just grinned. "Mmm, charcoal."
"Zeph," Zella scolded him. "Do you want to fix dinner?"
"No, that's okay," he laughed nervously. "Sorry, just joking. Funny joke, ha ha?"
"Oh." Zella sighed. "Fine." She groaned as she felt her stomach. "Oh forget it, let's just call out."
"Now that is a great idea." Zeph grinned until he realized how big of a grin he had. "I mean, I know you're tired and…" Something sincere. What could he say so she wouldn't yell at him? "You should go rest?" Zeph could feel her chilling stare, he knew she didn't buy it. Okay, I can handle this. Her evil look should not bother me. Still, it was a bit weird. Zella was pleasant and then turned right around and became very temperamental.
It was like Zella had a split personality called Muin sometimes.
Oh, welcome to pregnancy. Zeph groaned.
---
Xiam stopped Zeph outside as he went for a small walk with Zella. "Hey Zeph, how about a second?"
"Sure. Especially if foods involved." Zeph grinned. He waved at Zella. "Don't go too far." He turned back to Xiam. "Is food involved?"
Xiam shook his head. "I just want to say that I know what's coming, it's obvious. Just don't be too hard on my sister. "Okay?"
"Huh?" Zeph didn't seem to understand.
"It was a mistake." Xiam sounded as if he was trying to get Zeph on his side. "Everyone makes those, hers was just a bit extra." He sighed deeply. "I know you, Zeph, you're only letting this slide so she gets used to everything, but I know you're going to give her a piece of your mind soon. Just be gentle, okay?"
A piece of my mind. "Fine," Zeph agreed.
"One more thing? Please stop delaying it." Xiam insisted. "Even Zella knows it's coming, you're making her feel more ashamed by acting like it's no big deal." He nodded and waved a quick goodbye.
Zeph nodded in return. He had noticed Zella's behavior too. There were moments, when they talked and laughed, where she'd just give out. Just apologize and take off to be alone. He caught up to her and walked, side by side again. Great, just great. The King put her into this position, this isn't her fault! Xiam's right though, if the King weren't involved and she just got pregnant in some one night stand, how would I act? He groaned knowing exactly how he'd act.
First he'd ask her what she was thinking, and then he'd give her a thousand other options she could have taken to get out of what happened. After that he'd say he was ashamed of her and couldn't believe he'd wasted all those years teaching her. Lastly, he'd watch her like a hawk, expecting her to mess up.
Yep, that's what he'd do. Cold, but that's what he'd do.
It wasn't her fault and it wasn't mine. We had no control, and we don't even remember. Zeph reasoned. They expect it though, and if I let this slide, they're going to figure out that something is up. How could he belittle her and not belittle himself too? I'm not an actor, this isn't going to be easy. "Zella." He called out to her a bit firmer than usual as he caught up.