Chapter Text
Zytra sits in a room, small even for them, the room is completely blank of all things decoration wise, it's bland by all standards of all known species, only having a blue-barred door buzzing with electricity and a similar blue-metal vent decorating the blueish white walls. Zytra’s small form sits against the wall laying on the, just as small, blanket one of the more nice Dxmon loaned to them, they have been good as of recently so they were allowed to keep it. Their favorite spot in their room is by the vent because it blows slightly warmer air in sometimes, and that is where they sit now.
The vent starts, humming to life as it blows air lightly, ruffling Zytra’s feathers in a sort of soothing motion comparable to someone running their hands over their wings. Before Zytra could close their eyes and soak in the feeling, the door to their room starts humming slightly, and the blue bars start retracting into the wall. The Dxmon this cycle must not be in a rush, if it was, the door would open in an instant, Zytra doesn't like those cycles, they are usually rougher in handling them.
Zytra gets to a standing position, their claws scraping the ground slightly, Zytra greets it with a chirp as the looming figure walks in, they probably would not have the chance to greet them if the Dxmon was in a hurry.
Dxmons are very tall, especially to Zytra’s small stature, they are, at least, four Zytra’s tall! Zytra thinks that is a very big number, but they are still a baby, at least that's what the Dxmons say, being only 2,850 cycles old. Dxmons all look the same except for eye color, the same toxic yellow-green skin, covered in darkish purple freckles that condense around the top half of their face, shoulders, hands, and the first joint of their five jointed legs, they have a bright purple color on their upper-face and stomachs, and their curving horns, claws, and stinger-tail are dipped with a neon green. Their face is comprised of a wide, sharp, zig-zag mouth that can only be seen because of it being outlined by the purple of their face, they also have five eyes, two in the average spot, the third and fourth eye above each of those two, almost like an eyebrow, and the fifth being in the middle of their head. Their eyes are a yellow-white with a ring of color around the small round pinpoint pupil. Eye colors vary from toxic green, neon yellow, bright white, neon crimson, toxic pink, and a bright purple. The most common clothing for Dxmons to wear are shawls, the Dxmons on this ship usually like to wear pure white shawls.
The Dxmon this cycle, the same one who gave Zytra their blanket, has green eyes and wears a white half-shawl it smiles its sharp smile and curves its head down to look directly down at Zytra, all five eyes narrowed with an emotion lost between the two species. The Dxmon makes a sharp sound, gesturing with a single claw to the ground, Zytra runs over not wanting to ruin their seemingly lenient mood, a rare one for them to be in. The Dxmon makes a rough approving sound with a blank look and starts walking towards the open door with Zytra following closely behind. They rarely get to walk the hallways, usually the Dxmon who escorts them drags or carries them down the halls.
The hallways of the ship are mostly a blank blueish-white, the floor being a dark gray. The area of the ship their room is in has many other rooms like it, with the lightly glowing blue bars and tall doorways. Sometimes after the ship lands, there are new beings in the empty rooms. Sometimes they look on with clear pity at seeing Zytra so close to the Dxmons. Sometimes they scream and yell words Zytra doesn't understand at the Dxmon. Sometimes they just look on with a blank look, but they usually don't do that until they are here for a while. The last time the ship had stopped it had not gained anyone new, it had probably just been a supply run but they never stop for long so Zytra can’t be sure. There are the occasional double wide doorways that open and shut automatically when a Dxmon comes through from the other side, and sometimes Zytra gets a small glimpse of the other side, glimpses of blueish white walls with much less doors, but many more Dxmons.
Right now, Zytra can guess where the Dxmon is leading them to, most likely to the Silver Room. The Silver Room has light silver walls and has sections of the room that are raised, like the metallic tables that the Dxmons have Zytra sit or lay on but solid, they know it has a name but they've never caught it being said before. On the walls there are also shelves that hold things, mostly sharp things but with the occasional glass container of liquid. There are two more Dxmons in the Silver Room this cycle, they are most likely doing a checkup this cycle, but it has been a while since the last... Not-A-Check-Up.
The Dxmon who led them to the Silver Room picks up Zytra by the arms and sets them on the table in the middle of the room. Zytra sits still as another Dxmon comes over, but seeing the sharp-injector thing in its hand makes their vision start to unfocus a bit and Zytra has to shake their head slightly to get them out of the Fuzzy Place, they dont want to go there so soon. The Dxmon gives them a disapproving look at the slight movement and with little warning digs the needle into the arm Zytra didn't know it was holding.
Zytra cannot do anything to stop the fuzzy feeling that falls over their senses, if they didn't know better they would think it was whatever was in the needle, but seeing as the needle pulled away full of red-orange liquid, they probably didn't inject them with anything this time. The rest of the interaction passes by in a blur, a Dxmon stretching out their fluffy down-feathered blue and light-brown wings, measuring them and taking a few feathers. Another examining their claws on their feet and hands, then filing them down once more. Their long, pointy, feather covered ears on top of their head being looked into. Shining a light into their eyes that's so bright it takes a bit of the Fuzzy Place with it. A Dxmon grabbing their whip-like tail, measuring it then taking one of the feathers that surround the end of it as well. Them taking steps they don't remember feeling down the hall led by a Dxmon. Them laying on the ground of their small room, looking at the far-away ceiling. What ends up bringing them out of the Fuzzy Place was a small almost unnoticeable thud coming from the vent that definitely wasn't the vent blowing air.
-
Zytra is sure the thuds and scrapes are not anything to note, they are probably something that went wrong when the Dxmons landed the ship somewhere planet-side and was missed by the Dxmons, maybe it wasn't missed, and they are already making plans on fixing it. Zytra knows it has to do with the last landing because that's when the noises started, they were sitting by the vent when the first one happened, maybe around 10 cycles ago? They sure were startled when it happened, they had jolted and backed away quickly from where they were sitting, as soon as they did the quiet thuds stopped. Eventually they calmed down, and when the vent started blowing warm air again they had inched closer until they were against it , eventually they fell asleep not noticing the even quieter noises masked by the humming of the vent.
-
Zytra is plucked back out of the Fuzzy Place again when they hear another sound from the vent, this time it sounds more like a weird coo. Is there some creature in the vent? Zytra warbles out a questioning coo in return to the vent-alien and moves into a proper sitting position, curling their tail around themself. Zytra wonders what they look like to the creature, does the creature think Zytra looks like a baby? Does it think Zytra looks like a snack? Is the creature trying to lure Zytra into a false sense of security with its weird coos and soft noises? Zytra looks down at themself, maybe the creature just feels bad for them, with how their feathers are ruffled and their skin has permanent discoloration in the form of lines covering it. Maybe the creature is just lonely and wants some company, Zytra is probably not the best company to choose, but they can try their best!
Zytra starts to move closer to the vent, they don't have to move very much until they are face to face with it. The vent-alien makes another soft noise, the noises it makes are very odd, not like the sharp and rough bark-chirp-hisses the Dxmons make, nor like the buzzing, hisses, vwoops, or mrrups of the other aliens that the Dxmons have in the other rooms sometimes, vent-alien makes a sort of humming-bark like noise. Zytra makes a sort of chirp-greeting at it, before realising that vent-alien most likely doesn't even know what they are saying. Even though they only know the basics of the language, Zytra furrows their eyebrows and tries to gather up the noise required for them to talk like the Dxmons, “Hellllo?” they try to say, but it comes out a bit too long and not at all perfect. Before Zytra can beat themself up about it, a surprised sound comes from vent-alien, there is a bit of silence before vent-alien speaks, this time Dxmon-speak.
“!Hello there little-one!” the words sound like they struggled to get out but also with a hint of a surprised tone. The words make Zytra a little giddy, the vent alien is talking to them! They deserve to be spoken to! In Zytra’s opinion this is much better than the blanket they got as a reward. Zytra realises that their wings have been shivering, a tell-tale happy emotion, similar to the swinging of a Dxmons tail when it is pleased.
Zytra calms them down and focuses back to the vent, they try to peak past the vent covering but can only see darkness. Abruptly Zytra decides to stick their fingers through the slits of the covering and hope vent-alien doesn't bite them off. The metal is slightly warm against their small hand, but it is nothing compared to the warmness that touches their fingers from the other side. Both hands jolt away from each other, both startled by the drastic temperature change of touching the other. The rumbling of vent-alien’s voice comes again, “sorry little-one, it's ok” vent-alien speaks in Dxmon again.
Zytra’s response is automatic, “I soorry I ront do it again” it is a bit hard to say but they hope that pulling away hadn't made vent-alien mad, even if they said that it's ok. “It's fine little-one” vent-alien says again, they pause before adding “?what's you name?” this makes Zytra pause for a flick, they had already assumed that vent-alien had known what their name was, considering what vent-alien has been calling them ‘little-one’.
Zytra was named by a Dxmon on the first ship, also the last ship, they were on. On the ship they were born on, the Dxmons had given them the name ‘Zytra’ which means Little Zytrarian, Zytrarians being the first species to space, and they also have feathered wings and are not very liked by Dxmons, to Zytra’s knowledge.
Back to vent-alien, Zytra responds with a little difficulty “?what's yous? I Zytra”, vent-alien responds with a coo, “!Hello Zytra! My name’s Terran” Terran responds with a pleased tone. Zytra finds it a bit odd that they said hello again, but supposes that this could be a normal thing, so they respond back the same.
“Hello Terraaa-” Zytra trails off with furrowing eyebrows, the last part of Terrans name is a bit hard to pronounce, but before Zytra could try again, and seeing their struggle, Terran cuts in “its ok Zytra, you can just call me Terra” they say easily, but Zytra doesn't want to seem disrespectful, is mispronouncing names disrespectful? Zytra is sure it is. Seeing Zytra getting a bit upset at the prospect of shortening Terran's name, they cut in again, “it's ok, i'm sure, it is fine to call me Terra. It sounds nice shortened a little, anyway” Zytra thinks that Terra has mind-reading powers.
“Ok soorry, helllo Terra” Zytra says, face again right next to the vent. Zytra calms their, again, shaking wings. A question comes to mind then, and with a little bit of difficulty, Zytra voices it. “What are you dooing in da…” not knowing the word for it, Zytra gestures to the vent. This causes Terra to pause for a bit longer than normal, was this an offensive question? Is Terra supposed to be in the vent? Hesitantly Terra speaks again with a unsure noise, “?in a vent?” Terra makes another unsure sound “what are- ?what are you doing in a cell?” Zytra almost laughs, Terra is a little silly, don't they know this is where Zytra is supposed to be? “!This iss my room! I suppose to bee here! ?You suppose to be in a- in a vvett?” Zytra asks again, this time struggling with the last word.
Terra makes a little noise, it might be a laugh, but it sounds a bit nervous. Terra makes another unsure-nervous noise ‘uuhhm’. Is that a word? It must be. “Uhh no.. but you shouldn't be in a- in this room either”. Zytra bites back quickly “?where I be then? The Silver Room? !I jus there!” Terra is very silly Zytra concludes. “?You not suppose be in vvent? Why you there den?” Zytra asks, is Terra cleaning it? “?Do you want to know a secret Zytra?” Terra whispers in a conspiring tone. Oh a secret! Zytra must be special for Terra to be trusting them with it! When their wings start to shake Zytra doesn't bother calming them, they're excited! “!A seecret!” Zytra says trying to whisper “!yess!”
Terra takes a huffing breath before beginning, “I'm not supposed to be here, I snuck on” Terra says, still whispering “but you can't tell anyone” they quickly tack on. “!Is ok Terra! I keep secret forr you!” Zytra hears a short laugh huff out from the vent and grins, “?why you snuck on? Dxmon not let you on? Dey let others on” Terra huffs out another laugh, this time laced with a emotion Zytra can’t decipher “No, the Dxmons dont like me very much, and I don't like the Dxmons”. “?Whyy?” Zytra questions, Zytra hopes Terra is ok with questions. “Uhhh..” Terra pauses, thinking of how to explain this “Zytra what is your species?” Terra asks a little unsurely. Zytra makes a questioning trill, “I don't know, Dxmon don't ‘ave name for me” at that Terra makes a sort of sad noise, “?you don't know your species? Were you raised by Dxmons or something?”.
The last part sounds a little like a joke to Zytra, but, the Dxmons did raise them? How would that be a joke? Did Terra not know anything? “?yes? I was born on last ship i was on, ?why you ask wha my speciess is?” Terra makes another short, sad sound, why are they making those noises? Why are they sad? “I was- i was just asking really.” Terra pauses “Well, Zytra, I am something that others don't really like, something that can eat poison without hurting, something that can break bones by just touching others, something others call a monster” Terra says in a sad tone, they must be sad because they get called a monster, Zytra concludes.
“Is ok Terra, you nott a monsturr” Zytra says, sure that it is true, “you not hurt me, I hurt before, but you not hurt me” Terra makes a choked sound that has Zytra furrowing their eyebrows, are they ok? Did Terra get hurt? Can they speak? Zytra cant speak when they are in the Fuzzy Place, is Terra in the Fuzzy Place? “No i dont think you get it Zytra, my species is Human” Terra says solemnly. Zytra makes a confused chirp, and their tail flicks thoughtfully. Why would the name matter? Are Humans well known? Is Terra ashamed of being Human? “Is ok Terra, you not monsturr” Zytra affirms again. “Do you-” Terra starts, but the conversation is cut short by the sound of claws on the metal floors echoing from the hallway.
Zytra turns away from the vent and stands, it's almost a habit by now after all. The Dxmon walking the halls comes into view just as Zytra stands fully, this time the door doesn't slide open, just a tray of food slides in from under the bars. The Dxmon doesn't even look at Zytra as they back away from their cell door and continue down the halls pulling a cart that Zytra didn't see before, the cart only has 2 other trays of food, even though Zytra’s room is right next to the food-room.
Zytra waits until the sound of the claws are barely heard before heading for the food, it's the first food they've had in two cycles. “?What was that about, you standing like that?” Terra asks from the vent, their voice laced with an unknown emotion. Zytra jumps a little, eyes wide in surprise as they turn their head back to the vent, hands only just touching the tray. Zytra almost forgot that Terra was there in the haze of the moment but responds a bit quieter than before “dats what I suppose do, if I don't I maybe not get foood” Zytra explains, having come to terms that Terra just didn't know the facts of life. Terra gets a little quiet for a bit, digesting Zytra’s words. “That is.. Not good” Terra says, sounding a little like they don't have the words to express what they want to say. Zytra almost gets offended, feathers starting to fluff, before Zytra calms, they can't blame Terra if they just didn't understand. Zytra doesn't respond, they hope Terra doesn't get offended at the disrespect of ignoring them.
Zytra turns their attention towards the food given this cycle, it looks like a few slices of purple fruit again, but this time with green and orange leafy bits instead of the red squishy plant thing that doesn't taste like anything beside it. There is also a packet of water on the tray. There isn’t alot this time, probably because they moved a little during the check up earlier, at least they were good enough for food this cycle. Sometimes Zytra misses their old ship, they always gave them food, and there were even bigger, adult versions of them, they could only see them through the sound-proof, see-through walls though. They always looked so desperate and sad when they saw Zytra, but they did teach them some things! Like cleaning their feathers!
Zytra drags the small tray over to the vent, maybe Terra is hungry? Zytra is sure they could fit some leaves through the vent. “!Look Terra! I got food!” Zytra coos, bringing Terra’s attention to the scraps, and pushes the tray closer and in view of the vent, but instead Terra makes a weird sound, mumbling something in Human before talking in Dxmon, “is that all the food you've gotten today? When was the last time you ate?” Zytra is a little let down that Terra isn't as excited as them, but were instead sounding a little sad. “Las I had foood was two cyycles ago, !but is fine! I go not with foood longer!. Don't be sad, it fine” Terra makes another noise laced with an emotion they don't know.
A bit more curious now, Zytra asks “what that noise you make? Is you sad?” Terra responds sounding a little sadder now, “do you mean what emotion I’m feeling? Little-one I’m just a little concerned for you,” at the head tilt Zytra gives them they elaborate a little bit more, “concern is like… when you are sad or feel bad for something, I am just a little concerned that you haven't ate in a while is all'' Zytra makes a little ‘oooh’ sound at the new thing they have learned, they are learning so many things!
“well I can't be keeping you up now, you eat and I will be back. I have to go get my own food, its all in my bag. I left it at one of the intersections” just as a shuffling noise comes from the vent Zytra shoots out their hand with an alarmed warble, as if that could stop Terra from leaving. “!You can some of my food! Here!” Zytra reaches over and desperately shoves an orange leaf through the vent, but before it could go in all the way it is gently pushed back into their hand. “No little-one it's ok, it's your food, and I also need a little more than that anyway. It will be fine, you will be fine” Terra says with a soft voice, Zytra is sure it would be softer in their own language.
“?You be back?” Zytra says, a sad little coo escaping them, “yes I will, I promise, I will be back Zytra” Zytra thinks that if there wasn’t a vent grate separating them that Terra would hold them, but that is a dumb thought so Zytra shakes the thought from their head, they have only known them for at most two hours, and they definitely dont deserve to be held, let alone touched right now, Terra leaving is enough proof of that. They must have done something wrong. “Ok, bye” Zytra says shortly, tone unknown, even to them, before responding in a farewell churr. Terra responds with a farewell in their own language, a short sound, before more shuffling is heard from the vent and the thuds slowly get quieter.
It is quiet now, the only sound being a sad croon that couldn’t be held back from Zytra as they pick around at their food, eating slowly, definitely not sad, no matter what they sounded like, definitely not sad, they only knew Terra for a few hours. The vent turns on and blows semi-warm air, it feels cold compared to Terra, Zytra’s ears flick down without them noticing.
-
The lights are dimmed and Zytra is almost asleep next time they hear the vents, They are curled up on the little faded grey blanket by the vent lightly dozing off when they hear a faraway thud from the vents. They immediately shoot up to a sitting position, wings flaring up behind them and feathers shaking, Zytra desperately peers into the vent, hoping to catch a glimpse of what Zytra hopes is most likely Terra. Zytra was waiting for Terra for a long time, a long time for them at least, but when Terra didn't show in what felt like three hours and didn't even show after a Dxmon came to collect the empty tray they had pushed out to the hallway, Zytra started to get worried. Did Terra leave? Was Terra just waiting for an excuse to leave? Zytra should have known that promises don't mean anything.
The quiet thuds from the vent, only noticeable because Zytra knows what to look for, start to get closer until a voice comes with the thuds, not directly on the other side, but enough for Terra to be able to talk and not be heard elsewhere. “Hello little-one, I’m back” Terra says quietly, “!Terra! You caame back!” Zytra manages to chirp out, “I thought you lef me..” Zytra yawns. Terra responds with an unknown emotion lacing their sentence, “Oh Zytra I’m sorry I was gone for so long, I had to wait for the Dxmons to go away before I could go and get food, they were right by the vent. I couldn’t move” they explain, “!I was waiting for you so long!” Zytra pauses to yawn, “so long, !hours!” Zytra whisper-yells, reaching up to grip at the vent, a warm hand from the other side reaches up to hold Zytra’s own hand as much as it is able to.
“Why don't you go to sleep little-one, I feel like it is time for you to go to sleep now” Terra says softly from the other side. “?Will you stilll here when i stop sleep?” Zytra pleads, they definitely are not already attached to a figure in a dark vent they can't even see. “Yes I will, I need to sleep too. I will be right here on the other side, I promise” Zytra guesses’ that Terras promises do matter, so maybe they can trust them. “Ok, I sleep now, bye bye” Zytra says, already curling up on the blanket again, back and wings pressed into the vent, tail curled around their small body. From within the vent Terra says something in their own language, “Goodnight” Terra says, “gooodnyt” Zytra repeats sleepily, falling asleep. From the other side of the vent, there is a look of fond surprise on Terras face.