As the portal fizzled away Rocket stood silently, amazed at just how quickly Sa’Loane had left; as if she wasn’t the one who insisted on meeting. The purple of the sky began to drip in through the window, shifting the shadows just barely so that they morphed into entirely different shapes. There was nothing that could be done about this but at the same time Rocket felt that there should be something. That somehow she should be able to reclaim whatever tired shapes that were just surrounding her. Rocket frowned just a touch at the realization that she couldn’t---not that she assumed she could previously, it was more of a hope than anything else. Rocket shook her head, she needed to focus on the question at hand. What if she did help Sa’Loane? Would that really help her?

Maybe, maybe.

It was strange in a way that the very thing on Earth that symbolized purity was a symbol of vice somewhere else. Still though, what good would that do? Some petty self achievement stating that maybe Rocket could in fact be worth the trouble of reassessment? Is it worth it. Rocket sighed and began to pace, her footfalls were quiet, though a bit unnatural due to a plate in her knee. It was something of the way that Sa’Loane had asked too, no, not asked, told---demanded that Rocket assist her. If this was truly something that Sa’Loane was worried about why would she wait until someone like Rocket came along to help? And, if something was such a high crime just to garnish a halo, could Sa’Loane really be trusted? Rocket stopped pacing and glanced back at the spot where Sa’Loane had disappeared. In the air a lingered a tiny faint triangle.

“Sa’Loane.” Rocket called, narrowing her eyes just slightly.

In an instant the triangle expanded, and again burned, though this time the fire was so hot that Rocket had to take several steps away just to avoid her skin blistering.

“You called?” Replied Sa’Loane as she stepped out of the portal.. This time her outfit was entirely different. Her bomber jacket was a bright cherry red, and her pants and shirt were white.

“Answer my questions.” Rocket demanded, trying to achieve the same cool tone Sa’Loane had just moments before.

Sa’Loanes ears twitched, but instead of replying she simply gestured for Rocket to go on.

“How did you know I failed my test?”

“I watch all of the peacemaker tests, well, the ones I care for,” a pause, “humans have...a very interesting way of testing. You test for physical strength and durability, one(1) sided morality and two(2) sided memory where you do not have it. Humans have very simple processes of analysis as well---it makes you very interesting to watch.”

With a soft click Sa’Loane lit what appeared to be something similar to a cigarette. For a moment it was hard for Rocket to see where the cigarette ended and where Sa’Loanes hand began as both were black. Once lit the cigarette gave off an odorless creme colored smoke, she took a drag, and no matter how long Rocket stared at her Sa’Loane never seemed to exhale.

“What do you mean that I was cheated?”

“Who fails a test for not being aware enough?”

“Me, apparently.”

“No, not you,” Sa’Loane replied, her tone firm. “No one does, what happened is that one of them isn’t ready to give up their title. They’re stalling.”

“So?” Rocket snapped, bitterly turning her back to her acquaintance, “that doesn’t mean you can get me another chance.”

“If you help me it will prove that you are more than qualified for the position. Besides, the only one to pass the test already ran out.” Despite the alarmed expression she received Sa’Laone remained calm; her bottom set of eyes shut slowly as she waited for Rocket to respond

“I find it hard to believe someone would do that. It’s an honor to be a peacemaker!”

“Perhaps to you, for some it’s a nightmare.”

Rocket’s heart skipped just a touch, a nightmare. There was something eerie about the way she had said it. As if at any moment her portal would open back up and something horrific would crawl out of it. As if she had seen something she never meant to or wasn’t supposed to. Perhaps that was how it was supposed to sound though, a threat or maybe a warning.

The colors in space around them slowly began to turn into a creme as Sa’Loane stared Rocket down waiting for her to make the next move. Every breath felt so alive, and each second was one to many, and maybe she should have said nothing at all

“In a lot of planets it’s near impossible to get someone to volunteer to become a Peacemaker” Sa’Loanes tone was firm

At all.

“Oh.”

Perhaps she was over thinking, and not listening---it couldn’t be, was Sa’Loane even really there?

“On those planets,” Sa’Loane continued, “they don’t care what happens outside their system but humans somehow always do. Without fail.”

“I wouldn’t say humans always do,” Rockets tone was bitter as she lingered on the word always.

“No?”

“No.”

“Well then,” Sa’Loanes cigarette smoke turned orange, “you must be a remarkable exception.” Her voice was ever changing, and now it echoed in Rockets head—-almost as if she were speaking into an empty hall. The smoke then turned red, and even though the cigarette had been lit for awhile, it did not seem to get any shorter. Sa’Loane didn’t seem to notice.

“Why would you need my help? There are plenty of other humans on this planet that failed this test too.” Rocket said, ignoring the...compliment?

Sa’Loane narrowed her eyes, and though she said nothing, Rocket could swear that there was something Sa’Loane wanted her to remember. Without explanation Sa’Loane shook her head and in turn shook off the question.

“If you do not want to help then that’s fine, but it won’t change that I will need it.”

“What would I have to do?” As Rocket finished her sentence Sa’Loanes ears perked and she gave one hesitant tail wag.

“You have to travel to M’bacsha, my home planet. Then attend my trail.”

“That’s it?” Rocket asked.

“That’s it.”

“How long is this supposed to take?”

“That’s entirely up to you.”

“Can I see my family first?”

“Of course.”

Rocket nodded, her eyes scanning Sa’Loanes own for any hint of dishonesty. But, as the two(2) had just met there was no way for Rocket to tell anything other than that Sa’Loanes eyes were truly beautiful. Sa’Loane had no pupils, only whites and upon closer inspection her eyes glowed, just slightly. Rocket took her brown gaze away, and stared at one of the walls. What did she have to lose? Probably a lot.

“I’ll help you.”

“The deal is set.” For a moment Sa’Loanes eyes and halo glowed brighter, her voice louder, and then in an instant “pack your things,” all those things went back to the way they were before.

“Wait, now?”

“Now.”

Rocket hesitated, finally realizing just how sudden her decision was---how (despite that she very well could) she could not change her mind. Sa’Loanes hard gaze followed her---or maybe not, it was hard to tell. Still, Rocket turned away from her and began to walk back to her room, unaware of whether or not she was being followed. The walk back was mostly peaceful, although every now and then she would catch glimpses of others’ reactions as she passed---yeah Sa’Loane was trailing after her.

“So what happens after I pack?”

“Get on a ship, go to Earth, go to M’bacsha, we go to trial, you get a second test, done.”

As Sa’Loane continued the sound of buzzing began to grow, piercing her words and cutting out fragments of her sentences. Rocket shook her head, hoping to clear whatever it was that was making this sound, but to no avail. The two(2) approached the door which quickly slid open at Rockets presence.

Rocket didn’t take much, which was saying quite a bit because she didn’t even take much when she left home. She packed one(1) bag full of clothes, books, a family photo, a notebook and some pens---and in the last second her favorite poster. Though she knew both her mothers would scold her, Rocket did not bother packing any food; relying solely on Sa’Loanes half hearted word that it would be taken care of. Once she was finished packing she persuaded Sa’Loane to step outside the room so she could change; and though Sa’Loane did not understand Rockets reasoning she complied with a huff and walked out the door. Rocket changed quickly, aware of every second that ticked by as she did so. She put on long black pants, a tank top and a light coat. Rocket stepped out of the room and after one look at her outfit

“Go back,” Sa’Loane muttered, her voice coming out as if she hadn’t spoken in awhile.

Grumbling Rocket turned around and changed again, this time she put on a red long sleeved shirt that read ‘it is rocket science.’ Over that she put on the swing coat that her mother made when she was a child. It was lime green with fuschia clouds at the bottom of the skirt---odd, Rocket could have sworn the pattern had been stars. Rocket shrugged and slipped on black shoes and gloves, and lastly a fuschia sunhat. Finally she stepped out of the room once more, and after receiving an exasperated sigh Sa’Loane beckoned for her to follow.

The desert here on S’quiahna, in its own special way never failed to surprise. It was as if in a matter of hours the whole planet had changed, and not just because it had erupted into purple. S’quiahna itself sang, a crisp melody similar to electro-swing and it was all Rocket could do not to dance and walk just silently. How boring. She kept stealing glances at Sa’Loane who seemed not to acknowledge the bright lights, the warmer temperature, and the electrifying atmosphere. Rocket frowned and trudged on, concentrating on the music that surrounded her in an attempt to not feel awkward. They passed by markets which seemed to have their own rhythm, much different than their red sunned counterparts. It wasn’t all different though, in fact the overall everyone around seemed just the same. At the turn of every hour however more humans would retire to bed, while others would start to rise---and even so others would look like they hadn’t slept in long time. The most common reason for this being that they felt they had something to prove, that they could stay up for just as long as the natives of this land; they never could, but these people were always new and wouldn’t give in until they were about ready to pass out. Luckily it wasn’t a huge problem. Sa’Loane huffed, and for a moment Rocket thought that perhaps Sa’Loane could read her thoughts; but that feeling subsided when Rocket looked over and saw that Sa’Loane had stopped a few paces behind her. Rocket turned but did not move as she traced to where Sa’Loane must have been staring. In the sky, in the far, far distance was another planet, one that Rocket was sure had not been in site when she had landed. Even from here it was glaringly white and ribboned with a three(3) rings.

“Which one is that?” Rocket asked.

Sa’Loanes ears twitched in her direction, she didn’t reply but instead sighed and turned her gaze away from the planet. Without a word she continued on, passing Rocket without a glance.

“What are we looking for?” Rocket pressed; letting the other question go even though it still burned to be answered.

“I know where we’re going.” Sa’Loane replied.

“Okay, so where then” Rocket lingered on the word where.

“We’re getting on a ship and going to Earth.”

Rocket sighed and changed the subject, “I haven’t seen nightfall since I left Earth.”

Sa’Loane looked down at her, and for the first time since they met was genuinely interested in what her human companion had to say.

“It’s not something I ever thought I would miss, but the constant sun makes everything feel endless.”

“Don’t humans wish for endlessness?” Sa’Loane asked as she looked back up, careful to make sure that she didn’t seem too interested.

“I dunno, it feels restless.”

“Restless?”

“You know how in sand,” Rocket kicked at the ground, “if you stand in one place for too long you start to sink? But you can still move and even though you do it feels like you’re not getting anywhere? Kinda like that.”

“I suppose that makes sense.” Sa’Loane replied quietly.

“It’s hard to explain, for me anyway---it would be nice to feel like the day ended.”

“The days end here.”

“But a sun is always up, it doesn’t feel like anything is ever complete.”

Sa’Loane tilted her head, still not fully comprehending the issue. It didn’t matter Rocket supposed, but in that moment she was reminded how human the feeling was. How human she was.

“Are there other things you miss about your home planet?”

“I miss the food,” Rocket said after a moment's hesitation.

“Is not all food the same?” Sa’Loane asked.

Another pause, “do you not eat?”

“Not like you, we get all our energy from liquids.”

“Can you eat?”

“We can, I’ve just never tried.”

“It’s not all the same, there’s a difference between foods here and at home. There’s difference between food at my house and food just a few minutes away too.”

“Hmmm,” Sa’Loane crossed her arms and bowed her head in thought.

“When we go to Earth I’ll see if my mom will cook for you.”

“Unnecessary.”

“What do you there isn’t any liquid?”

“There always is.”

“Not on Earth.”

“There will be liquid on you.” As Sa’Loane said this she looked at Rocket, and this time was undeniably looking her in the eyes.

Rocket swallowed hard.

“I’m not going to lick the sweat off you.” Sa’Loane continued, a smile in her voice.

“‘preciate it.”

The conversation stopped, and the music in the air seemed to swell just a touch. Over one(1) of the sand dunes they spotted a ship that looked comically like a clasic alien spaceship. Upon closer inspection however the ship was made up of six(6) half circle structures, each structure just slightly out of line with the ones next to it. There was a line in front of it which moved slowly, though no one seemed to mind.

“We’re here.” Sa’Loane pressed her fingers together and drew a triangle in front of her; the triangle itself just big enough to stick her hand into, which she did. Pulling her hand back out she held two(2)...rocks.

“Here eat this,” Sa’Loane handed her a rock.

Rocket took it from her as they walked down the slope. Once they found their place in line Rocket brought the rock to her mouth---

“Don’t actually eat it!” Sa’Loane exclaimed.

“Aw why not? It looks delicious,” Rocket joked.

“Did humans regress since I’ve been gone?” Sa’Loane whispered. The line began to move, and before they knew it they were handing their rocks to a creature who was also made out of rocks. Rocket smiled a little, wishing that things were simple like this on Earth, though perhaps it wasn’t easy to acquire rocks on this planet. They boarded and were escorted to a room that they were to share, having not paid more rocks to get a separate room. With that taken care of they set out to explore the ship.