Xant rarely ever left the sanctuary of the research floors, he had no need to venture past his own office. Often he would send his assistants to collect data reports or to retrieve whatever physical item he needed from the other departments. Since Jasmine had become his responsibility he found himself running more and more around the station. He wanted to be the one to deliver and discover, and now he was going to discover why Rynard even thought to take Jasmine to the Security office and deliver his opinions on the matter.

Xant waved his hand over the sensor.

“Security Office, Dr. Xant authorised.” The large door took an eternity to open, enough time for the doctor to have his cold glare ready to strike at Rynard.

The security office was modelled the same as the many other laboratories on Uleesia station. A smaller anti-chamber filled with the necessary equipment greeted you at the entrance, then another door lead you to the larger enclosure/testing facility, in this case it was a training room. Xant’s eyes locked onto the observation window and his ears fell flat on his head.

Rynard was standing at one end of the room while Jasmine was charging straight at him! He watched in horror and amazement as the human leapt into the air, shifting her center of gravity mid motion, coiling up her legs and slamming her feet into Rynard’s abdomen. The former soldier took the force with ease, he stepped back only to return the force with an almighty grunt. Jasmine's legs recoiled, bouncing off the brute and sending herself flying backward, she did not have the coordination to land in an upright position. She crashed backwards onto the floor, the armour making a terrible crunch against the clinical tiles. She slid a few feet and let her body go where it wanted, laying spread out on the floor.

Then they laughed.

It was over in a matter of seconds, but Xant felt as though it was he who had been kicked in the chest. A blow like that would have certainly knocked any of the scientists on board off their feet. It would have caused serious damage to any Citizen. Jasmine had never shown any indication she was capable of such violence. Even in Krydon’s lab she had merely shouted at the assistant, her  arms were firmly at her side, never lifted to strike.

Rynard walked over and extended a hand for Jasmine to get up, they were smiling at each other. Jasmine's face flush red with bared teeth, Rynard returning with his own sharp grin.

Something was said between them, the observation speaker had been turned off. Xant was all too ready to remedy that. He walked over the the control panel and pressed the sensor a little harder than he should have.

“If you wouldn't mind,” his voice low with deliberate pacing “I believe I am owed a very detailed explanation as to what transpired during my rest.”

Jasmine's head snapped toward the observation window and Rynard felt the intruding knot tighten under his chest.

“Xant?” Jasmine enquired to no one “(He sounds mad…)”

Sieglinde barked excitedly at Xant’s voice and bolted to the exit, scratching at the door.

“Eh, you know doctors and schedules, they don't gotta lot of tolerance for the unexpected.” Rynard tapped the Dataslate on his arm and replied to the waiting doctor.

“Sure thing! Be right out.” He then assured Jasmine, “Don’t worry, he ain’t mad at you.”

“Okay.” She replied not entirely convinced.

Sieglinde’s scratching eventually knocked the sensor and the doors opened for her, she bounded toward the doctor.

‘(Friend Xant! Friend Xant has come to play!!)’ She spun in circles before him, barking with each short breath ‘(We were running and chasing and jumping and climbing!)’

Xant steadied himself, he didn't want to unleash his discontent on the innocent creature.

‘(That sounds like fun friend Sieglinde.)’ Was the quick, dismissive answer before he addressed the Captain with his prepared glare.

“Captain Rynard-” Xant barely waited for him to clear the entrance “-An explanation, please.”

Rynard felt his shoulder twitch and tighten, and that gave him pause. The good doctor was the only other on aboard who had any real experience with Freq Manipulation first hand. Most notably because he could actually perform it with a level of self control. He wasn’t exercising that self control in this instance.

Rynard gave a little huff through his nostrils.

“While protocol states that I should have returned our Guest to her room and awaited your instructions as per ED Laandi’s orders, neither I nor the Guest felt that it was in our best interests and so,” he shrugged, “We decided to conduct some GCS standard operation drills, in order to pass the time.”

Jasmine slowly stepped past Rynard, careful not to cross the glare line between him and Xant.

“Morning Xant…” Jasmine greeted, trying to tuck imaginary hair behind her ear.

“And equipping an untested Subject with Military Grade equipment? I see you skimmed over that protocol too.” Xant Frequency jabbed Rynard again, painlessly, a precise and focused effort on his part.

“I did a risk assessment, found none, and continued on.” Rynard took the force effortlessly.

“Risk assessment to yourself, the Subject or the station? This is uncharacteristically reckless of you Captain. The Subject has been know to push herself in order to achieve recognition, putting her through GCS operation drills before she has even undergone a full physical examination is endangering at the very least-”

“I’m right here!” Jasmine interjected, “(No need to ignore me.)”

Xant and Rynard’s turned toward her, and Xant’s expression calmed.

“Good afternoon Jasmine,” Xant returned her greeting. “Forgive my outburst, I have received a lot of distressing news concerning your wellbeing. You are not injured or strained from the drills?”

“Well, I was happy to stretch my legs, as it were,” she sighed. “The only thing injured was my pride, really.” The knot tightened in both the doctor and the Captain’s chests, stronger than it had been before. “It was nice to be able to relax and not worry about… Everything.”

Xant stepped forward lowering his head to make true eye contact. Was that the cause of all this anxiety? He had thought they were making good progress, she had been growing more comfortable and making jokes. Had his warning of the removal of Sieglinde caused such an impact? Had the meeting with Laandi undone all of his hard work building a rapport?

“You’re worrying about everything?” Xant asked concerned.

Jasmine let out a bewildered,“eh?!” before continuing her explanation.

“Xant, in the last three weeks I’ve had so much information thrown at me I’m not even sure it’s all sunk in yet! Between finding out aliens (fucking) exist and that dogs can talk on a Frequency we can’t detect without a (psychic) translator, I’m surprised my own head hasn’t imploded!” She dropped her shoulders and closed her eyes.“(Don’t get too worked up, calm down.) Rynard hasn’t asked me any questions and he didn’t push me. Humans sometimes exercise to relax, and forget about the bigger problems they (can’t handle) need to work on. I just needed to work out some frustrations and, Rynard makes an excellent punching bag.”

“She was never in any danger.” Rynard pointed out before Xant could have his say. “I may be ex-GCR, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten Citizen limitations.”

Xant was caught between comforting Jasmine and continuing his lashing out of Ryanard.

“Jasmine,” he turned to her, his decision made. “If at any time you feel uncomfortable, you know you can speak to me, if needed we can reschedule the tests and allow you time to recover-”

“No!” She snapped, and then stood straight, the armour giving her strength. “I want to do the tests, I want (need) to be cleared for the station. (and other things.)”

“Other things? What things?...” Xant asked, as he felt her anxiety loosening and tightening at regular intervals.

“I… (shit) You said I’ve been granted ‘Creator Level Status’ but that’s not official until I go through the tests right? So I am not a ‘citizen’ until those tests are done, I don’t have any real ‘rights’ until I'm certified. I need to know what it entails, I need to know exactly what’s going to happen to me after all these interviews and test are done with, when I’m not a ‘Research Subject’ anymore.”

Xant and Rynard looked at each other, the anxiety was turning into fear.

“You will become a citizen, and then are protected under the GCS legislation, all of which will be explained to you when we have the appropriate negotiator on board. There are protocols and safeguarded regulations in place and I will be with you during the entire procedure.”

The knot loosened. Xant continued with more confidence.

“Your wellbeing is my utmost priority, and if I must, I will hold your hand.”

Jasmine was taken back, letting out an unsure chuckle

“You?.. Did you just make a joke?” She smiled, not the broad grin as she had done to Rynard but the polite smile he was used to.

“I never said I was incapable, just that our senses of humour were different. I had hoped this one would help to put your mind at ease.”

Jasmine sighed, and the tension unraveled.

“Thank you Xant, and, I’m sorry for snapping at you, just now and back at my room.”

“There will never be a need for you to apologise Jasmine.” Xant found himself once again repeating the phrase. “Once you are ready we can return to our schedule, we have a small window for a meditation session before the Perception tests begin.” He nodded, pulling back to his normal height.

“Okay, umm, can I keep the suit on?” she asked.

Xant turned his head to Rynard.

“Will she be allowed to wear this suit without station clearance?”

“It’s an Esaander Employee registered hard suit, it has none of the offensive security features.” Rynard explained. Xant returned to Jasmine his ears wavering with his nodding head.

“If that makes you comfortable. I have no objections.”

“Thank you.” Jasmine gave him a different smile, a gentle warmth radiating from her.

“Good, then we shall be on our way.” The doctor stated before addressing the final member of the room.

‘(Friend Sieglinde, please walk with us.)’

‘(WALK?????)’ The dog wagged its tail excitedly ‘(MORE WALKS!! Will we see trees Friend Xant?!)’

‘(Of sorts, come with us.)’

‘(Oh yes! Walks with Friend Xant and Namegiver Jasmine!)” She ran around in circles before heading to the door.’

Jasmine laughed at Sigi’s adorable actions.

“Oh man I can’t wait until I can hear what you guys talk about.”

Xant lead the way, following after Sieglinde.

“I believe it will be I who is more fascinated to hear the pair of you talk.” He added “I would love to better understand the strong connection between User and Creator.”

“Dog is Man’s best friend.” Jasmine replied, meeting Xant’s eyes as she passed ahead of him. “(But we really don’t deserve them.)” Her mind echoed softly. Xant was about to enquire, but he left it alone, watching as Jasmine picked up the makeshift leash. “Your room is this way, yeah?” She asked, pointing down the left corridor.

“Yes,” Xant answered simply, watching the human walk ever so naturally in the armoured suit. His ears flitted up, he had made the right decision. Even if he did end up a uncredited jabber, it would be worth it to understand her.

“Dr., before you go.” Rynard voice muttered through the open doorway. “I'll have the results of our session waiting here for you. I’d like to go over them while Jas’s on rest.”

Xant nodded in reply but didn't look back.

The Captain had already given her a short name. Interesting.