18 ON the bridge (Part 2)

The three of them were whispering in a room full of other people. It seemed more than awkward.

The two R.I waited by the door, without making any remarks.

All sorts of whispers floated around as the three became the new center of attention.

Voli noticed John stare, let out a mild squeak, and shied a step back. Her cheeks turned red and she was mildly flustered; heart racing fast.

"Everything okay?" Theo asked.

"Yo-you two know each other?" Voli wasn't in the condition for speech.

'Shit! She isn't going to spill the beans right?' John couldn't hold his doubts. "We're friends."

At the time he didn't care. But what if she spilled the beans to Theo? What would he think?

"Vol-Voli Sellapi… nice-" Her voice came out high-pitched and she couldn't control herself. She lifted her hands but couldn't really stop trembling. 'Oh no, he's going to think I'm crazy!'

"Pleasure to meet you. I'm John." John shook her hands. Cool and calm. 'It's understandable why she's afraid but perhaps… I've got to silence her.'

Unfortunately, John was wrong and that was rare for him. Voli wasn't afraid of John in the least. In fact, there weren't many things she was afraid of apart from losing money on gambling.

John gradually walked up to her, bent down slightly. "I'll appreciate it if you stayed quiet," John whispered in her ears. "And not tell him."

Theo felt like the third wheel and shrugged.

'Already hitting on people, huh?' Theo already knew his bestfriend and his preferences. So instead, of complicating things, he just wanted to leave. Besides, he was done here.

He looked over at the others. He was attracting a lot more attention than he wanted. One particular glare was really chewing him down. This particular set of eyes belonged to a guy who had previously pushed Theo aside. It was Monty. He had a murderous glint in his eyes. If there was a stove on his head, it would have exploded by now.

"I would never!" Voli placed a hand on her chest and assured John. Again, her voice came out louder than she intended.

Voli's words reached throughout the room and even John had to take a step back to double-check whether human beings were even like this. 'Is this woman alright in the head?'

"I'll let you loVeineirds mingle. I'll head over there and chat." Theo tried to head out. But two hands grabbed his arms from both sides.

John grinned. "Don't go," he whispered.

"Don't leave me alone with him. I can't take it. My insides will go insane: they'll explode!" Voli murmured dramatically.

'Wait, what?' Theo was dumbfounded. He had no idea what his two dumb comrades were going on about. 'Explode?'

Now both John and Voli noticed each other's idiocy. John tried to play it cool with an awkward grin, while Voli just chuckled. Neither of them was convincing.

"Velador Blenn, the ship doctor, nice to meet you." A young man came and introduced himself to Theo. He was blonde and had decent looks. Probably not the richest. He did almost have the same stature as Theo though, if not taller by a centimeter.

Theo took the opportunity and ditched John and Voli. "Theodore Black. I'm an explorer."

"Black? From that famous family! You must be really specked out!" Blenn couldn't hide his excitement. A lot of the others showed signs of surprise too. Especially Monty. He looked more than frustrated. Even he knew messing with the Blacks, the literal leaders of the galaxy, was a death sentence.

However, some were skeptical about Theo. He looked average, so maybe he possessed some sort of hidden ability, like super-intellect? At least that was the general conscience.

But then, why was he appointed to the position of an explorer?

"I'm kind of average so-"

"Pl-please don't be modest. We expect great things from you. The black family head- Lady Venira is one of the greatest minds in human history and also a member of the high council. You can't possibly be average. If you were average we'd all be dirt! DIRT!" Blenn might have been a big fan of Theo's mother; if not the biggest. He didn't quite know that Venira was in fact, Theo's mother though. He refused to believe, she even had kids.

Venira was both charming and powerful. A lot of men worshipped her. As her son, Theo didn't really like that idea and kind of felt annoyed by those kinds of people. But he had to admit, her mother was extraordinary.

'But I'm completely average across the board though.'

Theodore didn't know how he'd get out of the situation. If he told them he was utterly average, everyone would think he was being a complete jerk. But if he pretended to be powerful they'd expect things which he could never do.

"Well since he's here and all, we can safely assume he's got at least something right?" John spread his hands across Theo's shoulder and grinned.

Though Theo ditched him, John, didn't.

"Ye-yes. That would explain why he is still in one piece even after all these years of being your friend," Benn said without making eye contact. His feet started to shake.

"What's he talking about?" Theo wondered aloud.

John's face twisted in anger and he glared at Benn so hard, Benn felt like his heart would explode.

People around them took a few steps back.

Some were going to introduce themselves to Theo but- but now they had other urgent plans.

"No-no-nothing! Nothin! I just kiddin!" He was so scared that his speech began to take a hit. He couldn't even breathe properly. "No-now if you'll ec-ecucuse me, I be over there!" Then he ran from the sight- he almost tripped three times. Velador Blenn, the ship doctor had just met his predator on board the ship Ainmester.

Theo was a little disappointed. But before he could ask John, another person interrupted them.

"You really do have a scary face, huh?" A big guy headed their way.

"I'm pretty sure, that'd be you." John fired back.

The guy laughed and spread his hands towards Theo. "We met the other day. Sorry about my attitude. I thought you were some privileged wannabe. My bad. I'm Glenn. Glenndor Seelin." He was the same guy with the scar who mocked Theo the day before. And he was being awfully friendly.

Even Theo just had to admire his looks. He was probably slightly bigger than John. Red hair, a scar, and terribly well built. If he had claimed to be a wrestler, Theo would have believed him without a shred of doubt.

'I'm pretty sure I'm exactly what you thought me to be though.' "I'm Theodore, nice to meet you." Theo gave his large hands a good shake.