"You... Need help with... emotion?" You manage to stammer out.
"Situation explain is... difficult... But needing I am help knowing to react in situations appropriate." She explains unhelpfully.
You pinch the bridge of your nose in frustration. You like Krell, you really do. She's kind, and friendly, and eager to help. She's also really, really smart, at least when it comes to math and science. But sometimes you can't help but wonder if she was grown in a tube, or something. Sometimes it's like she just doesn't know how to behave around people. She's got no sense of tact, simple tasks sometimes elude her, and your other friends tell you that when she first showed up she was even worse. Sighing, you realize that, given the help she's given you with algebra, you figure you can at least go over and see what she wants. Plus maybe if you help her out with whatever she wants, maybe you can avoid another sausage incident. You liked that coffee shop too.
"Alright, Krell... I'll come on over and see what I can do."
"Mighty moons many thanks friend Cathy! Vision on you soonly."
"Yeah... I'll be over in a few minutes."
The drive over is uneventful, and you soon reach her house. She answers you at the door, and smiles, then, unsure of herself, extends her arms as if to hug you in greeting, but hesitates, with a slightly unsure look on her face. You decide to take the initiative and give her a small hug, which she returns, the relief on her face is palpable. "Sorry," She says, "I was not sure if contact physical situation appropriate being..."
"Yes, Krell, it's OK to give me a friendly hug as a way of saying 'hi.'" You say with a bit of a sigh, but smile at the same time. The poor girl is really trying to fit in, but it's like she's had almost no experience beforehand.
"Tasticfans. To sleeping quarters you come yes?"
"You mean your bedroom? Sure. By the way, are your host parents home?"
"Negative query. Out night for them are... yes?"
"Yeah, I understand."
She leads you through the house. It's clean, almost immaculately so. You can't help but notice that every room you pass looks like it should be a photograph in a furniture magazine. There's something vaguely unsettling about it. Finally you reach her room, which is the only one thus far that actually looks lived in, though it's spartan compared to the rest of the house. No posters adorn the walls, nor are they any old toys or keepsakes on the shelves. You chalk this up to Krell visiting from abroad.
"So, Krell... What did you need help with?"
"Needing to know how... Oh, is embarrass having..." She actually blushes. Normally she seems almost clinically detached. You fear that whatever it is must be very sensitive.
"It's OK, whatever it is you must be willing to tell me, otherwise you wouldn't have asked me over." You lay a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Needing help I be am going have yes no RRrrgh!" Her words seem to get away from her, and she grunts in frustration. Standing up she walks over to a dresser drawer and pulls out what look like two metal headbands. She hands one to you and puts one on, before taking a deep breath.
"Catfriend, trust having in I, yes? This are... experimental device. On put. May slight pain feel, but initial once am doneover..." She pauses again, she's talking slowly, trying to make sure her point comes across, "Once connection made, good talk will occur?"
"Your saying that these can make us talk... better?" You raise an eyebrow out of skepticism and confusion.
"Yesyesyesyes, now onput please." She says eagerly.
You sigh and shrug, slipping the metal band over your crown. She reaches over and taps a button on yours, then puts her finger on her band, "Now, might uncomfortable be moment."
The meaning gets across, as you wince in anticipation, but you trust she wouldn't hurt you. She taps hers, and for a moment, there's a blinding flash of pain, that sends you to the ground with a cry. It passes quickly, but you're left with a lingering ringing pain. It seems to be fading, as you hear Krell's voice, "Cathy! Cathy are you alright?"
"Owww... Krell? What the hell." You're more confused than angry. Not to say that you aren't angry. That hurt!
"I'm sorry, Cat!" Krell says, very apologetically, "I didn't anticipate the link would cause you that much discomfort." She cradles you, as you grasp your forehead. Fortunately the pain seems to be dissipating rather quickly, which is when something clicks.
"Krell... how come I can understand what you're saying now?"
"It's the rings... They're experimental, and I really shouldn't have used them but the task I asked you over to help me with may require clarity of communications. They work by forming an empathic link between two people's brains so that the intent of their words can immediately be understood. I'm actually speaking my native tongue right now. Your brain is just translating it into English thanks to the empathic link."
"And now it's gone again." Krell pouts, but your grin soon has her perk up again.
"Oh! It was a joke, playing on my tendency to use large or complex words to explain myself!"
You laugh, the pain almost gone, "Yes Krell, it was a joke. Boy these things are really amazing, minus the whole blinding pain bit."
"Yes, they are. Once again, I'm sorry they caused so much discomfort. You can actually take them off now. The link should last for about 12 standard hours."
"Standard hours? As opposed to regular hours?" You rib her.
She blushes a bit, kind of unsure on how to respond. She doesn't have to, as you ask, "So... As amazing as these are, you said you needed help with an... emotion?"
She blushes even harder now, "Yes..."
"I'm not sure I really understand the request..."
"I need you to..." She pauses a minute, and takes a breath, trying to figure out the right words to use and find the courage to say them, "I need you to show me love." She finally blurts out.
Taken aback by her odd request, you finally manage to say...
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author
