Page 10 of Lunar Bound
"We do not require your assistance," Solar stated with characteristic dismissal. “And I am not sensitive.”
Poppy gave him a bemused look. "Really? Because from where I'm standing, you two can barely be in the same room without causing electrical failures. That seems like something that might draw attention."
The lights began to flicker. Lunar automatically reacted to Solar’s wave of heat. He lowered the temperature in the room, summoning the shadows. If the hot-headed Solar wanted a fight, he’d give him one. After being trapped with him for months on a spaceship, Lunar had met his limit.
Eclipse burst into the room with a human female, the coordinator from the crash site. "Both of you, control yourselves. You're causing an outage."
"I tracked the shadow-dweller as instructed," Solar replied with unnecessary self-importance. "He was engaged in unauthorized contact with this human."
"I was conducting necessary reconnaissance," Lunar corrected, refusing to be characterized as disobedient when his actions had a strategic purpose.
Eclipse turned his attention to Poppy.
"Hi. I'm Poppy Jensen. I work at Desert Animal Rescue," she answered with remarkable composure. "I felt your arrival yesterday. I gave your friend here a shadow stone last night when I sensed him outside The Crash Zone."
Solar glared at him. "You attended the human gathering place without informing us and made contact?"
"I was not aware I needed permission to conduct independent exploration," Lunar replied, deliberately allowing his shadows to deepen. The room's temperature dropped several more degrees. Solar's response was predictable. The remaining functional lights pulsed erratically.
"I have a suite reserved for you," Solar’s friend interjected. "Private entrance, separate bedrooms, minimal staff interaction. But we need to get you there now before someone calls the electrical company about the power surges."
"You trust this human?" Lunar asked Eclipse.
“You can call me Rowan,” she said.
"Yes," Eclipse said without hesitation. Lunar noted the emotional indicators in Eclipse's tone. The twilight-dweller had formed an attachment to this human female after less than one planetary rotation. Fascinating, if potentially problematic for mission objectives.
"Fine," Solar interrupted, always needing to act like he had authority. "Lead us to this suite."
"I wish to speak further with Poppy," Lunar stated.
"You can do so later," Eclipse ordered. "After we've relocated to a more secure area."
Lunar observed Poppy retrieving another black stone from her pocket, identical to the one she had given him. She offered it to Solar.
"Black tourmaline," she explained. "It absorbs negative energy. You might find it helpful for dampening your output."
Solar hesitated. Lunar stiffened, ready to defend Poppy if Solar insulted her. Finally, Solar accepted the stone.
He detected the subtle energy shift as the mineral began absorbing Solar's excess emissions. The effectiveness of these natural Earth minerals was unexpected and potentially valuable information.
He wondered how many stones Poppy could get her hands on. He’d like to bury Solar under a pile of them.
"We need to go now," Rowan insisted, checking her communication device. "Stephanie just texted me. The maintenance crew is heading this way to check the electrical panel."
Eclipse nodded. "Solar, Lunar, follow us. And please, try to maintain your human appearance."
As they exited the room, Lunar positioned himself close to the walls where shadows were deepest. He observed Poppy naturally walking next to him, keeping distance while staying within communication range. She adjusted her pace to match his, showing careful attention to his movement patterns.
"The desert has deep shadows at night," she said quietly as they followed the others through a service corridor. "Caves where sunlight never reaches. Places where you might properly rest."
Lunar glanced at her. "You suggest locations for recuperation without knowing my physiological requirements."
"I work with nocturnal animals," Poppy replied. "Creatures that thrive in darkness. The shadows speak to them differently than light." She paused. "They speak to me too."
Before Lunar could respond, they emerged outside into bright sunlight. He instinctively withdrew deeper into his skin-suit, the discomfort immediate and intense. Poppy noticed his reaction and subtly positioned herself to cast additional shadow along their path.
"The suite was originally designed for celebrity guests who wanted privacy," Rowan explained as they walked.
