Dominion Ch. 05

"We'll try," they said in unison, laughing as they continued down the opposite hallway.

They barely noticed Phenn bumping into them as he stepped into their path to stop them. Jahren looked up at his guarded expression, wondering what he wanted. He was sure the man would have something rude to say in response to Jahren's obvious loss of composure in the courtroom. He was surprised when the stoic soldier clapped a hand onto his shoulder in a friendly gesture.

"I know sometimes it seems like all I see is red when I hear the word 'Kyaga'. I can imagine what I look like when I speak my mind about the... Well, your people. I mean..." he began awkwardly, and then shook his head as if to try and make sense of his own mind. "Look, this is all coming out wrong, I know. I'm just trying to say that you aren't the only one with a temper. I've broken my fist in anger more than once, back in the day. Your heritage doesn't define you, Jahren. And it doesn't rule you, either."

With that, the commander left them alone in the hallway to ponder his words. In a way, that admission meant more to Jahren than anything Farlan or Farias could say to him. He was always head to head with Phenn, arguing constantly, and it wasn't hard to tell they didn't get along. The fact that he would take Jahren aside and say something like that even though they were at each others throats most days made it that much more genuine. Jahren knew the words didn't come easily, and Phenn would not have gone out of his way to say them if he didn't mean what he said.

It was in moments like those that he remembered why he came here. He wanted these people to see him for what he was, and to know that he wasn't a monster. He needed to be a stepping stone that bridged their two worlds together. He had to be example to all of the republic that the Kyaga weren't just heartless monsters. But the pressure to be perfect was eating him alive. He had forgotten the most important part of his job.

They needed to know he was mortal, just like them. That meant he was imperfect as well. He took a deep breath and allowed himself to smile at his brother as they continued down the hall.

"Well, hopefully that was enough to get your attention," Farias laughed ad they continued on through the hallway. "You know he wasn't just flattering you."

"It certainly got my attention," Jahren returned with a chuckle. "Can I as you something, brother?"

"Of course."

"You are in love with her, aren't you?"

The words brought Farias to an abrupt halt, and he stared at Jahren in shock. The Kyaga stopped as soon as he realized that Farias wasn't walking with him, and turned to face the stunned Tourik staring back at him. He was scratching the back of his head and smiling sheepishly as he looked back at his brother.

"Well?" Jahren prompted. "Do you?"

"I don't know how I could, I don't even know her," Farias retorted defensively, and shook his head with defeat before sighing. "But yes... I believe I do."

"Well, that's wonderful, because I have an idea," Jahren replied with a lazy smile. "I think we can find a way to avoid having to fight her if this gets ugly, as it most likely will. My intuition has spoken to me on the matter."

"Really? What is this plan of yours?"

"Walk with me first. You might need a stiff drink after I tell you," Jahren grinned, "It's a crazy plan, but I think you're going to love this one."