The Nature of Predators - Venlil Foster Brother (5/6)

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Memory transcription subject: Jimek, Venlil Art Student

Date [standardized human time]: February 2, 2137

Rauln was blindsided by my mother’s tackle, before any of us could react. The smoke-furred Venlil crashed to the ground, and flailed to shed his attacker. He thrashed with what looked like a signature move, curling his hindlegs up to kick her away. Our maternal figure pinned her ears back, and stepped between the pyromaniac and Dustin. This was the most aggressive I’d ever seen Callsi; she never fought back, not even when a customer choked her for letting humans into the bar! This was not feistiness I’d expect, especially when I’d never seen her this furious.

What is she going to do to me, when she finds out I took Dustin to see Rauln myself? Callsi also just attacked an exterminator; she could be thrown in a facility. This is bad. This is not good!

I was frozen in horror, recalling how easily Rauln pummeled Cylek, even with all of his friends nearby. Callsi signaled with tail language for Dustin to run, before verbalizing the command, after realizing the human wouldn’t understand. The smoke-furred Venlil hissed at my mother, but didn’t make any aggressive moves. Luala and Fyron rushed to stand between the duo, while William struggled out of the van with a groan. Mom seemingly recognized the black-haired human, and her scowl melted into a quizzical gesture. She looked even more mystified, when rather than fleeing, my brother begged her to calm down.

Callsi stayed in a defensive posture. “Dustin, Jimek—I told you both to run. Get out of here! That Venlil dragged my sons off—”

“It’s alright, Callsi! Rauln didn’t hurt us. The exterminators stopped Cylek from hurting Jimek,” Dustin pleaded.

“I don’t understand. Why would you let Rauln kidnap my sons, William? You know what he did! I still can’t believe you work with him.”

Will Kane raised his eyebrows. “I don’t just work with him. I live with him. If you’re feeling sorry for me, you should; it’s a prime example of how us humans have been lowered to indignity.”

“I am raising a human, so I know what you sound like when you’re making a mockery of something! This isn’t a joke! This all traces back to you, doesn’t it? You said at the bar that you had connections, and that you wanted to fund Jimek’s art.”

“Someone has to draw a picture of herbivore animals, with a big, red crossed circle that says, ‘No petting!’ You guys see side-facing eyes and you’re ready to initiate a cuddling session. Which, I get it, because there’s a little voice in every human’s head that the fluffy thing needs doting love…”

Rauln’s fur stood on end, as wildness danced in his eyes. “I am fluffy!”

“Yes! You finally understand humans: congrats! Roll credits.”

Callsi retained a flummoxed expression. “I’m tempted to ask Dustin if that’s true, but I want to know what the heck is going on. Why is the guild suddenly interested in Cylek’s torture of Jimek?”

“Um, they walked by and saw it…” I began.

“I recruited Jimek as an artist two days ago, and we protect our own,” Luala trilled, making my heart drop. “Back to the doting love point, how do you feel about things with feathers?”

William grinned. “Evil. Tell her about geese, Dustin.”

My brother thought for a few seconds, before shrugging. “Yeah. Evil about sums it up. I’m Canadian…I would know.”

“Okay, so are we done attacking each other?” Fyron asked, cautiously lowering her arms; the Farsul was still positioned between Callsi and Rauln. “Dustin’s not in any danger. We’re putting Cylek away, so Jimek will be safer because of our arrival today. Your kids sought us out…which it doesn’t seem that you knew.”

My mother was quiet for a long moment. “No. I didn’t. That’s very interesting, Jimek.”

“Uh…uh…you wanna know about the history of bubblegum?” I offered. “It’s this sap-like thing, and you could sell it at the bar?”

The Farsul exterminator shared a glance with William. “I don’t think the humans will want to chew on gum, which they can’t swallow, while drinking alcohol.”

“People drinking at a bar are there to drown their sorrows or party it up. Or if they’re Luala, both,” William agreed.

“I blow off steam at dance clubs, every now and then!” the Krakotl squawked. “Yes, one of those nights was when the Battle of Earth was playing out. It was a distraction.”

“Like Jimek’s bubblegum comment. Which, judging by how his mom’s practically got steam coming out of her ears, isn’t working. Now don’t give me that look, ‘cause I ain’t helping you lie to your mama. Of the ways you could learn a lesson about hiding things from the people you care about, it could be worse. You gotta go and have a talk.”

Callsi’s eyes had been darting between me and a sheepish Dustin, searching for any answers. “I’m not done with the exterminators. It seems like they’re the only ones giving me honesty.”

“Leave them out of it. Please!” I begged. “We can’t have them go back on taking Cylek in. I’ll take any punishment, but you can’t ruin this.”

“I want to know why you’ve been lying to me, Jimek. And I want to know the exterminators’ intentions for your job, and why Rauln terrorized Dustin in the first place.”

Dustin lowered his eyes. “It’s okay. I forgive him.”

“Well, I don’t. People who would burn humans alive are a danger; to you, to your entire species.”

Rauln visibly reacted to that comment, clearly biting back a retort. The Venlil exterminator didn’t see any issue with burning that Humanity First guy who kidnapped Will. Judging by his suspension, his willingness to torch miscreant Terrans was condemned by his guild. The pyro grumbled for several seconds, before waving his tail in agreement. Callsi herded us over to the sidewalk curb, where we could have a chat. A pit of dread settled into my stomach as I followed. I didn’t want Callsi to undo every measure I’d taken to protect myself! I knew she wanted to help, obviously, but she hadn’t been able to do anything to keep me safe.

I did this because I had to, and I had no choice. Mom hates the exterminators too much to understand; I hate what they did to Dustin…I want to protect him. But I just can’t take the bullying any more.

“Start talking about what you did. And Mr. Kane, don’t you dare go excusing him as angsty,” my mother hissed.

Rauln settled down, nursing the side he’d landed on after Callsi’s tackle. “When my mother died in a predator attack, I had nothing. I wished I could kill every predator that existed, and I still do. That will never change. Sometimes, people break…and they don’t fix all the way. Between watching my mother die to that awful animal, and imagining how it felt to bleed out from my wonderful neck wound, I’m damaged goods. I know I’ll never feel safe again. Inside…there’s an angry kid that’s screaming, and wants someone to hurt for what’s been done to him.”

“Like me,” I breathed.

“A lot like you, Jimek. Our circumstances were different, though. I’m sorry for believing that humans were going to eat us, or attack at the sign of blood, but I wasn’t the only Venlil who felt that way.”

“Blood soufflés are just the chef’s kiss,” William announced, staying upright on his crutches. “Nah, for real, lots of Venlil treat us like shit. Rauln just happened to be an orphan who was given a flamethrower. Like if Dustin went running off on some revenge quest right after…you know. It’s fucking exploitation.”

“I made my choices, Will, and I regret them where humans are involved. But nothing about the guild giving me a home was unethical!”

“They didn’t give you a home, or any type of counseling. I’m sure Callsi wasn’t as terrified as you were of us, since she joined the foster program, so I won’t go using that as an excuse. But I’m sure she’s seen what that kind of loss can do to a kid's psyche. Fuck, I can attest to what it does to an adult’s psyche. How you see the people you lost in everything…how it burns you like acid from the inside out.”

Fyron squeezed his hand, as tears rolled from his green eyes. “I’m sorry. If there was any way I could undo what was done to Earth…”

“Same here, Will. I know one thing that makes you think of Earth is me,” Luala replied. “We all wish we could help you.”

“You did help me. I didn’t deserve it. I shouldn’t have…acted like I wanted to set the world on fire, any more than Rauln. He’s still practically a kid, and he doesn’t know how to process emotions. Please, Callsi, don’t resent him for directing his anger at the wrong targets. He pointed a flamethrower at me—”

“…and beat the shit out of me—” Fyron threw in.

“…and we, or at least I, forgive him. You aren’t broken, Rauln…just fractured.”

“What’s the difference?” the Venlil grumbled.

“It means there’s cracks in your heart, but you haven’t fallen apart. You kept yourself together, enough that you still care about the world. You’re a good person, for an idiot. Tell him he’s an idiot, Callsi.”

Callsi blinked a few times, processing what she’d been told. “I’m not doing that. On what you said earlier, I do know what it was like, thinking Dustin would snack on Jimek if we didn’t feed him. I’m not proud of that.”

“And I’m not proud of what I did at this school.” Rauln flattened his ears, burying his face in his paws. “I’m trying to make up for it, in some small way, by helping Jimek. What’s happened to him isn’t right.”

“I’m glad you recognize that much. How exactly did you come from hating all humans, wanting to burn their children, to working alongside one?”

“Honestly? William stalked me home to my apartment, and we beat the shit out of each other. I thought he didn’t care about anyone, but what set him off was when I attacked his family. It reminded me of…myself.”

“You guys got into a fistfight? Who won?” Dustin asked, eagerness in his eyes.

“I did.”

“Really? But Will’s way bigger than you!”

The human exterminator frowned. “Don’t listen to him. Rauln, I remember you shielding your throat as soon as I drew blood.”

“That’s not how that happened. You wanna go another round?” the Venlil hissed.

“Fuck no. I’m on crutches!”

“Honestly, I kinda wanna see a video of this scrap,” I whispered. “Does your apartment have security footage?”

Dustin flashed his teeth. “Good call, Jimmy. There’s one way to judge who won. I have to know how a Venlil even stood a chance!”

“I mean, Rauln took on seven kids like a force of nature; I don’t doubt he could hold his own. His headbutt’s like a wrecking ball! It was as good as your tackle on Cylek, bro.”

“Cut it out, you two! I tolerate a lot of cultural differences, but this sudden interest in violence is predatory,” Callsi scolded. “I’m not happy with your behavior to begin with. Why are you both so excited about this duo trading blows?”

Luala flapped her wings. “I agree with Callsi. Is this really what’s important right now?”

“I’m not sure why Rauln would want to be more vicious than an actual predator,” Fyron said.

“Because William deserves to be beaten up. He’s a prick,” Rauln jabbed.

“He is, but we love him anyway.”

“We all know you do.”

William glowered at the Venlil. “Why did I even try to get Callsi to forgive you? Tell Rauln you don’t forgive him, on second thought.”

As a bartender, it was rare to see my mother affected by banter, but the exterminators’ jibes were causing visible frustration. Her body language seemed exhausted, and I couldn’t help but feel bad for her; she must’ve come rushing to the school, after learning that I missed my morning classes. Seeing Rauln next to Dustin and I must’ve triggered memories of how even she, for a moment, had thought my brother was a mouth-foaming animal. For me, it brought back memories of when he saved me—how he was the first one to protect me. It also introduced me to the Peacekeepers, which was how we met Uncle Bondy. I missed Olek and Lisa, even though we’d heard from the former as he bounced around the galaxy.

Callsi didn’t flinch away from Olek and his conspiracies, so it reflects on how over the top the exterminators’ bickering is. I don’t think she knows how to react to a Venlil pyro and a bruised-face human arguing about who won a fisticuffs match.

“So fighting each other changed your whole view on predators,” my mother said, directing her comment to Rauln. “Am I understanding that? I don’t like how this might influence my boys.”

The smoke-furred Venlil flicked his ears. “What’s changed between now and then is I don’t see the majority of humans as predators anymore. I’m sorry that I didn’t understand Dustin’s behavior as protective until recently. All our fight history might influence is going after people who malign your family’s dignity.”

“I…am appreciative of your candor. I still shudder to see you near Dustin, especially after you stated you want all predators to die. He has binocular eyes, you know.”

“I know. I also know the beast that killed my mother didn’t have binocular eyes. Behavior speaks louder than eye placement, even if it’s usually an indicator. I have the utmost respect for Dustin, I understand why you reacted to seeing me near him, and I hope you both can forgive me. Those were innocent kids that I frightened and harbored ill will toward. All I ever wanted was to protect people.”

“Rauln protected me today,” I chimed in. “He swooped in and got Cylek away from me.”

My brother nodded. “Rauln hates seeing innocent people hurt, so, uh, I believe he feels bad about scaring humans in the past. The guild made me feel awful, and worried for my safety, but I’m over that now. It puts it in perspective that we’re both orphans. Being an orphan…it really sucks, not to have a family. To think you’ll never have one.”

“William…is my family. My big brother,” the Venlil murmured. “We protect each other, like Dustin watches out for Jimek. It gives us someone to care about again.”

“Rauln’s changed, Mom. The exterminators seem very different, and the fact they upheld their word against Cylek, it shows that maybe they can stand for something. Please, let it go.”

Callsi exhaled a flustered sigh. “If that’s really what you want, Dustin sweetie. If Rauln still wants to hurt things—and I am sorry for what happened to his mother—but if he does, he hasn’t changed enough. From what I heard, he still sees some humans as predators, and stars know where he draws that line. If he’s willing to desapientize any of you, he’s a threat to all of you.”

The exterminator stared at the ground with brooding eyes. “That’s not fair. I saw a human do a monstrous thing. Anyone who hurts the people I love is a predator! The fact that they were human didn’t matter!”

“Would you have been willing to burn a Venlil?” Luala prompted.

“If it was Nam? Yes! Murderers are murderers, torturers are torturers, and they revoked their rights to be called a person!”

William’s eyes darkened with seriousness. “You’re torturing them, a sapient creature, by your own moral standards. Did you revoke your rights, when you enjoyed their suffering? Like Callsi says, where do you draw the line?”

“I…it’s about them hurting other people. I can’t fucking take it. I can’t lose the people I care about. Never! Never again!”

The Venlil exterminator broke down, with tears streaming down his face. While Will’s emotional response to Earth had been measured, for Rauln, it was like a dam breaking; his body was racked by sobs. The black-haired human struggled to sit down on the pavement, before pulling the fluffball close to his chest. Mr. Kane winced, perhaps due to some rib injury, but didn’t let go. His hands stroked the teenager’s head gently; the Terran soothed his roommate through brays and wails of agony. I couldn’t help but feel sorrow for the Venlil’s grief, as William let his found family cry into his shirt.

I feel very similar depths of emotion about my own bullying, but I’ve gotten too wrapped up in my problems. As easy as it would be to break down, I need to be strong for Dustin. He’s been strong for me for too long.

Callsi angled her ears toward me. “Jimek, why did you lie to me about all of this? Taking a job with the guild? Having Dustin lie for you?”

“Because you don’t understand, and you’d forbid it because of the flamethrower incident,” I whispered. “I couldn’t take the bullying anymore. I feel scared, alone, worthless, and angry every day. Nobody does anything to help me, and even you and Dustin can’t. I would do anything to make it stop. I think about hurting Cylek…running away so I don’t have to go to class, but I don’t do that because I love you…I can’t even draw at art school because I’m so angry! Cylek ruins my life, and nobody cares.”

“I care, darling. You know that. I hate seeing what Cylek did to you, and seeing how much it hurts you. I’m beyond grateful the exterminators have put a stop to it. Maybe I…failed you as a mother, by not moving away from here. It was difficult enough to make ends meet, and with the bars here booming, I thought I was doing what’s right by you. Giving you the best life, with the best schools being in the capital. Trying to put you in art school, one day, because it was your dream and I…just wanted you to be happy. To have a better life than me.”

“Don’t be sad! It’s not your fault; I know you sacrificed so much to save up for art school!” I snuggled up to her, as her shoulders slumped. My mother looked utterly defeated, and causing her to feel guilty stirred an awful feeling in my gut. I knew she loved me, and had done the best she could. “You barely have any time or money to do anything for yourself, but you always supported me. There were so many other people who should’ve stepped in.”

“Like me,” Dustin answered in a glum voice. “I should’ve intervened, predator attack be damned.”

“No! I told you not to! Having you taken away by exterminators, locked in a facility or burned…that would’ve let Cylek win. It would’ve removed the one person who’s been nice to me at school from my life. You’re the best thing that’s happened to me in years…maybe ever. I always wanted a brother. I’m sorry for getting you involved in this, but please don’t blame him, Callsi.”

William glanced up, from where he was still cradling a weeping Rauln. “It’s my fault. I put the idea in his head at the bar, and set a horrible example by encouraging revenge fantasies. This all happened because I opened my big, fat mouth to Jimek. I should’ve been man enough to admit how destructive I am to the people around me, even ones I barely know. I should’ve come to you when he showed up at the guild, Callsi, but I thought I could fix it…quietly. I can’t fix shit.”

“I gathered the idea came from you, Mr. Kane. It’s not about blame. If Jimek and Dustin are truly happy and safe, then I suppose your intervention was a decent idea. The fact that they would deceive me…stings,” my mother sighed.

“Working for the guild is the only way I can get protection, and I couldn’t risk that you wouldn’t approve. It was my last hope.” I stayed clinging to my mother, as she wrapped her tail around mine. Seeing her sad was worse than if she was furious at us. “Look, even after hurting you, I have to beg you not to stop me from working there. If Cylek gets out, I don’t know what I’ll do. I’m at my breaking point, and I’ve been at my breaking point so long, that I feel trampled inside…like a stampede victim.”

“Hey, hey,” Fyron chimed in. “What we do with Cylek isn’t contingent on you working for us. That kid is a monster, and we’re standing up for you because it’s the right thing.”

Luala fluttered her wings in agreement. “Yeah, I offered you the job because you’re talented, Jimek. It’d be good for your career, and you seem to enjoy it. If it’s not something you feel comfortable doing, don’t; we’re handling Cylek because we protect people. The guild should’ve protected you a long time ago, no matter who ran a flamethrower company.”

“I see.” Callsi withdrew her tail, and the appendage swayed back and forth in consideration. Her gaze studied me, gauging whether I wanted to take the job…while I wasn’t sure how I felt. “Is this something you really want, Jimek?”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to draw anything that’d hurt humans,” I replied. “By the same token, it’d be really good for my career. It’s a job everyone at art school is going for. The second income could take a burden off your shoulders, which is something Dustin and I both want.”

The Krakotl turned her head toward Will, a sly glint in her eyes. “Like we’ve told you, the guild has changed. Nothing you’ll do will hurt humanity: quite the opposite, in fact.”

“It’s true,” the Terran exterminator grunted. “Volek wants the guild to co-exist with humans. She’s signed off on a lot of reforms, hired an entire division of us, and wants to improve relations with the refugees. Can’t imagine she’d be putting predators on blast, else I couldn’t work with her…no matter what she’s done for me.”

Callsi blinked with reluctance, as though she might regret her next words. “In that case, why don’t you outline the details of exactly what Jimek will be working on?”

Luala unclipped her holopad from her work belt, and I leaned forward with intrigue. Whatever the exterminators wished for me to draw for them, I’d have to see if it aligned with my family’s values. It was a good thing that Callsi had found out the truth, and that amends had been made. This was a decision we could consider together, like we should’ve done all along.

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A/N - Part 5 of VFB! Callsi confronts Rauln about the school incident, learning his past, while Will tries to comfort him; she also asks Jimek why he lied to her, after finding out that he went to the guild and is working for them. Fyron clarifies that their help with Cylek isn't contingent on the job, before Luala begins to explain what the plan is. Do you think the bad blood is behind Callsi and Rauln? What do you think of Rauln's mental state? And last but not least, will Jimek be persuaded to stick with the art job...and would Callsi even let him if he was?

As always, thank you for reading and supporting! I do have some news. For those of you asking for a physical copy of NOP, chapters 1-40 with some rewrites and tweaks, is available for order here. There's an ebook as well. Definitely check if it's available on your country's Amazon marketplace to avoid paying international shipping if you want it and you're not from the US! I'll post about this one more time on Monday's chapter for those who for some reason are not reading VFB (a mistake, but I digress!).