Long times and changes

chapter 2

Waking up was pretty tricky. Being on a different planet made it harder.

"Nevi. Nevi. Nevi." Erik attempted to wake up the other guy, but unfortunately, he was sound asleep. Erik had woken up an hour ago, and was already ready.

"Darn it.." he sighed, returning to the hallway. He moved to room 203, Qi and Abella's room. He knocked. "It's Erik," he called.

Qi answered the door, keeping her same, monotone expression. She expected answers.

"He's still asleep. I tried waking him up.." Qi moved past him, muttering something along the lines of, 'you're not trying hard enough.' Erik pretended not to hear that.

Erik stood on one side of the bed and Qi stood on the other, observing Nevi. Normally, this would be creepy. It still was.

Without warning, Qi grabbed Nevi under the arms with surprising strength and pulled him from the bed. Nevi made a surprised noise, before calling out, "Wait, what?" As Qi put him down rather harshly.

"Wake up. We're leaving soon."

Eyes blinking as he struggled to wake up, he felt like laying down, but decided again it. Grudgingly, he too started getting ready. There wasn't much to get ready, anywho. Just grab what he thought he might need.

After sometime, the group gathered in the lobby, Abella making sure everyone was there, before alerting them of the plans for today. "As we still have some hours or so before Sel and his Advisor greet us, we're going to be getting some breakfast. I suggest you all eat enough to last you a good portion of the day."

Azita nodded in agreement, or what seemed to be. "My kind do not require solids, but the rest of you do. I do presume where we're going to has a good selection?"

"Excellent observation, Azita. Yes, it will. Afterwards, I will allow you all to wander, but at the latest I'd like you all to return to the central square by.. 10:40."

"Off we go, to the restaurant, then!"

Nevi was somewhat glad that they were starting off the day with food. Mostly because he was fairly hungry. Also because he desired some of that..'bread.' He wondered, as they were walking. What he would call it. 'Sweet bread?' It was probably already a thing, but he didn't know what else to call it.

They arrived at the restaurant and entered.

Upon entering, Erik made an observation. "It's a buffet."

"Well, the people here do not call it that. It's more of a grab what you want thing..." Abella started.

"..so, a buffet?"

"I suppose."

They approached the tables, and Qi seemed to examine each dish displayed. While the rest of the group (minus Azita, who had approached one of the workers and retrieved a yellow nectar from them) seemed to be waiting, Qi set an example by getting her plate and taking a bit of meat, and some salad, and moving to a booth table.

The rest followed, while Azita took a seat with Qi. The two engaged in rare conversation.

At this point, nearly everyone had something to eat. Nevi was the last to sit in the booths, with the most on his plate. He was also somehow able, yet again to hide his lower face while he ate, much to the annoyance of certain members of the team, who had not admitted they were curious what his face looked like. Or the majority of it.

"Y'know," Qi's voice did not distract Nevi from his current focus, though he was paying some attention, "I do believe, when Abella mentioned eating enough to last you a good portion of the day, she did not say, pig out, you slob."

Nevi seemed to hear her, so he swallowed, clearing his mouth. His voice slightly muffled by his hand, the only reply he really mustered up was "shut up," before he continued with his meal.

"Don't be so mean, Qi.. I mean, this is the best food we've gotten in..a year?" Erik tried to defend Nevi, but even he slightly agreed with Qi. Qi just rolled her eyes in response.

Azita and Qi were the first to finish. Qi left the area, and Azita stayed within the building, though left to talk to some of the locals.

Nevi had left, but returned with his second serving. Erik had finished, but was debating whether to stay or not. Abella was moving to leave. On one hand, it would be awkward to stay, considering how Nevi didn't really like to talk while eating. It would just be..silent. Well, not really.

On the other, he felt bad about leaving Nevi by himself. He was aware Nevi probably didn't care for him too much, but it was the least he could do, for now,

So he decided on staying. Awkwardly. He didn't try to stare at Nevi too much, as that was rude. But he glanced over when Nevi leaned backwards with a grunt, hands on his abdomen. He still had items left on his plate.

Erik attempted conversation. "Are you..are you finished?"

"Huh..oh." Nevi seemed to have not realized Erik stayed with him. "No." He said, leaning forwards and covering his face again to eat.

"..okay."

Nevi continued for a moment then paused. "Erik,"

"What?" Erik responded, curiously.

"Why are you still here? You're done. You can go now."

"I didn't want to leave you by yourself, seeing as everyone else was gone."

"Hm." Was Erik's only response.

Erik crossed a leg over another, crossing his arms. Finally, Nevi seemed to finished as he pulled back his mask up after cleaning his face, leaning back to relax for a bit. He hadn't eaten this good since..a while ago.

He burped, patting his stomach. "I think I'm finished," he sat up.

Erik looked around nervously before grabbing his own plate, as well as Nevi's, who seemed to not be bothered by him taking the plate. His current goal was getting up, right now. And boy, he did not expect it to be so..troubling. Perhaps he had misjudged how tricky it would be as he lifted himself from the seat, feeling how heavy his gut was right now. It felt a lot different sitting down. Looking down again, Nevi made sure everything was secure, and that he wasn't missing anything.

Erik returned in silence, also looking over Nevi, who you could definitely tell had a bit of a gut. It wasn't fat, just a bloat. His stomach was rounded out slightly; previously, it had been flat-ish. Nevi grunted as he approached Erik, a hand on his stomach.

"Uh..are you good to go?" Erik asked. Nevi opened his mouth, another burp escaping, "Eh..yeah.." he said.

"Right." Erik took the lead, keeping his pace slow. Currently, he was unsure where to go, but was aware that Nevi might not want to move too quickly. He was breathing a little bit faster, but it was hard to hear.

"Hey- slow down a little bit." Nevi called to Erik, who stopped, turning around. Hands in pockets, Erik asked, "is something wrong?"

"N..yea?..maybe?" Nevi struggled with words. "I need a drink," he stated. "I'm dying of thirst."

Erik bit back what he was going to say and sighed. "I'll find something."

"Yeah, and I'll wait here."

"Wait, what?"

Nevi slid down a wall, sitting down. "You heard me. Fetch me a drink. I'll wait here."

Erik stared at Nevi as Nevi did the same. Finally, he put his face in his hands, then gave up. "Fine, I'll get you your drink."

Nevi chuckled lightly. "That's what I love to hear."