Long times and changes

chapter 4

Walking with a heavy stomach was hard. Nevi didn't know how to describe it. It was hard, but it was a nice feeling. Being this full. He sat down on a bench, drifting away into his thoughts, hands in his pockets.

Qi approached, observing Nevi's appearance. She had not calculating Nevi being this bloated, so obviously he stopped for some snacks or something on the way here. It was 10:25. They still had time. But Qi wanted to be early. Nevi didn't even realize he was sitting in the meeting spot. She watched him move his hands from his pockets, and onto his stomach. He had his eyes closed. He was not aware of her approach.

He was made aware, however, when Qi greeted, "hey there, slob." He stood up, attempting to straighten himself, his distended belly even more visible. "Hey..ugly." Nevi stared down Qi.

Qi was still taller than him. This annoyed Nevi.

"Ugly? Is that the best you've got?" Qi taunted.

She prodded him in the stomach with her finger, fairly lightly, though. Still, Nevi was a bit flustered. "Apparently, you don't have good control over yourself, either." She traced a hand up to his chin before returning it to her side. "If you keep up like this, you're gonna be.. forty pounds overweight in no time."

Nevi let out the equivalent of a growl from his mouth. "I'm not- it was just a one time experience! Can't I enjoy myself?"

"Oh, is eating till you're big as a balloon enjoying yourself?"

Nevi's eyes widened for a moment, then he stepped back, as if thinking. Finally, he answered, by blurting out the first answer that came to mind. "I guess it is!"

Qi wasn't expecting that answer. If she was shocked, she didn't reveal it, though. "Boy, you really are weird."

"Y-you're weird!" And with that, he turned away, having run out of things to say. Luckily, the rest of the group was arriving.

Abella arrived with Erik. It seemed the two were discussing something, as Abella immediately observed Nevi when Erik nodded towards him. Nevi was leaned over, looking rather stressed, as his fingers tapped against his arms. Abella sighed, knowing Qi. She would have to speak to Qi later.

Azita approached, standing by herself.

Eventually, a snake like alien with four arms appeared.

"This must be our advisor." Abella whispered. "Formation." Abella called out.

Qi and Erik lined up, Azita walking past Nevi, tapping his shoulder once, then lining up. Slowly, Nevi stood up, joining the others in the line.

The Advisor approached. With a hiss, he greeted them. "Hello, I suppose you are the fellows Sel contacted?"

Abella nodded.

"And you have the details?" Each S or S noise that was spoken was hissed.

A nod again.

"Good, good. What you'll be doing is making sure an event goes well. A festival, rather. Some separatists have spread rumours around. You are here to make sure nothing goes wrong. I will be..assigning your jobs," the snake studied each of them.

"Sel has told me your names. Azita, you speak many languages, I am told. You will assist in the interviews and greeting people. Erik, as I cannot deny your status as a doctor, you will help anyone with any injuries, minor or not. Qi, you will watch the radios. And Abella, you are to show people where things are and such."

Nevi looked up. "What about me?"

"You.." the snake slithered over, "look like the one perfect for testing poison."

"What?"

Erik shifted uncomfortably, having a feeling what the Advisor was suggesting.

"Ergh.. you look like a person suited to test food for poison. Anything that comes in, you get a small sample of, and you get to eat it. All of it."

Nevi also shifted in his spot. Was the snake referring to his..belly?

Nevi moved to protest, but the snake turned away. "Now, follow me."

Looking at Erik, who met his gaze, Erik only shrugged. Nevi wished he had the ability to know the future all of the sudden. It would have been so useful.

It was a little walk to the grassy fields where the tents of the festival were set up. The snake directed everyone to their spots. Nevi ended up at a currently empty, large table, but it was not long before his first dish arrived. Sweet bread, we meet again. A hand placed on his stomach, he ate the bread, probably the quickest dish tonight. He checked it off and moved to the next, some pudding. Of course. The pudding was thick, and even Nevi had some trouble swallowing it. But no poison. Say..what was he supposed to do if there was poison?

A gurgle as his stomach protested, asking him why he was eating so much. Nevi almost answered, but remembered his stomach didn't use words.

It felt like hundreds of dishes. Sometimes he was lucky. There were small, sweeter dishes. And then there were the large ones. Nevi almost wanted to file a complaint. These were samples? They were not!

Even then, Nevi was forced to undo his jean buttons eventually. He didn't feel like popping buttons - at least, on his pants today. He felt a release on his waist right away. But even his jacket felt tight.

It was some time before Nevi came across probably the most disgusting dish here. He wasn't able to bite into it because it was just hard, like a rock. His first...denial.

Luckily, it was one of the last dishes he had to test, either way. It was hard work. His belly was hard, too.

The Snake approached him and marked his work. He even told him, "go to the hotel and relax, you've earned it."

He earned it, alright. He really did.