This place is really quite beautiful, Ezza said as they walked along the path. Zas nodded his head as he scanned the areas beside and in front of them. It was true, it did seem like a beautiful planet, but if he’d learned anything over the years it was beauty often hid danger. Like with woman, boy had he learned that lesson well…well sorta…not really. Woman, all woman, were worth the pain, at least until you had them.

Ezza was lost in his thoughts as they walked along. What’s that? Oh, what about that? There were so many new things to explore and learn about. This was why he had trained at the centre. He wanted to delve in to it right away, but heeded Zas’s warning. Who knew what these humans would be like.

Movement off to the side drew his attention. Creatures that looked more like them, were moving quickly to and fro and disappearing into the foliage, only to reemerge sometimes in a different spot. They were laughing and often in groups. Humans. Motioning to Zas they set off to join the crowds.

They started off following a couple of humans around the circular path but the humans appeared to be heading towards some kind of dwelling, so they dropped back a bit. There seemed to be places to sit made out of some of the foliage, humans seemed to sit on them and talk, then get up and leave again. There was a small structure with two doors near by, and some kind of metal sculpture with bars over it near what appeared to be a table with built in chairs in the area as well.

Let’s sit for a moment. We need to find a lone human to gather information from. Sitting down they started looking at different things; Zas scanned for humans, while Ezza looked at the foliage and thought of tests to run to figure out what they were and how to use them. Zas was just starting to get bored when a human came into view. Not just any human, a human female. No mistaking those curves. It was the same all over the galaxies.

Stay here Ezza. I’m going to approach that woman and get some information. Zas said standing. Ezza looked over to see the human coming their way. Ah, a woman.

Make sure you get more than her measurements. Ezza said with a laugh. Zas shot him a dirty look, before giving his clothes a once over and heading towards the woman. A smile on his face, he swaggered over, he noted when she noticed him and smiled back. Easy, he thought.

“Hi. My name is Zas, and you must be named sunset, after all nothing is more beautiful than a sunset, and no one is more beautiful than you.” Zas said as he approached her. She blushed and looked coyly at the ground. Then she looked up and giggled.

“I’m Maria. Maria Benes. It’s nice to meet you Zas. Did you just get here? I came the other day. It’s lovely isn’t it? Very different from the city. I’m from Willow Creek, where are you from?” She asked. She was very bubbly. Zas could deal with bubbly, the questions on the other hand were different. Was she naturally inquisitive or did she suspect something?

“We arrived today, my friend and I. We’re from the city too but not Willow Creek. So what are you doing here Maria?” He stepped closer and turned up the charm. It looked like he was in luck, human Women were just as susceptible to his charms as every other woman in the galaxy.

Ezza sat on the bench and watched his friend work his skills. It wasn’t like this was the first time he had seen it, he had seen it hundreds of times before. Sometimes it was disgusting, but apparently it had its uses in emergencies too.

Just mate her already, we need the info. Ezza said exasperated.

Perhaps your last mating fried your brain my friend. You need to lead a woman slowly to where you want her. Zas fired back at his friend while keeping up small talk with Maria. At the hurt look on his friends face he instantly regretted his words.

Ezza turned away from Zas, lost in his thoughts of Her. So he was a bit surprised when a human walked right in front of him and entered the small building. A few moments later another human went in. Curiosity peaked as they left, he saw another human come and go through the first door. Ezza got up, looked at Zas chatting away to Maria and then followed the human inside.

Where is he going? Zas asked himself as he divided his attention between Ezza and Maria. This was not good. He needed more information now. Looking around them as Maria looked at the ground again, he checked for more humans. Woman are so adorable. He reached out and took her hand in his and lead her (quite happily) to where Ezza had been sitting. He listened again, but there was no one near by except Ezza and the human inside the building with him; neither was moving. Now was the time. Zas concentrated and focused his mind on Maria. She looked at his eyes, seeming mesmerized by something she saw there, then she froze. Her mind opened up to Zas and he scanned the contents.

       

Well that was disgusting. Humans were dirty. As soon as he had walked in there he had known what it was. A bit crude, but obviously a place to relieve ones self. Just as he turned to see Zas using his abilities to gather information, he was attacked by a swarm of tiny creatures. Waving them off, he walked a little farther to the table and sat. Right there infront of him was a plate of slightly cold food. The smells were nice and his stomach rumbled. Grabbing one piece of the flat circular object he bit into it. Delicious! He quickly stuffed his face and then took another. He looked up as a shadow fell across him. Standing in front of him was a fur covered creature about his height. It placed its large paws on the table and sat down. Ezza wasn’t sure what to do.

“Hi. I’m Kayla. Enjoying your day?” The creature said. A look of surprise on his face Ezza smiled. Why me? Why now? Zas! He called. He looked across to where his friend was sitting and saw he was still gathering information from the woman; who by now looked very dazed. He was on his own. He nodded at the…whatever it was. Then the creature began to talk, and talk, and…talk. By the great mates, does this thing ever shut up? By now he had found out it was a human woman named Kayla Adler who was on vacation, whatever that was. She just kept rambling and he had no idea what she was rambling about. He wished Zas was over here so he could deal with her, or that she would at least give him some context for what she was saying. Ezza just kept stuffing food into his face as he listened to Kayla and waited for Zas.

“Oh man, she was nice. Who have you found here Ezza?” Zas came swaggering over, stretching his arms above his head. He sat next to Kayla on the bench and introduced himself as Zas. He didn’t seem the least bit put off by Kayla’s appearance like Ezza did. What did he learn? Ezza thought to himself.

Ezza, I’ll fill you in later. He said grabbing a burger off the plate. Ezza stood up from the bench and went to throw his plate in the garbage like he had seen Kayla do. Zas seemed to be enjoying his conversation with Kayla. So Ezza just listened. After a bit Kayla got up and left.

Come Ezza. We’re going to Cloudgaze. It’ll make it easier to transfer the data this way. Curious Ezza followed Zas to a clear space and laid down beside him to … What?

What is Cloudgazing? He asked Zas.   

Open your mind Ezza. I will explain all as I understand it. Ezza calmed his mind and felt Zas’s mind touch his. For what seemed like hours they lay in the dirt, Zas sharing all the knowledge they had gotten from Bella with Ezza. After the sharing was complete they lay there in silence. Each man alone with his thoughts, wondering what to do next. A shadow fell over them followed by a smiling face.

“Hello, are you all right?” The human woman asked. Both men blinked at her for a moment, then Zas sat up with a smile.

“Hello. I’m Zas. You are?”

“Madelynn. Sorry I should have introduced myself first. I’m from Willow Creek. You met my friend Maria earlier. Sorry am I disturbing you?” She asked.

“No, no,” Zas said getting to his feet. My friend and I just aren’t used to seeing sights like these. We were just appreciating it.” Ezza started getting up as well.

“Where are you from?” Madelynn asked.

“Windenburg.” Zas said.

“Oh! The big city. I always wanted to go there. It must be wonderful living there. So many things to do.” She said with a smile plastered on her face.

Windenburg? What do we know of Windenburg?

Nothing. Maria just knew of it. But I’m betting she doesn’t know much about it either.

It seems as if she knows it. Ezza said a bit annoyed.

Trust me, if you’ve seen one big city, you’ve seen them all.

Zas this isn’t our world. Things could be very different here.

Relax Ezza. Let me work my magic.

Zas turned his attention back to Madelynn who was still jabbering on about Windenburg. Both men listened to her talking about what she knew about Windenburg. Finally she seemed to snap back to herself.

“Oh shoot! I’m sorry, I just kind of rambled on. I originally tracked you down to invite you to hang out with Maria and I.” Madelynn said. She smiled nervously at them both. Smiling Zas told her that they’d love to join the ladies.

Are you sure this is wise? Ezza asked Zas.

Of course. Relax Ezza, we’ll be fine. Just enjoy yourself.

Easy for you to say friend. At least you can talk.

Zas smirked as they followed Madelynn to her campsite. Ezza, you can talk with more than just words you know. Try using your body.

You can be so disgusting. Ezza said. Then he grinned and shook his head. Zas smiled back and both men chatted away until they reached Madelynn’s campsite.
Night was falling as they sat around inside the cabin playing cards and chatting with each other. Madelynn wiped tears from her eyes as she finished laughing.

“Zas, you’re so funny.” Looking out the window window she sighed. “I’m going to go get dinner ready. Does fried fish and roasted veggies sound ok?”

“It sounds delicious.” Zas said, then he turned his attention back to Maria who had just put her hand on his leg. Madelynn shook her head and wandered to the kitchen to get the food prepared. Ezza listened to Zas and Maria for a few minutes, but it was starting to get a little uncomfortable so he headed to the kitchen to watch Madelynn prepare dinner.

“Ezza,” Madelynn said turning her head. Ezza smiled and came forward to stand next to her at the counter. “Did you want to help?” Ezza nodded his head. Smiling Madelynn handed him a few carrots and potatoes to chop up. Ezza lifted the knife she gave him and stared at the veggies blankly. Hearing giggling he looked over at her.

“You city people really don’t know how to do simple tasks. Do you have a cook in Windenburg?” Madelynn asked. Ezza gave her a nervous smile, and and shrugged. Giggling Madelynn took the knife and showed him how to prepare the veggies. Then she went back to preparing the fish, leaving Ezza to finish his task.

It had been slow and somewhat painful, but he had done it. Ezza discovered three things from helping Madelynn with the food. 1) As much as he wasn’t good at it, he enjoyed cooking. 2) Human blood and alien blood must be similar because Madelynn didn’t even bat an eye when cut himself, just bandaged him up. 3) Zas was a dog, and Maria was easy. This is why you couldn’t trust woman. Sweet to your face, and then the slightest mistake and they would turn on you. Zas should know that by now he thought.

     

“Come on. Let’s start the fire and get the food cooking.” Madelynn said hefting trays full of food towards the door. Ezza picked up the last of the trays and started to follow along beside her, when he met Zas coming down the stairs. Covered in sweat and with his clothes dishevelled slightly Zas grinned at him and clapped him on the shoulder.

You are truly a horrible little man. Ezza said to him.

Hey, I’m just checking the lay of the land. You had the chance as well. Besides you will not believe what just happened up there. I think I’m going to like human woman.

Ezza made a disgusted noise and shook his head. He lifted the trays to show Zas and then continued on his way. He could hear Zas laughing behind him and then the sound of Maria’s voice. Sighing he made his way out to a pit filled with stones where Madelynn was piling wood.

“Hey, I heard someone laughing. Are they done yet?” She asked him. Ezza nodded his head and then put his trays down next to Madelynn’s before joining her at the pit. Madelynn showed him how to light the fire and start roasting the food over it, all the while teasing him about not knowing how to care of himself like a city boy. Far from being annoyed Ezza found it kind of pleasant to be teased by this woman. Maybe there was something to Zas’s ways after all. Plus Human technology was fascinating. Primitive, yes, but also fascinating in how they had learned to cope with what they had. For the first time, Ezza was starting to enjoy the fact that they were stranded and had to survive. He wanted to learn everything he could about humans and their ways. A little while later Zas and Maria joined them at the fire pit.

 

The evening was pleasant, Zas entertained the woman with jokes and made up stories. Maria seemed to enjoy them more than Madelynn and always laughed loudly. Madelynn sat beside Ezza and smiled every once in awhile. Finally after a bit she placed her hand on his. Ezza stiffened and looked at her in surprise. The way she was smiling at him, it made him a little uncomfortable. No one had tried to mate him before Her, and no one had since. Admittedly they crashed their ship into this planet shortly after his break up with Her, but hey it still counted. Ezza relaxed a bit, as Zas made a loud Aw sound in their direction. Madelynn blushed and pulled her hand away and Ezza tried to sink into the back of his chair. Maria and Zas chuckled at their reactions and then went back to talking to each other.

     

 

“Hello,” a stern voice said from the shadows. All four of them turned to look, squinting into the darkness. Emerging from the darkness came an older woman, her face wrinkled and tanned. Hair back in a tight bun beneath her hat, and her clothes looked starched.

By the love all mates, the Hag crashed here too?

Don’t be stupid Zas. It’s just an older human woman. Although something does remind me of the Commander back home.

Zas gave a shudder. Giving her his trade mark smile, he introduced himself and Ezza. The woman listened for a few minutes, then her thin lips gave a twitch. A little more upwards and she might be smiling thought Zas.

“Ah. Well my names Kara. You can call Ms. Wooten the Park Ranger. I’ve seen you around today. Didn’t recognize you, so I thought I’d come over and see for myself. So your guests of Miss Benes and Miss Ogle?” Betsy asked.

“No,” Maria said quickly, “we met them here. We just invited them to our site to hangout for a bit.”

Kara nodded. Her hand on her hips, she began tapping her left foot on the ground. Her head tilted to the right she stared at Zas and Ezza, thinking.

This does not look good Zas. What’re we going to do?

Zas leaned back against a nearby tree and began shuffling his feet on the ground ever so slightly.

“So, what’re you boys up to? Who did you come to visit?” Kara finally asked them.

Zas smiled and stopped his feet. “No one. We’re here on vacation from Windenburg” he said.

“Which lot are you in?” She asked. She was starting to sound a lot like the Commander. When she smelled blood, she went for it like the buzzard she was. To think there was someone else in the galaxy that was like her. Gross.

“Oh we’re not sure yet.” Zas said coolly.

“You don’t know? What did your papers say?” Kara asked them stepping towards the fire.

“Oh we lost those. Chatty here dropped them on our way in, blew away in the wind. We were going to ask a Ranger such as yourself for help when we arrived, but we were struck by the beauty of the place. So we ended up wandering.” He said.

“Oh, so where’s your luggage?” Kara asked while she gazed into the flickering flames. Both Maria and Madelynn were looking at each other worriedly.

“We don’t have any.” Zas said and shrugged. Kara turned her head and looked at the two of them.

“You came camping and didn’t bring any luggage? Lost your papers, didn’t sign in, and got lost in the beauty of the place huh?” Kara stepped up to Zas and began poking him in the chest as she spoke, as if illustrating her next point. “I got your numbers. I know what you are.”

Zas!

Calm yourself Ezza.

“Oh? What are we?” He asked calmly staring her in the eye.

“Lame city boy freeloaders!” Kara cried out in an almost comical aha! moment. “I won’t stand for it at my camp grounds. If you haven’t paid to stay, you’re not staying.” Both men relaxed a bit at her words. Oh freeloaders they could deal with being.

“You’re right. We’re sorry. We got lost and ended up here. We were going to see someone in charge tomorrow about our own arrangements, but you found us out first. Strong eyes you have there Kara.” Zas said with a sheepish look on his face. “Can we make arrangements?” He asked taking her hand in his.

Oh for goodness sake Zas! She’s practically dead, and old enough to be your grandmother from the looks of her. Knock it off.

Ezza, Ezza, Ezza. You have obviously learned nothing from me over the years. It’s the older ones who have more experience and can be quite pleasing.

As the boys talked amongst themselves, Kara removed her hand from Zas’s. Wiping it on her pants she looked at them both for a moment.

“We only have one lot available. You’d need to buy Equipment for it and things. If you plan on staying here, I’ll take you there now. Otherwise get out.” Zas smiled and nodded at her. Then gestured for her to lead the way. Both men followed her to the camp ground booth.

What exactly are we going to rent and pay with? Ezza asked as Kara prattled on about what they would need, and the earnestness of being honest and upfront.

You remember when I showed you what a credit card was?

Yes. As I think back on it…wait…oh yeah! We don’t have one.

No, we don’t, but they don’t have to know that. I have something similar. Use a bit more power and boom! We have everything we need.

We can’t keep doing that. You’ll exhaust yourself to the point of death soon.

Do you want to do it?

Don’t start you know I can’t. I don’t have the training.

Well I do. Relax, it needs to be done for a few things in the beginning. Afterwards, I won’t use it. Promise.

Ezza sighed and gave his head small shake. He should have done the training at the Centre. At least he’d be of more help then. I’ll distract her, he said.

While Ezza tried his best to keep Kara busy after they arrived at the booth, Zas pulled out a piece of paper with Maria’s number on it from his pocket. Looking at the attendant in the booth he smiled and then opened his mind.

“Did you get dropped as a child? Is that why you don’t speak?” Kara asked Ezza. She had been trying to have a conversation with him for the past half hour. Either he really liked dirt and grass or he was an idiot.

“No, he’s just really shy.” Zas said coming over to them. “Help carry our stuff to lot 5.” He said to Ezza. Kara smiled and offered to show them to their lot as the boys gathered everything up.

It was flat. Yup…it was flat. That’s all you could really say about lot 5. It had a BBQ, and some sort of wooden box open on one side and a picnic table, but other than that it was flat. Dropping their stuff they looked around them. At least they were secluded. Kara offered to help them set their tent and other furnishings. Then she helped light the fire and left. Zas and Ezza collapsed into their camp chairs around the fire.

“Long day, but we made it.”

We should turn in for the night. We have another long day tomorrow. Ezza said. Nodding both men crawled inside the tent, and after a short 10 minute struggle trying to figure out their sleeping bag, fell asleep.