Chapter 17: First Shopping Trip

"Stay as long as you like," Vykhor finally said. "But understand that this ship is always on the move. I don’t stay in one place for too long. If you choose to stay, you’ll have to accept that way of life."

Evelyn nodded, grateful for his honesty. "I understand. But I think I need some time to think about it. I’m not used to… this kind of life."

Vykhor nodded in agreement. He knew her decision wouldn’t be taken lightly. Deep down, though, he hoped she would choose to stay. Not just because she was a valuable ally, but because she was possibly the first person who truly resonated with him, someone who understood the complexity of his choices.

As they finished their breakfast, Evelyn felt a bit more at ease. Vykhor remained a mystery in many ways, but she now knew they shared some fundamental values. This made the idea of staying aboard the Narak'Tharr more tempting, even if she knew it would take her far from the life she had always known. For now, though, she knew she was safe, and whatever happened, she had a solid ally by her side.

“I’ve set course for Kyr'naal,” Vykhor announced in his usual calm tone, placing his utensils down after finishing his meal. “Since you’ll be staying for a while, you’ll need to buy clothes and anything else you might require.”

Evelyn felt a wave of excitement surge within her, though she did her best to stay composed. A new planet? The thought of setting foot on Kyr'naal, a world she had only heard of in passing, sparked a nearly childlike curiosity in her. But she didn’t want to seem too eager, not in front of Vykhor, who, as always, remained stoic and impassive.

"Okay," she replied simply, trying to control her voice, though her smile betrayed a bit of her impatience. She briefly caught Vykhor's gaze, who was watching her silently, as if he could sense the excitement she was trying to hide.

“Kyr'naal,” he continued, his tone still even, “is a planet where you can find almost anything. It’s not the friendliest place in the galaxy, but you should be able to get everything you need.” He stood up, unhurried, clearing his tray with a calculated indifference.

Evelyn discreetly bit her lip to contain her excitement. This was about more than just shopping for clothes. A new planet, new cultures, maybe even unfamiliar landscapes... Her heart beat faster at the thought, but she kept her face neutral. Vykhor, of course, remained unmoved, as if he had just announced the day's menu with the same level of importance.

A few hours later, the small transport shuttle from the Narak'Tharr pierced the atmosphere of Kyr'naal, a well-known trading planet bustling with activity and cosmopolitan markets where species from all over the galaxy converged. Seen from space, the planet gleamed with lights, its massive, illuminated cities sprawling like artificial constellations across its surface. As the shuttle neared the designated landing zone, Evelyn couldn’t help but marvel at the vibrant life below. The vast markets, towering structures, and crowded streets formed a fascinating spectacle.

When they touched down and the ramp opened, Evelyn was immediately hit by the planet's vibrant energy. The warm air mixed with the sounds of conversations in multiple languages and the scent of exotic spices flooded her senses. Vykhor was the first to step out, his gaze scanning the surroundings with practiced vigilance. Evelyn followed closely behind, wide-eyed at the bustling scene around them. She had never seen such a blend of species and cultures before, and the idea of shopping in such a colorful, dynamic place thrilled her.

However, they had barely started walking through the crowded streets when Vykhor noticed something that instantly displeased him. Eyes lingered on Evelyn, males from various species taking a bit too much interest in her presence. He knew she was beautiful, with her white hair, blue eyes, and ethereal look, but he hadn’t anticipated how much attention her unique appearance would draw.

A group of reptilian males, imposing and intimidating, approached Evelyn, their scaly skin ranging from deep green to earthy brown, shimmering with iridescent hues under the artificial light. Their slit-shaped eyes gleamed with a piercing yellow, scrutinizing Evelyn with marked curiosity but also with a more invasive, unsettling intent. Their angular faces were topped with ridges running down their skulls to their necks, emphasizing their predatory appearance. Every movement they made emitted a faint rustling, their scales brushing against each other.

Their massive frames were nearly as large as Vykhor’s, and their sharp claws looked capable of tearing through anything. Powerful jaws, lined with sharp teeth, curved into predatory smiles. Their long tails whipped the air impatiently, betraying a barely contained excitement. Everything about their posture indicated they weren’t just intrigued by Evelyn’s human appearance; they were drawn to something far more primal.

Vykhor tensed instantly, his body going rigid with instinctive, protective vigilance. He felt a deep anger rise within him, stirring a force he hadn’t felt in a long time. These reptilians dared to approach Evelyn, and he could see in their gestures, in their piercing gazes, that they already viewed her as prey. His fists clenched, and his prosthetic arm activated with a faint, almost imperceptible hum, ready to respond if necessary.

He immediately stepped in front of Evelyn, his massive frame forming a barrier between her and the strangers. His yellow eyes shot a cold glare at the intruders, and he let out a low growl, a warning with no room for negotiation. The tension thickened, and passersby slowed to observe, sensing that something was about to unfold.

"Move along," Vykhor growled, his tone leaving no space for argument.

The reptilians exchanged hesitant glances. Though they outnumbered him, they quickly realized that provoking a Kael'Tarien—especially one as clearly prepared to defend his territory as Vykhor—was a bad idea. One of them made a retreating gesture, and the others followed suit, slowly backing off but not without casting a few lingering glances over their shoulders. Vykhor watched them until they disappeared into the crowd, his muscles still tense, ready to strike at the slightest sign of threat.

Evelyn, a bit shaken by the encounter but hiding her unease well, shot him a grateful glance. “Thank you, Vykhor.”

He simply nodded, his eyes returning to her with an intense, protective look. "Stay close to me. It seems your presence here draws more attention than I anticipated."

She nodded, feeling both a strange sense of security by his side and a slight tinge of awkwardness. She hadn’t expected that being with Vykhor would attract so much attention, but she appreciated his gesture. With the situation under control, they continued on their way, and the atmosphere lightened slightly.

They headed toward a series of specialized shops where Evelyn could find what she needed. The first step was to get her clothing suited for space travel and exploration. The outfits she found were made from lightweight but durable materials, designed to provide both comfort and protection. She tried on several, choosing styles that allowed for easy movement while offering adequate protection from the elements. Vykhor stayed in the background, preferring to let Evelyn make her own choices but always keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.

Evelyn was pleasantly surprised to discover that the merchants were well-informed about the specific needs of humans. The vendors, despite being of various species, all seemed to have dealt with human customers before. They offered her a variety of options, ranging from clothing to essential items, and even “beauty products” tailored to her physiology. Evelyn couldn’t help but smile at how eager the merchants were to assist her, especially when they realized Vykhor had placed no budget limits on her shopping.

As Evelyn examined a fitted suit with subtle patterns, a smiling saleswoman with bright eyes and lilac skin approached her.

"You seem quite familiar with items for humans," Evelyn remarked, still surprised by how much attention her race received in a place so far from Earth.

The saleswoman nodded, handing her another outfit. "Oh, we’ve had many humans come through here. It’s not that uncommon."

Evelyn frowned, surprised. "Really? I didn’t think humans traveled this far out in the universe."

The saleswoman shrugged slightly, her eyes glinting with amusement. "It’s true, you’re quite far from your home planet. I don’t know why they end up here. The reasons vary, I suppose. But we see humans more often than you’d think."

Evelyn remained silent for a moment, intrigued. What could drive so many humans to travel so far from Earth? She accepted another item from the vendor, but her mind remained absorbed by this new information.
As they moved from one shop to the next, Evelyn felt a strange mix of amusement and curiosity. Shopping was such a mundane activity on Earth, but here, in the midst of this alien world, it took on a whole new dimension. She let herself be guided by the merchants’ advice, carefully selecting everything she would need for her new life aboard the Narak'Tharr. The suits were elegant yet practical, the beauty products exotic but effective, and each purchase seemed to bring her closer to fully embracing her new reality.

Vykhor, on the other hand, stood outside the shops, preferring not to venture into this feminine world that made him slightly uncomfortable. He watched the passersby, his stance still vigilant, though inwardly amused by Evelyn’s enthusiasm for these new discoveries. He wasn’t one to linger in stores, and this part of the journey didn’t particularly interest him, but he couldn’t deny he found a strange satisfaction in seeing her dive into the activity with such excitement.

When Evelyn finally emerged from the last shop, arms full of bags, she found Vykhor patiently waiting. He raised an eyebrow at the sheer number of her purchases but said nothing.

“I think I’ve got everything I need,” she said, smiling but a little out of breath.

Vykhor nodded, taking a few of the bags to help her. "Good. Let’s head back to the Narak'Tharr. I’ll provide you with the necessary equipment for your protection once we’re aboard."

Evelyn nodded, ready to return to the safety of the ship. As they made their way toward the shuttle, she took one last look at the bustling streets of Kyr'naal. This trading planet had offered her a glimpse of what her new life alongside Vykhor might be: a mix of adventure, discovery, and danger. And as they walked away, she wondered what the future held for the both of them.