Killslinger spun his throne around once more, so Dale turned around too. Fennec & Rose were staring at him like he turned into a moose. They quickly motioned for him to go to them so he silently crept to the entrance.

"Are you crazy?!" Fennec spat after they turned the corner.

"Well I-" Dale was interrupted by Rose.

"You can't just go sneaking up on the biggest villain in the world expecting to win!"

Oh good, they didn't see the conversation.
"Oh yeah, yeah that was really stupid sorry guys." Dale hated lying to Rose, but she smiled at him.

      "You really are something." She kissed Dale on the cheek.

Fennec tried not to show how left out he felt on the way home. He tried not to show he felt like a third wheel. Every kiss was awkward for him. Every memory-uncomfortable. When they asked him what he thought about something, he would smile sheepishly and pretend he didn't pay attention. He tried to focus on the unconscious girl they brought home, but he kept getting distracted in the conversation. Her beautiful smile. Her wonderful hearty laugh. He could never let her know what he thought, for she was already dating Dale.

For the fifth time in a minute, Fennec checked the pulse of the girl. As she lay in the blue bed, he got a better look at her. She had vibrant red hair, tied back in a braid. Her face was small & square, her skin pale white-as a computer humanoids should be. Fennec still couldn't understand how they functioned. They had a heart, yet it didn't pump blood. They had limbs, but no bones. He vaguely remembered studying them in elementary school, but also remembered how confusing the species is. They are their own species, but they were like machines. They had their destiny set out for them from birth, & they each had their unique personality.

"Foxxly, are you listening to me?" The question from Dale jerked Fennec out of his thoughts.

"What?"

"I said, you've been staring at her for a long time."

"Sorry I was just thinking about the species."

      "That's... all?"

       "Seriously Dale, one of these days..."

       "Oh ya think so huh?"

      "Oh my gosh guys, can you get along for two seconds? Anyways, I'm exhausted, I think I'll take a nap." Rose got off the worn couch & headed upstairs. Dale watched her leave, his gaze filled with dread. She's beautiful, smart, tough, and brave. I could never kill her. But if I don't, he'll kill everyone... This time it was Fennec who interrupted Dale's thoughts.

      "Dude. What are you doing?"

"Sorry, just thinking thoughts." Dale was grateful Fennec didn't push any further. That's what he liked about him. He left other's business alone, & always kept a level head. Never once had Dale seen Fennec act out in anger, sadness, or any extreme emotion. One thing that Dale admired him for is his maturity. Fennec was definitely more sensible than he was.

      Dale was also glad his parents were such understanding people. They didn't mind letting two near strangers live in their house with them. He hoped they didn't mind another.
                                  &&

The sun floated high in the blue sky. Fennec stood behind Dale's brown house, staring into the forest. Suddenly he started running as fast as he could, flying through the trees. When he got to a certain spot, he bent his legs & leapt onto a branch. He crouched on the thin branch, scanning the forest. The branch wobbled, causing Fennec to almost lose his balance. The sudden movement he made caused the branch to snap. Fennec tried to jump to reach up to the next branch, and hung on with only his hands, unable to pull himself up. The first branch fell, & Fennec with it. A giggle came from a nearby bush when Fennec hit the ground. He took an arrow from his quiver strapped to his Prussian blue outfit. He put it on his bow & aimed it at the bush, until a laughing Rose & Dale stepped out.

"What are you doing out here?" Fennec asked.

"We wanted to ask you the same thing, until you fell out of that tree!" Dale burst out laughing, & Fennec rolled his eyes.

"If you must know, I came out here to train, & think."

      "About what?" Rose asked.

      "All those slaves we left behind, the one we brought home, and what to do about it." Fennec sighed & sat on a nearby rock. He looked up at Dale, who was trying to climb a tree. He chuckled and turned his gaze to Rose, trying not to blush too hard. She was swathed in the sunlight that filtered through the trees, dappling her jade green hair & brightening her big magenta eyes. She smiled at Fennec,

      "You have us, the Tri-Star, on your side. We'll figure it out together."

      "Last one home is Killslinger's breakfast!" The call from Dale interrupted their moment. He stuck out his tongue at them & jumped to the next tree. "Using the trees only!"

      "Oh you're on!" Fennec jumped up to the lowest branch, grabbed on with both hands, & swung himself up onto the higher branch. Dale and Fennec were neck and neck, with Rose not far behind. Dale pushed Fennec, & he fell out of the tree again. His orange hair poked out from the bush, & he scowled at the laughing Dale. Rose giggled as she watched the scene play out in front of her. Fennec took off running after he brushed the leaves off his outfit.

      "Cheater!" Dale called.
      "I'm the cheater?!" Fennec replied in disbelief. Dale was the first to enter the house, Rose second, & Fennec last. Dale stuck out his tongue & walked inside.

      The first thing he saw was baby yellow eyes staring back at him.