Now this is living the dream. Stepping inside felt like entering a paradise of emeralds. I was in one of the blue domes that I had spied earlier - the inside vastly contradicting the outside.

To one side was a door with a sheer drop. The almost imperceptible transparent glass allowed me to witness the depths below yet any winged Borcans traversing the skies above would be simply faced with their own reflection.

The room itself was unlike anything on Earth, giving me no option but to marvel at it and don't even get me started on the ceiling: completely black except for a dangling luminescent white plant - a light.

The bed. Now that was a sight. The smooth, metallic silver curved up and down to accommodate the shape of a body. Settling on top of it I was pleasantly surprised by the softness. Across the room I examined a small pearly white desk and a cushioned stool continuing the green theme I had come to love.

Within the wardrobe an array of clothes for all occasions and weather could be found yet despite the multitude of exotic styles the inescapable green and silver colour scheme marked every garment. What a shame. I began to rummage inside for a new outfit.

I slipped out of my dirty clothes, and donned a more appropriate attire for a meal with the Orc. The dress I chose was stunning, similar material to chiffon, its gorgeous fabric flowed in loose waves at my ankles gracefully moving with every step I made. The V neck-line was modest, the silver beads only adding to the enchantment.

To my complete and utter horror, the room held no bathroom leaving me unable to remove the stench of the forest. It was painfully obvious with my greasy hair and potent smell. Just thinking of it made me want to itch.

Hearing a knock I moved towards the door to find Andre there. He had also freshened up in a green robe and a silver belt fitted at his waist.

'We need to go.' He spoke rather bluntly.

'Okay,' I replied with equal coldness.

'Blinx told me where it was so just follow me.'

'I see you are all buddies with her now.' I remarked.

'Just shut up would you.' Andre sighed exasperated.

I rolled my eyes. It was just so easy. He needed thicker skin. Surely street life should have taught him that.

○●

Arriving at the hall was a man made - Borcan made heaven awaiting. Platters of foreign food lined an endlessly long table and it seemed like every dish ever created on this planet was on top of it.

My smile had never been so big as I withheld my animalistic urges to fling myself at the food and devour it.

Pulling my starving eyes away from the mouth-watering display I faced the Orc seated high above the table, in his own little balcony with his own spread of cuisine. (It looked a little obnoxious. Was it really that necessary to have a whole balcony for himself?)

'Thank you for joining us.' He began, 'Please be seated and allow me to introduce you.'

We nodded and took our seats at the end of the table.

'Ali, André met my most trusted advisors Kira, Ayanna, Zicco, Elynn and Tyke.' He named each person pointing as he spoke their name (I guess pointing isn't isn't rude here).

I took a moment to take in the table. The five other people sat stiffly; an old man with withering features, drooping feathers and although he seemed cautious the kindly smile was welcoming- Elynn; a young woman - Ayanna and man - Zicco - who looked like siblings - both gifted with fine features and soft delicate blue hair; a middle aged woman - Kira - who reminded me too much of Margot; and finally Tyke a man who I couldn't quite determine the age of, he had harsh features and several scars along his face.

On earth you would never see a group like this sitting all together.

The blue haired sibling who I knew to be Ayanna smiled at me, 'We will do everything we can to help you get home.'

'Trying to get rid of us quickly I see.' I said jokingly.

'Obviously, I wouldn't want you to spread that smell of yours.' She smirked back.

I laughed, 'I wouldn't exactly want to stay in a place that doesn't supply bathrooms.'

She grinned, 'A bathroom? I don't understand but we will have an alternative. A better alternative.'

'It's a room that we use to wash, clean and relieve ourselves,' André supplied. She nodded towards him before facing me again.

'We have communal rooms, except for the Orc. He has private chambers for his safety.'

'Or is just that he's an entitled leader?' I asked, clearly having grown too brave as Kira, Tyke and Zicco all glowered at me.

I gave them a sweet smile before looking up innocently at the Orc with a 'did I say something wrong' expression on my face.

I waited for him to disagree or to scold me; Andre sure as hell wanted too. Blinx definitely would have if she were here but instead he burst out laughing, Ayanna and Elynn following suit.

'You are very bold, little human.' He said amused, 'Maybe I am a little entitled but the amount I do for Laoland surely allows me a little slack.'

He looks at me challenging me to say more. I back down: a fleeting glimpse of a shadow flashing his pupils black.

'I suppose a few privileges could be accepted. Just don't let it get to your head.' I chose my words carefully, still grinning through every second.

'Never, little human. Never.'

'The food is wonderful. What is it?' André asked, tactfully diverting the attention away from my constant slip ups.

'This is an array of meats and this particular dish is —' Elynn began listing every plate in detail speaking with the same avid passion that I had so often heard from the elderly encaptured André. I however swiftly lost interest: endlessly more focused on what it would taste like.

'You can eat.' Ayanna reassured me.

Not a second later I had scooped a portion onto my plate and started to devour it.

○●

My stomach was ready to burst, although that would be a different story if I hadn't just devoured 3 servings, before I could refill my plate, I turned to the Advisors.

'Who should we talk to in order to go home?'

Elynn sighed, 'Borcans are not really a species of travelling, we keep mainly to ourselves. We have five different sections and exploration is not one of them. We can set you up with some of our more intelligent people but you may need to visit others.'

'Others?' my voice dropped.

'Other species. Species that are a lot smarter than us.' Ayanna cut in.

"What are you known for?" Andre finally joined the conversation.

"Mainly our fighting. We have a lot of fun with that," she replied excitedly, causing Andre to shuffle back a bit.

She continued, "But the five sections are: the Balten, which Tyke is in charge of."

Kira nodded, "I'm the head of the Kladen."

Ayanna took back over, "I'm the head of architecture, the Fiolan. My brother, Zicco, leads the Zyo."

Elynn jumped in, "And finally, I look after the Lethicine section."

She explained this as if I understood what she was talking about.

"What does any of that mean?"

Kira grumbled under her breath about 'stupid humans' but still explained in the most patronising voice she could muster.

"Balten are the experts in weaponry and combat," she began. "They're our warriors."

She pointed to the next group. "Kladen are the ones who just fed you. They're the hunters and chefs who keep us well-fed."

"Fiolan are our builders," she continued. "They construct everything we need."

"Zyos focus on aesthetics," she added with a hint of sarcasm. "They ensure everything looks pretty."

'And well, the Lethi's just spend their time feeding their brains.'

"You never have liked the Lethis, have you, Kira? 'Feed their brains,'" Elynn scoffed. "We do more than that. We heal you when you are ill and hurt. We advance our way of living, finding new metals for armour and making—"

"A load of blabbity blabbity blah," Kira interrupted him.

'How dare you?' he spluttered. 'The audacity, after I have personally saved your life on multiple occasions. This is the repayment I get.'

'I have done just as much for you as you have me. Don't try to make me feel guilty.' She shot back.

I picked up another piece of meat and began gnawing away, trying to distract myself from the escalating tension. Ayanna observed with mild amusement, though her brother's disapproval was evident. Tyke, still let no emotion creep onto his stoic expression. Andre, on the other hand, seemed tired and lost in this unfamiliar setting; I couldn't help but nearly feel bad for him.

Still chewing, the rich flavours filling my mouth, I glanced up at the Orc.

He seemed entirely oblivious to the brewing conflict, too engrossed in his own meal to notice the bickering around him. Was he deliberately ignoring it? Especially in front of guests. With each greedy mouthful, my own appetite dwindled, the discomfort of the situation souring the taste of the food.

'So...' I drawled, interrupting the bickering. 'Are we going to leave here?'

Thankfully they paused their petty spat. 'You will if they allow it. We can send a message, with your permission and if they accept you can go.' Elynn answered.

'If not?' Andre asked,

'Then you are stuck here.' Zicco frowned, his lips quivering in an unpleasant manner.

'What crawled up your ass and died?' I muttered. He heard, sending a smouldering glare in my direction.

'We can discuss the details tomorrow.' the old orcan said. 'Get some rest.'

'Thank you for helping us in every way you can.' Andre nodded gratefully.

'I will take you to the bathing chambers.' Ayanna told me.

'Can you show me where to go too?' Andre whispered shyly.

'Of course.'

'We will see you around.' Kira, said rising to leave, with Zicco followed with a huff. Tyke remained silent, only offering a polite nod, while we got a soft smile from Elynn.

When we were alone, just the three of us and the Orc in his box, I turned to him, 'When will we next see you?'

He looked down at us in surprise, 'You have not left yet?'

'No not yet.' Andre responded.

'I was talking to Ali.' he growled, 'Not you.'

'I apologise, your highness.' Andre bowed.

I looked at him in shock. 'A little rude don't you think?'

Suddenly a smile overcame his features 'I'm sorry. Please, forgive my attitude, I am a little tired.'

No trace of his anger was left, just a charming smile on his handsome face. He looked genuine, his golden features shining. It must be tough. Ruling and having so many people to watch over, I can't look after myself let alone others, and he can't even have a dinner without argument. Pity overcame me. Did he have any friends? He seemed lonely and tired. Very tired indeed.

'It's fine. I get angry sometimes for no reason too. Owning up to it is harder than it looks.' I aimed the last part at Andre hoping he could read the unsaid words in my eyes. His own, electric, striking and blue looked away.

'See you tomorrow, little human.'

Turning to Ayanna we followed her out.