I decide to go see Ufrik and get it over with. Usually, the longer you wait to do something you don't want to do, the worse your head makes it out to be. I will pick up my hair removal serum after.

My hair is pretty short as it is. Barely long enough on top to run my hands through it, then buzzed all around the bottom to just above my cursed pointed ears. Yes I have pointy ears, but as I said, I am not Zukrog.
Mom and Dad had always been honest with me. They didn't know where I came from. Dad found me on a hunting trip, sleeping in a woven grass baby basket, in a meadow.

He had waited for over an hour, but no one came back for me. Strapping on the baby basket, he went looking. He found no trace of anyone in the immediate area.

Considering he had been a revered hunter and tracker in our region, not just the village, that was saying something.

Somehow, whoever abandoned me, managed to vanish without a trace.

Dad had gone back later, after taking me home to Mom, his new wife. He left a small metal effigy he picked up from the local metal castor at the market shaped into an image of baby in a basket, placing it where he'd found me. On it, he had inscribed his personal contact information. Just in case someone hadn't left me willingly.

No one had ever contacted him. At least not that I had ever been made aware of. Part of me still wonders if anyone ever went looking, finding the small statue, and decided I was OK and left again. Stupid to think about. Waist of energy.

I physically shake my head to get the unproductive thoughts out of my mind.

I cross the lounge area completely consumed with myself, that is never a good thing, and I don't even see Ufrik standing by the head of the table until he clears his throat. Well, this just got more awkward than needed.

Looking like an ass for not seeing him, practically standing in front of his room, I stop dead.

Staring at my feet, I let out a heavy sigh. I am not quite ready to turn around yet. I am not sure I want to see whatever will be in his eyes.

I take a deep breath, stand up straighter and square my shoulders. Keeping my face blank, ready for anything and everything, I turn to Ufrik.

My mouth falls open. What in the stars?

"Thought you could use this."

Ufrik shakes a bottle of alcohol at me before setting it on the table. My hands twitch with the desire to scoop it up quickly and run. But this conversation needs to happen.

"Th-Thanks." I am confused at this point.

My first instinct is suspicion.

"I... I just figured. Shit! Ok, let's cut the crap." He drops the façade and letting his rioting emotions show.

He starts pacing in front of the table, running his shaky hands through his shock white hair, making the image of my hair flash in my mind.

Stopping for a second and fidgeting with his shirt buttons repeatedly, Ufrik looks at me sideways and says, "That was fucking freaky, OK? Like, piss yourself, freaky."

Ufrik waves a hand at me like he thinks I am about to explain something he doesn't want to hear and I need warding off.

He is very freaked out. I haven't moved a muscle afraid of interrupting his moment.

Finally he takes a deep breath and stops pacing. Looking at me, he braces his hands on the back of a chair, shoulders hunching, brows creasing and stares straight into my eyes searching for my K'ai. I think. I can see in his eyes he is fighting with something.

I decide to do nothing until prompted. I am ready to answer his questions the best I can if he has any but for now, I stand still, face blank, waiting. I keep trying to think what I would do if I was in his shoes.

Maybe he is truly at a loss, unfamiliar with energy bending or perhaps energies themselves. Unfortunately in this Universe, more planets and species were disconnected from their K'ai's and the Universe, than not. It left them blind to so many things. Perhaps it was meant to be that way. I know I was better off staying disconnected.

Ufrik just keeps staring at me. His expression is hard to read with all the different emotions rolling through him. His jaw muscles keep flexing like he is going to speak but he doesn't say anything.

He seems to finally reach some sort of conclusion while he keeps his now fiery golden eyes on mine. He starts to open his mouth then it clamps shut again, inhaling deeply through his nose.

Ok. This is not how I saw this going. Is he going to ever speak again?

Cocking his head to the side he analyzes me anew. This time he takes in my hair and proceeds to scan downwards. Examining every inch. He probably is making sure there aren't any other sudden changes.

"Were you wearing contacts before, or using nanotech?"

"No."

"Your hair?"

"Just now."

"Why?"

"No idea."

"This is so messed up. Here take this. I am guessing you wanted it to take the edge off... Well, whatever the hell that was."

He slides the bottle of booze he'd offered earlier, down the table at me. His other hand waving towards my room about "whatever" that was as he says, "Can't see how booze will help."

The last part was muttered so low I almost don't hear it. I choose to ignore it.

Instead I quietly offer the only words I can, "Thank you."

We stand there staring at each other. He still seems undecided about me. This makes him unpredictable. In my line of work unpredictable partners usually mean death. This isn't good.

I have to wait it out. See what he decides. Maybe after some rest, he won't be so jumpy, have a clearer mind. A good rest can do wonders in my experience.

I snatch the bottle before it stops its slide, picking it up in a smooth motion. I keep the momentum going, not missing a beat, I pop the top off the sealed bottle and press it to my lips.

I need to forget. To forget all the horrible memories my near-fatal catastrophe had stirred up. And let worrying about Ufrik go until tomorrow.

The hot fiery liquid of Octnarr Water Wine slides down my throat. It isn't my favourite taste, being made from a popular spicy, but bitter, underwater fruit. Nevertheless, I welcome the warm burn in my belly.

It is a potent drink and it only takes a minute before I feel the wonderful tingle of the alcohol soaking into all my limbs.

I let out an audible sigh and tilt my head back. A pleasant fuzzy feeling takes over my senses, as I stare at the smooth silver-white surface of the ceiling.

Thank the holy mother of stars.

"Shit! We are going to have to find a lot more booze if you drink like that every night."

I have downed half the bottle. He is right. We will need more. Maybe one of these old buildings will have some Human booze. I have tried some of it. So far my favourite is Gin. I wouldn't mind finding a stash of that stuff.

"Sorry ya. Hope this wasn't for a special occasion." I only feel a little bad.

Ufrik suddenly stares at my hair again. Right. Crap. I need to deal with that before the booze has its way with me.

"I need to go take care of something and then hopefully sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow, or in a few hours. You should... rest. I swear to you, with this," I hold up the bottle he gave me. "there won't be a repeat. I promise."

He looks uncertain. A storm brews behind his eyes. Didn't know gold eyes could do that. Kind of sexy.

Yup, the wine was working. I keep my snort on the inside. Sexy? Ughhh. I need sleep.

He nods his consent. He hesitates though, not wanting to walk towards his room. I am still in front of his door.

I want to roll my eyes and call him a big baby. However, the reason for his fear is very sobering. Instead, I nod my silent acknowledgement. Letting him know I understand and it is ok.

I move towards the far side of the table, he mirrors my movements on the opposite side until he reaches his door. I hear it slide open but before he closes it I call out to him. There is one thing I have to say. One thing I owe him.

"Ufrik!" I call out stopping him.

He turns towards me. Finally looking as exhausted as I feel.

"Ufrik, I am sorry. I... I -" Shit. What could I possibly say? Words are not going to fix this. "Just sorry."

He nods again. I still have no idea what he is thinking. The booze is starting to cloud my mind considerably now and I have almost forgotten the damn hair serum. Again.

Muttering curses at myself and the Universe under my breath I backtrack towards the Med Bay after Ufrik's door closes. Picking up the hair serum I open the bottle and take a cautious sniff. I hope it doesn't burn my head or something.

"Syndicate?"

"Yes, Marshal Zea."

Again with the formalities. So not my thing. Especially from an A.I.

"Ok I can't take it anymore. Just call me Zea or Marshal, but not both ok?"

"As you wish Zea. Zea, is that all?"

Is she messing with me now? Could be the wine but it almost sounded like she was saying my name with a little too much emphasis.

"Ahh, no. How does this hair stuff work? And will it hurt me?"

"There should be no ill side effects. At least none I can predict based on the combination of ingredients. To use it simply dispense some into the palm of your hand and rub your hands together. Forcing oxygen into the particles will cause it to foam considerably, then place it on your head. Make sure to cover all of your hair follicles."

"Sounds easy enough."

"I would like to recommend you shave your head completely first. It will be easier to apply with your hair the same length."

It makes sense. And I am feeling too stupid to argue. My mind is significantly dulled by the booze now.

"I need clippers then Syndicate."

"Third drawer down on the left of the sink."

Grabbing the clippers I make quick work of my remaining hair. Once it is all buzzed almost to my scalp I put them back in the drawer. I squirt some of the clear liquid into my hand. It foams a little but it goes crazy when I rub my hands together. Then I quickly rub it all over my head using the mirror in Med Bay's sanitizer.

"OK, now what Syndicate?"

"For optimal results, you should leave it on for approximately ten minutes. Shall I keep track of the time for you?"

"That's a great idea."

I smile to myself. Half a bottle may have been a bit much for my first drink. Usually, I pace myself but I am not in the mood for taking my time right now. I just want to forget and go back to sleep.

"By the way, what time is it?"

"02:28 local time."

So I can sleep for at least three hours once my hair was washed off. That is better than nothing.