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EXIOS, part 3

copyright comidacomida 2024

Sebastian was normally a very quick eater but he spent his time watching Exios' reaction to each and every bite of his first experience with pasta and meat sauce. Although the creature was very clumsy with his use of a fork, the experiment gained competency with surprising speed and, before long, Exios devoured his first and then second tray with gusto-- only when the chimera was nearly done did the Human go back to his own meal; a moment later Exios' fork was placed on the counter.

The Human took another bite of his own meal before glancing at the experiment, who was watching him intently, completely un-moving save for a large, canine tongue lashing out to lick a few flecks of sauce off his long whiskers. "Thank you, Bastion."

The comment was in a low tone, and rough, almost like a growl, but it lacked any sense of menace. Smiling, Sebastian speared another piece of pastas. "You really seemed to like it. I'm glad our first meal together was a positive one."

Exios' muzzle flicked up and down as he nodded vigorously. "Yes. Is good. Is better than food from Rho IX."

Chuckling, the Human scooped up another forkful of his meal-- he'd managed to finish off about two thirds of his while Exios was scarfing down two trays; it was a magical sight to behold. "Still hungry?"

The focus of the creature's eyes dropped down immediately to the rest of Sebastian's meal, then back up to his face... then slowly back down to the food again. "I--" he didn't get a chance to finish when his stomach rumbled loudly.

Full-on-laughing, the freelancer took his fork back and slid the rest of his tray over to his companion. "Go ahead, if you like."

Exios' ears perked up, zeroing in on Sebastian's laughter just like his eyes focused on the food. He reached out and snatched the tray off the counter. "Yes. I like."

The Human ended up laughing even harder, but the humor was tempered slightly as he watched his companion forego the fork and merely begin to scarf everything up right out of the tray; it reminded him that Exios would likely have starved to death if not for his interference. "Eat all you like, buddy... I have plenty of supplies."

The insides of Exios' ears reddened slightly and he slowly set down the tray, an inquisitive expression creasing his eyebrows and drawing the thin black lips of his muzzle even thinner. "Buddy?"

Sebastian nodded with a smile. "Right. 'Buddy'... as in 'chum', 'pal', or 'friend'."

Exios' ears perked up, his gaze darting to the freelancer's face. The experiment froze, paw hovering mid-air, eyes locking onto the Human's. For a moment, the creature just stared, his expression uncertain, then his own lips curved into a small, hesitant smile, mirroring the Human's. "Friend?"

Shrugging the Human nodded, laughing softly. "Sure. I suppose we're friends, aren't we?"

The experiment finally lowered his paw, taking a step closer to Sebastian, tail half-wagging, half flicking. Exios' voice was deep and gravely, but was awash with warmth. His tail wagged slightly, a low rumble building in his chest. "Ah... laughing... is good?" He licked his nose, forcing his muzzle into an imitation of a Human smile. "Yes... is good."

Sebastian took the two forks and put them into the vibration drawer to clean. "Usually, yeah. I don't laugh a lot... feels good to do so now and again though."

Exios' smile disappeared, whiskers twitching as he took another step closer, his massive body drawing near to the Human's and the creature slowly slid his tongue around the inside of his muzzle. "Exios like Bastian laugh."

The statement made Sebastian laugh again, which also got a positive response from the creature. Exios tried another attempt at a smile, gaze lingering on the Human's face before it slowly migrated toward the exit to the galley. "Auto pilot good. What do now?"

The freelancer slowly reached up and placed his palm atop Exios' head, giving him a gentle pat before withdrawing it; the creature's tail began to wag furiously as Sebastian spoke. "The mallard will take care of everything-- we already got the coordinates inputted so, for now, we have a good length trip to our destination. You're free, Exios... we don't have to have every minute planned. It's okay to play it by ear now and again."

The experiment cocked his head to to the side. "Play by ear?"

Sebastian nodded, wiping his hands off on a towel before heading out of the galley and into the hall. "Right."

Exios followed after him immediately. "What mean 'play by ear'? How play by ear? What play by ear?"

Heading toward the cockpit, Sebastian spoke over his shoulder back to his companion. "I guess it means, like, music... When you play music you can do it with sheet music, or you can just play whatever you want... 'play it by ear'. I guess that's where it comes from anyway-- it means you don't have to plan everything out."

The large creature paused in the hallway, blinking as his pupils contracted. "Oh. So... Exios not have orders?"

Sebastian took a seat in the left seat once he entered the cockpit, doing a quick systems check to ensure that everything was indeed in good shape; it was. Once he confirmed that all lights were green he looked back to the beast that slipped into the pilot's seat beside him. "That's right, Exios. Like I said: you're free. You get to decide what you want to do."

The creature stared at him for several seconds, ears alternating between rising, then falling, going back up, drooping, going erect, wilting, and, ultimately, just folding back. "Oh. Exios decide?"

Smirking, the Human nodded. "That's right, bud. You get to choose your own destiny now... is that alright?"

Exios stared at him, blinking blankly. "Is... fine?"

The statement didn't sound convincing. "You feeling okay, Exios?"

The creature nodded, moving his muzzle exceedingly close to Sebastian. "Yes. Bastian touch again?"

The Human glanced at the enormous head threatening to force him out of his seat. "Do... what, Exios?"

The experiment brushed the top of his head against Sebastian's shoulder. "Touch head. Exios like."

Chuckling, Sebastian realized what his companion meant: he liked having his head pat. Reaching up, he did just as was requested. "Freedom is yours, and all you want is to have someone pat you on your head, huh?"

Exios closed his eyes, body going limp as he leaned into Sebastian's gentle touch. He let out a low, rumbling purr, his ears folding back in contentment. "Yes. Is good."

The Human found himself smiling even wider. At that point the experiment was fully laying on the floor, but still large enough that Sebastian didn't have to lean over to rest his hand on Exios' head. He calmly ran his fingers through the experiment's mane, patting him, raking his nails lightly behind the chimera's ears, admiring how everything he did was so well received. Exios eventually let out a long, contented sigh... and his stomach gurgled again. Stifling a chuckle, Sebastian patted him on the head. "You get enough to eat, bud?"

Exios let out a contented purr. "Full. Exios like Bastian food."

Nodding, Sebastian rotated his chair slightly so he could bring both hands to bear, brushing fingers through the creature's mane and so he could scratch behind each ear at the same time. "Good. I try to eat at least twice a cycle, so--" he paused when the experiment let out an enormous yawn. "... everything alright, Exios?"

The beast licked the inside of his muzzle, chewing on it before settling himself back down on the floor, inching his body even closer to Sebastian, practically wrapping his huge bulk around the freelancer's chair. "Yes. Is good."

The Human wasn't buying it. "You look tired. We should see about setting up a sleeping area for you."

Exios opened an eye, not even bothering to lift his head. "Here? Exios sleep here... so here is sleeping area?"

While Sebastian couldn't exactly argue against the logic, he wasn't sure he felt comfortable having the enormous creature sleeping in the cockpit; so many things could go wrong if Exios shifted in his sleep and accidently flipped the wrong switch or smacked the wrong button. Eventually the Human swiveled his chair, taking the moment to disengage by hopping over the experiment's tail and leg. "We'll be in transit for awhile and it'll be a good idea for you to get some sleep and the right place to sleep on a ship is in assigned quarters."

Exios finally raised his head, blinking as he stared. "Mallard Mk 2 has environmental control for crew of 8... less if Gorumn... more if Voljoi or Cytkus."

Sebastian nodded. "That's right. There are some scrubber upgrades that can increase--"

The experiment spoke right over him. "Not good. O2 issue made better but not increase crew space. Even Mallard LX have only four rooms... SE have just three." Exios paused at that as if suddenly putting two and two together, tail wagging excitedly at the realization. "Oh! 'Sleeping area'! Bastian mean crew quarters!"

Smirking, the Human nodded. "Right... come on."

The freelancer slid past the enormous creature, patting him on the head one more time before heading toward the back of the ship. Glancing back periodically toward Exios, Sebastian moved toward the three crew quarters... not that they were used for that purpose since he worked alone. The experiment's eyes were scanning the ship as much as they were following Sebastian; Exios' nose worked constantly, ears swiveling. He even talked to himself as he followed after the Human. "Ah."

Sebastian came to a stop in the hallway. "What's that, Exios?"

The chimera paused. "What what, Bastian?"

The Human shook his head. "Never mind... thought I heard you say something. Anyway... here we are." He gestured to the three rooms connected by a short hall, and specifically to the one he stood next to. "I've always used the master bedroom and used the second and third for storage. Considering the master is larger, it might work better for you... I can move my things into the one here across the hall... it's the smallest of the three, but I have the least amount of stuff in it clogging it up."

Exios' ears perked up, eyes glancing past Sebastian; he turned his head, looking at the door to which the Human had gestured. The creature then faced forward, moving almost all of his weight to his right leg as he leaned around to glance through the doorway beside the freelancer; Sebastian saw Exios' tail twitch with excitement. "Master bedroom? Master bedroom is for master?"

Chuckling, Sebastian reached up to ruffle Exios' mane; the chimera made it easy since he was leaning over. "Nah... it just means it's the largest one available... makes sense that you should have it because you're the larger of the two of us."

The experiment blinked, his paws taking another step closer. Sebastian shuffled aside as the massive body crowded the Human in the small hallway and Exios moved toward the room. "Oh. Is not Bastian's room?"

The freelancer pat the creature on the shoulder, chuckling. "Nah... I DID offer it, after all. Why don't you go ahead and use it for tonight and see if it works out okay for you. Sound fair, Exios?"

The beast lingered in the doorway, tail swaying back and forth in a slow, steady rhythm until it brushed against Sebastian's thigh, at which point it gingerly wrapped around the freelancer's leg. "Room for Exios?"

Rolling his eyes, the Human gave his companion a gentle shove into it. "That's what I said, Exios."

Sebastian realized considering their size difference that he would have had no luck moving Exios had the experiment not wanted it, but the large chimera obediently stepped in, ears swiveling and nose working as he did so. His entire body quivered a moment and, for a split second, Sebastian was concerned that his new friend might have a panic attack, but whatever had struck the creature passed as quickly as it had started. Ultimately, the creature responded with a neutral "Hmmm."

Exios began slowly rotating in place and, as he turned to face Sebastian, the Human noticed his eyes were closed, almost as if taking a non-visual 'feel' of the place. "How's that, bud? Think it'll work for a few nights?"

The experiment stopped once he was facing the freelancer, but kept his eyes closed, nostrils flaring as he inhaled and, visibly, Exios finally looked as though he were relaxing, tension melting away. The beast's lashing tail stilled and his ears drooped in obvious contentment. "Is good. Exios like."

Sebastian smiled at the announcement, and it widened as the creature finally opened his eyes and began gazing around the room. The Human remained by the door while Exios started rooting around the floor, dropping down to all fours with his rump up in the air, tail lashing again from side-to-side, nose stuffed under the bed while exploring. The Human made a mental note to find out some clothing options for the experiment; the need for it was evident due to the view since Exios laid it all bare to the freelancer's vision, butt facing him with tail up and 'dangly-bits' on display.

That did bring up a question, which the Human figured needed to be discussed. "Hey... Exios? can I ask you something?"

Attempting to straighten up without first pulling his head out from beneath the bed resulted in Exios letting out an "Oof!" accentuated by a thud from the bed as it jumped several inches-- Sebastian was impressed since it was faux hardwood and weighed several hundred pounds. The experiment turned around to face the Human, standing on three legs while he absently rubbed at his head with one of his paws. "Bastion just did."

The freelancer paused at the statement. "What did I just do?"

Exios cocked his head to the side, his fourth paw joining the others on the ground. "Basion just asked Exios something... and again." He raised the paw again, holding up two digits. "Two times now."

Sebastian paused, having to replay their interactions for a moment before he realized what his companion meant; the Human had indeed asked if he could ask a question. Rather than the preamble, the freelancer jumped right into what he was wondering. "Back on Rho IX did the scientists ever have you wear anything or were you always naked?"

The experiment blinked, head still cocked to the side. "Men made Exios wear restraints. Bastian saw them."

Nodding, the Human let out a breath to clarify. "I mean anything else. Clothes? Most people wear clothes."

Exios shook his head. "No. Men say Exios not people... Exios only have restraints. Men on Rho IX study Exios and clothes make hard to see all of Exios."

Although only a few species had social rules regarding nudity, the vast majority wore clothing if for no reason other than to avoid the disapproval of those who did have such hang-ups. That, and beacause of utility benefits such as warmth, pockets, and general adornment to show off social standing. Much of that probably wouldn't make such sense to the experiment, so Sebastian tried to keep it simple. "There are some places where you'll be encouraged to wear clothes... and they can be helpful at times."

Exios continued to stare at him, obvious thought between his otherwise glassy gaze and, ultimately, the experiment spoke up. "People wear clothes... Exios is people?"

Sebastian nodded. "I think most people would agree, yes."

The beast looked around and the freelancer could pick the very second that Exios found what he was looking for. Reaching out, the creature grabbed one of Sebastian's socks off the floor, picked it up, and set it atop his head between his ears. "There. Is good?"

The Human didn't respond for several seconds, taking that time to try and assess what he was seeing. Despite being naive and inexperienced when it came to social conventions, Exios was not stupid. The pace at which the tip of the creature's tail was wagging left only one possible explanation. "Exios... are... you making a joke?"

The beast's tongle flopped out of the corner of his muzzle as his head bobbed up and down, tail wagging faster. "Is good joke?"

Smiling, Sebastian nodded. "It was a bit surprising... despite how you may come across sometimes you're a quick witted fella, aren'cha?"

Exios's head nodded up and down vigorously; he grabbed the sock and took it off as he noted. "Yes. Men on Rho IX always unhappy Exios understand things so fast... they say Exios make it hard to keep him where he need to be... is why Exios had restraints." he looked down at the sock. "This not go on head... not where it should be."

The Human nodded in return. "Right. That doesn't go on your head."

The experiment sniffed at it, tail wagging. "Bastion's clothes... and Bastion's clothes go on Bastion."

Smirking, Sebastian was almost about to point out that socks went on feet until he realized that the whole statement was yet another joke, in a way. "Right. We'll have to get you some of your own clothes, Exios."

The creature nodded again. "Yes... clothes are for wearing on body parts that people don't want seen... like primary and secondary sexual organs."

It was a rather excessive way of describing the situation but, Sebastian realized, it was also accurate. "Right. Lots of people wear clothes to cover up parts of their body that might be considered rude to show in pub--" he paused when Exios wrapped the sock around his sheath. "--lic. Exios... that's not exactly what I meant."

Ears wiggling, tongue panting, and tail wagging, Exios removed the sock and returned it to where he'd found it on the floor. "Yes. Is Bastian sock. Exios not have clothes. Bastian not happy?

The Human shook his head. "Nah... I don't mind, bud... I'm just saying we need to consider getting you some before we walk you around all over a space station or what-not. Clothes help people see you as a person... and that's important."

Exios glanced around the large master bedroom, still seated on the floor like one huge dog. "And people get bedrooms... Exios use this bedroom?"

The experiment's simple approach to discussion and eagerness to bounce around topics was far more endearing than it was bothersome... at that point, anyway. Nodding, Sebastian gestured. "Sure, Exios... that's what I said before, right? We'll see how you like it. I want you to be comfortable. You can go ahead keep the big bed since I'm not sure the small one will...."

The Human paused; while Sebastian had been talking Exios had sprang up on the bed, still on all fours, face-planting on the enormous mattress and started rubbing his whole body all over it, letting out happy-growly sounds, tail wagging profusely. Rolling his eyes, the freelancer made his way out into the hall, chuckling "...and you're not even listening to me anymore. G'night, bud."