Chapter 4

“… Davinsky.”

Lynne blinked, tilted her head, and tried to remember her last name. Was it Davinsky? No, she was fairly certain it was… not. She was stunned.

Nods of agreement could be seen around the table. Agreement? Who would agree with this appalling decision!? Lynne had expected her name to come to her ears, Hardisty! Not… ugh! She remained in place, blinking and confused. It took a throat clearing from Brusque to get her to refocus her attention. She bowed, not knowing why, then sunk back into position behind him.

That little brat. The sole male Pupilan across the table whose self-satisfied smirk had looked at her in a way that had seemed deliberate. Had he already known? Was she the only one who didn’t? Did Brusque…?

She looked to her left where Brusque sat in front of her, nothing but questions in her mind as she chewed subconsciously on her lip, a habit she had recently been trying to break. Lynne couldn’t see his face, she so desperately wanted to ask him what was going on? Surely she deserved her place at the table, in a chair as opposed to standing behind one. Her disgust barely contained, she stared across at the dumbass that had barely ever been an apprentice a third of the time she had spent under Brusque.

Fuming, she stood for the next few minutes while the initial proceedings of initiation took place, verbally run through by the newest first master. Davinsky was told that he would need to select a Pupilan, he may take his pick of the newest recruits after the fifth, his old master, had his choice. She pitied his apprentice, whoever they might be.

Daniel, Davinsky’s first name, was barely capable on his own, and to be handed such a position of power? A homely looking boy, she thought of him as a boy because he was a year younger than her, he had short, badly cut brown hair that made him look like Friar Tuck as the top had begun to thin out despite his young age. He was mean-spirited too! Lynne had suffered many a proposition, mostly due, she assumed, to her hefty bounty. However, none had been so blatant and rude as the one she had received from Daniel. She had been out swimming with some friends and he had approached her, commenting on her “bodacious butt,” and then asked if she would like to spend the night with him. She and her friends had been so shocked, they all started laughing. Who on earth, or in space, used such a word anymore? Not to mention the impropriety of his suggestion out in the open, in front of her friends? What kind of whore did he take her for? Well, he had promptly let her know she was a PROPER whore, then stormed off as quickly as one could in chest deep water.

Observing his gleeful expression, Lynne scoffed and looked away. Who named their child Daniel Davinsky anyway? What was he supposed to be, some kind of superhero with an alliterative name like that? She didn’t know, and at the moment really wished she didn’t care.

From this position, and while everyone was busy looking at the opposite end of the table, Lynne was just barely able to see Atigula above the sixth’s chair to her right. Atigula was also looking at Daniel, but he was not smiling. A serious look on his face, he sat there as if in contemplation. Did he doubt the decision made by the council of Head Masters? Had it been a close vote? Not that it mattered at this point, but she decided that it had been, even if only for her own sake. Somehow, this made her feel a bit better.

Studying him from her somewhat covert position, Lynne could tell something was truly bothering Atigula, but he broke from whatever thoughts he had been having and signaled to his guards that it was time to leave. He made his way down the table, nodded to Davinsky and exited through the door at the front of the room. This served as a dismissal and everyone who had been sitting now got up to mingle, congratulate the new master, or to take their leave.

Brusque, not one for socialization, got up and made his way to the door. Lynne followed, doing her best to not make eye contact with Daniel, though she did send plenty of very nasty thoughts in his direction. She was confident at least some of them got through.

As they exited the room, Brusque turned to look at her. “I have a meeting, shortly. Please feel free to take the rest of the evening off, though I would like to speak to you first thing in the morning.” His gray eyes seemed to search her as though checking for any abnormal emotional reactions to the proceedings they had just been a part of. Luckily for her, Lynne had no such visible reactions, she had trained herself extensively in art of-

“Wow. You’re really shaken up.” Brusque said. “8 AM, my room. Don’t be late.” Then he walked off down the corridor, leaving her to reconsider how discreet her emotions actually were. Sighing, she began to slowly make her way down the hall, but was stopped when she heard her name being called from back behind her. She turned to look and immediately her anger flared.

It was Daniel. Or Master Davinsky, she reminded herself, making a note to call him by his proper title. At least in person.

“Lynne! Oh, Lynnie!” She disliked that nickname, her friends sometimes called her that to tease her, but she had made it very clear that she disliked it. Now, it was official. She hated it.

She gritted her teeth, “Master Davinsky.” He was walking fast to catch up to where she stood, then stopped in front of her, beaming and slightly out of breath. God, his face was so… stupid! She knew this analysis was likely very subjective in nature, but she would stand by it.

“Hey Lynnie.” She ground her teeth in response, saying nothing as he continued, “I noticed that you left rather quickly?” His eyebrows were raised, insinuating that she should answer his question. Lynne smiled, hoping that it looked as dead as she wished he was.

“I did. Only because Master Brusque needed to leave,” then after a brief pause she added, “He has a meeting to attend to.”

“Yes, I know.” His eyes twinkled. He knew? How did he know?! She went to ask him, but realized that due to his new position, it would be inappropriate to do so.

Her eyes fluttering, and feeling a bit flustered, she settled for, “Oh.”

“Ha! You’re cute when you’re embarrassed.” What the hell, how dare he comment on how she looks! Besides, she wasn’t!

“I’m not embarrassed!”

“You sure are!”

Ugh! Once again showing her how childish he was. She decided to change the subject. “Uhm, sir, did you need something?” She really hoped he didn’t, but given the circumstances it seemed likely.

“That depends, are you busy tonight?” Oh dear. This could go very badly. It was one thing for one Pupilan to approach another and solicit them for relations, it was usually quite acceptable. It was also acceptable for them to be turned down. However, for a master to do so and for a pupe to refuse, that was less common. Not only was it seen as bad form politically for that apprentice, but bonuses were doubled for the apprentice if they managed to conceive a master’s child. The assumption, of course, being that the master had achieved his rank due to their natural abilities and not some… Lynne looked at Daniel disapprovingly and finished her thought: Mistake.

She quickly thought up a partial truth, “I will need to check and see if Master Brusque will require my aid at his meeting.” Lynn knew that if he had, he would have told her so and not given her the night off, but she hoped Davinsky wouldn’t know that.

Daniel’s chubby face seemed to contort into a rather disturbing grin, “Unnecessary. He won’t.” Shit. He did know. Still, she shouldn’t just take his word for it, it was important to be thorough!

“Uh, but how-“

“Because I am the one meeting him, and I specifically requested that he not bring you.”

Lynne felt shocked. Brusque, was meeting with this, this filth?! Davinsky was barely a master and was already throwing his weight around, asking for meetings with her Carl? Well, he wasn’t technically hers. She knew that she felt a significant, and possibly affectionate, possession over him as her master. Some Pupilan did, it wasn’t weird, she was sure of it. Stockholm Syndrome? Haha, what was that?!

Wait a second. When did they set up this meeting? Did her master know Davinsky would ascend to become one himself before the council meeting had even taken place? More questions! She didn’t know what to say to the frumpy man standing in front of her, looking much like an anthropomorphic Cheshire Cat.

“I- I see.” She managed.

“So?” He asked again. “Wanna go out with me and celebrate?”

Oh, no she did not. But could she really say no? More people began to file out of the council chamber, moving past her and Daniel. A few greeted them and congratulated him. Happy for the distraction, Lynn quickly shoved her hand in her pocket and withdrew her device. Mumbling the briefest of apologies in his direction and understanding that this was highly disrespectful towards the new master, she hoped it was someone of authority that could drag her out of this mess.

Unfortunately, it was just her friend Melinda messaging her and asking what she’s up to, and if she was done hanging out with the boss and wanted to go for drinks. She was about to offer a more authentic apology, at least in appearance, when her phone began buzzing again. This time it was a call. Looking up at Davinsky who now wore a frown, she let out a light, somewhat penitent, laugh.

“Aren’t I popular?” She said flatly. Daniel crossed his arms. Oh boy, this better be good. Glancing down at her phone, Lynne saw the name “Master Brusque” on the screen. Inwardly thanking the stars, she answered it, “Yes, sir!?”

“I realize that I have given you the night off, but due to unforeseeable circumstances,” he paused, “I will need you to go back to the hangar and make sure our ship is in good shape, potentially ready for takeoff after our meeting tomorrow morning.”

“A job sir?” She held her breath, the man standing across from her forgotten for the moment.

“As I said. Potentially.”

“Yessir!” Her words blended together in her excitement, “I will get right on that! You can count on me!”

“… Indeed.” Was his response, before the call was cut off.

“What was that?” Lynne said, probably louder than necessary, “Immediately? Oh, yes sir, I will leave right now.” She said this last bit, looking at Daniel whose expression had darkened considerably. “Bye…” she said at a whisper, her attempt not to sound too eager had been wasted, she knew. She waited, not knowing what to say.

“It seems you are otherwise occupied.”

“Yessss, sorry about that!” She said, cheerily.

Davinsky made an audible, “hmph” sound before storming off down the hallway. Lynne turned to watch him go and in the distance she could swear she saw a familiar cloak turn the corner.

Phone still in hand, she began tapping at it furiously, sending a message back to Melinda:

C U in an hour! Prepping ship, be done soon. XOXO!

What a day. She could definitely use some girl time to vent to Melinda about the council meeting and her lack of promotion. About stupid Davinsky. Ugh! With a smile on her lips and a hop in her step… she quickly cut out the skipping which only had people looking at her strangely. She was supposed to be a representative of her master, at all times, of course. So, with a stern expression on her face and a smile in her heart, she made her way to the hangar.