WIP Wednesday - Clan and Commit

The lonesome Nobek...

      Japohn dug in. What the inn lacked in appearance and location, it remedied in the kitchen. With an appetite to match his size, Japohn soon polished off round one of breakfast and signaled for the next.

      As another steaming tray of mostly meats arrived, he noticed a pair of Kalquorians entering the dining room. His gaze followed them as they chose a table on the other end of the room.

      They were younger than him. He wasn’t that old himself, but he’d been out of training camp for over a decade. Nobeks tended to mature faster than the other breeds—at least, that was Japohn’s opinion—so the fresh faces of the other two Kalquorians gave them an almost juvenile aspect.

      One was obviously an Imdiko, and adorable to boot. His smile was pure innocence that caused Japohn to smile too. He was pretty sure the other fellow was a Dramok. A handsome fellow. Both were in the prime of life, their expressions belonging to those who’d not encountered too many world-shaking disappointments yet.

      They huddled at their table after putting in their orders, talking and laughing with an intimacy that woke an ache in the Nobek’s chest. They were definitely lovers. Possibly clanmates, since Imdikos didn’t tend to remain unattached long into adulthood.

      Japohn chewed his food absently, observing the happy couple with envy. If life had been different—if he had been different—he could have hoped to attract the good fortune they’d found with each other. Clan. Family. Love.

      I hope you boys appreciate what you appear to have.

      Of course they couldn’t. Most Kalquorians were pack creatures, eager to surround themselves with others. They didn’t know the pain of those whose lots dictated they remain alone. Those like Nobek Japohn, who was forced time and again to anticipate a solitary future because he was driven to do things his way, with a marked inability to compromise.

      He knew his destiny was to remain unclanned. Yet Japohn couldn’t keep from watching the young men and dreaming about what would never be his.

Releasing in June (no specific date set).