Cloak & Laser: Episode VI

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Episode VI:  What's So Funny?

     Zella sighed as she flipped through the outfits in her wardrobe. She struggled to figure out what would be the right outfit. She felt as though she needed to wear something that would be a good example to represent her coalition. New Azlantica was known for being prosperous, as well as being a true melting pot of cultures.

     She decided to settle on a gold-colored blouse with an oversized collar and three quarter sleeves. Lace trimmed the edges of the velvety fabric. As much as it pained her that it was an anniversary gift from her husband, she felt like it fit her criteria the best. She also liked it as it frames her small breasts well.

     Zella was anxious to get out of the tight-fitting cryosuit and into something more comfortable. She pulled out the picture she saved and tucked it into a pocket of the pants before pulling the top portion of the suit down, exposing her nude torso.

     Just then, Gallagher walked in, clean from his shower and wrapped in a towel at the waist. Zella was quick to put an arm over her breasts with a gasp. Gallagher was quick to turn to face the opposite wall and apologize. "Shit, sorry. The door was open."

     "It's okay," she said as she blushed, then began to don the blouse. "I'm not usually shy about nudity, but I feel so on edge. There's so many questions, and I feel like they can't be answered fast enough."

     "I know just how that feels. I seem to be suffering from amnesia."

     "Oh, my. That must be the worst."  Zella glanced at him before pulling out the navy blue pants that completed the outfit. They had a pleated waist with straight but loose-fitting legs.

     "I'm not sure what's worse. Not knowing, or getting the pieces of the puzzle in random clips of memory."

     "Oof, that is rough," she said as she buttoned her pants. "You can turn around now." She watched him turn and finally noticed the contrast between his back and front, and the two sides of his face. "Oh, wow, what happened to you?  Is that sunburn?"

     Gallagher gave her a brief look of embarrassment before it took on a look of annoyance while he replied, "Yeah, I was apparently left out to die in the desert outside."

     Zella's eyes went wide. "What?!" Her question came out stronger than she had intended.

     Gallagher was confused by this, but was quick to respond. "Well, I woke up on my stomach and my head was turned this way–"

     "No, I understand, I just... " She turned away, looking upwards to try and fight off more tears. "I thought nature would've taken back over. Is the planet barren now?"

     "I don't know. I sure hope not, because the creature that nearly killed me was horrifying and I don't see very many surviving the hostile conditions out there. Jaiko told me that the sand was slowly eating away at my skin like an acid."

     "Oh, my." She wanted to say more. She was surprised as she was led to believe that Terra would survive in the end. "Well, there has to be enough resources somewhere to feed that giant out there, and Jaiko looks more than healthy."

     Gallagher chuckled lightly at that. "Hmh. I wish I could remember."

     "I do, however, have something for your sunburn. Is it blistering?"

     "No, I don't think so."

    "Good, come with me then."

     She led him back into the medical room. "Go ahead and take your towel off and lay down on there on your stomach like you were," she said, pointing at the metal bed upon which he had been laying.

     Gallagher was shocked that she was so nonchalant about nudity. He felt hesitant about doing it and waited for her to turn away before quickly dropping the towel and laying on his stomach. He somehow knew it was wrong, but as long as she was okay with it, he didn't see the harm. Still, he made sure to tuck his genitals underneath him.

     He watched as she searched through the drawers and cabinets. He wondered if he had a wife back home, or even if he had a home. Compared to her, he was quite muscular but still athletic. She looked thin and frail to him, yet still had a nice figure, and definitely a beautiful face. He averted his eyes when he saw her find something.

     "Oh, good, he did stock these."

     "What is it?"

     "They're medbots, and they're going to fix your sunburn." She held the tiny bottle close to him so that he could see.

     To Gallagher, it looked like a bottle of ink. "What are medbots?"

     "They're nanoscopic robots that are programmed to diagnose and treat skin ailments. All you need to do is relax and they'll do all the work."

     Gallagher somehow understood what the tiny robots were. No memories were telling him this, but he wasn't shocked by the information. "Will it hurt?" he asked, trying to keep his eyes on the bottle until she took it out of view.

     "You might feel a light tingling sensation, but, no, it shouldn't hurt." Zella then began to pour the bottle over the small of his back. As the medbots slowly poured out, her eyes trailed over his physique.  Gregg was athletic, but was not known for his strength. She chided herself for looking. She was torn over her grief and her need to cling to someone during her vulnerability.

     Zella was snapped out of her thoughts as Gallagher began to laugh. "What's so funny?" she asked as she stepped back as he was beginning to wriggle and writhe.

     "They're tickling me. Why are they tickling me?"  Gallagher tried his best to wipe them away where he could without getting up.  Despite his efforts, he could feel them slowly spreading wherever the sunburn affected his skin.

     Zella put a hand to her mouth and began to giggle.  "They're eating a thin layer of skin.  Most don't feel much, but you must have sensitive receptors."  She tried to stifle her laughter, but his continued antics kept fueling that fire.  She continued to laugh harder and harder until she put her hand on a countertop that was still full of cobwebs and dust.

     Gallagher managed to acclimate to the sensation just as it was beginning to fade. He watched her face turn to disgust as she wiped off her hand.  "So, when their work is done, what happens then?"

     "Well, they will self-terminate and eventually fluff off with your dead skin."  She looked over his body and could now see his normal skin tone.  It was darker than hers, but could pass as tanned white skin.  "You should soon feel a cooling sensation for a minute or two.  You can get up now, and I'll show you where my husband's clothes are."

     He waited for her to turn away, but she remained in place.  "Will you, uh, hand me the towel please?"

     Zella scoffed with a smirk and handed him the towel before turning away and walking toward the door a ways.  "You know, you have nothing to be self-conscious about.  Your physique is impressive."

     "I," he began as he stood.  He let out a quiet sigh before responding, "It just feels weird, I guess.  Something deep down is telling me it's wrong, especially since you just lost your husband."

     "It's nothing I haven't seen before, but it's okay to be a gentleman, too."  She let out a slight chuckle.  She wondered if society had reverted back to a more conservative attitude toward nudity.  Her stomach then grumbled, causing her to feel its emptiness.  She resisted putting a hand to her stomach before asking, "Are you ready?"

     "Lead the way."

     She briefly glanced back at him before leading him back to the bedroom.  Zella, again, chided herself.  She couldn't help but notice her attraction to him, except that, he's a complete stranger, even to himself.  She vowed to herself to be more reserved in the future as she opened her husband's closet door.  She gasped and then began laughing hard, doubling over slightly.

     Gallagher looked at her confused.  "What's so funny?"

     Zella snorted a little before leaning back up and controlling her laughter enough to reply.  "My dork of a husband was obsessed with the wild west during the 1800s."  She had to laugh a bit more before continuing.  "I guess he assumed we'd wake up in our own wild west."

     Gallagher looked over the clothes, which at first glance, didn't seem unusual.  "Well, the colors aren't bad.  I like this leather color."

     Zella giggled a bit more.  "Right.  I suppose I'll give you your privacy.  Have fun."  She gave him a wry smile before leaving and closing the door.

     Gallagher began to flip through the clothes which all felt heavy.  He was surprised at how similar in style most of them were.  He didn't understand what she meant about the wild west.  He was just glad to see that the clothes looked big enough and began to pull out a few.  He didn't want to spend too long.  He was anxious to get some food into his stomach.

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