Chapter 36: The Workralin

"Howard, do I really have to put on a blindfold," Monica blushed, taking off her black cardigan and sitting down on the florid pattered sheets in the Main Suite. She felt her heart beating faster and faster, like an accelerating drum. "We are all alone. With a blind fold… I'll be completely invulnerable to your attacks."

"Monica, do you like me a lot?" Howard pulled a tie down from a wrack to his right, and wrapped it around Monica's features, hiding her from the light. "I mean. Do you love me?"

"I-I'm not not in love with you,"Monica bit her lip, accepting the tied knot around the back of her head. "Now-I know I'm beautiful, but you-your hands better stay by my face!"

"Just give me a second," Howard said, running to grab a book he'd scribbled a few hours earlier. After fighting Necrolith, a voice started playing in his head, dozens of images flashed, before he felt a strange oneness with this presence.

Sitting on the bed, Howard decided to write down some of the details, which ended up turning out to be a story from someone named Zack. He spoke about Monica and Una, so Howard went through great pains to inscribe every detail perfectly. His current location in the Cantron region of the Furnace, his hopes for the day of the Furnace opening, and even his desire to see his sister.

For some reason, Howard could even feel his confusion in the air. He smiled, and gently began in utterance, some of the words he'd carefully jotted down.

"Monica, heh, first question… Did you go to school in Ray High Academy?" Howard adjusted the blindfold and waved his hand in front of her, fearing she might see the details and ruin his surprise. "Don't ask how I got this! That's the secret!"

"You-you talked to Una about me?" Monica nodded her head, "Yes, I did. I-I had to wear a skirt everyday. I bet you'd like it."

"Heh, I would!" Howard confirmed that the Zack he had that connection with indeed meant this Monica. "Hmm, next question. When you were ten, did you try and become a pop star? Did your brother happen to record you singing and then threaten to put it on the internet if you didn't do what he asked?"

"That-that video got deleted! Ugh, how did you learn about that?" Monica crossed her chest. "That Blake! Are you testing one of his inventions? Tell me now or I'll bite you!"

"Time for the secret," Howard said with a smile, "I wasn't sure at first, but now I am."

"You grew up in an area surrounded by large mountains, every morning you would feed the birds and sing. Sometimes you'd even spin in windmills for dozens of minutes, hoping to get the attention of your brother. Heh."

"How-how do you know that,"Monica said, feeling tears welling in her eyes. "You-you're making me sad, Howard. You better stop now. I don't know where you got this information, but you're making me feel sick."

"Let me continue," Howard patted her on the shoulder, rubbing her gently before he planted a kiss on her forehead. "You-you accidentally set your brother's hands on fire once by accident. He asked for the bug spray and you accidentally sprayed him with oil!"

"That-that's enough Howard!" Monica pushed him away, "I-I'm done here! This is the worst surprise ever!"

"Zack told me to tell you he loves you." Howard said with a bright grin. "He told me to tell you that your face gives him comfort at night. Even if the metal against his skin is cold, he still smiles thinking about you. He wants to see what you look like!"

'I-I don't believe you!" Monica yelled! "My brother died when Una took him into the Furnace! He died valiantly saving their lives from the Aresoul!"

"I know where he is," Howard said, taking off her blindfold. "He's waiting for us to come get him. Monica, I mean it. I'm not kidding."

"Howard! Are-are you serious? Where is he! Where is he?" Monica broke down in tears, grabbing onto Howard's body and kissing him gently against his neck. "Please-please tell me you know where he is."

"He's in Cantron." Howard kissed her on the forehead and looked deep into her eyes. "The Aresoul left him for dead, but he survived. However, he got captured by a Workralin and put in prison. I don't know what they are, but apparently they have cities in the Furnance."

"The Workalin are an ancient race that create and sell goods in the Furnance," Monica bit her lip. "They are like the Varlan in that they have advanced technology, however, they-they don't attack anyone unless they intrude on their territory. Why? Why would the Workralin have him? I don't get it!"

"Heh, I don't know. I only hear him when I sleep with you in bed at night," Howard said, laughing. "Maybe, if we sleep a little closer together I can hear the details?"

"You-you serious?" Monica said, wiping the tears off your eyes. "You-you really heard Zack! He's really alive? Howard, close your eyes! It's my turn!"

"Okay," Howard smiled, feeling Monica's pink, gentle lips burst into his own. Feeling a heat rising in his body, Monica didn't let go of him for almost a minute, kissing him deeply as a powerful feeling spread through his body.

"Howard, that-that is the best present I could ever ask for!" Monica kissed him one more time, blushing as she looked at him. "I-I've been feeling so alone. I don't show it all the time, but it's hard being so happy."

"I could tell," Howard kissed her on the forehead, and pointed outside. "Anyways, Zack told me not to tell anyone he's your brother. Why is that?"

"Brothers and sisters that are born with horns, even in the Furnace, are hated," Monica looked at Howard, praying he would keep it a secret. "It's complicated. If i tell you, you might not like me."

"I don't need to know," Howard grabbed her hand. "I'll do everything I can to protect both of you! No matter what happens."

"No matter what," Monica's eyes closed one more time as she leaned into kiss Howard once more. "Well then, I-I might… might just marry you some day jerk! Now stop staring at my lips! Kiss them again already!"