“…I see. You have to understand that Beast Bloods are a pure species. I’m sure you have already read through all the available information on them in the databank, so I won’t repeat what you already know. What I have learned is that there are several curious traits about them beyond their unique physical characteristics. First, they age slowly once they reach adulthood. I assume this coincides with their longer lifespans, but the more curious aspect is that their minds develop even slower than their bodies.”
“I knew it!” Euphemia exclaimed.
“You noticed it too? There have been times when I am speaking with Arelia where I have wondered if her mind is still that of a teenager. I used to wonder if they were a little slower to develop intellectually, but as I have interacted with Beast Bloods trying to consciously be aware of that, my theory has turned to conviction that their minds develop slower than their bodies.”
Palmina’s theory had been on the mark. She guessed it right.
“Seventy years is the average lifespan for humans living on this planet. Arelia is nearing middle-age in human years, her physical body is that of a young adult woman, and she has lived most of those years with the brain of a teenage girl. Of course this is if we apply human years and development to a Beast Blood.”
“…Amazing…” Euphemia and Ronaldo said at the same time.
“Isn’t it? It’s no wonder they have a hard time getting by in human society when their looks and mentality don’t add up by our standards. It makes sense why there were so many crimes involving Beast Bloods in the past. After being persecuted, they gave up living alongside humans and had no choice but to live alone as ‘individuals.’ It’s ironic how that only further fueled mankind’s inability to understand them.”
“Good point.” Euphemia wished she had an IHT to take down notes.
“Beast Bloods ravenously cling to life. They constantly sharpen various senses in order to survive. Their amygdala, the part of the brain that reads and processes emotions and facial expressions, is especially well-developed.” Maurice tapped his finger against the side of his head. “Preliminary research shows that it might be more advanced than in the human brain.”
The amygdala is one of two almond-shaped clusters of nuclei located deep and medially within the temporal lobes of the brain. It has been shown to perform a primary role in the processing of memory, decision-making, and emotional responses. It reacts especially to negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, sadness, and aggression. This is why it is also called the brain’s fear center.
Euphemia and Ronaldo listened attentively to Maurice’s research findings.
“They unconsciously exclude humans who are hostile toward them from their life.”
Euphemia said nothing because she didn’t want to interrupt Maurice.
“Do you know about Infernum?” he asked.
“Yes. They view Beast Bloods as a scourge on society and are willing to commit any crime to hunt them down,” Euphemia answered.
“That’s correct. The scar on Arelia’s face was caused by their Huntsmen. Many more scars mar the rest of her body. I saved her when I found her collapsed and on the verge of death from a fatal wound.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that…”
“We haven’t been able to let down our guard even after we started living together. I retired from the academic world partially to protect Arelia. Though she’s the stronger one,” Maurice admitted with a sad smile. “I was once assaulted myself. I only survived because she came to my rescue.”
“You were assaulted, Dr. DeLay?” Euphemia asked, covering her mouth with her hand. “Why…?”
“I suppose there are some people who are not happy with my research into seedless Night Blooms and its practical application in the wider world. I thought I was a goner when some thugs from Vermis surrounded me. Arelia appeared just in the nick of time. She knocked four large, armed men flat on their backs in the blink of an eye… She might have killed them then and there if I hadn’t stopped her. Beast Bloods cling to life, but they are even more fixated on their mate’s survival, that sometimes I wonder if that fixation borders on obsession,” Maurice expounded, pushing his glasses up his nose.
“That is why I retired from the research institute,” he finished. “So that I could protect both my wife and myself… Well, plainly put, I ran away from it. I’m a coward, don’t you think?”
“No…you aren’t. Protecting your wellbeing comes first and foremost. But…it’s different for Beast Bloods, isn’t it? Their mate’s wellbeing matters more than their own,” Euphemia said. Zelaide had said something similar before. “I would like to think that humans are the same way, but actually acting on that is harder than just thinking it.”
“How does your friend interact with you?” Maurice asked, his voice quiet.
“…How?” Euphemia thought about her interactions with Zelaide. “I don’t think he hates me at least. But he is always drawing a line between us because he’s a Beast Blood. It almost seems like he’s afraid to cross that line…”
“I know this is an impolite question, but…has he touched you? Ah, please don’t feel pressured to answer if you don’t want to,” Maurice faltered, his eyes shifting to Ronaldo.
“I’m going to go check out the backyard,” Ronaldo said, rising from the chair.
Euphemia blushed when she realized the intent behind the question, but she sent a grateful look to Ronaldo and his rare show of consideration. Once he left the room, she faced Maurice again. Maurice silently watched her. She could tell he wasn’t asking out of curiosity, so she decided to answer him with honesty.
“You mean that sexually, correct? Then just once.”
“I see… I apologize for asking such an improper question of you.”
“It’s okay… He is very kind… But it seems like he is extremely concerned about having done that with me. He has been avoiding me ever since. He does dangerous work too.”
“…He greatly cares for you,” Maurice concluded.
“Really? What makes you think that?”
“Remember when I said the only thing Beast Bloods are more attached to than life is their mates? They don’t care for much else or even pay it the time of day. I can’t say if you are his mate or not, but he must view you as someone incredibly dear and irreplaceable. My years of research tell me that is a sure fact,” Maurice declared resolutely.