Humans are Weird: Irrational Fear of the Dark
(Adding my own two cents to the humans are weird tag, how would aliens react to humans and our irrational fears?)
The humans were relentless fighters. Even though the Tuhrm's attack was a surprise, even after it was clear the humans had lost control of the ship, even after Thu'um's crew had secured the humans, they still fought. Twisting, snarling, baring their flat-shaped teeth--not in the way which was known as a 'grin', but in a much more feral appearance. It was curious. Why struggle so much when they'd already lost?
There was one human who was particularly difficult. While the others were tied reltitively without incident--some complying with wide eyes and short breaths and others giving Thu'um's crew more than a few formidible scratches--a male one called "Liam" was annoyingly difficult to restrain. Perhaps it was his size, which was signifigantly larger than that of the rest of his human companions, or perhaps it was the sheer aggression that fueled him, but Thu'um found he himself had to deal with that specific human. Seeing as, as captain of the crew, Thu'um was the biggest of the Tuhrm, he was the only one able to effectively restrain the human Liam.
Of course, they could not keep this Liam with his human companions. Thu'um could only bristle in frustration at the possibilities: surely Liam would rile the other humans to re-take their ship, or perhaps manage to free them all from their makeshift prison, a bedroom. So Thu'um found himself having to drag the resisting male human to the next best makeshift prison he could think of: the storage closet.
It was big enough to hold the human comfortably--an uncomfortable, strong human such as Liam would only serve to grow in his aggression, Thu'um realized. However, the compartment locked from the outside and was cramped enough to provide a formittible holding cell. Not to mention it was a storage closet, so of course it would be re-enforced enough that Liam wouldn't by any means be able to break out.
Struggling with the human, who was only a few inches short of Thu'um's great 6'6 height, the Tuhrm managed to wrestle the bound male into the storage closet. Liam growled, rising to his feet in a motion which warned Thu'um of an oncoming charge, but Thu'um reacted quickly, slamming the human back to the ground. With an annoyed hiss, Thu'um backed out of the small room, beginning to close the door....
"No, wait!"
Thu'um paused, if only out of surprise at the human's outburst, one which did not contain what was considered foul language. The Tuhrm turned his attention to the human, curiousity peeking upon finding the male pressed against a wall, sitting, with wide eyes. Was he preparing to attack again? Thu'um scanned the male's body-language. He was rigid, surely that was a sign of further agression.
"Please... d-don't lock me in here. I... I can't be in here." Laim's voice was uneaven as he spoke, only further drawing Thu'um's curious attention.
"What?" Thu'um hummed, tone resembling that which told humans he was confused.
"I can't be in here," the human repeated. Was he... shaking? "Please, can't... can't you put me in a room with a light?"
Thu'um paused, processing Liam's request. "With... a light...?"
"A light!" Thu'um sensed aggression in these words, but they were quickly replaced by another tone. "I-I can't... function in the dark."
Thu'um clicked his bristles together, a motion which signified combined confusion and frustration. While it was an action the human certainly did not understand, he did seem to understand that Thu'um was growing impatient.
"Please! I have to have a light!" The human pressed. "If you lock me in here I'm going to flip out!"
Normally, Thu'um would recognize this kind of human-speech as a threat. But Liam's tone... it was frantic.
It was then that Thu'um recognized the human's body language.
He was afraid.
But... of what? Of having no light? This confused Thu'um. Didn't humans sleep in the dark, when there was no light?
"You are... frightened of the dark?"
Thu'um sensed an oncoming protest, but it never came. Instead, Liam shrunk, just a little. Suddenly, the fierce male human seemed very meek.
"Please. Just... just please turn a light on."
Thu'um's four eyes blinked in unison. Despite the logical refutes, Thu'um did not think this human was acting. The way Liam now held himself, the look in his eyes....
"You are frightened of the dark?" Thu'um repeated, seeking clarification. The human frowned.
"I...." Liam's gaze shifted uncomfortably to the floor. He did not confirm the question aloud, but Thu'um sensed it was true. How it was possible, however, that a human so strong and previously fearless was so afraid of darkness puzzled the Tuhrm.
Thu'um hummed, considering the situation. Perhaps, as much as it was confusing, he could use this to his advantage. "Will you comply?"
"W-what?" The male human practically whispered.
"Will you comply? No more fighting?"
The human was taken back by that. Thu'um could sense the protest radiating off of Liam's skin. It went against Liam's own logic, to stop fighting. It may not have made sense to Thu'um, but he could tell the male human was compelled to fight back against restraint, no matter the circumstance.
"O...Okay."
Thu'um stared at the human before him, bristling once again in confusion. Liam was that willing to give up, just for some light? How was this fierce fighter, who seemed intent on fighting despite loss, so willing to give up a philosophy of resistance just so he wouldn't be in the dark?
Humans made no sense to Thu'um.
And yet, Liam had agreed.
The Tuhrm hummed again, stepping back and motioning to the human. It didn't make sense, but judging from the panic radiating off of Liam's skin, Thu'um sensed he was telling the truth.
"Very well. This way."
Thu'um eyed the human as he approached, practically scrambling to leave the enclosed environment of the storage room. Perhaps one day Thu'um would understand this strange phenomonon.
But for now, he would simply have to settle with updating his crew's log with this new bit of information on the enemy: some humans could be afraid of the dark.
(origional work, please credit ❤)