by Robin Roseau
He looked down but then said, “You are welcome, Danette.” Then he looked up. “I enjoyed it, too. I have not been held like that since I was a young boy.”
“And so, I reminded you of your mother?”
“Yes,” he said. “For me, the memory is bittersweet.”
“You can’t go home,” I said.
“Not readily,” he replied. “Maybe someday we can build what we need, and some of us will return to our home worlds. No one believes that will happen soon.”
“Are Loris families close?”
“In this, we are much like humans,” he said. “I was not particularly close with my parents. I was perhaps a poor son, and visited infrequently. It wasn’t until we were leaving my home for the last time that the enormity of my decision pressed upon me.”
“Do you regret your choices?”
“Sometimes,” he said. “But I would do it again. It is how I would do it that would change. I would spend more time with my parents before I left, and I would have made sure to say things I didn’t say. I think they understood, though.”
“No one knows what the future will bring us,” Makiko said.
Chervil nodded then looked up at Danette. “I enjoyed sitting with you, and if you ask again in the future, I would repeat the experience.”
Danette said nothing, but I saw a tear appear in her eye. She brushed it away against her shoulder then said roughly, “I’d like that.” She turned to the Luxan. “I would like something to drink, please.”
“Of course,” he replied. We watched as the three of them walked away in search of refreshments.
Makiko stepped in front of me. “I don’t understand what just happened. She feels grief?”
“I think she’s simply overwhelmed.” I paused. “Or maybe she hoped for something, but she realizes she is a mother surrogate to him. But I think she’s simply overwhelmed.”
“Ah,” Makiko said. “Does she regret her choices?”
“Not a chance in the world,” I replied. “Of all of us, she has shown the most grace, at least that I have seen. And she’s had experiences that are, probably literally, one in a million for us. One in a billion, if you talk about the specifics of holding a Loris in your lap for what sounded like most of the afternoon.”
I paused. “You know, she’ll talk about this for the rest of her life, and not one person in ten is going to appreciate it. They’ll be shocked. ‘You let the aliens hunt you? Weren’t you scared? Angry? Humiliated?’ She was none of those things.”
“No,” Forever said. “She was not. And neither were you.”
“No,” I said. “Neither was I. I would like something to drink, and could we sit? I wouldn’t mind if the two of you decide to hold me.”
“Did you want to sit on my lap?” Forever asked coyly.
“I do not care to make further decisions,” I said. “Danette isn’t the only one who is somewhat overwhelmed.”
There was lemonade and a sofa. We claimed each, and then I found myself seated sideways, across both of them, but it was Makiko who cradled me and offered to help me drink.
My brain, more or less, went to sleep, and the conversation largely happened around me after that. But then Aventurine and Carolina arrived. I didn’t see that, but eventually they came over and knelt in front of me. “You look comfortable,” Aventurine said.
“Where is Amanda?”
“Asleep by now, I think,” Carolina said. “We stayed with her for a while, but when it was clear she wanted nothing but to go to bed, we bid her good night.”
We stayed a while longer. At some point, Makiko and Forever traded which was cradling me, but I don’t actually remember.
Nor do I remember when Forever picked me up, and it wasn’t until she carried me into the bungalow I shared with Felicia that I realized what was going on.
“I think I fell asleep.”
“Which is your room?” Makiko asked. I gestured, and she led the way.
Forever set me on my feet, and by the time she had the restraints off of me, Makiko had pulled the bedcovers aside. I disabled the visor and set it aside then turned to Forever. “I want more time with both of you, and I hope Niecor hug.”
“They do,” she said. She knelt down, and I moved into her arms. She held me easily for a while, then I moved to Makiko. I didn’t ask, but she held me just as long before helping me into the bed. She tucked me in, which I thought was cute, and then kissed my forehead. “I have not had such a lovely time as today in several decades,” she whispered. “Thank you, human prey.”
I squirmed an arm out and found a hand. I rolled to look up into her eyes. “Was that a goodbye?”
“It was good night,” she said.
“Promise.”
“I promise. We’re friends now, and I don’t discard my friends.”
“Good. Kiss me.”
She did, a kiss at the corner of my mouth, which was sweet. Then Forever was there. I took her hand. She didn’t say anything, but I received a similar kiss before she tucked my arm back under the covers and pulled them up to my chin. “Sleep well, human prey.”
I think I was asleep before they had finished vacating the bungalow.
Sand Everywhere
I felt a weight settle on my bed. I opened my eyes and rolled over. Amanda was looking down at me. “Good morning.”
“Please tell me that’s the proper greeting.”
She laughed. “You didn’t sleep the day away.”
“Just half of it?”
“It’s 9:30,” she said. “It’s probably inappropriate that I’m here.”
“Are you my alarm clock, or is this something else?”
“A mix,” she replied.
“Am I in trouble with my boss for sleeping in.”
She laughed. “No. I can go away. If you want one more day, you may certainly have it.”
“No,” I said. “I want to get to work. Felicia?”
“Showering. How about if I get us a table for breakfast?”
“We won’t be long,” I said. I peeked under the covers. I was still wearing the clothing from yesterday evening. “I’m about to sit up. I don’t care if you see me. I’m not wearing any less than I was yesterday.”
“So, they didn’t release your arms?”
I laughed. “Okay, I’m not wearing that.” I sat and swung my feet off the bed, staring straight ahead for a minute.
“You’re still half asleep.”
“Which is why I’m glad you didn’t leave,” I replied.
“Come on.” She grabbed my arm, sliding from the bed, and gave me a few tugs. I let her pull me vertical, and she got me headed to my bathroom. “I’ll see you in a half hour.”
“All right.”
* * * *
There was hot coffee waiting for us. Felicia and I both grabbed our cups and sucked it down. Amanda laughed.
“Hey,” I said. “Some of us did more running around, and some of us didn’t go to bed early.”
“I’ve been awake for hours.”
“Yes, well,” I said. I set the coffee down. “I need to talk to you.”
“I need to talk to both of you. You may go first.”
“I’ve had requests to see what we’re doing here.”
“From humans?”
“Aliens. I’m just the assistant here.” I looked back and forth between them. “I gave vague assent, but pointed out I have no authority.”
“There are two answers,” Amanda said. “The first is what you’re allowed to discuss, and the second is whether we want people traipsing through the lab while you’re working.”
“I don’t think it would be like that, or at least, I hope not.”
“Felicia, I’ll let you address the second part.”
Felicia nodded. “I don’t mind, in moderation.”
“I think it could easily turn into traipsing if we let it,” I said. “I don’t think anyone wants a formal tour. I think it’s… informal. I’m not making sense.”
“The
y don’t want to come as a big group for twenty minutes,” Felicia translated. “We’d have one today for an hour and two tomorrow who might be bored after ten minutes, or who might ask if they can drive the avatar.”
“Yes, I suppose.”
“No to the second,” Amanda said. “If they want to do something like that, they can go talk to Jasmine Brighteyes.”
“I wouldn’t have offered, but I’m glad I am only relaying that response rather than formulating it.”
“As for what you can say… The three of us garnered unexpected attention over the last two days. I am fairly sure there are more people who want to see what we’re doing than have talked to you, Taisha. And that’s only a portion.”
“I made friends, and I hope we can find time to continue that. But we’re here for a job.”
“Yes, well,” she replied. “Felicia, I can handle the politics of this. What do you want to do?”
“I made friends, too,” she said. “But Finley has to be growing impatient, past impatient. We haven’t gotten anywhere.”
“I will tell you when you need to begin to worry about that. That time is not yet.”
Felicia turned to me. Before she could say anything, I said, “Our first three priorities are to do our jobs. That hasn’t changed.”
“Okay.” She nodded. “We can’t keep up with 18-hour days, especially when we’re not making any progress. I don’t know about you, but I needed the last two days a lot worse than I realized.”
“Which means?”
“Which means… if we have a few people who stop by, maybe it will trigger ideas for us. But I don’t want the lab filled with aliens tromping in and out.”
“I will handle the politics,” Amanda said. “But you don’t mind a few visitors?”
“No. They can stop by every day if they don’t stay for hours, or we can hold some sort of mini-seminar, if that’s what you want.”
“Let’s hold off on that. I will be the tour guide, but visitors will probably want some of your attention.”
“That’s fine,” Felicia said.
“All right, then. If anyone asks either of you directly, tell them to schedule with me. Related to this, some of our new friends will be having more events. I want to know whether I should tell them ‘no’ for you.”
“In moderation,” Felicia replied. “Taisha?”
“I’d attend anything anyone wants, but I’m here to do a job.”
“So, in moderation,” Felicia said.
“In moderation.”
“I’m going to act as your social secretaries, then,” Amanda said. “Do you want me saying ‘no’ to anyone?”
“Not on my account,” I replied.
“Nor mine.”
“Well,” I added. “I’m not interested in becoming a mating candidate for a male. But short of that…”
“Right,” she said. “Understood. And you, Felicia? Offering to get hitched?”
“Not at this time,” Felicia said. “I like my job.”
“All right, then.”
“All right then,” we agreed.
* * * *
Felicia and I worked quietly that morning. It was over lunch, eaten in the lab, that she asked, “Are you just putting on a good face?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Being hunted?”
“No. You?”
“God,” she said. She shook her head. “The Martians asked if I would let them hunt me again sometime for a much longer event.”
“What did you tell them?”
“That you were better prey.”
I laughed. “You did not.”
“I did, actually. They were ready to take that as a ‘no’, but I told them ‘yes’, but mentioned responsibilities. They understood that entirely.”
“Thank you for bringing me with you, Felicia.”
“You’re welcome.” She made a disgusted sound and then gestured to the avatar. “It’s operating perfectly.”
“I know.”
* * * *
We didn’t have any visitors that day. It was mid-morning the next day, when I was tromping around outside in the sun, that Felicia said, “Come back to the lab.”
“Did you spot something?”
“Yes. A Kitsune.”
I laughed. “On my way.”
When I arrived at the lab, Felicia and Aventurine were seated together, looking at all the different monitors we had. They both looked up as I stepped into the lab. I walked over. “Hello, Aventurine.”
She stood up and approached. The avatar was tall, and I found myself looking down at her. It wasn’t something I typically experienced, although I was growing accustomed. “That is absolutely beautiful,” she said.
“Bay can be very proud,” I said. “I asked for one for Christmas, but I don’t think I’m going to get one.”
She chittered, a Kitsune laugh. “Probably not. You’re not inside there, though.”
I pointed. “I’m over there, in that medical bed, but it feels like I’m here.”
“I came for a tour and to speak with you,” she said.
“I’m going to step down the hall,” Felicia offered.
We watched her go, and then I turned to Aventurine. “How much did she show you?”
“She explained what you’re doing,” the Kitsune replied. “I’m talking to Taisha, yes?”
“Yes. Did you want me to shut down and open up the bed?”
“I don’t want to interrupt what you’re doing. Amanda Hunt and Jasmine Brighteyes were clear. I’d like you to join me for dinner.”
“Yes. When?”
“Tonight. 7:30?”
“Perfect. Where?”
“Beginnings.”
“Find me in the bar on the beach,” I said. “Does that work?”
“That works perfectly.” She paused. “Taisha.”
“You’re about to say something socially awkward.”
“I’m about to admit we are two species trying to communicate without misunderstandings.”
“You want to tell me either that this is simply two friends meeting for dinner, or you want to see how I feel if it were something else.”
“The latter.”
“You’ll be able to tell how I feel by how I dress.”
She chittered. “I look forward to it.”
“It is my turn to be socially awkward.”
“Yes?”
“Are you making some sort of claim?”
“No. Kitsune are much like humans in this way. We take our time.”
“All right, then.”
“I’m going to go.” She gestured to the computers. “I understood one word in ten of what Felicia said to me.” Then she gestured to me. “But that is truly a work of art.”
Then she turned and strode from the lab. I watched after her. Felicia appeared a minute later and walked up to me. “I have a 7:30 dinner engagement. Do you mind if we knock off at 6:30?”
“Not at all,” she replied. “Go do things.”
I headed back outside.
* * * *
I wore a backless maxi dress, sandals, and spent time on my hair and face. When Felicia saw me, she smiled. “So, this is what you look like for a date.” She walked around me. “Wow.”
“Thanks,” I said.
“Should I wait up?”
I laughed. “I have no idea, but we’re here for a job.”
“You keep saying that. Taisha, no one doubts your commitment.”
“Maybe I’m reminding myself,” I replied. “I feel like we’re failing.”
“So do I,” Felicia admitted.
“The guys are going to think we’re incompetent.”
“The guys don’t have a clue what we’re doing.”
“Tell me you’re not worried about it.”
“It’s going to crash eventually,” she said. “Hopefully we’ll capture the data we need the first time.”
“Pipe dream,” I said. “We need to be able to reliably reproduce it.”<
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“Yeah,” she said. “Burst my bubble. Go. Have fun.”
“I’ll do my best.”
It was a lovely evening, warm and moist, but lovely. The sun had already set. We were sufficiently close to the equator that the days were only twelve hours, the sun rising and setting near six each day. That was so weird for me. It felt like high summer, and the sun should be up until at least eight each night, but it wasn’t. I understood how it worked, but it was still weird to me.
But the boardwalk and paths were comfortably lit, and I made my way to the bar. I ordered a lemonade and sat quietly, watching the water, until I felt someone slide onto the stool beside me.
I looked over. Aventurine was watching me. I smiled at her. She flicked her ears, which I thought was cute. “You look very nice tonight,” she said.
“As do you,” I replied. “If this is a romantic date, I expect to be touched.”
“Good,” she said. “Did you wish to stay here for a while or walk to the restaurant?”
“I wish to spend the evening with you.”
She reached over and took my hand before turning to look at the water. “It is so beautiful.”
“What is your old home like?”
“I was born on the Kitsune home world,” she said. “You would find it familiar.”
“Do Kitsune swim?”
“Yes, but we remain wet a long time. We can blow dry, but it is uncomfortable to us. You are probably a better swimmer than I am.”
“And Carolina far better than anyone.”
She chittered. “Yes. Do you wish she were here instead of me?”
“No, but if she invites me to dinner tomorrow, I’ll say ‘yes’.”
“Good,” she said. “Good that you are happy to be here with me, and good that you will accept other offers.” But she didn’t release my hand, and I was quite happy to hold hers.
We sat quietly for several minutes. I realized I remained overwhelmed by everything. When finally I turned to look at her, I found her watching me. I smiled. “What?”
“What were you thinking?” she asked me.
“You seem very calm.”
“I don’t believe that is what you were thinking.”
“It’s part of an explanation that may not make much sense.”
“I may seem calm. Appearances can be deceiving.”