by Robin Roseau
“Excellent. Let’s look forward a little. Let us say you decide to take a human mate. Let us also assume that you are able to win this conquest.” She made an odd noise, not quite a snort, but not a laugh. Well, not a human laugh. “You take her home. You make a life together. In Niecor society, would you both have jobs?”
“We would both pursue our preferred interests.”
“And when it is time for a child?”
“I hope for two children with my first mate,” she said. “We would each carry one.”
“She can carry your child.”
“Yes, with changes to her body.”
“And thirty years from now, do you reverse the changes?”
“We believe we can.”
“Believe?”
“It may be that afterwards, she may only be compatible with Niecor, at least for childbearing.”
“Does she then become a child caregiver, forsaking her other aspirations?”
“Only if she so chooses. It may be that I would be the caregiver. But we also have a variety of other options. All these choices are healthy for Niecor young.”
“That’s the most important part.” I looked down at her hand and played with it for a minute. She said nothing, but when I glanced up at her, she was watching me intently. “Are you from a portion of your world that prefers an unwilling mate?”
“It isn’t a preference; it is a tradition. Yes, but it is only a tradition. There is… pride, you could say, in winning a mate that began deeply unwilling.”
“She becomes willing?”
“Or he, yes.”
“Is that biological?”
“Yes.” She paused. “If I were to ask for an unwilling mate from Jasmine, she would provide one. But then it is my duty to convince the woman to change her opinion. That can take time, as I must learn how she wishes to be treated.”
“You know I consider that barbaric.”
“That is a word that was used in the past.”
“Before Beginnings.”
“Yes.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“It’s complicated. What we’re doing now is better, although there is a part of me that…”
“Wishes you could do it the other way?”
“Maybe that’s why I never did, the realization that it is wrong to impose my traditions on a human, but an unwillingness to accept other ways.”
“And now you’re here, on a human style of date. Something changed.”
“You.”
“Oh.”
“Not necessarily just you, but capturing you.” She paused and looked away.
“Just tell me.”
“Capturing you felt like starting the process.” She turned back to me. “I can walk away from it, but I don’t think I can forget.”
“So, you could walk away from me, but you think that in the not-too-distant future, you’re going to be back.”
“Yes, I suppose.” She paused. “I’m not being careful for myself anymore,” she said. “I’m being careful for you, Taisha.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I hadn’t ever really thought about claiming a woman, not before you. Oh, I played briefly with it, I suppose, but I never was serious about it.”
“And now?”
“I am conflicted between my traditions, my biology, and your biology.”
“You said your tradition, not your biology, but your tradition is she is unwilling, but that’s not universal.”
“Yes. But it isn’t necessarily that she is unwilling; it is that she isn’t necessarily consulted.”
“You steal her and then keep her while wooing her.”
“I suppose, yes. And there are other traditions related to that. In some, it is my family that helps me to keep her. In others, perhaps several friends work together, or perhaps I do this entirely myself. But she is kept carefully controlled, and then I prove myself worthy of her.”
“What happens if you accidentally grab someone who actually was hoping you would?”
She made her snorting-laugh sound again. “I still must prove myself. For us, there is a biological component to the conquest.”
“Explain that.”
“It has to do with the, hmm. Roles during actual mating.”
“By that you mean she becomes your submissive sex toy?”
“That’s not how I would put it.”
“Oh? Is it inaccurate?”
“Maybe not.”
It was my turn to laugh. “And now we know why you’re here with a human female. You don’t want to be someone’s sex toy.”
“No, I don’t. Do you have to put it that way?”
“Until you provide a different way of putting it,” I said with a grin. “You said you were being careful of me?”
“Because I am torn. I think it would be easier to begin this process with someone who I didn’t already care for. I wouldn’t mind if she became upset with me at first. It’s… It’s not even a biological need.”
“It can be hard to escape our cultural traditions.”
“Yes. If you weren’t taking interest widely, it might be easier for me, too. I care about you enough that I am unsure I wish to make this decision for you.”
“And Jasmine Brighteyes won’t let you make it until Muriel’s avatar is working.”
“That conversation hasn’t come up, but you could be right.”
“Let me put it this way. Maybe this feeds into your tradition, but I will be upset if you were to interrupt us while I’m fixing the avatar. I want to finish.”
“Because I know that, even in our traditions, it would be contrary to interrupt you during an important task.”
“That has to happen, though?”
“Yes, and sometimes it is done knowingly. In ancient times, it was probably quite common. Now, there is little excuse for knowing so little about your future mate that you take no care. Imagine taking her during a critical portion of her life.”
“So, we’re agreed: you will not prevent me from fixing Muriel’s avatar.”
“We’re agreed. But there are several others who are also showing interest to you, and any one of us could approach Jasmine.”
“Well, they all know what I’m doing here, and so does she. I choose to believe she won’t help you unless she decides I’ve driven the avatar for the last time.”
“And so, I should claim you tonight to prevent another accident.”
I waved my finger at her.
* * * *
We talked about other things, linguistics for a while. It was fascinating, in small doses, and I told her that. “A common reaction. Well, perhaps uncommon, because most people find it boring after the word ‘linguistics’.”
We talked about robotics, and about my home. “I’m actually from northern Idaho, but I moved to California for college, and I stayed after that. I go home to see my parents now and then.”
I talked about the differences between Idaho and California. I asked about her old home. We got to know each other. It was nice, really nice.
We finished, and then Oberon and Felicia were beside our table.
* * * *
We collected Amanda and the Tutors from Beginnings, and then we flew south to the cove. It was full dark, but we set down and then exited onto the sand. I took my sandals off and left them on the ramp, then told Forever, “I intend to walk where it’s wet.” So, she did the same with her shoes, and then she set her arm around me.
The three groups walked in different directions. Forever was quiet, and I finally asked if she was all right.
“I wish we lived on Earth.” She turned me to her and drew me into her arms. She began swaying with me, there with the water washing over our feet. “I wish we were welcome in human cities. I might go dancing five nights a week.”
“You would need to make your own dance hall so they only played the right music,” I whispered. “What would you call it?”
She didn’t even hesitate. “Sway.”
“I like that,” I replied. “It’s simple and sweet. You would be exceedingly popular.”
“Would I?”
“Yes.”
We walked, but eventually made our way back to the jumper. Amanda was waiting just above the water, holding our shoes. I collected my sandals then rinsed my feet. “You. Niecor. Come here.” Puzzled, she looked at me, but she stepped over, holding her shoes. “Do you remember how you and Makiko held me together?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Pick me up so I’m in the same position I was then.”
She snorted her laugh but scooped me right up. I cuddled into her, then squirmed around and put my sandals on. Amanda began laughing, and when Felicia saw that, she turned to Oberon. “You missed your chance.”
“I didn’t know picking you up was an option.”
“Now you do,” Felicia replied.
“You can put me down now,” I said.
“I’m not sure I want to.”
“It’s up to you,” I replied. “But I bet you can’t hold me comfortably and put your own shoes on. If you walk across the dry sand in wet feet, you’ll bring sand with you.”
“And that is why you did it this way.”
“Exactly.”
“Well then.” She turned and carried me up the sand, not setting me on my feet until I was on the ramp into the jumper.
“Very gallant, Forever,” I said. “Keep treating me like this. I like it.”
“Then I will,” she said. I smiled after her as she walked back down to the water to put her shoes on the hard way. Amanda stepped to my side, watching Forever with me.
“You have her wrapped around your finger.”
“I have all of them wrapped around my finger,” I said. “I don’t have my visor back yet. Please message Jasmine and Violet and tell them I would like a conversation. It isn’t urgent.”
She nodded.
They took us back to Beginnings. Amanda leaned to me as we descended to the path and said, “Breakfast.” I nodded. And then I pulled Forever’s arm around me and tugged her towards the bungalow. Oberon escorted Felicia in the same direction, and I assumed Amanda made it to hers. At the door, I didn’t hesitate, tugging Forever inside, but I said, “We’re going to cuddle on the sofa. If you come in, it won’t bother us. It’s just cuddling.”
Inside, I tugged Forever, then asked her to sit. I climbed into her lap and cuddled in, then closed my eyes. She held me delicately, and then I heard Oberon sit down. When I opened my eyes and looked, he was holding Felicia, and they both seemed quite pleased with the situation.
“Oberon,” I said. “How similar are Luxan and Niecor mating habits?”
“There are similarities,” he replied.
“I can’t finish with Muriel’s avatar without Felicia.”
“Why would you be without me?” Felicia asked. “But for the record, I can’t do it alone, either. Why are we talking about this?”
“Because I think I have a better idea what he means when he said, ‘there are similarities’ than you do.”
“And Luxan are more territorial than Niecor,” Forever added.
“And we both signed those pesky little agreements,” I pointed out. “He is fully within his rights to pick you up and carry you out, no matter what you think about it.”
“I wouldn’t do that,” Oberon said.
“You wouldn’t?”
“I have met Muriel,” he pointed out. “I wish we could do more for her.”
“Is that the only reason I’m sleeping in my own bed tonight?” Felicia asked. No one answered her, which was, of course, an answer. “Oh,” she said eventually.
She didn’t climb out of his lap, though.
Breakfast
I woke to a weight on the bed. I wasn’t remotely surprised when tentacles wrapped around me. “Do we have time for you to cuddle?”
“Yes,” Jasmine said. “I came a little early, just for that.” She slipped under the covers and snuggled in. “Do I need to mentally prepare for this conversation you want?”
“No. It could have waited, but I was worried you were making decisions about your village at the cove..”
“I think the only decisions are to investigate options, but I also think I want you and a few other people involved when we get more serious.”
“I think I’d like that. Violet should hear everything, too.”
“Then I can wait.”
“Jasmine, this is a separate conversation. I’m not sure whether it’s related or not.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t want to go home.”
She tightened for a moment. “Have you picked someone?”
“No.”
“Are you asking me to surprise you?”
“No. We’ll talk about it once Muriel’s avatar is working. When are you test-driving it?”
“Breakfast and conversation. Dr. Depths. Assuming he tells us what we expect, we’ll do it after that.”
“You don’t trust me to see the doctor without you.”
“It’s not about trust.”
“What is it?”
“I need to hear him tell me you’re okay, Taisha, for myself. I want to watch him do his tests.”
“Will you understand them?”
“No, but I’ll understand his body language, and far better than you will.”
“No doubt. You may be there.”
“It’s not really your decision.”
“And yet, this relationship works better if you give me the illusion it is.”
She snuffled. “Perhaps this relationship works better if you accept the reality of it.”
“It’s hard to deny you while wrapped in your tentacles.”
“That’s the only reason I’m here.”
“I’m sure,” I said.
* * * *
We took looks as we entered, as I’d wrapped myself in tentacles. Jasmine didn’t seem to mind. Violet was already waiting at a modest, round table, and we sat down. Immediately, two more tentacles slipped over, which didn’t bother me at all. “Are you like this with all humans?”
“Only our favorites,” Violet replied.
“Violet and Posey have especially grown addicted to humans,” Jasmine said.
“Oh, please,” Violet replied. “Include yourself and I’ll agree with you.”
They both snuffled. I looked at Jasmine. “Do I have any food restrictions?”
“I don’t understand the question.”
“Do I have to eat sparingly or something before seeing the doctor?”
“I wouldn’t recommend gorging.”
I looked up at the waiter. “I want a Belgian waffle, hash browns, and orange juice. I won’t eat it all. Do you do halves?”
“No,” Jasmine said. “Do you share with your Catseye friends?”
I laughed. “Yes.”
“Bring two of the waffles,” Violet said. “With things to put on top. Two hash browns. Hmm. And breakfast sausage, enough to share.”
“Of course, Dr. Beamer,” he said. “To drink?”
“Just water.”
“Very good.”
I waited for my orange juice, took a slug, and then said, “I want to talk about your village.”
“We thought that might be it,” Violet said.
“First, Forever last night told me flat out she wishes they could live on Earth. Jasmine, if that’s your goal, I don’t think they’ll fight you. I know nothing about whatever politics you’ll face, but they all would prefer living here, I’m sure.”
“I know,” Jasmine said. “But it’s good to have it confirmed.”
“Prudence is afraid of your games. Please have a real conversation with her.”
“I will.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, I have ideas. Jasmine, I told you about the theater. I had another thought last night, and that’s what spawned this meeting. A dance hall.”
“Excuse me?”
“I think you should build a dance h
all, either here or in your new village. You can make different play lists and have a weekly schedule for style each night, but I bet the aliens prefer slow to moderate songs. Set up a way for humans to attend. I don’t know if you want to make it wide open, or by invitation. But I don’t think you should take people to The Center to hold dances. I think you should hold them far more regularly, and I bet holding them there is a pain in the ass.”
“It is,” she agreed. “Violet?”
“I’ll include it in the planning. It’s a good suggestion, Taisha.”
“That’s it,” I said. “We probably could have done this in a fashion that was less disruptive to your schedules.”
“We’re happy to share breakfast with you,” Violet replied. “And you didn’t have any way of knowing how advanced our planning was. Right now, we’re only investigating options.”
“Violet, I want to expand what we’re talking about,” Jasmine said. “I want us to think about planning for five thousand people.”
“Not in that location,” Violet replied, “Unless you want to destroy the beauty.”
“I suppose,” Jasmine said.
“How much of the coast do you own?” I asked.
“240 kilometers.”
“Is it safe to say pretty much everyone would want a seaside view?”
“There are other places here that are just as lovely,” Violet replied.
“I don’t know your politics, or the economics,” I said. “But I’d kill to live somewhere like this. I might mean that literally.” I was kidding, and I thought they understood that. “You own a big chunk of coast, and you have some pretty advanced technology. Could you put in a series of villages and connect them by subway or something?”
“I don’t know,” Violet said. “We’d have to tear up the forest, and doing that along the coast is deeply disruptive.”
“Not to mention expensive.”
“It’s not the expense, it’s the disruption to the local environment. Something like that is inherently quite dirty.”
“Can’t you tunnel?”
“Human tunneling abilities are fairly good, but it would take decades.”
“Perhaps you didn’t look in the mirror this morning.”
“Ah. But we’re very, very careful about the amount of our tech we use here. That’s not something Catseye developed. One of the other species might have, but we didn’t bring any tunneling equipment with us.”