Selected Assistant

by Robin Roseau

  “These colors are different than a few minutes ago.”

  Carolina looked down at herself. “A mix of amusement and social awkwardness.”

  “I’m sorry,” Yvette said immediately.

  “Don’t be,” Carolina replied. “We all want to expand awareness between our species. That only happens if we communicate. In fact, I think that is a rule today. If anyone has questions, they should feel free to ask, but the person asked is free to demur, and there is no pressure upon her.”

  “A good rule,” Jasmine said. “I want to ask one piece of business. Has anyone changed her mind from yesterday?”

  There were several who said ‘no’, but then Carolina said, “Yes.” For a moment, I was stricken, but then she said, “I changed where I want my home.” And then she described the underground passage to a cluster of homes. “Can we do that, Jasmine?”

  “I am the wrong person to ask, but I think it’s a wonderful idea,” Jasmine replied. “This is a style other Komodo would like?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Then I think it is better. We can make more homes this way.”

  “And they can tie in better to the others,” Prudence added. “They are not isolated from us.”

  “That was what I was thinking,” Carolina said. “And a shared passage is friendlier.”

  “Well then, if Yvette is done flirting with the other humans, perhaps we can gather refreshments and pick seats.”

  “Done, for now,” Yvette agreed.

  * * * *

  I sat under an umbrella, Carolina to my left. Yvette sat with Audra to my right. The dynamics would shift about throughout the day, but this was how we began. We were drinking something fruity, no alcohol. It was lovely. Everything was lovely. “None of this seems real.”

  “I know what you mean,” Audra said.

  “I’d like to swim,” Yvette said. “Someone tell me if I ask something I shouldn’t. Carolina, I am told you can take people on a tour underwater.”

  “Yes, and I have several of the breathing devices, as well as masks and fins.”

  “Are you suggesting you can take several at once?”

  “I am suggesting that I have breathing devices that, in the shallow water of the cove, would last for hours. But I am also offering to take people for a tour, one at a time. I hope to take Taisha for a longer swim, and we will leave the cove when we do.” She shifted her attention. “We can adjust our plan.”

  “If I said I don’t want to pick, would that frustrate you?”

  “No, as long as you really mean it.”

  “I do.”

  “Then Yvette and I will negotiate,” she said. “Yvette, would you like a suggestion?”

  “Yes.”

  “I believe those who wish to swim along the bottom should grow comfortable with the devices I have brought. I will help each of you. Then I can take you for a trip. I am happy to take others, as well.”

  “I’d love a trip. Am I being rude?”

  “No,” I said.

  “Carolina, could you take me, too?” Audra said.

  “Anyone who would like it,” Carolina said. “If it’s everyone, they might be shorter trips. I don’t have any underwater devices for the Catseye, however.”

  We were talking loudly enough for some of the others around us to hear. “Carolina,” said Chervil, “Could you take me?”

  “Yes. The breathing devices have different mouth pieces, and I have one that should fit you.”

  “I would really like that, but I do not want to go first.”

  “Let’s get everyone fitted,” Carolina said. “Chervil, I didn’t find fins that I think will fit you, but I’ll take care of you.”

  “Thank you, Carolina.”

  * * * *

  Carolina showed us the waiting gear: fins, masks, a dozen of the breathing devices, and my wetsuit. “You won’t want it for casual swimming, but when I take you for our trip. I can help you pull it on, or you can do it when I’m giving tours.”

  “I’ll find help if I need it,” I said.

  “They come in different thicknesses. The company we talked to asked about the water temperature and other questions. I went out with a thermometer and measured temperature at different depths. They were surprised when I told them I had gone down to 200 meters. They told me not to take you remotely that deep. And then they gave me thorough directions to keep you safe.”

  “I don’t want to get the bends.”

  “Decompression sickness. They also sent a device that monitors your needs.” She gestured to a box. “When you put on the wetsuit, put this on as well. I’ve already taught myself how to use it.”

  I was very touched. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. I believe they were jealous.”

  “Oh?”

  “They must carry air on their backs, and it doesn’t last long when they go deeper.”

  I laughed. “I think I understand. Did they ask to go diving with you?”

  “They did, actually. I think we should invite them sometime.”

  “I think you’re right.”

  We went swimming, just normal swimming at first. Jasmine was the only Catseye that entered the water past her waist. Carolina lured several of us into much deeper water, then she swam all about. It was amazing to watch her.

  “All right,” Yvette said. “This is too much work. I’m going to go get my fins.” She began swimming back to shore, but then Carolina was in front of her. She grabbed Yvette’s hands and then swam backwards, pulling a laughing Yvette with her.

  Aventurine swam next to me. “I’ve never seen her like this. I had no idea how hard the station has been for her. She’s entirely different. It is unfortunate that Kitsune and Komodo are not compatible as mates.”

  “I knew you’d grow tired of me.”

  “Not hardly,” she said. “I’m going to ask for a tour, though.”

  “You should. Let’s go get our gear.”

  We all swam in, and then we collected our things, including the breathing devices. Carolina took us back into the water and taught us the things we needed to know, simple things. Chervil was with us, but she told him, “You may swim out here while I am with you, but until you have satisfied me, I will take you to shallow water when I cannot watch for you.”

  “I will do only what you say, Carolina.”

  “Good. We’re going to go into deeper water now. We’ll follow the bottom out to about four meters deep. There is a place there we can hang on and practice a few more things. Chervil, I will help you.”

  She took him in hand, and then she led the way, swimming at a pace we could keep. Jasmine went with us, swimming down with us, then up to the surface to breathe. She was quite agile, and it was amazing to watch her.

  The bottom of the cove was fine sand, at least here, although I knew from our first visit it wasn’t everywhere. But there was something new, a sunken pillar of concrete, lying on its side, with handholds. Carolina led us to it. Chervil took hold, and she released him.

  She had us do the exercises, replacing the breathing device, and a few other simple things. Then she gave us the human “OK” sign. She gathered Chervil and pointed up, and we all surfaced. “We’re going to stay here for a while. We can explore this area. Then I’ll begin giving tours.”

  “Could I try helping Chervil for a while?” I asked. “Chervil, I can swim backwards, holding hands, or you can ride on top of me. As long as Carolina watches out for us, I can do that for a while.”

  “You’ll get tired,” Audra pointed out. “But we can all help.”

  “Chervil,” Carolina said. “It is up to you, but I still want you on shore when I am not here to watch.”

  “I think I would like this. Taisha, do you prefer one way or the other?”

  “Let’s try with you on my back, but if it is difficult, we’ll switch.”

  I put the breather back in then swam over and turned my back. Carolina helped him, and then said, “You have to find a way to hold on that
doesn’t choke her, and you want to be streamlined. Do you understand?”

  “Yes. Low water resistance.”

  “Yes,” she said. “See what works to hold on.”

  She steadied him, and he slipped his arms under mine, and then clasped my shoulders.

  “Try that. I’ll be right beside you, so if you lose him, I’ll let you collect him again, but if it goes poorly, I will take him.”

  I nodded.

  She helped him with the breather then gave me an OK. I let us sink.

  Swimming with him was harder, a lot harder, but I swam slowly, and he stayed in place, pressed against my back. Then the others were with us, and Carolina led us forward, swimming backwards while watching us.

  I was slow, however, but then Aventurine appeared on my right. She took my hand, and then Yvette took my left. They helped tug me along, swimming on their sides, and so we were four.

  It was the most amazing thing, truly amazing. I lost count of how many species were in the water together, swimming easily, relaxed, just being friends.

  Eventually, Carolina took Chervil from me, then gestured for the rest of us to stay in this area. She made sure he was good, and then she swam away with him, soon lost to sight. Yvette swam in front of me, and we traded OK signs.

  And then, with Jasmine still above us, then diving down, we explored a contained area, all of us staying together.

  * * * *

  There was a huge splash. I couldn’t tell where it was from, but then Carolina streaked past us, then arced upwards and flew from the water before splashing back in. She did that a few more times, before coming back to us. She swam to me, squeezed my hand, and offered an OK. I returned it. She did the same with all the others, Jasmine included, then swam to Aventurine. She drew the Kitsune away.

  They all got tours, except Jasmine. They weren’t long tours, but then she came to me and began guiding me towards the beach.

  On shore, she turned to me. She was full of bright colors, and I hugged her.

  “I want to change our plan, just a tiny bit. I’m going to give the last tour, then I’m going to go catch lunch for everyone else. I want to help you put on the wetsuit when I get back. But you’re getting tired, and I want you to rest and have something to drink.”

  “I will.”

  “Good.”

  While she was gone, the others came in, and Andie last, laughing with the joy of her own tour. “Oh, I think I like her,” she said. “But I’m dying of thirst, and I want to wash out the salt water from my mouth.”

  “Something fruity is good,” I said.

  “Perfect.”

  Carolina was gone perhaps twenty minutes. When she emerged from the sea, she was holding two large fish, not quite a meter each in length. She walked up the beach. “There are other things in the coolers. I cleaned the fish, but I have never cooked seafood and don’t know how.”

  “I can do that part,” Aventurine said. She eyed the fish. “But I don’t know how to separate the part we eat from the rest.”

  “I do,” Andie said. “Does anyone know if these have bones in unexpected places?”

  “I’m sorry,” Carolina said. “I know these are safe for humans to eat, but that is all I know.”

  “We’ll do our best. I need a sharp knife and a good place to do this.”

  They handled the fish. Carolina washed up and collected me. “It is our time to be together.”

  Getting the wetsuit on was work. Yvette eventually came over and helped. “Leave it open until you’re in the water,” she said. “Or you’re going to boil.”

  “I have three of the devices,” Carolina said. “They are fresh, and we probably won’t use all of the second one, but there is a spare.” She talked about safety for a minute longer then collected my fins and led me to the water.

  She helped me with the fins, drew me into deeper water, and zipped the wetsuit for me. She handed me one of the breathers, and then we sank below the waves.

  We did something different; she had me clasp her like Chervil had clasped me, and we swam easily that way. I kicked lightly, but she did nearly all the work for both of us.

  Leaving the cove was intimidating, and I clung more tightly. She clasped my hands to her and then began swimming faster, getting us through the area of breaking surf quickly, and then the seabed descended steeply. Still, I clung until she brought us to a stop, unpeeled me, and turned to look at me. She offered an OK sign. I didn’t return it, and her colors changed. She pointed up, and I shook my head frantically, then pulled her to me, hugging her tightly.

  I was more scared than I thought. But then I pushed away a little and offered an OK.

  Her colors shifted, just a little, and she patted my shoulder. She was ready to turn around, but I took her hands instead. And so, for a while, she swam backwards, pulling me with her. I calmed down a little more, and then I pulled myself towards her and around to her back. I got into position. She patted my hand, and she led us forward.

  I don’t know how deep we went. The color changed, and the sounds changed. We saw fish, a lot of fish, and coral, an amazing amount of coral.

  And then, ahead of us, I saw something in the water, something manmade. It looked like a huge, upside-down bowl on short posts, and she brought me to it, then up we went.

  It was a little dark but filled with air. I withdrew the breather, laughing. “You put this here, too?”

  “Yes,” she said. “There are places you can hang on.” She showed me. “And we have a little table we can fold down.” She showed me, and it spanned the width of the chamber. But then she put it back up. “We’ll pull it down when I get back. Are you all right?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry about that. It was the surf that made me nervous.”

  “I wasn’t sure, but I understand. Will you be okay when we go back?”

  “I’ll probably be scared and hang on very tightly.”

  “I won’t let anything happen to you. Even if we become separated, I won’t lose you. I know where you are.”

  “You can see me?”

  “And feel you.”

  “Oh. Some fish do that, I think.”

  “You’re probably right,” she said.

  “I suppose I can’t watch you hunt.”

  “There is a current here,” she said. “It isn’t so strong that it would sweep you away, but I would prefer you do not let go. You may try watching, but you must stay here.”

  “Then let’s make sure I can before you go.”

  “Yes. Good plan. If something happens, and I don’t see, then I will assume you are swept with the current. Don’t fight it more than necessary. I will find you.”

  “Is this safe?”

  “If you stay here.”

  “I will.”

  “It is probably even safe for you to swim around, but the people at the dive shop warned me that humans get lost very easily, when under water. It would be very, very easy to lose yourself, easier than you realize. I want you to stay within the range of the posts, as if this is your cage.”

  “I will. Are there sharks?”

  “No. We keep the dangerous creatures away. No sharks and no jellyfish. However, there may be smaller creatures. Do not poke your fingers anywhere.”

  “I remember your warnings.”

  “Good. Ready?”

  I nodded and replaced the breather. Then, with Carolina watching, I dipped back down. As soon as I released my handhold, I realized she was right about the current. I was careful, and I examined the posts. There was nothing on them that would hurt me, no sharp coral, no sharp edges, and staying within my cage wasn’t difficult, but I could grab a post if I had to.

  I mimed being in a cage. Carolina offered an OK, which I returned. And then she swam away, but she watched me.

  There were fish nearby, but I didn’t see any large ones; these were small, and maybe they weren’t the kinds we should eat. I watched her as long as I could, but then she disappeared into the gloom.

  I was a good girl. I stay
ed in my cage, but it was so amazing being in the water, so I stayed down. Some small fish checked me out, but when I tried to pet one, he quickly swam away.

  Nothing big swam by, but the small fish were pretty. It would have been easy to grow distracted, but I was sufficiently intimidated.

  I stayed in my cage.

  And then I saw Carolina returning. My heart soared, and soared again, as her colors brightened when she saw me. She had a fish with her, and we rose into the bowl together. She pulled the table down and set the fish on it. And then she produced sodas for both of us. I laughed.

  “All right,” she said. “This is an experiment, and it might fail.”

  “It’s not going to fail.”

  “This is a mullet. Humans normally eat these cooked, but this is safe. However, you may not like it. I didn’t bring all the other things, so this is a simple meal of fish. I want you to be honest.”

  “I will.”

  “I am doing this differently than if I were here alone.”

  “You would just rip into it.”

  “I wouldn’t put it that way, but I wouldn’t necessarily use a knife.” But then she produced a small, sharp knife. I watched her work, and she finished opening the fish, laying it out in two long strips. She gestured to the remains. “I’ll dispose of this later. Will it bother you there?”

  “It’s fine.”

  “I want to do this my way. Will you let me feed you?”

  “Yes.”

  “We’ll start small.” She used the knife to shave off a portion of the fish, and then she offered it to me. I opened, and she set it in my mouth.

  I ate slowly. I was quite hungry, and it was good, although a little odd.

  “There are other types, but this is what I found,” she said. She shaved a piece for herself and ate it. “What do you think?”

  “I’d like another.” She shaved a piece and gave it to me. Working like that, together we ate about half of one side before she asked my opinion again.

  “Okay. We promised to be honest.”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s okay, but I don’t want too much more. I don’t know how it’s going to sit.”