by Robin Roseau
“It’s best to be safe.”
“If we were going to do this often, I’d want something to go with this. When I eat sushi, I always get it with rice, and I don’t normally eat sashimi. Do you know what I mean?”
“Yes.”
“But we could do a bed of greens, or something else.”
She nodded. “We’ll see how that sits on your stomach. When we go back, there is more food waiting for us.”
“I want to be clear, Carolina. I couldn’t be happier right now.”
“Good. It is my turn to be clear. I need to know I can take care of you.”
“I think you mean something specific.”
“Yes, but for this conversation, it means being able to feed you without cooking the fish.”
“And for more than one meal.”
“Yes.”
“All right,” I said. “Let me think about this.” I considered. “Okay. Sushi. Let’s start with that. Have you had it?”
“Not the way you mean.”
“Okay. It starts with rice.” I gestured with my hands. “And then a portion of fish across the top.”
“Rice is a grain?”
“Yes.”
“So, you are eating more rice than fish.”
“Hmm. By volume, probably. By weight, no, because the fish is heavier. And the rice is flavored. I think it’s with white wine vinegar and other spices, but usually subtly. Some people use wasabi, which is a hot type of horse radish, I believe. I have friends who do that, but I don’t. A lot of people dip the sushi in soy sauce before eating it. Soy sauce is salty, and a little goes a long way.”
“I understand.”
“I’ve probably had as much fish now as I would have if I were eating sushi.”
“So, what is missing is the rice.”
“Well, we might order other things, too, more types of greens or vegetables, but yes. What else? I put cooked salmon over salads.”
“I am not willing to cook the fish.”
“We could try it like this, over greens, but you know? If we’re doing that, I might eat them separately, a salad and sashimi.”
“You require a varied diet.”
“Yes.”
“If you didn’t know there was more food twenty minutes away, would you be able to eat more?”
“If we’re sure it will sit, but this is our first time.”
“Do you feel ill?”
“No. Carolina, I can see this is important to you, and that makes it important to me. There is a ritual involved, isn’t there?”
“Yes, I suppose there is.”
“And I am disappointing you.”
“No, Taisha. Would you say you have an open mind about this?”
“Yes.”
“If I asked you to eat a little more, just to make me happy, do you think you could?”
“Yes, Carolina.”
Her colors shifted. She cut another slice for me, and one for herself. I ate mine then set my hand on hers. “I think the knife isn’t part of the ritual, is it?”
“No.”
“What do you really want?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
She set the knife aside, and then she picked up the remaining fillet and tore a piece from it with her teeth. She broke it up a little further, then used her fingers to offer it to me. Smiling, I opened, and she placed it in my mouth, then caressed my lips. She took a piece for herself, then tore one more for me. “Last one,” I said, taking it. I swallowed then said, “I'm done. Eat as much of the rest as you want. What will you do with the part we haven’t eaten.”
“We can feed the little fishies.”
“That will be fun.”
She ate a little more. We finished our sodas. She collected everything then used sea water to wash off our little table before folding it up.
“You will remain in your cage,” she said.
“You like caging me, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
I laughed.
“Ready?”
“Yes.” She helped me with the breather and my mask, and then we sank into the water. We spent a few minutes breaking off chunks of the fish and offering them to our visitors until a particularly cheeky fish darted forth and stole the big piece from me. He tried to make off with it but was mobbed immediately.
He couldn’t have eaten the entire thing, anyway.
I looked over at Carolina. She was laughing. But then she made a “stay here,” gesture, and I mimed bars of a cage. She laughed again then swam away. She wasn’t gone long, and didn’t go that far, but I saw her leave the remaining remnants. Small fish swarmed the offering, and I imagine anything edible was picked clean before she even returned to me.
She collected my hands and pulled me from my cage consisting of four posts and an inverted bowl.
* * * *
We swam slowly. Then I began to be able to hear the surf, and I found myself clinging tightly. She clasped my hands as they pressed against her shoulders, and I knew she wouldn’t lose me.
It became a rush, but then we left the crashing waves behind and were in the calm waters of the cove. And slowly, I relaxed as she swam with me, back to the beach.
There, kneeling on the sand, water halfway up our body, I pulled her into a tight, tight hug. “Thank you,” I whispered. “Please tell me that isn’t our last time.”
“It isn’t,” she whispered.
Beachside Lunch
I woke when Jasmine slipped into my bed. I smiled. “We have to stop meeting like this.”
“I know you’re nervous about lunch today.” It was Monday, and I was due to spend a meal alone with Cape. I didn’t trust her, and I had grown resentful of her high-pressure treatment. I said nothing but let Jasmine wrap around me. She held me, some of her tentacles gently massaging the muscles of my back. That went on for a minute or two before she said quietly, “I’ll keep you safe.”
“I trust you,” I whispered.
“Thank you for all your help, Taisha.”
“You’re welcome.” I clasped my hands to one of her tentacles, wrapped around in front of me, then bent my head and gave it a little kiss. Jasmine momentarily tightened in response. It felt nice.
Her tone changed, becoming more conversational, but still low. I had grown accustomed to her accent. “This is actually unusual for me, for any of us.”
“Climbing into bed with someone who isn’t your mate?”
“More than that,” she continued. “Even people who aren’t particularly xenophobic can be put off by the tentacles, but those of you who aren’t are entirely the opposite.”
“And that’s odd? I don’t think we’re that rare, are we?”
“Rare enough,” she said. “But in a way, this is a feedback loop.”
“Okay, I definitely understand what a feedback loop is, but I don’t quite understand.”
“One of you invites a hug. One of us hugs her. She expresses joy, which makes the hug far more pleasant for us.”
“Ah, I see where you’re going now.”
“I’d been in this position for years before a human even saw my tentacles.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. Now, I wouldn’t say I hold every person who might want me to, but it’s become entirely different. However, it’s nearly entirely with human women, although I’m finding more casual contact with the other Catseye placed here.”
“How about Foxglove Blue?”
“She tends to be particularly reserved.”
“In contrast to her wife?”
Jasmine gave a snuffle. “Yvette is… Yvette.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“She and I had our own difficulties. But yes, Yvette is a good thing.” I smiled at the way she said it. “It’s a little hard to detect what I’m talking about. The Beamer family is affectionate with each other. By Catseye standards, it’s perhaps particularly affectionate, but not unusually so.”
“And you’re the odd Catseye out
.”
“Yes, and I traditionally have kept myself aloof. But I’m finding myself more likely to be touching nearly anyone who is close. Well, perhaps not as haphazardly as that sounds.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“I feel pretty good about it,” she said. She tightened again.
“Well, I’m glad, as I like it, and I can’t imagine many better ways of waking up. Are you sharing breakfast with me?”
“Yes, and a few others will join us.”
“Excellent.”
* * * *
Felicia and I emerged at the same time. “Good morning,” she said. “Catseye alarm clock?”
“You, too?” She nodded.
I looked around. Jasmine was on the balcony, looking out at the cove. But she turned and stepped back in. “Hats,” she said.
A minute later, the three of us were heading along the pier back towards shore, Jasmine in the middle with two tentacles around each of us, and two arms around her back. It was nice. We made our way to the restaurant. Yvette and Audra were already waiting, seated at a large, round table. A teenage girl was standing beside Yvette, clearly starstruck. I didn’t blame her. Yvette was smiling and talking softly. She saw us approaching and slipped an arm around the girl, saying something. The girl turned in our direction, and her eyes grew wider.
I couldn’t tell if it was Yvette’s arm that kept her from fleeing or not, but the girl put on a fixed smile and stared at Jasmine.
“It looks like you’re on,” I said gently.
We reached the table. “That’s not Foxglove Blue,” said the girl.
“No, it’s not,” Yvette confirmed. “Jasmine Brighteyes, this is Arianna Haas. Arianna, Jasmine is the head of the entire mating candidate program. She is the ultimate authority for everything for a hundred miles around. Jasmine, Arianna was asking about making movies with a bunch of space aliens.”
“My pleasure, Arianna,” Jasmine said. She provided the remaining introductions. Yvette took the opportunity to greet Felicia and me, both of us getting a hug and cheek kiss, and then she pulled me to the seat beside hers, but we remained standing while Arianna was there.
“Arianna,” Jasmine said. “There are things we need to discuss, but if you’d like to sit with us for a few minutes, you’re welcome.”
“Really?” She eyed the seat I was claiming beside Yvette, but then she moved to Jasmine’s other side to sit between her and Felicia. “Cool!”
At that, we all sat again. She smiled at the Catseye. “Ms. Brighteyes, how do I make sure my brother gets Selected?”
There were laughs, and then Felicia asked, “Older brother, I presume?”
“He’s 19,” she confirmed.
“I’m fairly sure Jasmine isn’t going to offer any assurances,” Felicia said. “But perhaps you and I can figure out the likelihood someone will want him. How is he about the aliens?”
“What do you mean?”
“Does he think they’re cool?” I prompted.
“Oh. Um. I’m not really sure.” She sighed. “He’s kind of a jerk. I suppose I was kidding.”
“Were you?” Felicia asked. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting his bedroom.”
“I like my bedroom,” she replied. “I don’t even want his car. It’s a piece of junk, and it’s always breaking.”
“Would you really turn it down if he offered it for you?” I cocked my head. “I suppose it’s another year before you could drive it.”
“I have my learner’s permit. I’ll be 16 in January.” She put on a face for a moment and fidgeted, then picked up the nearest glass of water and drank from it.
“You’re sitting next to a space alien,” I said gently. “And everyone noticed you picked that seat, although perhaps you wanted mine.” I smiled. “Sitting between Yvette and Jasmine isn’t at all bad.”
She looked from one to the other. “I kinda can’t believe I’m sitting here at all,” Arianna admitted.
“Well, don’t waste the opportunity,” I suggested. “It may be a long time before you get another chance. What do you most want, right now?”
“To touch one,” she answered without thinking, but then she colored and covered her mouth with her hand.
“It’s all right,” I said. “It’s good to be curious. Ask her.” She shook her head. “Ask her, Arianna,” I said more forcefully.
She nodded then slowly removed her hand and shifted her gaze to Jasmine. “Could I touch one?”
“Of course,” Jasmine said. “Thank you for asking.” And then she moved a tentacle from her lap to set on the table nearest Arianna. “The ends are very sensitive.”
The girl lifted a hand, then touched the tentacle quite tentatively, just with one finger, then snatched it back. She stared where she had touched, but then she set several fingers on it and brushed down several inches. “Is this all right?” she whispered.
“Yes,” Jasmine said. “When you’re ready for more, tell me.”
She nodded, and then she spent a minute examining the tentacle. The waiter stopped by. Yvette asked for a pitcher of orange juice and another of iced tea and sent him away.
“What did you mean by ‘more’?” Arianna asked Jasmine.
“I’ll touch back.”
“Like that?” She pointed to me. I was partially draped, and one of the tentacles was reaching all the way around me to also brush against Yvette.
“You’re not entirely dressed for it,” I said. “Catseye prefer bare skin.”
“I’d only wrap around your arm,” Jasmine added.
The girl stared at me, or more exactly, she stared at Jasmine’s tentacles wrapped around me. Then nodded and offered her arm. Jasmine accepted the offer, her higher tentacle lifting to wrap around Arianna’s arm from bicep to wrist, the tip laying across the back of her hand. The girl stared at it. She didn’t look freaked out, but I’m not sure she knew what to make of the situation.
“Do you know what you want to do with your life?” Felicia asked.
“I’m still figuring that out,” Arianna admitted. “I like school, most of the time.”
“What don’t you like?” Audra asked.
“Some of the kids are jerks.”
“That part sucks,” I said. Felicia and Yvette nodded with me. “What do your parents do?”
“Mom’s a psychiatrist. Dad’s an accountant. Kevin and I live with Mom most of the time. We used to divide more evenly, which kind of sucked, but then Dad got remarried.” She made another face. “Fay doesn’t like us. Kevin says she’s the B-word, but he stares at her a lot.”
“Your mother is a good person,” Jasmine said. “Your dad is, too.”
“You know them?” Arianna asked.
“Not personally.”
“I don’t want to be a psychiatrist,” Arianna said. “Or an accountant.” She looked down at Jasmine’s tentacle, still wrapped around her arm, then up into Jasmine’s eyes. “You’re very pretty.”
“Thank you,” Jasmine said. “You’re pretty, too.”
We talked with her for a few more minutes, but then she said, “I suppose I should let you have your conversation.”
Jasmine didn’t unwrap from her immediately. Instead, she said, “Arianna, I have something for you to think about.”
“Okay,” the girl said slowly.
“Don’t decide now, but if this plan appeals to you, maybe you’ll think about it. You have a few years of high school, and then I imagine you intend to go to college.”
“Yeah.”
“Once you’re done with college, I think you should apply for the lottery at Beginnings.”
“Really?”
“I’m not promising anything,” Jasmine said.
“The lottery isn’t random, is it?”
“I’m sure it is,” Jasmine replied. “Within certain standards.”
“What standards?”
“Low xenophobia,” I said. “Do you know that word?” She nodded. “High curiosity, too, I bet.”
; “Thank you for talking to me.” She stood, and Jasmine unwrapped from her. We watched her walk away. Then she looked back, gave a little squeal, and ran from the restaurant.
* * * *
“So, lunch with Cape,” Audra said to kick off the far more serious conversation.
“I can go instead,” Felicia offered. She grinned. “It’s a hardship, though.”
“I can see that,” I told her.
“That’s a very generous offer,” Jasmine replied. “But I need Taisha to do this for me.” She turned to me. “There is every chance she will ask you to disable your visor.”
“Not happening,” I replied.
“I’d prefer you be cooperative with her.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why?” I asked coldly.
“Oh, my. I think I’ve used that tone with you, Jasmine,” Yvette said. “It seems she’s learned Catseye play games. What game are you playing now?”
“I’m not,” Jasmine said. “Taisha, we’ll have you under observation the entire time, audio and video.”
“I need you to tell me flat out you’re not setting me up or something.”
“I’d deny a willingness to ever do something like that,” Jasmine said, “But neither Audra nor Yvette would believe me. Taisha, it’s not like I need your cooperation if I decide to do something with you.”
“Maybe it’s more fun if I cooperate, even unwittingly.”
“I promise,” she replied. “I will protect you.”
“Do you think you and I have the same definition of protecting me?”
“In this case, yes, we do. Tell me what you think it means.”
“I don’t do married women, and I don’t do men.”
“So you’ve said, and as those are restrictions I can entirely understand, I don’t have any conflict of interest.”
“You think she’s going to try to drug me or something.”
“No. I only admit the possibility. What assurances do you want?”
“Why are you making me do this?”
“I’m not. I’m asking, and I’m asking because Cape’s behavior is inconsistent with her typical patterns, and her friends are concerned about her.”
“So ask her what’s going on!”
“Prudence has.”
“And?”
“And she got defensive and said ‘nothing’.”
I shook my head, sighed, and said, “I arrive and leave by transportation you provide. Upon leaving, you’ll take me to the medical center and make sure she hasn’t drugged me. Does she have anything you couldn’t detect?”