by Robin Roseau
"In human form?"
"Possibly, or we might alter them to look Temier. This is a problem that is some time off. I worried first about whether we could mate, and I have worked at that. If we cannot solve these problems, then we will come to another path."
"What other path?"
"I don't know. We might harvest one of my eggs, alter it sufficiently, and then perform artificial insemination with an unaltered human. We then transfer the zygote to me so that I have the bonding experience when I transfer it to you. The child would be nearly fully human but would have some Temier DNA. She would look like a new, highly distinct ethnic group, but not a new species."
"This is somewhat overwhelming."
"I imagine. Are you troubled?"
"No. It doesn't seem real. To be clear, neither of us is having sex with anyone else. Please tell me I will not have to stand by while you have sex with a male."
"My only sex will be with an eye dropper."
I laughed. "I will contain my jealousy."
"There are minor details," she added. "It is not always the way, but it is common for the child bearer to identify the male, and if the creator of life agrees, it is also common for the child bearer to begin the seduction of the male."
"That's not happening."
"I wouldn't expect it to. But there are other combinations that can occur, purely for more recreational purposes."
"Oh, this should be good."
"The child bearer may identify an unmated female."
I stilled. "Did you just tell me you want a three-way with Ms. Tentacles?"
Bronze growl-laughed. "I am explaining why I have not discouraged your friendship."
"Because you want a three-way!"
"No. Because it is the child bearer who decides these things. The creator of life is the dominant in almost all things, but it is the child bearer who typically makes these decisions, and the creator of life is helpless but to give her what she wants."
"So..."
"When you appear to flirt with Ms. Tentacles, as you put it, it means one thing to me. When you appear to speak earnestly, it appears as completely different."
"Wait. I'm allowed to flirt with other women, but I can't have a serious, platonic relationship with them?"
"Of course you may. But you may not exclude me from serious decisions."
Then her image smiled. "Over time, however, you will not be able to have that kind of fun unless I am fully involved. You could flirt, but only as a prelude to presenting her to me."
"And then I would watch the two of you?"
"Oh, you'd be far, far more involved than that."
"I can't believe we're having this conversation."
"Welcome to Alien Mating Rituals 101."
"I'm pretty sure we're into the graduate studies courses."
"Soon."
* * * *
We were both lost in our own thoughts after that, cocooned in our own chairs, touching distance apart, but unable to touch.
I felt no sense of motion, none at all. There was no vibration, no clanging, no sense of acceleration. We could have been anywhere, but we'd been in space for some time. I had to check the screens to verify.
"I think I should sleep for a while."
"That is good. Did you want dreams?"
"Not if they're going to make me think. Soothing dreams would be all right."
"Do you want to watch our approach to the moon?"
"Yes."
"I'll wake you as we're about to enter lunar orbit."
"Perfect."
Seconds later, I was asleep.
* * * *
The alien base on the moon was small, or so Bronze informed me. It was a collection of buildings connected via tunnels. It was located on a section of the moon that, I was told, appeared to be in the right quarter when viewed from Earth's northern hemisphere. Earth was visible over the western horizon.
I didn't get to actually see the base until the last few seconds. Our initial orbits did not pass overhead, and then we descended, racing along the lunar landscape before coming to a gentle stop on the landing pad a hundred yards from the nearest building. I saw that much via my visor. Bronze had connected me to some of the shuttle's viewing cameras, and I could cycle through them. When the crew realized this, they even gave me control over one of the cameras, so I could aim and change its focus within the range of its movements.
Viewed in this fashion, none of it seemed real. I wanted the experience of seeing it with my own eyes, or at least more directly through the visor, which felt like my own eyes. Using the ship's cameras seemed too remote, and I could have been viewing video.
Once we were settled, Bronze disconnected my outside view and instead directed me to a safety program. She told me I was not allowed from the chair until I passed the automated tests.
"I'm going to be with you," I said. "I'll just do what I'm told."
"I doubt it," she muttered. "Just take the test."
"I could have worked on this earlier."
"You whine a lot. I asked for no more whining today."
That hurt. "I don't whine a lot," I whined. "I'll study the material. And do you also have to take the test?"
"Yes. The chair won't release me otherwise. It is quite draconian."
"Like someone else I know," I muttered. I felt her disconnect.
It took me some time to study the material, and even longer to satisfy the computers I wouldn't open an airlock or something else incredibly stupid. It even ran me through emergency simulations, which when viewed through the visor seemed awfully real.
But finally the chair announced my satisfactory completion.
I was sure if the chair hadn't been seeing to my vitals, I'd be wringing in sweat by now.
By the time the chair released me from its entombing embrace, Bronze was long dressed. She was sitting in her chair, my clothes on her lap. She didn't say a word when the chair released me but simply had my clothing ready as I put them on.
I looked around and didn't see anyone else.
"Where is everyone?"
"Gone. We're the last."
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Taking so long?"
"To get dressed? I wish you would take much longer than you did."
"Voyeur. No, to study the material."
"Oh. No. You were fine, and it is important. It is part of keeping you safe. I told the program to be tough on you."
"You did not!"
She sighed.
"That is not a Temier sound."
She made another sound, and it was actually somewhat similar to a human sigh.
"You have an unusual way to express perplexity," Bronze said. "You insist on something as if you are stating fact when you are really asking a question."
"I do not."
She made the Temier sigh again. "Your last three statements are all excellent examples of what I mean."
I considered her words for a minute. "I think perhaps you bring it out in me."
"I cause this behavior in you? How do I do that?"
"I'm fairly certain if we talk about that, we'll have another fight. The first day of our honeymoon, and we're fighting. This doesn't bode well, Bronze." I paused but continued before she could respond. "I will consider what you said and attempt to work on it. I will also try to become less defensive. I may be more effective with one than the other."
She sighed a third time then helped me to dress. At least she was smart enough to keep her hands to herself. I'm fairly certain I would have bitten.
* * * *
We moved to the rear of the transport. Even without the training program, I would have recognized an airlock, even an alien airlock. It opened automatically as we approached, or perhaps Bronze accessed the controls. We stepped inside. One door closed. There was a brief hissing, and my ears popped. And then the other door opened. We stepped through again and onto a small bus, lunar style. The chairs were mundane in nature, so I let Bronze buckle us both
in, and then the vehicle drove us the hundred yards to the lunar base main entrance.
Along the way, I got my first real look of the surface with my own eyes. It was lifeless and grey, stark and ugly, yet in a way beautiful as well.
The sky was absolutely filled with stars, and I could see Earth hovering above the horizon. I stared.
"How far from home am I?" I asked in a small voice.
"400,000 kilometers, or thereabouts," Bronze responded.
We came to a stop, but still I stared.
"I guess I shouldn't feel sorry for myself. You're a lot further than that."
"No, actually, I'm not. Not anymore."
I glanced at her.
"You are now my home, Sapphire. I am only a meter from home."
"You shouldn't put that much pressure on me, Bronze."
"It is a simple fact."
I looked back at Earth. "I won't be able to see it from your home."
"It appears only as another of the stars."
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Very beautiful," she agreed. "Temier is also beautiful. The homes of many of the races are not as beautiful to our eyes, but to them, perhaps they feel differently. I like Earth."
She didn't rush me, but finally I turned to her. "I'm ready."
* * * *
"Isn't there anyone else here?"
We'd been on the base for 24 hours. So far, we hadn't stepped onto the landscape, although that was about to change. Instead, we'd spent most of our time in our own room, which was located far below the surface. Things between us were strained, and it was wearing on both of us. Bronze had finally asked if I would like to step outside.
"Of course there are."
"I haven't seen a single soul."
"And you probably won't."
"They don't want to meet me? They are xenophobic and afraid of humans, perhaps?"
"They would probably enjoy meeting you, but I do not want them to distract your attention from me."
"That's not going very well so far," I said in a small voice. "I've been a bitch."
"You are struggling with changes. After our walk, I am going to help you relax."
"How are you going to do that?"
"I have my ways. Let us worry about our walk." She gestured, and we stopped at another airlock. We'd encountered a number of them so far. I knew they were so that depressurization of one area didn't drain the entire base of air.
The airlock cycled and we stepped through into what looked like a locker room. It could have been a locker room anywhere.
"Are you going to argue with me?" Bronze asked.
"I have to get naked again, don't I?"
"Yes."
I sighed. "Fine. What do I do?"
"Pick any locker that opens. Undress and leave your clothes in the locker. I'll lock it for you."
We picked two lockers, which surprised me, and then with our backs to each other, we undressed. This time I finished first, and I turned around to watch her. I got a very good look at her furry back.
"It's so fine," I said. "Is it growing?"
She glanced over her shoulder to see where I was looking. "Yes."
"My I touch?"
"Always, my mate." She smiled.
I turned away, my curiosity shoved back. Behind me, she turned around as well and then set her hands on my shoulders. "I told you that you may touch."
"And you made it about this entire mating process. You keep pushing and pushing. I'm sorry that your mate died. I'm sorry that you came a million light years to get away from the memories. I'm sorry you were alone. I truly grieve for all of these. But I didn't do any of this to you. And I also did not ask for this pressure you are giving me. I believe I told all of you quite clearly what I think about this. While I grieve for your need, and I recognize humanity's debt for the assistance you have given, I didn't personally ask for any of this. Back off. If you'd let me fucking relax, maybe I wouldn't have my back up so much."
Wordlessly, she removed her hands and stepped away.
I paused a minute.
"I'm not trying to hurt you, Bronze. I really am not."
"I know," she said quietly. "If and when you want to touch me, you may touch me. If and when you want me to touch you, please tell me."
"The touches you've done so far are fine. You haven't been physically pushy. Thank you." She had been a little pushy, insisting on cuddling again last night, and if she hadn't ordered the visor to put me to sleep, I would have lain awake all night, staring away from her and resenting the situation. But I didn't want to spend five months sniping at her, and my own mood was even wearing on me.
"Why do we strip?" I ask instead.
"We must be fitted for exposure suits."
"Please tell me I'm not being displayed for everyone to see?"
"No one is watching. The scrutiny ended when we left the challenge center."
"All right. Show me what to do."
She led the way to what appeared to be a closet or shower. There was a touchpad beside the door, although she didn't have to access it. The door opened and she told me, "Step inside and do what you're told. Please don't argue with the machine."
I didn't rise to the bait. I stepped into the little room, and my visor came alive with an overlay. I was told to stand in a certain position, then was told to take a few more movements. Then the door opened, and Bronze was handing me out.
"Wait here," she said. "My turn."
I leaned against the wall. I didn't think this was a good place for mischief, but if we'd been back on Earth, I'd be looking for a chance to escape. I didn't think I'd be able to, but I was about ready to try. Again.
Bronze was in the little room for only a minute or two. Then she stepped out, and I tried not to stare at her.
She truly was fabulous.
I made a decision. "Stop."
"Excuse me?"
I stepped up to her. "I remember that you smell good."
"So do you."
I stepped closer, pressing our bodies together. It felt really good, and my traitorous body began to respond immediately. I buried my face in her neck, stretching to reach, and I inhaled deeply.
"Hold me," I whispered. "Help me."
She lifted, her hands sliding under my ass, and I found myself with my legs wrapped around her waist, my arms around her neck, and her hands supporting much of my weight. I buried my face against her neck and breathed.
I knew exactly what I was doing. I was drugging myself. It would wear off, but I was tired of fighting with her. And I was sure she knew what I was doing, but she didn't know that I understood what I was doing. I wondered when she'd tell me.
I wasn't going to lose my heart to her as long as there were secrets like that between us. If she didn't tell me, she'd be hearing about it from me the day I told her to fuck off, I was going home.
I inhaled deeply.
And I felt my body relax. I felt my body responding.
I inhaled deeply, and then I relaxed against her.
She didn't say a word. She had to know what was happening to me. She had to know. But she didn't say a word.
Duplicitous bitch.
"Thank you. Almost as good as Ibuprofen."
She chuckled and let me slide from her arms.
The base made exposure suits for us. I didn't understand, and I didn't ask. It took about twenty minutes, and we spent the time sitting on a bench, facing away from each other, not out of anger anymore, but just because I remained self-conscious.
I prompted her to do the talking, and she told me a little more about her planet. I tried to get her to talk about the space station, but she told me she wanted me to experience it for myself.
I looked over my shoulder. She was facing away. I turned slowly, and when I set my hand on her back, she stiffened and stopped talking.
"You said I could touch," I said quietly. "Is this too distracting?"
"No."
The fur was stiff, somewhat like that of a short-haired dog. "I
s this Temier hair?"
"Yes. It's going to be long when it grows out."
"Why did you cut it so close?"
"So you wouldn't recognize the pattern."
I traced it up. "It goes all the way up your neck."
"There is no difference between the hair on my head and the hair on my back."
"Will it grow in more places than this?"
"No. Just what you see."
I stroked it. It liked being stroked downward, but it was bristly when I stroked upward, and she stiffened.
"You don't like it that way?"
"When it's longer, you can massage your fingers through it."
"Just like a dog. Do you woof?"
"No, but I still roar."
"Stand up and let me look, but this is not permission to stare at my ass. Or touch it."
"I don't need permission to touch your ass. I'm allowed."
"And I'm allowed to go back to being a bitch."
"You're not, but I understand you're overwhelmed." She stood and moved to stand in front of me, her legs partly spread. As I suspected, the fur divided. It was odd. She was furless for a portion of her backside, the fur curving together to become a thin line as it trailed down the backs of her leg. I traced my fingers down until I reached the backs of her knees. Her muscles rippled a few times as I did so.
"Does that tickle?"
"Yes, but I don't mind. Are you ticklish?"
"Yes, but I'm feeling vulnerable enough right now. Does it make you self-conscious when I examine you like this?"
"That's not quite the term I would use."
"What term would you use?"
"Aroused."
I snatched my hand from her. "I'm not trying to tease. I'm so sorry."
"I'm going to turn around now, and you're not going to hide." She paused only a moment, and I found myself staring at her chest. I didn't know if she'd given herself those particular curves just for me, but they worked. They worked really well. I didn't have anywhere to look that wasn't filled with Bronze.
She lifted my chin. "I am only able to feel aroused by my mate. I know you don't want this pressure, but you need to understand. You give me feelings I never thought I'd feel again. Perhaps you are feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable. I am not feeling vulnerable, but I am feeling overwhelmed as well, and something else."