by L M Lacee
‘Let me explain?’ Netta said as she waved her hand, indicating the three females. ‘Before us we have three single females, all living alone in one form or another and all unhappy in one form or another.’
They looked at each other and nodded, Netta was right, they were lonely and they did live by themselves, only one of them had recently become bonded.
Esther said. ‘So our plan was to ask you, if you would you like to share an apartment. And if you say yes, we would like it to be the one Jean is living in with Jean’s permission, of course.’
Netta said. ‘If it is yes, we hope you be willing to include Ipeara. She is not happy and wishes to come home.’
Jean said to the other two. ‘I am willing, if you both are?’
Zenerra said. ‘I have never shared a dwelling with another female, is it different to sharing with males?’
With a laugh, June answered. ‘It has to be. We pick up after ourselves and we like to talk in the morns. Oh, I have recently become bonded, will that be a problem?’
‘No, and congratulations. I wish I was?’ Jean said as Zenerra agreed. ‘I too congratulate you June, I do not think Prowlers like winged people?’
That is where you would be mistaken. Rage said as he walked up behind them. We are absolutely fascinated with your species, do not give up. I feel one will come that is for you as you will be for them.
Zenerra smiled as she said. ‘Thank you, Rage. I hope you are right.’
‘Until then we can love on June’s bonded.’ Jean said, causing the other two to grin.
June told them. ‘Her name is Yinny, she is twelve, so still a juvenile and she is beautiful. All brown with light cream spots and the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.’
Also a fighter. Rage told them. I read the report, she did well.
June preened a little at his praise of her bonded and asked Netta. ‘Will Ipeara be happy to live with us?’
Esther said. ‘I think you will find she will. So what say you all?’
June said. ‘Well, I have no problem with it. I would enjoy the company.’
Zenerra nodded. ‘I too will enjoy the company. It will be different to live with people who are not winged.’
‘It appears we like the idea, we will need to create another bedroom for Ipeara?’ Jean told Esther with a thoughtful frown.
Esther told her. ‘I will have the builders at your place day after tomorrow.’
Jean thanked both ladies. ‘Thank you Lady Esther and you as well, Netta, for thinking of us.’
Esther shooed them away. ‘It is what I do, my dearles. Now off you go, you have things to do and plans to make, I am sure.’
‘I think we will have fun.’ June offered and the other two agreed. They sounded excited as they made their farewells, talking and arranging moving in to Jean’s apartment.
Rage said. Pilot Ipeara’s bonded was rescued from the planet near Citri’s moon.
Netta asked. ‘Why are they not together?’
He shook his head and looked at Esther. She sighed, ‘Dropped the ball again. I will inform Melody.’
Thank you, Esther. Just before he entered the transfer circle, he said. I will have the table repaired or replaced.
‘Thank you, dearle.’
Netta said. ‘Nicely done Omperea.’
‘Thank you, Elite Netta, I have missed you. It was far too long.’
‘As I missed you and I agree, far too long.’
Esther smiled and told her. ‘Let’s not do that again.’
‘I second that.’
FIFTEEN:
Peyton woke to silence, complete blissful silence. She yawned widely and stretched, rolled over and came face to face with Darby.
‘Ahhhhh! What the hayda!’
‘Get up lazy bones, you have slept long enough. And do not breathe on me.’
‘Darby, you’re here!’
‘I am.’
‘I missed you. I think I got crazy.’
‘So crazy, we were worried we would have to put you down like a rabid dog.’
‘Okay, so not a dream then?’
‘So not a dream.’
‘You all went away.’
Darby placed her hand on Peyton’s cheek and whispered. ‘I know, sweetie; trust me, it won’t happen again.’
Peyton eyed her sister, ‘Oh, did you all have a, come to a Star Child meeting?’
Ignoring the reference to a family gathering, Darby apologized. ‘I am sorry Peyton, I did not realize, and I should have.’
Peyton tucked her head down on Darby’s shoulder and sighed as her arms went around her. ‘Yeah, me too. I think I put my body through too much and things got away from me.’
‘So Heather said.’
They stayed like that for several peaceful mins until Darby whispered. ‘So hon, have you ever heard of cleansing paste cause…’ She held her nose as she jumped from the bed.
Peyton threw her pillow at her and snarled. ‘Get out, horrible female, get out.’
Laughing, Darby told her as she walked into her closet. ‘Shower, you stink, and you have flabby bits hanging out.’
‘So are not.’ Happier than she had been in a while. Peyton jumped from the bed and raced into her cleansing room and called out. ‘Where are my children?’
Darby called back. ‘The new nanny has them and before you ask Fanharr has the kits who are apparently growing at long last.’
She cleansed her teeth, then moved into the shower. Esther was right all those luneras ago, when she said she would go through heaps of shampoo and conditioner. Thankfully she had an in, with a trader.
‘Growing?’ She called as she hit the button for the conditioner.
‘Yep, did you know that Esther is the great mother or Omperea?’
‘Maybe.’
‘Huh, thought so. Well, she had a word with the twins and explained the facts of Prowler life on Maikonia. At least she explained to them the fun things they could do as walking, talking kits. They liked the idea. Fanharr said they are doubling in size daily.’
‘Wow, how long have I been asleep?’
‘Its third day.’
‘Oh okay.’
‘You went to bed first night.’
‘Oh my.’ She blinked several times in surprise. Wow, she must have needed the sleep. Then she smiled at the feeling of being clean and hungry for the first time in days.
She asked as the dryer blew over her. ‘Darby.’
‘Yep.’ Darby’s voice came with the clothes she placed on the shelves just inside the cleansing room.
‘You going away again?’
‘Nope, missed you.’
‘Kay.’ She stepped from the dryer and dressed as her smile grew.
Darby was smiling too as she went into the dining room. ‘She is dressing.’
Melody, Heather, Patty, Trina, and the three ladies sat around the table. Esther said, ‘I have to leave at the end of the weken, just for a day or two, maybe a weken. We have some people to see on Terra. She will be fine. You all know what you have to do and it will only be for a while.’
‘A while, what does that mean?’ Peyton asked as she came from her bedroom, dressed and combing her hair. Helen took the comb from her as she gently pushed her into a chair and started running it through her long tresses.
Melody passed her a cup of coffee, saying. ‘Esther has to go to Terra at the end of the weken for a few days.’
‘Oh okay, so not for long then?’
‘No, not long. Lott and I have a few more prospective nannies to see.’
‘Great, and Suna and the twins are there?’
With disapproval ringing in her voice Esther said. ‘Oh, I forgot they were. Heather, she needs to bring them home.’
‘Tell me about it, I miss them, and they need to meet Hope, but she is their aunt. What can I say?’
‘Come home now.’ Melody stated.
Heather grimaced. ‘Easy for you to say.’
Brenda said. ‘Maybe Esther, you can help with that.’<
br />
‘I will see what I can do.’
Patty asked Heather as she took her cup of tea from Brenda. ‘Why don’t you just get Harm to talk to her?’
‘He has, but she says they are learning important properties about plants.’
‘You mean poisons.’ Stated Trina.
Peyton sipped her coffee and ate some food. Letting the ebb and flow of her family surround her and fill in the holes in her needar.
Brenda said. ‘Peyton luv, we are sorry for leaving you alone. It was not intentional.’
‘I know you are, and I hate that I am needy. I really thought I could handle it. Good stars, three children and two kits. Seemed like a walk in the park compared to other stuff I deal with.’ She shook her head. ‘I lost the plot somewhere. I zoned out so much I couldn’t think straight to ask for help.’
Trina told her. ‘Rage was angry.’
‘I am sorry he was. He should not have been, it was my fault.’
‘Not really.’ Heather said. ‘I think you were still suffering from Oraintarre and the poisoning. Causing your body to become overwhelmed and you did what we all do, hide out for a while.’
‘That would explain the weird feeling of disconnection I was having between me and my body.’ She raised her eyes to Heather. ‘I should have talked to you about that. I am sorry.’
‘Yes you should have, and next time you will, right?’
‘Yep, you betcha!’
‘Trouble is.’ Patty said with a grin. ‘When you hide, it sort of causes a tidal wave.’
Peyton grinned, what could she say, it was true, but as she stared at Patty, she squinted and asked. ‘Patty, you are glowing, did Dinas get you with a little warrior?’
Startled, Patty opened and closed her mouth a few times as she assimilated what Peyton had said, then she grabbed Heather’s hand and asked. ‘Did he?’
Heather looked just as startled and with a swift look at Peyton, who gave her a small nod. She placed her arm around Patty and with their heads together started talking.
Darby murmured. ‘Way to distract.’
Peyton shrugged as Trina said. ‘Guess what; I am a Kailee now, isn’t that cool?’
‘It so is. You are well suited for the position and Jarrod, what does he think?’
She screwed her face up. ‘He thinks he is unworthy and there is someone better to be Kail.’
‘But I don’t want anyone else.’
Trina shrugged. ‘You may have to have that talk with him.’
‘Fine.’
‘Tomorrow.’ Esther said, seconded by Melody who told her. ‘Today is our day, we are going to Varcandia to take advantage of all the good things they have going on over there.’
‘Oh wow, that will be so cool.’ Peyton eyed them as she stated in no uncertain terms. ‘I am not drinking any grass. No matter what color it is.’
Melody laughed. ‘Aww shut up, you big baby and drink your coffee, we leave in...’
Netta walked in, out of uniform for a change, and stated. ‘Now, everyone is ready. We are just waiting on all of you. Seriously, it’s like herding rabbits.’
Peyton and Netta gave each other a quick hug as Netta told them. ‘Penny will meet us in the grasshopper with Avana, Rose and Miko and all the other ladies. Rata and Kenera to name a few.’
She shook her head. ‘I lie, heaps of others, as many females who are able want to go. Jean has coaxed Zen and several of the female Draygons to come. Now that should be hilarious, watching the ladies over there try to figure them all out.’
‘Good practice for them.’ Helen said archly.
Netta told Peyton. ‘My training is more or less over, I won’t go…’ She looked at all the others, then said. ‘We will not go away again, we did not realize what would happen.’
‘I love you all too.’ She hugged Netta again before saying. ‘It was a bump on the road, we will get over it. I too am sorry, you all deserve better.’
‘Aww shut up.’ Chorused, Brenda, Helen and Esther, causing the others to roar with laughter.
Reeve watched female after female exited the Hexes and enter the waiting grasshoppers. They seemed to be happy. He turned to look at Hawk, who stood next to him on the steps as he watched the shuttles lift off and asked. ‘So all is well now?’
Hawk nodded. ‘It will be. Tomorrow we work, but today we play. Any ideas?’
‘Let us round up all the males and visit this idea of play.’ Reeve said a little intrigued.
Laughing, Hawk turned back into the Hex as he asked Jax to round up the males for play. It was a sound Reeve had seldom heard from his brother. With a smile, he tipped his head in a salute to the females in the departing shuttles. They had done this, created this miracle within his brother, within them all. Soon his other brothers would be home and they too would share in the light of the females of Maikonia.
SIXTEEN:
Early the following morn, Peyton walked into her office, minus her children who were still in the care of a nanny. However, she was not early enough to avoid Melody. ‘Greetings, what’s up?’
Melody followed her as she continued on into her inner office. ‘Greetings, I am letting you know, I resigned my commission.’
When Peyton said nothing, she sighed. ‘I need to embrace my gift. I cannot do that as an officer in your Armee, you know this?’
‘I know, I was hoping you wouldn’t figure it out for a while yet.’
Melody shrugged. ‘Yeah well, I am still going off world. I enjoy traveling with you, and Coraan says he would welcome the experience to see the Universe.’
‘So you are done?’
‘Yes. Did you know I am a Tivna now?’
‘We call it ascending to a Tivna and yes.’
‘Did you make that happen?’
‘I don’t know, are you annoyed or pleased about it?’
Melody grinned. ‘Happy and proud.’
‘Then yes. You, Jarrod and Avana were always going to ascend. I am guessing the Star Child for whatever reason decided to tell you now. I wonder why?’
Melody hurriedly said. ‘Well thanks, I appreciate the vote of confidence.’
Peyton smiled. ‘You were always destined for great things. I knew that the first time I talked to you.’
‘My stars that seems like a long time ago now.’
Peyton laughed, remembering their first conversation. ‘It really was, anyway, grab an office down the hall. See Penny about staff.’
‘So you were ready for this then?’
‘Sort of, I figured it was coming. I hope you like your office; I had it fitted out for a Tivna and her team of Tochos.’
Melody tried to hide her grimace. ‘I am almost frighten to look.’
‘You would have been, but Brenda and her decorating committee took over and shot down all my ideas.’ She grumbled. ‘Leopard patterns and jungle themes were excellent choices for a Tocho, but she said nooo!’
Melody sighed in relief and vowed to do something nice for Brenda and her committee.
‘Okay then, I better go look.’
‘Yep, see you later.’
Melody waved goodbye as she passed Ward and Janet on her way out. Peyton smiled when she saw the couple. ‘Greetings, you wanted to see me?’
‘Greetings Madam, we wish to see you.’ Ward told her.
Janet smiled and said. ‘We would like to be considered for the outpost on Terra.’
Peyton was surprised, and it showed in her question. ‘Really! Are you not happy in my guard?’
Janet tipped her head to the side as she studied Peyton, deciding she didn’t look upset, so she explained. ‘We loved being in your guard, but we want a more stable home. I thought I would love the traveling, but I find I am a home body. Ward would prefer to settle down somewhere permanently. The thing is, we both like training and we love Terra and the people there.’
Ward added. ‘We both feel Terra would make an enjoyable home for us both and any young we have. I especially enjoy the feeling of being surrounded by
the growing environment. My Janet says that makes sense.’
Peyton smiled. ‘It does, in fact, I can see how it would be a good fit for you both. So we make you Co-Commanders along with Nina, Fern and Renta. What do they say, have you talked to them?’
Janet answered for them both. ‘We did, they are okay with it. We all like the same kind of things and Renta, is happy to not have the security of the world on his shoulders alone. Ward and I both like farming, or at least some of the different aspects of it.’
Peyton nodded. ‘Then I release you from my guard. You will have to see Netta and Hawk and select your company. You will need Marlo and Larson to advise you on that. This is going to take a weken or two to get everything settled. So until then, you are off rotation. You should go to Varcandia, it is wonderful. In fact, go for a weken give yourselves a break. Also when you return, see Raley about a Prowler unit or two.’ She came around her desk and hugged them both. ‘I will miss you.’
Ward said. ‘As we will you, Madam.’
Janet assured her. ‘We will visit, and I know you visit Terra.’
‘Well, I do, you know, they have my coffee and chocolate plants there.’
‘We will see you often then?’
‘Aww Janet, I will miss your sarcasm more than you, but needs must.’
‘Alright, we are going, before you make me cry.’ Janet laughingly dragged Ward from the room.
Peyton could hear him asking what there was to cry about and why was Madam Peyton laughing was it not a sad time, as Janet said.
Peyton called out. ‘See me before you leave.’
‘Done.’ Janet called back, as they passed Penny who asked Peyton as she came into her office.
‘So, early visitors?’
‘Yes.’
Peyton walked back to her desk and said. ‘I am pleased you are here. So let me tell you what you missed since you were late this morn.’
Penny narrowed her eyes as she said. ‘I am early.’
‘We can say that, if you insist.’
Then, ignoring Penny’s outraged sniff, she told her about Janet and Ward’s decision and that Melody had resigned her commission. Penny did not tell her she already knew of Melody’s decision. Instead, she said. ‘I think they made a wise choice.’