Volunteer (Selected Book 3)

by Robin Roseau

  "I hate this. I have to use both my hands."

  "Humans have such disadvantages," she said with a little laugh. But she freed one hand, and I stopped caressing with the other. I opened the menu.

  It was a leather folder, but inside was an iPad. Not something that looked like an iPad. This was actually an Apple product. There were buttons for a variety of things, and I tapped the one that said Dinner.

  "They gave me one in English."

  "Mine is in Catseye," she said. "But did you notice the button for species?"

  "Oh. Yeah."

  "On mine, that button is labeled in both Catseye and English."

  "Ah. Okay."

  "I want to do something though."

  "Oh?"

  "I'm going to order from the human menu."

  "You want to share."

  "Does that bother you?"

  "No." I looked through the menu. Everything sounded wonderful. Finally I looked at Violet. "If we're sharing, we should make sure we get two dishes we both like."

  "Have you narrowed your choices?"

  "I thought seafood. I haven't seen you eat fish."

  "I like seafood. Should we get two seafood dishes?"

  "Maybe more variety than that?"

  We decided on seafood and lamb. When the waitress appeared, Violet told her, "We will be eating entirely human food tonight. We intend to share."

  "Of course," she said.

  Violet ordered for us, and once she was gone, we were free to pay attention to each other again.

  It was a lovely meal. The food, of course, was fantastic, and Violet never stopped touching me. I decided I really, really liked that. The attention she lavished upon me was deeply flattering, and several times I felt my heart make extra pitter-patters of excitement.

  "We need to go," she said eventually. "Or we'll be late."

  "We have to pay."

  "Already done," she said.

  "Did you tip?"

  "Yes. This isn't my first time here, Skye."

  "Oh. I'm sorry."

  "Don't be. I still make mistakes sometimes. It's okay for you to check." Then she sighed. "I have to disguise myself again."

  "In a moment," I said. I took the nearest tentacle and lifted it to my lips. I kissed it slowly.

  She didn't take it as an invitation, but she grew quiet, and when I looked at her, her eyes were closed. Finally I stopped kissing, but I offered one final caress.

  She opened her eyes and looked at me. "Do you have any idea what you're doing to me?"

  "No, but I suspect it's the Catseye equivalent of what you're doing to me, Violet. Do Catseye have the same emotions as humans?"

  "Not all the species do. Most of them are able to become angry. A few have no concept of love or even fondness. They don't even love their children. They bear them and walk away."

  "That's terrible."

  "It's not unlike many earth species."

  "Not the mammals."

  "No, but fish, turtles, I don't know what else. I don't know your animals very well."

  "And Catseye?"

  "I don't know if the emotions are identical, but we're comfortable using human words for our emotions. We might have differences in the subtleties, but yes, we share emotions."

  I smiled. "Good."

  "Yes. I agree. This is good. We should go."

  She withdrew her tentacles, which was a disappointment. Then her dress zipped. She slipped her glasses on and took my arm.

  After that, she acted human. Oh, she was very solicitous, and she continued to touch me as much as she could with only two arms. But I missed the tentacles.

  The play was funny, and that actually served as an issue. Catseye do not sound human when they laugh. The third time Violet laughed, I leaned and whispered into her ear, "You know you don't sound human when you laugh."

  She stilled and then leaned to whisper back into mine. "Do you think anyone can tell? You know what I am."

  I thought about it. "Control the volume and I think you'll be fine."

  She did get a few looks after that, but no one stood up, pointed a finger, and screamed, "Alien! Alien!" If anyone suspected, I couldn't tell.

  Once the show was over, we sat quietly while waiting for people to shuffle out. "This is inefficient," she said, looking around.

  "You don't like sitting here, holding my hand?"

  "What if there was a fire?"

  "Then we'd use the fire exits."

  "Why don't they have more exits?"

  "Because they don't want us leaving through the alley," I said. "And they want us to walk past the merchandise in the lobby in hopes we'll buy some." I leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I want a tee-shirt."

  "You do not."

  "Yes, actually, I do."

  "They're ugly. I do not want you wearing them. I like your dresses."

  "They're appropriate for some occasions, and I want to wear it at school so everyone knows I came to see a show in New York."

  She stilled at that, then quietly asked, "Why?"

  "Why, what?"

  "Why do you want everyone to know?"

  "Does that bother you?"

  "I'm trying to understand."

  I turned away from her, embarrassed. But she snuggled against me. "What's going on?"

  "I grew up poor, Violet. Do you understand?'

  "I understand your words, but I bet they imply things I don't understand."

  "We didn't have things. This is the first time I've been to a play like this. I've never been to New York. We're doing a lot better than we were, but we never even went to movies except at the one cheap movie theater on Tuesday nights. We bought most of our clothes second hand, and Audra had to wear my hand-me-downs. We were on government assistance, especially for Audra. Do you have any idea?"

  "No," she said. "But in a way. I'll buy you all the tee shirts you want, Skye."

  "I just want one," I said. "Do I embarrass you?"

  "No. You're precious, Skye. You have no idea how precious."

  I looked over my shoulder. "Are we going anywhere else after this?"

  "Did you want to go somewhere?"

  "I want to know what you planned."

  "I was going to take us home, but if you wanted-"

  "Good," I said, interrupting her. "Because I miss being held properly."

  * * * *

  We practically mauled each other in the jumper, but the flight was over long before we could go too far past my boundaries. While Violet talked to the air traffic controllers, I sat there, trying to get my emotions back under control.

  I was falling for her. I was falling hard.

  We finally came to a stop, and then we sat there quietly. Violet had withdrawn physically, and I wondered if I'd upset her somehow. The thought made me sick.

  "Why aren't you touching me?" I asked quietly.

  "Because if I do, I don't know if I can stop."

  "Oh. Really?" I brightened. "I thought you were mad at me or something."

  "No." We turned to face each other, and in her look I knew her emotions were as big a mess as mine were. And I was perfectly fine with that.

  "We need to talk," she said quietly.

  "Oh god," I said. "You are mad."

  "I am many things, but mad is not in the list," she said. "Mom told me things she maybe shouldn't have."

  "About me?"

  "Yes."

  "I asked her to."

  "Oh."

  "I was wrong."

  "To tell her to tell me?"

  "Violet, what did she tell you?"

  "That you volunteered. Um."

  "To be a mating candidate."

  "Humans aren't supposed to know about that."

  "Everyone at home knows. But they did something to us we can't tell."

  "So when I told you earlier we reprogrammed those people, you knew what I meant."

  "Yeah. Let's not talk about that part. What else did she tell you?"

  "That you wanted the challenges. That you want
to be fought over. She said you've been tested, but that Jasmine Brighteyes did it secretly."

  "Do you know who Jasmine is?" She nodded. "Did she tell you why Jasmine is keeping it secret?"

  "Yes. But I can't tell you."

  "Why not? It's because if it's public then either she can claim me, or she can never claim me. She'll Test me again when she's ready to claim me."

  "If you're not already mated."

  "True."

  "You want the challenges. You want to be fought over. Catseye don't do that, Skye. I don't think we should go out anymore."

  I stared at her, and she looked away.

  "Jasmine told me wanting to be fought over is a sign of immaturity." Violet didn't respond. "She's right." At that, she turned back. "Okay, I admit, all that is really romantic."

  "The humans hate it, Skye. Okay, the men we take don't all hate it, but the woman universally hate it."

  "That's because they aren't willing."

  "Skye, there would be males fighting over you. How do you feel about that?"

  "Dr. Moirai is female."

  "Yes, and you wouldn't believe what Jasmine Brighteyes did to make that work out. No, I won't tell you."

  "Well, we're missing my point."

  "What is your point?"

  "My point is simple. The thought of this being our only date is making me sick."

  "Oh."

  "If you don't want to see me again, I understand, but I got the impression that wasn't the case."

  "It's not, but if you want to be fought over, I'm not going to do that."

  "You won't have to," I said.

  "Are you sure?"

  "I'm sure. Please tell me you're not dumping me on our first date."

  She laughed. "The car is waiting. Posey is going to expect a slumber party. I wouldn't be too surprised if she's already in your bed."

  "My bed, is it?"

  "We've stopped calling it the guest room and now call it Skye's room."

  "Really?"

  "Really."

  I smiled broadly. "You're not touching me. And you haven't tasted even a little bit."

  "So we're dating?"

  "Yes."

  "And you are telling me you want me to touch. And taste."

  "Yes."

  "Good. Give me a minute." She cocked her head, and then after a moment she began speaking rapid Catseye. I had no idea what she was doing, but then she turned back to me.

  "What was that?"

  "I made, um, a phone call. To Posey."

  "Oh?"

  "I told her to get out of your room and that we were going to want a half hour of privacy when we got there, but not to let us have more than that."

  I laughed. "Very wise."

  * * * *

  I was rather surprised to find we landed not at the airport, but right at the Cesting Center. But in hindsight, I decided that made sense. And so it was a fairly short walk. We held hands. Violet took my coat and bag from me, and so my back was bare for her. So I had one tentacle wrapped around my arm and another across my back. Still, she didn't taste. I didn't ask.

  I thought we'd get intercepted when we arrived, but we didn't see anyone. Violet pulled me to my bedroom, and the moment we were behind closed doors, she enveloped me in six limbs. I pressed against her and clung tightly.

  She held, and she didn't press a tentacle across my face. But she was still quavering.

  "Are you all right?" I whispered.

  "I'm afraid if I start, it will be difficult to stop."

  "Are you able to let me be in control, Violet?"

  "Yes."

  "Come with me." She relaxed, and I led her to the bed. We had shed our shoes at the front door, so I arranged the pillows and then pushed her back amongst them. Then I climbed onto the bed, kneeling over her. "You'll do what I say?"

  She nodded slowly.

  "How long before Posey barges in?"

  "27 minutes."

  "Will she at least knock?"

  "She'll scratch and ping me. Like a text message."

  I nodded. "You have permission to do anything you want to any of my exposed skin except mark my face and neck. But if that's too much, then let me control this."

  "It's too much, Skye."

  "All right," I said. "Close your eyes."

  She obeyed, and I looked at her carefully. She was still in her dress, but the tentacles were loose and waving somewhat erratically. I captured one and wrapped it around my back. I let it decide where it was going. She latched on immediately, across my lower back then doubling back and up one side, the tip just peeking over my shoulder.

  "Good," I said. "I like that, Violet."

  I captured the other lower one, and it took little encouragement to stretch it across my back as well. This one came up higher over my shoulder -- the same shoulder, and the tip just slipped inside my dress. I decided that was okay. "No lower, Violet, but this is nice."

  She opened her eyes and nodded, then closed them again.

  The third wrapped over my shoulder and around my neck, doubling down and then back up until she could play with my ear. But the last I took straight to me, and while still holding it, I began kissing the tip, but I didn't let her slide inside yet.

  I closed my eyes and teased the tip with my lips.

  She began snuffling. She began snuffling loudly.

  "Oh, Skye," she whispered.

  "Put your hand on my hip," I said. She did, but she opened her eyes. "You said I couldn't touch anything covered by a bikini."

  "Hips are safe," I said. "Close your eyes."

  Then I teased her tentacle for a while, holding it with both hands. The rest of it waved around before finally pressing against my arm. I didn't let her wrap all the way around, but she sort of hugged my arm anyway, and then I felt her latch on.

  "Be careful of my arm," I said.

  "I'm trying," she said.

  The tentacles continued to snuffle and quiver, and her reactions were exciting me. Slowly, I lowered myself until I was stretched out next to her. "Does it hurt if I put weight here?"

  "No," she said. She had to adjust how she held me, but I was able to cuddle against her, still holding the one tentacle. Then, slowly, I fed it into my mouth and closed my eyes. Then, just as slowly, while still holding her with one hand, I freed my other and found her face. I began caressing her face, but I avoided her lips.

  She teased my tongue, and she slipped further into me than she ever had before. It tickled, but it also got me excited, too. I wasn't sure why.

  "You're not offering me your fingers," she said.

  No, I wasn't. And instead, I slipped the fingers down to tease her ear.

  We teased each other like that for a long time. I was breathing heavily, and Violet was snuffling and quivering.

  All that, and we weren't touching below the waist, except with our legs pressed against each other.

  Somehow I could tell when she opened her eyes. She tipped her head to look at me, and I opened my own eyes. We stared at each other. Slowly she pulled her tentacle from my mouth, but then she wrapped entirely around the back of my head with the tip coming to rest to tease my own ear.

  "Posey will be here soon. She told me I have three more minutes."

  "I want you to do one more thing with those three minutes, but no more than I'm about to offer."

  "All right."

  "You may caress my breasts," I said. "But not the nipples. Go slow though, and withdraw before your sister comes through the door."

  Then I closed my eyes.

  She used two of her tentacles, one dipping down from the top, the other sliding in the side of the dress. She was gentle, and it felt very, very nice. I squirmed and whispered, "Yes, Violet. Like that."

  "They're so soft," she said.

  I didn't say anything.

  Then, slowly she began to withdraw.

  "We should have told her an hour," I whispered.

  "I wouldn't have kept control for an entire hour," she whispered back. />
  I cuddled more tightly against her. She was still snuffling, but slowly she calmed. And then there was a scratching at the door. A moment later, it opened. I looked over, but the door hid Posey.

  "You two said a half hour. May I come in?"

  "Yes," I said.

  She appeared, then closed the door. She looked at us for a moment then asked casually, "Good date?"

  "Oh yeah," I said. "Violet, I think our date is over."

  "I know," she said.

  "You have to let me go so Posey can hug me."

  "I know," she said again. And I could tell it was difficult, but slowly she unwrapped from me. Once she had, I leaned over and kissed her ear. "I had a wonderful time, and I hope there will be more."

  "There will," she said.

  Then I rolled off the bed and approached Posey. I was a little embarrassed and felt awkward. "This is a little strange," I said.

  "I'm glad you had a nice date," she said. "But it's officially over, and now it's a slumber party?"

  "Yes," I said.

  "Good." She took two steps and wrapped me up in a proper hug.

  She held me for a long time, longer than normal, and then slowly she pulled away. "You're not in pajamas."

  "Neither is Violet."

  "You two need to change. Are you hungry?"

  "A little."

  "I'll make popcorn," Violet said.

  The two disappeared. I watched after them, then I did all my things for getting ready for bed, finally ending by sitting on the bed wearing undies and a camisole. I left the door open, but I was a little surprised when there was a scratching.

  "Come in."

  It wasn't the sisters. It was Bluebell.

  "Oh!" I said. "Hi." I stood, and when I drew close, I received a very thorough hug.

  "How are you doing?"

  "Amazing, Bluebell."

  She slowly released me, although she kept possession of my arms and looked at me. "We'll talk tomorrow."

  "Are you upset?"

  "No. Just the opposite."

  "All right. Good. Me, too." But then I pulled her closer. "Is Posey jealous?"

  "Yes, but they agreed you and Violet fit better. Don't worry about that."

  "If not for Violet..."

  "I know. We all know. As I said, Violet is a better fit for you. Posey will be fine. She'd be upset if you even think of letting this hurt the friendship. And I suspect she's going to push limits largely to tease her sister."