“That’s going to take a while for my body to adjust to,” I said. His eyes roamed my body yet again, and everywhere his gaze touched made me tingle a bit. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course,” he said, and I gestured in between him and I.
“How do people on Rolar find partners or get married if it’s not the custom to touch anyone or to be familiar with someone you don’t know. What if you want to know that person?” I asked.
Jasiah sighed and responded. “Well that is a variable. If you meet a stranger on the street and are attracted to them, it is perfectly acceptable to speak with them. Then it is much like on Earth, you go out, become more familiar with that person until they are no longer a stranger to you. Then is it acceptable to touch them and answer the door half…undressed”
“Gotcha, okay well, I’ll go get ready,” I said, and he nodded before he turned around to go sit in the living room or something. I hurried to shower and change and brush out my hair. I should have set an alarm or something, but I was too fascinated with Rolarian TV and the computer was a whole other world, literally. I fell asleep with my new Rolarian laptop in bed and never thought about setting an alarm.
“Okay I’m ready, well actually not yet, I’m starving. Is there any equivalent to coffee here?” I called out to Jasiah as I looked around the kitchen for something quick to eat.
“Yes, but it would be too strong for you. We can pick up morning meal while we explore the city, I know of a place,” he said as he stepped into the kitchen, and I smiled.
“That sounds perfect, let’s go.”
I was already excited to go tour the city. Just looking out my window at the bright silver streets and white buildings I was in awe. I followed Jasiah out to the hallway, down the elevator, through the lobby, and to the street.
“We will be doing much walking today,” he said, and I pointed to my comfortable yet stylish walking shoes. I couldn’t part with my Nikes when packing up to leave Earth. I figured I might make a fashion statement on Rolar. “Interesting shoes,” he mumbled, and I laughed lightly.
“Yep, they get the job done,” I said, and he led me down the busy sidewalk.
“The city is grouped into several areas. This is the residential area, just past is the section of the arts. You will find music halls, dance, theaters, art galleries and such. It’s a good place to truly submerse yourself in Rolarian culture,” Jasiah continued explaining the different sections of the city, there was even a night life section with actual clubs and such. I wondered again how dancing worked...but then figured a Rolarian wouldn’t just dance with a stranger.
“So mainly couples and good friends and such go to clubs, no one goes by themselves,” I asked Jasiah, and his eyebrows furrowed. “I’m sorry not clubs, ‘dance venues.’”
“Yes, it is not custom that a Rolarian will go to a social gathering with strangers, they may as well leave,” he said, and I laughed. It was definitely going to be interesting making friends on this planet.
“So which section are we going to first?” I asked Jasiah, and he pointed ahead at an ornately crafted building. It reminded me of the Met, but only with a Rolarian feel.
“We are going to appreciate some art,” he said, and I smiled at him excitedly.
“I was hoping you’d say that!” I enthused and without thinking, I took his hand and hurried him forward into the building.
“Wait Anna, we must check in,” Jasiah said and pulled on my hand as I was about to bypass the entire front room to go through the glass doors. I could see people milling around in the room beyond, admiring various art. Jasiah pulled me to his side and surprisingly didn’t let go of my hand, even as I realized that I grabbed his hand without thinking. Jasiah paid our way to get into the gallery and once we stepped through the doors he glanced down at our hands and then let mine go.
“I’m sorry, I really have to work on that…” I mumbled.
He simply nodded his head curtly and led me to a painting. The backdrop resembled a silver sunset and in the silver sky was a being that resembled an angel, though it was abstract and painted in a solid shade of white.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, and Jasiah inclined his head.
“I think so as well, it is my favorite within the entire building,” he said. I felt warmth spread through my chest at his words and felt special that he would show me his favorite painting.
Chapter 8
Jasiah
I couldn’t stop thinking about how nice and natural Anna’s hand felt in mine. I could barely describe the histories behind certain paintings as I showed them to her. Then there was the distraction of her brushing against me every few moments. The gallery was full of sightseers and it was understandable that we’d have to squeeze around at a few places. But every time she brushed against me, I took note of what part of her body it was; her shoulder, her breast, her back, her bottom. It was splintering my ability to keep a focused mind.
“So where will we go next?” Anna looked up at me with an expectant smile and I realized that we were back at the entrance of the building.
“Ah, you haven’t eaten yet, correct?” I asked.
“Yeah, I’m starving, let’s go to that place you were talking about earlier,” she said, and I nodded.
“Yes, it is not very far from here,” I told her and led the way as she followed next to me.
“So I’ve been wondering, how did you get into space exploration?” she asked, and I shrugged slightly.
“My father used to be the equivalent of an astrophysicist, I sort of fell into the field as I grew,” I explained.
“That’s nice, sort of like a physical application, or an extension of your father’s work, right?” she asked with a smile, and I was surprised that she made the inference.
“Yes…exactly. I was much more interested in actually getting out into space and travelling at light speed, rather than creating the formula or the technology for it.”
“That’s probably why you volunteered for this. You’re curious, kind of like me, about humans right?” she asked. By then I figured her insight was due to her profession…she was very smart.
“Yes, you read me very quickly,” I said, and she shrugged in a self-depreciating manner.
“Well I did spend all evening with you yesterday,” she said, and I laughed.
“Some people I’ve known my entire life don’t know my true nature…yet you do,” I looked at her thoughtfully, and she shrugged once again.
“I just recognized…a kindred spirit. Really curiosity is the reason I’m here, so…if I were built like you I would definitely have your job,” she said, and I thought about her wording. A kindred spirit…on Rolar there was the thinking that soul mates of any pair always stayed close to whomever they were fashioned to be connected to. Whether in friendship or more…Anna suggested that ‘kindred spirits’ so to speak could transverse planets.
“Do you think…that with our curious nature we would ever settle? Perhaps if Rolar is successful in creating good relationships with the new planets we found, would you then move to those?” I asked her, and she shook her head.
“I would visit I’m sure…” she said and trailed off as she seemed to become lost in her thoughts.
“So why Rolar, why leave the place you were born and raised in to live on another planet that will only be as new and exciting as the next one found,” I asked her and she captured her bottom lip in between her teeth. Just by the one incident in the gallery had I already become so aware of Anna’s body?
“Because I think Rolar is at the center of it all. Like a bike wheel. I think one day Rolar would be the center of some great galactic alliance and a trove of mixed cultures, peoples, ideas. Of course I could always visit other planets, if it’s safe, to see where those originated,” she explained, and I stared at her in slight disbelief.
“You just voiced my most prized vision for Rolar,” I said, and Anna smiled up at me thoughtfully.
“You should continue to make it happen, or he
lp it to happen. Because that’s a prized vision for me too. Of course I may be a bit old by the time it starts to take shape, but I’ll be appreciative nonetheless,” she said, and I laughed.
“I cannot imagine you old Anna,” I said, and she grinned.
“I’m too good looking now huh?” she joked.
“Precisely, I think you would be beautiful even in old age…” I replied unconsciously and trailed off as the weight of my words settled on both of us.
Anna searched for words to say, but I didn’t grant her time to say it as I continued to walk towards the restaurant. We walked in strangely comfortable silence, even with the remnants of what I said in the air. Anna didn’t speak until we had reached the restaurant and were seated.
“So…do you have family or…anything?” she asked a bit awkwardly.
“My parents have both passed. I have no brothers or sisters, but I do have good friends within my profession,” I said, and she nodded slowly.
“Female friends?” she asked, and I grew bemused as to her question.
“One, and she is nearly two times my age now…” I said, and Anna nodded almost thoughtfully.
“I’m not sure how I’ll fare in trying to make other Rolarian friends. Your social norms are kind of confusing,” she said, and I chuckled softly.
“Yes well, that is true for Rolarians trying to make Rolarian friends also. But you can start with the one friend you do have, and branch out from there,” I suggested. Anna looked at me as if I missed some point.
“Well Jasiah, you’re the only Rolarian friend I have so far,” she said, and I blinked at her in a bit of surprise. “I mean…don’t you consider us friends?” she asked.
“I suppose so…looking in retrospect, I suppose we are,” I said, and she smiled at me with laughter in her eyes.
“So what’s good to eat here?” she asked.
I searched her face wondering what she could be thinking, as she looked at the menu. Had she grown an awareness, an attraction, for me as I did so quickly for her?
Chapter 9
Anna
It was weird that Jasiah and I had so much inherently in common. If I wasn’t attracted to him before, I was definitely attracted to him after our conversation on the street. We were surprisingly a lot alike, and while we had brunch I kept surprising him with my knowledge about space travel and nearby solar systems to Earth and Rolar. But then there was the question of whether Jasiah was attracted to me as well. He did call me beautiful and a day ago he would not have ever said that.
“I have one more thing to show you on our tour, it is in the business section of the city, but it is quite a sight.” Jasiah actually seemed a bit excited to show me whatever it is he wanted me to see.
“Sure, let’s go. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look forward to something so much,” I said, and he smirked at me a bit ruefully.
“I am just looking forward to observing how you react when you see it,” he said, and I laughed at how scientific he made that sound.
“Whatever we’re about to see, it’s another favorite of yours?”
“I have to admit so, yes.” He nodded and gestured for me to hurry up as I followed him.
“You’re tall Jasiah, my shorter legs can’t keep up with your strides,” I said.
“I apologize,” he said chuckling and slowed down.
“Is whatever we’re going to see going to walk away at a certain time?” I asked, and he smiled.
“No, I suppose I am excited,” he admitted, and I had to laugh. For the thirty-six hours I had known Jasiah he struck me as one to find a bubbly personality, one full of excitement, annoying. It was sort of ironic, but being excited from time to time is normal.
“Okay, do you trust me?” he asked just as he stopped walking. We were about to round a corner which I presumed was where whatever he wanted to show me was.
“Ah…in theory, yes I suppose,” I said.
“Well we will test it out then, close your eyes,” he said with a smirk, and I smiled at him before following orders. I felt his warm hand slide around mine and then he pulled me forward at a slow pace.
“You’re not going to make me hit a wall are you?” I asked.
“No, of course not. You trust me in theory remember?” he chuckled, his voice was low and almost intimate. Whenever he spoke it sounded as if his voice was closer to my ear. “Okay here, stop and open your eyes.”
I stopped walking and then opened my eyes. We were standing at a square that was surrounded by four massive buildings. Steps led down into the most beautiful garden I had ever seen. It was nothing but color and amazing floral scents that all complimented each other, but didn’t over power the nose. The garden was formed in the shape of swirling patterns, the colors changing with the different flowers.
“Oh my goodness, it’s—that is beautiful,” I said and then glanced up at Jasiah.
“It’s called Leader’s Garden. The idea behind it is that leaders of all these businesses housed in the four buildings here, would look at the garden and realize that a beautiful work of art is made up of many components with their own unique contributing aspect. It’s a way to remind people to work together. Something Rolarians holds to high esteem as a race,” he explained, and I nodded in agreement.
“Look at where Rolar is today…all from this ideal. It’s beautiful, it really is,” I said.
Jasiah tugged on my hand gently to pull me forward, and we walked down the steps and strolled through the garden in comfortable silence. Once the sun started to set Jasiah suggest that we go back to my place.
“I should try and cook something, you can help show me how to use the kitchen,” I said.
“I can…cook something for you, and demonstrate how everything works,” he said with a smile, and I grinned up at him.
“You cook too? How much better can you get?” I said, and he looked at me with bemusement, but laughed anyway.
“So I’m feeling like steak, and since you’re big and strong you can tenderize it enough that I can eat it,” I told him, and Jasiah laughed again.
“I will do that; I already have a dish in mind. I think you would like it,” he said thoughtfully, and I smirked.
“Is it anything like the sour ice cream dish?” I asked, and he grinned.
“No, nothing like it. It is similar to something I tried while on Earth once, but I won’t tell you what it is, you must guess it yourself,” he said and I grinned in excitement.
“Oh I’ve traveled pretty much all over the Earth, I’m confident I’ll beat your challenge,” I said.
Jasiah grinned at me boyishly, but with a bit of mischief. “Now you’ve made it a challenge, I must try to dupe you,” he said, and I couldn’t help but fall a little more for Jasiah, and I was already a goner.
Chapter 10
Jasiah
Anna was trying to get hints out of me as to what I would cook for her and I was aware of her ability to read faces. I tried to be as stoic as possible while we walked to the house. I had to admit that I liked the fact that she knew to still hold the game even though it would appear that I was trying to ignore her.
“Oh come on, I’ve cracked you before, I could crack you again,” she said and that drew a response from me.
“Really? How so?” I asked, and she grinned almost as if she thought she had already won.
“When I told you to loosen up remember, and now look at us, holding hands…” she said and held up our entwined fingers. I had to admit that I liked the way her hand felt in mine.
“That is an isolated event. This is a challenge, and I will win,” I said confidently, which got her going again. I smiled in amusement as we neared her residential building. Once inside the lobby Anna greeted Pocco on our way to the elevator. A few others got onto the same elevator as us. I was impatient to get to her home so that we could be alone, I felt as if I wanted Anna all to myself. Halfway to her floor the elevator stopped, and the lighting dimmed.
“Ah, what now. This elevator is a
lways sticking,” said a male voice behind us. I scanned the small area and saw that it was only Anna and I with three other men who appeared to know each other. “Excuse me, can you press that white button there? It alerts the front desk that the elevator is stuck,” he spoke to Anna, as she was closest to him. She glanced back at him and smiled politely.
“Sure, so this is protocol for when the elevator breaks down?” she asked as she leaned forward to press the button on the panel.
“Yes, it’s best to avoid this elevator at all costs…” he said and then studied Anna closely. “You’re a human,” he said with pleasantly curious surprise.
“Yeah I am. I just moved here…as in to Rolar from Earth,” Anna answered. I wished then that she wasn’t so friendly. The other two men with the chatty one were looking at Anna as if she were their next meal.
“Oh I heard about this just the other day, you immigrated from Earth,” he said, and Anna nodded, she was smiling happily and completely oblivious to the man’s glances at his other two friends who shuffled closer to Anna. I wondered if they even noticed me standing next to her.
“Wow, they say that humans visit Rolar all the time, but I have only ever seen one woman and you are more beautiful than her…” he said, and Anna chuckled briefly. I sensed that she finally took notice of the other two and she discreetly stepped closer to me.
“Oh thanks…I’m sure if you were to visit Zaalabar often you would see more humans. It’s like a tourist attraction there,” she said cordially, and the man nodded dismissively.
“Yeah, yeah I’m sure…I’m more interested in you though. We’ll be in this elevator for quite a while. I figure, why not have some fun? You’re good with that aren’t you?” he looked at me, his eyes dark as night, and I simply stared at him.
“Yes, no? No matter, you can watch,” he said, and Anna stiffened at my side. I pulled her behind me and against the elevator wall just before the man could grab her. Anna yelped in surprise more than anything as the men converged on us, on her. Quickly, I shoved my shoulder into the chest of the man towards my left. The breath left his lungs and I quickly seized the opportunity to punch his throat and grab him to receive a blow one of his mates intended for my face.
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