Jo’s stomach lurched, “Oh no would he come here tonight”.
As Ileya turned to leave the door opened quickly and one of the Sceriae guards stepped in. He bowed to Lady Ileya and said something in their language. Ileya frowned and spoke in the same language.
Although Jo couldn’t understand what they were saying, she could tell from Ileya’s expression that something was wrong. The Escorii also had stopped moving around and were listening worriedly. Ileya nodded her head at the guards and turning to the three girls said “There is an incident at Dariae and Lord Acorus has been called away. Now I must go. Have a nice evening” and she sat on her scooter and swept out of the room, with her Escorii rushing after her.
“Come Jo” said Tchu “shower and massage and then it will be time to eat”.
Kylie and Julie turned towards their rooms escorted by their Escori. Then Julie turned back to Jo and said “If Lord Acorus won’t be here tonight what about us eating together and having a girl’s night in. That would be great fun”.
Kylie looked at her Escorii and said “That would be alright, won’t it?”
All the Escorii looked at each other and then Tchu, who appeared to be the most senior, said “Yes that will be nice for you”.
Both Kylie and Julie rushed back to Jo and hugged her “See you in a while” Julie said looking at her Escorii “if we ask nicely maybe we could have some wine, please Tchaka”.
Julie’s Escorii called Tchaka tutted and said “You know I can refuse you nothing” at which Julie grabbed her and hugged her.
Tchaka tried to shrug her off but Julie hung on and they both started giggling. They obviously adored each other.
Tsu took hold of Jo’s hand and said “I hope that we will grow a friendship such as Tchaka and Julie have”.
All three girls entered their rooms and the Escorii bustled about tidying up. Jo tried to quiz Tsu about what the guard had said to Ileya but Tsu would only say that it was nothing to worry about. After a quick shower and massage Jo, as usual fell asleep.
When she woke up she chose a really bright Kaftan to wear and piled her hair up on the top of her head. She had found a nice perfume in one of the bottles above the massage table and had used it lavishly. She was looking forward to a couple of hours of girl talk. Maybe she could learn more about life on Scerior, because after all, Kylie and Julie had lived here for a long time, and seemed to have settled really well.
Chapter 6
When she was ready she left her Escorii cleaning up and went through into the central chamber. Kylie was already there, lounging on a sofa, looking stunning in a bright blue Kaftan. She had spiked her short hair on top of her head, a la punk, her eyes were outlined in dark pencil and she had silver stars in her ears.
“Hi” Jo said “You look fabulous”.
“Thanks” and Kylie pretended to flutter her eyelashes.
“Where did you get the eyeliner, and your earrings are beautiful” Jo said.
Kylie laughed “The eyeliner is charcoal from my art stuff and Acorus gave me the earrings for my twenty first birthday”.
“Twenty first” gasped Jo “You only look about seventeen”.
“Ha” laughed Kylie “It’s the wonderful life we have on Scerior, not bad for a mother of twelve, thirteen when this one pops out”.
“Twelve” gasped Jo “That’s impossible, when did you start having them?”
“I was brought here when I was sixteen and have been pregnant ever since”.
“That’s awful, How can you stand it, and it’s still impossible?”
“Well I’m twenty two now, and pregnancy here only lasts five months. Sceriae are only pregnant for four months but half breeds take longer. At least it’s not nine months and we don’t get really fat, unless of course, it’s twins like Julie has”.
“Julie has what?” as Kylie finished speaking Julie had come through the door, and asked the question!
“Twins” Kylie answered.
Julie laughed and said “Yes, it’s a nightmare being so fertile” As she spoke she flung herself onto a couch flaunting her large stomach.
“Even so” said Jo “You’ve only been here six years and have twelve children, how do you look so good?”
Kylie shrugged “Life here is so different to life on Earth. The air is pure, as is the food. No fat, no sugar, no cigarettes. When we are brought here on the ship we are detoxed, and of course only strong healthy girls arrive here. We have to exercise, we are massaged with oils that stop our skin from stretching, and to be honest are pampered constantly”.
Julie cut in “I can tell you my life here is a million times better than the one I had on Earth” “But you are a prisoner, a brood mare who is not allowed to say no” said Jo, her voice rising.
“We are highly thought of and treasured members of Scerior society. Every care is taken of us mentally as well as physically. I am happier here than I ever was on Earth” shouted Kylie.
Jo was shocked, not just by what Kylie had said but the way in which she said it.
“Surely you don’t mean that, you were free and could choose what you wanted to do”.
Kylie looked at Jo scornfully “What do you know about what I was on Earth. I was nothing, worse than nothing, my life was shit”.
Jo sat up in surprise “Surely you don’t mean that?”
Kylie looked at Jo sorrowfully “You know nothing about me Jo. Let me tell you, life here is paradise compared to what happened to me on Earth. My dad died when I was nine. When I was eleven mum married a bloke callled Craig, she thought he was wonderful. The first year he was my step dad he raped me. I told mum and she asked him if it was true and he said no. Mum slapped me and called me a little bitch. He abused me regularly until I ran away. The police found me and took me home. Nobody believed me; they said I was a trouble maker. I cut school and was sent to a school for problem kids. Craig was still abusing me but I learned how to look after myself from the other kids at school. When I was fifteen I ran away again thinking I could look after myself. Ha, I was so naive. I ended up on the streets and a pimp called Solo said he’d look after me. He beat me if I didn’t make enough money. I hated sex; it was a nightmare for me having to give head to some filthy wanker in a car park or alleyway. When I was captured by the Sceriae I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I was warm, well fed, beautifully clean. Terrified and trying not to stand out, I’d sit in corners so nobody would notice me. Acorus did. He knew I’d had an awful existence on Earth and that I was pretty mixed up emotionally. He’d never taken an Earth girl before but he took me so he could help me recover and become a decent person, and I’ll always adore him. I’m still not crazy about sex but he is always so kind and gentle he makes it comfortable. If all I have to do is have babies, then I’ll do it as long as I can because I owe my life to the Sceriae”.
Kylie’s Escorii fluttered around her and one said “My dear don’t distress yourself, you’ll never be sent back to that awful place. You are Sceriae now and a highly valued one too”.
“It’s alright Tsera” and Kylie hugged her “I’m not upset. It’s just that I’m so happy here that I want Jo to be happy too”.
“That will take time” said Tsera “she has to settle down in her own way and time”.
Julie struggled off her couch “Oh god, I’m like a bloody beached whale” she laughed.
“Tell you what ladies” she addressed the Escorii “Why don’t you have tonight off. Lord Acorus won’t be coming so we can have a girly giggle and a jolly good gossip”.
“Oh” said Tchu “I don’t know if Jo is ready for one of your girly chats. I think we should stay”.
“I’ll be fine Tchu, honestly. I’m feeling happier by the minute. Please have a night off. I’m sure it would please your families. After all you were away for such a long time on the ship” pleaded Jo, knowi
ng she’d get more information out of Julie and Kylie if the Escorii weren’t there.
The Escorii looked at each other and Tchu said “If you are quite certain, it would be nice to be at home”.
All three girls gave their assurances that they would be fine, and finally the Escorii gave in and started to leave. As she was nearing the door Tchaka turned to Julie, “At the first sign of labour tell the guards. They will send for me”.
“Ok, don’t worry we’ll be fine, just go” said Julie.
When the Escorii had closed the door behind them, Julie flung herself onto the couch again and said, “At last. I love my Escorii deeply, but we can’t have a good catty gossip when they are here. They take everything we say so literally”.
Kylie piled a plate high with food and handed it to Julie, “Eat or we’ll get really pie-eyed on this wine. It’s really very good”.
“Thanks mate, that’s bonzer” drawled Julie, putting on a really deep Australian accent.
They all laughed and set about the food with gusto. Jo said “We always seem to be eating, but you too are so slim and athletic looking”.
Kylie replied between mouthfuls “That’s because the food, which always tastes delicious, is so healthy. We are made to have regular exercise too. It’s a bit like being a film star on Earth. They have children and straight away are slim and beautiful again. If everybody on Earth could live like this they’d be slim and healthy too!”
Julie drank her wine and agreed with Kylie “When I first came here I had spots and terrible skin from too much sun and bad food. At least you’ve got a head start Jo, your skin is beautiful. Can you imagine what you’ll look like in five years time!”
“Bloody hell” spluttered Jo “five years, it doesn’t seem possible”.
“Time will pass quickly” said Kylie “Here we are never bored, always well fed and cosseted”.
“Don’t you miss anything about Earth?” Jo asked “there must be something”
Kylie immediately replied “Yes there is. I miss pop music. The music they have here is classical and nobody sings”.
“Me too” said Julie “I’d love to dance round my handbag to ‘La vie de loca’ or line dance to ‘Achy breaky heart’”.
Jo laughed and said “Well that’s easy. I can sing a bit, and I’m just about tipsy enough to have a good bop”.
“!What are we waiting for” giggled Kylie slugging back some more wine.
“Should you really be drinking alcohol when you’re pregnant?”
“I’d never get to drink any as I’m pregnant all the bloody time” laughed Julie, rolling off the couch onto all fours.
As Jo and Kylie pulled her upright she said “Anyhow there’s no alcohol in it.
“Then why are we tipsy” asked Jo.
“No alcohol, just drugs!” giggled Kylie jigging up and down “Evidently it’s harmless; it just makes you feel great. A bit like an adrenalin high”.
“Well, what are we waiting for then” and Jo poured more wine into the tumblers.
“Sing us a happy song, Jo” begged Kylie, and Jo stood there and belted out ‘La Macarena’.
Julie and Kylie joined in and soon they were dancing round and singing at the top of their voices. Jo avoided the latest pop songs as she knew neither girl would know them. They moved through all the classics. Jo belted out ‘What’s love got to do with it and what I really, really want’. They collapsed on the sofa side by side and Kylie said
“Oh god that was fun” and Julie added “Sing us a ballad Jo”.
She thought for a second and started to sing ‘Everything I do’.
Julie and Kylie joined in, and they flung their arms round each other, closed their eyes and swayed to the music they were making. When they were finished they just sat there hugging each other.
Kylie sighed “I’m so pleased you are here Jo. I think we are going to have a great time together”.
Julie added “I think we will be friends for life”.
They sat quietly for a while then Julie said “I’ve got my breath back, let’s do a line dance”.
“No I’m knackered” said Kylie “Let’s do ‘Always look on the bright side of life’, you know, what Morecombe and Wise used to do”.
“Great come on” and Julie jumped up pulling Jo with her. They were skipping round the back of the room like they’d seen the famous pair do, belting out ‘Bright side of life’ and they didn’t hear or see the door open.
The General was standing there, flanked by his Escorii males, with the two guards peering over his shoulder. The look in all their eyes was one of sheer amazement.
Kylie suddenly realised they were there and dashing across the room, flung herself into his arms, wrapping her legs around him, regardless of his hideous armour.
“You’re here, you’re safe, thank god” she yelled.
Julie and Jo just stood there, panting, not knowing what to say or do.
The General held Kylie gently “Careful you don’t hurt yourself on my armour, little one, Stop choking me so I can put you down on a couch” which he proceeded to do as if she were a feather.
He turned to the guards “As you can see, I am quite safe. It isn’t an attack or a riot, just Earth girls enjoying themselves”.
The guards bowed and left the room, and the male Escorii tutted and stood there looking shocked.
The General turned to them “Come I will shower and get into something more comfortable. I won’t be long” and he headed into Jo’s room.
Jo looked at Kylie and Julie “Do you think he’s angry?”
“Na” said Julie “He’s never cross with Kylie” then she went to the door, opened it and told the guards to send for fresh food for Lord Acorus.
The girls tidied up the table and stacked the empty dishes ready for the Escorii to remove.
Four Escorii males entered with piled platters put them on the table and took away the dirty dishes, without once looking at the girls. Jo raised her eyebrows at Julie and mouthed “They don’t approve of us, do they?”
“No they think we are too noisy. Escorii don’t like noise”.
“Oh yes I noticed they didn’t like noise on the ship” said Jo
“Their lives are so peaceful and well organised, that noise, especially hysteria, unsettles them. Their males more so than their females for some reason” replied Kylie, curling up on her couch.
“When some girls got hysterical on the ship and the General came to see what was happening, he said something along those lines” Jo said thoughtfully.
“The Sceriae are very protective of the Escorii. They value their contribution to their society” Julie told Jo.
Jo’s bedroom door opened and Lord Acorus entered the chamber. Tonight he was wearing a Kaftan similar to the girls, but his was decorated and designed to look more masculine. He looked gorgeous as usual but tonight he looked tired and moved stiffly. He sat in a chair at the end of the table and his Escorii filled his platter with food and poured him a tumbler of wine.
“Thank you, you may leave us, Kheta” he said to the older male, who bowed and led his assistant out of the chamber.
Acorus ate hungrily looking at the three girls quizzically with his eyebrows raised as if he had asked a question. Kylie moved up her couch so that she was closer to him and said “I’ll tell you what we were doing if you tell me what happened at Dariae”.
Acorus looked at her and said “What do you know about Dariae?”
“I heard the guard telling Lady Ileya that the Xenorii had landed a scouting party at Dariae. I was so worried about you that I got tipsy and tried to take my mind off what might be happening”.
Acorus put his platter down and said “Come here little one. You needn’t worry about me. You know I’m invincible!”
Kylie jumped up
and leapt on to his lap, whereupon laughing he said “Careful, you may do more damage than the Xenorii!”.
Jo was so amazed at the casual way that Kylie treated Lord Acorus that she was struck dumb.
“Now” said Acorus “Tell me what you all were doing”.
Julie said “We’ll tell you, but if you give us a lecture we’ll gang up on you and tickle you to death!”
“Oh, no please don’t. You know I can’t stand being tickled” he laughed “Now come on, out with it. Maybe you’ll tell me the truth, Jo” and he raised one eyebrow at her, with that glint in his eye that changed him from The General into the lover Acorus, “You are not yet as devious as these two!”
Jo looked at him, not knowing how to deal with this situation. She had convinced herself, since this morning, that he was a horrible rapist and this side of him unnerved her. She opened her mouth and a squeak came out. Angrily she cleared her throat, “Julie and Kylie said that they missed pop music, so I sang some for them, we drank too much wine, and decided to dance. When we were tired Kylie asked for a ballad, mmm, a love song, and so I sang one. Then we needed cheering up so we sang and danced to ‘always look on the bright side of life! That’s why we were hopping about”.
Acorus grinned at Jo “It looked like good fun, but I think I’d like to hear one of those ballads. Sing me one Jo”.
Jo looked at him in horror “You don’t really want to hear me sing one of our silly songs”.
“Yes I do” Acorus was teasing her. He knew she really wanted to say no, but he also knew that she was afraid to”.
“Come on Jo” Kylie butted in “You’ve got a lovely singing voice, and we’ll join in won’t we Julie?”
“Yeah no trouble” yawned Julie who had been half asleep, “Sing ‘My heart will go on’ we all know that”.
Jo glared at Acorus who was still grinning at her, shrugged and started to sing. Julie and Kylie joined in as promised and Acorus sat there looking at the tears running down Kylie’s face. When they finished he hugged Kylie to him and said “Your planet never ceases to amaze me. Even I could see how beautiful the words in that song are”.
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