With languor, I make my tunic descend along my bust, revealing gradually my breasts and then my size.
I continue to dance in rhythm and raising my arms, let the tunic go down to my feet according to my movements of the basin. It fails at my feet, like a silky puddle.
I walk forward, still undulating, to the foot of the pool and down the steps that bring me a few steps from my dark angel.
Nixx lifts his lashes with infinite slowness until I can perceive the swirling radiance of his sublime golden eyes. He spreads his lips slightly and my gaze dives to his full mouth. And as Joe Cocker's song plays its last notes, he throws himself on me without further ado.
Nixx
This morning, training resumed on the field with the young recruits. It's been almost three weeks since Lokk and I have been missing this exercise. So, no way I'm missing this.
Yet, this morning, my concentration is lacking. I put half my crossbow bolts out of the frame. Annoyed, I put it down and grab my bow. I band the string and release my arrow . . . which ends up a good three centimeters off center.
“Well, Nixx, you've gone completely soft on your vacation it seems.” laughs Jaxx.
I don't give him the honor of an answer and shoot another arrow that misses the target once again. Well, it doesn't matter.
I can't concentrate on my task for the day. I just keep replaying the hallucinating scene that my partner played to me yesterday. After the bath, we went to our room and didn't leave it until the first meal of the morning.
I shake my head to chase away these thoughts swirling in my head. I need to get back to the Bastion. And if I'm not in shape for training this morning, I also have to go over the logistical issues that require my attention. I put my equipment down and call Udoo and Gregory.
Together we look at the improvements that have been made while we were away. A gate now blocks the access of the high plateau to Tigger, who according to Udoo, is still in the area and has not stopped looking for Sarah. I learn that a certain number of rocks were used to manufacture metal utensils thanks to the ‘replicator.’ Gregory explains to me the principle of it.
“Replication technology is defined as the ability to rearrange matter at the atomic level. The analyzer, which you already know, gives the molecular composition, but also the manufacturing plans. So, with a few rocks found here and there, we started the production of some pots, pans and oven dishes. To get started. I know you don't want us to do this on a large scale, but once you've tasted a few of Sarah's pies, you'll see that oven-safe pie dishes are quite practical. If you wish, we can also look together at the database of objects that could be of interest to people here and see what you would agree to replicate.”
“Could you make us an iPod?”
I would be particularly interested in having one permanently in our room, given my partner's use of it.
“Not for the time being, no. Of course, we have the schematics of the iPods, but these things are full of components and for the moment, we haven't identified many rare minerals in the sector, which are essential to their manufacture.”
“It's a shame, it's the only really remarkable thing that caught my attention.”
Gregory smiles and answers that he has other suggestions for me. I immediately refuse all proposals for weapons, or any other utensil that we already know how to make with simple products and ancestral know-how.
I do, however, take his suggestion to heat the shower water supply in the hanging houses. I know that Sarah really appreciates hot water, but that she usually gives it up because she prefers the privacy of our home. The rainwater harvesting system is under the leaves, so the water is not heated, but comes in at room temperature.
Gregory explains to me that he can design a system that would transfer the sun's heat to the tanks. If I don't understand the technical side of his explanations, I am in favor of the principle. We will look at what he can propose as feasible and useful.
I don't run into Sarah all day, but I stay mentally informed by Holly as she goes about her business. I'm glad my fellow Bastioners are slowly coming around to confide in her. Her actions in Middle-earth have made it this far, which is good.
At the end of the day, I start looking for my companion before the last meal. I learn that she is hanging around the kitchen. I hope that she will surprise us again this evening with a new episode of Sarah's culinary adventures, as the men call them now. Indeed, the initial distrust has now given way to a greedy curiosity. By arriving toward the kitchen, I cross Rajj who confirms to me that he left Sarah in the kitchen in the company of Ferdinand.
But when I enter the room, my blood runs cold. My companion is cuddled in the arms of this human and from what I see, he doesn't force her; she returns his embrace. A dull growl comes from my throat and I throw myself on him, separating them brutally. Sarah, surprised, turns around.
“Nixx, what are you doing?”
