Back in her climate-controlled suite, the domicile AI informed its human guest what exactly the purging process would entail when Olivia returned to her domicile unit after her outing with Rykker. After their full day, it actually sounded delightful, if a bit odd.
Of course, it had been an exciting day for her, visiting an alien city after the spa had finished its session of bodywork. She stepped out of the facility utterly refreshed, and her guide was more than happy to show her the sights. Rykker was not only a nice specimen to look at, once she got past the red skin and overall alienness, of course, but he was also a pleasure to chat with as he showed her around the city. And then there was that very subtle yet constant note of spicy-sweetness that she found most pleasing whenever she caught a whiff.
Rykker seemed thrilled to be putting his years of training to work, ever the attentive host as he guided his guest all over the alien landscape. Olivia had been rather enthralled, walking close and enjoying the pleasant warmth radiating from him, when a hint of a new smell tickled her nose. Different. Smokier, but with a caramelized honey undertone and a hint of vanilla and leather.And when the two scents blended, it was like someone had taken her favorite candles and merged them into one unexpectedly delightful combination.
“Arkness,” Rykker greeted his rival politely, though his spine stiffened at the man’s arrival.
“Rykker,” the man replied, though his eyes were quite locked on the human woman. “It is good to see you are well. I hope you are enjoying our city.”
Olivia blushed at the intensity of his gaze as her guide bristled. “It’s amazing,” she replied. “I’ve never been to an alien city before. I fear anything else would pale by comparison.”
Arkness flashed a sarcastic grin at his counterpart. “Yes, some things are found lacking when compared to the best.”
To his credit, Rykker did not take the bait and respond in anger, though the annoyance in his eyes was clear.
“And I was just showing our guest how the gaudiest of structures are often the least impressive, the stability and fine design of others actually proving both more useful while also being quite pleasing to the senses.”
Arkness snorted a little laugh. “Of course, you would put things in a light making the lesser seem the greater.”
“I assure you, I?—”
“Hey,” Olivia interrupted, stopping this dick measuring contest before it poked someone’s eye out. “I’m kind of worn out from all this walking around. Do you think you could point me to my place?”
“I will escort you there,” Rykker replied with a haughty smile tossed Arkness’s way.
“No,Iwill show you the way,” the taller man replied. “I am sure our guest would appreciate a more cultured discourse on our city’s?—”
Olivia wasn’t about to let this go on, no matter how good these two smelled.
“Just point the direction. I’m a big girl, I can find it myself.”
“But—” the two stammered, both equally confused by her seeming rejection.
“Which way?”
Rykker seemed poised to object but caught the look in her eye. He raised his arm and pointed. “Five streets that way, then turn left three.”
“Got it. Thanks!” she replied, taking her leave without another word, the pair of befuddled men left in her wake.
The walk went quickly. Not because she was in a particular rush, but more because Olivia instinctively moved faster under the scrutiny of such a preponderance of male gazes. They were doing their best not to stare, but given what Zoldana had said of the rarity of unbonded women, or women in general, in this city she was something of a novelty. It wasn’t that she felt unsafe—it had been made abundantly clear that males in this place held women in the highest regard and to bring any sort of harm to one would lead to the most unimaginable punishments, but despite that, it was, nevertheless, kind of overwhelming.
“Welcome back,” the bodiless voice greeted as she stepped into her quarters.
“Hey.”
“I hope you enjoyed your outing. Was it productive?”
“Actually, yeah,” she replied, absentmindedly rubbing her touched-up tattoo. The tingle had diminished, but it had also spread to her arm and into her torso. “Hey, do you have any sort of medical scanner built in?”
“I do. Are you feeling unwell?”
“Not exactly, but can you do a quick check and see if there’s anything, I don’t know,offwith me?”
“I will do what I can, given my limited records on your physiology.”
“You have records?”
“Forwarded to me by Skrizzit Nijello and Overseer Zoldana. You are to be purged tonight.”
