I nod; a cocktail might calm my nerves a bit. His metal arms work at record speed, cutting fruit and pouring the top shelf liquor. When he hands me the delicate glass, I down it in a single sip. Unfortunately, I’m still on edge.
When the curtain at the entrance sweeps back and I see her pod float into the room, my breath catches. Opal is here. She peeks around the room nervously before her eyes settle on me and a smirk spreads across her face. Everything about her is just so pink and nubile. I look down at my own gray skin and wonder if she finds it as pleasing as I do hers.
“Sharkboy!” she yells. “I didn’t think I’d see you again”.
Her voice is amplified through the security pod’s speaker. It’s low and lovely, though the accent isn’t one I’ve heard before . She draws out her vowels and drops some of the harder consonants of the human language.
“Sharkboy?” I ask, confused. Flashes of vicious ocean predators are brought to my mind by my translator chip. “I am not a shark Opal, I am Ke’ain. I am of the Fil’en”. I puff up my chest, proud of my people.
“I know you’re not a shark darlin’, your skin just reminds me of one,” she says. “I don’t have a whole lot of alien experience, you’ll have to forgive me.”
Forgive her, for what offense? I’m overjoyed I can be here with her again, despite the separation the pod might cause. I drop to my knees, so that our eyes are level.
“You have nothing to apologize for,” I say as I place my hand on the plastic barrier that separates us. Opal looks thoughtfully at my hand and places hers up to mirror my own.
“You sure are pretty on your knees, Ke’ain,” she breathes.
Even though her accent butchers the proper pronunciation of my name I am filled with joy. I look into her beautiful brown eyes and see that when they look at my face they dilate in pleasure. Her nipples peak through the fabric of her thermal bandages again.She wants me.
“So do you think I have an extra finger, or are you missing one?” She giggles as she points out our small differences.
“It must be me who is at fault, for I’ve never seen anything as perfect as you.” My breath fogs up the plastic.
“Oh…” she says shyly, “well, the purple guy told me you wanted a private dance?”
Where is my bold Opal from before?
“If you so wish it Opal, I promise not to do anything you don’t want to do.”
“Well, you paid for it, but promise you won’t laugh—I’ve never done this before.” Doubt crosses her face.
“Is this your first night with the company?” I inquire.
“Ha, yeah, you could say that.” She moves her hand back and though a little unsteady, begins to sway her hips. “Is this okay?”
Okay? I watch her hips sway back and forth. I am mesmerized as she traces her hand up the soft curve of her tummy. She opens her legs and pushes her hand up against the plump mound of her sex that is under the thermal bandages. Her breathing speeds up and she flashes a nervous smile toward me.
“God, I’m sorry I’m so bad at this,” she says, dropping to her knees in defeat.
“Opal, you could sit there and read aloud math equations and you’d still have my full attention,” I coo. I want to stroke those blonde waves on her head. I want to smell her again.
“You’re nice, Ke’ain. I didn’t think aliens would be nice.” She frowns.
“Why would you come here then? If you don’t like dancing and you thought all other species would be cruel?” I’m confused why any human woman would go through the rigorous application process if her whole heart wasn’t in it?
Opal balks. “You think I wanted to leave Ear—”
We both turn our heads as the curtain opens and Gra’eth and the Deenz wait for my approval to enter. I wave them in.
“Prince Ke’ain,” the Deenz speaks, and Opal’s mouth drops upon hearing my title, “my hive is honored that you would grace us with your patronage for our lowly company. I hope that the human woman is providing sufficient entertainment?”
“She is perfect,” I say. “Did Gra’eth come to an agreement for Opal’s contract? As long as she accepts the terms?”
“The royal attorney was more than generous in his offerings. You are a kind and fair ruler,” the Deenz responds, dipping into a bow.
I turn back to see Opal’s confused face take in the scene outside her security pod. I place my hand back on the plastic.
“If you want to, you could come back with me,” I say.
