"Start what? Start mentioning how that huge hunk of muscle and wings wants you to ruffle his feathers?" Her brows dance comically and I cannot help the inelegant snort that leaves me.
Ignoring Chastity's thinly veiled innuendo, I turn to Bea and urge her to sip the bowl of broth. Her brown eyes flick from me to Alana and then to Chastity. "You need it," I tell her, pushing the little wooden bowl closer.
"What if they spiked it with something?"
"I don't think that's likely. They want to help."
"They're aliens," she says, and that appears to be that. Her expression shutters and it looks like she melts away to somewhere within herself. Somewhere dark.
"They might be aliens, but they're nothing like those horrible ones from the auction, or Z'irri either. They have been kind and respectful. They're out there right now, searching the jungle for the others. They nursed you and Alana and they healed my injured feet too. These are the good guys."
She searches my face after I'm done making my defense of the Trixikka, her expression a little more open than it had been before. "What if they want repayment for that kindness?"
I open my mouth to answer but Chastity beats me to it. "Oh, I can think of a few ways to repay their kindness."
I roll my eyes and Alana snorts weakly into her bowl of broth, but Bea isn't seeing the humorous side. "What if they demand that kind of thing?"
"Drink the broth while I explain why I don't think that's likely," I say, shoving the bowl into her hands and not starting to elaborate until I witness her take at least three sips.
I tell the girls about the caves. About the drawings on the walls and the story Rynn had told me. They sit in silence as they listen, the only light coming from the flickering of the fire outside, warm, amber fire-glow flooding in through the open door and small window.
"So... they've never seen a woman before?" Alana asks weakly, "Like…ever?"
"No." I shake my head. "Not before us, I guess."
"Man, these guys are gonna lose it when they find out about blow jobs," chastity adds, rather unhelpfully. "Unless, they're already blowing each other," she amends, "which... you know....hot."
"Maybe," I say, shrugging, "But I'm not sure they have any sexual sort of culture apart from... you know... jizzing in a pot and offering it to their weird temple periodically." Turning back to Bea, I'm thankful to see she's drunk most of the broth. "So I don't think demanding that sort of thing has entered their minds."
Bea takes the last two sips from the bowl and then hands it back to me, empty. "What about when they do find out about-..." she gestures to Chastity, hinting at her rather unhelpful comment before. "What happens when they realize what they could have if they forced us?"
Blinking at her, I reach across to cover her hand in mine. "I won't let that happen, Bea. Rynn wouldn't let that happen." I don't know how I know that but I do. Thinking for a moment or two, I add, "I'll talk to him. Explain that nothing should be taken from us that isn't freely given. No close proximity, no touches, no kisses-"
"No blow jobs," Chastity butts in. I glare at her, which seems to douse the humor in her expression.
Turning back to Bea, I give her hand a squeeze. "Everything will be alright. You'll see."
"So you have a plan? To get us back home?"
No. Not at all.
"I'm working on it."
RYNN
I stand guard outside the female's healing hut. Mavyx had been about to re-enter to see the darker-skinned one whom he had saved from the jungle but I sent him back out to join the search. I need every tribe member I have in the skies, searching for those females. The Trixikka may be the fiercest of species, but we are not the only predator out there.
I'm lost in thoughts of the past few days' miraculous experiences when Zahreenah steps out of the hut to speak with me. She has that blaze behind her eyes like she had when she'd given me -a High Spear- orders. It confuses me that I took pleasure from her earlier defiance. If one of my Protectors had spoken to me like that, I'd have taken it as a challenge and we would have taken to the skies for me to rip him apart, feathers and blood.
"Can I talk to you?" she asks, firelight dancing in her hair and reflected in her eyes.
"Always."
The smile she gifts me is a small one. "You need to tell your guys to back off." I frown at that. "I get that they're curious and we're grateful for being rescued and healed and all but..." Zahreenah pauses to take a deep sigh. "We've all been through something...pretty badand some of the women are worried the Trixikka's friendly curiosity will soon turn... forceful."
I do not understand. What is it that my Zahreenah went through? Being lost in the forest? My confusion must be clear on my face because she does not hesitate to elaborate.
"Look, I understand it's all very exciting seeing women for the first time..." she pauses, movement on the other side of the fire having caught her attention. Two of my people stand there, watching us and our exchange, one care-giver and a youngling Protector's son under his care. It begins to become a little clearer as to why Zahreenah and the other females are uncomfortable. To us, they are a boon, a reason for excitement. To them, we are different and perhaps overbearingly curious. Barking at the bystanders to be on their way, I turn back to my little-light who nods absentmindedly to herself. "Can you please issue some commands to your men?"
