He taps on his comm, making his ‘fuck list’ disappear. “Because, dear brother, they are almost always slaves, and I’m not buying some poor female for that purpose. It would feel morally wrong. I do havesomestandards, you know.” Zann straightens himself and stands beside me, looking forward at the pod doors displaying the levels we’re rapidly passing in huge, lit up numbers.
I cannot help but fidget beside him. “That’s not what I’m doing,” I say, sounding a lot more defensive than I’d intended.
“I never said it was.”
Goddess of Wisdom!Give me strength not to murder my own brotherright here, right now.
“I’m saving her, actually.”
“Uh-huh.”
I turn and glare at him. “Don’t you have someone’s bed to warm?”
“Do you want me to helpyoufind someone’s bed to warm so we can forget this whole fiasco?” he asks, just as the pod comes to a stop and doors slide open with a ‘whoosh’. There’s a family of the frail-looking green people waiting to use our pod. I forget the species name, but their multiple eyes widen at the sight of two Xavianns. The male -presumably the father- makes a squeaking noise and runs away, leaving his wife and two pubescent offspring. I force a smile on my face, but I’m pretty sure they consider that to be even more terrifying so I just nod my head and walk out of the pod with my brother following.
“No, I do not want to find someone’s bed to warm,” I growl under my breath as I walk the level, heading toward ‘Mama Z’rykby’s Ethical Companion Trading Company’ - the most pretentious and false business name anyone could give a slave trader. “That would be too dangerous.”
Zann stops me with a hand to my arm. “So take these,” he murmurs, opening his other hand to show me half a dozen orange pills.
I roll my eyes. “Youshouldn’t even be taking those. You know the laws.” I’m not stupid, everyone knows my brother takes the bite suppressants so that he can bed females more safely - so that the risk of him biting them becomes as minimal as they can be without the drastic decision of fang removal. But the last time male Xavianns messed with the nature of our species with suppressants, it affected all the generations preceding them. Wearestilldealing with those consequences now, hence the laws against suppressant use.
Zann huffs. “Those laws don’t extend to different planets… or space stations. We’re not on Xaavia now, brother. You do not have to resort to the simulators for your pleasures here. You can experience the touch of a female, freely given without fear.”
The mental image of my female’s face swims before my eyes, and I swear, I can feel the press of her soft little body against mine. She did not know what species I was, and I do not think she was aware of just how dangerous it was for her to rouse me the way she had last night, but it was exhilarating to have her in my lap and for her to let me touch her without going rigid with apprehension.
I start walking again, ignoring my brother’s offer of suppressants and the pleasures of the flesh with some unknown female. “As the third-born, you can get away with such proclivities, Zann. But I am Prince-born, you know I cannot be seen to do such things.”
“And buying a slave is a good look for you, is it?”
This time I do snarl as I spin to face him once again. I’m pretty sure a few people nearby gasp and one of them scurries away “Saving. I am saving her. She can come to live in the palace as a guest. It has to be better than what this Mama Z’rykby will force her to endure.”
Zann offers his hands up, palms facing me as he knows he has pushed me too far. “Alright, alright,” he acquiesces, before adding, “just remember I can get you the suppressants for when you feel like saving herreal good.”
I shove him in the shoulder, but Zann just laughs.
He is blessedly quiet as he follows me through the rest of the level, weaving between traders and tourists. This level does not have as many facilities as the higher levels - facilities like cleaning bots. Although, I would not call this place as filthy asthe lower level that ‘Star Pleasures’ can be found on, nor quite as dangerous.
At one point, I turn to check that Zann is still with me and hasn’t slunk off to go and amuse himself. He hasn’t.Iam his amusement today, apparently.
Mama Z’rykby’s storefront is lit up as we approach it this time, so I know they are open for business. The two windows feature rotating images of the females they currently have ‘in stock’, and a scrolling script about how terribly ‘ethical’ they are, like these females volunteered to be sold by them or something. The store is flanked by an adult mating toy shop, featuring replicas of all manner of genitalia for personal intimate use, and an exotic pet shop on the other side.
The door chimes optimistically as I enter the premises. The front area for customers is draped in heavy red fabrics with strategic lighting. There is a comfortable-looking seating area facing a small, raised stage, presumably where the flesh-peddler parades her poor slaves for her customers to view. I march straight past, and head for the counter where there should be a staff member to help me take my female away from this wretched place. Although I loathe to give these people any of my money, it is the quickest way to ensure my female’s safety.
But… There is no one here.
The counter houses a small plaque stating ‘customer service desk’, a small bowl of fifth galaxy candies, and a metal bell. I slap my hand down to make the thing ring and wait for assistance.
Ding!
When that does not come as quickly as I would like, I ring it again.
Ding!
And again.
Ding-ding!
And again, in quick succession this time.
