“Hold onto him tight, Selena. I am going to pull you both in.”
Xylo wrapped his arm around Selena, pinning her to his side. She gasped, then her arms circled his stomach. He twisted his top two vines around her lower torso, securing her to him.
Xylo nodded to Odelm. “Ready.”
Odelm dove. His tentacles grabbed hold, and Selena gasped as they lurched into motion. She laughed with delight as they sped toward shore.
Water splashed in her face, and she coughed.
“What’s in the water that tastes so bad?”
“That would be salt. It is like Earth’s oceans. I think you probably read about those in your studies?”
“Yes, but it’s disgusting!”
“You aren’t supposed to drink it, Selena,”Xylo chuckled.
Odelm released them, and they drifted the last few tiqs to shore. Xylo stood, hip height in the water, untangling himself from Selena. He watched as she flipped her hair back, pushing it out of her face, using her hands to wring out the excess water.
Odelm joined them as they made their way to shore.
Selena stopped in front of Kaede, her hands on her hips.
“Kaede! Why didn’t you join us?”
Kaede closed his display and looked up at Selena, placing his gloved hands on his knees.
“Some of us have work to do. I’m still setting up security aboard ship.” Kaede grabbed Selena’s gown and stood up. “Are you going to get dried off and dressed for dinner?”
He waited for a response, holding out the gown to her. As she tried to grab it, Kaede jerked it out of reach, holding it above her head. Selena hissed, causing Kaede to laugh.
“No fair!” she growled.
“Who said anything about fair? I’m just having fun as you wanted,” Kaede teased. “Besides, you’re soaked. You can’t put this on wet.”
Selena turned to Xylo. “How am I going to dry off? Do you have any towels nearby? I don’t want to walk around naked, wet, and barefoot on the metal floors.”
Xylo peered at Odelm, who shrugged in reply. He looked over at Kaede, eyeing his cape.
“Forget about it.” Kaede cut him off before he could even ask.
Xylo considered.
“Circuli can absorb water through our vines and tentacles. It is part of how we both taste and absorb liquid nutrients. So, I should be able to dry you off with my vines. And if you ask Odelm, he may offer his assistance.”
His solution caused Selena’s cheeks to deepen in color. He wondered at the cause. It was a common ability, often used to regulate body temperature or ingest nutrients and fluids. There was nothing to be awkward about. It was a nestmate’s job to take care of their nestqueen.
Selena eyed Odelm as she bit her bottom lip. “If you don’t mind, Odelm, I would appreciate it. Care to help out one more time? Or have you had enough hanging out with this ‘female’ today?”
Odelm glanced at Xylo and smirked. “I will aid you in drying your nestqueen. It is getting late, and I have a performance after dinner.” He turned back to Selena and added, “You are an interesting ‘female’ alright. Different than any other I have met.”
“Oh! If you’re performing again, I want to hear it. I do love your music, Odelm.” Selena turned to Xylo. “Do whatever you need to so I can get dressed. We can have dinner with Odelm before he has to perform.”
Xylo smiled at her. She was already starting to behave like a true nestqueen. He was glad she was becoming more comfortable and confident—interacting with others.
“Okay, hold your arms up for us,” Xylo instructed.
Her cheeks darkened once more, but she widened her stance and raised her arms out to her side.
