“Wow.They really farmed you out.”
“Farm?Why?Are there Erradians?Sarothoans?Islanders?”
Vallu blinked and laughed.“Got it.”
“Yeah, and all under duress.”
“Ah.Right.You could make a fortune just doing that for the BDC.”
“That isn’t really in my career goals.I did too much with too many in too short a time.”
“Right.I hadn’t considered that.I had twenty-five patrons in my career, and it was a lot.The last few years were exclusively Etgar.I would know those furry abs anywhere.And I gave him every heat.”
“Aw, that’s sweet.”
“Says the woman who has never had one.”
“No gills, no heat.”She smirked.
“Oh, wow.So, wait, you are Hyreno affiliated?”
“Yup, me and my brother both.He’s waiting until I am settled before he hits the waves, and I don’t want to leave Aksalla.I like working for Keska.”
“And you don’t want to hit the waves because Hyreno isn’t safe.”Vallu burped her baby and nodded.
“Definitely not.They have funny rules, and I don’t want to end up in a group situation and belonging to no one.”
“Oh.Got it.”Vallu held her child and nodded.“That would be horrifying.”
“Yup.I don’t want to be the town bike, and that is pretty much what I am left with.”Hemma shrugged.“Or the town boat?”
Vallu smiled.“Wanna hold him?”
“Sure.”
Vallu plopped the baby in her arms, and Hemma smiled down at the little guy.“You live in a good place with good people.Don’t take them for granted, little guy.”
The baby looked at her and smiled, and his eyes closed.
Vallu smiled.“You are good with kids.”
“I worked in the creche in Uradda before I activated.I look very human, so it was easy to attach me to the ambassador without question.”
“What are your main activations?”
“All Hyreno, including the sealed gills.”She chuckled.
“Like what?”
“Strength, the gills, and multiple vocal cords that make a freaky sound.I have a friend with sonic attacks, but my voice apparently wins for listenability through a sheet of water.”
She settled the baby on her shoulder and rocked him slowly.
Vallu looked at her.“You don’t have any side effects from not using your gills?”
“Nope.Healthy as a horse.I have a humidity room at home, though.Keska set it up for me.A cool misting once a week does the job.”
“I can’t imagine.You are in a rough position.”
