Had something happened? Was the water too hot for her?
He started to get closer when Veta sat up.
Water ran over her face, and she smiled at him. “You really should join me,” she said and ran her hands over her bound hair, a unique striped weaving. Intricate and efficient, Wrathin was immediately appreciative of it.
“What is that,” he asked.
“What?” She patted her head. “My hair?”
“The woven pattern. What is it?”
“My braids,” she said. “They’re called cornrows. They keep my hair protected, and out of my way on missions.”
He stared at the rows, weaved in a simple pattern around her head. “I very much like the utility of it.”
She smiled. “They do keep the hair out of my face.”
“Do you do it to yourself?”
She smiled. “I have a machine, actually, that does it. But it can be done by hand. Takes longer that way.” She shifted in the water. “You’re very curious about my hair. Do you have a hair fetish or something?”
He blinked. “No. I do not think so.”
“You don’t know what turns you on?”
“You, it seems. If you are asking what arouses me.”
She blinked and stared at him for a second. Then blinked again. “I appreciate your straightforwardness.”
“Do Terran men not answer questions directly?”
“Not the ones I am ever around,” she said and glanced away.
“Why not?”
“They are too busy with their own agendas and trying to find out how to manipulate to get what they want.”
“And what do you want?”
“At the moment? To savor this incredible fresh spring water because I rarely get to soak like this.” She patted the water, then brought her gaze to him, and while he knew eyesight was not tactile, he still felt sensations all through him as her gaze physically ran up his body.
“Also, now, to admire your form, because even though you look like the rocks with veins of silver, you’re pretty amazing to look at.”
“Do you take offense at my skin?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No. Because I know it’s an illusion. What does it truly look like?”
“Darker than yours. Brown.”
“Can you turn the adaption off?” she asked.
He shook his head. “It was developed to keep us safe and protects us.”
“Safe from who?”
“Those who choose to harm us.”
She smiled. “Well, I’m admiring you, not intending to harm you.”
