"Oh. That is bad."
"I know," Khalzin said. He had not mentioned it to Janae because he didn't want to concern her. His father's antagonistic behavior would not help this situation. With every passing day, Khalzin needed to prove this was a viable option for their people. He could not let his father goad him into accepting defeat.
Not again.
"I did not know he was--"
"It should be assumed at this point," Khalzin said. His father had never been one to support or encourage him, especially if it meant making his work suffer.
"Maybe you do need a frivolous relationship to release some stress. Since you are not getting that yet in your Courtship."
Khalzin snarled.
This whole conversation frustrated him. He wanted this to be a peaceful, pleasant experience, and if anything, Stron was making it worse. It made him wonder if this was the right choice to ask friends and not look for volunteers he didn't know. He brushed off the thought. Because if he got volunteers, he would wind up in a situation where he couldn't trust the results. At least when it was people he knew, he could understand the results personally.
"Are you being obtuse just because you can be?" he finally asked Stron.
"Just making sure you know all your options," Stron said, a slight smile on his face.
Khalzin knew his options. That much was true.
Stron looked back at their transport's wings shifting in the wind. They groaned a bit. There was a lot of wind today. Not too much to keep them inside, but enough that it might make for a bumpy tour. To get high enough to avoid it would make the tour a foolish venture, for they would not be able to see anything. But riding the wind would prove interesting. He hoped neither of the females had issues with travel.
Stron crossed his arms. "Well, where are they?"
"They're coming. Janae was going to help her friend get something to wear. Very few of their things survived, so they are relying on us to help them and provide basic things."
Stron sighed. "Does she not know how to use a dresser?"
"Not every world has machines that produce clothing for--"
The bay opened, and out came one guard. Behind him was a wave of bright fabric.
Janae.
He smiled.
She had pulled her hair onto her head, though her hair still covered her forehead, and she wore another Kantenan armored dress. She favored their design and security. This one was different in that it was bright and bold. It flattered her shape, and she looked amazing. If she had horns, she could have walked on the planet her entire life.
Her friend was behind her in her armored dress, though she did not seem as comfortable as Janae was.
"Oh," Stron said.
"Remember her now?"
"Never forgot," Stron said.
"You should not forget that bold hair," Khalzin said. Her friend had hair that was full and bright behind her. It almost made her look like she wore a fiery halo. Two distinctly different-looking females but appealing in their own ways.
They had a guard before them and followed them onto the walkway, so they were not escorted anywhere alone. Necessary for the time being.
Khalzin took a few steps toward them. "Greetings." He held out his hand, and Janae touched his arm. "You look lovely as the bright day," he said.
She grinned. "Thank you." She glanced down and away. "I wanted to look, well, like I belong."
"You do. You always do."
She smiled as they walked toward the ship. He loved that she seemed to be warming up to him. Perhaps she was getting used to being around him. Their kissing last night seemed to bring them together more.
