I watch as she scrolls through the options before settling on something. “Oh, this is a migration one,” she says before settling back onto her chair. “It follows the herd as they traverse half the planet. And I haven’t seen it yet.”
As Krish, Davix, and I settle into the nest to watch the documentary that Corrina selected, I find myself oddly comforted by the combination of her scent and ours. It would be more comfortable to have her in the nest with us, though. “Do you want to join us?” I ask, patting an open spot next to me.
Corrina glances at me. “No, it’s fine,” she replies, but she keeps shifting in her chair.
“It is far more comfortable in the nest,” Krish offers. “We do not mind.”
“That's okay,” Corrina replies. “It looks kind of crowded.”
“That is the point of a nest,” Davix signs. I nod and translate for him.
“Right. Maybe some other time,” she says, and then we are quiet as we become engrossed in the story unfolding on the screen.
“This was nice,” Corrina says with a yawn as the documentary ends. “Thank you for inviting me.”
“I am glad you wanted to come,” I tell her honestly. “Maybe we could do something together again tomorrow after you are done working.”
“That would be nice,” Corrina says.
“And the next time you have a day off, we should go swimming together,” Krish adds, as if he was able to hear my earlier thoughts.
Corrina chuckles. “You know, I’m not even sure that I have a swimsuit. But maybe I will see if I can find one.”
“You could swim without clothes like we do,” I offer.
“Yeah, that’s not a good idea,” Corrina says anxiously. “Like I said, humans generally aren’t naked in front of other humans in public.”
“Is there somewhere we could swim that is private?” Davix asks.
“That’s a good question,” I say before repeating the question to Corrina.
“Not that I know of, but I’m sure the lake will be fine. I’ll find something to wear,” she replies.
I grin at her. “I would like that,” I tell her.
“Well, good night,” Corrina says. “Thanks again for inviting me.”
“Good night,” Krish and I say. Davix signs the words, and Corrina disappears through the door.
Chapter Thirty: Corrina
It’s several days until I have a chance to accompany the haleen trio back to the lake, but the days in between settle into a comfortable routine. We take most of our meals together in the mess hall, and then I join them in their chambers in the evenings. We pass the time in a variety of pursuits – watching videos together, playing games, and teaching me their hand language. I honestly think I enjoy learning the language the most. There is something personal and intimate about communicating like this – having to pay attention to the way their hands move, their facial expressions, their body language. In truth, I find myself watching them for reasons beyond just learning the language.
They are objectively impressive physical specimens, and their disinclination to wear clothing in their chambers offers plenty of opportunity to observe the way their muscles flex and move beneath their green skin. But it is the way they interact with one another that fascinates me most. There is nothing sexual about their relationships with one another, both from their own admission and from their behavior. And yet, they are generous with touch and affection. It is as if they need the reassurance of each other’s hands and bodies, particularly when they are in the nest together. I have, thus far, begged off joining them in theircozy pile of mattresses, pillows, and blankets, but it is a tempting prospect. I find that I sometimes envy them the freedom to simply be together like that.
It has been a long time since I experienced that kind of easy physical companionship, probably since Curran and I were together at the academy. It is one of the costs that comes with a position of authority like mine, and I knew that when I started on this path. But it doesn’t mean that I don’t miss the comfort and intimacy of physical connection sometimes.
“What are you thinking about?” Krish asks softly, and I realize that the video we were watching has ended. Three sets of golden yellow eyes are fixed on me as I startle.
“Oh, just thinking,” I reply absently. Krish’s head is leaned against Davix’s stomach, his legs tangled up with Zann’s in the nest. The three of them look so peaceful and relaxed, and something tightens in my chest for a moment.
“About what?” Davix signs.
“It’s really not important,” I say with a wave of my hand.
“But you are important,” Zann says, rolling over to prop himself up on his elbows as he looks at me. “And you can talk to us.”
I smile at him. “Thank you,” I tell him. “But it’s really nothing. I was just thinking about the past.” Before any of them can press the issue further, I stand. “I should probably get going. This was fun, as always.”
