Page 18 of Craving Stardust

“We do.” I told her about the varieties, though ours sounded more like what she called meese and wooferines. “We adore our pets as much as you.”

After blinking up at me with what I took as suspicion, Katie must’ve decided I wasn’t a threat. She hopped up onto my lap, curled around and laid down, staring up at me.

“See?” Iris said. “She’s sweet. You can pat her. She likes to be scratched around her neck.”

When I did so, Katie Purry made a rumbling sound in her chest.

“That’s her purr. It means she likes what you’re doing.”

Amazing. “We don’t have fluffy beasts like this on Sathoria.” The pet was soft if nothing else. It felt nice to touch her. “Our creatures have stiff exoskeletons and if they have hair, it’s coarse.”

“They sound interesting too. It’s too bad you don’t have cats and dogs like us. They make wonderful friends.”

I could see that already.

I helped her prepare the evening meal, me chopping vegetables while sitting at the table with my leg supported on a chair, Iris squashing potatoes and frying chee-kin on the stove. Everything tasted amazing. I’d gotten used to eating freeze dried food most of the time, only rarely dining when I put into port on one planet or another.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever eaten a meal like this one before,” I said after.

“I hope that means you enjoyed it,” she said with a smile.

“Very much. Each species offers a variety of food, and many are unique and special. Sometimes, however, what one species eats doesn’t hold much appeal.”

“That sounds like a diplomatic way of saying you don’t like what they’re serving for dinner.”

I nodded. “Many species eat insects, something I don’t enjoy.”

She shivered. “Some humans eat insects, but I’ve never been able to talk myself into trying them. I know they’re good for me, but I just can’t quite do it.” She took our plates to the washer and placed them inside, returning to stand beside me. “You look worn out.”

“I am tired. I believe your caf-eene is no longer churning through my system.”

“Yup. Let’s get you to bed.”

Like a youngling told he must go to bed early, I wanted to stay awake and be with Iris, but she was correct. I needed sleep more than anything if I wanted to finish healing.

She helped me into the bedroom, and I collapsed onto the surface. I was barely aware of her rolling me back and forth, removing my clothing. I should protest this. I was a mature adult. A male more than capable of undressing myself.

But I was so tired…

I woke the next morning with her lying fully clothed beside me, her beast, Katie, snuggled between our feet. I liked lying with her. This bed was unlike what we used on my planet, but comfortable enough, and the blankets were soft. Most of all, I enjoyed sleeping with Iris.

Katie was sweet to lie with also. She purred, telling me she enjoyed being with us.

Did I dare kiss Iris again? I wanted to do that and more, but I also didn’t want to offend her. My time here was short. If I upset her, we might spend the rest of the time I had here feeling upset. I couldn’t bear to let something like that happen.

I rose and quietly made my way to the bathing room, using the toy-lette. Another odd device, though we had something that did the same thing on my world.

She’d showed me how to use the chow-ur the day before, and I did so, dressing in the clean clothing she’d thoughtfully provided yesterday, more sweetpants and a T of the shirt. She’d showed me where to place my soiled items the day before, and I tossed them into the wash-her. Funny. There was a wash-her for the dishes and a wash-her for clothing. They looked completely different, but if a person was speaking about them, how could they tell them apart? I supposed it didn’t matter.

On my ship, I’d used a sanitizer device to stay clean. Back on my home planet, we washed in community bathing houses, sharing large pools while chatting with others. One could recline in an individual pool, with those of the same sex, or even the same sex, though it was rare for anything sexual to come of it. The community pools were for bathing and socialization, nothing else.

What would Iris think of something like that?

If she preferred, I could install a separate bathing unit in our home.

I cut off my daydream right there. She wasn’t leaving her planet to travel with me to mine. I needed to stop thinking of things like this. It only led to disappointment.

Using the crutch, I left the bathing room Hearing sounds from the kitchen, I made my way there to see if I could help her prepare the morning meal.

---