Page 27 of Ava Stargazer

“Not of what, but in general. They have seen more.”

“How can you tell?”Are the Spry telepathic too?

“We can feel the energy waves that come off of living things. It is deeper from them.”

Ava rubbed the container and met Fijjak’s eyes. “They see everything I see. More than the others in the tank.”It makes sense that these are more aware now.

“They seem fond of you.”

Ava looked down again, touched, the words warming her. “I know.”

Fijjak reached towards her. “Can we take some? To study?”

Ava recoiled back as the container around her spun. “No. I thought to look. Only.”

“We will not harm them, Human. I promise. You do not need to worry. We just want to learn more. The Phor have not let any be studied before.”

Ava remembered Wert, the lead Phor when she was still on the ship, saying as much, back on the ship prior to the takeover. Wert had discussed with her how the biologics were the Phor’s greatest asset.Well, before he was killed, that is.Ava didn’t let the shudder that went through her at that though show and smiled at Fijjak instead.

His antennas were raised in the same orientation that Ebel’s did when he was surprised, but the Spry’s clawlike hands were clasped together as if in prayer, radiating sincerity.

I believe him.She smiled back at Fijjak. “Ava. My name is not Human. It is Ava.”

By the next day construction was well underway atCelestial, the Spry retrofitting the ship with the other Vorbax’s help. Others from the town came who wanted to learn, but Vox only allowed those he knew well enough to join. The area and ship were much busier than usual. Incredibly busy, actually. So many wanted to learn, and they all peered at Ava when she walked the halls to and from the engine room. No one had come down there but she double checked the locks to the engine room, and the biologics, just in case.

The sound of construction inside ofCelestial, and all the extra eyes trying to look at her, set her nerves on edge. She slipped away, letting Vox know she needed a break. Besides, she had a task she needed to complete for Orla. When she visited her before the mating ceremony, Orla had given her a cartful of seeds and bulbs and asked her to take them to Rhutg in the next few days.

Happy for the excuse, she pulled the hand cart out and walked the path to Rhutg’s house, huffing and puffing from the exertion. Her muscles, despite her having been on Xai for several weeks, were still not strong. She gave the wagon another tug.It's so heavy. The path she had to walk seemed endless.And uphill too.

Her grip tightened and her eyes focused on each step as she pulled upward. She kept her eyes trained on the ground, the sky blocked by her visor. Ava tended to look down a lot outside; the sky above still seemed too open at times. Thankfully, Rhutg did not live far from Vox. It was just a short walk down a path lined with stones that marked the way.Feels a lot longer right now though.

Ava only felt sure of walking a few paths so far here on Xai, mainly this one to Rhutg’s and the one around the lake that led to Orla and Erox’s home. She could take the small hover that Vox owned, but she preferred to walk herself when she could.

Finally, the hill incline leveled off and Ava stood and caught her breath, happy to rest a minute. She smiled as she wiped her brow.It is getting easier.

Birdsong trilled all around her from Xai’s many wild birds. Ava breathed deep and listened for a minute before continuing, her sandals slipping in the soil as she moved, annoying her to the point she took them off and decided to walk the rest of the way barefoot.

Rhutg must have sensed her coming because he came out to greet her, raising his hand in welcome and then shifting his gaze to what she pulled behind her as he walked toward her.

“Ava.” He came close and took off her visor to press his blue, scaled forehead to hers. His frame was larger than Vox’s, and he pushed her back slightly while connecting foreheads. “Shouldn’t you be with the others helping with the inventory? Are you feeling better today?”

Ava looked up, putting her visor back on as she absently nodded, still catching her breath. “Yes. The ceremony was a few days ago. I was only drunk for that one night.”

“That was enough.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “We did a lot all morning. Now the Spry are working on putting the cloaking device together and upgrading the communicator onCelestial. There are too many people, I needed a break.”

She dropped the handle to the wagon and pointed to what was inside. “I brought you these instead. They are from Orla. When I visited with her she said you would want them right now. That they would grow into plants?” Ava watched as Rhutg’s amber eyes looked behind her to the cart she was pulling. In it were bulbs, piled high.

His eyes softened. “Those flowers were Violie’s favorite. She planted them every year during this time. It was kind for Orla to remember.”

“Oh,” Ava said softly, already assuming the bulbs were to be grown, but not knowing the real reason for her to give them to Rhutg.Violie’s flowers.Orla didn’t give any explanation when she had given her them. “Planting in the ground? Can you show me how to plant them? I was never allowed to do any planting in the solarium.”

“Yes. I can show you. Once the flowers bloom, we can pick them. They have a fruit at the bottom of the root. Violie ... she used to take the fruit and dry it to then snack on the whole year. I have some left inside. They stay good once dried.” Rhutg reached for the wagon, picking up the handle to pull himself. “Here. Come inside and try one. Then let us plant these and you can see.” He easily moved the cart that Ava had trouble with the rest of the way to his house while she trailed in his wake. “Come, inside.” Rhutg gestured, walking up to his front door.

Ava followed as she eyed the differences in his house. She hadn’t ever been this close before on the walks she had taken this way with Vox to and from the main town. The outside, at least, was quite similar. Ava stepped lightly over the threshold and blinked, her eyes adjusting, before letting out a soft gasp. Rhutg’s home still had traces of his mate, of Violie, everywhere. Silence filled the room as she walked in farther, feeling like she was stepping into a memory.

“She used to dry the flowers too. From those plants,” Rhutg said softly, noticing Ava looking around his house.

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