Page 30 of Ava Stargazer

He leaned over, close. “Somehow you look even more adorable with dirt all over your face.”

“What does that say about you, Vox? That you prefer me in the mud?”

“I am a farmer, after all. Dirt and I get along.” He looked up over his barren fields. “Or I was.”

Ava responded by knocking his elbow again. “I like learning how to garden, not only because I never got to do it before, but also because I can see how much you enjoy doing it.”

Vox flushed a deep purple and hummed in his throat, bringing his mud-hand-printed body closer to her. “I can feel your sincerity, Ava. We fit together fine, you and I.”

They finished and moved around to feed the birds together. Even from earlier, when Ava collected the eggs, more had been laid.

“You will leave for the meeting at the board in the morning?” Ava asked, spreading some grains on the ground for the birds to peck and pick up.

Vox paused, his hand still extended from tossing out the birdseed on the ground. “Yes, I’ll be back in a week’s time, roughly.”

Ava chewed her lip before looking at him and blurting, “Will you take the tracker receiver with you? Just in case?” Her eyes widened in a frank plea. She still had the monitor in her arm, the opposite arm from her fertility blocker. The tracker was never removed after Torga.

He came close, putting his frilled head over Ava’s protectively. He pushed in gently where the tracker still lay in Ava’s arm, hidden and active. “Fine, Ava. I will take it if it makes you feel better. You are not lost, though. But it will be a good reminder.” He kissed her forehead, then pulled her close in his arms. “A good reminder of where my heart and home lay, waiting.”

“The men have left, Ava. Come stay with us awhile!” Sai yelled while knocking on Vox’s door.

Oh.Ava sat up, startled. She had been looking at the tablet that she held in her hand and was deep in thought when she heard the door handle rattle.

Another knock happened again, a bit more insistent, followed by Sai’s voice. “I know you’re in there. I can feel you.”

Ava got up from the table, a smile on her face as she put the tablet down and stood.“Give me a minute.Annoying mind reader.”

“I heard that. Open up, Ava. All the women are waiting to meet you today. We won’t bite you.”

Ava opened the wooden door slowly, creaking on its hinges, and gave a mock frown to contrast with Sai’s friendly face. “Are you sure? I’ve seen how sharp your teeth are.”

Sai broke into an oversized smile, stretching her blue lips so her teeth were on display. The door opened further, revealing Bria and Ixxi behind. Ava smiled at them; she hadn't seen Ixxi since coming back to Xai. Ava’s eyes quickly assessed her.She looks so much brighter.

Ixxi mutely glowed and said aloud, “I feel brighter. I missed you.”

In response Ava leaned forward to give her a hug, pulling Ixxi into the house. She let go a second later and stood, uncertain, happiness gone as fast as it came.I’m still nervous.These women were fine. They were family. But a large group? Especially after the quorum visit?

Ixxi impatiently took her hand and tugged. “It won’t be like the quorum visit. They are all excited to meet you. Come. Come.”

Sai shook her head and grabbed Ava’s other hand. “I’m not going to let you close yourself up here alone. Vox even asked me to keep you company. All the women are cooking today, you will love it.”

Ava glanced at the tablet on the table next to the door. It was the first time she had put it down all day. She had been holding it as a lifeline ever since she said goodbye to Vox.

Sai and the others’ visit was not unexpected. Vox had told her they would come. Both to check in on her, and also to invite her to the women’s communal housing. He’d left a phaser with her at her insistence, but had told her again Xai was safe and it was not needed. Large beasts did dwell in Xai’s deep forests, but never came near their civilization.

Sai and the other two looked at her expectantly.

Ava looked between all their eyes, unsure, as she shuffled her feet. Vox’s words about how no one could force her to do anything came back to her, echoing in her mind. “You’re really pushy, you know that?” Ava couldn’t keep a stern look though, and hid her grin behind her hand.

Sai just chuckled. “I’m not forcing you, I’m encouraging you. For your own good. There’s a difference.”

“Please,” said Bria, her eyes also much less haunted now that she was home.

The “please” broke the last remainder of Ava’s unease. It was like on the ship, when Vox said please to her for the first time when he asked to see her face while she was disguised as a Vali. Bria’s please had the same effect.

Sai squeezed her hand and looked at her eagerly.

Bria smiled wide. “It will be fine, Ava. I know you are scared. But you will see.”

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