Page 33 of Ava Stargazer

Sai answered, “No, this is for our sector. There are other ones like this in other parts of the city. There are little houses around here as well for those who want more privacy but still want to stay here longer term.”

Orla tilted her head. “I have called Miral; she likes to stay in another building down that corridor. She asked us to let her know when you came. Let’s wait here now. The older ones want even more space and stay to themselves sometimes.”

They stood in the hallway now and Ava continued keeping her hand on the wall, tracing the shape of the painted flower on it.I like this so much.

“Good to hear you, Ava,” came a voice from a corridor, interrupting her thoughts. “I heard you were here and needed to say hi.”

Ava startled and turned where the voice came from to see Miral, Vox’s mother.

Miral smiled, her eyes crinkling, reminding Ava strongly of Vox. A wave of sadness washed over her from looking at Miral’s face and noting the similarities, missing Vox already.

Miral’s eyes gentled further. “We will walk with you?”

Orla nodded. “Yes, mate-bond mother.”

Miral tapped on Orla’s hand. “It is hard on both my bond-daughters to be separated so soon from my sons. I feel it. But my sons will be back before you know it. It is good they are so strong. We can meet on the bavla fields and hum together later if you wish.”

Daughter?Ava hesitated, thinking of her mother, Laura.

Miral’s eyes twinkled but didn’t elaborate on the statement.

Bringing her hands together, Ava clasped them in front of her jumpsuit. It was uncomfortable to think of Laura and Miral at the same moment. Both mothers, in a different way. She shook her head.Never mind that.

They walked and spent the morning showing Ava the gardens they tended in greenhouses and their own flock of birds, much more impressive than Vox’s since they were shared between them all. There was a bathing area and some smaller rooms used for silence or sleeping, but most slept on pillows strewn about the garden surrounded by the others.This is so much bigger than my ship. I thinkit's the biggest building I've ever been in.

Orla spoke softly to not disrupt those who were relaxing around them. “When we have young we do not stay here as often, but when the kits go to lessons, or if the men are minding them, we come here and join when we can. We do not like to be alone much, and it feels good to connect on our wavelengths.”

Sai held her stomach. “We can show her more later. Let’s go eat now. I can smell it.”

Inhaling deeply, Ava smelled citrus and the metallic tang of IO minerals burning. “Yeah, it smells good. Different than what Vox makes.”

Sai looked back at her. “Are you able to eat everything?”

Good question.“I haven’t come across anything I can’t yet. But Vox sort of makes the same things so I haven’t tried much.”

Orla walked them back into the initial room they were in and indicated to Ava to take a plate and grab some food from a kitchen in the middle of the area. A large hearth smoldered from the IO minerals lit underneath it as the women cooked communally for all.

The room was mostly silent, everyone engaged in only telepathic communications as they ate. The only whispered conversations came from those not eating, or those who spoke aloud, softly, to have private conversations that wouldn’t be mentally overheard.

Ava, now at ease, sampled everything. She spoke in thought, knowing it would be picked up by the others.“This is good. And different from what Vox makes.”

Sai put some in her mouth.“More women came today because of you. There’s usually not this much variety here.”

She took some off her plate and put it on Ava’s.“Try this, it tastes so much better than what Vox makes for you.”

Ava took a bite and had to agree, closing her eyes to savor the taste.“You’re right.”

Miral snorted, sitting across from Ava. “His father and I taught him to cook, but he only ever learned his favorites very well.”

She ate and sifted through her emotions. Now that the focus was off of her, she could pick up more discordant tones. It was not all complete harmony. Even with telepathy, there were hurt feelings and jealousy amongst the women, in particular over mate choices when they clashed. Although the women allseemed to have a more casual attitude about relationships. They preferred to be with other women in friendship more than with the men who were, as Sai said, overwhelming. Ava sat and observed, trying to put faces and meanings to the emotions she felt, in particular when certain males were mentioned.

She caught mental pressure about Rhutg, his name sticking in her mind. Ava’s ears reddened to hear how the women thought of him, being friends with him now like she was. He was a proven male though, and the interest shouldn’t surprise her.But .. .it is Rhutg.Ava frowned, thinking of Rhutg’s house covered in flowers.He’s not ready to move on.Rhutg wasn’t ready for any of their attention right now.

But their talk led to another question, followed by a flush of jealousy. It was a strange, hot feeling in her stomach.Did they debate over Vox this way before?

“Yes,” whispered Bria at her side, speaking aloud, quietly, in the way private conversations were had.

Ava startled, reddening again, as she hadn’t meant for that thought to be read.

---