Page 46 of Pirate By Parrot

Addy looked at her. “I could destroy you and this world.”

“And I can smash you flat. My bones don’t turn to jelly, and I don’t pull punches. Step aside. I take up a lot of room.”

Addy stared and blushed and then winced as Rumble returned to her and began to shriek in her ear.

Amber smiled. “This way. We have set out a lunch.”

Mel chuckled. “Music to my ears.”

Amber chuckled and led her way through a paved street where traffic had been stopped. Folk were staring at her, but they were smiling, which was a nice change.

Amber said, “That’s a nice outfit and lovely sash.”

“Thank you. A friend bought me the sash on Rai Station.”

They walked to a lovely palace, but Amber walked her around the main structure and out back to a wide stone patio with a very large bistro set. Mel grinned. “Aw, you shouldn’t have.”

“I thought it would be nice for you to be comfortable.”

“I really appreciate that. It has been a rough few months.”

“What advice did Imbolt give you?”

“None. I haven’t met him. He was on a delivery run while they started processing me. I got launched into space while still growing with Marko here, and from there, I was at a base and trying to keep my balance while I kept getting bigger.”

Amber looked at her in shock. “You had to do all of that on your own?”

“Well, I had Marko, but yes, that was the reason that the Yaluthu came. They heard our pain. How did the Citadel reps all get here?”

“They are trying to set up a Citadel on Possitt II. Given their behaviour today, we aren’t going to allow that. This behaviour was unhinged, and with a very talented population, we believe in decorum and that does not involve attempting to arrest a guest before they are greeted.”

Someone served a large teacup to Mel and a smaller version to Amber. Amber poured for both of them. “You actually were thinking of smashing Addy into the floor?”

“If she attacked me, yes. Nothing unprovoked.”

“I must say, I thought you would be leaping over tall buildings.”

“Ves figured out I may get a little over-enthused, and this outfit has what is basically a set of resistance bands in it. If I move too freely, it pulls back. It also stops me from being faster than a locomotive.”

Amber grinned that she had caught the reference. “Wow. That confirmed it.”

“I know, I don’t look Terran.”

“Your features are, but your body sayssmash.”

Mel giggled, and Whee and Marko chuckled. “It feels that way sometimes, but I just want things to get to my new normal.”

“You aren’t there yet?”

“I have only had Whee for a few days. I am feeling better; I have stopped growing. Now I can find out what this body can do, but Ves continues to taunt me with images of him. Physical him is back on the station, and a different version is out making me a home on one of Vendar’s worlds.” She grinned. “Apparently, I was a surprise.”

Amber smiled. “Just as I was for my husband. Well, less of a surprise and more of a custom modification that came with extras.”

“When are you due?”

“Two more months.”

“Your husband isn’t here?”

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