Page 37 of Alien Healer's Touch

"Then I would consider it," I said, my voice rougher than intended. "But we should fully understand the process first."

She nodded, turning back to the interface. "Of course. I'm a doctor—I don't rush into experimental procedures without thorough research."

Together, we examined the ancient systems, piecing together instructions from fragmented texts and diagrams. The guardian automaton assisted in unexpected ways—illuminating specific controls when we hesitated, blocking access to damaged sections.

As we worked, our hands occasionally brushed. Each contact sent currents through my lifelines, distracting me from the technical challenge. I noticed similar reactions in her markings—subtle pulses of silver light when our skin met, however briefly.

Hours passed as we decoded the ancient system's operation. The storm continued raging above, occasional tremors vibrating through the facility. Each time, I positioned myself protectively near Selene, my body instinctively shielding her from potential debris.

During one particularly strong tremor, she stumbled against me. My arms closed around her automatically, steadying her. For a moment, we remained frozen in that position—her back pressed against my chest, my hands at her waist.

"Thank you," she murmured, making no immediate move to step away.

"Of course," I replied, equally reluctant to release her.

The moment stretched between us, charged with unspoken awareness. Finally, she stepped forward, returning to the console with renewed focus. My body felt the absence of her warmth immediately.

"I think it's ready," she announced eventually, surveying our preparations. "We've bypassed the damaged sections and reconfigured the interface for our physiologies."

The Aschan Diadem hummed with energy, the twin chairs of shaped light glowing intensely. The apparatus radiated both invitation and warning—ancient technology awakening after centuries of dormancy.

"The process requires sustained physical contact," I noted, reading the instructions we'd decoded. "To maintain synchronization."

"That shouldn't be a problem," she said, though I detected a slight elevation in her heart rate.

"It also mentions potential... side effects," I added, studying the glyphs more carefully.

"What kind of side effects?"

"The interface stimulates the pathways involved in learning and memory, but also those associated with emotional response and physical sensation." I met her gaze directly. "The ancients found that personal connection enhanced knowledge transfer—trust, rapport, and even... attraction... strengthened the neural bridges."

Color rose in her cheeks—a fascinating human response I'd observed before but never fully understood. "You mean it might intensify whatever feelings already exist between the participants?"

"Yes." I saw no reason to be anything but honest. "The system doesn't create what isn't there, but it may enhance what is."

Her eyes held mine, something unspoken passing between us. "I'm willing to accept that risk if you are."

My tail swished behind me, betraying an emotional response I couldn't fully suppress. "Then we proceed carefully."

We positioned ourselves in the glowing chairs, facing each other. The seats adjusted to our different physiologies, reshaping to provide optimal support. Thin, glowing filaments extended from the arching framework, connecting to our temples with gentle pressure.

"Remember to focus on medical knowledge," I instructed as the system hummed to life. "Diagnostic techniques, treatment protocols, healing properties of plants."

She nodded, her expression composed though her quickened pulse revealed her nervousness. "How do we start?"

"Physical contact initiates the process," I explained, extending my hands. "Palm to palm is the traditional position."

Selene placed her hands against mine, her fingers significantly smaller yet fitting perfectly against my broader palms. The moment our skin connected, both our markings illuminated—her silver patterns meeting my golden lifelines in synchronous rhythm.

"Oh," she breathed, eyes widening at the sensation.

The filaments of light at our temples warmed, beginning to pulse with the same rhythm as our markings. Energy flowed between us, a tingling current that carried information along its path.

I felt her medical knowledge begin to filter into my consciousness—surgical techniques I'd never learned, diagnostic approaches from her Earth training, pharmaceutical compounds unknown in Nyxari medicine. The information arrived as intuitive understanding rather than memorized facts.

"I can see it," she whispered, wonder in her voice. "The relationship between the sunburst vine and cardiac regulation. The healing properties of the blue moss. It's not just information—I understand it."

The connection deepened as the system stabilized. Our hands remained pressed together, the contact point glowing with intermingled light. I became increasingly aware of Selene beyond the medical knowledge transferring between us—her breathing pattern, the subtle shifts in her expression, the warmth of her skin against mine.

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