Page 29 of Tis the Season for Tentacles
I want to tear my hair out. “Listen, this is a bad idea?—”
One of her tentacles whips out and covers my mouth. “Hush. Yes, I know you aren’t in touch with your inner romantic. And let’s be honest, if there is one in there, he’s seriously crusty and dusty.” She eyes me dubiously.
I growl.
“In any case, let the rest of us romantics dream. Besides, Gemma and I are just getting to know each other for now. There’s no harm in that.”
I remove her tentacle from its position over my mouth and groan. “You chose this life. This was your decision,” I mutter to myself as a reminder.
Luna beams at me. “That’s right, Naj. Learn to live a little. It’s the month of our Christmas festivities, and we want to have a good time. No downers allowed.”
The com suddenly crackles to life and Kheph’s voice comes through, all bright and cheerful as usual. “Good news, friends! We have entered orbit around Glacius Major and are just waiting to be cleared for landing. Please find a seat and strap in.”
Luna and I make our way to the bridge where we find Kheph, Sasha, and Felix.
My gaze tracks Felix as he takes a seat next to Sasha. He looks nervous but excited to visit his first planet other than Earth.
“I know it’s a bit late to be asking,” Felix says, suddenly, his eyes trained on Kheph and Luna, “but is this planet safe for me as a human? I mean, do I need a space suit or anything?”
I clear my throat. “The planet’s gravity is similar to that of Earth’s, and its atmosphere produces sufficient oxygen to not require any breathing aid.”
The way Felix eyes me is suspicious before he looks to the others for confirmation.
Ouch.
“Don’t worry,” Sasha tells Felix. “Kheph wouldn’t take us anywhere that wasn’t safe for humans. My husband is adorably protective of me.”
Khephren is focused on his control station, but two of his tentacles move above the top of his seat back and form the shape of a heart.
“Love you too, Tentacle Boy,” Sasha calls out.
I take my seat as we enter the planet’s atmosphere and begin our descent. Glacius Major is a peaceful planet, so we won’t have to worry about much in the way of danger. We’ll be exploring parts of their winter market, which makes it a valuable opportunity for me to spend time with Felix and repair some of the hurt I caused.
Once we land, Khephren and Luna begin handing out the necessary winter gear we’ll need to go outside.
“This reminds me of the snowsuit that poor kid has to wear inA Christmas Story,” Felix says as he starts climbing into the bulky garment he’s been given.
Sasha snickers. “I wouldn’t be surprised if that was part of the inspiration to this design.”
“Quit bitching. These will keep us nice and cozy. And look.” Luna flaps her tentacles, now covered in material from the suit, around behind her. “Rambo helped me design a special version to keep our tentacles mobile but warm too.”
Rambo gives a few merry beeps. “Show me the money.”
Felix lets out a startled laugh and smiles at Rambo.
As I stare at Felix, an odd warmth fills my chest. He’s quite handsome when he’s like this.
I want to be able to make him laugh and smile too.
Eventually, once we’re all encased in our thermal suits from head to toe and have durable boots on our feet, we troop down the gangway and out into the winter wonderland known as Glacius Major.
All around us are vast fields of shimmering snow, and tall trees coated in white dot the landscape. We’re a good distance from the nearest town as we had to land farther away in keeping with visitor regulations. However, we are expected, and I’m relieved to find two snow carriages awaiting us.
Luna immediately rushes forward, squeezing herself between Sasha and Khephren as she locks arms with both of them. “We’ll take the first carriage! You two take the second.”
“W-what?” Felix says, but Luna ignores him and shoves our friends into the first carriage, then waves her thermal suit-clad tentacles at us and hops in behind them.
I love Luna, but I wouldn’t necessarily call her smooth.
