Page 69 of Soros
“This time you’re getting paid to travel and see new places. It’s not an easy job and it comes with missing your family and friends at home, but if you can get used to it, you’ll be part of something important.
“It’s okay. I haven’t been home since I took the job as a shuttle pilot, and it’s been 3 sollumes already.
“Sounds like you could use some time off on Scilm as well then.” Turning his head, Lios asked Soros and me, “What about you? Will you leave us on Fedaros or are you coming with us for some fun on Scilm?”
Soros was holding my hand and squeezing it, he said, “We’re coming to Scilm. There’s something I want to show Tania.”
I leaned my head against Soros’ shoulder. Still feeling tired and exhausted, I said, “Yes, I’m definitely up for a vacation. Hopefully, we can celebrate our permission to be together.”
Soros caressed the back of my hand and gave me a worried glance. “Yes, hopefully.”
CHAPTER 26
Rejection
Soros
“What do you mean that we can’t get an approval?” Tania looked stunned.
“They’re saying no.” I stood in front of her feeling powerless and angry.
“They can’t say no.” Tania’s feisty nature made her give a challenging stare at the representative from the Cultural Committee who had interviewed us this morning and now delivered the anticipated answer. My fear had come true when he gave us a rejection to our application to be together. I glared at the Koplom and objected to the decision telepathically. He was a flying member of the Gnarf tribe, a species small in size but mighty in intellect. His wings vibrated so fast that it looked like they weren’t moving at all. All around us was lush fauna in the covered area where Federation employees worked. There were no offices or desks, like on Earth. When we first met him at the interview, Tania had been fascinated and compared him to a hummingbird with a body like a balloon fish. His skin was so thin and pale that it was translucent and showed every vein and organ inside him. Despite his small size, Tania found him a scary sight and that made it even more impressive that she didn’t think twice about protesting the decision of the committee. I had never mentioned to her that the Koplom tribe had a bloody past of cannibalism and that before they joined the Federation, they would attack any outsider that came to their planet.
“What are they saying?” Tania asked, clearly frustrated that she couldn’t communicate directly with the Koplom.
“The committee aren’t sure what made you change your mind, and because you asked to have me completely erased from your memory, they find it suspicious that we apply for approval to be together. There’s a fear that you’ve been influenced by me in some way.”
Looking from me to the Koplom, Tania argued, “I already told you that I was heartbroken because I missed Soros so much. I thought he didn’t care about me and that I wouldn’t see him again. He didn’t mind cloud me or persuade me to say something against my will. Soros isn’t like that.”
When the Koplom turned in the air and moved away, Tania ran after him and got in front of the Koplom. Her face was red with anger and her tone was harsh. “You will stay and listen when I speak to you. I demand to have an Ugon Master validate that I have not been influenced by Soros, and that being with him is whatIwant.” As she said the last sentence she pointed to her chest and raised her voice.
The Koplom was in my head with a message that was short and precise. “Request granted. Final decision postponed.” After that he flew off fast and so close to Tania’s head that she ducked and called out in anger.
“Did you see that? They almost attacked me. We should file a complaint and have our case reevaluated. I won’t stand for this bullshit. If Jade and Sival can have permission and Clara and Malliko as well, then we sure as hell can have a permit. I’m not even a full human being. Doesn’t that count for something?”
I walked closer to Tania and pulled her into a hug. “I love how you’re fighting for us to be together.”
“Then why aren’t you fighting?” she asked with her eyes moist from frustration. “You just let him walk away without telling him to change his mind.”
I smiled down at my temperamental woman and told her with deep gratitude in my heart. “I protested as well telepathically, but nothing I said made as big an impact as your rage. Because of you, he agreed to reconsider the decision.”
“He did?” Raising her brow, she looked in the direction of the Koplom. “When?”
“After you shouted at him. He approved your request to have a visit with an Ugon Master.”
Hugging me tightly, Tania gave a sigh of relief. “I’ll prove to the Ugon that it’s me who wants this the most.”
Pulling back a little, I frowned. “Why do you say it like that? You think you want me more than I want you?”
“Yes.” There was raw honesty in her expression when she said, “It’s always been that way.”
I stared at her, trying to find a way to articulate what I had never put into words. “That’s not true. I’ve never felt the way I feel about you with anyone else.”
My proclamation made Tania smile. “But you’ve never wanted to share your life with me the way I naturally wanted to share my life with you. I don’t blame you because you Eidrons do things differently.”
“Doesn’t that count in my favor? Here I am, willing to break with my cultural norms and practices to form a lasting bond with you. It’s unnatural to me, and yet, my love for you is deeper than I’ve ever experienced before. I wouldn’t do any of this if it wasn’t because I’ve missed you more than I can express in words. Our time together had a profound impact on me, Tania. When we’re not together, I get by, but with you everything is better, richer, and a hundred times more enjoyable. Iwantto be with you, Tania. And it’s not fair to say that you want it more than me when you can’t feel what I feel.”
Tania’s expression softened and she tilted her forehead against me. With our height difference, I had to bend my neck in order for us to connect.
