Chapter 12 - Zyntarr #2
Ah-Lanah sighs again. “Look, I know you two like each other, and I’m not trying to discourage any kind of relationship you might have with Bea, but, those heart-stars, woo,” she shakes her head and takes another sip of her disgusting tea.
“I tried to fight it with Mav, but they sure did a number on me. You can’t deny them, and I think I knew all along that there would be no-one else for me but him. ”
I am quiet for a time, my focus gone hazy as I stare off to nowhere at all.
Ah-Lanah actively tried to deny Mavyx’s heart-stars even when they were plain for everyone to see.
What does it mean that mine are so weak?
“It was the heart-stars, then?” I ask out loud before the sight of my good eye hones in on Ah-Lanah again.
“That made you choose to accept my Second Spear as your mate?”
She is in the midst of taking another sip of her tea as she eyes me and my question. I find myself mimicking her for want of something to do. It was a mistake. The tea still tastes like fruits picked too early and mixed with puddle waters.
“It helped,” she nods before smiling wide to herself as if remembering something very fondly.
“But we’re not here to talk about Mavyx and I…
Zyntarr, I don’t feel completely comfortable telling you what you should and shouldn’t do with Bea,” she says, uncrossing and recrossing her legs as she sits on the stooool.
“I think that’s a conversation to be had with her directly.
I could tell you some generic things that human women normally like during-” her empty hand waves around between us, “relations. But, if I know Bea, I would think she’s a private kind of person.
And she might prefer for you two to discover that on your own if you decide to, without outside influence.
” I furrow my brows. She may be correct.
The humans do not seem to like to talk of mating activities openly.
Well, except for Chaz-Titi.
Perhaps asking for advice on this subject was a mistake. I decide to change course, and simply ask, “how can I get Bea to choose me as her mate?” If my weak heart-stars are not enough, then perhaps she can simply decide to be mine?
Ah-Lanah smiles at me. It is not a warm smile full of shine from the midday suns.
It is a pitying smile. A smile distorted from the reflection of rippling waters.
“Zyn,” she says, tilting her head as she looks at me.
“You and I both know that’s not really how it’s done here.
And listen, I am all for choice like back on Earth, but I’m just saying, those Goddesses of yours, or whatever it is that decides when and who to turn on those powerful twinkles for?
Well, they seem to know what they’re doing.
If they turn yours on for some other girl-” I open my mouth to protest that such a thing would never happen, but Ah-Lanah gives me a look that tells me I should hold my words.
“Or if some other Trixikka suddenly lights up for Bea-” she reaches over and places a gentle hand on my forearm, her pretty smooth, dark skin somehow making my scars seem even more evident.
“I just don’t want either of you to get hurt. ”
I am quiet for a time before I remember; “but Aloryk and Poll-ee-”
“Are fucking each other’s brains out trying to get his heart-stars to appear, I know,” she pulls away, sitting back with a smile. “Hey, I’m not doubting their methods, and I’m not saying you and Bea can’t also try that. I just want you… well… I just want you both to be happy. And to stay that way.”
I come away from my meeting with Ah-Lanah with less certainty than I had possessed going in.
The feeling is… troubling. My tail jerks with annoyance as I walk back through the village.
Not annoyance at Ah-Lanah, or her words, truly.
I am vexed that she had not seen any indication that the slight fluttering of stars over my heart were what I’d hoped.
They have to be.
Irritated, I glance down at my own chest as I walk, only to snap my head back up and clench my fists at what I had seen. Nothing but the faintest of stars that seemed to die out as soon as they were noticed.
Is Ah-Lanah right for me to be careful with Bea until my stars can shine more clearly?
She had said they were powerful. And she would know, what with how she failed at resisting Mavyx’s.
Does Bea feel that pull too, I wonder? Will she give into it?
Or will she choose me as her mate if my stars never shine bright?
My head is stuffed so full of thoughts, it is hard to decide which to make my focus.
But once my feet bring me to my intended destination of the finest metal weaver of the tribe, my chest expands with a deep inhale.
I greet the elder male with a nod of my head, my one eye fixing him with a serious stare over the blazing fire in his hut.
“Kroyll,” I say, stepping into his forge. “I have need of your craftmaleship.”