CHAPTER 6 #2
“Yes. Apologies, but you told me to put something on before you returned, and I realized I left my BLEND…chip. It’s a small chip I left on the bathroom counter.
I can change back if you would like,” I say, when I realize I never explained what BLEND means.
“Biological Labile Electron Naturalizing Device. It’ll make me look human again. ”
Ellie shakes her head. “No. It’s fine. Doesn’t the device cover your skin and change your ears? That has to be uncomfortable.”
“It is, but I am willing to experience some discomfort if it makes this easier on you.”
She smiles. “Please. You have to wear the disguise when we’re out in public, but when we’re alone, just be as you are. I’ll get used to it eventually.”
“Okay,” I say. I am trying not to shiver, but the cold is threatening to ice my bones. I climb into the bed and crawl under the covers.
“Zarek, are you cold?”
I nod. “Incredibly so.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” Ellie crosses the room, searching for something.
“I don’t think this place has a thermostat, but I can give you an oversized sweatshirt and we can pick you up some more Parisian clothes at a secondhand shop in the morning before we board the train. Maybe something a little warmer.”
She opens the same drawer I got the shorts from and tosses me a large, thick, black sweatshirt. I put it on over my head. It comes down past my waist, stopping before my inguinal crease, where my muscles form a V.
“Thank you,” I say.
Ellie gets into the other bed and turns off the light. “Night.”
“Goodnight.” I roll over onto the other side, hoping sleep will take me, but find myself distracted by all of the questions I want to ask.
“Ellie.”
“Yes?” she says, and I turn to face her.
It’s dark, but I can still see the way her body scrunches up into itself.
“What’s a vibrator?”
There’s a sharp, quick inhale from where she rests. “What?”
“Earlier, I called your electric toothbrush a vibrator, and it appeared to upset you. I would like to understand why so I can avoid this happening again,” I explain. I do not wish to harm this human’s emotional state, even if by accident.
She sighs. “Why did you think it was a vibrator if you don’t know—wait, why did you call it that?”
“Because it vibrates. It felt like an appropriate word. Although I did consider other possible terms. Convulser, jerker, buzzer.”
“You really have no idea what a vibrator is?” Ellie lets out a quiet chuckle.
“Not a clue. Is it a musical instrument? Or perhaps another kind of tool?”
“It’s a…personal pleasure device,” she says, whispering the last three words, as though anyone else can hear us in the dark, empty room. Maybe the walls are thin.
“Like an olisbos?” I ask, remembering my readings on Ancient Greece, and my face flushes as the words leave my mouth. I really hope I didn’t accidentally accuse her of using something like that. I’m not trying to be creepy.
“I have no idea what that is, and frankly, I don’t think I want to. I’ll tell you what, if we happen to pass a sex shop on our trip, we can go in and I’m sure one of the nice people at the counter would be willing to show you. Now, please go to sleep.”
I definitely asked her something inappropriate and wildly personal. Jeez, why do I never think before saying things?
“Sorry. Goodnight, Ellie.”
“Goodnight, Zarek.”
Light fills my vision as I open my eyes, and I look around Ellie’s tiny hotel room, adrenaline and anticipatory dopamine flooding my system. I’m one step closer to acquiring the sample I need to help my species thrive, and I think Ellie and I might even become friends on this adventure.
I could use another friend. I really only have my parents and Zul.
“How’re you?” Ellie asks from where the bathroom door stands open. I stretch my arms out and yawn.
“Better. My muscles don’t feel as sore, and I’m not as cold as I was last night,” I say, my voice a little groggy. The mention of last night has my brain recalling every embarrassing thing I said and did, and I freeze. “I’m sorry if my questions yesterday were invasive.”
“It’s fine. You’re learning, and now you know that even humanity is capable of inventing electric toothbrushes,” she says, avoiding the awkward subject.
Probably for the best.
“Now get dressed. We’ve got to head toward the station and pick up some things on the way.”
I slowly traipse into the bathroom, where Ellie stands in the mirror, braiding her hair. Grabbing my BLEND chip, I place it back into the small port on my side.
“What would you like me to wear?” I ask.
Ellie hands come to a stop, and she looks me up and down. “What are the options?”
The BLEND generates options in my mind, and I flip through them before selecting a three-piece suit. I watch in the mirror as my skin quickly changes, the tips of my ears rounding out, and Ellie’s clothes drop to the floor as the fabric of the jacket and pants forms to my body.
“How’s this?”
She shakes her head. “It’s a bit too—”
“Dapper?”
“I was going to say stuffy. Do you have anything more relaxed?”
I focus my efforts, and the suit transforms into a toga, showcasing the muscles of my calves and thighs. I flex my arms, smiling at my reflection. “I look good.”
Ellie rubs her face in her hands. “This is somehow more strange than when you’re in alien form.”
“You said you wanted something relaxed,” I tease.
“I meant something with pants!”
Focusing again, I shift the wool into denim, topped with a cotton, western-style shirt. I’m even able to transform my sandals into leather boots.
“What do you think?” I say, tipping the cowboy hat.
“Zarek I swear to fucking god if you don’t put something normal on your body I’m going to make you wear something of mine again,” Ellie nearly shouts, her face turning red.
I quickly focus my thoughts on a t-shirt and sneakers, and scratch the back of my neck as the fun accessories disappear. “I’m sorry. I hadn’t gotten the chance to play with those features before. I got a little excited.”
“No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. We just need to get going or we could miss our train.”
I nod. “Understood. No more shenanigans.”
Ellie tosses a large backpack over her shoulder and opens the front door. “Let’s head out.”
Taking the stairs to the bottom floor, we walk down the street, which is busy and bustling with vehicles and pedestrians, until Ellie’s phone tells us to turn left.
The scent of fresh-baked bread and cigarette smoke permeates the air. A small shop comes into view, lined with mannequins covered in multitudes of dresses and coats, the front wall and door entirely glass.
“This is it, right up there,” she says as we get closer to the building.
“How about you go in and I stay out here?” I suggest, knowing that if I step into the shop, I will somehow find my way into trouble.
“Sure. Any fabrics you prefer? Oh, and what are your pants measurements?”
I shrug. “Uh. Nothing scratchy. I know what I am in jbits, but I’m not sure how to convert it into centimeters or…you’re American, you probably only use inches.”
“I don’t know if I should be impressed or offended. I’ll just guess your sizes and do my best.” She smiles, one eyebrow ticking up as she grabs the door handle. “Do not go anywhere.”
“Yes, ma’am.”