Chapter 20
Gemma: I know you told me things are complicated between you and your family, but I really hope you all can reconnect in a positive way someday. You never know how long anyone you love has, and I’d hate for you to have regrets.
Luna: I hear that. There are many reasons I love Christmas and holiday movies, but one of the biggest is the way that beautiful family relationships are front and center. Wish fulfillment I suppose.
Gemma: Don’t give up. It could still happen. I’m more than willing to help them get their heads out of their asses.
Luna: We’d say tentacles rather than heads, but point taken. *winky face emoji*
Gemma: Hahahaha! Love that.
Luna: I live to please you, gorgeous.
Gemma: Smooth talker. Not that I mind. *winky face emoji* Now, tell me about a good memory you have with your family.
Luna: I have lots, especially from when I was a kid.
One of my favorites was the first time my parents took me swimming.
Most Dravethians love the water, and our tentacles make us excellent swimmers.
We spent the whole day at the beach, playing together in the water as a family.
My father taught me how to hold my breath underwater, and I picked it up quickly.
Before I knew it, we were all racing one another.
It was a day full of sun, water, and pure happiness.
Gemma: Aww, I love that! Thanks for sharing. I’m relieved to know that your parents were good to you growing up.
Luna: They were. It was once I got to be old enough to be independent and pursue my own goals that we started butting heads. I know their worry came from a place of love and concern, but the way they expressed it still hurt.
Gemma: They’re missing out on an amazing daughter who’s super smart, mega talented, and funny as hell. No lie, I think you’re the coolest!
—Sent via FLIRTT (Frequency Link for Interstellar Real-Time Transmission)
Luna
“Where exactly are we meeting your parents? This space station is massive,” Gemma marvels. “Nothing like what we humans have created.”
I chuckle. “They will someday. It’s all about species evolution paired with scientific and technological advancement.”
Gemma sighs forlornly. “Not gonna happen in my lifetime, though, is it?”
“Probably not, but you’re getting to experience firsthand what few other Earthlings ever will until your species advances centuries or millennia from now.”
She leans closer to where her arm is linked with mine, and I’m giddy like a horny teenager when I feel her full, warm breast press against the side of my arm. So damn sexy.
I steer us toward a part of the space station I haven’t been to yet.
When my parents messaged me a little while ago, they told me they wanted us to meet in a place called the Conversation Nook District.
And soon, lo-and-behold, I see illuminated signs floating overhead that indicate we’ve arrived.
Passing through the entryway, we make our way into what feels like a whole different world.
Softly illuminated floor arrows that change color guide us on a verdant pathway lined with beautiful flora and fauna, as if pointing us through some kind of mystical garden.
It’s beautiful, a bit strange, and sort of romantic.
Maybe I could take Gemma on a date here before we have to head on in our journey?
Eventually, the glowing arrows lead us toward a massive atrium with dozens of small alcoves carved into the stone wall in hexagonal patterns, not unlike a honeycomb. Each one has a gossamer-like curtain draped over the entrance for privacy that seems to move gently without any breeze.
I’m starting to understand what the whole nook part of this place is, and I have to admit there’s a rather relaxing and peaceful vibe to the space.
“This is wild,” Gemma says, staring around in open-mouthed wonder.
My tentacles jerk around me awkwardly. Fuck.
Okay, I’ll admit I’m a little nervous about this reunion, especially since I haven’t seen my parents for over a year.
Our last in-person meeting was a volatile one, after all, but with Gemma at my side, I find I’m a lot more chill than I might have been otherwise.
With renewed resolve, I study the illuminated placards flashing above each nook and guide us in the direction of nook 12-C, which my parents apparently reserved for us all.
I’m kind of touched that they’re taking this so seriously and wanted us to have a private and soothing setting for our reunion.
As we arrive in front of our designated nook, the unusual curtains over the entrance part and flutter open without being touched or prompted.
Spooky but also super cool. The space inside the nook is quaint and cozy.
Not fully knowing what to expect, we join my parents who are seated on one side of the booth-like setup.
Each bench, pressed up against the angled stone wall, is adorned with an array of plush, colorful pillows.
Soft, soothing music floats through the air, coming from some indiscernible source, as Gemma and I scoot into the opposite side of the booth, reconfiguring the pillows for our greatest comfort. Leaning back against the wall, I’m surprised to find it’s warm to the touch.
“Wicked,” Gemma says, touching the wall appreciatively.
I tilt my head back and stare up at the ceiling, which has been digitally altered to reflect a stunning scenescape of a nebula swirling with soft pink, blue, and violet gases and dotted with twinkling stars.
It’s no nebula I’ve ever seen, and perhaps only a fictional embellishment, but it is beautiful.
I reach a tentacle out to gently cup Gemma’s chin and tilt her head back so she can see it too. When she gasps with delight and clutches my arm with more sweet boobage action pressing into me—thank you, universe!—my free tentacles flail with joyful abandon.
Inhaling the fresh scent in the air, I notice an incense dispenser on the wall at the far end of the booth that’s letting out a faint wisp of smoke.
It smells of fragrant spices, citrus, and a tang of salty ocean breeze.
Clean and comforting. This place really goes all out to set the atmosphere, that’s for sure.
We’re startled when our curtain parts again and in floats a glowing jellyfish-like creature that treads the air as if it was water.
Gemma points a shaking finger at it. “What the everloving fuck is that?”
Like a doofus, all I can do is shrug.
My mother holds up her hand to stave off her alarm.
“It’s all right. This is a harmony jelly concierge, and it’s provided as part of the service here.
” Her cheeks flush with embarrassment. “It’s an unofficial mediator to get the conversation going and keep us moving in a positive direction.
I hope you don’t mind. I promise it’s perfectly safe. ”
Gemma holds a relieved hand over her chest. “Phew! There are quite a few jellyfish on Earth that are poisonous, and some that are fatal to anyone who’s injected with their venom.” She shudders. “My brother could give you a whole dissertation on the different types, I’m sure.”
“He’s the veterinarian?” my mom asks.
“Yep. The more exotic the creature the bigger his excitement is and the more he wants to learn everything about it.”
I scrutinize the floating jelly creature. Its body is about twice the size of my head and has trailing translucent tendril appendages—a different kind of tentacle than mine, but still pretty nifty.
I see you, my friend. Kinship among the many appendaged!
As I watch, said tentacles on our concierge start to pulse with internal light that shifts from one color to the next.
Okay, now you’re being a total showoff. And dammit, but I wish my tentacles could glow too.
Our harmony jelly concierge remains oblivious to my thoughts and drifts through the air with an air of total ease.
“Not gonna lie,” Gemma whispers, “that’s pretty trippy, but also super fucking cool.”
Yep, totally envious about the whole glowing ability.
My father clears his throat. “Ahem. I apologize for the late introduction. It’s wonderful to meet you in person, Dr. Taylor—”
“As I said last time, please call me Gemma,” she interjects with a warm, friendly smile.
He nods. “Gemma, I am Olaris.”
My mom chimes in. “And I am Kaelith, but feel free to call me Kae.”
Gemma reaches out and shakes their hands with that honest directness that’s just her way—and I fucking love it.
All three of my hearts warm at the sight.
Suddenly, our little concierge starts making soft, almost chiming tones as it lights up even more colorfully.
You big showboat!
Wide-eyed, Gemma points at floating bubble-text projections flowing out of one of the creature’s glowing limbs.
A computerized voice that seems to be coming from the jelly intones: Welcome to the Conversation Nook District’s nook C-12.
I’m your communication concierge, Chlyra.
Nooks like ours are ideal for important relationship recalibrations, genealogical reunions, emotional decompression, and the occasional healthy dose of conversational catharsis.
I’m here to help facilitate that process.
“Dude, I know I’ve said it already, but Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore,” Gemma whispers to herself.
Note to self: have a Wizard of Oz date night with Gemma!
One of my tentacles gets to work stroking her back in soothing motions.
No doubt this is a mind-blowingly bizarre experience for an Earthling, but I’m so proud of her.
She’s been taking most things in stride and adapting like a fucking pro.
That’s partly why I know we can make our relationship work for the long term.
Not every human could easily adapt to a situation like this without losing their ever-loving mind.
The welcome text bubble fades away to be quickly replaced with a new one, accompanied by a chiming sound. Then the computerized voice vocalizes the text aloud once again.
Let us review the Rules of Engagement before we begin!