Chapter 21
Holly
She had a date!
Holly was humming to herself happily as she looked through her closet, trying to pick out a good date outfit.
She had done her research on the Seven Victories Festival so she wouldn’t under- or overdress or accidentally wear the wrong color or style or something.
There were traditional clothes, but they were worn almost exclusively by warriors.
The Seven Victories Festival could also serve to give thanks to those who fought in wars to protect Turv or serve its allies in the greater universe.
Like Christmas mixed with Veterans Day mixed with Victory Day.
For everyone else, anything went clothes wise. It really depended on the party you were going to or if you were going to one of the many street festivals or what. Which meant that she had free reign to choose whatever she wanted.
“What about this pink one?” Hattie asked, drawing her attention to one of her longer dresses – like a maxi dress that showed off her shape and came with complicated straps over the neck. It was more revealing than she normally wore, but it was still floor length.
“That’s really cute,” she said, crossing her closet to look at it.
Hattie grinned. “Yeah. Pink seems to be his favorite color, so I figured he’d appreciate it.”
Hearing that, Holly blushed the very pink in question. Romival’s wardrobe had changed to feature the pink of her blush quite quickly. He didn’t wear it every day, but he did obviously favor it. If she showed up wearing that pink, would he appreciate it? Or would that be too much pink?
“Here,” Hattie pushed it on her. “I’m going to check out the shoe situation. And I think that new scarf of mine would look great over your hair with that.”
Holly held the dress up to herself, swishing the skirt as she grinned while imagining how Romival would look at her when she was all dressed up.
It was early morning, and the girls were all dressed up and ready to go.
Atem was taking them out like a big family trip.
They were dressed in more casual clothes.
Atem would be wearing traditional warrior clothes – dark gray and purple to blend into the forest. It was what warriors used to wear long before camocloth had been invented.
They would all be leaving together, but Holly was waiting for Romival.
He had already messaged her this morning, telling her exactly what time to expect him.
He wasn’t a warrior, so there was no traditional garb for him, but he did have some duties to see to for the festival activities being held at the academy.
That was where he was taking her, while everyone else was going into the city.
The academy celebration was mainly being put on by the various student associations, intended for students and staff, but everyone was welcome. As Romival said, the celebration was about coming together, not making parties exclusive.
Atem was already out in the common area with Peony, waiting for the others.
Or, at least, pretending to at any rate.
Everyone was dressed except for Holly, and he was making no efforts to leave despite knowing that she intended to go with Romival.
She had a feeling that he was actually waiting for him.
Like a teenage daughter’s dad on date night.
Holly wasn’t sure how she was supposed to feel about that yet.
On one hand, it was nice having someone look out for her.
On the other, she was an adult and could date anyone she wanted.
She didn't need her adopted brother/king’s permission.
But she was also on an alien planet, so she didn't want to say anything until she was sure he was just being silly and there wasn’t more going on.
As Hattie was picking through her shoes and jewelry, Holly dropped her robe so she could pull the dress over her head.
It didn't have a seal on the back, it just stretched, making it one of the simpler dresses she owned.
Because of that, it didn't mold to her body and there was a bit more give to the fabric as it swirled around her. And since it couldn’t tighten itself her shape, she had to actually wear a bra.
The white, strapless fabric was completely seamless against her skin, felt like air, had great support, and had to be specially ordered.
The only time domini females had appreciable breasts was when they were nursing.
So, bras existed, but they were more for support and comfort when the breasts were full for the first time.
Emphasis was on comfort over the support because domini females didn't worry about the sag factor since they didn't leave their nest until after they finished nursing, so no one saw them. But they did have worse tenderness in their breasts when nursing since they weren’t used to having them and they had to expand so much. At least humans got to skip that part.
To get bras for themselves, they had to ask Tilii to help them contact a maternity wear company and special order them.
Bonus: they got them in whatever size, color, and style they wanted and, for what they were paying and just for the prestige of serving them exclusively, they got to have them completely customized and tailored however they liked.
Tailor made and fitted bras with perfect support and comfort and no lines. The universe truly was a wonderful place.
Holly admired her reflection as she twisted in the mirror. The dress wasn’t tight, but it did fit her form at the top before becoming a long, loosely fitted skirt. It even had a slit up the side, which she had not noticed before. It went up pretty high.
Before she could bring up that concern, however, Hattie was back. She had a pretty pair of strappy sandals decorated with quartz stones, that she dropped at her feet. Matching rough quartz jewelry filled her hands.
“These and these and let me get that scarf because it’s adorbz.”
“Did you just say ‘adorbz’?” Holly asked, laughing as Hattie rushed from the room.
She continued to hesitate for a moment before leaning down to slip her feet in the sandals and pressing the seal at the ankle that molded the straps to her calves, all the way up to her knees. Like gladiator sandals, but with sweeping arcs like sunbursts instead of straight lines.
She blew out a breath as she stood straight. When she was still, the slit was completely hidden, but it would reveal her leg with every step. Maybe she should-
“Okay, sit down,” Hattie ordered as she ran back in, a purple and pink partially sheer scarf in hands. “I’m going to wrap it over your head like this then braid it into your hair. It’s going to be so cute and bohemian, trust me.”
“Do you think he’ll like bohemian?” Holly asked as Hattie began pulling her fingers through her hair, deliberately trying for that artfully messy look.
“He’s into Earth girls. He’ll definitely like Earth girl fashion. Don’t even worry about-” Hattie’s voice cut off as her stomach gave a loud, rumbling growl.
Holly laughed. “You hungry?”
Hattie, cheeks a bit pink, laughed off the question. “No, I just ate. Don’t know why it’s acting up like that. Hold still, I’m trying to braid this.”
Holly obligingly quit moving as Hattie braided her hair over one shoulder, ending it with a cute little bow with what remained of the scarf, which was just a bit longer than her hair, so it dangled down with a splash of color.
With the sandals and the rough quartz, she really did look very relaxed and bohemian. As Holly admired herself, she couldn’t help but smile.
“Hattie, how do you always know how to make me look good?”
Her friend grinned, tossing back her long hair. “It’s a skill and a gift. Now, come on, hurry. I want to make your face pretty and we’re almost out of time.”
The makeup on Turv was a bit weird. Because their skin adapted to any color put on it, especially on the face, they couldn’t use what Holly typically thought of as makeup.
What they had was thick and deeply pigmented, more like acrylic paint, because it was specially formulated to not activate the chromatophore cells that changed their skin color.
So, most subtle looks were right out – no natural look, smokey eye, nothing like that.
They also tended to do more of a war paint thing, with one long stretch of color across both eyes or stripes or other marks on the cheeks, over the lips. It was a very raw, cool kind of look.
And it did not at all go with the bohemian vibe she had going. So, instead, Hattie just darkened her lashes and added a bit of pink to her lips. It was all she could do since their makeup didn't blend or enhance without being obvious.
“There.” Hattie leaned back from where she sat on her bed with a big grin. “You’re perfect and beautiful. Romival is going to die.”
Holly beamed. “Yeah? It’s good?”
“Great, babe! Come on. Let’s go.” Hattie took her hand and pulled her forward, out of her bedroom and into the common area where the others were waiting.
Immediately, the other girls exclaimed how pretty she looked and complemented Hattie on a job well done. Atem, however, stood and looked her over with a frown that made her worried.
“No good?” She asked, her hands bunching in the skirt.
“You look wonderful,” he assured her, still frowning. “I just don’t like that you and Romival were meeting without my knowledge. How am I supposed to protect you if I don’t know these things?”
“Atem, I can take care of myself.”
He looked disturbed. She frowned at his clear discomfort.
Alanna came to their rescue. Stepping between them, she addressed Atem.
“Humans don’t tend to introduce potential mates to friends and family immediately.
Especially family. Introducing someone to your family is kind of a big deal and it means the relationship is serious.
” She turned to Holly. “Atem is our brother and guardian. It’s his job to protect us.
Among their people, they let their guardians know immediately if someone is courting them so they can protect them.
It’s why Romival has to fight him if he wants to claim you.
It’s not a sign that things are serious.
It’s a matter of trusting Atem as your family. ”
“Oh,” she said as Atem looked thoughtful. It was a culture thing. She offered him a smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel like I didn’t trust you.”
A relieved smile stretched over his face. “I was afraid. I knew that you were uncomfortable here. It was quite distressing to think you were so uncomfortable you couldn’t even trust me enough to tell me.”
“No, nothing like that. And I’m not uncomfortable, really. It’s just not something I would ever think about as a human. Not this early, anyway.”
He grunted in acknowledgment. “That explains why vi Seerin was so flippant about it when I expressed my concerns to her.”
Peony grimaced, sliding into his side, putting her arms around him. “I’m sorry. I thought you were just being overprotective. I didn't realize it was an actual thing.”
“I’m sorry, too,” Holly repeated. “I didn't mean to make you feel bad.”
He reached out the hand that wasn’t around Peony and put it on her shoulder. “I am glad it was just a misunderstanding.”
He hesitated, looking around at all of them.
One arm still around Peony, the other still grabbing Holly’s shoulder.
“You all are my sisters, and I love you dearly. It is my privilege as your nearest, strongest family member to act as your guardian. Even if someone just remarks that they find you beautiful, it’s not too little to tell me about it.
You’re free to mate anyone or no one as you please.
I’m not going to interfere for better or worse.
Just, please, tell me. Even if they are alien.
Even if they are another human. It’s my right to protect you and I don’t wish to lose that. ”
“Promise, big guy,” Alanna said immediately, smiling.
“I promise, too,” Scarlet agreed, more formally, with a look in her eyes that said she definitely didn't expect it to happen, but she would go along to make him happy.
Hattie just nodded, a sad smile on her face.
Atem grinned over all of them, pleased, before focusing back on Holly. “And you. Since Romival is courting you, it’s your right to tell me if he does anything you don’t like. If he hurts you or makes you unhappy or anything. Let me know and I get to beat a lesson into him.”
Holly couldn’t help herself, she laughed.
“Out of curiosity,” Scarlet started slowly, “if Romival does challenge you for her, we all know he can’t actually take you in a fight. Does he not get her if he can’t do it?”
“Nothing like that,” Atem assured her before speaking directly to Holly. “I mean, that’s how it used to be done. How our ancient ancestors would have done it. But that isn’t how it's been for centuries. Regardless of if he beats me or not-”
“We all know he can’t,” Holly laughed.
“-the point is how hard he was willing to fight for you. If he gives it his all, if he truly desires you so much that he will do everything possible to win a hopeless battle, then regardless of who is victorious, he will have proven himself to me.”
“Little known downside of being sister to the best warrior on the planet,” Alanna snickered.
Atem smirked, holding his head high. “I will not release any of you, my sisters, for anything less than what you deserve. And Holly, if he comes to me asking for you, I want to know that it’s something you approved of as well. So, tell me. All of you, tell me. All right?”
They all assured him again that they would, and he seemed to relax. Holly felt bad. She didn't realize it was going to be such a big deal for him.
But alien planet, alien customs and all that.
That misunderstanding out of the way, Holly was about to tell them that they could go on without her when the door finally chimed, alerting them of a visitor.
No one needed to ask for identification and Atem didn't need permission to go answer it, a hard scowl on his face as he flexed his bared arms and chest – a legitimately intimidating sight.
But Holly wasn’t annoyed that he was doing it. It was part of domini culture. And it felt like she was back among her younger brothers again.
For the first time since landing here, it really felt like home.