Chapter Five #3
Her guards were amused, and they surrounded them both. Vress’s guard returned from the registration, and when Vress paid for the meal, without letting go of her, he carried her through the station with long strides that her guard was glad to use finally.
She waved at a few familiar faces, and grins were seen across the station as they walked. She asked, “If any want to come with us who aren’t taken, can they?”
“Yes, I will purchase their bonds, Aubrey.”
“Cool. Are you in need of any skill sets?”
“Analysts are always in need, but we have a thriving jewellery trade, so we require everyone from cleaners to administrators, or even artisans if she has those skills.”
“Nice. I am going to check through some of the ladies before we get there.”
“We will be there in three minutes.”
“I know.”
She grinned, and her fingers flew over the tablet, pulling up four additional ladies who wanted to work for a living. “I have four plus Alyssa.”
“Five is reasonable. If you have their sizes, we can start with ship clothing for them.”
She sighed. “Nope. I will have to find something for them here.”
“Don’t. The textiles are much better at home.”
“Okay. I will let them know that they can use a fabricator on the ship and nicer stuff at home. Take it out of my extra funds.”
He chuckled. “I now see why you wanted extra funds. These are crafts?”
“Funny. I didn’t think you would be funny.”
“I am a Hmrain of mystery.”
She giggled and had a thought. “Is Aten on the way home?”
“It’s a few days of diversion. Why?”
“I have a list of colonists on Aten, and I am going to cross-reference them with the ladies here.”
“Why not the males?”
“Because I despise two of them and don’t want to go into the male space to make the offer. The family groupings are housed separately.”
“Do you want to take any of those?”
“I don’t know them. I am sticking to people I think of as friends. If you want to get any for colonization purposes later, that is up to you.”
“Thank you for allowing me some decisions.” He laughed.
She checked the icon outside of the classroom and said, “Lord Vress, would you put me down? They will think I have injured myself.”
He looked at her. “No. I am enjoying this.”
She sighed and knocked on the door. An instructor came out, saw her and the Hmrain holding her, and said, “Oracle, Overseer.”
“Overlord.” Aubrey corrected for her. “I need to speak to Alyssa and a few others.”
“Do you want them to come out here?”
Aubrey looked around. “Bring them to the seating area around the corner. It will be better than disrupting the class.” She rattled off the names. Elly, Priya, Whisper, and Candy.
She gestured to the spot. “Thataway.”
Vress laughed and carried her to the spot.
The guards surrounded them and kept them safe. There was seating for the five ladies, and Vress sat on a backless seat.
“You must have back muscles of steel,” she murmured while they waited.
He laughed. “You will get to explore all you like.”
She blushed again. The ladies came in, paused when they saw Vress and slowly settled where the instructor ordered them to sit.
Aubrey looked at Vress. “Did you want to do this?”
“I don’t know which is which, so I will correct you if necessary.”
Aubrey smiled. “I have seen Alyssa’s match, and he is on Overlord Vress’s ship.”
Vress added, “He’s a lieutenant, well respected.”
“His skin is soft lavender, and he has this neat, feathery hair. I see you two together, partially on the ship and partially at home with family. He has a lot of family.”
Alyssa blinked. “Can I see him?”
“Oh, sure.” She brought up the image and turned the tablet. “That’s him.”
“So, I have to...“
“Oh, no. You just have to be open to the possibility. The Hmrain are different than the other species. You actually get a proper courtship.”
Alyssa smiled. “Oh. So I can come with you?”
Vress nodded. “Yes.”
Aubrey looked at the other four. “Now, for you four, I haven’t seen matches yet, but if you want to figure out an occupation and work on Vress’s world, you can start over.
Each of you has the potential to do whatever you are suited for, no matter how artistic or flaky.
This is a new start, and human social rules are out the window. ”
Vress began to describe the possibilities and the focus of his world. Wearable art was their chosen export, and while they grew their own food, everyone had an artistic leaning.
The ladies looked at each other and asked if they could have five minutes to discuss it.
Aubrey nodded. “Yup, get up and go. Alyssa can stay.”
She got looks and said, “You do not ask a Hmrain to make himself scarce.”
The ladies blinked and realized what they had done. They got up and left with the instructor. When they came back, they were all determined. “We will come.”
The instructor nodded and got contract tablets for everyone. She was shocked when it was Aubrey who bound them to her. When Aubrey was done, her guard handed her the jewel box.
Vress had come into the station with two guards and himself. He was leaving with two guards, a wardrobe, a bondmate, a bondwoman for one of his crewmen, and four random bondwomen. His shopping was very efficient.