Chapter 9
Trove
Tsik-Voll Station was a large, busy space station.
While nothing thrilling or exciting or designed to draw in crowds, it was a great waystation for starships going about their lives.
From companies like his who made frequent stops as needed, to transportation ships that made scheduled stops between various stations and planets – it welcomed everyone.
It wasn’t the kind of place the wealthy would ever come, as it was more for the common person, but for those that did come, they’d find everything they might possibly need during a long trip or recovering from a long trip.
The Vainglory attached easily and perfectly to the long docking tunnel.
They were a bit cautious, since it was the first time they had done so, and there was always a risk when dealing with openings into the void.
But it turned out to be a nonissue and went even smoother than the Humility had ever managed.
Quite easily, they were hooked onto the station.
Everyone gathered in the storage bay, waiting for their orders before they went aboard.
They were going to be staying for a few days, enjoying proper, modern amenities after so long trapped on that recycling planet. They were free to do whatever they wished with their leave time, but they still needed to complete their duties, including getting supplies for the ship.
“Vytln and Haven, you two already know what you need. You’re free to go,” Tanin said, indicating to them first.
Vytln nodded and Haven, hopping with excitement, pulled on his arm to drag him out. They knew better than anyone whatever tech, parts, or supplies they’d need. They went off together, Haven beaming happily.
“Sorbet, Tebros,” Tanin looked at them next. “You two are in charge of munitions. Trove already gave you a list, correct?”
“This morning,” Sorbet said.
Trove was in charge of munitions, sure. But the twins actually had better connections for getting the weapons they’d need installed on the Vainglory. Therefore, they would be in charge of actually procuring those things. Trove would help with the installation and calibration later.
“Sway, Grace. You two are getting supplies. I sent you the list already,” Tanin continued, sending them out one at a time. “Rok, you’re getting food supplies.”
“Aye, captain,” Rok grinned before leaving.
Finally, Tanin looked at Trove, and he realized, too late, that Chee was also there. That Tanin had summoned her there as he planned on sending her out as well.
“You two are in charge of getting whatever we need for the rec room and gym. Garnet and I will handle everything else.”
Chee, still standing far from Trove, made a face. “Can’t I just stay here? I’m sure Alred will watch me while everyone else is gone.”
“Nope,” Garnet declared, smiling, leaving no doubt who had made Tanin issue that order. “You should go together. Alred has his own job and updates to install. You should follow Trove.”
It was a thin excuse to get them together.
Even Trove could see it. And he fully expected Chee to protest. He was going to agree with her as well.
As much as he wanted to be around her, to learn more of her, to go off with her, he wouldn’t force his presence on her.
Especially not after deliberately behaving in a way he knew she wouldn’t like.
By offering her meaningless pleasure, he knew she would be driven from him.
He’d done it purposefully, and it worked.
He was even glad that he had gained that distance, as much as it hurt.
She was too proper of a female, too expectant, to accept such shallow affections from her mate.
Which was why he was surprised when, with a long sigh of defeat, Chee said-
“Fine. Let’s go, Trove.”
“Have fun,” Garnet said from behind them, waving the two of them off as Trove followed her out the second loading door, into the docking tunnel.
The long, flexible tunnel was used to connect ships indirectly to the station.
Using the tunnels allowed the station to connect more ships at once, since they didn’t need to fight for space.
The dock entrances could be placed close together and the tunnels stretched and manipulated in whatever direction necessary to reach the ship.
The gravity within the tunnels was often lower, allowing people to hop and partially float through as they made their way along through the various turns and drops towards the docking exit.
Trove was surprised by how well Chee handled the lower gravity. She moved within zero-gravity like she had been born to it. Easy and comfortable and quick. He had to work harder to keep up with her than he typically did with his human sisters.
When they came out onto the busy streets of Tsik-Voll, Chee turned and faced him expectantly. Once again, she was wearing baggy clothing that did nothing to flatter the large curve of her hips or brighten the color of her hair. She didn’t even offer him a smile.
So how was it that she was still the loveliest creature he had ever seen?
“Where are we going first?” She asked, not at all protesting about the assignment that, by all rights, she was not expected to fulfill.
“I have a list of things everyone wants,” he said. “But you know, you really don’t have to help me.”
She shrugged. “I’m here.”
“I also need to go shopping for myself. I don’t have any clothes besides these jumpsuits. And I need various supplies and toiletries… I’m really starting from nothing here. I’m sure that’s not something you want to be involved with.”
She waved away his concern. “It’s fine.”
Trove frowned. “Chee, I know you didn’t actually want to be here. Garnet made you.”
“True. But I don’t mind.” She shrugged. “They’re looking out for you. At least if I go along with this, I can tell everyone that I tried. So, let’s go. What are we getting first?”
Trove wanted to insist that she stay. Or, if she was determined not to go back to the ship, to let him get her an inn room for her to stay at instead. A place where she could just relax and wait until they took off again. Away from him.
But he wasn’t strong enough to force her away. That’s why he was relying on her to do it for him. For her to not like him and put distance between them. Her agreement, even while not altogether enthusiastic, was still not strong enough for him to deny her.
They were just shopping, after all. And maybe she would see while they were together that he really wasn’t a good enough mate for her.
He was trapped; she wasn’t. He could help her by getting her away.
Aside from weapons, Trove did tend to help with relaxation and fun.
He’d been the one to get them workout equipment before, as well as the small, artificial shooting range – mostly so he could practice, but the others certainly used it enough.
He kept the bar stocked, he got them a holoscreen for watching vids and listening to music, he kept them supplied with games.
Trove wanted to enjoy their new life, and he knew he made the right decision in obtaining those things when his brothers used them as well.
Their lives were all about surviving. Getting out of Rik-Vane had been a daily, constant struggle. But by bringing those little things into it now that they were free, he felt like maybe they were also doing a little living too.
All of what he got before, however, was broken and destroyed when their last ship had blown up and there had been, unfortunately, nothing salvageable among the wreckage.
But by going with Chee, he was able to look around and start buying replacements.
It would take a while to replace it all, but they could at least get started.
Proper gym equipment was vital. It was a good way to keep them strong and burn their energy, but he was also able to get stuff that his sisters could use as well.
Physical activity was important, especially when living on a starship, a place with finite space.
It was easy to not move as much as necessary to keep themselves healthy.
In that way, having Chee was very helpful.
He was able to get her opinion on the equipment that would be best for them.
After that, he started looking for recreation.
A new holoscreen, a new bar, a few bottles of liquor, some games.
And, again, having Chee there made it easier to figure out what might be better for his human crewmates.
Or maybe it was just nice to be with her.
Chee, though she didn’t consider herself part of the crew, took the question of what to buy and what the other females might like very seriously.
She was conscious of others, very thoughtful.
She considered things he hadn’t. Things like how the females often liked working out together, or getting them rugs for stretching on, or padding for their hands when it came to the weights.
“You’re very good at thinking of others,” Trove remarked as they walked through the shopping district. All the things he had bought for the ship would be delivered for him, so he didn’t need to rent a hover cart to haul it around.
Now, they were focusing on buying his closet.
He would be glad not to be in these ugly jumpsuits any longer.
Not only did he not enjoy having his skin and hair being that bright, horrendous color, but the material itself was uncomfortable.
It was designed to fit as many body types as possible with few alterations, which meant it fit none of them well.
“Thanks,” Chee said in response to his comment. “I had plenty of practice at my old job. Event coordination is all about considering what other people would want, even if you personally think its wasteful or stupid.”
He hummed in understanding, just enjoying the sight of her face.
After the long shopping trip, she had started to relax around him.
She wasn’t full on smiling, but there was a slight upturn in her lips.
She was looking around, curious and excited, and he reminded himself that, despite how understated her reaction was, this was all still new to her.
He liked her relaxed and at ease around him. It wasn’t quite as good as her ecstasy but considering that he had only seen that in his imagination, he was content with what he had now.
Maybe he could be her friend.
There was no rule or law that stated mates must be romantically entangled.
Sure, that’s how most of the bonds presented, but it didn’t mean it had to be that way.
He could be her friend. He didn’t even mind tending to her pleasure as she desired.
He couldn’t offer her a full matehood, but that was no reason they couldn’t be close still.
Yes, he liked that idea. It would solve the need of his to have her near, it would offer her something, the best he could give her, but keep her free from him.
They’d be mates, but friends only. He would give her that.
And if that was his goal…
“We should find you some clothes as well,” he said, looking up the street, trying to find a clothing store that would sell things more for her body type and style.
“Huh? Me?” She started in surprise. “Oh, I don’t need anything. I brought enough with me.”
“You’ve been wearing the same sweater for days.”
She made a face, fiddling with the hem of said sweater. “It’s comfortable. I like it.”
“What do you like about it?” He looked the garment up and down.
Beige, shapeless, and uninteresting – softness was probably the only thing it had going for it.
But maybe that was her only consideration in clothing.
But if that were the case, he could certainly find her something equally soft but far more flattering to her figure.
However, she plucked at it. “This? It’s comfy, I guess. Not really that cute, but… eh, it is what it is.”
“You don’t like it?”
“I don’t dislike it.”
“Then, why do you wear it?”
“It fits?” She shrugged.
He frowned. “That’s it?”
“What more do you need from clothes?” She asked, but her gaze was cast aside. Not like she really believed in what she was saying, but like she was saying something she wanted him to think she believed.
Trove knew females. He practically made a study of them. He knew their strengths and insecurities. He easily recognized one afflicted with self-consciousness and lack of confidence.
His fingers twitched.
He could fix this. He could fix this right away.
Forcing himself not to react, to remain calm, he asked casually, “What’s wrong with something prettier? I think anything would look good on you.”
She scoffed playfully and said, “With these hips? Yeah right.”
Ding. There it was. Those heavily curved hips that he enjoyed tracking his eyes over were a source of discomfort for her. And judging by the way she chose to try wearing baggy clothing to hide them, he imagined they were because she didn’t know how to dress them.
Beaming, he grabbed her wrist. “Yes, with those hips. Come on! I know exactly what to put you in.”
“Huh?”
Unprepared for him to suddenly pull on her, she didn’t dig her feet in or attempt to stop him until he was already bringing her into a clothing store. This one had some lovely fashions, and he knew they would look good on her.
“Trove, wait, what are you doing?” Chee pulled back against him.
He let her go, but it was too late, she was already in the shop, and he was browsing through the consoles, looking at the designs.
With her bright hair and light skin, she’d look incredible in dark and bold colors. There was enough orange in her hair that she’d look great in pink as well. But yellow would absolutely wash her skin tone out. In that case-
“Trove. What are you doing?” Chee asked again, confused and uncomfortable, switching her weight between her feet, looking over his shoulder at what he was shopping for. “Those aren’t male clothes.”
“No. These are for you,” he chuckled, making a few selections.