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“The water’s lovely. How come you didn't tell me earlier?”

“You look peaceful. I didn’t want to disturb you. When we first met it was rare you had a look of serenity on your face. Now, I’m happy to report, it’s much more common.”

“Maklr,” a jovial voice called out.

Nell looked at Maklr. “I know I said I wanted it like the first day, but did he have to be here?”

“I didn’t communicate with him,” Maklr protested. “I’ve been with you the entire time. When would I have had a chance?”

“Hello, Nell,” Philtan greeted her. He had a different woman on his arm.

“I’m Jessie,” she said. “Human or Sudabian?” she asked.

“Human,” Nell answered.

“It’s hard to tell sometimes.”

Phil smiled at Jessie. “It’s why I wanted to clarify a few times with you.”

Nell sidled up to Maklr’s side, finding comfort in his arms. “Are you two together?” Jessie asked, eyes narrowing at them.

“Yes,” Maklr said.

“Cool.” Jessie turned and pulled something out of her bag, inflating it.

“Do you want to have a friendly competition?” Phil asked.

“What kind?” Maklr asked.

“I replicated a beach ball. Jessie told me about a human game where girlfriends sit on top of their boyfriend’s shoulders and they hit the ball back and forth. The first to fall in the water loses.” Philtan looked at them expectantly.

“I don’t know,” Maklr said. “We were just floating and relaxing.”

“Why not? It sounds like fun,” Nell said.

“No hard feelings?” Philtan asked.

Nell extended her hand to Phil. “None.”

Phil bent under the water, submerging himself to his neck. Jessie climbed onto his back, using his horns as handles.

“I’m not as big as Phil. I can’t do that,” Maklr said. He placed Nell up on the ledge and turned his back so Nell could climb on. “Drop your calves over my shoulders.” Nell obliged. Maklr stood,lifting Nell onto his back. He walked to the center of the pool. “How does this game work?” he asked Jessie.

Jessie sat straight and threw the ball toward Nell.

Nell leaned forward and spiked the ball back in Phil’s and Jessie’s direction. Jessie stretched her arm, hitting it back in Nell and Maklr’s direction. Nell nudged Maklr with her knee.

“Let’s go. We can beat them,” she said, a competitive edge in her voice.

Maklr patted her thigh. “That’s my girl.” They volleyed the ball back and forth multiple times, laughter filling the air.

Nell leaned forward. Maklr’s damp mohawk dripped water between her breasts. She smacked the ball with all her might. It bounced off Jessie’s forehead and into the water. She slid to the side, her knee hitting Philtan in the temple. Philtan lost his balance, and they toppled in. They emerged spluttering. “Good game. You win.”

Maklr lifted Nell, kissing her solidly.

“Phil,” Jessie complained. “I don’t like to lose.”

“Neither do I,” Phil replied. “Should we try again?”