Page 12 of Ava Stargazer (Planet Xai #2)

“The men have left, Ava. Come stay with us awhile!” Sai yelled while knocking on Vox’s door.

Oh. Ava sat up, startled. She had been looking at the tablet that she held in her hand and was deep in thought when she heard the door handle rattle.

Another knock happened again, a bit more insistent, followed by Sai’s voice. “I know you’re in there. I can feel you.”

Ava got up from the table, a smile on her face as she put the tablet down and stood. “Give me a minute. Annoying mind reader.”

“I heard that. Open up, Ava. All the women are waiting to meet you today. We won’t bite you.”

Ava opened the wooden door slowly, creaking on its hinges, and gave a mock frown to contrast with Sai’s friendly face. “Are you sure? I’ve seen how sharp your teeth are.”

Sai broke into an oversized smile, stretching her blue lips so her teeth were on display. The door opened further, revealing Bria and Ixxi behind. Ava smiled at them; she hadn't seen Ixxi since coming back to Xai. Ava’s eyes quickly assessed her. She looks so much brighter.

Ixxi mutely glowed and said aloud, “I feel brighter. I missed you.”

In response Ava leaned forward to give her a hug, pulling Ixxi into the house. She let go a second later and stood, uncertain, happiness gone as fast as it came. I’m still nervous. These women were fine. They were family. But a large group? Especially after the quorum visit?

Ixxi impatiently took her hand and tugged. “It won’t be like the quorum visit. They are all excited to meet you. Come. Come.”

Sai shook her head and grabbed Ava’s other hand. “I’m not going to let you close yourself up here alone. Vox even asked me to keep you company. All the women are cooking today, you will love it.”

Ava glanced at the tablet on the table next to the door. It was the first time she had put it down all day. She had been holding it as a lifeline ever since she said goodbye to Vox.

Sai and the others’ visit was not unexpected. Vox had told her they would come. Both to check in on her, and also to invite her to the women’s communal housing. He’d left a phaser with her at her insistence, but had told her again Xai was safe and it was not needed. Large beasts did dwell in Xai’s deep forests, but never came near their civilization.

Sai and the other two looked at her expectantly.

Ava looked between all their eyes, unsure, as she shuffled her feet. Vox’s words about how no one could force her to do anything came back to her, echoing in her mind. “You’re really pushy, you know that?” Ava couldn’t keep a stern look though, and hid her grin behind her hand.

Sai just chuckled. “I’m not forcing you, I’m encouraging you. For your own good. There’s a difference.”

“Please,” said Bria, her eyes also much less haunted now that she was home.

The “please” broke the last remainder of Ava’s unease. It was like on the ship, when Vox said please to her for the first time when he asked to see her face while she was disguised as a Vali. Bria’s please had the same effect.

Sai squeezed her hand and looked at her eagerly.

Bria smiled wide. “It will be fine, Ava. I know you are scared. But you will see.”

Ava looked at her ship, and Vox’s home behind her. Yes, it’s that obvious, huh. “Alright. But I don’t know about staying there with the women the entire time.”

The three Vorbax women glowed in excitement, a more muted color than the males.

Bria jumped up and down, “We will bring you back afterward.”

Sai grabbed her hand and dragged her out so fast Ava almost missed grabbing her hat on the peg next to the door.

The three of them got on a cart that was pulled by Sai’s shaggy coar. Her coar, named Cam, was even bigger than Erox’s, and it was hitched up to the wagon, the lead lines wound around its shaggy head. Sai gestured to Ava to get in as well.

It was about half and half right now for who was still using carts with the coars and who, like Vox, had upgraded to a more modern hover to travel faster if he was in a hurry. To get to the main area where most of the Vorbax lived was a long walk without the carriage, but still manageable. The main part of the city was condensed around a large lake in the middle, much bigger than the small one Vox shared with Erox.

Ava climbed into the cart and sat next to Bria on the second row of seats.

Sai sat up front and clicked to the fuzzy coar. “Go, Cam-cam.” The coar walked forward until it went into a steady trot, its large feet kicking up dirt clouds.

“Are all the women there now?” Ava asked, adjusting her hat so it sat low on her head to shield her eyes. Her arms didn’t seem to turn red and hurt as easily now and instead were a muted bronze color from the sun. She glanced down at them as the coar plodded along, skin no longer flaking. I like the color.

“Most, including Orla, even though she is in her fertility cycle. I’m glad her mind was relaxed enough for that to finally happen. She was so worried it wouldn’t ... after the Tuxa.”

“I'm glad for her.” Ava took a sip of water from a container in the cart. It’s already so hot, even though it is still morning. “Does everyone live close by?”

Sai shook her head while holding the reins. “Yes and no. The men like to spread out. The only way they can ignore each other’s thoughts is with enough distance. Families only live close, where it isn’t as much of an intrusion to be overheard. We used to be much further spread out but...” Her voice trailed off.

Bria finished for her, “After the Tuxa invaded we came together more to protect each other. It is not all the Vorbax women in general that are here today, just those that live in this sector.”

Hard to believe there's so many more that I never saw. “I don't know much about the war. Did the fighting last very long?”

“No, not really. But we were losing, badly, until our men learned to fight back with their minds. The Tuxa just were initially trying to wipe us all out to claim our planet.”

Ixxi spoke then. “They took us women before they left, on their way out after they were fought off.”

“Oh . . .” Ava didn't know what else to say, thinking of Earth and Humans not being able to repel their attack the same way.

Sai shook her head. “Enough about that. Look, down that road.”

Ava craned her neck to try to see down a road covered in forest.

Sai waved her hand at the pass. “That’s a big area of IO minerals.” She held up her hands, a few scratches on them. “I dug some out a few days ago to trade for some of the spices the Spry brought on their transport.”

Ava nodded, already knowing from when Vox pointed it out on their way into town, mentioning that he would take a turn himself there soon. Right now, he was not expected to join in gathering so soon after being in battle. Credits. I'll need some for Joy and the others. “Maybe I could as well someday. Once I finish sorting what the ship has.”

Sai shook her head. “Probably not. You need to be able to sense where they are. But if you want, we can work together. You can dig while I sense.”

Ava laughed. “That sounds like I get the raw end of the deal.”

Sai looked forward and clicked at Cam to move faster, as the coar had slowed down. “Only a little bit.”

They went a bit farther in the wagon before Ava turned to Sai. “How did you know I would agree to come this time?”

Sai smiled. “Because Vox is gone. You are lonely. Besides, you like having fun with us.”

Am I lonely? Ava grimaced and grudgingly agreed to herself that was true. She did miss Vox already. Her hands clenched, already feeling the absence of her tablet. She touched her arm with the tracker, feeling a bit more grounded with that. She was not lost.

“Yes,” Bria answered without speaking. “We could feel your loneliness before you even opened the door.”

Sai added smugly, “I also was not going to leave until you did.”

Ava wrinkled her nose at her. “Some friend you are.”

“Yes I am.” Sai attempted to wrinkle her nose back, but didn’t seem able to make the same movement. She ended up just crossing her eyes instead from the effort.

Ava laughed at the sight and crossed her eyes back at her. “Alright, you were right.”

Sai’s eyes returned to normal and she looked ahead, shifting on her seat. “Of course I am.”

Ava continued to grin, her jumpsuit already sticking to her with sweat as they traveled in the carriage in the hot sun. She took a sip of her water and looked forward. I can do this.

Ava hesitated walking in, letting Sai and the others take the lead. She followed a footstep later, her hands twisted in the sides of her jumpsuit. The building was constructed the same way the quorum hall was, around nature in the older, more rustic ways, using wood and stones. She was not expecting the colors, though. Immediately she was reminded of the solarium in the ship. She looked around, taking in the sight of an open garden full of flowers and lush greenery. It was almost a sensory overload to take in the scents and vibrant hues.

She glanced at the sides of the building, her eyes wide. The walls are even painted?

They were, with flower murals that covered the entirety of the sides, extending to the ceiling. She took one of her fingers and trailed it up a painted vine, textured on the wall. So beautiful.

The Vorbax women, all with slender blue frames and faces like Ava’s, grew quiet and turned toward her, noticing her presence. They shone a muted glow, much less vibrant than Vox’s.

This was the part Ava was wanting to avoid, and she wished she could shrink down small. There are so many of them here. She fidgeted and clasped her hands together instead, pressing them into the biologics, and prepared for her mind to feel overwhelmed with judgment.

It didn’t come. She exhaled out a moment later in relief. Oh. A big grin slid across her face. Even with the women staring as they rested on pillows throughout the room, she didn’t feel the same as she did meeting the quorum. The women’s mental energy altogether was nowhere near as pointed as the men’s had been. It felt soothing and friendly in comparison. Her shoulders sagged in relief, and she chided herself for being afraid. It’s okay. It’s really okay.

Ava looked around, more curious now than anything. Her eyes snagged on a few smaller forms that were slowly walking toward her. There’s even ... children? The children were miniatures of the adult Vorbax, but with larger eyes, and the golden lines intersecting over their bodies were not as prominent. It was also, even at a young age, easy to tell the difference between the sexes, with the males having a larger frame and more pronounced frills around their heads. The energy the few male children put off was not the same intensity as Vox or the other males, though. Maybe it takes a while for that to develop?

“Yes. The male children are welcome here until that happens,” Orla answered, coming up to Ava close enough to enclose her in her arms.

Ava flinched at the contact before hugging her back.

Aloud Orla said, with a wide smile showing her sharp teeth, “I'm so glad you're here. I would have come with you but Erox insisted on bringing me here before he left.”

Ava nodded, but her eyes were still on the children. “I’m glad I came too.”

She was strongly reminded of her younger sisters in the nursery, fresh in her mind after reading the Phor logs, or as fresh as any of her fuzzy memories could be. Maebel in particular, who had clung to Ava fiercely as if she were her own mama. Mae-mae.

Her thoughts, of course, were picked up by the women around them, and one of the women picked up a little female child and brought her closer to Ava. “She reminds you of someone?”

The little girl giggled and reached out to grab Ava’s hair from the woman’s arms. Ava watched, enamored by her excited expression. I bet my hair feels so different. Ava let her feel until she tugged hard, then gently detached her hand. That bit of pain brought her back, and she looked around the room again at the women.

The woman holding the child said out loud, a speculative look on her face, “You care like us.”

Ava felt a ripple of agreement roll through the crowd. It was easier then, as the women no longer pointed at her but resumed their conversations, not needing to really question her further and simply accepting her in their midst.

Just like Sai said they would. Ava chanced a glance back at Sai and received an elbow nudge and crossed eyes in return.

Orla patted her shoulder gently before tugging on her hand. “Come, let me show you around. It is good to have our place here away from the men.”

“I can see that,” Ava said absently, still looking around in wonder at the tall plants. Some of them even housed a few small birds in open cages on their limbs.

Sai added, skipping a step ahead, “The men are never allowed here.”

“Never?”

Sai looked back, “Right. Yes. This is our space.”

Ava looked, curious now about why the women met up, away from the men. “How often do the women stay here?”

Orla looked over her shoulder as she responded, “If they’re unmated and want out of their parents’ homes, some stay all the time. But most of us just come when the men are out, or if we need to connect on our level.” She pointed around. “Those that stay here long-term take care of this place as their own home.”

Sai leaned over and added in a conspiratorial voice, “We come when we need a break. Vorbax men can be a bit too intense sometimes. It is just how they are.”

Ava almost laughed, noting she had almost felt that way with Vox at times as well, with his intensity and protectiveness that he never seemed able to turn off. The energy here was so much more subdued and gentle. She placed her hand on the wall again, over another painted flower, tracing the green vine as far as she could. So beautiful. Ava looked around curiously at this building made of stone and wood and packed with nature. “Is this the only place the women gather?”

Sai answered, “No, this is for our sector. There are other ones like this in other parts of the city. There are little houses around here as well for those who want more privacy but still want to stay here longer term.”

Orla tilted her head. “I have called Miral; she likes to stay in another building down that corridor. She asked us to let her know when you came. Let’s wait here now. The older ones want even more space and stay to themselves sometimes.”

They stood in the hallway now and Ava continued keeping her hand on the wall, tracing the shape of the painted flower on it. I like this so much.

“Good to hear you, Ava,” came a voice from a corridor, interrupting her thoughts. “I heard you were here and needed to say hi.”

Ava startled and turned where the voice came from to see Miral, Vox’s mother.

Miral smiled, her eyes crinkling, reminding Ava strongly of Vox. A wave of sadness washed over her from looking at Miral’s face and noting the similarities, missing Vox already.

Miral’s eyes gentled further. “We will walk with you?”

Orla nodded. “Yes, mate-bond mother.”

Miral tapped on Orla’s hand. “It is hard on both my bond-daughters to be separated so soon from my sons. I feel it. But my sons will be back before you know it. It is good they are so strong. We can meet on the bavla fields and hum together later if you wish.”

Daughter? Ava hesitated, thinking of her mother, Laura.

Miral’s eyes twinkled but didn’t elaborate on the statement.

Bringing her hands together, Ava clasped them in front of her jumpsuit. It was uncomfortable to think of Laura and Miral at the same moment. Both mothers, in a different way. She shook her head. Never mind that.

They walked and spent the morning showing Ava the gardens they tended in greenhouses and their own flock of birds, much more impressive than Vox’s since they were shared between them all. There was a bathing area and some smaller rooms used for silence or sleeping, but most slept on pillows strewn about the garden surrounded by the others. This is so much bigger than my ship. I think it's the biggest building I've ever been in.

Orla spoke softly to not disrupt those who were relaxing around them. “When we have young we do not stay here as often, but when the kits go to lessons, or if the men are minding them, we come here and join when we can. We do not like to be alone much, and it feels good to connect on our wavelengths.”

Sai held her stomach. “We can show her more later. Let’s go eat now. I can smell it.”

Inhaling deeply, Ava smelled citrus and the metallic tang of IO minerals burning. “Yeah, it smells good. Different than what Vox makes.”

Sai looked back at her. “Are you able to eat everything?”

Good question. “I haven’t come across anything I can’t yet. But Vox sort of makes the same things so I haven’t tried much.”

Orla walked them back into the initial room they were in and indicated to Ava to take a plate and grab some food from a kitchen in the middle of the area. A large hearth smoldered from the IO minerals lit underneath it as the women cooked communally for all.

The room was mostly silent, everyone engaged in only telepathic communications as they ate. The only whispered conversations came from those not eating, or those who spoke aloud, softly, to have private conversations that wouldn’t be mentally overheard.

Ava, now at ease, sampled everything. She spoke in thought, knowing it would be picked up by the others. “This is good. And different from what Vox makes.”

Sai put some in her mouth. “More women came today because of you. There’s usually not this much variety here.”

She took some off her plate and put it on Ava’s. “Try this, it tastes so much better than what Vox makes for you.”

Ava took a bite and had to agree, closing her eyes to savor the taste. “You’re right.”

Miral snorted, sitting across from Ava . “His father and I taught him to cook, but he only ever learned his favorites very well.”

She ate and sifted through her emotions. Now that the focus was off of her, she could pick up more discordant tones. It was not all complete harmony. Even with telepathy, there were hurt feelings and jealousy amongst the women, in particular over mate choices when they clashed. Although the women all seemed to have a more casual attitude about relationships. They preferred to be with other women in friendship more than with the men who were, as Sai said, overwhelming. Ava sat and observed, trying to put faces and meanings to the emotions she felt, in particular when certain males were mentioned.

She caught mental pressure about Rhutg, his name sticking in her mind. Ava’s ears reddened to hear how the women thought of him, being friends with him now like she was. He was a proven male though, and the interest shouldn’t surprise her. But . . . it is Rhutg. Ava frowned, thinking of Rhutg’s house covered in flowers. He’s not ready to move on. Rhutg wasn’t ready for any of their attention right now.

But their talk led to another question, followed by a flush of jealousy. It was a strange, hot feeling in her stomach. Did they debate over Vox this way before?

“Yes,” whispered Bria at her side, speaking aloud, quietly, in the way private conversations were had.

Ava startled, reddening again, as she hadn’t meant for that thought to be read.

Bria continued, “He was always popular. But once they could feel the commitment in his mind to you, it stopped. There’s far too many males that are available to pine for those clearly taken.”

In an undertone, leaning closer, Bria added. “They know Rhutg also will not be taking another mate for some time, but he is fun to talk about. Actually, most of the women here already have contracts settled and are just waiting for a fertility cycle to fulfill them—those that have not already been mated. They do that early now because we need to replenish our numbers.”

Ava frowned. “I thought the Tuxa only took the five of you?”

Miral cleared her throat. “They took just the five you rescued, yes. They tried to take more but were not successful.”

Ava remembered the flowers. “Like Violie . ”

“Yes. But fighting had been happening for a long time before that. They stole our resources and first tried to wipe us out. Until we learned to fight back. Once we learned how to resist, we took over a few of their ships, then they stole the women you rescued as a parting shot as they retreated.”

“Oh?” Ava said softly while Orla chatted across the table with a few other women.

Sai nodded. “Yes. The Tuxa got that wrong with us as well. We might have been compatible with them ... but we will not have kits if our minds are not in agreement.”

Bria was still frowning. “There are a lot of men not chosen though. There is frustration.” With a whisper she added, “And pressure.”

Sai took a bit more food, pointing at Bria over her plate. “Just ignore it all, Bria. I do. You know you don’t have to do anything. No one can force you.”

Bria said softly, “I feel bad when they keep asking. I just don’t want any men after...”

Sai poked her. “Don’t feel bad. They know and don’t ask me anymore.”

Ava thought of her mother, who very much did not want to have children, but kept having her sisters regardless. There is a difference there for Humans. She ate a bit, thinking, idly noticing the differences between herself and the others. Even their hands were similar, but Ava’s had no claws. And they ate the few meat dishes faster than her, with their sharper teeth.

Most were still taking glances at her, even while eating, but in a gentle, curious way that Ava didn’t mind. She asked aloud, “Do you ever have to take a mate? And have children?”

Ixxi answered, in between eating, “No, but it is usually expected.” Her brow furrowed as she ate. “Your own family pressures you more than anything.”

Around a mouthful of food, Sai said, “They don’t really want to pressure you. They just see it as moving on, or healing, as silly as it is.” Under her breath Sai added. “I think if mine were still alive they would be the same way.”

Ava startled and looked over at her friend’s face, who was looking down at her food and away from them. Still alive?

Without looking up, Sai answered briskly. “Yes. My whole family is gone. I stay here at the communal hall a lot. Just the coar is left, Cam, which is why I will not trade her in for a hover. Not ever.”

Ava didn’t know what to say, how to comfort Sai. But she didn’t need to, because the sparkle returned to Sai's eyes a moment later as she put something on Ava’s plate. “Try this. Just a small bite.”

Ava did and immediately her eyes watered, feeling hot on her tongue as she gulped down water. “Bleh! It . . . burns! I've never . . . only hot foods usually burn, and that is not hot.”

Sai ate the rest of it, in one bite, leaning on her arm with a sneaky expression. “I said just a little. Do you like it?”

Ava shook her head fast, her mouth on fire, and took another big drink of water. “No. Not at all.”

Sai snorted as she handed Ava a napkin for her watering eyes.

Ava finally choked out. “Vox is right, you are a bad influence.”

Sai smirked at her. “I’m the best influence.”

The meal continued and Ava found herself constantly looking over at the small children, thinking idly of what a child with Vox would look like. Half Human. Would it have hair? Or eyes like hers? Erox mentioned Vox’s genes were dominant. Did that mean there would be nothing left to survive at all to show she was their mother? Would a child of theirs be able to read minds? And fit in better than she did? Would it be accepted?

She idly touched the fertility blocker and reached for more food. Still nowhere near ready for that. Nothing that will happen right now.