Derek
The moment we step into what Kav'eth called the "cleansing facilities," I stop dead in my tracks and just stare.
"Holy shit," I breathe, taking in the space before me. "This isn't a bathroom. This is like... an underground grotto that someone spent millions of dollars designing."
The ceiling curves overhead in smooth, organic lines that look like being inside a massive seashell.
Soft blue-green light emanates from everywhere and nowhere, giving the whole space an ethereal, underwater quality.
And the pools, Jesus, the pools are incredible.
Multiple levels of crystal-clear water connected by gentle waterfalls, steam rising from the surfaces in lazy spirals.
"The design is intended to replicate the coastal environments of our homeworld," Kav'eth explains, though his voice carries that same stiff formality it's had since I met him. "The water composition includes minerals beneficial for Nereidan physiology."
"Beneficial how?" I ask, walking to the edge of the main pool.
The water is so clear I can see all the way to the bottom, which appears to be at least eight feet deep.
"And more importantly for my purposes, how much resistance can I get from this?
Because if this is just going to be like swimming in a regular pool, it's not going to give me the workout I need. "
Kav'eth moves to what looks like a control panel embedded seamlessly into the stone-like wall. "The mineral content can be adjusted to increase water density and resistance. The current circulation systems can also be modified to provide additional challenge."
"Show me," I say immediately, already calculating workout possibilities in my head. "What's the maximum resistance you can generate?"
"I am... uncertain of the precise measurements," Kav'eth admits, his blue skin taking on that embarrassed flush I'm starting to recognize. "The systems are calibrated for Nereidan physiology, not human fitness requirements."
"Right, because why would your research team think to check whether a fitness influencer might want to actually exercise?
" I shake my head, but I'm grinning despite my sarcasm.
"You know what? That's fine. Let's just test it and see what happens.
Worst case scenario, I get a gentle swim instead of a real workout. "
Kav'eth's expression shifts to something that might be concern. "The resistance modifications can be... quite substantial. Perhaps it would be advisable to begin with minimal settings."
"Kav'eth," I say, looking at him directly. "I deadlift a lot. I can handle some extra water resistance."
His golden eyes flicker over my physique, just for a moment, but long enough that I notice. "Very well. I will configure the system for moderate resistance enhancement."
"Great. And I'm assuming I'm supposed to get naked for this?" I gesture at my clothes. "Because I didn't exactly pack swim trunks for my alien abduction experience."
Kav'eth's entire face flushes that blue color, deeper than I've seen it before. "Nereidan cleansing practices do not... clothing is not typically..."
"Got it. Clothing optional alien spa." I start pulling off my shirt without waiting for a more coherent response. "Just to warn you, I'm not shy about my body. Comes with the territory when your entire career is built on physical fitness."
I toss my shirt aside and start working on my belt, noting that Kav'eth has gone very still beside the control panel.
When I glance up, his eyes are fixed on my chest with an intensity that suggests he's either conducting a medical evaluation or trying very hard not to look like he's checking me out.
But when I turn to set my pants aside, I hear him make a sound, barely audible, somewhere between a sharp intake of breath and something that might be awe.
"See something interesting?" I ask, grinning as I push my pants down and step out of them, deliberately giving him a better view of what caught his attention. "This is what optimal human fitness looks like, in case your research team wants to update their files."
Kav'eth's mouth opens slightly, then closes, and his bioluminescence, which I'm learning is basically an alien mood ring, flickers erratically beneath his skin. His eyes keep tracking to my left shoulder and the intricate geometric patterns that flow down my arm and disappear around my back.
"You have... permanently altered your skin," he says, his voice carrying a mixture of fascination and something that sounds almost like hunger.
"It's called a tattoo," I explain, lifting my left arm to give him a better view of the complex geometric sleeve that starts at my shoulder and flows down to my wrist in precise mathematical patterns. "This one took about forty hours over six months to complete."
"Forty hours of... pain tolerance for aesthetic purposes?"
"Among other things." I turn slightly, letting him see how the design curves over my shoulder and traces down my spine in increasingly intricate patterns before disappearing at my lower back.
"Each section represents a different aspect of discipline and growth.
The geometry appeals to the part of my brain that likes order and precision. "
Kav'eth's bioluminescence pulses brighter, and I can practically feel his eyes tracing the lines of ink across my skin. "Your physical form is... your physical condition is quite... developed."
"Six hours a day, six days a week for the past three years," I say, standing at the edge of the pool in just my boxer briefs, very aware of how the geometric patterns catch the pool's blue-green light.
"Plus strict macro tracking, supplementation, and a training program that most people would consider borderline obsessive.
" I pause at the edge, looking back at him.
"You coming in, or are you planning to evaluate my swimming form from over there? "
"I should... monitor the resistance systems," Kav'eth says quickly. "To ensure your safety during the exercise period."
"Right. Monitor the systems." I can't help but smirk at the transparent excuse. "Just try not to let your scientific observation get too detailed."
I dive in before he can respond.
The water is perfect, warm but not hot, with a silky quality that feels incredible against my skin. I surface near the center of the pool, running my hands through my hair and immediately feeling better than I have since this whole ordeal started.
"Okay, this is actually amazing," I call out to Kav'eth, who's still standing by the controls looking like he's having some kind of internal crisis. "The water temperature is perfect. Can you start increasing the resistance gradually? I want to see what this system can do."
"Initiating resistance enhancement," Kav'eth announces, his voice carefully controlled. "Beginning at fifteen percent above baseline."
I start with basic strokes, testing the water's response to my movements. There's definitely more resistance than normal, but not enough to challenge me yet. "More," I call out. "I can barely feel that."
"Increasing to thirty percent enhancement."
Better. I can feel the water pushing back against my movements now, requiring more effort to maintain my stroke technique. I switch to butterfly stroke, using the additional resistance to work my shoulders and core harder than a normal pool would allow.
"This is actually incredible," I say, taking a brief break at the pool's edge. "Your people really know how to design workout facilities. Can you push it higher?"
"I can increase to fifty percent enhancement," Kav'eth says, and I notice his voice sounds slightly strained. "Though I should warn you that the resistance becomes quite substantial at that level."
"Do it."
The change is immediate and dramatic. The water feels almost viscous now, every movement requiring significant strength and coordination. It's like swimming through honey, if honey could provide the perfect resistance training for every muscle group simultaneously.
"Holy shit," I gasp, switching to breaststroke to handle the increased difficulty. "This is insane. This is better than any resistance training equipment I've ever used."
I push myself harder, using the enhanced resistance to work through a full-body routine that would be impossible in a normal pool. The water fights every movement, turning simple swimming into an intense strength and cardio workout combined.
After about twenty minutes of the most challenging aquatic exercise I've ever experienced, I finally take a break, hanging onto the pool's edge and breathing hard.
"That," I say between gasps, "was incredible. Absolutely incredible. Your people have figured out something that human fitness technology hasn't even approached."
"You... enjoyed the experience?" Kav'eth asks, and there's something almost hesitant in his voice.
I look over at him, noting that he's still standing exactly where I left him, still fully clothed, and still looking like he's conducting some kind of internal struggle.
"Enjoyed it? Kav'eth, this is the best workout I've had in months.
Maybe years." I hoist myself out of the pool, water streaming off my body, and I don't miss the way his eyes track the movement.
"This kind of variable resistance training could revolutionize human fitness.
It's like having a completely customizable gym that adapts to exactly what you need. "
"I am... pleased that you find the facilities adequate," Kav'eth says, though his gaze keeps flickering between my face and my very wet, very minimal clothing.
"Adequate?" I laugh, grabbing one of the towel-like materials stacked nearby.
"This is the opposite of adequate. This is exceptional.
" I start drying off, noting that Kav'eth seems to be having trouble deciding where to look.
"Though I have to say, you look a little tense over there.
Are you sure you don't want to join me? The water really is perfect. "