Page 14

Maklr

“What should we do today?” Nell asked when she exited the bedroom. Instead of shutting the door like she usually did, she left it open. She moved her plush caton into the center of the bed. “Now it can protect both of us.”

“I don’t know. Do you have any ideas?” Maklr asked. “There’s one thing I’d like to try, if you’re up for it.”

Maklr raised his white eyebrows. “Oh?”

“You’ll see. I dreamed of it last night.”

Maklr smiled. “About that,” he began.

“No. Don’t say we shouldn’t have. Thank you. You kept the nightmares away, and you inspired my idea for today.”

Maklr raised his white eyebrows. “Oh?”

“You’ll see,” she said. “It’s a surprise.”

Maklr smiled. “I like that you’re trying new things.”

Nell smiled. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I figured, since I’m here, why not?” She left the cabin and headed down the path. “Come on.”

“This isn’t towards the waterfall or lake area,” Maklr said.

Nell shook her head. “Nope. Not there.” She marched forward, determined to be one of the first at her destination.

They passed a lake with small robotic water conveyances, human-style rowboats and kayaks available to rent.

“Here?” Maklr headed to the little kiosk.

“Keep going.” Nell trudged on.

“Why aren’t you looking at the map?”

“I memorized the path while you were in the shower this morning,” she said. “I might not be able to read the signs, but I know what the symbols look like. It shouldn’t be too much further.”

Ahead, a small rest area overlooked the valley below. Trees littered the landscape, painting it with burnt orange, browns, yellows, and vibrant reds, different from Earth and from Eoris, but beautiful nonetheless. “I didn’t realize we were gaining in elevation,” Maklr said. “It’s an easy slope.”

“A bit farther.” Nell sped up. “Come on slowpoke. We’re almost there.”

“We’re at the summit,” Maklr said.

“Have you guessed my plan yet?”

Small air shuttles designed for two passengers arrived and departed at regular intervals from a launch pad a short walk from the tourist look-out point.

“I thought we could see the valley,” she said.

Now mid-morning, a long line packed with Klagans, humans and other species Nell couldn’t name, stood waiting for their turn on one of the conveyances.

Maklr pointed to the sign. “It says to expect each ride to last about two hours.” He walked behind the last couple in line.

“We’ll probably be here waiting for our turn for a while,” he said.

“Maybe we can do that another day,” Nell said.

“Do you want to walk back?”

“Oh, that wasn’t how I planned on getting down.”

Maklr scrunched his face. “I’m not sure I follow. Is this female logic?”

Nell laughed. “Not quite. Come on, follow me.” She headed past the kiosk to a platform. “Today we’re going zip lining.”

“Good morning. I placed a reservation for two for zip lining,” Nell said to the employee at the kiosk.

“Zip lining?” Maklr asked loudly.

“I’ve always wanted to try.”

“Nell, is this a good idea?” he asked. “I’m concerned.”

“I think so. It’s taking my destiny into my own hands.”

The employee handed Nell two bracelets with a code on them.

“They’ll scan your bracelet, strap you into the harness, give you a helmet, and send you off.

There are places where you will slow down to take in the sights of the valley.

Multiple landing platforms at different altitudes if you get nervous or feel motion sick. ”

Maklr gulped. “Oh. Nell, are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure.” They walked to the wooden platform where a young male Klagan employee strapped Maklr into the harness.

“Sir, your hair will be squished with our helmets. You sport an unusual hairstyle,” the employee said.

“I know, and I don’t mind. It keeps my hair out of my way while I’m working. I’ve found it to be the most sanitary.” Maklr settled the helmet over his mohawk and the employee latched the spacer around his horns.

“How’s the fit?”

“Comfortable,” Maklr responded.

“You’re next,” the employee said to Nell.

“I’ll get myself in, thank you.”

“I have to help.”

Nell stepped into the harness and pulled it up between her legs and around her lower back. The employee reached to buckle it around her waist. Nell jumped back. “No, you can’t.”

“Miss, I have to. It’s for your safety.”

Nell trembled. “Don’t touch me.”

“It’s my job, I have to.”

“I can do it myself.”

“Unfortunately, regulations state you cannot.”

She jutted her thumb in Maklr’s direction. “I trust him. He can do it.”

The employee glanced between the two. “Unfortunately,” he began.

“Screw the regulations,” Maklr ground out. “I’ll do it. I’ve stripped many soldiers in my time as a medic.”

“You’re a warrior?” the young Klagan asked. “Yes. I served on The Fearless. Now I run the medical center on Eoris.”

“You’re Maklr.” The youth’s voice was reverent. “You saved my brother. Of course if she wants you to strap her in, you can.”

Maklr nodded. “Nell, I’m going to reach for the harness between your knees and make sure you’re in,” Maklr said. He narrated each step as he performed the actions. His knuckles brushed over her breasts as the straps clamped together with a satisfying clink.

“Here’s her helmet. It’s designed for a human.” The employee handed it to Maklr. “Make sure it buckles under her chin.”

“Thank you,” Nell whispered.

“Would you tell me why later?” Maklr asked.

“Maybe.”

They stood together on the ledge, harnessed on the line.

“There’s a safety net, so if something should happen to the line, you’ll be safe. It’ll let us know that you need assistance,” the employee said.

Nell’s feet teetered on the edge.

“Are you having second thoughts,” Maklr asked. “We can turn back now, it’s not too late.”

“I want to,” Nell said.

“Would you like me to go first?” Maklr offered.

From behind them, the employee called out, “Sometimes couples choose to go together. You can go at the same time.”

Nell glanced at Maklr. “At the same time?” She held her hand out. “Together.”

Maklr grasped her hand in his. “Together.”

A heartbeat later, they leaped off the platform.

Air whooshed over their faces. An expression of pure joy covered Nell’s face.

She laughed at the antics of some birds in the air flying into the safety net below.

They descended slowly, their hands remaining clasped together.

With their free hands, they pointed out unique features of the landscape.

Below them, a field of bright blue wildflowers grew on the ground.

Small lakes, ponds and a waterfall appeared in their line of sight.

“Look,” called Nell. “It’s got a beach at the basin.”

“Beautiful,” Maklr said.

At the final landing Maklr unstrapped first. Before removing Nell’s harness he cupped her cheek with his palm. “You did amazing,” he said. “I’m so proud of you.” His head leaned forward pressing his forehead against hers.

“Excuse me, I have a question.” Nell walked up to the second employee.

“How can I help?” the Klagan female asked.

“On our way down, I noticed the waterfall. It looks like a beach, or a sandy area at the bottom.”

“I know the one you speak of. It’s lovely and only a short walk from here.

It has a deep pool. Follow the path to your left.

Make sure when you come up on the waterfall, you follow the dirt trail behind it.

Most people watch the water and then jump in, especially on a hot day like today. ” The employee talked animatedly.

“You can walk behind the waterfall?” Nell asked.

“Yes. Behind it. There’s an opening caused by erosion. If you want, you can remain dry and not go in the water. Once you’re behind it, follow the trail down and you’ll come to the beach.”

“Would you like to go?” Nell asked Maklr.“Why not? It’s good to see you looking forward to something.” He smiled.

They held hands walking down the trail. “It’s lower than the other one.”

“This must be the path.” Maklr ducked behind the waterfall, crouching as he walked so his horns did not scrape the stone.

The resort placed a bench in the curvature of the mountain’s wall for visitors and guests to sit and watch the water.Nell and Maklr sat together, staring at the curtain of water falling in front of them.

“You look like something’s on your mind,” Maklr said.

“I want to do something crazy.”

“Crazier than zip lining?” Maklr teased.

“Something the old Nell would do.”

Maklr remained silent waiting for Nell to talk. Instead, Nell untied her shoes, stuffed her socks in the toes of the shoes, and tossed them onto the sandy area below.

“This. Now this is crazy.” She grinned, held her hair back and laughed as she ran and jumped off the ledge through the cascading water into the pool below.

“Nell!” Panic filled Maklr’s voice. “What the fuck?” He stared at the surface of the water, willing her to come up for air.

“Come on in,” she called from the pool. “The water’s great.”

“Stars, female! You’re going to be the death of me,” Maklr called back.

Nell laughed, treading water. “Are you coming or not?”

“If you can’t beat her, join her,” Maklr muttered. He threw his boots near where Nell’s shoes landed. “I’m coming,” he called. And he jumped.

He landed with a splash, bubbles rising from the depths. “Satisfied now?” he asked when he surfaced.

Nell’s hair stuck to her face. “Yes,” she said, laughing. She wiped water droplets from her eyelashes.

“Nell,” Maklr murmured, pulling her closer. “What got into you?”

Nell wrapped her arms around Maklr’s neck. “This,” she said. Then, her lips covered his. She tugged at his hair and licked his lip. “Maklr,” she moaned.

A few powerful kicks later, Maklr’s feet touched the sandy bottom of the pool. “We’re getting out,” he said. Nell wrapped her legs around Maklr’s waist, and peppered kisses on his neck. “Nell,” he groaned.

He carried her onto the beach and lowered her to the warm sand below. Their clothes dripped water, dampening the sand. “We didn’t think this through. Sand gets everywhere.”

Nell shrugged. “Oh well.”