Page 40 of Technically Abducted (Nereidan Compatibility Program #4)
Finn
Later that day, on Tev'ra's planet, the transport field dissolves around us, and my first thought is blue .
Not the artificial blue of transport energy, but something richer, deeper—a living color that fills the sky above us, broken only by the two suns hanging at different heights.
Their combined light casts everything in a golden-violet glow that makes my breath catch.
"Holy shit," I hear Alex mutter beside me.
We're standing on some kind of arrival platform, a circular area that glows faintly with residual transport energy and hovers a comfortable few feet above the water's surface.
Beyond it stretches a coastline dotted with structures that remind me of high-tech houseboats—elegant buildings perched on platforms above the water's edge, some extending partially over the water, others with visible sections below the surface.
Crystal formations rise from the terrain, capturing and reflecting the light of the twin suns.
In the distance, an ocean shimmers with colors I don't have names for.
I appreciate the beauty from our safely elevated position, though I can't help the instinctive tension that comes from being surrounded by so much water.
Still, there's something undeniably stunning about how the twin suns reflect off the ocean's surface, creating patterns that seem alive with light.
"The atmospheric composition is compatible with human physiology," Tev'ra says, misinterpreting my stunned silence. "Though you may notice slightly higher oxygen levels than Earth standard. Some humans report a mild euphoric effect during initial adaptation."
"It's not the oxygen," I tell him, unable to look away from the horizon. "It's... everything."
His hand finds mine, our fingers interlacing automatically. Through our bond, I can feel his pride, his pleasure at my reaction—he wanted me to be amazed, and I am. But there's anxiety too, an undercurrent of uncertainty about what happens next.
"The Council has arranged temporary accommodations while your integration status is processed," Tev'ra explains, addressing both me and Alex.
"But I was hoping..." He hesitates, his bioluminescence shifting to patterns I've come to recognize as nervousness.
"I thought perhaps you might prefer to stay with me.
Both of you," he adds quickly, looking at Alex. "My dwelling has adequate space."
Alex glances between us, clearly reading the subtext. "I can do temporary accommodations if that's easier. I don't want to impose on your reunion."
"No," Tev'ra says firmly, surprising me with his decisiveness. "Finn considers you family. You will stay with us, for as long as you wish. If you agree."
I smile at how he says "us," so casually, like it's already settled that we're a unit. And at how easily he includes Alex, understanding without being told that I wouldn't want my friend relegated to some impersonal government housing.
"Thanks, Blue," I say softly, using the nickname that always makes his skin brighten. I turn to Alex. "It'll be better this way. We can face the adjustment together."
Alex nods, his expression showing relief beneath his attempt at nonchalance. "As long as I'm not cramping your style."
"Nor'em and Yth'al will escort us to the dwelling," Tev'ra says, gesturing to the security specialists who have maintained a respectful distance since our arrival. "There will be official integration briefings tomorrow, but the Council has granted us the remainder of today for... acclimation."
The way his voice catches on the last word, combined with the pulse of anticipation I feel through our bond, makes it clear what kind of acclimation he's thinking about. Heat crawls up my neck, and I notice Alex fighting a smile.
The journey to Tev'ra's home involves a transport platform similar to the ones on the assessment vessel, but larger and clearly designed for public use.
Like the arrival platform, it hovers securely above the water, which helps ease my instinctive tension around large bodies of water.
As we step onto it, I realize we're attracting attention—subtle glances from passing Nereidans, their bioluminescence patterns shifting in what might be surprise or curiosity.
"They're not used to seeing humans outside of the integration center," Tev'ra explains quietly. "There are only three others permanently residing on our world, and they live in different regions."
"So we're celebrities," Alex quips, but I can sense his discomfort at being stared at.
"Temporary curiosities," Tev'ra corrects. "It will fade as integration progresses."
The platform activates, and the landscape blurs around us.
When it stops, we're at a waterfront area with elegant dwellings that rise above the water's surface on stable platforms—some fully above water, others with sections that extend below the waterline.
They remind me of upscale houseboats from Earth, but with alien aesthetics and far more advanced technology.
Tev'ra leads us toward one of these structures, set slightly apart from the others.
Its exterior reminds me of opal—iridescent blues and greens shifting across the surface as we approach.
A walkway connects the shore to the entrance, elevated a reassuring distance above the water's surface.
The door opens as we near it, responding to some cue I can't perceive.
"Welcome to my home," Tev'ra says, and I detect a note of uncertainty in his voice. Is he worried I won't like it? Or that it's too soon to call it "our" home?
We follow him inside, and I'm immediately struck by the blend of familiar and alien.
The layout is open, with fluid spaces rather than distinct rooms. Surfaces that might be furniture curve organically from walls and floor.
Large windows provide panoramic views of the coastline and ocean.
A hydration pool occupies a prominent space in the main living area.
I can see stairs leading downward, presumably to a section of the dwelling that extends below the water's surface.
"It's beautiful," I tell him honestly, and feel his pleasure ripple through our bond.
"The main living spaces are up here," Tev'ra explains, gesturing to the open areas around us.
"Kitchen, communal areas, the standard hydration pool, and one sleeping chamber.
" He hesitates, then adds, "My primary rest chamber is below the waterline.
As a semi-aquatic species, Nereidans find comfort in proximity to water, especially during rest cycles. "
He guides us toward a spiral staircase that leads downward. "I'll show you the full dwelling first, then you can decide on sleeping arrangements."
We descend the stairs, and I feel a slight tightening in my chest as we go below the waterline.
At the bottom of the stairs is a short hallway that leads to a spacious bedroom.
The room itself is dry and comfortable, but what makes it remarkable are the walls—entirely transparent on three sides, providing an unobstructed view of the underwater environment just outside.
It's like being in an aquarium tank, but in reverse.
Schools of creatures that resemble fish—but with bioluminescent patterns similar to Tev'ra's—drift lazily past. Aquatic plants sway with the gentle current, their colors shifting in response to our presence.
Filtered sunlight dances through the water above, casting mesmerizing patterns across a sleeping surface in the center of the room—larger than a human bed, with a subtle depression in the center and a material that seems to shimmer slightly.
"This is my primary rest chamber," Tev'ra says, his bioluminescence brightening slightly as he watches our reactions.
I try to hide my discomfort, but the idea of sleeping surrounded by water on three sides makes my heart rate increase.
It's not as bad as being fully submerged but the thought of spending unconscious hours here, with nothing but transparent barriers between me and an alien ocean, sends a spike of anxiety through me that I can't quite suppress.
Alex, however, is captivated. He moves closer to the transparent walls, watching the marine life with undisguised fascination.
"This is incredible," he says, tracking the movement of a particularly large creature with flowing appendages that has paused to investigate our presence.
"It's like the world's most high-tech aquarium, except we're the exhibit. "
Tev'ra glances between us, his bioluminescence shifting subtly. Through our bond, I feel his realization as he notices my discomfort.
"Alex," he says, "would you prefer this chamber? As a Nereidan, I require water immersion for at least an hour each day, but I do not need to sleep below the waterline. There is another sleeping chamber upstairs that I had prepared for guests."
I feel a wave of gratitude toward him. Even now, he's finding ways to accommodate my discomfort without drawing explicit attention to it.
Alex looks surprised, then delighted. "Are you kidding? This is way better than my apartment. I'd love to sleep down here." He runs a hand over the strange bed-like surface. "How does this work exactly?"
"It adapts to your physiology," Tev'ra explains.
"The surface will conform to provide optimal support.
Temperature regulation is automatic, but can be manually adjusted if preferred.
The transparency can also be adjusted for privacy.
" He gestures to a panel on the wall with symbols I don't recognize.
"Simply touch here to increase opacity if the constant movement outside becomes distracting during rest cycles. "
I watch Alex take it all in—this room beneath the water's surface, surrounded by alien sea life, the advanced technology that we're suddenly supposed to live with. His face gives little away, but I know him well enough to see he's overwhelmed.
"You okay with this?" I ask quietly. "It's a lot."