Oni also knelt, as unaffected by her no-doubt expensive dress and long braid being covered in sand. “Anrel is what, six months old? Shalia, you are to be commended on how healthy she is.”
It said something that they remembered Anrel’s age and our names. Female babies are a huge deal to the Kalquorians, particularly to those who have had to endure the heartbreak of seeing theirs not survive. The brightness of unshed tears in Hina’s eyes hurt my heart.
“Thank you,” I said. “I’ve had help, though.” Clan Aslada’s staff had not missed a single trick when it came to proper care and nutrition during my stay with them.
We spent several minutes together, though there wasn’t much conversation between me and the women. Their attention riveted on Anrel, and I was happy to let them enjoy her uninterrupted. It helped assuage the guilt I felt over being able to have a healthy daughter when their efforts had not been successful. I know, why should I feel guilty? It’s not my fault Mother Nature had chosen to deliver a kick to the teeth of the Kalquorian women. But I did feel bad for Hina and Oni. That they were denied the greatest joy of my life made me incredibly grateful all over again for Anrel.
They moved on, continuing their walk. Hina kept casting longing glances over her shoulder as she went. Each yearning look sent a fresh dagger to my chest.
Deciding it was high time to go to our quarters, especially since my stomach had begun rumbling for lunch, I packed us up and started towards the complex. As I went, my com buzzed. I answered to find my stepmother Joelle on the line.
“Hi Shalia! How are you?”
“Great.” I was glad to hear her enthusiastic greeting. “How’s the ship? Are you almost to Kalquor yet?”
“I’m here. I walked in my clan’s home not even an hour ago.”
I nearly dropped my com. “What? You’re on Kalquor? Why didn’t you tell me you were so close?”
She made a noise of disgust. “That awful transport kept breaking down. We didn’t know from one day to the next if it would be stalled for repairs again. I was afraid if I told you we were almost here, that I’d jinx the damned thing!”
I laughed. “When are you visiting Anrel and me? Make it soon, because I’m off on a trip with Clan Seot in the next few days.”
“Goodness, woman, you are a flurry of social interaction, aren’t you? Weren’t you just with Clan Aslada?”
I talked with her as I returned to the complex, filling her in on what was happening since we last spoke. She doubted if she’d make it to see me before my cruise, but she’d try. “I’m dying for us to meet in person, but I’m supposed to consult with my clan’s legal representative. I have to make sure I have access to whatever I need, Hopefully, I can get that taken care of quickly.”
“I hope so too,” I told her. “Tell me if there is anything I can do to help out.”
I was excited my dads’ Matara had reached Kalquor safe and sound. It was impossible to not feel impatient for her to square away her status.
December 12
Whew! I’m taking a break from packing. Again! At this rate, I’ll never grow roots. I left it to the last minute, so I’m in a panic.
I blame Seot, Cifa, and Larten for the procrastination. They’ve taken the last few days off work to ready for the trip. Because I can’t seem to refuse an invitation to hang out with them, I’ve gotten none of my own packing done until today. We launch tomorrow.
Stidmun made it in time to leave with us. He arrived yesterday. Candy is beside herself with delight. When I ran into her and the big stud during breakfast this morning, it turned out she hadn’t packed at all either…she’s been too busy celebrating lover boy’s arrival.
I’d forgotten to take my com with me, so I found a message waiting when I returned to my quarters. It was from Joelle. “Hi Shalia. I finally got my documentation and registrations done. I thought about heading over to spend a couple of hours with you and Anrel before you left, but I’ve decided against it. I’m sure you’re busy. Have a wonderful trip, and I’ll see you when you return.”
She sounded so forlorn. Without my dads there and probably no Earthers close by, she must be feeling isolated. Then it hit me. I made a quick com to Cifa, then I commed Joelle.
“Join me in my frenzy,” I told her. “Pack. Cifa’s booking you a shuttle and will send a service to pick you up. You’re going on the cruise. Whatever you don’t have that you need, we’ll find it for you.”
“What? Are you serious?” Joelle was fairly screaming in her excitement. “Oh my goodness, Shalia, thank you!”
“Don’t thank me, kick me,” I laughed. “I should have thought of this before today. If a luxury vacation doesn’t win me points with my stepmom, nothing will.”
“I’m so thrilled! Wait until I tell your fathers. Oh! I have an alert coming in that the shuttle will be here in the morning. Here’s an itinerary from Cifa saying where we’re going and what I should bring. Isn’t he a sweetheart!”
“No argument from me,” I said.
We didn’t remain long on the line. Both of us had too much to do. I’m so glad she’s going with us. After months of messaging and coms, I’m past due to meet the woman who charmed Nayun, Bitev, and Rak.
I will not – I repeat, I WILL NOT – visit Clan Seot today unless I finish my packing first. This is my vow, and I have it in writing, so I’ll stick to it.
December 13 (early)
Off on the high seas! A sailor’s life for me, yo-ho-ho.
This morning, a luxurious shuttle came for me and Anrel. It was right up there with the craft Clan Aslada owns, though Clan Seot hired theirs for the occasion. It was silly considering the pier was only five minutes away. It was a blatant indulgence for no other reason than to allow Clan Seot to pamper us. But why not start off a swanky vacation with a ride in a posh vessel complete with fruity drinks and pastries?
“Excessive?” Cifa laughed as I climbed on board.
“Thank you for the treat. You make me feel special.”
“Because you are,” Seot assured me and followed the compliment up with a kiss. What a charmer.
I had a few minutes for a fruit-filled pastry and half my glass of berry-infused leshella before we landed at the pier where the ships of Cifa’s cruise line docked. I stepped off the shuttle on Seot’s arm and goggled.
The massive blue and silver liners grabbed my attention first. Shaped like arrowheads, the five decks of each vessel stacked on top of each other, resembling tiers on a wedding cake. The pointed bow of the lowest deck was uninterrupted by the upper decks from midway forward. There were two in port, both with long lines of Kalquorian clans, some of which included Kalquorian or Earther women. One ship was loading and the other disembarking passengers. There was a sense of excited anticipation from those preparing to set off, and a resigned but pleased attitude from the ones whose trip had ended.
More plentiful were the mid-sized ships, looking similar to larger versions but with only three decks. Cifa had told me they accommodated five hundred to a thousand passengers. They were able to visit more ports than the massive vessels, so they tended to have fewer amenities.
I eyed both types of vessels with curiosity. They looked festive with their colorful decorations, upbeat music and noise, and the happy welcomes and goodbyes being shouted from the attendants. They were floating fun. I wondered how the more private ship we were taking would compare to the gala atmosphere I saw on the other vessels.
“Shalia?”
The call came from an older woman hurrying our direction. I recognized her from our many coms.
Joelle Beauregard, now Matara Joelle of Clan Bitev, was all smiles as she trotted toward me. I squealed with delight and ran to greet her.
She was country-woman pretty with a ready smile beaming. Her features were sharp, but not stark. Her medium-length red hair had a thick ‘skunk stripe’ of white in the middle of her swept-aside bangs. Laugh lines showed her to be about Katrina’s age. She looked more than ready to relax on a cruise with a cap-sleev
ed blouse and white shorts that showed off her golden tanned legs. She’d been sunbathing since stepping off the transport, apparently.
I flung my arms around her. “Finally! It’s you in the flesh!”
She laughed and hugged me like a long-lost friend. “Can you believe it? I was beginning to think I’d never see you face to face.”
Seot, Cifa, and Larten joined us. As usual, Cifa had commandeered Anrel, but it was immediately obvious he was in for some competition.
“All right, hand my grandbaby over. What were you thinking, sending me that fancy shuttle? Goodness, they served me a breakfast fit for a queen!” Joelle beamed at the trio as Cifa good-naturedly gave up Anrel to her.
The clan bowed low to her. “Welcome to Kalquor, Matara Joelle.” Seot spoke for the trio. “The shuttle was sent as a small token of all you are due.”
“He’s what we called a silver-tongued devil in my day, Shalia.” Joelle winked. She centered her attention on the baby, missing a confused Seot discreetly sticking his tongue out and trying to look at it, apparently worried it had changed color. “Hello, pretty Anrel! Grandmom can finally hold you. Aren’t you a heavy one!”
“She’s grown a lot in only a few weeks,” I agreed. I noted a man approaching and stopping a couple of feet behind her. He held a travel bin and gave me a smile and bow as he waited patiently. “Is he with you?”
Joelle glanced over her shoulder. “Yes, he’s an attendant from the shuttle. Cifa, thank you for the indulgence. I’ve never felt so pampered.”
The Imdiko grinned and blushed a little. “That was barely a taste of what’s to come, but I’m glad you enjoyed your trip.”
“Barely a taste? Oh, then lead on!” Her eyes sparkled as she looked over the cruise ships in the port.
“Candy and Stidmun aren’t here yet,” I sighed. “That woman is the worst about trying on outfits at the last minute.”
“They’ll find us. Don’t worry, we won’t leave without them.” Cifa put an arm around Joelle’s shoulders and tugged her along. They both cooed over Anrel as they went.
Seot reclaimed my hand to walk with me down the pier. I squeezed. “This is old hat to you, but it’s pretty thrilling for me.”
“I’m excited because you, Matara Joelle, and Cifa are excited,” he chuckled. “It’s impossible to not be enthusiastic when I’m surrounded by so much emotion.”
Larten walked on the other side of me, smiling at the squeals coming from Joelle as she looked over the ships we passed. “This is what I enjoy most about these trips. Everyone is so joyful with the anticipation.”
“Sour faces need not apply,” I agreed. “Hey, is this our boat? Oh my gosh, it’s wonderful!”
Wonderful, indeed. The smart vessel, arrowhead-shaped as the rest of the company’s line and wearing the same blue and silver colors, gleamed in the sunlight. She wasn’t as big as the other cruisers, but the ship was still sizeable. I’d seen a few yachts, and this compared pretty well.
She had three decks in all. The middle deck was mostly an enclosed space with mirrored windows, but there was a decent walkway all around it. The lowest deck also had an enclosed area in the aft section, just big enough to support the deck above it. The open area had loungers, a bar, a huge whirlpool, a small stage situated next to the forward wall of the enclosed area, and tables to sit at. On stage, a couple of black-skinned Zelts were playing a lively tune that resembled echoing chimes mixed with a thumping, jingling tambourine. It was the most cheerful music I’d ever heard and fit the vibe of coming trip. It was a floating vacation, all right.
There were people on board already. I noted the crew, dressed the same: white tank tops that showed off the astounding Kalquorian muscularity…gorgeous shoulders for days…and mid-thigh yellow shorts that clung to carved derrieres without being too rudely snug. The men wore sandals or went barefoot, and everyone’s long hair was braided neatly down their backs.
There were several guys not wearing these ‘uniforms’ and two women. They held drinks in their hands and were chattering with animated faces.
A woman’s voices rang out. “Cifa! You’re here!”
All at once, crew and passengers were calling out glad welcomes to us. Tiny, sparkling lights exploded over the deck, accompanied by fizzling popping sounds. Celebratory whoops came from the Zelts, their red tentacle ‘hair’ waving in the air as they played more festively than before.
Cifa, Seot, and Larten shouted in response, beaming at the greeting. Anrel, delighted with the hullabaloo, added her joyful yell from Joelle’s arms. That received a crescendo of laughter and applause.
“It’s Anrel! Bring me that baby so I can cover her with kisses!” one of the women yelled. Her long hair and sarong blew in the breeze as she reached welcoming arms.
“And Shalia, so I can do the same,” the man standing next to her called boisterously. “Which of these beauties is she? Never mind, I’ll take them both!”
The group roared with laughter. That was my introduction to Cifa’s sister Ila and his brother, Dramok Erom. As we climbed on board, Anrel got those kisses, from the women and each Imdiko in the immediate area…even the crew. Erom’s clanmate, Matara Bazi, and Ila had as many hugs and kisses for Joelle and me as they did for the baby. Dramok Erom, his Imdiko Habo, and Ila’s Imdiko Tir hugged us Earther gals, but that was as far as they went. The rest bowed in respect and yelled to the bartender to pour because no one should cruise sober.
The party had begun, and we hadn’t left port yet. When I was set to refuse my drink because I was responsible for Anrel, Joelle pulled me close. “Have fun, Shalia. I’m not a big drinker, and I’ll most enjoy sitting back and watching the madness.” She giggled, her expression delighted to have been the recipient of such a sincere welcome. Our new friends acted genuinely thrilled to have us there.
Cifa leaned close too. “I’m not drinking either. I start these inaugural cruises with a clear head to evaluate how well a new ship operates. As outrageous as Erom and Ila behave, they are the same. Relax and know Anrel’s in safe hands.”
I glanced at Cifa’s younger brother. He was watching us from a few feet away as the rest mooned over the baby. He gave me a nod and a wink. Though he grinned like a scoundrel, his wide eyes were intelligent and focused. I sensed an intensity, similar to how Seot and Aslada tended to be. A Dramok through and through, who looked out for others first.
“Okay, but I have no intention of getting impaired,” I told Cifa and Joelle. “I’m not embarrassing myself in front of your family or mine the very first day I’ve met them in person.”
I had to remind myself of that after the bartender gave me a leshella cocktail that was to die for. It was delicious, and keeping myself to slow, infrequent sips was a challenge, especially in the merry setting.
Five minutes after we boarded, Candy and Stidmun arrived. I joined in yelling a welcome our latecomers. Once more, sparklers went off, and the Zelt musicians played more enthusiastically than before.
Candy bounded onto the ship, her blue eyes so wide they threatened to eat up her face. “Oh wow. Oh wow!” she exclaimed over and over as our hosts fussed over her. “Thanks for having us along!”
Stidmun was at first taken aback, but as he adjusted to the atmosphere, he began to smile. I noted how Joelle, Ila, Bazi, and more than a few of the men stared at him. Stidmun is outrageously gorgeous. With perfectly symmetrical features, hair fetchingly swept to the side, unmatched virility, and an equally flawless body, he is a stunning Nobek. The bump on his nose from a previous break and a thin scar on his cheek add to the heroic stature he wears effortlessly.
I overheard Imdiko Habo tell Erom, “I think we’ll have a busy night with Bazi…as long as we can set aside who she’ll be fantasizing about.”
Erom roared with laughter. “We should have masks made, right? Surgery, maybe?”
Their Nobek Palf snickered. “Hell, I might fantasize about Stidmun too. He’s hot as fuck.”
After I was done laughing until tears streamed
down my cheeks, I realized Cifa must have had a conversation with his extended family and the crew. No one said anything about Candy’s adoration of an unclanned Nobek or treated either of them different. They were welcomed as Anrel and I had been, no questions asked.
With our group assembled, the captain, Dramok Carip, went to the uppermost deck where the bridge was located. The engines were silent, so only the vibrations under our feet told us they had been started. The horn blew and the ship slowly slid sideways, moving from the pier. Though there was no one to see us off, we waved and shouted to those on shore anyway. Dock hands and those coming and going waved and shouted back, temporary friends and anonymous well-wishers.
Shalia's Diary Omnibus Page 198
