Page 63 of Volunteer 4711

“More than unlucky,” I comment.

“True,” she says, “But females don’t’ have control over the laws or ideas males have about us. For the most part, they are good laws, but sometimes, if you are unfortunate, the laws turn sharp enough to kill a female in the time it takes to draw in breath.” I watch my friend take a sip of tea while we both think about that. Then she changes the subject to a more upbeat topic. “Enough of that; tell me about what you’ve been doing? Tell me everything.”

I begin with the clothing because that has been a topic she and I always have discussed. “He bought me these clothes and others of different colors. I don’t know if they are fashionable, but they are the nicest things I have ever had against my skin,” I say and then add quickly, “That is besides your dress. Thank you so much. It meant so much to me that you allowed me to wear your dress. I didn’t know how to clean it, but I didn’t wear it long.”

She waves her hand at me, “My dress is nothing to these clothes.” My friend’s hand touches my sleeve. “And these are very fashionable, maybe on the conservative side, but that would be in line with our commander.”

“What do you mean?”

She looks at me in disbelief. “You know, wanting to keep you safe from everything. He’s always been protective of you. At first, we thought it was just his fancy because you were a Water woman and fragile and that you had saved his life. But then we all began to see it was more. And I think when he himself realized it was more as well, he really began building a fortress around you.”

“I wouldn’t say it’s like that,” I comment.

“You believe what makes you happy,” she says. “Now you must tell me, as good friends, did you have alien sex with the Commander?”

“I am an alien. There’s no other way for me to do it,” I answer in a matter-of-fact tone, and then we both laugh. I add, “It was nice, but I didn’t realize that Silver tongues are dangerous.”

My friend flicks out her tongue and shows me little spikes, just like I had seen in the video clip. “Yes, these will kill you if you touch them. You didn’t, did you? Touch his spikes?”

“I almost did,” I say, and she gives me a look of horror. “He stopped me when he realized what I was going to do.”

“Good thing that would have been so tragic for you to die on your wedding day.”

“Is there anything you can tell me about sex that I should be doing?”

My friend takes a sip of her tea and thinks. “Well, I’m no expert, never having had sex myself, but I’ve heard some things.”

I’m floored she’s never had sex, but I think she thinks I’m shocked because she has ‘heard some things.’

“I know that males like to alternate their penises.”

“I only have one vagina,” I admit.

“Oh,” now she looks surprised.

“So, we have already done the alternating thing,” I say. “Anything else?”

“Group sex on the Home Planet, but only after you have children.”

“I can’t imagine that,” I say.

“Me neither,” she replies. “But I’m sure you’ll figure it out. I have to go.”

CHAPTER30

COMMANDER

I findmy wife walking away from the servants’ quarters towards me.

“Were you looking for me?”

“Are you okay?” I ask, noticing her eyes look like she’s been crying.

“I’m fine.”

Once inside our quarters, I ask, “What happened?”

“Nothing, I just got emotional talking with my friends. A lot has changed for me,” she says.

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