Page 17 of My New and Improved Alien Lovers

“He did not tell us how long Margaret will be occupied.”

“Let’s just sit here,” I suggest to Owiin, sitting across the hall from the room on a low bench. “We can research on our wristbands and make sure we don’t further complicate things for Margaret.”

We lose ourselves in the new changes, scrolling through all the new policies that have been implemented, shock overtaking our previous acceptance.

“What do you imagine is meant by this?” Owiin asks, voice quiet and steady lest we be overheard.

“This is not the ship we left behind,” Kass says nervously, eyes darting around.

My gut is sinking, prickling sensations running up and down my torso. It seems the kruul’s tolerance of humans has lessened, creating an environment where they are not entirely free.

“Our Margaret will not enjoy the fact that she is unable to wander the ship without us. And only within a set number of acceptable bells tolled? In the late evening? I wonder what could have happened?”

I shake my head at Owiin’s musings, unsure what to tell him, as I am just as lost and confused. “Perhaps we should visit with another triad that has been here longer and get their take on it,” I suggest, fear for my mate’s happiness overtaking more of my rational thought.

“The kruul’s mate seems to have taken over a lot of the directives for the human females; I wonder why? Why now? Humans have been a part of our lives here on the ship for many years; they have never been this restricted.”

Kass is gnawing on his lip, betraying his worry. “Maybe we are misunderstanding something; could it be one of those times where it seems much more rigid than it actually is?”

I hope to fates it is, but the longer we sit and read, the more apparent it becomes that we will need to be careful to adhere to the new policies.

We have been reading for some time when the sudden sound of a door releasing and footsteps exiting the room draw our attention up, forcing us to our feet instantly.

Other Violetians are there then to collect their mates, melting out of the myriads of doors that line the hallway. I wonder if they overheard us, and if they have similar misgivings? I try to watch their behavior with their mates, but I find it all a bit odd.

There are no happy greetings, and the women stay fairly silent as they are collected, following behind their mates, mostly docile. Our Margaret appears after everyone else has exited, eyes on the brink of tears.

I’m about to reach for her, when the kruul’s mate, whose name is unknown to everyone but the kruul, approaches us, distaste on her tongue for Margaret. “You have been gone for many revolutions. You’ll have your work cut out for you with this one, I fear. Remember, it is not too late to let her leave. New protocolhas been introduced, and escape pods are available for any who decide this is no longer where they want to live. Margaret, we’ll resume our lessons tomorrow. I suggest you get there earlier, lest you bring shame on your triad.”

She dismisses us and disappears down the hallway, but Margaret yanks herself away from us as we reach for her, loudly proclaiming her need for space.

“What is wrong? What happened?”

She attempts a very weak smile for Owiin, keeping her arms firmly crossed against her chest. “It’s nothing. I’m simply tired. I wish to lie down for a bit and think.”

The mood sours further with every step we take towards our home, the silence between us louder than anything I’ve yet experienced.

We access our home and watch her wearily as she walks away from us, no greetings to be had, disappearing into a secondary bedroom devoid of any of our scents.

“I do not like this,” Owiin growls, fists clenching and unclenching. “I wish to know what went on in there. She is clearly very upset. I do not want her obligated to attend something that is harming her.”

“If these rules are to be believed, I do not think we have a choice,” Kass says with sadness, eyes longing for our mate.

My eyes fall to him, pleading with him. He is the best at soft, tender conversations, because that is his role in this triad. He is all soft lines and sweetness, providing the nurturing that Owiin and I lack.

He sighs, hands falling from his hips. “I’ll try, but I know not what will happen. Stay close in case we need you, but maybestay busy? This should be a day of celebration. We should be sequestered.”

We don’t disagree, but we’re realizing that our life here may not be what we need any longer. Hard choices face us, because if we are asked to give up the mate we waited so long for, it will break us. It will break us further though, if we are to remain and forced to fall in line with what the kruul is asking of us. Our species is not meant for such harsh rules; we will need to put together a petition to him, to express our concerns.

Kass

I find our mate tucked into a ball shape within the cold sheets, staring off with a blank expression.

She doesn’t blink as I enter the room and sit on the bed near her, lost in her own thoughts.

I risk a touch to her leg, reaching out with a steady hand to gently pull her from her reverie, needing those beautiful ocean eyes to meet mine.

She startles at the contact, pulling more into herself. “I’m fine.”

---