Page 21 of Eclipse Bound
His quick response seemed to surprise her, but her smile widened. "Yes, I would. But maybe not in the suite with your roommates lurking."
“We do not lurk,” Lunar yelled from the other room.
"I know a location," Eclipse offered, "with a viewing platform overlooking the valley. We could observe your planet's sunset while consuming nutrients."
Rowan laughed. "When you put it like that, how can I refuse?" She checked the time on her communication device. "I need to finish some work at the retreat first. Meet me at the main entrance in two hours?"
"I will be there," Eclipse confirmed.
After Rowan departed, Eclipse remained in the central space, processing the interaction. He had initiated a social ritual with a human female. A date according to Earth terminology. This aligned with mission parameters, yet felt surprisingly personal.
The energy stone in his pocket suddenly seemed heavier, a reminder of the report he would eventually need to file. How would he describe these developments to the council? Three representatives of a divided world formed connections with Earth females within days of their arrival. Would they believe the timeline happened so fast? He was sure Lunar could calculate the odds to that question, but he didn't want to hear them.
Perhaps there was hope for their diplomatic experiment after all. If they could find common ground with an entirely different species, might they not eventually do the same with each other?
If they succeeded, the council would have to let them return home, regardless of any secret agendas.
Eclipse moved to the window, watching as the sun began its descent toward the horizon. Earth's day-night cycle created a constant transition, much like the perpetual twilight of his home. But here, both sides experienced darkness, both knew light. Perhaps that made all the difference.
In two hours, he would join Rowan for the dinner ritual. But, for the time being, he had reports to update and two volatile companions to monitor. The diplomat's work was never done, even on a distant world with unfamiliar stars.
But for the first time since arriving on Earth, perhaps for the first time in longer than he cared to admit, Eclipse found himself looking forward to what came next.
Chapter
Seven
Sunset in Duskrock was unlike anything on Zorveya.
As Eclipse waited for Rowan outside the retreat's main entrance, he found himself transfixed by the spectacle. The red rocks caught the fading light, their hues deepening from terracotta to crimson before glowing with an almost internal fire. The sky above transformed through gradients of blue, gold, and magenta in a cycle that Eclipse's people never experienced.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Rowan's voice broke his reverie.
Eclipse turned to find her approaching, having changed from her work attire into a simple dress that complemented the twilight colors around them. The sight of her created a resonance in his energy field that had become increasingly familiar yet no less intense.
"Yes," he agreed, not specifying whether he meant the sunset or her appearance. "The transitional phases of your planetary rotation create remarkable effects."
Rowan smiled. "Only you could make sunset sound like a scientific observation and a compliment at the same time."
"It was meant as both," Eclipse clarified. He offered his arm in a gesture he'd observed humans performing. "Shall we proceed to the nutrient consumption location?"
Her laugh was warm as she slipped her arm through his. "You mean dinner? Yes, let's go."
They walked to her vehicle, a modest transportation device she called a compact SUV. Eclipse had studied the mechanics of Earth conveyances during their journey, but experiencing one firsthand was a different matter. The interior smelled faintly of the coffee the hotel had kept offering him.
“I am curious. I smell the coffee everywhere. Do humans require this beverage to live?” He located a lidded cup in the console as the source.
Rowan laughed. "I can’t speak for all humans, but I practically live on it.”
Small crystals and foliage hung from the mirror, and what appeared to be fossilized plant matter was secured to the dashboard.
“And this?” He gestured at the objects.
“Desert sage for cleansing energy,” she pointed at the mirror before moving her finger down to the dashboard, “and a piece of petrified wood. It’s supposed to be grounding. A gift from a client who thought I needed to be more rooted."
"And did it root you?" Eclipse asked.
Rowan's smile turned wistful as she started the engine. "Possibly. I've moved around a lot. Never stayed anywhere long enough to put down roots. But this place feels promising."
