Page 20 of Eclipse Bound
"I require sustenance," Lunar stated. "The local provisions at Crimson Rock were inadequate for shadow metabolisms."
Rowan gestured to one of the bags. "There's food in the kitchen area. I included options for different dietary needs." She hesitated. "Though I wasn't entirely sure what aliens eat."
"We generally process energy rather than matter," Lunar explained. "But certain organic compounds can be converted more efficiently than others. Dark plants, fungal matter, fermented substances."
"So mushrooms, dark greens, and wine?" Rowan translated.
Lunar inclined his head slightly, which Eclipse recognized as approval. "Acceptable substitutes."
"Check the second bag," Rowan suggested. "I included several local specialties that might work."
As Lunar investigated the provisions, Eclipse noted the ease with which Rowan adapted to them. Most humans would struggle to comprehend, let alone accommodate, three aliens with radically different biological needs.
"You're remarkably calm about all this," he observed quietly.
Rowan shrugged. "I've always been good in a crisis. It's the everyday stuff I struggle with." Something in her expression suggested deeper meaning, but she quickly shifted focus. "Besides, if I freak out about aliens, I'll never hear the end of it from Stephanie."
"The loud female from the crash landing," Lunar identified from across the room. "She took recordings of our arrival."
"Yes, and she's convinced you're here to either abduct her or enlighten humanity," Rowan said with a hint of exasperation.
"I have watched her short movies on your overlord devices," Lunar continued. "She does not appear to be a being of logic."
"Overlord…?" Rowan dismissed the comment with a small sound. "Yeah, well, please avoid her if possible. She can’t keep a secret."
"Noted," Eclipse agreed. "We should minimize contact with humans beyond those already aware of our nature."
"Speaking of which," Lunar interjected, "Poppy has invited me to observe nocturnal wildlife at a nature preserve tonight. Her knowledge of shadow-adapted Earth species may provide useful comparative data."
"Is that what we're calling dating now?" Rowan murmured, just loud enough for Eclipse to hear. "Comparative data collection?"
Eclipse suppressed his amusement. "Just maintain your cover identity and avoid drawing attention."
"Unlike Solar, I do not cause electrical disruptions with my mere presence," Lunar pointed out. "My shadow-walking remains effective despite the skin-suit limitations."
After selecting several items from the food supplies, Lunar retreated back to his room without further comment.
"He's cheerful," Rowan remarked once he'd gone. "Though he's not wrong about Solar. He appeared as a flickering, bright spot on the security cameras. Lunar was barely detectable."
"For Lunar, that conversation was practically effusive," Eclipse replied. "Shadow-dwellers are not known for social niceties."
"Unlike twilight diplomats?" There was that teasing tone again, accompanied by a smile that created unexpected resonance patterns in Eclipse's energy field.
"We have our moments of directness," he said, moving slightly closer to her. "When circumstances warrant."
Rowan's pulse quickened, a reaction Eclipse could perceive even through his dampened senses. "And what circumstances would those be?"
"Compatible biorhythms," he answered, allowing a controlled pulse of energy to emanate from his form. "Mutual curiosity. Shared objectives."
"And what are our shared objectives, exactly?" Her voice had lowered, creating an intimacy in the space between them. Her energy called to him like a beacon. He couldn't ignore its pull. He felt himself drifting toward her.
Eclipse considered the question carefully. The mission parameters specified that they were to form meaningful connections with compatible humans. But his interest in Rowan transcended mission requirements. There was something about her energy signature, her directness, her ability to balance practical concerns with acceptance of the extraordinary.
"Understanding," he said finally. "Of each other. Of the possibilities between different worlds."
Rowan studied him, her expression thoughtful. "You know, on Earth, when someone's interested in someone else, they usually just ask them to dinner."
"Would you like to have dinner with me, Rowan?"
