Page 29 of My Big Scaly Alien Naga
"Thank you.It means more than I can put into words."
She pointed at her ration pouch."I guess it's time for you to add your venom now?"
I pictured a prondu, rearing up and about to attack.My venom glands shot into action, pushing the liquid down into my fangs.I expressed two small drops, letting them fall into her food.This was not the traditional way of doing it, without witnesses or official ceremony, but it would have to do.
She stared at the pouch with an expression I interpreted as curiosity, but it could have been distaste.Peritans were clearly a species not used to drinking each other's blood.Not that nagas did that regularly.We had a reputation for all sorts of nasty behaviours, but sucking blood was not one of them.What had she called it?Vampire?
"To your health," she said and raised the pouch to her lips.I watched tensely, my breath stuck in my throat, as she swallowed the first mouthful.There was no way for me to tell if the blood had done its job.Please, Glycon, let this work.
Clare grimaced."Not the best meal I've ever had, but also not the worst.What is this stuff?"
"A carefully chosen mix of nutrients that offers optimal sustenance to a wide range of species.At least that's what they usually contain.It's not real food, it's made in a lab.But it will keep us going for a while."
"Are you not going to eat yours?"she asked, nodding at the pouch I was still holding.Most of the heat had dissipated, but the food would hopefully still be lukewarm.
I could think of better things to eat – the lush taste of her blood still swirled in my mouth – but I needed the warmth.I could already feel the muscles in my tail lock up again.The blankets weren't enough to keep me at the temperature I needed to function.The ration packs would keep me going for a bit, but not all night.
If the game makers attacked us during the night, I would be defenceless.The thought of not being able to fight for my mate chilled me more than the cool air.
16
Clare
When we'd both finished our meal, I was full, warm and in surprisingly good spirits.Yes, we were on a hostile alien planet, but I'd enjoyed getting to know Venom a little more.I'd got used to seeing his sharp fangs when he smiled and had come to appreciate his sense of humour.We may have been from different species but that didn't mean we couldn't laugh about the same things.
"What's for dessert?"I joked.
"If you're still hungry, I can prepare another ration for you.Or you could snack on the berries the chii gave us."
I rubbed my belly."I'm not sure I could eat even a single berry.This was so filling."
"It is supposed to be.And you just ate a portion created for a species much b-bigger than you."
He shivered slightly.Was he getting cold again already?I was slightly chilly now that I'd stopped eating, but the meal had warmed me from the inside.
"I can look for more blankets," I offered.
He gave a small shake of his head, his long black hair sliding over one shoulder.“I highly doubt we’ll find any here.The game makers wouldn’t send items of comfort down here.Food, yes, b-but the rest will be weapons, technology, tools to keep the resident monsters in check.There won’t be any blankets.We’re lucky the chii thought ahead and g-gave us ours.”
His words came out stiffly, lips tight, fangs barely visible.He was trying to control the tremble in his voice, but I could hear it anyway.He wasn’t just chilly – he was freezing.
“That’s not good enough,” I said, rising to my knees.“You’re no use to either of us if you turn into a naga popsicle.”
“I will b-be fine.”
I raised an eyebrow at his chattering voice.“Are you sure about that?I don’t know much about your species, but if you’re even slightly similar to the reptiles we have on Earth, you need warmth to function.”
“I will be fine,” he repeated.He refused to look at me, which told me everything I needed to know.
I narrowed my eyes.“Liar.”
He huffed a breath that might have been a laugh.“I’m trying to b-be optimistic.”
“Optimism doesn’t keep you warm.”I shuffled closer and reached for the blanket I had wrapped around my shoulders.“We’ll share this one.If we sit beneath a blanket together, my body heat should warm you as well.Do you think that will help?”
He didn’t move.“Clare…”
“What?”
