Candidate (Selected Book 4) (40 page)

Then, slowly, she withdrew.

"That was lovely, Andromeda," she said.

"Andie," said Dark Skies. "Come here."

I obeyed without a thought, coming to a stop in front of the Octal. "Andie, are you angry at Jasmine Brighteyes?"

"No," I whispered.

"Do you want her to be your friend?"

"Yes."

"Go to her," she said. "Ask for a long, long hug."

I smiled, turned away, and walked to Jasmine. Her tentacles were out, waving nervously, and so I came to a stop. "Jasmine, it's okay."

"She's making you do it."

"She helped, only enough," I said. "Do I sound like I'm drugged?"

"A little," she said.

"Only a little. It feels good. Thank you, Dark Skies."

"You're welcome, Andie. Now, ask her to hug you."

I looked over at the Octal. "It's wearing off."

"I know," she said. "And so it is your choice to obey."

At that I smiled and looked back at Jasmine. "Will you be my friend, Jasmine Brighteyes?"

"Yes, Andie."

"I would like a good, long, proper hug. You may taste, but please do not make me bleed further."

At that, she enveloped me, and when she offered the tentacle, I accepted it.

We hugged for several minutes before she released me.

"Jasmine," I said. "I challenge that Implac to an event tomorrow morning. I would like the event that Clover and I did, and I want the shock sticks on full. Will you do this for me?"

"I don't think you can beat her."

"I want it videoed. I want every ET to see it. I want them to know why. Let whatever happens happen. And no cheating. I mean it."

"How many points?"

"Ten or until I can't stand again."

"Don't do this, Andromeda."

"Please."

"Let her do it," Dark Skies said.

"No cheating, Dark Skies," I said. "I mean it." Dark Skies stepped closer. "And no more pheromones."

She set a hand on my arm, but when she spoke, it was to Jasmine. "Administrator Brighteyes, I think I know something about female Implacs you don't."

"What is that?"

"They're afraid of heights."

I began to smile, and Jasmine nodded.

"I'll run it," said Clover. "Dark Skies, I'm going to want your help."

"Of course."

"No cheating," I said.

"No cheating. If you fall, you're getting treated the same way as if she falls."

"Good. Give me a tiny dose, and Jasmine, too. Jasmine, we're going back. You're going to have arms and tentacles around me, and you're going to introduce me to people. There will be music and dancing. I want to meet everyone."

"The Implac was in there. I didn't put two and two together."

"Good," I said. "Let her video. Let her post it. And at the end of the evening, I am going to challenge her, and you're going to throw her into a cell overnight." Then I turned to Dark Skies and pulled the two of them into a hug.

And in another minute, I felt really, really good.

* * * *

"You feel really nice, Jasmine," I said.

"We're both high," she said.

"Good. Bring me in and put some music on. Dance with me. It will be worn off by the end of a song or two. I want to dance, Jasmine. Will you dance with me?"

"I'll dance with you, Andie."

We made a stir when we entered, many of those present turning to us. Jasmine's tentacles were clearly draped over me, and we were both smiling. I stepped forward, and Jasmine walked with me.

"There's going to be music," I said projecting to be heard. "I hope some of you will dance. I got a chance to sit for a few minutes, and while these are poor dance shoes, I hope some of you will ask me to dance." I raised my voice. "That includes you, Wookie!"

She rumbled her laughter and immediately agreed.

"Dance with me, Administrator."

We moved into a clear area, and Jasmine asked quietly, "What kind of music?"

"Do you know how to tango?"

"No."

"Will you let me lead?"

"I can try."

"If I find music, can you play it?"

"Yes."

I dived into my visor, switched to the music, did a search for what I wanted, and took about a half minute building a mini playlist. "Got it?"

"I've got it."

A moment later, the music started.

"A little louder." Then while she was adjusting it, I pulled her into my arms. "Lean into me. Trust me. Close your eyes. Just try to stay in front of me." I shifted. I shifted back. And then I stepped towards her, and she automatically stepped away.

We danced. It took a very heavy lead, and I wasn't that good, but I was good enough.

"Caress me with your tentacles," I told her. "This is sensuous. Run one up my leg. Tease me."

And she did. And as I looked around, every single person in the room was watching me.

We danced three songs, finally coming to a stop. "Wrap around me," I told her. "Make it obvious you're tasting, then lead me to someone else."

She wrapped around me tightly including one tentacle wrapped around my left leg. And then she snuffled, somewhat loudly, and I hugged her tightly.

Then she released me and led me to one of the aliens. "Andromeda, this is Bella. She is a Hobble."

"Hello, Bella. Will you dance with me?"

"Yes," she said, her voice high and reedy, but understandable. And so I took her hand and led her back onto the floor. She moved to me but said, "Will you let me lead?"

"If you can."

I let her direct the hold, and it was quite different than a human's, but then the next song began. She listened for a moment, and then we moved.

It wasn't at all like a Tango, of course, in spite of the music involved, but it was clearly a dance, and if I didn't give her the responses she wanted, it was still a good dance. We danced two songs before she said, "You saw the video."

"How can you tell?"

"Jasmine Brighteyes received bad news and practically ran to you. She was quivering with rage. You return like this, and I can smell the Octal on you. Logic. Was the Octal her idea?"

"Mine," I said. "Give me to someone else."

"Anyone I should avoid?"

"The humans. I am here to meet the ETs."

"So be it."

* * * *

And so I danced, and I danced again, and I danced again. And then the woman who had told me she didn't like me was there, intercepting me as I stepped from the dance floor.

"I was wrong," she said.

"Dance with me?"

"I do not dance."

"Then it will be a new experience for you, just as much of this is a new experience for me. But you will let me lead."

And so she nodded and offered her hand. I led her back onto the floor and drew her to me. "Does this touch upset you?" I asked.

"I have never been held by a human before," she replied. "I believe I am too short for this."

"Nonsense. I dance with men as tall as a Wookie. You can dance with me. You must only strive to remain in front of me." I shifted and shifted, and then we walked. It was just walks, but I added a little musicality. She clung to me, and I could tell she was fighting to follow, but she was so small and reasonably responsive, and so we had a good dance.

"My name is Sugilite. It is a gemstone of purple bands. Humans call my species Kitsune."

"Japanese fox."

"Yes. I am sorry I was ungracious. I had hoped to meet you."

"You didn't learn about me from talking, did you."

"You know."

"Yes."

We danced, but we talked. "How are you so calm? I was given humans would be outraged."

"Can you smell lingering scent of Octal?"

She squeaked. "No, but that is an effective solution."

The song ended, and I led her from the dance floor then turned her towards me. "I'm in a really, really good mood right now."

"I imagine you are, if you let an Octal have you for a while."

"Only a few minutes. Long enough. I like your looks. I liked them when you approached me earlier. I didn't care for your attitude. I was upset, but I had cause."

"And I had cause, because you ignored me earlier."

"Unintentional, but your response is understandable. I believe you are able to check my bio page, or whatever it is, and see my status."

"Yes."

"I would accept dates. If you enjoy challenges, we can have fun challenges. For me, they are exercise. If you do not wish this, that is fine, too."

"Maybe I will." She looked around. "I liked that one, too." I followed her gaze.

"Peggy Ann," I said. "She is sweet. If you want her, you have less time to decide. I am here for several months. She has two weeks or she goes to the arena."

"I believe if I want you, I must choose soon. Word will get out."

"Yes, but I made a promise to Jasmine Brighteyes, so I will be here." I smiled. "I enjoyed our dances, Sugilite. Is anyone watching me as if she wishes a dance?"

"Jasmine Brighteyes and two of the humans."

"Jasmine can wait. Give me to one of the humans."

And so she walked me over to Alisha.

"I hoped I'd get a dance. May I lead?"

"Of course."

Alisha really knew how to dance, and I had an amazing time with her. We took two songs, and then she led me from the floor. "Thank you," she said. "I've been watching for you for two hours."

"You're a better lead than I am."

"I had a better partner than you've had all night."

"Dance with Jasmine," I said. "I need a break."

* * * *

It was an hour later when Jasmine stepped up to my side. "I'm about to send all the humans back to their cells."

"Will I get hauled to some court if I hit her?"

"No."

"Is her jaw made from concrete?"

She laughed. "No."

"Are we absolutely sure it was her?"

"Yes. She's livestreaming."

"Oh good. This will go out live! Excellent. If I break my hand, can you fix it by morning?"

"Yes."

"Excellent. Get the Wookies over here, but tell them to intervene only if she's beating me to a pulp."

Then I pulled away, scanned the room, and saw the Implac talking to the Hobble. I began walking straight towards her, my steps in time to the music. I was halfway there before she saw my destination, and a few others got out of my way. I came to a stop five feet away. I knew the song and timed it perfectly, stopping on the last note. Jasmine must have cut the music, because the next song didn't start.

"You!" I said, pointing. "Do you speak English?"

She looked to the Hobble, who appeared to translate my question.

"Fine," I said. "I need one more person who speaks Implac, or any other language that one speaks."

It was Sugilite who stepped to my side. "I speak Implac."

"Perfect. Would you translate anything that woman says?"

"Of course."

"And will you translate my words to her?"

"I will," said the Hobble.

"Excellent." I pointed at the Implac. "You have a recording device, don't you?"

The Hobble translated. The Implac spoke, and Sugilite translated. "Of course. Everyone has a recording device."

"You are livestreaming this event tonight."

"It was not disallowed," was the translation.

"Perhaps not," I replied. "But this time was for this group of women to meet, to get to know each other, to learn to trust. But you do not understand the word, do you? Is there even such a word in your language? Trust."

"You are a human. Who are you to speak to me in this fashion?"

"My name is Andromeda Hayes. I am the woman who befriended the women here, to offer a gift. A gift! I gave something that was precious to me, that was very difficult for me to do. It was a gift. And you soiled it. You are a craven coward. But I challenge you. Tomorrow in the arena." And then I gave two forward bounces before spinning, my leg lifting, and I gave her a textbook roundhouse kick right across the side of the face. She never saw it coming, and she went flying sideways.

I recovered and danced back, my weight on one leg, my hands ready, my feet ready.

Then she got back up, and I could read the anger in her alien eyes. But both Wookies were there, stepping between us. And then Jasmine was there, her voice amplified as she spoke in an alien language.

But Sugilite was there, whispering to me rapidly as she translated Jasmine's words. "You violated my rules. You violated my trust. You violated a promise I made to this human. In this place, my word is law. In this place, all obey me. You will face this human in the arena, and then you are banished from this place. You will never return. And because of your cowardice, all other Implac are banished until further notice." And then the two Wookies stepped forward and grabbed her. And while two Wookies might have a little trouble with a male Implac, they had no trouble with a female.