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“I can’t wait to see them. We have aquariums back on Earth, also. I will tell you about them when we get home later.”
“Awesome," Ayla exclaimed.
It was a word that wasn’t colloquial on the planet, but apparently, Ayla had just learned it from her. Katie covered her mouth, giggled, and caught a glance of the general. Miraculously, one side of his face was upturned into something remotely resembling a smirk.
The man was capable of joy and pleasure, all for its own sake. Quite a pleasant start to their first outing.
He should smile more often, she thought to herself as they approached the place.
To say the least, their day at the aquarium was nothing short of dazzling. Katie felt like she was a child for a few hours. Seafoam, turquoise, aqua, violet, and plum exquisitely shone through the glassy containers holding creatures that looked like they had taken two separate species from Earth and interwoven their DNA into a single, equally elegant, and grotesque display.
Some had the heads of sharks, their smooth leather skin a lilac sheen rippling through the water with the body of an oversized frog. Others had horns or antlers, while their bodies remained chiefly aquatic. One particular exhibit was truly magnificent, showcasing a beast two sizes larger than a humpback whale, squiggling and dancing with intricate and phosphorescent tentacles. Katie was truly marveled, spending the majority of the trip aghast and utterly speechless.
“What do you think?” Axur asked her.
They were in the room of the grand brute that looked like it was ripped straight from a Lovecraft novel. Katie didn't think they would understand the reference, so she continued to stare up at the animal, watching Ayla as she ran up to the glass without any trepidation.
A pink hue poured over Katie’s face as she spoke, mindful of the way Axur’s eyes were lingering on her for the first time since they’d met.
“I’m … astonished. We have animals like this on Earth, but … wow. The sheer majesty.”
She peered at him and found he was smiling.
“Yes, they are ancient and rather beautiful, aren’t they?” He finally looked away, tucking his hands poignantly into his jacket. “They are calledjastradons.Scientists of the planet thought they had gone extinct about fifty years ago, but they were far from completely being vanquished. They had journeyed back into the depths of our great sea …”
It was Katie’s turn to smile broadly and without a pinch of modesty. He caught her eye while reciting in his reverie, cocking a self-conscious eyebrow.
“What?”
“You were quite lost there. Like a poet. Sounds like someone actually has an interest outside the military, hmm?”
Katie didn't know if Axur’s kind could blush due to the varying sky-blue to powder-blue shades of their skin. But she surely spotted something there, rosy and pricking his finely cut cheekbones.
“I … I, um …”
Katie stepped toward him as he stuttered and laid a hand on his shoulder. He was nearly a foot taller than her, so they appeared quite ridiculous to the passerby. But she wanted to meet him at his level energetically, using the same gesture he had been comfortable with a few hours before.
Plus, she really couldn’t help herself.
“What I was doing there is calledteasing,” she murmured, her face animated and lively. “You seem to know a lot about these amazing animals. I’d like to know more.”
Axur was bashful. She’d never stood this close to him, and she found that his scent was rather pleasant. But she let her hand slide off his shoulder, calling out to Ayla before anything became far too tense.
“Is this one your favorite, honey?” Katie asked.
She retreated into the shadows of the aquarium, the swimming darkness quite eerie yet cinematic. One part of her wanted him to come after her, to continue where their conversation left off, while another part wanted her to just leave it. She had been far too brazen with her gesture and semi-flirty reply. She couldn’t jeopardize her job, especially not after falling for the little girl who was a mirror of her own agony.
“No! I like the yonky. Let’s see them next!”
Ayla took Katie by the hand and tugged her along to the next exhibit.
The rest of the day went by quickly, and after having explored the entirety of the aquarium and having a later-than-usual dinner, Ayla was completely beat. She fell asleep in Katie’s arms on the drive back to the estate, the night capping the day with a dusty red dusk.
She took the child inside and helped her change before flopping into her arms again, dozing off before hitting the pillow. Katie brushed her teal, lustrous hair as the girl slept. She sighed to herself, realizing that it was far too late for her when it came to her affection for Ayla – the child had imprinted on her heart.
Katie yawned as she quietly closed the door behind her. Axur loomed in the hallway, and the sight of his long shadow made her jump.
“Cheese and crackers,” she exclaimed as she held her chest.
