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This gave Jody a chance to collect herself. The first thing she did was offer them both a friendly smile and a slight wave of acknowledgment. Then she watched as the family greeted each other with hugs and obvious affection.
Vixi took after Sulat in looks, though something about the way she moved reminded her more of Tariq. She wondered if Vixi was a blend of all three parents’ genetic material, or if her mannerisms were a learned behavior. As far as Jody knew, both types of reproduction were common in their culture. Species purity was far more important than paternity.
The two males were undeniably attractive. Both had silver scales, but they were otherwise quite different. Sulat was warm, bright, and cheerful with fair hair touched with silver and a sunny smile. Tariq was darker, both in looks and manner. A few strands of gray showed in his hair, and his demeanor was darker and somehow more sultry…or maybe that was only her imagination. Stars knew she’d imagined an awful lot about them. They might be off limits in the real world, but within the confines of her imagination, there were no rules. Not that she’d ever admit that to anyone else.
Warmth and desire bloomed within her, heating her cheeks. She had to lower her head to hide her face, concerned her feelings might show in her expression. Not that she knew what she was feeling, exactly. Her nervousness over their unexpected arrival was all mixed up in the fluttery feelings of physical attraction and embarrassment at her reaction to them.
She needed to get her fraxxing head together and stop crushing on her colleagues.
Vixi sent her fathers to get comfortable while she checked on their meal.
“What’s for dinner?” Sulat asked.
“Natambe,” Vixi replied in her own language.
Jody’s translator converted the word to meat food, which wasn’t overly helpful. “My translator can’t parse that word. All I know is that dinner smells delicious. What are we having?”
Sulat answered. “Skewered meat, usually gharshtu. It’s seasoned, roasted, and served with roasted tubers and vegetables.”
To her surprise, Tariq joined the conversation. “And tazin. Can’t forget that.”
“Tazin?” Jody asked. Her translator only said it was a chilled sauce.
“It’s delicious,” Tariq said and then raised his voice. “Vixi, how do you describe it in Dr. Clark’s language?”
“It’s a creamy dip that counters some of the spices used on the meat,” Vixi called back from the kitchen.
Jody noted that the acoustics of the place allowed voices to carry easily. Living alone, she hadn’t noticed it before. As social as humans were, it was common for them to seek private spaces to relax. Vardarian homes were apparently designed to allow the residents to stay connected.
“I can’t wait to try it. My food processor was programmed for mostly human meals, and I haven’t had much time to update the recipe selections.”
“Really? I can send you some of my favorites,” Vixi called out again. “I’m no chef, but I love good food. In fact, that’s something else we should do for the others as they move into the main colony. Give them a selection of meals to try along with some of the standard ones they get now.”
“That’s a good idea,” Sulat agreed.
Tariq nodded. “While you’re at it, could you send those recipes to us, too? Sulat’s made the same thing three times this week.”
“No, I reheated and served you the same food three days in a row because you barely touched it every time, and I was trying to make a point.” Sulat made a face. “Obviously I failed.”
“You served me food that was three days old?” Tariq demanded.
“You didn’t eat it, so I don’t see the problem.”
Vixi stepped into view. She still held a pair of tongs in one hand and gestured with them as she spoke. “Dad, you promised me you’d eat more.”
She pointed the tongs at Sulat next. “Stop provoking him. I know you didn’t serve him the same food three days in a row. You made the same thing three times. Didn’t you?”
Sulat laughed and raised his hands. “You’re right. It was the same thing made fresh each night.”
“I’ve been distracted,” Tariq admitted.
“That’s one word for it,” Sulat teased.
Tariq’s lips twitched into a brief smile. “I get to things, eventually.”
Vixi snickered. “Does that mean you’ve finally finished unpacking? I mean, we’ve only been here a year or so.”
“Don’t sass your elders,” Tariq scolded, his words at odds with his light, laughing tone.
