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"It's a long story. I'll tell you another time, but basically, a planet of Alliance people who are not religious and don't live under the Empire’s rule.”
"I'd like to visit Reima Two. Like this with grey skin.”
"It's alive," I say, quoting one of my favorite human books and contemplating if it was the clothing or the skin color that gave Alliance women the confidence to rule over men. "If Commander Fox permits us, we can travel to Reima Two. We won't mention this," I motion to her appearance, from head to toe, “but we won't deny it either."
"Good. Maybe the public sex was the final experience that pushed me over the edge. I’m honestly not afraid anymore. I want to see what your world looks like, Sem.” After a few minutes, she says, "Seeing myself like this makes it easier for me to live with you changing your appearance as well. I want to keep this," she says, touching the Dulu holo. "I don't want you to keep it for me. I want to learn how to use it. I want a translator too, and I want to find out what's going on in the galaxy. Maybe I can do some good for humanity too, more than just teaching the children here.”
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, it's apparent that you all need human help to accomplish your goals. Maybe that's why I'm here. Maybe it is fate? Our politicians are like children, and I am an elementary school teacher."
I take her into my arms and hold her against me tightly. Her body is still as warm as a human's, but looking at us in the mirror plays with my perception. My mind says she's Alliance, and my body says she's my human, my wife, my Ivy.
"The goddesses are guiding you now, and you must follow their light, Ivy."
Forty-Two
Ivy
I enter the same shrine I was married in yesterday in the same way with Sem at my side, but this time, we are both naked. Instead of four witnesses waiting for us to get married, a few people dressed in green with shoulder-length hair are waiting for us, and a man Sem told me was their resident disciple. The disciple is younger and smaller than I thought he would be. He’s got long black hair like most of the men on the base, but he doesn’t look good with the way he’s pulled it back. It somehow makes him look angry. His presence makes me feel very uncomfortable.
"Ivy Jefferies of New Orleans and Sem of Alliance Force appointed by the High Priestess, you both have taken it upon yourself to push the fate of the goddesses and push the High Council. Not once but many times, even exchanging marriage vows in an ancient place without any witnesses. Are you ready to accept your punishment?" His accent is British, and the English is overlayed on his Alliance words.
The disciple sounds so frightening I want to run away. I look at a man in green who nods to me, but he's holding a whip with cattails on the end of it, so I'm not moved to answer.
Sem looks over at me and squeezes my hand hard.
"We didn't mean to walk in the shadows," I begin. Sem had gone over with me what I am supposed to say to hopefully lessen my part in this. "I was ignorant of Alliance ways. I did push fate. I did exchange vows privately with Sem of Alliance Force. But I beg the goddesses' forgiveness as I didn't know their light existed until a few days ago. I promise never to cross them again. I am only a human."
When we went over this last night, I told Sem I didn't want to add the last part, and he told me it was up to me but that it would help my cause. Before we walked into this shrine, and I saw the whips and felt the cold air against my body. I was willing to stand as an equal in this, but the truth is, I'm afraid, and I'm not Alliance, so why should I set myself as an equal to them? I was ignorant of their laws.
"Sem of Alliance Force, is what she says true?" the disciple asks.
"May the goddesses guide you," he says and bows. "I was vigilant in keeping her in the darkness about our customs and my identity. For that, I should take both of our punishments."
Looking around at the men before us holding the whips and other ceremonial paraphernalia, I have the feeling as if we are all in an amateur theater. As if everything being said was scripted. Of course, they knew we would ask for this. Whether or not they have already made a decision before now, I don't know. But if they have, they are excellent actors as I'm nervously waiting for their reply.
Sem warned me there would be moments of silence while things were decided and not to move or say anything during these ‘sacred times.’ I look around with my eyes to distract myself. Just like yesterday, the shrine has lots of burning white candles, and there's the smell of incense.
Finally, the disciple speaks, "The goddesses are not without mercy. Ivy will take a quarter of the lashes because even ignorance cannot erase her repeated transgressions with you."
I want to ask how many a quarter will be, but I resist. Sem told me if I ask questions, our punishment will only be increased.
Sem nudges me. I almost forget how I'm supposed to reply. "I will take the punishment." He nudges me again. "The goddesses guide your decision."
"And you, Sem, will you accept this punishment?"
"The goddesses guide your hands. I am ready."
Without any more preamble, the people in green move around us and put us on our knees. We are both given white prayer candles to hold, and they are lit. It doesn't take me very long to figure out that the candle wax is going to burn my fingers too.
I look over at Sem. He looks worried, but I know it's not for himself. He told me last night he's been whipped before. I want to tell him that I'm not a delicate flower and that I can manage the pain, but he's not so sure.
Suddenly, the candles go out, and the whole shrine goes pitch black. I scream out in surprise. Is this supposed to be happening? I’m reminded of what happened during my alien abduction. Are we being boarded by Dulu?
Before I can articulate a question, the doctor comes rushing in and says something in Alliance to everyone. Did he plan for the candles to go out?
We are still in the darkness, but then a man in green begins to light some candles around the goddess of home's statue.
