Educating the Alien: Raedyn (The Azurite Series Book 1) (3 page)

6.

“Ra’yed’n!” called the last voice in the galaxy that Raedyn wanted to hear. Well, second to last, his mother’s being first.

“I saw the news today,” said Lae’hear’dahi. She didn’t touch Raedyn, but her presence enveloped him in a fog, heavy and thick with pheromones. It made him feel claustrophobic. Lae’hear’dahi was the same age as Raedyn and had followed him on his heels since childhood, through space training and then on assignment aboard the Fier’the’yi Fho’rd. Regardless of the fact that partners were matched systematically, Lae had a notion that the two would be paired.

Lae was a dominant female, a rare find in their race, and while she observed the cultural norms against physical contact, she pushed the boundaries with Raedyn. She would invade his personal space and breathe his air.

“Only five more deposits until the list. I haven’t been paired yet,” she said popping the last consonant of the word. She walked around him, her aura pulsing against him. “Just think, five days from now and we can be partnered. Sharing the same domicile, meals, toothpaste…” she raised her ridge, “bed.”

Raedyn gulped.

“It’s horrible the way these pairings take place. It’s so archaic,” she rolled her eyes. “I think men and women should be able to choose their mates. And choose to have children on their own. There are other Azurites who are rebelling. Refusing to give deposits, choosing love and attraction.”

Raedyn was going to be sick.

Lae resumed her position in front of him, leaning close, he could feel her breath on his face, “Let me know if you’re feeling rebellious. Or if you’d like a hand,” she purred before grabbing his crotch, “for the rest of your deposits.” She strutted away from him as he turned and ran for his quarters. He barely made it to the bathroom in time for another kind of deposit, vomiting into the toilet.

He slunk down to the cool floor, resting his head on his hand, arm propped on the seat of the toilet. He had been excited about the list, now, he wasn’t sure what to think. Separation was non-existent for Azurites; their partnering system was nearly flawless. If he were somehow paired with Lae’hear’dahi he would be miserable for the rest of his days. She had been eligible for the list since she matured, ten years ago and now he would join her name among the ranks.

Gods. What would he do? He needed time. He wouldn’t make his deposits in the next five days, last time he went three weeks before the side effects overcame him. If he stretched it out, he could go fifteen weeks before being added to the list. Maybe Lae would be partnered by that time. It was the best he could do. Now all he could do was hope.

---

Lexi returned to her apartment content and happy. She and Jaime worked well together, he was brilliant and easygoing and made her think of what it would be like if she ever had a little brother. She was suddenly very homesick. She didn’t have siblings of her own, but she did have a mother that she abandoned on Earth. She knew how a conversation with her mother would go though and she didn’t want to spoil her good mood with reminders of her age and decaying eggs. Her mother had grandchildren constantly on her mind.

She settled in on her couch with her tablet, now containing the ship’s activities log. She discovered through her tour with Raedyn that the ship had a population over twenty-seven thousand Azurites and only a small portion of those were crew. Just like her home planet, they all had a very social life: mom’s groups, dinner clubs, dancing, horticulture, sporting events, film showings, and many more. She would be able to study their lives by immersing herself with them. She couldn’t wait to start. She planned on attending a book club the following evening.

Lexi’s plans for the following evening were put on hold, though when her presence had been required for an urgent meeting. Lexi rubbed her damp palms over her pants, nervous as to why her presence would be required for such a meeting. Jaime assured her it was most likely for her interpretation skills, as his attendance had also been requested.

A projection appeared at the front of the room as the ensemble watched a similar group of Earthlings appear on the opposite side. Lexi had been informed that her role was to offer explanations of the translations should any confusion occur, and she settled in ready to listen.

A man Lexi didn’t recognize on the screen began speaking.

“Thank you for joining us this morning. As you know, we have been striving to create a mutually beneficial arrangement between Earth and the Azurites. To date we have an ambassador from both races cohabitating with one another. Thank you Dr. Phillips and D’la’jara’vvahd for your service to your planets. As important as these roles remain, we would like to further extend our relations by offering an exchange program. One hundred Earthlings and one hundred Azurites will be eligible to build colonies with one another. Through a lottery program, we will extend this invitation to those who qualify through an extensive application and interview process. Our end goal for this proposition is to have the exchange complete in one year. We furthermore wish to extend an invitation to Dr. Phillips and D’la’jara’vvahd to be the representatives for these groups and integral parts of the vetting process due to your experiences in each other’s cultures. We will meet with the two of you privately at a later time with more information. This is an historical event and we are thankful for each of you to be a part of it. Transmission over.”

Lexi turned toward Jaime. “I don’t understand. I’ve only been here for two days. How could they possibly want me for a job like that? I’m not a public servant, I only know languages.”

Jaime shrugged. “You know cultures too. I’d wager they handpicked you for the ambassador’s assignment with this job as an eventuality.”

“I was only supposed to be here a year. Those people won’t even be arriving for a year.”

Jaime didn’t answer, the hopeful look on his face was answer enough for Lexi. Did she want this job? It would be the adventure of a lifetime to live aboard the Fier’the’yi Fho’rd for the rest of her life, representing the human race.

The implications were huge. Not only was this a lifelong career move, Lexi needed to consider her personal life as well. She would never join the partner list for the Azurites and she would be forced to choose a husband from either the roughly fifty male humans that came aboard the ship. Probably less than that if any came aboard already attached with families or too young. There was a distinct possibility that she could end up alone. She could always put in five years or so and then retire from the job, but to start searching for a husband at forty and expect to find one and have a family would be stressful. Like a constant hourglass counting down her fertility.

Lexi stood shakily from the conference table.

“Lexi are you alright?” Jaime asked, his ridge lowered, concern etched on his face.

“I’m fine,” she said, pasting on a fake smile. “It’s exciting and overwhelming. I’m going to retire to my apartment and start thinking things through.”

“Okay. I’ll see you in the office tomorrow then.”

Lexi nodded.

7.

The weeks began to run together for Lexi as she immersed herself in Azurite culture. She still hadn’t decided if she was going to accept the job as Earth representative for the new colony, so, instead of confronting the decision, she chose to avoid and ignore. She spent her days in the office with Jaime and her evenings and days off in the ship’s library.

“Hey,” said Jaime interrupting her thoughts. “Have you managed to get to any social groups?”

Lexi sighed. She hadn’t. It was part of her avoidance technique. She was afraid if she met people on the ship and made friends it might sway her decision.

“No. I’ve been too busy.”

“There’s a book club tonight that I attend sometimes that I think you might like. It’s co-ed, but only for the first half, then we split off for men’s and women’s groups.”

Lexi raised her eyebrows, “Is it a couple’s thing?”

Jaime laughed. “No. There are some partners, but the group is mostly singles. Just friends.”

She thought this over. It would be a good opportunity to see the dynamics among the Azurites with a good mixed group and plenty of conversation.

“Okay. I’ll go. Hey, Jaime. I’ve been thinking. How far off are you from the pairing’s list? You can’t be much younger than Raedyn and he’s about to be added.”

Jaime groaned. “Not you too,” he shook his head. “I’m only two years younger than Raedyn. But, the thing is. There’s this girl.”

Lexi rolled her eyes. “It’s always about a girl.”

He snorted. “Well, this girl is pretty special. She’s got this dark brown hair and these amazing hazel eyes, and she’s super smart…”

“Jaime.”

He sighed. “I know.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t think of you that way. You’re like a brother to me.”

“I’ve seen this in human movies. It’s the friend zone isn’t it? Look. I know you will never be on the partner list. I don’t care. I stopped caring a long time ago, I’ve only been making medically necessary deposits for years. It’s all so impersonal. The more I study Earth life, the more I find I want it. I want the connection to another being. I want someone to love and that someone to love me back. It’s not unheard of for people to commit without being partnered, it’s unusual, but I’ve seen it work. Would it be difficult? Yes. Impossible? No. All I’m asking is for you to consider the possibility. Consider taking the job, working alongside me, and maybe one day, living alongside me too.”

Lexi was speechless. It was a speech she could have heard in a romance movie and she didn’t know how to respond. She didn’t want to hurt Jaime’s feelings, but she wasn’t in love with him.

“Jaime,” she whispered.

“Don’t answer me now. Just think about it. I’ll see you tonight. Deck eleven’s rec. room at 1900.” With that, Jaime left her alone in the office to her thoughts.

---

Lexi was the last to arrive at the book club that evening. Overwhelmed with her own inner struggles, she hadn’t paying attention to the time, running to deck eleven already late. The room was filled with conversation and laughter, not yet convening, while everyone gathered snacks and drinks before settling down.

Forgoing the refreshments, Lexi found Jaime in the crowd and reluctantly took the empty seat next to him. He smiled warmly at her, any hint of discomfort from their previous conversation erased from his face.

“You made it! Tonight’s discussion is over Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

Lexi gasped. An Earth book! And one she knew well, being an avid fan of Harry Potter.

Jaime leaned in conspiratorially, “I might have had some sway with the selection this go round.”

She smiled. “Thank you. I’m really excited to hear the discussion from an Azurite standpoint.”

The discussion was jovial, Lexi and Jaime interjected help when needed for understanding vocabulary and the witch world. It was sometimes difficult to explain the words that didn’t have any meaning in English, but were magical terms. The group was friendly and inviting and Lexi was felt at ease when the group split into male and females.

“This is the part where we get to gossip,” a woman shared with Lexi, taking the now vacant seat to her right. “Yes, we’re supposed to be carrying on our own ‘gender related views’ of the book,” the woman rolled her eyes. “But seriously? Get two or more women together and we can’t help but talk.”

The women moved their chairs into a circle so they could see everyone for the discussion. They talked amongst themselves for a few minutes before someone launched a question to the group.

“The women are in charge of next month’s selection. Does anyone have a recommendation?”

The group silenced as each of the women considered the question.

“Should we offer the second Harry Potter? I enjoyed the first.”

Several women from the group groaned.

“I liked it fine, but I would prefer something more mature,” another volunteered.

“There’s a great mystery series from the Grathorn’s. They sure do know how to write suspense.”

“That’s because they only talk in questions.”

Some of the women laughed.

“Perhaps a biography? There are some very interesting cultures out there.”

“I wouldn’t mind reading ‘Grey.’ It’s a man who has blue eyes and doesn’t like to be touched. Sound familiar?”

Lexi choked, “Grey? As in Fifty Shades of?”

The women burst out laughing, receiving a few looks from the men across the room. Lexi blushed. She had read the series in question, but was surprised that some of the women in the group had. Actually, the majority was now discussing the merits of Christian as an Azurite.

“I’m not sure we could convince the men to read that book. They might go running off to vomit.”

“Or to the CR.”

The last comment had the group erupting in laughter. Now all the men were staring at the women like they were an exotic species. Apparently the Azurite women were more open-minded than the men.

“Okay, okay. Enough fun at the men’s expense. I am intrigued by some of the Earth classics. Jane Eyre would be an excellent choice…”

The women returned to a more serious conversation and the group chose the book for the next month, finally sharing their choice with the men. Jaime walked Lexi back to her apartment.

“Well, you women sure seemed to enjoy Harry Potter,” he said smiling with a glint in his eye.

Lexi cleared her throat and avoided his eye contact. “Yes. They had some interesting perspectives.”

Jaime smiled a knowing smile. “It’s okay. I know what those women really talk about. My sister came a few times to the club. She isn’t as…progressive as some of the others though and stopped attending.”

“Progressive is a good word for it. It almost felt like home. Thank you, it was exactly what I needed.”

They arrived at Lexi’s door and exchanged goodbye’s before Lexi entered her room. She pressed her back against the closed door and exhaled deeply. Home. She had felt at home, if only for a few hours. Perhaps she could live here permanently.