get to it. This close, it hardly looks like a menace. It is adorable. I have never heard of one being successfully domesticated.”
“His mother died, and I guess he just kind of took to me,” Charlie said as she stroked her little fuzzball with one finger.
“May I pet him?”
She nodded and Ag’hana stroked one finger over its soft body, her lips parting in a happy smile, revealing sharp teeth Charlie had only got glimpses of with Rhyst. It seemed a bit strange that her friend was taking so much pleasure in what she admitted was more or less considered a pest in their world, but as Charlie thought about it, it made sense. Ag’hana was taking similar delight in petting the f’anril as Charlie would have taken petting a sugar glider or some other native creature on Earth that she had never seen except on vid broadcasts. Maybe a knowledge orb served a similar purpose.
“What’s a knowledge orb?” Charlie asked casually.
She was trying not to be too obviously curious without knowing how Ag’hana and other Tak’sinii within earshot would react to it. She wanted to know about this new world she found herself in, but at the same time she had enough sense to be cautious. Ag’hana, however, nodded and lifted the chain around her neck, pulling from her robe an orb set in a flat disc—one that looked almost exactly like the mechanical eye set in place of Rhyst’s eye.
“The knowledge orb allows us to communicate with each other, and others planet-wide, but it also connects us to the storage banks of knowledge in our cities. It connects directly to implants in our head that we can elect to receive once we reach adulthood. One can refuse, of course, but as they make life so much easier, why would anyone? Which reminds me that I forgot to transmit to my mate. No doubt he is concerned by now. I will take care of that now.”
Charlie watched as Ag’hana moved her finger over it a few times, her eyes going out of focus before a smile curved her lips and she tucked it back away into our robe. “My apologies. Let us continue. My mate is waiting for me to return so that we can ‘have words between us.’”
“I don’t understand. If it’s that simple and can be worn… why is Rhyst’s sphere implanted?” Charlie asked in horror.
Ag’hana grimaced. “It is really awful-looking, but I assure you that the process didn’t hurt him. It was a small sacrifice. The orbs are fragile, and they can also be fickle if the weather is bad or if we are not touching them to activate their use. The a’sankhii have theirs implanted so that they connect to them with nothing more than a thought. It is disturbing to look at, but serves a purpose. Now put on the blue dress I have set at the top of your pile—and the shawl too. Now that the sun is down it will start getting cold soon. Your suit must work marvelously to leave you unaffected by the weather. I am starting to feel chilled already through my fur,” she remarked.
Charlie ducked into the changing room. Pulling off both her EPS and her TRS, she let them land in a heap on the floor as she pulled on the buttery robe. It slicked over her skin, and she nearly groaned with pleasure. She frowned at her bare feet until a pair of soft shin-high slippers fell over the door. Even laced tight they were a bit big on her, but far better than the boots.
When she finally emerged, her suits thrown over her arm, Ag’hana was waiting for her with a large package that she held up with a broad grin.
“Soap,” she proclaimed happily.
“Thank the gods. You know, I may love you after this,” Charlie replied. “So, what’s the damage to Rhyst’s accumulated zelbs?”
His sister grinned. “Not more than he can afford to spare,” she answered. “Now let us hurry so that we may arrive at my brother’s home. My mate awaits me, and you can finally wash off the days of travel with my brother.”
“Yes, please.” Charlie sighed with such longing that it set her new friend laughing.
Their purchases split between them to be carried, they made their way out of the shop to wind along the streets that led back to the gate. Anxiety filled Charlie when they passed through the square. Although the atmosphere was almost festive, with the area lit up with