He began to fuss with my clothes again. I bit my lip. Kal was precious. I rubbed my cheek against his, and he finally stilled. He gripped my hips, fingers digging in, and he held me close.
“You will be careful,” he said.
“I will, and so will you.”
“I’m meeting with some local dignitaries.”
“And I’m going to a tavern with Urgg and Wyn,” I countered. Kal acted like I was going into battle, not having a drink. “I’ll meet you back here later.”
Kal’s tail remained curled about my ankle. I grabbed a handful of his shirt and lightly shook him, causing the necklace I’d bought him to sway—I hadn’t seen him take it off yet.
“Breathe, Babe,” I told him. “I’ll be alright.”
Slowly, his tail unspooled. “Be careful.”
“Worry wort.”
His brow furrowed in obvious confusion, which made me chuckle. Kal made me happy, and more than that, he made me feel secure. Something I hadn’t felt since I was a young child.
“I will come back.”
“I’m holding you to that,” Kal said, hovering over me.
“See you later.”
“I will be here.”
I went to Wyn’s side and searched for Urgg, but they were saying goodbye to their mate, quite passionately and without reservation. Clearing my throat, I turned toward Wyn, who was staring at the ground.
“Are you excited?” I asked him.
“It should be fun.”
Urgg finally stopped mauling their mate and asked. “Ready?” They clapped our shoulders, and I staggered under the firm hit, though Wyn didn’t even flinch.
“Yep,” I said, stretching.
We headed down the busy street, and people of all different kinds pressed against me. Some I recognized from the ship or Petty, even if I didn’t know the name of their species. Like the short orange aliens who sold the freaky worm creatures or the sheepdog aliens from Petty or the blue pencil-thin aliens like Vik from the experience shop.
Sidlis filled the market, standing out with their pale green skin that had the texture of bark, towering height, and gossamer clothes, which made them appear naked. One passed right in front of me, and I couldn’t help but stare at their impossibly sharp features and their dark green hair braided with hundreds of shiny, clear beads, making it look like drops of dew clung to the strands.
Afraid of getting caught staring, I ripped my gaze away to focus on the shops carved into the trees. Vine bridges spanned the gaps between the trees, and dwellings filled the many branches. Colorful birds flitted back and forth, chirping. Flowers of every shade hung from the trees in a waterfall of colors.
“I like it here,” I said.
Wyn hooked his tail around my wrist, probably afraid he would lose me in the crowd. “Me too.”
On my other side, Urgg commented, “It’s too humid and green for my taste. My planet has the loveliest rock formations and shrubs. Nothing to block the sky.”
“Wasteland,” Wyn said with a snort.
“Take that back,” they snapped. “It is lovely beyond compare. The only thing I find prettier is Talvax.”
Wyn grinned. “I will not.”
“It’s better than that jungle you call home.”
I interrupted, stopping the fight, “Where is this tavern that is supposed to be utterly amazing?”
