Chapter 16

Taryn’s heart swelled with excitement as she put the finishing touches on the slumber party decorations. She and her friends, Mara and Olivia, had worked tirelessly to transform the common room into a cozy haven for their fellow women from Earth who were adjusting to life on Naar.

Fluffy pillows and warm blankets covered the floor, creating a comfortable space for everyone to relax. Twinkling fairy lights hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow on the room. Taryn had even gotten her hands on an extra food dispenser that recreated some of their favorite snacks from Earth.

As the women arrived, Taryn welcomed them with open arms and warm hugs. They quickly settled in, some lounging on the cushions while others gathered around the food dispenser, eagerly trying out different treats.

Amidst laughter and catching up, Taryn and her friends set up a nail-painting station. The women took turns painting each other’s nails. As they relaxed and chatted, some of them applied face masks, enjoying the chance to pamper themselves together.

“This color looks amazing on you,” Mara exclaimed as she painted Olivia’s nails a bright shade of coral. “It really complements your skin tone.”

Olivia grinned, admiring the color. “Thanks! I love it.”

As they let the masks work their magic, the conversation naturally turned to the Synthari males pursuing them as potential mates. The women shared stories of their interactions with the males, discussing the meaningful moments and the comical misunderstandings they had encountered.

“One tried to impress me with a traditional dance,” one of the women said, her voice filled with amusement. “I tried to join in, but I kept tripping over my own feet!”

As the night went on, they indulged in more snacks from the food dispenser, which may not have accurately represented their favorite Earth foods but still brought joy and nostalgia to the group.

“These taste nothing like what I remember,” Mara said, holding up a questionable snack.

It looked like it was supposed to be a hot wing, but Taryn was uncertain. It definitely didn’t look like any chicken she’d ever seen. A huge part of her didn’t even want to think about what the food dispenser had substituted.

“But it’s still fun to try!” Mara continued before taking a bite.

Taryn nodded, popping one of the snacks into her mouth and making a face. It was supposed to be a cake pop, but it wasn’t. “Not quite right,” she agreed, causing another round of laughter.

As they talked and bonded over their shared challenges, Taryn was grateful for the connections they were building and the sense of community they were creating in this otherworldly place.

The fake fire hologram crackled and popped as the women settled into their sleeping bags and blankets. While Taryn snuggled deeper into hers, laughter and whispered secrets filled the room, providing a sense of comfort and closeness among the group. As Taryn drifted off to sleep, she smiled at how successful the slumber party had been in bringing them all together and creating a sense of home on Naar.

* * *

Taryn jolted awake, her heart pounding and her body drenched in sweat. She sat up in bed, gasping for air, the remnants of her nightmare still haunting her mind.

In the dream she had back on Earth, facing punishment for calling the Synthari to their planet. The scene had been vivid, with the oppressive atmosphere and her fear all too real. But now, Taryn was safe on Naar, far away from the troubles of her past life.

She took a few deep breaths to calm herself, glancing around her room as a sense of familiarity washed over her. The smooth walls made of organic material and the gentle glow of the lighting panel above her head reminded her that she was on Naar.

Needing to ground herself further, she got out of bed and walked to the large window that displayed the beautiful landscape of Naar. The sight helped soothe her frayed nerves.

As she turned away from the window, she remembered that today was a special day—she had a date with Losax. It would be their third date, an important milestone in their courtship. Eagerness and anxiety swamped her.

It was possible that he’d give her the third mating gift. Taryn wondered what Losax might present to her. She had no doubt that it would be just as meaningful as the others he’d given her so far.

But as much as Taryn tried to focus on the positives, the lingering unease from her nightmare nagged at her. She knew she needed to let go of her fears if she wanted to have a good time with Losax tonight.

Stepping into the bathroom, Taryn turned on the water for a cool shower, hoping it would help wash away the lingering images from her dream. As she stood under the gentle spray, she closed her eyes and took deep breaths, willing herself to let go of the distressing memories.

After her shower, Taryn dressed in a simple yet cute jumpsuit, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation for what the day might bring. As she made her way to the main room for breakfast, she felt grateful for the presence of other women on Naar.

The room with the transportable food dispenser had become a regular meeting place for them, and Taryn was glad for the warm cup of tea and the company of other women to soothe her nerves. She knew she would see Losax soon, and she wanted to focus on the moments they would share rather than her lingering fears.

As Taryn sipped her tea and chatted with the other women, a sense of calm wash over her. She reminded herself that she had come a long way since arriving on Naar—facing challenges but also finding strength within herself and a special connection with Losax.