Chapter 40

Sollit

"Isn't she precious?" Sollit asked, grinning down as Leah followed Corvidair out of the auditorium, a cute little pep in her step. He and his brother were on the second level. They had just spotted her down there when Corvidair called out to her. Instead of inserting themselves, they'd stayed back and watched them talk.

"She really is," Tillos agreed, leaning against the railing with him. "She is expanding that part for us, isn't she? The prince, I mean."

Sollit laughed. "I can't wait. It's going to be fun to be presenting a human story. And one that clearly is special to her."

"We must do our best."

Sollit nodded his agreement. The human gesture was easy to use, so much so that incorporating it into his nonverbal body language was a simple thing. Kind of like the way it was so easy to incorporate Leah into their lives.

Their parents were eager to meet her in person. He was eager to show their fathers how much progress they had made with her. Even from here, he could see the difference in the clearness of her skin, the shine of her hair, the bounce in her step.

Tillos chuckled. Sollit didn't need to ask to know he was amused by the pride filling his chest.

"You can't say you don't feel the same." He stood straight, turning and leaning back against the railing instead, crossing his arms. "We should do something for her."

"What did you have in mind?" Tillos asked, immediately agreeing with the sentiment.

"How about a bonding ceremony?"

"Hm. Do you think she'd go for it this soon?"

"This soon?" Sollit laughed. "We've been mated for tendays now. As far as I consider it, we're overdue for our first one."

"I would agree were our mate not human."

"Please. She's been willing to do everything else. This would be easy in comparison." Sollit gave him a look. "I know you want it as much as I do."

"Of course," Tillos said without hesitation. "I would have already had us do one. I would have started when we were courting her if I thought she would do it."

Sollit nodded eagerly, agreeing. "I say we do it while we're in subspace, before the next station. No one will bother us then."

Tillos thought about it a moment before nodding. "It's a good idea."

"Tonight?"

"Tonight. If she agrees."

"Excellent." Sollit beamed, standing straight. "Do you want to bring her?"

"No. I'd rather prepare. I'm better at that."

"True," Sollit smiled. "I'll leave it to you then. I'll explain things to her."

Tillos grinned back at him, excitement welling up in their chests. His brother was the type to tamp down on his own eagerness to do something if he thought others wouldn't want it. Sollit didn't share that particular trait, and he considered that a good thing. It balanced them. Because Sollit was certainly willing to express his desires, and it meant that Tillos was free to be excited about the things Sollit was willing to ask for him.

And it started with this.

Bonding was important. Their fathers made sure to have a bonding ceremony with their mother at least once a tenday, if not more. Of course, they were retired now and living a life of luxury and indulgence, so they could afford such things. Still, Sollit saw no reason why they couldn't have a similar ceremony with their female at least once after every play finished its run. At least until the day they retired and could join their parents in a lazy life.

Grinning at the idea of their future, Sollit separated from Tillos to get ready.

***

"…and then they get married and fly off together," Leah was saying as Sollit stepped in through the open doorway of Corvidair's office. The troupe leader was looking at her with an expression of extreme focus. Leah, however, seemed uncertain. "Do you think it's too childish?"

Corvidair blinked and smiled at her. "Nonsense! We once put on a play that was about a young girl chasing after her missing pet. People love lighthearted stories. You will have to show me this movie later. For now, it appears your mate wants your attention."

"Huh?" She blinked then turned, surprised to see him standing there. But the moment she did, her face broke out into a wide smile. "Sollit, you're back. How was your comm?"

Sollit smiled. It still made him so happy when his mate recognized him immediately. "Hello, aevea . Are you finished with Corvidair?"

"We can be," Corvidair answered for her. "I have to get the ship moving. Go ahead."

"Thanks, boss," Sollit smiled, offering his hand.

Leah stood, taking it eagerly. She waved back at Corvidair as Sollit pulled her out

"You've picked your play, then?" He asked, like he hadn't already heard her do so.

She nodded, beaming. "It's an old story I used to love as a kid. It's about this girl that's born really small, like this big, in a flower, and her adventures coming of age."

"Fun," Sollit smiled. "You can tell Tillos and I all about it tonight."

Leah nodded eagerly. "Where is Tillos?"

"He's waiting for us in our room." Sollit came up short, turning to hold both of her hands. "If you like, we'd like to participate in a bonding ceremony with you tonight. Maybe into tomorrow. Even the day after, if you'd like."