Chapter 5

Sophie

It was definitely weird to be moving in with a guy on the same day you met him.

It was doubly weird to do it on camera.

And then add in the mix that he was a fish-alien-man-person, and today was already off the rails from the moment her eyes opened.

He bit into the chocolate with shark teeth!

The mental image of him opening his mouth and seeing that all of his front teeth were pointed was burned into her mind even after she ended the live stream and followed Serval off the transport ship and onto his own ship. She wasn't sure why his teeth, more than the moving tentacles on his head or the fins on his arms – and calves, as it turned out – and those big eyes over slitted nostrils were doing the most to freak her out. Maybe it was because she had to kiss that mouth.

Maybe. Probably. Did his people kiss?

Just another question in a long line that she wanted to ask but was waiting until after the stream when they were in a more comfortable environment. She loved her sweeties, of course, and she wanted to share her life with them, but there were some things that weren't meant for the camera. And tender moments between her and her fishman mate, especially the first ones, were on the list.

"I hope my ship is comfortable for you," Serval said, looking back at her over his shoulder as he sealed the doors connecting the two ships. They were both just casually floating out in space, connected by two doors, like it was nothing. "My species runs hotter than yours, so I might normally keep it too warm for you. I've turned it down a bit though."

"That's okay. I like it warm," she smiled, not even lying. "Ice cream is frozen, and I love ice cream, and it's better to eat it when it's hot. That's how my channel started, you know. I was making cool and yummy ice cream combos at my job at an ice cream shop. And it just kind of exploded from there. And ice cream is tastiest when you're warm and snuggly."

"I don't think I've ever had anything like that," Serval confessed, leading the way down the hall. "But I imagine you'll have me trying it before long."

Sophie just beamed. "I'm going to blow your mind! Ice cream is the best!"

He sent her a smile before stopping in front of a door. "This is your room. I've prepared it for you. I wasn't sure what to get you or what you might like, so I got the basics. But anything else you need, just feel free to let me know."

Sophie bobbed her head eagerly, excited to see what was inside.

The transport ship that brought her here had been very austere. Simple, plain, unadorned. It was clearly meant just to bring people from one place to another. Like a train car – it was nice, but it was all very impersonal and uninspired.

Serval's ship, while smaller in size, was already much bigger in personality, and she had only seen one hall. But the differences were incredible.

The halls weren't square, like the transport ship – and every other building she could think of – but were instead round with a slightly flattened bottom. Strips of light ran down the two sides, the ceiling, and under her feet, pulsing with a deep, purplish-blue color, swirling like galaxy patterned waves rushing across a sandy, nighttime beach. It wasn't dim, though, there was still white light that seemed to be coming from the walls themselves. Doors were round as well, with lips at the bottom like she was in a naval ship. As far as she could see, there wasn't a right angle to be found.

Her continued appreciation of the ship's hallway architecture was interrupted when Serval said-

"Your belongings were put in stowage. All except the ones you marked for immediate use. I had those brought to your room."

"So, I get my own room?"

He gave her a look that heated her to her toes. "I figured it would be too soon for us to share one."

She gave him a grateful smile. As much as she found herself attracted to him, she was glad for the bit of space. "I was under the impression that mates went at it immediately when they met each other"

"Some do. If they're triggered." He shrugged. "Our bond hasn't triggered."

"Huh?" Sophie's brows furrowed. "What do you mean? I thought the trigger was, like, supposed to be this whole thing? We're supposed to be mates already. Right?"

"It's not that easy. My people's trigger is by touch."

"We shook hands."

"Not that kind of touch," he chuckled, his hands casually in his pockets. "It's a specific kind of touch. And I'm not entirely sure how you're going to manage it. Being human and all."

Sophie's head cocked curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Your, er, hair. Correct? It's not sensate, is it?"

"Sensate…? You mean, can I sense things through it?" She reached up to touch her curls. "Er, no? I'm guessing your… er, hair is?"

"Olules."

"Sorry. Olules. I guess they can feel things?"

He grunted in confirmation. The tentacles on his head wiggling in their loose band. "They're sensitive. Moreover, they're a defense mechanism."

"Oh?"

"They sting."

"Oh." She grimaced, looking at his olules again. "Like… bad?"

"I'm told it's very painful to species that aren't allowee."

"Ah."

"Precisely. You can see how I would then be concerned. For the allowee, if I were to let my olules and that of a female's entwine, it would be only pleasurable. It's considered an intimate act. Moreover, when you touch your mate's olules for the first time, that is our trigger. But I am not certain how I can entwine my olules into your hair the same way."

Sophie was petting her own curls now, frowning at his head tentacles. "I'd rather we maybe test it out first. On like some non-sensitive skin? Just to make sure it's safe."

He grunted again. "I agree. But we can get to all that later. First, let me show you around your room."

Sophie had already gotten a crash course in common alien appliances – toilet, shower, pod beds – in the transport ship on the way here. But this ship clearly had a completely different vibe. And she wasn't quite ready to finish talking to Serval either, so she was glad to follow him in.

Their bond might not have triggered yet, but she couldn't say she didn't enjoy talking to the guy. He was handsome, in a very alien kind of way. The pointed teeth filling the front of his mouth had been surprising at first, but when he wasn't smiling, she couldn't even see them. She found herself curious about the fins on his limbs, his ears, and wondering what other differences his body had.

But stinging head tentacles? She was picturing a jellyfish sting, something she'd experienced at the beach once. It hadn't been deadly, but it had been terribly painful. She didn't want to kiss this guy only to get stung in the face by his olules. Definite mood killer.

This whole mating thing had seemed so fun in concept, but the reality of suddenly being thrown at a guy of a completely different species and being told that they were soul mates was so awkward. Even dating wasn't this unusual. She had been so excited by the idea of a first meeting reaction that she hadn't asked questions. She had so many now.

She didn't ask any of them, however, as she stepped over the lip of the doorway into her room. More rounded lines and bubble architecture met her eyes.

The room was flat with rounded walls, like she was inside of a donut. There was even a big sphere in the center that, she realized, was the bed. It had a circular entrance and was padded and surrounded with pillows like a cave nest. It looked super cozy and comfortable, and the walls were made of frosted glass, so it still seemed open and bright.

The ring of the room had benches for seating, a screen built into one wall, and shelves. The suitcases she brought with her clothes and daily items were set just inside the door. Another door on the other wall was already open, leading into a bathroom.

"I know it looks different," Serval told her as she looked around. "I like the allowee traditional style, but all the controls are still in Standard. You shouldn't have a problem using anything."

Sophie smiled at him. "I like it."

"You do?" Something like relief crossed his face, but it was covered quickly. "I know it's not familiar to you."

"No, but I don't want familiar. I love this! It's gorgeous!" She threw open her arms, turning with a laugh.

The donut room had the same light producing walls, giving the entire room a comfortable, yellow kind of glow that seemed absolutely heavenly. She wanted to curl up in the center bed/nest and read a book or record a quick video for her fans.

Serval smiled, following her as she wandered around, looking at everything. "Allowee ships tend to be designed for both space and undersea travel. So, it's a bit different from what you're used to."

"This thing goes underwater?!" Sophie turned to him, beaming. "No way!"

He grinned, leaning in to whisper. "I paid extra for advanced weather protection. The Ha Valol can endure lava temperatures for up to half a mark, fly straight in a massive typhoon, and withstand the pressures of the deep sea up to fifteen kilolengths."

"That's so cool!" Sophie laughed. "Is it fast?"

"Turbo charged engine with dual thrusters and its own subspace generator." He said it so proudly, looking around at the walls with no small amount of affection. "The defenses on it are military grade. And it comes with three separate landing pods capable of dropping and returning to the ship from ground level all the way to orbit."

"You really like your ship, huh?"

"Well, it is my home," he admitted, focusing back on her. "I mean, I have my ancestral home back on my homeworld, but the Ha Valol is my real home."

"Van life, space style," she grinned.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just thinking. I guess you have this mobile fortress for your job, right? Does that mean we get to travel everywhere?"

He grunted in confirmation. "Everywhere. Is that alright?"

"Are you kidding? Traveling all over space in our own, luxury spaceship? What girl wouldn't love that kind of thing? I'm excited. Where are we going first?"

"Well, I haven't picked my next story to chase. I am doing a piece on Earth and the matchmating program though. I was hoping I could interview you for that."

"Yeah, totally."

"It won't be as casual as your videos," he warned quickly, a frown forming.

Sophie laughed. "Yeah, I got that. Don't worry, I can do traditional style media too. Should I dress up for the occasion?"

"You're beautiful as you are."

He said it so immediately, so casually, looking her up and down with such approval and warmth, it made her heart skip a beat before lodging directly in her throat. She bit her lip, turning her eyes away as she blushed.

"Thanks. Er, shall we do it now?"

"You can rest first. I'll show you around the ship. Let you get comfortable here. I'll interview you tomorrow. If that's alright?"

Sophie nodded quickly, smiling. "Perfect. Er, I know it's probably a bit awkward to ask like this, but can we… talk? Outline our expectations and maybe our boundaries?"

"Hm? Have I pushed you too hard on something?"

"No!" She hastened to assure him. "You're great. Really. I just… I didn't know about olules and so there's probably other stuff I don't know. I thought maybe if we had a chance to sit down and talk things over, it would be better in the long run."

Approval and warmth rushed over his face, and he smiled at her. "That's a wonderful idea. We'll talk over third meal, will that suffice?"

She nodded. "Great. Thanks."

"No. It is a good idea. I should have thought of it first." He stepped back. "I'll let you get comfortable. I'll be back in about a mark to collect you so we can eat. Alright?"

"Sure. Thanks."

Serval showed her how to use the intercom system of the ship to call him if she needed something – there was nowhere in the ship he could go that he wouldn't hear her. He told her that he bought her a combot for her to use – which was like a fancy, floating cellphone thing that he demonstrated using his own as an example. He promised he'd set it up and teach her how to use hers later.

After that, he left the room, leaving her by herself. He turned back, keeping his eyes on her as long as possible as the doors slid closed behind him – which they did in a spiral kind of pattern, individual segments sealing together like a flower closing.

Sophie bit her lip, turning to look at her new room. All hers. Just like he was all hers. Or he was supposed to be. She wasn't sure how she felt about claiming a guy so immediately…

But…

Sophie's eyes lowered as her heart pounded, thinking about him.

Serval was really hot. She really liked him. Even though he seemed pretty standoffish, he had still been thoughtful enough to prepare a whole room for her. He had overseen the transfer of her luggage onto his ship. He was asking her for permission without assuming anything.

A gentleman. An aquatic alien in a rounded spaceship.

She was really into it.