The Satarimi Excursion - Day 1

[Victria 0]

The Satarimi Excursion - Day 1

Sometime after the planet-side dinner

 

 

“Your planet is very... calming,” Victria observed as she looked out over the Satarimi dwellings, noting that each building seemed to be placed perfectly.

 

From the garden rooftop where she and her host now stood, the vista was breathtaking. Multi-hued orbs of light broke through the darkness as the Satarimi spell-weavers continued to display their form of telekinetic magic. Though even her superior vision could not pierce the darkness beyond the protective field of the floating city, she could still detect the faint sound of the ocean waves that rolled beneath them. Behind her she felt Eriire, the Satarimi male, approach. She tilted her head slightly to listen to his beating heart.

 

“Yes. We have spent centuries perfecting our lives and our crafts. Our very nature prevents conflict.”

 

“Ironic,” Victria said wryly. “We have also spent centuries perfecting our lives and our crafts, but our very nature ensures conflict.”

 

“Yes, I know some of the violent history of your people. You are worried about them.”

 

“Are you sifting through my thoughts again?” she asked, turning slightly as he drew up beside her.

 

“Your thoughts often shift too rapidly for me to comprehend, but I do get clear imagery every so often. You keep coming back to your people and… war? They are at war?”

 

“Of sorts. There is an uprising. Many will die before it draws to a conclusion.”

 

“That is unfortunate.”

 

“There are some things that are worth such sacrifices. I would make such a sacrifice if it would mean freedom from tyranny.”

 

“Then why are you not with your people?” he asked. He instantly regretted the question as he saw the answer on her face and in her mind. “Forgive me. I now understand. Let us speak of other things.”

 

“That would be most appreciated,” she said briskly, pale eyes flitting away to the vista once more.

 

“I must confess,” he began hesitantly, “that I was not specifically designated to see to your needs. In fact, your thoughts and temperament frighten some of my kin. Despite that, I was intrigued and decided to approach you myself. Will you forgive the deception?”

 

“I am fully aware of your intentions. I cannot read your thoughts, but I can certainly smell your emotional state. You were radiating guilt when you approached.”

 

“And yet you still accepted my offer.”

 

“It is a unique proposal,” she admitted, peering sideways at his profile. “And not one lightly refused.”

 

“But you did… refuse. At first, you refused.”

 

“As I stated before, there are some that condemn my behavior as uncivilized and would attempt to cage me if they deemed me a threat. An assault during a first-contact situation would be especially deplorable in their eyes.”

 

“I do not consider it assault,” he said quietly. “I consider it… my honor.”

 

Victria turned her head to better study him, admiring the deep azure of his skin and the captivating violet of his eyes. His white hair seemed to glow in the dim moonlight that filtered through the clouds. The clothing he wore was perfectly tailored to his form and complemented his complexion. The fabric, cut, and subtle patterns conveyed understated elegance. Eriire’s costume was comprised of a dozen hues of soft gray, interwoven with threads that perfectly matched the color of his eyes.

 

“Would you allow me to show you some of my craft?” he asked.

 

When she nodded her assent, he faced her fully and held his hands slightly apart. Light leapt from his palms and flowed between his hands, shifting colors with every beat of his heart. There were no shapes to discern in the flow, only light and color and the weaving of both together. Ribbons of luminous energy intertwined and merged, combining intensity as they grew. His arms rose into the air and he drew his hands apart, stretching and changing the form of light. The strands thinned and flattened, then merged and broadened until a wall of mesmerizing radiance grew overhead. The wall curved into a dome, which slowly descended upon them both, encasing them within the shifting expanse. Though he dropped his arms to his sides, the dome remained.

 

Captivated, Victria reached out to touch the swirling surface. Her hand pushed easily through and as she withdrew a handful of light, it separated from the larger expanse and collapsed. Almost immediately, it solidified into a crystalline sphere. She rolled it between her thumb and forefinger and lifted it for inspection, surprised by the sparkling radiance it contained. Her eyes sought out Eriire’s in query.

 

“We can form the energy into whatever we would like and once it takes shape, it will remain so unless the crafter unmakes it. You may keep it if you like.”

 

“I thank you,” she said warmly. She glanced back to the sphere briefly before slipping it into one of her pockets.

 

“We have other talents as well,” he offered.

 

The dome around them exploded suddenly in a dazzling display of color. Tiny droplets of light rained down softly, dissipating randomly as they fell. Victria tilted her head to peer up through the shower, concentrating on the wisps of energy that she felt upon her face. Another sensation reached her then, this one a whisper of fingers brushed along her neck. Having neither felt nor heard Eriire move, she jerked in surprise. Another invisible touch followed the first, caressing both of her bare arms. Her eyes widen as she discovered that her companion was still several feet away.

 

“I believe you call it telekinesis,” Eriire explained.

 

Victria shivered as fingers trailed down her spine. She felt the pressure of a hand against the small of her back and braced herself against the gentle persuasion. She smirked in triumph as the prodding was unable to shift her. Eriire laughed lightly at her defiance and she felt the touch disappear. Without warning, the invisible hand returned in force and she stumbled forward into his arms.

 

“I consider that a blatant misuse of power. Hardly fair,” she protested.

 

“Perhaps not, but in first contact situations one must sometimes use iniquitous tactics,” he reasoned, smiling down at her.

 

As he cupped her face in his hands and leaned to kiss her, she again felt other invisible caresses against her skin. Her arms snaked around his neck to draw him closer and her eyes closed as she allowed herself to be swept away. Though he did not intentionally mean to project, she was able to hear his thoughts and share his emotions which heightened her state of awareness even further. Only briefly did she wonder if he comprehended the horrific things she had done, but those fleeting thoughts were brushed aside as more pleasurable ones took their place. And when the end finally arrived and overwhelming sensations coursed through them both, she took what had originally been offered and drank freely of his blood.

 

 

Later, when they had both sufficiently recovered, he asked softly, “Will you return?”

 

“Not tomorrow. Will you be able to attend dinner on our ship?”

 

“I am afraid that my position here is not of import. The delegates have already been selected.”

 

“Then I shall see you again on the third day. Will you be available?”

 

“Yes,” he said, outwardly pleased. “We shall make a day of it. There is something of our people that few off-worlders have seen. I am sure you will enjoy it.”

 

“Then I will meet you as soon as the day dawns; only know that I cannot remain in the sunlight for any significant length of time. Even through your overcast skies, the rays of your system’s star would be damaging to my skin.”

 

“Then there will be plenty of shade, if only to spare your delicate nature,” he said seriously.

 

It took her several minutes to stop laughing.