Unexpected Ambivalence - Part II

[Laehval tTemarr 0]

Unexpected Ambivalence - Part II

A shoreleave log by

El'Riov Laehval t'Temarr

 

 

The flight was everything I remembered it to be and more. D’elon was a far better pilot than my brother had been and I found myself surrendering to the experience within the first few moments of takeoff. The glider’s tiny engines whirred as it strained to take us to a high enough altitude so that we might hit the first wave of thermals. Instinctively, D’elon cut the power at the appropriate moment and we began to spiral upwards.

 

The height was dizzying at first, but I soon grew accustomed to the tilting motion of the glider as he angled it into the heated air. The transparent capsule provided a full view of the surrounding land without any obstruction. Looking down, I could see the markets of the village and the people within them grow ever smaller. The skies were clear and conditions seemed perfect for this flight. I wondered if any day had ever been so perfect.

 

Strapped into the seat in front of me, D’elon glanced back briefly and smiled at my expression. “Is it what you had expected?”

 

“It is amazing,” I said, though words seemed inadequate.

 

I hadn’t told him about the adventures with my brother because I knew it would lead to uncomfortable questions and stories that I did not wish to tell. Thus far, we had danced around our pasts and had only discussed the present or the immediate future. I knew that he did not press me because he could not reveal his own true past. Perhaps he felt guilty about deceiving me as I felt about deceiving him. I understood, but could not tell him why I understood. Not just yet.

 

“This is only the beginning,” he promised. “Wait until we reach the mountain lifts.”

 

Looking back to the landscape, I saw that he had angled the glider toward the mountains. He left one thermal to glide into another and used it to reach even further heights. I realized that if we could not reach a certain altitude before we passed over the ranges that we might not be able to clear the craggy rock faces. My grip tightened on padded armrests beside me. He must have sensed my unease because he laughed.

 

“Relax. We will make it. This is my usual course.”

 

I felt a momentary stab of jealousy that others had experienced this with him, but I quickly chastised myself over the ridiculous emotion. He was neither my bondmate nor my lover and I had no claim over him. Our previous encounters had not gone beyond mild flirtation despite my boldness on that first day. I was holding back for a reason and he sensed it and did not ask for more than I could give. I knew that when I finally revealed the truth to him – my discovery of who and what he was – he would resent any physical contact and question my motives. But that time had yet to come and so I put aside my unease, happy enough to revel in my procrastination for a while longer.

 

He was correct, of course, in stating that we would gain sufficient altitude over the mountains. They were some distance below us as we reached the invisible waves of air that broke over them. My stomach dropped as we lurched upward suddenly and I laughed in delight at the sensation. Another sharp ascension followed the first and I could not contain myself. D’elon chuckled at my response.

 

“Most females scream in terror and you are laughing. Are you certain that you are simply a boring starship engineer?”

 

“I am not like most feeeEEEEEEE….” Another sudden rise cut me off as the glider bounced on the wave and sent my stomach bouncing along with it. It reminded me of gravity loss on the ship, though without any negative connotations in knowing that something was broken.

 

“I thought not,” came his reply. He glanced back again, though only briefly as he would not risk losing control. “And because you are not like most females, I thought you might be agreeable to experience more than what I usually provide to my guests.”

 

“Like?”

 

“This, for instance…”

 

He banked the glider suddenly and we were tumbling through the air. The plane had righted itself before I had a chance to react to what had just happened. I let out the breath of air that I’d instinctively been holding.

 

“More!” I demanded, “But warn me first!”

 

“Let this be your warning then,” he said with a chuckle.

 

The sky tilted unnaturally and I found myself upside down. Sky was land and land was sky. I let out a small gasp and tightened my grip on the armrests again. I am certain that he took delight in sustaining the glider in that fashion just long enough to where I thought my head would explode. He tilted us back into proper position but used the momentum to plunge into another series of relentless acrobatics. The resulting gravitational forces pushed me back into my seat and I could not contain my laughter. When at last the gilder ceased to tumble and the world resumed its proper position, I had to take several deep breaths to clear my head.

 

“Have you had enough?”

 

“Not of gliding, but I perhaps you had better not attempt any further aerial displays. I think my stomach is beginning to revolt.” I felt both dizzy and euphoric, but I exaggerated about becoming sick. I was far tougher than he knew.

 

“Then I will definitely cease. Let me show you the firefalls you so detest from a different perspective.”

 

“If you insist,” I replied, though I was smiling.

 

We flew this way for the better part of the day, making easy conversation. He showed me many of ch’Rihan’s features, none of which I would have ever seen from a typical shuttle. The firefalls took on an entirely different appearance from above. Looking down into an active volcano filled me with awe and nervousness in the same moment. Though D’elon assured me that the volcanic ranges were not due to erupt any time in the current decade, the menacing threat of being engulfed by hot magma still remained foremost in my mind.

 

When the time came for D’elon to turn the glider back toward the village, I found that I was extremely disappointed. Though we had been flying for hours now, I did not want the experience to end. He was an excellent guide and an interesting conversationalist. Knowing his background, the depth and knowledge that he sometimes revealed did not surprise me, but I acted impressed that a simple guide would know such things.

 

The glider’s engine initiated a second time to aid in landing and we touched down on the small runway with only the slightest of jolts. After we taxied into the holding facility and he deactivated the power, D’elon helped me out of the capsule. Climbing down was tricky without steps. I nearly slipped and fell, but he steadied me, and continued to steady me as he leaned in to kiss me. I felt my legs give way as our lips met and I was thankful for his strong hold. I was not, however, pleased with my impinged sense of morality. I broke away breathlessly and disengaged myself before the kiss could develop into something he would regret.

 

“Laehval…,” he protested softly. I could see the pained look in his eyes and the confusion on his face. “I must apologize for my behavior. I let myself get carried away…”

 

“Do not…,” I tried making excuses, but trailed off as I didn’t know where to begin. “D’elon… we must talk.”

 

“Of course,” he said uneasily, unsure of what was to come. “I will take you back to the room and we will talk.”

 

“Thank you,” I said calmly, but the sickening feeling in my stomach was beginning to grow now that the euphoria of flying was fading. I thought I had mentally prepared myself for his reaction, but I would soon discover that some situations could not be predicted.

[STSF_BluRox 0]

Unexpected Ambivalence - Part II

A shoreleave log by

El'Riov Laehval t'Temarr

The flight was everything I remembered it to be and more.

 

Really awesome log Laeh! I half expect you to get your own ship and end up racing him now...