Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: HairyHeretic on 22-07-2009, 02:39:05</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>22-07-2009, 02:39:05</strong>
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				<em>We never thought that First Contact would be this way. A shipload of refugees fleeing from a war between two alien superpowers, they told us what it was really like out amongst the stars. We'd been lucky up until now. A quirk of geography had placed us way out on the fringes, but the way that wars spread, that wouldn't likely stay that way.<br><br>This was war to knife. No quarter given. The smaller races had been sucked into it. Neutrality wasn't an option. The refugees confirmed that, telling tales of genocide, entire planets slagged to the bedrock. Well, if humanity was going to get sucked in, best we found out first hand about things.<br><br>That's why a handful of Explorer Corps were sent out to what we hoped were fringe systems, where we could gather information, and hopefully make a peaceful contact.<br><br>That was the plan anyway ...</em><br><br>- - - - -<br><br>The raucous buzz of the alarm had been designed specifically to make sure that it got the attention of anyone not actually dead. Rick Ward rolled out of his bunk and hit the floor half on his knees before he was fully awake. <br><br>"All hands, all hands, man combat stations. This is not a drill." came the captains voice over the intercom, thankfully cutting the alarm off. Rick shook the last of the sleep from his head, muttered a quick, but heartfelt, "Fuck!" and dove into his jumpsuit. Twenty seconds later he was sprinting down the main axial corridor, slapping a hand against one of the corner stanchions to catapult him around the bend.<br><br>"We appear to have a battle in progress." came the captains voice again. "We're going to sit here and nice and quiet til the shooting stops, then see if anyone is in the mood to talk."<br><br>Rick dashed through the hatch into the damage control bay, and started pulling on the suit, wincing as he made the plumbing connections with more haste than care. "I'm never going to get used to those things." he muttered. He had just finished connecting his helmet and checking all the suit telltales when the ship gave a small lurch. Before he could wonder aloud what that had been he found himself tossed through the air to crash into the suit lockers, the main lighting in the room flickering and dying, to be replaced by the red tinged emergency lighting. <br><br>"What the hell was that?"<br><br>"We're taking fire."<br><br>The voices of the other members of his team crackled in his ear. <br><br>"Stow that." snapped P.O. O'Malley. "Let the bridge worry about that. Internal sensors are showing red lights all over the shop, and we've got no pressure outside this room. Grab your gear and get to work." The door opened with a hiss of escaping air, to show flickering lights in the corridor beyond. <br><br>"Ward, Kirkland, aft. Travis, you're with me. If you find something you can fix, do it. If you can't, call it in to me."<br><br>"Gotcha." replied Kirkland, moving towards the rear of the ship.<br><br>Within 30 seconds, the two had reached a section where even the emergency lights had failed. "This cannot be good." muttered Rick over the private com to Kirkland. "No shit, Sherlock." came the reply, her voice tight. "I think that ..." <br><br>She broke off suddenly as the two of them turned a corner and found themselves staring at the empty expanse of space, and the main body of the ship drifting some distance behind them.<br><br>"So not good." said Rick, before his training snapped into place. "O'Malley. We're at junction .. D-7. We're open to space here. I mean the ship's been cut in two. We can see the aft section, it's a couple of hundred meters back there."<br><br>"Confirm that report." came the Petty Officers voice, holding a touch of shock in it.<br><br>"The ship is in two pieces." confirmed Kirkland, looking down. "Every deck is breached, I can see fires below."<br><br>"Understood." The P.O.'s voice was grim. "Bridge is sealed, and we can't raise anyone on any channel. I'm declaring abandon ship. Get to the shuttle. We'll meet you there. Grab anyone you can find."<br><br>"Got it." replied Kirkland. <br><br>Rick nodded, turning for one last look at the remainder of the ship, just in time to see it struck by some kind of energy beam, and vanish in a massive fireball. He hadn't even time to throw his hands up in a futile gesture of protection before the blast wave hit, and darkness claimed him.<br><br>- - - - -<br><br>"I can't be dead." Rick muttered as he began to come around. "I hurt too much to be dead." He licked his lips, tasting the coppery tang of blood on them, and carefully arrested the tumble he was in with jets of maneuvering gas, setting his gaze on the massive gas giant that hung outside the dust belt ahead of him. He gave a slow, methodical check on his suits telltales, and grimaced. Air was down to 20%. Suit power not much better than that. Locator beacon was amber .. might work, might not. At least the suit radio was still operable. <br><br>After about a minute or slowly quartering the space around him, there was absolutely nothing to be seen. No other survivors, no shuttle, no debris. "This day just keeps getting better." he muttered, shaking his head, and instantly regretting it. <br><br>He pressed the keypad to activate his beacon, and waited. If any other survivors were out there, he'd get a response if they were in range.<br><br>"Nothing." he murmured. "Yeah, that figures. Ok, plan B."<br><br>He opened a transmission channel, focusing on the words of the trade language. His head was still pounding, but some of the sentences had been drilled into the crew til they could say them in their sleep. He'd never thought this would be the first he'd be using for real. "Mayday, mayday, mayday, to anyone on this channel. Ship down, survivors adrift, requesting assistance. Anyone on this frequency, please respond." He repeated the message every minute or so, eyes moving around the starfield looking for anything that might indicate a ship.<br><br>A check on the suit readouts showed air and life support slowly dropping, and he continued broadcasting his mayday. The 5% air remaining alarm broke in midway through his latest recitation, and he broke off with a sigh, killing the automated voice that was telling him to return to the ship. <br><br>"Fuck it." he muttered, bringing up the suit power enough to start his music player. He fixed his gaze on the brightest light he could see, and opened a channel, letting the music spill out into the darkness.<br><br><em>I see the bad moon arising.<br>I see trouble on the way.<br>I see earthquakes and lightnin.<br>I see bad times today.<br><br>Don't go around tonight,<br>Well, its bound to take your life,<br>Theres a bad moon on the rise.<br><br>I hear hurricanes ablowing.<br>I know the end is coming soon.<br>I fear rivers over flowing.<br>I hear the voice of rage and ruin.<br><br>Don't go around tonight,<br>Well, its bound to take your life,<br>Theres a bad moon on the rise.<br>All right!<br><br>Hope you got your things together.<br>Hope you are quite prepared to die.<br>Looks like we're in for nasty weather.<br>One eye is taken for an eye.<br><br>Don't go around tonight,<br>Well, its bound to take your life,<br>Theres a bad moon on the rise.<br><br>Don't go around tonight,<br>Well, its bound to take your life,<br>Theres a bad moon on the rise.</em><br><br>He felt his head starting to grow fuzzy, and a check on the air gauge showed it flashing 0. He set his gaze on the shining point of light and waited, noticing almost absently the darkness in his vision grow, the starfield fading, til there was nothing but the darkness and that one solitary point of light.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>23-07-2009, 20:14:54</strong>
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				The mood on the command deck of the Tempest, the flagship of the 51st Strike Group of the Loroi Imperial Fleet, would have been easily discernable to a telepathic observer. The tenor of their silent communication could be described as grimly subdued, and yet any creature not so gifted by <em>senzai</em> but reasonably sensitive to body language might also have been able to pick up the visual cues in their stoic demeanor--- faces strained by the recent heavy losses of the other two Strike Groups to their enemy, the Umiak…light-blue skin tight and pinched around thinned lips and darkened around their eyes from lack of sleep.&nbsp; <br><br>Yesterday’s battles had cost them dearly… and they knew that the Umiak would be back for more.<br><br>They were on their way back to Loroi territory, hobbling now on badly depleted resources in a circumspect route around the Charred Steppes, that sector of space considered no-man’s land.&nbsp; All formerly inhabited worlds in the system had long since been abandoned or destroyed as brutal battles raged, and still rages, across it.&nbsp; The Umiak’s larger than expected forces had dispersed after the last battle, repelled by the speed and heavy firepower of Loroi ships, but were hiding in dust disks scattered across the Steppes.&nbsp; Avoiding those forces now was the mission of the Tempest to safeguard its last remaining resources before their own forces could regroup.<br><br>So far, they were in the clear.&nbsp; No sign of Umiaks anywhere, or so the Farseers of the crew assured the Captain.<br><br><em>I see the bad moon arising.<br>I see trouble on the way.<br>I see earthquakes and lightnin.<br>I see bad times today.<br><br>Don't go around tonight,<br>Well, its bound to take your life,<br>Theres a bad moon on the rise.</em><br><br>Communication officer Mizol Aran Hanat jumped up from her instrument console.&nbsp; <em>“Captain, we have an incoming on an open frequency!”</em> The words did not form on her lips, but rather in a telesend that jumped from her mind to that of Captain Ellania Nirval’s, literally faster than the speed of light.&nbsp; The thoughts in the Farseer’s mind ‘voice’ hinted of barely controlled alarm and astonishment that was quite unlike the near numbness that most of the crew had been feeling.<br><br>The Captain turned her head sharply.&nbsp; Even with open telepathic communications, which laid bare the sender’s mind with little chance for misconstruing intents and motives, it was sometimes necessary to observe the sender’s face and body language.&nbsp; After all, mind assaults have been known to drive a Loroi to madness, especially those with such exquisite sensitivity to mind signals even at great distances…<br><br><em>“How can that be?”</em>&nbsp; She turned her lithe, long-limbed form from her own command console and faced Mizol Hanat, piercing, brilliant amber eyes probing the younger Loroi’s as she bombarded the officer with silent questions.&nbsp; <br><br>Listel Desiret Anyari, whose spoken name was Beryl, sat up straighter at her console, alerted by the sudden tenseness of both officers.&nbsp; Their communications were not on open send so that she and other Loroi could not yet guess what alarmed them.<br><br>But it was not long before the entire command deck was listening to the strange transmission that had taken the Farseer by surprise.&nbsp; And so it should have.&nbsp; That the ranking Farseer had not detected <em>this</em> with the most powerful detection amplifying technology available to Loroi should be cause for alarm for the entire Strike Group.&nbsp; <br><br>It was a male voice, singing in a strange language to even stranger music.<br><br><em>I hear hurricanes ablowing.<br>I know the end is coming soon.<br>I fear rivers over flowing.<br>I hear the voice of rage and ruin.<br><br>Don't go around tonight,<br>Well, its bound to take your life,<br>Theres a bad moon on the rise.<br>All right!</em><br><br><br><em>“All crew on battle stations!”</em> Captain Nirval, whose spoken name was Stillstorm, opened her mind in a ship-wide broadcast to every single mind on the Tempest.&nbsp; And such was the power of her telesend that even those resting in their bunks were rocked out of their sleep to scramble back to their posts.&nbsp; <em>“Full power to weapons array!”</em>&nbsp; <br><br>In moments, the flagship and the remaining ships of 51st Strike Group were on full alert to the possible presence of the enemy. <br><br><em>“Listel Anyari, what language is this?”</em> Stillstorm demanded of Beryl as she paced behind her senior tactical analyst in long, controlled steps.&nbsp; <br><br>A frown wrinkled Beryl’s smooth forehead, her amethyst-tinted silver eyes continuing to widen as more of the transmission flooded in.&nbsp; <em>“I do not know, Captain,”</em> she reported.&nbsp; <em>“My data archives show no match to such a language.&nbsp; It does not belong to any known tongue both of friend or foe.”</em>&nbsp; Her eidetic memory, a prized skill of her ‘Observer’ caste, enabled her to function as the crew’s telepathic data repository as well as a data analyst.<br><br><em>“An artifice of the enemy, perhaps.”</em> The entire command deck heard the Captain’s quiet musings.&nbsp; <em>“More cunning than I would have thought of the Umiak, but it is best not to underestimate our enemy.&nbsp; Farseer, say you that there are no other Umiak minds in this sector?”</em> she demanded.<br><br>Mizol Hanat, also known as Tempo, closed her eyes for a few moments, letting her mind reach afar, its power amplified by the headpiece ensconced on her purplish locks.&nbsp; Then she opened her eyes and confirmed, <em>“No, Captain, I am certain there are no other minds in this vicinity.&nbsp; At least none that I can detect.”</em><br><br>Stillstorm nodded grimly.&nbsp; <em>“Lotai.”</em>&nbsp; Lotai was the ability of any sentient being to shield its mind from the powerful probes of a Farseer.&nbsp; It was very rare among the Loroi and among their enemies… and very much to be feared.&nbsp; <em>“We shall approach then, if no enemy be about.&nbsp; The distress signal may yet be genuine.”</em> <br><br>The Strike Group approached slowly, every ship’s weapon bristling and ready to explode at Stillstorm’s command.&nbsp; What soon filled their view filled them with even more astonishment.<br><br>The command deck was open on every side through an invisible protective shield, and the profound vastness of space formed the majestic walls and roof of the bridge.&nbsp; &nbsp;As the small cluster of ships closed in on the distress signal, they were able to magnify and display the area of space from whence it originated on their screens so that the debris of the strange ship seemed to float past the Tempest.&nbsp; <br><br>The alien ship was utterly destroyed.&nbsp; Beryl’s eyes scanned the smoldering field of destruction and searched her data banks, but came up with no match to what little was left of the ship. Still-Storm nodded at her report, her own mind grasping the meaning of this discovery.&nbsp; From what her officers could determine, the ship had only been recently destroyed, perhaps even only a few hours ago… and yet its lotai had been so impenetrable that her most powerful Farseer could not detect the lifeforms that must have manned it. <br><br><em>Hope you got your things together.<br>Hope you are quite prepared to die.<br>Looks like we're in for nasty weather.<br>One eye is taken for an eye.<br><br>Don't go around tonight,<br>Well, its bound to take your life,<br>Theres a bad moon on the rise.<br><br>Don't go around tonight,<br>Well, its bound to take your life,<br>Theres a bad moon on the rise.</em><br><br><br><br><em>“There is one still alive, at least,”</em> Beryl murmured, her mind trying to translate the words of the song.&nbsp; It was faintly similar to the Trade language of another remote system, and perhaps she could make out the words ‘bad’ and ‘moon’.&nbsp; <br><br>The Strike Group hovered around the debris while scouting ships collected no less 57 bodies or parts thereof.&nbsp; Over the next few hours, attempts to resuscitate the victims yielded no results except in one case… and this one male survivor soon caused an upheaval among the Loroi on the Flagship.&nbsp; <br><br>Beryl was commanded to be present in the medbay to glean and analyze what information she can, so she watched, along with Tempo and Teidar Paran Leinnol, otherwise known as Fireblade and the marine major in charge of security, as the medical officer performed various delicate operations on the male to revive him.&nbsp; <br><br>Beryl’s eyes swept over the male more than once.&nbsp; He was large.. larger than the largest Loroi male she had ever seen, with larger muscle groups than the more effeminate Loroi males possessed.&nbsp; Large in many ways… and her eyes had widened even more when his suit had been peeled from him and revealed his anatomy.&nbsp; How did the females of his species manage to receive such a large organ?&nbsp; Through evolution, Loroi females had adapted to the size of the precious few Loroi males.&nbsp; And what species was he?&nbsp; Was he a contrivance of the Umiak?&nbsp; If so, he was perhaps the most elaborate ruse that their enemy had yet devised.&nbsp; <br><br>Which was why he had been bound to the table with metal fetters at his wrists and ankles, and Fireblade assigned to preside over the prisoner.<br><br>With countless sensors and monitors, it was soon clear to Beryl that although he was physically very similar to the Loroi, his biochemistry was very different.&nbsp; Which perhaps explained the lotai that shielded his mind, even in unconsciousness, from a Loroi’s telepathic probes.<br><br>Medical officer Listel Daris Venia nodded with satisfaction as she swept her eyes over her data screens.&nbsp; <em>”He should be awakening soon,”</em> she informed the triad.&nbsp; &nbsp; <br><br>Fireblade nodded, her glittering green eyes narrowing on the prisoner.&nbsp; As a member of the Teidar or "Unsheathed" caste, she possessed powerful telepathic and psychokinetic abilities, amplified by the headpiece she wore on her fiery red locks.&nbsp; She was perhaps the tallest of the crew, half a head taller than Beryl or Tempo, and her strong, supple body was formidably showcased in the uniform of her caste.&nbsp; Next to her, although both strong and very fit, Beryl and Tempo seemed more delicate, each with lighter blue skin that appeared almost white in their sleep.&nbsp; Beryl’s hair was a silken, silvery mop, her pointed ears peeking daintily from casually tousled waves while Tempo’s hair was a more decorous updo with a purplish tint.&nbsp; Her dark, ruby red eyes were in stark contrast to the almost transparent shimmer of Beryl’s large, lavender-tinged silver eyes.&nbsp; All three were the cream of their respective castes—graceful, strong, beautifully proportioned Loroi women who represented their race quite dutifully and ably.&nbsp; <br><br>When the strange male awakened, he would find them hovering around him, and his naked body clamped down on the bed with three pairs of alien female eyes waiting patiently to probe the depths of his mind.&nbsp; <br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>24-07-2009, 02:25:50</strong>
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				It was the cold that seemed to drag Rick back to consciousness. "Funny ..." he muttered, head throbbing. "I'd always expected this place to be warmer." He opened his eyes, hissing at the overwhelming brightness of the light, blinking as he tried to adjust to the fresh stab of pain in his head.<br><br>He tried to raise a hand to rub them, and lurched as his hand wouldn't move. He tried to sit up, but something across his chest was preventing it. As his sight returned he first saw he was strapped down, second that he seemed to be completely naked, and third that a trio of alien ... women? ... were staring at him.<br><br>His head darted from one to another, turning his wrists within whatever restraints held him. Whatever they were, they seemed secure, so he slowly relaxed back down onto the bed. <em>No sense wearing myself out before I can do anything.</em> he thought, fighting back the urge to struggle more.<br><br>Turning his attention back to the aliens he realised that one had approached closer and started speaking. It took another moment or two for him to make sense of her words. <em>Trade language?</em> he thought, listening more carefully. <em>Yeah .. yeah, I think it is.</em> He took a moment to compose himself, mentally running through the words he wanted before speaking them aloud.<br><br>"Yes, I speak the Trade Language. I can understand you."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>24-07-2009, 19:56:18</strong>
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				The three Loroi females watched with varying degrees of fascination, curiosity, caution and suspicion as the male struggled in his fetters.&nbsp; Fireblade crossed her arms over her statuesque chest, her face composed in its usual guarded stillness, while Tempo gazed thoughtfully down at him.<br><br><em>”He is strong to have survived the catastrophe to his ship,”</em> she imparted to her crewmates.&nbsp; Their communications were of a more intimate nature than crewmates warranted, for physical touch enabled telepathic connections between Loroi to be deeper and more powerful.&nbsp; And the three Loroi had had plenty of opportunities to indulge in more than touching on board the Tempest.&nbsp; <br><br><em>“Mmmph,”</em> Fireblade replied noncommittally.&nbsp; <br><br>It was Beryl who was tasked with interfacing with the prisoner--- and prisoner he was for the time being until they could determine just exactly who and what he was.&nbsp; Her own interest in the strange male was admittedly piqued… and she found him strangely pleasing to her eyes, despite the blunted ears and dark golden tint to his skin.<br><br>When he had calmed down, she had stepped forward to speak conciliatory phrases in the Loroi Trade language, which was apparently similar enough to the universal Trade language for him to understand.&nbsp; She brightened at the recognition on his face.&nbsp; Now they were making progress!&nbsp; <br><br>Since speaking between Loroi was considered rude, she had not had much opportunity to use her own voice unless for verbal communications with distant ships and with the home world.&nbsp; Her voice was soft and musical, forming the syllables of the Trade language as if they were in song or in a poem to recite.&nbsp; <br><br>“Do you find your body to your satisfaction?&nbsp; Our medical officer has done a very good job on you.”&nbsp; The light amethyst tinge in her silvery eyes shimmered as a faint smile crossed her lips.&nbsp; “If you are comfortable, we would like to ask you many questions, and the first, of course, is who you are.”<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>24-07-2009, 21:10:24</strong>
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				Rick fought back the urge to make several smart remarks when the alien asked if he was satisfied with his body. <em>Yes, good plan.</em> he thought. <em>Mouth off to the ones that have you chained naked to a bed.</em> That thought slithered off in a slightly unpleasant prospective direction, and he shivered.<br><br>"The temperature here is cooler than I am used to." he said instead. "If it is not inconvenient, might it be raised, or some sort of covering draped over me?" he asked, politely. <br><br>"My name is Richard Ward, Lieutenant, of the Terran vessel Bellarmine. We were on a mission of peace, from the Terran Colonial Authority. When we entered this system a battle was underway. We had no wish to become involved in it, but someone opened fire on us, disabling and then, I think, destroying our vessel."<br><br>"If it is permitted to ask a question in return, where am I?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>25-07-2009, 02:40:29</strong>
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				<br>“Of course.”&nbsp; Beryl nodded to two of the medtechs, and soon a blanket was pulled over Rick’s naked body.<br><br>“You are aboard the Tempest, flagship of the 51st Strike Group. We do not know this—Terran Colonial Authority.&nbsp; Will you tell us more, Richard Ward Lieutenant?&nbsp; Are you an ambassador?”<br><br>The musical softness of her voice had not changed, but perhaps Fireblade stood just a bit taller behind her with narrowed eyes as the door slid open with a sibilant hiss and Stillstorm entered with two more fierce-looking Teidar following behind.&nbsp; <br><br>Stillstorm pointed imperiously at the door, and for a few moments, it would seem to Rick that a silent conversation took place between Stillstorm, Beryl and Fireblade, with hand gestures in the form of sign language… but a torrent of words were actually flowing between the three minds with easy simultaneity.&nbsp; A thought was no sooner sent and grasped than another returned, and in seconds, Beryl turned back to Rick with a grave expression on her delicate Loroi features.&nbsp; <br><br>“The commander asks that you tell us the true nature of your mission,” she stated calmly.&nbsp; “Also, what your orders and who your contacts are, and who your meshreid, your nation, allies itself with.&nbsp; We also wish to know the location of your nation.&nbsp; Most of all, we wish to know how you achieve the lotai—this mask… and what can be done to penetrate it.”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>25-07-2009, 15:41:04</strong>
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				<em>Yeah, I'll bet she wants to know all that. True nature, my ass. I don't like being called a liar.</em> thought Rick, looking from one to another after the questions stopped. <em>I've a few questions of my own for that matter.</em> A new thought penetrated through the haze that still somewhat fogged his mind. <em>Like just how the hell she asked all that and I didn't hear a word.</em><br><br>He turned his gaze back to the one who had been doing the speaking. "My military rank is Lieutenant. My personal name is Richard. My family name is Ward. I am properly addressed formally as Lietenant Ward. As I have already stated, we were on a peaceful mission. While I can understand your Commander wanting to know more, until I know that your vessel was not responsible for the destruction of mine, I must respectfully refuse to answer further, or provide any information that might be of strategic or tactical advantage to a potential hostile power." His eyes flicked over to the commander to see how she was taking that, before returning to their spokeswoman again.<br><br>"I trust that were you in my position, you would understand the reasoning behind my decision."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>25-07-2009, 16:12:28</strong>
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				There had been a reason why Beryl had been chosen as the interface for the prisoner.&nbsp; She had been trained for such diplomatic purposes, for the nature of the Loroi’s communications dictated almost brutal honesty in their thought transferences.&nbsp; Such honesty translated to a lack of tact and finesse when dealing with other Loroi and aliens verbally, and which have been known to start feuds and wars.&nbsp; Which is why the other Loroi elected to remain silent and allowed Beryl to speak for them.<br><br>Stillstorm’s reaction was a narrowing of her lustrous amber eyes and a thinning of her lips and another barrage of words into Beryl’s mind.&nbsp; <br><br>“I do understand, Lieutenant Ward.”&nbsp; Beryl’s voice was softly formal now, but with a hint of regret in it.&nbsp; Whether it was genuine or not was not immediately clear.&nbsp; “But you will also understand that I can do no more for you until you tell us what we would like to know.&nbsp; Until we can confirm your tamidot--- your mission---&nbsp; we are forced to regard you as a danger to us.”&nbsp; She nodded with finality, and left the medbay with Stillstorm, Tempo and the other medtechs, casting a last pitying look upon him before disappearing through the door.<br><br>That left Fireblade and her other two Teidar, and they silently closed in on Rick with purpose written all over their faces.&nbsp; <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>27-07-2009, 02:17:24</strong>
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				"A danger, huh?" said Rick, watching the women leave. The movement of the three coming towards him caused a momentary burst of adrenalin, and his eyes narrowed as he realised that there was absolutely nothing he could do to stop them.<br><br>"You heard her." he addressed them, putting as much scorn into his voice as he could. "I'm a threat. Tied down, three of you and one of me. You think that's enough of you? Maybe you should go find a few friends first, huh?"<br><br>The bravado might be fairly pointless .. in all likelyhood was, but if they were the ones that had destroyed his ship, he'd be damned if he went out cowering before them.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>27-07-2009, 19:14:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>The three Teidar looked at each other.&nbsp; Fireblade’s face was expressionless, although her emerald green eyes glittered with a hint of anticipation.&nbsp; <br><br><em>“He is very brave,”</em> observed Lystra, Fireblade’s second-in-command.&nbsp; <em>“And is that sarcasm I detect in his voice?&nbsp; He is restrained and helpless.. and yet the male insists on defying us.”</em><br><br><em>“You think there are more like him?”</em> put in Callendra.&nbsp; <em>“A male warrior… is very interesting… I am just curious, of course,”</em> she added when the other two stared at her.<br><br><em>“Let us see how his sarcasm stands up to this,”</em> Fireblade said grimly, reaching out her hands to press firmly down on Rick’s bare chest.&nbsp; He would feel how cool her skin was, for Loroi body temperature was much lower than a human’s by several degrees.&nbsp; Her eyes started to glow iridescent… and the probes of her powerful telepathy, amplified by her headpiece, started poking through the prisoner’s consciousness, like sinuous tentacles squeezing through the crevices of his mind.&nbsp; There were many prickling prods of scrutiny, and none too gentle at that… and to the human it would feel like many loci of sharply throbbing aches in his brain.&nbsp; <br><br><em>“He is resistant,”</em> Fireblade told the other two.&nbsp; <em>“He will require the Triad.&nbsp; We must find out who he is and what his ship was doing in this sector.&nbsp; And we must know how he does the lotai.”</em>&nbsp; This was war, and the urgency of the situation dictated that diplomacy be abandoned and brute investigative force be employed.&nbsp; <br><br>Touch made telepathic probing even more powerful, and if three gifted Loroi with amplifying boosters could not crack his mind wide open before it melted under the searing explorations, then nothing would.&nbsp; So Lystra and Callendra placed their hands on Rick’s chest, and suddenly the tentacles in his brain multiplied a hundredfold, nudging, digging, stabbing…<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>28-07-2009, 01:02:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rick leaned backwards, pressing himself into the yielding material he lay on in a vain attempt to delay the touch of the Teidars hands. He gritted his teeth as he felt the cool of her hands on his skin, unsure of what would happen next. "I don't go that far on a first date." he snapped. "Not without dinner and flowers first."<br><br>Whatever he was expecting, seeing her eyes starting to glow wasn't it. That surprise only lasted a moment, before he became uncomfortably aware of the prickling feeling in his head. He gritted his teeth tighter, glaring daggers at the three women. He closed his eyes, turning his attention towards the feeling of probing, and focused on it. He visualised the women trying to touch him, and he drew on every fighting move he'd ever tried in his own basic training, and in a variety of entertainment broadcasts, smashing blocks and parries into their hands, trying to force them back, out of his head.<br><br>With his eyes closed he never noticed the other two leaning in, though the chill touch of their hands on his chest and stomach got his attention. His eyes flicked open again, concentration momentarily lost, and he roared as he felt the prickling sensation in his head swell. His back arched off the bed, then he collapsed back onto it, unconscious.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>28-07-2009, 17:11:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>“Well.”</em>&nbsp; Fireblade stared down at the unconscious Rick, emerald eyes blinking.&nbsp; <em>”That would have killed a Loroi male… and we have nothing to show for it.”</em>&nbsp; That they had not been able to glean a single misfire of thought filled her now with the beginnings of apprehension.&nbsp; What sort of creature was this that could withstand damage that such a probe had wreaked on other minds before his?&nbsp; <em>“He is intact… I can feel it.”</em>&nbsp; Then, involuntarily, she snatched her hand away from his chest as if he had burned <em>her</em>.&nbsp; <br><br><em>“He is strong,”</em> Lystra whispered the obvious.&nbsp; <em>”Did you feel his defiance, even to the end?&nbsp; &nbsp;He fought us in his mind like a true warrior.”</em><br><br><em>”What do you suppose he meant by ‘date’ and ‘dinner’ and ‘flowers’?”</em> Callendra asked inconsequentially.&nbsp; <br><br>On the command deck, Beryl analyzed the data from the wreckage, and reported that it had most likely been destroyed by a plasma weapon such as the Umiaks possessed.&nbsp; <br><br>Stillstorm paced.&nbsp; <em>“Could it be, then?&nbsp; Dare we to believe him?&nbsp; Why would the Umiak destroy one of its allies?&nbsp; Or it could be a ruse.”</em>&nbsp; Then she received Fireblade’s report in her mind, and her light-blue skin lightened even more as her blood abated slightly.&nbsp; <em>“A warrior with powerful lotai… this is not good.”</em>&nbsp; She stood still and closed her eyes, thinking.&nbsp; <em>“But if he speaks the truth, then it is in our interests to make him and his kind our allies.&nbsp; Fireblade, secure the male until he gains consciousness.&nbsp; We will speak with him when he is able.”</em><br><br>Using her psychokinetic ability, Fireblade had the prisoner dressed in his own undergarments, then lifted his unconscious form from the bed with the sheer strength of her mind and conducted him to a holding cell in the ship’s detention area, laying him on the metal slab that served as a bunk.&nbsp; Then the cell was sealed… and they waited for him to awaken.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>29-07-2009, 01:19:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rick came slowly back to awareness, raising his hand to his throbbing head. "This is starting to become a habit." he muttered. He opened one eye and squinted, looking around the featureless cell and sighed. With a slight groan he sat upright, putting his back against the wall and running his hands through his hair. Feeling slightly more coherent he slowly examined the cell from where he sat.<br><br><em>No sign of any cameras.</em> he thought, <em>But I'll bet they're there and watching me now.</em> Another slow sweep of the room, then he turned his attention to the door. <em>At least they gave me my clothes back. Probably don't want me catching cold before they start torturing me for real. What the hell did they do anyway?</em> His head still ached with the aftereffects of the .. whatever it was. <br><br><em>I wonder if I get a phone call to my lawyer?</em> he thought, and gave a snort of laughter. <em>Or if they bring me a spoon I can start tunneling out.</em> He looked at the metal wall. <em>Shouldn't take more than a few centuries.</em><br><br><em>Guess I just have to wait for them to make the next move.</em> he thought, settling himself as comfortably against the wall as he could, bringing his knees up and resting his arms on them.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>29-07-2009, 22:26:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>Fireblade unsealed the cell door with her mind and strode in confidently and slowly.&nbsp; Following behind with a conciliatory smile was Beryl, carrying a stack of Rick’s clothes folded neatly.<br><br>“I hope you are well, Lieutenant Ward,” Beryl said with concern.&nbsp; “You seem to have recovered with minimal ill effects.”&nbsp; Nothing else of what happened to Rick was mentioned, as Beryl felt it appropriate to steer the conversation away from the subject.&nbsp; She had not necessarily liked what was done to him, but this was war, with Umiaks about to breathe fire on them if they stayed in the system.&nbsp; And thankfully… he seemed to have remained completely undamaged through it all.&nbsp; <br><br>With her customary soft-spoken courtesy, she said, “I am Listel Desiret Anyari, of the Listel caste and rank of Desiret, but to you I shall be known by the spoken name of Beryl.&nbsp; Here is your clothing.&nbsp; Once you have clad yourself, our diplomatic officer would wish to speak with you.”&nbsp; She held out Rick’s clothes to him.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>30-07-2009, 01:05:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rick rose as the door slid open, deliberately pacing his movement so it didn't appear to be a prelude to an attack. His eyes flicked from the hard expression on the first face to the more open one on the second. When she spoke, he nodded in acknowledgement and took his jumpsuit from her.<br><br>"Thank you, uh, Beryl." he said. <em>Am I supposed to add a title to that? And what part of that mouthfull was her title anyway. Caste? Rank? Both? Ah, the hell with it. I'll stick with Beryl, let her correct me if she wants.</em> He started to pull the jumpsuit on, eyes moving from Beryl to the other and back again. <br><br>"I don't feel too bad." he said. "A touch of a headache, but I've had worse before." <em>Yeah, like getting tossed into deep space care of an explosion.</em> his mind helpfully added.<br><br>He finished zipping the suit up and slowly stretched. <em>If they want me talking to some diplomat I guess I should try the old Cultural 101.</em> he thought. "Beryl .." he paused not quite sure how to start. "Amongst my people, the use of a single given name is an indication of the lessening of formality. If this is your intent, then I am Richard, or Rick, if you prefer. The diminutive version would be used amongst friends. I'm afraid I'm not aware of how such things are done amongst your people, so if I should be calling you anything in addition to Beryl, please inform me. I have no wish to give accidental offense."<br><br><em>There.</em> he thought. <em>That's nice and polite, right?</em> "I believe that I am ready to meet with your diplomatic officer now."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>30-07-2009, 02:03:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>“Mmmphmm,”</em> Fireblade said, crossing her arms over her chest.&nbsp; “Tell him I shall be known as Paran to him.”<br><br>Beryl did not look at her, and instead smiled at Rick.&nbsp; “Rick is your spoken name, yes? Spoken among your friends?&nbsp; Then you shall be Rick to me.&nbsp; It is proper for non-Loroi to address me as ‘Beryl’, or my rank, which is Desiret.&nbsp; We have names that we call each other in sanzai, but which cannot be fully translated into the spoken language.”&nbsp; She hesitated and smiled apologetically.&nbsp; “Yes, there are titles that you may address a Loroi in formality… Fireblade here, for example, wishes you to address her as Paran, her rank. Her full name is Teidar Paran Leinnol.”&nbsp; She cleared her throat.&nbsp; “You are ready?&nbsp; Then we shall go.” <br><br>In silence, Fireblade opened the door without touching it, and strode out into the corridor.&nbsp; Beryl said, quietly, “She also wishes me to inform you that since we are in a time of war, she is tasked with custody of you, and although you will be given limited freedom of movement on board, she will not tolerate misconduct.”&nbsp; She glanced at Fireblade then and flashed.&nbsp; <em>“Satisfied?”</em><br><br><em>”You are too soft-hearted,”</em> Fireblade flashed back.&nbsp; <em>”Stray animals are one thing, but this male is an uncertainty to us.”</em><br><br><em>”You were not able to read his mind, but that does not mean you cannot read his entire person,”</em> she returned irritably.&nbsp; <em>”I can read the signs, and I believe he may be trusted.”</em><br><br>She smiled at Rick then and stepped outside.&nbsp; “Will you come with us, please?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>31-07-2009, 00:35:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Loroi?" Rick murmured, a slight frown on his face. "You're Loroi?" He leaned back against the wall and laughed, knowing that he would be drawing strange looks from the two women, but unable to help himself as the stress of the entire situation overwhelmed him momentarily.<br><br>He raised a hand after a moment or two, bringing his laughter back under control. "Sorry. Sorry. It's just, our mission was to try and make contact with your people." He leaned his head back against the wall, and drew a deep breath. "Mission successful, huh?"<br><br>He pushed off from the wall and stepped towards the open doorway and the two women. "No misconduct, right, I understand. I'm fine with addressing the Paran by her rank as well." <em>But I can think of plenty more choice things to call her.</em> he added mentally. <em>I'm not going to be forgetting that .. whatever it was you tried doing to me back there. Just remember, payback's a bitch.</em><br><br>He blew out another breath and turned his attention back to Beryl. "If you would care to lead on." he said, gesturing for her to go ahead. "After all, I'm sure the Paran wants to keep me in front of her at all times."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>31-07-2009, 04:41:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>“He is being sarcastic again.”</em> Fireblade’s lips tightened ominously, hearing the taunt in Rick’s voice, and after his burst of mystifying laughter it made her bristle.&nbsp; <em>”I can read </em>that<em> much.”</em><br><br>“This way,” Beryl said hurriedly, extending her hand down the corridor.&nbsp; “I shall walk with you.”&nbsp; As she started walking with Fireblade stalking behind them, she continued gently, “I regret that your mission succeeded at the cost of your vessel.&nbsp; You are now your Terran Colonial Authority’s sole representative.&nbsp; &nbsp;It is our hope that we establish peaceful relations between our people.”<br><br>She paused as their feet echoed down the corridor, and several Loroi pilots passed them going the opposite way.&nbsp; They stared at Rick openly, curiously.&nbsp; “I have also been instructed by the Commander to inform you that the Loroi are not responsible for destroying your vessel.&nbsp; We are at war with the Umiaks, and our fleet engaged them in a battle in another part of this system, and all ships we destroyed are decidedly Umiak.”&nbsp; Not enough, she thought sorrowfully, with the losses heavy on their side.&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>01-08-2009, 02:11:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rick nodded and fell into step with Beryl, shivering slightly in the cooler air of the ship. The air had a slight, almost sweet tang to it, but not one he could identify then and there.<br><br><em>Do I believe her?</em> thought Rick, looking at her from the corner of his eye. <em>I mean, she sounds honest, but what the heck do I know about them. Basing the possible survival of the species on a gut feeling isn't something they covered back at the Academy.</em><br><br>"I hope that we will be able to establish peaceful relations as well." he said, after Beryl had finished speaking. His eyes flicked across the pair of Loroi walking past, wearing something that looked vaguely similar to his own flight suit. <em>Pilots? And women as well.</em> His eyes narrowed in thought. <em>You know, I don't think I've seen a single male since I came awake. Hmmm.</em><br><br>"Have you been able to find any trace of my vessel?" he asked. "Or perhaps other survivors. There were at least a handfull of us survived the initial assault."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>03-08-2009, 18:56:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Beryl hesitated as she pondered what words to communicate to the human male.&nbsp; She was not used to processing her thoughts so extensively, for a Loroi’s communication with other Loroi were almost entirely open and largely unfiltered.&nbsp; <br><br>After a few moments, they reached a lift that would take them up to the command deck.&nbsp; “I fear that you are the only survivor that we have recovered, Lieutenant Ward,” she said quietly.&nbsp; “As for your other question… I think it will be answered well enough when we reach the command deck.”<br><br>Strangely sensitive to the human’s body language and facial expressions, she had noticed how he had looked at the passing pilots.&nbsp; “You find something of interest about our pilots, Rick?&nbsp; Perhaps you are one yourself?”&nbsp; Beryl’s curiosity was genuine, finding everything about the human male fascinating from the moment she had seen him lay naked on the medbay table.&nbsp; “What exactly was your role on your ship?&nbsp; Did you mate with every female aboard?”<br><br>Fireblade followed them into the lift with her usual proud, easy confidence.&nbsp; Her eyes never left Rick, eyes that almost dared him to do something wrong.&nbsp; <br><br><em>”I know where your thoughts are leading,”</em> she snorted.&nbsp; <br><br><em>”Hush!”</em> Beryl flashed back, her bright smile fixed on Rick.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>03-08-2009, 22:58:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Of all the questions Rick had expected to be asked, that one sure wasn't on the list. He half turned towards Beryl as they entered the lift, not noticing the slight lip in the floor, which was enough to catch his toe and send him stumbling forwards to half crash into the wall. He straightened up, feeling the heat in his face.<br><br>"Mate with ...?" he said as he straightened himself up. Playing back their walk through the ship he realised that every single last member of the crew he had seen was female. <em>What the hell have I let myself in for now?</em> he thought, then blew out a long breath. "No, I did not mate with every female on board our vessel. For that matter I didn't mate with any of them." <em>Not that I'd have objected to one or two though.</em> he thought. <br><br>"I ... my role .. my main role I should say, was junior tactical officer. I'm also a fully qualified small craft pilot, so my secondary speciality was that, small craft pilot."<br><br>He licked his lips before asking the question that was burning in his mind. "Why did you think I would be ..." his voice trailed off slightly as he tried to find another way of phrasing it ... "mating .. with the females on our crew?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>04-08-2009, 05:43:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Beryl experienced the impulse to reach out to help the human steady himself, but since Loroi did not touch casually, ingrained habit stayed her hand.&nbsp; <br><br>“Oh, forgive me,” Beryl said, Rick’s question suddenly making her realize the mistake she had made.&nbsp; In a human, a blush would have reddened her cheeks, but since a Loroi’s blood was blue under the white skin, her cheeks simply glowed a darker, warmer blue.&nbsp; <br><br>“I erred in assuming that your species is the same as ours, because we are so similar in so many ways.&nbsp; But I ask because…well, among the Loroi, nine out of ten are born females, and the males are protected and function mostly to mate with our females for reproductive purposes, and access to them by the females is highly regulated.&nbsp; I thought… that perhaps you were such a male…” Her own voice broke off.&nbsp; “But now I realize that you are a warrior, so the males in your species must not be so sheltered as ours.&nbsp; You do not have the same ratio of female to male births as we do?”<br><br>The lift continued ascending, while Fireblade watched Rick from across floor with narrowed, watchful eyes.&nbsp; She had wondered if the male needed to mate, as most Loroi males mated frequently.&nbsp; But she had resolutely decided to view the male as a possible threat at worst, and an inconvenience at best.&nbsp; &nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>04-08-2009, 21:05:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>One in ten males? And used mostly as, what, studs? Sheesh ... do I pity them or envy them?</em> Rick thought as he listened to Beryl talk. <em>Restricted access? Well, I guess that might explain Paran there. She's just in need of a good fuck, that's all.</em><br><br>He realised Beryl had finished speaking and replayed her last words in his head. "Uh, in our species it's about half and half, male to female." he replied. "Traditionally males were the warriors, given that they tended to be bigger and stronger. Of course, since these days that's not such a concern for anyone bar infantry, the numbers are ... um ... actually I'm not quite sure what the numbers are. There's a fair number of females in the military though."<br><br>A thought struck him. "Given what you thought my position was, does that mean that you have a males on board the ship for ... recreation? Assuming that is that your species does engage in recreational mating behaviour."<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>05-08-2009, 06:23:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>“Very odd,”</em> muttered Fireblade on hearing the ratio of females to males among humans, and that males and females were actually allowed to fight together.&nbsp; <br><br>“Oh no, we do not have any males on board,” Beryl smiled.&nbsp; “You will find yourself the only male aboard the Tempest, now.&nbsp; Our males are considered a treasure and are jealously guarded and kept secure on our home world of Deinar.”&nbsp; She pondered for a moment.&nbsp; “The last time I mated with a male was three tozon ago… three years, in the Trade language.&nbsp; Before the war, access to the males was very infrequent and largely reserved for the higher castes.&nbsp; But I understand my time for another mating is coming up very soon, and hopefully I will be able to bear another child.”&nbsp; She tilted her head slightly as she regarded Rick with interest.&nbsp; “Half and half… you do not feel the need to mate frequently, then?&nbsp; It does not become… painful?&nbsp; If it does, I am certain we will be able to accommodate you on board.”&nbsp; <br><br>The lift hissed to a stop, and the door slid open to another corridor leading directly to the command deck. Beryl stepped out while Fireblade waited for Rick to follow her.&nbsp; &nbsp; <br><br>“Oh, we do not need males for recreational mating,” Beryl smiled at Rick.&nbsp; “Many choose to find pleasure with other females, as I do with Fireblade and Tempo.&nbsp; Shall we go?&nbsp; The command deck is this way.”&nbsp; She gestured down the corridor.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>06-08-2009, 00:42:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rick nodded and stepped from the lift, moving down the corridor. His eyes flicked to Fireblade when Beryl had mentioned finding pleasure with her. <em>She definitely needs to get laid more often. Might take that stick out of her ass if she did.</em> he thought, before turning back to Beryl. <em>And what's a nice girl like you doing with the likes of her?</em>. His mind took that opportunity to present him with an image of exactly what it thought she would be doing and he felt his body start to respond. <em>Oh no. So not going there when I'm supposed to be meeting one of their diplomats. Down, boy! Down! Keep those thoughts for later.</em><br><br>He forced his mind onto slightly safer territory. "While younger males of my species would tell you that lack of mating does lead to a painful condition ..." <em>Yeah, I'm sure they'd get a laugh out of blue balls alright.</em> "It's not something of a physical requirement. I believe that it's beneficial psychologically though. Still, if you do not have an opportunity to ..." he gave a shrug. "There is little can be done in that regard." <em>A ship full of probably horny alien woman.</em> supplied the little voice at the back of his head. <em>And they did comment on the physical similarities, and offer ... accommodation.</em><br><br>Rick firmly brought a mental heel down on that line of thought too, before it turned into one of those productions that his old Academy roommate had been so partial to. <em>Later.</em> he thought. <em>Diplomat now, other stuff later.</em><br><br>"Can you tell me something of the officer I am to speak with?" he asked, looking to get the conversation back on safer ground.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>07-08-2009, 04:46:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>“WE will accommodate him?”</em> Fireblade flashed in annoyance.&nbsp; <em>“You mean YOU, do you not?”</em><br><br><em>”Well, I do not see you or anyone else volunteering,”</em> Beryl retorted.&nbsp; Although she had heard the thoughts of a couple of the Loroi pilots… decidedly interested thoughts.&nbsp; <em>”I consider him a guest of our people--- and as such deserves our consideration and hospitality!”</em><br><br>Fireblade only snorted incredulously—or a mental sound resembling something of the kind.<br><br>Her calm smile giving no indications of the exchange in their minds, Beryl led the way down the corridor, half turned to Rick as she walked and spoke graciously.&nbsp; “You might remember seeing her briefly when you awakened in the medbay. Her Loroi name is Mizol Aran Hanat, and her spoken name, the name you will know her by, is Tempo.&nbsp; She is also our Farseer… a Loroi with powerful sanzai to sense distant minds, even across a galaxy, to communicate with whom we will.”&nbsp; <br><br>They reached a wider corridor, one with various vividly colored etchings on the metal walls… panoramic representations of Loroi warriors, all female, down through its history.&nbsp; <br><br>At the end of the corridor was a large door, one which slid open as they neared it.&nbsp; Once through it, they would step out onto the command deck, the breathtaking illusion of being open to space engulfing them.&nbsp; To the right and above of this open space, Rick would see what remained of the Bellarmine, several large sections, warped and destroyed, with debris floating around it, towed along the side of the Tempest by an invisible electromagnetic grappling field.<br><br>On the command deck, the Personality Construct of the Historian hovered above the construct generator, and on a large hovering screen next to the Historian was a Barsam diplomat.&nbsp; Both were representatives of two of the Loroi’s allies and voiced their concerns over the Tempest’s ‘finds’.&nbsp; The Historian was arguing that it was madness to remain in the system with the Umiak undoubtedly gathering strength behind the dust clusters that hid them.<br><br>“While I appreciate your counsel, Historian,” Tempo was speaking out loud to the Construct, “You cannot deny that the importance of this discovery cannot be ignored.&nbsp; The presence of a hitherto unknown species wishing to make contact with us is sufficient reason, we believe, to linger in the system and glean whatever information we can.”<br><br>“How much time does it require to study a shell of a destroyed vessel?” the Barsam mused.&nbsp; “You surely must be done by now.”<br><br>“There is more to it than that…”&nbsp; Tempo turned and beckoned to the three who had just entered.&nbsp; “Much more than a destroyed vessel.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>09-08-2009, 17:18:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As they entered the command deck, Rick froze momentarily, taken aback by the apparent sight of empty space all around them. Given that no one was screaming and being sucked out though, he resumed his progress. <em>Must be some kind of projection.</em> he thought, head turning slightly to take it all in. He stopped yet again as he saw the remains of the Bellarmine, and his hands tightened into fists, fingernails digging into his palms.<br><br>It took him several more moments to realise that there were others here, non Loroi. Tempos voice drew his attention to the scene ahead of him. <em>Unknown species.</em> he thought. <em>I guess that's my cue right there.</em> His thought was confirmed when Tempo turned and waved them forwards.<br><br>Giving his clothing a slight tug to straighten it he walked across the bridge towards her, noting the sideways glances he received from several of the crew. <em>Curious about the alien?</em> he wondered idly, <em>Or thinking about a different kind of 'first contact'?</em>.<br><br>He stopped about an arms length from Tempo, and drew a deep breath. "My name is Lieutenant Richard Ward, of the Terran scout vessel Bellarmine." He turned to look at the gutted remnants of the Bellarmine before turning his attention back to the trio ahead, Tempo, the insectoid looking hologram, and the other that floated in some sort of com screen ahead. "That's what is apparently left of my vessel out there."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>10-08-2009, 08:49:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Ah,” the Barsam murmured, his eyes fixed piercingly on the human.<br><br>“The new species you spoke off.” Gently floating in the air, the Historian’s Construct nodded, quickly absorbing the shock of seeing a living alien specimen.&nbsp; “This <em>does</em> change the situation, Mizol.”&nbsp; <br><br>Tempo turned to Rick while Beryl and Fireblade stationed themselves discreetly behind and to the side of him.&nbsp; “Lieutenant Ward, it is hoped you will understand the urgency of the situation and the strength of the --- measures we were forced to use.&nbsp; We are at war with the Umiak, and we ourselves have lost many lives in a recent battle.&nbsp; I, Mizol Hanat Aran, Diplomatic Officer of the Tempest, am empowered by the Commander to treat with you as your people’s representative and the Captain of your vessel.”&nbsp; <br><br>Commander Stillstorm was standing quietly to the side.&nbsp; She had been pacing and watching the proceedings with the Historian and the Barsam with impatience, but now, as Tempo spoke, she stood very still, every line of her long, lithe body taut with controlled tension.<br><br>“We would ask you many questions, Lieutenant… it is our hope that you will agree to answer them.”&nbsp; Tempo’s demeanor was one of formal and diplomatic calm, deliberately non-threatening, even gentle, as Beryl’s manner had been.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>11-08-2009, 01:05:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"As representative of Humanity I presume that there will be a fair and equitable trade of information." replied Rick after a moment. "I'm sure that you can understand that we are as curious about you as you are about us." he continued giving a small smile.<br><br>"Given that you appear to be still at combat alert, I can understand why my appearance would be seen as suspicious. I cannot say I enjoyed my earlier experience ... but I can understand why you felt them necessary. It is my hope that we build from them."<br><br>He paused, recalling the speech that had been drilled into every member of the crew, even if he thought he'd never have been the one to say it. "I am very pleased to meet you all." He deliberated turned to take in both the other representatives present. "On behalf of Humanity, I offer you the warmest possible greetings, and wishes for friendly future relations."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>11-08-2009, 17:12:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Tempo nodded, while the tension seemed to ease from Stillstorm’s form.&nbsp; Strange soft clicking and hissing sounds came from the Historian, to be interpreted as approval, while the Barsam remained impassive, as only other Barsam can easily read the minute facial changes on their stoic, blue-skinned&nbsp; faces.&nbsp; <br><br>“And on behalf of the Loroi Alliance, I extend an offer of peace and friendship,” Tempo said formally, although with a returning smile.&nbsp; <br><br>The human’s speech had pleased most of the crew on deck, and had taken the edge off Stillstorm’s mistrust.&nbsp; For some reason she believed Beryl when the Listel claimed she could read the human’s body and facial language almost as well as a Loroi’s mind.&nbsp; <br><br>Tempo went on, “You asked for information, and I am happy to give it to you with this new understanding of open communication between us.&nbsp; Twenty-four hours ago, we picked up your signals near the wreckage of your ship, and when we found you, you were half dead.&nbsp; Unfortunately, you are the sole survivor of fifty that we gathered… the others were beyond our help.&nbsp; How many were on your vessel’s crew, and are there other vessels that the Umiak may have attacked?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>12-08-2009, 23:01:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rick closed his eyes for a moment, breathing deeply. <em>You figured you were probably the only one.</em> he said to himself. <em>They didn't find all the bodies. Some had to have been vaporised when the aft section was destroyed. Maybe .. no, no sense in maybe right now. Have to assume it's just me.</em><br><br>He opened his eyes again and looked at Tempo. "I'm sorry." he exhaled another deep breath. "Our crew compliment was eighty. We were operating alone in this system. Our C3 and logistics vessel is a number of jumps from here. When we entered this system we detected a battle underway. Before we could do much else we were attacked." He paused in thought for a moment. "Given how rapidly this occurred, the vessel that did it must have been close by, and innately hostile. We would not have started anything except to try and establish communications had we detected anyone."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>13-08-2009, 20:47:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Tempo nodded.&nbsp; “That is the Umiak.&nbsp; Attack anything first that they deem unfriendly, and they do not bother with communications before, during or after.&nbsp; They are, to put it simply, notorious failures at communication.”&nbsp; <br><br>Her lips pursed for a moment.&nbsp; “One of the many reasons we wished to speak with you is to determine where your friendship would firmly lie.&nbsp; You see, the Umiak is dedicated to the goal of completely eradicating the Loroi and all of those who choose to ally themselves with us.&nbsp; There is no middle ground for them.&nbsp; In their thinking, you are either with them or with us… which forces us to ask others to confirm their allegiance one way or another.&nbsp; As the Terran Colonial Authority’s ambassador, Captain Ward, we ask you this question&nbsp; now… a clarifying formality for our peace of mind.&nbsp; Will you choose to be allies of the Loroi, and not our enemy?”<br><br>The command deck seemed to hush as the Loroi waited for Rick’s answer.&nbsp; Formality it may have been, but perhaps he would sense its momentous importance to the Loroi as a crucial step in relations between their people.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>15-08-2009, 01:07:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Sheesh.</em> thought Rick. <em>Don't make with the small talk first, will you? I am so not cut out to decide the fate of the whole species.</em> He licked his lips, trying to think of the right words. "When we were sent out, we had no solid information, no first hand information about either yourselves, or your enemy. The Orgus .. the species we first made contact with .. told us that the Umiak had invaded and devastated their homeworld. They also told us of similar acts by your people against allies of the Umiak." He looked around the bridge at the crew before bringing his attention back to Tempo.<br><br>"I say this not to cause offense, but only to explain. We had no first hand experience to go on. We came out here to try to gather that information, and to learn the truth for ourselves. The Umiak, apparently, discovered our vessel, and engaged it without any attempt at communications. They destroyed it, and cost the lives of the crew. My people do not react well to unprovoked aggression."<br><br>"You found me, brought me aboard your vessel, and have remained here, putting yourselves at risk in an attempt to learn more of us. You have healed me, and treated me as well as could be expected." <em>Other than a little light mental torture</em> came the voice at the back of his head. "Whatever decision I make could be overruled by higher authority." he continued, "But for myself, I would recommend our people align themselves with the Loroi."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>15-08-2009, 14:26:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Tempo nodded.&nbsp; “That is the best we can hope for.&nbsp; We thank you, Captain Ward.&nbsp; And …apologies are also in order.&nbsp; Please understand that we had deemed it necessary to conduct your … interrogation the way we did to glean information from you, for we feared that you were an artifice of the Umiak.&nbsp; There are still some in the crew who still suspect you… but I believe your willingness to exchange information with us, and now your stated recommendation to ally yourself with us, has gone a long way in allaying some of those fears.”<br><br>“As for the Umiak… for many decades now, they have been dedicated to exterminating us, and have committed many acts of aggression and genocide against us and our allies, as well as those who have tried to remain neutral, such as the Orgus.&nbsp; They, like many races who fear the repercussions of war, attempted to stay out of the conflict… but as they discovered, the Umiak believed that to be direct rejection of them, and have mercilessly destroyed their homeworld.&nbsp; Whatever you may have heard of the Loroi’s actions, we have acted purely out of self-preservation, for the defense of our people, our worlds, and our allies from utter destruction.”<br><br>She beckoned Rick to the large chart table in the middle of the command deck.&nbsp; “Our most immediate concern is to try to determine what happened to your vessel.”&nbsp; She pointed to a three dimensional map of space that popped up at her command.&nbsp; “We call this sector of space the Charred Steppes, for it has been barren for decades from constant battles.&nbsp; The Umiak continually cross this to try to reach our territory.&nbsp; Three days ago, three of our Strike Groups, including ours, intercepted such an attack, but they were larger than expected and we lost the other two Groups. We were on our way home to regroup when we came upon you and your vessel, here.”&nbsp; She indicated the point on the map.&nbsp; “Can you tell us what exactly happened?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>16-08-2009, 02:50:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I understand that in war choices must sometimes be made that would not be, under better circumstances." replied Rick as he stepped towards the display. <br><br><em>No man's land. Got it.</em> he thought, nodding as he digested the information displayed before him. "I was off duty when we arrived here." he replied, "And as such I can give no detailed tactical information on what happened. The alert siren woke me, and I took station with a damage control party. At that time we had detected a battle. Though we had no wish to become involved, our standard operating protocol called for precautions to be taken, hence my own reserve duty station. Since we might be required to operate in areas that had lost integrity, we were suited up." His voice trailed off slightly as he replayed the events in his mind.<br><br>"The first we knew of a contact was the impact of what must have been weapons fire on the ship. We set off to find out how bad it was. We were unable to reach the bridge crew." He gestured towards the split end of the hull. <br><br>"My colleague and I must have been about there. We could see the hull had been breached, the ship literally cut in two. We were there when another shot struck the rear part of our vessel. It was a few hundred meters back. There were fires visible as the atmosphere bled off." His voice had taken on an emotionless timbre, as if he was describing someone elses events.<br><br>"There was .. an energy discharge. Weapons fire, I guess. A very intense white. Maybe a slight green tinge to it. It struck the rear sections, and must have ignited the main fuel tanks. The entire thing went up like a bomb. I think I was caught in the blast. The next memory I have is of regaining consciousness in space. There was no sign of anyone else, or even the remains of the ship."<br><br>He looked at the gutted hull floating nearby. "Looking at that, I would guess this section was also hit again. Probably aft of the bridge, judging by the hull integrity."<br><br>His eyes narrowed as he regarded it. "Actually, the bridge section looks like it might still be reasonably intact." He gestured towards the nose of the ship. "I can see a smaller impact there, and the rear section of it may have been damaged, but the front looks like it might still be salvageable."<br><br>He turned towards Tempo. "If you have any salvaging to do, I would recommend concentrating there. Or if you are forced to leave that behind and withdraw, destroy that section to deny whatever information it contains to the enemy."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>16-08-2009, 10:07:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“We are still discussing how best to assign salvage rights,” Tempo nodded, with a glance at the Barsam and the Historian, both of whom were following the conversation with great interest.&nbsp; She would not say aloud to Rick what was on her mind, or on the mind of every Loroi officer aboard.&nbsp; The Historians were a mysterious, technologically advanced race and shared their knowledge sparingly, on an as needed basis, and even then it required the laborious diplomatic supplications of their politicians to extract what they needed from their ally.&nbsp; New technology such as what the Bellarmine offered was of immense importance to the Loroi, if not for the actual technology, at least for the leverage it would give them with the Historians. <br><br>“We have studied the wreckage, and our results indicate that the damage seems to have been caused by plasma weapons such as the Umiaks use on their enemies.&nbsp; The greenish tinge you mentioned corroborates that.&nbsp; They have highly advanced stealth-cloaking technology, which explains why you and your crew were caught unawares.&nbsp; The Umiaks are quite well-known for their rapid, unrestrained aggression tactics, resulting in the massacres of whole worlds and entire fleets.&nbsp; A neutral, unsuspecting entity such as your vessel had no chance at all.”<br><br>She paused and regarded Rick with her head slightly tilted.&nbsp; “When we intercepted your transmissions after the distress signals you sent, we were rather… astounded.&nbsp; The song was in a language we had never heard before, although Beryl tells me she recognizes some of the words.&nbsp; What was the song saying? If you please, we would like to learn more about your language, and perhaps you will be so kind as to teach it to Beryl.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>16-08-2009, 15:40:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I'm sure I can teach her some our language." replied Rick, "Though I suspect it will take months to gain any degree of fluency. Languages are not my area of expertise, so I'm afraid I would not be as efficient a teacher as some others." he added.<br><br>"As for the song." He gave a small laugh. "I think when I regained consciousness there I may have suffered a small head injury. I had tried to contact my ship and crew, and received no reply. That indicated they were either out of range, or unable to respond. Either was not a good situation for me. My suit readouts indicated comparatively little remaining air and energy." He gave a small shrug.<br><br>"At that point I more or less decided that rescue was not going to be an option. I was already dead, and just waiting for it to happen. The song was ... a reflection of my mental state I think. Let me see if I can translate it properly. I'm afraid I'm not quite as good a singer as the original is though."<br><br>He took a few moments to run through the lyrics, and find their equivalents in the trade language. Luckily enough the words were relatively simple ones. He cleared his throat and began to softly sing.<br><br>"I see the bad moon rising.<br>I see trouble on the way.<br>I see earthquakes and lightning.<br>I see bad times today."<br><br>"Don't go around tonight,<br>Well, its bound to take your life,<br>Theres a bad moon on the rise."<br><br>"I hear hurricanes blowing.<br>I know the end is coming soon.<br>I fear rivers over flowing.<br>I hear the voice of rage and ruin."<br><br>"Don't go around tonight,<br>Well, its bound to take your life,<br>Theres a bad moon on the rise.<br>All right!"<br><br>"Hope you got your things together.<br>Hope you are quite prepared to die.<br>Looks like we're in for nasty weather.<br>One eye is taken for an eye."<br><br>"Don't go around tonight,<br>Well, its bound to take your life,<br>Theres a bad moon on the rise."<br><br>He let the song die away before he spoke again. "It's an old song, but one that I enjoy, and it seemed ... fitting."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>17-08-2009, 00:56:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Beryl smiled at Rick, with that ever-present twinkle in her light amethyst eyes .&nbsp; “Oh, I can probably learn it in a few hours of intensive conversation, if not less.&nbsp; I have eidetic memory, for which my Listel or ‘Observer’ caste is known.&nbsp; It suits me well for my role as data repository and analyst.&nbsp; You will not need to teach… merely talk and answer my questions.”<br><br>Then she and the rest of the crew of the command deck listened to his translation of the song, to his baritone filling the sudden silence.&nbsp; The Loroi adored music in all its forms, almost as an obsession, and on the homeworld of Deinar, concerts were quite plentiful in the capital and in all the cities.&nbsp; To hear Rick sing touched another chord… one of realization that perhaps Humanity and Loroi shared many similarities as well as differences.<br><br>When Rick was finished, Tempo nodded slowly, thoughtfully.&nbsp; “Ah, our bad moon has risen long ago… and shows no sign yet of waning.&nbsp; We hope that your bad moon has not truly risen, for you and for your people.”&nbsp; Then she turned to the Historian and the Barsam.&nbsp; “I believe you have enough to report to your Councils.&nbsp; Commander Stillstorm strongly believes it is our duty to tow the wreckage home ourselves.”<br><br>There were blusters and protests, but in the end, their words had no effect on Tempo’s calm determination.&nbsp; The Barsam and Historian had no choice but to acknowledge that for now, the Loroi were in control of the situation, and they signed off reluctantly.<br><br>Tempo turned to Rick and said quietly, “The Commander orders us to stay in the system to continue our search for more … corpses and survivors and bits of wreckage if any, and perhaps to try to seek contact with your people.&nbsp; For now you have limited freedom of the Tempest, with the escort of Fireblade and Beryl.&nbsp; I am sure you understand.&nbsp; They will show you your quarters, and if you are hungry, we might have something to your liking in our galley.”<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>18-08-2009, 22:51:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Able to learn a language in few hours?</em> Ricks eyes widened at that admission. <em>Damn, but that's impressive.</em> he thought. He turned his attention back to Tempo as she suggested rest and food, and nodded to her.<br><br>"Thank you. I would appreciate being able to rest and ..." he broke off as his stomach rumbled loudly. "And I believe that something to eat would be most welcome right about now." <br><br>He turned back to Beryl and gave her another smile. "So, shall we leave the commander to more important matters, and you can show me something of your vessel? I think some food would be a good place to start, and in return I can start teaching you my words for different things."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>19-08-2009, 13:50:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				At hearing Rick’s stomach complain, Beryl laughed, and a few on the command deck actually grinned as the growling sound echoed from the invisible walls.&nbsp; A small smile flickered on Commander Stillstorm’s face while Fireblade’s remained impassive.&nbsp; <br><br>Beryl flashed a silent exchange with the Commander, after which Stillstorm waved her hand, then she turned to Rick with a smile and a gesture towards the exit and started walking towards it.&nbsp; “Shall we go?”&nbsp; She chuckled.&nbsp; “In this regard you are not much different from us. If we miss our one meal for the day, we get very <em>mennel</em>--- ‘crazy’, I believe the translation is.&nbsp; Or is it ‘grumpy’. How do you express ‘mennel’ in your language?”&nbsp; <br><br>Fireblade, ever the silent shadow, followed behind them.&nbsp; <em>”It seems to me you are going mennel over our ‘guest’,”</em> she observed. <em>“One male comes aboard and suddenly half the crew is thinking ‘hospitality’.”</em><br><br><em>”Oh do be quiet,” </em> Beryl returned, while keeping her smile for Rick.&nbsp; <em>”Admit it, you thought it yourself!”</em><br><br><em>”I did not!”</em> Fireblade huffed. <br><br><em>”Mmmhmm,”</em> Beryl’s mind echoed a chuckle.&nbsp; <em>”When was the last time you mated with a male?&nbsp; And do not tell me you are not the least bit curious about his… size.”</em><br><br>Fireblade did not dignify that with a reply, tossing her fiery red hair over her shoulder and crossing her arms rather defensively across her bosom as she walked behind them.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>20-08-2009, 01:49:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rick walked in step with Beryl, oblivious to the silent communication passing between the women. "Sorry about that back there." he said, gesturing behind him. "I guess it's been longer than I thought since I had something to eat, and .. well, you saw the result. Or heard, I should say."<br><br>He gave a small laugh. "Amongst my people we generally have 3 meals a day. A smallish one is taken after waking. In our language, this is called <em>breakfast</em>. I think it comes from breaking the fasting that one would do overnight. Two other larger meals would be taken over the course of the day, generally between 4 and 6 hours between each. The mid day meal is <em>lunch</em>, the evening meal <em>dinner</em>. These meals may be broken up into a number of servings, or courses, particularly in a more formal setting. In an informal setting, the servings would simply be taken together, in sequence. Or they may be left off entirely, and only the main meal itself consumed."<br><br>"Missing meals can leave a person tired, or out of sorts, certainly." he added. "I'm not quite sure what is the best translation for 'mennel' though. Reactions tend to vary from individual to individual."<br><br>He looked over at Beryl, his expression thoughtfull. "Something we should probably consider is compatibility. I know that we resemble each other physically, but do you know how close we are biologically? It would not do for your first meal with the ambassador of humanity to end with him being poisoned by your food." His tone was mostly amused, but the question was certainly a valid one.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>20-08-2009, 13:22:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Despite her surprise, Beryl listened attentively to Rick’s explanation of all the meals that humans take, filing away each bit of information in her sponge-like mind.&nbsp; “Three meals a day?&nbsp; Mmmm, it sounds very … inefficient.&nbsp; Loroi only need the one meal.&nbsp; But I suppose you need it, because your body runs so much hotter than ours… at least 10 degrees Trade Celsius warmer.”&nbsp; Fireblade had described how, during the mind interrogation, Rick’s skin had felt as if it almost burned her, even in unconsciousness… and Beryl had been so curious that she had been tempted to touch him too.&nbsp; But Loroi never touch each other, let alone perfect alien strangers, unless there were intimate relations.&nbsp; <br><br>She smiled at him.&nbsp; “Then I believe it is time for your ‘lunch.’&nbsp; It is nearly 1100 hours, Trade time.&nbsp; As for our body similarities and differences, it is true you are very much like a Loroi male, physically, in almost every instance, except you are much bigger.&nbsp; Our males do not get much higher than my shoulder.”&nbsp; &nbsp;Beryl was average for a Loroi, while Fireblade was quite taller, but even then Rick still topped her by two finger widths.&nbsp; “Even your internal organs are somewhat similar in appearance and function, but biochemically and genetically, at the molecular level, your body operates differently.&nbsp; However,&nbsp; I believe our galley generators may be able to process suitable nourishment for you according to the specifications our medtechs have put together based on your needs for proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and other biomolecules.”&nbsp; She grinned.&nbsp; “Having brought you thus far, do you think we would allow you to be poisoned?”&nbsp; <br><br>They were walking back through the art gallery now towards the lift that brought them up to the highest level of the Tempest.&nbsp; Once there, the lift doors opened and Beryl stepped through them. “If it is a tour of the Tempest you would like, then I shall be happy to conduct you on one after your meal.&nbsp; I do not know if your stomach can wait.”&nbsp; Her eyes twinkled.&nbsp; <br><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>22-08-2009, 01:12:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Lunch sounds good to me." replied Rick. "And I certainly wouldn't say no to a tour afterwards ... at least the bits that aren't off limits." he added, flicking his eyes behind him. "Though I guess with coming up in the world, I have a bit more freedom now."<br><br>"As regards poisoning me, I didn't think you'd be doing it intentionally. Some people are naturally bad cooks though, while others ...&nbsp; I had a ..." he paused, trying to work out roommate in the trade language ... "companion, back at the Academy, who liked to cook. Unfortunately his tastes and mine were very different. I'm sure he enjoyed his meal greatly. Unfortunately, it involved me giving our waste reclamation facilities much work." He gave a small chuckle, wincing slightly at the memory. "It is more amusing in memory than it was at the time." he added.<br><br>"Still, I'm sure whatever your galley can produce has to be better than the alternative ... the handfull of survival rations tucked into my suit pack. My people maintain there is probably more nutritional value in the wrapping than in the rations themselves, and definitely a superior taste." He grinned again at Beryl, wondering if <em>Meals Rejected by the Enemy</em> would translate into Loroi, or even if their humour ran in a similar direction.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>23-08-2009, 22:46:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br><em>“If I had my way, the entire ship would be off-limits to him,”</em> Fireblade glowered.&nbsp; <em>“And I would just tie him up in bed for the length of the journey.”</em><br><br><em>“And you would like that, wouldn’t you?”</em> Beryl chuckled.<br><br>The red-headed Loroi’s face turned a dark purple. <em>”That’s not what I meant!”</em> she protested hotly.<br><br><em>”Mmmhmm. If you want to know what I think, I think you enjoyed seeing him strapped down and naked on the medtable a little too much.”</em>&nbsp; Her chuckles echoed as Fireblade sputtered.<br><br>To Rick, she said with an innocent grin belying her dancing eyes, “Oh, I can assure you the food our cooks feed us is entirely edible and digestible, so you can be sure our waste reclamation will not be too overworked.&nbsp; At least most of the time.&nbsp; But I will tell you a secret.”&nbsp; She leaned towards Rick and lowered her voice to a whisper.&nbsp; “Sometimes the food is rather—tasteless, but a remedy I recommend is a little dollop of what we call <em>dojo-lein</em> that the galley liberally stocks.&nbsp; Hot-fire sauce, I believe is the proper translation.”&nbsp; She nodded conspiratorially, as if she had given him top-secret information, then the lift stopped at their destination.&nbsp; <br><br>The doors opened to a large hall, again open to space where the walls would have been---&nbsp; &nbsp;breathtaking windows with a vertiginously picturesque view of the system they were passing through.&nbsp; “Here we are—the mess hall.&nbsp; Some choose to take their meal at midday, while others take it at night or in the morning, depending on their shifts.”&nbsp; There were a few Loroi scattered among the tables, all of whom looked up with very patent interest at the male alien who had stepped in with Beryl and Fireblade.&nbsp; The only indication that they might be discussing him were slight hand gestures toward him as they conducted their mental conversations about the human.&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>24-08-2009, 01:11:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I understand." replied Rick as they entered the galley, and moved across. "I think I had better let you select things. Obviously I do not know how your technology works." His eyes moved across the Loroi, noting their apparent interest in him, though the silence was somewhat unnerving. It also served to drive home just what an alien environment he was in.<br><br>"Uh, Beryl, I have a request." he said quietly. "Would it be possible to simply take the food and eat somewhere privately. I ..." he broke off, unsure of how to phrase things without causing offense. "I understand the concept of your people preferring your non verbal communication, but since I seem to be the center of attention here, amongst my people, such focus combined with silence is generally a hostile atmosphere, and I believe it is triggering that feeling for me now." He gave a slight grimace before speaking again.<br><br>"I understand that I will have to get used to it, but I think I've had about as much as I can comfortably take for the present. Sitting and talking while the rest of the place is silent would feel somewhat uncomfortable for me I think."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>25-08-2009, 05:40:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Having been accustomed all her life to assuming she could read another’s thoughts and be certain that it was exactly what the other was feeling and thinking, Beryl found it an entirely new experience to try to read someone whose mind was closed to her.&nbsp; Visual cues were her guide to this alien male called Lieutenant, now Captain, Richard Ward, and she found herself paying much more attention to every expression on his face, every gesture of his hands, than she had ever given to a Loroi male.&nbsp; Some gestures were strange to her, but being naturally empathetic, she was given a window of understanding, if somewhat opaque, into his thoughts by the fleeting expressions his face sometimes displayed.<br><br>His hesitation, the careful way he arranged his words, his grimace—none of it escaped the attentive Beryl.&nbsp; She nodded sympathetically.&nbsp; “I understand perfectly.&nbsp; I imagine you feel like you are in a—a cage under observation.&nbsp; Yes, I am afraid you will experience this among us, for there is no doubt that you are still very new and unfamiliar to us.&nbsp; But hopefully, as our races become acquainted with the other, we will eliminate that discomfort.&nbsp; As for your meal, I can arrange to have it sent to your quarters, and we will go there directly.&nbsp; It will just be a minute.”&nbsp; She went to a central station, one that might be called a computerized buffet, where already processed food in square containers waited on the large revolving table, but from which one can also program special orders.&nbsp; Beryl called up Rick’s nutrition requirements as inputted by the medteam and programmed it to be sent to his assigned quarters.&nbsp; When finished, she turned to Rick with a smile.&nbsp; “There, your meal should be waiting for you, and you can eat in privacy.&nbsp; Now I will show you your quarters. If you will please come with me.”<br><br>The lift took them to a residential corridor on another level, and after a few turns, they came to a quiet cul-de-sac, the end of which was the door that opened up to Rick’s quarters.<br><br>While Fireblade stationed herself outside by the door, Beryl beckoned Rick inside.&nbsp; It was a large chamber, surprisingly luxurious and spacious, with the same breathtaking view of space occupying an entire wall.&nbsp; “This suite is reserved for the occasional Loroi male who might need to travel,” Beryl explained as she showed Rick the adjoining bath and another bedchamber leading from the main one.&nbsp; “There are not many who leave our homeworld, but those that do are usually high in station, most often nobility.&nbsp; This extra bedchamber is for his…” she groped for the word “… female companion that he might bring with him, but most often than not he might choose one or more from the crew to share his journey. It has happened only once on the Tempest, and I remember the commotion… the days of preparation, the obsession with beauty and appearance among the crew in the hopes that he might be pleased and choose some of us…” Beryl chuckled.&nbsp; “As it turned out, he was traveling to recuperate, for he was one of the older mesta--- lords--- who had been mating almost constantly to fill his quota for the year.”&nbsp; <br><br>She went to the wall-to-wall, black screen of space, and with a wave of her arm the scenery changed… this time, a verdant forest, tall graceful trees rising high above the cool shadowed floor, and in the distance the gleaming white dome of a building peeking above the treeline.&nbsp; “Most Loroi males prefer to look at scenery from our homeworld of Deinar.&nbsp; This is Cadeina, one of the more beautiful forests on the planet.&nbsp; Being cool-blooded, we prefer shade to constant exposure to our sun.&nbsp; If you need to change the view, there are various panoramas to choose from-- you merely wave your arm as I did to activate the sensor.” <br><br>Then she went to a large wall panel, and after waving her hand over a section of it, it slid open and a table and chairs glided out on a moving platform, with dishes of steaming food and a beverage decanter already laid out on it.&nbsp; “Here you are, as promised,” Beryl smiled.&nbsp; “Will you prefer to eat alone, or shall we continue our exchange of language and information?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>26-08-2009, 01:03:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rick gave a silent whistle as he took in the quarters he had been assigned. <em>Damn!</em> he thought. <em>I don't think the Captain even had something like this. An Admiral maybe, on one of the big ships.</em> He turned slowly, taking the room in, and shivering slightly at the projection of space on one wall. <em>That will take a bit of getting used to.</em> he thought. He realised then that Beryl had started talking while he had been taking the room in, and turned back towards her.<br><br>"If you have no pressing duties at present, I would enjoy the company." he replied, when she finished. "Do you need to take your own meal now, or do you eat at a different time?"<br><br>"I would be happy to start your language lesson, but as I mentioned before, language is not my strongest talent. I suppose the easiest way to provide a basic structure would be to go through the more common words in the trade language, and then give you their translations. After that, um, perhaps a variety of objects in the room here. Does that sound acceptable to you?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>27-08-2009, 04:28:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“I can take my meal now to keep you company,” Beryl nodded, working at the panel again to summon her meal to Rick’s quarters.&nbsp; “It is not for a few hours yet but of course a Loroi can eat anytime there is food available.”&nbsp; <br><br>While waiting for the minute or so before it arrived through the delivery system, she sat down at the table and gestured at Rick’s meal with a smile in her eyes.&nbsp; “Please start eating when it pleases you. Since you spend so much time during the day eating, perhaps we should start with eating-related words, yes?”&nbsp; &nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>29-08-2009, 03:07:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rick gave a small laugh. "We don't spend all that long eating." He shook his head, then paused. "Though I suppose if you only eat once a day it might seem that way."<br><br>He gestured down at the food, then at the empty place in front of her. "One of the customs of our people is that it is considered good manners to wait til all at a social meal have their food, so that all can eat together. I have no objection to waiting a little while until your food has also arrived. We can use the time to run through the start of the vocabulary."<br><br>Rick began to work his way around the table, naming whatever he could in the trade language, and then an equivalent in English. He then turned to the food itself, working on colours, shapes, smells and textures, pretty much anything he could think off.<br><br>After that, he moved on to body parts, at least those related to eating. When Beryls food arrived he added descriptions of hers as well.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>31-08-2009, 19:45:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Beryl’s mind absorbed every sentence, every phrase, every word, every syllable, every nuance of sound from Rick’s mouth into her vast store of data… and in combination with the shape and movement of his lips, as well as his body orientation and language, hand gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements, on top of every utterly fascinating detail she had already learned about him, she slowly and surely pieced together his language and culture in addition to a growing, intriguing picture of humanity through him.<br><br>Once her food had arrived and he had exhausted the names of objects related to eating as well as their descriptions, she started asking questions about abstract qualities, her eyes watching his face and lips intently as she decoded and associated his expressions with his words.&nbsp; “This food… how do you find it?&nbsp; Is it to your liking?&nbsp; It is very basic, containing the proteins, fats and carbohydrates you need to keep you alive. Taste is secondary to its creation, and is randomly formulated based on your physiological and digestive data.&nbsp; Do you find it delicious? Or bland?&nbsp; Do you have cravings for certain tastes from your home world and what are they?&nbsp; And what are your words for delicious or bland or craving?”&nbsp; <br><br>The more questions she would ask, the more information about his language she accumulated, creating in her curious, fascinated mind the interlocking pieces of a three-dimensional simulacrum that was Richard Ward.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>04-09-2009, 02:25:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"The flavour is ... interesting." Rick replied, repeating the phrase again in English. "Not very strong. I would describe it as slightly sweet, but not overly so." He took more, then nodded, half to himself. "It would be rare for us to have a main meal that would be sweet. Such is normally reserved for a dessert, which is a light final course of a meal."<br><br>"I'd be happy to compare favoured foods with you, but describing a particular flavour, without having something to compare it to, is going to be difficult." He glanced towards the apparently open wall, and the stars drifting past outside. "It may be possible to recover some of the foodstuffs from ... the remains of my ship." he said. <br><br>"I suppose that is one way I can make myself useful." he continued after a moment. "Cataloguing what is still salvageable, and explaining function and such."<br><br>He gave himself a small shake. "But I think that is a topic for another another time." His hand rose to his mouth as a yawn forced its way between his jaws. <br><br>"Sorry about that." he said. "A large meal can induce feelings of tiredness, and I'm not quite sure how long it's been since I last rested. My body is probably trying to reset itself. I suspect a warm bath and some time in bed will be quite beneficial for me. I find it a good way to relax at least, though it has been a while since I had the luxury of such." His hand rose to gesture around the room. "My old quarters were a lot more ..." he paused, realising that <em>spartan</em> wasn't a word he had in the trade language yet. "More <em>spartan</em> we would say. Less ... everything really."<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>05-09-2009, 10:26:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Beryl noted Rick’s expressions and the sounds of the words, particularly ‘interesting’ and ‘sweet’.&nbsp; “If you do not use ‘interesting’ to denote a strong opinion of something, what would you use then?”&nbsp; <br><br>Satisfied for the moment at their progress, she nodded and laid down her beverage glass on the table.&nbsp; “Then you should rest first, and we shall continue my language lessons and initiate a tour of the Tempest afterwards.&nbsp; And I am certain that once you have gone through your entire ship and finished sorting through the wreckage, I will have learned your language and added it to my databanks to share with other Loroi.&nbsp; Some of the salvageable items we have found are in one of the docking bays right now, so perhaps you would like to go through them when you are ready.&nbsp; How much sleep will you need?&nbsp; I will return at the end of that time to resume our conversation.”<br><br>She stood up and gestured to the door leading to the bath.&nbsp; “You are not much different from us, then,” she chuckled.&nbsp; “The Loroi love water, and we would spend our whole day in it if we could.&nbsp; I hope you enjoy your bath.”&nbsp; She bowed her head with a smile, then turned to the door.&nbsp; She was halfway there when she turned again back to Rick.&nbsp; She said softly, “And... perhaps you should know that there are many willing females aboard the ship who are quite willing to practice hospitality and accommodate your needs.&nbsp; You are so siimilar to our Loroi males, that I cannot help but think that you will suffer from abstinence, despite your statement to the contrary. You have only to ask me... that is, you may place your request through me, and I will bring the volunteers to you.”&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>It was the fair thing to do, Beryl thought.&nbsp; If Rick had been a Loroi male, it would be frowned upon if she had used her position to monopolize his bed.&nbsp; Part of the Loroi hospitality was to give Rick the choice of any—or all--- of the volunteers for his bed companions. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>05-09-2009, 18:35:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A small part of Ricks brain went <em>eep</em> at the thought of half the ships crew being ready and willing to <em>accommodate</em> him and his needs. <em>This was so not in the diplomacy course.</em> he thought. <em>We shall seal our treaty by having sex.</em> He gave a mental chuckle and then realised Beryl was still looking at him.<br><br><em>Then again ...</em> he thought. <em>Ok, she's cute and friendly, and it's certainly been long enough since I had the opportunity. This is a whole new species though. How am I supposed to know what is an erotic act and what is a galactic sized insult. Especially since most of them aren't big on talk or tact.</em><br><br>"Um, Beryl." The words were out of his mouth before he had more than half considered them. "If ..." <em>Gah, how do I ask this. I mean, she seems willing.</em> "Um, if I'm not being ..." He broke off again, realising he still didn't have half the words he'd need in the trade language. "Perhaps you would like to bath with me? We can continue to talk, and perhaps you can explain more of your ... customs ... to me." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>09-09-2009, 04:09:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The curve of Beryl’s smile widened on soft lips.&nbsp; There was no denying that she felt as if she had won the lottery with an honored Loroi male guest aboard the Tempest... and even if some of the others females in the crew did complain, it was not as if Rick was a Loroi assigned for breeding, was he?&nbsp; <br><br>Yes, he was more than a Loroi in certain dimensions... and perhaps it was the reason why most of the others wanted to volunteer to experience an alien male.&nbsp; But no rules applied to Rick as yet in the area of mating.&nbsp; <br><br><em>“Hah! Go ahead and think that!”</em> Firestorm snorted outside the door.&nbsp; Of course she had heard Beryl’s unguarded thoughts.&nbsp; <em>“Rationalize it all you want.&nbsp; Admit it, you are merely feeling particularly lascivious because you have not had a male’s pilor inside you for three tozon---“</em><br><br><em>”Hush!”</em> Beryl cut her off, then chuckled.&nbsp; <em>”Oh, you will get your turn with him soon enough.&nbsp; I do hope bigger means more stamina...”</em> With that, she deliberately blocked all of her thought transmissions from then on, a skill that most Loroi were very poor at but which she excelled in.&nbsp; <br><br>Ever smiling, she walked towards him. “It will be my pleasure to take a bath with you, Rick.&nbsp; You do me the greatest honor.”&nbsp; Standing in front of him now, she placed her hands tentatively on his chest.&nbsp; Since Rick was basically a closed mind to her and all other Loroi,&nbsp; her gentle touch on him would not affect him.&nbsp; “One of the customs we have when with a Loroi male is to tend to his every need when it is our time to mate.&nbsp; I shall show you all that we do to please him, the better to teach you our customs and to give you an opportunity to teach me your language.”&nbsp; She searched his eyes, while her palms slid slowly over his chest.&nbsp; “The first thing we do for a bath is to undress the male completely. Shall I undress you now, Rick?&nbsp; While I do so, you can tell me the words of each body part I uncover...”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>10-09-2009, 00:25:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rick twitched slightly as Beryl placed her hands on his chest, remembering the incident in the medical bay when he'd first awoken. <em>Relax, man. Come on, this is totally different, right?</em> He drew a deep breath and forced his muscles to relax. <br><br>When she finished speaking, he gave a small nod. His hands rose to take her wrists, holding her hands against his chest. "Actually ..." he said, licking his now dry lips. "I'd like to see you undressed first." He gave a small laugh. "After all, you've already got to see me once, right?"<br><br>He cocked his head slightly to the side. "Or is it customary for the male to undress the female as well?" <em>Probably not.</em> he thought. <em>I'm guessing women take the lead on pretty much everything here.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>10-09-2009, 18:16:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Beryl shook her head, a gesture she had picked up from Rick.&nbsp; Her fingers had already started to undo fastenings on his suit as he held her hands in place, her lips hovering between being pursed in concentration and smiling.&nbsp; “Oh no... our males are not expected to do anything but enjoy and be... aroused.&nbsp; That is their job, you know.&nbsp; The continuation of our&nbsp; species depends on a female being able to excite a male long enough for him to impregnate her.&nbsp; But you are not Loroi... so you may do anything you wish.&nbsp; Still, if you wish to see me undressed first...”&nbsp; <br><br>Before pulling away, she rubbed her soft cheek gently against Rick’s, a caress accompanied by the faintest hint of a purr.&nbsp; Then she moved away slightly and began undoing her uniform.&nbsp; If Rick had helped, he might have been mystified by the number of fastenings that held it together to her body, but her fingers moved surely although rather slowly, removing each layer from her body starting with her boots, revealing small feet with long, delicate toes... followed by the flexible plates molded to her long, lithe legs just up to the tops of her thighs.&nbsp; The flesh under her uniform was an even lighter blue, firmly rounded and&nbsp; with a texture comparable to the finest variety of velvet.&nbsp; <br><br>The torso pieces came off more slowly.&nbsp; The lower piece fell away to reveal that she wore a flimsy blue covering of silk-like material draped around the swell of feminine hips, a bit like a loin-cloth to conceal the intimate shadow between her thighs.&nbsp; The upper piece of the chest covering came off last, a bit of maneuvering to remove her graceful arms out of the sleeves and to slip the torso plates off to reveal twin mounds of soft flesh, the palest yet of any part of her body, almost bluish white and swelling ripely with the rise and fall of her breathing, the peaks tipped by small taut little nubs of pale lavender.&nbsp; Very slowly, she hooked her thumbs into the straps of her ‘panties’ and slipped them down her legs, revealing a perfectly smooth, hairless confluence of moist petals of flesh nestled between the soft pillars of her thighs.&nbsp; <br><br>Utterly naked now, with all the pieces of her uniform neatly stacked on the table, she turned to Rick with a soft smile and began to fumble with his fastenings.&nbsp; “Now I shall try to work out your uniform... it is a lot like mine.&nbsp; Our militaries seem to be similar, yes?&nbsp; They make things harder where they do not need to be.”&nbsp; &nbsp;She undid one fastening with a satisfied sigh.&nbsp; “Speaking of similarities... I am curious as to how similar a Loroi female is to a human female. Am I similar enough? I do not... disgust you?”&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>12-09-2009, 14:12:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rick licked his lips before replying. "Aside from the colour, I think you would be pretty much identical to a human female." he said. "I was going to say you could blend right in, but that would be a lie. As attractive as you are, I suspect you would have many males seeking to attract your interest." He gave a small cough, clearing his throat. "And once you get a little more of my clothing removed, I think you'll see exactly how much you do not disgust me." he continued, smiling at her. <br><br>He helped Beryl with the assorted connections on his clothing, unzipping the jump suit and shrugging out of it, pausing only to toe off the boots he wore. The plain t shirt came off next, to reveal skin that wasn't quite as tanned as his face was. He glanced down at the bulge in his shorts, while a small voice at the back of his mind tried to debate the wisdom of the course of action he was embarking on. The sight of Beryls naked body was enough to mute that little voice to background noise, while another part wondered just how soft her skin would feel when pressed against his.<br><br>He waited til Beryl had removed the remainder of his clothing ... <em>her ship, her customs .. when in Rome and all that</em> he thought .. before speaking again. <br><br>"So ... shall we ..." his hand rose to gesture towards the bathroom.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>12-09-2009, 16:50:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The removal of each item of clothing from Rick’s body was a revelation, in more ways than one.&nbsp; Beryl found the contrast in their skin quite erotic, her visual appreciation of colors and of the male body in general indulged by the underlying reddish tint to his tan-colored skin and the firmness and masculine shape of his body.&nbsp; A Loroi male, despite his constant mating, tended to be loosely and sparsely muscled, but Rick was a fine disciplined specimen of his military.<br><br>And he was... large.&nbsp; In addition to his generally longer and thicker underlying skeletal structure, every muscle group, from his pectorals, to the muscle groups on his arms, down to the long sleek muscles of his thighs and calves, to the intriguingly pronounced sinewy shape of his buttocks, was larger than she had ever seen on a Loroi male.&nbsp; Her sensitive fingers itched to trace those ridges and bulges... especially that particular muscle group down there, under his undergarment, that a Loroi male prided in.&nbsp; But in Rick’s case, his bulge was much... bigger, and she licked her own lips in anticipation of uncovering it and seeing it closely for the first time without his body in restraints.<br><br>“So the males compete for females on your world?” she murmured, finding the idea utterly novel and fresh. “That is... nice.”&nbsp; After carefully folding his undershirt and setting it on top of his pile on the table next to hers,&nbsp; her fingers went to the waistband of his undergarment, and she gazed into his eyes before looking down and slipping her fingers into that item of clothing and pushing it down from his hips and down his long legs, necessitating lowering her body to kneel before him to remove it completely... and in the process she was able to see very intimately for herself just how much she did not disgust him, as he said...<br><br>“Your muscle tone is... magnificent,” she said, smiling up at him... and as she climbed breathlessly to her feet she couldn’t help but let her soft body brush a little up the length of that large, prominently aroused organ.&nbsp; &nbsp;Resisting the temptation to touch and feel its throbbing hardness, she took his hand instead and pulled him towards the bathroom.&nbsp; “This way...”<br><br>The bedroom was an indication of the sumptuousness of the living appointments of a Loroi male, but it was a bare hint to the utter luxury of the bathroom.&nbsp; Loroi did love the water, and males especially preferred to spend most of their time in it... and the small, circular, sunken blue pool in the middle of the floor, again with half the wall open to the vastness of space, accommodated a Loroi male and as many companions as he desired.&nbsp; <br><br>“Allow me to start the water.”&nbsp; She played with the controls on the wall, and the ambient lights softened a little, while little fountains sprouted from the four points of the circle into the pool.&nbsp; Water also filled from the bottom, and in very little time the pool was filled with gently steaming water.&nbsp; Beryl climbed in, waded waist height in the bluish tinted water, and sat on one of the ledges on the side under the water’s surface designed for such a purpose... and others.&nbsp; She smiled up at Rick, holding out her hand to him.&nbsp; “Will it please you to join me?”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>14-09-2009, 02:28:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rick shivered as Beryl straightened up from kneeling in front of him, her body brushing his. The sight of her kneeling at his feet sent an almost electric thrill through him. When she took his hand he followed along, waiting as she ran the bath, admiring the smooth movement of her body, and fighting down the urge to run his hands all over her.<br><br>"I think it would please me very much to join you." he replied when the bath was run, stepping down into the water and settling into place, resting his elbows on the edges of the tub. Seeing the wall nearby open to space seemed an almost surreal touch to a bath, but he was starting to become accustomed to it.<br><br>"Amongst my people, there are no hard and fast rules about who competes for who." he said, as he felt the heat from the water soaking into his body. He raised a hand to his mouth to cover a yawn as he spoke. "Generally, if you are interested in someone, you can simply make your interest known. If they are likewise interested, all is good. We have, I think, about equal numbers of male and female, so we wouldn't have the same, um, competition as you might be used to."<br><br>He gave a small smile. "Of course, those with better physical characteristics find it easier to attract attention. I would guess the same is true for you?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>14-09-2009, 20:25:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Beryl listened to Rick’s explanation of how men and women competed almost equally for each other on his world, her smooth brow knitted slightly and pale amethyst eyes widening with each word.&nbsp; “Among the Loroi, there are 9 females for every male... so yes, the healthiest and most beautiful would have an advantage in keeping a male’s interest.&nbsp; When our population started to dwindle at the outbreak of the war, nearly every female had her chance to be with a male to replenish our numbers, beautiful or not, but now that we consider our population to be at a healthy level, a male can afford to be selective.&nbsp; That is, he may or may not choose to impregnate a female.”&nbsp; She shrugged with a small smile. “At the rate he mates, exhaustion sometimes sets in.”<br><br>As she spoke, her hands were sorting through a variety of items on a tray by the pool, some bottles and small washcloths.&nbsp; She picked a bottle up and read the label, nodded in approval and squirted a dollop of clear thick material onto a washcloth, which she lathered up between her hands.&nbsp; <br><br>Then she stood in front of Rick, inserting herself gently between his parted thighs, and proceeded to stroke the soapy washcloth over his shoulders in slow, firm circles, letting the soothing, silky, fragrant lather apply a strangely heating, tingling effect to his muscles, the piney scent filling the steamed air like balm.&nbsp; &nbsp;“This soap is made from the sap in one of our mountain trees,” she said softly, as she leaned close over him in order to reach parts of his back to scrub, the smooth wet mounds of her breasts almost brushing his face as she did so.&nbsp; “And is known to have therapeutic properties.&nbsp; Our custom is to bathe the male completely from head to toe.&nbsp; Would you like me to bathe you, Rick? And while I do so you may continue our language lesson, if you wish...”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>15-09-2009, 21:11:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It would be rude of me not to let you educate me in your customs." said Rick, smiling. "But I believe as the bathing progresses you may find my language skills deteriorate somewhat." he continued, grinning. "On the other hand, that just means we can spend more time .. practicing."<br><br>He shivered as Beryls deft touch guided the cloth progressively lower, licking his lips to moisten them. <em>Might be an idea to ask what is and isn't a good idea.</em> he thought, his eyes fixed on the pale skin ahead of him. <em>At least while you still have some blood in your head.</em><br><br>"Beryl." he said quietly, as she was adding another dollop of soap to the cloth. "Perhaps you could educate me on ... other customs ... while you are doing this." He gave a small shrug. "After all, I don't know what you would find ..." he paused, realising he hadn't got any of the vocabulary he'd need for this situation. "Correct." he decided, after a moment or two. "Certain acts are likely to be considered welcome, others not. I would prefer not to do something unwelcome, if I can avoid it."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>16-09-2009, 16:08:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“You are the perfect ambassador for your people,” Beryl murmured, as she applied the soap to the washcloth, and the washcloth back to his body.&nbsp; She was kneeling now between his legs, the waterline almost covering all of her breasts as her soapy hands slowly massaged their way down his body, just as she would have done to a Loroi male.&nbsp; She spent some time on his chest, finding it deliciously touchable under her slippery ministrations.&nbsp; <br><br>She meditated for a few seconds while absently stroking him, then she said thoughtfully, “The Loroi do not like physically touching those who they do not know intimately, among Loroi or other races.&nbsp; As you can see, I am an exception.”&nbsp; She smiled at him. “I have always been... different.&nbsp; And the words I think you are looking for are <em>parya</em> for unwelcome and <em>arya</em> for desired.”&nbsp; She paused to pay particular attention to the ridges on his abdomen with her washcloth and with her hand, no longer pretending she was bathing him merely to clean him and to teach him their customs.&nbsp; She was exploring him, with all the wonder of an adventurer finding new, uncharted territory.<br><br>“Also, Loroi hate showing their bare feet, or looking at those of others not among their intimates,” she grinned.&nbsp; “You would never see a Loroi going barefoot on the streets of our cities or even in our recreational playgrounds, and you would be wise not to do so yourself.&nbsp; On the other hand, we prefer to have our hair uncovered in all sorts of company, even formal ones.&nbsp; Working conditions are different, of course.&nbsp; We enjoy having our hair touched by our mates.&nbsp; There are pleasure receptors there that make it ... arya to be touched there.”&nbsp; As her hands went down further, grazing the crown of his prodigious member for the briefest moment, she said softly, “There are more things than I could tell you in one sitting... but I am sure, as we continue to exchange ideas, dislikes and... desires, we will continue to learn more about each other’s customs.&nbsp; What are some of yours?&nbsp; Is there anything you have found unwelcome in what I have done, and what else would you find offensive?”&nbsp; Then, as her washcloth encountered the protuberance of his manhood, she added, “Would you like me to wash you here?&nbsp; Loroi males enjoy elaborate washing and scrubbing in this particular area.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>21-09-2009, 02:15:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rick listened carefully, nodding at appropriate times, and filing the information away. His hand lifted to slowly stroke Beryls hair as she knelt in front of him. His mind was filled with images of her leaning forwards, her mouth taking the place of that brief touch of her hand. It took a slight effort of will to force his thoughts back to a slightly conversational manner.<br><br>"Amongst our people ..." he began, then paused, considering the sheer number of customs, and gave his head a slight shake. "Public nudity, under most conditions, is frowned upon. Covering the ..." he paused, again the words he needed were not there. His hand gestured towards his groin. "Covering here is usually considered the minimum acceptable standard."<br><br>"However, when one is in a situation like ours .. " he gave a small grin. "Well, at this point, usually both parties are involved in mutual discovery of pleasure receptor spots, such as here ... and here." His hand moved from her hair to brush her neck, and then lightly over her breasts.<br><br>"The use of touch ...." he paused, the ran his fingers lightly across Beryls fingertips and lips .... "at those spots, is the initial part of mating."<br><br>"Would you like me to demonstrate?" he said, his eyes on hers.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>06-10-2009, 05:09:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Rick slowly stroked her hair, a sound very like a purr of pleasure vibrated in Beryl’s throat, a shiver of delight rippling over her skin and warming the pleasure centers between the slender columns of her thighs, and she gently nuzzled and rubbed her head into his palm as she continued to lather his midriff with the washcloth.&nbsp; <br><br>“Oh, public nudity is reviled on our world too,” she smiled.&nbsp; “We avoid exposure of so much skin for fear of accidental touching.”&nbsp; However, she showed no embarrassment whatsoever about exposure of so much of her skin to Rick, finding that she enjoyed sharing the freedom from this taboo with him just as her hands enjoyed touching his bare skin.&nbsp; She would never have been so free and generous in her thoughts and proximity with a Loroi male unless he had requested it.&nbsp; Her gaze roamed downwards over his body as he gestured at his groin, and she licked her lips, a barely perceptible sigh escaping as she considered once again this sizable marvel of human male anatomy.&nbsp; “Although it seems such a shame to cover such a part of you.&nbsp; Tell me, Rick… are you particularly large for a human male?&nbsp; Or is that a question that does not meet your minimum acceptable standards?”&nbsp; She tilted her head to one side, her eyes lifting to meet his in intense interest.&nbsp; <br><br>She pondered on his grin, and thought how attractive the curve of his lips was.&nbsp; It seemed that a smile was universal after all, and its appeal spanned galaxies so that a female of the Loroi species thrilled and melted at the charm of the smile of an alien male.&nbsp; And when his hands slid over the pleasure receptors dotted generously in the skin of her neck and the damp swell of her breasts, she trembled from the crown of her head to the tips of her toes.&nbsp; “I… would very much like an exploration of mutual discovery,” she whispered.&nbsp; “Your kind and mine are not very different in this respect, then… for my pleasure receptors seem to agree with your females’ spots.”&nbsp; <br><br>And when his fingers caressed the surface of her lips, she shuddered almost violently, her breath coming quickly and deeply between her parted lips.&nbsp; Of the entire body, the Loroi’s lips were the next sensitive after genitals, even more than her breasts… but touching there was even more ignored than everywhere else, perhaps because of the taboo of speaking among sanzai-endowed Loroi.&nbsp; Kissing was unknown to her and to her people… and here was Rick telling her that touching of the lips was a large part of human mating… <br><br>“Yes… please demonstrate,” she nodded breathlessly, her eyes smiling into his… then her hand, without the barrier of the washcloth, curled wonderingly around his thick girth, finally unable to resist touching him… and she slowly stroked him along the length of his member.&nbsp; “And I shall demonstrate how we like to please our Loroi males … and, if you are anything similar to a Loroi male, I suspect that this which I hold is a concentrated pleasure receptor of some magnitude in your body…”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>08-10-2009, 01:39:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rick nodded, licking his lips. "Amongst my people, one of the first expressions of interest is what we call a <em>kiss.</em> It is the pressing of the lips against the other person. Usually on their lips, or other sensitive spots." Keeping his eyes on hers he leaned forwards, softly pressing his lips against hers, whilst his arms slid around her and drew her against him.<br><br>After a few seconds he broke it, moving back slightly. "If that is met with approval, a deeper one is performed." He leaned in again, pressing his lips against hers. His tongue slid out to run across her lips, and gently probe against them, seeking admittance. <br><br>His arms tightened around her again, one hand sliding down her back to cup her shapely rear, and began to gently squeeze and caress.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>09-10-2009, 01:05:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Kiss…?”&nbsp; Beryl said softly, her tongue trying that simple syllable out, her eyes wide as they watched his own lips move closer… and his arms wrapped around her to pull her body against him until her wet naked flesh was sliding sensuously against his skin, the mounds of her breasts crushed against his chest.&nbsp; This act of embracing was not new to her, and was the basis of all mating rituals between Loroi males and females, and of Loroi of the same sex.&nbsp; But a meeting of the lips?&nbsp; Her mind still marveled at the thought even as the plentiful pleasure receptors in her lips still throbbed from when he had touched them with his fingers. <br><br>The reaction of her body to his lips pressing against hers was like nothing she had ever experienced.&nbsp; Perhaps it was the proximity of his eyes, looking deep into hers… or the firm contact of his well-shaped nose against her cheek… or the intriguingly masculine scent of his skin tickling her nose… or the smoothness of his lips, surrounded by the slightly roughened texture of his unshaven skin rasping against the softness of hers… or the smouldering heat of his beautiful, alien body burning hers where their flesh met so intimately, raising her own temperature to previously unknown heights until she thought she would combust.&nbsp; Perhaps it was the whole array of sensual stimuli… but whatever it was, her body trembled even more violently than before, melting between each shudder until she was unable to move in his arms, her lips paralyzed with the chaotic burgeoning of pleasure that his soft caress awakened in her.<br><br>Her body shuddering weakly and half-clinging, half-hanging in his arms as his hand caressed her firm, rounded bottom as no Loroi ever had, she managed to move shakily to sit on his thigh-- that long, powerful limb which she knew would hold her—perching in such a way that did not deter his caresses on that area of her body.&nbsp; Her own trembling hands gripped his shoulders, her sensitive palms slowly caressing over those equally powerful muscles rippling under his smooth wet skin--- over the delightful texture of his chest and the mesmerizing, scorching heat of his flesh, her fingers tracing and exploring along ridges, dips and bulges. Her own thigh pressed and rubbed against his tumescent member in the warm bubbling water, and at his words she nodded eagerly, acquiescing to further, deeper exploration just as his lips claimed hers again.<br><br>The receptors in her lips danced wildly under the sweet, moist slide of his tongue across their silky surface, and with a new, quivering instinct to explore him, her soft lips parted willingly under the gently but insistent pressure of his, admitting his tongue into her mouth… her own untried tongue tentatively mirroring his caress.&nbsp; Her shivering body already melting from the assault of pleasure on her lips, the erotic discovery that the tongue could be used not only for speaking but for other, unspeakably enjoyable activities as well turned her body into a mindless bundle of intoxicated arousal.<br><br><em>“Kiss…yesss…”</em> Forgetting for a moment that he couldn’t hear her thoughts, she had tried to transmit the thought to his mind.&nbsp; The she formed the word against his mouth, her caressing tongue fumbling with the word even as her lips were engaged with his in growing abandon in exploration of this delightful new activity.&nbsp; “A kiss is… a very agreeable expression… I would like to practice this expression more…” she breathed weakly, wrapping the soft, slender circle of her arms around his neck as her wet, awakened body pressed to his powerful frame. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>10-10-2009, 01:58:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rick gave a soft chuckle of laughter at the effect his kiss had had on Beryl. <em>Ok, I was never <strong>that </strong>good a kisser.</em> he thought, smiling. <em>Most be an erogenous zone there. Boy, that's going to make me popular when word gets out.</em> He chuckled again. "I think we can arrange for that." he said, caressing her back and rear still.<br><br>"From here, the two would begin an exploration of each others bodies." he said. "Though I'm not sure the bath is the most convenient for that. Exploration is done through both hands and lips. Some enjoy the sensation of ..." he paused, again lacking the words he needed.<br><br>"Of this." he said, lowering his mouth to Beryls throat, slowing kissing from just below her ear down to her shoulderblade. Amongst the kisses he paused to run the tip of his tongue along the slope of her neck, and to nip gently at her flesh, leaving small tinges of colour on her skin.<br><br>"Like that." he said, drawing back. "All over the body." He glanced towards the bedroom again. "Shall we ...?" His hand rose to gesture towards the bedroom. "We can always come back in here afterwards."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>11-10-2009, 23:50:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“So humans prefer to be dry when exploring and mating?” queried Beryl breathlessly through soft lips already swelling and prickling with tumultuous sensations, her sensitive fingertips sliding slowly into his wet hair to explore his scalp through the strands … and when his lips began their seductive journey from her earlobe down the smooth column of her neck, her fingers curled helplessly against his head and her neck arched pliantly backwards, her body shivering uncontrollably as his kisses set off little explosions of shock along the silky, highly receptive skin of her neck… and a soft moan escaped her lips.<br><br>She had never known a Loroi male to bother seducing his females with exploratory caresses and kisses… why should he, when the entire female population was at his disposal, and his job of reproducing meant that he could mate dozens of times a day?&nbsp; It was the females’ job to please and arouse him, as quickly as possible, and often several females would be around a single male all day long to serve him and to save time.&nbsp; Beryl had rarely pleasured a male alone.&nbsp; <br><br>So it was an entirely new experience for her, this intimate contact one on one with a male.&nbsp; Females also pleasured each other in groups, accustomed as they were to the efficient streamlining of their available time.&nbsp; But no one… no one used their lips.&nbsp; Fingers and body parts, yes… but never the lips.&nbsp; And now Rick was using his lips in ways that delighted and amazed her… inspiring her to experiment with her own lips on his skin, mirroring his kisses with her own little suckling versions of kisses over his face and neck as his mouth moved down her neck and set her body on fire as no Loroi had ever done.&nbsp; Along the way, she discovered, in mimicking him, that her tongue could be used to taste him, and her teeth employed in hungry little nibbles on his flesh as his alien but decidedly beguiling flavor made her want more.<br><br>“All over the body?” she whispered dazedly.&nbsp; The thought made her dizzy, but she nodded as she realized he wanted to get out of the pool and go back to the bedchamber.&nbsp; “Of course, if that is your wish…”&nbsp; They both emerged wet and dripping from the water to stand on the edge, Beryl’s knees still weak and jellied from his kisses…and automatically, as she had been trained to do, she took a towel from a stack next to the pool and dried Rick slowly with it, enjoying the process every bit as much as she had done washing him… paying particular attention to that prominent marvel of his anatomy that entranced her so, her hands patting the towel all around the magnificent column, down the intriguingly heavy sac hanging below it, not letting an inch of his skin in front and behind and between his legs escape her careful drying.&nbsp; <br><br>When she was done, she dried herself quickly and efficiently, and she took his hand as they went back into the bedroom.&nbsp; She released his hand and went to another portion of the wall, oddly self-conscious now of her naked body as she passed a hand over the panel.&nbsp; It opened up the little bar that served the bedchamber’s guests.<br><br>“Would you like some of our wine, Rick?” she smiled at him.&nbsp; “The medtechs assured me it would be safe for you.&nbsp; It is from the fermented juices of one of our fruits, the <em>kala</em>.” She held up the sinuously shaped bottle filled with burgundy-colored fluid, then another filled with brilliant green.&nbsp; “This one is a little stronger… from the processing of one of our grains, the <em>resa</em>.&nbsp; Perhaps you would like to try one of these two first?”&nbsp; She poured the liquids into four small glasses.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>HairyHeretic</strong> on <strong>13-10-2009, 02:50:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Thank you." replied Rick, taking the first of the glasses, the resa, and taking a small sip from it. "This is nice. Very sweet, and I can feel that heat from it as it goes down." His eyes lit up, and a smile rose on his lips as he placed his hand on Beryls chest and slowly pushed her back. When the backs of her knees met the bed she had no choice but to sit, Ricks hands removing the glasses and setting them by the bed, bar the one he still held in his hand.<br><br>His other hand continued pushing, sending Beryl down onto her back, and Rick grinned down on her. "My people do enjoy such drinks, both before and after." he said. "Me, I also enjoy them during." He lowered his hand, tilting it slowly to let the liquid trickled onto one or Beryls raised nipples.<br><br>His hand moved across, leaving a trail of the slightly sticky liquid across her body. He lowered his body against hers, arms either side of her to take his weight, whilst his lips and tongue cleaned the liquid from her body, moving back against the way he had poured it to finish by suckling on her nipple. <br><br>His eyes were on hers as his tongue roamed, taking every last drop of liquid from her skin. When he could only taste her he rose, licking his lips, and settled on the bed beside her. "Do your people also enjoy such things?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Ad Astra (Silk Satine and HairyHeretic)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Solaine</strong> on <strong>14-10-2009, 14:24:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Beryl watched him drink the resa, smiling and pleased that he liked it.&nbsp; Of course, the medtechs couldn’t estimate how much of a soporific effect it would have on the human body, as it did on Loroi, so it was going to be interesting to see how Rick would resist the potency of this drink and how long it would be before he would feel relaxed, even sleepy.<br><br>Then her amethyst eyes widened as another smile curved Rick’s lips… and this time, she could only describe it as—wicked.&nbsp; Was it possible the resa had an unforeseen effect on humans besides its soothing warmth?&nbsp; It seemed so… even more stunning was his hand on her chest pushing her back towards the bed.&nbsp; But there was no thought of protest… and in fact Beryl found Rick’s emerging dominance thrilling.&nbsp; Loroi males, after all, frequently took females however they liked, depositing their seed and moving on or lingering as it pleased them.&nbsp; <br><br>Breathless again, she sprawled on the bed under his hand, her eyes roaming over his body while he took care of the glasses.&nbsp; As she waited, intrigued by his reaction to the resa, that soft purr came back to tickle her throat… and she decided again that he really was rather spectacular.&nbsp; In comparison to his height and girth and sheer volume of muscle, she felt small… and feminine… almost delicate.&nbsp; <br><br>“You like to drink during mating?” she queried softly.&nbsp; “Well, of course, if you get thirsty you should dr---Oh!” She gasped, and the last word came out more like a squeak as he poured the cold fluid on her nipple, splashing down from the peak of her breast and all around her pale blue skin, the pert, round little button pebbling as air cooled the moist tip into jutting hardness.&nbsp; <br><br>Then his hand was spreading the liquid across her skin, leaving quivering trails of sensation behind on her flesh… and little bursts of shocked pleasure exploded in her lower body as he lowered the weight of his body on top of hers, his much hotter flesh scorching and rubbing silky expanses of her skin as her hips squirmed under his, and she felt the length of his hard member press against her soft thigh… and his lips suckled and his tongue lapped over her drenched skin.&nbsp; The shivers that rippled through her body had nothing to do with cold resa evaporating from her skin, but everything to do with those lips searing a trail of fire across her flesh to her…<br><br>“Oh…” she gasped in shock as he sucked on her nipple, a long, shivery moan escaping her lips as his mouth closed around the pale lavender areola and ‘drank’ from her… and when the pleasure receptors in her nipple protested at this unprecedented assault of almost unbearable pleasure, her hands crept up his naked back to bury themselves in his hair, holding his head to her breast while her own back arched sinuously to capture every sensation of this delightful new demonstration of what his lips could do to her.&nbsp; “Oh… “ Apparently, her lips were unable to articulate anything intelligent while his lips were on her body, capable of only gasps and moans and whimpers while her body wriggled pliantly and helplessly under his, her thigh straining against his member.&nbsp; “I.. you have a strange way of drinking during mating…” she managed to whisper faintly.<br><br>Some measure of clarity returned to her, although not much, when he had finished drinking from her skin and lay beside her.&nbsp; Her arms clung around his neck, her hands still locked in his hair, and it took a measure of effort to release him.&nbsp; “Oh yes, we enjoy it very much,” she whispered huskily.&nbsp; She wasn’t sure about the rest of the Loroi population, but <em>she</em> enjoyed it tremendously.&nbsp; She struggled to sit up and looked down at him, her lips forming a dimpled smile as she moved her hand on his chest in caressing circles.&nbsp; “May I drink from you too?”&nbsp; Her eyes strayed slowly down his body to that prodigious part of him which left its burning imprint on her thigh.&nbsp; <br><br><br><div align="center">~*~*~*~*~*~</div><br><br>Fireblade paced impatiently outside Rick’s quarters.&nbsp; What was taking them so long?&nbsp; Surely it shouldn’t take long for the male to fuck Beryl.&nbsp; Loroi males never spent more than a few minutes on any single female, so she assumed a human male would be the same.&nbsp; Beryl should be able to have her <em>pilor</em> right about now...<br><br>She stopped in her tracks as if she had hit an invisible wall, her foot in midstep… for a sudden flood of thought transmissions bombarded her mind.&nbsp; Stunned, Fireblade stood frozen as Beryl’s thoughts--- as well as emotions and reception and perception of stimuli and reactions to them--- poured into her mind with chaotic force.&nbsp; For the better part of an hour, Fireblade had uselessly tried to break through Beryl’s mind barrier (NOT out of curiosity, she told herself)… and now she was buckling under the staggering flow of Beryl’s pleasure as she lost control of the barrier. <br><br><em> "Like that…All over the body...Shall we ...?..We can always come back in here afterwards…So humans prefer to be dry when exploring and mating?”</em> They were in the bath…? He was <em>kissing</em> Beryl’s neck?&nbsp; What in Deinar…?<br><br>As that incredible pleasure from Rick’s lips coursed through Fireblade’s body, she was suddenly gripped with an intense desire to see what exactly Rick was doing to Beryl.&nbsp; Beryl’s thoughts were rather jumbled and incoherent so that it was difficult to form a picture of what the other woman was seeing.&nbsp; So with a great effort of will, she forced herself to walk, almost run, to the operations room which contained the network of video feeds of every room on the Tempest.&nbsp; <br><br>When she arrived, she was bewildered to see that a group of her shipmates were already congregated there… each one with a nearly identical glazed expression on her face as they watched the three-dimensional representation of what was happening on the bed displayed in glorious color in the middle of the room.&nbsp; Rick was on top of Beryl and… and sucking on Beryl’s nipple with his mouth… <br><br>“You’re recording this, aren’t you?” One of them asked the tech urgently.&nbsp; <br><br>“What do you think?” the tech shot back.<br>
			</dd>
		</dl>
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