The ramp descended with a hiss as the party watched their guest, waiting to see how Stesa would respond to the nature-filled platform that spanned thirty square miles. Despite being the home of many nightmares that plagued me in the darkest moments of the night, I loved this place. My two friends had done a fantastic job cleaning up the agricultural plots, so they didn’t look like the wilderness that had been here when we arrived.
A clang of the metal striking the durocrete landing pad told us that the airlocks were about to open and allowed us to move out of the bay. I took Stesa’s hand in mine as we walked down the ramp into the bright morning sunlight. Beyond the cement platform and metal barriers surrounding it was a small field of pale orange grass and a thick ring of crimson and burnt orange trees that served as a windbreak for the farms beyond.
Calm filled the world as the ship settled and the engines finished their shutdown. The sound of hundreds of small creatures and birds fill the air to replace the monstrous hum of the engines. I let the peace wash over me as the noise carried my mind back to the surface, reminding me of happy times now long gone. We left the group behind as Stesa and I wandered into the knee-high grass beyond the barriers, enjoying the feel of nature around us.
I sat in the still dew-dampened grass when we were about halfway to the trees, too happy to be in nature to care. The stocks of grass to my right disappeared to be replaced by the beautiful face of Stesa that had been haunting my mind for a little while. Her voice was dampened by the walls of tall grass that turned this spot into our temporary sanctuary.
“I hadn’t realized how much I missed the feel of grass on my skin and the rustle of the wind in the trees. I’ve even missed the sound of those bugs that used to keep me up at night. Thank you for bringing me here.”
In response, I reached out and felt for her hand, giving it a soft squeeze before speaking.
“Yeah, it’s amazing what a little wild nature in our lives can do for us as a people. Honestly, I suspect that it’s one of the reasons that the Over Cities are as terrible as they are. You’re welcome here anytime you need a break from the city. Just let me or the goddesses know, and we’ll bring you here on one of our daily trips.”
The emotions of the moment overcame my common sense and I gave into my feelings for the woman beside me. I leaned in slowly, kissing her as gently as possible before pushing myself to my feet. Reality slammed back into me as I stood, forcing out some small talk to cover my embarrassment.
“I wish I could stay here all day. But unfortunately, I have some work to do. You’re welcome to stay here if you want, but there’s still a lot to show you if you want to join me.”
A wide grin broke across her face as she held her hand out, letting me help her up to her feet. Feeling closer to her than ever, I wrapped my arm around her. Before I could release her she pulled me back in for a second kiss. She pulled away without another word and began to head back to the ship until I recovered enough to join her and take her hand.
I led her back to the landing area where a hover truck ladened with crates of produce and freezer chests of fresh meat was slowing in front of the open bay. Changing directions slightly, we moved to stand beside the two goddesses and the ship’s avatar that waited beside the ramp. We watched the shiny black truck turn so that its flatbed pointed towards the ramp, its small thrusters puffing to keep it level as it spun in the air.
“Uraura, I need you to take the lead in getting us loaded and ready. Dream should be able to help you take inventory and organize the bay. I’ll give our guest a tour, then head over to Gako and Imekla’s house to introduce them to Stesa. Feel free to join us when you’re done here, but please keep Z busy enough to give me some alone time.”
With a wink, she stepped forward and waved at the broad-shouldered man emerging from the truck’s cab. Burn scars and tattoos that covered the exposed arms of the man that had once been my second in command. These markings drew a nervous glance from Stesa before she spotted the warm smiles on my face. I slipped my arm around her waist and gave her a reassuring smile before greeting my friend.
“Gako, you didn’t have to make the delivery yourself. You have staff now that can do that. I’m glad you’re here, though. I have someone I want you to meet.”
A quick glance over my shoulder to where Zoxjia stood caused a single eyebrow to creep up his face, paired with a mischievous grin.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“I’d heard rumors about someone shaking up your life, but I didn’t believe it. It was mostly because Z told me. We both know that she loves to exaggerate when discussing relationships. Seeing a face I don’t recognize makes me want to apologize to Zoxjia.”
Rolling my eyes, I led my friend back to the group, giving him a moment to greet the two goddesses properly before introducing Stesa.
“Gako Chie, this is Stesa Wynlen. She’s the interior designer helping me with my apartment and the restaurant. I can’t wait for you to see her work on opening night. You are still planning to come to opening night, aren’t you?”
Gako smiled and held out his bear paw of a hand to greet the much smaller woman.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Wynlen, and welcome to the Crimson Orchard. Having a new face here on the platform is always a pleasure. Hopefully, my business partner here plans to give you a tour?”
His questioning gaze shifted to me as he asked the last question, knowing I had a plan for it but being my wingman as best as he could. Returning his knowing smile, I glanced over at Stesa before responding.
“As long as you brought the hoverbike I will. I planned to invite her on a tour that would end at your house. Is there anywhere that we should avoid? You always seem to have a new project going somewhere on this platform.”
Gako stepped over to the tailgate of the oversized truck, lowering it to reveal a portable hoverbike. I resisted the urge to complain about the neon yellow paint job on the bike. I thanked my friend with a nod before activating the cycle and guiding it down to the tarmac. I swung my leg over to straddle the lower seat and held my hand to Stesa, trying to ignore her surprised and slightly nervous look.
“Do you want to see anything specific we’ve got going on here? I’m sure there are at least a few things you haven’t seen since you left the surface.”
A deep breath was all she needed to commit as she took my hand and climbed up onto the seat behind me. As I began revving the bike to warm it up in the slightly chilly air, Gako stepped over and handed us each a helmet.
“With the way he drives, you’re going to need these. Plus, they have mics in them, so you’ll be able to talk while he tests the bike’s limits.”
I pulled it on with a groan at the teasing of my close friend. Stesa’s arms wrapping around my waist was the signal I needed, pulling the bike around the truck to head out along the broad road that led away from the landing pad. I spoke softly, wanting to test the microphones before we got too far into the tour.
“I’m sorry about that if it was too awkward. Gako’s a good friend, but he can sometimes be overwhelming.”
Her voice cut through the muffled wind that whipped past our heads as I picked up the pace.
“Don’t worry about it. You’ll meet my friends at the opening, and they’re no better. It was actually really nice to get to see more people that you’re close to. I was starting to worry that you might be one of the mysterious types not letting anyone in.”
Turning slightly so that I could see the top of her helmet, I thought for a moment before responding.
“I’m sorry if I made you think that. I’m just one of those who prefer to keep a small, tight-knit group of friends, but I’m always happy to let someone else in. So would you rather see the fields first, or would you rather see the orchards?”
She let her torso press against my back as she relaxed a little more.
“How about we go to the orchard first. It’s been years since I’ve been able to walk under trees. Maybe we could even pick some fruit to snack on while we look around?”
I let the warmth and comfort that radiated from her touch take control as I slowed the bike back a little and banked us to the left at the first intersection in the dirt road, turning away from the large fields of grain that had just emerged from the trees. The two of us rode in comfortable silence for several moments, enjoying the all-too-rare view of plants and animals that zipped past us. I took a gentle bend so that we emerged out onto the lip of the platform. We moved along the side of the railed edge as the trees began to appear on the rolling hills to our right.
“We actually have the ability to vary the seasons on the platform so that we always have a section of the orchard in season. We’re headed to the one that should be starting to get picked this week to see if we can get some fruit you might recognize.”
We reached the section of the orchard I had been aiming for before she could respond. The bike stopped in the large open area where robotic vehicles moved slowly into and out of the orchard, dumping loads of fruit into truck beds. I led her over to the nearest truck after helping off the bike, climbing up on the thruster housing of the truck to reach down into the bed. After a few seconds of fishing in the pile, I pulled out two glowing green fruits that were almost crystalline in shape. Handing one down to Stesa, I jumped down beside her.
The soft crunch of a bite through the fruit’s thin skin and the soft moan of joy as she tasted an Iobaco Fruit that normally only grew in her homeland was the only answer I got as I climbed back down. Her face seemed to glow far more than the bioluminescent juice that escaped the dripping fruit seemed to provide, almost childlike as the memory pulled her back to the surface.
I took a bite as well, enjoying the flavor tied to many good memories as I leaned against the nearest tree, still watching her closely.
“So what do you think? Is it like the ones you ate growing up?”
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