Dinner. I’m good with dinners. Surprised that Les ran his mouth there a little bit; as I mentioned yesterday, having those two alone for weeks and months might be changing how they act around others.

I’m thinking of wrapping up Part 2 by Friday, and then taking another multi-year step. We’ll have to see.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

There were only four chairs at the table and Laszlo had put out five settings.  Minerva took a step back only to be forced down by Eloise, who took the cheap plastic chair as her own.  Not religious at all, Patel looked to Laszlo, as the eldest.

“Almighty God,” he said, raising his palms up.  Saras was surprised to see the android do it, too.  “Thank You for this meal, this family.  Please watch over all of us in these hard times.”

“So Minerva is family?” Saras smiled while cutting her sister’s chicken into bite-sized pieces. 

“Yes,” he replied, but this time without a smile.  “Problem?”

“Me?” Flustered.  “No.  Just surprised.  I told Min that I’m still a girl and don’t get adult things.”

“Min?” her mother asked, pouring more whiskey into her glass.

“That’s what I call her, privately,” Les explained, picking up his fork.  “I guess that came through when you two were talking?”

“Yes, Uncle.  If it bothers you, I’ll not do it again.”

She watched him glance to Minerva.

“We’re family.  It’s fine.  And this,” he took another portion of chicken, “is amazingly good.  My mother cannot cook and has no sense of good food.  We might spend a month here!”

“Exhausting our little store of meat?  I think not!” Eloise laughed.  “Bring more, next time, and I’ll see what we can do.”

“I bet something exotic from – ” he began before Minerva’s left hand was over his mouth.

“Classified.  Not even family,” she said in a dull tone.

There was a silence until Eloise started talking about her work, how Saras helped Kira, and that little Lissa spent most of her time puttering about with various tech teams who put up with her.

“Like me,” she said after another drink, “she’s only human, but seems to find her way into trouble everywhere.  It was a month ago that we’d word she walked out of an Agro Transport laying grasses and trees around the Hellas Great Sea.”

“I like plants!” the little one announced.

“So long as she’s safe, and Saras, too, I try to let them do what they want,” Eloise concluded, sitting back in her chair.

Les took over and discussed the asteroids and gas giant moons they had and are surveying.  After twenty minutes, with both Eloise and Lissa nodding, he stopped.  He and Minerva helped them both to bed.

I’m tired, too, but there is so much to learn.

You should sleep, niece, Les said, back on the couch with her under his left arm and Min curled up in his right.

Are you two married?

No.  His thought carried an edge which made her shiver.  It is a similar, odd, situation which my brother finds himself in with your mother and his wife and new son.  Because of politics, Min and I cannot.  Yet, I will never leave her.

Saras heard a sound almost like a cat’s purr.  Raising her head, Minerva was slowly moving her hand over her uncle’s chest.

Should I leave?  There are grown-up things I –

This is family time and Min is just being affectionate.  He used his right arm to pull her in closer.  This is something of a unique situation, I know.  If you are uncomfortable, we will retire.

No!  I’ve so much to learn!  Uh…so you two are like Dad and Mom?  She’s your concubine?

Nothing so formal, Minerva spoke now.  Her way of thinking was completely different than that of a demi-human and Saras was still not used to it.  I am his.  Forever, I think.  Les puts up with me.  I am the partner of his labors.

Min, please, Les sighed.

I do not understand any of this.  I should go, Saras thought to herself.

Saras leaned to give her uncle a hug before standing and leaning down to do the same for Minerva.

“Let’s have an adventure in the morning,” she announced.  “I’ve asked to borrow a flit.  I want to show you the Great Canyon tomorrow, Uncle, if that’s okay.”

“Let’s!” he smiled.

Leaving the main room for her tiny bedroom, she glanced back.  They’re kissing.  I do not understand anything.