These girls just won’t stop; it is kind of funny, really. Neither has had a boyfriend before and they are both being made older about that relationship and the complexity between the three of them. Pai thinks she has the upper hand because of vast intellect. Alix does because “I’m good enough and not a fake human.”

Next segment is off to visit Pai’s mom. Constructs, even tribe Tohsaka’s who generally like and get along with humans, are very debilitating and potential fatal.

Personally, a bit better today. Wife came home yesterday afternoon but was still in “Key West Party Girl” mode so instantly started drinking rum smoothies. Her playing music downstairs – loud music – was very rude and disrespectful to me, especially after I asked her twice to turn it down. She better snap out of that shit.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

That sounds a bit ominous.  “Crossing…?”

“Seeing my mom.” She stood and took their bowls to the cleaning station and came back.  “You may join us for the walk, not the construct.”

“Thank you, Pai,” she said, standing.

“You are welcome, Alix.  We shall not hold one another, so let us hold something in common,” his Intended said, again looping her left arm about his right and giving the human girl a nod.  She did the same with his left.  Please, don’t let them tear me in half.

Out front of the little café, Alix indicated the woods to the northeast and a little deer path into them.  “We can bury the body there, if we have to,” she deadpanned.

I have no idea if she is kidding or not.  I know you can read my mind, essentially, Pai.  Are you okay with this?

“It would be simpler to just toss him into the lake, would it not?  Or do you have some hankering, as I think the local term is, for necrophilia?” Pai asked with a smile.

“And that is different than what he’s done with you, how?” Alix asked, nuzzling his ear.

“Again, a feeling you will never know, little girl.”

They paused as some others were coming down the same narrow path.  They halted for a moment, saying greetings, at the two beautiful young women with a bewildered, perspiring man between them.

“Alix?” Desperate to change the subject.  “You’ve been to the moon?  I never was more than a hundred miles from my parent’s land until a day ago.”

“Yes.  Three times.  The imperium’s main base as well as the listening array on the dark side.  A side I’m sure my rival well knows.”

“I’ve been there many times.  It was where Ninon left us,” Pai admitted, not rising to the insult.  “We miss her very much.”

She sighed.  “Why are not you, gifted girl, serving on Mars?  If you are as smart as you claim, you should be much more use there than stealing men, here.”

“I would welcome such an assignment, Party Barge, but, as I said, am still a candidate.  If I had someone to quicken me, as my husband, I might qualify as a colonist, too.”

“You colon is about the only thing which will ever be quickened…”

“As opposed to your vacuous holes…”

“Stop it!” Graf yelled, but this time pulling them closer and not dropping their arms.  “Stop it, both of you!  I’m the youngest one here and seem to be the only adult!  Can you two just shut up for once?  Why can’t you see how beautiful it is out here?  Why can’t you two say something righteous and hopeful for a change?”

No one spoke, so he turned them around and started back.  Near the circle of buildings, Alix finally spoke.

“Breakfast tomorrow?” she asked in a steady but soft voice.

“If he survives?  Sure,” Pai replied.

“Excuse me, Intended?” he asked.

“Being around my mother is… debilitating to humans and demi-humans, alike.  I shall have to take great care she does not accidentally kill you.  Rival?  May I ask a question?”

“Please,” Alix allowed.

“If this does not go as I hope, where is an emergency medical facility?”

It was obvious the human girl was fuming.  “What will you do to him?”

“Me?  Nothing.  Mom?  Who knows.  She’s killed tens of thousands.”

“Tullahoma is five miles that way,” she pointed left.  “The Engineering Center, with better med facilities, five miles that way” The other direction. 

“May I ask you secure an AED and bring it to my room?” Pai said, face blank.  I am not liking this at all.

“How soon?”

“Now.”

Alix took off running south.  From holding his arm, Pai slipped her hand down to hold his hand.  “Do not be afraid.  I will protect you.”

“My…my mom died less than a year ago.  You act like yours is some terror,” he said, trying very hard to keep his voice from trembling.  “Will I really die?”

“I hope not.”

“That IS NOT some great comfort, my Beloved Intended,” he bellowed, drawing some stares from those nearby.

“Make absolutely sure neither of you two touches the other.” She shrugged and tugged at his hand.  “Come on.”

Back in the room where she fed her skin, Pai saw to he was as comfortable as possible.  And that there was a clear path to the door if he coded.  A door she opened just as Alix’s hand was raised to knock on it.

“Thank you,” she said, taking the portable AED.  “Go away.  We’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You’re welcome!” Graf heard her shout through the now-closed door.  “Fake bitch!”

“So,” he said when Pai sat opposite him, “what do I do?”

“Look at me.”

Easy enough…and he was somewhere else.