Chapter 78 – EVO
***Tirnanog, Hochberg***
***Magnus***
I grunted once I regained my wits and stepped away from the railing. Rubbing my temples, I shook myself to jump-start my brain. Waking up in the dream was always a strange and disorienting experience. Going from awake but not aware to awake and aware was almost impossible to describe.
Once I had sorted myself out, I took in my surroundings. It was the bungalow on the tropical island again. Not that I had anything against the setting, but Gaia had yet to repeat herself with her dreams.
It was unusual for her to hit the replay button.
The fine mist coming from the nearby waterfall was moistening everything, making me wonder why I found myself waking up in uncomfortable situations more likely than not.
The frustration of it all caused me to sigh.
There was no question I would never get used to this ‘dream’ thing.
When I turned, I found Astra lying on a deckchair.
She was sunning herself as if it was something she did every day.
Come to think of it, I had never seen Astra relax outside her own four walls. I sincerely hoped our efforts would earn us some safety in this world. It would be nice to create a place for us which could ward away the monsters and humans who meant us ill.
Fortunately, her appearance quickly drew my thoughts away from any gloominess.
Astras filaments had retracted and were providing only the barest of a suggestion of a bikini. All the rest had formed a big cushion beneath her. And a pair of oversized sunglasses made her look like a beach tourist who had ended up at a cosplay convention before falling prey to some body painters who preferred neon colours.
Grinning, I knelt next to her and poked her cheek. Hey, Astra. We are dreaming again.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om
No reaction.
I pinched her cheeks and pulled them apart, but she was seven miles under. It was ridiculous how this dream space worked.
I contemplated what to do next and looked at her alluring figure for a second too long. When the impulse to do so came, I acted on it.
Slipping my fingers beneath her filaments, I grabbed her chest and sighed while I squeezed.
There was no shame or hesitation. Even without an official ceremony, we were practically married and it wasn’t like I hadn’t felt up the goods before. And we were alone, so I saw no reason to hold back.
Besides, it was oh-so relaxing.
Astra stiffened. What the heck are you doing with your cold hands?
Ahem… I cleared my throat. Giving you a relaxing massage!
I tried to support the claim by performing the motions which I believed to be suitable. Unfortunately, I had never applied a proper massage to anyone or anything in my life. Even I could tell my movements ended up more like a poor imitation of trying to knead dough.
Very nice, very pliable dough… okay. Maybe I should stop before I got myself into real trouble.
She took off the ridiculous sunglasses and gave me ‘the look’ all women had in store for their men when they behaved like children. I didn’t know where she had learned it, but it worked.
I surrendered and retracted my hands.
Astra karate-chopped me lightly on the forehead. Scoundrel! You are no better than all the other men! There are more important things to do right now. And how is massaging my chest supposed to be relaxing? Where is Gaia? She has some explaining to do!
Too many questions at once!
She got up and warped her filaments into one of her usual over-dressed gowns.
I didn’t mean it to be relaxing for you… I mumbled and got back to my feet. Guys didn’t fondle women’s breasts because-
What was that?
Thank Gaia I didn’t say that aloud.
Ahem, nothing! I coughed and pointed towards the sliding door which led into the bungalow. I regained my wits less than a minute before you and didn’t check on Gaia yet. I bet she’s waiting inside, cooking something or eating treats like always.
I went to get myself a chair while Gaia and Astra watched me with concerned expressions.
If you are just ‘resting’ to get better, I began. You still have all the time in the world to talk with us, oh benevolent spirit. I thought we might as well use our time together wisely and have you teach us.
The avatar narrowed her eyes. Did someone use the benevolent bosom catchphrase again? I hate it when they do that.
I frowned. Thats a thing among the churchgoers? Yes, I think I remember people saying such things. Do you also dislike the related curse?
Just forget I mentioned it. Gaia waved her hand quickly to dismiss the matter, probably hoping we would forget about it. Never use any of those terms!
I shrugged. So, how about teaching us?
Gaia slowly pulled the blanket up to her chin. Teach you? Teach you what exactly?
Anything related to our abilities, I suggested. Why don’t we displace air as it should be expected when we move quickly? Are there other usages for the new plasma skill Astra and I discovered? Can you suggest any improvements or usages of our abilities we haven’t discovered yet?
The avatar blinked exaggeratedly slowly and looked conflicted. What makes you think I would be able to help with such a thing?
I stared at her with a blank expression. Do I have to point out that you are manipulating genetic codes and steering evolution with the same ease as humans build a house? Your claim, not mine. If you can do that, teaching us some lowly physics related to our abilities should be simple. I bet you had something in mind when you meddled with my zipper mutation.
When Gaia opened her mouth to reply, I raised a warning finger. And dont believe for a moment I forgot your claim to have guided me to Tirnanog. You outright bragged about it, so you must have had a plan in mind when you influenced my mutations.
Gaia gave me an insincere smile. But teaching is so boring! It’s much better to watch you two discovering tricks yourself. Asking me to teach you Physics its as if an amoebae begged you to teach it multiplication! I dont have time for such things.
Astra leaned in closer to Gaia. I might want to listen in on such lessons. It’s a good idea and it looks like we have nothing better to do within this dream. Unless you can conjure more food for me?
You two could fuck upstairs, Gaia suggested innocently. I dont mind.
The two women began a game of stare until Astra answered the suggestion with a simple and very final verdict. No.
Gaia’s expression turned pleading.
Do I have to remind you that you still owe me for loading me up with triplets? Astra continued mercilessly. You also have to consider what a long-term relationship means for you if we are forced to keep meeting each other within this dream. A good social atmosphere is very important, given the amount of time we have to spend together. And I have a feeling it’s not something entirely under your control whether you meet us within the dream or not.
The avatars face went through several different expressions while she weighed her options as if she had just discovered her newest pets might also require some actual work.
Fine! Gaia grumbled. But you better listen well, because I won’t repeat myself.
***Tirnanog, Hochberg***
***Tianna***
I entered Vanyas room and found her lying on the floor while she played with her cube. She was on her back and studied the roughly hewn ceiling with a contemplative expression.
Gretas quarters had always been very Spartan. Outside court, she had preferred a very simplistic lifestyle and Vanya had changed nothing since she took the space over.
I want you to mobilize our forces, Vanya stated simply.
I approached until I could speak to her without screaming across the room. Did something happen I wasnt informed of?
No. Vanya finally stopped playing and gave me her full attention.
Our eyes met.
Then why should we mobilize our forces? I asked. We just received the bodies and the Aerie have yet to reactivate the central computer system.
Because we will need them one way or the other and mobilizing troops takes time, Vanya explained patiently. Either everything the Aerie told us is true and we will have to choose a side in the coming conflict between them and the Thich, or they will have lied to us and we will have to deal with their air fleet violating our borders. Most of the scenarios I can think of require military force. At the very least we need a deterrence to show we wont roll over while others violate our territory.
I frowned but nodded. It will be done.
Also, organize something official both the Aerie and Thich delegations can take part in. It should happen within a day after the Aerie unlock the colonys computer system. I dont want that either of the two delegations has the time to prepare a narrative in support of the events.
Are you sure this is wise, I asked. Placing both Aerie and Thich in the same room sounded like a terribly bad idea.
It may not be wise, Vanya admitted. But it will be effective. People often say and admit things in the heat of the moment that they wouldnt otherwise. Tensions should be sufficiently high at such a meeting to allow us to make a decision. Oh, and please organize enough muscle for this event to subdue both parties if necessary. I don’t want a repeat of the last meeting.