[Nevos] The Triad (closed)

Taleeze noted the shocked excitement in Skylar’s eyes and was similarly surprised about her own boldness. She didn’t want to run over things for sure. But the blond lawyer caught herself pretty quick, maybe it was because it was putting a finger on something that already was building inside her. Taleeze understood this very well. In fact the fantasies and daydreams weren’t unknown to her but she had never dared to speak about it and she had most of the time thought them to be selfish and unfair to Skylar or Freh’ya. She smiled and hushed Skylar with a gentle fingertip trailing along her jaw and lips as Freh approached, her eyes at the same time showed understanding and full appreciation of her compliment.

~~~~~

Taleeze followed the exchange between the two with interest. The cool bottle felt nice on her hip, a wet spot forming in the light grey fabric. It was just water though so she didn’t mind.

When Skylar mentioned ‘swimming with sharks’, Taleeze looked over towards the beach. The surf wasn’t high today; it was as if the sea was also lazy. She sipped from her drink.

When the opportunity arose she spoke. “You two are already planning to impale each other with sharp objects on the first day? Please be careful… I need both of you!” She hugged Skylar with the wrapped around hand (the arm behind Skylar was a bit sweaty by now, but not in an uncomfortable way, Taleeze thought) and entwined her foot with Freh’s, since she couldn’t safely put down her drink. It seemed natural that Freh was interested in a new fighting style.

“Love, there' one more feature of this place you must get to know.” She adressed Skylar, nodding towards the ocean. “The water is really teasing me and I’d like to get out of the traveling cloths. How about a swim? I think I saw you pack a swimsuit, right?

And I promise there are no sharks along this coastline – or teka, the Nevos equivalent. Remember me to visit the aquarium in Astella! There’s a lot of fantastic aquatic life around here, mostly harmless as well.”
Of course Skylar knew that Taleeze wasn’t bothering with swimwear usually, if it wasn’t for a style effect or out of respect for others. So her offer left Skylar the choice how to handle this.

"'Sky' is quite alright," Skylar smiled, remembering her mild surprise - and pleasure - the first time Taleeze had called her that. "May I call you Freh?" She touched her drink hand to Freh'ya's again at the silent offer. She listened with interest to the explanation of her military role - as personable as she was finding Freh'ya, she was in no doubt that she could be as fearsome a soldier as need be. And she ducked her head in thanks for the compliments that followed. She knew quite a few 'picture book Illium lawyers' - had been one herself, in all but location, in Milgrom - and was glad to have found a more satisfying calling for her talents than being a mere 'mercenary'.

"Nobody's getting impaled," she laughed at Taleeze's protest, leaning across to kiss the nape of her neck. "'Tis considered elegant to merely touch with the tip. It's true," she continued, lifting her gaze to Freh'ya, "that smaller builds are preferred for the foil. I don't entirely follow the pattern myself - too tall - but that sort of thing's immaterial for the most part, but for the highest levels of the sport. Épée, now, that's the blade for the tall and fast. Don't worry darling," she reassured Taleeze again, "'blade' is really just a historical holdover. They're not even sharpened anymore."

Taleeze's glance towards the ocean hadn't escaped her notice; she enjoyed a day at the beach quite readily, and could imagine how ingrained the habit must become when one had only to step out the front door to be there.

"I'm game," she smiled. "And yes, there is a bikini in my bag..." Tempted as she was, she still gave the swimsuit serious consideration. She wasn't shy by any means, but would it be too much, too soon, to bare herself - literally - in front of Freh'ya? On top of everything else, having been welcomed so warmly to her home and family, the intimacy she and Taleeze shared making her fascination with Freh'ya, with Taleeze and Freh'ya, a maddeningly palpable possibility.

Then again, as Daia had taken to saying ever since she had heard the phrase, 'toujours l'audace'. It was her choice - to be apprehensive of what might happen, or look forward to what might happen. It wasn't apprehension that had gotten her here today.

"...but I think I'll save that for the FuHa; it seems more fitting. After all," she grinned at Taleeze, "we have a saying: when in Rome, do as the Romans do. One can hardly come to an asari world and keep a barrier between herself and the ocean."

Freh didn’t object to the nicknaming of course.
She did laugh over Taleeze’s concerns though. She of course understood they were not for real but the prospect of her two loved ones arranging a blade duel held some entertainment. Given her muscular body she always had been keen on knowing all sorts of non-biotic martial arts or unusual weaponry. Not only because it was sharpening the senses to fight under restrained circumstances – you never knew when you could need it – but also to get more and better understanding of possible enemy tactics. Her knowledge of humans had been growing in the last years but was still lacking in the refined arts of combat. Somehow their first approach always seemed to be to implement even bigger guns. Well, she now looked forward to cross blades with Skylar.

“Hm, all of that sounds interesting. So deal, as soon as we get hands on equipment.” She took a sip of her beer, which was near empty and had to raise an eyebrow at Teleeze’s suggestion. It seemed they had thought along similar lines. She was more surprised at Skylar’s reaction even. She had read that the idea of nude swimming was not natural to most humans so she had been prepared but it seemed Skylar was feeling comfortable. She caught herself with a certain interest to see the body underneath that dress, no blush now.

When Skylar was kissing Taleeze’s neck and the asari leaned back to offer it, closing her eyes, Freh enjoyed the display. Her hand on the backrest caressed the soft ridges in Taleeze’s neck.

“Oh, I’m all for a refreshing swim!” Freh’ya rose and from a wooden box in the corner of the porch she retrieved three colored beach towels. Two bore logos of resorts, one was covered with depictions of exotic fish.

She then undressed, folding her stuff neatly. As she stood there in the sun, shading her eyes with one hand to look out onto the glistening water, she just said “Let’s go, girls.” ,
The silver Serrice emblem on her naval ring reflected the sun, being the only item on her purple body.

“Daring, my dear!” Taleeze teased.
“You’re become a real nevosian!” she laughed, offering her lover a hand to get up from the lounger.

She took off her t-shirt and dropped her pants, leaving everything in a heap at her feet and stepped out of it. The breeze felt good on her skin finally…

She just dragged Skylar into the surf, laughing and splashing like a girl. Turning around they could see Freh’ya approach the water in a more calm manner but with a huge smile obviously amused.

Soon the three were drifting in the bay, casually paddling about or splashing water at each other. The water was refreshing and crystal clear to the ground at about fifteen meters. Small fish moved about and some plants and colorful crustaceans were cluttering the ocean floor of sand and occasional dark rocks.

Freh’ya displayed the technique of bubble diving to Skylar. In fact it was the first biotic display from the hunteress and a rather impressive one, as Taleeze thought.

The asari formed a biotic bubble just about the size of her body, the blue shimmer displacing the water. Then that bubble slowly begin to sink, carrying Freh’ya down in a transparent air filled containment. You could see from above where the blue shimmer was moving about on the ocean floor, before she came up again and the bubble burst with a splash of water and laughter by the huntress.

Near the beach where they could already touch the ground again another playful splashing and wrestling ensued, as Taleeze tried to topple over Freh’ya, who tried to bring Skylar between herself and the attacker. The result was a huge splash when all three came under a not even tall wave rolling in. Bodies rubbing against each other, hands holding on, not clearly identifiable who and where.
Finally they made the beach with lots of laughter.

“I’ll shower first, there’s sand everywhere” , Taleeze exclaimed, running for an open air shower near the porch.

~~~
Left behind, Freh’ya looked at the human, and then offered her a hand to safely get out of the water, while the waves sucked at her feet.

Humans were so similar and yet there were the subtle differences, Freh’ya thought as she just dropped the shyness and observed the water drops on the glistening skin, which was so soft and even compared to an asari’s ever so slight scale structure. Skylar was beautiful and the long wet hair had a grace on its own. She didn’t let go of Skylar’s hand until they had reached the porch. She picked up a towel do dry her face but hesitated and then put it over the humans shoulders – stealing a gentle touch – before picking the third one for herself.

After a quick shower she wrapped the towel around her waist staying bare from there up.
“I’ll bring some fruit from upstairs.” She announced and went inside.

~~~
Taleeze had spread out her towel on the sand right below the porch and in the sun, she lay there on her belly, drying her backside obviously and glanced at Skylar.
“There’s space on here. Want to join?”
The sun was getting lower as the day progressed and it was easily possible to catch its rays without concern.

"You'll look fabulous in fencing whites," Skylar assured Freh'ya. "The plain suits aren't really necessary - VI judges don't need high contrast to spot a score accurately - and there's even holographic blades these days, but I'm a traditionalist in that regard."

She finished off her beer with a couple of quick gulps, and accepted Taleeze's hand up as Freh went for the towels.

No turning back now, she mused as the clothes started to come off. Having had to endure a prolonged period in a starliner seat she had eschewed a corset for once, so it was simplicity itself to undo her dress to the hip and let it slip down to the floor. She felt a mild twinge of regret at choosing her underwear likewise for unassuming practicality today, rather than opting for something with a more exciting design - who could have guessed? - but the day was too good for her to berate herself over minute details like that, and they too were discarded, gathered up and placed (out of sight) with her dress, casually folded on the couch. She had a long glimpse of Freh'ya Oh my... disrobing, before Taleeze got her by the hand and dragged her seawards. Oh my there too, she admitted, admiring the close-up view as they reached the water. Taleeze naked didn't lose any impact just because it wasn't the first time.

"So I am," she replied, belatedly, to Taleeze's whimsical observation about her going local. "From where I'm standing, Nevosians have quite the charmed... life..." She trailed off, quite without meaning to, as she caught sight of Freh'ya following them down to the water. Her navel jewellery sparkled in the sunlight like a miniature star itself, set in a smooth purple sea. Freh'ya moved with perfect grace - not the grace of a dancer, like Taleeze, but a tiger. Nature, and no doubt great and diligent effort on Freh'ya's own part, had created a body with the true beauty of a predator: so perfectly adapted to its purpose that one felt even the prey couldn't help but be awestruck, even as it feared for its life. Skylar, who had no such fear, took a deep, shuddering breath; all those immaculate muscles moved together like a ballet.

She glanced at Taleeze, wondering if she was familiar enough with humans now to spot the outward signs of arousal; no doubt, given all the recent practical experience she had acquired. But meeting her gaze, Skylar was again struck by the unique nature of this relationship she had blessedly stumbled into. Where a typical human, or other species - perhaps many asari these days, she reflected, remembering Taleeze's identification with 'traditional' asari values - might have felt unease, maybe an unavoidable pang of jealousy, at seeing her lover so openly entranced by another even having knowingly embarked on such a relationship, she felt closer to Taleeze the moment their eyes met, as they shared this experience.

They swam comfortably together, out in the bay. Skylar marvelled at Freh'ya's diving technique - she had looked up various examples, since the commando had mentioned bubble diving in a letter, but hers was one of the most impressive. The second time she went down, Skylar followed - the traditional way, a deep breath and bounce out of the water before splashing back and pushing her way down. She couldn't reach as far into the deep water as Freh'ya, but she came close enough that the asari spotted her, smiling up as she gazed down, legs pumping to keep her submerged the few metres she had managed. For a moment the forces equalised - she hung suspended in the water, waving a hand slowly in greeting, as her hair billowed out around her head like a halo - then she let her buoyancy have its way, and flipped over to come up head-first next to Taleeze.

Finally it was time to return to land, laughing at the absurdity of their splashing wrestling match, and Skylar flushed with the memory of both women pressed up against her, writhing, innocently enough in play, but still...

She looked at Freh'ya when Taleeze ran on ahead, and took her hand easily. She didn't feel the need to speak; they walked up the beach together in comfortable silence, and Skylar saw and felt the asari's eyes studying her, and made no move to dissuade her. She looked her share in return, warmed by how easy it was. There was nothing she felt a need to hide, and nothing she felt hidden from her in return.

"Thank you, Freh," she said softly as the towel settled on her shoulders, meeting her gaze in the aftermath of the touch she hadn't failed to notice. She watched her back as she went inside, then showered quickly, and went to join Taleeze.

"Do you even need to ask?" she joked, laying down beside the asari. For a devilish moment she pressed against her, side on with a leg draped over her thighs, and murmured: "You don't," in answer to her own rhetorical question, then she rolled onto her back, positioning herself so the sun wasn't in her eyes.

"Without a doubt," she proclaimed, "the most fun I have ever had in the water. So far."

The shadow of the bushes were growing larger as the day progressed. That’s why they had been planted left and right of the porch, and a bit into the sandy beach.

Taleeze enjoyed the feeling of Skylar’s cool body from the shower on her already slightly heated one and responded accordingly. Her chin rested on one hand while the other was seeking the touch of Skylar’s skin. An unconscious act of looking to a physical connection. She giggled at the human’s comment.
“Fun, wasn’t it? Yes, we have great possibilities around here. It’s for a reason whay most of the known Galaxy considers this as a great holiday spot. Also, working an evening job has its benefits throughout the day.” She stretched and could reach Skylar’s lips with hers, her tongue making a decisive point. She dropped back into her comfortable position, caressing Skylar’s leg with her toes. “I love you so much. I saw what you did there with Freh. And it makes me the most happy person in this galaxy. My heart is racing, can you believe that?” she buried her face in the towel in an act of playful shame but immediately turned to Skylar again.

“This beach and bay has seen its share of pleasuring activities, love. All in due time.” She smiled, sure that this wouldn’t be too far in the future. But to be honest, she could have ravaged Skylar on the spot. But sometimes even asari could hold back. For a bit.

Freh’ya climbed the stairs with slight tingling feeling. She had very well noted how Skylar had looked at her. It had been a bit confused at first when they had entered the water but just a few seconds ago Skylar had not been hiding her interest in details. The same was true for her she admitted when she hesitated on the uppermost step.

Skylar’s grace under water had not gone unnoticed.
Taleeze had found an exceptionally beautiful human with a body that left nothing to be desired. In hindsight she realized how much of a baring this must have been. She, conditioned by her asari education wasn’t that hesitant to be seen naked but Skylar was not just anyone but a family member now - there was no way to word this differently, if there had been any doubts about the possibility, this day had closed the chapter for Freh. The woman was friendly, funny, intelligent, inspiring and very alluring. Freh’ya wanted to touch her and be there for her and if her senses weren’t completely mistaken, she knew, a mutual feeling must be building in Skylar. She had a tingle in her stomach because this woman loved Taleeze and was carefully and in a cute way opening for her as well. That moment on the breach had been sweet and intimate although nothing had really happened. The swim had been just joyful. She had enjoyed the laughter, oh goddess had she enjoyed to laugh again. She hoped, the human wouldn’t dress up right away. Taleeze wouldn’t, that she was sure about.

With an absent smile she entered the kitchen and took a large round green fruit out of the fridge. With a large knife she cut it in small slices, the soft and juicy flesh being a pinkish- greenish tone. She knew from the extranet that this wasn’t the original color but since the things were hard to get and didn’t grow in a different color on Nevos, she hoped it would be okay anyway. Testing a small bite, she thought the taste was excellent.

Placing everything on a plate, she moved downstairs, seeing the two lying in the sun, Taleeze on her stomach, Skylar sprawled on her back.

One step at a time and some were already behind them. She looked forward to the next.

~~
“Alright, here you go! It’s supposedly a human thing, but they say the color is a bit off, sorry.” Freh’ya placed the plate with the cut-up strangely colored water melon next to the two ladies heads on the edge of the towel. She loosened her own makeship skirt and stood there for a moment, musing were to position herself. For now she needed to be close to the food so she spread it to cross the ‘T’ at the heads of Sky and Tal. The fact that Skylar from her position was be able to see… who cared, it was just the three of them, the entity of a triad a true bond of three. She was resting on her side on an elbow.

So it happened that Freh’ya was feeding bits of juicy fruit into the waiting mouth of lazy Taleeze and she was offering the same to Skylar…

~~
As the afternoon progressed the three were talking about a great many things. There was so much to know, so many opinions to hear and Freh’ya listened breathless to Skylar’s story about her experience – or lack thereof – throughout the war. She herself was telling a few things about her own time with the commandos and on Thessia but she left out the things she wasn’t ready to talk about yet. Skylar wasn’t someone to be pushy about such things, she took what was offered, when it was offered, a display of an asari virtue, not at all surprising.

As the hours passed and the darkness crept in they still had many things and thoughts to share, time didn’t really matter that evening. This time of year the temperatures were still fairly warm even at night but finally they decided it was time to move up from the beach to the house again. With lots of laughter and fun they had prepared some sandwiches, finding the kitchen big enough for three to work in parallel.

Taleeze remembered Skylar’s fondness of the fireplace earlier and switched it on, an electric spark igniting the prepared wood inside. An orange glimmer lighted the lower living room as they ate their lunch, accompanied by a bottle of wine. Freh and Tal had put on light sarong dresses which were both comfortable and near zero weight.

The last light of the sun was disappearing on the horizon when the three found themselves nested on the comfortable large sofa. Freh’ya had settled behind Taleeze, one arm had found a way through the fold of the sarong and caressed her belly and hips. Taleeze had her arms around a relaxed Skylar, gently playing with her hair and earlobe.
There had been a time in silence as everyone had been following their own thoughts. It was one of those moments where words weren’t necessary to explain that just everything was alright…

Taleeze emptied the rest from her glass and put it on the table, just within reach. Her hand slid into her dress and found that of Freh’ya.
“Purrrrrrrrrrrrr…. if this is going to be our family life, I’m all for it. I love you, did I mention that already? Not often enough.” It was perfectly clear that she addressed both her partners.

"Family..." Skylar mused, shifting on the couch to cradle her head in Taleeze's lap, and draping an arm over her hip to rest on Freh'ya's leg. She had a family. Her parents hadn't been among the lucky few to survive Bekenstein, and Earth had accounted for the rest. The last Sinclair of her line. But no longer alone.

"Yes, you did," she said fondly, craning her neck to catch Freh'ya's eye, and grin. "'As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, so deep in love am I.'" She held Freh's gaze a moment, then shifted her eyes to Taleeze, sure both understood she was speaking to them together. The bond between the two asari was beyond anything she had expected - she trusted such things existed, had seen them, asari or no; biased as she personally was, she had never believed any one race to have a monopoly on love. But she had never known, until she had become part of it. It was the most unexpected thing, and quite dissipated all her well-controlled anxieties about meeting Freh'ya. Truthfully, she had already met her, and loved her, in Taleeze; there was no drawing a distinction between the two. Even when they had first met, Freh had been there, inside Taleeze, drawing her across the galaxy. And Freh'ya knew her and loved her, through Taleeze. They were no strangers to one another, as it turned out.

"This is our family," she affirmed quietly, stretching slightly; the light skirt and halter top she had donned, picked from the two asaris' wardrobe rather than bother opening her suitcase already, afforded her excellent ease of movement. It was almost enough to forego her usual preference for more rigid attire... but no, she knew herself, and that itch would make itself known in a day or two, if she didn't indulge it by then. She looked up at her two companions again, and a Thessian phrase came to mind: "'May this day's joy be in every song we sing.'"

The fire had died down, sending only a low orange glow into the room when three souls became one that night.

~~~~

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“Command...djljhliwutlhe?”

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…..
“Red team, extraction is negative. That destroyer is blocking everything. Confirm that, red leader…. Red leader, we need you to confirm…. Red leader…”
….
“It is inevitable”
...
The eyes of a human. Blond hair. Blond long hair. Skylar looked at Freh’ya over the nuzzle of the Disciple.

“It’s over now.”
The gun was coming down. All the eyes, all the hair, just blond hair throughout a galaxy.
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~~~~~

Freh’ya woke up when the first light broke through the window. She remembered having a dream. Having the dream but she hadn’t woken up with the scream like on so many occasions. She had drifted back into a few hours of sounds sleep. She blinked and gently rolled onto her back, trying not to disturb Skylar who tightened her grip on Freh’ya’s chest, mumbling in protest in her sleep.

The purple huntress smiled upon Taleeze also shifting and grabbing Skylar tight, drooling a bit onto the human’s back.

She began to remember what had been different that night and her eyes got wet as she stared at the ceiling in the dim twilight. The dream That usually ended with a nightmarish sweaty and shaking awakening had been different for the first time in… forever.

Freh’ya gently caresses the blond mane that was spread out a bit chaotically. She brushed away a strand from Skylar’s face, causing her eyes to slightly flutter. So beautiful.

They had done it on their first evening, it had been an explosion, building gently but becoming more and more intense as the pieces clicked naturally. One touch led to the other and the meld was just a blur in Freh’ya’s memory. The first meld that always was so special. But that was just the beginning, still, so much more to discover.

Inching out of the human’s grip took a few minutes and in a mumbled protest, but without waking up, Skylar turned around to focus her cuddling needs towards Taleeze, baring her lower backside. Her exceptionally beautiful lower backside as Freh’ya noted.

For a moment she stood there and stretched, looking down at the sleeping couple, would up in a now tight embrace, only partially covered by a single blanket.

Freh’ya put on a bikini panty and went downstairs to do her morning exercise of ‘greeting the morning tides’. It was going to be something special today.

~~~~~

“Good morning, love” Taleeze’s faces was nose to nose with Skylar as the hman woke up finally. Taleeze had already noted Freh’ya was gone but she knew her routines and expected her to be at the beach, like she usually did before breakfast.

“Did you sleep well? I did… exhausted.” She giggled, pushing her upper body up on her elbows.
“I am hungry! Want to join me making breakfast?” So make the point, the asari’s stomach grumbled. But before getting up finally she just had bend down and give Skylar a deep kiss.

~~~~

After a while the coffee was gargling through the machine and eggs were sizzling in a pan.
Taleeze had just thrown over her dress from yesterday, the wind that was coming in through the now open windows was playing with the light fabric as she leaned at the bar, sipping of some juice, watching Skylar prepare something.

It was rare seeing Skylar in just a skirt and a top. She looked very cute, Taleeze had to think with a possibly silly smile. Would she have looked through the open window in her back, she could have seen Freh’ya in the sand where the ocean washed ashore, doing her exercises.

Last night had been pure bliss. But having seen Skylar and Freh’ya together, melding in a tight embrace after… everything, had been just plain beautiful. Taleeze knew there where techniques to meld as three but she wasn’t as experienced as, say, Daia. There were still many things to learn but they didn’t have to rush and still had a few days to experiment, especially on the FuHa, why they planned to take out later this day for a cruise to the islands

“Last night… I have no idea anymore who ended up in the middle.” She grinned and poured herself a coffee.

"When we slept?" Skylar grinned. "I honestly couldn't say. Wherever I was, I wouldn't have traded it for all the tea in China." She reached across from where she was slicing fruit, gently touching Taleeze's cheek, then reaching a little further to stroke the side of her scalp, fingertips tracing the crevices. "I've never felt so welcome anywhere in my life."

She held Taleeze's gaze a moment, then glanced over her shoulder.

"Greeting the new day?" she asked, curious. "'See where the child of heaven, with winged feet / runs down the slanted sunlight of the dawn.' You used to do the same in Nos Astra, didn't you - in that little park on the hotel grounds?" She smiled at the memory, staring out at Freh'ya a moment longer before shifting her gaze back to Taleeze. "Since she's ensured the coming day will be in an excellent mood - if it had any appreciation for beauty - what do we have planned to take advantage of it? Boating?"

Taleeze leaned into the touch of Skylar’s hand. This special touch of her fingertips was just always hitting the right spot and she just melted. Skylar knew her so well. She must have had a dreamy grin on when she replied.
Taleeze realized that there had been no nightly wakeup by Freh’ya, no scream, like so often. She had been calmer after having intense sex before but it was no guarantee to prevent her nightmares. Maybe Skylar had a positive effect. Taleeze could only hope.

She looked over her shoulder, seeing the finishing exercises by Freh’ya. “Appreciation for beauty,” Taleeze repeated softly, looking back at Skylar. “You do like her, do you? I mean, not only her but you think she’s beautiful, do you? I think she is. I like her back, the way she moves. She is working so hard to get back in shape. She gets a lot of stares though, not all of them nice.” She sighed but continued in a lighthearted tone.
“Yes, I did something similar. I was wearing something while doing it at the hotel though.” She chuckled and put the eggs on plates. “I do it out here as well sometimes. I’ll show you a bit if you’d like to? “ she gently touched Sky’s hips, where the terrible wounds must have been, gone and almost forgotten now.
“She’ll be done any minute.” She said, preparing a cup of coffee for Freh’ya (the cup sported a small logo and a text saying “Nevos Songblade Championships 2179”). Taleeze knew the routines, so she could tell.

“Boating is the plan, yes. We have to hop over to the marina, I usually have her over there when I am not here. She can anchor in the bay as well though; given the weather planning is right.” Weather control was a great thing but this area was one of the most stable weather-wise anyway. Aside from a few storm in the spring there was no harsh weather. The equator region got more of that though.
“We could stroll around Astella harbor a bit before we head out? We’ll still be able to make the islands by evening, no need to hurry. Pack a few light things only…. Hm, not that I’d object if you’d not pack anything.” she added with a grin. “Also, you look great in my things, you should do that more often!

Hey, know what, I know it’s not exactly sailboat style but why don’t we take my newest piece of garment and one of yours with us? I’d like to see what Freh thinks of that look, we could surprise her? Also, I know you’ll get edgy if you don’t get you dosage of rigidity.” She grinned and sipped her coffee and turned towards the steps when she heard the padding of Freh’ya’s bare feet.

The huntress had thrown over a light bath robe, not bothering with closing it. It was quite short, just reaching her buttocks; that was a problem she was used to with lots of simple sized items though, she didn’t even think about it anymore. She stepped behind the two women at the kitchen counter, spreading her arms around both of them, smiling and sniffing the smell of the eggs and the coffee.

“Good morning, sunshines!” Taleeze put her head back, allowing Freh to kiss her. After a short eye contact she also bowed down to greet Skylar the same way.

“Smells awesome! You are such dears. Let me shower, then I’ll join you. Out on the balcony?”
Taleeze nodded. While the huntress was cleaning up the two prepared the table on the roof terrace below the landing pad. The breakfast passed with planning of their trip. The Sandy Islands were a favorite diving spot with some beautiful bays and beaches to discover.

After a while, Freh’ya received a message on her omnitool. She frowned a bit when she read it.
“Hm, I have to check the Matriarch’s office before we head out, it’s about some upcoming assignment. Nothing immediate but I better go see to it today, should not take long. So I guess you’ll get your walk around Astella Harbour.”


~~~~

After spending the morning on the main promenade in Astella, admiring the boats, yachts and cruise liners there and the expensive stores, they had met up with Freh’ya again. the meeting had really gone fast and had ended with a pleasant surprise when she had announced that she would have to accomplish a mission of diplomatic nature to the Citadel, right at the same time when Taleeze and Skylar would be there for Bliss so they could travel together and stay at the same place.
The cigar shaped hull of the FuHa was glistening in the sun, moving only slightly in the swell of the small marina outside Astella where Taleeze kept her during her times off planet. The four masts where all erect vertically, the airfoils fully retracted.

“It’s more convenient than in the main harbor and considerably cheaper!” she explained. The main deck was very brightly lit as all the windows opened. The cabins could be separated by foldable walls. Of course guests would have privacy in their quarters.
In this case, they just opened up the largest cabin so you could look down all the way from the bow to the rear sundeck, only slightly obstructed by the guest compartments and the bathroom.

The salon towards the stern contained a large oval table, surrounded by foldable benches covered in cream leather. The same material was used for the cushioning of the loungers on the open decks in the back and above, where the also bridge installation was.

Freh’ya was standing on one of the four booms, removing the clamps to the mole as Taleeze steered the boat away by manual control. Once they had cleared the breakwater, she activated the VI and the masts unfolded to catch the wind. The plotted course was visible on a display.

It wasn’t for long and the three were lounging in the semi shade of the airfoils and the sunscreen on the bridge, listening to wind and waves as the FuHa was cutting the water at high speed.

Freh’ya was rolling onto her side, propped on her elbow, observing Skylar’s profile. She sipped from her juice, playing with the icecubes in the glass. She looked over to Taleeze, whose eyes were hidden by dark sunglasses, her lips parted lightly, she seemed half asleep.
“Hey, Sky, would you like to come to the bow? Maybe we can see flying squid?”

"I do," Skylar replied simply, trusting to Taleeze's sensitivity to the nuances of her voice and expression to convey just how beautiful she found Freh'ya. She smiled, and glanced back out - looking more at the dawn itself than the figure silhouetted in the sunlight - and nodded at Taleeze's offer. "I'd like that. I have a lot of gratitude to express to the world in general, you know."

She grinned, covering Taleeze's hand on her hip with her own, and arched an eyebrow at her suggestion for clothing later.

"And so we shall," she agreed. "I'll pick something and pack it along with yours. And then we'll dress up for dinner?" She leaned over for a quick kiss, whispering so as not to be overheard by Freh'ya, whose footsteps she could hear distantly in the sand outside. "I'm sure it'll be a pleasant surprise for her. One way or another."

-----

The FuHa was something else entirely - no mere 'boat', such as tourists might rent for an afternoon to paddle around the gemstoke lakes, nor one of the luxury yachts crowding the more exclusive Nos Astra marinas, which wallowed in calm waters with their sails down and windows curtained to give guests (or at least, whomever the owner wanted to impress) the full benefit of their opulence without any hint of sailing intruding onto proceedings. FuHa was a rarer breed, although Skylar understood her like were far more common in less wealth-obsessed waters - a real masterwork of engineering. Skylar watched with rapt attention as Taleeze and Freh'ya coaxed the vessel into action - the exact processes still rather perplexing to her, but fascinating - and felt a thrill she was sure both asari shared as they left the dock behind, moving under their own power, and took on speed. Even as a mere passenger, yet to be educated in the arcane ways of boat handling (though she fully intended to learn), she felt the sense of accomplishment, the difference between being carried by a vehicle, and being its master as it moved to one's command.

Lounging on the shaded deck, she glanced at Freh'ya, and smiled at the invitation.

"Flying squid," she echoed. "Semper aliquid novi. Lead on." She stood, put on her sunglasses, and followed Freh'ya. Moving out of the wind-shadow of the hull she grinned, impressed anew by the full measure of FuHa's current speed; once on board she had changed out of the dress she had worn for her first visit to Astella, and clad only in a rather delicate black bikini, and the slim silver bands around her biceps - miniaturised open water safety equipment - there was no shortage of bare skin for the air to wash across. Her hair streamed out behind her, whipping back and forth.

"She certainly moves!" she exclaimed, having to struggle slightly not to laugh from exhilaration.

The Tip of the cigar shaped hull held a sundeck that could be closed up by glass cover. Right now it was partially opened so the wind could catch the two as they leaned over board to watch the sea speed by under the boat. The FuHa rode on its four booms and so no spray was carried into the hull. The sliding door behind them prevented the wind from blowing to heavily into the boat.

Freh’ya laughed at the feeling of wind and salt on her skin – there also was a quite many of it as she wore a white bikini. Her eyes were shaded by dark lenses that reflected the sunlight, making them appear silver for an onlooker.


After the initial joy, they settled onto the cushioned bench surrounding the deck, so they could lean a bit overboard and watch the waves.
Freh’ya, invited Skylar with a gesture to sit in front of her and lean against her upper body. The hair was slightly waving and constantly brushing Freh’ya’s cheek, which was a very nice feeling she had to admit.

It didn’t take long and a school of the flying squids appeared, shooting out the waves, spreading their several fins and tentacles to glide along for a bit before diving into the water again, only to repeat the procedure seconds later.



“The ship is quite a show, isn’t it? Just wait until we reach the islands, the water there is even clearer than in the bay at home.” Freh’ya said casually. Her gaze went out to the horizon.

After a pause she continued. “I want to… you know, what happened last night was something I wanted and it’s very special to me. I want to do it again.” she chuckled, glad that Skylar couldn’t see her face now. From the physical aspects it seemed that either Taleeze had told Skylar what Freh’ya liked or she had to be a good observer and fast learner. “Was the meld… comfortable? I know it’s not what humans are used to.”

Was it awkward to talk about it? In a way she knew the question was a bit stupid. Freh’ya just had the urge to. Melding was special business and she had only let them flow gently on a wave last night, she had tried not to go too deep and not being too intrusive. That sure was something that needed time to develop. It had gone pretty far on that first event anyway.

Gosh, her lack of casual sex was showing probably. There had been Elise, the only human she had ever been with, on Omega. But that had been more like passionate screwing to calm a need. Not anything remotely comparable to the loving and caring feeling she felt for the woman close to her. It wasn’t burning like fire, more like a seed that had already dug its roots deep into her soul, now a gentle leave or two began to brake for the light. She folded an arm over Skylar’s abs.

Skylar sat, and leaned back against Freh'ya, without pause. Her eyes were on their surroundings - especially once the flying squid made their appearance - but her body responded to the one behind her, soothed to carefree contentment by the asari's loose embrace.

"'There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy,'" she observed idly, following the brief 'flights' of the creatures. "Mother nature has quite some ingenuity to her." She glanced back at Freh'ya's promise of clearer waters further on, smiling to wordlessly show her anticipation, and shifted her leg to rub her ankle ever so slowly up and down her companion's calf.

She paused a moment when Freh'ya spoke again, but not for long; her leg resumed its calm motion after a few words, encouragingly. She had imagined something like this would come, sooner or later; Taleeze's love for them both had let them discover a surprising intimacy all by themselves, but neither she nor, she sensed, Freh'ya intended to base their relationship solely on their shared lover. Even now, after last night, certain things needed to be said, and heard, for the first time.

"Comfortable," she murmured, as quietly as their surroundings allowed. "Oh, yes, darling, comfortable and more." She turned slightly, enough to tilt her head back and find Freh'ya's eyes with her own.

"I wanted last night too," she said. "I know, given... certain none-too-subtle indications you'd have picked up on, that's no great revelation. But coming here, to you, I truly had no idea how this would happen, how things would be between us." She considered looking away, back over the ocean, but no - she wanted Freh'ya to see her eyes. "I love Taleeze, so much. And, you and her... You were always there. When I was getting to know her on Illium, while you were... away..." She placed a tender hand on Freh'ya's thigh, hoping to soften the reminder of those times, the guilt she knew Freh'ya felt for not coming home to Taleeze by herself.

"There was no knowing her without you," she went on. "You're part of her; I'm sure she's as much part of you. Since yesterday, I've been starting to see how that's true. But I always knew you two were joined, and when she came to me, asked if I could love her - not just pleasure and company, but love - I knew it meant both of you. It couldn't be any other way."

She paused, then laughed softly.

"I just didn't know how," she admitted. "This family, this triad - I was raised human, it's not something my upbringing brought me to understand. But I'll say to you what I said to her, and so help me god I never said a word more true." She put her hand over Freh'ya's on her abdomen, and gently raised the palm up her body to her lips, where she kissed the asari's fingertips. "'How' isn't important. You and me and her, we are what we are, family. To deny that is pointless, and for me to shy away from out future - whatever it will be - I'd be cheating myself, and both of you. I love Taleeze. I love you. I love our triad. I'm..." She searched for the right word. "...baring myself to you. Body, mind, soul. I think, these are all anyone truly has, in this life, to give." She wove her fingers between Freh'ya's and held their joined hands between them. "What's mine shall ever be yours."

Freh’ya’s head got a bit dizzy. This was a bit much, this was… She felt touch on her leg, the warm body against her breast, she looked down into those blue eyes.
She held her breath when Skylar kissed her fingertips.

It was a magical moment, one of those where time and space made a small lapse.

“I love you too.” She gently cupped Skylar’s face with her free hand and their lips met. When they parted again, Freh was a bit out of breath, which made her chuckle. It was exciting.

“I knew you when I met Taleeze again. She was carrying you in her heart and all the time we spent here on Nevos I felt you insider her. It was you who she turned to for support when I was tzu - again. And I was very bad. I have no idea if she ever told you that… I had phases were I was just looking for a reason to fight.” She looked out over the sea again but pulled the human closer. She was desperately seeking contact as she continued to talk.

“You kept her going through this. I don’t know if she could have stayed with me without you. I realized – the Matriarch made me realize that I was still trying to drive her away.” She laughed dryly but her eyes became wet. “But you don’t drive Taleeze away that easily. I was fighting the two of you.” She made a small pause again. The tears dried.

“I have tons of issues, Skylar. I have dreams that haunt me, I can’t … tell Taleeze everything that happened on Thessia. There are things that only the Matriarch knows that I can never forget and will maybe never be able to share. Can you live with someone like this Skylar? Do you want to put up with me when I wake up at night and scream at the long gone demons?”
She looked at her with the most sincere expression.

“I am working on it and I manage. But I sometimes need someone to lean on. This may sound awkward coming from me. I am happy you are here.”

She buried her face in Skylar’s hair and chuckled
“Goddess… I am not always like that, you know. It’s just a part of me that you must know you’re buying with the package.“
Her lips were seeking Skylar’s again. “I need this so much, Skylar. I have hope again, hope I can heal.” Maybe she could tell that woman some day what had happened on Thessia. But for now she pushed the dark memories back into a corner of her mind.

Her face lit up and after a while she spoke again.
“Have you ever thought about how we want to manage our ‘family time’?”

Skylar savoured the kiss. She had discovered the day before what those lips felt like; she didn't expect the feeling of exhilaration to pass any time soon. Like Taleeze in that regard.

She felt the change, though, when Freh'ya looked away, across the water. The asari's hold on her tightened, and she responded instinctively, turning in her embrace to fully face her, straddling her thigh, one leg bent on the seat beside them, the other stretched out between Freh'ya's, hooking an ankle around her knee. She pressed herself against the commando's long, powerful body, resting her face against her collarbone, and held her in reply.

"Yes," she said, when Freh'ya made her appeal. "I want to 'put up with' you. I'm not telling myself it'll be easy. What you went through... I wasn't there, and I very much doubt those kinds of experiences can really be fathomed by anyone who wasn't part of them. A human general, a long time ago, put it simply as 'war is hell.' And the wounds that don't show take the longest to heal." She shook her head, feeling her hair brush against Freh'ya's shoulder, then tilted slightly to kiss her on the chest.

"I know this, though," she promised. "When the demons come, my spear will be your protection. In here." She placed a hand on Freh'ya's chest. "Taleeze and I both. I understand a little, at least, of what it means to be a Huntress, what drives a person to hold the spear and stand watch in the night. For you, we feel that drive. We won't turn away." She shifted at the asari's touch, sliding up her body the last little bit to kiss her again, and remaining there, legs either side of her waist. "Even when the nights are dark. I believe you'll heal. I'll do everything in my power."

She smiled, seeing the shadow lift from Freh'ya's face.

"I have given that some thought," she nodded. "Naturally the notion 'stay here forever and ever' crossed my mind; it's a very attractive one." She grinned, then gave a little sigh. "There's Illium, though - I have a life there, very dear friends. And work, of course. Some cases are just for the credits, but a lot of the Sisterhood material... you know what it is to be needed, and to make a difference. I can't put that life behind me. Not yet, at any rate. One day," she promised, smiling wider. "For now, though, I imagine it'll be a case of being where I'm needed. There will be times when I have to be in Nos Astra, in person: direct negotiations, court appearances, and so forth. But there's a lot I can do remotely as well, all the research and preparation - the part of the job you don't tend to see in the 'high-flying lawyer' HV drama shows," she chuckled. "There's a lot of that, but all it really needs is a desk and a good computer. I could spend a lot of time here without letting down the side back on Illium."

Freh’ya just basked in Skylar’s words, sitting there in the embrace, slowly stroking the human’s back, playing over the tie of her bikini top. She buried her face in the soft blond hair, breathing deeply and steadily. The siari was at work with them.

When she asked about their possible life arrangements, Skylar revealed no big surprises for Freh’ya and, practical huntress that she was, she saw it perfectly reasonable.

“Cherish the time we have. You have an important position on Illium and you should not stop working for the Sisterhood. I have seen reports that in some places the situation for sex workers is deteriorating. Lack of law enforcement and administration resources, especially on the border worlds. Trials, if started at all, get delayed or end with no conviction because of lack of evidence. Someone has to stem the tides. You’re indeed a huntress yourself and I am proud of the things you do, so by all means, go give them hell.” In fact Freh’ya had seen reports about increasing as aroid trafficking operations between the terminus and asari frontier worlds. The commandos used to strike with black ops in a war of attrition but their resources were thin and they were rebuilding. Every action counted.

“I’d love you to spend as much time here as you can. To be frank, there’s stuff that would need attention on this world as well. Nevos is in many ways still a gangland. It is very much under the surface but the entertainment industry attracts bad people of all sorts. Ask Taleeze, she could tell you stories of horrible establishments, not being particularly nice towards their employees. So maybe you could branch out a bit, get a license for Nevos? Just an idea, if you manage the written law of Illium, this place must be a slice of cake.” She paused, taking her time to let her skin brush against Skylar’s.

“Anyway, I have thought about this as well and had a talk with the Matriarch – who by the way would like to meet you, when we have a chance to drop by her office in Astella. I get assigned to diplomatic courier duties from time to time, like the upcoming Citadel trip. There is the consulate on Illium. I will ask for assignments there. As the Speaker I am in the position to influence the duty roster. After all I look forward to your place.” She raised a brow and chuckled. “Our place. Saving public money for accommodation, since I already have a place to stay in Nos Varda will make my assignment a given, ha. Taleeze told me, the place has a spectacular view.” And after a pause she added, “and a spacious bathroom.”

"Thank you, truly," Skylar said - visibly taken aback, but very pleased at the same time. A person like Freh'ya didn't call someone 'huntress' on a whim; she was proud of the work she did, but an acknowledgement like this was heartwarming. "That means a lot to me. And unfortunately you're quite right, working conditions - even basic safeties - are in a deep trough in far too many cases. Even in 'respectable' systems, the upheaval of the war, and then the isolation of the relay blackout, made it all too easy for black marketeers to entrench themselves in local economies. Once that's permitted, it's only a matter of time before the traditional 'vice' industries - prostitution, drugs, gambling - are targeted, and they use all the means at their disposal to cripple the legitimate sides of those industries, to get rid of competition."

She shook her head, as if dismissing the dark thoughts, and reared up slightly atop Freh'ya's lap, leaning into the hands on her back and smiling down at her.

"That's an excellent idea," she said. "I've been pursuing studies of Thessian planetary law, as time permits, and Republican interstellar naturally. I'm sure much of that would form useful groundwork for a Nevosian license. Following more local classes, of course, but," she winked, "I'm not short of good reasons to spend time here, am I?"

She laughed brightly at Freh'ya's idea of 'saving public money' by staying with her on Illium.

"'It is the proper duty of every citizen to come to the aid of the Republics' servants,'" she paraphrased. "I'm quite sure having you in Nos Astra will fill me with a warm glow of benevolent service." She chuckled, wriggling on her improvised 'seat'. "It's honestly a modest place - with a good view, as you say - but it has its charms. I'd be delighted to have you explore them."