Anith: Beyond Space

05

Anith closed his eyes. She said not to hunt. She said just go to the store. The store. The only people who don't get their own resources are those who cannot.

He turned over. And this bed was not big enough. He sighed, rolling over, putting his arms behind his back, and laying on the floor.

Much better. Why didn't he just do this in the first place?

He sat up, hearing her footsteps, he got up opening the door as she poised her hand to knock.

He smiled. She was...interesting.

"You okay?" She asked, shifting. "I heard a loud bump."

"Yes, yes, I'm fine," he said, averting his eyes.

Roxanne looked up at him. "You are...a giant, you know that. I'm 6 foot 1. And you tower over me."

"I'm not sure about earth measurements. I am taller than most. Runs in my family," he rasped.

She walked forward a bit, and he stepped back, as she entered the room.

"I'm surprised you're not asleep. Are you nocturnal?" She asked, looking around his room.

He watched her carefully. "I'm used to hunting at night."

She glanced back at her. "Oh..."

"I don't require much sleep," he shrugged. "I fill my time with my responsibilities."

"You've got to enjoy life more," she said softly. "Responsibility this, duty that. I've only known you for a couple of days, and say those words more than your own name."

He raised his brows. "Yes well...it is the responsibility-"

"-of the strong to take care of the weak," she finished turning around to face him. "Did I get it right?"

He chuckled lowly. "Yes. I am honored you pay so much attention to my words."

She shrugged. "Well...I have to get to understand what type of person you are. Duty-bound it seems."

"And does that irritate you?"

"Only a little," she grinned, "But I find it attractive."

She reached out to him. "Is it true?"

"Is what true?" He asked, his hair falling into his face, as her hand landed on his. He gripped it gently.

"That...we can procreate? Is there any precedent? Do you know for sure? We are different species, you know?"

Anith's grasp tightened slightly. "Yes. Our genetic markers match up almost a hundred percent. There have been children born of unions between Iohorian's and Terrans."

She raised her brow, looking at their hands. "You're not what I imagined."

"What had you imagined?" He cocked his head. His hair shifted.

It was down. She smiled. She loved his hair. So pretty.

"I'm not sure," Roxanne said simply.

He smiled. "I didn't expect you either. You're...better than what I imagined,"

"What did you imagine," she smiled back.

"I expected you to hate me. I thought our differences would be all I could see."

"We are very different," she mused, "You're...primal, is what I'm calling it."

He raised his brow. "Hm...well it's the nature of where I come from."

She turned around, finding herself snapped back by his grip. He blinked.

"...sorry," he murmured, not letting go.

She just smiled. "Uh...I was gonna dance. Since I was up anyway."

He nodded. "There's an empty room, it could be useful."

"I wanted to get into my corset. I like dancing in it. Makes me feel pretty."

"What is a...corset?"

She smiled, easing her hand out of his grip. He let her, clenching his now empty hand.

"I was wondering if you could help me put it on." She walked into his bathroom, taking off her shirt.

"I may need to leave," he said softly. As she put on the corset, taking off her bra.

She opened the door, walking out. She turned around.

"So what you do, is pull on this strings, and tighten until I tell you to stop."

He nodded, grabbing the strings. He paused, looking over her form from the back. She glanced at him from the mirror.

"Go on," she urged him.

He pulled gently.

"Keep going. You said you were leaving?"

"Back home. I have responsibilities."

She turned around, the strings falling out of her hands.

She looked up at him. He grabbed the strings again, pulling tightly.

"I want you to come with me," he said, tying the corset, his hands drifting down her torso. "Will you come with me?"