Chapter Nine — Part 3

“Being human has changed me a little.” He said.

My eyes snapped open. I had expected a kiss. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know if I love you. I’ve said it about ten times now, but you haven’t been listening.”

The copper bell fell against the bed, and it rang out in Otherspace, making a strange, wailing sound. “Help me.” I said carelessly.

The bell hummed like a creature trapped in a glass box. It wasn’t designed to help with this kind of hurt.

I looked fearfully at Fluff. “You really aren’t ready, are you?”

Fluff held me close. “It’s more than that, and I think we both know it.”

I forced myself to standing, trying not to look as upset as I felt. “I’ll wait for you.”

“Don’t do that. I’ll just let you down.”

I left him alone, kissing his neck as a way of good-bye. I went back to my private quarters, to get some sleep. The first clue that the ship was out of Otherspace woke me up with a pounding heart and put me in a cold sweat. I had to remember to breathe. This in itself can be a terrifying experience, especially for a body just about to expire from lack of oxygen.

I could smell Fluff’s body next to mine, a perfect sweet scent, but when my eyes opened I was alone.

“Get a grip on yourself.” I rubbed my temples, trying to force the heat flashes out of my body. “Must be genetic.”

When I checked on him, Fluff was still asleep, and I left him to his dreams. I had other matters of concern. After removing my white bodysuit, I stepped into a bath. I dumped a bucket of water over my head to wash the sleep away, then pulled my pirate’s uniform on. I never did understand the Otherspace law that says that angels who shift bodies in Otherspace will instantly become naked, then find their human clothes hanging in the closet as if they had never been worn. I hate cleaning and ironing, so it’s quite an advantage.

I walked down the steel hall, the rose that had once been a flat bell glistening in the ship’s light. “So, mama, where did you take us?” Stretching, I made note of a few peculiarities.

“We’re at an Elfin festival, by invitation of the King of Elves himself. I need to speak with a friend of a friend about the Scandivats.” Tiffany spun around in her evening dress. “How do I look?”

She looked beautiful. Kotian and Professor Holstein were in tuxedos, and they clapped and cheered like a couple of schoolboys. Mother blushed.

“Can’t you tell by our fashionable duds,” Rusty said, his rodeo hat making a statement all its own, “I even polished my boots.”

I looked down at my bare feet and frowned, “Mama, where’d you get those wonderful clothes?”

Kotian smiled at me, patting me on the head. “We had them replicated, dear. Even a Pirate Captain has a mess dress. We left yours hanging in the replicator, and put Fluff’s by his door, though I’m not surprised you didn’t see it when you walked past.”

I was stunned and disappointed at what I found with my name on it. It was a formal outfit that fit my rank in society, if not my desires.

“Why can’t I wear a formal gown? Shouldn’t a Captain turn more heads.”

“Not more heads than her aging mother.” Tiffany scolded. “Besides, you are playing the part of a pirate Captain, and you should at least try to look the part.”

I quickly put the Captain’s uniform on, and was thoroughly impressed. Not only did it bring out my limited feminine attributes without exposing any of them; it made me look suave in a definitely female sort of way. I looked quite militant, and yet I felt like a Princess. A woman of the world, I looked ready for anything. The boots, made from black polished leather, were a perfect accent to the silver buttons that kept my white cotton shirt closed. The black pants were good for a fight, and were fashionable. The sword, now hanging at my side, had a blade with undulating curves. It looked like a snake slithering, like a single dancing flame.

Tiffany tossed me a pistol — this time with lead in it. “Be ready for anything, Captain.”

Unhitching the safety on the pistol, I made sure I was.

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