Page 77 of Mazorium Buys a Human

She smiled, and we walked out of the office to a bunch of anxious Talins. I didn’t even protest when Maz insisted on picking me up to set me on the exam table.

Chapter 23

Mazorium

“Are you sure?” Mika asked for the fourth time.

I sounded a soothing rumble. “You’ve left Nadia with Iris before. She’s good with the baby, and Mia has taken the role of big sister and protector very seriously.”

“That’s true,” Mika said. “I think there are going to be some big tears from Mia when they leave tomorrow.”

“Half her emotions will be because she didn’t get to explore the rocky area again. The one I took her to yesterday. Once was never going to be enough,” I said.

My words had the desired effect and Mika chuckled.

“That girl is definitely going to be a geologist when she grows up,” Mika said. “I’ve never met anyone more obsessed with rocks than her.”

“I’m sure Iris and Damascus will make it so that she can pursue any interest,” I said. That made me think about our child’s future. “So can Nadia. I could teach her geology, and ifshe surpasses my knowledge, I’ll find someone else to instruct her.”

Mika chuckled. “She’s not even talking yet. Let’s wait until she’s at least using full sentences before we plan her entire future.”

She was correct, but I couldn’t stop thinking about all the things Nadia might like to do. I knew our baby was exceptional and would excel in anything she chose. I couldn’t wait to teach her everything I knew and explore her interests.

“It’s nice of Iris to lend us their shuttle,” Mika said. “It’s so much more comfortable than the flier.”

“Don’t worry, I’m already planning to buy a bigger flier,” I said.

Mika made a little surprised sound. “I’m sorry if I sounded like I was complaining. You don't need to buy anything new. Our flier is tight, but we make it work.”

“You’re not complaining,” I assured her. “When Nadia gets older we won’t all fit. We’ll need a bigger flier because I’m looking forward to taking her out on many adventures.”

“Speaking of adventures, where are we going?” Mika asked.

“I was talking to Damascus yesterday,” I said. “He had a lot of insights on humans.”

“What kind of insights?” she asked.

“He said that humans crave novelty. Iris likes to visit museums or institutions of learning that give independent lectures for guests.”

“I'm happy for her,” Mika said. “But I don’t think I’d be interested in that.”

“I didn’t think so either,” I said with an amused rumble. “I promise I’m not taking you to a museum. I’m taking you to a hot spring.”

“You know me so well,” she said.

“You’ve repeatedly lamented about the inability to soak in hot water,” I reminded her.

She nudged me, laughing. “I only said it twice.”

“But I always listen and take note.” I maneuvered the shuttle to the plateau nestled between some trees and a river. “We’re here.”

She jumped up before I’d even finished the shutdown procedure. I wasn’t worried; the door wouldn’t open until all the checks were finished.

By the time I joined her at the shuttle hatch, she was making impatient sounds and jabbing at the hatch display. It finally opened and the short ramp deployed. I followed her down and to the nearby pools of water.

Most of them were small, like where the water was just bubbling up from under the ground, but several were large enough to accommodate both of us at the same time. None of them were big enough to allow two Talins to soak together.

Not that we are a species that gravitates to hot water like humans do.