She wrinkled.“It isn’t.It is just dancing, and I think you have seen far more erotic things in your day.But we are still getting used to each other, and this is not designed to tease or play.Well, there is an element of play, but it is with the audience.”
He chuckled.“I will keep on top of my emotions while you perform, but I may haul you to our guestroom when it is over.”
Zelda smiled.“Fair enough.”
When they were in front of the fabricator, she stood in the scanner, and it measured through her clothing.Once her measurements were taken, she smiled and said, “I will need an outfit to wear tomorrow.”
He smiled and flicked to an outfit while holding a hand over her eyes.She chuckled, and when he finished making his selection, she looked at the main menu and worked her way through the split clothing options.She picked the layers she wanted and then got a few light scarves to act in lieu of her coin belt.
She tried to find something like it in base metal accessories, but there wasn’t anything.
“Aretta said you should jingle.”
“I can’t find anything that would make the noise.”A chill ran down her spine, and she saw the spectre from earlier.“Oh, I am sorry.Did you need something?”
An elegant, grey-skinned hand waved them away from the unit, long nails looking deadly.The creature tapped for a few moments and gestured to the screen.Chain bra covers, hand flowers, anklets, and the noisy coin belts were on the screen.
Zelda blinked as the grey robes glided away.“Thank you.”
“You are welcome.”The voice was feminine, deep, slow, and amused.It spoke English.
Orex looked at her.“You are surprised.”
“It—she spoke English.”
“Yes?”
“But you said they deal with the dead.”
“Ah, they are gathered when populations die to channel the souls who wish to ease their loved ones.”
“What?”
“They let you talk to your dead.When their duty is done, they return to their homes or make another.They live alone, and they die alone.”
“What do you mean they are gathered?”
“Their physiology sets off alerts, and they are found dead and return to life when they are away from their original species.”
“So, she died?”
“Yes, now, which of these items were you looking for?”He looked over at the screen.
She absently stabbed all the pieces she needed and then frowned.“Do you think she could let me talk to my mother?”
“Of course, but Harwin will have the right of first speech.It is her right as queen.”
“Right.How long will it take to generate all of this?”
“Four hours.The metalwork takes longer.”
“Right.Okay.”She was blinking at the thought of seeing her mother again.
“Would you like to see the village?”
“I can do that?”
He took her hand.“We can do that.”