-start.snip-

Dreaming: Hi, CloudDancer.

CloudDancer: Greetings, little one. We have missed you, the recent days past.

Dreaming: -sighs- Been really busy lately. Business is what brings me here tonight.

...intervention detected: Protocol switch - 0230089122...

CloudDancer: We can talk without intrusion now. You have something for the Master?

Dreaming: Yeah. I thought I'd deliver it in person, if that's all right.

CloudDancer: You will be shown the way. We will return to the open channel now, unless you have more to say.

Dreaming: Not just now.

...intervention detected: Protocol revert...

-end.snip-

A couple of hours later, I'm piloting the Ghost-Phoenix into the Lu-Khi system, and an automated message reaches me from the planet - an encrypted data-burst containing a set of planetary co-ordinates directing me to a private house in the mountains, a few hours from the capital. Guess that's where Tinashae stays when she's "in town"...

(The Ghost-Phoenix performs with flying colours, I should say, slipping into the system through at least three layers of some of the most advanced defensive perimeter in civilised space. Myromar, you are a blessing.)

Tinashae's door-monitor reacts to me the moment I set foot on her door-step, and the owner welcomes me from within. "Greetings Darkhawk - please, come in."

Partly carved out of the mountainside, Tinashae's pad is like a natural temple, one great big room with understandably high ceilings. A soft, deep-pile carpet covers the floor, and the only furnishings I can see are a variety of large cushions, all very indicative of a lifestyle of leisure. I hear running water in the distance, and the sounds of someone bathing, or swimming - this I have to see. There's no doubt who it has to be, 'cause I've already found one midnight blue thigh-high boot, as tall as I am, lying on the floor...

Turning a corner - stepping over the other boot in the process - I find that the tunnel opens into a shallow gorge, carved into the rock, over who knows how many years, by a waterfall that feeds a natural pool, where Tinashae is relaxing, leaning against the far edge of the pool, her head back, letting the waterfall splash in her face.

Wow...

She looks up as she hears my heels on the stone paving at the pool's edge. "Do you like the home of Tinashae?", she asks.

"Very much", I admit. I also very much like the one whose home it is, but I keep that to myself for now. "I have that 'something' we discussed."

"Leave it on the table", she sighs, and swims over to my side of the pool. "He will come for it in his own time."

I take a few seconds to formulate any kind of response. The sight of a naked woman more than twice my height, swimming with jet-black streaming out around her, takes my breath away. "He comes here?", I ask.

"Only for as long as necessary, unless he has the time to spare for a longer visit", Tinashae replies.

"You don't mind him...petting you, like he was doing when we had that meeting...?"

"Not at all", she tells me. "He is a man of honour, and appreciates beauty. His appreciation you see all around you."

"It's nice to be appreciated", I say, a bit of a sly smile creeping onto my face.

Tinashae smiles back, sweetly. "Indeed it is."

My Hyrkulean host starts to rise from the waters, and it's hard not to stare. "May Tinashae ask a favour?", she says, sweeping her wet hair back. "Could you be so kind as to bring her her boots?"

"Gladly", I murmur, and I hurry away, trying hard not to look over my shoulder...

I return a minute later, one of her boots over each shoulder, and find Tinashae standing at pool-side, drying herself with a huge towel. Spotting an exciting opportunity, I intervene: "Please - allow me..."

I do for her what I usualy do for myself - send a telekinetic "ripple" over her body, driving off the excess moisture from top to toe, and right down the full length of her hair. I make subtle telekinetic contact with her body in the process, and I feel her shudder, hear her make a cute little moan...

(Steady, Darkhawk - gotta save something for the cruise...)

We talk for a while as I help her into her boots, holding onto the foot as she slides her legs into them (I bet Glitterthorn wishes he was me right now...) Unfortunately, Tinashae isn't interested in the "business" of pleasure, and doesn't plan on investing in the Starlight Consortium, although she's aware that Arlai is very keen on the deal. "He left for Sylina III a couple of days ago", she informs me. "You will be meeting him there?"

"The universe doesn't know that Darkhawk and Arlai are...friends", I tell her, "and I think it should stay that way, at least for now. Our paths are bound to cross, however - sooner or later."

Tinashae stands up, and her hair swishes about her enticingly as she bends down to smooth wrinkles from her boots, and pull them up. Damn it, I think she knows she's turning me on...

Better get out of there - for now, at least. I try to excuse myself as politely as possible, but Tinashae understands. "Sylina III awaits", she says, bending down to look me in the eye. "You should not waste any more time here - look, the master has already received your document..."

I glance at the table, and indeed, the report is gone. Now that was pretty slick - I didn't even sense his presence. Of course, he had Tinashae running interference for him...

"No time spent here is ever wasted", I tell her, and lean forward so that my forehead touches hers, in a traditional Hyrkulean gesture of friendship.

"Return soon", she replies. "The home of Tinashae will always welcome you."

I don't doubt that for a moment. Perhaps, next time, I might even bring a friend...

Onward to Sylina III, Planet of Beauty!

- Posted on 14.10.2003 at 19:26 -

Previously...
The Traveller: Old Friends, New Friends - Chapter 4 - 28.08.2009
The Traveller: Old Friends, New Friends - Chapter 3 - 25.08.2009
The Traveller: Old Friends, New Friends - Chapter 2 - 23.08.2009
The Traveller: Old Friends, New Friends - Chapter 1 - 21.08.2009
Shards And Splinters - Chapter 3 - 19.08.2009