“I backed packed across Europe and Asia for a year. That was definitely a highlight.” Mira stated. He was currently led on my bed with his feet against the wall, we finished ascension a few hours ago so now had a bit of downtime before our next meal.

Silas hummed “I never travelled outside of Australia really- visited England once or twice before moving there a few months before sign-up.”

The guys were discussing their lives back on Earth, given the hell we have been through these past weeks it feels so good to just sit and discuss the lives we left behind.

Mira wiggled so he was sat upright and turned to me “Is that how you guys met?”

I nodded “we met in Bristol during the second phase of sign-up and bonded there, been best buddies ever since!” Grinning, I slap a smirking Silas on his shoulder.

He rolls his eyes “we bonded because you were hungover and got lost Pom, if it wasn’t for me, you’d still be back on Earth!”

I let out a laugh and bowed “And I thank you for your timely rescue!”

The topic is changed to Ed’s heroics back in his policing days, but my mind is still on those final weeks on Earth.

Hundreds of thousands of people applied across the world, those who met the health and age requirements moved onto the second phase which included exams, interviews and physical tests. The Deus insisted on people from all over the world with various skill levels in a bid to keep the first colony as reflective of life on Earth as possible, the night before my 6th exam I got wasted with a bunch of guys and woke up late, thankfully I ran into Silas who gave me his hydro flask and shepherded me towards the exam hall. If not for him I wouldn’t be here- if you miss any of the tests it was an automatic expulsion from the programme.

I blink out of my reverie at the sound of a horn, indicating our next meal. Instantly flushing my eyes met Mira’s who winked at me before leaping up “Come on then lads, let’s go.”

Silas held his hand out for me “Can’t wait to see what’s on the menu today! I’m starved, shall we?” I hesitantly took his hand unsure on how to tell him I wasn’t going with them, but before I could open my mouth Silas was forcefully yanked away from me.

“Why don’t you get some rest Esme?” My nose wrinkled at the nickname “you did say earlier you weren’t feeling great, we will see you later yeah?” Ah my saviour! He flung Silas through the door before he had a chance to ask what was wrong- the door zipping shut quickly behind them.

I let out a breath and stood, Mira must have overheard Rue’s words to me, that’s just wonderful. He seems cool with… whatever this is.

Before I know it, I’m outside of his cabin unsure on what to do next. Do Caaknai knock? Walk in? What is the proper etiquette?!

“Did you know I have a camera outside my door?” An amused voice asked.

My face grew redder, what is it with me and blushing like a teenage girl around this man? I click the door open to see Rue standing before me, his signature grin on his face.

Without a word he walks backwards allowing me to enter the room, spinning when he reaches the table. I slowly walk towards him watching as he put a slab of meat on a plate followed by a pile of that delicious sweet rice and a bit of flat bread, without looking in my direction he holds the plate out for me to take. With our plates of food, we made our way to sit on a pile of cushions arranged on the floor.

For the first few moments we ate in a comfortable silence, the meat was delicately spiced and fragrant, I finished about half the plate before pushing it away. Rubbing my stomach, I smiled at Rue “We don’t eat anywhere near as much as you guys- delicious as it is.”

He smiled softly “I’d really like to know more about your species and you specifically. May I?” My heart began to beat erratically as his fingers ran down the side of my face to me collarbone.

“Yup” I squeaked before clearing my throat “W-Where shall we start?” He kept his eyes locked on mine as he finished off his plate, letting me squirm in my place.

Once finished he offered me his hand “Caaknai spend half their lives in the water, so shall we?” he flipped a switch on the wall.

I stepped back as the ground began to transform, the white tiles folding on themselves to reveal a deep green pool under the flooring. Do all the rooms have this nifty feature? It would make sense given how much the Caaknai spend in the water. I open my mouth to ask but balk- Rue was currently removing his clothes, giving me a clear view of his smooth green chest.

“What are you doing?” I squeak taking an unconscious step back.

He looked at me with his head slightly tipped, if he had eyebrows one would definitely be raised “Getting in the water? Do you… not do that?”

“Of course, but I haven’t got a swimming costume so…” My arms cross over my chest nervously.

His head tipped even further “a what? You wear clothes in the water? Why would you do that?” Obviously, the semi-aquatic aliens had no problem with nudity- many cultures on Earth don’t have a problem with nudity however in England getting your babs out isn’t something we do regularly.

I sighed, I’m on an alien spaceship with aliens who clearly have no problem with it and when in Rome… “many cultures on Earth have no issue with nudity however mine is a little more conservative. But it’s okay, just… look away?” He frowned but did as I asked, shaking his head slightly at the absurd request.

When I’d finally climbed out of my suit and turned back to him my eyes automatically roamed his body shamelessly… and froze when I reached the area between his legs.

“Uh… Rue?”

He was also examining my body with interest. “Es?”

I licked my lips hesitantly “Are you uh… male?”

Well that wasn’t a question he expected from the sudden laugher that burst from his lips “Yes I’m male, why?”

Now this is awkward. In the place where a penis would be there was… nothing? Smoother than a new-born. Do they have penises elsewhere? Do they mate through mind melding? Why am I even thinking of his penis? “Penis.” What… what he hell was that?!

Rue’s mouth dropped open “Excuse me?”

Groaning I run my hand over my face, I really should have done some research. How hard would it have been to just read a quick summary of the Caaknai? Very easy, that’s how easy! I don’t even know how long they live! Oh god... is Rue underaged?! Surely not, he’s got his own ship! Oh no… is he old? Have I been developing feelings for an old man? I can’t handle this. “I’m so sorry, I don’t know why I assumed we would have the same anatomy I was just taken aback…”

He looked down at the smooth area “Are you… asking where my genitals are?”

All the colour drained from my face “Nope, not at all shall we get in?” I tottered over to the edge and plonked down, dipping my legs into the pleasantly warm water.

His webbed feet- yes, I did see that right, Caaknai have the feet of bloody frogs, slapped lightly as he moved towards the edge and slipped gracefully into the water before popping up in front of me. “I looked into human anatomy after Miller told me about this,” his fingers ran up my jaw and over my flushed cheeks. “so, I assume you’re referring to the fact it’s internal? We also don’t have these…” He lets his fingers run down past my throat to rest gentle against the top of my breasts “live births are done in the water where the young attaches itself to a pouch where it feeds off an internal teat until it’s strong enough. The mother leaves the water after birth and remains on land until they detach.” I shudder beneath his palm, this got hot and heavy real fast. His eyes roamed my face unaffected by the breasts he was touching. Finally, someone who isn’t obsessed with boobs! As someone who isn’t well endowed in the boob department it fills me with an unexpected sense of relief.

“That was a weird thing to ask wasn’t it?” I raised my hands to my face, quickly getting used to my state of dress “But thank you for answering it. What do you want to know about humans?” His fingers ran even further down to grasp my waist, quickly lifting me into the water.

“I know you only have one set of lungs but how well can you swim?” He kept his hands firming on my waist keeping me above the water while he kicks with his feet.

“As a race we are pretty good however my skills are a bit rusty. “I had my hands resting on his smooth shoulders to keep me afloat, how is he holding us up so effortlessly?

He hummed, one arm wrapping around my waist bringing our faces close together. “So, tell me… Why do you blush in my vicinity?”

Eep.

My mouth opens and closes a few times becoming more and more aware of my body pressed firmly against his, my face must have gotten significantly redder judging by the shit-eating grin plastered on his face. I have to look away from his eyes which are an apparent weakness for me and think, why do I blush so much? I barely know the man; this is weird right? I clearly have a hidden fetish for aliens or the colour orange.

After a few minutes of silence, I open my mouth “I can’t answer that. I have no idea why but- “Be brave Esmerelda! You’ve got this “-I find myself really attracted to you…”

His grin only grows much to my irritation. “Tell me about courtship for you aliens.”

“Well if you… like someone you go on dates like eating a meal together, go watch a vid and things like that, you spend time together and are exclusive so only kiss and have s-sex with that one person.” He’s silent for a few minutes so I look back to him to find a confused look on his face yet again.

“Eating a meal together is a date? But everyone eats together? What is kissing?”

I let out a laugh “you can eat with other people it’s just if you call it a date then it’s different? Honestly dude now you say it like that I don’t know what to say in response. As for kissing… it’s a sign of affection where you…” Kill me “pout your lips and press them to a… body part” what was wrong with a human? A nice normal human godamn it Esmerelda “it’s used between couples, family members and in some cultures a kiss to the cheek or hand is a greeting but... not mine.”

And now that grin is back “Show me”