The Alerium

[intriguess]

Makla had lived an uneventful life doing field research of plant life on Edena, today was her thirty fifth birthday a turning point for females of her species. She was currently living on a peaceful little planet with an amazing amount of plant life, which is what had drawn her to complete her research there. She rose from her soft bed and stretched, it was like living in paradise, the planet was peaceful, the animal life balanced, and death was accidental or natural causes for those humanoids that dwelled here. She had enjoyed studying the flora and fauna of this serene planet.

It had been a relaxing twenty years but she would be leaving tomorrow. She had enjoyed peace, serenity, and perfect health, she couldn't have asked for anything more. She would miss Edena, but her time here was nearing its end. The humanoids of this planet respected her desire for privacy, yet the had no sense of shame/guilt/modesty. She had not worn clothes in twenty years and was not looking forward to wearing garments again. She walked to the door her lean athletic form relaxed, her firm breasts already begining to show signs of the 'Alerium,' that she was entering a mating cycle. The first time had been more than twenty years ago and was the equivalent of puberty and she'd been well prepared. Now she was in the middle of nowhere and this was her first real Alerium and she was planning on returning to her home planet. Her violet eyes and silvery lavender hair was an oddity on any planet even her home world.
She could feel the changes in her body and was a little surprised that there was no pain at all. Usually the first days of the 'Alerium' was painful without outside stimulation, but she had wanted to remain on the planet for as long as possible. She suddenly realized that while she had studied the many plants and animals on the planet she knew little about the locals cultural habits. They were open honest and friendly. She treasured her time on Edena. She had been unable to plan her transport for any earlier and knew that it would be an interesting trip while she went through the changes, hopefully she'd be home once the Alerium was in full force.

Makla began packing her information and hoped the pilot would arrive sooner rather than later. She ate a light meal, wrapped a thin piece of material around her body, not that it concealed much as the fabric was nearly transparent, but she knew it wouldn't stay on long once she got home.

OOC so this is a revamp of old thread, there are many possibilities, a local coming to help her transport her belongings, pilot, or the person eagerly anticipating her arrival on her home planet.

 

[sinful saint]

Although they had come late to space travel compared to the closest sentient species that occupied nearby systems, the people of Edena were still advanced in terms of technology. They had learned however to tread carefully where science was concerned, and had only begun the exploration of their own solar system once they truly believed they were ready.

Through millenia-old customs and religious practices they also regarded their home planet as their maternal Goddess, to be nutured and protected, and so the natural beauty of the world was by and large as it was thousands of years ago. They built sparsely, and always with a mind to the aesthetic value. As such, their settlements were often larger than they first appeared, a lot of the dwelling spaces delving underground where they would not marr the natural landscape. They took the same beliefs with them when they made the move into space, their vessels and stations designed with intrinsic beauty foremost in mind.

Fortunately their nearest neighbours were not hostile species, or the Edenites would have had a poor experience of first contact. Learning and sharing knowledge with these nearby races, they began to explore, only creating outlying colonies on a few worlds away from their beloved Edena.

So the vessel that approached the dwelling of the offworlder Makla, who had spent nearly fifteen of their years upon Edena, was a sleek and yet quiet craft, so as not to disturb the local wildlife. Its extended aerofoils were almost unneccesary with antigravity lift, yet had been kept in the design from older ships of its kind due to the added gracefulness. It had the look of something more sculpted than constructed, and yet it was still a formidable vessel despite what its initially perhaps fragile appearance suggested. Its outer hull was a greyish-blue, similar in colour to the typical rock formations that could be found in many places around the planet.

It swooped low over the terrain, before coming to a perfect stop and descending to hover a few inches above the ground. Slipping from the forward pilots chair, Xath headed back and lowered the boarding jetty. The interior was well-lit, and held the same sculpted appearance as the outside.

 

[intriguess]

Makla was glad she had been able to stay for as long as she had. When she first applied the local government had given her a three month pass as evidentally other visitors had been unintentionally destructive. She'd made every effort to blend in and a local builder had constructed her living space to make the best use of natural items as well as the natural landscape. It was like living under a canopy of leaves, she would miss it dearly. She recalled that only after living here for a year was she allowed to collect any samples and then only with supervision. She collected budding samples taking care not to uproot anything, collecting as many seeds as possible. She had an extensive garden going and one of the locals had agreed to oversee it once she left. She had applied to take as many seeds and living samples as possible and after her fifth year they had agreed.

They lived in such a paradise it was a surprise anyone left, but they were a rather curious bunch. She recalled how she had been able to trade for information and guides by cutting off her hair. She cut her long silvery hair short every five years and now nearly everyone in the nearby village had one of the treasured locks. She had cut her hair about a month ago in order to secure extra supplies and containers.

Makla had her research material out in front of her home by the time the pilot landed. She had recognized the low hum of the motors. It was a soothing sound that rarely disturbed the wildlife. She was hauling out a few personal items when the pilot emerged.

 

[sinful saint]

Like other Edenites, Xath only wore outer skins (their term for clothing) when it was necessary to protect themselves from dangerous enviroments or situations with hazardous conditions. The only common articles they wore were tool belts, equipment harnesses, jewellry, and moccasin-like footwear when the ground was uncomfortable.

Xath wore a functional equipment harness, which consisted of linked black straps that wrapped around his upper torso beneath his arms and over his broad shoulders. Given his occupation, he maintained a strong regime of exercise which was readily apparent in the well-toned musculature of his frame.

His hair was worn in the usual fashion of the male Edenites, long dark hair tied back, apart from two beaded braids that hung down on either side of his head. His dark eyes matched his hair, though if more closely inspected you would see a tinge of blue. This blue was by no means set, of course, for his people could alter their eyes to perceive in a number of spectrums, and often changed according to mood.

Stepping off the boarding jetty to the firm ground above which the ship Beri Motai Luns hovered (the vessels name translating roughly as Silver Dancing Star) he flexed his shoulders to remove a slight irritation, then knelt on one knee, reaching down to touch Edena with the splayed fingers of both hands, a gesture that showed he had been away from the home world for a while and sought her forgiveness and blessing. His work often meant long trips in space and like all his people often got homesick. Even those who lived or were born in the few outer colonies made frequent trips back to Edena.

Standing after a few moments introspection and contemplation, he turned to regard the elegant home of their offworld guest, a Xenobiologist called Makla he had been told, and saw her bringing out a transport case, one of several apparently as there were a number already outside her dwelling.

He walked over, appraising her as he did so. He had noted immediately of course her hair, for its silvery-lavender hue was identical to the large petals of a favoured fragrant flower, which was grown within many homes and held religious importance to the Edenites. She was also most attractive, another comparison that could be made to the flowers beauty.

No doubt the comparison had not been lost on those officials who had overseen her permits, which unknowingly to her had likely helped to swing things in her favour. She had been here for a considerable length of time, and proved that she had accepted and worked within their ecological philosophies.

He bowed his head briefly in greeting on reaching her, before assisting in moving the case besides the others.

"I am Xath," he said as they set the box down, "the Edena Council have assigned me to be your pilot. The Beri Motai Luns is scheduled for offworld travel clearance next morning, so we have plenty of time to get your belongings stowed and modify your onboard quarters to your liking.

I have also been asked to express the Council's pleasure at your ample tolerances of our ecological safeguards manifesto, and their hopes that perhaps you may visit again."

Such a message was a rare offering to a visitor of another race, and showed they had come to accept her presence warmly. Moreso, there was a gift onboard from the Edena Council which had never been given to another sentient species, and surely would be of great interest to a Xenobiologist.

 

[intriguess]

Makla

She had never in her wildest dreams considered being asked back, and while it had been an amazing time, he body was reminding her of what she had been missing. A lot would depend on how the next month went, but to come back, it was unheard of, "I shall have to find a way to thank the council for their unending genoristy and patience with me."

She took a moment to look at him as the journey was not all that short and she might have to, she bite her lip at the thought and was glad her race did not blush. She had not seen too many adult males, as mainly children and other women had time and curiousity to have found spots and showed them to her. The males in general seemed slightly wary of her at first, and then seeing as she had no intent to destroy their culture or introduce intoxicants, they relaxed somewhat. Her relationship with the council was fruitful as it had equal numbers of both genders.

What she had glimpsed of their culture was fascinating, and she could easily have pursued such studies for another 20 years. It didn't take long to load up as the pilot was well built and she noticed he did take extra care with the items marked as fragile or plant specimens. Acquiring the growth chambers for transport had been easy, getting them to Edena had been difficult. She'd been able to send out only innate samples, seeds or other harvested materials, and then only after getting approval. Therefore a great amount of her items were only able to leave now.

Makla had been thrilled that they had given her permission to take living samples of anything that she could grow when a stones throw of her living quarters. It did limit her from large plants, but she had transplanted many plants in the last week to prepare for transport.

There was a light breeze and Makla stood quietly for a moment, saying her good byes. She turned to her pilot and asked, "Is there space available to continue the growth of some of my samples? I fear storage may kill some of the more fragile specimens in the long run."

 

[sinful saint]

"The cargo and passenger spaces of the Beri Motai Luns can be adjusted according to need," replied Xath. "There should be no problems in accomodating your wishes. She is designed to carry up to four passengers with relative luxury, though life support can handle up to twenty with ease."

"Would you like a small tour of her?" he asked, "perhaps you could show me this area afterwards, you must have become quite familiar with this part of Edena during your stay."

 

[intriguess]

"I would enjoy a tour," she smiled reflexively. The local population had been amazingly helpful throughout the years and she was glad to have a local pilot. It would be a pleasant way to pass the time if she could talk about her stay here with someone familiar with the local culture. "If there is time I'd be happy to show you what is left of my garden."