" I sat there with open mouth and said, "Shalla? Little Combat Monster Shalla Sorens, preggers?" Ress nodded." I sat there with open mouth and said, "Shalla? Little Combat Monster Shalla Sorens, preggers?" Ress nodded. "And she's going to need someone for an extra set of hands when neither she nor Mark are quite able to deal with it." "You're looking to set me up here as a babysitter?" Aaden asked, his voice indicating his obvious amusement. "Why not? It's one of the more common tasks that need to be filled around here. And it'll help you decide if you want children of your own. How old are you, anyway?" "I'm a Tleil, M'Ress." The look on Ress's face was near shock. "You're five centuries old and you've never had children?" "Never really thought about it. Had other things to worry about. Besides, despite the offers I've had, I've been erolie' since decanting. M'Ress shook her head. "Never mind the offer then." "No wait," Aaden said. "I didn't say I didn't accept. I do. I like the idea. It gives me a reason to stay here, try and be one of the folks. And if you-" he turned to me, "find a nice Mephit girl, well, send her my way." "Aaden," I said, chiding. "No, really. I'll do a stint as babysitter. It can't be any less exciting than gardening. Besides, some of the slopes around the bowl of the lagoon need trimming. And while I'm not interested in fems, if I find myself enjoying the children, well, I'm going to need one for all the usual reasons." "But what if she wants to participate in raising the child?" Ress asked. "Fine," he said. "That's great. It's not that I don't like women in general, Ress. I like you, after all. It's just that I don't feel sexually interested in them. No excitement there at all. Sorry," he said, shrugging. "But if you can't perform with a femMeph, you have a problem," I said. "There are ways around that," he said quietly. "Especially if you're there, Ken." I smiled. "You want me to, well, midhusband." He nodded. "Something like that." He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. We retired later to Aaden's home. |