37
(Vasanaday)
Freebooter Apartments – Dining Room
.
Xanthine was finishing the last of her cereal. “Tasp, don’t we have any Initiates or ladies who are good in the kitchen? This cardboard doesn’t feed the baby at all!” She rubbed her tummy where a lump had formed. It moved away from her touch.
“I guess we need to find out what everyone’s talents and joys are,” Tasp said. “The more people we can employ doing things they enjoy, the better for everyone.”
“I like how you guys are thinking,” Uana said, sitting down with her own bowl. “I think that was part of Belmara’s thinking in X’lea. I’m sure we can do better here.”
“Where’s Sipper?”
“Apparently, he drank too much mujani last night,” Uana replied.
“Why are you so interested in our project anyway?” Tasp asked.
“We are in the process of opening our own casino in Ilim City, so working with you first is thought to be good training – since we’re here anyway.”
Xanthine nodded, grateful that they didn’t plan on staying forever. Noise from the door made her turn. Several of the Initiates came in. Ninn was on crutches and being assisted by Rika who had bonded with him the other night. Joneel came in behind him, alone.
“You still owe me, Joneel!” Ninn reminded. “But I won’t hold you to it unless this one doesn’t pan out for me. I want to keep this one!”
“Beat me again, Ninn!” Joneel challenged.
“You’re out of things to bet,” Ninn retorted, before grunting in pain.
Rika helped him with a tray of breakfast items.
Another Initiate came in with a young woman. Xanthine noted the flush of excitement on the imprint of the woman… and was that a flicker of new life? She smiled realizing that the previous evening’s mixer had been a success for this man, anyway.
Her tummy tightened uncomfortably as she regarded the pair.
“I hope you enjoyed yourself last night, Initiate,” she greeted.
The man grinned triumphantly, grabbing a tray for his and the woman’s breakfasts.
“She does seem to have done the job for you last night,” Xanthine commented to him. “Did you tell her that she will be rewarded for her contribution?”
“Of course!” the Initiate responded indignantly.
Xanthine chuckled. “Did she need bribing?”
“No!” the woman replied, equally indignantly. Then she softened into an accomplished smile “Of course, knowing the rewards is helpful, but he is amazing!”
“No need to tell me anything more!” Xanthine said, stifling a laugh.
She watched Ninn again, satisfied and tied to his vessel, Rika. Xanthine could see the woman had a strong leya connection, maybe she would do her education modules during her pregnancy. Yes, her gifts would be best invested for the good of the Balan, unlike Marline, who was excited to be there, but didn’t have the gifts, other than being a vessel. She had already been assigned to maintenance duties for the moment.
“You’re very good at assessing their potential,” Tasp said, sitting next to her again. “I was trying to work out what happened to the girl Joneel had last night. She’s not in her room.”
“Do you think she’s gone back down to the Project?” Xanthine asked.
“It is a distinct possibility. I’ve already contacted Sheena to have her watch out for runners,” he said. “She is gloating now, of course.”
“Of course.”
“But she’s doing it.”
“I knew there was a reason she was still in the middle. All the same, we may need to reassess the wisdom in having the A’mara give us free labor.”
“You said Marline was on the maintenance crew?”
Xanthine nodded.
“I think with her exuberance and sales attitude, she would be better placed in the new Balan-run Project office. She could become the official representative for the Freebooter Apartments now, so she would have an excuse to be there – even now. She doesn’t have any A’mara ties, so she’s about as safe as they come,” Tasp explained.
“I like your idea. Consider her reassigned then. Can you manage that one for me? I’m rather tired today, my feet hurt and everything is sore.”
“Do you need to see Qinta?” Tasp asked.
“No, I’ll be fine.”
“Promise to see her if anything gets worse.”
“I will,” Xanthine replied, accepting a kiss. She loved how he doted on her. Païsan had expected her to dote on him instead. “I do like how your idea on the men’s bunk room has worked out.”
“I figured it was logical. Women’s no. 1 gripe with men is that they won’t commit. I solved that by giving them almost no private space, so to get privacy, they either have to bed-hop...”
“Which women don’t really tolerate for very long.”
Tasp nodded. “Or they commit to a woman – ideally for life, but at least for the time being. I figure it’s an improvement.”
“I think it’s worked wonders so far. It almost evens the playing field – men have more natural dominance in the whole mating game while the women have the dominance when it comes to space and the home.”
He leaned closer, putting his mouth to her ear. “I am pretty sure you have both. I can’t wait to see it in a few weeks.”
Xanthine felt herself blushing before she could regain control.
“You’re beautiful when you blush,” he added with a kiss.
“Keep off the booze and I’ll give you whatever you want,” she promised when she’d regained control of her cheeks.
“I will hold you to that!” he said. “I have stuff to do now.” Tasp left.
Xanthine turned to regard Joneel who looked unhappy as he swigged his mujani-spiked caff. He was going to prove much more difficult to please, she could tell.
“I want my Kailey back,” Joneel grumped.
“She’s with the A’mara now,” Xanthine replied.
“I don’t care. She shouldn’t have left me! She should die for her misdeeds!”
“What’s your plan then?” Xanthine asked.
“I don’t know yet,” he said. “Of course, Sheena could let me have her instead.” He stood, as if to leave in search of the dangerous woman.
“You’d best leave that one alone,” Xanthine advised. “She’s capable of severe damage to you.”
“And you are just as reluctant, Xanthine.” He came close to her, touching her waist, moving towards her mouth.
“You really think you can take on Tasp?” she challenged, using a simple move to seat him on the floor.
“You’re no fun,” he fumed.
“Grow up!” Xanthine demanded, leaving the room again, leaving her breakfast dishes for someone else to clean up.
♥♥♥
If you have enjoyed this book, I would be grateful if you could put your thoughts as a review on [Goodreads](coming soon) for me.
Buy at: (coming soon to Books2Read, Scribl, LBRY and Lulu - paperback.)
Other Chapters of this set
Birth of the Neví - Chapter 1 on Whaleshares
Name of the Neví - Chapter 1
Mind of the Neví - Chapter 1
Game of the Neví - Chapter 1
Maps and Guides
- Kri'enden & Joton - 830 TCE (New/imprived map coming soon)
- Character Guide and Image Credits
- Calendar and Glossary - for Name of the Neví but these two parts are true throughout.
Writing and artwork copyright myself 2005-2019 – all rights reserved.
If you are interested in helping me publish these works, please contact me on Facebook or Discord, viking-ventures#2883.
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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
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