Vastra and Jenny walk behind a porter at Waterloo Station followed by Alaya and Fiona.
For the entire trip, Fiona entertained the Flints with a comprehensive reenactment of the film Titanic included singing. "...We'll stay forever this way, You are safe in my heart and my heart will go on and on..." Fiona even typed the script, in duplicate, up for the trip.
Once they arrived in Southampton they taxi to Thornton House on Hulse Road.
A porter takes half the luggage into Vastra and Jenny's room, the other half in the room next door.
Fiona blushes as she enters into the hotel room only to discover one bed. She jumps as adjoining room door swings open. It is Vastra unveiled with their luggage, "Sorry little one, this is our room." Vastra put their luggage down, picks up Fiona's plus Alaya's luggage and moves to the room next door.
Fiona is no longer blushing but slightly disappointed to find two twin beds.
Jenny smiles as she pokes her head from the adjoining room, "Let's freshen up and reconvene in an hour. Hey!" She turns her head back into her room to Vastra and whispers, "You better not have gotten me with your toxins." Turns back to Alaya and Fiona with a calm voice. "We'll meet for supper." The door closes and the lock is fastened from the other side.
Fiona unpacks her luggage and hangs up her dress for tomorrow. Alaya does the same.
The room is so quiet the seagulls are heard with the windows closed. Fiona and Alaya finishes quickly.
Alaya pulls Fiona close, "Fiona what would you like to do now?"
"I would like to see it."
"What? The ship."
Fiona smiling and poking out her own pink tongue, "No, your tongue. In the reproduction a case study, it says you have your mother's tongue."
"Oh. Um, You hair isn't long enough."
"If I pull the curls tight it is, see ..." Fiona pulls one of her curls, stretches it all the way and slightly tilt her head it reaches the imaginary line.
"You sure you are ready?"
Fiona slowly pushes Alaya against the side of the bed. Alaya will not bend.
Alaya asks again, "Are you sure?"
"Honestly, I am more concerned that my kiss will not please you. I have never kissed anyone before. Have you?"
Alaya meekly, "Yes."
Fiona steps back, "Oh. I see. It only makes sense, you are older than I am." She looks into Alaya's eyes, "Did you love this person?"
"I thought I did."
"What happened?"
"I ..." Alaya clasps her hands nervously.
"My first session with Louisa I told her that I was broken. She said that everyone I cared about was Broken." Holding Alaya's face in her hands, "I do care about you."
"Would you like to ramble outside or remain here?"
"Here, if you don't mind."
Alaya looked into those Scottish green eyes, took a deep breath, "Let's get comfortable." Alaya gathered all the pillows and piled them high on one bed. She picked up the phone, "Room service? Yes, may I have full tea service for two. Thank you." She pulled off her shoes and sat up in bed and patted the open area for Fiona. "Tea will be here in a few minutes.
Alaya began her story, "I attended New New York University."
"You mean New York University?"
"No. New New York University in the year In the year 5,000,000,017 on a different planet called New Earth."
Fiona processes the information and smiles, "For the sake of this conversation you were not a commuter, you stayed on campus?"
Alaya smiling, "Correct I lived on campus. In fact, New New York has a population around ten million. Now prepared for this bit of information ... it really should be called," Alaya counts on her finger, "New New New New New New New New New New New New New New New New York because it was the fifteenth New York built."
"Are you teasing me?"
"No, I went to New New York University on the 15th Earth."
Fiona is speechless and remains quiet for a few minutes.
Someone knocks on the door and a voice from the other side says, "Room Service."
Fiona jumps up.
Alaya rolls over the side of the bed and hides in between the twin beds on the floor.
Fiona signs the ticket leaps on the bed and taps Alaya on her shoulder. "All clear."
They both get a cup of tea, a sandwich and get comfy. Alaya continues, "I wanted to be a detective like my mothers ..."
Year: 5,000,000,017
New New York City
Alaya wanted to be a detective like her mothers. Criminology and Forensics aren't available until the late 20th Century so they sent her into the future. Alaya was seventeen years old when started her education at New New York University in New New York City on New Earth.
New Earth is mostly populated by humans, but there are other species including humanoid feline nuns of the Sisters of Plenitude. Alaya hangs out in the Sister's medical library from time to time. Especially when she missed the quirkiness of 13 Paternoster Row London. Besides her freshman roommate, Silvia, was an annoying human.
Silvia would regularly bring people back to the room for intimacies, play loud music late at night and never made eye contact to Alaya, ever.
From that year on, Alaya made sure she had a single room.
Also, the Silurian in her liked being around familiar scents. Her mother Jenny's scent is like roses in the rain while mother Vastra's is rocks and moss. Here at the NNYU Alaya has to keep her tongue shut tight in her mouth. There are too many conflicting odors and very few enjoyable scents.
Alaya crammed with various study groups but did everything else alone. She always told herself she was here to get an education. Making friends that will cease to exist when she returns to 'our London' isn't something she desires to experience.
Alaya pushed down the loneliness and focused on her work. Excelling in every class, every project and even her internships brought out the best in her ability. She saw too many peers drinking, taking drugs and not putting their education first. The second year at NNYU her class almost shrunk by half, too many dropouts.
It wasn't until her senior year she made a friend. It was November, during the human's traditional holiday, Alaya would pay extra to reserve a campus room during breaks. They did that for students that wouldn't or couldn't get home.
Alaya was carrying her foot locker to her temporary room and found another person's back setting up their electronic devices. The individual turns and opens her mouth to say hello, but nothing comes out.
Alaya quickly puts the foot locker down and offers to shake hands. "Hello, my name is Alaya. I am half-Silurian and half-Human from the original earth 19th century".
'Um, Daniela. Full human from this year, from this earth."
Alaya offered a smile, "Hello Daniela."
Daniela walks around Alaya examining her up and down. "Interesting. So you must know someone who time travels."
Alaya, "Yes, my mothers do."
Daniela, "Your mothers? Awesome."
Alaya, "Yes, they are."
Daniela sits down on the bed her side of the room. Alaya does the same.
Alaya, "Where are you from? What is your major? What year are you?"
"I am from New New Mexico. I am studying classic literature from the 21st Century, my final year. You?"
"I am from the original London, I am studying criminology, also in my last year as undergrad. I will be moving on to my Masters. Why classic literature?"
Daniela lit up and began to detail from the time she could read she was fascinated by the classics. Her favorites were J. K. Rowling, Douglas Adams and Robert Edward Vardeman. Daniela kept talking and to Alaya it was interesting. Alaya sat a listened as they spent the day getting to know each other while unpacking. The two continued talking through meals until it was time to go to sleep.
Both had a mutual curiosity. It was the beginning of a friendship, the two were happy.
It was the perfect break. Daniela was a generous roommate allowing Alaya quiet time to write her papers and to research in peace. Daniela was following Alaya's example and studying too, not too much, but enough to make her final year at NNYU easier.
The first Saturday night Daniela was antsy. "Alaya, what do you want to do? It is Saturday night, let's go out."
Alaya poking her head out of the book, "I prefer to study. But go ahead and you have some fun."
Daniela, "Silly, it is always better to socialize in a group. Let's go. We can go dancing, to the movies or even head down to people watch in New Soho." Daniela is now standing right next to Alaya, "Come on ..." as Daniela is pulling Alaya's arm.
Alaya turns to her new friend, "Alright, but nothing outside. It is too cold."
Daniela starts jumping up and down, "Yeah!"
Alaya and Daniela go out and decide the best thing to do is head to New Washington Park and people watch from a café. It was cheap and warm.
They enjoy watching people. Many couples go by holding hands. Daniela asks if Alaya is seeing anyone.
Alaya jokes, "What me? Lizard Human?"
"Seriously, you are an excellent companion. I am sorry we didn't meet earlier." Daniela reaches across the small bistro table and touches the top of Alaya's gloved hands.
Alaya bravely kept it there staring out the window. Daniela's hand was warm and it felt wonderful. Her stomach was churning and she was nervous. Alaya finally turned to Daniela and to Alaya's surprise, Daniela was also nervous.
"Do you want to go for a walk?"
"What about the cold?"
"We can walk for a little, your hand is very warm."
"Good, let's go."
Alaya and Daniela walked close together, arm to arm and they talk about everything. It was warm, cold and unexpected.
They get back to the dorm room and there is something new in the air, Alaya does not dare flick her tongue to figure it out. The room now has an edge, tension and it is exhilarating. Alaya is nervous and walks to her closet to take off her coat, hat, scarf and gloves. Alaya turns around and finds Daniela took off her coat, gloves, scarf, shoes, pants, shirt ... Daniela is wearing nothing but her undergarments.
Alaya is frozen and dares to look into Daniela's hazel eyes.
"Do you like what you see?"
Alaya nods yes.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I am surprised. I didn't expect."
"So this is good?"
Alaya shakes her head yes again, "I am not sure what to do now. I am a bit out of my element."
"You don't like girls?"
Alaya puts one arm around her stomach and the other on the back of the chair holding her up, "Oh I like girls. I take after my mothers. It is ... I wasn't expecting this. I ... "
Daniela walks over to Alaya and kisses her cheek.
"I have never, ever ... before."
Daniela pulls her head back, "Never?"
"Never."
"We need to fix that" Daniela pulls Alaya towards her body, tight.
With nervous hands Alaya cups Daniela's chin and kisses her lips, softly.
Daniela kissed back and slowly undressed Alaya. Soon Daniela was touching scales and Alaya was touching human skin. Alaya picked Daniela up and laid her on the floor. A few nights before the two were learning about their lives and now they were learning about each other's bodies.
Alaya took her tongue and began exploring. Daniela was touching Alaya and investigating with her hands and lips. It was innocence and desire.
The next morning Alaya woke with a smile as Daniela remains sleeping on Alaya's chest. She feels Daniela's heartbeat and lung movement. It was glorious and she was fortunate there are nine more days before NNYU break is over. Nine more days for Daniela and herself.
It was amazing. Every night was date night ending in each others arms until morning. The nine days came and went. Both helped each other move into their separate living situations.
Alaya is in a single dorm looking over Washington Square Park while Daniela was in The Senior House overlooking an alley.
It was a half of a mile in between the two, it felt like ten.
Alaya and Daniela made sure that there was a time during each day to get together. It didn't matter if it was lunch, walking each other to class or even studying at the library.
Soon Daniela had to reschedule. At first it was every few days but soon it was difficult to make time. Alaya was also busy, she took it as a positive to concentrate more aggressively in her subjects.
Early one Monday morning Alaya was woken by a knock on the door. "Daniela! What a wonderful surprise. Please, come in, come in."
Daniela stood still and stared at Alaya.
"What's wrong, please come in."
Daniela entered the warm room but kept her heavy parka zipped with her hands in the pockets and kept looking into Alaya's eyes."
Alaya clasps her hands, "Something wrong?"
"We can't see each other again."
"What? Did I do something wrong?"
"We can't, I can't."
"Why? Please tell me why?" Alaya eyes were desperate.
"I don't want to see you anymore."
"What? Why?"
"I want to be with someone warm."
"Haven't I been kind, giving and warm?"
"No you don't understand, I want to be with another human?"
"Is there someone else?"
"Yes."
"I see."
"We were together before, before ... us."
"I was the other woman?"
"Yes."
"Oh, Do you love her?"
"I don't know."
"Then why choose now? Why?"
"Because she found out and made me choose."
"What if I make you choose?"
"I chose her because she is warm and a tongue that doesn't scare me."
"I see. I didn't know."
"I didn't want you to stop being who you were. But I can't."
"I understand."
"Do you?"
"My mother Vastra worried all the time if Mother Jenny would leave her for another human. She never did. I thought ... you would ... I thought this was something special."
"It was and it is ending."
"You were my first."
"I know."
Silence
"I better go."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For what you did give me."
Daniela came close and kissed Alaya on her cheek and left the dorm room for the last time.
Fiona, "Did you ever see her again?"
"Yes, in passing and at commencement."
"How did that go?"
"I handled it well. My mothers were amazing. I have told them what has happened. They understood my pain. At graduation Daniela and her girlfriend came over to wish me luck. I thanked Daniela for everything and I hope she gets everything she wanted. I walked away with my mothers at my side and we talked about the future and I knew everything was going to fine. I was alone, but never lonely."
"Now you have me."
"This is true. So how long is your hair?"
"How long is your tongue?"
"Not yet. When you hair gets to be this long" drawing an imaginary line with her finger along the neckline, "I ask for your patience. I will show you at the moment that I am ready."
Fiona rolled into Alaya and kissed her on the cheek. "When you are ready. Tell me more about New New York University." as she fluffed pillows to get a better position. "What about the food? Traffic? Tell me everything."
Alaya did tell Fiona everything about NNYU including he students, the city, the museums, food and even clothing until it was past midnight. It was nothing like 'our London', but as exciting as it was Alaya would not want to live there, too many unhappy people.
It was a sad and wonderful time. Alaya reminded Fiona she wanted this education.