Feeling nervous, Malika rubbed over the back of her neck. She felt her symbiote, Iasis, respond, pressing against her fingers.
Don't be nervous, Iasis thought.
Malika bit her lower lip.
"Malika?" Liandra approached the younger woman. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Malika scurried away.
~+~+~.
Stooop! Malika huffed.
Iasis was laughing so hard that she was actually squeaking.
It's not funny.
You have nothing to worry about.
Malika plopped in her bed. Ow.
Why would you plop on a crystal bed?
I thought the pillow was there. She sighed as she reached to open air, as if Iasis was there. I miss actually holding you.
I miss being held, but being wrapped around your spine is very comfortable.
~+~+~.
The next day, Malika approached Liandra, who was sitting on one of the crystal benches.
"Malika." Liandra smiled. "How do you like being a host?"
"I'm still getting used to it."
"And Iasis?"
Malika bowed her head, retreating. Her eyes briefly glowed as Iasis took over.
"I enjoy having a host, though I do miss swimming, being held…being able to interact with people and the environment with my own body."
Liandra rubbed over the back of her own neck, and it was clear that her own symbiote, Pel, thought the same.
"Pel assures that you will get used to it."
Malika frowned. It was unusual that Pel didn't answer for herself.
"She is healing me. A minor sparring injury."
"Oh." She frowned.
"I'll be fine."
Malika sat by her, feeling more relaxed.
"So… How-"
"Will you have dinner with me?"
Liandra froze, completely surprised.
Iasis immediately prevented Malika from blushing.
Thank you.
"I'm much older than you."
"Dad is almost a hundred years older than Mom."
"Your father would kill me."
"That's illegal."
Liandra laughed.
"So…?" Now that she actually asked, she didn't feel so nervous.
"Alright."
"Really?" Her voice became excitedly shrill.
"Yeah. Let's have dinner together."
I told you not to be nervous, Iasis bragged.
Malika smiled.