XXX (preceding this scene is an explicit scene that's been left out. This can be found in my SMUT collection under FictionGarden on a o 3.)
Kaeko Adaria shivered her way through the halls of Rominger Ascaris's four-level mansion on Nemoidia. She knew he had a sizable library here, but she had never been shown it.
It made sense for a former brothel- and dance-hall-girl who couldn't read.
Ryuymo had begun to teach her, but he had been teaching her in Twi'leki. She really needed to know Basic, and that meant … starting … all … over … again.
She leaned her forehead against the wall for a moment and sighed.
A twenty-minute hunt finally found her in a grand library, glowing with thousands of blue holofiles. Two terminals sat in front of enormous windows that, she discovered, looked down upon the fountains in the courtyard. Certainly she could look up some Twi'leki-to-Basic lessons on these.
She sat, imagining they were password-protected. Yet it didn't look that way, she mused as she activated one screen and tried to discover how to log on.
"We must set you up with a password if you wish to use the terminals, kriláh," came a familiar voice from behind her. She turned to see Rominger ambling forward, a file in his long hand, a short miter on his bald head. Sumptuous gray robes trailed behind him.
The first thing she would do, she decided, was find out what kriláh meant. "Rominger," she said.
"Becoming comfortable in your new home, I see," he said.
She decided to speak up. "Actually, if you want me to be comfortable," she said, "you might increase the temperature. Or permit me a warmer style of dress."
His brow ridge raised and he said, "You misunderstand. Simply because I enjoy a style of dress does not mean you must wear it all the time. And we might compromise on the temperature. You need only divulge your preference."
She bowed her head. "Thank you."
Two long gray fingers caught her under the chin. She found herself looking into two large red eyes. "Kaeko." His tone grew serious. "Do you want to marry me?"
She found herself stammering. "Well … I do wonder if the species are compatible, and it's such an adjustment, but it is best …"
His fingers gripped her chin. "Honesty, kriláh."
"Well …" Finally, she grasped her courage. "Yes, and no."
His brow ridge rose again. "Yes, and no?"
"It is best. Legally," she said delicately, and vowed to delve no further into that. "But, I wonder, my lord, if you want children … not only do I worry about the viability, but about my age …"
"I have children," he said simply.
Kaeko did not know for sure what that meant. "Yes," she said, unable to hide the tremor in her voice.
He let go of her chin and stood there, his red eyes directed at the floor. "All will be well, Kaeko," he said.
Duros did not frequent the brothel at which she had worked. Kaeko realized that what she really needed to research was Duros anatomy. She was aware that some species had hemipenes rather than a single organ. That would never do.
She was now starting at the polished marble floor, herself. She could see their reflections in it. It was easier than looking at him.
"You need not worry about your interests," said Rominger. "I will protect your place in the Directorate."
She looked up, startled. "Whether I marry you or not?"
A Duros face was nearly unreadable. "Yes," he said.
This threw her into confusion. Why?
She stared at him for a moment, her hands on the back of her chair, and finally he said, "It is not my intention to coerce you. Love cannot be forced."
And he turned his back and walked away.
Kaeko sat in front of her dressing mirror, trying to prepare for dinner. She kept lapsing into thought, her brush stilled in her hand.
Was it possible for a Duros to love a Twi'lek?
Was it possible for a Twi'lek to love a Duros?
It made little sense. And yet, the introduction of personal feelings into an arrangement she had believed was strictly business struck her with uncertainty.
She should not marry him. But, talk to him? Yes.
She selected a gown that covered her entire torso and made her way to dinner.