The Travelers - Chapter 9

*Bundler - a backpack or rucksack made to be both water proof and fire proof.
*kasha and moya - two common Arlytian vegetables. 
*Risso - a rice-like grain
*Cooker - a stove and/or oven.  An outdoor fire pit specifically used for heating food might also be referred to as a cooker.
*Loved On - to make love, a more intimate referral to sexual activity.
*Pottage - refers more to a way of making a meal rather than the food itself.  Having pottage means you've thrown a bunch of stuff in a pot and let it cook together.

*Transmissions – emails and/or can be live video or sound feeds. 
*Recorders - Arlytians assigned to keeping detailed accounts of events.  Recorders are keepers of history and current events.  They have amazing memories and are very detail oriented.  Recorders are found in all fields of work, but anything done apart from keeping their records is often secondary.

*****

Chapter 9

Oz entered the stateroom to the sight of his two lovers intertwined and peacefully asleep on the bed.  From the positioning, he knew that Cay and Amrynn were still physically bonded.  A wave of warm arousal and loving fondness rolled through him.  He loved to sleep with either of them in such a way, despite the soreness it could cause, because the intimacy of it made him feel like nothing could be wrong when they were so closely tied. 

With his eyes repeatedly straying to them, Oz set his bundler down quietly and moved to the kitchenette.  The three of them usually ate together in the dining area, but he didn’t want any of them to have to leave their room again that evening.  He got out the makings for a simple meal and hummed quietly to himself as he mixed some kasha and moya together, briefly steamed them, and then set them in a pot of risso to slowly cook for a while.

With the food on the cooker, he moved quietly to the bed and his partners.  Amrynn’s face was more easily accessible to him and he leaned over enough to lightly kiss her lips.  The pressure was just enough to have her sleepily blink her eyes open.

“Oz?”

Oz smiled gently at her.  “Wake up, dearling.  You’ll never sleep tonight if you stay in bed now.”  His gaze drifted to Cayson who moaned groggily when Am started to move.  “You too, Cay-Cay.  Wake up.”

Cayson yawned and stretched as Amrynn sat up.  When his eyes opened he tried to throw a convincing glower at Ozias.  “What’s the deal?  I haven’t been ‘Cay-Cay’ since I was seven.”

Oz rolled his eyes.  “Not true.  I called you ‘Cay-Cay’ the first time I loved on you and I’ll say it when it fancies me.”

Cayson’s expressive face showed a spark of humor and his tone turned teasing.  “So if it fancies me to call you ‘Ozzer’, I can say it whenever I want?”

“Of course,” Oz agreed with deceptive casualness, “Anytime it fancies you to call me that, you can; just remember that hearing that name makes me fancy giving you a red bottom.”

Amrynn chuckled over their dialogue and moved to kiss Oz’s cheek.  He turned his head to catch her mouth instead, but she didn’t mind.  She kissed him back and pressed her body against his, not caring that she was unclothed.  A moment later Cayson’s equally naked form was at Oz’s other side and the two men shared a kiss of welcome and intimacy.  Oz had an arm around each partner and his hands caressed smooth skin. 

Cayson dropped his mouth to Oz’s throat and nuzzled the sensitive skin.  “I’d say ‘Take us to bed’, except you just dragged us out of it, and at the moment my stomach is demanding as much attention as some other bits of me.  What smells so good?” he asked.

Oz tightened his grip on both husband and wife for a moment before dropping his hands to lightly pat each naked backside.  “Pottage,” he answered Cay.  “And it’s still cooking.  Ten more minutes, so the two of you better get dressed before I do choose to ravish you and end up burning our food.”

The three pulled apart reluctantly, although Oz enjoyed the sight of his lovers slowly dressing while he finished putting the meal together.  They came to the table as one and helped themselves to Oz’s blend of vegetables and brown risso while Amrynn started throwing questions to Cay about the return of Seren’s team. 

“There was no evidence of infection or illness,” Cay explained happily.  “Although everyone was clearly worn.  I hope those who went can get some sleep before the rest of the Travelers start demanding to know details.”

“They will,” Oz stated with assurance.  “Have you read your transmissions?”  Both partners shook their heads with a blush rising to their cheeks.  Oz grinned at the sight.  “I take it you were…busy.”  He chuckled as their blushes increased.  “Pilot Sabik sent out a shipwide transmission.  It was very polite, but the tone of it basically said ‘The team is back safely.  Don’t bother them.  There will be a meeting tomorrow’.”

All three chuckled at Oz’s explanation of the transmission. 

“Well, I hope the meeting is sooner rather than later,” Amrynn declared.  “Some Travelers are getting more than a little anxious to disembark.”  She looked Oz in the face.  “How was Corbin today?”

Oz sighed and swallowed a mouthful of food.  “Unpleasant,” he said with honesty.  “I know why he was chosen for this mission.  His aptitude in construction is beyond admirable.  He’s inventive and resourceful, as well as creative, and when he’s of a mind to put those things to good use, he’s very helpful in the Ag unit.”

“But?” Cay pushed.

“But…he’s juvenile.  He reminds me of the way we behaved when we were twelve or so.  You know what I mean?”

Both Cay and Amrynn clearly wanted to know, but they shook their heads.  Oz tried to explain himself better and silently wished the conversation had gone a different way so he could listen instead of talk.

“At that age, we were excitable, full of energy, and more than a little self-absorbed,” he stated.  “But as we grew up, we learned how to rein things in when necessary, and what it meant to look out for others as well as ourselves.  With Corbin, he hasn’t quite grown to that point yet.  He’s argumentative and sulky more often than not.  Although, I think being stuck in the ship and not able to use his talents fully until we’re on Neveah is part of the problem.  He doesn’t know what to do with himself, and he resents taking orders from someone not in his primary talent pool.”

“But he would have known from the start that he’d be assigned a different station on board ship than what he’ll be doing on Neveah.  Those gifted in construction all received different assignments for this period,” Am stated.

“And not just them,” Cayson pointed out.  “Those trained in security and defense have done their specialty only in very limited ways here on ship.  They’ve helped in the medical areas and purification and such instead.  It won’t be till we’re on Neveah that they’ll be put to more use setting up boundaries and enforcing safety regulations that Charge Seren initiates.  There are also the science and biology teams, the recorders, even the primary nutritionists who have had to settle into alternate roles until we’re on land again.”

Oz nodded.  “I know, and so does Corbin.”  He shrugged.  “But just because you know it in your head doesn’t mean that it will reflect in your actions.  Head knowledge has to be understood and accepted as correct before outward actions show your belief in that knowledge.”

“So ultimately Corbin either doesn’t understand or doesn’t accept your authority over him?” Cay asked, and his tone of voice said he didn’t like Corbin much if that was the case.

“I can’t say what’s going on in his mind,” Oz pacified.  “But his words and actions do tend show more rebellion than acceptance.”

“Seren told you to let him know if Corbin became a problem,” Amrynn reminded.

“He’s still manageable,” Oz determined.

“Well, manageable or not,” Cay butted in, “his name is going to be brought up to Charge Seren.  Pilot Sabik told him that some of the Travelers had argued her authority over not being let off the ship.  Seren wanted the names of those who disputed with her, and Corbin was among them.  From the look on Charge Seren’s face, I’m sure they’ll all get a good dressing down.”

“It could be just what he needs,” Oz determined.  “But enough about Corbin.  I’d rather know what led me to walk in on you two looking so cozy.”

        It was a deliberate change of topic and the conversation moved quickly into familiar and intimate exchanges among the three.