Blacken by Alandra Rankin (i love reading books txt) 📕

most cases; Rhulle sketching a picture in front of her for better reference.

It was commonly bright on Celisc with two suns, even at night the light never faded fully—Rhulle struggled with seeing details in the dark even with his illuminated stare due to his biology. He could spend days awake due to the time change between two worlds; something Avie figured but now had confirmed. It was a blessing he was a light sleeper in that case…

Avie also learned their monarchy was similar with a king and queen ruling. She learned in that discussion some truxi viewed the harsh labour only as an entry point, but moving up ranks could take years. Instead of that route, truxi gathered in small groups to try and live free, by their own rules—seeing the construction often sentenced out as a punishment, a way to keep them under the royals’ thumb.

The conversation moved onto the topic of gestation periods for women and how childbirth worked for both species, even Rhulle having questions.

“The mother carries the child for a short period, about two months on Celisc, having the fertilized egg spend the rest in incubation with mother and father, eventually hatching.”

“That sounds much easier than what we have to go through. It takes about 9 to 10 months for women to carry around a baby, pushing them out under immense pain or cut open to welcome them into the world.”

“That sounds very painful, why do women keep having children if they know how the process is?”

“Because it’s worth it, two people came together to create life—a gift to pass on. It’s very beautiful in that way.”

“Very interesting, and it is just the child that comes out? No shell?”

She laughed, “Just the baby, the mother has to be the shell.”

Rhulle joined in on the laughter, “What a silly thought.”

“When the baby is born, the date is called a birthday, and we celebrate it every year. Do you have anything similar?”

He thought over his words, “In a way, yes. We all have a celebration of life that happens every cycle of the suns, it is for everyone.”

Enamoured with the difference, she asked, “Tell me more?”

They talk about childhood memories, celebrations shared, and triumphs won, bringing up a few idioms passed along that stuck out alongside them.

“Truxi always had a saying: Exist as a whole or exist not at all. I have heard that phrase drilled in over and over even from such a young age. I have always hated it.”

“We have ‘treat others how you want to be treated’ and it hardly works outside of childhood.”

The pair laughed at their own sayings, enjoying the learning experiences.

“Is that what ran through your mind our first official meeting? Even in the face of danger you had expressed friendliness.”

“I don’t know exactly… But I thought, while my brain was on autopilot, that it was more natural.”

“It was definitely abnormal. I think that is why it took me so long to process it. You made me think, for the first time, differently about a human.”

“I’m glad it was me,” she whispered, eyes locking with his.

“Your eyes…”

Confused as to what he meant, and before she could voice her question, he began playing with her hair, continuing his thought,

“You looked at me the same way, even in the beginning. The look confused me, I could not place it, it made me feel small—unsure. But now, I can see what your eyes expressed; it is adoration. Never have you viewed me as something to be feared, but rather someone to know and learn with. I cannot thank you enough for taking the time, dear Avie.”

A kiss was shared, feeling her heart swell from his honest words. She never knew she expressed such a powerful emotion towards him, all the times she felt curious, enthralled in his mystery, her expression could have changed without her knowledge, having left lingering traces with him.

“I would also like to be sure—I have seen you look at Owen in much the same way. Would you consider the both of us, ahh what was it, dating… exclusively?”

Avie laughed at hearing the term put so formally, before a somber thought held her, “I said goodbye to my friendship with him today. I have no interest in even looking at anyone else.” She smiled looking back up at him, “We are exclusive, Rhulle.”

“Oh, I understand that would be very hard on you. Are you wanting to talk about it?”

“Well, yes and no. I wanted to tell him about my blood test, you too actually, but he was more concerned over proving something. He couldn’t be happy in finding an answer. He isn’t the same person as I knew him, it hurts, absolutely, but it would have hurt more if I kept going with him.”

“That is wise of you. Perhaps he needs some time by himself to think things over. What was it you discovered about your blood?”

“I’m a rarity, the doctor said only a handful of people have the same blood in the whole world. Parts of my blood are completely absent. There are other variations of the type, and I figure, it’s the reason why it affects certain people. It also makes sense that I have the vibrating more intense for that reason, you needed a filtered form of blood, and I have it.”

“Very interesting, can you confirm if others that feel the same vibrations have similar blood?”

“I was going to see if I could find anything out, but it’s the strongest theory I’ve got so far!” Avie spoke with excitement.

Rhulle hugged her tight from where his arms lay on her torso, “Then I am excited for you, my dear, exclusive, Avie!” She giggled, loving the hold and words that came from Rhulle. “And to be clear, you do not celebrate until later in the relationship, when vows are exchanged?”

“Right, there are different levels in a way, until it’s regarded the same as a vovii union for you.”

“Would you like to celebrate a level? There must be something to signify that