Broken Boundaries Ch. 03-04

Tiness's ears twitched a little. 'It wasn't that bad.'

He grinned. 'Oh? I thought I saw your eras flicker and your tail sway each time I finished frying a batch, and figured you were eager to try some.'

She looked away in embarrassment. 'I though humans couldn't read our body language.'

He laughed once. 'I don't mean to be rude, but I grew up around cats and I learned a thing or two from them.'

Asitha raised an eyebrow. 'You're saying we're just like your domestic house pets?'

He held up his hands. 'Of course not, but since humans have no tail and can't move their ears you have more ways to express yourselves and I noticed it sooner.'

She nodded and chuckled. 'Good answer. You're off the hook.' she said with a mischievous smile and took one of the empty plates. 'Now to find out if what you made is good.'

Alain watched bemusedly as the girls sampled the food and stacked more on their plates while their ears twitched left and right and their tails quivered at every bite. He had to admit he was happy to eat some real cooked food instead of heated up ready made meals, and didn't hold back either.

Tiness explained to Asitha what they'd done with their own bland food while they ate, with some clarifications from Alain, and they discussed food and ate and drank it until all three were stuffed and slumped back into the soft couch.

Asitha puffed. 'That was good.' she said and put her hands on her full belly.

'I don't think I ever ate so much because it tastes so good.' said Tiness.

'No wonder I heard so many humans are fat.'

Alain chuckled. 'Yeah, eating is a favourite pastime and a great comforter.'

'It seems so are movies and series.' said Asitha. 'You have so many here.'

'And that's only a rather small portion of what's available because I look for quality in the first place.' Alain said. 'Although I do have plenty of dumb and simply fun ones. Did you find something interesting?'

Asitha went over the list in her mind while staring at the blank screen. 'There's a lot that caught my interest but I'd have to watch to know for sure if I like it or not.' she said and looked at him. 'While I looked up more information on the genres I noticed you only have a few of the superhero genre.'

Alain nodded. 'I think only a few of the characters are really interesting but I have to admit a few of the movies I have are because I like to watch the female character.' He chuckled. 'I'd rather watch women than men anyway. Men are just ugly.

Asitha laughed and Tiness chuckled. 'You have a specific taste.'

He shrugged. 'My taste is in cute, and men don't fall into that category in my eyes.' he said and took his cup. 'For that kind of thinking you'll have to speak to most human women.'

'Unless they send you a woman to work with, I doubt we'll ever get to speak to one.' Asitha chuckled and looked at the screen. 'Oh, there was one that seemed more different from most.' She picked up the remote and scrolled through the categories until she found it and pressed play.

Alain smiled at the familiar sound of a squeaking wind vane and crickets chirping under the blazing sun. 'This is indeed one of my very favourite classics.' he said while four cowboys walked into a remote train station.

Asitha looked at him. 'Can we watch this?'

'Of course. It'll give us time to digest in relaxation.' he said and leaned back his head while enjoying the pleasant atmosphere and the company of the two girls fixated on the screen.

The sudden loud whistle of a steam train startled them and Tiness spilled her drink on her coverall. 'Shaz!'

Asitha sniggered. 'You're on laundry duty now.'

Tiness plucked at her front. 'I have to go back, otherwise I'll smell the whole time.'

'If it's all right with you, you can borrow a shirt from me.' Alain said and gestured at the crew pod. 'I have a few big ones that will probably fit.'

'You don't have to.'

He stood up. 'Don't worry.' he said but then realised something. 'Unless you don't like the idea of wearing shirts, or human clothing.'

'No! Thanks you!' Tiness said and shook her head. 'I'll be glad I won't have to go back and forth and miss out.'

He smiled. 'Follow me then.'

She followed him to his personal quarters and opened the wall closet. 'Pick out what you like.' he said when he pulled out a stack of t-shirts and put it on his bed. 'I'm afraid this is the only thing you'll fit in.'

She shook her head again. 'I'm glad for your offer.'

'Take your time.' he said and stepped out.

Tiness examined the t-shirts in various colours and sporting different prints of text and images, and settled on a short sleeved black one with the white outline of a mountain range printed on it. She looked at herself in the small swivel mirror on the wall. 'Good.' she said when the t-shirt was long enough to reach her thighs, and chuckled at the image of her wearing Alain's clothing, then blushed as she realised his scent had enveloped her. She and Asitha had clearly smelled his scent in the cramped space of the pod but being wrapped in it was something other than it just hanging in the air. She sighed and tried not to think about how long it had been since she'd been embraced by a man, even if it was just for comfort. She folded up the rest of the t-shirts and placed the stack back in the closet.

'Oh, nice choice.' Alain said when she returned to the big pod. 'The black and white creates a good contrast with your pretty white fur.'

Asitha nodded. 'Almost like the clothing we wear at home.'

Tiness blushed again and quickly sat down on the couch and took her cup to sip the soothing liquor.

'You wear shirts usually?' Alain asked.

'A garment a little longer than this and with wider sleeves or none at all. It's the most practical clothing to wear for us.'

'With your tails and all, right?'

'Yes.'

He glanced at Tiness's shapely white legs and her tail wrapped around her feet. 'I guess the space suits and the tight coveralls you're wearing are uncomfortable then.'

Asitha nodded. 'We keep our tails usually in one of our suit's legs and it's frustrating when we can't move it freely for a long time.'

Alain gestured towards his quarters. 'Do you want a shirt too?'

Asitha looked at Tiness and fiddled with her cup. She did think it would be a lot more comfortable, but to act so carefree in front of a human felt embarrassing to her. 'I don't know..'

'Have a look with Tiness, if you don't want to you don't have to.' Alain said. 'I can imagine it feels weird to do that here with a human around.' He began collecting the dirty dishes from the table. 'I'll put these in the dishwasher in the meantime.'

Asitha looked at Tiness, and she took her hand. 'I think I already know which one will look good on you.' she said, and pulled Asitha along when she stood up, and headed towards Alain's quarters.

Asitha looked at the vaguely blue and grey striped t-shirt. 'It does look nice, but I don't know if I can wear it.'

Tiness hung the t-shirt from Asitha's shoulders. 'Give it a try at least. I'm kind of glad for the drink accident, you know? Any time I can stay out of our restricting work clothing I'm thankful for.' She stepped through the doorway. 'Don take too long.'

Asitha sighed. She would feel more comfortable after changing but she couldn't stop the wariness she felt in a strange environment. She took a deep breath. "It's just that I need to get used hanging around with a human." she thought. "That's all."

When she returned to the pod, Tiness and Alain gave her an approving smile. 'That looks very good on you.' said Alain. 'Certainly better than on me.'

'Told you.' said Tiness.

Asitha blushed but her ears stood up more. 'Enough with the clothing for now, I want to drink and watch the movie.'

Alain picked up the bottle. 'Sit down and we'll continue the show.' he said and topped off their cups.'

***

'Sleep well.'

'You too.' said Tiness to Asitha after they returned to their own crew pod. The fun time they had at Alain's pod had given her a bit of energy despite eating and drinking so much that she felt like toppling over. She giggled as she pulled Alain's t-shirt over her head but stopped for a moment to smell his scent once more. She didn't know if all humans smelled like this but his was comforting to her. She took off the t-shirt completely and held it against her chest, glad she convinced him that they would wash it before returning it to him. She tumbled into her bed and closed her eyes.

Asitha held the t-shirt she had worn in front of her and looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled slightly. 'The colours do look good.' she said softly and hung it on one of the hooks next to the mirror. When she stepped back her smile vanished at the sight of her bare reflection. She averted her eyes and crawled into bed.

Alain chuckled as he lay in bed and the thought of laying his head on those two furry laps vied for his attention again. 'They'll say I'm crazy.' he said to himself and turned off the bed light to enjoy the space on the large bed.

***

'Alain?'

Alain stopped unscrewing a control box for a moment when the call came in through the shared communication channel. 'Tiness?'

'Yes, can I ask a question? If you have time.'

Alain smiled a little. 'Sure, no problem.'

Tiness was glad and the nervousness of initiating the call faded slowly. 'Can we come later to borrow kitchen? We decided on meal schedule and like to prepare everything for period.'

Alain was glad to hear they took him up on the offer he had made. 'Fine by me. Any particular things you like? I'll pick it up from the storage here on my way back.'

Tiness felt a little guilty about asking him for ingredients. 'Ehmm, just simple pork and chicken, and carrots.'

Alain chuckled. 'No need to hold back. Just ask what's on your mind. We're trading after all.'

'But is unfair trading because your food so much tastier than ours!'

Alain laughed. 'Don't worry about that. I can spice it up nicely and it's still nutritious, so it's no loss. And I get pleasant company over for a while on top of that, so how about some beef and that sweet bean paste that you loved?'

Tiness remembered the taste and her stomach voted in favour to ask him for it. 'Yes, please.'

'Then salty potatoes too, please.' asked Asitha.

Alain chuckled at her sudden request. 'All right.' Alain said. 'I've stocked up the storage closet in the pod so have a look through it when you're there.'

'Thank you.' came from both girls.

'You're welcome.' he said. 'You're working right now?'

Tiness glanced at red coloured barrels left and right of her. 'Yes. But in storage they didn't empty, and it full of exploding fuel.'

'Alone!?'

'Yes, Asitha at back of Amaroth for special order. We not know this fuel here but need part for sending.'

'Just be careful, okay?'

Tiness smiled a little. 'Yes.' she said. 'I think I asked you question to take mind away from being here.'

Alain chuckled. 'I'm glad I could help.' he said and thought about how easier it was to communicate with them face to face when they could use the translating software and gestures. 'I'm not good at small talk but as long as it'll distract you I'll try.'

Tiness chuckled and began cutting wires. 'What you normally talk about?'

Alain pondered for a moment. 'I guess work related things, technical stuff, my favourite genres of media. How about you?'

'I not talk much. Often just listen to others talking about life, or when alone I watch media to learn new things.'

'Oh, so you like to learn? I'm always curious about new-' Alain said when a sharp bang and a crash sounded from Tiness's side. 'Tiness!?'

'Tiness!?' Asitha called out. 'Deja Bodu!? Tiness!?''

Static was the only reply. and Alain dropped his tools. 'Asitha, where was she working!?'

'Close to front!'

He pushed himself hard out of the short corridor he was working in. 'I know a place where I can cross over into the Amaroth! It's halfway from the centre to my right, where do I go from there!?'

'But you forbidden to come on Amaroth!'

Alain jumped against wall bracing to speed up through another corridor leading towards the breach. 'Screw that! Tiness might be hurt or worse! Where do I find her!?'

Asitha jumped from her spot towards the doorway from the compartment she worked in. 'Go further into ship and go to side at main passage, tell me number on wall when you there!'

Alain saw the open red door to the storage after entering the corridor Asitha had guided him to. 'Tiness!?' he called out again when he bounced through the doorway.

Tiness looked at the human entering and her eyes went wide. 'Alain!? Why you here!?'

He spotted Tiness, the backpack of her suit stuck on a rack and her holding tight onto her lower arm with her other hand. 'Tiness!? Are you okay!?' He pushed himself towards her and noted the gash in her suit that she held closed and the crack on her arm display. He gave her a thumbs up and was relieved to see her give one in return.

'Tiness okay!?' asked Asitha.

'Tiness seems fine but her suit is torn and her communicator is damaged.' Alain said. 'Her backpack is stuck somewhere but I'll seal her suit first.'

'Good. I'm glad.' Asitha said and relaxed a little as she floated quickly through a small hall towards the front.

He pulled out a roll of grey tape from the storage bag at his front, tore off a piece, and put it over the tear in Tiness's suit while she slowly pulled her fingers away.

She let out a deep breath when her suit was temporarily sealed again. She turned on her helmet light and gave Alain a grateful smile. 'Thank you.'

He turned on his light to return a relieved smile, and examined her back to see where it was stuck. A sign attached to the rack had wedged itself between the pack and her suite but he freed her with some wriggling and pushing against her pack. 'She's free now.' he said to Asitha. 'I'll go with her to your pod.'

'Thank you.' Asitha said. 'I meet you there.'

***

'Luckily only your suit was torn and you didn't get hurt.' Asitha said as she looked at the torn arm, and smiled at Alain. 'I'm glad you had that tape with you.'

'I always carry it with me in case of an emergency.' he said. 'You never know when an accident can happen, especially with the damaged structure we have to work in.'

Tiness smiled softly at him. 'Thank you for rescuing me.'

He chuckled. 'You're welcome, but Asitha would have rescued you anyway.'

She put her hands on his. 'But you still broke the agreement to come for me.'

He blushed a little at her adoring eyes. 'Yeah, I didn't know if you were in a life threatening situation or not. Some things are more important than a political disagreement.'

Asitha sat back in her seat. 'I can't wait to find out how much trouble we'll get into.'

'I'll take the blame.' said Alain. 'It was me who entered the Amaroth.'

'But they'll want to know why you knew she was in danger.'

He pondered for a moment. 'Just say I was curious and happened to be there at the right time and place.'

'No!' said Tiness. 'I'll take the blame!'

Alain smiled at her. 'You didn't do anything wrong though.'

'Still.' she said and pouted.

Alain chuckled at her cute face, then looked at Asitha. 'Hang on, did you actually get an alarm when I crossed over?'

Asitha's eyes grew large when she realised she had not. 'I didn't.' she said and took the tablet from the side of the table. She typed on it and stared at it. 'The system didn't detect you.'

Alain raised his eyebrow. 'Is it broken?'

Asitha typed some more and shook her head. 'It's working fine.'

Alain hummed. 'How does it detect humans in the first place?'

'I don't know.' said Asitha. 'Some difference between us.'

Alain looked sideways at Tiness's suit draped over the free seat. 'I doubt it's movement, and it's hard to detect differences between us when we're inside our suits. There's no way to see or hear us.'

Asitha nodded and Alain gazed at her. 'Ah! Hearing! The system probably listens for radio communication, but because I talked to you on a shared channel it didn't register as a human specific communication.'

Asitha pondered it. 'That sounds plausible.' she said. 'I wouldn't be surprised it was that simple, they didn't want to spend much money on this recovery project.'

Alain folded his arms and nodded. 'Yeah, it's mostly a political stunt on our side as well. Something to distract the people with and look good for their political prowess.'

Tiness leaned on the table. 'But we're stuck here in the middle.'

Alain grinned. 'All the more reason to take what we can get and make the best of our time here.'

Asitha stood up and returned with a bottle and cups. 'I think we'll go with your suggestion and take things more easily. from now on. Tiness and I will work no more than a short distance from each other, I don't want to see another accident.'

Alain nodded. 'Good.'

She poured the drinks and looked at Alain. 'Also, I'd like to suggest we use our shared channel by default. I don't want to find out you've had an accident when we could have helped.'

He smiled a little. 'Thank you.'

Tiness smiled at him. 'I owe you one but don't make me pay back in the same matter.'

He chuckled. 'I'll try not to. I'd rather drink after a peaceful day.' he said and they toasted to that.

***

Tiness looked at the containers in Alain's storage closet. 'What would he like?'

Asitha moved up behind her. 'Thinking what to give your hero as a reward?'

Tiness giggled. 'I just want to show my gratitude and do something for him in return.'

Asitha chuckled. 'At least he's not like the usual hero in our home world stories and expects you to give your body to him.'

The image of Alain taking her for pleasures of the flesh popped up in her mind. 'He wouldn't!' she said and turned to Asitha. 'Or would he!? He knows a few things about Silth so maybe he thinks that's normal for us!?' She looked away. 'No, he isn't like that. Humans are different and he wouldn't expect that. He wouldn't even want to with me.'

Asitha chuckled. 'I was just teasing.' she said and smiled a little mischievously. 'But I'm not so sure he would turn you down when you offer. Why would he?'

Tiness took a container from the closet and stared at the label without reading it. 'I'm..' she said and imagined his reaction to her if he'd see her completely in the fur, then took more containers.'He would. He just would.' She placed the containers on the counter. 'He would pick you for sure if you offered yourself.'

Asitha's smile vanished. 'No, he wouldn't.'

Tiness turned around. 'He said you looked good.'

Asitha blushed. 'He also said you have pretty fur!'

Tiness blushed a little at the memory of his compliment. Asitha opened the containers and began cutting the meat. 'It's silly anyway, humans and us are too different and he said he prefers to look at women.'

Tiness nodded and cut the vegetables. 'Yes.'

***

Alain hoped the girls were comfortable being alone in his pod after he'd left them there to pick up the food they had asked for earlier. Despite knowing he had nothing embarrassing to hide like naughty photos or movies or dirty laundry laying about, he still felt a little nervous about what they might think of him and his place when he entered the airlock of his pod.

When he stepped into the large pod the sight of the two girls in their casual long Silth garments lifted his heart. Their shirts reached down to halfway their thighs and the word sexy lit up in his mind. "Idiot." he thought but he still took in the view of the feline creatures at the kitchen corner.

They looked back at him and he thought he noticed a little hesitation in their greeting. 'We already begun.' said Asitha. 'This time it's our turn to make something for you as well, so you can take it easy.'