Ari visited every day that week. This may have been overkill, she thought, to make friends with a creature she would never see again and who she could never talk about. Nonetheless, she kept coming back. Nell was pleasant, playful company, and a welcome respite from the uptight and pretentious Fourth Division.
Seeing Oruu from Nell's curious eyes brightened her view. It was no longer just a specimen to be documented, it was a planet with vivacious personality and endless miracles to uncover and nurture. Nell taught her about the complex reproduction of a butterfly-like creature, and many other different biological phenomena of the planet. They showed Ari plants and explained their life cycles. With something that Ari could only explain as
magic
, Nell touched the lenses of her glasses so they could zoom in at 1000x, and she saw the tiny cells on the plants in a vibrant pink hue.
Nell loved Ari's glasses. They called them "other-eyes", despite knowing their proper name, and tried them on almost every time they saw Ari, scrunching up their nose and blinking repeatedly every time.
One week after they had met, Nell told Ari they were going to take her somewhere special. "This," Nell announced, "Is one of my
favorite
places on this planet. It's very special to me, and I debated whether or not to show you. But, you, I believe, are my friend. And it has been a long, long time since I have had a friend. And I am excited to show it to you. I think you'll like it."
Nell grabbed Ari's hand and they raced through the jungle, leaping over rocks, splashing through streams, getting tangled in vines. At last, they reached a clearing. In the clearing was a circle of plants, and in the circle was a small tree. The tree held fruits that looked like pale pink water droplets, glistening and round. It was beautiful.
"When you first met me," Nell said, "You asked me about the corm lily. That plant no longer exists, it is one of the few that I have not been able to revive, but this plant is its second cousin. They say its fruit--well, you'll find out!" Nell winked.
Ari tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach that launched when Nell winked at her, and instead pondered if plants could have second cousins. She determined that, on this somewhat-magical-but-probably-just-unexplained-science planet, that anything was possible. She looked at the tree.
Its fruits caught the moonlight in such a way that they refracted small beams onto the mossy floor. A slight breeze rustled through the clearing, and the beams swayed with the wind. Ari smiled. She could tell why this was one of Nell's favorite places. It had the aura of both magic and tender care, and the circular arrangement brought subtle grandeur to the tree in the middle. For a brief moment, she wondered if she should be concerned about consuming a fruit with unknown properties, but then decided to trust Nell.
She stepped forward and reached her hand out to pluck a fruit, and Nell hissed, making her jump.
"Sorry! I did not mean to startle you! Just...this is my plant and no one has ever touched it before."
Ari lowered her hand. "Would you like to do the honors?"
Nell nodded. "And, maybe you could sit down? And close your eyes?"
The butterflies arrived with another touch of concern, but Ari obeyed, sitting cross legged on the ground a few paces from the tree.
A moment passed, and there was a soft voice by her ear. "I have a fruit for you! I think you'll like it."
Something cool touched Ari's lips, and she opened her mouth. Nell deposited one of the fruits, their fingers lingering on the edge of Ari's bottom lip before leaving. The fruit was small, about the size of a coin, and very smooth. Ari probed it gently with her tongue and it burst, coating her mouth with a sweet, tingly syrup. It was refreshing and delicious. She sighed, and heard a mischievous giggle.
Ari opened one eye and almost screamed. She was hovering just above the treetops, looking down into the clearing. Nell floated next to her, grinning.
"Isn't it great!? The effects only last about fourteen minutes, don't worry. But
look
at the
forest
!"
Ari looked. The forest was glistening. Silvervines reflected the moonlight and lantern birds darted in and out of the canopies. It looked endless in the dim light, and the stars stretched forever above.
Nell twirled midair. "Now you see why it is one of my
favorites
!"
Ari grinned right back. "This! Is! Amazing!"
After the fruit's effects wore off, they lay in the clearing, looking at the stars. Nell pointed out some of their constellations, and Ari shared the names and legends she had grown up with. Several constellations later, Ari was mid-legend when she could sense Nell's eyes on her face. She quieted, turning towards Nell.
"Are you looking at me, instead of the Great Knight Constinoble the Dragonslayer?" Ari asked, eyebrows raising.
Nell's skin, all of it, turned pink.
Ari gasped. "Don't tell me that's what happens when you blush! Do it again!"
Nell turned a deeper shade of pink, but said, "You, Ari, are much more beautiful than Great Knight Constinoble the Dragonslayer."
It was Ari's turn to be flustered. Nell was the beautiful, literally otherworldly creature sitting next to her. She was just the sweaty human scientist. And plus, despite whatever dreams she
may have had, they were friends. She didn't want to ruin that.
Nell touched a hand to her cheek, softly. "Seriously, Ari. You are breathtaking! I am so glad I got to experience this evening with you. But, it is getting late, or rather early, so you should return to your camp."
Ari started to protest, but Nell cut her off. "It is in my best interest to make sure you are still sleeping and working on your normal schedule. Don't worry, you can see me tomorrow."
--
That night, or rather morning, Ari dreamed of those hands caressing her cheeks again. In her dream, though, they didn't stop cordially on her chin. They wandered down tenderly over her breasts, along her side. Soft breath and lips followed, warming her nipples with kisses. More fervent touching followed, with hands eagerly seeking the wet spot between her legs...
--
Weeks passed, and Nell showed Ari so many beautiful hidden places: an overlook of the valley, perfect for watching the moons rise; a small cave behind another waterfall that sounded of bells; an old, wrinkly tree with roots that danced if you touched its leaves right. Ari was breathless.
One evening, Ari came back early and heard Nell singing again from a distance. She slowed, peeking through the branches as Nell bathed. Their body glimmered, water droplets clinging to their skin like jewels. Mist from the waterfall swirled in the air, and Ari closed her eyes, daydreaming about reaching out and touching that supple skin.
When she opened her eyes, Nell was standing right in front of her.
"Boo!" They yelled, flicking a handful of water in Ari's face. "You dare try to sneak up on Neléyashavarisyā,
twice
?! Little scientist, now I'm really going to have to eat you!"
Nell wrapped Ari in a bear hug, and heaved them both into the pool. Ari came up spluttering, Nell laughing.
"Don't worry, Ari. I won't eat you. Unless, of course," Nell looked at her dead serious, "You want me to."
Ari laughed, splashing water in Nell's direction. "You are so chaotic, do you know that?"
"I pride myself on a little bit of chaos. And that is why, even though you
spied
on me
again
, I still want to take you to another new spot. But first--!" Nell launched themselves at Ari, splashing wildly.
Ari swam away playfully, mirroring her opponents splashes. They shrieked and laughed, chasing one another until they were out of breath. After, they lay in the grass along the pond. Nell was propped up on her elbow, gazing at Ari, who was pretending not to notice.
"Little scientist," they said. "I have said I will not eat you. But, in this moment, I would like to
kiss
you."
Ari's eyes widened. Without thinking, she nodded fervently.
Nell grinned. "Excellent." They rolled over, and stood up. "Let's go to the new spot!"
"Wait, what!? You're just going to tell me that and then get up!?"
"You must really have been wanting a kiss, little scientist! Do not worry, there's
plenty
of time for me to kiss you later. C'mon!"
"What?!"
"C'mon!"
Ari raced after Nell in the forest, frustrated but curious and amused at the same time. After a while, they stopped in front of a cliff.
"What a nice cliff. Can I kiss you
now
?"
Nell laughed. "It is not just a cliff, silly. One moment." They pressed their hands to a tangle of roots, and a thin passageway opened between the rocks. "Come!"
Ari followed Nell through the dark tunnel, her eyes slowly adjusting as they spilled out into a cavern. It was even steamier inside the cave than it was in the jungle, if that was even possible. Her glasses fogged up immediately and she squinted.
"Welcome to Silipaala! The most exclusive natural springs in all of Oruu! Just kidding. I'm the only one here." Nell turned around, gesturing at the cavern for Ari to see. "Oh, my gods, is that what your other-eyes do in the steam? That is amazing! That is the cutest thing I have
ever
seen!"
Ari blushed, "I guess so! I don't often encounter world-famous natural springs. They fog up all the time when I leave my tent though."
Nell started down the steps leading towards the pools, repeating, "So cute!" every time they looked back at Ari to make sure she was following.
"Okay, so, the first bath is warm. And then we do the