Starfish

12.2

He's looking, he's looking! Nina made sure to add just a little more wiggle to her walk - not enough to throw her off-balance in these heels, but enough to exaggerate the shift in her stride, the swing of her hips. I can feel him staring at my ass. She turned and gave him a look. She saw just in time how his eyes flicked up. He's definitely looking. And I think he's liking. Oh, this is more fun than I thought! Go ahead, big guy, get a good look. Nina enjoyed herself. How long had it been since she'd had this much attention? Doctor O'Connell this morning didn't count, she hadn't planned on running into him today. No, I wanted Ardus to look at me. And he is, and it feels pretty damn good. She pushed her hair back over her shoulder as they turned into the corridor that led to the specimen lab.

"Have you done something to your hair?" Ardus asked, drawing up beside her.

"Hmm? Oh, yes, I curled it." Apparently Ardus didn't understand what she'd meant, for his nose-bridge wrinkled and his hairless brows drew down. Nina explained, "I manipulated its structure with heat. Specifically, I applied heat with a warm metal cylinder and held it in place for a few seconds while it cooled." He's asking questions!

Understanding broke apart his knotted brows and he nodded. "Interesting. But will it stay like this?"

"Only until I get it wet again. My hair is naturally wavy, I usually straighten it but today I felt like doing something different."

"I have been meaning to ask," Ardus began, "Doctor Yang and Doctor O'Connell have short hair. Are human men unable to grow their hair so long?"

"Anyone can grow their hair out, but it takes a long time and it can be hard to deal with. Most men keep their hair short for convenience, and some women, but there aren't really any rules about how a person keeps their hair."

"I see." He nodded, and they walked on a few more paces. "Thank you for indulging my curiosity, Doctor."

"Any time, I don't mind answering questions." I wonder what else he wants to know. Nina smiled to herself at that thought. She glanced over at him, at his tall body and long legs, his arms hidden under long sleeves. "I'll indulge any curiosity you have." Ardus stumbled. Nina jolted, "Doctor?"

"Fine, I am fine!" Ardus had caught himself on the wall. He continued on as though nothing had happened, but even without his pores Nina could tell by his stiff face that he was embarrassed. Nina glanced back at the wall, where three parallel gouges marred the matte white paint. His claws! What if he had fallen on her? The last thing she needed was another accident, and if a four-hundred-fifty-pound Dreen fell on her that would be the end of her. Flat Nina. She couldn't resist a chuckle. They reached the laboratory far too soon, and when Nina pulled a thick apron over her dress she noted how Doctor Ardus regarded the apron with disdain. Good! I'm going to make you want it, now that I know you like it.

"Doctor Ma'atanoa, you're back!" Meem greeted her with relief, her lemon eyes wide and slightly warped by protective goggles. The smile she gave felt genuine; Nina remembered how the Dreen woman had been warming up to her. "Good morning, Meem! I hope Dean Reda wasn't too hard on you."

Meem seemed unfazed, a blueback clinging to her forearm while she fed it slices of raw meat. "She barely said two words to me. But I've instituted some further precautions for handling skimmers, and Nia tells me she's almost done with a formula that should at least blunt the effects of the toxin." Meem stroked the blueback's head as it swallowed the last of the meat. "You're just in time to feed the worms - you missed it last time." She put the blueback back into the cage with the others lazing about the cage and tree in postprandial stupor. Walking to the worm tanks Meem explained, "The worms are fed via gastric tube - I've trained them to accept tube feedings since it cuts down on the mess."