Page 12 of Riv's Sanctuary

“Hey, do you know anything about the mines?”

Geblit’s eyes flicked to her for a second. “The mines are a very bad place run by very bad and powerful beings. You go there if you want to work and die.” He tilted his head a little. “You wish to go to the mines?”

“No!” Lauren cleared her throat. “No, I was just wondering. But there should be a place I can go that’s not the zoo or the market, right?”

“Not possible. You must be returned.”

Lauren swallowed hard.

She had to think of something else.

“What about if I pay you back what you paid for me?”

Geblit paused at that. “You have credits?”

Lauren shifted in the box.

“I could work for you. Buy my freedom.”

Geblit was already shaking his head.

“No. You must leave. My Cargga will not tolerate you in our dwelling.”

With that, he hopped into the hovercar, his two scrawny legs settling his haunches unto the seat. As soon as he settled, he spun her box around, his eyes narrowing as he looked for something on the box itself.

Lauren sighed, anxiety growing as she tried to think of something else.

"You know, I don't need to be carried around in a box. I can walk just fine,” she spoke absentmindedly, her mind on a way to get out of this jam.

"It is what the zookeeper advised. I know nothing about your species. I have to take precautions. I do not want to touch you when it's not necessary."

She would have been burned by that if he wasn't an alien and one that looked like a cockroach had sex with an octopus.

Or would it be the other way around…an octopus having sex with a cockroach? It would be the larger of the two, hence it stood to think that it would be doing the sexing.

The big balloon thing at the back of Geblit’s head pulsed as he scrutinized the box.

Then it came to her.

"You don't want to touch me yet you were planning to add me to your mating?" She almost choked and vomited on the word.

"Hush!" Geblit's four eyes darted to his neighbors’ houses. "You were a present for my female. I will do anything to please my Cargga." Four eyes regarded her.

“Even though you are hideous, I would have kept you. The exchange is a horrid place for a female of any species, Torian or creature.”

Lauren surveyed him. "Hmm, I’m not a creature but I’ll take it. How...considerate of you."

"I am considerate. Yes," Geblit replied, turning his eyes to the box once more.

Lauren almost rolled her eyes at his arrogance.

But at least he was seeking to please his wife’s wishes. She guessed that meant he was nicer than most aliens were.

“I should have known my dear Cargga would never accept you. I should have taken into consideration the fact that you are hideous beyond belief."

She took it back.

He was not a nice alien.