Chapter 8 Settling In

An excerpt from The Starlover Series Book 1: Project Earth

“Dave, have you met our next door neighbors? They are the Lutins.”

“They are? You mean Jean Lutin?”

“Yes, and her husband George.”

“Oh, I’ve met Jean. She’s one of the scientists on this project.”

Raelina laughed. “So, you’ve at least met her.”

“Well, yeah, we work together.”

“I know. But what about her husband?”

“Oh, that must be who she sits next to at meals. I wondered if there was something going on with all that flirting they tend to do.”

Raelina laughed again.

“You think we should socialize with them?”

“Yes.”

“Um, okay. You’re better at it than I am. So is my brother.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. When Fred and I were leaving our parents’ house, he suggested we go to the bar to pick up women. We did go and flirt with some women, but we didn’t pick any up. He was definitely better at flirting and socializing with them than I was.”

She smiled. “I’ll be with you. Don’t you worry.”

“Okay.”

“We can talk to them at the evening meal, when you’re more likely ready to relax.”

“Okay.”

“Until then, I wanted to show and ask you something.”

“What?” He followed her.

“That! I thought you humans used water ones. That doesn’t require water.”

He chuckled. “That’s part of the project. Using water for our wastes is wasteful. We don’t need to create blackwater. Grey water is okay because as long as we don’t use anything toxic, we can use it to water plants.”

“Oh!”

“Yeah, and we have to mix some sawdust into it to help keep the smell down and to help it decompose.”

“Okay.”

“We just have to be careful where we dump our wastes to prevent the spread of disease.”

“You have that problem?”

“Unfortunately, we have documented cases of it happening.”

“I see.” She walked to the kitchen. “So, why have this room at all, if we all eat together at regular mealtimes?”

“Good questions. I think it’s a habit to have some sort of kitchen. We don’t have an oven in here. Just one induction burner.” He paused to look around the kitchen. “I suppose we do have them so people can have coffee or tea first thing in the morning. Or at any time of the day.”

“Well, it’s nice to be able to get a glass of water whenever I need it. I don’t have to go very far. Just to the sink.”

“There is always that. At least the water is purified and we have the option of adding minerals to it.”

“You have been thinking of lots of little things.”

“It’s the little things which add up. If we don’t pay attention, they can cause huge problems.”

“Like eating too much in the way of animal and animal products?”

“Yes. We’ve come close to losing some plants because of that. Vanilla and chocolate are now very expensive. We almost lost coffee for the same reason.”

“I see. No wonder my people are upset with humans in general.”

“Can’t say I blame them.”

“Yet, there have always been some, like you, who care enough to do something about it.”

“Did your people appear to those humans?”

“Oh, yes, they did. We’ve always been peaceful. We stayed away from those who would destroy the planet for the sake of money and not care about the consequences to themselves or others.”

“I don’t blame you. They can be hard to get through to.”

“My people have stories about trying to stop those humans without success. The earth nymphs were always killed as a result.”

He grimaced. “I can see why you wouldn’t want to deal with those humans.” He looked at her. “Do you have any other questions about our house?”

“No, not really.”

“It’s not as high tech as many houses are these days, but we don’t really need that much to prove our point.”

“Actually, the high tech would just baffle me. That tablet of yours is enough tech for me to deal with.”

“You never use it.”

“I don’t need it.”

“Hmm. I never thought about it. I’m used to using some kind of computer.”

“We’ve never needed any tech to live our lives.”

“Perhaps you wouldn’t. You can live right in nature so much easier than us humans can.”

“This is true. We love it that we can.”

“But yet you married me and you’re living with me in this house.”

She nodded. “But sometimes I have to go into the ground or else I could die.”

“Oh, okay.”

“You’re remembering when we first came here.”

“Yes. We thought the greenery was acting funny. There was no wind and then you and your people showed up. Formed into humanoid right in front of us.”

“We thought you could handle it. We’ve watched you for quite a long time.”

“How long?”

“Since you first came here.”

“When we started the project?”

“Dr. Asimov and Hal were the first ones here.”

“Yes.”

“Then you and your brother came next.”

“Yes. Then everyone else started to come after that.”

“We didn’t know why any humans would want to come back here when no one’s lived here for at least a century. So, of course we were curious. When we learned why you came, we wanted to work with you. It was our chance to restore the balance back to a healthy planet.”

“We do like this partnership.”

“I know.”

“But with us, it’s also very personal.”

“And good.”

She approached him. Put her arms around his neck. She leaned closer to him and kissed him. It didn’t take long for it to become deeper and more passionate. He picked her up and carried her to their bedroom.

***********************

At the evening meal, Raelina took Dave by the hand and had them sit next to the Lutins. Everyone smiled at each other.

“Hi, Raelina,” said Jean.

“Hi, Jean and George,” answered Raelina.

“Hi, Jean, I didn’t realize you were married,” said Dave.

Jean laughed. “Well, I suppose it’s because I’m so independent people tend to overlook him.”

George smiled. “I’m a writer. I’m documenting the project so that others can read about our adventures and misadventures as they may be.”

Raelina turned to Dave. “He’s been blogging about us. Just about the project and what we’ve done so far.”

“Yes, I have. I hope that’s not a problem.”

Dave shook his head. “No, I know I requested a writer to help document Project Earth, but I didn’t realize it was you. I guess I’m too focused on my part to have noticed the whole picture.”

George shook Dave’s hand. “No worries. My wife got in because she’s a hard core scientist. I’m just a writer. But after we get far enough along, I will compile the blog posts into a book. The royalties will go to support environmentally sound non-profit organizations.”

“Wonderful. I’m glad you’re here. I wouldn’t be able to blog with everything I have going on with this project.”

“And you just got married not that long ago. That’s a real adjustment.” George laughed. “But it’s worth it. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“We’re pretty happy together as well.”

The couples continued to talk throughout the meal. Dave was glad Raelina had suggested it.