WIP Wednesday – First Mataras: Michaela

 Behind Jessica was a familiar face, looking at him under a cap of short hair.  Korkla blinked at the beautiful young man that looked like Michaela’s twin for a second before he realized he was looking at Michaela herself.  Michaela as her male aspect. 
Her black curls were tied back tight in a ponytail that just reached the nape of her neck.  The dark blue shirt showed no signs of round feminine swells and accentuated the width of her shoulders, shoulders much broader than Jessica’s.  The shirt draped down past the hips of her black trousers, masking the rounded hips he noted the night before.  Polished black boots completed the costume that rendered Michaela completely masculine.
Masculine and beautiful.  Korkla’s heart thudded hard as he looked at the rounded boy’s face of the Earther he wanted to clan more than ever.  By the ancestors, Michaela was stunning whichever persona she chose.  
Somehow, he recovered his senses enough to bow, with Govi and Raxstad following suit.  “Good day, Michaela.”
Korkla was surprised his voice came out gentle rather than rough.  The Earther simply knocked the wind out of him each time he saw her.  He thought she looked at him with desire too, though he detected fear in her expression as well.  Her eyes were wide and dark, and she seemed to be breathing quickly.
Her tone was husky, as if with emotion.  “Hi Korkla.  Govi, Raxstad.”
He reached forward and took her hand, tugging her a little closer to his clan.  “You are as handsome a man as you are a beautiful woman,” he said, letting her hear the feeling in his voice.
“Thank you.”
Michaela took another step towards them on her own.  She wore a dazed look on her face.  Was she that surprised they hadn’t rejected her in her male guise?
Pretending his heart wasn’t racing a million miles a minute, Korkla said casually, “Israla’s garden is in bloom and quite beautiful.  Would you like to come with us for a walk?”
“Okay.  See you later, Jessica.”
Michaela came with them so readily that Korkla was newly surprised.  He saw Govi’s raised brows and knew his psychologist clanmate was just as stunned by the Earther’s lack of reluctance.  
Bevau hadn’t been kidding when he’d shared the information Earther women liked flowers.  A garden full had apparently been all it took to tempt Michaela out of her fears. 
Tentative release scheduled for June.