The small clearing nearby the springs gave just enough space for their wagon and bedrolls. The twin moons illuminated the night sky. Juliana was always surprised how much brighter Adasion night was. The larger moon looked similar to Earth’s, the smaller moon looked more like an uneven asteroid and was pale sandy pink in color.

  “The waning and waxing lights. These are they who light our skies,” Fionn spoke as they built up the kindling.

  Juliana prepped a pot and chopped herbs that Oynoiz picked up along their trail while Id’rit circled the wagon, checking that every part was not broken.

  Juliana grimaced before tasting the soup. Chunks of awalaw floated on the top. She wasn’t from Louisiana or Florida and couldn’t imagine herself ever eating anything lizard-like. Repeating to herself she said, “it’s like fowl. It’s another protein. You’ve eaten carnivorous plants here. You can do this.”

  Fionn studied her, “Are you really having a difficult time here? I never thought of it, but even our foods must be very exotic to your palette. I could calm you if you’d like.”

  “No, no. I need to do this myself.” She steeled herself and swallowed. An explosion of new but recognizable flavors hit her tongue. The soup was sharp herbal and salty. Chopped portions of young awalaw meat gave the soup a slight savoriness. She took another bite and then another. Soon she was relishing each bite. Oynoiz nodded.

  A full belly later, the Adasions suggested they bathe.

  “And there’s nothing to harm us in the springs? No blood sucking leeches?” Juliana hesitated.

  Oynoiz paled, “Blood sucking—what on earth was on your planet? I heard that animal threats were rare.”

  “Depends on how close to the cities, which continent, and whether or not you’re in the water,” Juliana explained, “We have animals that attack in either fresh or salt water. On some continents we have giant cats that can be dangerous. Or bears.”

  “The translation magic is not doing a good job. They’re comparing the bear to the ruddy beasts in size, but I’m imagining an omnivorous furry animal with claws.”

  “That’s about right.” Sometimes the translation magic transmitted images to express feelings or comparisons. Usually however, the words would be heard as the native speaker. It was usually very helpful except times it was complicated like this.

  Fionn quickly stripped their clothes and leapt into the hot spring. The light jade water slashed upwards and over its smooth rocky sides. They splashed about.

  Id’rit and Oynoiz climbed down after them. Oynoiz groaned, “This feels so good. It’s what I needed. I feel on-alert all the time. I’m guarding three people. It’s how I’ve been trained. I was a scout for Gongre,” they called out, “Juliana, that’s how I knew about you. I saw your pod before it was captured by the Asans. I wish they never found it, but somehow I am glad they did. Now we’re clan.”

  Juliana was flabbergasted. What could she mentally unpack first? The fact that they’d worked for one of the Gongre’s confederate states or that her clan was naked, lounging without any embarrassment or shame. She looked around the wagon and found one of the bolts of fabric. It was a plain white. She took her knife and roughly cut off enough to cover her body. Wrapping it around herself, she stepped towards the springs.

  Id’rit sputtered, “Is that—is that from our material bolt?”

  Juliana reddened, “Get over it. I’m not bathing naked in front of you.”

  “What’s wrong with being bare? It’s no different than the clutch.” Id’rit argued crossing their arms.

  “I’m not used to nudity.” She didn’t know where to look and tried to keep her eyes on their faces.

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  Fionn chuckled and slowly stood, “I heard about this. Humans tend to shun nudity. They call the need to cover themselves modesty. Dear Juliana, I’ve trotted on stage with nothing but bright pink and yellow painted stripes,” they reached their hand out to her, “please, let me help you in. There is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. We are clan.”

  After feeling her cheeks inflame further than she thought possible, she nodded and carefully stepped inside the hot springs, adjusting to its temperature.

  “Ah, it’s hotter than I’d thought!” She complained as she gently wadded inside.

  Id’rit started at her wrapped figure, “But why would she be ashamed?” Id’rit questioned, “Are you embarrassed because your body is shaped differently? We won’t have prejudice.”

  “I feel vulnerable naked?”

  With genuine confusion Oynoiz asked, “Is it because you have no protective quills or other defensive physical features? I can only imagine what being mana-less is like. Anyone would feel vulnerable like that. We will stay on guard and protect you, don’t be concerned about it.”

  “On Earth, we have no mana, no natural protections. Clothing protects us from the elements such as cold and sunburn as it does for you. We use weapons to protect ourselves.”

  Oynoiz nodded, “And weapons are rare here. Is that why you feel vulnerable?”

  Juliana had to really reflect. Why did she feel vulnerable. This was like no situation on Earth. They were not men. They were not women. They had no sex, no gender. No lust. No lover’s jealousy. No disgust because of not being what someone was attractive to. Everyone’s body was shaped similar. Did they judge each other on appearance? “Do you care what someone looks like?”

  Fionn spoke, “Well, I know we appreciate beauty. But do we judge? Beauty is different for all. I think Adasions care more what our hair color and its brightness. Now if I saw that you had a skin disease—those give me the shivers—I’d be dragging you to the closest healer!”

  Id’rit added, “That’s right! I always check an Adasion’s hair. Are they stronger than me? If they are weaker, do they have a skill that would make it difficult for me if we had to fight?”

  Fionn continued, “Ceremonial nakedness is normal in our society. On our clan choosing ceremony, we bare ourselves before Adasion to reflect the moment of our hatching, the flow of mana, the need of protection of our community. Do not worry about our judgement. Your shape, while not straight like ours, is what makes you, you.”

  “Thank you.” She nodded and began to relax. Oynoiz and Id’rit smiled their encouragement. She looked at them.

  Oynoiz held her hand, “I’d never want to do something that’d make you uncomfortable. If you wish to only use the springs alone, we will quickly leave.”

  “No, I feel more comfortable now.”

  Id’rit whispered to Fionn, “But that material—what a waste!”

  Fionn chided, “Can’t you see it took her a lot to come here? This is a small sacrifice.”

  Id’rit complained, “How will she handle Lyasara? Public baths are customary. Sorry, Juliana, I will not travel with someone I can smell before I see them.”

  Juliana looked at the now very sheer material clinging to her shoulders, chest, and floating around her waist. While she was still a little self-conscious, warmed to the idea. She reminded herself about German saunas and Japanese mixed bathing. “Don’t worry about me embarrassing you, Id’rit. I won’t be stinky. I will do my best to be accustomed to their customs and if I can’t, I can always take a sponge bath.” At their confusion, she explained what it was, and they frowned.

  “Is that, disgusting, sorry, is that practice common on Earth?” Id’rit grimaced.

  “Only when necessary and regular bathing is not an option,” Juliana answered.

  Id’rit shared how they always had regular baths whether in his merchant clan’s home or at the boarding school they attended. Oynoiz explained that in the Gongre Confederacy, homes only had showers and baths were limited to wealthy clans. Bathing in general was less often than the more southern countries of the Asa Dominion and Lysara. Sputtering, Id’rit was flabbergasted.

  Leaning back, Juliana looked at the night sky. Peaceful clouds darkened patches of stars as they passed. She studied the Adasions. Their skin was tinted different iridescent colors. Id’rit’s shown pearl. Oynoiz had a grey tint. Finally, Fionn’s skin was tinted pink. The moonlight made it more apparent, their bodies glowed with their mana.

  As the evening continued, they asked Juliana about Earth.

  Oynoiz stood by themself as they stood guard during nightwatch. They kept their eyes alert for any movements. Fionn walked up to them.

  “You are supposed to be sleeping this shift,” Oynoiz chided as they straightened their black clothes.

  “Have you felt it? It’s faint, but we haven’t been alone in this forest for a while,” Fionn noted

  “I have had the feeling of being watched, but that is how the Quantop Forrest is. You know the real dangers are in the Wild Woods. I served there during the Continental War. There is a force there hostile to every Adasion.”

  “Should we tell the others?” Fionn asked, “I don’t want to worry them, but I don’t want to keep a secret.”

  “No apex predator is bold enough in these woods to hunt our party unless they’re desperate. I don’t think it’s a beast.”

  Fionn sucked in a breath, “We’re being followed. No, this doesn’t feel like one of them. I don’t sense a large being’s hunger, stalk, or malice. I keep getting the impression of curiosity, then something hides from my senses. This has been going on all day. Why won’t they show themselves?”

  “Maybe Asa Dominion sent a watcher on us—to follow us and report?”

  “We’ll wait and see.”