Page 104 of Truthful Deceptions

I was silent for a moment, processing what she'd said.

“You're not a real pet,” I blurted out.

“I’m not,” she agreed, as if it wasn't a major revelation. “Did I hear correctly that your friend Cleo just had a baby?”

“My sister,” I murmured, not wanting to say the in-law part and having to talk about Jasper. “Why did you want to meet me?”

“To see if you needed to be rescued,” she explained, as if this was a conversation she had all the time. “I have a powerful friend among the Talins, and I control a lot of wealth. I know I could buy both of you if I had to, but I need to make sure that's something you and your sister want first.”

“There's one more,” I said. “A woman named Sloane is with us too. But I think we're all happy where we are. Besides, I don't think any of the guys would sell us, no matter how much you offered.”

“Wealth isn't the only tactic I have,” she said ominously.

“Well you don't need to use any tactics,” I assured her. “No need to make anyone disappear in the foundation of a new building."

She chuckled. “Is that because you don't mind being a pet as long as it comes with safety and security?”

“Because I'm like you,” I said, proud to be on equal footing as this other human. “I own myself and am an equal partner in our ship.”

Iris’s expression relaxed. “That's good. The last human I met was terrified and badly traumatized by the Talins that captured her. It took me forever to get her away from them. It made me want to grab all the humans I know and leave the empire. You're helping me restore my faith that Talins can learn and grow.”

That made me think of a question. “If we come across a pet that needs help, should I contact you?”

“Yes!” she said. “I have several places within the empire I can send them to that are safe. If they want away from Talins, then there's one place way out on a planet within the Ilgorian Federation. The most important thing is that humans can pick where they want to go, including staying with the Talins they love.”

“I didn’t say anything about love,” I protested.

“Oh? Your hair is soaked in bonding oil,” she said.

I felt myself blush. “Okay, fine. I love Tolly. Let’s change the subject. Tell me about these safe places?”

She gave me brief descriptions of a colony named Kalor, a place where everyone lived in houses built on massive tree trunks, and a community on the Talin homeworld, Talarian.

I was impressed. “You've created an amazing network.”

“Honestly, outside of the Ilgorian Federation, the Talin Empire might be the safest place for humans. Even for the ones that are actually pets. I met a husband and wife that were absolutely ecstatic to be owned by a Talin family. They had defaulted on debt and were being sold as slaves, and a Talin bought them. Now they’re pets and encouraged to spend each day lazing around and having sex.”

“It's a strange paradise," I said with a chuckle.

“They thought so,” she said. “I'd like to meet Cleo and Sloane.”

“Cleo will be easy,” I said. “But Sloane's a little different. I don't know how to describe her, but she’s told me what she wants most is to stay with Mieshorum. She might not agree to meet you.”

“That's fine, as long as you tell her about what I'm offering,” Iris said.

“I will,” I promised. “I’m glad you’re out here doing this. I’d hate to think of anyone being mistreated or angry at being owned. If someone's unhappy, they should be rescued.”

“That’s the goal,” she agreed.

Tolreum

We all had dinner together in our suite. The station offered a room, but Iris and Damascus refused so it would be easier for Cleo and JJ to join us.

After pushing all the furniture out of the way, Narmuna and I moved most of the rugs to create a large circle. With that done, we spread pillows all around the circle. When Opal and Cleo saw what we’d done, they both looked amused but settled right down.

Iris and Damascus joined us soon after the food arrived, but Mia wasn’t with them this time.

“She’s still angry with me,” Iris said with a sad shrug when Opal asked about the child. “When we got back to the ship, she stomped into her room and refused to leave. All the crew is staying away from her for now.”