“Outremer has these and worse, if you know the right people!” Masgard replied to Vreta, buying a shot of some strong liquor from a droid attendant and downing it before placing the empty vessel back on their tray. “This kind of expression is practically enshrined in our constitution. The first settlers weren’t exactly prudes! See anyone you like? Here is the place to have relations with them. Fuck, better not lose the girls. Lets go!” 

They’d reached the edge of the packed dance area now. At least three different species of beings moved to the pulsing musical backdrop, lit up by fiercely strobing spotlights. 595 pulled on Freyr’s hand and led her through the thronging crowds, easily shouldering her way to a small open space near the middle. There, the agent turned to her and started moving her body to the music. Freyr did the same and realised she was starting to feel different. 

The bodies around them swirled and undulated slower, and slower again. The music unfurled in agonising detail, every note sending another shiver down her spine. She could study the pores on 595’s unblemished cheek and the flecks of green in 595’s blue-grey eyes. Freyr felt and saw red plumes of vapour rising from a nearby Tindrel. That wasn’t there before. She noticed more familiar faces, Vreta and Masgard, appear nearby. 

595 pulled Masgard slowly towards her, put her arms around his neck and slid her tongue into his mouth. After an eternity, they disengaged and 595 drifted over to her. Freyr was powerless to resist as the agent kissed her neck, sending every nerve in her body jangling. Her face looked to the ceiling and her mouth fell open in one long, silent moan. She could feel each breath, hot air entering and exiting her lungs. Her arms involuntary raised from her sides and she found the scales of what she hoped was Vreta's chest. They felt soft and bouncy to her touch.

[i]“What...is...this...stuff?”[/i] Masgard to Freyr’s mind. She couldn’t answer; didn’t know how to.