"I bought this for you," Sam said, pulling a white sphere from his hand.
"What is it, a massage ball?" Rolina took it, spinning it curiously. Two thumb‑sized holes marked its surface. She poked a finger inside—something squirmed. "Eww!" She yanked her finger out, coated in purple slime.
"Smells like grapes… huh?!" Suddenly, purple tentacles shot out from both holes. Sam snatched it back, sliding the tendrils across Rolina's stomach, up her neck, brushing her cheek. One tip grazed her tongue.
"I'll use this to play with you when you're restless," he teased, gripping her face to force her gaze into his reptilian eyes.
"Just say 'Daddy'—and make it sound a little sweet," he mocked in a high voice.
"No. I won't let you force me," she refused, though her body betrayed her.
"Say it. I know the demon inside you is clawing to get out. Let it out—I'll tame it for you." His forked tongue flickered, rattling like a drum.
"Blalalalala…" The sound drove Rolina nearly mad. Her legs twisted, rubbing together as if the beast within was breaking free. She slammed her hand against the pillow.
"Daaaddy~~!" she cried, her voice shrill enough to wake Fuzzy beneath the bed.
"And tonight… you're mine, serpent girl." Sam kissed her neck. Rolina closed her eyes, surrendering. Fuzzy slunk to the corner, resigned to his "parents" playing their strange game.
Hours passed. On Venus, one day equaled four Earth months, so the sky remained bright. Sam buckled his belt beside the bed. Rolina lay beneath a white blanket.
"I had a strange dream last night," she murmured.
Sam raised a brow. "Dreamed of a handsome guy like me?"
"No… an old man spoke to me. I think we should keep the stone."
"Ha! You like wrinkled old dogs? That gem's for selling. We'll be rich—sultans rich!" Sam repeated his mantra.
"It feels more valuable than money. Maybe Zysko can help us."
"Whatever. We'll sell it anyway. Otherwise we'll rot here for years. Besides, I finally learned where your family really lives. After five years, I know your true home."
"What?! Why… that doesn't matter!" Rolina's voice shook.
"Why? You want to cry when you see your parents?"
"Sam, it's not your business. I haven't seen them in over ten years." She sighed.
"Then let's go. They're old, but not dead yet. We'll visit before moving on."
"No. I won't."
"You will."
"No. No. No!" They argued back and forth.
"Ah! Shakzenan!" Rolina cursed in alien tongue.
"English!" Sam jabbed a finger at her.
"Fuck you!" She flipped him off. Sam grinned.
"That's my sweet Rolina. Now get up and shower, idiot. We've got shopping to do. Come on, mutt." He nudged Fuzzy awake with his foot.
Together they walked their dog into the sapphire‑hued city. A boy with pale blue skin dashed past, laughing, followed by a pack of other children. Air‑cars glided overhead, and the atmosphere was so pure that every breath felt like a cleansing rush through their lungs.
They paused beside a tall building of translucent blue crystal, its inner walls coated in black. "How does it feel to be home?" Sam asked.
Rolina tilted her head, smirking. "…Not much," she replied curtly.
"Space is like the sea—dark, endless, until you find a shore…" Sam fumbled for words.
"Rubbish. Go study philosophy before lecturing me. You can't swim, you dance like a broken robot, and you hate milk but somehow you're five‑foot‑nine. You're the last person to teach philosophy." Fuzzy barked in agreement, making Rolina laugh. "See? Even my kid agrees."
"I wasn't teaching philosophy, just… comparing," Sam muttered, stepping onto a zebra crossing. As his boots struck the black‑and‑white stripes, they lit up, each step chiming musical notes. "Do‑Re‑Mi‑Fa‑So…" Cars halted in perfect order. Sam strutted backward, facing her.
"Japan's like this. Strict rules. If you ever go, you'll see how amazing it is. Maybe you'll even fall for a cute Asian," he teased.
"Say all you want. I'll judge with my own eyes."
"Fine. Then I'll rap about you. Three, two, one…" He inhaled deeply.
Rolina raised a hand. "Please Don't."
"Yaw! yaw! Pretty lady sittin' there… lookin' for a man? Trash cans' full of them! Rolly, Rollin, zombie Merlin in the grass, hurrah! Beautiful girl, who's that? Bitch! Crazy hag! Bite my tongue! Why? Teasin' men till they're weak… lovin' the scent of sin… lickin' arms, lickin' elbows, never enough…"
"You're embarassing yourself." Rolina chuckled a smile.
He spun into a wild finish: "Bi-cycle cryin' at the door, love never works for us, results taste bitter, true love ain't skin deep, but this—burn her down! Boom! Drop it! Rolly, Rollin', Rolina, don't mess with me, girl! Ahhh!" Sam ended with hands in his pockets, standing in the middle of the crossing. Horns blared impatiently.
"Sammy, move before getting your ass kicked." Rolina said, shoving him back onto the curb.
"And another thing…" she began, only to smirk.
"Damn, your shit was whack!" someone shouted from a waiting car.
"Exactly," Rolina teased, making Sam scowl. "Damn it! I practiced for a whole minute before crossing!"
They passed a glass monument of Martalie Batrous, the long‑bearded founder holding a star in his hand. "Shame he's gone. He'd have loved seeing Elysium grow. Greek kink, human potential projects. What gen are you, anyway?" Sam asked.
"I'm RNA‑767. Rolina's just the name from my code."
"No wonder you don't want to run home to mommy."
"It's not about being adopted… forget it." Her voice tightened.
"I know everything about you, but you never talk about family."
"I'm grown. I take care of myself. What's the difference from a runaway orphan?"
They reached a convenience mall as the dome's artificial sun shifted from pale yellow to soft gray, marking time.
"So what are we buying?" Rolina asked.
"Your jet boots are worn out. Time for new ones."
"You're not tricking me into paying, are you?" she eyed him suspiciously. Sam stroked the back of her neck, making her melt like a flower.
"You overthink. Simple question—yes or no?"
"Yeah~" she whispered, shoulders slack like a cat.
Sam chuckled. "Purring like a kitten. My little starlet."
Rolina's eyes widened like an owl. "You like that…" she grinned, sending shivers down his spine.