I am the brightest.
Alnilam raised a nebulous eye at the
unwarranted disturbance. Who the hell invited this loudmouth to her party? She
sipped from a fluted glass filled with neutron olives and shimmering mercury.
She supposed her guest had a certain appeal but preferred partners strong but
silent.
He leapt up on stage, and to her horror sang a
selection of ancient songs from a million light years away. Did he not have his
own material? He paused for atomic breath after the sixth song and Alnilam
offered a tiny golf clap.
Very good Arcturus, but your delivery
needs to tone down an octave or two. I fancy they could hear you in
Andromeda.
I should hope so too, he roared.
He readied himself for a new rendition. Alnilam took hold of his arm and
spiralled him to a cosmic couch.
Please, you have a strong voice, but
Ive had a long day intercepting a few unwanted comets. Id rather
settle down for light conversation if you dont mind.
Arcturus scratched his mighty beard. He loved
action, excitement and tried to recall the last time anyone asked him for a
polite chat. Alnilam glided to her own oasis and patted the cushion in
invitation. Arcturus hurled his mass into the chair expecting a hint of fusion.
Alnilam switched her gaze to the barman and ordered two specials.
So, Arcturus, what brings you over to
our constellation? Youre a long way from Bootes.
Lady, I need a change of scenery.
Dont get me wrong I love it in dear old Bootes and the crowd are great
company but I need something different. I do pretty much anything I like out
there and they love me for it, its time though for me to share the love
if you catch my drift.
Rigel stared at the odd couple. Alnilam waved
him away when he asked if all was well.
Forgive my brother, hes a bit
overbearing but his core is in the right place. Anyway, I do understand your
wanderlust but should you not be looking after your family?
Oh, dont worry about them,
he snorted, Theyve got everything they need. When I left they were
playing planetball, was a scream, I can tell you.
Alnilam looked over the dull shoulder of the
bright star admiring the delicate recital of poetry of Bellatrix. She doubted
if Arcturus ever read a sonnet, let alone write one.
Is that all you do all day, play
games?
Oh goodness, no, he said. I
love the ladies too, Ive never had a complaint yet either, I understand
the divine feminine after all.
He rested his hand on Alnilams knee. His
touch red hot and matching the flushing cheeks of his unexpected company.
I suppose you do have a certain charm,
yet were a bit more refined here in Orion you know, she said
returning his hand to his lap.
Ah, youre a babe into the arts and
all that. Its not really my thing but youd love to listen to
Nekkar. Youll have to come over and listen to her Sestinas.
Alnilam never paid much attention to the
doggerel of Nekkar. She remembered a pamphlet of this so called poetry and it
did make a most useful doorstop to uninvited quasars. She thought of making her
departure and to her astonishment found herself warming to the braggadocio of
this brash braggart.
Arcturus, no-one has ever called me babe
before I have to say. Im not sure whether I ought to incinerate you or
kiss you.
She caught her thoughts after her words.
Arcturus leaned in close, so close she almost tasted his primordial breath. To
her horror and pleasure, their lips collided and she tasted the radiance of
this bright star. He wrapped his strong arms around her and she melted into a
helium flash of rapture. Again and again their lips and passion merged, both
lost in delirium.
She blinked to see her brothers and sisters
staring agog. She looked to the spiral staircase and led her partner to her
quarters. Her game of checkers with Saiph delayed until the next stellar
wind.