Aria's Song

...Atrara was a beautiful earthlike world, full of promise and a welcome change
for the travel weary voyagers who hadn't seen shoreleave in almost six
months.  Jonah Janeway was soaking in the countryside, awed by the colors of
the perfect spring day.  All around him nature called, and in it he found
something soothing, something that called to him.  The Atraran's were an
amazingly friendly and open people, eager to share in their world and its
bounty.  There were few rules, the only one being that any woman or girl in a
scarlet veil belonged to the premier, either daughter or spouse, and was not
to be talked to or touched without the premier's express permission. 
Voyager's crew was told that this was not something for which they must be
concerned as all who belong to the Premier lived in the castle and only
walked the in its secluded garden.  The guests would of course be introduced
at functions and such, but if seen in the marketplace all conversation must
be conducted through their bodyguards.  The rule was as much to protect the
ladies as their position, for those of the Premier were the most honored and
revered among the people.  There whole position was centered around trade and
barter and they were sheltered to make them more maleable to the man they
would be married to.

As far as Jonah had seen, there were plenty of young woman who were not to be
pawns in the ever changing game of power and control to enjoy to risk a war
for.  The sound of water babbling in the distance caught his attention, and
he quickly moved toward, intent on a swim to break the heat.  A quick glance
around the area showed a small waterfall cascading gently into a basin of
water, only to trickle out a bit further down into another waterfall. 
Sunlight sparkled in the clear green depths.  While abundant life grew around
the edges of the pond, he could see the empty, inviting depths all to the
bottom.  Certain that this was one of the springs the Atrarans had mentioned,
Jonah shucked his clothes and dived in.  The cool water surrounded him and he
marveled at the aroousing carress of it, surprised at its affect on him. 
With a quick glance to make sure he was alone, he allowed himself to fall
into the fantasy that quickly sprang to mind.  Slowly, as he floated on his
back, he allowed his hands to become that of his imaginary lover, enjoying
each caress, dreaming.

A startled gasp quickly jerked him back to attention and he jerked out of his
calm position, the rough movements dragging him under and causing him to
inhale water.  He broke the surface, sputtering and coughing, searching
desperately for the owner of the sound.  His eyes spotted a pale face peeking
out at him from behind the waterfall.  At first he thought it a child, and
then he got a better glimpse a knew he faced a woman.  The girl sat still, as
if afraid of discovery.  The moment his eyes met hers, she turned, startled
and scrambled to the back of a cave, hidden by the waterfall.  He followed
slowly, afraid of frightening her more, calling out softly.  "Please don't be
afraid, I won't hurt you."

The frightened face peeked cautiously out once more and he was startled by
the huge leaf green eyes that stared back him.  Wet hair curled fiercely
around her head in a copper halo, tumbling over her shoulders and mingling in
the falling water.  "Stay where you are.  You are a stranger, and naked. 
Please don't come any closer."

He shook his head and treaded water.  "No, of course not.  I'm sorry I
frightened you.  I only meant to swim, I forgot to check closely to see if
there were others about.  Allow me to dress and then perhaps you will come
out so we can talk?  My name is Jonah.  I travel the stars and am spending
some time on your world."

"A star traveler?"  She started to come forward then only to stop as she
realized that he was still naked.  He could see the indecision cross her face.

"Yes.  Again, allow me to dress and I will tell you more about my life."

She nodde then, intrigued and dipped behind the flow of water.  As she left,
Jonah scrambled out of the water and into his trousers.  He hand barely
managed to fasten the buttons when she came up behind him.  "Tell me of you
travels."  He spun somewhat surprised that he hadn't heard her moving.  The
small fragile size of her caught him off guard.  She was smaller than any
woman he knew, barely coming to his collar bone.  Her damp hair swirled
around her as she moved in excited steps.  He was amazed at the length which
swung around her ankles.  Her body was barely covered in a damp white gown
with spagetti straps that swirled around her thighs in a full skirt.  She
tipped her head, studying him for a moment.  Slowly a hand came up and
touched her chest.  He sucked in a sharp breath and nearly choked on it.  His
response frightened her and she moved back several steps.  "I'm sorry.  You
are different from the males of my people.  There chest are covered with
hair.  Yours is smooth."

He tried not to blush at her comment, the innocence in her eyes enchanting
him.  "It's alright, I just wasn't expecting you to touch me."

She tipped her head to the side, smiling slightly.  "You don't mind or think
badly of me?  My mother often tells me that curiousity will get me in trouble
one day.  Are you trouble?"

"Spirits I hope so!"  At her quizzical look, he blushed again, realizing he
had spoken aloud.  "Ummm, sorry.  No I don't mind at all, just ask next time
okay?"

Once more her head tipped, this time to the opposite side as she contemplated
his words.  "Okay.  My name is Mia."  She stepped closer, smiling brightly. 
"Will you tell me of your travels?"

TBC....