SWNOVELS Chapter 52: Group Portraits
“I’ll say it again,” Izanami declared, smiling broadly. “You have the most exquisite family I’ve ever encountered, Hanna. I’m humbled at how beautiful they are. Are all Lynxians as beautiful as your sister and mother, Kida?”
“I honestly don’t know,” Kida admitted. “I haven’t seen any Lynxians since I was eight. Selina may be able to answer that better than I?”
Izanami turned her gaze to Selina, along with everyone else. Hanna sat back down beside Josephine, feeling much more at peace since sharing about her torture on the sex floor again. “Well, sister Selina?” Izanami asked. “What do you remember of your people? Are all of them as pretty as your family?”
“Not all of them,” Selina admitted. “Just as humans have a broad variety ranging from gorgeous to right down ugly, Lynxians were the same way. Most of my people fell kind of in the middle, fairly good-looking, but not as pretty as some of us. I never really considered myself that pretty by Lynxian standards, but you can’t convince Hanna of that. She thinks I’m the most beautiful creature in the entire universe, though that may be because she’s my soul mate. Still, I did win a few beauty pageants on Kaitia so that has to account for something. But I was never sure whether I won them based truly on my beauty and skill, or because I was a Kaitian princess. My uncle was King of Kaitia. Politics often interfered in such pageants, which is why I stopped participating in them. They just weren’t my cup of tea, as they say here on this planet. Doing research, particularly about vanished alien civilizations was what I enjoyed doing most. It’s actually kind of ironic that Hanna and I pretty much enjoy doing the same thing. She’s passionate about uncovering the antiquity of this planet, just as I excelled at doing the same with past civilizations on Kaitia and around the Kaitian Empire. Sometimes I wonder what ever happened to the rest of our civilization after the blue sun destroyed our home world and the core of our civilization.”
“That’s truly fascinating,” Trinity commented. “I wish I could have seen your world, Selina. I’m sure it was as beautiful as you.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” Selina replied. “I can’t hold a candle to the natural beauty of my world. However, I do think we might have a way to let you see it. Don’t we still have the Kaitia disk for the reader we brought, Hanna?”
“I don’t know for sure,” Hanna admitted. “But I’m sure Harry or Nathanael may know. Hey, Harry! Come over here for a minute.” She turned to the pool as she called out.
Harry heard Hanna’s call and swam to the edge of the pool closest to her and the group. “Yeah, what do you want, Hanna?” he asked, choosing not be sarcastic in front of the women from the Harem at that moment.
“Do you know if we still have the reader and the Kaitia disk we brought from Tiamat?” Hanna asked.
“We sure do,” Harry answered. “It’s in your quarters with the rest of your stuff. I think we put it in your dresser. Why do you ask?”
“Selina wants to show everyone what Kaitia looks like,” Hanna stated, “You know, just so they can get an idea of where she and her family came from.”
“Oh,” Harry murmured. “I see. I wouldn’t mind seeing it again myself. Every time I see it, it reminds me of how great the Lord is. I’m fairly certain it’s in your room.”
“In that case, I’ll get it later after we finish up here,” Hanna replied. “Thanks, Harry.”
“My pleasure, sweetheart,” Harry chimed with just a hint of sarcasm. “Where would you be without me?”
“Probably lost, you big ape,” Hanna replied with the same level of sarcasm as Harry used. “You know I can’t do without you.”
Harry laughed and waved at Hanna. “I know,” he crowed. “Just let me know when you plan on showing Kaitia because I really do want to see it again.”
“You got it, bud,” Hanna replied pleasantly as Harry went back to swimming.
“I assume Master Harry and you are close friends?” Izanami asked, somewhat puzzled at the interaction between Hanna and Harry.
“Yes,” Hanna stated categorically. “He’s my best friend and brother, even a kindred spirit. We’ve been friends ever since I came into the Light. He’s saved my life so many times I can’t count. He’s been my family for a very long time.”
“Yet you and he tease each other,” Izanami observed. “Why do you do that?”
“It’s just the way we are,” Hanna stated. “But we never let it get out of hand or do it in front of strangers. I’m actually surprised he teased me like that in front of you. He must trust you to do that. In a way, it’s how we take our masks off and let our guards down in front of one another.”
“I still don’t understand why they do that,” Selina admitted. “Hanna and Harry have been acting like that ever since I came into their lives. I figured it was a human thing, but they don’t ever do it when they need to be serious. Like she said, it’s just the way they are.”
“Oh,” Trinity murmured. “I see. It’s a way to keep from getting too serious. We used to do that in the Harem just to keep things light-hearted. But we never let it get to personal and only did it to get a laugh. Laughter was our greatest weapon against the Emperor. He despised laughter.”
“I’m impressed, Trinity,” Hanna chimed. “You really do understand why we tease each other like that. It’s only done in fun to get a laugh. Sometimes, I’ll initiate it when I see Harry needs to laugh, and vice versa. Most of the time, he’s initiating it because he sees I’m in serious need of a good laugh. He’d never do it in front of people he didn’t trust, so you should feel honored. Harry doesn’t give his trust to just anyone. Like us, he too has been burned by the Darkness. It may be why he chose to poke at me a bit in front of you all.”
“Master Harry is a good man with a good heart,” Izanami declared. “But I could sense he can be a bit of a clown when he wants to. Moreover, his loyalty to you is beyond reproach, Hanna. I’ve never seen such deep love, friendship, and loyalty before. You are truly blessed to have him as your friend.”
“You’re so right,” Hanna stated. “In fact, I think our friendship has strengthened because of this mutation. He and I are definitely kindred spirits. I know even if the world literally ends, he’ll stand with me and face it, no matter how bad things may get.”
“I’ve seen that loyalty before,” Josephine stated, patting Hanna on the shoulder with her organic hand.
“Where?” Lola asked.
“I saw this same kind of friendship between Thoth Caverias and Ezra Karac,” Josephine reported. “It’s a friendship and loyalty that transcends all boundaries and realities. Even when Thoth and Ezra vehemently disagreed about courses of action, they never let it break their friendship. In fact, I vaguely remember them teasing each other much like we just saw between Master Harry and Miss Hanna. It’s uncanny how much your personality resembles Thoth, Miss Hanna, especially in how you and Miss Selina interact with each other. It makes me want to believe that Hanna is Thoth reborn in this age.”
“That’s truly amazing,” Selina commented. “I’d like to hear more about them when you have the time.”
“So would I,” Hanna agreed.
“Sure,” Josephine replied, patting Hanna on the shoulder. “I can do that, though some of my memories of them are hazy. You know that was a very long time ago.”
“We do,” Selina acknowledged. “Anything you can tell us about them would be very useful.” As she spoke, Elias walked up carrying what appeared to be a device the size of a smartphone with a large lense. He wore a T-shirt, trousers, and sandals.
“Hi everyone,” Elias chimed warmly, stopping a few feet from Hanna. Looking down at Hanna, he asked, “Did you want to record some images, Hanna? What did you want to record?”
“I wanted to get some pictures of us and our friends here,” Hanna stated.
“And I want to get some family portraits,” Kida added.
“Can do,” Elias replied pleasantly. “Where do you want to do it?”
“Right here by the pool,” Hanna stated. “But let’s get everyone together first.”
“Okay,” Elias stated. “Let’s do it. Dinner’s going to be ready in about half an hour, so let’s be quick about it.”
Hanna nodded, rising to her feet. “Come on, Kida,” she called out. “Give me a hand getting everyone in place.” Kida nodded and rose. In less than five minutes, Hanna and Kida had gathered the Harem sisters at the pool next to it, lining them up around Selina and Izanami as they sat in their lounge chairs. Following Elias’ instructions, those in the front sat on the pool deck. The second tier knelt behind them, and the third row stood, with the tallest women being in the back. Hanna knelt between Selina and Izanami, holding their hands while Kida knelt immediately behind Selina, putting her hand on Selina’s shoulder. Josephine knelt behind Izanami and Hanna, putting her organic hands on Hanna and Izanami’s shoulders. Emma knelt between Kida and Josephine right behind Hanna, putting her hands on Kida and Josephine’s shoulders. Electra knelt on Selina’s immediate left, holding her hand. Arabella sat at Izanami’s left, holding her other hand. Everyone put their arms around each other in a show of their sisterhood and solidarity. Andrew, Hunter, and Harry stood off to the side out of the picture.
Once everyone settled into position, Elias held up the strange camera, checking the preview image. “Okay everyone,” he called out. “Everyone smile.” When everyone smiled warmly, Elias’ heart fluttered. “Oh, that’s great,” he chimed. “Now hold that pose.” Everyone heard the device click and whirr as Elias activated it. After a few seconds, he said, “Okay; that should do it. You can relax now.”
“How did it turn out?” Hanna asked, rising to approach Elias.
Elias walked to Hanna with Harry, Andrew, and Hunter following. “It did very well,” he crowed. “See for yourself.” He keyed the device and a small hologram of the image appeared over the recorder, large enough for everyone to see. “It’s about the best set of images I’ve ever recorded,” he commented pleasantly. “The images really show who you are.” Gasps of delight raced through the Harem women present.
“Wow,” Hanna breathed. “You’re right. That’s a fabulous picture. I had no idea we’d be this photogenic. I can literally see the loyalty of our sisterhood in this image. Does anyone want to take individual shots?” The women murmured, unsure as to what Hanna was asking. “Let me demonstrate,” she declared. “Harry, come over here so we can get a picture together as friends.”
Harry blushed. “Why do you want to do that?” he asked suspiciously. “I could get into a lot of trouble with Mary if she sees you and me in a picture with you looking like that. She may think I’ve been cheating on her.”
Hanna smiled wryly and grabbed him by the hand, leading him to the edge of the pool. “Come on, bud,” she chimed. “Mary will understand. I’ll explain it to her if she ever sees it. I just want a picture to show our friendship. I won’t embarrass you or get you into trouble. I promise.”
“Famous last words,” Harry chided wryly as Hanna put her right arm around his back.
“You don’t trust me,” Hanna replied in mock hurt.
“No, duh,” Harry answered sarcastically, expecting Hanna to pull a practical joke on him as he put his arm around her. “I know you, Hanna. You can’t help yourself sometimes.”
“Not always,” Hanna retorted. “Now just look at the camera and say limburger. Go ahead, Elias. Take the picture before he runs away.”
“Run away?” Harry asked in mock hurt. “Just for that, I’m staying right here, you hot tamale.”
Hanna leaned her head towards Harry’s head, whispering, “Come on; work with me, Harry. I’m serious. I want a picture of us as loyal friends, and not a couple of jokers. We can take the joker pictures later.”
“Okay,” Harry whispered back, smiling warmly, tilting his head towards Hanna while looking at Elias and the camera. “But if you embarrass me, I’m going to kick that pretty ass of yours.” Hanna laughed, heartily, patting Harry on the chest with her left hand before resting it on her hip.
“Hold it,” Elias ordered, taking a series of pictures with the camera. Once he finished, he said, “I got it. You two do make a cute couple.”
“That we do,” Hanna agreed, giggling. She kissed Harry on the cheek saying, “Thanks bud. When we’re old, we’ll look back on this and probably laugh our asses off.”
“I’m sure we will,” Harry agreed, returning the kiss with one of his own on Hanna’s cheek. They let go of each other and bumped fists.
“That’s what I meant about individual pictures,” Hanna called out to everyone. “If anyone wants Elias to take those kinds of pictures, just ask him.”
Once everyone understood what Hanna meant, Elias spent the fifteen more minutes taking pictures of smaller groups of friends. Hanna had him take several pictures of her, Selina, Kida, Andrew, Hunter, Emma, Electra, and Josephine together. Hanna even had Kida take a picture of her and Elias together. She also made sure Elias got individual pictures of her, Izanami, Trinity, and Lola together, along with a shot of her and Arabella together. Selina got Elias to take several pictures of her, Kida, and Electra by themselves too. Elias heard his timepiece chime and declared, “Sorry ladies. As much fun as this has been, I must be going. Dinner is going to be ready in just a few minutes. Feel free to stay as long as you like.”
“That’s very kind of you, Master Elias,” Izanami answered, speaking for her Harem sisters. “But I think we’ll get something to eat as well. I’m getting pretty hungry myself.”
“That’s fine,” Elias replied, smiling. “You’re welcome to stay as long as there are at least two of you. It’s safer that way.”
“We understand,” Izanami stated. “Can we get an image of everyone after dinner?”
“Why certainly,” Elias answered. “And I think I know where we can do it too. The amphitheater will be a perfect place to do it. Just let me know when you’re ready to do it.”
“We will,” Izanami said, smiling.
Turning to Hanna, Elias said, “I’ll see you at the dinner table, Hanna.” Hanna nodded as he walked away with the recorder.
“I’d say that photo session went better than anticipated,” Hanna declared.
“Indeed,” Selina agreed. “It’s good we could record our friendship in that manner. Now we have a keepsake of our sisterhood.”
“That we do,” Trinity chimed. “We were never allowed to have our images recorded like that in the Harem. The only time something like that would happen was when the Emperor abused us. He’d have it recorded up close and in detail for his amusement.”
“Well, we don’t do that around here,” Kida reassured everyone. “Any images we record are done with the consent of all parties. You have my word on that. We never record abuse or torture like you girls have been through. It’s just not right.”
“Indeed,” Hanna agreed. “Enoch will not allow it and neither will I. We don’t need a physical record of that evil. Now, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m ready to get something to eat. How about you, Selina; ready for dinner?”
“Absolutely,” Selina chimed. “We can get the official sisterhood group picture after dinner.”
“That we can,” Izanami replied.
“Come on, sis, Hanna,” Kida said, picking up Selina out of the lounge chair. “We need to clean up before going to dinner.” With that, Kida carried Selina to the bathroom where her wheelchair waited. Hanna followed close behind. After sitting Selina in the wheelchair, she said, “I’ll see you two at the dinner table.”
“All right,” Hanna answered as Kida walked away. Picking up both her clothes and Selina’s clothes, Hanna handed them to Selina and promptly pushed her back to their quarters where they cleaned up and dressed for dinner. Hanna opted for a beautiful full-length sleeveless silver dress with a collared halter-top that covered her chest completely, but accented her shape exceptionally well. The dress had a low cut back with thigh-high slits on sides of the skirt. She wore silver stockings and panties underneath along with silver-colored leather sandals. An ornate silver hairpiece, a small pair of clip-on diamond earrings, and a diamond and emerald necklace completed her outfit.
Selina also dressed in a stunning full-length sparking silver evening gown with silver stockings and panties underneath. Her dress differed from Hanna’s in that it had a halter-top with a plunging neckline that showed most of her cleavage, but covered her breasts well, accenting their shape along with the rest of her figure. Selina braided her hair into a single ponytail and wore a silver hairpiece similar to the one Hanna wore. However, she wore sapphire earrings and necklace trimmed with diamonds. Once they were dressed and Selina was sitting in her wheelchair in front of the mirror with Hanna standing next to her, she smiled warmly, grabbing Hanna’s hand. “You really rock that dress, Hanna,” Selina complimented. “It makes you look like a queen.”
“It does, doesn’t it,” Hanna answered softly. “I’m awed that I look this good. It’s humbling. But you’re on fire in that dress. It reminds me of what you wore on our wedding night. You’re so beautiful.”
“So are you,” Selina replied. “I’m honored to see your true beauty. Don’t ever hide it. It’s who you are. Now let’s go get something to eat. I’m starving.” To reinforce her statement, her belly growled loudly without warning.
“Thank you for the vote of confidence,” Hanna said softly. “I appreciate it. Come on. Let’s get some supper before your belly growls again.” Hanna kissed Selina on the cheek and then pushed her out of their quarters, heading to the dinner table.