Adventures of an Ancient Space Battleship

Kiru stepped off the platform and looked around. She had never been here before, but she already knew that this was where Qelu grew up. Something she had only learned this morning. Qelu’s childhood neighborhood was located on the far side of the city from their apartments. As far as she knew, this area hadn’t yet been investigated by anyone. Although she idly recalled that there was a new clinic that had opened around here. Some kind of fertility clinic, as she recalled. At least that was what the people talking at the diner had said about it. There was likely far more to it than that. It was something she wanted to check out, but she was only in the general area, it was still a fair distance away. Not to mention she was rather stuck with Qelu at the moment. Especially given why Qelu had dragged her out here. Maybe she could check it out later? It was only a short ride away from here. It would be fairly easy to make a stop there, especially if this didn’t take too long.

Qelu joined her a moment later. A tentacle wrapped itself around her wrist, and pulled gently. “This way. Can’t stay here sightseeing all day. Especially not with my mom expecting us.”

Qelu shuddered, and Kiru sighed. She wasn’t entirely happy about this, but apparently, it wasn’t all Qelu’s fault. During their... discussion about this matter earlier Kiru had learned a bit about what happened. Qelu being rather excited about how their relationship had been going had started talking to her mother about it. Nothing unusual really. Kiru would have done the same honestly. The real problem was that Qelu’s mother became very insistent about meeting Kiru. In fact that was the reason they were out here. Qelu’s mom had arranged this whole visit. 

Reluctantly she followed along, but she was rather worried about this whole thing. She especially wished that Qelu had at least talked to her about this earlier. Giving her some warning, rather than springing it on her. As Qelu knew this was going to happen late yesterday but hadn’t said a word. Part of her however was willing to forgive Qelu, she was rather young afterall, and this had happened quite recently. Not to mention, Qelu couldn’t exactly say no to her own mother. As such, here they were about to face something that Kiru had little doubt would be a bit of an ordeal.

Putting that aside, she paid attention to her surroundings. Like the rest of the city there wasn’t a man in sight. Girls of all ages were around. Young girls playing games, older girls flirting with each other. A group of friends gossiping at the corner. Nothing too unusual in this city. Other than the fact that everyone in the area was naked. A pair of pregnant Neku came around a corner, and then she noticed that half of the friends gossiping at the corner also appeared to be pregnant. Looking around she also noted that someone seemed to be watching the young girls at play, and she too seemed to be pregnant. The person keeping watch also happened to be an Iniri. Something Kiru took note of.

Something she found more interesting however was that there seemed to be a high spike in pregnancy rates around here. She blinked, then glanced at Qelu about to ask a question, but the perceptive Iniri girl predicted the question.

“It’s normal around here. The Neku around here don’t need men to reproduce anymore, and have already been through the full training program. Well some of them anyway, the others grew up in this system. This neighborhood is afterall the oldest nest in the whole city.”

She looked around a little, “So in other words this is basically what you’re trying to do in that other neighborhood with those ‘inspections’?”

Qelu sighed, and gave her a look, “Me and the other girls hired for the task, yes.”

“Something wrong?”

“Nothing I’d care to talk about right now.”

“I see, well, talk to me when you are ready.”

She smiled, “I will.”

Kiru found that cute, but a thought occurred to her, “Anything I need to know about this neighborhood?”

Qelu frowned, “Um. Well aside from the obvious thing about the dress code. The girls around here are generally uninhibited. That is one of the goals of the training program. You Neku often have way too many inhibitions.”

They rounded a corner, and as if to underscore the point she noted two girls kissing by the side of the road while an Iniri girl was groping them. No one acted as if it was weird or even gave it a second glance.

Not far from there, she noted a building with a sign. In large bold letters, she could read the following ‘Feeling horny? Can’t make it home, and don’t want to do it in the street? Come on in, we have rooms just for this. Private and public venues available for purchase. For pricing details talk to the receptionist.”

Obviously it was a hotel, one of those hotels. Right next to it however was a game shop, and across the street was a bookstore. Not exactly the kind of spot you would normally see for one. It didn’t even look seedy like they usually did. The building gave a downright respectable vibe.

After a moment, she noted the two girls that were kissing being dragged inside by the Iniri. Qelu noted her gaze, and commented, “Those are everywhere, and I would suggest you avoid them. Any Neku who goes in is expected to engage in sexual activity.”

“I see. I’ll keep that in mind.” she replied. As they made their way down the street. Passing several shops, and businesses before they entered the neighborhood proper.

The neighborhood proper was where the people actually lived around here. The streets were now lined with houses, and the occasional park. There were still plenty of people walking around here. Some Neku, others Iniri, and Kiru noted quite a few of the Neku and even a few of the Iniri seemed to be pregnant. She didn’t see any kids playing just yet. The kids she had seen earlier had been at a playground and were likely there being watched by the Iniri while their mothers were off shopping or something.

It wasn’t long before they came upon a park. As they passed by she noted it was filled with young girls playing games, and a few couples having public sex. Kiru even noted a few Iniri keeping a watchful eye on the little girls in the park. Speaking of the little girls in the park, she noticed that there was a clear mix of both Iniri and Neku children. Not far from there she could even see an Iniri girl with her tentacles wrapped around the head of a Neku girl about the same age. An older Iniri was nearby, and seemed to be giving pointers on whatever she was trying to do. 

Kiru glanced back at Qelu, “So what is with the lack of Neku watching the kids?”

Qelu replied, “Well I think I mentioned it before, but Neku aren’t exactly seen as the best caretakers. There are exceptions, usually in private. In public all childcare is the domain of Iniri.” she gestured at the kids, “It isn’t a school day today, but that doesn’t mean the mothers are free. Many of them enroll their kids with the Iniri Caretaker Service, and an Iniri keeps an eye on them for the mother while they are busy.”

Kiru nodded along, but remembered something else. Not all of these kids would actually be allowed to see their moms. She knew at least some Iniri had a tendency to take young kids away from their mothers. Something she didn’t exactly approve of, and she knew Qelu was starting to realize wasn’t as good as she had previously thought. A good sign, she felt. Perhaps others of her kind could realize it as well.

“I see,” she said before glancing back over the park. Her mind wondering about how many of those kids actually know their mothers, and how many don’t. It looked pretty normal aside from the total lack of clothes, but she knew that facade hid something dark, nefarious. A flash of an earlier conversation and her mood shifted. How many of them could Megumi actually help?

The rest of the walk went by quickly, and thankfully nobody stopped them on the way to Qelu’s childhood home. Her childhood home turned out to be a cozy looking traditional with a large front porch with a raised wooden deck. The trim was stained to give it a natural look, and the walls were polished stone. The roof was polished clay tiles, and looked well maintained. The house itself was also a bit larger than its neighbors with three stories. It also had a lovely and sturdy old tree sitting in the front yard. There were a few chairs on the deck, but the front yard seemed deserted when they arrived.

Qelu slowed her pace as they came up towards the front door, it was polished blue-wood. A rare wood in these parts that had a bluish tinge to it. It looked nice in contrast to the rest of the building. For a moment or two Qelu stood before the door hesitantly before finally ringing the bell.

They had barely stood there half a minute before an Iniri girl answered the door. She looked a lot like Qelu, if a little older. She had the same expressive purple eyes, and the same pale green skin. Her eight boobs had the same general shape as well. Her figure was excellent and lithe just like Qelu. The Iniri was incredibly cute as well. She smiled when she saw them, a glint of recognition in her eyes.

“Aw Qelu! Glad you could make it.” she turned towards Kiru, and said, “And you must be Kiru. Qelu sounds absolutely enchanted with you. Do come in, I’d like to get to know you.”

The older Iniri stepped aside, and opened the door wider allowing them to enter the house. The foyer area was furnished with a few cozy chairs, a sofa, and a couple of tables. The walls were decorated with a few photos, all of them depicting naked girls in natural settings. None of the photos seemed lewd, a few were posed, but others were clearly taken in the moment sort of deal. Despite the lack of clothing they seemed surprisingly tasteful. Who was in the photos varied a little, she noted a few Neku, and a few different Iniri in the photos. One of the photos even looked to be a younger version of Qelu. Kiru was pretty sure it was a younger Qelu, as while her mother looked a lot like her there were subtle differences. Just enough to tell them apart, and they weren’t just related to age.

Her gaze didn’t linger on the furnishings however, as she soon noticed two little faces poking around the corner. One Iniri, the other Neku, both of them seemed quite young. She flashed them both a smile, and was greeted with giggles moments before they ducked around the corner vanishing.

Qelu’s mother turned to her and smiled, “I see you noticed my younger daughters. Don’t mind them, they are just curious. Anyway I haven’t introduced myself, I’m Larelu.” She glanced at Qelu, “Could you look after your younger sisters for me, and keep an eye on the nursery as well. If I hear crying, you are getting a spanking. Got that?”

Qelu shuddered, nodded and ran off. Leaving Kiru alone, and not sure what just happened. Larelu turned back to her. “That should be good practice for her. Especially since she is expecting a child of her own.”

Kiru watched her go, “I know. She is utterly ecstatic about it, but why punish her for a little crying? That’s what babies do.”

Larelu sighed, “Yes Neku babies cry, but only to get the attention of inept Neku mothers. An Iniri, if she is paying attention, can sense a baby’s needs often before the child is even aware of them herself. So naturally if I hear crying, that means Qelu wasn’t paying attention to them. Anyway that isn’t why we are here.”

She gestured to a seat, “Please sit, and would you like anything to drink?”

Kiru shook her head, and settled into the indicated seat. Larelu settled into another and smiled. “I see why my daughter likes you so much, you must have quite the talent since you are blocking me, but I guess you don’t have much training, or perhaps you just don’t have much experience with kids. Have you had a kid of your own before?”

Kiru sighed, “No. I’ve not had one myself.”

The Iniri woman nodded, “I thought so. Raise any pets?”

Kiru frowned, “I had a few growing up, why ask?”

She leaned back in her seat, “Raising a pet and raising a child are not entirely dissimilar skills. Now don’t get me wrong, there are differences, but the skill sets have their parallels. In many respects, raising a pet prepares you for raising a kid.”

Kiru nodded, “I guess it does in a way. Although that isn’t a comparison I would have made.”

Larelu giggled, “most wouldn’t even think of the comparison.”

“I guess not.”

Larelu shifted, her demeanor suddenly more serious, “I don’t suppose I could convince you to stop blocking me?”

Kiru shook her head, “I’ve had enough of people in my head.”

“I see, guess we will do this the old fashioned way. Tell me about yourself. I’d like to know what kind of woman my daughter is dating.”

Kiru blushed slightly, but wasn’t that surprised by the statement. She shifted herself to make herself more comfortable and settled in for a long conversation. There were some things she couldn’t share, but that didn’t mean everything she said would have to be a lie. The best lies had a grain of truth in them after all. Although she had no idea where to begin with this.