Shipwrecked - Chapter 146: Settling In (MFf oral hand)

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Chapter 146: Settling In

I woke hours before dawn to the sounds of something skittering across the roof. I listened as it pattered from East to West and then North before the noise stopped abruptly, followed by the swishing of a branch. I figured it to be a squirrel or something similar. I listened for some time, the warmth of Kate's body against mine. I heard no rain or wind, no distant thunder. Perhaps it was going to be a nice Spring day in the Southern Pacific.

Clearly not going back to sleep and feeling well-rested, I slowly pulled myself from the bed and left the three women to their slumber in the darkness. I felt my way to the door and carefully left the shelter. I stood a moment, the light breeze warm from the West. The shifted direction suggested the front had passed, and the endless stars stretching from over head to the horizon confirmed it was so. I loved the sky on Phoenix. It was the darkest place I'd ever been except for caves, and those offered no stars to marvel. I took a moment to just sink in that amazing, humbling view before moving to the wood pile to bring fuel to the cook pit so that I could start coffee.

I was surprised to find myself almost running into Kinnon, the clothed surgeon carrying a small armload of tempered firewood towards the pit. “Oh! Sorry, didn't see you there,” I said quietly.

“What, you don't have eyes which see infrared and ears like a cat?”

“Err,” I started.

“Kidding. You know. Everything here seems too good to be true. I'm just wondering how far down the rabbit hole this goes before it gets weird.”

“I'll let you know when we hit bottom.”

Kinnon laughed.

I grabbed another armload of wood and Kinnon led the way towards the pit. We dropped the wood, and while I got the fire going, Kinnon followed my directions to grab the things needed for coffee. She brought everything in one trip and a couple of cups were set aside while the water was heated.

“This is so strange, being here,” she said quietly, her legs covered in a tight pair of what I could only describe as black yoga pants, her top by a thin t-shirt which showed that the woman's breasts were full and heavy. I didn't stare, though the sight was quite nice. She continued, “I can scarcely believe I'm here. It seemed like such a pipe dream for me.”

“Why are you here, Kinnon? I don't mean to pry, but why did you leave your home to come somewhere you've never been to live with people you mostly don't know.”

She looked at the fire a moment. “I hear you accept people for themselves. That's what Gale told me months ago, when she was living with us. I... I couldn't find that back home...”

I was quiet a moment, then said, “You've lived away from Uhonamona for a long period, yes?”

“I trained at Johns Hopkins and lived in the US for more than a decade,” Kinnon answered, “how did you know?”

“Your accent, for one thing. It's more... smoothed out, perhaps. Not a judgement,” I added, “just that yours is very distinct from everyone else who arrived. You and Ekoh stood out most.”

Kinnon nodded, “I loved living in America, but I was drawn home when my mother became ill. I tried to help her, took her to Australia for the best treatment, but it wasn't enough. She died several years ago. I was too heartbroken to move back to the States. I wanted to... I just... I dunno. I got stuck, I guess.”

“Why'd they let you go so easily?” I asked, “Someone with your skills, your training, your experiences abroad. That's worth a lot in these days.”

She nodded again, brushing the hair away from her face and over one shoulder, “I am not worthy of them.”

“That's twice I've heard this idea from one of you. What was your, uh, 'crime?'”

“I'm a lesbian.”

“Ah. Uhonamona is not a welcoming place for anyone with non-traditional sexual interests it seems,” I said.

Kinnon shrugged, “I get the incest taboo, and... the problems with youth and consent... but homosexuality? I hurt no one. There were others like me, but they were so afraid of being found out that it made it impossible to have a real relationship there. But enough knew about me for me to be passively shunned. I wasn't invited to gatherings, or my share of the profits of a trade went missing sometimes, or my views were ignored. It was deflating and it really hurt me to be treated so. They were all fine with me when they needed a burst appendix removed or someone had broken a leg, but otherwise, I wasn't accepted.”

“I'm sorry,” I said quietly, “I think you'll find you are fully accepted here, though I don't know what sort of relationships you are seeking... of those native here, many women are bisexual, but there are only two who are likely aligned with you sexually and possibly available, and they are twins, both thirteen, and have sometimes been curious about their brother.”

“Ah. Well, that puts a damper on things,” she said. I started to apologize again but Kinnon was grinning. “Joking. I'm not here trying to find love. Certainly not 'The One' any more. I just want to find acceptance. I don't need monogamy to be a lesbian, Kal.”

“Right, yeah, that's not what I meant. It's just that... I talked to another who arrived with you and I'm worried that “The One” is the goal and that those here aren't likely to be that person. I shouldn't have assumed you looked for the same.”

“No offense taken,” Kinnon replied, “I just want to settle in first, get a feel of things. I'll take things casual-like for a while until I think something is worth pursuing.”

“Good. That's the way to go. I will say that, any time you are wanting, I have no doubt you will find ready partners happy and willing to share a bed. Things are very casual here. There's no secrets, no jealousy. It may not always be that way, but love and intimacy are given freely and it is expected that you'll feel free to choose as you will. Plus, if I may say so, you are very beautiful.”

“Saying I could get laid right now if I wanted to?”

“Without a doubt, though I don't think I play for the team you cheer for.”

She grinned, “I said I'm a lesbian. Not saying I don't sometimes enjoy a man's company. Not my preference, I'm romantically attracted only to women, but sometimes... mmm... sometimes I'm in the mood for a man in the sack.”

“Well,” I said leaning forward, “let me officially say that I would enjoy such a time should you ever desire it. Until then, seriously,” I said, reaching for the steaming pot, “I want you to know you are accepted here, and there's no pressure to be with anyone except as you choose.” I poured the dark fluid into our cups and said, “Sugar?”

“Black, thanks, just like I like my women. At least some of them.”

We both laughed and I said, “I'm glad you're here, Kinnon. You seem like a kind soul and a quick wit. Both will go over well with everyone. It doesn't hurt that you bring with you medical training. That's one of our biggest weaknesses here.”

“I can help plan a medical facility for the camp. It won't be shiny and cutting-edge, but it could be set up to make medical care much more efficient and effective. Might even see if Ekoh can help get some more expensive things which would go a long ways towards helping out. No electricity, I know, so that means the MRI machine will have to wait,” she chuckled, “but I can definitely make a difference here, Kal. I look forward to doing so.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“Say,” she said, “the redhead. Kate. Is she one of those who are bi?”

“Very much so. She even has a husband and a wife,” I replied, feeling like I'd just had a similar conversation with Ekoh the night before.

“She's a hottie,” Kinnon grinned, “and, if I'm being honest, you're not too bad looking yourself, Kal, though I wonder how much beauty that wild hair on your face is hiding. I especially like the way you can't seem to control that thing.”

Her eyes were on my crotch and I realized my cock had grown half-hard and was threatening to fill completely. “Err... honestly... can you blame me here?”

“Not really... took a lot of willpower not to get myself off as soon as I saw the beautiful women here. Paradise, I'm inside you!”

We laughed again and sipped coffee. I heard stirring in one of the shelters, and soon saw Amy and Bailey, carrying two little ones, walking out to meet the pre-dawn hours. I rushed and grabbed another cup for Bailey and, knowing Amy wasn't drinking coffee for a few weeks due to sleeplessness, mixed her a glass of reconstituted milk. The stuff tasted pretty good, honestly, but that might have been because I hadn't had real milk since Papeete, and I'm not fully convinced that was real milk, either. Whatever it was, it was a bit of a treat sometimes added to soups or grains or coffee, but for Amy, it was a good source of nutrition and a nice way to greet the day.

I sat my cup down and scooped Katie out of Bailey's arms to allow the young mother to stride East to move her bowels.

“She's beautiful,” Kinnon said, “is she Kate's?”

I shook my head as Amy sat down nursing Azure and sipping milk, “No, she's Bailey's child. And mine.”

“That hair, though...”

“No idea where that came from,” I replied, “no one in my immediate family had it, and Bailey said the same about hers. That's why she called her Katie. After Kate's hair.”

Amy launched into a retelling of how I'd been taken from Phoenix and was lost to them for some months, being found by Kate and Nina in Tahiti and then returned to the island to find Katie was already born.

By the end, Kinnon's eyes were red with tears. “That's beautiful. Truly beautiful.”

“I'm a very lucky man in so many ways,” I said, feeling a touch emotional holding my sweet daughter in my arms. “I have two more with Keekah, just a few weeks old now.”

“I saw them yesterday, they are beautiful as well.” Kinnon glanced to Amy, “and yours is not Kal's, yes?”

“Tok is the father, biologically. But everyone helps raise her.” Amy shifted the girl from one tit to the other, a thin trail of milk and drool running down from Azure's lips and over Amy's swollen breasts. “I never knew how much I would love being a mother, but now that I have her...”

We were quiet a moment before Bailey returned and sat beside me, pulling our daughter over to nurse as the young girl started to show an interest. We'd decided to let Katie nurse as long as she wished. She was approaching a year old, which was still well within what we knew about how long a child usually nursed, but I felt it was Bailey's decision to make, and my young wife wanted to enjoy those moments as long as she could. I didn't exactly want Katie to still be nursing at four or five, but we were a long way from those decisions. In the end, it was Bailey's call in my mind.

“I never had one, myself,” Kinnon said softly. “I miscarried twice, in my twenties, but that was it.”

“You could still have one, maybe,” Bailey offered.

“Doubtful,” Kinnon replied. “Not at my age...”

“Still having your period?” Amy asked.

“Err... yeah, but... I'm too old.”

“Maybe, maybe not,” Amy responded, “if you still have your period, you still could.”

“Well, er... I told Kal earlier, I'm a lesbian, so that's not likely to be tested much.”

“'Much'?” Bailey asked, catching the modifier.

“I sometimes desire a man...”

“Well, I'm sure this randy man would be happy to help you with that...” Bailey said with a grin.

Kinnon chuckled, “Yes, we established that earlier. I told him I would consider his offer some day.”

Bailey eyed me a moment, then smiled again, “So... you like women?”

“Yes. Romantically, that's all I want.”

“Good to know,” Bailey replied mischievously.

“I, uh,” Kinnon stuttered, “I don't know about the age thing... No offense, but... what are you, sixteen, Bailey?”

“Fifteen.”

“I dunno that I could... you know... accept that for myself. Not judging anyone, just...”

“It's fine,” I assured her, “no one expects you to jump in the sack with Bailey or anyone. Only if you ever want it, and she does as well. The age issue is not an easy one for most people. But Bailey, and Amy, and Keekah and the others... they're women here. They work a long day, they're responsible to everyone, and they have the knowledge and understanding to consent. They're mothers! Maybe it wouldn't be the same somewhere else, in another time or place, but on Phoenix, these young women are adults. That's not to say you aren't justified in your reservations.”

“Thanks for understanding. It's new to me, I admit. I won't close my mind without good reason,” Kinnon added for clarity.

I changed the subject. “I saw you brought a great deal of equipment with you. I'm sure that we were in dire need of such things.”

Kinnon nodded, “They were mine to bring. Uhonamona had plenty already, and I'd collected my own instruments over the years. I feared not having the tools I needed in an emergency. I also brought a crate of medications.”

“Oh?” Kate said, looking at me, “we didn't see them when we check items into storage.”

“Still on the boat, I think,” the dark-skinned surgeon replied. “I didn't know what you might have available, but I can hardly do my work without the basics like antibiotics, painkillers, blood thinners, those sorts of things.”

“Fantastic,” Bailey said, “we have a good supply of painkillers still, but antibiotics and other items are rare here. I'm sure Manu will be thrilled to have these added.”

“Is Manu the doctor here?” Kinnon asked.

Bailey nodded, “The only one with any real experience. I don't think she ever got schooling for it, but she's been treating her people for many years, and she's been helping me learn. Amy and Hakee, too.”

“Everyone should know basic first aid,” Kinnon replied, “and I'm glad to hear you are passing on your knowledge. That's vital to survive should something happen to those who have specialized skills. I'll be glad to mentor anyone interested. I have a lot to offer, I hope.”

“I'd like that,” Bailey said, “plus, Amy has planned and started an education system. First aid is part of that, along with the more traditional subjects. Perhaps you can work with her to incorporate medical care?”

“Absolutely,” Kinnon agreed.

“Let's talk later today,” Amy added, “when I have a chance to put Azure down for a nap. We'll want to get everyone sorted into the classes we're running now.”

“Kal,” Kinnon turned towards me, setting her empty cup on the sand, “a generator would be a request I must put forward. They're expensive when you can find them, but I've got some equipment with me which won't work without power. They can save lives, but they do nothing without electricity.”

“Think that's something Ekoh could locate and barter for?” I asked.

“Possibly. I don't know him personally, but I know his reputation as a shrewd trader. I know you certainly have other things needed here, and I know they are important. I just want to put his on your radar. A generator could be very useful. The fuel itself isn't too difficult to get, and they are pretty efficient. Uhonamona had several, perhaps they'd even trade one...”

“I don't know what we could offer them at this point. We were lucky to get the deal we got in taking you all in, honestly. We really don't have much to offer.”

“I have some gold,” Kinnon said evenly. “They value it reasonably well since it is so easy to trade with others.”

“Gold? Like... bars?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head, “coins. A few pieces of jewelry. ”

“Gold... gold...” I repeated. The word hit a memory which failed to surface. What was I forgetting?

“Kal, gold! Remember?” Bailey exclaimed. “There was gold on the boat that wrecked here!”

“And diamonds!” I recalled suddenly that the valuables had been stuffed deep in the storage building, useless to us in general but not lost. “But,” I turned to Kinnon, “I thought these days those things were mostly worthless.”

“Maybe a year or two ago, when everyone was scrambling to find a footing, to get food and fresh water and medicine. Things have changed a bit since then, at least so I heard,” the dark-skinned woman said, pouring herself a second cup of coffee. “Gold is pretty much a standard of trade if no other items could be offered which were acceptable. Other islands, other places, they take gold, too, so it's sort of the real currency when the islands trade these days. Ekoh knows this, I'm sure. Uhonamona both received and spent it as needed.”

“Well, that makes things interesting,” I said. “I'll want to discuss finances with Gale, she's our Resources person, and the Council, of course. A generator certainly seems like a no-brainer, especially if we can procure enough fuel for the long-term. We'll have to see what else we feel we must acquire now and how much to save for another day. Good suggestion, Kinnon, thanks. Hey, does anyone think an ice maker is an essential item?”

Amy somehow managed to pinch me while still nursing Azure and holding onto her milk.

“Just saying,” I explained, laughing and rubbing my arm, “I really miss ice.”

- - -

The tour to the West got started just as dawn crept up from the East, the day clear and calm, the surf almost glass-like as it gently lapped against the sandy shore. Almost everyone had risen an hour or so before daylight, and those few who hadn't were awakened so as to get started on a busy day. Hakee was going to move them down the other end of the South part of the island, just far enough to see the bend there which ran North and then West again, and they were then going North to visit those staying there and to see the fields. They planned to return in the early evening.

It meant a lot of work for those of us left South. We didn't try unloading the boat without Ekoh and the others as we didn't have enough able hands with all the young ones needing attention. Mie and Poln came off watch just as we all gathered earlier for pre-dawn breakfast, and the cousins were soon full and off to sleep a few hours. They were scheduled for watch again that evening.

It meant that Kate, Bailey, and I were the ones who had to double-time our efforts that day, Amy and Keekah keeping an eye on the babies and Katie and doing what they could near the camp, including preparing a nice lunch of roasted hare, mashed peas and potatoes, and a couple of chocolates for each of us. We held off using any of the canned goods. I wanted Gale to have a chance to fully inventory the new long-store food items and set a ration schedule first. I admit, the canned peaches and other fruits were mighty tempting even so.

Most of the day, Kate and I chopped and sorted wood. The storm the day before had brought down some good-sized limbs near the camp, and we took care to clear them out of our fresh-water source and from the camp-side gardens where our many small plants were thriving. Even the snail farm was healthy those days, and I was sure we'd soon be feasting on the delicacies.

My back ached by the time Hakee returned to camp with the newcomers. Almost as soon as she stepped out of the treeline, Hakee shed her clothes and returned to her normal state of dress, which was to say she wore none. Ekoh's eyes weren't the only ones drawn to the beautiful nineteen-year old. I swear Hakee knew the effect she had when she removed her travel attire, and she made just enough of a a show to be certain she, too, was enjoying it.

I slowly stretched my back, pressing my hands against the side of the storage building and arching carefully. My shoulders, too, were feeling tight and sore. I groaned audibly. It wasn't new or unusual to be sore on Phoenix. Most days, that was so. I think I might have pulled something in my lower back, though, and the more I tried to loosen the muscles there, the more certain I was that it was not going away.

“You alright, Kal?” Kinnon's voice called from behind me.

I turned too quickly, which caused my back to seize up and I groaned again, “Uh, hi, Kinnon. Yeah. I'm fine.”

“That didn't sound like someone who felt fine...”

“I think I might have pulled a muscle. Nothing major. Nothing I haven't done a hundred times before.”

“Want me to try to massage it out? I've done some massage therapy in my days before med school, used it a lot in my work over the years.”

“Maybe after the meal and the meeting, if it's not feeling better by then.”

“Let me know,” she said, turning away and heading back to the fire.

I watched the woman walk off and for a moment wished she wasn't a lesbian. Sure, she said she was sometimes interested in a man's company, but I'd sure like to have had a more regular shot at intimacy with Kinnon. She was really beautiful, and there was a way about her that I found rather enticing. It wasn't just her physical appearance. She was interesting, smart, and had a sense of humor. Reminded me a lot of Bailey in some ways.

I let the thought go and stretched out one more time, still feeling no relief.

We'd planned to have a group dinner together and discuss a few plans for the upcoming days. They'd had a chance to meet the rest of the Phoenicians working in the North, and from Hakee's brief report back to me as I passed her while settling myself into the calm Pacific water, it sounded like things had gone well and she expected the newcomers would be ready by the next day to start getting settled into their short-term work assignments.

I was joined in the ocean by Bailey and Amy, both naked and soon at my side as we took our time soaking in the warm briny waters. Azure and Katie were up with Keekah who had settled with Harry and Hermione back a bit from the fire pit with Kate keeping the little ones occupied and fed, as needed.

“None of them have come down to clean up yet that I've seen,” Amy noted, referring to the newcomers. “Not sure any of them have even bathed.”

“Ekoh did,” I corrected her, “last night, but that's all I've seen.”

“How did they bathe in Uhonamona?” Bailey asked.

“Far as I know, they had bath houses, separated by sex. I don't think they know how to deal with the way the opposite sex can see them if they bathe out here, and I think they worry about the common unisex bath house we have,” I explained. “Give them some time.”

“Might not take long for some...” Bailey said quietly.

I glanced up to see Kinnon coming down to where we were floating together. “Room for one more?” she asked.

“Always,” I responded, perhaps a bit too quickly. Bailey cast me a knowing glance, and Amy giggled behind me.

I tried not to stare as the dark-skinned woman pulled her shirt from her body, letting her lovely, heavy breasts fall out. She paid no mind to us as she slid her tights down and piled them next to her on the shore. She wore no panties, and my eyes were dawn to the thin, dark labia clearly visible between her legs. She was fully shaved, smooth like a child, and it made her sex look deliciously naked. Kinnon saw all three sets of eyes watching her a moment too long and she laughed, perhaps only a touch of red teasing the tops of her brown cheeks, then she stepped quickly into the water until her body was submerged to her neck.

“So...” she said, looking at Amy and Bailey, then me, “now that that's out of the way and you've had your first look at me...”

“Uh... I... Sorry, Kinnon,” I tried to apologize, but Bailey beat me to it.

“You're beautiful. We didn't mean to stare...”

“Thank you... I wasn't sure when I was going to... 'go native' around here, but it seems like the thing to do.”

“Very glad you did,” I said without thinking, then quickly added, “to help you fit in easier, I mean. One of us. Doing what we do...”

“Good grief, Kal,” Amy said, laughing, “pick your lip up and stop drooling.”

“Thanks, Amy,” Kinnon said, her eyes looking at mine and showing amusement, “though, as I recall,” she added, moving her gaze to Amy, “your eyes never stopped looking at me, either...”

“Err,” Amy said, grinning and looking away, “guilty.”

Kinnon laughed, then said, “Anyway. I suppose I'll get used to it. Being naked all the time. Always did enjoy having the privacy to do so. I suppose now I don't need privacy.”

“Think any of the others will follow your lead?” I asked more seriously. “We were just talking that, other than Ekoh, we don't think anyone has even taken a moment to bathe since arriving. I'm sure you know how vital that is to keeping diseases from spreading.”

Kinnon nodded. “I do. I'll speak to them if you wish.”

“No,” I replied, “Hakee and I can take care of that during the conversation over dinner. I don't require everyone to get naked and bathe here. They are free to wear whatever is appropriate, nude, swimwear, underwear, that sort of thing, or they can use the bath house. That's what it's for. We just want to be certain everyone knows how important it is to get clean each day.”

“Understood. Now that I'm initiated, I suppose I'll be found down here at least once a day in my birthday suit.”

“Birthday suit?” Amy asked.

Kinnon laughed, “An old term meaning naked.”

“Oh. Never heard that one,” Amy replied.

“Happy birthday to me,” I laughed.

“To us,” Bailey corrected me. I felt her hand sweep down over my ass and give my buttock a firm squeeze.

“Much as I'd love to stay and enjoy each other's company all evening down here,” I said, “I think we should get back to the others and have our debrief and set some priorities.” I smiled at the others and led the way out of the water.

- - -

“At first light, we must get the boat fully offloaded and then moved to the east to anchor,” I said loudly so that everyone could hear me over the wind which was picking up. “That will take some effort, but it won't take everyone. I spoke to Gale earlier. She and a few others will be coming back to the main camp early in the morning to take inventory and help with the offloading of the heavy building supplies. Not everything is coming off here. It makes no sense to pull building supplies off here only to have to trek through the interior and up the ridge with those items. It would take a week to get them North. Instead, we'll run the boat around to the small beach in the North and offload there. It will be tricky to get them up the steep cut to the top, but Manu and Hakee have ideas on how to make this doable.”

I paused to take a bit of stew and bit into a thin piece of the tuber bread which Hakee had really perfected over the months. It helped to have enough salt to make a wash which created a nice, pretzel-like crust on the edges, and a few spices sprinkled on made it a decent wheat bread substitute. I suspected we'd use some of the sacs of flour brought by the newcomers to make bread I was more used to back before The War, and I couldn't wait to smell it baking. Hakee even had a plan for a special oven to use for the process.

I continued, looking down at the notebook Amy had handed me moments earlier. “I'll take Ekoh, Iplah, Yplanah, Geeni, Tok, Gale, Popko, Hunamu, Nina, and Kunomo. We'll handled the offloading of the heavy items and whatever is left on the boat that needs pulled off here. All other Newcomers will be led by Hakee to take care of some of the tasks around the Main camp. We're a day behind right now. More when you consider that we now have more people to feed.”

I scraped my bowl and ate the last bite of salty bread. Despite often having stews very similar to each other day after day, I never seemed to grow tired of them. Perhaps I still held memories of my first few days on the island, when the only food we had were rose petals and sugared drink mix. Those first shellfish were a delicacy in those days, and ever since, my taste buds seemed to thank me with each mouthful of steaming fish, crab, or clam stew I devoured.

“Those going North to build the new shelter and work the crops will travel with the boat as soon as it is ready to depart. You'll stay North at least two weeks, some much longer. It is vital that we get a new building up quickly but also that we clear out those new fields. We need the crops for all the new mouths, and time is against us right now. Those going North will be Iplah, Yplanah, Heeuah, Unune, Kilba, Geeni, and Enumi. I also assume you wish Holly to go?” I asked Enumi. She nodded. “Fine. The eight of you will set up in the North and work from there until Gale says otherwise. It's going to be hard work, everyone, but you knew this would be so before you left you previous home, yes?”

Heads nodded and I pressed on. “Those staying in the Main camp will not have it easy, either. We're going to be ensuring we have plenty of fresh food and wood and handling all the construction of the new buildings here. Tok will be staying with us upon his return in the morning, and we'll doing our best to put up enough shelters for everyone to have room. He'll head back as soon as we have the shelters here underway. Staying South will be Ekoh, Takino, and Kinnon. Have I missed any one?”

When no one spoke up, I read down the notes and continued. “In addition to the labor work over the next few weeks, you'll also be expected to begin defense training with either Popko, in the North, or Nina, here in the main camp.” I decided not to go into more detail, allowing their instructors to decide how to introduce the subject more explicitly. “There is also education. Amy will work with you each individually before you turn in tonight to gauge what you need, whether it be reading English, math, or other skills. This is important, and we expect you to take it as seriously as all else you do here. Amy,” I said, directing my glance towards her, “who will lead that effort in the North?”

She replied, “Hunamu. He already has the materials he needs. They were sent up on yesterday's trip.”

“Perfect, thanks.” I saw that a joint was being fired up by Hakee, and another by Kate on the opposite side of the circle of folks watching me. “I'll turn over the rest of this notice to Hakee who has a few items to talk to you about.”

Hakee stood, inhaling smoke, and passed the joint to me as I took her place near the edge of the group of listeners, soon passing the joint on to Kinnon who grinned and sucked in the smoke before moving the joint on.

Hakee began. “Number one: sanitation. It is vital that everyone bathe at least once a day.” I could see a few nervous eyes twisting towards the surf or up to the bath house. “I know that not everyone is yet comfortable with being naked in front of others, but it is vital that you wash thoroughly each day. You may wash up in the ocean wearing your swimwear or underwear, if you have any and wish to stay covered, or naked, as is preferred by those of us who have lived here, but please, do not wear normal clothing. I'm sure you understand that this will cause the items to degrade quickly, and we need clothes to travel the interior of the island. If you prefer to use the bath house, you must do so naked. If you have concerns, please come to me or Kal to discuss, but you must begin bathing every day... starting this evening if you aren't already clean. And if you use the salt water, be sure to rinse clean with fresh before putting on your clothes or getting into bed.”

She waited a moment for reactions, then continued, “You'll each have assigned night watches in two-person teams. These usually run about three days consecutively. It can make it difficult to handle your regular work duties, but it is vital. Nina will go over these assignments with you individually, and she'll discuss basic expectations. Finally,” Hakee said, sweat dripping down her neck and past her lovely breasts from the heat of the nearby cook fire, “we'll be holding interviews with each of you over the coming days, whether here in the main camp, or in the North. This is part of the probation process. Every couple of weeks until your three months are complete, we'll do this with you individually to assess and guide you toward becoming successful citizens of Phoenix. It is our desire that you all stay and contribute, and we'll be working with you to ensure your efforts are making progress towards that end. A final decision on your citizenship will be made by our Chief in the last week of your probation, the last week or so of February, but you'll surely have a good sense of your standing long before that time.”

I continued to be amazed at the way Hakee had quickly taken to her position. She spoke with confidence but not arrogance. She was informative, perhaps a touch cold in her directions, but the young woman left no doubts about her role and her expectations. I was very proud to have chosen her as my second in command. I saw no reactions which suggested the newcomers were resisting her leadership despite her relative youth, though I knew we were still in a bit of a honeymoon period. The real difficult days, those where hard labor and personal conflicts might begin to show, were still ahead of us.

“Any questions?” Hakee offered.

“My daughter,” Enumi said, “will she be held to the same standards? Will she be handled separate from me in this probation?”

Hakee looked at me and I answered, “no, and no. We won't split families without good reason, and we have no reason to keep your daughter and send you back to Uhonamona, or vice-versa. We'll certainly expect some amount of work from her, but only as she can. She is four, yes?”

“Yes,” Enumi replied, “she'll be five in February.”

“Then for another year or two, she is not expected to do much more than learn and take part as she can. If you are staying, so shall she. Worry not, Enumi, we will not separate her from you without very good reason.”

“Very good reason...” the woman said slowly, evenly, “such as?”

“Well,” I paused, not really wanting to go into the ways in which we might decide such a thing were necessary, “we don't know you well, Enumi. I don't mean that as a judgement. You don't know us well, either. What if we were to find, and I'm only making a wild example, that you were suicidal and we feared you might kill yourself and your daughter. I think we'd be right to protect her, yes?”

“I suppose...” she said carefully. “I could see that, though this is not so.”

“No, I understand,” I replied, “I am only showing you one way such an extreme scenario might come into our decision. I don't expect such things, but we would not take lightly the protection of a child. Not during your probation or any time. Believe me, I have little ones myself, and I know that others would protect them if I were ever a threat to their well-being. I trust those around me to make that call, though, like you, I see no reason for such thoughts at this time. I'm just being honest with you, Enumi. I suspect you have nothing to worry about. Work hard, take directions as given, and help us build a strong community. That is all we ask.”

“I can do this,” Enumi replied, looking steadfast. “I will do this.”

“Excellent. Any other questions?”

“I would request something,” Ekoh spoke up. “A history. How Phoenix came to be. We know very little about the history of you all.”

“Sure,” I answered, “before we go into that, any other questions?”

When no one else spoke, I nodded to Amy and my young wife took her cue.

Amy was a natural story teller. Whether reading a book to the younger children or describing the history of the island to those listening near the fire, Amy's cadence was smooth and engaging. She talked first about Gale's arrival, years before anyone else, then sprinkled in hints of Keekah's mysterious appearance. She covered how I, and Bailey, had come to wash up and how we eventually found Keekah and Gale living on Phoenix. Amy laid out the months and years since those days, and I found myself reliving memories which had not lately been remembered. She spoke of how the Hahonokoans had arrived, with Amy as an unknown stowaway, and how the group had come to be welcomed. She mentioned the time I was taken and how I returned with Kate and Nina after a few months to meet my new daughter. Slowly, she brought us to the current day and left everyone with a solid understanding of how Phoenix became home to us.

It was time to break up the evening meal and handle the chores before bed. Individually, Hakee and I thanked all the newcomers. It was clear, especially as I hugged Enumi and Unune, that baths were definitely in order. The rich scents of days of sweat and other body odors hung heavily on them, and I left it to Hakee to kindly suggest they rinse off in the surf.

The natives and I let the newcomers make their way down to the water. I noticed they broke into two groups, the men to the South of the main camp, the women much further down to the West. In the darkness it was difficult to tell, but I believed they chose to bathe naked. Hakee had sent them away with bars of soap and clothes, and other than sharing a quick smile with my Vice, I left them to take care of their cleanliness without my curious eyes following.

- - -

Kinnon hung back and helped with the dishes. I was impressed already with the way the woman had stepped into a helper role without needing direction. She seemed, at least from my early impression, to be a natural caregiver and someone who could be counted on to be reliable and dependable. “How's that back, Kal?” she asked me as we finished wiping down the bowls and stacking them to dry in the hutch.

“Nothing I'm not used to dealing with... but sore.”

“My offer still stands.”

“I'd appreciate that, though you certainly don't need to worry about me. I've dealt with worse.”

“No bother,” Kinnon assured me, “I like to keep in practice. Besides, maybe I can teach a few of you how to do it so that when my back is aching you'll return the favor.”

“Deal. I need to rinse up a bit. Care to join me?”

“Sure.”

Kinnon still wore the clothes she'd donned after our bath in the ocean earlier that evening, but as soon as we stepped into the unoccupied bath house, she stripped down completely. I tried hard not to stare at her beautiful curves.

We rinsed off and dried quickly and she suggested I settled onto a mattress in one of the shelters. I knew Keekah was sleeping with the little ones in mine, so I suggested we see if one of the others was free.

The hut shared by Nina and Hakee held no one as the others were gathered back near the fire after a bath and were chatting together. “So... how do you want me,” I said, eagerly anticipating the massage as my lower back was sending shards of pain in random directions.

“Lay down on your stomach, just there,” she said, pointing to the edge of the mattress. I did as she asked, and she added, “I don't have any oil to use, that was gone many months ago, so I'll do my best without.”

I closed my eyes and tried to relax. Kinnon's fingers slid over my lower back gently, probing along the upper curve of my buttocks and along the extreme sides of my abdomen, then back across the toned middle section where most of the pain was centered. I groaned in appreciation and anticipation.

“Let me know if anything I do hurts you...”

I mumbled an affirmative. The pressure of the probing fingers increased a touch and I felt old aches and pains start to melt out of my awareness. I can only describe the sounds I made as 'purring.' I'm not sure how long Kinnon kneaded my muscles, but I was lost in the moment and let those magical touches ease the tightness and tension as I drifted.

Distantly, I heard Kinnon say, “Like this,” and then I was dimly aware that a second set of fingers was now working down my right side, Kinnon on my left. Someone had joined us but I was enjoying the sensations too much to be bothered to open my eyes and look back. I felt hands move down to the tops of my buttocks, then lower, massaging deeply the muscles in my ass. I was in heaven.

At some point, my aches long gone, I heard Kinnon say, “You should turn over so that we can work the rest of the muscles.”

I slowly complied, my eyes barely flickering open as I turned. Bailey was grinning down at me as I moved onto my back. I smiled in return, and quickly, both sets of hands were moving over the sides of my stomach. I closed my eyes again and let the woman work me over firmly but with a wonderful gentleness, as well.

I heard Bailey giggle and realized that I no longer felt fingers on my body. I opened my eyes to see that my young wife had a finger held over my obviously erect penis, a thin strand of precum dangling from the tip of her digit down to the small hole at the tip of my dick. It swayed a moment then broke free, sliding down the side of my shaft as both women watched.

Bailey's hand wrapped around my cock and she slowly stroked my erection. “Can't let that tension get ignored,” she said, smiling at me. I groaned my pleasure as her fist moved slowly up and down, drawing the skin over my cock along with her movements. Kinnon's eyes watched, her mouth slightly open. I noticed her dark skin held goosebumps, her nipples erect over her large breasts, the tuft of dark fur barely visible where her thighs held tight together, the woman on her knees and seated back on her ankles.

My hand snaked on its own to find Bailey's thigh and I stroked it slowly, letting her know I was enjoying her attention. Precum continued to drool out of my cock, adding lubrication to her fingers.

“Been a few years since I've been this close to a man being pleasured...” Kinnon said quietly.

“Want to help?” Bailey asked.

Kinnon hesitated, not moving a moment. She glanced at me, then back at where Bailey was stroking my cock. Whatever reservations she still held, her curiosity got the better of her. Bailey's fingers pulled away and Kinnon's replaced them, slowly sliding up and down my length and making me strain and groan.

“Lovely,” Kinnon whispered.

“Mmm-hmm,” Bailey agreed.

“Oh, God...” I murmured, growing closer with each stroke. “Gonna cum...”

Kinnon's fingers started to pull off but she stopped herself, instead wrapping tighter around my shaft and moving faster. Up and down she stroked me. A thin jet of precum shot out and fell down on her fist, then another. My back arched, no longer in pain, and I groaned loudly. Her fist moved down and then up again, and a thick white stream of cum shot out of my dick and landed along her forearm.

“Uhhnnnn...” I moaned. A second glob of jism shot higher and farther, splashing against Kinnon's naked breasts, her breath coming quickly as she continued to stroke my spurting penis. Again and again, I shot semen into the air, a large glob splashing down onto my stomach, another going further and again hitting Kinnon's breasts. By the time I was done cumming, the woman's hand, arm, and much of her front side were sticky with my salty cream.

Slowly, Kinnon's fingers slid away and she looked down at the mess on her body. She laughed and said, “Well, that was unexpected...”

Bailey leaned down and carefully sucked my deflating cock, cleaning away the sperm along its length, then she looked at Kinnon and asked, “Can I help clean you up?”

Again, Kinnon hesitated, but I could tell her answer in the way her breath quickened and her breasts swelled in anticipation. She only nodded, but Bailey moved to her and leaned down to her chest, using her tongue to clear away the stick trails of cum, teasing the woman's dark, erect nipples. Kinnon moaned and her thighs parted slightly.

That was all Bailey needed to slide her hand between the woman's legs and within seconds, as the young woman swallowed the sperm from Kinnon's flesh, my wife stroked the dark-skinned woman's hard clit firmly. Kinnon began to tremble and moan. It took no time at all, a nipple between Bailey's lips, for Kinnon to climax from Bailey's attention. Her own hands were wrapping around Bailey's head as she came, drawing my young wife's head against her, carefully touching her back and down near Bailey's ass. Kinnon's climax was intense and wonderful to see.

The woman was caught up in the moment, still trembling from her orgasm. She pushed Bailey onto her back beside me and climbed between the fifteen-year old's thighs. She didn't wait for permission, though I knew from the look on Bailey's face that Kinnon was not doing anything undesired. Bailey's mouth parted as she sucked in her breath, her swollen breasts topped by erect nipples, Kinnon's tongue quickly parting her labia and lapping up the creamy fluids between.

Bailey groaned as Kinnon ate her pussy. The woman tongue seemed to be as sharply skilled at finding and teasing points of pleasure as her fingers had been at finding and soothing the points of pain in my back. Bailey arched up and started to hump her crotch against Kinnon's face, the dark-skinned woman humming and vibrating Bailey's sensitive flesh. The young woman began to climax and Kinnon doubled down, moving her tongue rapidly over my wife's clit and through her parted labia, drawing wetness up and then twirling as the shuddering teen came hard on her face.

I was so turned on I was hard again, and I almost, instinctively, moved behind Kinnon. I barely held back, not knowing exactly where the line was with the woman. She'd described herself as a lesbian who only sometimes was interested in a man. Sure, she'd jacked me off moments earlier, but I knew that was not an open offer to do more. I resisted my desires, instead stroking myself slowly as Bailey began to relax. Kinnon moved over her, kissing her way up the teen's body, sucking briefly on her nipples before kissing my beautiful young wife's lips. I knew Bailey was tasting her own cream in the woman's mouth.

Kinnon rolled over and ended up between Bailey and me. She was grinning, out of breath, sweaty and her nipples were still very erect. “Wow...” was all she said at first. I glanced down to see that her thighs were parted slightly, her bare genitals glistening with sweat and pussy juice and Bailey's saliva. I wanted so badly to plunge my face where Bailey's had recently been. Instead, I held back and let the woman enjoy her moment. I think she enjoyed Bailey's climax more than her own. Her hand rested on Bailey's thigh, and a moment later, her other hand drifted onto mine. Just a gentle touch. An acknowledgement of what was shared, not a suggestion that more was on offer. Still, it was nice to feel her warm fingers on my bare skin once more.

“Is this something I can expect here?” Kinnon said as her eyes flickered open a moment.

Bailey laughed, “Absolutely...”

Kinnon purred. “I think I'm going to like it here...”