POV: Lyra
Orion was awakened by my 0400 hours alarm. I turned it off within seconds and got out of the rest platform in the darkness. His sleepy eyes watched me stretch my body before I walked towards the cleansing chamber. When I locked the door behind me, Orion allowed himself a few more seconds before getting off the auxiliary platform he slept on. He then remembered we had a date this morning.
But after everything that happened the night before, he wasn't sure if I still wanted to go with our plans. He activated the illumination and stretched his own body as he waited for me to emerge.
The moment he heard the cleansing chamber door unlocking and saw me emerge in changed attire, Orion took large strides towards me, and held me in his arms as he pressed a kiss on my cheek and forehead before whispering, "Good morning, beautiful."
I offered a shy smile, my skin shifting to pleased pink. "Good morning, Orion."
He then asked in concern, "How are you feeling?"
I replied, "I'm okay. That phase was over after I cried it out last night. I'm back to normal now. Thank you."
He smiled and pressed a kiss on my nose before taking a step back to take in the black training suit I was wearing before he asked nervously, "C-Can I join you for your meditation this morning?"
I looked at him in confusion. "Weren't you already going to do that?"
He chuckled as relief washed over him before he explained, "I just thought after what happened last night, you would want to meditate alone."
I then asked quizzically, "So... you expected me to go on our date by myself?"
His eyes widened as he frantically denied, "No! I just..." He stopped his explanation when he caught the cheeky glint in my eye, and he went straight for the flesh on my waist as I giggled and he muttered, "You little void-spawn [rascal]."
His Lyrokan consciousness was absolutely jubilant to hear my giggles so early in the morning. It could not think of a better way to start the day, and neither could Orion. After he had cleaned himself up, we went to the lower level and exited through the rear access, greeting Ethan who was standing guard before we made our way to the observation deck.
The massive transparisteel wall showed the infinite cosmos—stars glittering against the void, the nearby nebula casting purple and gold across space. Three moons of different compositions orbited below us, their surfaces reflecting the distant sun's light.
We found a secluded corner of the deck where we could activate our consciousness projection without disturbing others. This was a Lyrokan ability that Kaelari had learned to access through meditation—projecting one's inner consciousness into a visible energy form. For Lyrokans, it was natural. For Kaelari like me, it took years of training.
I settled into meditation position and let my consciousness expand. The energy coalesced around me, taking shape as a smaller, luminescent form—my projected consciousness appearing as pure energy in whites and silvers, but with unusual striations of grey running through what would be considered my energy signature. These grey patterns had always been unique to me.
Orion's projection emerged—a massive nine-foot tall energy being of deep purple and black, his Lyrokan consciousness magnificent in its raw power. Unlike Kaelari projections which remained somewhat ethereal, Lyrokan consciousness projections were solid, tangible, able to interact with the physical world.
His projection's purple eyes showed concern as he activated our mind-touch. Baby, what's wrong?
I think I'm still not used to seeing Lyrokan consciousness projections. I said as I looked at Orion in awe. His projection exuded strength, confidence and power. Every part of Orion's majestic consciousness screamed dominance and perfection.
Seeing that I didn't say anything further as I continued to stare, Orion misread my awe for fear so he linked sincerely, I can withdraw if you want. He, especially his Lyrokan consciousness, was worried that it may have upset me, or worse, scared me.
Cheekiness sparked in me for the second time that morning when I linked, Now why would I want that? Seeing you like this now gives me more time to strategize on how I'm going to beat your consciousness in combat later on.
His worry vanished as he linked in mock realization, Ah, so that's why you suggested we had a consciousness date. And here I thought you just wanted our consciousness to connect. This is quite embarrassing, my Empress.
Looks like I've misled you. I smirked as we continued to replay our conversation at the refreshments table before Orion's arousal spiraled out of control the other day, with our roles now reversed.
Hm... that, you did. Orion linked in his husky voice as his projection took a step towards mine. His pheromones were beginning to fill the space around us.
I then improvised from our conversation at the refreshments table. You're not going to consider punishing your match now, are you, Your Eminence? This is hardly a fair game. You know I can't outmaneuver you.
He took another step towards me and said flirtatiously, So why bother running? Just let me catch you, match.
If I were in my physical form, I would have shifted colors from the alluring way Orion said the word 'match'. Not wanting to be the one to drop our harmless act first, I linked, Mm... no. I came for meditation and I am going to meditate. You can't stop me just because you're a Lyrokan and an Emperor. With that, my projection floated away rapidly, and I couldn't help but chuckle when I saw Orion's shocked expression.
Babe, I honestly don't know which one of us is going to regret this more once it ends. Orion said, repeating my exact words to him when I challenged him to spar. His words elicited a chuckle from me through our link, making his Lyrokan consciousness pursue mine.
My adrenaline was pumping as my projection weaved through the observation deck's structural supports. Within seconds, I felt Orion's consciousness catching up so I tried to get creative. I phased through walls and took unexpected turns through the station's architecture. The trick was to slow Orion down, even if just slightly.
When the meditation garden at the deck's center came into view, I made a leap toward it when Orion's projection appeared from behind a pillar and caught mine, both our energy forms tumbling gently to the cushioned floor, mine safely wrapped in his.
With our projections intertwined on the ground, Orion's concerned purple eyes bore into mine as he asked, You okay, Lyra?