En-e-drek!
Jellia stood nervously on her front porch and watched a skimmer drive up. Ska-drek and Mother stood behind her and Mother, she was sure, was just as nervous as she was. A kesh… a li-kesh… her en-e-drek, got down and, behind him, the skimmer flew away. He seemed to hesitate just the tiniest fraction and then strode up to her. She used the time to examine him. He had a strong stride… that was good. His smile was bright but nervous. He wasn’t very tall, but his feet were a bit big so he would probably still grow. His hair wasn’t as dark as ska-drek Illoh’s and he had just a hint of a moustache… certainly nothing to complain about. Dating him for the next couple years would probably be fun!
She wasn’t sure what he was supposed to say, and she was sure she couldn’t say anything, but he just walked up to her, and, taking her head in the approved way, gave her an intimate kiss. A very intimate and very long kiss.
When he finally finished he stepped back, looked her up and down, and said, “Shirt off.”
She so should have expected this, it had happened to all of her girlfriends, but she had managed to forget it and almost, almost she hesitated too long and she could see his mouth open to ask for the physical chastisement implement but she beat him to it and stood, on her front porch, in front of the entire world, with her shirt off and him staring at her and enjoying the view… as was not only his right, but his duty. Oh, this was going to take getting used to!
“Very good. Hand it to your Mother, if you please, and I would like to go on a walk.”
She turned and, not meeting Ska-drek-a’s startled and probably angry eyes, handed her the shirt and then turned back to Gregory, holding out her hand.
But he had other ideas and took her in the groping manner that Ska-drek used and led her down the yard. She and some kesh, she with her shirt off and him handsy, in front of the whole world.
They walked for a couple of minutes before he cleared his throat and said, “I hope I did that well. Your ska-drek has snipped me several times emphasizing how hard some of this will be for you as an exo, and what areas you will struggle with. I have been studying up on code and custom, and have read the file on your planet. I will be asking you to be extra vigilant to report any code and custom violations to me.”
She gulped. “Yes, my en-e-drek.”
He stopped, turned to her, and kissed her again. This time even longer and much more handsy. “Yes, I am your en-e-drek, he said, leading her off. “And eager to be en-drek and ska-drek to our kesh. Come, all of the reports I have read say you are doing very well. You will manage this too. When is your ska-drek-a due?”
A male asking such questions! On Ephemera that would have been unheard of!
“In four months,” she said.
“And you have no other siblings?”
“On my Ephemera it wasn’t done to have too many kesh-u. Not if you were of a certain social class, you understand.”
He shook his head. “How did they manage to populate the planet? Left it to the farmers, I suppose.”
As Mother’s grandparents had indeed been farmers and had had several kesh-u, she supposed so too.
The walk seemed forever but was far to quick before they came to the store and, without a single hesitation, he led her in.
“Jellia! You are en-e-drek-a!” the cashier said, coming forward and kissing her. “Congratulations. And your name, en-e-dreck of our Jellia?”
“Li-kesh Gregory Phelium”, her en-e-drek said.
“Well, congratulations to you, too. Perhaps a hard road, being matched to an exo, but I see you’ve started well. Ten percent off today, first ten bits,” the man said.
“Well, that will be helpful. Come, My Love, I wish to buy a bottle of hard for our first-meeting. What kind does your ska-drek prefer? And you?”
She cleared her throat, “Well, ska-drek prefers a dark red for snacks. I usually drink a light white but probably he will insist I join him.”
“Well, he can’t do any insisting during our time together,” Gregory said. “But a dark red will be fine. Let us shop.”
He kept her in the shop for at least a half an hour, she was sure quite on purpose, and even spend some time intimate kissing her in the hard aisle… which the cashier applauded noisily. But then they had their hard and chocolates and were back out.
“We should go back. Your ska-drek instructed me to give your ska-drek-a some time to breathe, but it is custom to spend a good amount of time in your house, under your parents eye, as we explore each other.”
She flushed. She was in the extremely awkward position of desperately wanting to ‘explore each other’ and being totally embarrassed at the very idea. Still more that her parents would be there, but relieved that they would. She felt safer knowing that ska-drek would be there.
Thank you for reading Von’s Substack. I would love it if you commented! I love hearing from readers, especially critical comments. I would love to start more letter exchanges, so if there’s a subject you’re interested in, get writing and tag me!
Being ‘restacked’ and mentioned in ‘notes’ is very important for lesser-known stacks so… feel free! I’m semi-retired and write as a ministry (and for fun) so you don’t need to feel guilty you aren’t paying for anything, but if you enjoy my writing (even if you dramatically disagree with it), then restack, please! Or mention me in one of your own posts.
If I don’t write you back it is almost certain that I didn’t see it, so please feel free to comment and link to your post. Or if you just think I would be interested in your post!
If you get lost, check out my ‘Table of Contents’ which I try to keep up to date.
Von also writes as ‘Arthur Yeomans’. Under that name he writes children’s, YA, and adult fiction from a Christian perspective. His books include:
The Bobtails meet the Preacher’s Kid
and
Arthur also has a substack, and a website.
Thanks again, God Bless, Soli Deo gloria,
Von
Links
Contract Marriage
Contract marriage is an adult dystopia examining the issues of marriage. Like 1984 and Brave New World, Contract Marriage treats the relations between the sexes as a fundamental aspect of how a society is formed and, thus, how a society can go wrong.
Unlike those dystopias, Contract Marriage isn’t all horrible all of the time. The characters for the most part have a good time and get along in their society. But the issues of sexuality, of marriage or not, monogamy or not, faithfulness or not, and gender roles… keep coming up and causing tension and conflict and joy and pain.
My desire is that my readers would be thinking along with my characters about these issues and perhaps even arrive at the same place (minus the flying cars).
Introduction // Podcast Version
In which I lay out the themes that I intend to explore in this light Dystopia, and ask others to participate.
Trade Master: First Chapter // Podcast Version
In which Fenestra, our heroine’s mother, puts in her application for the job of 'Trade Master’ on the planet Libertas, and finds out that it isn’t that easy.
En-Drek Contract // Podcast Version
In which Fenestra finds out that, on Libertas, everyone must be in an ‘En-drek’ contract… a long-term, live-in, heavy date between a man and a woman for the purpose of producing one child after the other with one date after the other.
Disappointment and Meditation // Podcast Version
In which Jellia, the daughter and our heroine, finds out about her mother’s job opportunity, including its difficulties, and commits herself to meditating on the situation. (And internally commits herself to encouraging her mother to take the job.)
Decision Reached // Podcast Version
Jellia tells her mother that she thinks she should take the job, and so her mother puts in her application… and gets the job!
First School // Podcast Version
Jellia goes to school and gets to tell everyone about her new adventure.
First Work // Podcast Version
Fenestra goes to work, and tells her coworker about her new opportunity.
Writing Class: Podcast Version
Jellia writes a poem (a limerick) and tells her classmates more about her new adventure.
Trader Galloway: Podcast Version
In which a man comes over for a ‘date’ (Ie to sleep over with her mother) and to tell them all about his time as Trade Master for their company on Libertas. And as how he was almost executed for asking a woman out on a date.
Shopping: Podcast Version
In which Jellia and her mother go shopping for the last time, and we explore some of the nature of the planet she is leaving.
Language: Podcast Version
In which Jellia starts using some new words at school, and everyone gathers round to find out what they mean.
Kesh-i Cooking Class: Podcast Version
In which Jellia finds out that children (Kesh-i) on Libertas are expected to cook.
Trade Master Training: Podcast Version
In which Fenestra begins her training for her new role, with an old enemy.
Two Week Date: Podcast Version
In which Fenestra and Alex decide to date for the next two weeks.
The Facts of Life: Podcast Version
In which Fenestra brings Alex home, and Jellia isn’t impressed. Although she is interested in how dating works for boys.
Snips: Podcast Version
In which Jellia spends time snipping with a boy, and brings him home.
Kissing: Podcast Version
In which Jellia and her mother both have a sexual ‘last fling’ before they leave, and Jellia practices the new kisses she will need for her new planet.
Off Ephemera // Podcast Version
In which Jellia and her mother arrive at the shuttle port, go through some annoying formalities, and take off!
And Fly! // Podcast Version
In which Jellia and her mother board their spaceship, and Jellia starts doing her homework.
Abstinate // Podcast Version
In which Jellia gets bored, rejects an older gentleman, and rejects her mother’s idea of dating.
Older Kesh-u // Podcast Version
In which Jellia learns more about what Kesh-u (children) are allowed to do on Libertas.
Fertility // Podcast Version
In which Jellia and her mother are taken off birth control by an odd doctor.
New Girl // Podcast Version
-Added out of order- Jellia meets a new girl on the shuttle, from a strange culture!
Decon // Podcast Version
Jellia and her mother arrive on their new planet, go through an awful decontamination, get sent to a briefing, and receive their first kiss/greeting!
Briefing // Podcast Version
Jellia and her mother are warned that the laws on Libertas can be very serious.
En-drek File
Fenestra reads up on her new ‘en-drek’.
Justicia // Podcast Version
Jellia rejoices in the new planet!
The House // Podcast Version
Jellia explores her new house.
Shopping and Greeting // Podcast Version
Jellia uses her new ‘kesh liberty’ and runs off to do some shopping. And has to kiss everyone all the way home.
Ska Illoh Kiladi // Podcast Version
Jellia meets her new Ska, who has business with her mother.
Ooops // Podcast Version
Jellia makes a mistake, gets chastised, and hates it here!
Neighbours // Podcast Version
In which Jellia goes off the cry, and meets neighbours.
Breakfast // Podcast Version
Jellia wakes up, makes breakfast, and runs off for a new day!
Kesh Liberty // Podcast Version
Jellia takes off for town with two younger kesh in tow, and has a fun time shopping!
Dinner // Podcast Version
Jellia comes home from her day in town, raced to unpack her new noodle machine, and cooks dinner!
Testing // Podcast Version
Jellia shows up at her new school, has to check herself it, gets tested for math, art, engineering… and whether she’s mature enough for a live in date.
Great Room // Podcast Version
Fenestra was finally Trade Master, and finally by herself, and finally got to start her new work! Sitting in her new living room in her PJs!
Great Hopes // Podcast Version
Iloh Kiladi shows up at work and gets grilled on how his new relationship is going.
Physio // Podcast Version
Jellia has to do ‘Physio’ at school… which involves running and climbing and getting sweaty.
Engineering // Podcast Version
Jellia finds out that what her engineering teacher cares about is that she learn, not that she come to class.
Basic Bio // Podcast Version
Can there be anything more embarrassing than being at a new school and having all the other girls discuss where you are in puberty?
Pastels and Colic // Podcast Version
Jellia’s next was with pastels, and they had a nursing mother and her baby for a study! Until the baby started crying.
Physio // Podcast Version
PE by any other name would be as annoying.
Report // Podcast Version
School is done for the day, and Ska-drek picks her up… and quizzes her on how it went!
Second Day // Podcast Version
Jellia begins her second day in school all excited, and much less nervous.
All by Herself // Podcast Version
Meditation Day // Podcast Version
Other Planet BBQ // Podcast Version
Invitation // Podcast Version
The Lawyer // Podcast Version
Meditation Day // Podcast Version
Other Planet BBQ // Podcast Version
The Lawyer // Podcast Version
Invitation // Podcast Version
Armed // Podcast Version
En-e-ska // Podcast Version
Garden Party // Podcast Version
At Work // Podcast Version
A Little Charge // Podcast Version
Jellia is supposed to be wandering around, taking orders, and bringing food. She doesn’t expect to get handed a kid to babysit!
Sympathy // Podcast Version
Jellia’s mother is pregnant. Which she never thought she would be again, and doesn’t want to be, and curse this stupid planet with their stupid rules. And Jellia tries to be sympathetic.
Bracelet Off // Podcast Version
Jellia wore an ‘exo bracelet’, which told the world she was new, and would be making mistakes. The time has come to take it off.
How to Make a Baby // Podcast Version
She understands how they do it on their new planet, but how did it work on their old one?
Zoomy // Podcast Version
In which Jellia finds out her new father figure can do some work around the house. Like, plumbing!
Considering En-e-Kesh // Podcast Version
In which Jellia has to pick a boy. Or an older man.
Approval Needed // Podcast Version
In which Jellia’s proposed En-e-Drek has to decide yeah or nay.