I led my charge out and back to his quarters. “Tessa, if I might take a bath? My skin is feeling scratchy and irritated. I need to soak.”
“Absolutely.” Our quarters only had shower and sonic drying, but I could set up a temporary tub. “Do you require anything other than water?”
“Soothing elements would be welcome, but other than mud or clay, I don’t know what to ask for.”
Hmmm. “According to my datalink, solid matter can clog a drain. Your skin seem similar to ours. Perhaps I can make a suggestion?”
“Which is?”
“I have some suggestions in mind.” I consulted the database of products. Yes, there were small ‘free trial’ samples available before I bought the formulas. I had the converter produce them, stirred the bath additive into a container of water. “Let us proceed carefully. This is water, with an additive calledAveeno, from my homeworld. I’ve used it before. Put a freehand in, see how it works before I buy the formula rights.”
He followed my directions. “Pleasant enough, but it seems I should take longer than a moment to see if there is an adverse reaction.”
“Quite correct, you should. However, try this lotion on your other hand, or some patch that’s particularly itchy.”
He pulled up the sleeve around one of his feethands, and massaged the lotion into a patch just below the junction with his torso. “That is pleasing. Does this also have a name?” He returned his freehand to the water when finished.
“It does – Mary Kay Satin Body.” Dedication to a sales model could only go so far. Despite protestations, and really trying to avoid it, they’d had to bend to the realities of commerce in the Empire. “Now let’s give it a couple minutes, to make sure it’s not going to cause discomfort from dissimilarities in chemistry.”
“Nothing thus far. Where did you encounter these products,Tessa? They are soothing.”
I began setting up the temporary tub. “On my world, they’re sold by cosmetics companies, in small containers only. But Imperials won’t put up with that – too many competing products, any one of which works fine and is happy to sell rights of use for a one-time payment. If they won’t sell the rights to use the formula, they can’t break into the Imperial market. The licenses may be dear, but it’s a time license, five years Imperial – and everyone from this embassy will be replaced in two years. If you think them acceptable, I’ll pay for it with embassy funds.” It would be for any visiting Morelli, but would allow me or Professor Tamana or anyone else having access to the diplomatic account to use them, as well.
“I do not think either of these is causing an adverse reaction,Tessa. If I could persuade you to allow me somefushon, as well?”
He meant beer. The Morelli brewed a concoction that was similar to any number of beers from around the Empire. But he’d indicated a fondness for an Imperial brand called Navor which was available in the ship’s database. “Just a moment. Let me draw your ingredients first.” The converter produced the water, then a cup or so of the bath additive, followed by most of a liter of the lotion for after. It should be plenty. Then, “I’ve set your converter for twenty prime isixths offushon. Just hit the go button when you’re ready.” The amount was roughly three pints’ worth, not enough to get him sloshed but a decent buzz, and headed back to the diplomatic planning session.
Copyright 2025 Dan Melson. All Rights Reserved.
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