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Rei waited for an opportunity to breach the question to her mentor. One of the things she had learned was that they didn't talk much in the Yautja culture. You were ignored until you were needed. Casual conversations just didn't happen. She had tried it to try and practice the language with Bhu'ja, but he just ignored her. It frustrated her to no end because even when she yelled at him in English she knew that he could understand her yet was ignoring her on purpose.
She decided to confide in Ami one night, "I want to put myself out there! Every time I try and talk to any of them they just walk away!"
"They are not and up front sort of culture. You need to do something to prove that you are worthy of their time."
"How the hell do I do that? Trial by combat? A display of endurance and strength? A fucking dance off?" Rei threw her hands up in anger.
Laughing Ami replied, "I don't think it works that way. However, I think it would be quite amusing to see one of them try to dance."
Rei tried to picture it, a large muscled reptilian swaying back and fourth; possibly even attempting to break dance. She remembered a few of the troops in the colony used to do that. Rolling over in bed she though that it would be interesting if she could get one of the hunters to try.
Everything was going pleasantly; Rei was running through the jungle chasing one of the many animals that were bred on the clans' planet. She was almost within striking range when suddenly she was falling face first onto the hard stone floor. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes she stood up and looked around.
At the end of each bed stood a different clan member and many of the slaves were on the floor. The ones that the hunters couldn't wake up outright they pushed out of the bed. Once everyone was awake and standing Bhu'ja entered the barracks. This shocked all of the girls as he hardly ever came within the vicinity of them.
"I know this in unorthodox. It is not very often I tend to speak." The clan leader started, For some reason the clan elder feels the need to be on planet for an undetermined period of time. I ask that during his stay that you never leave your masters side. I have noticed many of you sneaking away to converse. Normally I see no issue with this. However the elder is not as lenient as I. Does everyone understand?"
Each girl crossed their right arm over their chest as a salute that they understood the instructions, all while sharing quizzical glances with each other. Rei had never heard of the elder. Kida either failed to mention him, or was waiting until it was important. She would find out today. This could be her chance to prove what she could do.
"I do not have time to go over this right now" Kida took long purposeful strides down the hall. The camp had been a hive of activity since the announcement of the elder arriving. Kida who was usually composed seemed nervous and slightly more irritable.
"But If I could show him…"
"You would be lucky if he even stepped on your foot ok! The chances of him even paying attention to you are miniscule."
"What is so important about this guy anyways?"
"It's Bhu'Ja's father."
Rei froze. Well shit she thought. No wonder Kida was behaving awkwardly. She was going ot have to deal with her father-in-law. "I'm sure everything will be fine."
"Oh sure, He only tried to kill me the last time I met him."
"Wait what?" Rei ran to catch back up. They had made it to Kida's apartments. Being mated to the clan leader she had to look the part for once.
Kida pulled out a set of armor that looked almost like copper, and a heavy red fabric. "Help me put these on. I don't feel like getting stabbed again." She said rolling her eyes.
"What exactly happened the last time you met him?" Rei struggled with the straps on the breast plate. Formal armor was much more complex than the normal awu'asa.
"He wasn't very happy with the fact that Bhu'ja picked me. In fact he was so sure I would die during my trials he bet that if I survived then he would allow the mating. When I didn't he attempted to kill me before I could make it back to the ship. When that also failed he damn near banished us." She bent down to lace up her sandals, "I think the only thing that really saved us was the fact that one of the men he sent to assassinate me was Bhu'Ja's brother so there was no one else to take over the clan, and then he won his challenge for the title of elder."
Rei had to stop to process this information. She had said so casually that she had killed her husbands' brother; like it was nothing. Even the attempts on her life she damn near brushed off. "Is stuff like this normal around here?"
"It's almost a daily occurrence. You have to fight if you want to move up in this society. The more you win the more credibility you have. Lar'Ja is challenged multiple times per day."
Rei's ears perked up at the mention of his name. Wait why do I care? She shook her head.
"He should be here any minute now." Kida stood up. She was a very imposing figure dressed like this. The dark spots on her skin stood out against the bright copper of the armor. Instead of the usual dull leather coverings she now wore the deep red velvet like material. Around one thigh she had a thick leather belt that housed multiple throwing knives, and strapped to her back were her swords. With a nod Rei picked up her helmet and followed her out tot the great hall.
Normally Rei felt fine walking around, she was used to being ignored and in fact almost preferred it that way. Today, however, the tension in the clan was high. None of the other servants paid attention to each other. Every hunter was wearing armor that was covered in battle marks walking around cautiously.
"You feel it don't you?" Kida smirked.
"Feel what? How on edge everyone seems to be around here."
"Exactly, every fighter has something to prove, and who better to prove it in front of than the clan elder."
That makes sense. Rei thought. Hell she had been thinking about that herself earlier. It probably wouldn't be the best idea, especially if many of the clan would be at war with each other during his stay.
They reached the sliding doors to the great hall. "Brace yourself" Kida warned.
Rei didn't know why she meant to say that until they entered the room. At the head sat the ugliest Yautja she had ever seen. He had pale skin with dark green spots, and a face that was almost nothing but spikes and scars. One of his mandibles was missing a tusk, but that didn't take away from his domineering look.
Kida motioned Rei to go stand in a corner with the rest of the servants, many of whom she didn't recognize and could only assume that they belonged to the elder.
"Father" Kida said kneeling down and crossing her arm over her chest. Rei noticed Bhu'ja seemed to be laughing from beside the throne. He apparently enjoyed watching her push his fathers buttons.
"U'darahje" He scowled in return. It was a word that Rei didn't recognize.
She turned to the shy looking girl next to her, "excuse me," she spoke in Yautja hoping it was a common language between them, "What did he call her?"
The girl didn't look up from the floor but softly answered, "Abomination"
