Chapter 11: Learning
Crying was never a favorite pastime for Cat, but she needed it right now. She didn't even register when the door closed behind Ek'tan. It wasn't just the death of the predator that opened the floodgates, it was the combination of the last few day's changes, deaths and choices closing in and clicking into place. She'd probably never see her home again, never be able to experience its unique scent of smog in the city, freshness of cut grass in the country, the sand beneath her feet in the desert or the beautiful cool blue ocean lapping lazily at her toes.
She'd miss being just one of millions in a crowded city like New York, watching her fellow humans hurrying along to do something important for themselves or their loved ones. To never again sit quietly on a mountaintop in the Alps looking at a sunrise; a new beginning so full of color it could make your eyes tear up just from thinking of the possibilities one new day could bring. She'd miss out on the hidden treasures left to discover, the feeling when you step on ground no one has been on for over thousands of years; being the first to touch it, trying to put the puzzle into a place in history.
Sighing she held on to the hunter a little more tightly the tears slowly ebbing. Putting Earth behind her would be difficult, probably impossible if she was honest. 25 years of her life were left there on that small planet, her memories mostly fond, some a little sad. She would treasure them all the same. One thing she was sure of right at this moment, she would never forget where she came from and what she learned in her short time there. Though she was alone here as the only one of her kind, she would endeavor to always keep her humanity intact. She would accept the teachings and traditions of the Yautja, but she would also stubbornly keep her own.
Pulling away from his neck she wanted to see his eyes, somehow they were comforting to her, calming almost. Looking at him, she realized she never felt fear of his kind or their appearance. She knew her kind must be odd if not ugly to his, and probably hers would feel the same if they saw him, personally she didn't see the ugliness in them, just a difference.
Releasing him with one hand she slowly traced her finger over his mandibles, feeling the soft almost velvety feeling of the membrane that ran from the top to the bottom one. She touched one of his ivory tusks, moving her finger down she grazed the pad of her index finger over his teeth. When he didn't move away or tell her to stop she used the other hand to trace the bumps and ridges of his head, touching each spot gently, glancing at his eyes.
Ke'varde didn't remain passive at her explorations. Releasing her back with one hand he traced the mark she now wore giving a rumbling purr, making her smile slightly. Moving his fingers over her eyebrows, she closed them, allowing him to trace her lashes with the side of his clawed thumb, wiping away the moisture gathered there in the process. Next he traced her nose lightly to the tip, continuing to the side of her mouth. Pausing there he waited for her to open her jungle eyes again. As she did so, he began slowly tracing her upper lip, enraptured by the unfamiliar softness and texture making his way down to the bottom one.
When he looked up locking her eyes with his she whispered against his fingers "Do you know what kissing is Ke'varde?" Tilting his head slightly to the side he whispering back "no". Moving his hand from her lips she ran his fingers to through her hair releasing it when it reached the back of her neck doing the same with her hand pressing her body closer to his, never once breaking eye contact whispering "I'll show you" moving her head to the side of his mandibles she closed her eyes lightly pressing her lips there, tracing them gently to the other side. Feeling him tighten his grip pressing her to him more firmly and his purring intensify, vibrating her whole body, she moved to the center of his mandibles feeling him open them and caress her cheeks with his tusks, though the sensation was new she liked it immensely. Kissing the inside of the membrane and nibbling on his lower yaw she felt him shift on the bed moving back taking her with him his hand combing through her hair and his other one moving up her back and then down under the fur. Her hands were doing their own exploring over his powerful shoulders and dreadlocks.
"Get off that bed this instant!" hearing that Ke'varde bolted up, spotting Mir'en in the doorway with wristblades extended.
Suddenly thrown off him Cat yelped in surprise landing in a heap of flailing arms and legs on the floor, dazed she noticed the healer as well groaning in embarrassment "Oh god how much did he see!" her cheeks flaming fire engine red, grabbing at her fur making sure she was still covered muttering "Was that really necessary Mir'en? You almost gave me a heart attack."
Moving over to the female Mir'en helped her up positioning himself between the hunter and her, glaring at each of them "There will be no mating until you are both completely healed!" that said he motioned for Ke'varde to leave, when the hunter did so growling, he turned to the ooman snapping his blades back into place "That was close"
Observing her for injuries he clicked "That is not the only reason I stopped you" taking the seat opposite her he continued "Mating among my species can be dangerous little one. Though the females are the dominant species and take control, with you it would be different because of your size and ooman nature. As I understand you oomans mate for life?"
Considering his words she nodded "Mostly we do, yes" grunting he continued "It is not like that for us. Ke'varde is still a young warrior, usually only older Yautja decide to take a lifemate, but even that is rare. You must consider this before you decide to mate with one of us… as well as the possibility of pups"
Confused she questioned "Pups?" realization dawning she shrieked "You mean babies? I'm not ready for a baby! Is that even possible? What would it look like?" pacing the room.
Mir'en watched her pace "Yes pups. It is possible, but only if you decide it. To breed pups you would need to have Yautja blood added to your system, it would ensure the life of the fetus increasing its odds greatly, since its genes would consist mostly of the sire, our genes being the dominant ones"
Astonished she asked "Would I be affected by accepting the blood? Will I grow mandibles? Turn green? Sprout dreads?" panicking a little at those images in her head.
Chuckling he answered "Minimally. The only significant changes would be that you could deal with our environment better and your cell regeneration would improve significantly helping healing and expanding you life."
Feeling a pounding in her head starting she lifted her hand to it, moving to the bed "Thank you for explaining Mir'en, but if you don't mind I'm tired, I need some time to rest" hearing him grunt and then leave she threw herself on the bed closing her eyes groaning "I can't believe I almost slept with him!" she didn't know exactly how to feel about that, on one hand it wasn't that bad and she did enjoy it… but on the other "Pups!… blood changes!... talk about overload" grabbing the fur next to her she stuffed her face in it and screamed in frustration.
Exiting her quarters Ke'varde saw Ek'tan waiting outside, not wanting to deal with him he growled "Quiet pup. I'm in no mood" heading for his own quarters. Reaching them uninterrupted he moved directly for the bathing chamber, discarding his loincloth, wristblades and string of trophies on the way, entering the shower "I need to wash her scent from my body"
Her scent was pleasant to him before, but after her… kissing it became more potent. His brain was still reeling from it even now. Growling he leaned on the wall washing himself. He didn't quite understand it; she didn't seem to be going into heat as other females of his kind did, because as soon as Mir'en walked in it lessened. Growling he slammed his fist into the wall in annoyance denting the panel. He should have been able to control himself; he was after all a seasoned warrior not some youngling who had no discipline. He knew he could have hurt her if they continued. "It has been too long; I need to find a mate"
He wasn't known for his prowess with the females even though they did want him, some for his genes, most for his hunting skills and trophies, a few even wanted him as a lifemate. He was always selective when it came to mating, if he would breed pups he would breed the finest and strongest. His sire taught him that and he agreed with it completely; if you were weak, you were dead.
Getting out of the shower he moved to his bed, on the way an object caught his attention. Walking to his armor he took out a black knife, Cat's knife to be precise. Turning it over in his hand his thoughts returned to her. He couldn't help but remember her touch or the feel of her. Soft, warm, willing,… so unlike the females he was used to, hearing his own purr resonate in the chamber he growled viscously slamming the knife down on the table. Feeling a slight sting he removed his hand looking at the small cut, glancing at the knife he saw its blade broken in half, turning away from it he collected a fresh loincloth.
The bridge was bustling with activity. Everyone was doing something, the Elder directing them to their tasks. They would be docking in the bay of the Clan ship soon, therefore everything had to be ready and in order for their arrival. Watching the unbloods work he was glad they seemed to accept the ooman. The problem would be the blooded warriors and the older clan members. They were more steeped in the old ways, any progress was a battle he had to fight for constantly.
He was relieved when the High Matriarch approved of his choice, it would offer more protection to Cat. No one ever crossed the decree of the High Matriarch as she was the supreme ruler of all the clans, the High Elder only her advisor, if a Yautja disobeyed her he/she would be immediately deemed an outcast or even worse a badblood.
Each of the 43 clans had an Elder to guide them, each clan ship more than twenty thousand members some with families, almost half of them warriors, male and female. The others on board had other designations to keep the ship running smoothly, from cooks to engineers, smiths to build armors, weapon builders to healers,… Once every hundred years all the Elders would gather on the home world for the selection of a new High Elder to advise the High Matriarch. Soon he would have to leave for the gathering, there were even rumors he would be chosen. He was proud of it, this was considered the highest honor a male Yautja could receive.
Watching Ek'tan entering the bridge he waited for him to approach, when the hunter reached him, he clicked "We will be docking within the hour. I want you to get the ooman and Ke'varde, I want you both vigilant and on guard. The ooman is your priority, understood?" The hunter bowed his head thumping his chest with his fist "As you order Elder" walking to do as ordered he passed Mir'en in the hall.
Noticing his friend the Elder moved to a corner of the bridge away from the unbloods and pilots, seeking some privacy to speak, the healer moved over to his side, both of them looking out observing the nearing of the Clan ship. "Mir'en?"
Thrilling with laughter the healer said "I caught the female and Ke'varde in an interesting position a little while earlier. It was highly amusing" getting serious he continued "I believe she is developing feelings for him Selt'ox. I explained a little of our mating and breeding to her, she seemed a little distressed by it" Glancing at him the Elder clicked "She needs time to adjust. As for her feelings they cannot be helped, in the end it is her choice who she mates with" nodding the healer frowned "Yes I know, but is he the right one?" shrugging the Elder said "I can understand your concern Mir'en, I share it, but we have no choice but to stand aside and let this play out."
Sighing the healer nodded, as he was turning to go the Elder asked quietly "My request Mir'en? Do you have an answer?" Looking into his friends eyes the healer considered not telling him or lying, but he knew Selt'ox could tell when he said an untruth "Why does it matter? What will it change? The past is irreversible, you know that"
Growling the Elder glared at him "Yes I do! It took me two hundred years to accept it!" sighing he continued more calmly "I'm not sure if it would change anything, but it matters to me my friend and I can tell it matters to you as well, I'm not the only one who cared for her" gripping his friends shoulder in a show of support Mir'en clicked "I know. I loved her as well Selt'ox." releasing him he started for the door, glancing back he whispered "It is positive"