Eleventh month. Sixth day of the third week.
It was almost at the down of the two suns. Emma has just finished packing. She was thrilled because she will soon embark again on board the ship that brought her to Yautja Prime for undertaking another voyage towards a very important destination. This will give her the privilege to meet Elder Erisei Ren'ka whose she heard an awful lot of marvelous things.
Ter'kan came back home, accompanied by two male slaves. 'Good evening, beautiful' Did you finish packing?'
Emma responded by pointing her index finger at the bags near the bed: 'Yes! These are the things I'd like to take with me.' She then retired to the bathing room in order to complete her preparation while lending an ear to the males's deep voices. A smile appeared on her face. Feelings of joy but also impatience were agreeably bothering her at the thought of that travel.
The leader showed himself again. He added, standing in the middle of the doorway: 'I'll be waiting for you in the weapons room.' He didn't wait for her answer and went away.
Emma just nodded in agreement. A short while went by before she left the bathing room and headed to the weapons room. She found the leader, standing nearby the display shelf and checking her combistick. She said with a smile while walking towards him: 'I'll take it with me! I wish to continue training while I will be away from home.'
Ter'kan made his remark as he collapsed the weapon: 'That was my idea too!' He then gave it to a her, adding: 'We better get moving!'
They left the house after having made sure that all windows were closed. Emma sighed just as the leader typed the security code in order to lock the main entrance door. They set off, walking leisurely and holding hands The weather was hot and a little humid. The young woman felt a melancholic satisfaction due to the fact that vivid memories were resurfacing mostly when she had to cross the long and covered bridge. Memories of the day of her arrival on Yautja Prime were rushing through her mind as if it happened yesterday. A unique event of her life that also took place at the same moment of the day.
When they finally reached the ship it was already dark. They found a few members of the clan standing not far from the lowered ramp. Each one of them was felt up by a small group of females. Of course Seki'sen and his five females were among them. Emma watched the scene for a few seconds and without hesitation, she intruded with an amorous and showy approach. First she shouted the second in command's name on purpose in order to attract everyone's attention then ran towards him. She threw herself into his arms and hugged him by wrapping her arms around his waist with her head leaning against his chest. The females moved aside and watched how Emma was embracing their mate. Seki'sen liked her sensual and sudden approach so he slowly caressed the back of her head as he kept addressing his females. Emma moved away, after a daring rub on his right thigh. She went up the ramp haughtily, swaying her hips under Ter'kan's and the others watchful eyes and disappeared inside the ship.
The leader exchanged a few words with the second as he went up the ramp then also disappeared inside the ship. First he went by the control room. He saw Shun'ji, sitting at the pilot posts and typing on two consoles at the same time. He told the engineer something then left and headed for his private quarters. Soon he heard Emma's distant and singing voice. He briefly stopped halfway in the corridor for the living quarters and listened before he continued walking along the wall. When he entered the room, he found her turning her back to the door and unpacking one of her bags. So he said in order to surprise her: 'I love when the ship is echoing with the sound of your beautiful and singing voice.'
Emma turned towards him and said contentedly with a smile: 'Tonight, I'm happy because we are going to travel again. By the way how long you didn't see your father?'
The leader responded while contemplating her with interest: 'More than a year, Yautja time of course.' He paused a few seconds then tackled a different subject: 'By the way, I liked the way you crashed Seki'sen's group.'
She made her remark, still smiling: 'Yes! I admit that I myself enjoyed that moment. Sometimes I like to be the center of attention.'
He explained, putting one of his hands on her right shoulder: 'That's one of the part I love about your personality. There is a moment when you remain aloof and placid but there will be some other time, you won't hesitate to unleash your sensual and boisterous imagination. Anyway this said, I want you to know that I will be on heavy duty that's why it will be difficult to meet up again tonight. You just continue making yourself comfortable.' He then added as he moved towards the door: 'I'll send a tray with food and drinks. Good night, love!'
Emma blew him a kiss before saying: 'That's much appreciated. Good night, my Ter'kan!' She stood near the bed and watched the sliding doors closing back then went on unpacking until Mar'ten brought her food and drinks served on a big, metallic tray. She took it and thanked him with a smile. The hunter stroked her right forearm as a sign of friendly affection then moved away. She sat at the table and began to eat from the tray. Meanwhile the ship was bustling with activities due to the imminent departure. Later that night when it finally took off, Emma was already sleeping like a baby.
Eleventh month. Seventh day of the third week to sixth day of the fourth week.
In the course of that period of time Emma amused herself with unforeseen situations that augmented her knowledge further about the daily life within the clan. She loved to spend valuable time with Ter'kan which gave her the opportunity to participate in tasks she had only witnessed many times before. It also helped to strengthen her relationship with some males thus making her realize how they were really considering her presence. Those new and stronger bonds had brought a positive and psychological change for Emma which led to a greater acceptance of her newly adopted culture. She liked to be surrounded and taught by her comrades who seemed to compete courteously. She became the one who proved that a strong determination was enough to achieve what they always thought to be difficult or impossible due to her size and origin. Her new progress triggered some additional routine for a few as well. Meanwhile Ter'kan was supervising her change with his indulgent and yet firm authority. He was praising her affectionately or scolding her by reminding her details that would make a difference.
And then more new events took place. Rak'nar who had always felt awkward about Emma's presence but also amazed by her fighting skills in spite of her small and delicate figure. His attractive statement amused and flattered her at the same time and that gave her an idea. So she asked him on purpose to train her just to see what would be his reaction. First Rak'nar remained hesitant and somehow frightened by this idea in spite of her reassuring insistence. And then upon further reflection, he finally accepted to train her in the course of the sixth day of the fourth week. The session took place in the largest training room under Ter'kan's supervision with a few other males, including Seki'sen as spectators. First the training started placidly and didn't offer much thrill. Emma was unable to show her prowess off due to the fact that she was taught by Rak'nar for the very first time. And then the lesson began to take a different turn once Emma felt at ease with him. From his part the hunter soon took an evident interest in teaching her. It seemed that first lesson helped him to consider Emma's abilities from a different point of view.
Later that day Emma was in for another surprise when Ter'kan announced that the time has come for her to bear the distinguishing insignia of the clan due to her upcoming stay on the mother ship. So he gave her a small, silver pendant that he had made especially for her. She accepted it with feelings of pride and deep respect at the same time.
Eleventh month. Seventh day of the fourth week.
Emma has just entered the control room and found her love leader sitting alone at the pilot posts. He addressed her as soon as she came into sight: 'How are you? Did you have a good rest?'
Emma responded with a smile: 'I am feeling much better! Thank you!' She went on leaning against the console that Ter'kan was operating at that very moment: 'I can't say that I put my mind at rest easily!'
He asked without looking at her as he kept operating his console: 'Why? What happened?'
'Well...tomorrow is an very important day, isn't it? I have been thinking over and over again.'
Ter'kan said as he kept typing: 'I'm myself content about that upcoming encounter because it will show the others how important your presence has become to me.'
A silence followed. Meanwhile Emma took interest in some bright yellow and flickering, Yautja letters on a small console situated nearby. She briefly looked at them then went back next to the leader. She sat to his left and fixed the dark outer space for a short while before she carried on with their conversation: 'By the way, my Ter'kan! I have questions concerning my first meeting with your father.'
The leader glanced at her before saying: 'What a coincidence! I have been thinking about that matter and also intended to explain to you how it will take place. Listen! I will get down the ramp with you walking to my right whereas Seki'sen will be to my left. You should avoid looking straight and rather keep your gaze lowered at that moment. Once you will stand in front of him just bow slightly then keep your gaze still lowered. You will be allowed to look at him as soon as I will begin to do the introduction. You must lower you gaze again once he will stop addressing you. You will be allowed to look at him again once he will start to address you again.'
Emma sighed with seriousness on her face then made her remark: 'I will follow all your instructions! It reminds me the way I had to behave the day I met the Adjudicators upon my arrival on Yautja Prime.'
'Exactly! The rules are similar! I advise you to always show him your respect this way each time you will have your first daily encounter with him.'
'I will!' She then glanced at the bay window before asking more questions: 'There is something else! Could you tell me more about Alrik'taden personality? I believe people tend to behave and express their emotions differently once their relationships with the others become more profound and intimate.'
Ter'kan approved her while typing something on the holographic screen situated to his right: 'I'm with you lovely! My son has inherited many of my personality traits and that must be one of the reason why you got along with him so well from the very beginning. Each one of your past encounter had been successful which helped to build a harmonious relationship . However since you are meant to spend a lot more time with him for the coming weeks, you will be more likely to experience the dark side of his personality as well! Sometimes you will find him intrusive! For instance he may ask you questions about private matters or tease you physically by using annoying and daring approaches. He also likes to play vexatious tricks.'
Emma slightly frowned at him before expressing her thoughts: 'Well...it's a good thing you warned me about that! To tell you the truth I have never expected Alrik'taden to be completely faultless despite the good impression he had always made. I believe it's everybody's nature to have a negative side. I like Alrik'taden! I really like him but if his manners become too extravagant I won't hesitate to let him know calmly but also firmly that it isn't the correct and best way to enjoy my company.'
This time Ter'kan put his hand on hers and concluded with a reassuring remark: 'I know that you will act accurately and find a happy medium.'
Meanwhile Seki'sen just joined them because it was his turn to stand in for Ter'kan at the pilot posts. The leader addressed him a few words before he spoke to Emma again: 'I will be on duty! If you wish, you can go back to our quarters or keep Seki'sen company.'
She let him know her preference while looking at the second in command with a smile: 'I prefer to stay with Seki'sen!'
Ter'kan left right away. So the second grabbed Emma's arm and gently pulled her next to him so making her understand that she should sit on his lap. He began to type on the console or the holographic screen with his right hand while he was holding Emma with the left one. Surely, that was one of the most unusual way of piloting a ship.
