Estrid paces around her mate slowly, tail raised high in threat. Aximili paced around her as well, looking over her form with both of his eyes trying to look for an opening to strike. But she was ready.

(Sparring first thing in the morning are we?) Alloran calls to them from across the sparring fields, arms crossed over his chest. He seemed excited, really excited. But she allowed herself be distracted for a single moment, allowing her mate an opening.

Estrid hops nimbly out of her mate's reach, tail slicing through the air. A loud crack follows as their tails clashed together. She didn't miss the spark of excitement in Aximili's eyes as she flicks his tail away.

(I see you have been practicing.) Aximili leans forward on his front hooves and curls his back hooves against his belly as he arches his tail over his head, aiming to strike Estrid's shoulder with the flat of his tail. Estrid lets out a snort, swinging her haunches towards him before their tails clashed again.

Estrid felt her muscles clench around her rump as she dipped under the force of his attack. He had gotten a lot stronger than last time. She was sure he was going to win by sheer strength than skill. But at least she could get a few hits on him while she was going.

(Aximili are you really taking this long to defeat a female ?) Alloran jeered at the both of them. Estrid had half a mind to snap at him but she simply slaps another blow away. He was an old male that was just stuck in the past. She could fight just as well as her mate.

(I say Estrid could probably defeat him. She's holding out well.) Jahar was pressed up lovingly against her mate, looking at them from their spot on the sidelines of the sparring field. A few other andalites had come around to watch them but Estrid was hardly paying attention to their reactions.

(It's been far too long since we have sparred Aximili.) Estrid flinches visibly as her mate's larger, stronger blade strikes her's hard, sending it back. But before she could come back from that jarring attack she spots his tail coming at her again. She hardly had time to flinch away from his blade as it flies over her back. He was aiming to knock her over!

The dodge had unbalanced her, a beginners mistake.

(I have gotten far better since then, my flower.) Aximili replies smugly, already sending his tail back to strike her in the side. Estrid lets out a hard wave of shock as his tail strikes her firmly in the side this time. She stumbles with a surprised snort, blinking a few times in shock. She could feel her side pounding in pain from the strike as she catches herself.

She flinches as she sees him step back, tail raising. She was waiting for him to bring her down to her knees but he didn't. She realized that he probably wasn't going to do that in front of so many andalites.

There was no honor in beating a female after all.

(You did well Estrid.) Aximili steps to her side, gently touching the place that he had hit. Estrid flinches visibly making Aximili pull his hand away quickly.

(I haven't been in practice for three years now.) Estrid looks over her side, wondering how big of a bruise he had left. She sees Aximili's stunned gaze. (What?)

(Nevermind.) Aximili's fur ruffles before he starts heading towards Alloran and Jahar. Estrid stares after him, wondering why he had suddenly got so disquieted. Was it something she said?

(Aximili, how about we spar before we part ways. It's always good to warm up before a long day.) Alloran steps forward to the smaller male, grinning with anticipation. Aximili twitches his tail then dips his stalks.

(I believe I can go again.) He replies, already walking off with the former war-prince at his side. Estrid tips her stalks down as she makes it to the side of the field. She could see her mate already facing Alloran.

She was surprised by how small her mate was compared to Alloran himself. Though she knew that she and Aximili were the same in height technically, it still was amazing to see how small he was compared to other males. But she wouldn't have it any other way, he was a perfect fit for her.

(I believe my husband will win.) Estrid nearly jumped as Jahar steps beside her smoothly, the delicate female puffing up.

(Your husband is larger than him that's why.) As much as she hates to admit it, Aximili is at a serious disadvantage. Alloran could reach him farther with his tail and didn't need to put much effort into swinging his tail into her mate. She felt a bit bad that she didn't have confidence in her mate's fighting ability.

(Ah, so you do not think he will win?) Jahar leans towards her, maroon eyes narrowing into a smirk. Estrid feels her rump fur starting to bristle under her admittedly predatory gaze. She had a feeling this female just loved to gossip and gossip she would if Alloran won this battle.

(He has a chance.) Estrid stomps a back hoof, tossing her stalks in the direction Aximili and Alloran were fighting. She couldn't help but feel a bit of pride as she watches him block blow after blow with smooth accuracy.

(Aximili is a fine warrior, but not as fine as my dear Alloran is.) Jahar sounds incredibly smug. It almost made Estrid want to knock her in the haunches. It took all she had not to snap at her for her arrogance.

(Ah ha!) Suddenly Alloran stumbles onto his front knees as Aximili's tail catches him low. In a blink of an eye, Aximili's blade was angled at the other male's throat. Alloran smirks up at him, looking like he was already accepting his defeat.

With the help of Aximili, he gets to his hooves before shaking out his lower body.

The two cross blades before making their way back to the two females. Estrid was already smirking internally, knowing her mate had proven Jahar wrong. She couldn't help but cast a stalk towards the other female's admittedly stony face.

(You did well my love.) Estrid bounded forward to meet her mate. Aximili seemed startled as she brushes her fingertips across his cheek gently. She knew she wasn't the type to show affection in public but she was glad that her mate had proven that old wheeze wrong.

(Thank you.) Aximili dips his head in embarrassment.

(Well I believe me and my wife will be heading off now.) Estrid turns a stalk around to see Jahar practically hanging onto her mate, dragging him away. The large male seemed embarrassed as he looked over at them. Estrid couldn't help but wonder how Jahar was able to control a male as large as Alloran like that. He seemed so timid around her!

(Very well Alloran, I do hope you and Jahar have a wonderful day.) She feels her mate brushing past her, signaling to her to follow him. Estrid prances around before walking quickly to Aximili's side.

(You as well.) Alloran calls, disappearing out the sliding doors and into the hallway.

(So was I… really that good?) Aximili asks timidly, looking a bit smug. Estrid curls her eyes at him, pressing against his side as she does. He dips his head in response, eyes curling into a smile.

(I do believe you are my love.) She replies in a smooth, soft voice.

(Thank you.) He was starting to lead her to the door now, all four eyes focused on her lovingly. (How do you feel about getting a massage?)

(A… massage?) Estrid was perplexed. What was a massage?

(It is a type of muscle therapy designed to loosen up the muscular system and relieve stress.) Aximili says before adding, (It's a human thing.)

(Ah of course.) Of course it would be a human thing. As much as she adored her mate, his fascination with humans was a bit unnerving sometimes. (I believe we could try.)

They stepped out into the wide busy hallway. Estrid could hear the sound of many hooves echoing all around her as she steps into the admittedly noisy hall. She glances around with her stalks taking in the sights before looking to her mate.

(Follow me. It should be on floor 69A.) He was quick to trot away, heading off down the hall. Estrid bristled before following after him, tail raised slightly.

(What will it be like?) Estrid asks curiously as they make it to the elevator at the end of the hall. Aximili glances at her before shrugging his shoulders. Several andalites passing by stared at him with a single stalk curiously. Aximili noticed this and ducks his stalks.

(Well… I do not know.) He quickly steps onto the platform with Estrid. Estrid digs her hooves in as the floor drops down. (I have not tried it.)

(Ah, so it'll be our first time together then.) Estrid sighs nervously.

(Yes it will be but I'm sure it'll be alright.) Aximili comfortingly presses against her side as they make it to the 'spa' floor. He gently guides her out then leads her away down the hall of many doors. Estrid couldn't help but notice how… nice this floor smelled. Like warm lotion and spring flowers.

(Ah, it's rather warm.) Aximili's fur was fluffing up slightly. Estrid noticed that too, it was comfortably warm. She felt like she could fall asleep here.

(It's here.) Aximili yanks her past a pair of soft curtains into a noticeably small room. For just a moment she could feel her fur raising at the thought of being in this small room for awhile, at least until the walls turned on to reveal vast nighttime plains of their world.

Two tables raised from the ground and a soft, soothing voice speaks over the intercom. (Please lay down and your session will begin.)

Estrid glances over at her mate for direction but he was looking at her with the same expression. Neither of them knew what was going to happen next once they did lay down. So they stood in silence until Aximili shrugs his shoulders.

(I guess it won't hurt to try.) He strides over to the table and crawls on top of it. He then allows all four of his legs to hang off of the sides while he rests his upper body on the raised front. He glances himself over before looking over at Estrid with a stalk. (It's comfortable.)

Suddenly a pair of arms sprung up from each side of the table. Aximili stiffens for a moment, tail raising. Estrid was raising her's as well, focusing nervously on the arms. The front of the arms split into finger-like protrusions before resting on Aximili's upper back and lower back. Her mate's eyes widened for a moment as the fingers began to gently dig into his back, moving around in small circles.

(Oh?!) Aximili trembled under the fingers, eyes widening. He was releasing wave after wave of confused emotional energy.

(Oooohhhh.) He suddenly goes slack, eyes narrowing into a pleasurable look. (Oh that's feels good.)

(It does?) Estrid nervously steps up to her own table, examining it.

(Just lay down and relax. It seems these are programmed for our kind.) He was practically putty under the robotic fingers. (Oh I can feel my muscles becoming more and more loose.)

(Er…) Estrid nervously climbs up onto the table, assuming the same position as Aximili had. She manages to keep her tail down as the arms sprung up just as Aximili's had.

(Relax Estrid.) Aximili coos at his mate, all four eyes closed. Estrid found herself startled by how relaxed he was. Normally even a relaxed andalite would keep a single eye open!

The fingers broke apart from one another before the hand was lowered to her back. Estrid stiffened for a moment as they dug into her skin. She waits as they began to make little circles in her back, loosening up the muscle. It takes her a few moments to realize why Aximili was so relaxed.

(Oh?) Estrid felt her whole body go slack as they tapped the central nervous system along her back. She lets out a pleasurable sigh as they continued to work on loosening the muscle around that group of nerves. Of course it would relax her, they were quite literally loosening her nervous system as well!

(Feels good.) Aximili sighs, the fingers working down farther his back.

(I hope this won't make me too lazy the rest of the day.) Estrid sighs, giving in.

(I'm sure you'll be back to your overly anxious self within an hour.) Aximili seemed to laugh after that.

(What's that supposed to mean?) Estrid huffs through her nostrils, turning a stalk on Aximili. She trembled as the fingers ghosted over her withers and straight down to her lower body's back.

(You're always nervous or worrying about something. It makes me worry about your health sometimes. I'd hate to see what you'll be like once you have our children.) Aximili's tail lazily swishes over the ground.

(Well it's a rather good thing that won't be anytime soon.) Estrid couldn't even muster the energy to be annoyed with him. She had good reason to worry about things. Something could always go wrong!

(Soon enough.) Aximili turns a smiling stalk upon her face. Estrid felt her pelt prick slightly as she stares at him slightly annoyed.

(Aximili let us not speak of children right now. We'll have plenty of time to plan for those.) Estrid turns her stalk away, closing it entirely. She hopes that he wouldn't push the subject.

(Very well, after this.) He mumbles quietly, stretching out with a sigh.

The rest of their session was spent in utter silence. Estrid didn't have much to say to him and after she had cut their conversation about children short, she suspected he didn't either. It wasn't until they were making their way out did he speak to her again.

(How do you feel about going for a feed?) Aximili tenderly presses his side against her's, eyes curling into a warm smile. Estrid felt relaxed enough to return his affectionate gesture as they made their way down the hall.

(Sounds good. Perhaps we can visit some of the holo-simulators after.) She leans into his body, main eyes closing. She could feel him curl an arm around her waist in return.

(Good, but Estrid?)

(Yes?) Estrid turns a stalk onto his face.

(Let's not cuddle in the middle of the hallway.) Aximili laughs nervously, glancing over at an older couple who glared at them as they passed by. Estrid was quick to remove herself from his grip, face burning.

(Sorry…)


(Ah, what kind of simulation shall we do?) Estrid looked over the panel of the simulation room, smiling a bit. She was thinking about doing something nice like perhaps a beach run or maybe exploring some old ruins on their homeworld. Aximili steps in beside her and taps the 'mind' selection.

(How about I surprise you instead?) Aximili smiles warmly at her, already walking into the room. Estrid could feel her hearts thumping as she steps in beside him. The 'mind' selection reads the user's mind and makes a simulation of what they are thinking of on command. Estrid wondered what her mate could possibly have in mind.

Almost as soon as the doors closed behind her the room bubbled and change, raising up a soft bed in the center. She looked around at the candle lit room, surprised.

In the center was a soft almost silky looking bed that reminded her of a bed from Earth. She takes a look around taking in the softly lit light purple walls of their room. The heavy aroma of incense burning nearby made her sway on her hooves for a moment, eyes closing slightly. She could hear even the soft rush of a river nearby and the gentle mating calls of a kafit somewhere outside.

(This is lovely Aximili.) She says softly, turning a stalk upon her mate. Aximili's eyes curl into a smile as he steps close to his mate. Estrid shivers as he curls his fingers around her cheek, leaning in to nuzzle her.

(I knew you would like it.) He takes her hand in his, pressing his palm up against her's. Estrid felt a rush of loving emotional waves enter her body at the contact. She sends her own to him in reply.

(Come, let us enjoy our 'night'.) He leads her off to the bed, curling his tail around her's. The two hop onto the bed, not letting go of one another for a second. Once settled down, Estrid lays against her mate while taking in his emotional waves and sending her own to him.

(Estrid?) Aximili's chin rests on shoulder while he presses his whole body against her's.

(Yes Aximili?) She nuzzles his eyestalk soothingly.

(Do you want our wedding to end in a place like this? Not a run but perhaps… our own private room?) Aximili timidly smiles up at her, hand tightening around her's. She noticed the room shimmering for a moment.

It wasn't a traditional marriage without the couple running off for a few days to be alone. In the past males would marry their intended during their mating seasons and during this run they would mate with them. The run was supposed to be a time for the two to bond closely while readying the next generation.

She wouldn't mind skipping that part. This would be far more romantic anyway, the two of them cozy inside of a lovely place like this. She found being out in the spring rains to be rather mood dampening anyway.

(I would love to.) She murmurs, nuzzling eagerly against his ear now. Her mate squeezes her hand in reply, more waves of warmth entering her body. The two sat in silence once again, accepting one another's feelings as they opened up their minds to one another.

The world began shimmering around them again as her mate sits up a bit. Estrid realizes he was changing the scene again. She watches as the vast fields of her home began rolling out in front of them and the gentle scent of mid leaf-harvest tickled her nose. She wondered how he knew how her home looked during this season. It was amazing how detailed and close it was to how it actually was during that time.

(Ah?) Estrid noticed something curled up at her stomach, which quickly made her jump to her hooves. The creature that was curled up against her fell over with a snort of surprised before looking up at her with all four of it's deep green eyes.

It was a young male andalite. An infant to be exact.

Estrid kneels down in front of the image of the child, examining them carefully. He looked like a cross between her and Aximili. It didn't take her long to figure out who the child belonged to.

For a moment she felt a wave of affection towards the child. A child that Aximili wanted of their own…

(Why are you showing me this?) Estrid settles back down, stomachs twisting slightly. She did not mind the child at all. She adored children.

(I hope this will be our future one day) Aximili replies sheepishly, leaning into his mate while he stares down at the image of their child he had created. Estrid smiles warmly at him even though her stomachs were tightening further. She wanted this future as well, but not anytime soon.

(Perhaps in two years or so-)

(Estrid, I want it to be soon.) He cuts her off, looking at her seriously. Estrid gazes at him in silence, gaze dulling considerably. He was starting with this again. Why was he pushing it so much now? Was it because they were going to be married?

(Aximili I do not feel comfortable having children right now.) Or at any time. She wanted to have children but something was holding her back. She always felt ill at the thought of bearing offspring. She feared what would happen if she actually fell pregnant.

(Estrid…) Aximili shifts slightly so that he could face her with his mane eyes. She was surprised by how serious he was. (Estrid, you can still keep your job and your life even if you have a child. Females do it all of the time.)

Estrid looks away with all four of her eyes focusing upon the small child curled at her belly. The little one was dozing now, looking like he wasn't taking notice of their conversation. Of course they wouldn't, this was just a simulation afterall.

Aximili was right though, she could do both. The college allowed female teachers to bring their young with them until they're old enough to go to school. She would be able to do the things she used to considering andalite offspring were a lot more independent after a year. But yet… she still felt afraid…

She felt afraid of being pregnant.

She just couldn't have something growing inside of her. It made her ill!

She wanted to have a child without having to carry it herself. But finding a child to adopt was incredibly hard considering parents do not give up their offspring easily. That and Aximili probably wanted one with his own and her genes.

(Aximili, please don't.) She leaned down burying her face into his chest. She felt herself starting to tremble pathetically. Why did she feel so afraid of bearing a child? Why couldn't she just be normal?

(Estrid, why?) Aximili asks, wrapping an arm around her shoulders while he places a hand on her cheek.

(Just don't, not now.) Estrid breaks away, getting up on her hooves. She felt like her day was already ruined. Why couldn't Aximili leave things alone?

The scene around them faded away and silence fell upon the two. Aximili got to his hooves as well, ears pricking forward as he gazes at his mate's face. He steps to her before placing his hands gently upon her own cheeks.

(Estrid, why?) He asks again, but Estrid pulls herself away. She sucks in a few breaths of air through her nose before shaking her stalks.

(Let's us worry about all of that until after this trip. I want to enjoy my time with you Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill.) She gently took his hand into her's before pressing the palm firmly up against his. She began sending him wave after wave of gentle love to him. (Please let us worry about children later.)

Aximili gazes into her eyes silently for a few moments before dipping his stalks to her. He presses his side up against her's while nuzzling her cheek gently. Estrid could feel his warmth entering her body again as the scene changed into a moonslit field. She could feel the cool air of first-leaf washing over them again as he gently pulls away.

(Estrid, I will honor that request.) He motions for her to lay down with him again. Estrid felt her knees grow weak at his gentle smile while she joins him on the ground. Aximili presses his palm firmly against her's while looking out across the field.

(Thank you Aximili.) She felt glad that she had a kind mate like him. He never pushed her too far.

(Anything for you, Estrid.) He nuzzles against her cheek before resting his head against her shoulder. (I adore you.)

End of Chapter