His ex belonged to a clan on the other side of the planet, but it wasn't long before she faced the female's house. Asha wasn't surprised at first, knowing how much yautjas loved pyramids. However, once she drew closer, she realized it was different from any other structure she'd seen.

The house was the shape of a large, smooth-sided pyramid. Glass stretched the entirety of one wall, allowing her to view the inside. While the walls were a matte gold, the outside was pure white, creating a striking contrast. From where she was, she could easily make out the stone statues and walls of bookcases on the main floor. From there, a spiral staircase took her eyes up to a kherite.

Uh'luka marched forward and Asha followed. He didn't head towards any visible door. When they reached the glass, the bottom of it lifted, creating a ripple. It looked like a curtain being bunched. They walked through the triangle-shaped opening it had provided.

Asha couldn't help it. Once the glass smoothed back to its original form, she twisted around to place her hand on it. It was cold against her palm, and just as hard as regular glass. Asha grinned. Yautja technology still surprised her.

Crumbling stone statues and rows of bookshelves stood out against the gold walls. There were artifacts in clusters on the walls, either hanging or on shelves. As her eyes bounced from each one, it was apparent they weren't from the same culture. The different colors and styles didn't clash though. Instead, it reminded Asha of a museum.

As Astennu came strutting over, Asha pointed a finger at the glass, "That is seriously cool."

She gave a small nod to Uh'luka before answering, "I'm glad you are as fascinated with it as I am ooman."

Asha didn't miss the low hum from Uh'luka's chest.

"Your daughter will be here shortly. You're both welcome to look around."

Asha took a step towards the bookcases, but didn't get far before she noticed the floor. It looked ordinary at first, like solid grey tile. When she moved though, it reacted to her step. It rippled like the top of water.

"Dude." Asha grinned down at her feet.

Astennu flopped her head to one side, bringing her mandibles up slightly.

Asha walked into the living room looking down, almost bumping into one of the stone statues. She lifted her gaze higher until her neck was craned. It was just a grim face with a mouth full of teeth but it was massive. Her head turned to the shelves beside it. She kept turning until she'd done a circle.

Every wall contained tablets, old manuscripts, skin bindings--anything with the written word on it. The living room was a library and a museum combined, and Asha was in awe. Astennu made an inquisitive noise, bringing Asha back from her daze. She was being watched.

"No matter their age, oomans are much like children--easily impressed and entertained."

Asha's jaw tensed. She hated being called a child. But this time, it wasn't an insult.

Astennu's voice was kind and sincere, "I wish I could enjoy such little things as they do."

She looked back at Astennu with a shy smile.

"My ooman servant was like you--always curious, distracted. Rather than train or study, he'd fill his time with games."

"There's a human here?"

"Not anymore. He reached an age where his energy and memory declined."

It was Uh'luka that spoke then, "Your ooman was around Asha's age last time I saw him. Did twenty years wear on him that much?"

Astennu waved her hand in the air, "When he reached his 40's, his service began to lack. I had him euthanized."

Uh'luka and Asha exchanged glances.

"It's a shame they don't age like us. Our elders remain sharp until their passing. Oomans wilt."

When both Astennu and Uh'luka turned their head, Asha's eyes followed. There was a female walking up to the house. She was short for a female, shorter than Uh'luka. Then again, she was young. She wasn't fully mature yet. The young female looked like him though, with the same red and black mottling on her skin.

Her anxiety had diminished over the months she was with Uh'luka. Off Yaut, proper etiquette wasn't as important. They'd visited foreign cultures and small mistakes were expected. Back on the home planet, and about to meet Uh'luka's daughter, her nerves returned. She picked at ner nails, trying not to focus on how thin the air had become.

The glass gathered like a curtain to allow the female inside. After her time with her master Rakaa, it was still her first instinct to bow. Asha reminded herself of her rank. She made sure to stand up straighter and didn't get close or face the female directly. She dipped her head, acknowledging her presence in a polite and respectful manner.

The female's gaze went from Asha to Uh'luka, but stuck on Astennu, "I thought you said ooman servants were more trouble than they're worth."

Astennu was quick to correct her, "They are. This is your sire's mate."

"Oh, I…"

"It's ok. I get that all the time. I'm starting to realize that most humans aren't blooded."

She leaned against Uh'luka's side and entwined her fingers in his. When she squeezed his fingers, he squeezed back. It gave her butterflies. Asha kept the contact brief and released his hand only a moment later. She knew yautjas weren't the touchy-feely type.

Asha felt all eyes on her and it made her chest tighten. To distract herself, her eyes went back to the books and sculptures. Uh'luka and his daughter began catching up. He didn't notice when Asha inched away, but Astennu did. The female followed Asha to the shelves.

She pointed to a scroll in the corner, "That is one from your planet, ooman."

"How did you get all these?"

"Most were gifts from business transactions. I am a maven, an expert in certain fields. I supply the answers, and in return, this house and nearly everything in it was free. Money is a necessary currency, but I prefer favors or gifts."

"Well by the looks of this house, you definitely know your stuff. I've been studying the solar system...I should have picked a smaller subject. It makes my head spin."

Asha looked back at Uh'luka. He and his daughter were getting along. The young female was demonstrating a combat move she'd learned. Even with her slim figure, she managed to slam Uh'luka to the ground.

Uh'luka pushed to his feet, "You're doing it correctly, but may I show you a trick? It has a slightly different effect."

With a nod, his daughter got into a fighting stance.

Many males couldn't tolerate being near their offspring. Uh'luka had been raised by his sire though. Asha could tell what a difference it made. Teaching came naturally to him. There was no doubt in her mind he'd make a great father.

Asha smiled at Uh'luka, but his attention was already back on his daughter. A thought dawned on her. It had been three months and she wasn't pregnant. What if Uh'luka and her weren't compatible? What if she wasn't able to give him a child to raise?

The possibility put a crack in her heart. Asha swallowed, her throat feeling thick. At first, she didn't even realize her eyes were watering. She blinked and turned away before anyone saw. Yautjas didn't cry, and the overflow of emotion often disgusted them.

She cleared her throat, "It looks like there's a garden out back. Do you mind if I go look at it?"

Astennu sounded delighted, "Absolutely! If you follow the path, it will take you to a stocked lake. The creatures are beautiful. I don't think you'll be familiar with them."

"Cool." Asha was already headed to the door.

As soon as the sun touched her face, Asha felt silly for stepping out. Sometimes yautjas and humans didn't conceive right away. It didn't mean anything. Until she had tests done, there was no proof. She knew better than to fret over possibilities like that. Asha took a breath of fresh air and swiveled back inside.

Uh'luka and Astenuu weren't in the living room, so she asked their daughter, "Where'd they go?"

"Upstairs."

"Thank you."

Asha found the staircase easy enough and padded up it, eager to see more of the decor. Her hand slid up the railing as her eyes bounced around the shiny gold walls. On the top step, she froze. Her heart seized. It was too late to look away.

Uh'luka had Astennu pressed against a wall. His legs were set apart. His loincloth was crumpled on the floor. Asha's eyes were drawn to the movement. She stood there staring as he drilled into the female, his hips moving faster than she'd ever seen before.

Asha held onto the railing as she swung around and still almost slipped. Her hand lifted to cover her mouth as she let out a sob. She crouched on a step, hoping they hadn't heard or seen her. For several moments, she couldn't move. It felt like she was drowning, like her lungs were filling with water.

She drew in shallow breaths, trying to combat the crushing pressure. Her hands clawed their way into her hair as she dropped her face. Her features contorted. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks and dripped off her chin.

After a minute, Asha headed down the steps to rejoin his daughter. It was difficult for her heart to beat. She looked around, not seeing color. The artifacts were nothing but rubble. Knowing it would be impossible to face Uh'luka without breaking down, she ran to the door and fled.