Stay safe! Extras coming soon!
Translations:
Kv'var-de - hunter
Mei-jadhi - sister
N'jauka - welcome
Nrak'laur - Guardian of Light
Dtoudi'laur - Little Light
Dtoudi'laur kale - Little Light Maker
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Months had passed here on the mothership. Miana had grown to like the female quarters given to her and her neighbors appreciated the quite just as much as she did. They also liked the males who would visit every once and awhile.
She hunted whenever Lex decided to, having notice when she was leaving. She didn't want to be quite alone on the ship, despite the multiple she enjoyed conversing with.
Elder Va'rak kept in better touch and she found herself in deep philosophical questions with the elder most nights. He didn't feel as demeaning as some of the others and rather than poke and prod with sarcasm, he curiously asked her about life on Earth and the world she had been a part of for so long. He keenly listened to her great tales of Earth and with Abba.
The labs always welcomed her when she decided to visit and left her a designated spot for her curiosity. She never entered without her tablet and settled herself into the bench they provided, Beanie having a fur pallet by her feet to relax.
Beanie moved a lot slower nowadays. He had a new issue: getting on the bed. She couldn't lift him herself and for a while, Scar had been kind enough (and at Lex's insistence) to set Beanie on the bed at night. However, whenever he wanted off, she would have to help him.
Miana did order a new stool for him with two steps to get him up on his own. It finally came in just a few days ago and Beanie no longer needed to wake her to get down for water or a bathroom break. He never missed mealtime, but generally, Miana sent him back to the room to keep cool and rest.
His long coat didn't help much with the ship's temperature and while she had been recommended several traders in the market willing to give her dog a trim, she didn't trust them. Not that they gave her any reason, but they looked more eager to shave her dog for the fur than just a simple hair cut.
She gave him baths with her in the pool and kept the water to a nice, cool temperature. He got most of his exercise for the day in the pool and while it wasn't big as a pond would be, not even a swimming pool, it was enough for him to do a short few laps. It made it easy on his joints too.
"Lar'dha." Elder K'ash peeked inside her room, finding Beanie resting on the floor right under the vent.
Miana tucked her feet underneath and sat beside him. Her hand would run from the top of his head, taking the time to scratch behind his ears, to the middle of his back and then up again.
"Lar'dha?" He came to crouch beside her. "Something troubles you?"
"I think he's sick." Her throat tight, she batted away tears. "But I don't think there's anything to be done."
The elder nodded and patted her back.
"I'm sorry." He knew personally of several doctors on board willing to deal with animals and would call them up shortly. "Abba has just reached the station. I thought you would like to greet him."
That did succeed in putting a smile on her face. She kissed Beanie before she stood and followed him out of the room.
"Thank you for telling me." The elder purred at her and placed a hand on her shoulder. It covered her shoulder completely and it never failed to make her feel small.
"Of course, kv'var-de. We will welcome him back together. He has been away for quite some time. Even for Yautja standards." Together, they entered the harbor where several had come to see the Arbitrator.
When they breached the crowd, he stood there, new scars, but the same rigid and formal stance he always took. If she didn't know better, he looked uncomfortable with all the attention. But, he had successfully killed several that had managed to escape Arbitrators for a while now. Or so Elder K'ash said.
"Mei-jadhi." Abba caught sight of her first and his eyes softened at the sight.
Tears still hung to her lashes and her shoulders sagged in obvious distress. They hadn't spoken in a while, but she had told him of Beanie's health and her concern. He feared the worst. Unlike swords and notebooks, he couldn't simply replace Beanie with another similar dog. It would be like trying to replace her by finding another short human capable of wielding swords.
She ran up to him and he reached out a hand to shake her shoulder in greeting. However, she bulldozed past his outstretched hand and wrapped her arms around his waist. Well, attempted to. Her hands barely reached his back.
He purred low and wrapped one hand easily around her shoulders. Her tears felt cold against his skin despite the warmth that came with most endotherms.
"N'jauka home, Nrak'laur." The name momentarily through him for a loop.
"Mei-jadhi?"
"Your mei-jadhi speaks well of your adventures, Nrak'laur. She has missed you greatly as you can see." The elder trilled as Miana kept her iron grip on the Yautja.
Abba did his best to bow at Elder K'ash's approach.
"Nrak'laur?" He spoke his question quietly, where only the three of them could hear.
"Oh? You did not hear? Lar'dha has made quite the discovery. One of the crystals found many cycles ago glowed but never for long. She found in her research that the crystal turned out to be a unique plant and required a special mineral found in the soil of the caves it grew in. As such, she renamed the plant Dtoudi'laur and the mineral Dtoudi'laur kale. Both after her brother, Nrak'laur." Humor lit the elder's eye but he held his laughter. His mandibles twitched.
"Ki'sei." The newly dubbed Nrak'laur nodded slowly to the explanation. His eyes glanced nervously at the crowd that continued to watch in curiosity. "I have the bounties as requested." He handed over a small bag.
"Thank you for your services." Elder K'ash took the bag and left, followed by another elder.
With a growl from the two, the crowd quickly dispersed and left the oddly matched siblings some privacy.
"Miana, are you okay?" She nodded but did not detach herself until he tugged forcefully on her shoulder.
"I'm okay…" Miana forced a smile to her face. "Beanie's not able to walk much anymore… so he couldn't come."
Nrak'laur purred low and patted her head.
"Well, I will, of course, visit and we can see what can be done." She shook her head at those words, but he wouldn't be swayed so easily. "First, I come with gifts."
He tugged her up the ramp of his ship and to a storage room where he kept several neatly placed and nicely packaged boxes. It kind of reminded her of Christmas.
"Gifts?" She raised a brow at him, a teasing smirk gracing her face in place of her previous distress.
"Not that type of gift." He shoved at her, growling lowly.
The first box he grabbed was long and made of wood.
"I met an old friend of yours on Earth." That news surprised her. When had he gone to Earth? "He wished for several of his things to be yours in his passing. I'm sorry you did not get to be with him, but I did tell him of the many tales we shared and he was pleased you are happy and safe."
Tears welled in her eyes as she carefully unclipped the old, golden latch and opened the crafted wood to see a familiar sight. One that she only got the chance to see when she had first entered the dojo. Her eyes had been a bit brighter then.
A Tachi. An ancient sword her Master had sworn up and down came from the Koto era. It had been passed to him by his grandfather when his father rejected it. It had caused a bit of strife during his younger years.
"And, he wanted you to know that he always cherished you like his own and wanted you to have this." Nrak'laur pulled another wooden box from the shelf and opened it for her. "Something that you may use to ground yourself and remind yourself of humble, but great beginnings." Those same words were crafted into the lid of the box.
A memento of humble, but great beginnings.
The ancient-looking scroll revealed a female warrior posed for battle in simple, traditional Japanese garments. Small children stood hidden behind her, looking dirty and frightened but some looked up at the woman in awe.
On the back in shaky handwriting that could belong to no other than Master himself, ink splattered the thick parchment.
Bushi wa kuwanedo takayôji.
It roughly translated to 'a Samurai pretends, even when he is starved, by holding a toothpick between his teeth'. A quote that he had told her time and time again. A reminder to never let others see her pain.
Hide it. No one would care. That's what she believed for quite some time.
Then, Miana began to help out more in the dojo. Teaching the kids and taking care of him as he aged. Going on great expeditions with Lex.
Hide it. Do not let it stop her from doing her duty. Do not let it become a burden to those who should never have that burden. The children needed her confidence and her bravery in all challenges, even if daunting. That way they could face their own challenges, now and in the future.
Lex needed her to watch her back either on the ice, the jungle, or in the office when faced with clients. Now, she needed her out on the field.
"Thank you." Miana sank to the floor, much to Nrak'laur's worry. He squatted down, a purr erupting from his chest so loud it made her laugh. "I'm sorry. It's just a lot."
"Ki'sei. Take your time." After a moment, she looked at the rest of the items he had. "I brought you notebooks and replacements." He showed her the large box of 5-subject notebooks and twin swords.
"How?" As she looked at the items, he pulled out a final box.
Inside laid a large geode. She set aside the notebooks to open the top and find a miniature galaxy within. A huge, beautiful, absolutely surreal amethyst geode. It must weigh several pounds and without help, Miana wouldn't be able to move it herself.
"A friend of mine tagged along and your Master provided great help in finding these. We ran across this and I thought you might like it, giving it has two favorite things of yours."
"Geology and home." She wiped a tear from her eye and carefully closed it. "How did you… Lex told you." He shook his head to her surprise.
"I'sumu." Miana scoffed a laugh at that. Of course, Lex would have mentioned something to her. "He remembered most of the way from when Lex had been originally searching for you."
"Damn…" She laughed, wiping at her nose.
"Come, I have a gift for Beanie. I will meet with the others later." He helped her to stand and carry her stuff to her room.
Inside, Beanie slowly came to his feet and trodded over to greet the two. He licked Nrak'laur in delight and gladly ate the treats from his hand.
"He prefers to lay down most of the day. Started up a few days ago." The tears returned and he gently purred to sooth both of them.
"Let us find a doctor." Nrak'laur stood quickly and left no room for argument as he scooped Beanie up in his arms and left.
"Abba!" He merely trilled in amusement as she sprinted to keep up with him.
Reaching the med bay on board, he casually strode in and placed Beanie down on one of the chairs. A Yautja sat a few spots away and curiously clicked the Arbitrator. However, Abba wasted no time and flagged down one of the doctors.
A short explanation later, they took the dog to the back for a few tests. Miana waited beside him in impatience.
"Relax. They will see to the problem." Abba ushered her to a seat.
When a doctor returned, she waved them inside and to the cot they placed her dog. She quickly explained what they found.
A few nutrient deficiencies might be the biggest problem, but Miana already suspected the issue would result in euthanizing her beloved pet.
If Beanie did not get better with the new diet and a few supplements, she believed it best to place the dog to sleep. Or as she phrased it, to dhi'ki-de.
The long sleep. Death. Cetanu coming to judge if one earned their place in his great hall or should roam the fields. Neither particularly bad. Only banishment to the shadows of both the great hall and the fields were their form of hell. Never able to interact, eat or drink. They would starve for eternity. Driven mad with their thirst.
Her Beanie deserved the fields by Cetanu's great hall. To run and play as much as he wanted.
"Let us find the others and go eat." Miana glumly followed him, Beanie right behind her.
"Nrak'laur." I'sumu and Vish'ara (or Night) stood to greet him, welcoming him back from his journey.
As requested, he brought I'sumu a few items from Earth and Lex a particular plant. She had seen it before in her trek up Mount Everest.
It sat in Earthly soil with the container around it designed to provide the perfect environment for it to thrive. Blue flowers bloomed from a single vertical stem.
"Thank you, Abba." A smile made its way to her lips, barely there. Her eyes softened at the reminder of her grief and of her greatest accomplishments.
He bowed her way.
"Did you find those treats for Beanie?" Her question had him snapping his head up to stare at her wide-eyed. "Scar didn't need to know what kind of treats dogs liked so I figured they were for Beanie." A smirk graced her face as the older Yautja said nothing.
"Sei-i." Finally, he spoke, inclining his head at her observation.
Beanie happily sat by the group, barking happily at the mention of his name. He didn't move too much in his spot, but it didn't stop him from wanting to reach out and lick everyone until they pushed him away.
"He'll get better. I'm sure." Lex reached over and patted Miana's hand when that forlorn look took over her face.
"Yeah, but what if its degenerative My… my lo…" Lex squeezed her hand, stopping her from continuing.
Miana had been a German Shepherd expert the day after she got Beanie and had him fully checked out by the vet. Her eyes were glued to the computer screen in Lex's hotel room for hours on end until the woman pulled her away and sent her home for much needed rest.
"You just need some faith."
"You're so optimistic."
"Would you rather me be pessimistic? Thought that threw off your entire game?" The group laughed as Miana's cheeks puffed out and she blew air out her nose in one large, angry whoosh.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Laugh it up." Her hands dug itself deep in Beanie's coat.
"Welcome back, Arbitrator." Lex, I'sumu, and Vish'ara jumped to attention and bowed. Miana and Nrak'laur quickly followed suit.
The elder trilled at them, a kind look in her eyes.
It had taken Miana a long time to recognize the differences. The females had higher-pitched voices and lacked the breasts one would see on a human female. Their chests were only slightly larger than males due to the glands there and only expanded out in what resembled breasts when breastfeeding.
"Lar'dha and Setg'rath, I have heard many great things about what you have accomplished. I am glad to see you settled appropriately among those of our clan." She purred in delight at the two human huntresses. "While I have never heard of the procedure being done for an Earthly pet, I give full support for the both you to extend your lives here with us and hunt to the end of your days beside your mei-jadhi and mei'hswei."
Lex's eyes widened at the news and Miana's mouth fully dropped.
"Thank you, elder…" Lex spoke first, a bit unsure of the elder as they had never met before.
"I apologize. I am Elder La'Renz-ke. Elder K'ash often joins me in the control room for drinks." Her mandibles clicked quickly in amusement. "I thought it best to introduce myself. Should you find you need something, please contact me."
Her beads tolled like a wind chime as she turned on the balls of her feet. Graceful and fluid, her cape trailed behind her as she departed without much of a goodbye. Anyone from a mile away could tell her ranking purely from her movements.
"Elder La'Renz-ke is a good ally to have. The war rages on at home and we may find ourselves drawn in." Nrak'laur retook his seat.
"Sei-i… If only the rest of our merry group would hurry up, I'd feel more secure." They laughed at I'sumu's words.
Three regulars of their squad remained missing, but the meal had only just begun and more poured in as the minutes went by.
"Our clan is strong and united. We will be fine." Vish'ara shook I'sumu's shoulder.
"Miana? Would you do the procedure?" Lex's question had her freezing.
"Sei-i." Despite her posture, the word rolled off her tongue with no hesitation. "I… I do not wish to leave my home any time soon." She looked up to smile at them.
Earth no longer clung to Lex's shoulders. She remembered it fondly, tracing the edge of the plant's container. It's like moving away for college. Home was a fond thought and sometimes you missed it, but when you get there and settle into your old room for the night, you already wished you were back at college. In your dorm room or apartment. Living your life.
Miana shed it. She shed it from her like dead skin. Nothing but memories held her there. Something that made her smile if not hurt her heart a little. Yet, just because it causes a smile to think about it, she knew better than to believe she could be happy returning there.
She wasn't the Miana before Antarctica or the Miana before she left Earth. No, she was Lar'dha of the Yautja. Mei-jadhi to a strong mei'hswei and one strong mei-jadhi, crazy enough to mate with a Young Blood.
"And we do not wish you to leave." Nrak'laur's words were followed by a howl of agreement as the rest of their merry group joined them.
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Any loopholes I left untouched? Anything your curious about? Just ask and I will post a FAQ as the next chapter with updates every once and a while.
However, I'm sorry to say that this is the end. The war rages on and Beanie's health declines. If you know anything about those beloved Shepherds, then you may know what I referenced. Whether or not that is the cause is unknown.
I finish this as the school year - my last - begins. I hope you've enjoyed the unexpected adventure I took you on. Please look forward to my new stories with the fandom and who knows, perhaps I will return to Miana and Lex in the future.
For now, I lay to rest my mighty pen and wish you all a good year.
PS: Please note that Miana did a damn power move when she declared Abba as being Nrak'laur in an academic paper which could be considered official on some level. As such, it would make it easier for Elder K'ash to simply change his name on all legal documents and essentially say fuck you to his family. (Remember his family members despised him and changed his name to mean 'impure' - not quite calling him a bad blood, but coming damn close).