Kershala sat back on the bed the AI and the crystallinear device floated just to the left of him the AI still linked to it. Kershala had been aware of the AI's conversation with Kale and wasn't happy that the it tried to discourage him from pursuing Kershala. It was Kershala's decision whom he would dedicate himself to and he wouldn't let an AI that was designed to serve him interfere with that. Through his implant he could tell that the AI was heavily engaged with the decryption process, but he didn't care.
"Are human's and Daoran's sexually compatible?" he asked getting to the point. The AI seemed to ignore him at first not answering him. "Did you not understand me?" Kershala repeated his question in Daira, their native language.
"I am sorry Kershala, I am heavily engaged with decryption," it answered.
"Then disengage, I require your compliance." The AI floated to be beside him, and the device fell to the bed gently as it disengaged with it. "I won't repeat myself again."
"My analysis of your physiology shows that it would be incredibly difficult to reproduce with a human. Though I cannot imagine why you would want to. They are clearly inferior creatures." Kershala scoffed at Anubis.
"I was awake when you were talking to Kale, Anubis. Do not interfere with my relationship with him," he said quickly.
"Kershala, your bloodline must be protected."
"I am not talking about bloodlines, I am talking about affection. I have not known such affections from a stranger before." The AI core floated up in front of him.
"He is just that, despite his affection for you he is a stranger. He doesn't know the responsibility you face for your people. You are best to spare both of your feelings so that neither of you end up hurt." Kershala looked away not wanting to hear what the AI was saying.
"You are wrong. I will be stronger because of his affection," Kershala paused and looked away, "Is there any risk of physical harm to either of us if…" Kershala trailed off and looked away feeling embarrassed. The AI stayed silent for several seconds.
"Not biochemically, but given the difference in your physical strength, there could be… complications." Kershala sat quiet for a few minutes thinking to himself.
"May I continue with the decryption process?"
"Yes." Kershala watched as the AI and the device linked together again and floated close to the ceiling. There was a knock at the door.
"Your breakfast is ready, gentlemen!" Edith's voice called from beyond the door. Kershala stood up and the AI shrouded him in his holographic disguise. He opened the door and the elderly women greeted him with a smile, she was pushing a cart with their meal on it. "Would you like me to leave the cart?"
"Yes please, I can take it," Kershala smiled at her. "Thank you."
"You're welcome and enjoy. Don't hesitate to let us know if you need anything." Kershala took the cart and she walked away as he wheeled it into the room. He hauled the cart into the room and shut the door he turned to see Kale come out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist. His hair had grown out longer since their time at the facility and Kershala liked the way it looked. His hair was flowing and loose, Kershala hadn't touched it in a while but he remembered that it was soft. His body looked strong for a human, his torso was solid and tight, though it had gotten a little looser recently. Kershala smiled at him and walked over to him. "The food is here. You should eat."
"And you should shower," Kale returned his smile. "I didn't wanna put those cloths back on right away." Kale shrugged and referred to the towel. The hologram fell away from him as he put his arms around Kales neck and rested into him. "Oh," Kale returned the embrace around Kershala's waist and rested his head on his shoulder, "You okay?" he asked. Kershala didn't say anything instead responding with a kiss on the cheek. Kale pulled back from him and caressed his face before giving him a peck on the mouth. "Go shower. Then we'll eat and get to bed."
"I am sorry, Kale," Kershala could feel warmth in his cheeks and turned his gaze to the ground.
"For what?" Kale bent to look him in the face.
"For getting you involved in all of this," Kershala wasn't sure if it was just because he was tired and hungry, but he could feel his emotional strength waning.
"I wouldn't change anything, if it meant," Kale paused, "meant not being around you." Kale gave him a gentle smile to reassure him. "We're both tired. Go shower, we have the rest of the day," Kale quietly laughed. Kershala had gotten to a point where he didn't want to walk away from him, he pulled him into another embrace and rested his head on Kale's chest. He listened to his heartbeat racing in his chest for several seconds. "Take a breath okay. I know it's been overwhelming the past few days with everything that's happened." Kale ran a comforting hand over Kershala's head and Kershala took a breath and tried to relax. Kale kissed his forehead before pulling out of the embrace. "Shower. I'm starting to sound like my mother."
"I am going." Kershala went into the bathroom, Kale had left the water running for him. He stripped out of the remaining clothing and got in the shower quickly. He searched around for something resembling the soap he had gotten used to using. He missed the sonic resonators of the Daoran city ships, water never seemed to clean quite enough. The resonators would bombard with high pitched sound waves that were beyond what anyone would be able to hear, unless they weren't functioning properly. He grabbed a small white bar of soap from the shelf in the tub and lathered his body rinsing at the same time. There was a certain excitement stirring in him that he had never felt before, he was sure it was love. He had experienced love all throughout his life, the love of his Matriarch, his Patriarch and the love of his siblings. This was different somehow stronger than any of those feelings before, he was sure this was what it was like to experience love for a mate. His oldest patriarch had discussed it with him once. Telling him that he would know the feeling easily because it would be unlike anything he had ever felt before. "It will make your soul sing" he could hear him saying in his head. Kale had quickly become that person to him and he didn't really know how to show him. During his upbringing he had never really had the opportunity to discuss what to do to attract a mate, his combat training was more important. Kershala sat looking at his feet as the water ran over the back of his head and over his face, he heard the door open.
"You making out okay?" asked Kale. Kershala didn't realize but he had been in the shower for a while just sitting alone with his thoughts and staring through the water.
"Sorry, I was lost in thought. I am okay." He turned to face Kale and he seemed to divert his eyes, Kershala didn't understand why Kale wouldn't look at him. "Is my body … attractive by human standards?"
"What kinda question is that? Of course, it is," Kale laughed.
"Then why won't you look at me while I am like this?" Kershala extended his arms presenting himself bare to Kale, who seemed to be passing him a towel.
"It's hard to explain." Kale seemed to give up and turned away from him. Kershala got out of the shower and turned the water off. Kale was draped in some kind of robe that he must have found in the room somewhere. Kershala wrapped himself in a towel and secured it around his waist before walking up and putting his arms around Kale. "You know how I feel about you. I don't really know how everything's gonna work out with us, but I'm pretty sure you want what I want. But from what I've seen I know you show your affection more intensely than humans do. I can't tell if we're just really good friends or …" Kale trailed off as he turned around and looked at Kershala.
"I have never had a mate before, Kale. I do not entirely know how to show that type of affection." Kale's eyes widened, and the implant was detecting that his heart was racing, Kershala was sure his body was reacting the same.
"Let's take it slow okay. We should eat, we will have more time to talk later." Kale's hand brushed his face and Kershala felt something in him jump. He wasn't sure if Kale was pushing him away or if he was just taking it slow like he suggested. He followed Kale out into the room where he had portioned the food onto plates for each of them. They sat on one of the beds and ate their food, the AI hadn't moved from its position above the bed still deciphering the device. The food they had brought him was much richer than what he had grown accustomed to since he had been on the planet. There were different types of fruit of all different colors, none of which he could recognize but his implant let him know that it was all safe to eat aside from residual traces of unrecognizable chemicals. Another of the items Kershala didn't recognize was some sort of cooked dough, it was sweet, and Kale seemed to enjoy it thoroughly. "Man, I haven't had pancakes in so long," he said as he took a mouthful from his fork. "These are made really well too." Kershala smiled at Kale as he chewed his food and took a bite himself. The two of them ate in quiet for several minutes getting through most of the meal. "We need to get some clothing. If anyone sees us in those we're going to stick out like a sore thumb," said Kale resting his plate on his lapsed gesturing to the clothing piled in the bathroom doorway.
"Is there somewhere we could go to buy some, like we did before?" asked Kershala.
"There's not really gonna be anywhere to do that around here. Even if there was we'd still have to interact with people to buy them." Kale paused appearing to be deep in thought. "Although I guess with Anubis around we could just use that hologram trick to get passed that."
"They are most likely watching your apartment so even if we get back there. It likely won't be accessible," Kershala theorized.
"Should be some houses along the way, people likely hanging clothing out on a clothes line somewhere. Just have to make it work I guess." Kale took a bite of one of the red colored fruit on his plate and looked to the window as he chewed, there were heavy drapes blocking the sunlight and view. Kershala stayed silent, he didn't want to think about their situation anymore for the time being. He could tell that Kale was stressed but truth be told he found it relieving that the people chasing them weren't likely to kill them even if they did catch them. It was a welcome change from his usual worry of being killed on sight or having someone he loved to be in immediate danger. "How're your wounds healing, those nanites finish repairing that internal damage?"
"They have all but finished the repairs to Kershala's muscle tissue and should be done shortly," said the AI.
"Will you be able to get your suit back? It'll be useful if we have to defend ourselves."
"The nanites will have to undergo a massive replication cycle and it will take time without an external power source. If we can access the vessel the Arktora brought itself here on we can likely remedy the situation quicker," Anubis explained. Kershala had grown tired of the AI injecting itself into their presence.
"Anubis," he said, "Please focus all of your efforts on decryption aside from the subroutines monitoring our pursuers surveillance of us." Kershala wanted to be able to have privacy with Kale. "Please also cease monitoring applications for my implant."
"Are you sure that is wise?" it asked.
"Do not question me please," said Kershala turning to face it.
"As you wish." Kershala could feel the AI disconnect from his implant and he was finally alone with Kale. Kale stopped what he was doing and looked at Kershala seemingly confused.
"You can do that?" he asked. Kershala smiled at him.
"Yes. Generally, the AI would only establish a connection with me when we were in the ship. It would take information from the nanites and my implant to take readings on my most recent mission or combat situation," Kershala explained.
"Then why's it been connected all this time?"
"It has not. Only when we are in proper proximity. For example, as I entered that burning house only my implant gave me the information I needed." Kale just shook his head and smiled at him before sitting his plate back on the tray.
"Man, that's enough for me." Kershala hadn't eaten his fill but decided to stop as he was satisfied, he placed his plate beside Kale's on the cart. "Are you sure you're done? You're looking a bit thinner since our time in there?"
"I am fine. I have eaten enough for now. I have never had this food before I do not want to over indulge." Kershala basically lied, if Kale was going to bed he wanted to go with him. Kale stood up and folded back the sheets on the bed he sat on and sat again. "Would you allow me to…". Kershala trailed off not sure if it was appropriate to finish the sentence. Kershala looked down at his hands suddenly overcome with loneliness he couldn't help but feel like Kale was rejecting him. He felt the dampness forming around his eyes and sniffled back the tears.
"Hey," Kale said softly he stood and walked over to him, "What's wrong?" Kershala shook his head and looked away feeling embarrassment for the first time in his adult life.
"I am sorry Kale. I do not know what is wrong I have never felt this before. I…".
"Should we bring the AI back online to see if something is wrong with you?"
"No," said Kershala quickly. "It is hard for me to explain." Kale took his face in his hands and made him look him in the eye.
"Just say whatever comes to mind, show me." Kershala didn't know what action to take next, the Jadak'tora would make things easier but with how tired he knew Kale was he wasn't sure of the side effects of it.
"I never want to be apart from you again," Kershala breathed. He could feel a tightness in his chest as another new emotion pushed its way through him, it was almost painful. He pushed forward and brought his hands up to Kale's face. He touched their foreheads together and the smell of Kale's clean skin perforated his senses causing his heart to race. "I have never felt anything this strong before." Kale slowly pressed his lips to Kershala's, Kershala felt an almost electric feeling move through him it wasn't long before his markings began glowing. He kissed Kale back and leaned back on the bed, violet light shining from his markings, something he had never seen happen before. Kale seemed to be staring at him.
"You're beautiful," said Kale in awe. "It's just like that night at the house." Kale referred to the first night Kershala performed the Jadak'tora on him. "I don't wanna be apart from you either." Kershala felt a rush of relief and the new emotion subsided he was starting to feel better. Kale took his hand and guided them onto the other bed, pulling Kershala to a position to lay on his chest. Kershala's towel fell away but neither of them reacted as he lay there with his head resting against Kale's heart. Kershala felt himself entering a calmed state and the light from his markings began to subside. "We need to rest," Kale whispered kissing Kershala on his head. Kale ran his hand down Kershala's arm in a comforting motion causing him to doze as the rest of the day's events caught up to him. It wasn't long before Kale's hand stopped moving and the two of them had fallen to sleep.
Kershala opened his eyes to a dark room, he couldn't tell what time it was, but he could tell that it was dark outside and the building around them was quiet. He was laying in the same position he remembered falling asleep in his head resting on Kale's heaving chest. Kale's arm had falling away from him and was hanging over the edge of the bed. The AI core was still engaged with the crystal-linear device and floated in the same spot he left it, there was a faint light emanating from the link it had established. Kershala's mouth was dry, he hoisted himself to his feet and went to the bathroom, he turned the water on and took a drink from the tap. He walked back into the room and looked at Kale laying on the bed. The robe he was wearing had fallen open exposing his fully bare body, Kershala looked down to realize that he had left the towel on the bed. Kershala had accessed information Anubis had obtained via the human internet regarding how a human pleased their mate. As he gazed at him he felt a yearning that he had never felt before that was overwhelming at first, but he began to realize that it was sexual desire he felt. He stepped to the edge of the bed and placed his hand on the top of Kale's left foot, the other hung over the side of the bed as he had shifted since Kershala stood up. Kershala felt the electric pulse move through his body again and his markings began to glow. After the sleep he had he was able to make sense of his emotions and was able to realize this was his body's natural reaction to sexual stimulus. He crawled on the bed and let his hand run up Kale's leg as he crawled to rest on him. He was still sleeping but Kershala was convinced that he wouldn't be for long. He bent down and pressed his lips on Kale's inner thigh just above his knee and began to travel up his body, letting his lips touch lightly on the way up. He brushed his hand over Kale's soft member causing him to twitch. Kershala continued to explore the creases around Kale's navel touching every few inches with his lips. He braced himself against the wall with one hand and cradled his cheek as his kissed the nape of his neck, and eventually found himself pressing his lips to Kale's ear. Kale responded pushing his ear into him as he came to. Kershala felt his hands caressing his legs and slowly moving their way up stopping at his bare haunches. He felt Kale swell beneath him with arousal. Kale pulled to the side and looked at him, in the dim light Kershala could see the yearning in his eyes.
"Are you sure this is right?" he whispered.
"It is only right, with you," Kershala whispered back. Kershala brought his hand up to Kale's and braced himself against Kale's body. Kale shifted slightly then entwined Kershala in his arms aggressively locking their lips together. Before he could react, Kale plunged his tongue into Kershala's mouth encircling his own. Kershala could feel himself becoming undone at Kale's gentle, yet unrelenting assault on his body. He let out a whimper and Kale pulled back to meet his gaze. A faint violet light reflected in his eyes and Kershala could feel a warmth pulse through his face.
"Your pupils, they're glowing," he whispered. Kershala knew this only meant his body had basically reached full sexual readiness. "Beautiful." Kale kissed him again and gripped his hips. Kershala reached down beneath him and held Kale's erect member in his hand, he positioned them both to allow for sexual alignment. He guided Kale at first their eyes transfixed to each other removing his hand before surrendering his body to him. He hesitated at first before leaning back against the bed board and guiding Kershala down onto his body. Kershala felt Kale penetrating him as he lay claim to his body, at first, he inhaled deeply, light pain followed by the sensation of pleasure. Kale moaned faintly cradling Kershala with his arms and patiently entered him. Kershala trembled with pleasure as Kale's thrusting became more rhythmic, he felt an uncontrollable urge to tighten his grip and put his hands on the headboard. He let go of his restraint and felt the wood crush under his grasp. Kale seemed startled and stopped, looking from his hands that still gripped the wood to his face.
"I am sorry," Kershala panted before smiling at him.
"Don't be sorry." Kale smiled before he leaned forward and kissed him. "Put your arms around me," he instructed. Kershala let out a breath and wrapped his arms around Kale's neck not sure what to expect. Kale wrapped one arm around the base of his back and without breaking their connection Kale laid Kershala onto his back and positioned himself on top of him. Kale leaned down and kissed him with one of Kershala's legs resting on his shoulder. Kershala let his arms fall behind his as Kale now towered over him. Sensations rushed through his body with each plunge Kale took, coupled with the silken feeling of Kale's lips on his skin he felt himself coming apart. As he leaned forward Kershala could feel sweat drip from his body and land cold on his skin. Each push became more carnal and Kale let out a growl before lifting Kershala's other leg to his shoulder, he took Kershala's hands in his and pinned them back behind his head and groaned. He bent down and sucked on Kershala's neck as he began pummeling him with relentless lust. Sweat ran down Kale's body and dripped over them both as the act continued and Kershala could feel an unfamiliar pleasure building in him. "Oh my god," Kale growled and released Kershala's hands wrapping his arms around him, Kershala encircled him and they began to kiss, Kale once again ravishing him with his tongue. This was enough to throw Kershala into a full explosion, as the feeling of gratification hit him he could feel a wetness from within, he exhaled slowly his chest quivering. Kale's rhythm slowed and after only another thrust or so he pulled himself from Kershala his body convulsing as he climaxed. Kale collapsed on top of him in weakness and the two of them laid still for a moment in silence. The glow from Kershala's markings and pupils had subsided. "I can't even put it into words."
"You do not have to." Kershala brought his hand up and rubbed the back of his head. "I do not know what came over me Kale, but I could not resist you. I had to act on it. It is what I was feeling before we went to bed, but I did not understand what was happening to me."
"Wait what?" Kale hoisted himself on one arm and looked at him.
"I have never … been mated before." Kale brought Kershala's hand to his mouth and kissed his fingers.
"Thank you for trusting me." Kale sat up and looked around the room. "I guess we should get cleaned up. Figure out our next move?"
"Okay." Kale stood up and pulled Kershala to his feet, both went into the bathroom Kale turned the shower on to get it to temperature. "I am sorry for the mess. I did not know my body would react like that."
"It's okay, bodily functions aren't something to be sorry for. Especially considering the lead up," Kale laughed quietly. "How come you didn't know about that though? Considering the Daora they must have some kind of sexual education."
"As I reached the age where it would have been applicable, combat training took precedent. I remember conversations about love with my oldest Patriarch. I can recall some of his words." Kale climbed into the shower and beckoned to Kershala to join him.
"Oh yeah, what did he tell you?" Kershala crawled into the shower it was big enough for both to be in the stream of the water. Kale was facing him as the water hit them both washing away the evidence of what they had just experienced. Kale smirked at him and rubbed his chest as he waited or a response.
"He said I would know it when I felt it. That it would make my soul sing." Kershala looked down at himself as he spoke and watched the dilute violet color flush from his skin and drain off with the water. Kale smiled at him and kissed him on the nose.
"So, all that confusion you were feeling earlier, was that caused by sexual excitement."
"I think I was having a hard time processing it because I was so tired, and I'd never felt it before." Kershala stepped forward into the water more to rinse the sweat from his body.
"Jeez, so you've never even masturbated?" Kershala looked back at Kale confused. "Um, hm. Pleasured yourself before?" Kershala stayed quiet not really understanding the question. "Never mind." Kershala felt Kale put his arms around him and pull in close to him. "I'm glad we finally have time to just be together. Even if it is on the run." Kershala took a step back and Kale stepped further into the water.
"It is what I am used to." Kershala stepped out of the shower, satisfied that he had sufficiently rinsed himself. It wasn't long before Kale followed. They each grabbed a second towel and dried off eventually ending up in the second bed, the other still damp from their encounter. They now laid on the bed with the AI floating above them the gentle light illuminating the room enough for them to see each other. "Should we stay for a while longer. We should move under the cover of darkness. It will be less likely that we will encounter resistance." Kershala touched the back of his ear, he felt it was a good time to reconnect with the AI and have it analyze the situation. "Anubis, please resume normal function." Kershala could feel the AI reading from his implant and the nanites. "Please update us on our pursuers." The AI stayed quiet and Kershala knew it was because of his and Kale's actions. "Respond."
"Our pursuers have not changed their tactics though they have more security check points than before. It should not be difficult to avoid them," it explained. "Would you like an update on the device?"
"Yes."
"I have succeeded in decoding approximately fifteen percent of the information contained therein. When the time comes we should be able to use the ships teleportation device, and have it pull us from this planet."
"Any chance you could do that before we get full control of it?" asked Kale.
"There is always a chance." They were quiet for a moment as Kershala thought about having to use a Shironian ship to escape. The thought made him uncomfortable. "Kershala I would like you to know that I am noting my formal objection to your actions regarding the sexual interaction with the human in our formal log."
"It is noted. You are no longer permitted to discuss it as relevant to our situation. Is the route to the city clear?" Kershala ordered.
"If you leave now you would arrive at the city in two hours. It is best to travel at night. Once we get to the city we should decide where we wish to stay until I am able to decode the device." The AI continued without missing a beat. Kershala thought more about their situation and wanted to make sure that in the future Kale would be able to assist them in combat.
"I would like to train you," he said turning his attention to Kale, "I want you to be able to defend yourself if for some reason I am not around. I know you are trained in self-defense, but you need to be combat ready, defense is not enough if you ever find yourself facing a Shironian."
"Sounds like a good use of our time once we find a place to practice," said Kale.
"We won't need space. I can train you with the Jadak'tora as my patriarchs taught me."
"That could prove to be dangerous, given your inexperience with the ritual, Kershala," said the AI.
"I will access training from your database on the subject as we travel," said Kershala getting a sense that the AI didn't want him to train him. Kale stood up and put on the clothing from the facility.
"Alright, well let's get on the road then, it's ten o clock. Should be able to slip out without anyone noticing us. But maybe throw up that hologram just to be sure," he said sliding the shirt over his head.
"I agree." Kershala stood up and put on his pants. The AI core hovered over to Kale and generated the hologram turning into his cell phone. Kale hesitated but took it in hand.
"You should leave these people a tip, if nothing else they're gonna need to replace that headboard," said Kale. The smile on his face suggested he may have even been mocking the AI.
"It is done," it said. Kale opened the door slowly and walked out into the hall quietly, Kershala followed him silently and they made their way down the stairs and out into the yard. Their movement causing a sensor light to trigger, Kale stopped seemingly startled by the light. "There is no surveillance present go to the vehicle." They got in the car and the AI started it, it pulled slowly out of the yard and back onto the road. There were still no cars present in the parking lot and the surroundings dark with night. The moon was high in the sky, the only thing aside from the car lights creating any light in their surroundings, Kershala sat low in his seat to keep passersby from seeing he had no shirt on and delved into his research.