Note: Thank you for reviews. This chapter originally was intended to be much shorter and then grew out of control. I was thinking about making it into two, but it did not make much sense. Since I did not post in a some time I decided to leave it as is.

Chapter 12: Almost

"You're kidding, right?" Jo's eye brow rose in disbelieve.

"H'ko kid-din" Seth answered placing his large form in the circle opposite of her much smaller frame.

"You really do not have to try so hard to keep me occupied" She added with a smiled.

When Seth said they will train. At first Joanna thought it was a yautjan way of suggesting that she put on a few ponds. Then, she decided that if he wants her to be fit she might as well cut out the carbs, and get her body fat under 3%. She expected many things, but not this. Although Jo really should have seen it coming; it wasn't like she's ever seen Seth do push-ups or sit-ups.

"Have you lost your marbles?"

"Mr'ble"

She smiled. "Yeah, Marble is a hard crystalline, circular in form. It comes in many colors. The expression…" Seth cut off her report by raising his palm in a universal gesture of acquiring silence. Of course he did it after Kai's remark, which Joanna could not understand. How could she forget that they have an audience? Kai and Yin were originally playing ro-sham-bo wolverine style (it was always scissors), but soon found Seth's and Jo's squabble far more interesting and started observing from the edge of the fighting circle. She was hoping to delay Seth's plan, perhaps until he got hungry and he will forget the whole stupid idea. But with Yin, and most definitely Kai here it will be much more difficult if not impossible.

"Pr'ep-are"

"Pear? What pear?"

"Pr'ep-err" He barked.

"Ohhh… prepare. What do I do? Get a sweater?"

Seth huffed in frustration. Spread his arms and crouched low, preparing for an attack. It was most definitely a bone chilling sight. Jo has seen it when he played with the others. And he did not play nice with others. His body, while lovely to watch from a distance, would probably splatter hers like a grape. So when he bellowed that dominant roar and charged she did the only thing she could think of that might save her life: dropped to the floor in a fetal position, covered her head and neck with her hands. Seth stopped. She was unsure if she should move. It is clearly instructed that when a bear or a Trun's riznot attacks one should wait until the oppressor loses interest and goes away. Go away Seth. Go away…

"Bad. No fi-ght." Seth said towering above her.

"Sure it is" Jo mumbled from behind her arms covering her head, taking only a peak from between her forearm and her bicep. "It's called the opossum style"

"Up"

"No"

"Up or make you"

Jo lowered her hands. "Back up" she barked and surprisingly he did, even though he looked furious. He had that sheen in his eyes and his chest was heaving. Jo knew that the short run he made at her was not enough to cause exertion. The heave was from anger. She quickly scrambled to her feet and looked toward Yin and Kai. She didn't know why because she was sure there would be no assistance from there.

"Jo. You bad loser" Yin called from the edge of the circle, swaying his head as if disappointed.

"I'm a really poor winner as well" Jo yelled back.

"Aga'in" Seth barked returning to the same side of the circle. She turned facing him..

"Oh! I can do that again. For sure…"

"H'ko"…"Fight" he barked wiping the smile of her face.

"You can't possibly expect me to fight you? I don't stand a chance. I don't even have a weapon. What am I supposed to use; harsh language or sniveling supplications?"

Seth spread his arms. Once again he was ready to charge and once again Jo was ready for the opossum fight approach. Just before Seth was about to attack she heard something from her right side. Seth stopped and looked in that direction. Jo followed his gaze and noticed Kai's come-hitter motion towards her. She really didn't want to be near him, but if it would delay this pointless task she might as well go. She doubted he'd tell her anything of use. She was wrong.

He didn't so much as tell her anything as more show her. Kai kept on making the motion to come closer until he decided she was close enough, and turned his hand signaling for her to stop. In Jo's opinion the distance was much closer than she would have liked. She never liked to stay within Kai arm's reach. He was always grumpy, rude and she believed quite possibly a loose cannon. Her heart beat erratically when he looked down at her. Kai was not as big as Seth, but sure as hell bigger than anything she'd like to be standing so close to. He raised his eyes and looked at Seth. Jo turned her head over her shoulder and noticed Seth looking at Kai in confusion. Hell's Ass! - Jo was confused as well. She realized movement and quickly turned her head. Kai shuffled his feet slightly obviously using her to obscure Seth's field of vision. Then, he crouch down, looked her in the eyes. Jo was totally transfixed and equally nervous. It was the first time she was so close to any Yautja except for Seth, Adi and Doc. They all shared a similar fragrance; earthy, slightly sweet and very subtle. However, each Yautja also possessed his own distinctive scent. From this distance she got a whiff of Kai. Seth smelled like dust after rain. Not unpleasant and reminded her of home. Doc always reeked of the antiseptics from the lab he spent most of his time in. Adi smelled a bit like herbal tea. Kai had his own scent as well, but it was one she could not identify. It was close to the odor of salt, but much lighter. He also carried a trace of vanilla which seemed artificial. She has never observed his facial features at all because he never liked it and she didn't want to get on his nerve. This was one of those moments as well. He might have called her over, but it was not so she can get a good look at him.

Kai growled at her lack of concentration and his eyes lowered. Jo followed them with interest. His finger was pointing to his knee. She pointed to her knee and whispered "You want me to attack his knee?" He shook his head and looked down again. She looked as well. "Left knee?" she asked and pointed to the other knee. Kai confirmed with a small nod. Jo could have sworn she saw an evil gleam in his eyes. Why would he give her advice against Seth? It made no sense.

"What did you tell her Kai di'chak?" Setg'syra asked clearly irritated. Did he really believe even with information he's given her she'd stand a chance? It might slow Setg'syra down maybe more if she put enough effort into it. Kai di'chak was hoping that at least it might make him miss and stumble.

Kai di'chak raised his mandibles and crossed his arms over his chest "It would not make much sense for me to tell her and then you. Would it not?" …"dtai'kai'-dte Setg'syra" His mei'hswei was obviously not pleased knowing that she might be aware of something of use against him. That was Kai di'chak's fighting skill. He exploited mistakes. Setg'syra was familiar with the strategy as well, but he preferred to impose his strength.

"It will not change anything" Setg'syra barked

"Perhaps"

"Look he's smiling" The Ooman interrupted in her usual manner and exposed her flat teeth. When she turned her head to look at him he snarled. "I just didn't know your facial muscles moved that way" she supplemented.

"Kai di'chak I must add that I am most disapproving of you meddling."

"I know Yin'thar"…" I would not expect anything else. I am just curious of the outcome"

Setg'syra prepared to charge, but the ooman started speaking and Seth seized his attack. "Whooo! Big Boy!" she waived her hands in the air "I think we should have a battle of wits instead. Because then you'll be unarmed and defenseless. I might win that one"

"She might actually be right in this" Kai di'chak said further perturbing Setg'syra and Yin'thar.

"She is stalling again Setg'syra" He added and Setg'syra resumed position to charge. The female crouched. Setg'syra came at her and she waited. When he was about to strike she moved below his arms and into the knee he told her to. The knee was one of Setg'syra recent injuries. It has healed, but was his weakest point and one the ooman stood a chance of reaching. She must have put all of her weight into it because Setg'syra's left leg shifted and he lost his balance. He went down hard almost taking her with him. She realized that and rolled away quickly just missing the falling warrior. If Setg'syra would have fallen on her, his size alone would do much damage to her small body.

Setg'syra shook his head from disbelieve and Kai di'chak burst in laughter. The ooman jumped up with her hands in the air showing teeth once again "Don't think of it as losing. Think of it as being beat by a girl" she scoffed. It was hardly losing, but it was humiliating.

"Ooman" said Kai di'chak expanding Setg'syra's embarrassment. Mostly due to his large size and great strength he had the advantage. He was intimidating even to a Yautja male. Not to an honored warrior, but to a younger less experienced male he was imposing and he knew it. Setg'syra liked to instigate bouts especially those that offered challenge yet provided him with a win in the end. He also underestimated those smaller than him. Some humbleness would serve Setg'syra well.

Yin'thar was holding his mandibles tight trying not to laugh. "I say that was worth the meddling" Kai di'chak commented and Yin'thar allowed himself to be amused.

"Since when are you siding with the ooman?" Setg'syra said looking to Kai di'chak and getting his feet under his large form.

"I am not. I simply wanted to see if it can make any use of the information." That was partly true. Mostly he was hoping she would. Watching Setg'syra fall like a great tree was worth any assumption they might have about his intention.

The female turned to him and smiled. "Do not take me for kind" He said in response and her smile faded.

Basic! Perfect fucking basic. She was shocked. Was it the only correct sentence he knew? It would sure as hell describe him well. How much did he understand? He did not speak much. He ignored her and did not appear to be paying any attention. Her further inner reflection was halted when Seth handed her a stick. She looked up and noticed he was holding one as well. Great! He amplified the risk.

She looked to Kai. She was not looking for advice, but rather to give him the stink eye. Jo realized that he must have told her about the knee just to piss Seth off. Now her roommate will want to beat her with a stick.

"C'mon. I thought you were my Kimosabe" Jo said and pursed her lips.

"Kim'os'abe?" Seth trilled in question.

"Friend" she explained

"H'ko"

"Can we level the field?"

Seth's tresses clinked with the head movement indicating interest. She must have said something worth prolonging this nightmare.

"Can I get a gun?"

"You shoot?" Seth said pointing to himself.

"If you gonna come at me like a raging bull I will"

"H'ko" and that was it.

As soon as he rumbled ready to attack again, she threw the stick at him as hard as she could and took off for the exit of the small gym. This exercise room was on their floor, and she knew exactly where the cabin was. Jo passed the door into the corridor. She heard heavy footsteps behind her. She turned over her shoulder to assess Seth's distance and her chances of getting into the cabin before he caught up. While doing so she hit something solid and bounced off of it hitting the floor with a thud. She gulped a quick painful breath and then her back hit the bulkhead of the corridor. The bogeyman was holding her by her neck squeezing her collar like a lemon. He was close to crushing her windpipe and then eased up. She inhaled greedily paining her bruised lungs. Jo grabbed his large paw immediately and tried pulling him away.

Seth barked something behind the barbarian's back and he turned his head in Seth's direction then returned those yellow eyes to her. All he had to do was squeeze to break her neck. Instead, he settled for stroking Jo's neckline and jaw with his thumb, but in no way was the gesture soothing. She got a good whiff of him as well. Strange thing to think about at the moment, but somehow she needed to take her racing mind away from the possibilities in which he might decide not to listen to Seth. He surprisingly smelled of wildflowers. Like an almond extract; very pleasant and unsuitable to the chilling presence. If death had a smell who would think it'll smell of spring.

Suddenly he withdrew his hand and left. She fell to the floor bruising her ass. Jo inhaled slowly trying to calm her nerves and rubbed at her sore throat.

"What tactic?" Seth stood over her head trilling. He asked as if nothing happened.

"What?" She asked

"Tacctic?" He trilled again and pointed to the corridor through which she ran just minutes ago, and then made a running gesture with his fingers. Ohh! Jo realized that he was asking about her stick throwing and running through the corridors not paying attention.

"Mostly it's called 'running like a mother…' style."… "I did not executed it well though"

"H'dla-de bad. Stay aw ay"

"No shit" Jo confirmed

"No shit?"

"It means I got it"

"No shit" Seth confirmed.

"You learn?" he asked

Did she learn anything today? "Oh Yes. I learned not to go with you to train if I can help it. I also got a refresh from elementary school."

Seth cocked his head to the side

"Don't run in the halls" she explained.

"Almost"

That word described more than just the event that came to pass. It described the events that followed in the near future.

Seth barged in to their cabin as if on fire. But he was not ignited. He was decked out for war.

He was wearing forearm bracers, lower leg bracers, shoulder plates connected to a breast plate, a heavy belt, armored briefs with groin-cup, and heavy sandals. From the belt she could notice hangers to which he had attached assortment of weapons: Knives, discs and a stick. She could bet her ass that was not just a regular stick. He also had a strange looking mask hanging in the front next to his right thigh. That amount of armor would look intimidating on anyone, but on him it looked ominous.

"Where're you going? Rage against the machines?" He's been away for a while and she would have wonder where he left off to, but she was enjoying the privacy way too much to delve into any advanced speculations.

"Hunt" Seth answered shortly.

"I suppose it won't be quail"

"H'ko" He huffed as if offended

"It was more of a rhetorical question." She said raising her hands in meek surrender. "Well…may the force be with you."

"Go"

Wait what? Jo decided that she must have heard wrong. "Did you say go?"

"Sei-i, Go"

"I hope you mean go get a bear and wait till you come back" she asked with a sinking feeling that that is not what he meant.

"Go. Hunt"

"Riiiiight. I'll get right on that…Not" She said

"Noow" Seth barked. Jo knew that there is no arguing with him when his mind was set. They'll just biker and he'll get his way anyway.

"Why lack of preparation on your side is a constant emergency on mine?" Jo asked scrambling herself off the bed and going for her haversack. She was completely ill-prepared. She also got an impatient growl in response from Seth. He was as excited as a kid before Christmas; although, kids before Christmas don't usually look as if ready to take on a T2.

Jo was about to change into one of her t-shirts, but Seth handed her leather rags instead. They squabbled. In the end she was standing in the 'Jungle Jane' outfit at the exit of the shuttle. Their hunting party included Seth, Kai, Yin and Jo. The Yautjas were all dolled up in some serious military gear and Jo was basically hoochifyed.

Seth attached a belt to her hips and she got giddy until he hooked a crossbow and fastened a quiver. She gave him a pained look.

"All of you get fancy bladed weapons and I get this?" Jo scrunched her face. "Am I hunting General Custer? Why can't I get my gun?""

"No burners" Yin answered "Good weapon, h'ko hev ay"

"Yeaah. You go hunt some serious game. I will go play 'Robin Hood Prince of Thieves"

They exited the shuttle and the 'Merry Men' immediately separated. She left with 'Little Jon'.

The planet's surface could have been characterized as a jungle, but not one she's seen neither in her travels, holos, nor in the books. The tropical forest's most prominent feature was its trees. If not for their sizableness she'd call them weeping shrubs. The wide branches extended from many sides on different levels. The lowest appendages often weaved on the saturated, fungal ground or even emerged from it alongside large roots like some monstrous dirt worms. In touch the main bark, as well as its branches were pliable even if seeming solid. The entire jungle was soaked with water as if charging internal canals of its mold. The leaves were elongated with a smoothed green margin and magenta along their central veins. Their size depended on the height they grew. Those leaves near the top were bigger stretched expansively. The taller trees spread out to take optimum use of the sun, restricting everything beneath it. Sunlight leaked from between the leaves with bright rays and through the leaves altering the sun-flickers to a rosy shadow like stained glass enclosing all that grew below. On the ground it was dim. Almost nonexistent amounts of untainted sunlight made its way to this level.

They were so many trees heavy in structure they created arches, catwalks and platforms. Seen from afar it might have looked like a weeping city. Jo thought however, that from above it would look as if fields of foliage of green and magenta color.

It was raining hard. The falling droplets were hitting the large and heavy-weighted leaves and dispersed skimming to the ground. In some places liquid poured in soft streams as though over strings. In some it drizzled over the barks, sticks, twigs and leaves and in others in dropped like dew of much lesser proportions than initially delivered from the sky above. Water gathered in pools at her boots, but did not elevate. It softened the ground below into mud. Jo's eyes rose in a counter direction of the falling water. She peeked through the expansive canopy of foliage and into the sky. The sky appeared snowy in color, but the rain drops processed the sunbeams producing twinkling prismatic dapples looking as though patterned with tiny crystals high in the firmament.

Seth took off his mask, cut a vein and liquid pour from it. He drank. Rainwater collected in the large leaves of jungle plants and every gap of the trunks. Jo took a solid brown leaf, but Seth hit it out of her hand. "Bad" … "H'ko drink". Jo scratched her head.

"But you just…" She did not finish when he cut another vine and handed it to her. She seized it and drank. It was fresh and mildly sweet. The trees and vines must have filtered the harmful fluids. While she was drinking Jo noticed a blooming, red flower growing between ground mosses. It reminded her of an orchid and she approached it with interest abandoning the vine. She reached to touch the bud. Seth grabbed her wrist with an exasperated gasp.

"Bad". I should have known that. She was often told not to mess with anything that looked like it's not supposed to be there.

To Seth she must have been like a toddler just learning to walk. "Are their other plants I shouldn't touch or eat?"

Seth thought about it and then answered "H'ko". With that settled she got up from her knees she got to while reaching the flower and straightened her posture. Joanna noticed slimy fat worms attached to the skin just above the boot.

"eww" Jo felt a slight pull on her skin and realized the worms were feeding on her blood. "Double eww". She then occupied herself with pulling the suckers off.

"No harm" Seth said.

"I don't see them munching on you" Joanna said in his direction and then added to no one "slimy little buggers" before completing the worm removal.

An extraordinary visage of this planet's flora could not in any way recompense for whatever might be living in this environment. She just got a taste of it or rather it got a taste of her. Jo also knew that if the leeches were here they were most definitely feeding on something. Not to mention that Seth looked prepared for some serious ass whooping. It was doubtful he was hunting the leeches. Then, and there she decided that she did not want to go with him and find out what he was going to hunt.

"Are those black things here?" Jo asked climbing up the tree stumps and through the skywalks following Seth. It wasn't hard. Not like climbing a vertical tree to its crown. These willows provided steady, even if malleable walkways.

"H'ko"

"We should separate"

"Wha-y?" Seth asked

Because I don't want to participate in this endeavor "It… will …be more challenging that way"

Seth thought about it. Jo wanted to make it more convincing and showed him the wrist computer he gave her. He explained it was to track her and also to provide direction to the shuttle if she ever got lost. Original plan included taking it off and skedaddling, but Jo wasn't willing to stay behind with the bloodsuckers. "I have this so you can find me…and…if needed I can get back to the camp if I get done before you".

"Sei-i"

Jo decided that Seth was the village idiot. She could not take in that anyone would buy that. Then again Seth was a few twists short of a slinky. This explanation would have never worked with Yin, Kai or even Adi. Yautjas were not unmistakable at recognizing lies, or rather well-developed omissions of truth, but believing that she would want to hunt on her own was really pushing it.

What she really was planning was to lounge out on one of the high tree branches, away from leaches of the jungle floor, and hopefully stare at the sparkling sky. After Seth left she did just that.

Under the layer directly beneath the canopy was much hotter than on the ground. Jo suspected that going any higher would not change that for the better. So she picked a spot lied down on an open branch on her back. The growths bend slightly under her weight. Jo basked in the heat and humidity. Usually it would not be something she'd have enjoyed, especially with the downpour. However, the scanty clothing allowed her skin to breathe and the rain scattered on the large thin leaves allowed only drizzles to reach her body cooling her further. It was like sitting under a sprinkler in a hot summer day. She placed the bow and arrow sheath on her stomach and folded her arms under her head. She looked at the weapon assortment and snorted.

Joanna heard the sound of wind drumming against the trees tops, but no breeze followed to the forest floor. In the understory layer there was little air flow. The precipitation was higher and she also knew that warmth, water and lots of sunlight were all the things that made life possible. This place had it in spades. She saw a few buzzing insects, bird-like creatures and something flew above her head in the top leafy umbrellas like a monkey. Some creepy bug with multiple legs the size of a rat skittered across a nearby fern in a wave-like motion. Jo wasn't skittish as long as it wasn't crawling on her or in her direction.

She heard a shuffling sound from a brush few feet away on the left side and turned her head in that direction. The vegetation was dense and she could not visualize the creature that moved. All fell silent, too silent for her liking. Just minutes ago the place was teeming with life yet now not a peep except for the drums of rain drops and whistle of winds in the top awning. She slowly lifted herself and crouched not daring to take her eyes off the scrub. Jo pulled the quiver over her head, and adjusted it over the right shoulder, buckled it around her stomach. The bow was hooked to a retractable belt clip. One a person uses not to lose one's keys - just a bit sturdier. Seth must have thought she might be forgetful. She was, but never with a weapon. As a rookie she learned that a female should always have a weapon handy. Jo grabbed the bow and a single arrow and aimed at the bush, then slowly skidded on the branch sideways. The weapon was surprisingly light and easy to load. She snickered a little because she actually liked it. Now was no time to appreciate its brilliant design. Jo's goal was to back up and get out of this thing's territory.

The beast stepped out of the bush. It out-sized an average human, looking like a hairless, brown, slimy rodent. Its hide was sleek like a frog's. Understandable in these condition yet still icky. It was crouched low on all fours. Its limbs were not long, but its paws edged with three inch claws. The face of the creature was flat, as if the thing ran into a few trees. The nostrils were wide and snout crushed like a vampire bat, except its eyes were large and the vertical eyelids blinked with an audible squish. The vampire frog pulled back the mouth reveling teeth. It had few teeth, but those it had looked razor sharp especially the canines. It did not carry heavy muscle, but it seemed to hold a good layer of shielding fat.

It gurgled and its under-throat sack jumped with the sound. Then, it made a harsh jarring high-frequency noise and charged. Jo took aim and let the arrow fly. It went wider than she expected and the arrow embedded itself in the creature's shoulder. Bows are much more sensitive than a gun. She should have adjusted it for her use, but then again she did not plan on using it. For its fatty mass the thing was quite fast and when the arrow hit, it screeched and fell back. Quickly got up and pulled the arrow from its shoulder with its teeth, then huffed in anger. The fatty under-layer stopped the arrow short of serious damage. There was no blood and only greasy pus exited the wound. "What's with repulsive, vile things wanting to eat me?" Jo questioned out loud. The only plus over the onyx nightmares was that the pus did not burn the local habitat. The downside was that her current weapon did diddly squat. Jo looked around while the repugnant, four-legged slug announced its next assault and then jumped. From the front paws to the ankle of the hind leg extend a gliding membrane. "Shit" said Jo and jumped down to the path below. The branches creaked under her feet. She heard the pursuer land in place where her body once stood and looked down. Joanna didn't waste any more time. In a straight line she was doomed, but if she somersaulted between the branches she might make it to the ground. The jungle-slime-bat would lose its advantage, or so she hopped. She kept running with it gliding from tree to tree in pursuit, like some flying squirrel.

Jo reached the ground and ran. As she suspected the creature was not as flexible on the surface, but it landed to close to her to outrun it. She noticed a tree fork, placed her body in the middle and braced her legs against it. When the ugly turd attacked she fell back successfully trapping the pursuer in the tree. Rapidly the creature was slipping and pushing its way through the trunk not giving up on the meal. Jo got to her feet, pulled another arrow aimed at the creature's head, but the slime-ball went through and soared in her direction. She backed up and slipped on something. Falling, Jo discharged the arrow. She plunged down. The attacker descended on top of her without motion.

It was dead. She lifted its head and realized that the arrow struck through the throat into the skull. It was the only visible part not protected by the fatty layer. She came aware of another thing and yelled: "LEECHES" and wiggled frantically from below the rot-smelling, sticky body. The progress was slow and the notion of the bloodsuckers made her shiver and slide desperately, time and again picking off an eager sucker from her arms.

Seth drooped from above and with one hand he jerked the corps from her. Jo shot up detaching the worms from the buffet. She then heard two sounds as if something plunged down like bullets. The air sparkled in blue light and Kai and Yin came into view. They all had multiple heads or bones of the same creature she just send on a path to Hades. They also carried few sticky decapitated bodies.

"You use a clocking devise…oh that's just cheating" Jo was furious. All off them went hunting not only with some serious weapons, but also nearly invisible, while she was left alone in a 'Flintstones' outfit.

"Who's pauking idea was to separate?" She asked panting and shaken. She narrowly missed serving the beast one of her limbs and as a result her life. This was an obvious sign that she should never ever abandon the safety of the ship again. Actually the safety of her quarters because the ship had its own roaming beasts. The conclusion was made that since she had nothing of her former attire the trouble magnet must be circulating in her blood stream.

"It can remember prof'anities yet nothing else" Kai said in basic. He most definitely intended for her to understand even if the question was aimed at Seth.

Kai that yautjan, contemptuous jackass; Joanna noted that many of his kind carried themselves with that 'yautjan arrogance'. He however, could easily call himself the emperor of the high and mighty club; fucking 'Captain Snooty, Lord of the Ego.'

Through her clenched teeth she exclaimed "It has a flare for it" … "Don't change the subject. Whose idea was it?"

"You" Seth delivered the answer.

"OH!" Oh Yeah! It was her idea. "Since when do you listen to me?"

"You do we-ll" praised Yin "Good kill… Not eesey. Take head, hide and meat. Show you" he continued as always practical.

"Ehhh It sticks. I don't want to touch it"

"You kill, good…honor"

"It wasn't willing to discuss diplomatic solutions" Joanna voiced while picked the goo out of her hair and shacking her boot to detach the creeping bloodsucker.

"Oomans know not of honor or achie'vement. You cannot term value to life form of in'famy or infe-rio-rity"

Jo stopped her fidgeting and looked at Kai. Those were big words for someone that until now communicated in language of growls and huffs. Once again he did not speak to her, but used basic. Not only that, he just called humans, her included, a bunch of lowlifes.

"You cannot be that conceited?"

He did not respond, instead moved so fast that neither she nor the others got a chance to react. With his left hand he grabbed her by the throat, hauled her up, and slammed against a tree trunk. With his right he extended those sharp wrist blades and bore down toward her head.

Joanna closed her eyes and yelped. She was alive. Forced her eyes open. Kai's soulless mask was glaring from behind the sharp blades embedded on both sides of her head. Tree liquid was pouring down the sides of the pierced timber. He ventured closed pushing the blades a bit further against the protesting groan of the wood. She noticed that his form was weighting her down. The palm around her esophagus was tight enough to bruise but loose enough for her to take shallow breaths; Sensation already familiar. For a second she was disappointed she did not have her pepper spray, but reconsidered. She would have been tempted to use it and unlike before he would have taken the burn and her windpipe.

Jo was alive. The fact alone meant that it was a lesson. One she had already observed and accepted as true; never fuck with Kai. She came to that conclusion all on her own, yet here she was on the receiving end of his limited patience.

Her mouth got her in trouble plenty of times before. No human however, had the strength to pull her apart with his bare hands. Jo knew how to watch her own back. With a bit of marvel she always walked away unharmed. Jo also knew who to trust to watch her back for her. Speaking of which; Seth moved toward, and in response Kai squeezed tighter. Her hands instinctively came up to grab the fleshy noose, but there was no give.

Seth stepped back, the noose loosened. Kai spoke. Not to her, but to the desert snake who once again could do nothing, but wait. Jo hoped his negotiating skills were better than his guardianship skills.

"You might allow disrespect and insolence. I will not. It should recognize its betters and the place it this society. It is nothing more than a tarei'hasan."

Seth remained silent. Yin spoke and she hoped it was in her defense.

"She does not understand"

"Sei-i. It does not. There is much it needs to learn if it wants to continue to draw another breath. It is an entertainment for you Setg'syra, but many will not be so amused."

"Do not disrespect those that can easy take your breath or head" Kai said in basic focusing his attention back on her.

She had a feeling there is more meaning to those words, beyond the standard message of not pissing off Kai. However, at this very moment she was locked by terror and wanted to cry, though it seemed that not only air was in short supply. Her eyes were dry.

He pulled the blades out. They reeled in, first back and narrowed with a quick snap. He nipped both her cheeks creating two horizontal slashes. It hurt, but in her current state of panic it was nothing more than a paper-cut. Jo always, when in danger, distanced herself from the pain to preserve her life.

Than he released her and she dropped to the ground. Jo still was not sure how this entire situation escalated so bad and so fast did. Kai was not human. He was not her guardian, not her friend and not her savior. He could have killed her, but he didn't; perhaps for Seth's sake than hers. He has said: "Do not take me for kind". That was a fair warning.

Seth stopped in the line of her vision blocking out the view of the imposing Kai. She lowered her eyes. Her hands were shaking. Small tears fell mixing with her blood. With the return of air so did the water supply. Seth squatted and his palm brushed her cheek. Jo pushed his palm away. She did not need to be patronized. He never did it, and this was not the time to start. Seth was not known for empathy.

Seth handed her a blade "Take head and go"

And she did.

dhi'rauta – cunning
dtai'kai'-dte – fight/battle
mei'hswei – brother
tarei'hasan – small insect, unworthy opponent