Disclaimer: Same as always. I own nothing …

Note: I apologize for the mistakes. But I keep finding them and just ran out of steam to continue checking.

Chapter 12: Arka P2

Jo's idea of lovely vacation was sunbathing on the beach, with a fruity-umbrella-decorated drink in hand and maybe a day at the spa. Nowhere in there could she include self-mutilation.

The ceremony was stressful. Although she got the rundown from Doc and Adi she had no idea what was her role in it. As it turns out her part was to get painfully scorched with acid. She was instructed to take in stride and she did. Not a whine. Jo really wasn't that tough. When she was in her quarters getting ready she got hopped up on painkillers she was hiding in her haversack. Until now she had no use for them because Doc attended to her every aching whimper and he had the good stuff. She asked him for some, but he responded with 'Blooding is a test of endurance'; Easy to say for someone with a rhinoceros-thick hide. Apparently for the yautjas it was all about the pain and the mark was only a souvenir.

After four Mors pills, which was a new military's favorite drug of choice, she would have allowed them to carve out her face as well. Good that she negotiated details prior to the big event.

Her clothes were nice. They were not as skimpy as the scraps she got from Seth most of the time. Halter style top tied around the neck exposing her stomach. The braided wide ties stretched from a high-placed midsection belt that made the top look more like a shirt then a swimsuit. The bottom fitted low on her hips. The skirt was asymmetrical with handkerchief hem points centered front and back. It was cut on the sides very high up her thigh allowing for easy maneuvering. Surprisingly in golden, chai-spice colors it was very tasteful. Joanna made two low braids. One of each side of the head, a la Pocahontas. There were no shoes included. Jo was told that nobody wore any, but again she was not a yautja and the rock floors scrapped her feet so she put on her shower flops.

The ceremony itself was not over exuberant and her role was to walk up to the big gray alien presenting him her homemade shank created from the Satan's tail, and allowing that very large and clumsy-looking creature to carve her shoulder. Without Mors she'd be half way to China at that very moment. Yet, the drug did its job and she was high as a kite and willing to slice it herself if only he'd let her.

The acid engraver was indifferent through the entire process. Yin told her before that the boss's decision to cut Jo up was confirmed after watching the vid footage Yin made. The boss was the handle Jo gave the ship's chief yautja. The recording apparently was more important than giving her a hand with the creatures set on annihilation. Yet, after Mors Jo was very forgiving.

Seth looked proud. If he'd only know how numb she was at that moment he wouldn't have been. Jo could not believe he did not notice that she was moving in slow motion; maybe because it might have been only in her head. Although Jo's inhibition and sensitivity was affected her awareness was not. She noticed Kai staring with his head cocked to the side and she stuck out her tough at him before squeezing between Seth and Yin. Kai eyes squinted slightly and his mandibles clicked. He definitely noticed she was not in her right state of mind. Jo did not care; the dance to present the new available males was starting and she was looking forward to that. She was excluded for obvious reasons.

The blooding ritual was done in a different chamber of a large structure located in the center of the rock city. The dance took place in an enormous hall once again overlooking the water edge. There were three fire pits and around each young males were gathered in what she assumed was a version of a dance. Jo was disappointed because the so-called danced included a few steps and some chest beating to the rhythm of the drums, and the rhythm was not really a dancer. It was more of a fighting routine rather than what a human would consider a dance. It was interesting at the beginning, but it became monotone. Her drug induced mind checked out.

She sighed and leaned against Seth refocusing her attention on the beach spanning behind the performance. She heard Seth's beaded locks clank and felt them sway against her scalp. She looked up. He was looking at her. Yautjas don't lean against each other. Unlike humans they do not touch much.

"You want me to move?"

Seth looked at Doc, and he in turn shook his head, clicking away at the electronic devise in his hands. Jo already figured he was often taking notes on her behavior. Doc did that around Adi sometimes, when she did something he deemed of interest. As if she was a wild squirrel he did not want to spook.

"H'ko" Seth answered taking Doc's advice

"You do not find the dance enticing?" the translator most definitely made this communication easier. At any other time he would just blurt out disjoint words which she would have to decipher.

Jo shrugged "I was expecting something else"

"What would that be?"

"I dunno…vertical expression of horizontal desires…the forbidden dance…I guess" She then imagined yautjas dancing the can-can and snorted.

After the performance the food was served. Even during the celebration the younger yautjas were eating at a different table than the rest; like a version of the kiddy table.

Soon after was when it all went to shit.

A hefty yautja stepped up to Seth shoved him roughly on the shoulder and then pointed to Jo. He was not from their ship. She knew that because his burn markings were different and on the wrong side of the head. Joanna analyzed the day's events trying to piece together a time she might have got in this one's way. She did not recollect anything.

Seth got up and Jo wondered if the other male might change his mind, because Seth was almost a head taller and the shove he gave in return had the other male backed a few steps.

Jo turned to her right and asked "What just happened?" She looked at Kai, checked herself and turned the other way to Yin and repeated the question, but did not get an answer. She glanced at Kai who was clearly amused. She did not understand what about this brawl was funny.

The male spread his arms and bellowed a roar and Seth responded in kind. They circled each other and 'Boom Goes the Dynamite!' The other male Jo decided to dub guy-who's-about-to-get-his-ass-handed-to-him because just as she suspected Seth made a quick work of him. He turned the male into a yautjan mop. Jo also noted how much more vicious Seth was in a real bout in comparison to training where he still controlled some of his aggression.

Many cheered. Seth looked like he came back from a light jog. He was also uncannily cheerful. Kai looked smug. Yin looked proud. She glanced at Adi from across the room and he seemed angry. The male on the ground looked like a fluorescent puddle, but his chest was heaving and she assumed he was alive. Jo on the other hand was sitting up strait, her heart hammered in her chest, drugs evaporated and she blinked in confusion.

Usually when you see something like this you'd have to pay admission or somebody would get arrested. There wasn't even time to throw in a towel or take bets.

Seth returned and sat next to her. He spread his large form leaned his back on the table and rested both elbows on the same table top.

"Wha'd I do?" Joanna asked confused. She would think that if she has done something he'd a least be glaring daggers at her. What was going on?

"Nothing" Seth answered courtly "I was challenged."

"Challenged?" Jo's face twisted in misunderstanding. "Why?"

"You" Me! "Wha'd I do?"

Seth looked at her courtly and grunted. Jo was about to ask more, but suddenly Seth's posture got ridged and those tresses of his rose. She followed his line of vision and noticed a large Yautja approaching. It was different from most, but then again she has seen few of these today and she quickly summarized that it's a female. And she just now evaluated her observations and came to a decision that females apparently were usually slightly bigger. This one was large as well. There were telltales that she was a she. Despite her large size she was lighter in her step. Her hips were wider or rather her waist narrower. Her boobs were small, but still modestly covered. All in all everything one would expect from a female. Girlfriend also liked her bling. She had so many trinkets she looked like a Christmas tree. The female was still not what one would expect from the word feminine. She was quite muscular and hefty.

"Isn't that the most beautiful female you have ever seen?" Seth asked not taking his eyes off of the mammoth approaching.

"Um…aaa…define – beautiful "

"Regal, statuesque, broad-shouldered and stout"

"Ohh… then in that case she's a real smitten kitten" Jo answered slightly unsure.

When the female reached Seth he got up inflating his chest. All he needed was a soundtrack. Something on the lines of: "I'm Mr. Boombastic say me fantastic…" Jo snickered through her nose at the thought.

The female looked at Jo and Jo cut the background music short.

"Does she please you?"…"She looks small, week and pitiful"

"Heeeejjjj! I might be small, but am kindof a big deal" Jo protested. Both Seth and the yautjan bitch ignored her.

"Please me?" Seth asked seeking meaning.

"Is it not why you keep her?"

Even Jo could pick up on that train of thought, but Seth seemed utterly confused. He can't possibly be this thick. But in fact as it appeared he was. This bitch is giving him ideas.

"You have not considered that soft flesh to relieve tension after a hunt?" Jo stood there her mouth open. She wanted to rip her eyes out. If only she could reach. Jo had no words and turned to Seth who in turn just stood there.

"I have seen your fight. I see many scars. I asked others who heard of you and your achievements are impressive honored warrior. I assumed it helps when stress relief is so easily available."

What am I a Baden-Baden resort? Jo thought. Yet she was shocked enough to be unable to produce words.

"I have not considered such a possibility" Seth finally replied taking a glance at the ooman in question. Not what Jo would expect him to say, but at least he found his tongue. Jo realized those cogs in his brain were turning. The hamsters oiled the wheels.

"Come Setg'syra" The female said and pushed roughly on his chest. "You have impressed me. I shall see your trophies"

Seth perked up at that and followed the ogress for the first time leaving Jo behind. Joanna rolled her eyes relived that the ugly wench's angle was not her. The female worked to assert her dominance. In her effort she tried very hard to make Jo look like a squishy pressure vault. She put so much energy into staking her claim that Jo actually smiled. It made the female look ungraceful, and even jealous. Perhaps not human this-is-my-man jealous, but more of a yautjan I'm-better-than-you kind of jealous. The only problem with the female's logic was the assumption that Jo would want Seth. Hey girlfriend. You can have him. Better yet, keep him. A smirk crept across Jo's lips. It was interesting that such a proud and formidable female as the yautja were believed to be, was so petty and crude. Adi once explained that the females were in charge of many aspects of the species life. Since they were, Jo expected the females to be less…well…catty.

"You seem satisfied" Adi said from besides her. Joanna didn't notice him approach and flinched.

"Oh Yeah!" Jo confirmed with a twist of her lip and wiggle of her brow.

"What is the source?"

"Seth went to get laid"

"Laid?" Adi thrilled

"Yeah, you know sex."

"And that pleases you" He inquired surprised.

"I'm hoping he'll be less crabby when he comes back"…"and if she eats him I'm keeping his crib"

"I thought humans do not share mates"

Mates? Jo did not consider Seth a mate. "Most don't, but Seth is not my mate. Not in a carnal manner"

"He is a worthy male. Is he not?"

"Oh sure" she said unconvincingly "He's not my type"

Adi considered her words for some time, while they walk to the buffet table and Jo grabbed herself a plate. Then suddenly he asked "What is your type?"

"Cheess Adi. I don't know…human"

"Would you not consider a Yautja?"

"Why?... Are you volunteering?" Jo teased. Adi looked at her in thought. She did not want to hear an answer to that question so she quickly added shortly "Not today". Waved her hand and snorted.

"You are a blooded female. You can choose a mating partner. Especially on a Chiva celebration"

"Why is that?"

"This is the day of the first mating for the newly blooded"

"Well, I hope you weren't planning on sacrificing an Ooman virgin"…"Because there'll be no rain this year" she smiled.

Adi cocked his head to the side and she added "I don't fill the prerequisite"

He nodded "You are a female and Ooman you do not have such a requirement. Only males are obligated to stay pure until they prove themselves"

"Pewww" Jo said and swept her forearm across her head emphasizing relief. Then she realized what he admitted to.

"Wait! Adi! Weren't you just blooded?"

"Sei-i"

Jo smirked …"I can't believe you're a virgin."…"Why are you standing here with me? If I was you I'd be on my second orgasm"

"You speak of pleasure so freely"

"Umm…I didn't know it was a secret" she whispered.

"It is not … yet" Jo cut him off "Adi for fuck sake I don't need the cultural pep talk. Are you nervous?"

"H'ko. I am a Yautja" Which Jo already knew meant he would not admit it even if he would have been nervous.

Jo looked around her "Look" she said jerking her chin toward one of a few females still remaining. One of them was looking in their direction. "That is a good looking Yautja female ogling you from over there"

"I believe her to be watching you" he replied after looking in the female's direction

"She's not my type either" Jo snorted

"That is not what I implied." Adi defended "It would have been…" Jo had to cut him short again.

"It was a joke Adi." He lifted his mandibles in a smile.

"Are you stalling?" Jo asked

"H'ko. I do not wish to leave you alone. It is not safe" Adi explained rather weekly.

"I'm a big girl. Besides I am blooded now, nobody will dare mess with me"

"The mark will increase the number of challengers and suitors."

"Then why the fuck would you brand me?" This mark did not appear to be a good idea to begin with. Jo could only wonder what other surprises it would include. She should have asked more questions. For now she only shrugged and sat down digging into her food.

"It increases your value"

"Is that why she's staring at me?" Jo asked after swallowing

"H'ko. Most females never see an ooman. She is merely curious." Adi looked in the female direction. "She is also quite young, that is why she has not yet chosen a male"

"Or maybe she is annoyed that you are speaking with me. I think we might have a brawl coming and I don't think I can take her. So the best solution is for you to go over there and defuse the situation."

"I cannot leave you alone, besides it is the female that picks out the male" He responded and Jo got a strange feeling of regret.

"I think that if she would want to choose a male, she would have already done so. Maybe she's waiting for a male with cojones"

"With what?"

"I don't know much bout your ways and all, but I know you like challenges. Sooo… maybe she is waiting for a male to approach her instead." She really didn't know much about the yautja mating rituals, but Jo believed it was worth a try. "Besides look" she said and pointed to a green fellow sitting at the fire pit eating. "There's Doc. I'll sit with him." She gave confirming smile, got up and strolled toward the fire. Jo took a look back and noticed Adi hesitating glancing from her towards the female and finally making a decision to walk up to the yautjan female.

"What's up Doc?" Jo sat next to the large being, which gave her a surprised look. He stopped eating and glanced around the room.

"Where is Setg'syra?"

"It's a long story. Let's just say that when he comes back he should be less constipated"

She smiled, but Doc was not amused. Jo was about to ask what are his plans for the evening when Kai sat down next to Doc. She shut her mouth.

"I believed you to be with a female?" Doc asked surprised.

"I was"

"Short temper, short fuse" Jo mumbled under her breath and Kai seemed not to hear it and just continued.

"I will go to my quarters and then I will leave to see Ja'ila"

"Take Jo back, I will leave soon. She should not be here alone." Doc inquired and Kai nodded with a rude grunt obviously not happy.

"Hell No." Jo objected "I'll take my chances with the Devil I don't know"

"You can go back alone. Do you know where your accommodations are?" It was late, she was tired and she had no idea where her room was or Seth. She gave Kai a quiet "fine" and left with Kai, hopping that when morning came someone would at least look for her body.

As it turned out no search party was needed. Jo got to her room without bodily harm and Seth was not there, which was actually quite good because she hoped not to walk in on two Yautjas doing it. On the way she and Kai stayed as far from each other as confides of any space allowed and did not exchange any words, including good-buys.

The next morning Adi came all chipper to pick Jo up to go to a market. By late afternoon Jo was back and Seth was nowhere to be found. She did not want to stay in the room. So, she got the wrist locating devise and decided to find Seth on her own. And the electronic bugger worked like a charm. The yautjan lojack lead Jo to a local watering hole.

From a distance she recognized the three stooges, and marched confidently towards them. She slipped on the bench next to Seth. All three of them gawked at her in shock.

"How did you departure the quarters? I have fastened the locks." The translator picked every word and turned sounds to something coherent.

"You have, but he hasn't." Jo answered with a smile motioning her chin toward Kai.

"You have entered my quarters?" Kai countered. He was so stunned he was not able to pull off being angry convincing enough.

"Relax, your diary is safe" Jo knew he'd act like this, but she had to admit she used his door. With his attention to detail he'd notice the misplacement of dust particles anyway.

It was evident he wanted to say more so before he could scramble his thoughts or weapons she quickly added "Mama needs a cocktail".

"How did you find me?" Seth asked and both Yin and Kai looked at him and then at Jo's wrist as if the answer was obvious to everyone except for him. She snorted "Yellow Pages" then smiled.

"What do you think?" she said and waved her wrist in from of his face. "The device works both ways and Adi added 'basic', so now I will always know where you are. How you like them apples?"

"Apples?" Seth trilled. Yin digested meanings in his mind and Kai was plotting bloody murder. In Kai's estimation that would probably be appropriate punishment for trespassing. At this moment who cared about apples. His anger then dissipated – Interesting.

"Not important. I was planning to go to the beach and then the little squabble in the evening yesterday got me thinking that it's probably not the best idea to go alone."

Jo has reevaluated her original plan of going to the beach and having Seth find her later on. She analyzed that since the Yautja last night picked on Seth because of something she did it was not a wise decision to throttle on her own.

"I know what you going to say 'No'. She continued. So look, I went to the market with Adi and picked a few things. Made myself a new shirt. Look." She said showing Seth her tank "Adi helped". The tank had words sawed into them. It read 'H'ko H'ko Bad Ooman'. "This will save you so much time Seth" He just look at it. "It's a joke" Jo explained.

"She is mocking you Setg'syra" Kai interrupted her pitch.

"Am not…" Jo opposed, although she was making a jibe at Seth. "It's more a mock at me". She turned to Yin looking for support, but that is not where it came from.

"It is quite clever" It was Jo's turn to be caught off balance. Kai was the last person from whom she expected endorsement. Sensing her trepidation he added "Do not get accustom to it"

"I would not dare" Since she got the translator she was able to discover a few details she has not noticed with the language barrier. For example Yin preached way too much. He did not have much of a sense of humor and most things out of his maw were lectures of great importance. Seth was his contrary. Half the shit he said was ludicrous. Kai was one fucking puzzle of a thousand pieces. He scared the living daylights out of her. But then since she got the translator it became evident that he understood more than she had given him credit for, and since he did, why was she still alive?

"It might be unwise. Some might see it as a sign of ridicule" Did he take everything too serious or what?

"I'm just making peace with Seth"

"I did not know we were not at peace" Seth observed.

"Welll…no…we are not, not at peace… wait…what I mean to say is…"

"What do you want ooman?" Kai cut her short.

"I need someone to come with me to the beach…"

"H'ko" Seth said but added "I am having c'nlip with my mei'hsweis". The translator sometimes refused to translate some words. It was either a glitch of the devise or a lack of translation. She'd ask another time.

"OK, see I thought of that. I will join you for a …whacha drinkin?" Jo asked extending her neck and spine to look inside of Seth's cup.

"C'nlip" Seth answered.

"Catnip?" Jo scrunched her face. "Anyway I will join you for some catnip and then you can take me to the beach"

"You cannot drink c'nlip" Seth said "It is too strong"

"I do not believe it would be safe for your wellbeing" provided Yin

"Hey! Yin, are you a medic?"

"H'ko, most certainly not"

"Then take a break fountain of all knowledge" Yautja were often oblivious to sarcasm. Not all and not always, but Yin was most certainly. He probably thought it was a compliment.

"I will have some catnip"

"mm'kay" Seth responded and slid his cup in her direction. Wrapped his large arms in front of his torso and leaned against the back of the bench. This was too easy Jo thought. Nothing ever was this easy with Seth. She gave Kai a tentative look from across the table, trying to penetrate his thought, but he did not give any away. Then she turned her head toward Yin and he shook his large noggin in a definite 'no'. Jo decided she could not back down now. She'd look like a chicken. She might be scared of a physical confrontation, but she's never backed down from a reasonable drinking challenge.

"Fuck it" she stated before taking a swig. She swallowed and immediately regretted the decision. The sharp liquor burned a path from her mouth down her stomach. Her eyes watered, she coughed, opened her mouth and fanned it with her hands; anything to stop the sensation. All three yautjas were laughing.

"What the hell is that: gasoline?"

Jo was not a quitter. As soon as the sensation passed she reached for Seth's cup again. He took it away "H'ko" Jo tsked and then stuck out her bottom lip like a hurt puppy. "Stop mothering"

"I ordered you one" Jo perked up "You did? When?" She did not notice anything.

"During your – episode" Seth answered with a laugh.

"I must remind you this is not wise. I do not think she should drink a whole cup" Yin lectured visibly concerned.

"I know. Her drink will be deluded with the juice from the Naxa fruit" Seth answered "I am not a complete fool you take me for" he raised his mandibles.

The drink arrived promptly, brought by a scrawny looking yautja. She took a much more careful sip and then a heftier one. It was much softer than the original. She licked her lips and caught Kai staring at her mouth. He met her eyes and she was about to stick her tong at him, but the still healing slashes on her cheeks started itching and she discarded the thought and looked at the other two present.

"So, whatcha talking about?"

"Sharing stories" Yin provided an answer jarring at her reaction from the drink she was holding.

"UUUUU great. I have one…" Jo said excitedly.

"Obviously you do." She cocked her eyebrow at Kai.

"I am most assured it is not stories you are in short amount of. You always have much to say" Jo decided to ignore the jerk's comment and instead directed her question to the remaining table members. "Would you like to hear it?"

"sei-i" Seth confirmed and Jo said "Can you say that again?" Seth cocked his head and repeated.

"sei-i"

"Again" Jo asked huskily, but this time Seth growled annoyed. "Sorry" She grinned "I don't hear it from you a lot. I like that sound. It's almost – pleasurable" Seth smiled and repeated the word "sei-i". It was deeper and softer at the same time.

Kai huffed irritated, wrapped his arms and rearranged his position.

"OK, OK, Story" Jo laughed "Relax, I'm just kidding"

She told her short story from time to time taking a sip of the drink provided.

"So, there was a little bird. All alone it walked a large field. It was a very cold, cold winter. Everything was frozen and the bird had no strength left in him to fly. Within hours the feathered creature got very cold as well and just when he was at the end of his strength and the heat was leaving his body a cow came along and pooped on him." All three creatures looked at Jo with creased brows. She ignored and continued "The birdy should have been mad, but wasn't because the poop was warm and suddenly he felt warmer and then the bird started twittering happily. A nearby fox heard the bird, followed the sound, and when he found the bird he pulled the bird out of the poop and ate him. The end"

They all stared and Yin was the first to speak "Is poop excrement?" he asked.

"Yes" Jo confirmed sharply.

"That is the worse story I have ever heard" Yin finally summarized and Jo burst out laughing.

"It's not the story that matters. It's the lessons it teaches"

"Are you saying there is valuable information in this pointless tale?" Kai asked in doubt.

"Of course. Why would I tell you such a bad story if there was nothing to learn from it. Lesson number one" Jo said and raised a finger "Not everyone that treats you like shit is your enemy" She rose her second finger "Lesson number two: When you're in shit up to your ears don't chirp" and she extended her thumb "Lesson number three: Not everyone that gets you out of shit is your friend… And my daddy thought me that."

Jo smiled and the rest of the table fell silent. Until Seth said: "I liked it"

Kai then said "Some are exactly what they appear to be" and Jo just shrugged.

"We were in point of fact sharing hunting stories." Yin added.

He told his hunting story of some beast in a desert place and Jo kept listening and sipping her drink, then another. This stuff was strong and she was woozy and giddy and then in the middle of Yin's tale she said "The fox was hunting" Jo did not realize it was out of her mouth before it did.

"Are you well?" Seth asked

Jo nodded "I feel funnn-ay" she squinted her eyes and upturned the corners of her mouth in a grin. It was the second time in two days that she was a mess. She heard Kai huff turned to him a said "You need to get a kitten or a baby penguin. I can never see a baby penguin and not feel all happy inside"

He did not get angry. He was most likely confused because Jo was not making any sense.

"I think she is drunk" Seth stated moving a misplaced lock of hair from her face.

Jo folded her arms on top of the table and rested her head on them; suddenly feeling the heaviness of her head weighting her down. "You think" she mumbled. Her feet kicked above the floor. Before she realized she was sleeping.

Setg'syra only half listened to the other accounts Yin'thar was telling. He was pondering a different decision since the conversation with Fe'ia.

"I have decided to mate with Jo" He interrupted no longer able to contain his rapid thoughts. In returned receiving a stunned look from him closest brothers.

"This is not a wise decision" Setg'syra was expecting resistance and Yin to be the first to object.

"The female yesterday made me wonder. The males challenge came as a surprise as well. And today another male offered his chakt-ra in exchange for Jo. I never believed that such a thing is possible. After all, she is quite delicate." Setg'syra continued and looked at the sleeping ooman.

"It is possible. Yet, why would you want to?" Yin'thar continued questioning.

"I am curious. I like mating. I also found out from the male that he had an ooman female. Bred by Yaujas, but he claimed the experience is very satisfying" Seth explained making the idea that much appealing.

"She is not bred. She is feral" Yin continued.

"Sei-i, that just makes it more challenging." He noticed Kai di'chak was watching him yet said nothing so he inquired.

"You have not said a thing?"

"Interesting" Kai di'chak responded and took a sip from his cup. Setg'syra did not know if to take that as an agreement or dismissal. It was obvious his mei'hswei was unwilling to contribute his thoughts, so he did not force an answer. Kai di'chak would not give one if he has not done so already.

"I will start by showing her my trophies"

chakt-ra - Hunter's Disc