Chapter 23: Touché
Meanwhile, outside Ek'tan was trying hard to keep himself occupied and not listen at the door. It was a hard thing not to do, he was extremely curious by nature, hearing muffled growling and yelling did not help. Looking back at the door he had the devious notion to activate his camouflage and sneak in, but he didn't think the ooman would appreciate an audience. He was already on her hit list as she called it. He didn't think that was anything good.
"What are you doing?" Almost jumping out of his skin, he whirled around to see Azira'ah standing beside him. Shifting guiltily, he growled "I am guarding the oomans chambers, she is not to be interrupted female!" Giving him a look that pretty much said "you're busted" she purred "And who is going to guard them from you?" He knew she was baiting him, but she always got to him when she purred like that, moving closer to her he purred back "You could keep me company Azira'ah"
Not noticing another Yautja joining them, they both jumped slightly when they heard "Where's Cat? Is she in trouble again?" turning their heads they stepped apart, both glaring at Tix'ver. Azira'ah growled "She is mating with Ke'varde and does not wish to be disturbed pup!" narrowing her eyes at him she continued "Aren't you supposed to be in training?" waving his hand dismissively he clicked "I am finished for the day. I was hoping the ooman would have time for a story" leaning to the side to see the door he clicked quietly "Is she going to be okay? He won't squish her will he? She promised me a story"
Opening her mouth to tell him she would be fine, she was cut off when another voice interjected excitingly "The ooman is telling stories? I heard she has quite the talent, I will tell the others" all three turned their attention to the newcomer. Ek'tan rolled his eyes, grabbing the seniors arm before he could leave, growling loudly "She is mating! Not telling stories Joh'er!" this senior was one of few who approved of the Elders decision to allow the ooman to stay. Widening his eyes he clicked "She has found a mate already?" all three afore mentioned Yautjas nodded at that.
Hearing footsteps nearing, they turned to see the chief cook moving their way carrying a platter of food. As he stopped in front of the ever larger group assembled in front of the oomans door he clicked "What are we waiting for? Has she locked herself in her quarters again?" By the time Ek'tan finished explaining what was going on, three more Yautjas joined them, one of which was Lo'qe, who didn't seem pleased by the news that Cat chose Ke'varde as her mate. Ek'tan was about to growl to them to leave when they all heard the oomans muffled scream, Tix'ver immediately wanted to rush in and save her, roaring "He is killing her!" moving fast Azira'ah grabbed him before he could open the door, growling "He is not! Don't you dare try entering pup!"
Though everyone was a bit skeptical at this point. Hearing a roar that could only be Ke'varde after a few moments, all eyes turned to the door. The chief cook growling "He had better not maimed my new assistant!" Another clicking quietly "What if she hurt him? She is a female after all" A third adding "Will we get a new one if he won?" Ek'tan shook his head tiredly, this was becoming a nightmare, if Cat found out…shuddering, he didn't even want to think about that possibility.
Azira'ah too noticed this was getting out of hand, growling "Enough. You all should leave, give them some privacy!" when everyone just looked at her with tilted heads, she had the urge to roar in frustration "stubborn males" narrowing her eyes at each one she wanted to pummel them, when instead of leaving they started eating the food the cook brought for Cat! Seeing her take a deep breath the senior interjected, clicking soothingly "Do not worry female, we will leave" glancing at the door, he continued, thrilling with suppressed laughter "After we make sure they are alright" Turning her glare at Ek'tan she hit him on the back of his head, hissing "This is all your fault!"
Getting out of the soothing water after their second bout of lovemaking, Cat was tired, sore, hungry and most importantly happily sated. Looking back at her new lover she could tell he was feeling content and proud of himself as well, if his puffed out chest and constant purring was any indication.
Stretching lazily she winced, feeling the sting of the wounds he made in his passion. Looking at each shoulder, her hips, her thighs and then at him she muttered "You know, if you keep doing this I'll have to file down your claws" noticing the circular marks she smirked "and your teeth" Looking over her marks, he thought they looked beautiful, thrilling "You were not complaining when I made them, my treasure" moving out of the water he caught her into his arms, nuzzling her neck, he purred proudly "They are the marks of my possession" Smiling, she traced her own handy work with her fingers over the bite mark on his neck, and her scratches on his shoulders and arms, whispering "And these are mine"
They were both enjoying the moment when her stomach made the loud announcement that it wanted food. Laughing he released her, walking into the sleeping chamber to put on his loincloth "I will get you something to sate your hunger" Following him out Cat watched him dress, nodding absentmindedly, she looked her fill of his gorgeously toned body. She couldn't believe those wide shoulders, those abs, those legs and those hands with sharp claws that could be like steel were so gentle and comforting where she was concerned. Moving to stand behind him for a moment she wove her arms around his waist, leaning her cheek on his back, murmuring a faint "I love you"
They both froze. She knew it was too soon to say it, she also wasn't sure if it really was love and he wasn't sure what it exactly meant for them. He'd heard of the ooman notion of love, his race knew what it was, they just didn't have a specific word for it, the concept being so rare in their culture.
Going with the good old fashion act of avoidance Cat released him slowly, patting his back "Go, I'll wait for you in bed" grunting he turned to look at her, but she just averted her eyes. Nodding, he moved to the outer chamber, not ready to deal with this yet either. Opening the door to step out, he was blocked by many tilted heads and curious faces. Surprised, he closed the opening and turned to the sleeping chamber trying hard not to laugh "Little one, you have visitors" he had a pretty good idea what they were waiting for "I will let her deal with this" moving to the chair he sat down, he wouldn't miss this for anything.
Bewildered, Cat threw on some clothes before exiting the bedroom, looking at Ke'varde she frowned "Visitors? As in plural?" Jerking his head affirmatively, he kept a straight face as she opened the door and froze before twirling around and closing it. Looking at him with wide eyes she whispered "This isn't happening. Do you think they heard us?" god only knew how long they were standing there! Seeing him tilt his head, she moaned dejectedly, banging her head against the panel. "And it really was such a good day"
Hearing banging on the panel the Yautjas looked at each other, not knowing what to think or do about it. Pushing Ek'tan in front of them, the warrior winced, wishing to be on a planet full of hard meats rather than here, taking a moment he growled "Now Cat! This is not what it looks like!" Tix'ver jumped forward, rushing "Did he hurt you? We heard you scream! You can't die!" mortified, Cat sunk to a squat, waving her arms she yelled "You were supposed to keep everyone away, not make a bloody parade in front of my door!" sighing, she adopted a more pleasant tone "I'm okay, really. He didn't hurt me… ahh we were just practicing wrestling!"
Azira'ah grabbed her brother by the dreads, pulling him back and giving the door a sympathetic glance, clicking loudly "It wasn't our fault my friend, it just happened... we were worried" Sighing, Cat wanted to be angry, but the wind left her sails at that. She would make one thing clear though, yelling "If anyone ever mentions this, EVER again! I will personally collect all your tusks and make a necklace, got it?" after hearing grunts and shuffling feet she noticed Ke'varde opening his mandibles, cutting him off she hissed "Don't you dare. Not even a word or a thrill." Her stomach grumbling again, she stood swiftly, opening the door and grabbed for the food that was left on the platter, yanking it out of the cooks hands. Moving back quickly and closing it in their faces, huffing "I'm having doors with hinges commissioned" she really missed the satisfaction of a good violent slam.
The next few days past thankfully with no further incidents… well except one tiny little thing. Chef Alfredo felt a bit bad for the eavesdropping incident so he allowed her to cook dinner one night. Cat was thrilled with the prospect and dove right into her new assignment, keeping to the kitchens for the whole day, deciding on making hamburgers, at least as close as hamburgers as she could get. The Yautja seemed to enjoy the meal too. To Cat it seemed like a smashing success.
What was the tiny little thing you ask? Well a few hours after dinner, she mounted the podium to tell her first story to the whole ship, but got interrupted by half the population running to their quarters with digestion issues. Later that night when Ke'varde came to their, previously her quarters, from the infirmary, she received the news that she gave them all food poisoning.
She tried feeling terrible about the whole thing, and she did mostly, but one tiny devilish little voice in the back of her head whispered with glee "They deserved it." It's the same voice you hear when you're encouraged to do something you know is stupid, but do it anyway because IT said it would be fun. Needless to say she was banned from cooking after that.
Right now she was waiting outside the Elders quarters to be admitted. He called her to speak with her about finding a new duty since the kitchens were off limits. They really got their loincloths in a twist if she even joked about food. On the bright side though, her relationship with Ke'varde was wonderful. He already slept with her almost every night and they spent all their time together when they were both free, he even started teaching her a few fighting moves. The incident with the L-word wasn't brought up again, but she did feel it was begging to be true.
As the door opened and Ke'varde exited, she was surprised to see him, asking silently what was going on, only getting the motion that they would speak later. She entered, wondering what he was doing there. Seeing the Elder sitting behind the large table, she moved over to him, giving a hug in greeting "Hi, so have you found anything for me to do?"
Standing, Selt'ox clicked "I did. You will be helping Azira'ah with fabrics. It was either that or metal working, but given your history…" Giving her a look, he continued "I expect you won't be getting in trouble with her?" laughing nervously, Cat waved her hand "That's fine, I'd love to work with Azira'ah" looking at him from beneath her lashes, her curiosity got the better of her "What was Ke'varde doing here?"
Thrilling with laughter he shook his head "He just had a few questions." He would let the hunter explain in his own time, right now he remembered something "That reminds me, your lifemate ritual is scheduled for next week." Thinking she misheard him she blurted "My what?" After repeating himself, he paused waiting for her to speak. Thrown off kilter by that, she didn't really know what to say for a minute. Opening her mouth twice, before getting out "Like a wedding?" nodding, Selt'ox waited patiently for her to get a grasp of the idea.
The only thing that came to her mind at first was that white wasn't her color. An image of Ke'varde presented itself, and she couldn't help but think of him with a smile. She did love the big lug, and spending her life with him would be no hardship if she was honest, maybe a few little pups running around eventually. Grinning like a maniac she jumped up and down excitedly "This is wonderful!" hurling herself into the Elders arms she squeezed him with all her might "Thank you, for everything, especially for bringing me here"
Holding her closely, he realized it was time to finish his story about Catherine. Without saying anything he released her, gesturing for her to wait a moment. Going into his personal sleeping chamber, he took out the crystal box carrying it with him back to the gathering chamber. Placing it on the table, he opened the lid, taking out an object, clicking "You remember what I told you about Catherine?"
"Yes" watching him carefully, she was intrigued by what was in the box. Moving to stand beside her, he showed her a painted miniature of the ooman he loved. "She gave me this, the night before she was taken from me. She wanted me to have something to remember her by." Taking the picture carefully into her hands, she saw a beautiful woman with long brown hair, a smile that could rival the secrets of Mona Lisa herself, and eyes that Cat couldn't help but compare to her own. The miniature seemed very old judging by the way the woman was dressed, posed and the way it was made. Glancing at the Elders sad eyes she whispered admiringly "She was very beautiful" Nodding, Selt'ox agreed wholeheartedly. Placing his hand over Cats holding the picture he caught her eyes, whispering "She was your ancestor little one"