The next chapter is posted! Enjoy :)
The words that Julie and Carrie shared earlier this morning still echoed in her mind for the remainder of the day.
She knew that Carrie made a point. That she needed to just tell Kata'nu how she feels. But for some reason, she's finding it to be challenging and somewhat complicated.
It was funny, being a Marine for over ten years, she was stuck in many difficult situations before and still managed to either work them out or get out of them.
Yet, ironically, Julie is finding this situation to be the most challenging of all.
It was getting close to late evening at the moment. The twin suns were ducking lower and lower on the horizon as time went by. And at this time, the young woman had submersed herself into some training.
And at the moment, Julie was in the backyard in the sparring ring practicing with the combi stick.
Kata'nu was out there a little earlier. Until he received a call on his wrist comp. He went inside to to take the call. And that was about ten minutes ago.
"Shit." She hissed, as she missed her mark once more with the weapon.
Julie paused and sighed in frustration. She was having a bit of a hard time concentrating today with training. And she knows, it's not just her that noticed either.
Kata'nu apparently noticed and had asked her at least twice if she was alright. Each time she kept telling him she was fine. Right before she went back to focusing on some drills with the combi stick
He'd watch her for several seconds more, before grunting and going back to his own training.
The large male knew her well enough at this point that if there was something she really didn't want to talk about, to just leave her be. He knows if he keeps pushing, she either gets defensive or snappy with him when he tries to get her to talk about something she doesn't want to talk about.
Eventually, when she was ready, she would share with him about what's bothering her later. So, he just learned to be patient with her and give Julie her space and that eventually, she will talk to him when she is ready.
Julie was in the middle of twirling the combi stick over her head, when the back door to the home slid open and Kata'nu came walking out.
She didn't stop though, she continued on as he crossed the lawn to the ring. Which didn't take too long and not long after, he hopped back up into the ring.
Kata'nu paused for a brief moment, before he started to approach her.
"Julie." He said.
When she heard her name, that is when the young woman stopped what she was doing and just stood there.
"Yeah?" She asks, as she shifts her gaze to him.
"That was my mother. She has asked to come over to visit. And since it already is quite late, I've invited her to dinner with us." He informed her.
"Ok, that's cool. I like hanging with your mom. She's very sweet." Julie replied.
Which was true. Julie may have only met her a couple times since she's been here. But she likes her regardless.
The reason why she hasn't seen her more is because it is mating season, and she was apparently getting down and dirty with Kata'nu's dad. And on top of that, visiting her other kids and her grandkids.
In a way, this was a good opportunity to talk to her and get some advice from her as well.
Kata'nu nodded, "How much longer you plan on training?"
"Not too much longer." She replied.
"Good. Because I'm going to start dinner soon. She will be here in about a half hour." He said.
"Could use the help, if you're up to it." He added.
A small smile appeared on her face, "Sure. Let me just shower and change first. Since I doubt you could handle being next to my smelly ass right now."
The large male smirked, "Why do you think I tried to stay on the call as long as I could with her and delay coming back out here?"
Julie rolled her eyes.
"Please, I doubt I smell that bad. I think you're just exaggerating again. Like always." She retorted.
"Really? Because you smell like an old gym bag in a garbage disposal right about now." He teased.
She snorted, "You really do say the sweetest things. Makes me wonder how you're able to woo and mate with a female when you have such lovely compliments."
He smirks, "It's my good looks and my strength they seem to like most of all."
"Yeah, ok, Romeo. If you say so. I'm going in to shower. Because even I'll admit I don't smell that great and feel rather gross. Afterwards, I'll meet you down in the kitchen and help you out." Julie stated.
"Fair enough, Stinky. I'll start prepping things in the kitchen in the meantime." He told her.
Kata'nu swiftly turned around and started to head back in.
Then when he was about halfway to the back door, he paused and slightly looked over his shoulder.
"Don't keep me waiting too long, Juliet." He somewhat teased with a wink.
Julie blushed a little. But quickly shook it off and shook her head.
"I'm surprised you even know anything about Romeo and Juliet." She muttered under her breath as she made her way across the ring.
The large male's smirk never left his face as he waited for her. And the two of them walked in together.
Kata'nu actually knew a lot of Shakespeare's works. They were among some of his mother's favorites, and she recited many of his stories to him and his siblings quite a bit when they were growing up.
The two of them walked backed inside together.
There were times it seemed like Julie wanted to say something to him, but stopped herself and seemed like she was at a loss for words. Kata'nu himself, was surprisingly finding himself rather quiet as they entered the home and then went their separate ways to get ready.
Julie went upstairs and into her bedroom. She shed her old, sweaty clothes. Then grabbed a fresh pair from the drawer compartments. Before heading into her bathroom.
Kata'nu went into the freezer and grabbed one of the couple of chickens he obtained from Earth last time he was there. While he wasn't crazy about eating chicken, he knew it was something his mother and Julie liked to eat.
So, he took it out and started prepping it for them. While he took out a slab of rjet for himself to prep.
He was actually quite glad his mother was coming by. He had so many questions for her that need answering. Particularly about ooman females. And who better know about them, but his own mother.
Since he brought her home, Kata'nu has been conflicted. And it all stems from Julie.
How he feels about her, is different from how he's felt about anyone. It was new and somewhat unfamiliar to him. Something he really needed insight from. Something he felt he could only get from his mother.
Because the last thing Kata'nu wanted; was to lose Julie.
Julie closed her eyes with a sigh as the warm water washed over her. She then grabbed some shower gel and started to wash herself. She was both relieved and a little nervous that his mother was coming by.
Relief because maybe she could talk to her and get answers, she has been looking for quite some time now.
Yet, nervous on how to breach the topic with her. Julie knows it is something she wishes to address with her in private and not in front of Kata'nu. Hopefully, she will be able to talk to the older woman in private at some point when she comes.
Several minutes later, the water turned off as she stepped out from underneath the ceiling shower panels.
Then she grabbed a large towel and started drying off. She ran the towel over her wet hair, squeezing out the excess. Before reaching for her clean set of clothing to put on.
Afterwards, the young woman made her way downstairs and headed for the kitchen area.
Already there was a nice smell coming from it as she entered.
The large red yautja male currently had his back to her and was adding some things to the dishes in front of him on the side counter. He knew she was there, because he did a small glance over his shoulder and looked her way.
"About time you finished. Was almost convinced you drowned with how long you were taking up there." He teased with a small smirk.
Julie rolled her eyes, "Relax, Mr. Impatient. I didn't take that long. And I'm here now, aren't I?"
"Yes, though I'm already done with the seasoning and prepping. Just need to put it in the heating compartment to cook it. Though you can fill the cups with water. Well, c'ntlip for me and water for you and mother." He said, gesturing to the three thin metal cups on the counter a few feet down from where he is standing.
"Ok, will do." She said, as she made her way over to them.
"Though I wouldn't mind some alcohol myself at the moment." She muttered under her breath.
"Maybe get some food in you first this time and we'll see." Kata'nu responded.
Of course, he heard her mumble that under her breath. Yautja apparently have really good hearing after all.
"Your mom doesn't drink?" Julie asks as she starts filling the cups.
"Sometimes. Though she's not much into alcohol. She was never really crazy about c'ntlip." He said.
The two of them spent the next few minutes prepping.
After the chickens were done heating up, Kata'nu threw in a decent size slab of rjet meat for himself. While it was cooking, a ringing sound reverberated through the home. They both knew it meant someone was at the front door.
The pair left the kitchen area and headed for the door at the front of the home.
Kata'nu tapped a couple buttons to unlock it. Then the large, metal door slid open and revealed the smiling face of his mother. She was wearing a one-piece light blue gown that went down to her ankles.
Her blonde hair was in a single plate, trailing down her back. And she wore a couple of thin gold singlets on her wrists and a small thin one around her neck.
"Good evening you two. Thanks again for inviting me over tonight. Though, sorry it seemed last minute." The older woman said with a slightly sheepish look on her face.
"It's not a problem at all, mother." Kata'nu said, then stepped aside to let the older human woman inside.
"It's great seeing you again, Joyce. Thanks for coming by." Julie told her.
"Of course, it's been a little while, huh? But then, mating season tends to keep us all pretty busy." Joyce says, with a wink.
Kata'nu made what sounded like a choking or gagging sound.
"Mother, are you trying to give me nightmares!?" He blurted out.
Julie couldn't help but laugh a little. Even his mom chuckled at his response and the look on his face.
"What? You and your siblings wouldn't be here otherwise." Joyce teased.
"On that note, I think I lost my appetite." The large male grumbled as he walked besides the two smaller females to the kitchen.
The older woman scoffed, "Oh come now, son. Don't be overdramatic. I'm sure you've heard and saw worse in your time."
"I know I have." Julie stated cryptically as she eyed him walking beside her.
At first, Kata'nu had a quizzical look. Then he started to get an idea of what she meant. And he can only hope Julie doesn't mention his little sexual escapade she walked in on to his mom.
Joyce chuckled, "Yes, I have too, plenty of times throughout my long life. Speaking of, I heard you went through with the procedure, and it went well."
"It went well. Was just a little tired and sore afterwards. But at least Kata'nu stuck by me the whole time which helped put me at ease." Julie replied, as they sat down.
Kata'nu went over and grabbed their plates of food from the counter and placed them down on the table before them. Then he went back to grab his plate.
"Glad to hear it. And how have you been adjusting here? Is it getting better still?" She inquires.
The younger woman was silent for a moment, something that his mom didn't miss.
"It's getting there." Julie replied.
Kata'nu shifted his gaze to her. He wonders what she could mean. Because he thought she was starting to adjust fine.
But perhaps there is more to it than it seems. There were times he'd look at her and see what looked like a vast array of emotions in her bright blue orbs. And the emotions he mainly been seeing as of late look to be that of conflict and possibly sadness.
Joyce can see there was clearly more going on with her. And when her gaze shifted back and forth between the young woman and her son, she could see there was something there between them.
Perhaps, she could speak with them more about what 's clearly conflicting them when they finish dinner. She's just unsure if she should speak to them both together or separate on the matter.
There was a little more awkward silence between them all. Before Kata'nu decided to speak up to break up the silence.
"So, mother, you hear back from father yet since he went out hunting in the jungle earlier with a few of his hunt brothers?" He asked, swiftly changing topics.
"Not yet. You know him. He doesn't really contact me until after the hunt is successful. He never does like to do communications in the midst of a hunt. Which is understandable. It can be very distracting for a hunter. Especially, while hunting something very dangerous and challenging." She explained.
The three continued to chat while they ate their meals. Julie commented on the chicken that Kata'nu cooked for them. Even though he didn't like eating it, he was still apparently good at making it.
That's when his mom opened up and said he knew how to make a few dishes from Earth. And he usually made it for when she visited.
Something that made him blush a little and Julie couldn't help but fin it cute. He blushed even more and even got a little flustered when she poked and teased him and called him a momma's boy.
Didn't help when his mom laughed at that remark and chimed in how it was a little true.
For a little there, Julie felt like she was enjoying a meal with family. And it temporarily took away the nervousness and anticipation of the important things she wished to address with the older woman.
At the same time, Kata'nu was glad that Julie was getting more and more comfortable around his family. But then, his mother has always been an easy person to talk to.
Her friends here would often tease her because she was extremely social and could strike up conversations with just about anyone she came across.
Still, he knew in the back of his mind, he still needed to talk to his mom about Julie. Particularly how he's been feeling about her. Something that only seems to be getting stronger the more he gets to really know her.
And for once, this is the first time he admits he's feeling nervous about the conversation he will have with her.
But he needed answers. While at the same time, Julie wanted answers as well. Hopefully, the older woman will provide them with the answers they are looking for.
Until Next Time ;)