Chapter 30

Foreign Diplomatic Relations

Vai'dqouulth was mentally cursing himself for revealing so much about the Yautja. One thing had led to another, and he had jumped at the opening to boast about himself and his species to Katja, completely forgetting about the others present and his duty to preserve secrecy.

After all, he didn't want her to think he was impotent.

The upside to all of this was that it opened an opportunity to ask a burning question of Katja without it seeming out of place, but the answer had not been expected.

She did not have a single pup.

It almost didn't compute to him. How did an elite warrior like herself not have a single offspring? Not to mention, she said she wanted one – which he thought was a rather low goal – and she didn't even have to wait for a season to have one. Any female of his kind with that gift would not squander it.

He wanted to ask why, but she seemed uncomfortable with the question, and he got the impression it wasn't any transgression he committed. It was simply the subject matter. Maybe she would be more open in private rather than in the presence of her drones.

Perhaps no male had yet appealed enough to her to be considered worthy of siring her pups. If the examples of her drones were any indication of her options, he didn't blame her. Adrien was perhaps the exception.

Perhaps.

Shaking off the thought, Vai'dqouulth at last seated himself at the table, grateful for the sturdy wood construction. It didn't even creak under his weight.

"Dinner is served," Adrien announced as he came out holding many plates across his forearms and even up his biceps.

"Blue, since this is your first burger too, I kept it extremely rare, just the way you like it. I left all the toppings on the side as an option. It's cow, and I also made you some bacon – which is another kind of meat – to put on it as well. I hope this is a worthy offering to our former gods," Adrien explained with a chuckle.

Vai'dqouulth reflected on the time he had spent with Adrien while Katja was indisposed. The male had made every effort to be cordial after their trip to the hive, despite obviously harboring bigotry. Not only that, but even though he'd needed the information stored on the portable computer to get back home, he'd allowed Vai'dqouulth to use it instead. Vai'dqouulth was feeling pity over the human's sacrifice, that it hadn't completely fixed his wrist device. Hope was not fully lost, however.

Also, when Adrien had invited him to play poker, he'd assume he'd lose, and just be ridiculed over his inexperience. But no; Adrien had stood over his shoulder and taught him to play. And when he did lose, there had been no hysterics. Just the phrase 'good game' was spoken, even by the losers, and they started over again.

Now they wouldn't play with him, because apparently, his 'poker face' was too hard to read. He took pride in that, even if he didn't fully understand it all.

And the human knew how he liked his food. Minus the 'coffee' beverage. He was still certain that had been a failed attempt on his life. But this smelled delicious, even with mask filters. Again, like sleeping, he had attempted to adapt to their eating schedules, even if they didn't mirror his own.

Interestingly, he learned why he hadn't detected the computer devices on Adrien and his group of humans. They had kept them in a specially constructed container they called a 'faraday bag' that blocked their signal. Useful to know, though generally he didn't see a hunter needing to go after human technology. But it reinforced his opinion not to rely solely on Yautja technology, as the young ones tended to do.

"Katja, you get a basic burger, medium. Everything on the side, but all core ingredients for an American burger or cheeseburger. Add as you see fit," Adrien continued as he set her plate in front of her.

"Petrov, same as Katja, except I know you like yours a little rarer," Adrien said, placing his plate down.

"Alexei, since you are being a shithead, I didn't put much effort into yours. Grilled cheese for you," Adrien lashed out mildly.

How did one fire cook pressed milk curds? It seemed like it would just melt away in said blaze.

"Almost forgot: sauces. Ketchup, mustard, and mayo. I will not be doing a musical number, either," Adrien finished as he dumped brightly colored polymer jars on the table, which everyone promptly added on.

Merciful that there would be no music. Maybe that was normally customary during human meals.

Vai'dqouulth removed his mask, and lifted a 'burger'. Adrien had assured him it was meat of the cow; but now it was sandwiched between what appeared to be crusted, baked grains. Deciding to be adventurous and polite, he slathered on the sauces, added the 'bacon', cheese, and the slices of green, brined vegetable. Yautja could eat vegetables, but just generally didn't.

At least it would be a good source of protein.

Cautiously, he sampled some. He was immediately rewarded with a pleasing mixture of flavors. Cow alone had been delicious, but the additions made it superb. And bacon was now on his list of favorite human foods. His mandibles spread and his fangs sunk into his meal now, to hold it better. A sort of instinctual behavior.

"This is very good, Pierce," Petrov said, finishing a large bite. "Thank you."

"Hey, you're very welcome, Max," replied Adrien, and he appeared to be sincere. "One thing I do pride myself on is my cooking. It's how it always was at home. I hate doing dishes, Chloe hates cooking. So, we each took the opposite chore. Worked out really well, for us…" Trailing off, Adrien quickly stuffed his mouth with cow, as if distressed. Speaking of his former mate was clearly a struggle for him.

"You're going to see her again, Adrien," Katja reminded him firmly. "Even if I have to mail you back to Wisconsin myself."

His voice volume rising, Adrien repeated, "Wisconsin? Wisconsin? Excuse me, are you trying to insult me?"

"Sorry, I mean Minnesota," Katja corrected herself neutrally. Then, with innocence – Vai'dqouulth could not tell if it was affected or not – she added, "What's wrong with Wisconsin?"

From Vai'dqouulth's records, he knew they were referring to two neighboring, inconsequential territories commonly called 'states' within the country known as 'America'. Perhaps they had some rivalry, as certain Yautja clans did.

"Don't even start," Adrien warned her. "And don't ever call me a cheesehead again. How's the burger, kiddo?"

"Amazing," she replied. "I should have had one sooner. You're right. I was missing out."

"I'm sorry; did you just say I was right? Someone timestamp this moment, please."

"Don't get used to it, I–" Katja suddenly stopped, leaning over the table and taking a few breaths. The burger fell from her fingers onto her plate. Her hands were visibly shaking.

Petrov stood in his chair, about to go assist her, but she lifted her head again and shook it slightly, as if clearing it.

"It's okay, I'm… I just felt a little short of breath, suddenly. I'm fine."

"I have that effect on women," the veteran boasted; but even Vai'dqouulth could tell he was concerned. "Kat, do you want to go back to bed?" Adrien followed up, casually.

"No," she answered immediately.

"You sure, Katyusha?" Petrov asked.

"I'm sure," she told him. Vai'dqouulth's did not understand why Petrov had said that word. That wasn't her name.

Adrien, though, instantly seemed to understand. " 'Katyusha'? Isn't that what the Soviets called their truck portable rocket launchers in World War Two? Seems appropriate for our little red wrecking ball."

A name of endearment? Like a pet? Interesting. Being that weapons were part of his religion and often used as a naming convention in Yautja society, he could appreciate her 'pet' name being after a weapon, even if it was just a primitive human one.

It looked like she didn't know whether to feel flattered or insulted, if he was interpreting her face position correctly. Still a point of struggle for him.

The weakling suddenly yelled excitedly, causing Vai'dqouulth and the rest of the humans to look at him.

"Now what?" demanded Petrov.

Waving the triangle of food over his head, Alexei shouted in Russian, "This is amazing!" A glob of cream-colored goo dripped from the triangle of baked grain and fell onto the pristine white table covering.

"Huh?" Adrien asked, but Alexei cut him off.

"It's so pure, so simple. So perfect," babbled the omega male. "What did you say this is called?"

After Petrov translated to English, Adrien said, "Umm, grilled cheese? It's only three ingredients. Cheese, butter, and bread. Not exactly filet mignon."

"It's life changing," Alexei sighed. "I want to eat this every day for the rest of my life."

Waiting until Petrov told him what Alexei had said, Adrien replied, "Well, until you can afford to import French bread and whatever stinky French cheese that is, you'll have to make do with Wonder bread and Velveeta like everyone else."

"What's Velveeta?" asked Katja, and Vai'dqouulth tried not to grumble. Humans were so easily led off-track.

"Eat," Vai'dqouulth reminded her with his recorder and flared his mandibles a bit to emphasize the point. Even for a human, she had been small to begin with; and she had lost noticeable weight during her illness. Returning to her full strength was critical for the battles they would face on their mission. Additionally, if she truly wanted pups as she'd mentioned, she'd need to add weight; or her body might reject any fertilization.

"I am," she assured him.

He seemed to recall from his scouting of the building, some of the vendor shops up front had sugary sustenance. Perhaps, for her health and recovery, he could encourage her to eat those to get just a little of the lost body fat back on her.

Sugar and fat boosts, after all, were not unique to humans. Sometimes the Yautja needed them too.

As Katja was getting ready to sleep that night, having changed into pajamas that were courtesy of Alexander's gift shop, she noticed Petrov.

He was in the kitchenette, near the window, watching the snow that was now falling into the inky blackness of the mountains. He had been very quiet since their talk on the elevator. In fact, other than translating for Alexei, he had barely said anything at supper, either.

Something was wrong.

"Hey, Maksim," she called to him. "Would you walk me down to the shop? We're out of water up here, and I'd like to grab a bottle."

It startled him out of whatever pensiveness or contemplation that had taken hold, and he looked over at her with his normal fondness. "Of course, Katja," he said in Russian.

Naturally, this interaction caught the attention of both Adrien and Blue. The former smirked evilly, doubtless ready to make an inappropriate comment; but she gave him such a stony look that it silenced him.

"What's wrong with the refrigerator dispenser?" Alexei commented critically. "Are you too good for that now?"

Thinking quickly, Katja said, "Well, no. I'm leaving it on the nightstand by the bed tonight. It's easier to drink from than a glass. Less likely to spill." It was a weak excuse really; who cared if she spilled water?

"Don't stay up too late; you still need your last course of antibiotics, and Blue gets cranky if he doesn't get his beauty sleep," Adrien said.

Blue growled at him lightly in response. Perhaps Katja hadn't silenced Adrien, but rather redirected him.

Always had to get the last word in.

Petrov came to her and offered his arm, and they left the suite together.

The wind screamed against the building, and Katja leaned closer to Petrov without thinking. If the power was knocked out, they were screwed. It was well below freezing.

"So, what's up, Captain?" Petrov asked, squeezing her hand. "I know you didn't just bring me out here for some water."

She sighed. "This is why dating you will be easy. You already know everything about me, yet you still want to be with me." As she said it, she realized how much it surprised her.

"Yes. To both," he teased. "And you're avoiding the question, sweetheart."

Toes squishing on the soft hallway carpet, Katja slowed her pace slightly. Damn, she was getting winded far too easily. Hopefully that last course of medicine would help. "You seem a little distant. That's all. Something on your mind?" she pressed. Maybe killing Captain Sokolov had upset him more than he was willing to admit.

Arriving at the elevator, Petrov pushed the button for the lobby, and they got in the car. "No. Well, nothing you should worry about."

Katja frowned. "Maksim, we're a team. Of course, I worry."

The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open, revealing the lobby. Petrov led them forward, towards the store.

After some initial hesitation, Petrov said, "Adrien thinks we can take the nest."

Shocked, Katja gripped his hand tighter. "Really?"

"Yes. He claims to be doing some mental math and thinks the queen's army is decimated. It could be true; might be the only reason he made it back with the medicine."

"He almost got killed getting me the medicine?" Katja asked, horrified.

"He and Blue, but don't tell him I told you. He'd be pissed." Noticing her labored breathing, he brought her to a leather couch to the left of the lobby counter, and they sat together.

"Do you think directly attacking the nest is a bad idea?" Katja asked cautiously, facing him. She didn't want to accidentally indirectly accuse him of cowardice; especially because she knew he wasn't one.

"No, it's not that. These things need to be stopped. And Adrien is a good leader. He wouldn't say it unless he believed it could be done. I just…" Petrov ran his hand through his short hair. "Dying doesn't really scare me. I just worry about what happens afterward, to the people I love. Yes, my parents will be housed and fed. But will anyone really care about them?" Even more grimly, he continued, "And what about you? I don't want you to die in there, Katja."

Katja sank into the sofa, her head buzzing. Had he just casually thrown her name in as one of the people he loved? Was it an accident? Was she delirious, mistaken? "I, umm. I won't."

"I'm just hoping that Blue likes you well enough to keep you safe, if I can't," Petrov said. Unexpectedly, he pulled his dogtags off his neck and removed one of the tags from the chain. "Listen. Will you take one of these to give to my parents, if I don't make it back? Their names are–"

"Alena and Kovic, I know." Katja slid back, her slippery silk pajamas making it easy, and shook her head. "No. I'm not taking that. You're going to survive. I don't want to tempt fate."

"Please, Katja," he said. Not pleading, not angry. Just requesting.

She bit her lip, thinking. "I'll take it on one condition. Don't you dare go into battle thinking you'll die. It'll get you killed faster than any enemy."

"Agreed."

"All right," she said, taking the tag and holding it. She'd put it in her vest once they got back to the suite. "Let's go get that water."

When they'd gathered an armful of bottles, they returned to the suite.

"Listen, I have the first watch shift. But can I kiss you goodnight?" Petrov asked, before he opened the door.

Katja's heart did a silly flip-flop, and she nodded. "As long as you stay safe tonight."

"Deal," he told her.

Vai'dqouulth was working on his wrist computer in what Adrien designated 'his' living space; though it appeared said male felt the need to work on his gear in here as well.

The door opened, and in walked Katja. She went to her uniform vest and placed something silver in one of the pockets. Vai'dqouulth immediately abandoned his task, watching her.

Based on Yautja statistics, he was able to roughly estimate that the average human female needed at minimum, twenty-two percent body fat for a healthy pregnancy. Much more than a Yautja needed, but each species was different. A discreet scan of Katja showed she was a little below that.

Turning to the side, he grabbed a box of sugar treats he had pilfered from the abandoned vendor downstairs and offered them to her. Hopefully she liked them, as he had no idea what to grab. It had been something of a trial to even figure out which box carried what he needed.

"For me?" Katja smiled. He nodded, not even caring that she was showing teeth this time. Adrien made what sounded like a disgusted noise.

"Body fat below healthy average. Need to increase," he spoke through his voice mimicry. Much easier than how he had been communicating with them before.

"Bringing a girl candy is one of the oldest tricks around. Older than even you, pal," Adrien stated, not looking up from his gear.

Vai'dqouulth was totally confused now. Apparently, offering rich food was a courting technique; that much he could deduce. And not all that dissimilar from courting Yautja females. But an old one? And they had to trick females? Not very honorable.

"Ignore him. This is very thoughtful of you," Katja accepted the gift and unwrapped one of the treats, munching slowly.

"Kizz?" he asked with his own voice, sitting on the sleep pallet.

"Oh, gag me," Adrien mumbled, his irises rotating in a circle in his eyes. Strange.

"Well of course; you've earned one," Katja said kindly. Even though he kept stoic, he beamed inside, removing his helmet maybe a little too quickly. She leaned in, placing a hand on his shoulder, and he closed his eyes in preparation.

Erroneous on his part.

After she planted said praise against his forehead, her fingers brushed through his head appendages when she lifted her hand from his shoulder and leaned back. Vai'dqouulth jumped at the sensation, making a choked chirping noise that probably came out more as a squeak.

"Woah!" Adrien popped up at the reaction.

"Blue, you ok?" Katja asked with concern.

"Sensitive organ," Vai'dqouulth stumbled around trying to type out the words manually. He could smell his mating musk permeating the air from unintentional release.

"What? What is?" Adrien asked. All Vai'dqouulth could do was point to his protruding organs; the rest of him was too shaky.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't know those were organs! Did I hurt you?" Katja asked with concern.

"Just the opposite," Vai'dqouulth spoke in his own language without thinking Fortuitous that they still couldn't understand him. He then shook his head to let Katja know she had caused no injury.

"Should I kiss it to make it feel better?" Katja offered, though she didn't sound entirely serious.

Either way, the answer was 'absolutely not'. He needed to lower the sensation, not increase it as she'd had just suggested. Perhaps a cold shower or walking out into the snowstorm without the thermal netting would bring it down.

"I am undamaged," Vai'dqouulth played a voice clip. "Need to prepare for rest cycle," he excused before heading to the facilities hastily.

"Why didn't you tell me their 'hair' was a sensitive organ?" Katja demanded once Blue was out of earshot. Come to think of it, where were his 'ears'?

"How was I supposed to know?" Adrien shifted. "And why does it smell so bad in here now?"

"You're the hunter expert!" Katja exclaimed with spread arms. "And I only smell… I dunno, kinda smells like spring rain."

"Huh? Rain? Anyway, you need to calm down, or you'll wake Alexei. And nobody wants Alexei awake," Adrien said. "And to answer your question, my knowledge is limited. With the hunter I fought, I didn't exactly get to do the shit to him that you do to Blue. Half that shit I wouldn't want to do to that hunter."

She looked unconvinced.

That oily smell had staying power. What the hell was that? And why did Katja say it smelled like spring rain? Was she nuts?

"You don't think I'd have mentioned a weak spot on the head that obvious if I knew?" Adrien concluded his argument.

"Ok, that's fair," Katja conceded. They listened to the water run in the bathroom for a few moments. "What do you think he uses them for?" Katja finally asked as she curled her toes into the carpeting. She looked haggard and ready to collapse, but he knew she wouldn't get into bed until guard shifts were determined and everyone else was asleep.

"I was thinking extra-sensory, like cat whiskers," Adrien suggested.

"So… you think he uses them to gauge if he can fit through an opening?" Katja raised an eyebrow dubiously.

"I said 'like' cat whiskers. I didn't say they were cat whiskers. Maybe they tell him the weather, for all I know. You can always ask him," Adrien corrected.

"He doesn't like talking about himself, or his kind. Probably least of all, something that could be a weakness," Katja pointed out, still idly curling her toes.

"To the rest of us. Seems fine telling you anything," Adrien tried to give her the hint.

"Really? Doesn't seem like it. Why do you think that?" Katja asked naively.

Good god, Blue wasn't nearly as subtle as Petrov. The hunter had brought her chocolate, for chrissakes. And she still didn't get it. Really, he had to admire how humble she was, just assuming no guy was interested in her. Adrien had to wonder if that was mental conditioning from this bitch of a mother she'd talk about every so often.

"I think he just trusts you the most," Adrien answered simply to keep the peace.

"Disagree. You've spent more time with him than the rest of us. He seemed more comfortable around you than me."

Letting the comment go, Adrien wrapped up. "Well, war makes strange partners. I think we can agree on that."

"Well said." Katja gave a nod of approval.

Suddenly, Blue decided to come out of the shower. Without so much as a towel on. Katja turned away, but her peripheral vision saw Adrien cock his head in confusion.

"Thought you were male," he stated. Too curious not to look now, Katja turned back around.

Sure enough, Blue's anatomy was like that of the dolls she used to play with as a child. Nothing to visibly distinguish his sex, just a pouch at the crotch and those odd quill-like protrusions that vaguely looked like hair. Maybe the crotch region didn't house the reproductive organs?

"Like looking at a G.I. Joe, or those Hot Toys figures my co-worker loves to collect," Adrien chuckled.

Katja watched as Blue visibly bristled and puffed up. Uh-oh. It was clear he had taken major offense to Adrien's statements.

"Am!" Blue exclaimed in broken English, his deep baritone voice vibrating to her very bones.

What happened next made Katja wish she was elsewhere. Blue had felt the need to prove he was indeed male – he just apparently kept everything protected internally until it was needed.

"Huh," Adrien said simply. She suspected he knew all along, and had done this on purpose in her presence. She wouldn't put it past him.

"I seem to remember saying that I didn't want to see any more of you naked," Katja mumbled.

"He wasn't there for that meeting," Adrien reminded her. His 'mischief face' was appearing on his features. "You know, their blood is fluorescent green, and that part of the body is generally nothing but blood. You think it glows in the dark? Like a glow stick?" he asked her, as if trying to make her more uncomfortable.

"Stop. Please," she groaned.

"Apologies," a voice clip said. Looking up, she found Blue dressed once more. Or at least, a loincloth on once more.

"Grave insult to question male-hood in front of a female. No matter the species. Was simply proving status. No transgression intended," Blue finished.

"Apology accepted," Katja quickly said. This was Adrien's fault, not Blue's. "Apologize to him," Katja ordered the marine.

"Me? Wha–? Why?" Adrien broke from his thoughts, and that grin disappeared. Probably from laughing at her.

"You insulted him. Now apologize," Katja ordered again.

"Fine. I'm sorry I questioned your maleness," Adrien said half-heartedly.

Blue seemed to mull this over. "Will trade. Forgiveness for story of battle with my kind."

"Now?" Adrien asked. Clearly, he wanted to go to bed. Blue nodded, however. Adrien looked to Katja for help, and she refused to acknowledge him. Served him right for that stunt.

"Ok, fine. Let me get Katja set up with the antibiotics. I'll meet you in the bar."

Vai'dqouulth took a seating spot in front of the cantina's artificial fireplace, still fuming about Adrien's questioning of his gender. The nerve of a lesser species! And in front of a female, no less.

Still, with cajoling from Katja, Adrien did apologize. Again, not his preferred method of honor reclamation, but he did agree to tell the story of his battle with a Yautja.

Speaking of, here came the human himself. He was no longer wearing his battle coverings; instead, like Katja, he donned clothing from the vendor shops.

Vai'dqouulth knew this outfit was not for battle, because it did not have any armor or durability to it. It was clothing for sleep cycles; though Vai'dqouulth, like many of his kind, simply slept nude. He currently kept the loincloth on while sleeping in the presence of the humans as to respect their culture.

Wisely, he noted, the human did come armed; at least with his smaller kinetic ammunition-based weapon.

Taking the seat opposite Vai'dqouulth, Adrien got comfortable before making serious eye contact. He hadn't given this hard of a look since they first set out to get the medicine from the infested human healer building.

"You should know up front, this story will probably leave you dissatisfied," Adrien told him. Vai'dqouulth nodded; though internally, he believed that was up to the listener.

"Ok, let's begin."

From there, Adrien explained everything in depth and even stopped to allow him to ask questions, which he did. He even showed off the impressive scars from the battle, though he didn't seem very proud of them.

By the end, Vai'dqouulth was struggling to understand why this story would be disappointing. Even he was rooting for Adrien to win.

"I do regret torturing the hunter, despite all of that. Nothing sentient should suffer like that. It was just hard to set aside professionalism at that point," Adrien finished.

While Vai'dqouulth viewed what the hunter did as perfectly sporting and fair, he certainly understood that sentiment. Bad bloods had killed his brothers in dishonorable ways before. Taking their heads had been the only solace.

It was strange; despite the language, culture, and species barriers, here they were sharing stories of glory like they were the same species. Like they were blood-related hunt brothers.

"Look; I'm not an idiot, even if you think humans generally are. At the end of this, you're gonna kill us, aren't you?" Adrien asked, bringing him back from his thoughts.

The Yautja shifted a little. He had been putting off this eventuality, but it seemed it was time to consider the reality. Duty dictated he kill all witnesses to his kind, but there could be exceptions. Slaves, servants, pets, living trophies, and hunting partners were options to him, granted by clan permission.

If the clan thought they were worthy or had further use, they could be spared – with conditions. Vai'dqouulth wasn't counting on this; not because he didn't think that at least some of them were deserving, but because he couldn't control the elders, councils, or Yautja Prime's government.

No, once he got to his ship, he'd apply for those permits for his companions. At the very least, they couldn't be killed until he got rejections.

"Working on it," Vai'dqouulth played a voice clip.

"What does that mean?" Adrien asked in confusion.

"Save the girl," he played Adrien's voice from during the nest raid.

"You're working on saving Katja?" Adrien clarified.

"You missed one," Vai'dqouulth played another voice clip of Adrien, this time from the pool room.

"You're speaking in circles," Adrien huffed.

This time, Vai'dqouulth typed it out for Adrien to read.

"Trying to preserve you all."

"Well, as comforting as that is, I think we both know it's not up to you, now is it?" Adrien pointed out.

"Will do all I can," Vai'dqouulth finished. Adrien nodded, but it seemed rather resigned and depressed to him.

"I'm going back to the suite. Katja will want to know our guard rotation. Good night, Blue. Remember, I'm on guard after Petrov. Then I'll wake you for your watch."

Vai'dqouulth used a clip of Katja. "Adrien."

Adrien turned to him.

"Humans hunted, not hated," Blue typed out, hoping to finally clear the air between them. Their very survival depended on it.

Adrien considered and ultimately nodded. It was hard to read exactly what the human thought of that statement.

He only hoped it was enough.

Katja was drifting off to sleep when she felt Blue joining her in the bed. "Hi, buddy," she said sleepily, half turning onto her side before remembering the needle in her arm. She yelped as it tugged on her body.

Thankfully, it hadn't dislodged.

"Katja is hurt," stated Blue with Petrov's voice.

"I'm okay," she assured the alien. "Really. It's my own fault anyway. I'll be glad when I don't have to have this thing in my arm anymore."

Blue rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. After deliberating, he said through clipped phrases, "If on my homeworld, already recovered. Healing practices advanced."

"I'd love to visit another planet," Katja admitted dreamily. "That would be unbelievable. In the best way. Russians were the first humans to get to space, you know. Don't let Adrien try to tell you differently."

"Visiting my planet is not my choice. It is up to my government for permission."

Now feeling somewhat groggy, Katja said, "Damn all the universe's governments. Even space isn't… isn't safe from them, and their rules, and red tape; right?"

Blue made noncommittal noise, and the bed creaked as he turned onto his side, so he was facing her. He reached out with his clawed fingers, and she held her breath nervously as he lightly tapped at her face, around her nose. "What?" he asked.

Mind blank, she replied, "I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean."

Pausing, Blue seemed to search for words. "Skin detail. Dot."

This time, she was the one to hesitate as she thought through her exhaustion. "Oh! My freckles? Yeah, redheads are prone to them. They get worse from sun exposure, and I've been outside a lot the last week. Alexander thought they looked childish and tried to get me to cover them up with makeup all the time."

Blue huffed. "I like."

"Well, thanks big guy. I like your stripes, too!" Reaching out, she touched his back companionably.

He trilled happily. Then she looked at his feet. They were similar to a human foot, but his toes had claws, and it seemed his big toe was tucked under his arch. Not to mention, extra claws protruding above the ankle. Maybe this had to do with the climbing ability Adrien said they had.

"Your feet are huge and look funny, buddy. No offense intended," Katja giggled. The meds might have kicked in.

For her amusement, he brought a foot up and flexed every part of it he could and wiggled his toes so she could see.

Just for a fun comparison, she put hers next to his, also moving her toes. He had to be a shoe size of twenty or within that range.

Adrien was right, though; for an overly aggressive species, he sure displayed a lot of patience with her.

That was her last thought as she began counting toes before drifting off.

"Rise and shine, Beauty and the Beast," Adrien announced loudly as he walked in and parted the curtains.

"Mmm, that's the first western cultural reference I've understood out here," Katja groaned as she attempted to cover her face from the weak light.

Adrien took a long look outside. Sure enough, the strange, hazy gloom of a bad blizzard was visible. The storm was still raging.

"Really? How do you know about Beauty and the Beast?" Adrien asked absently as he stepped away from the window to check the empty IV. He was distracting her, and it looked like she knew it and fully wanted to be distracted.

"Uh, it was a favorite of mine and my brother's. One of the few pieces of western culture allowed in the house. We'd secretly watch it after my parents went to sleep, because my mother got sick of having it on the TV while she was around," Katja answered with a stretch.

"Hm, well, at least some of your family isn't incapable of good taste." Adrien said. "If you can only see one Disney cartoon, that is probably the best choice."

Blue looked over, and Adrien could see the confusion on his face.

"It's a children's parable. Meant to teach beauty is only skin deep and you should judge others by character. You can relate to that, can't ya?" Adrien chuckled, slapping his arm in a friendly way. Blue did not take the action well and growled. Oh, how his daughter would freak out if she saw what he was seeing between Blue and Katja. She would 'ship it', as the kids said.

There was a snort from the alien. Apparently, the only acknowledgement he was going to get.

"All right then, Shakespeare, what stories do your kind tell children?" Adrien asked.

"Behave, or humans will come and take you away in the night," Blue answered via voice clips.

"C'mon. Tell us the truth. No way humans are a hunter's bogeymen," Adrien jeered.

"Truth. I believed humans to be terrifying monsters because of my bearer. Only through hunts did I discover that you aren't very intimidating."

"Huh. Guess things aren't always so different between our kinds," Katja mused.

With the needle removed, Adrien gave her a once over. He knew he was far from a medical expert, but he had picked up enough in the field to somewhat know what he was doing.

"I want you to take it slow. Infection seems to have run its course thanks to the meds, but you'll probably be a little weak, still. All in all, I'd say you're lucky to be alive, kiddo," Adrien explained.

She nodded and accepted Blue's hand to stand.

"Why don't you all get going for the day, and I'll make us some breakfast from whatever is down there," Adrien suggested.

"This is very good, Pierce. Thank you," Blue played Petrov's voice.

"Good," Adrien acknowledged and made his way to the front door.

"Bye, Gaston," Alexei sneered in English.

"For that quip, you're gonna help me cook five dozen eggs, LeFou," Adrien scorned, and grabbed the struggling kid to join him.