Chapter 36

Gossip girls

Before Katja could protest, Jade had dragged her to the master bedroom and closed the door. Locking it of all things.

"Jade, what is this about?" Katja asked warily.

"Oh, come on. You can't expect me to leave without asking what is going on here."

"What do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Jade repeated incredulously. "I walk in and it's like a live version of The Bachelorette playing out right in front of me. You have your own little reverse harem going. What happened between Adrien and Blondie?"

"I don't–" Katja started to say, then thought; "Screw it." If she was going to tell someone, why not this stranger that she would never see again after Siberia? If there was an 'after', that is.

Besides, truth be told, she could use some non-male advice. Even if it was from… Jade.

"I messed around with Maksim this morning," she admitted. "Adrien's… less than happy. Nobody was supposed to know, but…"

Jade gave a little clap of excitement, squealing softly. "Maksim's the blond, right? Oh, my god. This is so exciting. Good for you, Red. Get your man. Men."

"It's not what you're thinking," Katja said with a shake of her head. "They weren't fighting over me, or anything. Adrien says I messed up the team chemistry. And I think maybe I did. And I don't know how to fix it."

"Ehhh," Jade said with a shrug. "They will have to get over it, I guess. Eventually, everyone who's mad will remember that saving the world or whatever you military types do, is more important."

"I sure hope so," Katja muttered.

"The big one is mad, too?" Jade thought aloud, picking up Blue's blanket from the bed and absently frowned at it. Maybe she recognized it.

"It's… harder to tell with him, but I think so," Katja answered. She actually didn't know what Blue was thinking, but his whole demeanor had changed after the encounter. At least to her. Maybe she was imagining it. Why he was mad, she didn't know. Maybe for the same reasons Adrien was.

Surprisingly, Jade remained silent, clearly in thought. At last, she tossed the fur back on the bed.

"Katja… those two went into the depths of hell – and I mean that quite literally – to get you medicine. I truly believe they would do it all over again without hesitation, even upset with you. They aren't going to stay mad long. You aren't losing anyone over your little prisyádka pillow dance," Jade explained with a little laugh.

"What do you suggest I do?" Katja asked, too impressed by Jade's random profoundness to be offended.

"Make-up sex with them all. Successively, or all at once. Your call," Jade joked. Or at least, she hoped it was a joke.

"I'm serious!" Katja groaned.

"Fine, be boring. Look, don't force it; let them come to you. It will be better that way. Have humility when they do, but make them show some, too. And have your boyfriend stop invoking their wrath. I rather like his face," Jade said more seriously.

Katja, for her part, was stunned into silence; jaw agape. This woman could have weirdly good advice.

"Alexander Vidovic was my fiancé," Katja blurted out. She had no idea why she felt the need to say it, but she did.

Jade blinked. "You? I knew you were a Mikhailov girl, I didn't think you were the Mikhailov girl. Do you know how many people in the whole of Russia have that last name?"

"Well, here I am," Katja stated awkwardly.

A moment of silence passed between them as Jade processed the information. "If it's any consolation, he was a dirtbag and the worst I've ever had. Not to mention, we barely met the minimum definition of 'cheating'."

"What does that mean?" Katja demanded.

"Well for one, I got the impression he was fantasizing only of himself, if you get my meaning. And two, his performance didn't last very long," Jade smirked vindictively. Seemed she didn't like Alexander either. Katja couldn't help but smile a little, too. She knew exactly what Jade was talking about.

"Trust me, you got two eights and a nine in this building. Don't sweat Alexander at all. Not even his money makes him worth it," Jade continued.

"What are 'eights' and 'nines'?" Katja asked.

"Ranking, my dear. My goodness; did nobody raise you to rate men?" Jade questioned incredulously.

"…No?" Katja answered, but not completely sure. Ulyana, her friend back home, might have done something like that once or twice when she wasn't fully paying attention. "I went to a school with all boys, and I was raised by my brother."

"Ok, ok. So, Adrien and Petrov are eights. The alien is a nine. And that's out of ten," Jade explained.

"I suppose that's good?" Katja asked again, a little dryly. She had always tried to focus on the inside of people, especially after Alexander.

"Oh, it's good, Red. Cream of the crop," Jade assured.

Katja shifted a little. "I don't think Adrien and I would be romantically compatible like that, ever. We were constantly butting heads, even before this fight." Not to mention, he was married.

"And your fine piece of alien?" Jade prompted.

That, she had to laugh at. They got along well enough, and he was actually very nice – even downright sweet sometimes – especially considering what she knew about his kind.

But there were… well, many problems with that. First being Petrov. Second, she and Blue didn't feel that way about each other. Third, he was an alien. Fourth, he probably found her unattractive. Fifth, she was a prey item and therefore, considered beneath him. Sixth – well, she could go on and on. The strange thing was, Jade wasn't laughing.

"For real?" Katja asked after calming down.

Jade shrugged. "It never hurts to have options. It also may be the only way you get to live after this."

An alarming thought; and the problem was, she wasn't wrong. If Adrien was right – and concerning the hunters, he often was – Blue would likely have to kill them in the name of his duty at the end of their journey. If they even reached it.

She herself had noted it way back in the cave.

Maybe Jade was right. Maybe she should try to get the big guy's attention, for all their sakes.

Katja shook her head. What a ridiculous thought. It would never work. Not to mention, it would make her no better than Alexander and his tricks. The better idea was maybe to make up, and just talk to him about the matter.

There was a rap on the door that broke their thoughts, and Jade called sweetly, "Come in!"

Like it was her room.

Adrien opened the door, carrying a rifle with something that looked like a tablet on a rail mount, and handed it to Jade. "Thanks for the loan. Maybe we'll see you around again."

"I'm cashing in that loan now, a moment of your time?" Jade winked at Katja. Obviously, Adrien was going to get 'addressed' too.

He groaned, but stayed in the room, and Katja left with Jade's tablet rifle for now, wondering what she was planning.

"I'm still not interested, Jade. That joke outside was just to bug Katja," Adrien preemptively stated.

"I'm aware. Are you maybe being an immature hothead?" she asked, putting her hands on her hips.

Adrien blinked. Where the hell had that come from? "Maybe, but she started it. And I know I'm right." Even listening to himself, he knew the words sounded like they had come from a child.

"At this point, it's not about being right, if you want to see that daughter of yours again," Jade spoke sternly.

"What does that mean? I am right, she is tearing this unit apart. She created the ladder and put Pissoff on top of it. All the rest of us can go to hell," Adrien protested.

"If you've willingly followed her this far, then I'm guessing you've already figured out she wouldn't do that. I think it's pretty clear she cares about all of you. And you haven't done anything to prolong this longer than needed, have you?" Jade argued back.

"Well…" Adrien scratched the back of his head.

"If she's sorry, and wants to keep working with you, then any conflict going forward is on you now," Jade said.

"So, what? I'm just supposed to say I was wrong and she is right?" Adrien demanded, incredulous by the audacity.

"Without knowing the whole story, I'm gonna say you are right – for now. But you are wrong to keep punishing her like that," Jade said. "Warfare and combat does crazy things to a person's mind, makes them behave in ways they normally wouldn't. Maybe that's what happened to her. From what Slater's told me about you, I'm guessing you might already know a little about how that works."

Adrien shifted uncomfortably. He was treating Katja much like his wife before the divorce.

Maybe, instead of expressing her pain with anger like he did, Katja had sought comfort and companionship as a way of coping with her demons.

"Doesn't have to be right away. I kinda like watching you marinate, gets me all riled up. But start cooling off and consider approaching her and figuring out how to move forward," Jade finished.

"Fine," Adrien agreed. Crazy sex-witch of Siberia wasn't wrong. And it must be really bad if he had to hear this from her.

"Good, now… is she–?" Jade began.

"Always oblivious to male attention? Yes," Adrien finished. "I literally had to tell her Petrov is in love with her – which I'm now regretting, by the way – and she still didn't believe it."

"And did you–?" Jade began again.

"Notice the alien really likes her? Yes," Adrien finished again.

"What's up with that?" Jade dug, looking intrigued.

"I don't know, and I can't ask him because that'll destroy unit cohesion next," Adrien answered.

"You must have a theory. I can't even get him to look my way, and here he is, quite literally, drooling over Red. Sounds like her stunt fostered jealousy with him," Jade pressed.

"Which is weird, because he said their society is polygamous. It's a duty to spread," Adrien added.

"And you?" Jade threw out.

"Me, what?" Adrien asked.

"Are you maybe a little jealous?" Jade teased.

"No," Adrien answered stiffly, annoyed by the question; but clearly the witch didn't believe him.

"Hm, food for thought. I should be on my way, though," Jade said with a sing-song voice.

She exited the room, and Adrien saw the moment she noticed Blue standing outside of the door. Seeming to notice that the others were too far away to hear, Jade leaned over to Blue and whispered.

"Maybe you should practice with me before trying out Red. You know, so you don't kill her in the process?"

Something was really wrong with this woman, but it was amusing to see Blue visibly falter, clearly and seriously considering the words more so than the offer.

That must mean he and his kind did get violent during the act, and he – Blue – was now worried about it – should he ever get that far with Miss Spetsnaz.

How Jade knew that though? He didn't want to think about it. It was clear she had encountered hunters before coming out here. Likely, it was just an educated guess. Adrien had assumed much the same without really thinking about it.

He'd think the situation was more odd, but maybe there were more sentient alien species out there and it wasn't out of the norm to him.

Or perhaps they were conquerors that just took what they wanted. Humanity was 'technically' conquered by them, just without a fight. At least in Adrien's mind. So maybe Blue just thought he was taking what his kind thought they had a right to, so to speak.

Basically, he was an alien Viking. Damn near brought a proud tear to his eye thinking about it that way.

Either way, it was irrelevant. Right now, he needed to address Katja the way Jade had suggested.

Katja saw the two of them emerge, and Adrien did not look happy, which meant he was likely gonna take it out on everyone else. Namely her.

At least he hadn't slept with Jade in some juvenile revenge thing. Katja had half-expected to have to drag the kitchen sink spray hose to the bedroom and separate them.

Approaching the woman, who paused briefly to say something to Blue, Katja spoke, "Blue, please give Jade her rifle. Maksim–"

She stopped when she saw he already had his jacket on and gun at hand. "Ready when she is," he replied.

Jade took her sweet time making her way out the door, but when she and Petrov were gone, Katja turned to Blue.

"Blue, can you do me a favor? Stay out of sight and follow them to the snowmobile? I just want to make sure she doesn't try any last-minute tricks." She trusted Petrov, she just didn't trust Jade.

The hunter looked down at her for a moment, and she was worried he would decline. Which meant they weren't on friendly terms anymore, which in turn meant the talk she wanted to have with him wouldn't go over well.

But he put a hand on her shoulder and dipped his head before strolling out, cloaking as he did. Just like when they first met.

Hopefully that was a good sign of things turning around, and going back to the way they were before.

Petrov walked slightly behind Jade, ignoring her soft whistling. He thought it was 'Yankee Doodle', but he didn't know for sure. Katja was the expert on that sort of thing.

"Listen," she said, after a break in her song. "I have a proposition."

"Miss, I already told you, I'm not–"

"No, not that kind. Well, at least, not today," she said, with an amused laugh. "No, this is an offer directly from Slater. Kill Pierce, keep the scientist alive, and tranquilize the hunter." Reaching the snowmobile, she lifted the seat and withdrew a syringe. "This can take down a full-grown bear. It should be plenty for your friend."

Petrov stared at her in shock. "Why would I do any of that?"

"Because if you do, Weyland will forgive your parents' debt. Not only that, but they will also return the payments you've already made and give you something extra for your trouble."

Petrov was dazed, like the mountains were swirling around him. For a horrible moment, he almost considered it. He'd be free. His parents, free.

"And Katja?"

"Weyland has no interest in her. They'd prefer no witnesses, but I'm sure you could work something out, if you wanted her alive."

Then, reality came hitting back. He didn't like Adrien, but he wasn't going to murder anyone. He damn sure wasn't going to send Blue to be some Weyland science experiment. That wasn't the man he wanted to be, for any amount of money.

"No deal. Tell Slater he can find someone else."

To further his confusion, Jade collapsed in relief, tossing the syringe back in the snowmobile. "Good boy. That's what I was hoping you'd say."

Petrov frowned. "Is this some joke?"

"Unfortunately not. Slater seems to have figured out that none of his goons are going to get close enough to your alien friend to sedate him. So, he thought he could use you as an inside man. Anyone who came into contact with you was supposed to make that offer. I decided to test it, to make sure you wouldn't fall for it. Congrats, you passed."

"Wait, why me?" Petrov asked. Yes, he did have the debt and his parents, but Pierce had lost much more than him out here. Despite all the deaths of his men, Petrov still had a home to go to, and maybe Katja too; Adrien had nothing.

"You mean, why not your marine friend, right?" Jade clarified. "Well, first of all, his CIA boss wants him dead. He's a loose end. Besides, Adrien would never work with Weyland, even in the best of circumstances. And even if you don't like him, he has put his life on the line many times for others."

"Yeah, he is a good guy," Petrov admitted wholeheartedly. Though the pain in his eye said otherwise, he knew Adrien had a strong moral compass, temper or no.

"And next time, honey? Whether you're in love with Red or not, maybe it's best to just keep it in your pants," Jade snickered.

And that was Jade saying that to him. Maybe it was time to help make things right. Adrien had legitimate concerns. The only problem was getting through to him in this state.

Katja watched as Adrien collapsed onto the couch with a sigh, looking at the ceiling. Here it was.

"I don't like how some third party who we don't know and doesn't know us, is giving us good advice. Means this went too far a while ago," Adrien finally stated.

"I am sorry, for what it's worth. Everything you said is a legitimate concern," Katja seized the opening.

"Yeah, well, I haven't exactly been helping the situation, have I? Dragging it out instead of moving forward," Adrien replied.

She didn't answer; he was having the humility Jade mentioned, to admit that the situation had been exacerbated by him. No reason to do the same with a reply, even with good intentions.

"So, what do we do from here?" Katja asked instead.

"Maybe it's time to hit the nest. Let off a little steam. Go from there," Adrien suggested.

Katja was a little worried they weren't cohesive enough to do that, but it was a good idea nevertheless.

Before she could reply, however, Blue strolled in with a sense of urgency. "Need to see," he stated through his computer, and handed over his mask. "Not much time. Instructed Runt to delay Petrov."

In the mask, a video of Petrov and Jade played. She made an offer that even Katja thought was unfair. Petrov declined, however, leading Jade to tell him it was a test. Katja didn't believe her for a second. Jade was hoping Petrov would take the deal.

It did make her proud of Maksim, though.

"What is it?" Adrien asked.

That forced Katja to pause. Should she show him when their relationship was already strained? If she didn't, and he found out later, it may make things worse.

"Can you rewind and show him?" she asked Blue, handing his mask back. It would be better to have everything out in the open at this point. At least trust could be rebuilt.

Blue tapped within his mask a few times before handing it over to the marine. Donning it, Adrien watched the footage. When it was finished, he handed it back to Blue without a word.

"Criminal?" Blue asked. An interesting word to use, in Katja's mind. She doubted it meant exactly the same thing it would mean to a human. Her suspicion was the two had conversed about whatever criminal meant to him already.

"Not yet, anyway. What do you make of it?" Adrien asked the alien.

"Do not trust. Always taught humans were deceptive," Blue said.

"You're not wrong, but I think he just needs observation. Congratulations, Kat, your bedroom antics have paid off," Adrien sighed.

She was flustered by it for more than one reason, but he was using nicknames again, so she carefully didn't start another fight.

"Do tell," she requested, swallowing a dry lump.

"Your blond himbo needs another set of eyes to keep him on the straight track," Adrien explained.

"You yourself said he didn't accept. Shouldn't we be more worried about Jade?" Katja tread carefully. She didn't want to sound overly defensive of Maksim. Adrien would just take that as proof that she regarded him better than anyone else.

"Jade? No. The more I talk to her, the more I think she hates Weyland as much as we do," Adrien answered.

"Then why work for them?" Katja was cautious not to sound challenging.

"I think… I think she's in debt to them too, somehow," Adrien mused.

"Like Petrov and his parents?" Katja offered.

"No, a very different kind. Weyland may pay her, but make no mistake. She's working modern day slavery," Adrien said.

It was an interesting theory, anyway. The little she had revealed was not very telling. Maybe Katja could pick Adrien's nonexistent brain later.

"Getting back to Petrov, why do I need to watch him? I know I'm repeating myself, but he didn't sell us out," Katja got back on topic.

"No, but that is going to rattle around in his brain. Hell, for his parents' sake, I almost want to tell him to go for it," Adrien said.

She had to agree that even if she thought the world of Maksim, the offer would be too tempting to not at least chew over.

Blue bristled and hissed at Adrien in response.

"Relax; I'm not going to, and I wouldn't let him if it comes to that. Wouldn't matter anyway, it's obviously a honeypot trap," Adrien said.

Katja understood, but to stimulate conversation again, she spurred him on. "What do you mean?"

"Weyland has more than enough hush money to give to Petrov, and they may even follow through and give it to his parents. But he is a legal liability. The moment he hands Blue over, they'll kill him," Adrien answered.

Her thoughts exactly.

"Would never subdue and capture," Blue spoke, and even with the computer, it sounded indignant.

"Yeah, it's just a hypothetical, Blue. No need to get sore," Adrien assured.

"Do not deal in hypotheticals. Only facts," Blue argued. Adrien had sure hit a nerve this time.

"So, what? I just keep an eye on him?" Katja steered the conversation away from another fight. She didn't believe that Maksim would take the deal, and felt a bit guilty even offering to watch him for signs of betrayal.

"That, and encourage him that things will get better for his parents I suppose," Adrien shrugged. "People do bad things, Katja. It doesn't overwrite the good that came before."

Katja saw Blue bristle in a different way at that last statement. It wasn't anger, but she couldn't tell what it was. "Alright, I'll keep an eye on him," she relented.

"Good. I'm going to go make us something for dinner. We'll need it. Early morning tomorrow; we hit that nest and put the fear of humanity and hunter into the serpents," Adrien said as he rose, several joints popping as he did.

"Hoorah," Katja offered.

"Bear tranquilizer. Ha! What a joke. Not with the way he metabolizes alcohol," Adrien mused on his way out. Blue snorted in agreement.

Sighing in relief, Katja inwardly wished things were moving faster; but this was good progress. At least they were on speaking terms again.

Looking over, she saw the hunter cleaning his wrist blades meticulously. Come to think of it, after shooting recently, she needed to clean her guns.

And make things right with him.

Vai'dqouulth was so absorbed in his maintenance, it almost startled him when the human female sat down with her weapons. Almost.

"Mind if I join you? I need to clean my weapons, too," Katja asked. She didn't need his permission, but he gestured for her to sit.

He watched with interest as the female opened a bag and began withdrawing tools, likely for her weapon maintenance.

Standing, he went around behind her, shadowed over her seated form. She seemed to tense a little, but otherwise said nothing.

"How well do you know your weapon, warrior?" Vai'dqouulth posed the question through his computer.

"I'd like to think very well," Katja answered; though not boastfully, more just with confidence. He opened and closed his tusks thoughtfully.

He lowered a hand and covered her eyes, mindful to not dig his claws in. "Prove?" he requested. Vai'dqouulth knew he had no right asking a female of any kind to prove anything. But he hoped she would.

"Ok," she immediately agreed. He watched as, through mere touch and muscle memory, she disassembled the bigger weapon and began rubbing some sort of solvent all over the metal pieces. She even ran the solvent through the barrel using a tool she explained was called a 'bore snake'.

After cleaning the solvent off, she oiled the weapon and did a function test, minding the needed safety measures.

This process was repeated with her smaller weapon and even to a lesser extent, her new knife. Silently, he scoffed. Why hadn't he thought to gift her a weapon? Foolish on his part; he knew she needed one. He could've probably made a better one from bones, even.

"All done," she cut into his thoughts. Looking down, he observed her work with a glance and gave a very small groan. Nothing in the universe should be allowed to be this alluring.

Why did she have to be human? He stopped after that thought. That wasn't the problem and really, though he hated to admit it, she would lose much of her charm if she were Yautja. He only wished it because of the cultural barrier and nothing more. No, she was better as a human and he wouldn't change that.

Releasing her face, he turned her around. "Your skills are, as always, exemplary," he stated. Weapon maintenance while unable to see was impressive. It meant she knew her equipment well. Perhaps she had even been forced to perform the act without sight before.

"Thank you. Your hand is scalding hot, just so you know," she smiled at him, remembering the 'no teeth' rule. Yautja body temperatures were generally higher, but his excitement at being around her might contribute to the condition.

"Normal," he answered simply before making to leave.

"Blue…" Katja trailed off, her hand coming lightly to his forearm. Such soft and delicate skin, he still couldn't believe humans were durable at all. "…Can we talk?"

His least favorite pastime, but it sounded serious, so he gave her a head dip and sat back down.

She breathed deeply, seemingly thinking about what she had to say. If he had to guess, she wanted to say it carefully. He just hoped she was pointed and straightforward with him as she usually was. Heavier subjects tended to make humans less forthcoming, and her body language suggested as such.

"There is no best way to come out and say this, so I'll just say it. I want to apologize for my actions with Petrov. I understand this may be interpreted as me putting him above anyone else, and I wanted to assure you, I am not," Katja began.

Vai'dqouulth remained neutral, but he was shocked. She had no reason to apologize for mating. Least of all to him. Yautja didn't apologize either; they simply issued challenges to regain honor in these matters, and he had no grounds to do so with Petrov or Katja. Still, Adrien implied she was in the wrong, so he decided to just listen.

"I also understand that this could result in a child and that I have put us in a time crunch, and therefore a bad position. Psychologically, I also worry that I will become the priority in battle to save the child. For all of this, I am truly sorry. I disconnected and had a moment of… blindness, if you will. I have no excuse, nor will I justify it. I only request your forgiveness. If time is needed for that, I'll understand," Katja spoke.

Vai'dqouulth didn't know what to say. She had absolutely no reason to apologize and here she was doing it. Was he keen on her actions? No, but there was no transgression committed either.

And yet, Adrien had claimed she had all the same. If that was the case, she was to be commended for her humility and the responsibility she was taking for her course. It reminded him of himself, going back to the elders to admit his dishonorable kill rather than become a bad blood.

Just another trait to enjoy about her. Many Yautja would struggle to overcome their arrogance when a mistake was made.

Since he didn't think it was worth getting into the nuances of the cultural differences and how she really didn't need to apologize or how apologies weren't used, he settled for just adhering to human etiquette.

"Forgiven," he stated. And though Yautja tended not to get carried away with emotion, he felt the computer tone sounded too cold. So, he motioned her over. When she was close, he pulled her in for another cheek rub. This one was not a demonstration. It was relaxing to have his smell on her once more with Petrov's fading. He only hoped that communicated that he harbored no resentment toward her specifically he truly didn't.

That didn't mean he trusted Petrov, either. Putting aside his competition in courting Katja, which he had clearly lost in this battle, Petrov was not to be trusted. Humans were cunning and deceptive, that's what made them worthy of the hunt. He would never forget that teaching.

While Petrov had declined the monetary offer this time, he agreed with Adrien. The thought was undoubtedly stuck in his mind, much like a parasite latching onto one's face. In Petrov's predicament, the human might still accept to help his bearer and sire, willingly bringing dishonor to his name.

He trusted Katja when she said she would watch and encourage him to stay the course. Nothing suggested she was lying just to satiate Adrien. But he thought it best that he take on the assignment himself privately. Should the human commit to dishonor, he would take his head and present that and evidence of the betrayal to both human captains.

"I can't imagine how many times I've unintentionally offended you. I probably have a lot more than that to apologize for. You sure are a patient individual. No wonder you have thirty-something children. Women must be lining up for you," Katja shook her head and chuckled, her face turning that human blood red.

He wasn't so prominent that females sought him out – and should they, he'd still have to do the work of courting. But, the information that he had traits she found desirable was certainly welcome and boosted his confidence again.

"There's just one more thing, if I could trouble you," Katja shifted. After what he heard, she could trouble him all she wanted, and he would exhibit the patience she both displayed and so much appreciated.

"You're supposed to kill us at the end of this. If nothing has changed, I will submit to that fate. But I'm asking you if there is any way we can go home alive?" Katja asked. "Or at least… at least let Maksim and Adrien and Alexei go free?"

Vai'dqouulth had already had this conversation with Adrien. It seemed the human had kept the confidence between them, maybe so as not to cause undue stress on the other members.

So, he simply brought up the clip and handed his mask to Katja. When she finished, she looked relieved despite their fates not being promised.

"Well, it's reassuring you at least are trying. It means you don't want to kill us," Katja said, tucking her hair behind her ears.

Not entirely true, for some members. He could do without Petrov or Alexei. Adrien, he'd accept either way, as long as he could claim the trophy. He simply didn't correct her on the matter, however, as it would create more needless fights.

"Adrien forgot to ask you what I feel is an important question, though. Should we live, what is our fate?" Katja asked anxiously.

It was an observant question, and one he was hoping wouldn't be asked directly. He couldn't see them liking their assigned fates, should they be remanded to his care on Yautja Prime. Slave, servant, and bait were not exactly aspiring positions in his society. Hunt partner, service animal, living trophy, and pet were a little better, but still not as good as full citizenry.

Lifemate would at least give Katja the equal rights of any Yautja female, but convincing her might take some time and effort on his part, which he was completely willing to do.

"Unknown, many avenues. To list would take time and be a pointless endeavor. Better to explain when the time comes," Vai'dqouulth said truthfully. Having her unfocused on the task in front of them and focused on hypotheticals would help no one.

"You're right. No reason to stress over something that may not even happen," Katja agreed, breathing out. Good, she saw the wisdom in his statement.

He was about to acknowledge her comment when Alexei clumsily walked in, rubbing at his nose. "I am to inform you, under threat of my life, dinner is ready."

"We'll be down," Katja assured before turning back to Vai'dqouulth. "I'm glad we could start clearing the air on everything. I want us to be friends, not enemies."

Vai'dqouulth gave her a reassuring chirping noise in agreement. He didn't want to be enemies with Katja, either.