by A. C. Katt
A huge marble pool sat in the center of the room, again with room for six, shaped like a hexagon. The hexagon shape repeated itself in the shower and the design of the tiles on the floor and walls. Inter-dispersed with the hexagon tiles were stylized representations of the Tierest tree with a cloud sitting behind it denoting Castle Air. The pool was filled with lavender bubbles and the delicious scent of flowers.
She opened a door and found a dressing room with more wardrobes filled with clothing of every kind including Earthen outfits. She looked at them, astonished. ::Back on Earth we went on the computer and found a few catalogs from a place called Nordstrom’s and Neiman Marcus, we were assured that they carried the best in casual wear. Like your Sarran gowns, we will have the tailor make these types of clothing to your size, but we weren’t sure what you would like, so we consulted with Anya and had the fabricator make a little of everything.::
She looked at her bonded and sat down before she fell down in sheer amazement.
“Time grows short, we must get you ready.” This time Zaron picked her up, moving her chin-length hair away from her neck and kissing her. Their kisses made her burn.
Zaron placed her in the pool so gently that the water barely rippled. She sat on a lounge built into the pool that cushioned her body but permitted her to stay under the water. “The scent is familiar. It smells like camellias.”
“An Earthen flower…” Bron picked up a sponge-like object.
Zaron pushed a button and a spray nozzle appeared. “We will show you how it works later this evening.” He looked at her with fiery longing.
Bron cleared his throat. “The scent is that of the purple fantasy which grows in our garden and in special places in the high woods.” We felt it suited your eyes. “The name indicates our feelings for you for you for you are our fantasy; come to life.”
“You did all of this while I was cooking?”
“You have already done so much for us, for Naffie, and yet you have only just arrived. We cannot even imagine how full our life is about to become.”
“Please lean back so I can wash your hair.” Zaron sprayed her hair and the water cascaded down her back.” Taking a bottle from the shelf he poured what looked like oil into his hands and rubbed it through her scalp. A foam formed as his fingers massaged her head.
At the same time, Bron washed each of her arms and legs and the front of her torso. The sponge felt soft yet rough on her skin. He skin felt more alive with each stroke.
Zaron rinsed her hair. She touched it and it felt soft like silk. He placed an arm under her ribcage just below her breast and encouraged her to lean forward. Bron handed him the sponge and he stroked her back. “This feels so good. I’ve never felt this pampered.”
“Sarrans Warriors exist to pamper their fem, by the Goddess Ulna’s command.” They lifted her up and rinsed her body.
“Anya didn’t tell me about this ritual.”
::Due to the circumstances of the mission, the admirals were always on call. They, to their great sorrow, were unable to complete this task. I’m sure that she will tell you all about it this evening if, as you say, such conduct is rare on Earth.::
Syn stepped out of the bath onto a substance that resembled a rug and absorbed all of the water, yet felt dry to her feet. ::Let us make you dry,:: Bron spoke, picking up the towel.
The toweling hardly touched her skin, yet it caught each drop of water. They sat her down at the vanity. “How would you like your hair?”
Duchess came in on silent padded paws. She jumped onto the tub. ::Nice smell. I wash myself, but I will take some of the fragrance.::
“You deserve perfume and more.” He pulled a jeweled amethyst collar from a drawer in the dressing area. ::For you, Beauty, for saving our offspring.::
Dainty paws lifted up on his knee. ::Today I do not need to be brushed, but I will need to be groomed tomorrow. I think Naffie should have this chore.:: She reached for the collar with her teeth. ::I’ll go and check to see Garlance’s progress in dressing Nafer. I’ll take a spritz of that scent before I go.:: Bron obliged by spraying a cloud in her direction, she turned around to make sure it covered all of her coat and left in feline silence, holding her fluffy tail in the air.
Bron looked at both of his bonded, ::…interesting personality. Rather imperial.::
Syn replied aloud, “She always was. Is that a blue aura I saw around her head, am I seeing things? This is the second time I’ve sensed that since this morning.”
“Your abilities are beginning to blossom. We already know you are HiPsy. The ability to hear Naffie from outer space was indicative of your abilities. However, we do not know how they will manifest in you,” Zaron stated as he brushed her hair.
The hairbrush seemed to give body to her hair as well as dry it. He designed a simple style that put the ends under with one side behind her ear. “That is to show off your earrings.”
::Come, we will pick a gown.:: The thought formed in her mind and she realized that they both spoke to her at once. Syn followed her Warriors into the main room where they opened the huge armoire.
‘‘This armoire functions on an oval. You tap this surface and it will turn slowly. The more you tap the quicker it turns. In front of the armoire is a circle with a mirror. If you stand on the circle a holo will appear and as you move you can see all around you.”
::We would like to see you in lavender for this evening; if you don’t object. Various shades of purple are the house colors. As is burgundy to Tonas and Jonal.::
::I will indulge you in this; normally I pick out my clothing.::
::It is our pleasure to dress you, you may pick whatever gown you wish.::
Syn pushed the surface and the oval turned like a dry cleaner’s rack. The gowns were sorted by color; most of them in muted jewel tones. A row of lavender gowns came around the oval. Each was spectacular on its own. The one that caught her eye was an off the shoulder gown caught up with a large amethyst and silver broach.
Hanging next to it encased in a netlike bag was what looked like a strapless bra and briefs that matched the gown. The gown was silky, but it draped with the fullness of satin.
“Does this gown meet with your approval?” Zaron asked, eyes sparkling a deeper blue than usual.
Bron held it up for her perusal. “I love it. It is something I would have picked out for myself if I possessed the funds.”
“I’m glad,” Zaron stroked the gown. “It was our favorite.”
“I’m afraid I don’t know how to put on the bra,’’ she said after they assisted her with the briefs.”
Bron lifted each of her breasts into the cups and the cups molded themselves to her size, lifting her breasts without wire or pain. It fastened in the back and adjusted itself to her figure. “This would make a fortune back on Earth,” she mused.
Zaron lifted the gown over her head. It fell into place, draping just right over her large breasts and petite waist.
She heard Naffie at the door. “Duchess said it was time to pick out your earrings.”
“I’m afraid I have nothing to do this gown justice.”
Zaron pulled a box from behind his back. It was wrapped in a net fabric with a beautiful satin ribbon.
“That’s from me, Mommie.” Naffie entered the room, jumping with excitement.
Syn opened the box; inside were pendant earrings with a silver filigree teardrop encasing a large amethyst with diamonds surrounding the gem. They were the most beautiful earrings she had ever seen. She bent down and asked, “Can you put them on?”
Naffie carefully took out each earring in turn and placed them on her earlobes. Syn looked into the box. “No fastenings? I wouldn’t want to lose such a treasure.”
“They stick to the skin, Mommie. They won’t fall off.”
“Sit, Pa Chette.” Zaron pulled out a pair of silver sandals with a four inch heel.
“Will I be able to walk in those?”
“Oh yes, Mommie. You can walk anywhere you like with shoes.” Syn
laughed.
“What our offspring is trying to tell you is that the shoes are balanced by a field that enables you to walk with ease.”
Syn stood up. “These are as comfortable as house slippers.”
“Now, we will dress. Would you like to go to the kitchen and small dining room to check on progress?”
“Yes, darlings, I think I would.”
* * * *
Syn wandered through the kitchen and dining room. The table was set. On one credenza sat the roasts and the side dishes. They were kept warm by a technology that baffled Syn. On the other side of the hall sat the pies with a cold storage unit holding individual scoops of ice cream. The vanilla sauce was heated in a similar manner to the turkey and ham. Everything was done. All that was left was waiting for her Warriors and her guests.
* * * *
Chapter 6
“No road is long with good company.”
—Turkish proverb
Mark and Juraens were in the library when the rest of the guests arrived for the moontine meal. The first of the other guests they saw was Tigger. Tigger was followed by Anya, Tonas, and Jonal.
Syn made cosmopolitans and passed one to each of those seated. “This is usually considered a fem drink but I thought that you might like it. Syn served each in a martini glass with a piece of curled lime.
“My favorite drink but I can’t…” Anya patted her stomach. Bron poured her some Tierest juice. She lifted her glass, “To new friends and old…”
The rest of the party followed suit. Syn served a selection of canapés.
“What did we just do?” Bron sipped his drink. “This is quite good.”
“It’s called a toast, love. Earthen people do it to salute those with who they are drinking.”
“Toast?” Zaron’s mobile eyebrow lifted. “I thought that was caramelized bread.”
“On Earth one word can have two meanings…” Syn explained to the general audience.
“Between slang, curse words, and double meanings, I doubt this language will ever completely translate to Sarran,” Juraens grumbled.
“Then you will have to use Earth words to convey the meanings. You know we have more than one language on Earth. Sometimes we borrow words from other languages to give nuance to the meaning.” Juraens sighed and Mark smiled, “Later I’ll explain in more detail, Beloved.”
“I gather you heard about the incident today,” TeZaron said to Juraens.
“Yes, Highness, I did. Do we have any idea who might have perpetrated such a heinous act?”
“Let’s go into dinner, I believe TaSyn has an idea,” Bron interjected.
* * * *
The party adjourned to the dining room where Syn’s sterling silver Revere bowl was filled with flowers, the purple fantasies and what looked like Earthen lilies. Syn’s grandmother’s candelabras, each holding five candles; sat on either side of the table which was set with opaque deep purple plates trimmed with silver bearing the House of Air crest. A bowl of fresh salad was served from the sideboard to each of the guests.
“I made a light dressing of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I hope that everyone will enjoy it. Blue cheese is an acquired taste and ranch was too heavy for the rest of the meal.
Syn had the chefs make up place cards so everyone knew where to sit. On a sturdy side table were two plates filled with tuna as well as saucers of milk. Naffie came in after an early supper and bid everyone good moontine.
“I’m really tired, Mommie. Garlance and Stoker will put me to bed and then come down to eat. Can I give you kisses?”
“You can and some to your sires and Anya for taking such good care of you on the tarmac.” Kisses and hugs went all around the table and Naffie trundled off to bed.
“If our guests do not mind, I am going to ward the room. Tigger and Duchess, will you check for any listening devices? We found one in the study today.”
::There are none. We would have heard the buzz if one was hidden.::
Syn asked Mark to show Bron and Zaron how to carve the turkey and ham. “I insist, with the permission of my WarriorPair, that we dispense with formality for dinner. Bron and Zaron, is this all right with you?”
::Yes, since the fems passed we, Sarrans, have been too caught up in ritual. It would be a nice change.::
Tonas noticed that the cats and their supper were placed near Jonal. “My Firefly, I see you get to eat with the compelling odor of tu na in your nose.”
Mark hid his laugh under a cough. “What is this dish to which you so object?” Zaron asked in defense of his fem.
“It is nothing your fem has done Zaron, it’s the smell of cat food, especially tu na,” Tonas replied.
“Let me smell it,” Bron asked. ::With your permission,:: he asked Duchess.
::Granted.::
Bron took a sniff, “Ulna, this is foul…”
Zaron left his seat so he could also smell the tuna. “Fuck!”
“Fuck?” asked Bron.
“I’ll explain later, Dearest.”
“We need to find a better reward for the cats, especially if my plans come to fruition and we place them all over Sarran. Did you know they kill banc?”
Anya asked, “What is a banc?”
Syn answered, “A type of Sarran rodent that you don’t want to see. It seems they have no natural predators and overrun the planet.”
::Another reason why cats are superior. I caught a few at our manse this suntine.::
“I’m certainly glad I didn’t see them,” Anya said. ‘‘I’m afraid of mice.’’
“These are mice on steroids.”
“Ugh.” Anya shuddered.
Tonas put his arm around their fem, “Your Warriors will protect you from the banc.”
Anya whispered to him, “More likely Tigger will do it.” Tonas made a comical face at his bonded and proceeded to eat.
While the guests made light conversation, Mark showed Tonas and Zaron how to carve a turkey and slice a ham.”
Syn served family style and the Sarrans were surprised at the richness of the ham and the turkey with the Sarran bread, sausage, onion, and pine nuts. The stuffing was eagerly anticipated.
“To be honest,” Zaron said, “I am very impressed with Earthen cuisine.”
Mark, who saw the pie, tart, and strudel sitting on the sideboard said, “Wait until you taste dessert.”
Anya smiled. “Don’t expect this at home, my loves, I can’t cook.”
“I stored all of the recipes in the fabricators. I intend to input all of my cookbooks into the general information pool. This way the fem can get ingredients to cook the familiar or alternately to replicate the finished product. However, fresh is always better.”
“I agree,” Mark interjected.
“We are going to have to set up an import list,” Bron said patting his stomach. “Now I see why you were worried about fattening. Thank the Goddess for Tierest juice.”
“Why don’t we take coffee and dessert in the library, I believe the wards are strongest there.”
* * * *
“I suppose we must get to the business end of this wonderful dinner.”
“I hope you brought more coffee with you, Syn,” Mark said. “That sludge from the ship was barely drinkable.”
Bron and Zaron smiled as if they had a secret. The party adjourned to the library where Syn poured coffee and Bron and Zaron some Asta brandy.
Bron said, “Report…”
“I imagine that Zaron told you the worst of it.” Juraens poured himself a second cup of coffee. “This is damned good.”
It was a good thing Syn had set up an urn.
“Bane and Septis were the traitors on board. Septis got away in a Zyptz ship. They went out via the officer’s hanger next to engineering. Jonal and I told the Elders that this was a weakness in ship design prior to the mission. We reinforced the hanger, removed the shuttles, and put a double guard around the perimeter. Septis let them in through the bridge door to the hanger.” Tonas took a sip of his
Asta.
“Mark?” Bron asked.
“I was able to retrieve the vaccine and antidote with the additional serum that was used to turn human bodies into accepting Sarran males. Bane had sold it to the Zyptz through an intermediary on the Galactic Council who was working with a Sarran Elder.”
Juraens spoke. “We took causalities. We were lucky the fem were spared and that Mark is an experienced trauma surgeon. We lost two Warriors but not a single fem was injured; although it was damn close in the admirals’ quarters if not for Tigger’s timely intervention.
::On Earth we called the Zyptz roaches. Obviously they evolved on their planet to be a higher order species. They are scavengers and tend to infest dwellings in the cities. Earth has what we call an insecticide that is able to kill them, however, it is dangerous to humans, animals and plant life.::
Tigger added. ::I took care of them in Anya’s apartment, but the Zyptz are one thousand times the size of Earth roaches.::
“I’d say to dust their planet with DDT, but that would be genocide,” Anya said fiercely.
“Let’s table that discussion. The Zyptz have done all the damage they can do until they build their forces back up. That should take a few years. We can decide later the morality of genocide for roaches,” Mark said with asperity.
“Syn has an idea as to why we are having so many troubles with aggression and suicide in the ranks. She has also postulated a profile of the type of criminal Elder who would perpetrate such insanity,” Bron stated.
“Mark might be able to help me here. I believe that some of the Warriors are suffering from PTSD.”
“Fuck, Syn, you’re right. For Jonal’s, Juraens’s, and Tonas’s benefit, please explain what PTSD is and how it occurs.”
‘‘PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a behavioral dysfunction brought about by extreme stress usually, under combat conditions. It manifests itself in depression, outward aggression, inability to control one’s emotions, and behavior that may be under ordinary circumstances diametrically opposed to the Warrior’s original character.”