“They seemed to be getting along fine during our call.”
“I believe it was an act. Females are deceptive and manipulative. You know this, Teric.”
“Perhaps Earth females are different from our own.”
“We have such little information on their females. We must hold ourselves in check and be diligent about gathering information when we arrive.”
“Agreed. Push that holographic recording to my personal device. I wish to review it.”
“You are taken with Ambassador MacDowell’s daughter.”
“Are you not? She was beautiful, well-spoken, and curious about our kind. Her friend was playful and nice. Do not pretend you did not notice. They are supposed to come in pairs. I did not understand Earth Government’s insistence on two coming at once, but if it is as they say, perhaps they need companionship with each other.”
“That sounds highly unlikely, sir.”
“Are you not excited about being the first assistant gifted with a mate?”
“Being gifted with a mate and managing to keep her are two different things, Ambassador.”
Rather than argue once again with his insecure friend, Teric let it pass. “We will be there soon enough. You may feel differently after spending time with them. I enjoyed their laughter.”
“I found it very unnerving. I could not gauge exactly what precipitated it or how to elicit more of it.”
Placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder, Teric insisted. “Come, we will work on the treaty together.”
“Any way I can be of service, you know I will.”
Teric’s mind was still on the ambassador’s daughter when he sat down to work out a rough draft of the treaty. “Chal, bring us alcoholic beverages.”
“We do not usually drink such beverages. Certainly, not while working.”
“I wish to begin consuming limited amounts at regular intervals over the three remaining days of our voyage. If drinking intoxicating beverages is part of their social interaction, I wish to be proficient at it.”
“I do not think it requires practice, but I will retrieve Lonorian Fire Water from my room.”
Smiling at his friend, Teric went back to work. Two dinks later, and both men were having a hard time concentrating.
Teric shook his head as if to clear the fog. “I wish I knew how much I would be expected to drink. I am having a difficult time functioning.”
Chal sighed. “It is unfortunate that we cannot speak to the Earth females again. They could give us much needed guidance in this matter.”
Teric got up from his desk and plopped down on his settee. Running a finger through the remaining liquid on the sides of the glass, he brought it to his mouth. “I think we should contact a medic. They can give us guidance in matters of biological tolerances. We could also ask about the kiss. I do not think it is harmful.”
“It is not. I did it once.”
“Liar. When did you ever do such a thing?”
Chal bit his bottom lip. “There are advantages to being low status. My brothers took me to a painted house when I came into my hormones. It was a tradition in my family to learn of mating in this manner, not that I still have extended family.”
Motioning the other man over, Teric scooted to the far end of the settee to make room for him. “Tell me everything. I have heard the females are exotic. What kind of female did you get?”
Chal smiled slightly. “She was Snardinean.” Leaning back, he got lost in his memories. “She had the most beautiful pale blue skin, long, soft-white hair, and three breasts.”
Taric seemed impressed. “To go with the three eyes. That must have been magnificent.”
“It was because Snardinean do not have to wait to go into a mating phase to initiate intercourse. I know how unusual this sounds but she almost seemed to enjoy it.”
Turning in his seat, Teric asked. “How could you tell?”
“She was eager to get started but not eager for it to end. It struck me as strange, since she knew I would not be back. She made strange female sounds, almost like a musical chirping. I liked it.”
“It sounds nice. You have a good family to think of making your first male experience so agreeable.”
“I was fortunate.”
“Chal, did you not find it strange that they seemed so open about bonding and mating?”
“It did strike me as forward. You do not usually find that with females.”
“I think we are having male time together like the females reported sharing.”
“I still find it hard to process that they gather together voluntarily and do not fight.”
“Perhaps they lie, as you said. We could contact them again, right now. See if they are still calm with our own eyes.”
“That is forbidden. We cannot contact them without good reason. It would be seen as pursuing them.”
“Raise them on the data stream. I will follow up on their claim.”
The moment the image came up of the female’s room, they saw total chaos. There was loud noise. Some of the women were jumping around in the floor, occasionally bumping into each other. Two were jumping on a sleeping platform and several were in the midst of hitting each other with large fabric-covered objects.
Teric panicked. “Females, I demand you stop before you injure yourselves.”
Much to his astonishment, they all stopped.
The short-haired one spoke. “Computer, stop music.”
The strange background noise stopped.
Rose stepped forward, stumbling a little. “It’s you again… Tumeric… Tamaberic…” Her eyes were a little unfocused as she tried to recall his name.
“You are exnebriated… inebe… inebriated.”
Several of the women laughed. The one with short hair, Jennifer, commented dryly. “So are you, it seems.” Nodding towards the bottle on the desk, she asked. “What are you drinking?”
Teric glared at them, refusing to answer. “You told me you are not aggressive with each other. Now I see the truth. You were hitting each other with objects.”
Rose laughed again. “Those were pillows. It doesn’t hurt.”
“Why do you do it? Is it to establish dominance among the members of your peer group?”
“Nope. Everyone’s equal here.”
How could it be the females made less sense the more he talked to them? “I discovered additional information on the kiss.” Suddenly, they all looked interested. “Apparently, I was mistaken. Snardineans make the kiss with Krylonian males. I was not aware of this because I have never been to a painted house.”
“Come again?”
Chal whispered to him. “Explain painted houses.”
“Snardinean females sometimes work servicing our males for credits. They make the kiss.”
“On your world, only prostitutes… females you pay for intimacy kiss you?”
Glancing at Chal, he nodded decisively.
Smiling, she shook her head. “Sugar, you’re really missing out.”
There was a disturbance and several of the females panicked a little, making squealing noises. Rose leaned forward. “Look, I gotta go. My father’s coming. I know I said no one cared if we talked, but I think he might; he’s obsessed with making first contact with you guys. Don’t mention the attack either. Bye, now.” She pressed her fingers to her mouth then waved them at him before the screen went blank.
Teric and Chal were left standing in front of the huge screen frowning. “I wish to speak to them more.”
Chal smiled slightly. “They are lovely but strange creatures. Must we practice hitting with the soft objects they call pillows?”
“I do not want to, but I think we should try out all Earth customs at least once.”
“We have already jumped on our sleeping platforms as children so we do not have to worry about that at least.”
Teric stared at his assistant.
Chal shook his head. “Never did that, did you? Not even once?”
“I was not permitted.”
“It is not quite as fascinating when you are large.”
“Since you have done it already, I will forgo the experience. However, you must write a short discourse on the activity for my files.”
A long suffering, yes, sir was all Teric got back in return.
CHAPTER 4
“Jen, you’ve got to stop fussing over the details. Our clothing is fine. You know Teric isn’t going to care about what we’re wearing. He thought we were ‘lovely’ wearing our casual clothes.”
“He may think whatever he wants. It’s the rest of his entourage I’m worried about. I still can’t believe you talked your father into letting me come.”
Rose grinned. “Earth Gov has decided to send brides in pairs. Every ambassador has an assistant. They stay together almost all the time. They figured if we went in pairs, we’d be safer, happier for having company, and they’d have a better chance of getting information smuggled back if things went bad.”
“They must have forgotten that girlfriends on a mission are a hundred times more likely to be successful. Lucky slugs that aren’t us.”
Leaning over, she whispered conspiratorially. “Want to know a secret?”
“Sure, especially if it’s a good one.”
“How would you feel about getting hitched to an alien hunk and living in paradise?”
Grabbing her by the arm, Jen jerked her forward almost painfully. “Are you serious? You talked your father into being the first bride?”
“Keep your voice down. I asked and he said he’d have to see how the negotiation went. It’s a definite maybe. I wasn’t supposed to tell a living soul, but we’ve got to work together to make a good impression on the ambassador and his assistant, who was kind of hot by the way.”
With a dramatic wave of her hand, Jen replied earnestly. “He’s smoking hot, but the man truly has no fashion sense. That’ll be the first thing we work on.”
Pulling her along, Rose grumbled. “Leave it to you to pick up on the inconsequential. Now come on, we can’t be late.”
Both women hurried to the huge underground landing port. They slowed to the expected slow stroll as they hit the door.
Jen hissed, “What the freak is all this?”
Rose bit back a growl of frustration. It seemed that anyone with rank had shown up with a marriageable daughter at their side. “Looks like we have some competition.”
Rose took her place at her father’s side, sliding seamlessly into place. Jen quieted at her side and they stood woodenly as the door to the Krylon ship opened. Ambassador Teric exited with Chal on his right. They both wore the traditional long robes of diplomacy. A man wearing a black flight suit walked on his left. Behind then were a half dozen other males, all wearing flight suits.
Ambassador Jefferson MacDowell stepped forward to meet the Krylon delegation. “Ambassador Teric, Earth welcomes you and your delegation. On behalf of the United Peoples of Earth, we offer you our humble gratitude for choosing Earth as a potential trading partner. We look forward to an open-minded cultural exchange that encourages mutual respect between our peoples. We will strive to ensure our negotiations are fair and impartial, benefiting both sides equally.”
Teric bowed his head slightly before speaking. “Thank you for the warm welcome, Ambassador MacDowell. The Krylon Council of Elders and the Imperial House both send their regards and encourage us to put our best effort into solving the biggest issues facing our respective worlds. They are convinced, as am I, that our individual needs align perfectly to make this endeavor an outstanding opportunity for both worlds.”
Rose zoned out a little as she watched the interplay between the Krylon delegation and the assortment of humans who’d wrangled a spot on the flight deck. There were various politicians, wealthy business owners, and an assortment of news reporters. Naturally, every major corporation on the continent sent a representative. Most stared in eager fascination at the proceedings.
The young women tried to give the aliens the once over as discretely as possible, while the aliens stared in open admiration back at them. Some of the bystanders on both sides were less than enthusiastic about the whole spectacle. A couple of humans even appeared openly hostile. The tension in the air was palpable. One wrong move and there was no telling what kind of chaos would ensue. Yea, Rose thought to herself, this was going to go really well.
Her father was an experienced diplomat with a good nose for such things, so before her nerves could become too frazzled, he moved them towards the ambassadors’ wing. The two men spoke quietly as they leisurely walked together. Rose and Jen fell in line behind Chal, the man she suspected was the captain of the vessel they arrived on. The moment they entered the grand hall, her father ushered the visitors to a huge comfortable seating area. Some milled around the bar area and were served drinks, but the core group sat on a huge wraparound settee facing the human delegation. Rose was happy to have the group out of the public eye.
They milled around the bar, nursing small drinks.
Jennifer murmured teasingly. “You really love all this crusty boring diplomacy, don’t you?”
“Don’t make fun, Jen. First contact is a big deal. Civilizations thrive or fade based on their ability to form strategic alliances and trade with other worlds. My father is making history today and we are lucky enough to witness it.”
“I believe you are easily impressed, young female.”
Rose turned to the well-dressed gentleman she thought was the captain. “Hello, my name is Rose MacDowell and this is my friend Jennifer Duncan.”
“Yes, I know. I am Captain Yeral. I was present when you spoke with Ambassador Teric three days ago.”
Rose looked contrite. “We really are sorry about our AI latching onto your data stream that way.”
“I am certain you are mistaken. Our ambassador has given strict orders that no such occurrence transpired between our peoples.”
Rose stepped out and gave his upper arm a brief squeeze. “Thanks for covering for us. You guys are the best.”
The man beamed at her, but Rose could hear her father calling her name.
When she turned back, his piercing gaze rested fully upon her. Teric’s dark eyes were pinned on her as well, his facial expression unreadable. Making her excuses, she headed to her father with Jen at her side.
Her father took her hand and pulled her forward. “This is my daughter, Rose. She’s been bursting with questions about Krylon culture. Interplanetary relations happens to be her field of study. She hopes to one day make herself useful as an ambassador.”
Teric’s polite voice held a trace of an accent. “I am certain she would make a wonderful diplomat. I must warn you that this is one of my more interesting assignments. Most are necessary but lack the added excitement the critical nature of this endeavor provides.”
Rose spoke without thinking. “Yes, a dying world in need of trade to survive…”
Teric finished her sentence. “And an ancient world in desperate need of females to ensure our very survival. The stakes could not possibly be higher.”
“Then your mission must not fail, Ambassador Teric.”
The alien took a step closer. “You understand how important this treaty is to our people?”
Nodding, she answered. “I do. Rest assured, we will do everything in our power to see a mutually beneficial accord is struck.”
“We would be forever grateful.”
“I am curious. Do you have any females on your ship? I’d very much like to meet a Krylonian female.”
“We usually do not travel with females. They are a distraction.”
“I almost forgot. They don’t care for meeting other women.”
“It is nice to meet you and your friend Jen for the very first time ever, here today in this very room.”
Rose rolled her eyes as she felt her father stiffen beside her. For a diplomat, Teric certainly wasn’t very good at fibbing.
“We are pleased to meet you and your assistant as well.”
&nbs
p; Teric continued conversationally. “We have practiced the favored pastimes of your world to acclimate ourselves to your ways.”
The man was seriously adorable as he wandered around, lost in the metaphorical woods of human cultural norms. “Really? What pastimes have you been practicing?”
“Just the usual things. Jumping on sleeping platforms, hitting each other with cloth-covered squares, and drinking intoxicating beverages. We attempted to force ourselves to listen to loud background noise, but could not manage to secure anything quite as loud and unique as the noise humans listen to.”
“Well, that’s a great way to prepare for a human wife all right. The noise is called music by the way. There are all sorts. Some much less annoying than others. If you like, we can talk about the pastimes foreign dignitaries are most often exposed to on our world. Perhaps you can join us for dinner and we can talk in further detail?”
“Is it permitted?”
Her father spoke up. “It is. I’m sure Joanne would love to have you and your assistant for dinner tonight.”
Nodding, Teric leaned over and pressed his lips to Rose’s cheek. “Until tonight.”
For some reason, it felt like the social aspect of the visit had ended so Rose and Jen excused themselves. A quick glance over her shoulder at the door told her both men’s eyes were still on her. Teric’s expression was no longer unreadable. He beamed with a mixture of heated interest and smugness Rose felt was uncalled for in this situation. Her father just looked slightly confused.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Jen let out a sigh of relief. “That was amazing. I can’t believe Teric whipped out that facsimile of a kiss and laid it on you. Makes me wonder what else that man has up his sleeve.”
“You mean besides jumping on the bed and pillow fights? Jesus, we couldn’t have set him up to look more foolish if we’d really been trying. And use his title, for crying out loud.”
“It’s fine. There was only us there. You heard them. They need this treaty. A little misunderstanding like that isn’t going to get in the way.”
“I suppose you’re right. Let’s get home and give Mom the bad news.”
“Is she going to freak out about important unexpected dinner guests?”
Celestial Mates Complete Series Box Set (Books 1-5) (Alien SciFi Romance) Page 3