Snapshots
"But papa..."
"No."
"But..."
"I said no."
'haabron hung his head, unhappy but resigned. 'tiisaan, however, didn't give up so easily. He knelt beside his sire, lower lip trembling, pleading with enormous bright golden eyes, and laid his hands very gently on Zha'haabron's abdomen.
"Please, papa..."
The king glanced at Ti'aasaan, who was struggling not to laugh, and at Zha'haarak, who was looking on, gently untangling 'fallon's bright, almost turquoise hair with a comb borrowed from Mahrayne. The prince smiled.
**But why not, heart-brother? After all, things are very different now: the horror and humiliation no longer exist. And we have not abandoned their use**
**We continue to wear them as a constant reminder - to ourselves, to remind us of what has been and what must never be again, and to the other R'ren'nkh'ia-jin as a symbol of something they can never again simply take as their right. And as a warning to those other races who know of our history that the old order can be overturned**
Ti'aasaan wrapped slender arms around his Ssii'iin from behind and nuzzled the nape of his neck.
**That's why you wear them, my love. Zha'haarak and Mahrayne and Kelapa and I wear them because they are attractive** He tugged lightly at the large, intricate silver and deep blue jewelled drop hanging from the king's earlobe. **The hostlings like them for the same reason. They're pretty. And they'll make the little ones feel as though they're more - grown-up. Proper zn'hre**
Zha'haabron sighed irritably.
**It will hurt them**
**Only for a very little while**
**... I don't know... I don't want to...**
**It will make them very happy...**
The king gazed down at 'tiisaan, who was watching patiently, eyes enormous in a small pale blue face.
"Why do you want to wear them, precious?"
"To look like you, papa. And because they'll help me dance."
Zha'haabron's eyebrows rose.
"And how will they help you dance?"
"Mahrayne and me, we've been working on our own kind of dance - R'ren'nkh'ian, I mean - and Mahrayne says you need to feel the meaning deep in your bones, and for that you have to be as... right as you can. And I can't be right unless I have earrings like you and maazi and dadda Zhak."
Ti'aasaan chuckled and stroked the king's abdomen.
**And how are you going to argue with that?**
Zha'haabron sighed.
**I can't really, can I?** He was silent for a moment or two, trying to swallow the deep unease the notion caused, to force down nightmares from his past. Then he smiled.
"Very well. Those of you that wish it may have it done. I suppose" he turned doubtfully to his bondmates, disregarding for the moment the joyful, excited hissing of the hostlings "we had better have Kelapa perform the operation. She was quick, efficient and accurate with Mahrayne..."
And Kelapa had been very nervous - they were the High King's children, after all - but had agreed, warning the eager infants that it would hurt and they'd have to wear simple hoops until their ears had healed. Which would be three days, at most, and which did not put them off in the slightest. One by one they sat on Mahrayne's lap as the Saiyan deftly wielded a large needle, performing with admirable speed and precision.
And as soon as they realised what was happening, the younger hostlings also demanded earrings, but there Zha'haabron drew the line, telling them they'd have to wait until the family returned home after FullMoon - then he'd think about it.
Of the older hostlings, only 'raadiin refused - because, he said, they'd be too easy to grab in a fight, and it would hurt if they were pulled.
Zha'haabron had gazed at him bemusedly.
"It's a good reason, although no-one ever tried for mine." He stroked the infant warrior's hair, tugging lightly on the long smooth fall of bright green down his back. "You're more likely to have this pulled."
'raadiin snorted impatiently, then frowned. It was a new thought...
Kobis and Buahan wanted earrings too, and the little princess sniffled when Leteetza said no - at least, not yet.
"I'll have to get your papa's permission, little 'un. He'd be very angry if I let you have something like that without his say-so."
Kobis stuck out his lower lip and went to watch the piercing more closely. The Saiyan princess nodded dolefully and cuddled into Leteetza. Ti'ani and Le'leen, who'd been watching with great interest, were at her other side: Le'leen tugged at his mother's hand.
*Can I have mine done too?*
She'd frowned at him. The hybrids' telepathic skills had flowered from the beginning, and they were extraordinarily skilled - but getting them to speak was proving a nightmare. They could talk, though not very well, when they wanted, in Common and Saiya-go and even a little R'ren'nkh'ia-go - but mind-speak was so much easier and faster and they could say exactly what they wanted without having to try to find the words... Which was all very well, but, as she was growing tired of *telling* them, not every being was able to mind-speak. Mahrayne couldn't, for instance, and they'd be joining the classes soon: how could they ask her questions if they didn't learn the words to use?
Not that it did any good. With the blithe disregard of the much-loved, much-indulged and blissfully happy young, they went their own sweet way...
Leteetza glanced at Ti'aasaan, who shrugged and nodded.
"I've no objections."
The little warrior smiled, and Le'leen scampered off to join the queue. Leteetza gazed at her other child.
"Don't you want yours done too?"
Ti'ani inclined his head.
*Not sure, maazi. Maybe later...*
She nodded and hugged him gently. Always cautious, her adorable little tenshi...
It was a proud, if slightly sore, group of hostlings who greeted Radittsu and Hijau that evening. The captain grinned and admired them all, then glanced at Leteetza.
"You didn't get yours done too?"
Her eyes widened.
"Y'know, it never even occurred to me... Don't think I'll bother, though. Well, not right now, anyway..."
The cold season was well behind them and the days were rapidly growing warmer - warm enough for the hostlings to play outside in the afternoon without being bundled up in furs, although Leteetza still made them wear warm leather suits and checked their temperatures regularly. Today they and the heirs were planning a game of chase through the palace grounds, and the younger hostlings - and Ti'ani and Le'leen - were going with them, as was Mahrayne. Zha'haabron was at the lab, scheduled for an extensive examination, and for once, at his own request, alone: he'd asked Radittsu to spend some time with the hostlings for a change. Hijau and Kelapa had leave to join the fun too - and help keep control of the children, essential now that the little ones were learning to fly. Mahrayne had found it almost unbearably cute the first time she'd seen Leteetza with 'fallon in one arm, Ti'ani in the other and her tail wrapped tightly around Le'leen, who was floating at waist-level behind her, growling and struggling to get free so he could take off after 'raadiin.
Incredibly useful things, those tails... A cool hand on her shoulder distracted her from her musings.
"Mahrayne? Might we borrow some of those... toys this afternoon?"
The Hassinan turned to smile down at Ti'aasaan.
"Of course, sinam. But aren't you joining the chase?"
He shook his head, smirking.
"I'm not supposed to over-extend myself..." Mahrayne bit back a laugh. It was quite true: Vinas had told the little zn'hre there was still a slight lingering weakness in his lungs, and if he felt himself becoming too tired or breathless he was to rest immediately - or have someone fly him to the lab if the relapse was particularly severe. However, Ti'aasaan was not above shamelessly using the xenobiologist's directive to get out of doing things he wasn't keen on (and conversely into activities he particularly liked) - but no-one minded. He didn't do it very often. And after all, it was Ti'aasaan. And Ti'aasaan only had to give you one of his patented sweet, winsome, bright eyed, pseudo-shy smiles and you'd forgive him anything...
"...and," he added quietly, glancing over his shoulder to where Zha'haarak was helping the younger hostlings into warm bodysuits, "I want to keep Zha'haarak company. He doesn't fly very well - he's really not very strong, and walking any distance hurts."
Mahrayne gazed briefly at the gentle zn'hre. Leteetza had said something about his having been so badly treated in the past that, along with resetting a number of his bones, the R'ren'nkh'ian medtechs had had to replace his useless hip joint with an artificial one, which often pained him. She shook her head, still unable to understand how anyone could hurt such beautiful creatures. She smiled at Ti'aasaan.
"And you'd like some time to yourselves, yes? It has been a little stressful, hasn't it?"
He nodded, grinning, and she turned towards her room...
"Mmmm......"
The pool seemed enormous with only the two of them in it. Zha'haarak leaned back against the smaller zn'hre, relishing the strong small hands stroking down his body to his groin, then hissing as Ti'aasaan gripped him firmly, hands tight around his erection, fingers rippling up and down. The prince squirmed under the gentle stimulation, silently pleading for release, but Ti'aasaan had other plans.
Moments later the little zn'hre led his limping partner to the sleeping platform and pushed him gently down onto the soft sleeping furs before heading to the suite's control panel and inserting a new chip into the audio unit. As the sweet atonal music filled the air, he collected the box of toys from a high shelf by the balcony window and returned to the bed. Zha'haarak watched him curiously as he opened it and selected the largest, raising it to the light and grimacing slightly before glancing at his partner.
"Well, it's rather small..."
Zha'haarak chuckled.
"So are you. That hasn't stopped you being rather special."
Ti'aasaan stared at him, then grinned and launched himself forwards, grabbing the prince around the waist and nuzzling his groin. Zha'haarak gasped as he collapsed backwards onto the bed, Ti'aasaan on top of him. The little zn'hre knelt up between the prince's thighs.
"So, would you like to go first?"
"I don't mind..."
"I do - I'd prefer it. You're beautiful when you're writhing in ecstasy. It's a gorgeous sight: your eyes sparkle and your whole body blushes the most wonderful turquoise colour."
The gentle zn'hre stared - then blushed. Ti'aasaan smirked.
"Yes - just like that... Lie still, sweetheart..."
And Zha'haarak lay still, though not for long, as a cool, prehensile tongue curled around his erection and talented fingers teased his mound.
For long minutes Ti'aasaan licked and stroked and kissed the slim, scarred body under him, until Zha'haarak was trembling, whimpering, his entire body exquisitely sensitive and almost begging for release. The little zn'hre moved to lie beside him, chin resting on one fist, the toy in his other hand.
"Ready?"
"... I... I don't know..."
Ti'aasaan grinned.
"Then let's find out..."
He slid the beaded bone toy into the prince's body - then pulled it half out again, watching as deep golden eyes flashed open. Zha'haarak stared at him in wonderment: encouraged, Ti'aasaan began to pump the toy in and out, varying the speed and strength of the thrusts - as best he could, anyway: the barbs lining the prince's female channel caught on the bumps on the tool, making it a struggle to pull the thing out. But the results... his eyes widened as he watched the prince squirming, lips parted, expression one of complete rapture. Finally his hands went to join Ti'aasaan's as he rammed the tool deeply into himself one last time and came, thighs clamped tightly shut, body rigid, shrieking into the empty suite.
Then he fainted.
For a moment Ti'aasaan was immobile with panic - then Zha'haarak's eyelids fluttered open. He smiled weakly up at the little zn'hre, eyes half-closed, drugged with sated desire.
**That's... that's... give me a little while to recover and I'll show you...**
And he did. And Ti'aasaan closed his eyes, overwhelmed by sensation. It felt as though each barb was attached to every pleasure-receptive nerve in his body, and as the beads pulled them backwards he screamed aloud as exquisite fire flooded through him over and over again...
And Zha'haarak made him wait, teasing him with tongue and fingers and that wonderful, wicked little toy, until Ti'aasaan truly believed he'd die if he didn't come right now... And Zha'haarak obliged, holding his small partner close as Ti'aasaan shuddered and sobbed in his arms...
**Uhhhh...**
Zha'haarak cradled him closely, kissing his forehead.
**It's - rather special, isn't it?**
Ti'aasaan dragged air back into his lungs.
**That's a little like saying Vejiitasei's a bit damp... That was... D'you think the Hassinan would make us some? Larger ones, with bigger beads?**
Zha'haarak chuckled.
**I'm sure they would** His expression sobered, then became melancholy. Ti'aasaan hugged him.
**What is it?**
The prince smiled, a little tremulously.
**Wouldn't it be wonderful if our warmbloods could do that to us - without tearing themselves to pieces, I mean...**
Ti'aasaan's eyes closed as he shivered at the very idea.
**Ohhhhh...**
He swallowed hard and shook his head.
**Don't even think about it. They can't. They mustn't know about this, what these can do**
Zha'haarak nodded.
**Of course. Although... If they did...**
The little zn'hre inclined his head enquiringly. Zha'haarak bit his lip.
**They might perhaps be prepared to use the toys? On us, I mean**
Ti'aasaan stared, then frowned.
**They enjoy having us climax. It gives them enormous pleasure, being able to pleasure us. And I know Rhoi'i'dat'hzziu would do anything for our Ssii'iin** He glanced at the prince. **Has Hi'ijaa learned the Ssii'iir's 'shifting' technique yet?**
Zha'haarak shook his head, and Ti'aasaan chewed his lower lip pensively.
**I'll speak to the Ssii'iir as soon as I can. I'm sure Rhoi'i'dat'hzziu can teach him. And in the meantime I'll ask Mahrayne if it would be possible to make the toys to our specifications** He grinned. **I think you're right - I think they would enjoy using them. In fact, knowing the Ssii'iir and Hi'ijaa, they may very well enjoy using them on each other, as well!!**
The family were gradually getting used to Mahrayne's occasional absences to Zorun's quarters, and Zha'haabron's hosting was progressing well - and Vinas had given the bondmates the all clear to resume love-making. Radittsu had been terrified to start with, hardly daring to move and relying on the king stroking and teasing his tail in order to climax, but as time went on and all was well, he relaxed and began to take a slightly more active role again. Which pleased Zha'haabron no end, as the king was rapidly becoming exasperated with Zh'leet's cosseting and needed something to distract him from the endless fussing. He was really beginning to wish he'd never made that promise...
**But it's not for long, zk'vissin.*
Zha'haabron scowled.
**Three hundred days...**
*Less the twenty we've already got through. It's a small price to pay, really, now, isn't it? And she'll be with you the whole time, keeping an eye on you.*
The king hissed.
**That is not much consolation**
Radittsu smiled and nestled closer, nuzzling the silky emerald hair, but his bondmate was still tense and irritable. Perhaps a distraction would help... He shifted slightly, lips firm against the cool blue throat.
*I love your scent. It's like... like the desert at night. Soft and warm and mysterious.*
Zha'haabron pulled back slightly, startled - then sighed and hugged the big Saiyan tightly to him.
**I wish... I could wish my senses were as acute as yours**
Radittsu wrapped his tail around his beloved's thigh and pulled him even closer, the coldness of Zha'haabron's erection almost burning against the heat of his own as he moved his hips gently, wringing a gasp from the king as his head rolled back, exposing more of his throat to his bondmate's lips. As his teeth settled over his claim mark, and his hand over the zn'hre's abdomen, the Saiyan growled very slightly, low in his chest.
*Shall we - see about replenishing their 'protein rich environment'?*
Zha'haabron chuckled.
**Not the most romantic of proposals... But yes. Please. And then - perhaps I can repay the compliment?**
Radittsu shivered with anticipation.
*I would like that very much. If you're sure it won't cause any problems...*
**I don't think so. But I will stop immediately if I'm at all unsure**
Sighing with contentment, the captain slid into his beloved's welcoming body, rolling onto his back with the king above him, smiling up into beautiful golden eyes, tail wrapped around Zha'haabron's erection, hands around his hips...
And half an hour later he lay - on his back for once, Zha'haabron's thighs tucked under his own, raising his lower body to make access easier - his eyes wide with adoration as his beloved thrust strongly into the heat of his body, watching the rapturous expression on the king's face through the veil of silky green that cascaded over his chest... Then Zha'haabron moved slightly, changing angles, and the Saiyan could no longer concentrate on anything except the sensation of cold, hard strength striking sparks of sheer pleasure though every cell in his body as he melted into the deep golden warmth of his beloved's *presence*...
There were times when he simply couldn't understand how he had been so blessed.
"Kelapa?"
Leteetza's voice jolted her out of her reverie, and she shivered. She'd been standing on the balcony, staring blindly into space for about an hour without realising it, and the night was chilly. The little warrior lay a hand on her shoulder, her expression sympathetic.
"She's out there?"
Kel nodded, swallowing, and Leteetza sighed, wrapping her arms around the taller female's waist.
"You're cold. Come inside."
"Can you smell them, Leteetza?"
The little warrior frowned, then scented the still night air. Kel was right, there was the very faintest scent - Mahrayne and Zorun were together again, making love under the stars.
"Sometimes when she comes home, she reeks of him, so much that it hurts to breathe..."
Leteetza hugged her tightly.
"It upsets you that much?"
The warrior lowered her head, staring at the balcony rails.
"Stupid, aren't I? I've no reason to be jealous. I mean, she spends most of her nights with me..."
"... but you're afraid she might choose Zorun. Move in with him."
"He'd make a much better protector. He's higher status than me, and male. He can give her so much more than I can."
"Like a child?"
Kelapa nodded sadly.
"Maybe. You know how badly she wants one? And have you noticed her scent has changed?"
Leteetza inclined her head.
"Yes. Though I thought that might just be something hormonal. Now that she's fucking a male, I mean."
Kel sighed.
"I don't know... What if she is pregnant? I mean, I know you've said that on Hassina the parents don't live together or raise the brats jointly, but that's there, and she's here, and she's living with you, she's seen what 'family' is, and she loves it. What if she chooses to set up her own, with Zorun?"
She brushed a hand angrily across her eyes. Leteetza kissed her shoulder gently.
"I think you're worrying too far ahead. For a start, we don't know if Saiya-jin and Hassinan can interbreed. And you know how fond she is of you."
"I don't know if fondness is enough... Oh, why did I ever let the little ama get so far under my skin!?"
"Why don't you claim her?"
Kelapa stared at her fellow Guardsman.
"Don't be stupid! Even if she knew what that meant and would let me - 'cause I sure as fuck wouldn't do it if she didn't want it, that'd be the perfect way to lose her - if Zorun wanted to challenge I wouldn't stand a chance. Face it, even you'd find that difficult, and your ki is way above mine. Besides, you know how males look on female claims."
Leteetza nodded thoughtfully, then shivered.
"Waiting out here isn't going to do anybody any good - it'll just make you feel worse. Come on in and get warm. And when she comes back..."
"If she comes back."
"...when she comes back," Leteetza said firmly, "take her under the shower with you and show her what she'd miss if she left you. Do you want me to have a word with her as well?"
Kel shook her head, unhappy but determined.
"No. This is my problem, I'll sort it out myself..."
Mahrayne stared, and Leteetza laughed outright.
"You should see your face!"
The Hassinan didn't need to - she could feel her cheeks burning with a blush that threatened to colour her entire body.
"Do they all wear that, on the homeworld?" Her voice was hushed, awe-struck.
Time was moving on, and the family needed to start preparing for their sojourn on R'ren'nkh'ia. And this evening Zha'haabron had slid into his usual R'ren'nkh'ian outfit, the abbreviated black leather V that Radittsu found so irresistible (and which Hijau was staring at, eyes wide and erection evident through his uniform briefs as he looked from the king to Zha'haarak, quite obviously imagining what his zn'hre would look like in the same almost-clothing...) and was explaining to the outfitters, who'd come to the suite for the purpose, that he needed ten more made, a little wider, more substantial perhaps, but to fit the older zn'hre princes: they should also make simple briefs for the infants, although he anticipated that for the most part they would go naked.
The chief cutter had bowed his head respectfully.
"And for footwear, your Majesty?"
The king frowned. The hostlings had grown used to wearing soft boots, here on Vejiitasei, when outside the suite - but most R'ren'nkh'ia-jin went barefoot within the enclaves, the coolness of the stone flooring a comfortable contrast to the heat of the planet. He did himself, except for official occasions... He glanced at Leteetza.
"Little warrior, what do you call those - strappy things you wore on your feet when it was warm, last year?"
She grinned.
"Sandals."
He smiled his thanks and turned back to the outfitter.
"Make sandals for them all. Ensure that the leather is very very soft."
"Of course, your Majesty." The being paused for a moment, then coughed gently.
"Does your Majesty require anything else?"
"Not at the moment. Although I would like you to return here tomorrow - it is likely that Ssii'iir Rhoi'i'dat'hzziu will need your services."
As the beings bowed deeply and turned to the assembled hostlings, producing a variety of contour-sensitive electronic measures from various pouches, Leteetza gazed at the king, expression resigned and a little anxious.
"He's definitely going with you, my Ssii'iin?"
Zha'haabron nodded.
"Initially, at least. Although as he has already said he will return for FullMoon itself."
The little warrior nodded.
"Ah, good."
Mahrayne picked up on the infinitesimal relaxing of the Saiyan's body, immediately wondering why it was such a good thing that Radittsu was returning for the main event. She'd have to interrogate the little warrior, later...
"... so all in all it's not an amenable environment for Saiya-jin."
Vejiita nodded absently at Limau, frowning, the image of the suffering Guardsman in the video report still clear in his mind.
Hassina - treasure chest and the closest a Saiyan could get to hell without actually going there. He ran his eyes over the statistics again.
Gravity - one fifth as high again as Vejiitasei. Uncomfortable but bearable.
Atmosphere - comparable to Vejiitasei, but with much higher levels of methane, chlorine and some kind of sulphurous gas. Agony to sensitive Saiyan lungs and sense of smell. And it was noisy, grindingly unpleasant to sensitive Saiyan ears. And the noise never stopped...
The native food was poisonous to Saiya-jin, full of toxic acids that caused intense pain, vomiting, bowel disruption, disorientation and severe debilitation. If not outright death.
And there was something else, something more worrying still. The Elite Guardsman had reported a decrease in ki, a steady dropping of his strength and energy until he scarcely measured up as a third class warrior. His report had ended with a barely disguised plea for the Saiyan warriors on Hassina to be allowed to return home. Now. Immediately.
The king scowled at his councillor.
"This affects all of them? To the same degree?"
Limau frowned at his notes and shook his head.
"It appears that the higher the ki, the faster the weakening effect. The third class warriors are least affected."
"And the prisoners?"
"Some have already died - those with higher ki. The others are failing."
"What's the situation with the Korijin warriors?"
Limau frowned.
"Well, they don't like the stink very much, and they can't eat the food either, but they don't seem to have the same ki problems as our own warriors. My initial assessment would be that they're better suited to handle our operations onworld, at least until we can find a way to limit the damage the planet inflicts on our own people."
Vejiita growled.
"Get our own people offworld immediately. I want a Feeodoreean team onworld as soon as possible. I want to know exactly what it is that's causing the problem and how we can resolve it. I don't care what it takes, I want them on their way within the next two days. Offer them any incentive you see fit..."
Limau smirked and shook his head. All he had to do was let the Feeodoreean scientists watch the video report and they'd be queuing up to volunteer. They couldn't bear to leave a mystery unsolved...
Evening, and Zha'haabron was asleep, his head resting in Zha'haarak's lap as the gentle zn'hre stroked his unbound hair, expression soft and loving. Mahrayne sat nearby, surrounded by sleepy hostlings and taking the opportunity to really look at the High King, for once.
Smooth, smooth pale blue skin, dark emerald lashes brushing high cheekbones. Finely arched brows. Sensual mouth relaxed in sleep. So beautiful.
Her gaze rested on his abdomen, as flat and muscular as ever, and she glanced at the prince, keeping her voice low.
"When will he start to show?"
Zha'haarak sighed silently and shook his head.
"We don't know. Normally it depends on what the sire is, and what we're carrying. But in this instance..." He very gently stroked his host-sib's cheek: Zha'haabron sighed and nestled closer. "Vinas thinks the hosting will last about three hundred days. And it's likely that the hostlings will be bigger than is normal for our kind. So..." he shrugged and smiled wryly. "... you could try guessing..."
Mahrayne chuckled quietly.
"Perhaps we should just wait and see..."
Ti'aasaan came through from the bathroom, 'viirel cradled in his arms - and paused, gazing around the suite. He frowned at Zha'haarak.
"It's far too quiet... Where's 'raadiin?"
Mahrayne quickly scanned the common room and sleeping platform, but the infant warrior was nowhere to be seen. Neither, she realised with a sinking heart, was Kiraz. The little zn'hre put 'viirel down on the platform and headed for the side rooms...
Zh'leet and Gh'veen's rooms were empty. Ti'aasaan pushed at Mahrayne's partially opened door...
The Hassinan flinched at the high-pitched hissing wail the R'ren'nkh'ian loosed. Zha'haabron jerked upright into his host-sib's arms, eyes wide with fear, and the rest of the hostlings started awake with various cries of fright or irritation. Mahrayne wriggled off the sleeping platform and ran towards her room.
Halting in the doorway, hand to her mouth to stop what could easily have become hysterical laughter.
Kiraz was standing in the middle of the room, glowering half-guiltily, half-defiantly. 'raadiin was kneeling on a floor cushion in front of him, glaring at his host with part-bravado, part-fear. And on the floor around the pair lay long heavy locks of bright emerald hair, hacked off the infant zn'hre warrior's head by the pair of Mahrayne's scissors the Saiyan prince held awkwardly in his hands...
Ti'aasaan was close to tears, and Mahrayne wrapped an arm around his shaking shoulders, trying to comfort him, suddenly realising she didn't know the significance of a zn'hre's long hair: for all she knew this could mean something truly dreadful to Ti'aasaan...
The little zn'hre's voice was an octave higher than normal as he hissed at his hostling in R'ren'nkh'ia-go. Mahrayne didn't, of course, understand what he was saying, but it must have been serious because seconds later both Zha'haabron and Zha'haarak had joined them in the doorway.
'raadiin bit his lip, trying not to cry as the king wrapped his arms around Ti'aasaan - who'd finally given in and was weeping soundlessly against his bondmate's chest - and spoke to his sireling, his voice sounding sad rather than angry. Zha'haarak closed his eyes briefly with a sigh, then entered the room and took the scissors from Kiraz' nerveless fingers.
"I think, little prince, you have done quite enough damage for today."
Kiraz stared up at the gentle zn'hre, his lower lip trembling, then shuffled over to Ti'aasaan, tugging very gently at the R'ren'nkh'ian's arm. As Ti'aasaan's tear-streaked face turned to him, the little Saiyan prince gulped and managed, "I'm sorry..." before he too began to cry.
Mahrayne shepherded everyone over to the sleeping platform and Zh'leet hastily poured out calming drinks for them all. Ti'aasaan's tears had lessened and he lay slumped against the king, sniffing every now and then. Kiraz had taken himself off to a floor cushion in a corner, and for the moment Mahrayne let him stay there: he'd obviously understood that what he'd done was considered to be wrong and had upset his friend's family, and was punishing himself for it.
Meanwhile, in the Hassinan's room, Zha'haarak was frowning at the truly horrible mess the young Saiyan had made of 'raadiin's beautiful hair. He sighed.
"Well, little one, the most I can do it tidy it up a bit so that it's at least all the same length..."
'raadiin bit his lip.
"I'm sorry, dadda Zhak. I just... I didn't want anybody pulling it in a fight..."
Zha'haarak bit back a chuckle and raised the hostling's woeful little face to his own.
"If you had explained that to papa and maazi, I'm sure they wouldn't have minded sorting something out. But to just have Kiraz try to cut it... Maazi's very unhappy. When I've finished here you really ought to go and tell him you're sorry."
The infant warrior nodded, sniffling.
"I will, I promise..."
Zha'haarak smiled, then cupped a hand under the hostling's chin.
"I need you to stay very still, now."
Cutting carefully and slowly, over the next quarter hour the gentle zn'hre managed to make something presentable out of the hacked-up disaster of the emerald hair. At the end he leaned back, wincing as his hip protested, and inclined his head as he gazed at the hostling.
He had to admit he'd not done too badly. It was all the same length - all over: he'd had no choice given how short Kiraz had managed to chop it on top - and now fluffed out from 'raadiin's head in a sort of vibrant green corona, curving around his face wispily and with a soft fringe brushing his eyebrows. Zha'haarak tucked loose strands behind his ears and silently confessed that he looked simply adorable.
"Well, it won't be so easy for anyone to pull it, I suppose... You'd better go and apologise to maazi."
Shaking his head and hunching his shoulders - he'd never expected it to feel so strange! - 'raadiin walked hesitantly, eyes lowered, to the sleeping platform and stood in front of his host, glancing up through long lashes.
"I'm sorry..."
For a moment Ti'aasaan simply gazed at him, then beckoned him closer and pulled him into a hug. They rocked quietly together for a few minutes, then the little zn'hre cupped a hand under the hostling's chin and raised his face.
"Promise you won't do anything like this again?"
Zha'raadiin nodded, biting his lip.
"I promise."
Ti'aasaan kissed him, tucked stray strands of hair behind his ears - then beckoned to Kiraz, who was still hunched up in the corner.
"Come here, little prince."
Kiraz approached warily and sat cross-legged before the zn'hre. Before Ti'aasaan could say anything, he growled,
"I'm sorry. But he asked me to do it..."
"I realise that. But tell me, if he asked you to go and stand in front of a herd of stampeding bighorn, would you do it?"
"Of course not! But..."
"But what?"
"That's different."
Ti'aasaan nodded.
"Yes, it is. But supposing there was something special about our hair. Supposing you had really hurt him by accident."
The little Saiyan blanched.
"Is there? Something special, I mean?"
"No. But you didn't take the time to find out, did you?"
Kiraz thought about this for a moment, then sighed.
"So, I must always check that what I do isn't going to hurt anyone else?"
Zha'haabron laid a hand on his shoulder.
"It is a good precept to live by."
The little prince inclined his head. He may not have understood the word, but he certainly understood the concept. He nodded.
"I'll remember that, Ssii'iin..."
"Leteetza?"
The little warrior yawned and stretched and nuzzled against Mahrayne's breast, fingers stroking her beads. The Hassinan fought down a surge of lust and ran her fingers through the Saiyan's mane.
"'teetza, why were you so relieved when Zha'haabron said Raditts'-sama was coming back here for FullMoon?"
The female groaned and buried her face in Mahrayne's hair.
"Do we have to talk about it right now? I'm tired - you wore me out."
"It would be useful for me to know..."
Leteetza grunted and pulled herself up to rest on her elbow.
"And you won't give me any peace until you find out, will you? I swear you're as bad as 'leesaan sometimes..."
Mahrayne stayed silent, her eyes on the Saiyan female, and after a moment Leteetza sighed gustily.
"You remember what I told everyone about the ouzaru form?"
"I'm not likely to forget!"
"Well, what I didn't say was that it's important - for the males, at any rate - to transform onworld at least every other Moonyear. No-one's quite sure why, but if they don't, they suffer for it."
Mahrayne frowned.
"But I thought any full moon would suffice."
Leteetza nodded.
"Any full moon on any world will do to bring about the transformation, but only Vejiitasei's moon can provide... satisfaction."
"I don't understand..."
"Neither do I completely. But missing FullMoon twice in a row seems to lead to reduced ki and a sort of mental unbalance. Can be very dangerous."
Mahrayne frowned.
"So Raditts'-sama was offworld during the last FullMoon?"
The Saiyan nodded.
"He must be back for this one or he'll have real problems."
The Hassinan inclined her head.
"And it's only the males that are affected?"
Leteetza nodded again.
"And the higher the male's ki, the worse the effect." She grinned. "Hell, the higher the ki, the more sensitive they are to the moon anyway! We should start noticing the effects quite soon. You just wait!"
Vinas frowned and shook his head, lips pursed. Leteetza watched him, a touch anxiously. Finally he glanced up from his monitors.
"I'm sorry, my lady, so far all the tests have been inconclusive. I simply can't say whether the moon will have any effect on them or not."
Leteetza growled her frustration and hugged the hybrids to her.
"So what should I do?"
The xenobiologist drummed his digits against the couch.
"Well, they're young enough that even if they were full-bloods, missing one FullMoon won't have any detrimental effect. I think your wisest choice would be to take them to R'ren'nkh'ia this first time. Then we'll have seven years to run further tests before we need to be truly concerned."
The little warrior scowled.
"I'm not going. His Majesty insists I stay here, to care for the heirs." And to keep myself available for him, she added - somewhat bitterly - to herself. Still, what else was she to expect, in Moonyear...?
"Ah." Vinas regarded her narrowly. "Will their - sire be able to care for them?"
"Oh yes, Ti'aasaan loves them dearly and they're very good for him. And the rest of the family will be there. They'll be fine."
Vinas nodded thoughtfully.
"I believe it will be good for them, too, to experience the other half of their heritage. We have at least confirmed that they will not need any kind of sunscreening: their skin is perfectly adapted for both worlds."
Leteetza sighed.
"Well, that's something I suppose." She gathered the infants to her, their tails wrapping around her forearms. "You'll let me know if anything else occurs to you?"
"Of course. But our tests have been thorough. At the moment they're simply too young for us to tell which elements of the two species they will develop..."
Some twenty days before the family were due to leave for R'ren'nkh'ia, something happened that was to have a surprising impact on their lives. It came about when Kobis and 'haabron were trying to find a short cut from the Saiyan royal family's wing (where Kobis (with 'haabron as moral support) had asked his father if he could have his ears pierced - and been told 'yes', much to their surprise) back to the R'ren'nkh'ian suite...
"Where are we?"
Kobis chewed his lip, frowning hesitantly around the featureless corridor.
"Um... I don't know..."
'haabron sighed.
"This is supposed to be your home!"
The Saiyan prince scowled.
"I've never been in this bit of it before!"
Truth be told, this really wasn't that surprising. The palace was a vast, sprawling structure, built on, around and partly into the broad, high hill on which it stood, overlooking the city. And this particular part of it seemed to be deserted...
'haabron glanced up and down the hallway.
"Perhaps if we retrace our steps...?"
Kobis grumped and nodded - then paused, his nose twitching. 'haabron watched patiently as his friend's eyes narrowed, head moving slowly as he scented the air. After a moment the young Saiyan turned to the R'ren'nkh'ian and frowned.
"I can smell blood."
'haabron blinked.
"Can you tell where from?"
The little prince gestured along a side corridor.
"Down here, I think..."
Kobis took off at a fast lope, body stretched forwards, tail outstretched behind him for balance, 'haabron close behind, plait swinging wildly as he struggled to keep up. At the end of the corridor Kobis skidded to a halt, and laid a hand lightly on a small door, eyes half-closed in concentration as he scented the air. After a moment he nodded and turned to his friend, expression worried.
"Blood," he mouthed almost soundlessly. "And sourness. Whoever it is, they're very frightened."
'haabron inclined his head, frowning.
"Should we find a grown up?"
Kobis shook his head.
"Take too long..."
He took a deep breath and caught hold of the handle, pulling the door open quietly.
It was a storage cupboard, filled with brushes, sponges and large cloths and some kind of cleaning fluids that had Kobis fiercely stifling a sneezing fit, tearing eyes closed as he tried to adapt to the chemical smells. Resting a comforting hand on the Saiyan's shoulder, 'haabron peered into the darker recesses of the closet.
For a moment neither of the young princes could make out anything, then...
Something stirred minutely at the back of the tiny storeroom. Something small, hunched up on the floor. 'haabron dropped to his knees and reached a hand towards the shivering, whimpering creature huddled there.
"...please Master, please don't hurt me again..."
Eyes wide, 'haabron pulled back slightly and glanced over his shoulder to Kobis, who was staring into the darkness with shock on his face. 'haabron turned back to the slight figure.
"We won't hurt you. I promise."
Light from the corridor gleamed in a dark eye, huge with fear, gazing at him from the gloom.
"But he always says that, and it always does..."
'haabron shook his head, not having a clue what this was all about but knowing instinctively they needed to calm the terrified creature, and very slowly extended his hand.
"We're not him. Look at us. We're not him. We live here. It's our home. Will you come back and meet papa? He'll make it better."
The being buried its head in its hands, trying not to sob and not quite failing. 'haabron risked a touch to small warm fingers.
"Please?"
Kobis knelt too, and very tentatively stroked at a thick lock of pure white hair tumbling over a thin shoulder. The little creature flinched, and Kobis frowned.
"You're hurt. We can look after you. Please?"
"... I can't..."
'haabron absently brushed an irritating strand of emerald hair back from his face and glanced at Kobis - who growled and knelt upright.
"I'm the king's son. Must I order you to do as I say?"
The young Saiyan immediately wished the words unsaid as the creature collapsed forwards onto the floor, shuddering with fear and trying not to whimper. He laid a hand on the thick soft white hair covering its head and sighed.
"Stand up. Please."
Trembling, the small figure tried to nod, then carefully pushed itself to its knees, and from there to its feet, swaying very unsteadily. 'haabron caught hold of an arm and pulled it over his shoulder, ignoring the being's feeble attempt to pull away, and indicated to Kobis to support his other side. Together the princes helped the trembling creature out into the corridor and the light.
They'd never seen its like. Dark-red-streaked deep-green large eyes in a pretty little face, the skin a rich red-orange hue, though currently marred by deep red bruising. The hair, brows and lashes pure white, almost the same shade as Mahrayne's. It was small, no taller than Ti'aasaan, and its body was completely enveloped, from chin to floor, in a heavy, voluminous dark red robe. 'haabron tried to catch its eye - not easy since it had its gaze firmly fixed on the floor: finally he cupped the pointed chin in his free hand and pulled the frightened face up to his.
"I'm 'haabron. What's your name?"
Voice shaking, the other replied, "Master won't let me use my name..."
'haabron frowned at Kobis, who was looking sick. The young Saiyan prince swallowed and wrapped an arm very carefully indeed around the small being's waist, his voice gentle.
"But I'd like to know. Please."
Trembling, the little creature stammered,
"J...Jeice. When I have a name, it's Jeice."
They'd managed to take all of eight steps before Jeice, unable to bite back a moan of pain, stumbled and would have fallen heavily if the princes hadn't been supporting him. Kobis's lips were tight with anger as he glanced at his friend.
"Let's fly back. He's far too weak to walk."
'haabron offered the prince a long-suffering sigh.
"Do you know the way?"
Kobis shook his head.
"Not really. But I can *feel* your papa's ki and if we just keep heading for it we'll get there in the end." He glanced behind him, eyes widening as he realised that the large dark orange-red splotches on the floor were Jeice's blood. "And we'd better get moving..."
The semi-conscious Jeice slung carefully between them, the two little princes flew back to the R'ren'nkh'ian suite as quickly as they dared.
"Papa! Papa - we found somebody and he needs help..."
Zha'haabron looked up from the comm unit, where he'd been in conference with Ish'nadris, and frowned at his sireling.
"There's no need to shout..." His eyes widened at the sight of the figure slumped between the little princes, and he hastened to meet them, attempting to take Jeice into his arms.
The little creature flinched backwards so hard he pulled out of the youngsters' arms and collapsed to the ground, arms and legs stretched wide and his forehead pressed against the thick floor covering. Trembling like a leaf in a gale. The king frowned and dropped to one knee, his gaze moving from the terrified, vulnerable being on the ground to the little princes before him.
"Who is he?"
Kobis shrugged.
"His name's Jeice, Ssii'iin. He's been hurt."
Zha'haabron touched the creature's shoulder gently.
"Let me see you."
Jeice slowly, hesitantly tucked his elbows under him and pushed his upper body a little more upright, raising his face briefly towards the king then bowing it again. Zha'haabron sighed and extended a hand.
"No, Jeice, not like that. Stand up. Let me see you properly."
Reluctantly the little being pushed himself unsteadily upright, cringing away from the proffered hand and standing with his head bowed, swaying slightly. Zha'haabron cupped a cool hand under the chin and pulled Jeice's face up to look into his.
"You see - I'm not so fearsome, am I?"
"N...no... No... my lord..." But it was obvious Jeice was agreeing only because he was afraid to do otherwise. Helplessly Zha'haabron glanced over his shoulder at the bed, where Ti'aasaan had been plaiting 'viirel and 'fallon's hair and watching the exchange closely.
**Why is he so frightened?**
**I don't know. Let me try - I'm closer to his size and won't seem so intimidating, perhaps...**
The king stepped back as the little zn'hre paced forward, slowly, his arms wide and a smile on his face.
"Hello Jeice. I'm Ti'aasaan. Won't you come and sit down, talk to me for a while?"
Jeice took a wary step backwards, then apparently decided Ti'aasaan wasn't going to hurt him and allowed himself to be led over to the sleeping platform.
"I haven't seen you before - are you here with one of the delegations?"
Jeice seemed about to answer, but at that moment Leteetza entered in a cheerful flurry of sound, Ti'ani in one hand, Buahan in the other and Le'leen floating behind, securely wrapped in a loop of her tail.
Jeice whimpered and tried to hide behind Ti'aasaan. Leteetza grinned at Zha'haabron, then inclined her head towards the little zn'hre and the cowering newcomer.
"Who's the waif?"
"We're trying to find out. All we know so far is that his name is Jeice. Kobis insists he's hurt."
Leteetza frowned, sniffing slightly.
"I'd say he is. I can certainly smell blood." She loosed the children's hands - and let Le'leen free - then moved to the sleeping platform. Jeice watched her, frightened eyes wary, as she inspected what she could see of him. She smiled.
"I'm sure you'd like to bathe, wouldn't you." Without waiting for his answer, she grinned at Ti'aasaan, took one of Jeice's hands and hauled him upright. He paled and nearly fell: Ti'aasaan caught him.
"Let me."
The little zn'hre wrapped slim arms around the small body and pulled him gently, brooking no argument, towards the bathroom - glancing back over his shoulder and catching Leteetza's eye. The little warrior nodded, then turned to Zha'haabron.
"I'll check him over and let you know what I find, my Ssii'iin." She paused and chewed on her lip reflectively, frowning to herself. "It might be better to say nothing of his presence here until we know more about him."
Zha'haabron inclined his head.
"And if his family and friends are looking for him? What if he was attacked and is being sought? We should at least ask him what he wants to do..."
She shook her head.
"I don't think it's anything as simple as that. He's terrified. I'd guess he'll do anything you say, simply because he's too scared to do anything else..."
Zha'haabron frowned, his eyes troubled, then nodded.
"Very well. But please do not take too long..."
Leteetza slipped noiselessly in to the bathroom, biting her lip at the sight before her. Ti'aasaan was half cajoling, half bullying Jeice out of the thick robe he wore...
Underneath it his thin, trembling body - what could be seen of it under his wealth of long, thick pure white hair - was a nightmare of cross-hatched new and barely healed gashes, crusted bite-marks, and what looked like sigils carved into his skin. And his inner thighs were coated with fresh blood. Silvery semen too, Leteetza saw, grimacing. Well, no real surprises there: Jeice was pretty, and there were plenty of beings who would happily use such a fearfully submissive little creature to satisfy their own lusts.
What Leteetza couldn't quite understand was that there was only one other being's scent on him.
She sighed and paced quietly forward to join Ti'aasaan, who had finished peeling off Jeice's robe - very carefully since it seemed to be glued to him with his own blood in places - and was now gazing at the suffering little creature with a mixture of sorrow and fascination. Frowning, Leteetza moved to stand in front of Jeice.
Who - with an ease borne of long, long habit - raised his arms shakily to the sides so they could inspect him more easily.
Leteetza stared. His earrings - five large hoops on the right, one heavy jewel-encrusted pendant on the left - had been obvious. But what had been hidden by his robe...
Prominent dark red nipples, with one large and one smaller studded hoop through each - streaks of dried blood below both nubs marking callously cruel handling. Lower down, where soft white pubic hair thinned out at his groin, a studded ring threaded through the skin at the very base of his penis. Lower still his wide, swollen shaft bore a marked resemblance to one of Mahrayne's toys, except that these 'beads' were large, almost spherical, bulging under the sensitive skin. His foreskin had been pierced too, tiny, sturdy studded rings interspersed with more of the spherical implants. Even as she recoiled from imagining the pain all that must have given him when it had been done, and the uses to which he must have been put, she found herself aroused at the thought of what it must feel like to have that inside you...
Ti'aasaan was staring at her, his expression disapproving, and she bowed her head briefly before offering Jeice a hand and indicating the water.
"Please, bathe with us. You'll feel better afterwards."
But Jeice was terrified of water. He'd been abused too many times while 'bathing' in the past for him to view the activity with anything but outright fear. And he couldn't swim. The only reason he entered the bath was because obedience was so deeply engrained that the very notion of not doing as he was told was simply unthinkable. Although, of course, they didn't find out about all that until much later. Ti'aasaan held his rigid, terrified body, lightly, gently, stroking his shoulders - but Jeice couldn't respond, and after a very few minutes the little zn'hre sighed and gave up. For the moment.
"Would you like to rest now, Jeice?"
Big dark eyes glanced almost suspiciously at the R'ren'nkh'ian, then Jeice nodded uncertainly. Frowning, Ti'aasaan helped him climb out of the bath and swathed him in a big soft drying cloth as he and Leteetza gently patted him dry, trying to ignore the little creature's continual flinching. The Saiyan regarded him thoughtfully. Given the state he was in, and the effort it had taken to get him out of his clothes, it seemed likely he'd feel very uncomfortable naked - but he couldn't put that blood-stained robe back on... She thought for a moment, then nodded to herself.
*Ti'ani-brat, bring my black robe, please.*
Moments later the little hybrid padded in with a thick robe - one that Leteetza had found warm and comforting during her pregnancy - in his arms: she retrieved it with a smile of thanks and draped it around Jeice. The little creature cuddled into it with a sob of gratitude, almost grabbing the Saiyan's hand and kissing it. She smiled and wrapped her arms cautiously around his tense shoulders, hugging carefully, pleased when he didn't try to pull away.
"Can you tell me who you are?"
He froze, tiny tremors rippling through his body, and she sighed.
"It's all right, it's not important. We'll look after you. Come now, let's get you settled." She frowned as a thought struck her. "Are you hungry?"
He shook his head.
"Perhaps a sleep, then. And I have some salves that might help those... cuts to heal. Would you like that?"
"... no... thank you..."
She frowned at Ti'aasaan over Jeice's shoulder. The little zn'hre shrugged his shoulders helplessly, and Leteetza nuzzled against the thick white hair tickling her face.
"Well, if you're sure..."
Back in the common room the family watched in bewilderment as Jeice limped to the inner door and curled up on the floor with his back to the room. Ti'aasaan knelt beside him, frowning.
"Jeice, what are you doing?"
Frightened dark eyes glanced back over a black-clad shoulder as the little creature flinched.
"Wh... where should I sleep, then?"
Ti'aasaan blinked, then gestured to the sleeping platform.
"Over there, with the rest of us. Or you can have a room to yourself if you'd rather..." His voice tailed off as tears gathered in Jeice's eyes.
"I can sleep on a bed? You'd let me do that?"
Resisting the urge to comment on the length of this 'speech', the little zn'hre nodded. Jeice swallowed hard, expression hope and disbelief mixed.
"Why would you do that?"
Ti'aasaan stared at him.
"Why wouldn't we? You'll be a lot more comfortable there than on the floor."
"The floor is the right place for a hagarch."
Ti'aasaan glanced at Leteetza, who shook her head. The little zn'hre turned back to Jeice, taking a firm hold of his arms, pulling him upright and leading him over to the bed.
"There are no hagarchs here - just family."
Zha'haabron watched as Ti'aasaan settled Jeice, pulling a light cover over the still-trembling body and stroking his shoulder gently. Leteetza's voice was low, filled with quiet anger.
"My Ssii'iin, I couldn't take a proper look so I don't know all the details, but he's been hurt, tortured I'd say, and probably raped recently. He's too scared to tell us anything, but we really must find out who he is - and who did this to him." She scowled. "The thought of something like this happening in the palace..."
The king regarded her for a moment, then leaned forwards and brushed a kiss across her forehead.
"Then I shall see what I can discover, sthi'ma'ziss."
Leteetza bowed her head in thanks. After everything he'd suffered in the past, the R'ren'nkh'ian high king was not about to fail a guest in his own home...
Jeice had dozed off, sleeping fitfully, by the time the rest of the hostlings, Mahrayne and Zha'haarak returned from the playroom. He started awake to find himself surrounded by a sea of curious pale blue faces, and cowered back against the pillows. Ti'aasaan quickly moved to his side and beckoned the hostlings to him.
"This is Jeice, a new friend. But he's feeling poorly right now, and we need to be quiet and kind so he can get better quickly."
They all nodded - and moved to cuddle round the stranger, almost protectively. He glanced shyly at the little zn'hre, who smiled.
"If they get too much, just say. They'll move."
Jeice gazed at the little bodies sprawled around him - and for the first time relaxed a little. He inclined his head and almost smiled.
"Thank you..."
The evening meal was being wheeled in as Radittsu and Hijau landed on the balcony. Even through the door the captain sounded thoroughly annoyed.
"...cking waste of Guard time and resources!"
Zha'haabron smiled at his scowling bondmate as the pair entered the common room.
"What has happened now?"
Radittsu squirmed out of his armour and kicked off his boots as Hijau cradled Zha'haarak tightly, nuzzling his neck. The big male draped his arms over the king's shoulders, hugging him from behind, hands pressed gently to his abdomen. There were times he still couldn't quite believe his beloved was carrying their hostlings, and needed the reassurance of those strong, vibrant little kis...
"Oh, the Omanir ambassador's lost his sex toy and is screaming bloody murder about it. Vejiita had the whole Guard out searching. We didn't find him, of course. If he's got any sense he'll be on the first transport offworld." He grinned lop-sidedly. "Nasty brutes, the Omanir." He paused, scenting as he gazed swiftly around the suite.
"We have a guest?"
"Of a sort. Tell me, what does the ambassador's 'sex toy' look like?"
Radittsu shrugged. "Red skin, white hair, about so high." He indicated Ti'aasaan's height from the ground. The king nodded slowly, turning to gaze at the sleeping platform - where Jeice was cowering, breathless with fear, Ti'aasaan behind him stroking his hair in an effort to calm him down.
"Oh." Radittsu frowned. "That's what all the fuss is about?"
**Don't be unkind, zk'vissin. He's hurt**
*He'll be even more hurt once the ambassador gets him back! I've heard a lot about what the Omanir do to runaway slaves, this afternoon... How did he end up here?*
**Kobis and Zha'haabron found him**
Radittsu sighed.
*He'll have to go back.*
**Back to slavery? I would rather not**
*Don't see how we can stop it. He belongs to ambassador Bataa.*
Zha'haabron frowned, then turned to Leteetza, who was piling food onto platters.
"Do you recall if there's any information on the Omanir in the database?"
The little warrior paused, frowning, then moved to the terminal, accessing the library. After a moment or two she nodded and gestured to the screen. The king seated himself and scrolled down, nodding occasionally. After several minutes he sighed and swivelled to his bondmate.
**It rather looks as though our only option is to try to buy him from his master...**
© 2002 March 24th Joules Taylor
Mea culpa... I've been reading too much FanFiction.net material just recently!
Just occasionally I try to find new Zaabon or Radittsu stories to read, and in so doing I stumbled across Reading Bedtime Stories on this site. And I read, and enjoyed, and thought, "why not?"
I confess to finding Jeice oddly cute. (I hasten to add that I find the Gyunyu Force horribly embarrassing, and the GF Jeice equally so, but if he'd just stand still and keep his mouth shut - well, there's definitely a cute element there.) And I mentioned this to my partner in... um... insanity? Amanda, anyway... who thought the idea was interesting (as in "May you live in interesting times", I think!). And whose initial comment - "Is it just me, or can you also see Jeice as being a little poppet with body piercings?" - inspired his look (and a lot of what will be revealed in later chapters). And she says it's perfectly fine for me to blame her. So - it's her fault!!
I also have to credit Talon with the idea of Saiyans using their tails to keep offspring secure! If you think about it, it makes sense (as long as the brat doesn't bite or pinch) but it simply never occurred to me until I read Birth of a Prince. So many thanks for that, Talon!
Tenshi - Japanese - 'cherub' (literally angel or seraph.)
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