Presage
Kobis cuddled into 'haabron, listening avidly, watching the eager faces around him. His aijin was telling everyone what had happened at the reception, and the children were fascinated…
"Forgive us, Sthia'hr'is'Ssii'iin. We were not aware that the zhaneer had allied with the Saiya-jin."
Zha'haabron inclined his head. The term sounded vaguely familiar, though he didn't know the full meaning. There was no mistaking the respect - awe, almost - in the eyes and posture of the elegant creatures facing him, though. They'd had dealings with the zhaneer. Recent dealings too, apparently.
"You are welcome, to Vejiitasei, and to the Empire, honoured guests and allies to-be."
The tails of the still-kneeling Hyoujin were coiling and twitching agitatedly in what Zha'haabron was convinced was a form of silent communication. He gestured for them all to rise, and glanced at his bondmate.
**Will you ask Vejiita to have the feast announced? I need to speak with them - but not here…**
'haabron had enjoyed the food. Vejiita had wished to impress, and there were dishes and delicacies from across the Empire, served as they would be on the homeworld and accompanied by the appropriate beverages. In a moment of inspiration the Saiya-jin-no-Ou had replaced a Boyajin audio chip with one of Bri'seiyis' compositions - something that had quite obviously delighted one member of the delegation in particular, a sleek slender creature with a glorious dappled pelt and a long, thickly-furred tail. He - she? 'haabron hadn't been sure of the gender - had made some sort of elaborate hand gesture and leaned to speak to the Ssii'iin, voice a low purring throb. He hadn't understood what was said, but papa had *translated* for him.
The Hyoujin who'd spoken was called Zaheen - the full name was a lot longer than that but the other parts were more to indicate her 'place' in their society than for communication. Zaheen had asked about the composer, and been overjoyed to hear that they had a lot more of his works. Papa had offered a collection of Bri'seiyis recordings to the Hyoujin, who'd been obviously thrilled and asked what they could offer in return...
Papa had looked a little embarrassed at that, and requested a private word with Taaqat, the big sandy-coloured Hyoujin who was leading the delegation. The stripy one had made to object, but Taaqat had flicked her tail gracefully and followed the Ssii'iin to the open garden-doors, where they had a little privacy…
They hadn't spoken for long: when they returned to the table Taaqat was looking - 'haabron thought - pensive. She spoke briefly to the other Hyoujin in her own tongue (they'd all started and gazed at Zha'haabron for a moment), then a few minutes later Radittsu had arrived to sit beside 'haabron as Zha'haabron rose to his feet. With Hijau and Kikuimo as guards, the High King and the Hyoujin left the banquet and retired to a smaller room nearby.
They'd returned an hour later. Papa looked a little tense, and 'haabron had noticed a definite change in the way the Hyoujin behaved. There was a sort of wonderment in their manner, and they kept giving dadda Raditts little glances. They'd spoken to 'haabron too, in Common, asking him about his homeworld, his siblings, how he liked living on Vejiitasei… It was all quite fascinating and he'd been really very annoyed when Leteetza had gathered him up, along with 'dittsu and 'jiita, who were grumpily resisting falling asleep, and brought him back here. Dadda Raditts and papa were still at the feast and didn't know how long it would be before they came back, but it was late and they both wanted him to get some sleep. There was a full Council meeting scheduled for tomorrow, papa had to be there, and he and Kobis were to attend as well: the kings thought it would be good exercise for them in diplomatic relations.
"In that case," Zha'haarak's gentle voice interrupted, "perhaps we should all retire for the night."
Ti'aasaan grinned and started herding hostlings, hybrids and brats out of the bathing pool and bedwards…
Zaheen was pacing, her tail expressing agitation.
"Memeer, this is… very… difficult to internalise…"
Taaqat nodded pensively. The Sthia'hr'is'Ssii'iin's - your pardon, the Ssii'iin, Zha'haabron preferred the lesser title - revelation had come as something of a shock…
The Hyoujin knew the zhaneer - they were regular visitors to Zaisan. Regular, not frequent. They arrived at the homeworld every two hundred local years, stayed to trade and discourse with their hosts for fifty local days or so, then left again. Such visits were always highly beneficial to the Hyoujin, though no one had ever been able to work out what the zhaneer got out of the exchange…
But they still came. A delicate and beautiful zhaneer starship would appear in orbit on the eagerly anticipated day, its shape a melange of exotic geometries and curlicues of light (no Hyoujin had ever been inside one. None had ever dared to ask) floating serenely against the backdrop of the world's five moons. A small party of zhaneer would drift downwards from the starship, disdaining the use of any physical transportation device, and land on their reception balcony of the Council Chambers high above the City Fire in Darkness, the whole population of the City and as many Zaisan-jin as the capital could support assembled below to see them arrive. Favoured the Hyoujin who saw them on that day!
And Zaheen - Zaheen had been honoured to be chosen as part of the welcoming party the last time they had visited, ninety three days ago.
She'd twitched like a tongue-tied cub, gazing into eyes like molten gold, skin the colour of summer skies, long, long soft sea-green hair floating on the light breezes that brought the fragrance of the great forest to the City… Serene, exquisitely beautiful, the seven had inclined their heads, smiling faintly, as the High Council Prime spread her arms in greeting.
The Hyoujin revered the zhaneer. They worshipped them for their beauty, their power, their grace and sophistication.
And for the technology they had graciously gifted to their hosts. Everything the Hyoujin had developed was based on the processes and designs of the zhaneer, from their semi-sentient starship drives to the tiny light-driven motors that powered their domiciles.
And with all this the Hyoujin knew next to nothing about their mentors. The zhaneer came and went in secret, their origins and homeworld a mystery.
Zaheen couldn't decide whether to be overjoyed or deeply disappointed. Seeing one of the fabled race - and with a child, no less! - here… well, for a little while she had hoped against hope she might be able to garner information about the zhaneer. Discovering that Zha'haabron was not zhaneer - well, not from Zhane, at any rate - had been a bitter blow.
But she'd contented herself with regarding him, and that had provided a certain satisfaction in itself. At first sight, he looked exactly like their guests of ninety three days ago, although much more plainly dressed. On closer inspection, however…
The Ssii'iin was as beautiful as any zhaneer, but a lot more… solid, more muscular, less aetherial than those she had met. His movements, while graceful, seemed more purposeful, more definite. His scent was very slightly different, too, more… She frowned. Warm? A little like one of the rare spices found in the depths of the remote forests on Zaisan. Wonderfully exotic, anyway.
And his eyes…
The zhaneer, for all she venerated them, adored them, never looked at you - only through you. Zha'haabron held your eyes with his own, beautiful rich golden eyes with so much feeling behind them and in them. It was quite disorientating.
And he radiated an almost intoxicating sense of power, authority, nobility.
But the thing that had startled them most was his taking a Saiyan - albeit an impressive one - as mate. Not just mate, but bonded mate.
There must, Zaheen had insisted, be something very, very special about the Saiya-jin for that to have happened. She would, she assured her fellow delegates, do everything in her power to investigate the primates thoroughly.
The Hyoujin knew the zhaneer - they were regular visitors to Zaisan.
Radittsu held his devastated bondmate close, heart aching as Zha'haabron wept silently.
Ninety three days. Just ninety three days…
The zhaneer wouldn't be back for another two hundred years - just over a Vejiitasei century.
He'd missed the opportunity to discover their origins by ninety three days…
'haabron and Kobis were awake before first sunrise the following morning, and snuck into the pool for a little loveplay before anyone else awoke. Kobis settled his aijin on his lap, erection nestled in the folds of cool flesh protecting the zn'hre's chitsu, arms wrapping his body from behind, hands kneading at inkei and mound. 'haabron shivered and leaned back into his embrace, hands gently teasing his tail.
*Are we still in trouble?*
The zn'hre grinned.
**No. Papa's so… excited about the Hyoujin he's forgotten to be angry…**
Kobis sighed with relief, then groaned as his young lover ruffled his tail, nails scratching gently. His hands tightened on the cool flesh under his hands, and as he felt 'haabron throb in his fingers the zn'hre prince licked firmly up his tail and came, cool engorged labia rubbing against his own swollen shaft, the combined sensations dragging him into his own climax as he bit at 'haabron's shoulder… So close… his inkei was so close to his lover's chitsu… all he wanted was to push into the cool beloved body, make love properly…
'haabron slumped back against him, panting, then twisted to kiss the corner of his mouth.
**It's time, zkai'din. Time to do this properly. I want you in me too much. Once the Hyoujin have left, we'll organise something special** He paused, gazing anxiously into the Saiyan's eyes. **If you want to, that is…**
Kobis blinked - then grabbed his aijin into a tight hug.
*More than anything, zkai'da…*
'haabron shivered delightedly, nuzzling his Saiyan's jaw.
**I love you…** He frowned as Kobis's head twisted towards the door, the Saiyan's sensitive hearing picking up sounds of movement. The family was coming awake: time to get out, dress, and head off to the Council meeting...
There was, of course, one main question that concerned the Council. Once the introductions and preliminaries were complete, Limau leaned forwards slightly, frowning, and asked it.
"Mmeer Taaqat, I don't understand why you've been spared the attentions of the Karilun Empire."
The Raionu, Khiyal seated at her side and Dhar standing behind her much as Zorun stood behind the Saiya-jin-no-Ou, blinked slowly - the Hyoujin equivalent of a smile.
"Indeed, Limau-sama, we have been most fortunate. Between ourselves and the Karilun seat of government lies a nebula, which effectively hides us from the centre of the empire - and their focus has so far been in the opposite direction, away from us and towards the centre of the galaxy. However, we know they have started a new phase of expansion, towards us. Which is, as I'm sure you are aware, also towards you."
Vejiita nodded, pensively.
"How much do you know about them? Member races, military forces, trade routes?" He smiled grimly. "We need to gauge the danger they pose in order to provide effective protection…"
Pirum and 'selaan had made their way down to the classroom early, heads together in earnest discussion, logged in, and hunted down everything they could find in the database about the Hyoujin. After twenty minutes Pirum sat back and gazed at her study mate.
"Interesting. I wonder what their sexual practises are like?"
The young zn'hre grinned.
"Oh, I'm sure we'll be able to find out, one way or another…" He frowned. "Something bothers me, though. We're collating all this material - and it's good material, don't get me wrong - but neither of us has ever actually had sex. We don't have any first hand experience."
Pirum nodded slowly.
"You're right. That's a bit of an oversight, isn't it?"
'selaan nodded agreement.
"But I think I have a way around the problem."
Pirum's eyes widened.
"Yes?"
The zn'hre inclined his head.
"I'm prepared to offer myself as subject. I'm pretty certain 'raadiin would be happy to… um… fuck me, and so would Kiraz if we tease him enough. That covers two permutations. It's possible that 'miiron would let me penetrate him - possible, though not definite, I'd have to check that. We can rule out Buahan, 'haabron and Kobis, 'fallon, 'zhasaan right away. Ti'ani and Le'leen, especially Le'leen, might be willing to experiment."
He glanced at the Hassinan, then pressed a fingertip to her nose.
"And you and I could try it, if you felt so inclined."
Pirum considered the idea for a moment, then shook her head, sighing.
"I think I'm too young."
'selaan blinked.
"Too young? You're older than me."
"Yes, but we mature much more slowly than you do…"
He considered this for a moment, then sighed.
"All right. But if you change your mind, let me know."
She chuckled.
"I will, sinam, I promise."
Vinas peered at his monitors, then turned to Zha'haarak with a smile.
"Excellent, your highness. Everything is proceeding perfectly."
Hijau, Kinu in his arms - the little hybrid insisted on accompanying the bondmates on these checkups - smirked happily and stroked his love's hair. Chalak, the Hyoujin xenobiological researcher, inclined her head.
"I'm fascinated, sir. How has this been accomplished? Obviously it wouldn't be possible without genetic intervention…"
Vinas spoke without looking up from the injection he was preparing.
"We have access to the most advanced medical and biological information known. I will be happy to have one of my staff show you our database." He glanced up. "And I would be very interested in hearing about your own research and practises."
Chalak smiled.
"But of course, sir." She watched curiously as Vinas wiped a sterile cloth over the skin above Zha'haarak's hip and poised the hypodermic, waiting until the prince had prepared himself and was holding Hijau's hand tightly before injecting the solution. The Hyou frowned as the zn'hre paled and caught his breath.
"That seems a little brutal…"
Vinas nodded absently.
"It is the most effective way we have, at present, of delivering the required chemical mix to the correct location."
"I may be able to help you there…"
Four pairs of eyes fixed on her face. She nodded.
"We have an instrument that serves the same purpose but without actually penetrating the skin…"
Vinas stared at her for a moment, then turned to Hijau.
"Ensure his highness gets plenty of rest, drinks as much glop as possible, and I will see you again in three days. Now, unless our esteemed guest is required elsewhere…?"
The warrior blinked and shook his head, Kinu climbing onto his shoulder and grabbing hold of his mane as he gathered his still shaking bondmate into his arms, and Vinas nodded and turned back to the Hyou, ushering her to the door.
"If you would care to accompany me - Chalak, isn't it? - I would be very happy to discuss our medical technology with you…"
As they disappeared in the direction of the main research lab, Hijau glanced down at Zha'haarak, chuckling.
"That's the last we'll see of her for a few days! But wouldn't it be wonderful if that - whatever it is - would work on zn'hre?"
The prince, rubbing at his hip and wincing, nodded. Kinu brushed his tail over the zn'hre's mounded belly and stroked Zha'haarak's hair.
"'jau's gettin' biggerer."
Zha'haarak smiled up at the little hybrid, then stilled, his eyes widening. Hijau frowned.
"What's wrong?"
"N… nothing… Za'jau… *spoke*…"
Hijau cradled his bondmate closer.
"He did!? What did he *say*?"
Zha'haarak smiled, golden eyes filling with happy tears.
"He… he *said*…. Zkai'da…"
"All's well?"
Hijau nodded at Jagung, settling Zha'haarak down on the sleeping platform ready for Tane and Dari: although his dance lessons with Mahrayne were helping to keep his hip mobile, and increasing his strength, he still ached, and with the hostling's slowly increasing weight the pain - and its duration - was steadily increasing. So far he'd managed to keep it from his bondmate, but it was only a matter of time before Hijau *felt* it too. He'd have to ask Vinas, at the next checkup, if there was any kind of medication it would be safe for him to take…
Kinu sat beside him, one hand on his abdomen, the other reaching for a morsel of seared meat and passing it to the zn'hre. A couple of minutes later the rest of the children arrived back for the midday meal, a murmuring horde of colour. Zha'haarak smiled fondly and nodded to Zh'leet and Br'yaan to wheel in the food, then settled back to eat.
Ti'ani and Le'leen sprawled nearby, tickling the little hybrid with their tails, much to his delight. 'raadiin smirked and flew over to the bed, ignoring Ti'aasaan's scowled "no flying indoors!", and hovered above Kinu, waving a chunk of bighorn over the hybrid's head, just out of his reach. As Kinu pouted and jumped, trying to reach the meat, Le'leen glared.
"Don't tease him!"
'raadiin laughed and moved higher - only to stop dead, staring, as Kinu left the platform, floating upwards to grab the delicacy and shove it into his mouth.
The suite fell silent, everyone staring at the hybrid hovering in midair…
Hijau was the first to react, standing and reaching his arms out to the child, grinning but careful not to alarm him.
"Clever brat!"
Kinu smirked at him, then suddenly realised where he was. He stared down at Zha'haarak, blinking, then with a started "eeep!" lost control of his ki and dropped groundwards. Hijau caught him before he'd fallen far, cuddling him tightly and smiling at his bondmate.
"Time to start his training, I think."
Pirum, watching from the cushion she was sharing with 'selaan and Buahan (Peyaru was - reluctantly - taking the midday meal with his sister), quashed the brief flare of jealousy that rose at the sight and beamed delightedly.
Mahrayne would be so happy…!
Meanwhile Leteetza, Kyuri in attendance, had conducted Zaheen and Taiz to the library…
The Hyou were fascinated. That something as powerful as the Saiya-jin Empire could be run with such antiquated technology!
Nevertheless, run it did, and with extraordinary efficiency. Zaheen gazed around the public halls - massive public halls tiered on all four sides with balconies extending out over the central space, filled with tables, monitors and touchpads, shelves and shelves filled with datachips and even - though she could hardly believe the savage Saiya-jin could possess anything so rare and precious - ancient books. And there were people everywhere, aliens of all forms and colours, quietly studying, communicating with each other, learning, researching…
Then Leteetza had taken them through into the private part of the library.
It was several hours before the Hyou asked for a pause, and that was only because they suddenly realised they were hungry. The little Saiyan had smirked.
"Heh, me too. Come on, let's get something to eat."
She led them to one of the numerous ubiquitous eateries, ordering several platters of mixed meats - some raw, some flash-seared - and grinned at the pair.
"So… we may not have your technological advantages, but all the same we don't do too badly with our limited resources, I think."
Zaheen smiled.
"Indeed no, Leteetza-sama! What you have here is most impressive!"
The Hyou had been genuinely impressed - and particularly interested in the R'ren'nkh'ian translation team. Another young zhaneer - no, they called themselves zn'hre, and that was appropriate given their circumstances - had been there, one of the Ssii'iin's offspring, Leteetza had explained, and Zaheen had spent some time talking to the youngster, startled by his maturity and intensity. The Hyoujin had never seen any zhaneer children.
The R'ren'nkh'ia-jin there - the lizards - were intriguing too. Ugly, but extremely interesting…
Taiz had already asked Zh'nast if she might observe the team for a few days while the delegation was onworld, and the elderly ko'ish'n, on hearing that the Hyoujin had had dealings with the zhaneer for the last three thousand years, had leapt up and grabbed the startled Hyou to her chest, her zhaneer fluent, fast and terrifyingly enthusiastic.
"You must stay! I insist - no, I demand that you join us for as long as possible! Your assistance, your knowledge, will be invaluable…"
Leteetza smirked at Zaheen.
"And what's your main sphere of interest? Anything I can help with?"
Zaheen smiled and nodded.
"I believe so, Leteetza-sama. I am most intrigued as to the interactions between the Saiya-jin and the zn'hre. How did the Ssii'iin come to take Raditts-sama as mate? I have to assume, from what I have seen, that the two species aren't genetically compatible, so where did Prince Zha'haabron come from? Where is the Ssii'iin's female, and how does she feel about his taking a male Saiyan…" She frowned for a moment. "I assume Raditts-sama is male?" At Leteetza's somewhat bemused nod she continued, "a Saiyan male as bondmate?"
The King's Companion eyed the Hyoujin for a few moments, then inclined her head.
"So you don't know that the zn'hre are hermaphrodite. Just like the zhaneer."
Zaheen and Taiz stared blankly at the small Saiyan, then at each other.
"Her… hermaphrodite?"
Leteetza grinned.
"Yup."
Zaheen collapsed back into her seat, eyes wide, then glanced at Taiz, shaking her head.
"This will require a new paradigm."
Taiz twitched her tail in the Hyoujin equivalent of a shrug.
"Then let us invoke and remember the First Tenet - Knowledge is Sacred."
Zaheen frowned irritably.
"You think I would forget it?"
Taiz lowered her eyes and ears, a sign of deference and apology.
"Your forgiveness, Priistt. I meant no disrespect."
Zaheen flicked her tail, dismissing the matter, and turned her attention back to Leteetza.
"How may I find out more?"
The little Saiyan rested her elbow on the back of her chair and propped her chin on her fist, eyeing the Hyou speculatively. Then she smirked. Evilly.
"The best way to do that is if I take you to meet the family…"
© 2003 February 16th Joules Taylor
