Consequences pt 1
Mahrayne stood on the balcony of the guest suite, her hands gripping the smooth rail as she worriedly cast her gaze over the gardens, the palace, the horizon, searching for… something. Kelapa had been gone for an age it seemed, after storming out of the suite in a furious temper. Mahrayne sat in bed, nervously wringing the sheets in her hands until a restless uneasiness had prompted her to move. Something had happened to Kel, Mahrayne was sure of it…
There was a quiet knocking on the suite door and Mahrayne's heart leapt in hope, until she remembered that Kel wouldn't have bothered knocking even if she had decided to use the door rather than come in through the balcony.
"Ti'aasaan?"
The little zn'hre was carrying a tray with some meat, and a jug of Zh'leet's meaty glop.
"Can I come in 'rayne?" His smile was subdued.
"Of course," Mahrayne stood aside to let him in.
"How are you?" Ti'aasaan asked softly, padding into the room and setting the tray down on the low table near the bed.
"Oh," Mahrayne shrugged, oblivious that she was wringing her hands again. "fine."
The little zn'hre arched a slim eyebrow.
"And I find blizzards refreshing!" He sat on the bed, patting the space beside him. "Come and eat."
Mahrayne downed the beaker of glop he poured for her, sighing as Ti'aasaan filled it up again.
"How – how is everyone?"
Ti'aasaan sighed in turn.
"It's still... tense."
"I'm sorry." Mahrayne whispered then barked out a bitter laugh. "Gods, what a pointless thing to say. No amount of apologising will make this right."
Ti'aasaan slipped a cool arm around her shoulder, gently squeezing.
"Why did you ask Kelapa to claim you?"
"Because I love her," Mahrayne said earnestly, "Zorun claimed me without my consent and I was furious, but when I finally understood the significance of it, I wanted to have the same thing with Kel. I wanted to show that she was as important to me as Zorun is." The Hassinan wiped her eyes. "I still don't see why it's such a problem."
Ti'aasaan regarded her with a slight frown.
"You really don't understand Saiyan possessiveness, do you?"
"I suppose not," Mahrayne put her head in her hands, "How can I? Hassinan aren't possessive, I have no reference point."
They lapsed into silence, Ti'aasaan gently stroking her back.
"Leteetza called me spoilt, selfish – ungrateful." that Mahrayne was still stung by the comments was evident by the bitterness in her voice, "Granted, I am thoughtless, impulsive and – yes, sometimes – selfish, but that's part of who I am; I can no more alter that than I can stop Hassina from being destr - " she pulled herself up short, " – from being cold. But, ungrateful? Spoilt?" She shifted to face her companion. "I'm not ungrateful, truly, in fact I am so grateful for the opportunities I've had here, and I've been so happy – " she burst into tears. "How could it have gone so wrong...?"
Ti'aasaan hugged her, brushing a kiss over her mass of white hair.
"I have tried, Ti'aasaan, to fit in, I have forced changes on myself from a lifetime of thought, behaviour, belief - but it's not enough."
The little zn'hre let her cry for a little while, then he asked gently,
"What are you going to do?"
Mahrayne pulled herself away from him, wiping her face with the back of her hand.
"I've been thinking about that. I considered leaving Vejiitasei," she sighed tremulously, "but I don't think I can, so – I'm going to move out of the suite; with the Ssii'iin's permission I'll offer the room to Pirum. And I'll resign my position in the palace school, there's enough teachers to cover the gap."
"You'll be missed." Ti'aasaan was sincere.
"I don't think so," Mahrayne whispered, "not now." She bit her lip. "I would like to continue working with 'tiisaan, if that's permissible."
Ti'aasaan snorted.
"You just try and stop! My hostling is more than capable of bringing a wall down with a tantrum!"
Mahrayne laughed, the thought lightening her mood momentarily, then she sighed.
"I thought I might be able to keep on with the R'ren'nkh'ia-go translations, and there's still lots of work to be done with the palace records." She gave the little zn'hre a small, rueful smile. "If I stay in the library I'm not likely to come across many Saiyans – other than the Thinkers and they seem to have a slightly more flexible attitude."
"Yes, a library is a good place to hide from Saiyans." Ti'aasaan grinned.
Mahrayne looked at him seriously.
"Hiding?" she half-smiled, "Yes, I suppose you're right, but I'd rather avoid unpleasantness."
Ti'aasaan poured her another beaker of glop, gently placing it in her hands.
"Drink up, zvi'ch."
Mahrayne obediently drank the beaker full of thick liquid, then handed it back to Ti'aasaan.
"How is Kinu? And Zha'haarak?"
"Kinu is all right, he misses you though, and Kel," Ti'aasaan sighed, "and his sire." The zn'hre didn't think it prudent to mention how much time the wistful little hybrid had spent either looking at the door to the suite or the balcony waiting for them to appear...
"And Zha'haarak doesn't seem to be having any problems."
"I'm glad" Mahrayne said fervently, "I'd deserve death at the Captain's hands if any of this caused the prince or his hostling harm."
Ti'aasaan hugged her.
"Hopefully it won't come to that. I have to go." He kissed Mahrayne's cheek. "Can I bring you anything?"
A solution? Mahrayne didn't voice the thought.
"Can I see Kinu today?"
Ti'aasaan frowned.
"He's your hostling, 'rayne, no one can keep you from him."
Tears spilled over the Hassinan's fair lashes again.
"At the moment, sinam, I feel as if I have no right to anything…"
The suns climbed to their midday positions and still Kelapa didn't appear. Mahrayne alternately paced the suite or stood out on the balcony - the feeling that something had happened to her lover hadn't lessened.
*Do you know what's happened?* she asked her twin, who shook her head, not meeting Mahrayne's eyes, a fact that wouldn’t have escaped Mahrayne's notice if she hadn't been so distracted with worry - or hunger. Kel had ordered her not to leave the suite and Mahrayne was leery of doing so, but since last night - when she'd hardly eaten anyway - she'd only had the meat and the few beakers of glop that Ti'aasaan had brought her. It was only a short distance to the servery in this wing of the palace… surely Kel wouldn't object to her getting something to eat? After a moments thought the Hassinan decided to stay right where she was, just in case.
A little while later and beginning to feel faint from hunger, Mahrayne had almost changed her mind about staying put; this couldn't be good for her… The gentle tap on the door heralded the arrival of Pirum, Buahan, 'selaan and 'tiisaan - as well as Zh'leet bearing a huge tray of food.
Pirum hugged her sister tightly, only reluctantly letting go of her so 'tiisaan could have his turn. 'selaan greeted Mahrayne cheerfully, but the princess hung back, uncharacteristically aloof. No, not aloof, Mahrayne realised, wary.
The Hassinan bowed her head politely to the young Saiyan.
"Thank you for coming, your Highness." she said, softly sincere.
Buahan inclined her head curtly, then sat on the other side of Pirum.
"Maazi says you're not going to teach any more?" 'tiisaan's beautiful golden eyes were wide with worry. Mahrayne stroked a graceful hand down his cheek.
"I'm not."
"But we can still dance?" the young zn'hre was anxious, "There's so much we have to do!"
"I would like that." Mahrayne smiled at her protégé.
"Good." 'tiisaan wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his head against her breast. "I'd be very unhappy if we couldn't dance."
Mahrayne hugged him, kissing the top of his head.
"So would I, jhatiludas."
The children stayed and ate with Mahrayne, some more enthusiastically than others, until Zh'leet - who hadn't said a word to the Hassinan - quietly rounded them up and escorted them back to the suite for their afternoon activities. It was so quiet in the little suite once they'd left Mahrayne could hear herself breathe. She fought back sudden, overwhelming tears; she missed the family, the warmth and noise they generated which, even as an outsider, had been comforting to be around. Angrily, she wiped her eyes, it was her own fault she no longer had that comfort, there was no point crying about it.
Pirum had brought Mahrayne some of her belongings; clean robes, jewellery and some of the needlework she'd been sporadically working on in her spare moments. Mahrayne spread out the partially worked square of rich blue silk, tracing the outlines of the twinned serpents with hesitant fingers. She'd been making this for Zorun's quarters… Wiping her eyes again, Mahrayne quickly but gently folded up the unfinished piece and stowed it out of sight - she couldn't bring herself to look at it, she doubted she'd be able to finish it now. Still, she needed to do something, she wasn't used to being idle at the best of times and with nothing to occupy her hands or mind it left too much time to brood. Mahrayne half-heartedly began sorting out the vibrant threads - she could always add decorations to one of Kel's old robes, she'd been meaning to do that for a while…
It had given Mahrayne some relief to immerse herself in something creative and she was in a slightly better frame of mind when Zha'haarak, accompanied by Ti'aasaan, Kinu, and stony silent Jagung, came around for his dance lesson.
"Maazi!" Kinu gurgled delightedly almost throwing himself into his mother's arms. Mahrayne laughed and cuddled him, so happy to be with her son again she briefly believed that everything could be all right.
After the prince's lesson - during which Mahrayne had gently teased Ti'aasaan into joining in - Zha'haarak asked her a favour.
"It has been a long time since we've heard one of your stories… would you mind…?"
No, she didn't mind at all, and so with Kinu nestled in her lap, Mahrayne spun a tale of golden light and contentment, letting herself be cheered and soothed by the sweet story.
Zha'haarak suggested that Kinu stay with her that night - to Mahrayne's joy, her cub seemed happy enough with that - and then Ti'aasaan quietly passed on a message from Zorun. The Guard intended to spend the next day with his son, all day - someone would come to collect him in the morning. Swallowing hard, unable to speak due to the sharp rise of anguish and guilt, Mahrayne merely nodded assent.
Mahrayne spent the afternoon playing with her son, delighting in the child's joyous, open nature and the warmth of his love. The afternoon passed quickly.
Kelapa finally came back just on dusk. The warrior seemed tired and distracted but she smirked at Kinu's happy greeting, hugging the little male tightly and ruffling his mane. Mahrayne watched her lover, something wasn’t right, something about the way she was handling Kinu - it was almost… soft? The Hassinan was flooded with relief that Kel seemed to be all right and she pushed her curiosity about what had happened to the female - and her irritation that Kelapa had left her alone for so long - to the back of her mind. Whatever had happened during the day, Kelapa had been hunting; she'd dropped a couple of fat grittig on the floor of the suite as soon as she'd come in, and the three of them ate with relish.
They all showered leisurely together after the meal, spending a peaceful evening before tucking a drowsy Kinu into bed, both of them staying quietly with him until he was lulled to sleep by his mother's soft song.
Once the cub was asleep, Kelapa took Mahrayne by the hand and led her out onto the balcony. Kel released her lover and leaned heavily on the balcony railing. Mahrayne did the same, and waited.
"When you said you'd help me raise a brat, that it'd be like your own," Kel said at last, her gaze fixed on something in the distance, "did you mean it?"
"Yes, jha-tunovahn, with all my heart." Mahrayne gently stroked Kelapa's back; the female was so tense. "What's the matter, Kel?" The warrior slumped and sighed, and still not looking at Mahrayne she said,
"I'm going to have to take you up on your offer."
It took a couple of seconds for that to penetrate, but when it did…
"You're pregnant?" Mahrayne squeaked happily at the Saiyan's slight nod, and swooped in to hug her. "That's wonderful!" she pulled back slightly when Kel stiffened, "Isn't it?"
The warrior's warm brown eyes filled with tears.
"I never wanted brats!" she sobbed, "especially not s-sired by – " and she dissolved into weeping.
Mahrayne wrapped her arms tightly around her lover as Kel struggled to get herself under control, pulling the tattered threads of her pride about her. Mahrayne gently encouraged the female to sit with her on the balcony holding her close and offering what comfort she could.
"Tell me what happened, jha-tunovahn."
By the time Kelapa had finished Mahrayne didn't know whether to sing with joy or cry! That Kel was pregnant was wonderful, that someone she hated so much had accidentally sired the child was tragic - for Kelapa at least. Mahrayne knew how upset the Saiyan was about all this, but she couldn't be unhappy that her lover's child would be blood kin to her own children. First things first; she had to help Kel come to terms with this sudden change in her life.
"Of course I will help you with the child, tahnan," Mahrayne kissed Kel's temple, "and if you don't want anything to do with them at all I'll take over full care if you like, though…" she frowned thoughtfully, "I might not be able to breastfeed for you."
Kel raised her head.
"Your milk won't be in anyway by the time the brat's born."
"It doesn't need to be. Adult Hassinan females can produce milk on demand, even if they're not pregnant. It's easier if they've already had a child of their own, but not necessary." Mahrayne smiled at the irritated confusion on her lover's face. "Our children breastfeed exclusively for a long, long time, and they're not so numerous we can risk them starving to death if something happens to their mother."
Kelapa blinked.
"Makes sense, I guess. You've done it before?"
"Oh yes," Mahrayne grinned, "I helped feed Pirum and Cinis, and several other children from other households, but I wasn't old enough to help with Chumie and Testa."
Kel shook her head.
"You Hassinan are just… weird."
Mahrayne laughed and kissed her mate.
"Shall we go to bed now?" she whispered, forehead to forehead with the Saiyan as she teased fingertips over the skinbeads she could feel through Kel's bodysuit. "I've missed you."
"Best fucking idea I've heard in ages!" Kel smirked, standing up and pulling the Hassinan to her feet.
It had been unpleasant when Apyo came to collect Kinu the next morning, the hatred the Guard felt towards Kel was painfully obvious and his comment about Kel being accidentally killed in a challenge was simply frightening, but, astonishingly to Mahrayne, it also made her very, very angry.
How dare he threaten her mate! How dare anyone try to separate them! It wasn't until after Kel had left to get them some breakfast that Mahrayne realised with a jolt that she wouldn't have felt the same if Zorun had been threatened.
What did that mean? True, Zorun was the stronger so he'd be less likely to be challenged in the first place but that wasn't it…
Alida raised a golden eyebrow.
*You haven't worked it out yet? And I thought you were smart.* she teased her twin.
*What are you talking about?*
Alida placed her hands on Mahrayne's shoulders and looked her straight in the eyes.
*Zorun chose you, you chose Kel.* She stroked her sister's hair. *You don't love them equally.*
*Oh gods,* Mahrayne swallowed dryly as the truth of her twin's statement took her breath away. *Poor Zorun. He must've known.* It was then the Hassinan remembered something else Apyo had said.
Zorun was thinking of annulling his claim.
The surge of guilt inextricably tangled with hope hit Mahrayne like a blow to the stomach and her legs collapsed beneath her. If he annulled his claim, she and Kel would be free, but for him to even consider doing it…
*'lida I've hurt him so much.*
Alida sank down beside her to the floor.
*Yes, but I don't know it could've have happened any other way…*
Mahrayne had pushed the guilt generated pain deep inside by the time Kel returned with food for them both.
"I'd requested some downtime a little while ago," Kel told Mahrayne as they ate, "It's been granted, ten days. We can go to Pankuzu, take Kinu with us."
"I think that's a good idea," Mahrayne agreed quietly, "give everyone some time to adjust."
The females were alone for much of the day, though as had happened yesterday Pirum and her coterie, with 'tiisaan, came to eat the midday meal with them, and in the afternoon Zha'haarak and Ti'aasaan visited for the prince's dance lesson. As they were leaving to return to the suite, the gentle zn'hre asked if Mahrayne would mind if Kinu stayed with him that night. Mahrayne smilingly agreed - it was only fair, she'd have her son for the next few days and Zha'haarak was going to miss him.
Kel flew Mahrayne to the medical centre for a check up, and to pick up a supply of the liquid supplement for the Hassinan. Mahrayne was a little wary about seeing Ayva, expecting the Saiyan to be as prickly with her as the others had been. Surprisingly, she wasn't. The medic's attitude to the Hassinan didn't seem to have changed at all, though Mahrayne could've sworn there were a few occasions where Ayva was going to say or ask something, but changed her mind.
There were six, scowling, elite Guards waiting at the spaceport to accompany the females the next morning. Four of them - Apyo, Chikori, Chilek and Bawang - Mahrayne knew, the remaining two she didn't, and what a grim looking pair they were.
"Why so many?" Mahrayne murmured to Kel.
"Because Zorun-sama doesn't trust you not to take his son off-world." Apyo snapped.
"It was never my intention to take Kinu away from his father - "
"Don't waste your breath, takibi," Kel growled, winding her tail around her waist, "they're not going to listen."
Fortunately Hijau arrived then, carrying Kinu, forestalling any further discussion. A lovely warmth spread through Mahrayne as the Captain hugged his name-child, only to turn chill when he handed Kinu over without once looking at her.
Kinu was pleased to be with his mother and Kel, but he knew they were going away somewhere and he wasn't entirely happy about it.
"We won't be gone long, little treasure," Mahrayne reassured her cub as they boarded the shuttle, "and you'll like visiting Kel's home, you can hear the ocean from the house."
The flight was uneventful and Kinu roused himself enough to be fascinated by the sights speeding by outside the shuttle window before snuggling down with his mother for a nap.
Lord Kurumi was surprised to see his visitors, Kel hadn't said anything to him. His brow furrowed when he scented his daughter.
"Kelapa?"
"Not now, father," she said curtly, then turned to Mahrayne. "I need some time by myself. You'll be fine here."
She turned to go, and Apyo and Chilek made to follow her.
"I don't need a fucking escort!" she growled, tail bristling as Apyo's gaze brushed over her abdomen.
"Zorun - "
"Zorun can fuck himself!" Kel snapped, "I can look after myself! Your priority is Mahrayne and Kinu."
Mahrayne watched her lover disappear over the jungle top, her coppery coloured ki trailing in her wake. Apyo nodded at Chilek, who took off into the air to follow the female.
"Lady Mahrayne?" the old noble was waiting for an explanation.
"It's a long story, my Lord."
"Tell it to me over refreshments."
Lord Kurumi had dismissed the Guards once they were inside, and in private Mahrayne had told him most of the story - she left out the part concerning Alida. The noble was furiously angry with his daughter.
"In the name of all the gods, why!?" he thundered, startling Kinu into growling warningly at the male he saw as threatening his mother.
Mahrayne closed her eyes against hopeless tears: Kurumi was an elite male, she didn’t honestly expect him to react any better than the others, did she?
"I love Kelapa, she loves me."
"She should have refused!" Kurumi stalked about the room. "How could she do this dishonourable -"
Mahrayne sighed.
"I'm sorry for bringing this on you, Lord Kurumi. I'll go to the Inn at the village, find a room there." She stood up. "If you could let Kel know where I've gone…"
"No. Stay." the noble growled, "I'd rather you were here under my -" Mahrayne expected him to say 'eyes' "- protection."
Kel had been avoiding her father all day, but she couldn't go on avoiding him. She sent Mahrayne up to bed with Kinu, promising her lover with a smile she wouldn't be far behind, then turned to face her father.
"Why, Kelapa?"
Kel stood stiffly in front of the noble.
"You didn't love my mother, did you? Fond of Pinang, yes, but you didn't love her."
"What's that got to do with anything?" Kurumi said angrily.
"But you did love your first mate."
Her father froze, and Kel scented the decades old grief she'd stirred up; she pressed doggedly on.
"Why was there such a long time between your first mate dying and you claiming my mother?" she asked softly, answering her own question in the next breath, "Because you loved your first mate and the thought of being with anyone else was wrong." She eyed her father with some sympathy. "How did you feel when Kandis was killed?"
The elder male stared at her helplessly, and Kelapa nodded understanding.
"That is how I feel about Mahrayne."
The warrior turned on her heel and headed to the stairs, "Goodnight, father," floating back over her shoulder to the stricken male.
If it hadn't been for their Guards' glowering presence or Lord Kurumi's strained politeness, Mahrayne and Kel's time together would have been idyllic. They spent most of their days at the beach, lazing about on the sands or playing in the water. Kel began teaching Kinu to swim and before long the little hybrid was trying to hunt the brightly coloured fish he saw in the warm waters close to shore. He wasn’t fast enough to catch any, yet, but he enjoyed the chase. The cub also enjoyed exploring the jungle. As his mother had discovered previously, the ropey trees were made for climbing. The game here was plentiful and Kelapa showed him how to find the tasty grubs and insects the islanders loved to eat. The three of them ate well every day, their skins began to glow with the exposure to the sunslight, and the gentle time by themselves helped them - especially Kelapa - relax and restore their equilibrium.
Hezerunattsu, Kurumi's friend and fellow council member came by shortly after sunsrise on the second day to discuss council business with the noble. Surprisingly, Pinattsu and her two sons had come with him, but thankfully not her mate.
"I heard you were here. I wanted to come and see you, and meet Kinu." the petite female said shyly, "I hope you don't mind?"
Kelapa regarded her expressionlessly for a moment, then smirked, coiling her tail possessively around Mahrayne's waist.
"We were just about to go down to the beach, do you and your brats want to come along?"
While Kel went fishing for breakfast, the three little males played together on the beach under the watchful eyes of their mothers.
"Nikuzuku and Donguri are so big now!" Mahrayne grinned.
"They are," Pinattsu was glowing with pride, "and Kinu is beautiful! His mane is the most extraordinary shade!"
"Thank you," the Hassinan smiled at her friend, whose tail had snaked out to wrap lightly around her ankle.
"You belong to Kelapa now, don't you?" Pinattsu asked softly, her gaze resting on the small claim mark on Mahrayne's neck. "I envy you." The pretty little female sighed wistfully.
"It's come at a price," Mahrayne said sadly, "I've hurt Zorun, and I think I've destroyed my relationship with him."
"Still," Pinattsu smiled, gently removing her tail when she saw Kel striding towards them - naked, dripping and beautiful - with her catch, "you are loved."
The days flowed past and Mahrayne couldn't miss her son's increasing unhappiness. Neither could Kelapa.
"What's the matter, brat?" she ruffled the cub's silver mane as he cuddled morosely in his mother's arms - it was the evening of the fifth day.
"Miss papa and maazi Zak," Kinu snuffled, "miss 'jau."
"You'd like to go home?"
Kinu nodded, wiping his nose on his mother's robe. Kelapa looked at her lover.
"Maybe it's time we went back."
"Can't hide here forever." Mahrayne's grin was forced past her trepidation.
Kel snorted.
"Saiyan elite do not hide!" she smirked, "but we should go back," she stroked Kinu's mane again, "if only for his sake." They decided to return to Vejiitamachi the next day.
Mahrayne, drowsy and sated in her lover's arms, was on the point of falling asleep…
…Without warning, she and Alida found themselves in one of the conjugal chambers the Hassinan used for mating. Beside her, Alida was warm and real, unlike their surroundings which were as insubstantial as smoke.
*Is this a dream?* Mahrayne's arm stole nervously around her sister's waist.
*I don't know.* Alida frowned, doing the same, *I've never experienced anything like this.*
In front of them, on the bed in a cosy alcove, Nonnia and Astolan were - certainly not 'making love'. The elder female was lying on her back, her face averted from the male while he laboured above her, grunting, eyes closed in concentration. They were both still clothed, having only shifted their robes aside enough to allow access. Mahrayne's heart went out to her tertera at this loveless coupling, even as her own heart constricted with longing for Zorun.
*Why are we witnessing this?* Alida whispered, even though is was plain the two Hassinan had no idea they were there. Mahrayne shook her head in confusion.
*I don't know either.*
Astolan climaxed. He stayed still long enough to catch his breath, then withdrew from the female and stood up awkwardly, straightening his robes and nodding almost politely to her before leaving.
*Nonnia has put up with this for close to fifty years!* Mahrayne said angrily.
*Peace, heart's-light, there's nothing you can do - * Alida stopped and stared at Nonnia, who hadn't moved except to put her hands over her eyes as she cried quietly. *'rayne! Look! Can you see?*
Mahrayne looked, and gasped as she 'saw' (she wasn't sure how) a tiny flare of light spring to life within her tertera.
*Nonnia's pregnant.* Mahrayne breathed in wonder, *the operation worked!*
Alida frowned.
*But that can't be the only reason we're here - to be shown it worked. This is significant somehow.* she looked at her twin. *Can't you feel it?*
Mahrayne paused, turning her attention inwards. Alida was right, she was experiencing a subtle, fluttery sort of sensation in her breastbone, the same sort of sensation she'd had when she dreamt of Hassina's destruction, or when Alida was 'looking' along paths of time.
*I don't understand!* she growled, but then Nonnia moved, distracting her. The twins watched the female sit up and wipe her eyes, composing her face before she left the chamber. Curious, and still with their arms about each other, they followed her back to the household, golden ghosts moving unseen through the caverns. To Mahrayne's surprise, Olla was waiting for Nonnia to return. Her mother's younger sister hugged Nonnia as soon as she walked into Astolan's household, stroking her hair and murmuring loving endearments as she led her off to the baths.
*I'm glad Nonnia's not alone any more!* Alida smiled, turning to her twin and wrapping her arms around Mahrayne's neck.
*Me too.* Mahrayne's smile was identical as she pulled her sister close, sighing happily as Alida's soft, warm lips met her own…
Mahrayne jumped, startled to find herself back in Kurumi's house. Kel stirred beside her.
"What's the matter?" the warrior said sleepily.
"Nothing, just a dream," Mahrayne snuggled in to her lover, "go back to sleep."
Kelapa mumbled something but was asleep again within seconds. Over the Saiyan's shoulder, Alida was sitting up, scowling.
*What?*
*I swear, next time we find ourselves together, real and solid, in one of those 'dreams' we're going to ignore what's going on around us and have some fun!*
Mahrayne giggled, but she too fell asleep before she could think of a reply.
The next morning, Mahrayne regretfully took her leave of a close-lipped Lord Kurumi, wondering if she'd ever be welcome in his home again.
She and Kelapa were mostly silent on the way back, in contrast to Kinu whose excitement grew with every passing minute until he was hardly able to keep still.
After they'd disembarked at the spaceport, Mahrayne took her courage in hand and spoke to Chikori.
"Could you take Kinu to Prince Zha'haarak?" Mahrayne did her best to ignore the contempt in the male's eye when she presumed to speak to him, but he nodded, gently taking the cub from her after she'd had one last cuddle. The rest of the guards - save Bawang, who would be escorting them back to the palace - dispersed without a backward glance, leaving the females finally alone amidst the bustle of the spaceport.
Kel hugged Mahrayne, breathing in her scent deeply.
"I've still got a few days downtime, takibi," she scooped Mahrayne up, "We need to think about where we're going to live."
Mahrayne nodded, it was something she and Kel had touched on in the past few days. Neither of them thought it was a good idea to stay on the same floor as the family, but Mahrayne especially didn't want to be too far away from them, after all, that was where Kinu would be spending a lot of time. And once they'd decided where they wanted to live they had to make sure they could get permission to be there, and then she had to organise to get her things from the family's suite and - she swallowed - Zorun's quarters; and she needed to speak to Ubi about maybe having a small work-space in the library… Mahrayne sighed, there was a lot to be organised before life could even begin to approach normal again.
The touch of Kel's lips on hers brought Mahrayne back to herself.
"I love you, takibi," the warrior smirked, "not much else matters."
Mahrayne chuckled, wrapping her arms around the female's neck as Kel launched herself into the air.
© 2003 January 25th Amanda Mullane
Hassinan: strong endearment between female lovers.
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