Transition pt 1

Pirum yawned and stretched, peering out from her nest of cushions in the central meeting chamber. The young female blinked at finding herself alone: where had her sister and tertera gone? Pirum cast her eye over the participants of the celebration... She pouted - 'rayne wasn't dancing, where had she got to?
       Merces, one of the young healers, noticed Pirum's distraction and accurately guessed the cause.
       "Mahrayne and Nonnia are with Persicum." she explained with a smile.
      Pirum flashed a grin at her and scurried off to the healers' quarters, to find that the females had just left. Pirum was on the verge of getting cross - why couldn't they wait for her? - when another one of the females there casually mentioned that Mahrayne had seemed 'upset'.
       Pirum thought furiously; if her sister was upset, she might go straight back to the Korijin enclave, but then again, the previous couple of times Mahrayne had been distressed she'd gone to see the Lead Speaker...
      What could she be upset about?

Pirum crept quietly along the corridor that led to the administration zone, staying close to the mosaiced wall as she strained her ears listening for any sign of her elder sister. There, in one of the side chambers, away from the central district - she heard Mahrayne:
       "... why didn't you tell me?"
      Her sister's voice was high-pitched and angry, Marldus's voice, in contrast, was low and soothing when he answered.
       "What would have been the point, daughter?"
       "........"
       "You know what the birth of twins portends and how superstitious our people are. How do you think the death of a twin in the womb would have been interpreted?"
      Mahrayne's laugh was dark and bitter.
       "I'd say any interpretation made at the time is proving accurate now."
      "What do you mean?" Nonnia's voice, low and anxious.
       "Our people are dying out, Nonnia, can't you see that? Our planet is being destroyed beneath our feet -"
       "I don't understand -"
      Mahrayne gave another mirthless laugh.
       "I'll let you explain, Lead Speaker."
      Marldus sighed heavily.
       "The mining the aliens are carrying out is thought to be the cause of the increased tremors and cave-ins -"
       "'Is thought to be'?!" Mahrayne sneered, "There is a direct link -"
       "Mahrayne - " the Lead Speaker's tone indicated his loss of patience.
       "Nonnia," Mahrayne's voice dropped to an anguished whisper, "I have dreamt of Hassina's destruction."
       "What?" Pirum could hear her tertera's shock and her own breathing speeded up in sympathetic response.
       "When I heard the Ember Caves had collapsed - that night, I dreamt..." there was a catch in Mahrayne's voice, "I didn't want to believe it, but it was so real, and now - and now I find out this. Does this mean my dream is a foretelling?" The pleading in her sister's voice made Pirum uncomfortable, and then her hackles rose as she pieced together what she'd heard.

Mahrayne was a twin? Her twin had died before they'd been born?
      No, that couldn't be right - Pirum's brain was racing - twins were special, different, they were unlike other Hassinan, but then, so was Mahrayne...
       Oh, fuck!
      Pirum's legs collapsed underneath her and she ended up in a huddle on the floor of the corridor. She wasn't sure she wanted to believe the conclusion she'd just drawn but, if 'rayne was a twin it would explain so much...

"... and I'm taking Pirum with me!"
      Pirum's head snapped up at the mention of her name.
       "What if she doesn't want to go?" Marldus sounded tired.
       "Don't worry, I'll ask her," there was undisguised bitterness in Mahrayne's voice, "she at least will have a choice about the way her life unfolds."
      Pirum scrambled to her feet at the sound of movement within the chamber, poised to fly down the corridor and around the corner out of sight.
      Mahrayne was close to the entrance when next she spoke.
      "On Veijiitasei, the southern tip of the middle continent - " she sounded hesitant, " - there are caves there. Clean and dry. Safe." Pirum could hear the tears in her sister's voice. "It might be worth thinking about..."
       "I will." The Lead Speaker was gravely quiet.
       "Mahrayne - " Nonnia again, pleading, " - must you go now?"
       "I can't stay here, Nonnia. I know it's not time to finish the mourning, but I just can't stay here."
      There was an indistinct snuffling sound, the older female probably, because her voice was thick with emotion when she spoke again.
       "I understand. Come, let's find Pirum..."
      Pirum fled...

... almost colliding with her sister's Saiyans - two very hard-looking, grim Saiyans - as she darted out of the administration zone. Kelapa caught her, gripping her shoulder with bruising fingers.
       "Where's Mahrayne?" the female snarled.
       "With - with the Lead Speaker," Pirum blurted out, frightened "she's coming back this way."
      The warrior released Pirum, both her and Zorun's attention already focused further down the corridor - Mahrayne and Nonnia were heading towards them.

Pirum, watching from a little distance away, had never seen her sister look so distraught; Mahrayne was pale, her eyes dark and grief-struck, and she was hunched in on herself as if she were in pain. Mahrayne's expression cleared to one of almost happiness when she saw her mates, only to fall into disquiet again when Kelapa and Zorun effectively surrounded her. The Saiyans towered over her, glowering down at the Hassinan.

"What the fuck happened?" Kelapa growled.
       "What do you mean?" Mahrayne was doing a poor job of hiding her nervousness. "Nothing happened."
       "Nothing?" The female's eyes were glittering. "It wasn't nothing that felt like it exploded out the back of my skull!"
       "What are you doing here?" Zorun spoke now, his voice a harsh rumble.
       "Malum was going on a hunt - he wanted to see me, us, before he left." Kinu was making fretful noises, and Mahrayne hugged him to her.
       "On your own?"
      "Asond was with me - "
       "And where is the Korijin now?" Zorun snarled, his tail fluffed and lashing.
      Mahrayne swallowed apprehensively, her answer coming out as a barely audible whisper.
       "In the meeting chambers."
       "She left you alone?"
       "It - it was my decision, Zorun," Mahrayne cowered away from her mate's anger, clutching her now crying child protectively against her chest. Zorun swore viciously and after a glance at Kelapa - who nodded, wrapping long fingers possessively around Mahrayne's upper arm - pulled himself away from his mate and stalked down the corridor. Pirum saw the crackling, pale amethyst glow of his ki pulsing around his balled fist - so did Mahrayne. She stared in horrified fascination at it for several seconds before she realised what it implied.
       "Zorun, wait!" Mahrayne called after him, panic edging her voice. "Zorun, please!" The big male ignored her and continued on, the glow of his ki intensifying. Mahrayne gave a whimpering gasp and twisted out of Kelapa's grip, stumbling after her mate. She caught up to him and grabbed at his arm.
       "Zorun, please don't - "
      The male rounded on her, his tail whipping up from behind him to wrap tightly around her throat. Mahrayne froze, golden eyes glazed with fear.
       "You dare," he snarled, "you dare to stop me killing the one who left you and my cub in danger?"
       "We weren't in any danger, Zorun," Mahrayne all but babbled, "don't hurt Asond, it's not her fault -"
       Zorun stared at her, his tail tightening fractionally around her neck. Mahrayne was trembling so much she could barely stand, but she held firm.
       "Please don't hurt Asond," she whispered, tears tracking down her face. "Please."
      Zorun was rigid, his dark eyes wild, feral, then abruptly he spun away from her - wrenching his tail from around her neck - and howled, slamming both fists into the corridor wall. Mahrayne stood frozen in shock; the impact had created two jagged holes in the wall, going through the ancient mosaic and into the bare rock beyond – there was blood on her mate's hands when he pulled them clear...

"Mahrayne," Kelapa called to her, "come here." The Hassinan went to speak and Kelapa hissed urgently.
      "Don't fucking argue, just come here."
      Mahrayne shot a glance at the quivering male – Zorun's head was lowered, apparently staring at the floor, his tail stiff behind him – then she edged towards Kel. The female pulled her in close as soon as she was within reach.
       "You don't have a fucking clue do you?" she growled into her ear.
       "What - ?"
       "Later," Kelapa snapped, "we're leaving now."
      Mahrayne, still trembling, nodded, then she caught sight of Pirum and Nonnia cowering against the wall - they'd witnessed everything.
       "Kel? I have to see to a couple of things..."
      The warrior's eyes narrowed and her tail lashed behind her.
       "Fine, but not here." She dragged Mahrayne away down the corridor, out of sight of Zorun, Pirum and Nonnia creeping after them.

"You're not seriously thinking of going back with them?" Nonnia was fearful. "Not after what he did to you?"
       "I am," Mahrayne murmured, cuddling the still fretting Kinu against her neck, "it's - complicated, Nonnia, but I think I deserved that."
      Nonnia stared at her terteria in disbelief.
      "Why? I don't understand."
      "Neither do I, fully," Mahrayne's voice broke, "but I've spent all my life messing things up, why should it be different now?" Mahrayne burst into tears and Nonnia quickly wrapped her arms comfortingly around the younger female.
      "I hurt everybody I touch, Nonnia," Mahrayne sobbed, "maybe it would have been better if I'd died - "
      "Don't ever say that!" Nonnia gripped her terteria's shoulders tightly, peering earnestly into her face, then hugged her tightly. "You have as much right to live as anybody!"
      Mahrayne allowed herself the luxury of tears for a brief moment, then she straightened up decisively and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
       "Could you contact Chumie and Testa for me, let them know that I have a son?" Mahrayne couldn't help smiling softly despite her anguish. Nonnia nodded.
       "You're leaving right now?"
      The younger female glanced quickly at the scowling Kelapa.
       "I think I'd better."
      Nonnia inclined her head in acquiescence, and Mahrayne turned to Pirum. The little female looked up at her, scared, but remarkably clear-eyed for all that.
       "Would you like to come back to Vejiitasei with me?"
       "For how long?"
       "Forever," Mahrayne's lips quirked at Nonnia's disapproving sound, "or until you want to return," she ruffled Pirum's hair, "or you're old enough to be gifted." she added purely to placate the older female – Pirum would be given the chance to make her own decisions, Mahrayne would make certain of that.
      Pirum was solemn. "Will I be able to study with the Feeodoreans on Vejiitasei?"
       "If you wish, I'm sure something could be arranged."
       "Then, yes!" Pirum flung her arms around her sister's waist and squeezed tightly.
      Mahrayne chuckled at the child's enthusiasm.
       "Then go with Nonnia now, pack what you need and let Dignusia and Peruro know we're going. We'll meet you at the shuttle terminus."

Pirum and Nonnia made their way back to the females' quarters, Pirum skipping happily beside her tertera.
       "You're not nervous about living with Saiyans?" Nonnia queried. "They're a violent people."
      Pirum grinned at the older female.
       "No, I'm not nervous, I'm happy! I'm going to be with Bu-chan!" Thoughts of the little princess always made Pirum feel warm and... and... something. She didn't know what the something was but it was very pleasant in a tickly, nervous sort of way. Pirum hugged herself - she couldn't believe her luck!

"I forbid you to leave!"
      Pirum, arms folded grumpily across her chest, pouted at her mother.
       "Why?"
       "The idea is unthinkable! Does Astolan know about this? He'll have a fit!"
       "Olla," Nonnia spoke calmly, reassuringly, "the Lead Speaker has given his approval..."
       "Pirum can't go," Olla almost whined, "she's my baby..."
      Pirum gawped at her mother, stunned by what she saw as blatant hypocrisy.
      "What?" the little female stamped her foot, "I've never been 'your baby', you think I'm a nuisance!"
       "Oh, Pirum," Olla pulled the resisting child down into her lap, "I do love you, but you're so intelligent I feel quite stupid beside you. I never know how to talk to you -"
       "Never tried very hard." Pirum grumbled.
       "Please, Pirum - "
      Pirum looked up at her mother, silver eyes wide and guileless.
       "I love you too, mother, but I really, really, really want to go with Mahrayne. Pleeeease!"
      Olla appeared uncertain, then she looked at Nonnia.
       "My father has agreed to this?"
      Nonnia nodded, smiling encouragingly.
       "Very well," Olla sighed, "you can go." She hugged her daughter. "I am going to miss you though."
       "I'll miss you too, mother," Pirum briefly returned the hug then scrambled off her mother's lap. "And I'll write, I promise."

Kelapa and Mahrayne, with Kinu asleep in his sling, were waiting at the shuttle terminus as promised. Vinas stood impassively to one side. Mahrayne frowned.
      "Where's Dignusia and Peruro?"
      "They've decided to stay on for a little while," Nonnia explained, holding out Mahrayne's travel bag. Kelapa took the bag without a word, and slung it over her shoulder. "I have a letter from them to the wood-carver," Nonnia handed over a couple of folded and sealed pieces of paper, "and one for the Saiyan they've been seeing."
      "We'd better go," Mahrayne said, breaking into tears again. "Nonnia..."
      The older female hugged her.
       "Take care of yourself, Mahrayne." She kissed her cheek, then stooped to brush a kiss over Kinu's silver spikes. "And take care of your son."
       "I will." Mahrayne's reply was barely audible. Nonnia leant down and enveloped Pirum in a tight hug.
       "And you be good, precious!" She stepped back from the younger females, wiping her eyes. "I'm going to miss you both so much."
       Mahrayne nodded, unable to speak, then she took Pirum's hand and walked with her and the aliens into the terminus.

They were finally on their way home, but not everything was well; Mahrayne had been disturbed to find that Zorun wouldn't be sharing the cabin with them.
"He's too volatile to be around at the moment," Kel had said shortly when Mahrayne asked. This wasn't a satisfactory answer, as far as Mahrayne was concerned, but she was feeling too diffident, too timid to dare push for more information. Pirum had fallen asleep on the bunk, tired out from the excitement. Mahrayne half-smiled, her little sister, at least, wasn't upset about anything. Kel was still agitated and she paced around the small cabin while Mahrayne fed Kinu. The Hassinan watched her half-fearfully, trying to work up the courage to ask why the Saiyans were so upset...

"You just don't get it do you!" Kelapa growled, making Mahrayne jump - one of these days she'd remember their sense of smell.
       "You have no idea the trouble you cause with your fucking thoughtlessness."
      The Hassinan hung her head, chastened and guilty.
      "You don't think - " Kel went on, "you just fucking do what you want regardless of consequences." The female stopped in front of Mahrayne and glared down at her. "Zorun is furious because you flouted his orders and put yourself, and your brat, in danger. And because you stopped him taking out his anger - justifiably - on the Korijin he's now tearing himself apart because he has no fucking outlet! Satisfied?!" Kel's bellow woke Pirum up and startled Kinu.
       "Don't fuck with us, Mahrayne! If you don't understand by now how protective we are of our families - " the Saiyan ground her teeth in frustration and stalked to the cabin door. "I'm going to contact 'teetza, you -" she stabbed a finger at the cowering Hassinan, "don't stick your nose out of here or Zorun'll probably kill you himself!" Kelapa exited, slamming the door behind her.

"What's happened?"
      Leteetza had only needed to catch a glimpse of Kelapa's drawn face on the comm-screen to realise something was wrong.
       "Is 'rayne hurt? Hijau says he can't get through to Zorun."
       "No, she's not hurt," Kel rubbed tiredly at her face, "but something has happened."
      Leteetza frowned.
       "You better start at the beginning."
      Kel blew out a breath.
       "We came back to the ship; a while later Zorun and I both felt... something... from 'rayne..."
       "What sort of something?"
      The warrior shook her head.
       "Nearest I can compare it to is suddenly having a blizzard rip through your skull." She grimaced. "Still got a fucking headache."
       "Zorun felt it too?"
      Kel nodded. "But that's not the best bit." she said sourly. "We get down to the planet and find that 'rayne has taken Kinu back to the females' quarters, without an escort, after Zorun had expressly forbidden her to do so."
      Leteetza sighed.
       "And Zorun?"
       "Was going to blast the Korijin that let her go in there alone, but 'rayne stopped him."
       "Oh, shit!"
       "So now he's ready to explode, and I'm not strong enough to help without risking being atomised."
      Leteetza scowled. "I'm very fond of 'rayne, but - "
       "Fucking baka female just doesn't understand!" Kel said despairingly, "I don't know how to make her understand."
       "How is she now?"
      Kel took a deep breath and tried to rationally sort through the various emotions she'd scented streaming from the Hassinan.
       "Fucking terrified; desperately remorseful, but there's something else..." she shrugged. "Don't know what it is - sadness, anger? Don't think it's got anything to do with her most recent fuck-up though."
      Leteetza was thoughtful.
      "If 'rayne's as sorry as you say she is, perhaps she understands what she's done?"
       "Fuck, I hope so," Kel said fervently, "I don't want to go through this again."
      The little female shoved a hand through her mane.
       "Right, we'll expect you in - what? - three days?"
      Kel nodded, and reached for the switch. "See you then... if Zorun hasn't blasted a hole through the side of the ship and spaced us all." she added in a disgruntled undertone.
      Leteetza grinned, then frowned.
       "Hang on. When did you feel that thing from 'rayne?"
      "'bout four hours ago. Why?"
      "That's when Hijau, 'zhaasan and 'tiisaan woke up. 'zhaasan was in hysterics."
      Kel's eyebrows lifted.
      "Connection?"
      Leteetza grimaced. "No idea. Doesn't seem likely, does it? But - " she shrugged.
       "Hn, sort it out when we get back." Kel grimaced, "too fucking tired to think about it now."
       "Fine. Take care, we'll see you in a few days time."
       Kelapa was half-way back to the cabin before it occurred to her she hadn't told Leteetza that Pirum was coming back with them.

Kel had gone to speak with Leteetza - Mahrayne shuddered to think what was being said - and Kinu had finished feeding, but tired as he was, he was fretful and not willing to settle yet. Mahrayne walked back and forth across the cabin with him, singing softly in Hassinan, willing him to go to sleep. She was so tired, and there was so much she didn't want to think about right now - but the thoughts kept sneaking in anyway.

She was a twin and no one had told her.
      Only Tella, Nonnia, Pinguis, Astolan and Marldus had known and, yes, intellectually she could fathom the reasons behind the secrecy, but emotionally... Mahrayne felt betrayed. If she'd known about her sister...
       ... then what? What could have been different?
      She sighed: at least now she could understand where that aching, nagging loneliness she'd only been half aware of her whole life had come from - and why her father and mother hated her.
      No, not hated - feared. It was very clear to Mahrayne, now, why her parents had gone out of their way to suppress her: twins heralded change, and Tella and Astolan were terrified of change. Not that grinding her down would have done anything to stop the changes happening, she wasn't responsible for them.
      Kinu was finally asleep, Mahrayne lay down on the bed with him, snuggling in close to the sleeping Pirum. She closed her eyes, but the thoughts still churned. Was this the reason the Lead Speaker had protected her? Because she was a twin? Fractured and broken but a twin nonetheless. But what possible value could she have?
      Tears leaked out from beneath Mahrayne's eyelids - she missed her sister. It was ridiculous though, how could you miss someone you've never known?
      Alida.
      All Hassinan were named regardless of whether they were born to live or not - if they weren't they would never find their way to the afterlife - her twin had been called Alida.
      Mahrayne finally slept...

... she was standing naked and alone in the family's bathroom, studying herself in the mirrorwall. Mahrayne breathed in deeply and relaxed, it was so peaceful here with the muted light playing over the surface of the water. Frowning, she paid closer attention to her image in the mirror. Odd - it was her, but it wasn't. That gold-limned body had never been pregnant, and - she walked closer, curious now - there were no skin-beads. Mahrayne lifted a hand to trace the smooth lines of her reflected cheek and her heart froze in shock when the matching fingers in the mirror closed over her own, warm and strong, and she was pulled into a body-length hug. Soft, bizarrely familiar lips found hers.
*I'm always with you, 'rayne,* Alida's voice - a duplicate of Mahrayne's own - spoke in her mind, and she gasped as something deeper, more intimate than a mere orgasm crashed through every part of her.
*always...*

... Mahrayne woke, sobbing and shaking, to realise that Kel had wound herself around her. The Saiyan gently squeezed the Hassinan, her tail winding around Mahrayne's thigh.
      "It's all right, takibi," she whispered softly, kissing her neck, "it's all right."
      It's not alright - Mahrayne wanted to scream - everything's changed...
       Kelapa held Mahrayne as she cried herself out, hot, helpless tears, eventually dropping back into an exhausted sleep.

Vinas waited impatiently for the video-link to Hassina to activate. The transport was two days out from the planet and it was taking several minutes for the connection to click in.
       "Yes, sir?" A junior Feeodorean researcher answered the call.
       "I want to speak to Nearts and Galias."
      It was only a few seconds before the two younger Feeodoreans were patched through.
       "The Hassinan child, Pirum, has asked me if she can study with us. I'd like your thoughts on the matter."
       "She's certainly keen enough," Nearts mused, "and intelligent."
      "I found that Pirum has a very analytical, and flexible, intellect " Galias added. "And she enjoys learning. She would benefit from specialised tuition."
      Vinas thought for a moment. "What is her field of interest?"
       "Exobiology, mostly," Nearts answered promptly, "though she showed an acute fascination with her own species' biology."
       "Do you think she's serious in her interest?"
      The researchers glanced at each other then Galias nodded.
       "I believe so, sir. She has potential."
       "We'll prepare a full report on her, sir, if you like." Nearts said.
      Vinas nodded. "That's acceptable. I'll let you know my decision."
      Nearts and Galias nodded respectfully and Vinas closed the connection.

Mahrayne was feeling wretched. Her homecoming hadn't been the joyous occasion she'd envisaged.
      At the spaceport, Zorun had disappeared with Hijau, and Kelapa had gone with Kyuri, leaving Mahrayne feeling bewildered and apprehensive. Vinas had shepherded Pirum away, so it was only Kinu and herself who had gone back to the suite. Zyelenyi had been at the spaceport to meet Dignusia and Peruro and the young male had been crestfallen to find the females hadn't returned.
       "They will be coming back though?" he'd asked Mahrayne, a little anxiously, as he flew them back to the palace. Mahrayne managed to summon a reassuring smile for him.
       "Yes. They simply wanted to spend some more time with their family." She handed Zyelenyi the letter they'd written him, "Maybe you could contact them on Hassina?" The male smirked and his tail - which was rather short, she realised - twitched.
       "I'll do that." He set Mahrayne down on the balcony, swinging her bag off his shoulder.
      "And if you could give this letter to Ordiff, I'd be very appreciative." Mahrayne held out the second letter.
      "Will do, my Lady." Zyelenyi twinkled at her and left.

'tiisaan, at least, had been glad to see her, and thrilled with Kinu. As for the rest, the adults were all exhausted, distracted or injured and the children that were there - Kobis and 'haabron were nowhere to be seen - were fractious and unsettled.
      She couldn't be responsible for all of this, could she?
      She wasn't, as it turned out, though her actions had added a further, heavy layer of stress for the family to deal with. 'tiisaan told her in vivid, gory detail about the attack on the family, and Gh'veen's death. Mahrayne was saddened to hear that, she'd liked him, his steady, solid presence was going to be sorely missed. Something had happened to Zha'zhasaan though. The hostling appeared to be almost comatose; Zha'haabron, 'ani and 'leen were trying to help him, somehow. Mahrayne couldn't quite comprehend exactly what they were doing, and she was too hesitant to ask for details. She'd been disturbed, however, when 'tiisaan told her how his sibling's trauma had coincided with a dream he'd had about dancing with her... only not her, exactly. Mahrayne swallowed, her bowels clenching in superstitious fear, she knew 'tiisaan was talking about Alida, but why had he seen her...?
       Zha'haarak was in pain too, Mahrayne realised, a surge of sour guilt washing over her - the gentle zn'hre was *feeling* everything Zorun was doing to his bondmate and that was her fault. She was uncomfortably aware of Kiraz and 'raadiin glowering at her - Mahrayne really hoped the situation wouldn't devolve into the children taking sides again.
       The Hassinan's heart lifted a little when Leteetza asked to hold Kinu, introducing him to 'dittsu and 'jiita, and Za'rayne and 'vahn. Mahrayne realised with relief that while she may not be the family's favourite person at the moment, they would still accept her child.

Mahrayne'd finished telling the children a story - it was the least she could do to keep them occupied and out of the adults way - and they'd eaten the snack a silent and sad Zh'leet had prepared for them. Now the youngsters, except for 'tiisaan who'd not left Mahrayne's side, were quietly occupying themselves around the suite. Mahrayne was describing to the shining-eyed young dancer the celebration her people had held for Kinu when 'raadiin and Kiraz planted themselves in front of her.

"It's your fault Hi'jaa's hurting." 'raadiin snarled.
       "I know, your highness," Mahrayne said, "and I am truly sorry - "
       "Sorry's not good enough!"
      Mahrayne handed Kinu to a startled 'tiisaan, then stood in front of the young warriors, head lowered, arms by her sides.
       "Go ahead, I'll not resist."
      Kiraz and 'raadiin glanced uncertainly at each other.
      "What?" 'raadiin sounded uncomfortable.
       "You want to avenge Hijau-sama, I'm responsible for his pain, so..." she waited, making no attempt to hide her apprehension - if either of them took her up on her offer it was going to hurt. 'tiisaan stared in disbelief then angrily hissed something at his sibling. 'raadiin hissed back at him, and the pair glared at each other. 'raadiin scowled and folded his arms across his chest, unconsciously mirroring Kiraz's posture and expression.
       "We're not going to hurt you." he grumbled.
      Mahrayne raised her head, but kept her eyes lowered.
       "Thank you, your highness," she lifted her gaze to Hijau's proteges. "Sometimes," she said softly, "things happen that you can do nothing about, save learn from the experience."
      She bowed to them, then sat back down and retrieved Kinu from 'tiisaan. She concentrated on gently grooming the cub's mane with her fingers, calming herself more than him, and was therefore unaware of the filthy look 'tiisaan shot at 'raadiin as he and Kiraz stalked away.
      The young warriors didn't come near her for the rest of the day, and pointedly took themselves off to the other bathing pool later that evening, but there were no more incidents.

The atmosphere was a fraction less strained during bathtime. Pirum and Buahan had been ecstatically reunited and now sat close to each other, wrapped in each others arms - and tail - heads together and giggling.
      Leteetza sat next to Mahrayne for a short while. The little female cuddled Kinu for a few minutes, grinning, and grimacing as he explored her mane.
      Leteetza gazed steadily at the Hassinan; she opened her mouth to speak...
       "I am so, so sorry, 'teetza." Mahrayne whispered abjectly, cutting the female off.
      Leteetza sighed and kissed her cheek.
       "Maybe next time you'll do as you're told, ne?"
      Mahrayne nodded, unable to meet the female's eyes. Leteetza put an arm around her shoulder and squeezed gently.
       "This will all settle down soon." she said, nuzzling Mahrayne's temple. "And Kinu is beautiful."
       "Thank you." Mahrayne sniffed back tears, then couldn't help giggling; Kinu was almost going cross-eyed as he tried to catch the tail-tip Leteetza was tickling over his nose.

"Will you sleep on the platform with us?" 'tiisaan asked Mahrayne hopefully. The Hassinan smiled a little and nodded: Leteetza had intimated that Kel wouldn’t be back that night, and as good as said Zorun wouldn't be around for another day at least. But - she glanced uncertainly at Zha'haarak where he lay huddled against Radittsu - maybe it would be better if she went to her own room...
      Unexpectedly, Leteetza gave her a slight shove in the small of her back.
      "Get into bed, 'rayne," she growled. "You can be a fucking pain in the arse sometimes - but we did miss you."
      Mahrayne smiled gratefully and settled herself and her cub on the platform. 'tiisaan immediately snuggled in next to Kinu, gently kissing the sleeping child's forehead. He beamed at his teacher.
       "I'm really glad you're back, 'rayne. Can we dance tomorrow?"
       "Of course, jhatiludas," Mahrayne tucked a lock of emerald hair behind the hostling's ear then kissed his nose, making him grin.
       'tiisaan closed his eyes, sighing happily, and drifted off to sleep. Mahrayne soon followed - comforted by the barely perceived glow of gold she could see out of the corner of her eye...