Collapse pt 3

Mahrayne lay awake again, riding out the aftershocks from the latest upheaval on her home planet. This one had woken her from a deep sleep.
      She wasn't sure exactly what was happening but she seemed to be developing an exquisite sensitivity to Hassina's geological turmoil. It wasn't comfortable, the planet was in its protracted death-throes and while there hadn't been any major catastrophes since Bruma's Household had disappeared under the unimaginable weight of rock, there always seemed to be some part of the planet shifting and grinding. Most of the time this awareness sat in the back of her and Alida's perception but occasionally, like tonight, there was a big enough event to intrude on their consciousness.
      *Any deaths?* Mahrayne hesitantly asked, relief flooding her when Aldia replied in the negative.
      For some reason Alida was able to *see* the details, the cost to individuals, with more clarity than her living sister could, though Mahrayne was able to *experience* the broader picture. It was like they shared the ability between them, something Mahrayne was thankful for, if she had to deal with it all on her own she doubted her sanity could withstand it for very long.
      Two hundred individuals were all that was left of Bruma's Settlement. Two hundred out of ten thousand. Some had been pulled from the edges of the rubble but the majority of the survivors had been lucky enough to be out of the area at the time of the collapse. Lucky? Most of them had lost all of their blood-kin. Mahrayne couldn't begin to comprehend what that was like. She'd only lost two of her siblings, the rest of her family was still alive. True, she was only really close to one or two of them but her kin were there.
      No serious attempt had been made to mount a rescue, the Effodios had declared the area too unstable, the danger of further collapse too great to risk any more lives. Consequently, the rites for the passing of the dead had been performed, the unborn had been Named – a single, all-encompassing Name suitable for males and females – and the entrances to the Settlement sealed. The survivors were dealt with, settled as best they could be with kin in other Households while those needing medical attention were shipped off to G'geckah. The Hassinan mourned but life went on and already – according to Marldus – the tragedy had pragmatically been relegated to 'the past'. Mahrayne had stifled the urge to scream at the Lead Speaker, force him to begin evacuating the planet, but she knew how hard he was working to convince the rest of the Council to heed the Feeodoreans' warnings. Marldus was aware of the danger; he did not need her near-hysterical ranting on top of it all.

Mahrayne carefully shifted over on to her side, facing Kelapa, Kuri nestled between them. She smiled at the cub, though it was a little sad, a little wistful smile. Kuri was the only child she had left, it seemed. Kinu and 'jau were off-planet and so far away from her the empathic link she had with her son wasn't active. Pirum and 'selaan had gone with them, and she barely saw 'rena. It hurt Mahrayne that her daughter stayed away, but she couldn't begrudge the cub's happiness. Korena was fast growing into a strong-willed, exotic beauty, more Saiya-jin than Hassinan and fiercely proud of her warrior training. She was assuredly her sire's daughter and this was brought home to her mother one fine evening when she, Kelapa and the two cubs were picnicking in the Academy grounds.
      "Fight me!" Hands on hips, 'rena glowered up at her older half-brother. Kuri's smirk was calculated to infuriate.
       "No, brat, go 'way."
      "Fight me!"
       "No."
       "Coward!" Screaming with fury the little female threw a punch at the young male. Kuri dodged the blow easily, then without any effort grabbed his sister's slim wrists and held her at arms length. Korena growled and went to kick him but Kuri anticipated it and prepared to move out of the way. At the last second, 'rena changed the attack and using Kuri's grip on her wrists as the pivot point, the little female pushed off the ground with her ki and swung herself bodily up and around, her feet aiming for her sibling's face. Taken by surprise, Kuri didn't react fast enough and 'rena's heels impacted with his cheek with a solid, satisfying thump. He glared at her, but didn't release her wrists, as she'd been hoping.
       "I'm not fighting you, 'rena." Kuri growled, nearing the end of his limited patience.
       "Why? Are you afraid of me?" she sneered.
       "No, I'm afraid of Papa," the male said, "and what he'll do to me if I hurt you again."
      Korena huffed – but Kuri had a point. The last time he'd accidentally hurt her while they'd been sparring - and she still wasn't prepared to admit it was her fault - Papa had been very angry, almost as angry as when Kuri had accidentally hurt Kinu. 'rena adored her father but he could be scary sometimes. The little female pouted and sighed, but finally relaxed. Kuri cautiously released her wrists then ruefully rubbed at his cheek.
       "Nice move, brat."
      Korena's smirk was smug; she may only have a second class power level but she'd found she had a better brain than some of the Elites.
      Kelapa scowled from her position snuggled behind Mahrayne.
      "Just fucking spar with her, brat, it'll be good for both of you."
       "It's no fun, Maazi, she's w- " Kuri glanced at his sister's furious face and hastily amended what he'd been going to say, "I don't want to hurt her."
       "Use your brain, baka," she growled at her son, "don't use your full strength."
       "But MaaziKel - " 'rena began to protest; how could she get better if she didn't fight someone stronger than her?
       "Think of it this way," Kel smirked, "you'll be helping your brother learn control, ne?"
       "Well - all right,"
      Mahrayne almost laughed at the mirrored expressions of doubt on the youngsters' faces.
       Kuri rolled his eyes.
       "Oh, come on then, brat. And this time tell me if I hurt you."
       "Gotta catch me first!" Korena laughed and launched herself into the air.

Mahrayne smiled softly at the soundly sleeping cub. Kuri's very obvious love for her helped ease what deep-down she considered to be the loss of her daughter. But she and 'rena's relationship was still at least cordial, if not close; it could be worse.
The echoes of the latest collapse on Hassina had finally eased but Mahrayne was still no closer to sleep. There was hardly any point to it now anyway, first sun would be rising soon. Mahrayne sighed, her thoughts turning as they inevitably seemed to, to Ti'assaan and his new hostling, and by extension Zorun. When she'd returned from G'geckah Ti'aasaan had delivered the news that her ex-mate had another son, born to an Elite, noble female from the North. Again Mahrayne found herself battling conflicting emotions. A birth was always a joyful event but she was - annoyed? sad? uneasy? - that she'd known nothing about it. It shouldn't have bothered her, this not knowing, it wasn't as if she had a stake in Zorun's life anymore, but still... It was several days before Mahrayne could pin down the problem. She still cared for Zorun and was still deeply attracted to him, as she'd discovered when she quite by accident bumped into the bondmates as they were visiting 'tiisaan at the Academy.

Mahrayne stood in the corridor, suddenly breathless, in front of her once-mate. It'd been almost a year and a half since she'd done more than glimpse him in the distance and she'd forgotten –
       The Hassinan swallowed, smiling uncertainly at Ti'aasaan in the awkward silence. The little zn'hre smiled back - a warm, comforting smile - then he laid a hand on the Guard's arm and they exchanged a look.
       "I'll see you later, 'rayne." Ti'aasaan smiled at her again, hefted the wide-eyed and curious 'vaasaan on his hip and walked away.
      Zorun stared down at her, expressionless, implacable. Mahrayne fought the urge to drop to her knees and press her forehead to the floor – she would make her apologies standing.
       "I-I'm sorry, Zorun-sama, for all the trouble – "
       "I could've fucking killed you both!" he snarled.
       "Maybe it would have been easier if you had." Mahrayne risked a look into dark eyes, faltering at the anguish she saw there.
       "Not while you were carrying my brat." The comment was coldly delivered as the big male stalked off after his bondmate.
       "I'm sorry it ended this way, Zorun." Mahrayne didn't raise her voice, she knew the Saiyan could still hear her.
       He halted but didn't turn around, broad shoulders hunched slightly.
       "So am I."
       Mahrayne watched him leave then, trembling, the Hassinan hurried away, needing to find somewhere private to grieve for what she'd lost...

That encounter had happened less than half a year ago and brief as it had been it had resolved, for Mahrayne at least, some of the lingering issues she'd had about her relationship with Zorun. There was no doubt now; she couldn't go back - not that the Hassinan really wanted to, not with Kelapa warm and bright in her future – but there were times she missed the big male's presence in her life.

Predictably, Kuri stirred awake almost as soon as first sun breached the horizon. He stretched his entire, sturdy body, smirking muzzily at Mahrayne.
       "Can I have something to eat 'fore Maazi wakes up?" was whispered loudly.
       "Of course," Mahrayne murmured with a fond smile. "I think we'll let Kel sleep for a little longer, yes?"
       "Too fucking late for that," a pair of warm, brown eyes glared balefully at them both.
       "Sorry, maazi," Kuri almost managed to sound contrite as he flipped over to snuggle into his mother. Kelapa grunted but cuddled the young warrior tightly to her, nuzzling his black mane. Mahrayne grinned at the loving sight. Kel was a wonderful mother, despite her grumbling, and Mahrayne thought it would be good for her to have another child. Not that the warrior agreed at all but the Hassinan figured she had years to change her mind.
       "Would you like some more sleep, tahnahn?" Mahrayne leaned across Kuri to kiss his mother, "You're not on duty until later, yes?" Kelapa has been permanently assigned to the Academy's Guards, which suited her fine. It meant she was closer to Mahrayne and there was an easier working environment given it wasn't just Saiya-jin on duty.
       "I'll go back to bed after you two have left," Kelapa smirked, "it'll be quieter then." She traced her lover's cheek beads with a fingertip. *Can you stay once the brat's gone?*
      *Maybe for a little while,* Mahrayne turned her head to nibble lightly at the Saiyan's finger, *but not for long. There's a lot still to be done for the winter concert.*Joy and happiness rolled out of the Hassinan's scent, the 'pathic connection she had with Kel was slowly strengthening over time, it was almost always reliable now even if they still couldn't *communicate* unless they were in close proximity.
      *And I suppose you'll fucking be late back tonight - again?* Kel scowled.
      *Yes, sorry, tahnahn.*
      Mahrayne's amateur students had enthusiastically taken to the idea of putting on their own performance and they'd been working hard in the evenings preparing for it. Mahrayne, naturally, was deeply involved with that as well as the Academy's preparations. Kelapa wasn't terribly impressed but wouldn't have tried to stop her lover's involvement in something she so obviously enjoyed. There were compensations though; once the concerts were over she'd have more of Mahrayne's time again and in the meantime a happy Mahrayne was a very loving Mahrayne who made sure the time they did have together was extra special...

Midwinter wasn't far away and the weather swung between wild storms and bitter cold. For the comfort of the zn'hre, one section of the Academy building, including an eatery, rehearsal rooms, class rooms and their private quarters, was kept well-heated for the duration. Not that the R'ren'k'hian staff and students had to stay there, and in fact not many of them did, only needing to slip into heavier bodysuits to allow them to mingle with the rest of the Academy without risking hypothermia. And of course there were plenty of other heat-loving races who didn't mind spending time with their friends in the warmer part of the buildings. Even Mahrayne could tolerate the heat for short periods of time, though she wore the lightest clothing possible while in the zn'hres' area and always had to spend some time outside the building in the cold, afterwards.
       Ti'aasaan had tried to talk her into performing at the Midwinter concert but for once the Hassinan had held her ground, firmly resisting the hostling's big golden eyes and winsome smile. The young dancer had eventually given in with good grace, if not total conviction to Mahrayne's wishes, happily pitching in with her in the behind-the-scenes preparations.
       'tiisaan hadn't eaten the midday meal with Mahrayne today, his siblings, 'fallon and 'raadiin, were visiting and they'd remained in the zn'hre quarters. The Hassinan did pass the trio, though, in the wide corridors as 'fallon and 'raadiin were preparing to leave. Mahrayne couldn't help smiling, little 'fallon was so big with his hosting but so happy. His warrior mate didn't seem all that enthusiastic, but he gave every appearance of attentiveness. Of course 'tiisaan – Mahrayne's source of Family gossip – had imparted all the details of the situation, of how 'fallon had kept quiet about his fertility because he wanted to host, and how the High King had had 'raadiin cowering with threats of dire consequences if he didn't take care of his mate. Mahrayne wasn't entirely sure if 'tiisaan was exaggerating or not.
      'fallon and 'tiisaan greeted Mahrayne as she went past while 'raadiin, as always, ignored her. With a smile the Hassinan inclined her head respectfully to the young princes, all of them, and continued on her way. However, a pained gasp from 'fallon several paces on had her instinctively hurrying back towards the siblings.
       "Ssii'irin?"
       The warrior and the dancer were clustered around 'fallon, hissing worriedly as the young zn'hre curled over the bulge of his hostlings. He lifted his head to gaze at her, golden eyes huge in his beautiful face. He wasn't frightened though, Mahrayne saw - in pain, yes, but not afraid.
       "I – I think it's time, 'rayne."
      Mahrayne broke into a warm smile, cupping his less than cool cheek in her palm. She spared a glance for his siblings; 'tiisaan was flushed but grinning fit to burst, 'raadiin, however... The young warrior stood rigid, gaping, his very real terror painfully obvious to see.
       Oh dear.
       "If I may, Ssii'irin?" she gestured towards 'fallon's abdomen. The hostling nodded, clenching his teeth as another spasm passed through him. Mahrayne gently ran her hands over the bulge, delighted to feel the activity within.
      "Should we get him to the med-centre?" 'tiisaan asked.
       "I don't think we're going to have time, sinam," Mahrayne grinned, thinking quickly, she knew how fast zn'hre births could be. There was a small rehearsal room nearby – it would be empty at the moment, and like all the rooms in the building it had its own adjustable climate control. "'fallon? We're going to move you somewhere a little more private, yes?" He nodded, sagging back into his mate, and Mahrayne turned to 'tiisaan again.
       "Sinam, could you notify Vinas, and organise some clean bedding?" the dancer nodded and sprinted away. Mahrayne called after him: "It's probably a good idea to let Zh'leet know and – " she had to raise her voice now, 'tiisaan could move very speedily when he wanted to, " – and if you could ask my next class to start without me...?"
      The hostling's affirmative floated back down the corridor towards her and Mahrayne turned to the ever-so-slightly panicking 'raadiin.
      "Ssii'irin, you'll need to carry him," she spoke gently and calmly, "Follow me, please."

It didn't take long at all. By the time she'd got 'fallon's bodysuit off – and made 'raadiin understand he would be infinitely more help kneeling behind his mate and supporting him rather than staring wild-eyed from the door – the first of the babies was making his way easily into the world. 'tiisaan arrived back in time to warmly wrap the first infant in clean furs while his teacher dealt with the next one. Vinas hurried into the room as the third made his appearance and Zh'leet, Zha'haarak and Hijau arrived in time to welcome the fourth and fifth – the final - hostlings...

Mahrayne stood unobtrusively to one side as 'fallon, tired but beaming happily, lay back in his mate's arms. Beside him Zha'haarak and Hijau waited for Vinas to finish checking the newborns' health before claiming the first cuddles. 'raadiin still had the look of someone smacked over the back of the head with a metal bar but creeping through now was a fierce, protective pride in his new family. Zh'leet cradled one of the tiny babies, her reptilian face split by a wide grin as she gazed down at the infant. Mahrayne wanted to hold one of them too, with an aching desperation that was making her eyes water, but she had no claim to any such familiarity any more.
      "I'd better go, yes?" she murmured to 'tiisaan, "my class is waiting."
       "Are you sure?" the young dancer searched her face.
       "Yes," Mahrayne smiled, "this is time for family now."
       She'd almost made it to the door before 'fallon noticed.
       "'rayne? Where are you going?"
       "I have a class, Ssii'irin – "
       "Oh," wide golden eyes smiled at her with nearly the same sweetly manipulative force that 'tiisaan could summon, "But 'rayne, you helped them into the world - you must stay, and hold each one of them, so they know you in the future..."
       How could she refuse?
       "Thank you, Ssii'irin." The Hassinan was aware her beaming grin held very little in the way of dignity but couldn't find it in herself to care as she gazed down into the first delicate little face topped by bright green fuzz...

Thanks, Joules, for your help with this one! - Amanda.