Shimmer

From her position at the comm-link a bemused Mahrayne watched her youngest child industriously drag furniture, cushions and furs around the large living area of their dwelling.
       "What are you doing, sinam?"
       The little hybrid paused in his labours long enough to give her a brilliant smile.
      "I'm making a cave." As usual when they were alone, the hybrid spoke Hassinan with his mother.
       Mahrayne's eyes lit up.
       "Can I help?"
       "Uhuh…"
       The Hassinan slid out from behind her work station, happily abandoning for the moment the syllabus she was supposed to be finalising.

Mother and child lay cuddled together on the cushions covering the floor of 'nesia's 'cave'. It wasn't a large structure, barely big enough for the both of them, but it was dark and quiet and oddly comforting. Ti'nesia sighed, a contented sound.
       "Tell me a story, please, maazi? A Hassinan one?"
       "Of course, dherrum," Mahrayne smiled, nuzzling the smooth, cool, pale green of his cheek. "The one about how bell-dancing came to be?"
      'nesia nodded and grinned, silver eyes shining in the dim light. Since starting to learn both the traditional bell-dancing with his mother, and 'tiisaan's 'new' version, this was one of his favourite tales. Mahrayne pulled Ti'nesia close and slipped into the familiar story-teller's cant.
       "Long, long ago, Etute and Etate – the twin serpents – regarded each other over the bleak new world they had found…"
      The hybrid absently played with the array of tinkling, chiming bracelets on his mother's arm as he became immersed in the world she was creating for him...

Mahrayne smiled softly, letting her voice trail away as she brought the story to a close. Ti'nesia had fallen asleep, one arm flung above his head as he used to when he was a baby, silky silver hair spreading to cover the colourful cushion he was sprawled over. Even if forced Mahrayne could never admit to having a favourite amongst her children but… 'nesia was special. Like Kinu the little hybrid had an affinity with the Hassinan. He was fluent in the language, was fascinated by the culture and right from the start he'd preferred the Hassinan mode of dress and decoration. He'd already made clear his intention to get face beads when he was old enough. Which wouldn't be far off, Mahrayne mused, perhaps another five or six years. Ti'nesia wasn't developing as quickly as a full-blood zn'hre but Vinas projected he'd be fully grown by the time he was eight Vejiita-sei years old, three years later than standard for his sire's race.
      'nesia seemed to have inherited the most useful aspects of both his parents' genetics. He was hermaphroditic, had excellent night vision but wasn't bothered by strong light, likewise his cold tolerance equalled his maazi's but he had no trouble coping with the heat. His ki was low-powered, like Ti'aasaan's, and a recent trip to the Kamome caves had confirmed he had an excellent sense of direction, something he shared with his mother's people.
       Mahrayne grinned to herself. All of her children – even Korena, though the little female would die rather than admit it – were quite happy underground. Ti'nesia in particular had loved exploring the caves of the Hassinan settlement, wanting to go deeper and deeper into the cool, comfortable dark.
       The Hassinan pulled back the fur covering the entrance of the 'cave' and peered at the chronometer.
       "'nesia, precious, time to wake up. 'tiisaan will be here soon," she stroked the pretty hybrid's small, angled face. The child stirred, gifting his maazi with one of his sweet, unguarded smiles before twisting to rest on all fours with an agility Mahrayne envied. The Hassinan aimed a playful swat at his buttocks.
       "Go and get changed, quickly, precious. You don't want to keep 'tiisaan waiting."
       'nesia smirked and scrambled out of the shelter, leaving his mother to follow at a more leisurely pace.

Mahrayne stood on the small patch of fragrant grass that was the centre of her garden and waved as 'tiisaan and Ti'nesia floated serenely over the trees towards the Academy's main building. She was delighted that, artistically, at least one of her children seemed to have taken after her. 'nesia loved dancing and he had some talent, though Mahrayne realised it was unlikely he'd make a career out of it either performing or teaching. He didn't have the ambition, that drive for perfection that illuminated 'tiisaan from within, or her own soul-deep desire to communicate her love for the art-form. 'nesia danced because it made him happy, nothing more, nothing less. And at the heart of it that was all she desired for her children, that they be happy. Mahrayne watched until the figures disappeared from view then wandered back inside to resume work on the neglected syllabus.
       Some unidentifiable time later the Hassinan looked up to see Kelapa landing outside the glassed double-doors. She stood, smiling warmly as the warrior loped inside, stepping forward into her mate's strong arms.
       *Are you home early or has time got away from me again?*
       Kelapa smirked.
       *I'm a little early. You're meeting the little 'un for the evening meal?*
       Mahrayne tilted her head so she was looking into the female's face.
       *I am. Will you join us this time?*
      *No.* her tail tightened momentarily around the Hassinan's waist as resigned disappointment peaked in Mahrayne's scent. *Kyuri's invited me and the brat to eat with them.*
      Kyuri and Kel were friends again. The Hassinan knew her lover had been deeply hurt by Kyuri's furious contempt after she'd first claimed Mahrayne, but somewhere along the way they'd sorted out their differences and grown… not close, exactly, but more comfortable with each other. Their children had a lot to do with the renewed friendship. Mikan and Kurumi, as half-siblings, enjoyed being together and so friendly contact between their mothers had been a necessity to avoid any unpleasantness.
       Kelapa nuzzled her claim mark through the fine cloth of her mate's robe.
       *'rumi wants to stay with Mikan tonight.*
       * - and 'nesia's due to spend some time with his sire.* Mahrayne grinned. *Shall we go to the beach later?*
       The Saiyan's warm brown eyes gleamed and the tip of her tail flicked lazily over a hardening nipple as she replied with the now almost traditional:
       *Best fucking idea I've heard in ages.*

The Academy had several eateries but by far the most popular was the one that looked out onto the beautiful lake in the Academy's landscaped grounds. Mahrayne exchanged greetings with students and staff as she made her way to the usual table by the windows. She was a little late, everyone else was already there. 'tiisaan, Ti'vien, Lento, Ti'nesia and Zo'rien – sitting close together and giggling, as usual – Ti'aasaan… and Zorun, the real reason Kelapa had declined the invitation to dine.
       The King's Guard had been missing, presumed dead, for a year and a half. He was … different when he returned, even Mahrayne could see that. Nothing had been said about what had happened to him but the warrior looked older, the streaks of grey in his mane and tail making him seem worn.
      Mahrayne bestowed kisses on everyone at the table – bar Lento and Zorun – before seating herself.
       "I'm sorry I'm late. I hope you weren't waiting for me?" she asked, half-contrite.
      "Not long enough for my body to start digesting itself, no." Ti'aasaan smirked. "Though it was starting to consider the possibility…"
       Mahrayne chuckled.
       "Forgive me. I'll endeavour to be on time from now on."
       "You say that every time, 'rayne." The small zn'hre shook his head mournfully and the Hassinan would've taken mild umbrage at the blatant untruth… if she hadn't noticed the teasing twinkle in his pale gold eyes.
       "Shall I fetch your meal for you, sinam?" she said with a sweet smile, "Seeing as you're probably faint with hunger, yes?"
       Ti'aasaan laughed.
       "No, that won't be necessary." He glanced at his bondmate, a look that conveyed such a wealth of love and warmth and belonging Mahrayne had to smile. She didn't envy bondmates their closeness anymore, not when she and Kel had something similar.
      "Can we eat now?" 'tiisaan's plaintive wail was pitched to make even the hardest heart waver, and he knew it. The dancer smirked unrepentantly at his host's quirked eyebrow. "Well I'm hungry."
      Lento grinned, laying a hand briefly on the young zn'hre's shoulder.
       "I will get you something, yes?"

Since Zorun's return these 'family' meals had become a semi-regular occurrence but initially it had taken some persuading from the little zn'hre to organise them. Mahrayne hadn't been convinced of her welcome from Zorun, despite Ti'aasaan's assurances, until one day – not long after the Saiyan had been reunited with his bondmate and their children – she and the King's Guard had chanced upon one another in one of the Academy's hallways. The ex-mates regarded each other silently for a moment, then Mahrayne offered a tentative smile.
       "Welcome home, Zorun-sama."
       He nodded, dark eyes watchful, but not threatening. Ti'nesia – who at almost seventy days old could walk and fly, somewhat, but was still content to be carried everywhere – twisted in his maazi's arms and beamed at the Saiyan.
       "'rien-papa!"
       Not surprisingly Mahrayne had seen very little of Ti'aasaan since Zorun's return though she was more than happy for their hostling to continue spending equal time with his sire in the zn'hre wing of the Palace.
      "Hello, brat." The warrior's countenance lightened noticeably as the little hybrid lifted himself out of his maazi's arms and, brow furrowed in concentration, floated unsteadily towards him. Zorun plucked the child out of the air and 'nesia nestled in close with a happy sigh, wrapping small arms around the male's neck.
       "I understand it was an accident." Zorun murmured, not looking directly at Mahrayne. "I am not angry."
       The Hassinan's breath hitched in her throat. She knew it was Ti'nesia's birth he was obliquely referring to and yes, she'd been concerned about his reaction. She shouldn't have doubted Ti'aasaan but it was good to hear it from Zorun himself.
      The male did look at her then, a dark, level gaze as he nuzzled the infant's silky hair.
       "Ti'aasaan desires us all to be … friendly."
       "What Ti'aasaan wants, Ti'aasaan gets." Mahrayne said with a soft, small smile. Zorun's voice was near expressionless but he still managed to convey a purely Saiyan aura of command.
       "We will see you for a meal, soon."
       Mahrayne could only nod and hold out her arms as the male handed her child back to her. Zorun inclined his head briefly to the bemused Hassinan and continued on his way…

And so the little 'un had got his wish. The loose family group comprising Zorun, himself, Mahrayne and various of their offspring ate together at least once every ten-day. Mahrayne had been justifiably nervous at first, not sure of her response to her ex-mate but it hadn't taken her long to realise that no matter how much she'd loved the father of her two eldest children she no longer felt the same way. For his part, Zorun too appeared to have come to terms with his feelings for her. There was no real warmth between them, but no animosity either: it was very liberating. Kelapa, however, had never joined the group and Mahrayne was disinclined to push the issue.

"So, are you almost packed?" Ti'aasaan smiled at the Hassinan.
       "Almost." Mahrayne chuckled, rolling her eyes. "I'd forgotten how much space furs take up."
       Across the table 'tiisaan shuddered delicately.
       "Kori's so cold, 'rayne-chan!"
       Mahrayne shrugged.
      "I can't go to R'ren'nkh'ia, I don't want to go to G'geckah…"
       "Do you have to leave Vejiitasei for Moon Year?" Ti'aasaan asked. "You could go to Kamome."
       "We could," Mahrayne agreed, then she smiled. "But I've been invited to take part in the story-tellers competition - and Kori is somewhere I've wanted to visit for a long time. It will be good to see Ztegh and Asond again."
       "There are caves on Kori!" 'nesia piped-up, silver eyes wide and excited. "Huge big ones made of ice! We're going exploring!"
       "That should be fun for you, zk'viss." Ti'aasaan reached across to ruffle the hybrid's hair. "You can tell me all about it when you return." He turned to Lento.
      "You're going to Kamome?"
       The young male nodded.
       "There are a couple of things I need to see to." He flashed a glance at Mahrayne, almost shyly. "Perhaps next time I could go to Kori."
      "I can't see why not," she smiled back. "There's already a large Hassinan settlement there. Speaking of which – is there anything you'd like me to take to Kori for you? Some of your kin are there, aren't they, Lento?"
       "Some, yes." The young male smiled. "And thank you, I'd appreciate that."
       "Have we all finished eating?" 'tiisaan enquired, "Because 'nesia and I would like to perform for you what we've been practising…"
       Everyone had and so the group made their way outside to the lake's shore, where, quickly surrounded by a sizeable group of appreciative onlookers – it wasn't unusual for a crowd to gather when 'tiisaan danced – they watched the graceful pair dance amidst the rays of the setting suns…

Mahrayne regarded the small mound of luggage cluttering up the living area with a critical eye. The packing was almost done, just one or two more things to include then the majority of it could be delivered to the spaceport ready for boarding. The transport to Kori would be leaving in just a few hours – the Hassinan glanced outside to where Ti'nesia was tearing around playing a game of aerial tag with Korena and 'rumi – hopefully by which time her youngest child would have exhausted himself. 'nesia, who was thrilled by the prospect of real space travel, had slowly been driving everyone mad the past few days with his excitement and questions and sheer, sparking energy. Mahrayne hoped he wouldn't be disappointed with the relatively short length of the journey. Before the Hyoujin's new technology, the trip between Kori from Vejiitasei had taken more than a day – now it was only four hours. She smiled to herself: 'nesia wouldn't care how long or short the trip was, it was still a novel experience and one to be enjoyed to the full.
A short while later Mahrayne sealed the last of the cases then contacted the spaceport to arrange for their pick-up. She wandered into the main sleeping area for the one remaining thing to be packed... As always she blinked back tears as her fingers closed over the cold, sharp points of orange-red crystal – the last surviving fragment of Hassina's Ember Caves – and as always when she touched it she and her twin felt a vague jolt, an echo of their home world's spirit. Hassina had finally blown itself apart a year and a half ago, only days after the death of the Lead Speaker. Mahrayne's people were superstitious, they were not insensible to the connection between the two events but before long the Hassinan pragmatism had relegated the cataclysm to 'the past' and therefore something not to waste energy fretting over. All of the Hassinan that was, except Alida and Mahrayne. They'd been saddened but not surprised by Marldus' death, but had been completely unprepared for the soul-wrenching pain when the planet died....

Kelapa had felt the flare of her mate's anguish – and the strange, hollow reverberation of it that she chose to ignore – through their link and streaked home to find the Hassinan curled in on herself on their bed. Mahrayne's eyes were open but she was unresponsive, staring at nothing as the tears coursed over her cheeks. Kinu, 'jau and a distressed 'nesia had arrived shortly afterwards, the youngster immediately trying to snuggle as close as he could to his maazi.
      *Mahrayne? Takibi?* fighting panic Kelapa *called* to her mate, tail lashing in agitation when there was no answer. She glanced helplessly at Kinu.
       "I can't fucking reach her."
       The silver-maned hybrid knelt at the side of the bed and gently stroked his maazi's hair: the thick, white mass was unbound and unornamented in mourning for the Lead Speaker.
       "Maazi, what happened?" he whispered. Mahrayne was silent for a few moments then:
       "… everything's gone…"
       The hybrid stared, a cold suspicion forming in the pit of his stomach.
       "What do you mean?"
       Mahrayne swallowed, her gaze still fixed on nothing.
       "… mosaics…history… ontibu… settlements… gone…"
      Kinu blanched.
       "Oh no…" he locked eyes with his bondmate. *Contact Zylenyi, I think something's happened to Hassina.*
       'jau nodded, brow furrowing slightly as he made contact with the Head Diplomat. His sharply indrawn breath seemed loud in the silence.
       "There's reports coming in now from the Feeodorean vessel in orbit around G'geckah…" he wiped a hand over his eyes. "Hassina's destroyed itself."
       Kinu bowed his head as 'nesia started wailing: the planet hadn't been unpopulated. Communication with the fifty thousand or so Hassinan who had stubbornly refused to leave their home had broken off half a year ago after a particularly violent round of earthquakes, but there was a chance they might have been alive…

Four days later and Mahrayne was still largely uncommunicative. A small part of her kept at her to 'get up, get on with your life' but it was too much effort. Easier instead to simply sleep rather than battle the lethargy that consumed her will. Sleeping was also a convenient way of avoiding the ever-present pain, and an excuse not to have to talk to anyone. The presence of even those she loved the most grated at her like grit in a wound. The Hassinan understood vaguely that she was in the grip of a profound depression but couldn't, didn't want to make the attempt to pull herself free. She and Alida dozed, undreaming, curled around each other behind a comforting buffer of numbness.

"How is she?" the sound of Leteetza's voice filtered through to Mahrayne's consciousness. She heard Kelapa's frustrated sigh.
       "She's not fucking eating, or moving, she's doing nothing but fucking sleep."
       "'nesia would like to see her…" those were Zha'haarak's soft words. Kel hesitated for a moment then:
       "Yeah, bring him through."
      No! Half of Mahrayne resisted the idea of contact with her child even as the other half longed for it. I'm not ready…
       "Maazi?" Ti'nesia sounded so hesitant, so lost, the touch of his hand on her face so light it barely registered as sensation at all. "Maazi?"
       Slowly, unwillingly, Mahrayne and Alida pushed their way up to wakefulness.
      The first thing they saw was 'nesia's anxious face peering down at them.
       "Maazi?" there was a blossom of hope in the little hybrid's voice, in his wide silver eyes.
       "Sinam…" it emerged as a croak from Mahrayne's dry throat but Ti'nesia recognised the word. He flung himself at his mother with a happy cry, snuggling close, burrowing his head under her chin. It took an effort of will to move but Mahrayne hugged her child, relishing the feel of the cool little body in her arms.
       "Maazi," 'nesia's expression was serious, thoughtful, concerned. "You need a bath."
       Mahrayne couldn't quite muster the energy to laugh but she did manage a wry smile. She kissed his forehead.
       "You're right – I do."
       "Are you better now?"
       The Hassinan nodded.
       "I will be."
      "You scared me." As an accusation it lacked strength but Mahrayne could easily discern the anguish behind the words. "You scared all of us."
       "I'm sorry," she whispered, "I didn't mean to…"
       Kelapa leant down and brushed a kiss over her hair.
       "The brat's right – I'll run a bath."
       Mahrayne smiled at the gruff affection, and relief, in her mate's voice.
       "Do you need anything?" Zha'haarak asked quietly.
       "No, thank you, Ssii'iir," she shook her head, grimacing as she struggled to sit up: she felt so weak… Leteetza came to her aid, helping the Hassinan to her feet, supporting her while she regained her balance.
       "Thank you." Mahrayne murmured with a small smile. The little warrior glared up at her.
       "You shouldn't have fucking slept so long..."
      Kyuri and Kelapa's friendship hadn't been the only one repaired since the war. Mahrayne had no idea what prompted it (and despite her curiosity she wasn't game to ask) but Leteetza had started talking to her again. It wasn't the same sort of relationship they'd had before the split - it couldn't be, they were both bound by claims now – but they'd rediscovered a pleasure in each other's company. Leteetza had been there for Ti'nesia's birth and to Mahrayne's delight had agreed to be one of his Name Parents along with Kelapa, Malum, Kinu and 'jau.
      *Bath's ready.* Kel informed her mate, emerging from the bathroom to help Mahrayne walk the short distance.
       "I'll get some food. Back soon." Leteetza smirked, loping out to the garden.
       Mahrayne disrobed, also with Kel's help, before sinking with a grateful sigh into the hot water. 'nesia climbed in after her clutching a large beaker with which he determinedly set about thoroughly soaking her hair preparatory to washing. Mahrayne relaxed back against the edge of the bath, eyes drifting closed.
       "Don't go to sleep!" 'nesia hissed.
      "I'm not, sinam," Mahrayne blinked, "I'm just… enjoying what you're doing."
       "Good." The hybrid scowled. "You can't go back to sleep yet, we need you."
       The female's smile was a little sad: 'nesia was right, again. Hassina was gone and it hurt more than she could've imagined, but… she was alive, her people would survive, and she was needed by those she loved. Life could be much, much worse…

That 'Kori was cold' was an understatement, it'd been a long time since Mahrayne couldn't feel her nose. Of course, standing in the open atop an ice ridge exposed to the frigid winds probably wasn't helping. Kelapa shivered behind her, though Mahrayne suspected that was more for show than real discomfort. The warrior was warmly dressed in bodysuit and furs, and if she was genuinely feeling the cold she would've erected a ki-shield…
      *This is so beautiful.* Mahrayne's gold-bronze eyes gleamed.
      *'Beautiful'? You're fucking insane.* the grumble wasn't unexpected.
      The Hassinan twisted to frown at her mate.
      *Stop complaining and really look at what you're seeing!*
       Kelapa sniffed.
      *Ice, ice and more fucking ice.*
       Mahrayne chuckled, this was obviously an argument she wasn't going to win, but – she turned back to the vista before her – Kori truly was remarkable. Over the eons the planet's constant winds had sculpted the ice mountains into graceful waves and ripples. Looking around at the patterns etched into the landscape it wasn't hard to see where the Kori-jin got the inspiration for their stories. Kori literally was an ice planet, formed around a small, dense core of metallic ore. Its blue-white sun was distant, imparting very little heat but tinting the ice the most amazing range of shimmering blues, purples and greys. Mahrayne yawned and leaned back against her mate. Despite the relative brightness it was actually the middle of the night and she was very tired after a long day. Kori was massive, its gravity heavier than Vejiitasei's, and its slow rotation meant there were only two 'seasons' over a year – the light and dark. The Storytellers competition took place at the height of the 'light' season, when the sun didn't set for several handfuls of days. It was a time of celebration and feasting, a time to relax and enjoy the company of friends and kin before returning to the task of surviving.
      Mahrayne yawned again and Kelapa smirked.
      *Let's get inside. You need your sleep if you're going to beat that big grey female tomorrow.*
       The Hassinan turned around, snuggling into her mate and laughing.
      *I don't know that I will, Gahost is exceptional.* she grinned. *Though Ztegh is impressed I've managed to get this far through the competition.* She slipped a gloved hand into the furs enveloping her mate, finding and stroking the Saiyan's tail where it was wrapped tightly around her middle. *We don't need to go to sleep right away though, do we?*
       Kelapa smirked, shivering again but not from cold this time.
      *No. Not right away…* She scooped her mate up into strong arms and flew them down to the collection of animal-hide dwellings clustered around the base of the mountain…