The Elder's Mate

Twenty-Eight - Friends

"Are you sure you are feeling well? You may go rest if you need to."

Rhage led Artemis down the hall towards something he wanted to show her. She had yet to find out what it was. The low lighting of the path helped her growing headache as they made their way through the ship.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Really. I'm fine." Artemis gave Rhage a small smile of reassurance.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, his face a picture of skepticism. The blue cape he wore helped to emphasize his broad shoulders that were relaxed, something she noticed when avoiding his eyes. She ignored his thousand yard stare as they passed a group of youths that quieted down as Rhage turned his attention to them. The group stopped when he said something to them.

One of the youths, a smaller male with dreadlocs that barely passed his jawline, eyed her with curiosity. He wore a green loincloth that contrasted against a tan hide with black speckles.

When Rhage addressed him, he stopped his open staring to turn to her mate. A few words later and the group was once again on their merry way. He grumbled a few incoherent words to himself and his shoulders relaxed again.

"What was that about?" Artemis glanced behind her shoulder to watch as the youths disappeared beyond a corner.

Rhage clicked his tusks together as they entered the lift. "They are curious. Pups do not get to see a human until their first trip to N'ithya."

She nodded, leaning against the metal wall. "That one kid was openly staring."

"Khur'je. He is Dhare's youngest. He approaching his test to earn his armor."

"They have more than one?" The doors slid open when they reached the floor Rhage had selected.

Her large mate palmed her lower back as he led her along the way. "Sei'i. Pups must earn their awu'asa and their bio-mask. A beast is selected for them to hunt. Successful ones are given their gear."

Artemis hadn't realized there was so much actual training involved, but then again, it made sense. They lived to hunt creatures for sport. There had to be intense training to make themselves strong and capable of enduring such a lifestyle. She often worried for Orion's fate should he fight them himself when he was old enough.

Part of her wanted him to stay a baby forever so she could enjoy his innocence as long as possible.

Childhood back home wasn't so...harsh.

"Mate," Rhage brought her from her thoughts as they stopped before a closed door. He knelt down so they were face to face, his hand caressing her cheek. "if you are not up this then it can be postponed, my flower."

Looking towards the door filled her with an excitement for the unknown. She couldn't help but wonder what he wanted to show her. Backing down because she had a terrible nightmare wouldn't prevent her from doing what she liked. It irritated her sometimes of just how protective Rhage could be with her. He meant the best but he was a little too much with it sometimes.

Taking his hand in hers, she offered yet another smile, "Babe, everything is fine. It was a bad dream. That's all."

"Alright." The Elder Yautja relented.

A smirk appeared on his face as he scanned his hand on the door panel. He moved to the side to let her enter first, as usual.

Oh, how chivalrous he was.

Voices she recognized drew her inside. They were sounds she thought she'd never hear again. There was a sight she thought she'd never see again. Her heart stuttered as she took in the sight of the two women seated in front of a large window.