Across the Universe Found

A parting of ways...

I was at first reassured by all the off-worlders that strolled around the landing docks. But as we trooped away farther into the residential area, there were less and less. I murmured a query about this to 'Mother', who quietly informs me that off-worlders did indeed live around the docks, but matings between them and the natives were ultra rare. Not unheard of, simply put that because of the pheromone issue, few tried to maintain such an unbonded relationship. Many who did, were either older and lost one or both parts of their Nariu, or were proven to be barren and thus unattractive to prospective mates.

I humphed at this point, earning me a curious look from Mother. I caught this, and went to explain why I was peeved, "It's just awful to consider an individual to be unworthy of love and affection over such an antiquated issue... Baccus told me your people don't research or practice reproductive medicine or sciences. Not all cases of barrenness have to be permanent. It's possible something can be done for them, if they just don't give up on themselves. Not always sadly, but from what Baccus tells me? It could be many more than you'd expect." My tone is soft, don't wanna go inciting my new people to dislike me so soon out of the gate, er dropship.

The surprise on her pretty feline face was charming in its hopefulness. I nearly called Baka-San a fibber when he first told me that a species capable of traversing the very stars in the heavens, couldn't even figure out their own fertility?! That was low tech stuff in many cases, I mean any fool with a calendar and a dollar store turkey baster could perform a rudimentary field insemination for pity's sake! I twitched with the desire to blurt this out, but refrained. It wouldn't do to call my new 'family' worse than what they no doubt considered my own technologically primitive people. It was better to wait till I knew more. There could be something I was missing, religious or cultural maybe that was also an issue aside from the medical angle. Only fools rush in, and the arrogant reap what they sow when they assume their way is best when they haven't even taken the time to research all there is to know about an issue. I have no interest in having my ignorance causing harm or pain to others if I can avoid it. So I kept my trap shut and listened as Mother waxed poetic about the sights we were passing.

We came to a stop at a large building that brought to mind an oversized white seaside villa in some Greek village. There were even tables and sun shade umbrellas here and there. I was about to ask if it was a hotel, but was beaten to the chase by the Dour Mother turning to the Candy Girls and saying in a tone that no doubt was meant to be kind, but sounded more like she was in dire need of a potty break, "This is the dormitory for unbonded females... from what Shade and Shadow have arranged with the Sovereign as well as the Alliance, you will be staying here with the aid of a scholarship as well having your needs looked after with the benefit of a grant, until such time as you are able to provide for yourselves, or you have found yourselves mates... now, have you any queries about what I have said?" She drifts her gaze to each girl in turn, calm wafting off her as if she could stand there all day till they did think of a question.

This makes me happy, to know she doesn't blame them for the mess with her and Mother's boys. The girls seem to have a handle on the situation though, and just want to know if someone is going to help them settle in. Dour Mother gives a affirmative and motions for what turns out to be the Naairian version of a dorm mother. She is a bit wrinkled and her pelt is faded to a lavender color with age. I found this interesting... did it mean the pelts of the Naairian were shades other than earth animal colors? I was feeling a tingle in my fingers to touch her and see if she felt super soft like my own grandmother did, or more leathery like aged suede? I tucked my hands under my arms to ensure I would behave myself.