Chapter 29
Misty
Another party, another argument, another chance for Misty to wonder what exactly she was doing. It might be crazy for her to be mad at a guy for not – essentially – proposing when they just started getting along properly, but they were supposed to be mates, dang it. She had agreed to this because she thought she was getting her soulmate and all the fun that came along with it.
She’d finally no longer be alone. Guaranteed, her guy was going to be The One for her. Laboratory tested and science approved! It was just that easy. All she had to say was yes, and she would get to experience the bliss of a human experiencing one of their rare, true, mate bonds. And all that it entailed.
For her kreecharma male, that meant the scenting and the rut. Something she read about and was even excited to experience.
And something he was straight up denying her because of his principles. Which might have been admirable if he had ever even once thought about discussing those things with her.
So now, she found herself annoyed, again, with her not-mate, holding onto his arm, as they moved around an opulent ballroom. This one was outside, under a hanging garden filled with vines and beautiful flowers that dripped over them like a waterfall of ashy blue leaves. The wooden beams overhead holding the plants were the only real barrier between herself and the night sky that spread overhead, inky black and, really, the only thing that was the right color in nature anymore.
The hoitiest of the toitiest people were in attendance. It was the official welcome party for the High Imperium – who themself was holding something of a small court in the center of the room. Whatever they were saying must be hilarious because the people with them kept laughing and chatting like the greatest of friends.
Tsok and Misty were working their way around the outskirts of the ballroom. Since they were the ones hosting the High Imperium, Tsok was focused on talking to others instead. Not everyone had a chance to talk to the High Imperium, so while they were waiting for their turn to do so, he was moving between them, working his agenda.
All the while, he would occasionally give her curious looks. Like he wanted to talk to her, but was holding himself back. She hadn’t really given him the chance to yet because she wasn’t ready to hear whatever he had to say. She had to be calm enough to have the discussion, and right now she was just too irritated, so they’d both have to wait.
Misty, for her part, didn't really need to say anything at all. She smiled at people and nodded politely when Tsok introduced her. However, the things they were discussing were all political and in depth – oftentimes using words she didn't even know.
At some point, she got tired of it and just pulled her arm free from Tsok’s. He looked at her, concerned, but she just shook her head.
“I’m going to the restroom. The privy.”
“Ah. I see. It’s over there,” he gestured to one side of the room.
She nodded and walked off, but didn't go to the bathroom. She didn't really have to go, she just wanted to get away from all this for a minute. She found a glass of something sweet with a tart bite of alcohol and walked to the edge of the pavilion to look out over the bright pond that was situated just a few paces away. The moonlight was dancing off the gently rippling black surface as soft music echoed from behind her. The cool air brushed her face, and she let out a sigh.
Really? He was planning on not mating her properly. What kind of shit was that? She definitely wouldn’t have agreed to that if she’d been told about it beforehand. Although, apparently, her opinion was not wanted because she certainly hadn’t been asked.
“ I didn't take you for the kind to stand at the edge of a party. ”
That familiar, robotic voice made her turn in surprise. She didn't expect the Imperium to come gliding her way. Not even a hint of the crowd that had been around them in sight. Had they excused themself just to come talk to her? Why?
“I didn't take you for the kind to come talk to someone at the edge of a party,” she countered, stepping to the side to allow them to stop next to her. Today’s cover over the black shroud looked like it was a constellation of a wheel of some kind over a dark blue and light blue background – like an artistic impression of the night sky, trimmed in shiny silver.
For someone who wanted absolutely nothing known about themselves, they certainly did have a sense of pride in fashion. She never saw them in the same cover twice.
“ I wanted a chance to speak with you, ” the Imperium said simply. “ How are you settling into your life here on Kree? ”
“It’s alright.”
“ Just alright? ” They asked, a chuckle in their robotic voice.
“Could be better.” She shrugged. “Could be worse. Just standard relationship trouble, you know.”
“ I do not know, in fact. ”
“No mate for you?”
“ No. But it’s a work in progress. ”
Misty gave them a look. That seemed like an odd way to put it. “Well, good luck looking, I guess.”
“ Thank you. In fact, there was something I wanted to talk to you about regarding Earth. ”
Misty’s instincts lifted their head. There was nothing different about the way they spoke. Their tone hadn’t changed at all. But something inside her poked its head up because she somehow knew, she could just tell, that it was important.
This was what they had come over for. Not to ask her about how she was settling in on a new planet or oversee the debate of an argument they had no involvement in.
She was curious, but she kept her tone cool.
“Oh?”
“ Yes. See, I’ve started something of a new project. Currently, there are only two ways for humans to leave Earth. They must either be mate matched to someone, as you have been. Or they must have someone from a Coalition species willing to sponsor them. Basically, providing everything they need until they can stand on their own. As you can imagine, that’s a very rare circumstance. There’s simply not much means for a human to meet another species if they aren’t mate matched. There are efforts for adoption off your planet, but that has become bogged down in a whole mess of legalities and… Well, that’s not for you to worry about. For now, there are two. ”
“Right,” Misty nodded, agreeing with what they were saying. She heard that people could give up their Earth citizenship and live only in the Coalition worlds – but that meant forfeiting your right to ever return to Earth. Something that she, as a mate, did not have to do. It was a way of discouraging people from trying to leave Earth to bring back advanced technology. Earth was forbidden to have such a thing until they advanced to a certain point and became full Coalition members. She supposed they weren’t as worried about those who mate matched stealing tech.
“ So, my project is a way to connect humans to Coalition species. Like a, er, chat room? I believe that’s how humans phrase it. The chats would have to be monitored, of course, so nothing Earth can’t have are transmitted – plans and technology diagrams and explanations, things like that. But I thought, with the right oversight, it could be a great way to connect humans and other species. So that those willing to leave Earth can more easily find a sponsor without needing to be mate matched. ”
Misty frowned. “Sounds like an easy way to do some human trafficking.”
“ Yes, that is why it must be monitored. And the humans leaving would still need to go through all the standard immigration procedures. Their sponsors, too, would need to be checked thoroughly. They would also get the same tenday checkups that you’ve been getting. ”
“I mean, I guess if it were safe and everything double checked, it would be fine. And people should know better than to just jump ship and run to meet someone you only know online. Tsok said it too. People are going to make dumb decisions no matter how hard you try. You can’t stop them all.” She frowned at the Imperium. “Why are you asking me about that though?”
“ I wanted your opinion on the chat room. Formatting. Things like that. I need to know what an intuitive interface looks like for a human. ”
“But… I’m a hairdresser? I don’t really do IT.”
“ Oh, I’m not asking you for anything technical. I just want your general thoughts and opinions. ”
“Okay, but still. Why me?”
“ You’re the only human here right now. ”
“Well, yes. Technically, I’m the only human in this room. But it sounds like you came here just for that. And I’m not the only human on the planet. Jeanie is here too.”
“ And I will also be getting her opinion. But I would like yours as well. ’
Misty wanted to ask them again why. She really had no experience operating a web page or anything. Even the one she had now for her salon was run by Davard. It didn't really make any sense why he was asking her specifically.
“I guess I don’t mind,” she said slowly, still trying to figure out why her. “You want it right now?”
“ No, not now. Actually, I’m going to be touring a True Mate site with Vigo and Jeanie in a few days. I’d love it if you and Tsok would come with me. Probably Senior Boktare and his mate as well. And maybe a few others too. I’ll get your opinion then. ”
“Why though?”
“ You seem to have a good head on your shoulders and great taste. And your mating was under difficult circumstances. I, of course, would like to make sure that the welfare of the humans who choose to leave their planet permanently is maintained. Your experience would be of great help. ”
Misty wasn’t buying it. Why was he waiting for the True Match tour? Why not meet with her and Jeanie alone and at a specific time if that’s what he wanted? And why Misty at all? Jeanie, at least, made sense to ask. She was the other half of the True Mate operation. But Misty was just… Misty. She didn't have anything to do with things like that.
There was definitely something up. But the Imperium was giving her nothing else. Their voice was incredibly artificial, but despite that, it was amused and tight lipped. She just knew if she asked, she wasn’t going to get anything out of them except more thin justifications and excuses.
“Yeah, sure,” she finally said cautiously. “I don’t mind helping out.”
“ Thank you so much, ” they said, their computer voice sounding so delighted. Like there was even a chance she might say no. “ If I might offer some advice in return? ”
Misty’s eyebrows popped, curious to what they would say.
“ Char Tsok is the very pinnacle of what the kreecharma say is a proper male. In every aspect. ”
“Okay?”
“ Honorable, protective, devoted. Dense as a lead brick. ”
Misty had to choke back a laugh as the little robot voice chuckled.
“ They’re all like that, ” they continued. “ They get an idea in their head, and they simply won’t change their mind. The kind of overwhelming evidence that could do so is not something they are going to find in regard to this mating issue. ”
“Huh”? Misty cocked her head.
The Imperium stepped in closer. They didn’t bow their head, but the combot came near to her ear and whispered-
“ You want Char Tsok to mate you, yes? He won’t do so while Senior Boktare opposes it. He is too stubborn to give Boktare that ammunition against him. Similarly, Boktare won’t give his permission because of his stubbornness in protecting his people. But you have an answer that can change their minds, don’t you? ”
“I do?” She looked into the shapeless shroud covering what had to be the Imperium’s face. “I… I’m really just a hairdresser. I don’t…”
“ You’re a human. You know how to end this. ”
“Clearly you have an idea as well,” she countered with a scowl. “Why don’t you?”
“ Ah, but I cannot take sides. I can only advise and grant voices to those who wish to speak. You should speak. Humans have already solved this problem. In their own way. Thank you for offering your help, Charina Misty. I shall see you soon. ”
With that, the Imperium turned and floated back into the room where a crowd was eagerly waiting for their attention. They subsumed them like an amoeba, and Misty watched them go, even more confused than before their weird ‘advice’.
She wasn’t alone long. Tsok came to her side shortly after the Imperium walked away, making her think that he had just been waiting for them to leave. Her not-mate gave her a curious look, caution heavy in his gaze.
“What did the Imperium have to ask you?”
“Just if I could give them my opinion on something,” she said, looking her male up and down.
He really was handsome, in an inhuman way. His black fur was shiny, gleaming in the lights like a piece of obsidian. The robe he was wearing today was sleeveless, spring green, with a delicate smattering of yellow and white embroidery in the hem. It was plain as far as garments usually went, but he wore it so well, he made everyone else look overdressed.
They were matching today, she realized. Her robe was yellow with an abundance of green embroidery all down the back of the trailing skirt, made to look like swirling flower petals. It was quite obviously the feminine match to his outfit. Not at all her usual choice, but she had forgone her usual goth aesthetic for the sake of his image among the others. It wasn’t a big concession from her, and one she had agreed to make without a fuss earlier when she got dressed.
Dang. She really must like this guy. She’d never changed her aesthetic like that for anyone. And yes, it was only for one night, but she had still made that choice for him. She hadn’t even thought about it until just now.
“Misty?” Tsok cocked his head curiously at her perusal of him.
“What would it take to make you want to mate me?” She asked, taking a leaf from the High Imperium’s book. Copying him as he had asked Tsok and Boktare on their positions.
Tsok frowned. “If it can be done safely.”
“Were you ever going to tell me that you’d never do it?”
“I didn’t say I’d never do it. But I have to prove the point that I am stronger than my base desires.”
“Why would you want to be?”
“Because your safety is more important than my desire.” His gaze darkened as he stepped closer, forcing her head to tilt back so she could look up at him. “And I do desire you, my Misty. Do not mistake my hesitance for lack of interest.”
She blinked up at him. Despite herself, she enjoyed his warmth. His closeness. Everything in her wanted to put her head on his chest, run her fingers through his fur, and let him hold her for the rest of the night.
But…
“I can’t accept less than absolute commitment.”
He frowned, his brow furrowing deep. “My commitment is absolute.”
“Your commitment is conditional.”
“I will never turn from you, my Misty. I do not need to go through a rut for that.”
She laughed once, but there was no humor in the sound. “Yeah. Sure. You say that now. They all say that. Doesn’t mean they can keep their word.”
He reared back, clearly offended. “You doubt me.”
“I’m not a chump. I will not just let you claim me without actually claiming me. I have more self-respect than that.”
“What does my choice have to do with your self-respect?”
“Because it was your choice. If I just agree to whatever you want despite what I want, without even saying anything, then I’m doing a disservice to myself. And that’s not who I’m going to be. We aren’t a thing if I ain’t got that ring…”
Her own voice trailed off as the realization suddenly hit her. The reaction didn’t go unnoticed by Tsok. He frowned.
“Misty?”
“Char Tsok.”
They both turned. Senior Boktare and Fia were walking their way. Arm in arm. A properly mated couple, with all the bodily changes that came with it. Looking between them and herself and Tsok, Misty couldn’t help but appreciate the irony of their different stances.
“Hello, senior,” Tsok greeted him formally. “Lovely party, isn’t it?”
“Very lovely,” Boktare agreed. “Busy. I’ve only just barely got the chance to speak to the High Imperium. They truly are a good person.”
At his words, Misty looked past his shoulder. The High Imperium was still standing in a crowd, their tall, imposing figure towering over everyone. Their face was completely covered, and judging by the way the combot was bouncing, they were speaking to those people.
But she was suddenly, absolutely sure, that they were looking right at her.
And she also suddenly understood what they had been talking about.