Chapter 10
Havali
She noticed his arm. She didn't act uncomfortable under it. She smiled. He wanted to offer her his hand to take. She was his mate, his, and he had the right to hold her hand.
But he didn't. He pretended he wasn’t eaten up with jealousy when Atem took Peony by the hand, but he, like Tuvo, offered his companion only his company as they walked forward.
Other species had their way of accompanying friends and lovers, but for the domini, hand holding was important.
Because their hands were their weapons and to willingly disarm yourself for another as well as put yourself within reach of their claws, unable to get away, was an act of trust.
However, he could, and did put a gentle hand to her back as he led her forward. That was still pushing it, but it wasn’t considered as intimate as hand holding. At least, not to his species.
The three couples walked down the entry path to the grand hall. Combots whizzed overhead. A surprising number of them were focused on himself and Scarlet. Getting the humans on holovid made sense, Peony especially, but Scarlet? What were they looking at?
He made a mental note to slip away and check the news feeds as soon as he could.
For now, his eyes roamed over the attendees. Making notes of who was here – new and old – and their potential reactions to the humans. Some species did not believe in hiding their emotions, and those were easy to read. But others practiced strict stoicism, and those were more difficult.
Security – big, hulking males with membranous wings on their backs – waved them into the building, and he was proud of all three humans for not staring. Peony was more focused on Atem, Alanna was apparently from a political background and knew better, and Scarlet was perfection.
His female kept her head high and her eyes forward.
Now that she didn't have to worry about speaking for her people, she looked far more relaxed.
And she was beautiful tonight. He had chosen a traditional, standard, white formal suit, wanting to match whatever she wore.
She outshined him. Like a beautiful strip of purple paint across a plain background.
“So, what do we do first?” Peony asked, whispering back at the others as people – subtly and obviously – turned to them as they walked inside the massive hall.
“We mingle,” Alanna grinned. “Make friends. Don’t worry about work. That’s for later. Just be charming and kind. Be human.”
“That is either an encouragement or a threat,” Scarlet murmured, pulling back her shoulders and putting on a smile that looked, at once, practiced and natural.
“Don’t worry. I know all of the attendees,” Havali said, specifically to her, but also generally to all three females. “I can keep you informed.”
“How?” Scarlet asked, cocking her head curiously. Adorably.
“Like this.” He gestured ahead with his head. “The female coming towards us now is Rootavin’s Choice Fellaseen. One of a coven of six females that all represent the singular voice of their species. She serves as the High Imperium’s plenipotentiary this cycle.”
The familiar, furred female was walking their way with a bright smile on her face. Delicate bells tied to her tail tinkled with each step. The golden dress she wore really brought out the highlights of her fur and the sparkle of her eyes.
Scarlet grinned, giving him a look that made him preen under her appreciation of his skills.
“Hello again,” Fellaseen greeted, forming a symbol of honor with her hands over her belly and bowing to them in the way of her people. “We are glad you were all able to attend the festivities this evening.”
“We wouldn’t miss it,” Alanna chirped brightly. “The chance to meet so many varied and unique people was one we simply couldn’t pass up. Peony might have to leave early though. She’s nesting, you know.”
“Of course.” Fellaseen gave a big, toothy smile to Peony. “Feel free to leave whenever you need, Adassani. As an individual, I am not one of us that whelps, but we know when they do, there are days we can’t get them to leave the den for anything.”
“Thank you for understanding,” Peony said slowly, obviously trying to work through her plural way of speaking. “I’m going to hold out as long as I can though. This all looks magnificent.”
“Wait until you see the light show,” Fellaseen’s eyes sparkled. “It’s going to play on the night shield later. It will be spectacular. And you will be able to view it from your nest, if need be.”
“Are you greeting us as Rootavin’s Choice, or the High Imperium’s voice?” Alanna asked curiously.
“Neither,” she laughed, the sound having a lovely purring quality to it. “We’re just greeting you as ourselves. Your scents are so alluring, and your voices so pleasant. We simply wanted to speak with you more. We’re not one for subterfuge or politics, we’re afraid.”
“But you’re a politician?” Scarlet asked, no doubt thinking of her own panic earlier.
“We were voted for this position,” she pointed to herself, but was definitely speaking in the plural as she and her sisters would all do.
“Our people are industrious and believe in hard work and fairness. The Choice is chosen from leaders of the various unions on our planet. So, we may serve in this diplomatic position for now, but we are still machinists at heart.”
“I see,” Alanna nodded like she really did see. “We look forward to getting to know you. Humans consider ourselves industrious, but I’m sure that’s only because we’ve no one to compare ourselves to. I’d love to learn more about your people.”
“Of course,” Fellaseen preened, her ears perking up in delight. “We’d be happy to tell you more. We should get out of the way though. There are more people that want to see you. It was nice to meet you all again. We hope we get to talk again soon.”
She walked away, her delicate claws from her bare paws clicking against the floor. As she went, she gave Scarlet and Havali a very searching look.
Now, that was interesting. Why was she looking at them like that?
And she wasn’t the only one either. He noticed, as he turned away from her and looked forward, that there were others doing the same.
What was that about?
He didn't get a chance to pull out his combot to check as another person, taking advantage of the casual way Fellaseen had approached, did the same. Just like her, Havali gave the others a quick description of who they were and their species.
But he wasn’t really focused on that. Nor on the way Alanna charmed them so smoothly. Or the next. Or the next.
“If you will excuse me just a moment,” he said, taking advantage of his first opportunity to step away when he might not be needed – a drink mixing robot had floated over and was taking orders and people, respectfully, were keeping back as they placed them.
Havali, meanwhile, stepped to the side, just out of sight. He ducked behind one of the tall, smooth columns that lined the room – no longer under, and therefore out of sight of, the large combots that were still circling overhead outside.
He opened his combot in a mini display. It didn't take him long to find what he was looking for.
It was an image of himself and Scarlet. Of the two of them at the monument the other day. The moment Scarlet had kissed his cheek.
The image must have exploded in popularity immediately after they climbed into the hover on their way here, because he had been monitoring the threads up to that moment.
All of the new feeds were announcing that, according to sources, only Atem and Peony were supposed to be mated, and they were wondering at the meaning of this action between Havali and Scarlet.
Hm. That was… unexpected.
Gritting his teeth, needing to think, Havali put his combot away and went to join the others.
Any concern he had faded when he saw that Scarlet had ordered him a drink.
It was not a flavor he enjoyed, but it was the same one she got and the fact that she thought of him meant everything.
He took the thin, almost vial like glass, and sipped at it eagerly.
Coming from her hand, he barely even noticed the too sweet taste – but he did note that Scarlet seemed to like it.