Chapter 6
Survii
He told her.
He hadn’t meant to tell her.
But then she had looked at him with those big, consuming eyes – devouring his soul and claiming his life with a smile.
And now, Survii was courting her.
Humans, Havali and Hattie had so helpfully explained to him, went on outings to spend time together before choosing each other as mates. So, that’s what he was doing. Atem insisted he treat his sister right and Alanna seemed so excited about it.
And he was unable to deny her anything.
Which was why he was in his room, getting dressed for a date, while the other mated males – and Tuvo – gave him human lessons.
He needed them as he had no experience with humans.
Like this date thing. Why humans wanted to do romantic things in public, he didn't know, but as First Voice, he understood that aliens did many things that made no sense to his thinking.
“They do not appreciate violence,” Atem was saying. “So, try to avoid fighting around them. Especially avoid letting them fight. Vi Peony still doesn’t like to go to the market alone and she only had one battle there that she won. They’re very sensitive to these things.”
They weren’t the only ones. Domini were unusual for not being affected by violence.
And the humans looked so fragile and soft.
He couldn’t imagine their species was at all violent.
Or, if they were, then their males had to be the ones who handled such things.
In fact, that made more sense the longer he thought upon it.
To protect and care for such delicate mates, human males must be very impressive.
How would he measure up to her expectations? Clearly, the females liked domini males or he wouldn’t be being lectured by four mated males – and Tuvo – right now. But he didn't know if that meant they were settling or just getting used to something different.
He should have looked up human males instead of music through their connection.
“Alanna is very strange,” Romival was telling him.
“She says a lot of things that don’t really make sense to us, but the females don’t question her.
So, I’ve learned not to as well. I’m sure, if you’re her mate-” Atem growled “-you will understand her better than I do. But I thought I should warn you.”
She listened to her instincts. He valued that in a person.
Maybe she didn't use that exact word, but that was essentially what was happening.
He had met so many species that all believed and thought differently compared to himself.
And, unlike most of his species, he had come to understand concepts like fate and destiny and deities.
He would have no issue learning from and adapting to her.
“Don’t bring up your desire to breed her yet,” Havali was saying. “Human females are highly fertile, and so they are much more selective about who fathers their young and when. And their birthing process is… horrific. So, don’t try to convince her before she’s ready.”
Survii had seen it. After he realized what Alanna was to him, and while he was hiding from her, he searched the subnet for information about humans. The original vid of Peony’s birthing process was gone, but that didn't mean copies of the vid didn't still exist.
It was still out there, and it had been watched so many times that there were quick edits of the worst parts so that viewers could more quickly appreciate the marks of agony she had endured.
All the comments related to the video were all some manner of horrified and protective and angered.
Peony being forced to give birth in the way natural to her people was the only reason they were here now.
The process had been deemed too violent and painful to risk even a single female giving birth without her express permission.
Survii didn't want any pups. He did not. So, he could at least make sure that Alanna never had to go through with that.
He very carefully avoided remembering the moment when the blood-haired human had placed the pup on Peony’s chest. How she had smiled like she hadn’t endured a full day of torture, or just how cute the pup was, or how his gut clenched with longing upon seeing him.
Did not want a pup. Did not want a mate.
If deities did exist, one was laughing at him somewhere.
“Do not remark on their size,” Tuvo said with a surprising seriousness. “They really dislike that.”
Survii frowned, turning from the mirror in which he was pulling back the top half of his hair to keep it out of his face. The process to keep the strands curled was wearing off. He’d have to redo it soon.
“Their size? That’s an odd thing to dislike.”
“It is true though,” Romival assured him. “Hattie overheard Tuvo remark on her size and she has completely disregarded him since.”
Tuvo looked suddenly very uncomfortable as he shifted his weight between his feet and turned away his eyes in shame.
He wasn’t surprised that someone had inadvertently insulted one of them – such things were common when different cultures met.
But he was surprised that one of the sweet, gentle humans was holding a grudge against him and that Tuvo had yet to make amends.
“If she says she’s fine, that means something is wrong,” Romival added thoughtfully, “but it also means you have an opportunity to fix it before she gets truly mad.”
“Ah. Her people speak in riddles.” That made sense. It explained why Alanna referred to her instincts in different terms. He had met some species like that. It wasn’t always easy for him, as the domini method of communication was blunt and direct, but he had adapted to such things already.
“Not exactly riddles,” Havali corrected. “It is just, sometimes they say some things that mean the opposite. You can ask her if you don’t understand though, because they’re also usually good about explaining themselves.”
Speaking in riddles was one thing, saying something but meaning the opposite was another. Also something he wasn’t unfamiliar with, however.
“And you are certain that the sharing of a meal is an appropriate date?”
“Hattie said it was,” Atem grinned. “She is always happy to aid us in romancing the others. She’s very kind that way.
If you have any questions at all, you can go to her.
Other dates may be more varied in style and execution, but the sharing of food is important.
And if you are trying to mate her-” his eye twitched as he held back a growl, “-then you need to learn about the rings.”
“Rings?”
“Humans exchange rings when they’ve mated,” Havali explained as they all – except Tuvo – held up their left hands, revealing crystal rings on the same finger. “They must match, and you must give it to her as an offering that she must accept. That’s important.”
“We’ve done it after the claiming fight,” Romival added. “Wear it around your neck when you come to challenge Atem for her-” said male did not hold back a growl this time, “-and offer it before fighting her. They seem happy with that arrangement.”
“But that will take time,” Atem said, still growling as he crossed his arms over his chest. “You’ve plenty to do before you need to obtain said ring.”
“You can learn more about the claiming later,” Havali agreed. “Just for tonight, no blood, no raw meat, and don’t remark on her size. That probably covers the important things.”
Survii appreciated the breakdown. It wasn’t much different from how he studied before meeting representatives of other species.
He needed to know their likes, dislikes, potential bad reactions to foods and drinks, and things that might insult them.
He was just applying those concepts to a mate instead.
Krik, a mate…
The reflexive urge to escape this bond forming in his head clashed against this new, strange desire to take her and claim her and let her build a nest in his den – room! Krik! The conflicting combination was going to drive him mad.
He dressed up for her. Eager to show off how handsome her mate was. To display himself for her. He wanted to start a fight to prove his prowess. Which would be counterproductive considering the sweetness of her species, so maybe he should do something else.
But he also didn't want to give up his hedonistic lifestyle of freedom, bedding whatever female he liked. Something that would be impossible now that his body was getting addicted to her. And if he claimed her? He wouldn’t want other females ever again.
He had never even wanted a mate!
He should run. Far and fast.
But he still found himself walking towards her room. Determined to see her again. To feed her. To take care of her.
Krik.