The Dawning of Fate

As I finish recalibrating my perimeter defenses, my mind wanders back to the female resting in my home. She has been asleep for a full day. Echo, an unexpected kink in my otherwise productive day. There is more to the story that she has given me and I will need to find out the rest when she awakes. I fear she will bring unwanted trouble to my borders, yet I can’t help wanting to learn more about her. Her chestnut skin and ginger hair contrast sharply with the Tumerian women of my homeworld.

I will need to investigate the sight of her crash though I cannot leave her alone in my home. She is not a threat, but there is never anything wrong with being cautious. Bringing her along with me will only slow me down. As I march back towards my home, my hands rake through my hair. This is turning into a much-unwanted headache. I will come up with a solution eventually. Once I enter, I make my way towards the cookery and begin to prepare the evening meal. I realize that I have no idea what the Terran eats as I am sure she will be hungry. Dropping the slab of meat on the counter, I go in search of the research tablet. Once found, I return to the cookery, pull up a chair, and begin searching for information on the Terran species.

Unfortunately, there is not much. Earth appears to be in the restricted planets part of the galaxy which only adds more mystery as to how she ended up here on Icturi. The only thing I find remotely useful is the list of dietary needs required for the species to survive. I could prepare her some nourishment cubes. No, I hate those things and I will not subject her to those monstrosities.

Putting down the device, I move throughout the cookery gathering different vegetables and fruits on a plate. After heating the cookware, I boil a few of the vegetables then remove them once they’re finished. This will do. I return to spicing my meat and cutting it into smaller portions.

My ears perk up at the sound of rustling outside the entryway and my wings grow taut. They relax quickly once the female walks into the room.

“Hello,” She greets sluggishly then points out her arm to me. “That thing you gave me worked wonders.”

“Yes, the nanite injections are quite effective.” Her eyes wander around the space, taking in the unfamiliar area.

A growling sound comes from her and I instinctively growl back. She jumps with fear.

“D-Did you just growl at me?”

“You challenged me. Did you not?” I cock my head to the side inquisitively.

“No, I-”

The growling happens again, though this time her arms wrap around her abdominal area. A dark tint appears in her cheeks.

“Female, you do not want to challenge me. You will lose,” I warn.

“I am not challenging you or whatever that means! That’s the sound my body makes when I am hungry.” She looks away and the tint in her cheeks grows darker.

Strange Terran. “Here.” I slide the plate of food I have prepared for her across the table. “These are safe for you to eat based on your nutritional needs.”

She glances at the plate nervously before taking a seat across from where I am standing. I watch as she carefully picks up one of the steamed vegetables and brings it to her mouth. Juice escapes when she bites into it and begins to run down the side of her mouth. Before it can get too far, her pink tongue dashes out and laps it up. The sight of it is doing unexpected things to my nether regions.

“This is so good! It tastes just like a potato.” She exclaims before taking another bite. “I’m so glad you didn’t give me those disgusting cube things.”

My mouth curls in a small smirk, though I have no idea what a potato is. I get ready to bring a piece to my mouth when I notice the disturbed expression on the female’s face.

“Is there a problem with your food?”

“You’re going to eat that raw?” She asks in disgust. Looking at the slice of meat between my fingers and back at her, I am confused. She must see my dilemma because she continues.

“You’re not going to cook your meat?”

“Why would I do such a ridiculous thing?”

She recoils then shakes her head causing the little worms she calls braids on her head to sway. “On Earth, we usually cook meat but I guess it makes sense that you wouldn’t need to with your sharp teeth and all.”

“Seems logical. Your species were not built to survive on rough terrain. I have never tried putting my meats over a fire. Would you like me to do that for you?” I ask while I bite off a piece.

“No, you don’t have to do that. I’m fine with this, thank you. And thank you for letting me sleep plus healing my arm. I’ve only been here a couple of hours and I’ve already caused so much trouble.” Her voice trails off.

“How did you come to be on Icturi?” Her shoulders stiffen instantly.

“I told you the ship crashed here.”

“Yes, I am aware of that. What happened before your ship crashed is what I wish to know,” I press.

I can scent her fear growing. It is not my intention to scare her but I must know these things in case danger comes knocking.

“I was abducted from my home planet and held in a cell for weeks until today when I was taken to some marketplace to be sold. I ran away from the big lizard guy who kidnapped me but ended up captured by two men who worked for whoever I was being sold to. The ship was fired at and the next thing I know I woke up inside half of a ship on an unknown planet.”

I sit in silence for a moment taking in all the information she’s given me. I glance at her again with a new sense of how strong this Terran actually is. I knew I smelled that wretched trade outpost on her. Besides that, there is another half of a ship out there with two possibly alive men searching for their missing cargo. She tells me everything she can about the two men until I get a good picture of what they look like.

“I appreciate you telling me your story, considering that it was not an easy one to divulge. I am not yet sure what to do but you may reside here until we determine your fate. I will not allow you to be sold. However, you must bathe immediately because you are tainted with the stench of Niscus.”

Her mouth flutters open and closed before it remains shut and her face turns ripe with embarrassment. I guide her towards the bathing chambers in her room and direct her on how to use it. “I will retrieve the clothing fabricator for you.”

I return with the long silver contraption and her stormy eyes light up with fascination. Plump lips curve into a beautiful smile as I show her how to operate it.

vrat. What am I thinking? I turn to leave before I think of any more ridiculous thoughts.

“Azandum?” The sweet melody of my name on her tongue draws my attention. I glance back.

“Thank you,” she says earnestly.

I grunt in response and make my way to my quarters but not before seeing the smile on her face.

Proceeding to the cleanse of today’s activities, my mind floats around all of the new troubles that await. The promise I made was a risky move on my part but I cannot, in good conscience, stand by and watch as she is sold into slavery. She is female and that fate as a slave would break her fiery spirit. Slavers would use her to their every whim, breed her, then toss her away. I would know, I have witnessed the harsh realities of being a slave. My skin heats up at the unwanted memories. With effort, I push them away and focus on my tasks. She will need to be registered as a citizen of Icturi if she wishes to remain on this planet.

This we will complete at the first Sun. I will need to teach her how to survive on her own. For some reason the thought of her leaving causes a growl to sound in my throat. I turn off the bath and remove the water with the drying furs before securing it around my hips. Sleep does not seem to become me so I will return to my studies. Just as I am about to enter the area, the female screams. I rushed towards the sound and burst into her chambers with my claws extended. She shrieks again upon seeing me and quickly scrambles to get the drying furs to cover her body. My eyes scan the room but there are no signs of danger.

“Why do you scream?”

“W-well I was trying to use the fabricator thing and the little arms started grabbing me.” Her cheeks are flushed with the pink tint once more and her eyes are trying hard not to look at my nether regions yet they seem to dart back towards it. Confused, I look down and see that my drying furs have fallen amid the commotion and my haju is on full display. Slowly I retract my claw and lean against the door frame. The wide-eyed expression on her face brings a smirk to my lips.

“The device has to take your measurements so that the clothing will fit properly. Do you not have one of these in your homeworld?”

She shakes her head and shifts on her feet, obviously uncomfortable with my lack of clothing. In the movement, I catch a glimpse of the lush curves on her body and long delicate legs. Now that the stench of Niscus is washed from her skin, I can smell her intoxicating scent. It is entirely unfamiliar, like the forest after heavy rain, yet insatiable. My haju stirs and a rumbling grows in my chest.

“Well, you are in no danger so I am retiring to my quarters. Tomorrow will be an eventful day so you will need your rest.” I announce quickly and leave the room before she can respond.

Vratting Terran.