The Ripple of a Stone

The Ripple of a Stone

Killing Time

Dhm’Ni was looking up to his father as he walks around the flat top of the pyramid in The Ka’rik’na Hall. His chair, you see, is retractable for a reason such as this. It would fall into the base of the pyramid and a cover would make the floor solid again. The sight of his father was magnificent. He stood with power, with strength and with certainty of his role in life that no one, not even Cetanu, could take him down. As Lord Khupiee circled, his red cape flowed along with him, making an image of red water trailing behind. Red and black are the colors of the Ehre Clan, each clan has their own colors that represent them in well, everything. Truth was that every time Dhm’Nis’ eyes fell onto his fathers’ cape he thought of Ooman blood. It was a striking red color, almost rust in the right light. Suddenly Nala came into his mind because he realized he could still smell her blood from before. The servants cleaned it but the aroma of blood was common to this room so they didn’t think to mask it. But they should have. Dhm’Ni took a quick glance around and noticed some Yautja were acting a bit odd. Their eyes were just about glassed over and their heads were hung a tad. Dhm’Ni knew what they felt all to well…it was lust, blood lust. But he when looked to Dyne, he saw a different kind of lust. Dyne held a dreamy smirk and his bottom mandibles were moving in such a way that it looked like they were scratching the air, moving back and forth. It was a sight that would turn the stomach of any female and it made Dhm’Ni feel strange.
Lord Khupiee stood tall on his high stair. He had the entire DropShip, servants and all, summoned and now they stood in straight rows surrounding him, waiting for their Clan Leader to speak. But for a moment Lord Khupiee simply walked silent. He look around the colossal room filled with hunters and on everyone he looked to they all held the same look of question. But the look of his son, standing amongst the rest of the Young Bloods, was a grand sight. Dhm’Ni wouldn’t be given any special treatment like the sons of other Clan Leaders or Elders do, so he stood along side his brethren and he knew that Dhm’Ni would not have it any other way. It was well known that those Yautja given certain privileges because of their bloodline were the first to die. They were not reared like the rest because of their lavish life style. And there is more then one Yautja on this ship who is the son to an Elder of the Ehre Clan, and is only here because of their bloodline. But sooner rather then later they will all fall because of their own wrong doings.
The Arbitrators also stood below Lord Khupiee, but positioned themselves closer to him and they faced outward to the crowd, instead of facing Lord Khupiee. Why would they need to? They know of what he was going to say.
“What you heard on the COM was undeniably true.” Lord Khupiee finally began. “The Ooman female, who I came to find was being watched via the video feed of the attending hunters, is now a member of the Ehre Clan.” He paused as he heard a few hisses and growls. He didn’t really care that some on the ship were not…happy with an Ooman being here, despite what they had seen. But the thoughts and views of any one but his own were of no matter to him. “She has done more then simply kill a Kainde Amedha Queen, she warned us of an Ooman plan to eradicate the island on which we were once on. If she had not informed us of said plan we would all be in the Judgment Hall of Cetanu.” He paused again as he listened to his harsh voice travel to giant room. If it were empty rather then full as it was now, his voice would echo forever. “Her name is Nalani. Remember it well because I will not allow you to forget it. And I do not think she will either. She has shown a skill, a determination and an honor that has never been seen in a pray species. And I am truly proud to say that I, Lord Khupiee, Leader of the great Ehre Clan, call her as one of my own. As one of my clan. AS ONE OF OUR CLAN!” He roars. “Any who object to my decision to bring Nalani into our clan may take it up with me. Right here! Right now!” Lord Khupiee stops still and slowly turns a full 360 degrees, with no takers. He was actually delighted that no one openly opposed him, but at the same time he was a little annoyed. On one hand he thought that most of the Yautja here accepted of her, but on the other he didn’t like the fact that those who did not support his decision, did not speak up. Lord Khupiee began to shrill in laugher, making all including the Arbitrators look up at him oddly. “I am both pleased that some approve of her and at the same time disappointed that those who disapprove do not challenge me.” Now those who felt that way could no nothing, even after Lord Khupiee taunted them. He made an open challenge, no one accepted, so consequently the challenge ended. And it would be dishonorable to do anything now. “I understand that some have become curious of her. So I am setting down rules, rules that if broken will result in me personally punishing the one who disobeyed me. One: Nalani can send and receive challenges for Jehdin Jehdin but NOT Thei-de Jehdin Jehdin, that is until she is judged by the Elders and completely welcomed into our clan. And one who would make a challenge such as that before her judgment will be meet by her caretaker, Sya, and not by her. When she is accepted you may challenge as you wish. Two: By law she is a Young Blood and therefore will stay on the Young Blood deck.” This was what Dhm’Ni was waiting for. He immediately made a face of displeasure because he knew that all around him would look to him, thinking that he requested her to stay with him when in true fact he was praying to Paya that she would refuse to reside with him. “And will stay in the protection of Dhm’Ni. Three: There will be NO mating and I mean not even initiations or the beginning rituals.” At this Dhm’Ni shifted his eyes to Dyne who was staring in astonishment at Lord Khupiee. Dhm’Ni had to hold in a snicker of delight. And then he thought that perhaps Nala should stay with him, Dyne was one reckless enough to go against his father and would probably do something to her. “Four: She is to attend hunts as we make our way home. Any who interfere or join with out invitation or assist her will be severely punished. Now that my rules have been set, which will change or have others added to them as I see fit, I am informing all that when the DropShip, The Malay, arrives with the Elders, any who wish it can come and testify whether for or against her. And from that the Elders will make a judgment as to her full membership into the Ehre Clan. Now, if any have concerns they may take it up with Ykas’e and he will then pass it on to me. This summoning is concluded.” With that Lord Khupiee raises his right arm and slams his closed fist against his chest plate and a second after all in the room to the same. He starts to walk slowly down the ramp, taking his time as he relishes the odd stares he was getting from the surrounding Yautja. All in attendance must stay stationary until he is out of the room, only those asked to exit with him may move.
When Lord Khupiee finally reached the bottom of the ramp all the Arbitrators move behind him and started to follow him around the base of the pyramid to the only doors in and out. Dhm’Ni had also begun to move away from his row. He made sure that he did not go to the front of the procession, because of his new age he was closer to the back, and instead traveled along his line. He made sure to look to Dyne as he walked past and as he did he saw that he was pissed beyond anything. Dynes mandibles were clattering in anger as he finally realized he could never touch her. That is until her judgment. Or earlier…when opportunity knocks right?
Outside, Lord Khupiee was trailed by all as he made his way to the lift to go to deck 24. There Nala waited alone and Lord Khupiee was fearful that she would become distressed at being locked up…wait locked up? Lord Khupiee turned on his heal making everyone stop.
“Dhm’Ni?” Lord Khupiee hissed and Dhm’Ni moved aside of the group to come into sight. “Did you lock to the door to the observation room Nalani is in?” It wasn’t such an odd question when you think of it. Those put in the room were usually placed there on their own accord and locking the door was only done when someone was being punished. And Dhm’Ni did not lock it. When he shook his head ‘no’ to his father, Lord Khupiee quickly turns back around and took a faster pace to the lift. He didn’t think Kh’Cho could do much about her if she got out, again.
It was a bit cramped in the lift as all eleven Yautja were stuffed in. It could hold up to 15 but no one would want to be so close to another. But with only eleven there was enough room for each to comfortable, for a short time at least. When the doors opened, to the relief of all, they hastily walked towards to far door. The long hallway was large enough that three Yautja could walk shoulder to shoulder but now they only walked in pairs. Lord Khupiee was the first to enter the watching room were the one watching the one inside would be able to stand on the other side of the glass. When Kh’Cho saw them enter he greeted them accordingly and told them that she has not moved since she was placed there by Dhm’Ni. Sya was the first to go close to the glass. Nala was lying on top of the cot asleep and he was relieved to see her breathing better. He knelt down and sighed as he watched her. He didn’t like having her in there, she was angry of course but she just needed to be talked too, that’s all. Even in the short time he was with her she seemed to be cooperative. Even after her fight with Dhm’Ni she was still agreeable. Only after Lord Khupiee did she become furious.
“Shall I go lock the door father?” Dhm’Ni broke the silence as they all watched Sya.
“No, leave it open. When she wakes, if she tries the door and sees it to be open maybe she will see it as a sign of good faith.” Lord Khupiee answers. As he looked to the face of this small female he still felt such remorse and shame for what he had done. But he will make up for it. He is not one to just apologize and think that is it. Sometimes a simple request for forgiveness doesn’t really do it. And when he does apologize...does it mean he is forgiven? Can she forgive and forget after what happened? He hoped she could.
“You said we should keep her here until she calms, right?” Kh’Cho asked. “But how will we know when she has clamed?” When nothing but silence came from his question he just turned back to the glass and let the question turn in their heads. They really didn’t know because, from experience, they all saw that she would pretend to be calm and fine but then she would attack. She did it when she came down from the Queen and coolly asked Sya for his spear, and then attacked Dhm’Ni. And she did it again in The Ka’rik’na Hall when she seemed to remember Dhm’Ni and then she punched him. They now know not to think her to be fine when with all likelihood she was mad as hell.
“Give her water.” Dh’Kn spoke out. But everyone in the room just looked bizarrely at him. “If we offer water to her and she accepts then she is calm enough to be talked to. But if she rejects it then we know she is not and should try it again a few hours later.”
“Perfect.” Lord Khupiee barked. When she was a little more composed, as much as necessary, then he will tell her everything but until then they will wait.
“Perfect?” Sya hisses. He had a sudden question as to why she was out of it again. “Why is she asleep? Was she sedated again?” He hisses.
“No.” Kh’Cho quickly answers. “She only woke once, when you, Lord Khupiee and Dhm’Ni were there and has not woken since. And I am getting concerned.”
“You need not be concerned.” Rathe thrills. They all turns back to the glass and see that Nala was beginning to stir. But it wasn’t from simply waking up. She had one of the most intense migraines she has ever had. She moaned from the pain when she opened her eyes and then she rapidly shut them tight. A pain pulsed when she tired to lift her right arm and then she fully remembered having pinched a blade Dhm’Ni and stuffed it in her shirt sleeve. She looked to her forearm and saw a lengthy but thin red line of blood that had come from the sharp blade digging into her skin. She carefully took it out from its hiding place and rested her hand back down. Even before she looked at it she laid her head back down and closed her eyes. She would need to take this all in little by little.
All those in the room, excluding Kh’Cho, began to search their bodies for a missing knife but they all knew who it came from when Dhm’Ni cursed out loud.
“Let her keep it for now.” Sya started. “She may feel safer with it.” They all agreed with him but were a little wary of her having knife, even if it was a pup sized one. Dhm’Ni had kept it as memory of his old life. After he watched his mother…he was never really the same three seasons old pup again. He didn’t keep a lot of things from when he was young. Most pups would want to keep there first mini set of armor and their first hunting mask but not Dhm’Ni. He only had that one knife and was fuming with the thought of her having it. But Sya was right, the little comfort it would give her might be enough to keep her down.
In true fact it did make her feel safer. She hadn’t been with out a weapon close to her since she entered the academy. Even before then she always had a blade or something tucked under her pillow, for more then one reason but those reasons will come up later. For now that pain in her chest that came every time she felt she was in a treacherous position slid away. Nala groaned loudly as she sat up on the cot. Slowly she started to blink to let her eyes adjust. If she just opened them wide she would tear up and that would just be embarrassing. She knew that, who ever they were, were in all probability watching her. She didn’t like the fact they had to save her. Come on its just humiliating! She hated that damsel in distress picture and would have rather died then had been carted around like Dhm’Ni had. But what could she have done then? Spit blood in his face…wait she already did that!
“Fuck.” She whispers as she brings her hand to her right temple. It was just throbbing and at every jolt it sent more pain to her. She steadies her breath as starts to meditate as best she could in this predicament. Some people need to concentrate to keep in a meditative state but for her, she needed to keep from staying in it. She always had a problem with meditation. Sometimes she would slip into a trance unwillingly and not even know it until someone would call her name or move her or something. She would just freeze and fall into a deep hole and not come from it until someone pulled her out. Soon though the pain was gone and she finally looked around. It was just a black and gray box with light that seemed to come from the walls. There was no clear lamp or light fixture anywhere. She could see everything though, but there wasn’t much to see. She was sitting on top of a white cot that was quite uncomfortable and in the centre of the room was large a table and a strange chair. It didn’t have legs like hers would. It was probably made of a thick metal and it was basically just a sold block, from what she could tell. And from how heavy Dhm’Ni was when she pulled him around, she guessed that stability and strength were key in making their furnishings. But the chair had a backing like any other chair would which was also made of the same metal. The walls, except for one that was all black and clearly had a single door with another chair resting beside it, were a strange shade of gray. Almost like a mirror but darker. Her bet is they were watching. So they like to watch do they? Well I am not gonna give them a show that’s for sure. And just what the fuck am I doing here anyways? They should have put me down on an island somewhere. I would have gladly stayed there for the rest of my life. Come on just what the hell do I have left? Allen is gone. All my friends are dead. I barely talk to Uncle Lynch anymore as it is, would he even care if I never came back? Would any one? Fuck, I’m just a pain in the ass for my superiors so I’m guessing they’re going to have a God dammed party when they hear I’m dead. Nala starts to laugh really hard when she sees that everyone is actually going to think she’s dead. Wouldn’t be the first time but this time she didn’t care. Once she got back she can easily disappear. Nowadays that was easy.
Her butt was killing her. This cot was making her stiff so she gradually flipped her legs over the side of the cot and laughed when her toes barely touched the ground. Before she stood though, she stretched out her legs and arms and even cracked her neck. She exhaled hard as she stood and wobbled a bit from the movement. She peered down to her body and saw that this white stuff she was wearing didn’t leave much to the imagination. She was glad that it didn’t show every single detail though. It wasn’t that revealing but it was still a weird feeling. She tired to pull the chair out from under the table but fuck, it was heavy. So instead she simply pushed the table away from the chair. Worked just the same. She sat down with a sigh and crossed her legs. Now she finally starts to inspect the knife in her hand. But first she checked her arm and saw that the blade of the knife didn’t really cut badly, just a small slice. The entire blade was about the size of a butter knife and the handle was perfectly suited for her hand. But why would, Dhm’Ni have it? His hands were giant compared to her so why would he have a knife that he could only put three fingers on? It was beautiful nonetheless. The handle was a stunning red with black marking like the one she had seen on the walls before. She wondered what they meant but then thought that she shouldn’t care. The blade was around three or four inches long and sharp! Nala accidentally grazed the top of her index finger along the blade as she was looking at the handle and it made a paper thin cut. It was always the small ones that hurt the most. She just starred at the blood seeping from her wound and watched it fall down her hand. She didn’t want to wipe her blood on the white garment so she smeared it in her already blood soaked hair. All she could smell was blood from all over her body and hair, Dhm’Nis’ blood from her fingers and for some reason she could smell the blood of the Hard Meat, as Sya called them. She guesses that the wound on her neck held the stench and hoped that it would go away.
Nala shifted in the chair until she was more off then on. She was leaning more to the right side with her back half on half off. She used one of the table legs as an anchor for the one leg she crossed over the other and rested her left arm on the top of the chair. Once she was comfortable she sighed peacefully. For now she would wait and listen for anyone or anything. Someone would have to come soon or later.
“Who do we send in to give her the water?” Rathe asks. “Someone she doesn’t know I hope because she will jump the first Yautja she recognizes.”
“Why do you assume that?” Dhm’Ni questions but soon understood that she has sent a precedent for attacking ones she knew. “Never mind.”
“She seems clam now, send a Blooded in.” Everyone turned to Lord Khupiee and all ask what he was thinking. “Well, a Blooded can handle her if she becomes violent. And will show the proper amount of respect for her and my guess is she will reciprocate. But the question is who.” Everyone went silent with their thoughts. True a Blooded could handle her if she was aggressive but as for one showing her respect? They thought that was pushing it. However, Dhm’Ni thought of one Yautja who seemed to be alright with her being here. He was more amused and entertained by her then anything else.
“Nder,” Dhm’Ni finally told the group. “He gave the impression that he didn’t mind Nala being here when we spoke. And I know that he will show her the ‘proper amount of respect’.”
“Go and get him then. And tell him of what he is to do before he gets here. I wouldn’t want him to go blood crazy when he gets here.” Dhm’Ni nods to his father and heads out of the room. “But be careful of your words Dhm’Ni, I don’t want crowds of hunters waiting at the doors to deck 24.”
In the lift Dhm’Ni was speculating as to what he was going to say to Nder. After he told the lift to go to the Blooded deck his mind just went blank. Even as he stepped off and started for Nders room, which he hoped he would be in, he couldn’t think of darn thing. How would he fell if he was asked to actually serve Nala water, just for the gratification of Lord Khupiee and the others? Dhm’Ni pressed a small button that would chime inside Nders room to tell him someone was outside but no one came to the doors. When he rang it a second time and there was still no answer Dhm’Ni got concerned. He didn’t want to go traipsing around the ship looking for him. But then again Nder was always training or sparing and most of the time fighting because of a challenge. On this ship there were a lot of Yautja here that Nder calls rivals. He was a cocky son of a bitch but he had the skill to back it up. So Dhm’Ni went back to the lift and called for it to go to the Kehrite deck. He expected Nder to be there and there he was indeed.
“Come on Unblood. You challenged me, so the least you could do is give me a challenge!” Nder roars as he and a Unblood with a bad case of zazin spar in the centre block. This deck is one giant room. While there is a track running on the outside where those in training can run, in the middle are tens of sparing squares. And right now everyone one in the room was crowded around just one watching Nder and the Unblood. The Unblood roars and charges but Nder simply moved out of the way and as he passed by him, he punched his stomach then elbowed the back of his head. With a heavy thud the Unblood was down and out cold. Nder threw up his arms and howls in victory. When those around him backed off and went back to there own sparring, Nder knelt down to the Unblood and turned him on to his back and then pitilessly back handed him in the face. The Unblood woke up and starred into Nder but quickly diverted his eyes in humiliation. “You see to much in yourself Unblood. That can be good but most of the time that is very bad. What you think the level your skill is at and where it really is…there is a very big difference. You disrespect me like that again and I will not be as ‘kind’ as I was now. Do you get me Unblood?” With that the Unblood nodded his head and Nder stood tall. Dhm’Ni just started to laugh as he saw that he had made a good choice in suggesting Nder to go to Nala. “You laugh at me Dhm’Ni?” Nder asks as he walks to Dhm’Ni.
“Not at you my friend. But at my good fortune.” Dhm’Ni responds as they great each other with a hard shoulder shake.
“And what good fortune would that be?”
“Come with me and I shall tell you.” Nder looks oddly at Dhm’Ni but then shrugs his shoulders and motions to the door. “My father has a request of you that I hope you will accept.” Dhm’Ni started as they walk together to the lift doors. But he only continued once he and Nder were inside. “Deck 24. Nalani is being held in observation and it was agreed that one will have to go to her and offer her water to see if she has calmed down enough.”
“Enough to what? Not kill you…or me?” Nder thrills but stops when Dhm’Ni didn’t take his eyes off the door to the lift. “What is to stop her from attacking me Dhm’Ni? Not that I would mind it. I have grown tired of the Yautja onboard. I have yet to find a good challenge or someone to spar with. Perhaps she will provide me with the perfect partner. Just as someone to fight with and not as a mate of course. After your fathers little speech a lot of hunters were just a tad upset. Did you see Dyne?” Dhm’Ni finally turns and faces Nder and says that he only saw him in The Ka’rik’na Hall. “He was angry for a while but soon calmed down. Strange for him, unless he is planning something. He is the son of Elder Ukinda and feels that he can do more than the rest, like the rules to not apply to him. I gamble he will try something, so keep an eye on her when she is uh…” Nder paused and holds in a laugh but his shoulders still rise and fall as they would.
“When she is with me.” Dhm’Ni finished his sentence. “I did not want her, Nder, know that! My father put her in my room, for now, and I am starting to think that there is the only place for me to keep her away from Dyne.”
“I think everyone will agree with that. But what do you want me to do with water?”
“I think Rathe can explain it, he came up with it.” Just then the doors open to deck 24 and they walk to the watchers room. When they were all finished greeting each other, Nder walked to the glass and stares into the room. Nala had her back to the wall and all he could see was her in a very relaxed position with her head looking to the door across the room.
“Just what was it that you wish of me?” Nder asks.
“We need to insure that she is calm enough for her to talk with Lord Khupiee. And that she will not attack the one who enters the room.” Rathe answered.
“So you want to send me?” Nder thrills in laugher.
“In my time with her, she was always well-mannered and civilized to those who she meets.” Sya adds. “She only became angry after everything happened. And I would hope she will not attack just anyone she sees now. So we need someone who she has not seen to go to her and offer her water. If she accepts, she is good to talk to. If she does not, she is not ready.” Nder hadn’t taken his eyes Nala since he enters the room. He had noticed that she turned her head to the left and her ears were moving but only slightly.
“Can she hear us?” Nder asks in a strange and low manner.
“What?” Lord Khupiee barks.
“Can she hear us?” Nder asks again but in a louder tone. They all stop and look in Nalas direction just to watch as she turns her head even more and looks to the glass. Nala slowly allows a smirk to form from her lips and she softly laughs but then turns her head back to its original position. “I guess she can.” Nder thrills.
“C’jit.” Lord Khupiee curses. “How could she have heard us?”
“Who knows?” Kh’Cho starts in. “She is strange, even in an Ooman sense. Her body structure isn’t like those I have seen.” Kh’Cho had been on hunts and even his Chiva but not too soon after he was injured and wasn’t allowed to hunt anymore. “I will have to wait until I examine her and ask her to get an answer.”
“And to do that we need to be sure of her.” Sya adds. “We should wait a bit longer until we send in Nder. And until we do I think that we should remain silent.” With that Nder and Dhm’Ni leave to fetch water and small glasses that are used for C’ntlip. The rest in the room fall silent and continue to watch Nala sit. They didn’t want her to hear anymore if anything else. But Nala genuinely didn’t hear a lot. With her hearing she at first could only make out muffled sounds and then one word here and there. She didn’t want to let them know she could hear them but when a new sound came, she decided to turn her head but they noticed so all she could do was smile. Soon after they all went silent. She didn’t like silence like this because she would start thinking, thinking about everything that has happened. Allen, her friends and that asshole General. Perhaps when she goes home she will kill him and then disappear. Right now all she wants to do with slaughter him. Slowly and painfully. Nala was trained in ‘getting information’ is how her government stated it but it was actually teaching her how to torture. To inflict mind numbing, soul braking, life taking agony. The best part was that she now knew how keep a person alive for day and days, and mercilessly pick them apart piece by piece. Finger by finger. Toe by toe. Even strip of skin by strip of skin. Shame that she never got to try everything out. She only ever did something like that to one guy and he was actually in her government but he did something very, very bad and she made it her job to punish him. They still haven’t found all his bits a pieces…and they never will.
But right now she shouldn’t get riled up about the General. She wasn’t home anymore and could do nothing about him. She can’t do a lot else but think. Nala closes her eyes and permits her memories to come creeping in.
Flashback
The hot breeze made their hammock swing as Nalani and Allen lay together between two trees. He was holding onto her so tight that she felt he would never let her go. But it was a good feeling. She sighs as she looks out onto the Hawaiian waters and watches the summer sun set on the horizon. Soft pink clouds dance in the sky without worry and even those annoying birds seemed to stop as they too watched the most beautiful sunset. Allen rustles and pulls Nala up until she was lying on top of him with her head on his chest.
“I know it hard but you have to do it.” He says in a calming tone.
“But I don’t want to!” Nala whines. Their wedding was just a few months away and Katherine, Doctor Lynch’s second wife, was pushing her hard to get all the arrangements done. “Maybe I should just tell her to do it. The bitch is evil anyways and this is just making it even easier to her to hate me. I mean, all she keeps saying is stuff like ‘hmm…an off white wedding dress…appropriate I suppose,’ or ‘cupcakes as a wedding cake? Are you fucked in the head?’ Oh I hate that woman!” Nala screams to the world. But she knew no one was around to hear her. This was hers and Allen secret spot up on top of a big hill in the mainland. They lived there in their new house that was just a few blocks away from her Uncle Lynch and all of them. His kids all stayed in Hawaii and they had kids of their own. Thirteen kids between four bothers. But Nala loved them all like they were her blood nieces and nephews. She would go and play football with they boys and then force herself to go play Barbie’s with the girls, she would always play Ken.
“Just be careful with her Nalani. She hardly likes anyone and she is one to punish in the most evil ways too! I mean come on! She sold your Uncles classic car because he came home late one night! THAT JUST EVIL I TELL YOU!” They both start to laugh at the memory. “Nalani…” She raises her head and looks into Allen’s deep brown eyes. “We need to talk…” Nala squints her eyes but in a playful matter. The last time he started a conversation with ‘we need to talk’ he asked her to marry him. “We need to talk about this sometime and I think we should get it over with now.” She knew what he was going to say. They were both in the army…things could, no would, happen. “If one of us dies Nalani, the other has to live on. We can live with out one another, despite what we say!” He says sarcastically but Nala wasn’t feeling very amused. “Just…promise me that if I die, you will go on because I don’t want you to just willow away because I am not here.”
“I don’t want you to pine for me either but it would be nice to know that you would miss me.” She says a little playfully.
“I wouldn’t just pine for you my love! I would…birch for you and oak for you and Christmas tree for you.” He jests but stops when Nala slaps him lightly on his chest. Guess she didn’t like the tree joke, huh? Nala crawls a little until she was face to face with Allen and gives him a passionate kiss.
“I promise.” She says.
“I promise.” He answers back. She rested her head back down on his chest and listens to his heart. It was the rhythm of love to her. It took so long for them to finally get together. They watched each other through all the girlfriends and boyfriends and then helped each other back up with they needed it. It was hard on each of them, so when they finally told each other how they felt after years and years of waiting…it was all the more sweeter. They both sigh loud as the last edge of the sun hides itself behind the world. With a hard grunt Allen pushes with one foot off a big round rock that was close and made the hammock start to swing again. That was why this was their spot. Their secret part of the world that no one knew of. Where they could go and just be. No sounds of the world but what it should be. The soft waves, the birds and bugs, the wind...It was all theirs, in their secret spot.
End Flashback
Nala was ripped from her trance when she started to hear muffed vices again. She glances around the room once more and wonders how long she had been gone? Sometimes she would be like that for days. Without food or water. She would only wake once the hunger pains got really bad and her body shook her awake. She was thankful that she was taken from that memory though. She promised that she would move on and she hated breaking a promise. But really… how can she move on?
Suddenly a new scent crept into Nalas’ nose that smelt sugary sweet but still had a harsh angle to it. What she didn’t know what that it had been just over three hours and Lord Khupiee had sent in Nder with the glass of water. He orders Nder not to say any other words then ‘drink this’ and if she accepted he would tell, no…ask her to follow him and he would take her to the conference room. There was really the only private place for them to speak. But if she refused to drink the water, he was to leave the glass and go without another word. After his orders, Nder walked out of the watchers room and to the door to the observation room Nala was in. He just stood there for a moment, not really sure why he was doing this. For one thing Lord Khupiee asked him, and he would do any for Lord Khupiee. But then again, he did want to meet that little Ooman female. He found her entirely entertaining as he watched her. He didn’t find her sexually attractive in any way, he was just hoping that she would make a good sparing partner once she was out.
The door slowly swished open, but Nala never moved. She sat still with no emotion on her face as she watched a large figure appear from the opened doors. Nala could tell that it was a he because all he had on was a long metal and skin loincloth that went to his knees and sandals. His skin had a strange look to it, she hadn’t seen one like this before. He was a very light brown everywhere but he had odd shaped spots of black and red all over his body. He had tresses that rest just below his shoulders and eyes that were a deep brown. Nder walks slowly up to the table and stops. For a moment he just looked down to her and she looked up to him. When Nala tilted her head, raised a brow and shook her head just so, asking ‘what?’ in the gesture Nder actually smiled. His bottom mandibles rose to cover his mouth and this upper ones flared up and out. Nder returned the gesture, brow raise and everything, making her giggle.
“What can I do for you?” She asks in a content manner. Nder stiffed as he lifted up his right hand. In it he held an oddly shaped glass that looked like a quarter moon, but the top wasn’t made into a point, it was cut flat. Nala thought it was ingenious. It was the perfect shape for these guys to pour what ever liquid was in it, into their mouths with out trouble. They didn’t have the lips to sip so pouring was the next option. But he wasn’t showing it to her just to ‘show and tell’.
“Drink this.” He said clearly. But like hell was she drinking that. Even as Nder set down the small glass into the middle of the table and then slid it closer to Nala, she just stared into Nders eyes. When he stood tall again Nala finally looked down to the glass, which was about the size of a tall shot glass, and then back up to Nder. Gradually Nala took up her right hand that held Dhm’Nis’ knife, and pushed the small glass back, almost to the edge of the table but stopped before it would fall. Nder just grunted in amusement, turned and left.
“Well…” Nala said out loud. “That was productive.”
All those in the watchers room started to laugh at her words. And they didn’t care that Nala heard them. It was obvious that she hadn’t understood them before. She may have heard them but she didn’t get all they said. If she had then she would have accepted the water knowing that it was water, but she didn’t so she didn’t know and didn’t hear. When Nder entered Sya told him that he was to try again in another 4 hours but for now they would all stay here but whisper when talking. They didn’t want her to over hear anything vital.
“She was well-mannered and civilized for an Ooman in her position.” Nder said softly.
“That she was.” Lord Khupiee barked in satisfied tone of voice. “At least she doesn’t despise the species and only the likes of us, right Dhm’Ni.” He joked.
Nala was so board. She had been in interrogation rooms before but by now someone would have come and said something along the lines of ‘tell me all you know or else!’. But all they did was offer her a drink… Odd to say the least but she didn’t know what the liquid was and she sure wasn’t going to pick up that one glass and check. So for now she just played with Dhm’Nis’ little knife. At first she turned it in her hands but stopped when she thought she might be disrespecting Dhm’Ni for playing with it. So she went back to staring to the walls. She thought that they could use a window or a picture. Maybe some paint… mmm, painting…
Flashback
A few weeks after Nala and Allen bought their house, they decided that it needed some paint. It was so boring! The previous owner thought that white was best to keep it clean but all it did was make it look like an insane asylum. Maurine, Nalanis’ best friend, came over to help paint, except even with her help they only got the second floor bedrooms done. But when they started to paint main bedroom, which was the entire third floor, they didn’t realize the time and Maurine had to leave. So Nalani and Allen had to do that floor themselves and by the time they were done it was way past 11 pm.
“Do you think with all these windows the blue will look…to blue?” Allen asked.
“You are such a chick!” Nala teases. “Blue looking to blue! With the windows it will look better. I just think that I am looking to blue.” Nala lifted her arms to show off all the paint she got on herself, while Allen had none. “I don’t think you should go through tonight without some paint on you…” She said as she dipped her paint brush in the paint bucket. Allen repeated ‘no’ over and over but Nala still stalked after him. Finally she launched and covered his face with a small streak of blue. She started to laugh but stopped when Allen took up his brush in defense.
For a minute they stood as if they were in a sword fight. Paint brushes out and full with color. Allen lurched forwards making Nala flinch and he caught her right on the chest but she twisted around and got the back of his head and down his back. Allen then grabbed one of her legs and lifted it up, making her lose her balance and she started to hop. He started to paint all up her leg all the way to her shorts and loved how she giggled from the sensation. Nala ripped back her leg and backed up to regain composure. Allen whipped off some paint from the back of his head then smeared it on his shirt, instantly regretting it! He was wearing his much loved shirt, a Celine Dion concert tour tee-shirt. His great-grandfather loved her and passed the shirt down to him. But this tee-shirt was from her better days, before she went all crazy and moved to the US. And right over her face was a blue hand print.
“DAM IT!” Allen yells out. Nala covered her mouth because she knew it was ruined. She was about to apologize when Allen took of the shirt and threw it to the floor. Nala bit her bottom lip as she traced his body. From his thick, strong neck, past his big pecks and rippling stomach muscles, all the way down to his sexy bellybutton. She always had a love for bellybuttons, they just turned her on and she never knew why. When Allen looked back up to her and saw the look in her eyes, how she bit her lip and that her breathing changed from light and fun to deep and labored. Allen charged before she could do anything and he picked her up with his muscular arms. She squeaks and cries out simply from his touch and then yelped when he slammed her against the wet wall. Allen took both her hands and lifts them over her held to only hold them with one of his, resting his free hand on her hip. He starts to kiss her chin and slowly goes down her jaw to her neck. Nala give him better access by moving her head to one side and moans as he roughly kisses her neck. With his free hand Allen began to trace up her waist and stomach, sensually touching her hot skin. He moves his hand under her shirt and cups one of her breasts roughly, making her moan even louder. Just a simple touch from him would send ripples of pleasure through Nala and she loved it! He releases her hands but orders her to keep them up as he lifts her shirt over her head and throws it to the floor. With her skin exposed the cool air, she was forced to have goose bumps pop…but it wasn’t just from the cool air. He softly traces the rim of Nalas breasts with his hands as he stares at them hungrily. He grazes over one of her hard nipples with a thumb and looks back up to Nala.
“S stop teasing me…” She whispers. But Allen just laughs and the suddenly backs away. Nala opened her eyes at the abrupt loss of his touch and whimpers sadly. “Where are you going?” She asks him as he starts for the bathroom.
“I need a shower.” Was all he said as he disappeared through the door. Nala didn’t know what to think at first but then she knew exactly what he meant. She swiftly follows him in to the bathroom which was quite large because the whole master sweet took the entire third floor. It was all white from the previous owner but it was stunning so they would keep it all the same. There was a bath tub that was built into the floor, a large shower with many heads and his and hers sink, they would really need that. But when Nala entered the room she couldn’t find Allen. She called for him but nothing. Then she was grabbed at the hip from behind by two strong hands. She pretended to want to get way by hollering for him to let her go but he knew she didn’t really want him to. He pulled her close to him and starts to undo her shorts. Nala lifts her hands over her head and grabs his shoulders just as he slips one hand in her shorts. But he wanted to play with her tonight and didn’t go beneath her underwear and with two fingers traces her already wet womanhood through the cloth. With his other hand he grabs a breast and caresses it forcefully, pinching her nipple between his fingers. She couldn’t take this much longer and Allen knew it. Nala ripped herself away from him and playfully led him into the large shower, striping both herself and him along the way.
Allen switches on the shower but didn’t turn on the hot and listened to Nala squeal from the cold. He says sorry sarcastically as he turns on the hot water then goes and grabs her by her waist and pulls her in for a hot and passionate kiss. He lifts Nala into the air and she wraps her legs around his waist as he lowers her to the floor of the shower.
“That as very mean.” She says harshly but groaned as Allen starts to flick one of her supple nipples with his tongue.
“I’ll make it up to you.” Allen answers as he planted lingering kisses down her body.
“You better because uhhh…” Nala stops in mid sentence when he spreads her legs wide open, revealing her sensitive pink folds to him. With not a moment to waste Allen starts tasting her. Adoring each and every whimper of pleasure that escaped Nalas water soaked lips. He takes one hand and brings it down, tracing her round opening with maddening strokes. She instinctively lifts her hips in an attempt to get Allen to plunge his fingers into her and give her what she so desperately yearned for but he never did. He just laughed at her and continued tasting her delectable skin. When Nala arched her back and moaned Allen knew she was real close to climaxing. He, unwillingly, stopped tasting her and climbed between her legs and sat up on his knees. For a second he lingered there, with his engorged member just at her entrance, and looked down to Nala. Their eyes meet and then Allen aggressively thrust into her. Nala screamed in bliss each and every time Allen drove into her. Sending wave upon wave of pleasure through her quivering body. Her body went stiff and he felt Nalas inner walls shudder as she was hit with a powerful orgasm.
But Allen never relented. He kept slamming himself into her, forcing himself deeper and deeper into her wet folds, making her moan louder every time. Nala arches her back and moves her hips with the rhythm Allen set. She loved being taken like this, especially by him. He was so powerful and she could do nothing to stop him as he savagely seizes her body over and over again. But Nala wanted to make him pay for spraying cold water on her. She shoved his shoulders forcing him to flip onto his back and now she did the tasting. She crawled down his body and gently starts to stroke his throbbing member. Allen’s eyes roll back as she fondles his manhood but suddenly she released him, moved to the shower knobs and turned off the hot water. Allen bellows in anger and sat up, glaring at a scowling Nala. But just as she was about to turn the hot back on, he lunges forward and rips her from the wall.
“Leave it cold.” He orders. While still having a solid grip on Nalas hips, he fell onto his back once more and moved Nala over his pelvis. She, however, wasn’t done messing with him. She told him to place his hands behind his head and he does so reluctantly.
“Move you hands from behind your head and I WILL leave this bath room, and leave you to ‘alleviate’ yourself. You get me?” But she only got a small nod as a response. Nala positions herself just right and lowers herself onto him. BUT, she only allows the head of his stiff member inside of her before she pulls herself off. Allen groans in annoyance but knew if he moved his hands, she would go away. But soon she lowers herself once more and allows just a small bit more of his pulsating shaft into her before she once again lifts up. She knows how this was torturing him and she cherished how she could do it. Every other man she was with never let her do the things she wanted to. And she had been with her share of men…and women. But none have ever come close to what Allen could do to her. And no women Allen had ever been with could do what she could to him.
Before long Nala allowed all of him inside her and moans in ecstasy as he filled her. Allen was clenching his fists behind his head, all he wanted to do right now was grab her round hips and slam into her with all her had. But he couldn’t or she would leave…oh he hated how she did this to him but to many times before he didn’t listen to her and she would actually leave him there, stiff as wood with out her to release his built up tension. But Nala saw how she was making him suffer, so she leaned down and took his hand from behind him and placed them on her hips. Now he could really go to work. Nala let go of doing anything else but allow Allen to control her. She loved when he would take power over her and how he would make her scream. Just like right now. She threw back her head and screamed in pleasure as Allen lifted her body with his strong arms and then pulled her back down while thrusting his hips up. Pushing her further and further in to ecstasy. Allen wasn’t too far away from releasing inside of her. But when he felt her walls pulsing once again as another orgasm hit her he couldn’t hold it any longer. He ground Nala against him as he felt his seed spill into her body and they screamed in pleasure as they both climaxed in unison.
Nala fell onto Allen and laid on him as they both caught there breaths. Allen wrapped his arms around her quivering body as the last few jolts of her orgasm flew around her body.
“I’m sorry about your shirt.” Nala apologizes.
“Its ok…you’ll be making up for it again tonight.” He said as he starts to laugh because after they fix up the paint where he slammed Nala into the wall…he was going to have her again.
End Flashback
Nala didn’t know it, but as she was in her little spell she had begun to cry. The memory of Allen was too much for her and she just started to weep. Her tears fell from her blue eyes and traveled down her bloody face. She was still covered from the blood of Allen when the Hard Meat hit him and splashed on her face. And as each tear fell from her face to her white shirt, it carried along the blood from her face. All down the front of her shirt were tiny spots of blood and tears.
But what else she didn’t know what Nder had again entered the room, and was standing there just watching her cry. He was told earlier by Sya and Dhm’Ni that Oomans cry. Water would fall from their eyes when they were sad. But as he watched Nala sitting there he didn’t really know what to do. When he came in before she acted differently, even pleasantly. But now it was if she didn’t even know he was there. She just stared off into nothing. He needed to get her to snap out of it, so he grunted as loud as he could because Lord Khupiee told him not to say anything other then ‘drink this’. But it didn’t work. She simply blinked and made even more tears of water fall down her face, and onto her Alsn. Nder sighed. He didn’t know what to do. After a moment he decided that he needed to call her name and so he looked past her into the glass and shrugged, telling those behind it that he needed to do something more.
“Nalani.” Nder barked. Instantly Nala jerked her head to him and woke from her daze. She sat there for a second, staring at Nder, when she realized that she had been crying. She looked down to her shirt and saw the blood and without thinking she started to rub her face with the sleeves of her shirt to whip off her tears. But all it really did was smear the blood that was on her face onto her garment. She gave up after she saw it wasn’t doing anything and looked up to Nder. His head was tilted and his eyes were wide in question. He barked in amazement when Nala took her eyes off of him, in shame for crying in front of him. She had seemed so strong before but now she was frail. Nder sighed again as he stepped closer to the table. He placed the glass into the middle of the table as he did before but then he bent his knees and sat on his feet. Nala looked back to him but didn’t know what to do.
“Don’t cry Nalani.” Nder whispered. If Lord Khupiee heard him, who knows what he would do. But he didn’t want her to be sad. He then pushed the glass towards her once again. “Drink this.” But Nala just looked into him with her sad eyes. She shook her head, slowly picked up Dhm’Nis’ knife and pushed it back next to the first one. With that Nder stood tall, but he never broke eye contact with her. He gives her a small, barely noticeable nod and leaves the room, leaving Nala alone. She didn’t want to be alone right now. Even if that guy as in here, she just wanted someone near her. She dabs the last few tears from her eyes then brings up her knees to her chest and wraps her arms around them. She rests her head against her knees and groans in sadness.
“What did you say to her?” Lord Khupiee hisses as Nder walks into the watchers room. Nders eyes widen in surprise because he didn’t think he could have been heard.
“I said ‘don’t cry Nalani’. That’s all, my Lord.” Nder then lowers his head in disgrace for disobeying Lord Khupiee.
“Well it worked.” Lord Khupiee chirped in praise. Nder lifts and tilts his head. “She’s not crying anymore.” He says and points to Nala sitting in the chair.
“But she is miserable. Oomans don’t like to be alone when they suffered such loss as she did. And with her mate killed as well, she must be so lonely.” Sya purrs. Nder didn’t know she lost her mate. Now he knew why she was crying and kind of felt bad for telling her not to. When he goes in again he will apologize for saying that. Losing a mate was a hard thing to deal with and having someone say not to mourn for them just makes it harder.
“Next time you may say more.” Lord Khupiee stated. “Maybe she will be more open if someone talks to her.”
Hours later, when Nder went in, Nala was still holding herself and was thankful that she hadn’t gone into one of her trances again. She must have been waiting for this guy to come back for hours and when he finally did, she wondered why she even wanted him to return. He did the exact same thing as before, he entered, placed the glass down and told her to drink it and she again pushed it away. But he didn’t leave. He knelt down, like he didn’t before, but rested his head on his hands after he folded them on he table. Nala felt a little weird when he did that, she felt like a child when he had to knell down to be at eye level with her.
“I apologize for telling you to stop crying. You should mourn the loss of your mate and it was not my place to say otherwise. But you should recognize that he died honorably.” Nder spoke softly. Nala couldn’t comprehend just how she clearly understood this guy. Sya sounded like he was actually forcing himself to speak her language. But for him, it sounded natural.
“If this is your species way of interrogation, I have to say…you are very bad.” Nala stated bluntly. Nder just remained still. He thought it hilarious how she so directly spoke to him. And openly criticize his people but she wasn’t being interrogated. She would know if she was. “Unless you wish to know something, or want something...then come to me. But until then…no more talking. It is very distracting. This room does keep me occupied.” She says sarcastically. “I don’t want to talk anymore.” If she could have, she would have turned her back to him. But she really didn’t want him to go. Just be quiet. So she went for just lowering her head back to her knees. Nder stood but just as the door opened for him to leave, he stops.
“Until my next visit little one.” Then the doors close.
Nder came four more times and he honored her request and only asked her to drink, nothing else. And each time she pushed away the glass. Lord Khupiee and all the others were getting irritated. They didn’t expect her to take so long to come around but then again, a lot has happened to her.
“Perhaps we should send someone else in.” Sya barked. He too was irritated that Nder wouldn’t talk with her to any further extent. But he did understand that Nala asked Nder not to talk anymore.
“But who?” Dhm’Ni asked. “She trusts no one. Sya, she conceivably trusts you compared to any of us, maybe you should go in.”
“True. But then again you are the one who she is going to be housed with. Maybe you should go in.” When Lord Khupiee agreed with Sya, Dhm’Ni couldn’t disagree. But he didn’t want to go in over and over as Nder did, he doesn’t have the patience. So as he was leaving with another C’ntlip glass, he also took the flask that they had the water in and tucked it in the back of his belt and left.
“Do you think it was such a good idea to send him?” Inkle asked, a little wary of the new action.
“I believe it was.” Sya said with a little to much pride.
“And what makes you so sure?” Inkle growls but when Sya didn’t say anything and just pointed towards Nala Inkle calmed. Sya wasn’t one to be cocky for no reason. When they saw Nala perk up, they knew that she must know Dhm’Ni was coming.
And she did. She smelt him as he got to the door and she lifted her head at once. She wanted to see Dhm’Ni. She didn’t want to be here alone anymore and maybe he would help her go home. As the door swished open and Dhm’Ni entered, Nala stared up at him with her eyes filled with happiness. But when Dhm’Ni did the same thing as the other one by asking her to drink the liquid she was kind of hurt. She looked away from Dhm’Ni and her eyes started to dart around the room, not really knowing what to make of his sudden coldness towards her. So she decided to do the same to him and she simply pushed the cup away with his knife. But when she was done, she placed the knife down on the table, hilt towards Dhm’Ni and then placed her head back down. She just wanted someone to be with her. Even if it was Dhm’Ni, it was someone.
The sound of scraping metal made Nala lift her head just in time to see Dhm’Ni easily pick up the one chair that sat beside the door, place it across from her and sit down. They just looked at one another like they had every other time. Nala noticed that Dhm’Ni didn’t have any armor on. Just wearing a knee length loincloth, leaving his chest bare. From what she saw from Sya, they guy from before and Dhm’Ni now, it seemed to her that most of his people were built and extremely intimidating.
“Why do you not drink?” Dhm’Ni finally said.
“You have not given me a reason too.”
“What other reason do you need then us requesting you to drink it.” He said a little strongly.
“You have not given me a reason too trust you, Dhm’Ni.” Nala whispers sadly. But he heard her just fine.
“It seems that we need to have a discussion.”
“Yes…Lets make talk.”

Authors Note: Sorry for the long wait for the update. I was at my cabin in Grand Beach for five days but it was really cold so I didn’t even get to go swimming!!! But the second I got home I wrote this whole thing. And I should have the next chapter up within the next 24 hours. All I did the whole time was think about this story but I think it was good because I worked out a few bugs. OH! I hope you liked Nalas second flashback…I did! And just a warning that the rest of the story is going to be just as or even steamier… But the question is with who and when?

Pronunciations (Previous on chapters 3, 4, 6, 9, 10 & 11.)
Jehdin Meaning hand to hand combat and I don’t know how to pronounce it.
Thei-de Or this but it means death and in my context meaning death match.
Kehrite Or this but means the training hall.
Ukinda You Kin Da