The_Sarran_Senator_by_AC_Katt

Chapter 2-3

Castle Air: 19:30 tines

Syn had put the last flower in her arrangement by nineteen tines. Her guests began to arrive at nineteen-thirty. Despite living halfway across the planet, Anya’s Triad was the first to arrive, accompanied by their two new aides and, of course, by Tigger. Tonas was using the sticky brush Syn supplied on his trews almost as soon as he walked in the door.

Tarin came after Anya, traveling from the next village over and brought Syn some candies made that day in a shop opened by one of the unbonded fems with fresh chocolate that had arrived that rising on the Brightstar.

“Bon bons!” Syn was delighted.

Michael bounded in next with Naffie and after Michael was formally introduced to Tigger, Duchess, and Tarin they went down to the kitchen with Garlance and Emot. The last to come were Juraens, Mark, Sara, Sam, and their felines, Aloysius, Chou, and Shadow. Sara came with a tray of scones in hand for Anya.

::Syn, Sara’s brought scones, I’m going to be blissful at breakfast next rising. If you’re nice, I’ll share,:: Anya teased.

Anya smiled broadly at Sara mouthing, “Thank you.” Sara nodded and smiled.

Syn started to introduce Sam and Sara’s Triad to the rest of the party when she heard two loud gasps, quickly smothered. Syn shot a look at her Warriors, who nodded. She discreetly changed the seating arrangement with a bit of misdirection and sleight of hand to put Sam and Tarin together.

Both men were wary but obviously interested. Syn went on her private channel to her mates. ::Get Tarin and Sam to talk about themselves. They have a PairBond but they’re wary. Sam just got here and it looks like it’s Tarin’s first time out in company since his bonded went to the Goddess.::

Syn passed around the fruit wine which the fems refused because of their pregnancies. They took Tierest juice instead.

As the Senior Elder at the table, Zaron began the conversation. “Sam, we hear you and your new offspring handled an incident on the way back from Earth.”

“Mark and Juraens had to deal with the former Lieutenant Septis. Unfortunately Septis carried a poison on the arms the Zyptz changed to tentacles and that poison entered my offsprings’ bodies through a series of small cuts. Back on Earth we have deadly reptiles called snakes whose bites can paralyze and kill. An old trick to help a snakebite victim is to suck the poison out of the wound and spit it out. It won’t remove the venom from the bite completely, but it does buy time to get medical attention. Although, you do run the danger of ingesting venom yourself.”

“Our sire’s quick thinking saved our lives,” Mark said. “I’m a doctor and I didn’t even think of that.”

“I watched too many westerns as a kid,” Sam laughed, attempting to divert attention away from himself.

“Kid?” Jonal asked.

“Offspring,” Juraens supplied. Zaron took some of the antipasto and put it on his plate. Syn served both Sarran and Earthen cured meats and pickled vegetables, along with Earthen and local cheeses. He passed the plate along.

Tarin’s eyes lit up. “Do you mean westerns like the ones in which the great Earthen actor John Wayne appears? I have been much alone in recent cycles and when the Earthen fems came, I looked into some of Earth’s entertainment. I love westerns, The Sons of Katie Elder, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, True Grit, Red River; these must be classics on your world. It was watching these shows that helped me accept the new paradigm on Sarran and to see that the Earthen are worthy allies.”

“You could argue that these movies are classics, but tastes have changed so that now police procedural, spy, and hospital dramas populate the airwaves on Earth. I can’t think of a single western that is now on our mainstream television. I can tell you though that next season, Sarran and the Galactic Federation will feature prominently in Earthen dramas. You have to watch Star Trek, Earthen science fiction, to see how much the Earth’s writers and directors got right,” Sam told Tarin. “I would like to watch science fiction with a Sarran to see what they think.”

“Yes, they guessed right about transporting and fabricating, only they needed a machine to transport; but they didn’t have a clue about the powers of the mind,” Juraens observed.

“You’re wrong there. On Star Trek, The Next Generation, Councilor Deanna Troi began to explore the realm of psy. But they didn’t take it far enough before the series was cancelled,” Mark said.

“Tarin has been called to council next rising,” Bron announced, effectively changing the subject.

“Yes, I have no idea why.” Tarin blushed.

“It’s a good thing, Tarin, I assure you.” Zaron passed the bread.

“Sam, you and Michael become Sarran in body as well as choice next rising at council. Juraens says that his Triad in consultation with you made the decision for Michael. Do you think Michael or you will be sorry later?” Bron asked while he cut a square of lasagna and passed it along to serve.

“To answer your question, TeBron…” Sam started to say.

“No, here at my table there are no Te and Ta unless it is an official council function. Please continue…”

“Michael’s sperm donor is on Earth,” Sam said dryly, “hopefully residing in the darkest hole they could find, but we decided if Bradley should ever see the light of day, he can never have the opportunity to spout evil into Michael’s head or heart. Michael will become and remain a Sarran, just like his grandsire and his Zinna. According to Naffie, he and Michael are bondmates and my offspring tell me Naffie is never wrong about such things. He’s already told my Sara she is having a femspring.”

Syn sent to Anya, ::Two stubborn Warriors, it’s obvious they’re bonded but are trying to either ignore or tiptoe around the bond.::

::They won’t be able to ignore it for very long according to my pair.:: Anya peered at Tarin from under her eyelashes.

::From what I’ve heard from mine, it can’t be ignored. Both Daddy and Commander Tarin are providing an exhibition of sheer will power. Why is beyond my comprehension.:: Sara shook her head.

Just then a knock came on the dining chamber’s door. It was Naffie and Michael. “Can Shadow and I have a sleepover with Naffie and Bandit? Aloysius, Duchess, and Chou promised to keep an eye on us and Shadow if Garlance and Emot are too busy.”

Naffer looked around the table and his eyes opened wide. “Michael, your grandsire’s aura has changed. It matches that of the Honorable Commander Tarin. Your grandsire has bonded.”

“Have you bonded too, Grandpa? This is such a nice way of making friends.”

Syn looked Naffie in the eye. “Sometimes, my beloved offspring, you see more than is good for you. If Sara says it’s fine and if the cats agree to babysit, it’s okay with me.”

“You can stay, Michael, but remember, if you get frightened all you have to do is call out,” Sara agreed.

“I know how, Mommie. This rising Naffie taught me how not to shout. Besides, I won’t get frightened, Naffie will be with me.”

“Princess Sara, I will always take care of Michael,” Naffie said solemnly. Then he grabbed Michael by the hand and they left the room.

“Syn, I’ll assume that Tigger will also be staying until rising to protect his interests, so to speak. Now that he has competition,” Tonas said, his eyes dancing in merriment as he gazed at Tigger who was nonchalantly washing his paw.

::Tonas, you don’t have to worry about my interests or my competition. There are hundreds of felines to choose from. I may just play the field if Duchess’ head is turned by a pedigree.:: He gave his paw a particularly hard swipe with his tongue.

::Duchess isn’t like that. Go find them and make friends,:: Syn suggested.

::If that Siamese is chasing my Duchess, I’d sooner make friends with a snake.:: Tigger put his tail up and left the room to find the other felines.

Tonas smiled evilly. “He needed some competition. Tigger was getting complacent; something a good Sarran knows is never a great idea around his fem.”

Naffie’s awkward announcement was smoothed over by Anya and Tonas’ exchange with Tigger. While no one was looking, Sam and Tarin eyed each other hungrily.

The party proceeded with a few stories from Sam about life in the Earthen armed forces and the Senate. Tarin contributed tales of his favorite engineering mishaps and the evening ended on a lively note. As the party broke up, Syn overheard Tarin ask Sam, “There is a new coffee shop near the council building. In the midtines it is filled with very young fems and unbonded Warriors, but in the dawntines, it’s quiet. Would you like to have coffee with me after the council meeting?”

Sam answered, “Yes, I believe I would.” He grabbed Tarin’s hand and kissed his wrist. Tarin responded by bringing Sam’s hand to his mouth and kissing his fingers.

Syn thought Tarin’s smile was enigmatic.