She ran her hands over her abdomen."When does mating season start, Resetarits?" Lottatna asked.
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"Beginning of spring when the body is mature enough."
"And how long does it go?"
"A week."
She nodded.
"If the mating doesn"t happen that first week of spring, the pheromones return for a week every two months until mating can happen."
"So then do pregnancies started later in the year finish later in the year?"
"No. They are also born in the spring."
"But that"s…."
"Fewer offspring are born and there is more risk of infant death."
"So then woman are carrying children while caring for the newborns?"
"No, that would be too much. If children are born then the mother takes a year for every two children born before mating again."
"Different partners?" Lottatna looked at Resetarits confused.
"As the woman chooses. Most are content with the partner they initially mate with."
"Do your people have jobs like we do here?"
"My people are mainly farmers, but none of our tools are sharp enough to cause injury. They are very ethical in their practices and make sure to care for the soil so the crop yield takes care of them."
"And the houses?"
"The houses… are only a little different than here. We don"t have electricity, or toilets, or showers. In our bathrooms is a large pool that renews with the tide currents. Meat is a very small portion of our diet. Hunting is a spiritual practice done by the leaders of my people once or twice a month—depending on the populations of animals around."
"Does everyone have a mate?"
"They are meant to," he sighed.
Lottatna set a hand on his leg and he turned to her. "Did you…?"
Resetarits shook his head.
"Here. If we can"t find a mate, friends are the next best thing."
Resetarits nodded and set a hand over hers. She locked her fingers in his and kept hold of it. Lottatna got up and he helped her make lunch. They ate then took a nap together.
"Resetarits, you seem to have forgotten something," a deep voice echoed in his head.
"No, I haven"t, Mylrd," Resetarits replied.
"I warned you about what would happen if you changed another person."
"Not Resetarits" fault," Lottatna said out loud. "…warned me about touch."
"And you touched him anyway," Mylrd"s voice boomed in her direction.
"No. Shoved into him by one of my own."
"Go back to sleep, Lottatna. I"ll be okay."
She snuggled closer to him.
"How many tails does she bear?" Mylrd asked.
"36, at the very least, Mylrd."
"We have not had one so wise for many generations. I will come for her."
Resetarits arms tightened around Lottatna. "Yes, Mylrd," Resetarits said softly.
"I won"t go, Resetarits," Lottatna said.
"You would need to, Lottatna. I am meant to be alone," he said. "You"ll be okay. Everyone will accept you."
"No one is meant to be alone."
"And you won"t be."
"If what you"ve told me of your people is true then I"d have no job. I"m a healer and will always be a healer. I do not belong among your people."
"They will support you in finding a place with a companion who will care for you."
"I have a companion who cares for me right here."
Resetat.i.ts kissed her forehead. He didn"t want her to go, but if it was for the best, he would.
Lottatna snuggled closer to him and rested. Resetarits soon fell asleep.
He woke to the call buzzer. Lottatna continued to sleep, but stirred when he shifted to get up. Resetarits kissed her forehead and she stilled. The buzz came again. He stood and answered it.
"This is Resetarits."
"Have you become disrespectful in your exile?" Mylrd asked. "How much longer must I wait for you to come down and let me in?"
"My apologies, Mylrd. I fell asleep. I"ll be down momentarily."
Resetarits turned and pulled his clothes on, curing his tails behind his shoulders as had become habit. He put on his mask then hurried down the stairs to open the security door for Mylrd. He stood with confidence and an air of authority. Resetarits pushed open the door and Mylrd stepped inside. He said nothing as Resetarits lead him up the stairs and down the hall to his apartment. Mylrd"s eyes scrutinized everything. The unpolished railings, the peeling wall paper in the halls, and the gashes and marks on the doors.
Unlocking his door, Resetarits led Mylrd into his very small studio apartment. Mylrd glared at the small s.p.a.ce. Resetarits stepped in further to check on Lottatna. She shifted a little in discomfort, but didn"t wake as he ran his fingers through her short hair.
"You"ve kept one wiser than you in such squalor?" Mylrd asked.
"I have had difficulty supporting myself, Mylrd. These people interact differently than we do."
"You still should have set up a more suitable meeting place."
"My apologies, Mylrd."
Mylrd stepped closer to the large bean bag to get a look at Lottatna. His eyes swept over her face. "A beautiful creature," he remarked quietly. "How much longer will she rest, Resetarits?"
"I know not, Mylrd. Her spirits have been low since the change."
"Then I shall wait."
Mylrd sat on the couch and leaned back as if he owned the place.
"Resetarits?" Lottatna asked, waking slightly.
"I"m here, Lottatna," he replied.
"What"s the matter?"
"Nothing. Mylrd has arrived and would like to meet you."
"Give me a moment?"
"Sure."
Lottatna got up and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. She gathered her clothes then stepped into the bathroom.
"Why did you not aid her, Resetarits?" Mylrd asked.
"She was a very independent person before the change, Mylrd. She wished me to allow her that same independence."
"A trait she will need to unlearn."
Resetarits said nothing, but waited by the front room entrance for her return. She still put off the death smell as she moved her tails about, but it had lessened a bit with the taking of the flower essence. Lottatna brought the blanket back out with her once she was dressed and her waste flushed away. Resetarits turned to her as she tossed the blanket back onto the bean bag.
"Lottatna, I would like you to meet, Mylrd. He heads the leaders of my people."
Mylrd stood as he spoke and reached out a hand in greeting to Lottatna. She shook his hand.
"It is a pleasure to meet a beautiful woman such as you are," Mylrd said. "I apologize profusely that Resetarits has not treated you better since the unfortunate circ.u.mstance of your change."
"You are mistaken," Lottatna said. "Resetarits has treated me very well since the change."
"A place of squalor is no place for someone with your wisdom, dear lady."
Lottatna shook her head.
"You see, Resetarits," Mylrd said. "She agrees."
"That was not an agreement," she retorted before Resetarits could nod.
"Now, kind Lottatna, there is no need to hurriedly change your mind for one less wise than yourself. Resetarits is a foolish child caught up in the ways of change and chaos."
Resetarits lowered his head. Something stirred in Lottatna and he couldn"t tell if it was agreement or something else entirely. He had not yet told Lottatna that he had lost his people"s respect when he caused change to occur.
"Mylrd," she said before he could continue. "I grow weary. Is there more to your visit than to meet me?"
"I came to take you to Chdrtlsy. Did Resetarits not tell you?"
"I won"t be going."
"It is where you belong," Mylrd said. "A place where you can share your wisdom from lifetimes pa.s.sed."
"I will go, if Resetarits comes too."
"Resetarits has lost his place among us. He can never return to Chdrtlsy."
"Then I will be staying with my mate." She took Resetarits" hand and held firmly.
Mylrd"s eyes widened a moment before he glared at Resetarits. "What have you done?!"
Resetarits shrank and tried to pull away from Lottatna, but she prevented him from doing so.
"Did you take advantage of her while she slept so you wouldn"t have to endure your punishment?"
"You can leave now," Lottatna glared.
"Wise Lottatna, he"s poisoned you, used you, and disrespected the being you are," he said calmly to her.
"And you have disrespected his home and my decision to make him my mate."
"Your decision? Why? There are…."
"Take your leave!"
His whiskered nose huffed in anger as he gave Resetarits a final glare. "No wonder you failed in so many of your lives," he growled. Then he calmed his face, put on his mask and pompously left the apartment.