Adventures of Tash and John Ch. 04

"It's something I've done since I was a child." Tashaiea explained, standing back up as well. "My family would come here once a month."

"It definitely is a beautiful building." John mused while taking another look around. He refocused on the Kai'ani woman who had once again taken his hand and began gently tugging for him to follow.

The couple exited the Solarium and Tash continued to lead them on their previous course. It wasn't far from the center courtyard where she pointed out a flat building with curved roof. It was in a decently spread out cluster of similar looking buildings on top of a small hill.

"There, the one in the middle." She stated as they walked up the damp street.

It was just as she had remembered it. The deep red of the exterior weather paneling seemed just as faded as when she had left. One of the only major differences was the blue and yellow bushes full of flowers flanking the sides of the house and up the walkway that hadn't been there when she left. The low hedge fence by the front gate was freshly cut, showing off a spiral of green and blue leaves for it's entire length. The tall Feern trees in the front yard had also been recently trimmed with not a stray leaf on the ground. They had arrived just at the beginning of the Khazon summer so spots of light pink blooms could be made out in the trees as well. Tash lead John up and through the yards front gate. She knew by now the house would have detected and announced their presence so Tashaiea half expected to see her mother standing on the front awning waiting for them. That she wasn't there was almost a little bit of a shock to her.

They walked up to the front door and Tash activated the holographic door control. She figured that her mother wouldn't have changed the security code so she was pretty sure she could just type it in and walk through the door. She decided however to simply hit the visitor request button instead. The panel chimed twice and lit up to confirm that their request had been sent. After a few seconds the voice of an older woman was broadcast through to them.

"I'll be right there!" Tash recognized the voice as being from her mother.

This was it then. Judgment day. An icy cold feeling was starting to trickle up from the base of her spine. 'Just stay cool, stay calm', Tash began repeating to herself. She began to squeeze John's hand harder. He gave her a reassuring squeeze back. If he was nervous he sure didn't show it. Tashaiea's heart nearly skipped a beat as she head the unmistakable 'click' of the door starting to open. About two seconds later she was face to face with her mother. Tash watched as her face lit up.

"Tashaiea!" Her mother nearly jumped on her and quickly embraced her in a hug. "It's so good to finally have you back home!"

The hug continued for moment more before her mother finally released her. What happened next was pretty much what she expected. Her mother, finally taking note of the shorter and pink alien standing beside her daughter, made a curious looking expression. She then slowly looked down and saw that Tashaiea was holding its hand. A slight twitch moved through her mothers lower lip.

"Tashaiea, who is... this?" Her mother asked. The previous joyful expression now tamed.

Tashaiea swallowed hard. "Mom." She began tentatively. "This is John. The male I mentioned."

Tash could see that her mother was trying very hard not to explode right then and there.

"This is John... The male you claimed..." The young Kai'ani could almost hear her mother's heart breaking in her voice. Well, that and the very subdued anger.

"It's pleasure to final greet you Oassew Shel'vhan." John said with a very curt nod, trying his best to speak the greeting that he and Tash had practiced for the past week.

Her mother shot him a look, seeming almost insulted that this alien had the audacity to speak to her, let alone in a broken version of her own language. She seemed to take a second to calm herself before speaking again.

"Tashaiea." Oassew Shel'vhan began calmly. "Why did you not tell me of this?"

"Because it shouldn't matter who I decide to claim for my male." Tashaiea said defiantly, mustering all the strength she could. She was trying to put on an air of confidence, how well it was working was really anyone's guess.

Her mother took in a deep breath and sighed. "Alright Tashaiea, we'll have it your way." Her mother refocused her attention to John. "You are Human, correct?"

"Yes, am Human." John replied, once again trying his best.

Tash's mother closed her eyes and rubbed the sides of her head. She seemed to take a second to recompose herself before looking from John to Tashaiea and letting out another sigh.

"Let me fetch my translator so I don't have to hear you butcher our language anymore." She stepped out of the doorway back into the house, gesturing towards the couple. "Come in and put your bags down."

Oassew Shel'vhan very promptly turned and left for one of the adjoining rooms, leaving Tash and John standing in the entrance hall.

"That wasn't so bad." John finally commented after placing their things out of the way on the floor.

Tashiea winced. She knew it was only the beginning. But she supposed John was right. The first step was no doubt going to be the hardest, and at least they were in the house now. Tashaiea took a look around. Once again it seemed like barely anything had changed. The interior was still the same cozy light brown she had grown up knowing and her mother still had those ridiculous mirror plates hanging on the walls. A couple new potted shrubs flanked the entrance hall, but other than that Tashaiea was having a hard time finding anything new. A familiar sent floated in her nostrils. Vhine wood, her mothers favorite incense. The young woman began to inadvertently drift into what seemed like ancient memories. She was so lost in thought she barely noticed her father come in and stand in the entrance hall with them.

"Pleasure to greet you Harseb Neire." She caught John saying with a respectful nod.

"No need for any of that son." Tashaiea's father said with a dismissive hand wave and a tap on his right ear. "I was listening in on your conversation with my mate. I've come prepared." He stopped nearly in front of John and gave him a quick look over. He let out a chuckle and a sigh. "A Human, hmm? Can't say I'm really very surprised. My daughter seems to have a bit of an obsession with your people. I've found quite a few interesting images hiding throughout her room. And by the look of it, you don't seem to disappoint."

"Dad! Please!" Tashaiea began to protest, a green flush of panicked embarrassment quickly settling on her face.

"Alright, I'll save the embarrassing stories for later." Her father said, letting out another chuckle. "Come now, let's put your things away and get you settled in."

"I wasn't sure if Oassew Shel'vhan was going to let us stay." John said, switching back to English and picking up their bags once again.

"Oh you're staying here, I'll see to that." Harseb Neire stated while motioning for Tash and John to follow him. "Shel'vhan may be acting tough but Tashaiea is still her first child and she's missed her. We've both missed her. And if she has to deal with a Human male to get her child back home, so be it."

Tash felt her fathers last words tug on her chest. She knew her mother had been incredibly opposed to her leaving. So much to the point that she had nearly resorted to pleading with Tashaiea. There was a certain level of pride however that ultimately prevented her from doing so. So she had very reluctantly let Tashaiea leave for Kerpzu'avi. There was for a time, after the novelty of striking off on her own had faded, that she wished that she had let her mother convince her. That was of course until she met John. Her father led them around another familiar corner before finally stopping in front of Tashaiea's old room. The door was wide open and led to a room that was the complete opposite of how she had left it. The bed was made and the floors were cleaned. Some of the things that Tash had left behind had been neatly arranged on her old desk, showing off just a peek at the personality of the person who had left the room behind. Tash couldn't help but smile.

"There should be plenty of room to store your things." Harseb Neire continued once again. "I'm sure Tashaiea will enjoy sleeping in her own bed again, whenever that may be." Her father said with a small smirk. "I've been preparing a meal and it should be ready in about an hour. So unpack and relax and I'll let you know when it's ready."

"Thank you Harseb Neire." John said as he set their bags on Tashaiea's old bedroom floor.

"You're very welcome." The older male Kai'ani said as he turned to leave. "And one more thing. There's no need for the Harseb, John. Neire is fine."

With a acknowledging nod from John, Neire left the room leaving the two alone. Tashaiea walked over to her old bed and unceremoniously fell face first onto it. The sheets were soft and cool. They felt wonderful against her now noticeably tired body. She felt John lay down next to her and drape one of his arms around her waist.

"I like your dad." He said, taking his other free hand and propping up his head.

"It's not my dad I'm worried about." Tash mumbled into the bed sheets.

"Hey, look at me." Her boyfriend said. She complied, turning to look directly into the Human's eyes. "Everything is going to be okay, alright?"

Tashaiea sighed. "I wish I had your confidence."

John planted a kiss on her forehead. They continued to lay on the bed. Tash couldn't help but feel her eyes slowly start to close. They did have an hour, a small nap wouldn't hurt. She felt as though she had barely even closed her eyes before she was awoken by a gentle shaking from John.

"Hey, the food's ready." John said, slowly sitting up and moving to the edge of the bed. "I was planning on letting you sleep more but I keep forgetting that a Kai hour is shorter than I'm used to."

"Is okay." Tashaiea groaned slightly as she swung herself over to the side of the bed as well. "Eating will make me feel better."

Tash watched as John nodded. About halfway through the motion he froze. Slowly he started to look over the side of the bed.

"What is wrong?" Tashaiea asked with a tone of concern in her voice.

"Something just rubbed against my leg." He replied, rather cryptically.

Slowly Tash slid herself off the bed and onto the floor. She knelt down and positioned herself to look under the small gap between the bed and the floor. Tashaiea had an idea about what, or more correctly who, had caused John's distress. The young woman giggled as her theory was proven correct. A small snout was poking out from underneath the bed to greet her.

"Axa!" Tashaiea exclaimed as the small creature rushed out from under the bed to greet her. She quickly scooped it up and stood to face John. "John, meet Axa." She said as she produced the small wriggling mass to him.

"Hello." John said, still fairly cautious. "What is it?"

"He," Tash corrected him. "Is my... pet? Yes, pet. He is a Vohg Halk." Tash paused a moment to give the furry creature a couple of select scratches before continuing. "He's been family for as long as I've been alive."

"Okay." John said, drawing slightly closer. "I didn't know you were a pet person."

"Axa is not really my pet, he's my mothers. My father got him for her as a gift" Tash said as she set the fluffy animal down on the bed.

Axa rolled on the bed a few times before rushing over to John, sticking his short snout at him while looking up with fur covered eyes. John slowly reached his hand out to test the creatures reaction. Without hesitation it began rubbing its face against his fingers. Axa was mostly a ball of fur. He stood on four legs with a proportionate sized head that was almost indistinguishable under the layers of brown hair.

"Scratch the sides of the face, he likes that." Tash advised her boyfriend.

John did so and the little creature chittered happily away. The couple took turns petting and scratching Axa, who was absolutely loving all the attention. They must have lost track of time because they were soon greeted once again by Tash's father.

"Ahh, it seems Axa has found a new friend." Neire said amused as he stood in the doorway to his daughters room. "Come though, the meal is getting old. Best to eat now before it does."

Tash and John stood up from the bed, much to Axa's displeasure. Regardless the little Vohg Halk jumped down from the bed and followed them out the door. Tashaiea took John's hand and lead him through the house after her father. The dining area was attached to the kitchen, so much so that the half circle table they would use to eat was set just indented from the main kitchen prep table. It seemed as though her father had spent some extra time preparing this meal. The table was set for guests. Bulb glasses of juice and water were set for all placings. Utensils and bowls were set on flat rectangular plates. Her mother had already taken a seat on the far right side of the table and gave John a slight glare as he entered the room.

"Come John, as our guest you'll be sitting here." Neire said as he patted the back of the center most chair.

The chairs were very much designed for Kai'ani as was demonstrated when John took his designated seat. The tall of the backrest went well past his head while John's body itself was at least twice as wide. Regardless he seemed to sit in it comfortably, even if there was a slight creak from its steel resin construction. Tash couldn't help but catch the slight amusement on her mothers face as the short and wide alien sat at her table. Tashaiea herself took the seat to his left, and her father to the left of her. When they had finished being seated Tashaiea's mother let out an audible sigh.

"Kesse!" Oassew Shel'vhan began to yell, cocking her head towards one of the entrances to the dining area. "The meal is set and getting old!"

"I'll be there in a moment mother!" Tash could hear her younger brother yell back from somewhere else in the house.

"Now Kesse!" Oassew Shel'vhan ordered again.

"I heard you the first time mother!" Tash heard Kesse say as he walked into the room.

"Did you remember your translator?" Oassew Shel'vhan said to her son with a bit of annoyance in her voice. "Remember that your sister's male can't speak our language." The last part seemed to have a hint of venom in the word male.

"Yes mother." Kesse said rolling his eyes and tapping his ear while taking his seat.

Tash couldn't help but notice how her little brother seemed to examine John with a little bit of curious awe. Her mother cleared her throat rather loudly, drawing Kesse's attention from the Human on to her.

"Now that we're all here, your father has put a lot of work into this meal. So please show some gratitude before you begin." Oassew Shel'vhan more or less commanded of the others at the table.

"Thank you father." Tash and Kesse said nearly at the exact same time.

"Yes, thank you for the meal Neire." John made sure to add afterwards.

Tash's father smiled. "Please, begin. The food is getting old, and I don't know about any of you but I'm fairly hungry."

The meal was rather nice, Tash thought. Her father had prepared quite a few different dishes, nearly all of which she was familiar with (and adored). Steamed Rashat Greens, cold pressed and mashed Jioa tubers with just the right amount of spice, Hettre steaks... It was like a homecoming for her mouth and mind. Of course her mother went first, taking her fill and passing the assorted dishes down the line to the rest of the family. She noticed that John took a little bit of everything.

Tash knew that he could have a pretty voracious appetite. They hadn't really eaten anything at all since leaving the transport that morning, so she was expecting him to devour everything in front of him and come back for more. Her Human could eat nearly twice what she could and still be hungry. She guessed he needed all those nutrients to feed those muscles of his. They ate in relative silence. Tashaiea could tell by the glances at John from her family that they were debating on whether or not it was appropriate to start a conversation. She decided to break the ice for them.

"Dad," She began, placing her utensils down and focusing on her father. "You should know that John is a little bit of a cook himself. Maybe you could show him a few things."

"Ah, you cook do you?" Neire said, seeming a little relieved that his daughter had broken their silence.

"Yes I do a little cooking but I'm not professional by any means." John replied, quickly swallowing a mouthful of Jioa. "I just learned a few things from my time in the army."

"Your army taught you to cook?" Neire asked with a bit of a perplexed smile.

John laughed. "Well not really, no. I just learned a few things from experimenting during my time on deployment. When you're in the middle of nowhere and all you have are prepackaged meals, a little improvisation can go a long way."

"What did you do in your army?" Kesse suddenly asked, now seemingly very interested in the topic at hand.

"I was a paratrooper in the Texan Army." John started to explain. "I was a part of the 105th Airborne. We mostly did orbital insertions and recon."

Kesse seemed to light up at John's last statement. "Did you fight at Roh-bert's Gate?" The young boy asked, elongating the foreign word to him.

John seemed taken a little aback at that. He cleared his throat and then responded.

"I-uhh, yes, I was deployed at Robert's Gate." Tash could see him shift uncomfortably with his response.

"How many Breten Hvas did you kill?" Kesse asked him with a jolt of enthusiasm, attention now solely locked on to John.

"I... I don't think that's really appropriate dinnertime conversation." John said, trying to either avoid or deflect the question.

Kesse was about to speak up again when his mother cut him off. "Kesse, that's enough." She said with a stern tone. "John is right, that is not appropriate conversation for right now."

Kesse seemed like he was about to protest but ultimately gave up and returned his gaze to his plate. Tash could see that John had now completely stopped eating. His utensils were laid crossed on his plate and his eyes seemed to be staring straight through them. Tashaiea instinctively brought up one of her hands and laced her fingers through his, squeezing tightly as she did. John had never really told her about the times when he had been actively fighting the Breten Hvas. Sure he had told her about his time as a soldier, but it was mostly silly or interesting things he had done. He told her a couple of stories about being in combat, but it was never something she had really tried to force out of him. She figured that if he wanted to talk about it he would. John looked up and gave her a smile.

"I suppose this family owes your people thanks." Oassew Shel'vhan stated, almost reluctantly. "I'm sure Tashaiea has told you about what happened to us?"

John nodded. "Yes, she told me that you were on board the transport at New Holland." He said. "It was one of the first things she told me when we met."

"And how exactly did you meet?" Shel'vhan asked, jumping on the opportunity to change the subject.

"We met a couple month ago while I was still on Kerpzu'avi." Tash explained. "John was visiting the planet and we... bumped into each other."

"Months." Her mother repeated, rather flatly. "And you claimed him when?"

"About the same time?" Tashaiea found herself saying fairly slow and cautiously.

"And I am just now hearing about it?"

"Yes?"

"And I suppose you've been staying together all this time?" Shel'vhan asked, keeping her calm as best she could.