The Question

Posted on Tue Jan 24th, 2017 @ 8:58pm by Colonel S'er'in'e & Samanthia Akiashiro

Since Samanthia had taken him as her Mate he had invested a considerable amount of time in study of Human culture, from social to intimate, casual to serious even going so far as research in vocal inflections, sarcasm, emotional response and reactions, anything that would help him understand. At times he had found this venture taxing and occasionally taxing, he'd discovered that Human culture had many facets, perspectives depending on where on the globe it was viewed from. He'd found out first hand from the Akiashiro family one dynamic similar to old Japan where an Elder or Lord would have one or more wives with other females to accompany them with a court of trusted individuals of import or status with a score of servants. He already knew that he to the Akiashiro clan was a person of significance, while not in terms of position or status but because they viewed him as a charm of luck or good fortune. Samanthia had been kind enough to let him learn a few things about the family so that he might better interact with them.

His relationship with Samanthia came second to none, nothing was more important but with Samanthia came the understanding that her needs, wants and customs would play a part in the lives they shared. Now pregnant each knew the life they knew together would change, he learned that for Humans especially that focus turns quickly for some and more gradual for others from lovers to the offspring. Time, effort and sleep were paid heavily when raising children and for S'er'in'e this would be a first. All the literature could only prepare him so far and since Samanthia had a family prior he knew he would have to rely on her for guidance and direction in times of lost course.

He'd taken considerable time on one key point. He'd kept it quiet from her, even had to hide a PADD or two amongst some of his Caitian literature so Samanthia didn't find it and learn about his secret. The headband his Overseer had brought her had remained in the box it came in, he was unsure if Samanthia had even tried it on, he hoped so and even hoped to see her wear it.

However his secret from her would lead to one thing, the very thing he'd spend a long time learning up on. The Human concept of marriage.

There were many forms of marriage on Earth, cultures did things differently from one to the next but S'er'in'e had taken many things and in his studies learned that typically it is the male that proposes, initiating the process by a small speech of what the female means to him, his hopes and wishes and presenting a ring made of a precious metal with valuable stones to adorn it. He had such a ring, made on the Homeworld with stones that rivalled the expensive jewellery he got for her when he took her on a trip to his world to show her.

All he had to do now....was ask.

Samanthia moved about the apartment getting ready for the day. She glanced at S'er'in'e when she passed by him on one of the many trips to either refresh her drink, grab a snack, taking noticed he was pre-occupied with something. Exiting the bedroom for the last time to head over to her workstation in the common room of the apartment.

At first he appeared to be putting one of his books away but he slipped into his hand a small green velvet box. He'd dreamt of this moment, rehearsed what he was going to say while in his office or at home while Samanthia was at work. He knew what he had to do from watching the display several times.

"My Mate." He spoke standing in the middle of the floor in the common room. "Would you join me for a moment."

Samanthia glanced from the console she was looking at to S'er'in'e. Seeing he had something to say and probably important. She left the console to stand near him. "Yeah?" Softly showing he had her attention.

"I have something I wish to ask and forgive me if I do it incorrectly." He paused as he looked into her eyes. "You have embraced my culture, accepted me for who and what I am, seen me at my worst and my strongest, you have been victim to my peoples ways and drove through them. You know how I feel about what we have and the honour you have given me to provide you with offspring but there is something I wanted to do, for you in a Human way." His slow deliberate and thought out speech betrayed the seriousness of the situation.

"I hope I have done this correctly. You have honoured me by bearing our offspring." Even dropping to one knee S'er'in'e was but an inch or two shorter than Samanthia. He opened the box to reveal the ring which he'd ensured was her size through some digging. "Would you honour me once more by becoming my Wife?"

Samanthia eyes lit up with delight as S'er'in'e proposed to her in the human manner. "Yes S'er'in'e. I will." Looking at him so serious on one knee with an jewelry box that contained an engagement ring. She held out her hand with fingers spread so he could put on the ring with ease.

She reached out with her other hand and rubbed his head between his ears in the manner that a Caitian woman would to give permission to a Caitian tom to proceed and allowed him to touch her. Even though he knew he could touch her anytime he pleased.

With delicate care S'er'in'e took the ring from the box and gently worked it up her finger, there was a moment of hesitation as he had to remember for a second which finger the ring went on. Once done he stood up and there was no hiding the smile since the tips of his fangs appeared from under his lip. He knew there would be a ceremony, something called a Hen and Stag party between friends and family, not that he had many friends and his family were on the Homeworld. "Thank you."

Samanthia smile widen into a big ear to ear grin as warmth filled her as he put the engagement ring on her ring finger. When he stood to his full height, she rushed to him and hugged him, pressing her body against his and laying her head against his chest. "There is no correct way to propose, my love! As long as it comes from the heart it will always be correct." Looking up at him to make eye contact. "I'll send out the invites and time for vid hook ups for those that cant make it to the ceremony. Want to include your home world in the link?"

"We should invite my parents I am confident they would make every effort to attend." Then he thought of someone else. "We should have the ceremony recorded, to be sent to the Overseer." S'er'in'e shamefully wilted a little. "I would like to avoid her presence causing any further disruption to our relationship." His hold however didn't let up. "What of you, what family or both would you wish to bring?"

"My parents will be unable to attend. Their ship been assigned to respond to a planet wide medical problem elsewhere. Elder Raphael would be honored to act in my fathers place." Samanthia spoke, looking up at him. "Ma'ress can't contest it. I've done it the Caitian Way with your Mother's Approval according to Caitian Customs. She has the final say in whom you chose to mate with. If your mother had shown disapproval. I'd made any effort to break off from you in the manner where you would survive to mate with others. But to appease Ma'ress, we'll send her a vid as I plan to send one to my parents."

Samanthia wasn't about to lose S'er'in'e to a Home-world Overseer whims. With both his Overseers and his position within Fleet. Made him a very desirable male to be with. She loved him as Sentient being and the father of her children.