Atrex's Gala: Mingling - [Part 2]

Posted on Thu Aug 4th, 2022 @ 11:11am by Samanthia Akiashiro & Colonel S'er'in'e

Mission: The Archan Job
Location: Archa IV: Artrex Estate

Samanthia smiled accepting S'er'in'e's reasoning. She turned to Selena. "I'll keep you informed on our Cait Project. I don't know what we'll find since the sites have been pretty much gone over with a fine tooth comb. I'll pick out several sites to research on to see what I can dig up."

Professor Wanglestien approached their group. An elder gentleman with a faded tan of an outdoorsman and do to the more academic setting, his physique slowly losing going to waste. "There you are, Miss Selena!" Seeing S'er'in'e and Samanthia with her. He recognized Samanthia, another Archeology student that took several of his courses. "Greeting Miss Akiashiro! I see you came with the Akiashiro's." He looked at S'er'in'e a bit questionably.

"Hi Professor Wanglestien. This handsome Cait, my husband, S'er'in'e." She smiled softly as Professor expression lost some of its warmth.

Professor nodded as his smile became more friendlier and held out his hand to shake hands with S'er'in'e. "Looks like you'll have a tough job in keeping this woman corralled and barefoot in the kitchen. She's going places. Too bad she didn't start out in the field. She would've made a name for herself."

Mindful not to injure the man S'er'in'e shook the offered hand. It was clear to S'er'in'e that this male knew little about the ways of Caitians, which was expected as they are mostly unspoken to outsiders. "My Mate still will, given time." He ignored the remark about corralling Samanthia to the kitchen, nor was he going to explain to the Professor the ways of Caitian relationships.

Professor Wanglestien smiled with a nod. "My assistance here, probably asked you if she could get full access to some of Cait's Sites. We'd of course... The University, I mean, would sponsor the team being sent to Cait. And Miss Akiashiro would be part of the team. If it would help with getting the proper clearance for a full blown dig."

Samanthia spoke up, "Selena and I already discussed this. S'er'in'e will be looking into it to see what is needed. I'll keep Selena informed and will pass on any relevant information to her." Stealing a bit of Professor's thunder, while making Selena and herself look good in anticipating Professor Wanglestien.

A few other Guests of Artrex meandered up to get a better look at S'er'in'e, seeing no harm being done to the two already happily holding conversation with the Cait and one of the Akiashiros females. A female with a slightly strong perfume spoke up "Professor! I see you're trying to expand your influence off planet?" Seeing Professor slightly turn a bit pink.

"Only to provide our students ways to broaden their experiences through the Academia, Char'elle." Professor Wanglestien spoke. "This is S'er'in'e, husband to one of my students, Miss Akiashiro." Samanthia deftly moved in between The new arrivals to stand in front of S'er'in'e. Knowingly of Cait's customs.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Char'elle. S'er'in'e gives his salutations." Samanthia spoke smoothly. "Please pass the word that Caitians customs when meeting others by giving each other bows. Males are not allowed to touch other females when they're mated. And it would be a gross breech of Caits customs if another female were to touch him. Unless he was single and seeking female companionship." She smiled softly and added to ease relations. "You're allowed to converse with him, and him to others upon meeting."

Char'elle expression hardened when Samanthia spoke up, but soon lost it as Samanthia gave a bit of Caitian Customs to those present. "Wonderful!" She gave S'er'in'e a regal deep curtsy as if she was giving a grand performance.

S'er'in'e was thankful for the intervention especially since he could easily smell the perfume she wore. "It is true, my customs and ways surrounding females and interactions with them are particularly strict." He then bowed at seeing her curtsy. "A pleasure." He spoke though in reality the perfume was mildly unpleasant to his sense of smell. He wondered if other females would be so bold as this Char'elle but as long as Samanthia was near he was confident she'd shield him from those with motives other than a simple meet and greet.

Samanthia stepped back beside S'er'in'e, knowing the word will spread quickly about Cait customs. She glanced around the room full of people that Artrex had invited. Majority were still unsure about S'er'in'e and stayed with those that hung around Artrex. But they were watching to the results of those that approached S'er'in'e and seeing Samanthia deal with Char'elle as they paid attention to those that were speaking within the group they was with.

Once Samanthia stood beside him again S'er'in'e placed his large hand on the small of her back. He'd noticed the glances, he was no stranger to them and many reminded him of his time at the Academy. He knew that attending the event might draw attention, after all, few Caitians left the Homeworld and as such seeing one was not a common occurrence. When a moment presented itself he leaned down a little and whispered. "Thank you for that."

Samanthia smiled with a nod in response up at him. Then went back to watching Char'elle mingle with others and as she talked, pointed out to S'er'in'e as discretely as possible. The word was spreading about Cait Customs. "Got lucky one that likes to show off her intelligence by gossiping. At least, hopefully, they'll abide by your customs." She placed her hand on the small of his back. "Let us go see what snacks they have laid out."

She nodded to Selena and Professor. "Snack time." She led off towards where the food was laid out for Artrex's guest could help themselves. Professor and Selena smiled as they fell into step next to them as they headed for food.

Several Archian males, very athletic in physical build, walking in pairs, casually strolled past the group, checking each member of the group heading towards the food. One was obvious as fighter as there were disfiguring evidence of past brawls that were visible. They paid a bit more attention Selena and Samanthia than the Professor and S'er'in'e. Even though S'er'in'e was sized up as a possible opponent very quickly. "What now? Walking dogs gonna be invited to these events?" One muttered to the other to receive a snicker from the other, as they continued on their way.

The remark went unnoticed because S'er'in'e was busy observing the rest of the group. His Mate was present and her safety was something that he took more seriously than the event he was currently attending. He could see Selena and Samanthia talking to each other, no doubt about the possibility of a trip to Cait or to simply catch up.

Selena and Samanthia gave a soft laugh after a few minutes of talking, standing around the buffet tables. Professor Wanglestien had moved on farther down the table, was talking to few men about the latest projects that needed some extra funds from generous donations. In the background live entertainment had launched into their first song.

S'er'in'e saw something that appealed on the table, finger food as he understood it to be. He could see most people had a plate of some sort with other items of food placed upon it yet he didn't intend for such a moment. Opting for a single small sandwich appearing item he picked it up. A closer inspection to make sure there was no small stick holding it together he placed the thing entire into his mouth and ate, such a small morsel fitting with relative ease.

A sharp gasp drawing the attention of Samanthia and those around them. She turned and saw one of the guest females with eyes wide, then the expression turned to displeasure. Samanthia looked in the direction in which the lady was looking and fought a smile from showing as she realized what had happened. "I swear that they make these sandwiches quite small." The smile did appear when the lady turned away from them. She whispered to S'er'in'e. "Suppose to put them on a plate, first. Not directly from serving platter to mouth."

S'er'in'e was clearly confused by this, why put an item on a plate if it were to be eaten straight away?

Selene shook with silent laughter as she watched the whole exchange as she filled a small plate with various finger foods. "I knew we'd be good friends. There's very rare dull moments around you." Giving her a soft shoulder bump as the band struck up a lively tune. "Come on! Lets dance!" Handing her plate off to Professor Wanglestien, seeing other heading to the dance floor.

Samanthia smiled, "Yes!" As she passed her plate to S'er'in'e to head off with Selene. They both took off arm in arm, forgetting momentary about Cait customs, heading to where others were gathering and pairing up dance along with the music.

Taking the plate he watched as his Mate followed after Selene. To dance. The most puzzling thing was not that his Mate went to dance, but with another female. As far as S'er'in'e was aware his Mate held no interest in the same gender otherwise they would not be mated and yet the two of them went to dance. He hoped that there would be time later for an explanation into something he was clearly failing to understand and he didn't want to assume.

Selene and Samanthia danced to a few songs, Talking and laughing as they moved gracefully with the music in a series of movement, spinning each other when the move was called for. Some of the spins ended up with them together in a quick hug with warm smiles for each other as they parted into the next series of moves in Archian popular dance styles.

Looking a bit flushed from the high exertion, Samanthia and Selene were stopped by two Archian men as they reached the edge of the area reserved for dancing. By men's movements, it was obvious they wanted their turn with them both out on the dance floor as the music switched from fast to the slow romantic style to give everyone a chance to catch their breaths and let the older folks to enjoy dancing.

Samanthia began to lose her pleasant look as the men continued to block their way from rejoining S'er'in'e and Professor Wanglestien. One reached out and grasping Samanthia's upper arm, bringing a flash of pain that flickered across her face as she tensed up, resisting his efforts to dance with her.

The other gentleman gave a soft chuckle as he grabbed Selene the same way. Selene glared at him, while remaining steadfast next to Samanthia.

The altercation did not go unnoticed because S'er'in'e was watching the pair dance. The trigger was the male touching his Mate, the wince on her face and the look that followed. He shoved Samanthia's plate into the hands of a passing waiter but didn't once break his stride. Few would miss the tall feline in a quick pace and his approach was easily seen over the shoulder of the males....the expression on S'er'in'e's face however spoke of something else....less pleasant. When he came to stand behind the two males a growl that grew in intensity could easily be heard. "Let them go." His tone, word choice, all clearly indicated that consideration was not required but releasing of the two females was demanded.

Others nearby, attention was focused on S'er'in'e and the two Archians men. Those close by began to back away from the Caitian and the two Archian men. Allowing Samanthia and Selena to pass around the Two Archian Men being distracted by S'er'in'e.

The two Archians had turned and looked at S'er'in'e. Hearing the growl and the predatory look from the taller Cait. Their hands dropped from the shoulders of Samanthia and Selena as they both turned to face S'er'in'e, "Go find your own women. We are going to dance with these two ladies." The one that spoke, hoping the other Archian that was with him would help him out against S'er'in'e.

"One of them, is, my Mate." S'er'in'e growled and the glare that he gave the one male indicated whom it was that touched her. "It appears to me by your appearance you are no stranger to physical altercation. It is also clear that you like to bully people to get what you want....tell me, how do you think you will fair with me?" S'er'in'e's features took on a full predatory appearance, fangs on show, his hands to fists to hide the claws that were poised ready.

"If you had any sense, you'd walk away before you make a fool of yourself. Otherwise, I will make a fool out of you."

The one who had his hands on Samanthia, eyes widened a bit at seeing the fangs. His eyes dropped to briefly to the clenched fists of S'er'in'e. He took a deep breath and gave a quick nod, backing up a step to signal the end of hostilities. "My 'pologies," muttered as he turned away with the other Achian gentleman that was with him.

Samanthia slipped up beside him within his peripheral vision and gently clasped his fist in her hand. She could feel the tenseness of claws extended yet concealed. "He's not worth it," whispered as the two turned away to find other women to dance with.

Those that were watching, looked a bit disappointed at separating parties involved. Soon they were back to doing what they was doing before while keeping an eye on the two to see if there would be any future violence occurring.

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