Cait: Settling In

Posted on Sat Apr 27th, 2024 @ 5:32am by Samanthia Akiashiro & Colonel S'er'in'e

Mission: The Archan Job
Location: Cait :: S'er'in'e Residence

After the tour of the residence of S'er'in'e on Cait. Celene looked around in awe at openness of the rooms and how native plants blended into the architecture of the building. Windows had views that was breathtaking in the simple well-tended wild look of the plants around the place, exposing views in the distance.

Mariah quickly settled in her assigned room and happily began to explore the new place as this was the first time of her being here also. Her ears twitching at the unfamiliar sounds of being on a new planet other than Archa.

Samanthia helped Mariah as her daughter was getting used to the new location they were going to be staying at. She played tour guide to the residence to Celene and Mariah. She let S'er'in'e deal with his stuff. She was ready to assist if he called for it.

Unpacking was brief but mostly because he brought little with him, what he needed would be provided to him as he carefully unpacked what he did have and put things away. Though his pace remained slowed due to his issue, he didn't let it control him even if it did have a major impact on his capability. He was glad to have skilled the usual meet and greet with officials probably in part due to Celene, an offworlder in essence, and not one worth interacting with which was similar to the initial encounter Samanthia shared.

He was not looking forward to the medical sessions that he was due to experience and while he knew this would be for his own good it made it no less palatable for him. What mattered most was that he had his family present, his parents too and they would be there for him if he needed them to be. Stepping out into the main living area he walked to the Kitchen. "May I offer anyone something to eat?"

Mariah hearing the word 'eats', responded with a shriek of delight, "Meowwa!" as she scampered towards the sound of her daddy. "Please!" Came skidding into view of her daddy. Smelling the food, Mariah turned and headed to what looked like the table for eating.

Celene casually approached with a soft smile. "I would something to eat." She settled at the table after helping Mariah get comfortable in her seat. "You have a beautiful residence here, Ser."

Samanthia slowly settled at the table, seeing that Mariah was already settled at her place. "Looks like the whole crew wants to eat." Smiling with warmth at S'er'in'e. "Want me to inform your parents that we're settled and have them come over?"

S'er'in'e was only slightly surprised at Celene calling him Ser, a name that his Mate would tend to only do though he wouldn't correct it as she was a female and this was the Homeworld. "Thank you." He replied as he began to plate up. "They have invited us to dinner, though I should warn you that dinner for me, is a feast for you." Hinting that quantity might be the only variable in play for the non Caitian's present. "Your first engagement as Elder I believe my Mate." S'er'in'e spoke, since taking S'er'in'e as Mate, Samanthia had become the family Elder. It did make him wonder how his Mother had taken to the change essentially losing her position by tradition, to the younger 'off-worlder'.

Samanthia nodded as she gave thought to being the Elder of S'er'in'e. She would have to brush up on the proper ettiquette of being a Caitian Elder, even if it went against what she was used to. Then there was her being an Off-worlder female. She sat there in silence with a thoughtful look on her face as she ate her food while keeping an eye on Mariah as she ate, to provide a way to save the pride of his mother. She wished that she had more time to study the nuances of Caitian feline body language. "I just hope I don't make a mess of things." She muttered.

Celene looked at Samanthia in puzzlement at the mutterings of Samanthia, noticing the thoughtful expression which was rare thing for her friend. "You got this. Think of this as an oral test with Professor Co'Lander." Trying to lighten the mood and bolster her friend's confidence. "You know how he was..." ending in a light laugh.

"Yeah. Get the answer wrong, then spend the next fifteen minutes getting lectured of shirking one's duty to the profession and being a waste of time. Only this is way different, This effects S'er'in'e, his family and the future of Mariah being able to come to Cait to visit her grandparents." She looked over at Mariah being a bit fussy as her father cut up her food into smaller portions which she usually did during mealtimes. But this was the Caitian way. "When in Rome..." She muttered again, getting another soft giggle from Celene.

"Mom cuts it a lot smaller!" Mariah complained looking up at her daddy towering next to her. Samanthia gave a soft chuckle at Mariah being a little tyrant to her daddy. Mariah looked at her mom only to get the 'Look'. She looked up at her daddy. Speaking in a softer tone. "Please cut the food smaller, Daddy?" Giving him the cute big eyes when appeasing momma to get out of trouble and the consequences of her actions.

Offspring had a lot of learning to do, every day was a challenge, an adventure and S'er'in'e was sure that as the years went on Mariah would push her boundaries and limits to ever-increasing levels. It's what they did. Armed with cutlery S'er'in'e cut the food to smaller sizes for her, placed the cutlery together once down and smiled. It was good that the two adult females were taking seriously the impacts of even the smallest misunderstanding and the impacts that it could have.

"I am sure my parents will enjoy meeting everyone, some for the first time, others again. I am sorry that I won't be able to spend as much time with them as I would like but my treatment cannot be delayed." S'er'in'e knew that much rode on his ability to get well, his career for one to even the simple task of walking in a straight line. He didn't want to be a burden to his Mate, it was already a danger just being with him due to his size and weight, he didn't want to add a disability to the table.

"Don't be, Ser." Samanthia looked over at S'er'in'e. "Can't take of anyone while handicapped. Besides help is only a call away. I'll inform your parents if you whont be able here to meet them. And they can help to look after Mariah while you are at treatment."

Celene watched the interplay between family members, she gave a quick wistful look, which she quickly hidden behind a soft smile, missing family interactions, who were lightyears away on a different planet. She picked up the cutlery and delved into her food. "This is really good, Serine," after she swallowed her bite of food.

Mariah picked up her cutlery sized utensils, "Thanks Daddy!" Then giving her mom a smile along with a tail swipe and flickering her ears as if to say 'see I remembered'. And began to eat the food freshly cut to her comfort.

There was some relief that the meal was enjoyed, his Mate and Daughter were known factors when it came to food having gone through the whole ordeal of trying Caitian dishes, Celene, not so much. He hoped that what he'd prepared was not too much or overpowering for her.

"I hope the sleeping arrangements are satisfactory for everyone?" S'er'in'e asked, to him it didn't matter as he'd sleep on the sofa or floor if he had to, what mattered to him was the comfort of the females.

Celene finished her meal and burped lightly, turning bright red, "excuse me! Meal was delicious." Setting her eating utensils on her plate. "Sleeping arrangements look really comfortable and plenty of space." Giving S'er'in'e a smile. "I'm sure it will be satisfying." Pushing away from the table as she used her other hand to clean up to get any crumbs off her.

Samanthia just smiled at S'er'ine, as Mariah spoke up after hearing the word sleeping, "Not tired! I explore!" Wiggled and shifted in her seat, signaling her desire to be set on the floor. More interested to explore the house and grounds.

She stood up, began to gather up the used plates and utensil, till she came to Mariah. She set the load of dishes on the table and lifted Mariah from her seat. Giving her a quick hug and inspection for cleanliness before setting her on the floor. "Go play. Stay indoors for now." Samanthia spoke with authority in a soft warm tone to her daughter. Turning to S'er'in'e, "You're always welcome to my bed anytime, Serr." With a free hand, gave him a gentle shoulder squeeze.

She proceeded to the kitchen to wash the dishes. "Relax Ser. Make and confirm your treatment times. Make sure you have transport both ways if you get outpatient status." Speaking louder from the kitchen. "Let your parents know we're settled and invite them over at their convenance. And let them know about Celene." As an afterthought. Remembering how Caitians are very much isolationist and exclusionist towards Non-Caitians. Very few off-worlders are privileged to be even accepted on Cait to live on the planet for any length of time. And even hold property even by being a mate.

Letting them know about Celene was going to be interesting, especially since it would be an additional unfamiliar scent along side Mariah. He wondered how his mother would take to the daughter in light of the mixed species breeding but he hoped she would welcome her as well as she had Samanthia that night his now Mate, claimed him for herself. His appointments were already made, and confirmations had come through but he did need to adjust some travel arrangements to accommodate a shift in two appointments. "I packed your headdress my Mate, you should wear it on your first meeting with my parents in your new position, afterwards is at your discretion."

"Ooo.." Came the soft sound of surprise from the kitchen where Samanthia was washing the dishes. She had forgotten to bring the headdress as it was very expensive and valuable, not only in materials, but in status and Catian lineage it represents. "Thank you!" She smiled warmly as she finished up in the kitchen.