FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 28

Nothing much had really changed much around Kalaban village Miktes came to realize while walking through streets with the now setting sun's glow falling on him. Still the same old boring building lining the walkways, the same people walking the pathways, and even the same smells and sounds. After he had been away for so long all these things should have comforted Miktes as he roamed around town, but as it was all that the young warrior could think about was hoe boring it all seemed next to the placed he had visited with Barnabus and the others.

Then again did he really expect anything to top the things he had seen? He had been on a flying house that soured through the sky, a floating island filled with all sorts strange foreign creatures, and smelled the salty air of a large water covered world. Next to those things the village was nothing, small and insignificant. Really caused him to wonder why he had wanted to rule over such a small place when there were such bigger things out there.

Not to say Miktes hadn't tried to recapture the spark he had for his home. He had tried multiple things in fact. First he had first gone back to his old stomping grounds the training fields. The sounds of shock and terror he had received as he walked down the large hill that boarded the open dirt field music to his ears for a brief few moments. But at actually entering them and sparring with a few of his old "punching bags" he found himself quickly growing bored with the area. After fighting that Ekkar thing's pretty boys and the Wargs the other Verdomian dominant's seemed like nothing.

After that failed attempt Miktes had next gone to the market place the place in the village he had liked the most. As always it was lively and busy, people making way for him with their mouths hanging open as he made his way through the horde but it just wasn't the same. The markets on the floating island and that boardwalk place he had been to were much livelier, had more interesting smells and sights. And even the prospect of a free meal didn't excite him. After Barnabus had shouted at him for stealing something off a stand on the water planet Miktes realized how much of a jerk he was for just taking things.

Only more pissed off at his second attempt to cheer himself up Miktes decided that he had had enough and began heading home. Following the exact same path he had the day he had been told of his ritual, rounding a corner in the middle of the marketplace and going down the alleyway that went past the wine makers home. It was as he passed the wine soaked building that he found himself coming across a familiar sight.

There was Nyroh coming out of his home with a big jug of wine in his arms, his timid demeanor having somewhat changed since Miktes had been gone. Deciding to talk to the other man out of boredom Miktes walked over to him giving a grunt of greeting.

Hearing the grunt Nyroh looked away from the sloshing jug of liquid in his hands and up to Miktes as he came closer, the younger man's eyes growing wide as he realized who he was. "C-Chief's Son Miktes!" He stammered. "I didn't know that you had been found."

"More like I came home on my own." Miktes snorted good-naturedly. Thinking for several long seconds the older man shrugged his shoulders and decided to ask something. "How have you been? I think the last time I saw you; you were getting mated weren't you? If so I guess congratulations and junk."

Nyroh was surprised to be asked such a friendly question by the usually surly redhead and stumbled to respond. But before the submissive could Miktes noticed another male walk up behind the boy, a dominate based on the size of him, who frowned at the other dominate when he saw him standing there in front of Nyroh. "Chief's Son!?" He said with a growl while making an aggressive stance. "Nyroh, is he bothering you my bound?"

Turning around to the other man a blush creeping up his cheeks as their eyes met, Nyroh shook his head vigorously to the question. "No Ulstdy he was just asking me about our mating." He said bashfully. "Um, Chiefs son Miktes this is my chosen mate Ulstdy."

Miktes sized the man up and down. He hadn't really gotten a good look at him that day in the temple and hadn't noticed that he was part northern his skin having the slight yellowish tint to it that the Verdomians from up there commonly had. "It's nice to meet you I guess." Miktes gruffly said.

"Yeah I guess I'll say the same." After glaring warningly at Miktes for a second, Ulstdy shifted his attention back down to his mate with a smile. "Let's go Nyroh. I'm getting hungry and I'd love to have more of the fried Bahjack you make so well."

"Of course Ulstdy." Nyroh chuckled. Bowing to Miktes quickly the hefty young man began leading his mate out of the alleyway. "Again I'm happy for your family that your back Chief's Son Miktes. I hope to see you again."

"Not too soon." Ulstdy muttered under his breath as they left.

Snorting as the two vanished around a corner Miktes felt himself smirking a little. Nyroh must have told his mate about the one time they had rutted in the wine cellar. If the wine maker's son's mate was so intimidated by his mere presence then whatever the submissive had said during his retelling must have made Ulstdy feel inadequate next to his sexual prowess.

"Imagine being so jealous that you act like a fucking idiot." Miktes chuckled to himself. But just as he said those words the memories of the way he had acted when Ekkar touched his then mate resurfaced in his mind. The snarling, the threats, and most satisfying the two times he had beaten the crap out of the smarmy lizard. "Guess I'm not really one to talk ain't I?"

After that enlightening encounter with his old playmate and his mate Miktes had remained silent the rest of his walk as thoughts he rather of not had rattled around in his mind. The warrior was so preoccupied in fact that when he walked past his home it took several moments to register that that was where he had been heading the whole time.

Retracing his steps until he was standing before the open front door of his childhood home Miktes let his vision travel up the broad front of the large building and sighed. He was happy to see it he supposed but like with the rest of the village a part of him really didn't care as much about its grandeur as he once did. That really didn't matter though. He was stuck he'd be stuck on Verdomo once Barnabus and his friends left so he might as well get used to it.

Taking a deep breath he quickly walked forward and entered through the front door of his home, stepping into the familiar sights and scents and finally getting a bit of relief. The only thing that was missing he realized as he began walking deeper into the structure was that the busy sounds that filtered through the house from the kitchen were mysteriously missing.

"Did something happen to Mama while I was gone?" Miktes began to worry as he broke out into a fast jog towards the Hestry matriarch's domain.

Skidding to a stop as he entered the kitchen Miktes frantically scanned around the room the room. To his surprise the once crowded place was nearly deserted. Only a few servants morosely preparing food along with his sisters, all of whom stopped what they were doing as soon as he appeared through the doorway.

When his two younger sisters saw him standing there they both gave high pitched squeals of joy and rushed towards their older brother much to his annoyance. Both of them colliding with Miktes much like Pinraal had, but not with enough force to send him flying to the ground like the purple scalped terror had done. "Miktes, oh Miktes!" The both said while crying.

"Knock it off!" The older man shouted his face tinting at the attention. What was it with his family and embarrassing him in front of crowds of people that day" First his father, then his little brother, and now these two. Shoving the two women off of him gently Miktes scowled at them with his best angry brother expression. Unfortunately this face didn't effect either of them both giggling at his grumpiness.

"We're sorry we embarrassed you oh dear brother." Mufenka, the older of the two remarked cheekily.

Jiinno the younger one snickered as well and smiled up at him. "Yeah, we were just overcome with seeing your nasty self."

"Yeah, yeah bunch of smartasses." Miktes grumbled. Searching around the room for a second time believing he might have missed his mother the first time and finding nothing once again Miktes huffed and decided that he'd have to ask his annoying sisters about her location. "Where's Mama?" He asked. "Did she go to the marketplace or something? I didn't see her there if she did."

Looking to one another nervously Jiinno and Mufenka both sighed. "She's in here room brother." Mufenka said. "She really hasn't been her old self since you left. Actually she believes that you had somehow died."

Miktes didn't need to be told about his mother's condition in any more detail. As soon as he found out what had happened he was off like a flash, running as quickly as he could out of the kitchen and towards the wing of the house where his family had their bedrooms. Just the thought of a submissive as vibrant and cheerful as his mother being sad on his account was enough to make the warrior feel horrible.

Reaching his parent's bedroom door Miktes didn't bother knocking for entry and barged right into the room beyond. Inside, just as Mufenka and Jinno had said was his mother Velloy, her back turned to him as she stared out the window and into the back yard of their home, face sad and eyes tired looking.

Sensing someone in the room with her, Velloy slowly shifted her attention away from her vigil and over to the now open door. When he saw that it had been Miktes who had interrupted her solidarity the red headed woman opened her mouth in shock, her deep green eyes not believing what she was seeing.

But after doing a double and then a triple take she realized that it truly was he son standing in here room and when she did, the Hestry matriarch clamored to her feet and bounded across the room, drawing Miktes into yet another hug and crushing him with even more strength then Daleer had used earlier.

"Miktes, my little one!" The middle aged woman said with tears in her eyes. "I was so frightened that I'd never see you again."

"You almost didn't mama." Miktes said softly. Unlike when his father had embraced him in front of everyone at the front gate, the young man allowed his mother to continue on as long as she wished. His chest getting wet as she cried over him and kept repeating how happy she was to have him back.

Finally after a good long time Velloy finally released the dominate and backed away, a weary smile directed up at his grumpy, but in her eyes handsome, face. "You must tell me where you have been all this time." She implored. "Every little detail so I might understand what has happened."

Miktes felt himself growing nervous at being asked to describe everything that had happened. However ignoring his first impulse to lie about what he had gone through he realized that there was no reason not to give her what she wished for. He knew that she would keep anything he said between them. "Alright Mama. Where should I begin?"

Velloy gave her son a warm comforting smile. "At the start naturally." She said as if it was obvious.

{Miktes: Telling Mama about everything that had happened to me since I choose to sneak aboard Barnabus flying house was a mouthful. But even as I stumbled through everything she sat there on the bed next to me and listened to every word. I told her of how I first met that annoying ex-mate of mine and how he kicked my ass, much to my embarrassment. Then I told her of the flying island and the world with so much water that it went over the horizon. And lastly I told her about the enemies I had help defeat on the purple world and how together with Barnabus we saved everyone on Verdomo and all the other worlds. It might sound funny but as I talked about everything that happened I felt a little bit better. It made the fact Barnabus and the others were leaving better. Giving me hope that even though I'd never see any of that shit again that at least I'd always remember all of it.}

Finishing his story Miktes gave a deep shuddering sigh, his mind worn out but his sprits light. Peering over to his mother he saw that she was shaking her head in disbelief, face smiling like she could hardly believe what he had just told her.

"That is a story worthy of the great scholars little one." Velloy said once she was sure Miktes was finished. "And if it is true, which from the wonder in your eyes I can see it is, then I am so proud that you saved us all from that monster. But... that is not the most important thing you have told me. What of this man who you speak of so tenderly, this Barnabus."

Miktes hissed as he realized that he had left out the time he had spent on the giant flying castle Barnabus' brother lived on. How was he going to explain any of what happened there. His people would be horrified to learn there was a way to break the bound. Bowing his head in shame Miktes muttered a quiet, "Oh him.", not sure how he was going to change the subject.

Velloy rolled her eyes at her son's casual dismissal of what she saw as the most important part of her son's tale. "Oh him he says." She chuckled. "Yes him little one. Your father told me that you had become mated to someone that day you left by accident. And from the things you tried not to say it is obvious this "hue-man" is the one he spoke of. When will I get to meet him?"

Miktes thought about lying to his mother again, but he knew he couldn't. Not because it made him feel bad, which by the strangers it always did when tried to deceive her, but because he knew she would see through it as soon as it left his mouth.

"You won't be meeting him." Miktes said sadly. Standing on his feet the warrior growled and cursed the liquid he drank once again. "Me and him ain't mated no more."

Velloy stood and went over to Miktes, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "That's ridiculous little one." She said gently. "You two must have just had a fight or something. If so then it will sort itself out."

"It ain't that Mama... we both drank something that broke our soul bound." Miktes explained bitterly. "I didn't want to do it but it's his people's law."

"Then it's a stupid law then!" Velloy snapped, repeating the same thing her son had said many times. To think that anyone would stand in the way of a mated couple like that. "How could you have allowed this to happen, Miktes?"

"I had to do it!" Miktes defended weakly. "If I hadn't and we had to stay together then Barnabus and his friends would have become criminals. They might be imprisoned or even killed."

Velloy was quiet for a long time after that revelation, Miktes looking over to her lost and out of breath after his outburst. Then in a calm and gentle voice she spoke up. "Is this man you talk about special to you? Is he the one who now that you have known him you can never forget?"

Miktes stared down at the floor and gave an amused snort. "He's... he's amazing Mama!" He began excitedly. "He's as handsome as fuck, and brave, and tough as hell. He don't take any of my shit neither, always ready to say something smart mouthed and I actually like it when he does. Oh, oh, he can fight too! Watched him knock the teeth outta this one monster by punching him right in the face! Heh, like I said Barnabus had got to be the most amazing person I've ever been around. Just being looking at him o-or even thinking about him makes this weird feeling burn in my chest."

Velloy gave a quiet laugh. She had never expected to hear something so heartfelt from her little brute of a son. But here he was so grown up for once and utterly enamored with a submissive. Staring up into her eldests red colored eyes the Hestry matriarch gave a small knowing smile. "What would you call this feeling you get my little one?" She asked already knowing the question. "Come on say it out loud. It will help you understand why you must fight this law."

Miktes huffed hating to say it out loud but opened his mouth to answer anyway. Before he could though there was a light knock from the direction of the bedrooms entrance. When Miktes and his mother turned around to see who had interrupted them they were both surprised to see all of the warrior's younger siblings standing there looking in on them.

Ignoring the annoyed growl coming from her oldest at finding out they had been spied on Velloy held out her hand and beckoned the rest of her family closer. "Hello my loves." She said in her motherly coo to the four. "What is it I can help you with?"

"One of the village guards has come to our door Mama." Mufenka responded timidly. "He says that father wants Miktes to come to the sacred temple as fast as he can."

Feeling leaving his body for a second Miktes gave a grunt in reply. "He must have arranged for Ocher and me to become mated." He mumbled. That had to of been it since from Daleer's point of view the mating with Barnabus had never happened. The older man must have gone back to his original plan to mate him off to the purple haired Verdomian female. "I'll be back later Mama."

Moving quickly to grab her son by the arm the tough looking woman huffed at him. "You can't be possibly be thinking of going through with bounding yourself to Ocher of the Woncig clan!" She said. "Not after everything you have just told me."

"What's my other choice Mama?" Pulling his arm free Miktes began walking towards the bedroom door. "Am I just supposed to let both her and me become mateless? Besides my vision... the elder's said that it was her who it showed me I don't got no choice."

"But Miktes..."

"No Mama, I got to do this." Miktes insisted. "Just let me go please." When Velloy failed to say anything more about his decision Miktes hummed sadly and pushed his way past his siblings. "So much for matings making people feel happy." He said his mind drifting back to what his father had told him that day at the temple. "I ain't happy 'bout this one bit."

***************

The sacred temple was a busy as it ever was that afternoon, the various priests, servants, and attendants which dwelled and worked within the ancient building running around assisting the about to be mated and newly mated young people that were milling around the main hall. For Miktes being in this place again only brought up uncomfortable thoughts of what was about to happen, his desire to just tell his father that he didn't want to become mated to Ocher growing and growing as he weaved his way through the crowd of naked Verdomian dominates and their parents.

But he was doing the right thing by bounding with Ocher he understood. Something which he found himself doing all the time now because of his adventure. At least, he had reasoned, he could look forward to the life of decadence he had imagined when he had learned the identity of his one true mate. A mate who would wait on him hand and foot and eventually a place in the council that led their people. Only those things really didn't interest him as much anymore.

Making his way towards the area of the temple where his family's mating chamber was Miktes left the large central hallway and entered a much smaller and completely deserted one. Lining this corridor were several elaborately decorated doors each of them baring a symbol of one of the many families in the village on them. It was as he passed one that had an emblem of a latcet skull on it that the warrior found himself having to jump out of the way as it suddenly flew open and a group of people filtered out into the hall talking busily to one another.

Seeing him the first few members of the group gave respectable bows as they strolled past him and began exiting the hall. 'Must have just gone to a mating ceremony.' Miktes thought as he watched them. Not having any interest in the group anymore Miktes turned to resume his way to his own ceremony. However just as he turned he found himself stopping in shock as he witnessed someone standing before him who he had not expected to see yet, Ocher.

Finishing closing the door she had just come out of behind here, Ocher spun around and gave a startled gasp as she saw Miktes standing behind her. The sight of the redhead standing there caused the same response that it had caused that day they had met, a frown crossing over her delicate face and a sigh of irritation. "You returned?" She said, more like a question then the obvious statement it was.

Shaking his shellshock away Miktes walked over to the female dominate. "Yeah I'm back." He said casually. Then taking a sniff of the air he instantly realized something had changed about Ocher since the last time he had been her. The latcet farmer had the scent of a mated woman on her and from the strength of the nearly undetectable odor it had happened a fair amount of time ago. "You're bounded to someone."

"Yes." Ocher said looking away. "After you ran off and left me disgraced I demanded to take the ritual of Destiny myself hoping to prove that the elders were wrong. Luckily I was right and they quickly paired me with the submissive girl who works down in the record rooms."

Now Miktes was truly was confused. "If yer mated already then why are you here now?"

"I'm here because my younger brother was bound to his mate today." Ocher said motioning over to the closed door. "I was stepping in for my father since I'm the next oldest relative. Now, if you excuse me Chief's Son Miktes I think I should get back to my family."

"Y-yeah." Shaking his head in an effort to organize the jumbled questions and thoughts in his head Miktes stepped to the side and watched as Ocher gave him a halfhearted bow and began to leave. He just couldn't figure out why his father had asked him to come to the temple if ocher had been bounded to someone else. Was it some sort of cruel joke? Maybe he was making one of the priests tell him that he was going to become a mateless dominate.

The only way to get the answers to these questions he supposed was to ask the older man himself. Spinning on his heels the redhead warrior quickly made his way down the rest of the mating chamber corridor and came to a jerking stop in front of his family's own door. After taking a moment to prepare himself a look over the emblem, a curved line with a circle and two claw marks floating above it, Miktes pushed the heavy barrier with a mighty growl and shouted as he stepped inside. "FATHER! What the hell is going on around here? Ocher is already... ... Huh?"

Instead of his father standing in the hexagon room beyond the door Miktes unexpectedly found himself in the presence of his three friends. Rana, Alfred, Moah all staring back at him as they sat on one of the couches in the room their faces just as surprised as his own at seeing the other.

"Mister Miktes!" Alfred was the first to say as he jumped to his feet and walked over to the warrior. "I thought we wouldn't get to see you again!"

"Yaggho, ji deyulo utto yuto eona." Moah seemed to agree as he joined them.

Miktes frowned at the three people in front of him. He had wanted to not see them again since they would be leaving soon. Believing that it'd be easier to make a clean break from them instead of feeling the hurt of being around them anymore. "What are you all doing here?" He asked rudely.

"Nice to see you too sweetheart." Rana joked from her seat. "And to answer your question we don't know actually. One of your horny guards came and got each of us and escorted us here. What is this place anyway?"

"It's my family's mating chamber." Miktes replied. "This is where you kicked me in the head."

Rana got a thoughtful and smug look on her face. "Oh yeah... now I remember." She said. Then suddenly her humor seemed to drain away at once, the smile replaced by a worried hum. "I hope your father hasn't changed his mind about letting us go. Maybe he called us here so that those guys in robes and hats could sentence us."

That scary thought hadn't occurred to Miktes until the dark haired woman voiced it. Maybe that was why he was here. As the heir to the Hestry clan it would have been one of his many dull duties to witness executions. More so since he was personally involved with the people being sentenced to death.

"If that's what my father has planned then I'll distract him or something when he comes in so you can run away." The Verdomian said without a second thought. "Maybe I can give you enough time to flee out the back door over there like you did last time.

"That won't be necessary my son." Daleer's voice suddenly came from behind the group. "I've already made my judgment and it cannot be revoked." taking a step forward as the foursome turned to him Daleer entered the comfortable looking room with all the grace a man of his station could muster. "And just to quash any more worries about the reason why I have called you here allow me to inform you all that you are here to watch my firstborn son here get mated."

Clapping his hands as a summons the Chief stepped to the side to allow one of the temple priests enter the room from behind him. To the ancient Verdomian's credit as he stepped into the room he only gasped and stopped for a single moment when he noticed Moah and quickly rushed to take his place at the altar in the middle.

One eyebrow ridge rose at the appearance of the same man who had almost bounded him and Ocher, Miktes padded over to his father and leveled him with a glare. "Explain what the hell's going on here father." He demanded. "What do you mean I'm about to get mated? Ocher has joined with someone else she just told me about it herself."

"Yes that lovely young woman has certainly found her mate. Since her ceremony the records down in the storage room have been in complete disarray from lack of organization." Daleer said agreeing with the statement.

After passing his son and greeting the others quickly the older man continued. "I cannot tell you how surprise the elders were when that Woncig girl spoke of a vision that had nothing to do with you. It left me saddened when I hear it as well. To think that we almost forced you into a soul bound with someone who was not your chosen. Truly a horrible error on our part."

"You don't say." Miktes sniffed.

"Don't get smart with me little one I am still your father." Daleer quickly responded to the haughty tone shot at him. "Anyway, like I said, it saddened me to find out she was not your mate to be. I figured that you were mateless after that. Someone doomed to wander alone like all the others who have seen strange things like horned men with four arms and giant talking insect people."

Rana, Alfred and Moah all looked at each other at hearing that, the vague descriptions sounding somewhat familiar.

Of course neither Miktes or Daleer noticed this subtle exchange and continued their own conversation. "But then..." Daleer said thoughtfully. "Someone taking the Ritual of Destiny had a vision that involved a red haired man rescuing him from... I believe he called them mole people and we realized who your chosen mate was supposed to be."

Miktes' eyes widened at what his father just said. Only dominates like him were allowed to take part in the Ritual of Destiny the biased rule ensuring that there wouldn't be too much confusion when the visions were explained. The idea of being bounded to someone who would act the same way he did when he first met Barnabus didn't exactly appeal to the Verdomian.

"What's their name?" Miktes asked sullenly, praying to the strangers that it wasn't someone he hated. "Are they male or female?"

"What is it with you and asking that question about me?" Barnabus' voice suddenly rang out across the room. Spinning around towards the source of the question Miktes along with Rana, Alfred, and Moah all gasped as Barnabus stepped into the room wearing something that they didn't expect him to be dressed in.

Gone was his padded vest, black shirt, and tan cargo pants. Barnabus elaborate clothing completely replaced by an outfit identical to the one Miktes had worn the last two months during their adventure. The only difference being that the piece of cloth that hung down from the front of the belt didn't have the Hestry Clan emblem on it. Instead it bore a sloppily painted fiery covered comet just like the design that was on the side of Wild Comet.

"What the heck are you wearing?!" Rana exclaimed with a laugh, Moah and Alfred quickly following suit with their own snickers. For some reason seeing the middle aged man in all his pudge and hairiness was just so ridiculous to his crew. Even more so when his bearded cheeks tinted at their friendly ribbing.

"Knock it off you bunch of jokers." Barnabus huffed face turning red. "I already feel weird dressed up like this."

"Why are you dressed like that?!" Miktes finally said after getting over his shock.

Letting his eyes travel over the human's body he found himself both becoming excited and more than a little jealous. If Barnabus had done the Ritual of Destiny then he would have had to have walk through the busy temple naked like had done. Meaning that everyone present had seen his ex-lovers body, his hairiness, and most of all the scars on his back, something which only he had only been seeing the last couple of months.

Barnabus scratched an imaginary itch on his cheek and looked away as he was visually inspected. "W-Well I would think that would be obvious Mick." He said. "I'm wearing this getup because it's what you folks wear when you get mated, isn't it?"

Miktes gave a slow confused nod, making Barnabus beam brightly. "Well good then. Glad I'm dressed right for this sort of thing." After a quick shiver the Jack chuckled to himself. "Don't know how you stood the breeze going over your skin all this time..." Turning around Barnabus pulled at the seat of his pants. "...or the weedgie from these shorts."

"Yeah they're really bad." Miktes agreed as his eyes lingered on the human's backside. Suddenly realizing that they were quickly getting off of topic Miktes quickly shook thoughts of his friend's attractive backside and scowled over to the human instead. "What you just said still don't explain what's going on here." The warrior turned to his father. "And where is this mate you spoke of?"

"Oh for the love of... Miktes its Barnabus!" Rana finally shouted in exasperation. Waiting for him to figure things out was just getting much too painful for her "Sometimes you can be so dense."

Miktes felt himself hyperventilating as the puzzle pieces began to fall into place. Eyes shifting from Barnabus' face, to the human's new clothing, then to his father and back to Barnabus again he felt himself become lightheaded. "But I don't understand how can Barnabus be my chosen mate!? He isn't a Verdomian." He said. "And I sure as heck didn't seen anything like him in my vision."

"Didn't you little one." Daleer interjected. Stepping up beside his firstborn son the older man took hold of the redhead's chin in his hand and turned his head towards Barnabus. "Look at this man before you and think back to everything you told the elders about your vision. You said you witnessed a comet surrounded by amber colored fire falling from the heavens. Can't you see it now? Those beautiful amber colored eyes he has... where he lives... and lastly his clan's name."

Fighting off the blush that resulted from his future father-in-law's out of nowhere complimented about his eyes Barnabus clapped his hands together and smirked. "See Mick your strangers say that we're supposed to be together." He said happily. "And after the doozy of a vision I had I'm keen on believing them myself. I mean you helped me save the planet of the mole people and everything."

Finally understanding what was going on, Miktes felt himself smiling like a maniac. His vision had been about Barnabus. The human was his chosen mate. But then just as quickly he had begun to feel happy the Verdomian became angry. "Wait... I told you about my vision back on that purple planet." The warrior pointed out. "That means... that means you've know you were my destined mate for week now haven't you!"

Barnabus gave a slow nod, not fully understanding where Miktes was going with his question. "Y-Yeah I have."

"Well if you knew then why the hell did you make me drink that shit the skinny one made in his torture chamber!" Miktes shouted with a growl. He had been through hell the last couple of weeks because of that stupid slop.

"I told you back then kid the way we got together was all wrong." Barnabus quickly said. "I don't want the start to our marriage to be some stupid accident because I tackled you to the floor like some quarterback. I want to do it the right way. By doing preforming your people's mating ritual."

That actually made sense Miktes guessed. The way they had first been soul bounded hadn't exactly bee as pleasant as the ritual was supposed to be. First the accident, then the chase through the wilderness, and then the several weeks of fighting and sexless nights. "You could have at least told me all this crap instead of making me drink that stuff and feel like shit." The redhead pouted after a few moments of stewing. "Saved me all that cri... saved me from sitting in my room all alone."

"I know it was selfish of me not to say anything but I had to." Barnabus explained. "You had to be sure that being my husband was really what you wanted. And you couldn't do that if you were forcibly bound to me like you were." Moving forward the older man took one of Miktes hands in his and made sure to look him straight in the eyes.

"I couldn't stand you resenting me kid because you never were given the choice whether or not you wanted to be with me." He continued. "I had to let you see you home again to see what you'd be giving up if you choose to actually stay with a big bum like me and go back into space. I mean you won't be a normal Verdomian anymore if you do, you know. You'd be a citizen of the I.U.G. like me and my crew. And because your planet is forbidden I don't know when we'd be able to come back here to see your folks and little brother. I just need you to be absolutely positively sure about every--"

"Will you shut up!" Miktes snapped. The more and more Barnabus had been talking, his sentences quickly turning into nervous babbling the more his head hurt trying to keep up. But from what he was able to decipher he became a little angry over. "I can't believe sometimes you call me stupid submissive." He growled loudly. "You really think that I'd actually say no if we were mated or not! I'd go anywhere with you submissive!! I FUCKING LOVE YOU, YOU IDIOT!!!"

Clenched fists in the air and out of breath after shouting at the infernal creature standing in front of him Miktes glared down at him expecting him to at the very least look a little ashamed about what he had done. Only instead of a frown or downcast eyes what Miktes found as he looked at Barnabus was his infuriating cheeky grin and twinkling amber eyes.

"What?" Miktes asked growing worried when Barnabus failed to stop after a few moments. The look he was getting was starting to make him feel uncomfortable. Turning to the others in the room to see if they knew why he was staring at him Miktes saw them covering their mouths, trying to hold back laughter and his own father smiling at him as if he were proud. "WHAT!?"

Trying to hide her amusement at the alien's expense by looking at the floor Rana shook her head not believing the puzzled question shouted at her and the other. "You really don't realize what you just said to him do you?" She asked.

Furrowing his hairless brows Miktes tried to recall what he had just said but nothing came. He had been upset when he had shouted and said what he said without thinking. It was Moah who finally took pity on the redhead thankfully, the large mechanic letting out a deep belly laugh as he informed Miktes of what had just been said. "Hoon oi goozha ir tagg lossa!" The Girunjh chortled. "Miktes. Said. He. Love. Barnabus!"

Face now completely red as he hissed in embarrassment, Miktes peered over to Barnabus who was now snickering himself. "Jalapeño, that's got to be the strangest declaration of love I've ever gotten." The bearded human said while leaning towards him and waggling his eyebrows saucily. "Say it again Mickey."

"No!" Not at all liking the teasing Miktes huffed and turned away from the other man, folding his arms over his chest as he stewed in embarrassment. He just couldn't believe that a big tough dominate like him had said something that mushy out loud. He only faced Barnabus again when he realized something. "Wait, who's been telling you that they love you!"

"A few ex-boyfriends and one or two drunk one night stands." Barnabus explained away casually. "Not really anyone to write home about like you. And certainly not anyone who I ever said it back to." The Jack gave another nervous sounding chuckle at that. He couldn't believe what he was about to say, but at the same time it felt like the most natural thing in the universe to me. "You know I love you too right Mickey?"

Miktes responded to his soon to be mate's question by reaching forward and grabbing him by his hips, letting out a playful and excited growl as he lifted him a good foot of off the ground. "Fuck yes I do!" He said laughing happily. Putting his human back on the ground Miktes quickly took his bearded face between his hands and crashed their lips together, kissing Barnabus passionately for several long minutes until a cough sounded and reminded them both that they were not alone.

Parting Miktes and Barnabus turned bashfully to Daleer who had been the one to interrupt them. The older man's face was a tad confused, the kiss between his son and future family member being the first he had ever seen, but he seemed to take it well and shook his head in amusement. "Well that certainly was something wasn't it?" He said. "But if you are finished... um..."

"Kissing." Alfred helpfully informed him.

"Ah yes kissing. Quite interesting..." Daleer gave a contemplative hum before he continued. "Anyway, now that you and Barnabus are done my son may I suggest we move onto the mating ritual?"

Holding out his hand the Verdomian chieftain gave a quick command for someone to enter and within a few moments a shy temple attendant entered the hexagon room carrying a silver plate with two blindfolds and two vials of sacred water atop it. Stepping over to where his chief was standing the young submissive bowed and presented it to everyone in the room dramatically.

After giving the attendant a quick kind thank you the older Verdomian took one of the vials and blindfolds sitting on the tray and then peered over to Rana and the others. "Alright everyone, first we must decide who will be filling in for Barnabus' parent here. Since he said you were part of his family I need the oldest of you to come over here and stand in for them."

Grinning Moah pushed his way past Alfred and Rana and stepped forward to volunteer. "Tuzaru!" He said happily and very loudly.

"You're older than me?" Rana asked dubiously. The furry alien didn't look that much older than she was, maybe somewhere in his late thirties but that would be a stretch. "You know I don't think you've ever told any of us your actual age."

Moah gave a pout and mumbled something that had Alfred wide eyed as he translated it for everyone else. "He um, he says he's... fifty-six."

Barnabus, Miktes, and Rana all gaped at the large furry man after hearing his actual age. "HE'S FIFTY-SIX!" The all shouted.

"Girunjh age differently than we do. Much, much slower" Alfred was quick to explain. "Moah says that he doesn't like to bring it up because he's a bit sensitive about it."

Huffing good-naturedly at the way his friends were slack jawed because of his little reveal, Moah walked over to the altar with a bit of a sniff and gingerly picked up the remaining blindfold and glass bottle on it, examining the two items with great curiosity as he stood there.

His own shock waning Barnabus smirked up at his old friend, older then he thought apparently. "Guess I should be happy I'm not the oldest one on the ship after all." He remarked. "At least not chronology."

Blindfolds now handed out to the "parents" of both respective parties the priest who had remained mostly silent made a sound gaining everyone's attention and began his part in the Ritual of Mating, instructing the soon to be mated couple precisely where they had to stand. "Younglings, will both of you please come up to my altar?" He said solemnly. "Once on it you are to face one another and remain completely quiet as I perform the ritual and recited the sacred text."

Hearing what he was expected to do Barnabus gave Miktes a quick wink and hopped up onto the raised platform in the center of the room, Miktes quickly joining him with a big smug grin on his tusked lips as they stood face to face.

"You should know this part if boring as fuck." Miktes said leaning forward to whisper to his human. "But don't worry you ain't got to listen to half of what he says."

"Oh yes you do." Daleer stern voice came from next to his son. Looking up at the younger man the dark haired Verdomian made sure to give him a stern glare for what he had just said and then held up the strip of cloth in his hands, wrapping the blindfold around Miktes head with a firm tug to make sure he got the message. "I especially want you to take everything to heart little one."

"Don't call me that in front of Barnabus father!" Miktes huffed back.

Rolling his eyes at the antics of the father and son Barnabus began to remark how it reminded him of his own relationship with his father. Before he could however he suddenly found everything going dark as Moah came up behind him and used the second blindfold on him, the large mechanic then chuckling and muttering something that while Barnabus had no hope in truly understanding he could get that it was an attempt at comfort from its gentle tone.

With both Miktes and Barnabus sufficiently blinded, the priest presiding over the ceremony opened the large tome he carried with him and flipped to pages dealing with the Verdomian mating ritual. Clearing his throat he then began reciting the words written down on the parchment in a very slow, very flat monotonous manner that caused everyone in the room to let out a small sigh.

"Today, we have come as one to take part in one of our most treasures traditions." He began. "The binding of two clans, two families, and most importantly two hearts and souls. From days of old our people have taken heart that the Strangers know what is best for us. That our destinies are in their capable hands and that through them we will find true honor, love, and glory. It is also through our trust of them that we..."

Seeing that Miktes had been right about how boring the speech was going to be Barnabus began tuning out the words little bit by little bit until the elderly man's voice became nothing more than white noise. To tell the truth the only thing that he could think of, gulping as the thoughts passed through his mind, was how he was about to commit to something that he had never believed he would ever agree to in a million years: Giving up his often lonely but completely safe single lifestyle to become a married man.

[Barnabus: Alright, alright I know what you folks are thinking. "Barnabus Comet getting himself hitched! Why I do declare!" and yes I put a southern accent in there. All I can say about what I'm doing right is that I guess I'm just a big old sap when it comes down to it. Not that I didn't go down the aisle kicking and screaming mind you. After everything I had to go through with Ekkar... our horrible one-sided relationship, the break up after he almost got me killed, and then that creep of a firedrake stalking me all over Aquarii. I had completely given up on ever finding anyone and instead starting going around like some sort of wild kid in a haze of drunken benders and numerous one night stands. I certainly didn't think I'd ever find myself falling harder than a sack of bricks with an anvil tied to it for some overweight cave alien in a loincloth who smells like a sweaty jockstrap most times and has a mouth on him that would make most spacers blush like school girls. But as strange as it sounds now I really can't think of my life anymore without this big goon across from me in it.]

From his place across from Barnabus, Miktes too was in deep thought while he listened to the priest rattle on and on. The only difference between him and the Jack was that unlike Barnabus he was actually doing as his father had instructed him too, listening to every word that was being said and actually taking it to heart. Something which he hadn't even cared to do during his and Ocher's failed mating ceremony.

{Miktes: It's funny. Hearing about how having a mate brings true honor, love, and glory actually makes a lot of sense to me now. I've sort of found all three since I met with Barnabus and the others. Fighting by their sides makes something weird burn in my chest that's sort of like glory I guess. And as for the love part... hell that's a given the way I feel about Barnabus. But it's a little more than that; I care about the others too. Alfred with his nervous blathering, Moah with the way he's always happy. Even that woman... hell Rana's a tough shit. They're the first people I've ever really cared about like this who weren't my family. Whole stupid thing reminds me what my father kept saying to me all those times he caught me being bad. That I needed to become an adult by finding my place in the world and making friendships. Guess he was right the whole time. Just don't tell the annoying old bastard that I said that got it! I can't let him know he was right this one time. He'd never shut up 'bout giving me advice after that.}

"And thus comes an end to the ceremony of mating!" The priest exclaimed loudly, finally coming to the climax of the long mating ritual speech. "Now may Miktes of Hestry clan and Barnabus of... of..."

"Wild Comet clan." Barnabus provided with a smirk. His crew and him might not be a traditional "clan" by Verdomian standards but it was the closest thing he could think of that fit.

The priest frowned at the strange clan name but decided not to comment. Peering over to the four strange occupants in the room he realized that there were many things unusual about the ceremony he was performing and decided to repeat the last line of his speech. "Now may Miktes of Hestry Clan and Barnabus of Wild Comet Clan forever be happy in their new lives! You may now drink the sacred liquid."

Taking the vial in his hand, Daleer held it out for his son to take. "Here you go Miktes." He said as it was clumsily taken from him. "You remember what I told you about the sacred water correct?"

"Yes father." Miktes answered grouchily. But then he remembered that his chosen mate still hadn't been told what to do. "Hey, submissive." He said over to Barnabus. "You need to drink the stuff your about to be handed. It tastes bad but it'll bring our bound back. O-Oh and don't touch no one after it but me."

"Afraid I'm going to goose the priest or something?" Barnabus said jokingly.

Miktes glared over blindly in the general direction of the ancient Verdomian that had just mated them. "No I ain't." The redhead grumbled. "The first one you touch after you drink becomes your mate. That's why we got into that mess before."

"Ahh, ok got it Mickey." Reaching out the Jack captain gave a hum of acknowledgment as Moah handed him a small glass bottle with a single Girunjh word. "Thanks big guy." Popping the top of the vial off with his thumb the Jack held it up like he was giving cheers, the effect lost mostly because both him and Miktes couldn't see. "Bottoms up I guess."

"Yeah whatever that means." Miktes said while tipping the contents of his vial into his mouth and drank it. The horribly bitter substance burned just as much as he remembered, the sensation going all the way down into his belly and then extending to every one of his limps in a matter of seconds. It wasn't pleasant feeling but he was so happy that it was working.

Listening as Miktes grunted and made a disgusted grunt Barnabus drank his own dose of the sacred water and cringed as it went down his throat. "Jalapeño you weren't kidding Mickey." He said smacking his lips at the aftertaste. "Don't remember it being this awful when I fell into that big pound upstairs."

"But at least you won't have to taste it again." Daleer informed the other man smirking. "Now as the father of the dominate I must officially pronounce you as mates." Taking the priests place as the reverend man moved to the side Daleer held up both of his hands up in the air in prayer. "By the wisdom and love of the Strangers I Daleer, head of the Hestry clan welcome Miktes and Barnabus of the Hestry--"

"Wait father." Miktes interrupted before he could finish. The warrior wanted to make one little change to this part of the ritual. Something giving that he was the dominate wasn't usually done. "I wanna become part of Barnabus clan instead of the other way around." He announced. "Ya'know since I'm going to be living in the sky with him."

Daleer blinked in surprise at the request. His mind having to take a few moments to fully comprehend what Miktes was asking for. "Are you sure my son." The Verdomian chief questioned carefully. "Doing so you will give up any claim to the chieftainship."

Miktes gave a haughty snort at being told what the already knew. Barnabus might have planned this whole thing behind his back but he had this part planned ever since he found out. "I don't give a crap 'bout being chief or anything no more." He explained. "Besides it'll be funny seeing Pinraal's face when he realizes that he'll have to do all the boring shit you used to make me do. That'll teach the little brat for jumping on me in front of everyone."

"If you insist." Daleer said with a chuckle. He knew Miktes was trying to hide his true reasons for wanting to take the human's name. Most likely thinking it too mushy or some other nonsense as he would put it. But he saw straight through it and only became proud with his resolve. Finding his place mentally in his part of the ceremony Daleer repeated his last line with its new revision. "By the wisdom and love of the Strangers I Daleer, head of the Hestry clan welcome Miktes and Barnabus of the Wild Comet clan into our world! May you be happy with your lives together."

After waiting a few moments after Daleer finished speaking Barnabus looked around blindly. "So is that all of it?" He asked. "Or is there some other part to this whole shin-ding."

"No my new son that is all there is to the Ritual of mating." Daleer informed the bearded man. Stepping off of the altar carefully as to avoid touching Miktes and Barnabus the Verdomian chief began strolling over to the hexagon rooms exit. "Well save for one thing. You must remove your blindfolds and touch on another once we have all left the room. Afterwards you must also remain in here for ten days to make sure the bound grows strong quickly.

"A ten day vacation huh?" Turning to where he believed his crew was still standing the Jack captain gave a shrug. "Guess this means you're all getting a ten day vacation. Rana you better call that I.U.G. ship in orbit and tell them what's going on."

"Sure thing Comet." Rana said happily. She unlike the older man had actually been enjoying their ride on the ship that had brought them to Verdomo. Exploratory ships had a multitude of spa like services to pamper the overpaid and spoiled scientists that usually dwelled on them. "One thing before we go though. How are we going to deal with Miktes coming with us? Are we going to hide him or something like last time? I don't mind if that's the case but I just want to know the plan."

"Oh that." Barnabus scratched the side of his chin. He really didn't like to bring up how many strings he pulled to get all this to happen. "Remember when I said I used my family's influence to get the admirals to agree to let us come back here?" He waited for the female pilot to nod in response.

"Well I also got Miktes a special exemption to that stupid interfering with primitive worlds law. As long as none of us ever tell anyone that's he's a Verdomian then he can stay with us." Barnabus gave a sigh before he continued. "Of course they also insisted that there be a special handler to watch over our case. I got the feeling that whoever this fella is he's going to ride out butts the rest of our lives. I hope you guys aren't mad I did all this without telling you like I promised."

"We'll let it slid this time Comet." Rana said. Looking over to Miktes who had been bobbing his head back and forth between them as they had been talking the pilot let a found smirk cross over her face. "Besides it's not like any of would have been happy dumping the newest member of our crew here and just taking off after. I'm glad you did it."

"Me too Captain." Alfred chimed in. "I can learn so much about Verdomian anatomy from Mister Miktes! I have to get my cellular probe and x-ray scanners fixed first of course, but I'm sure it'll well worth the wait."

Miktes frowned at the idea of being poked and prodded in the blond human's torture chamber again. "Should I be worried?" He asked.

"Yes. Worry." Moah said with a teasing grin.

Taking Moah and Alfred by the arms Rana led the two men over to where Daleer and the priest were waiting for them so they could all leave. "Have a good time you two." She called back, everyone else saying their own farewells after. "And whatever you do Miktes make sure not to wear the captain out completely."

"Yeah, yeah I'll try." Miktes huffed. "Bye Rana."

Rana stopped for a moment as she and the others left the room. That was the first time she had heard he address her by name. Guess she could learn to like the grumpy pain in the butt if he was going to act friendly now.

Waiting until he heard the sound of the chamber door's lock clicking shut Miktes gave a happy sounding growl and ripped his blindfold off of his head. He couldn't wait a second longer to set eyes upon his re-mated human. "Finally!" He grumped over to the still blindfolded Barnabus "Here let me get that for you."

Reaching over to remove the strip of damnable cloth obscuring his mates eyes, Miktes hummed appreciatively as he stared into the amber colored orbs blinking back up at him. Moving both his hands he placed his palms gently against Barnabus chest, the soul bound instantly taking effect as soon as green skin touched hairy tan skin. Warmth emanating from the contact which then traveled through his whole body and to his eyes which took on a blue glow

Barnabus too felt this heat, his body becoming hot as his own eyes lit up for a brief moment, the shine quickly followed by a feeling of lightness that seemed to affect his entire being. Almost like he was feeling not only his own happiness but the joy Miktes' was experiencing too from their renewed connection. "Boy, this is a whole lot stronger than last time." He remarked. "Must be because I got a full dose."

"Hell if I know." Miktes said with a snort. Pulling Barnabus off of the altar the Verdomian led him over to the nearest backless couch. "All I care 'bout is that your mine again. You must've wanted to be my mate really badly to arrange all the shit to let me stay in your world. Not that I blame you. If I had the chance to be bounded to a dominate as good as me I'd do the same thing I guess."

"Don't go getting a big head kiddo." Barnabus quipped. "I just didn't want to be single for the New Year's party down at the Jack center again.

Taking a seat on the couch Barnabus glanced around the room. It wasn't very big he supposed. But it was kind of homely and very nicely decorated, lots of soft pillows everywhere and large wide backless couches lining the walls to recline on. "So what exactly are we supposed to be doing here? Do we talk and try to bound or do we..."

As he had been looking around the room the Jack captain had failed to notice what Miktes had been doing until he turned back to him halfway through his question. To his pleased surprise the younger man had removed what little bit of clothing he had and was now standing in front of him wearing nothing but a very arousing grin on his face.

"We got to rut to make the bound take hold." Miktes announced. "That's why I kept hounding you those first few days." Stalking forward like a predator the eager Verdomian pushing Barnabus onto his back on the couch and proceeded to climb over him, a lusty growl escaping his lips as he dirtily ground himself against his bare leg. "Why the hell do you think my family mating chamber looks like a bedroom."

Trapped but not minding the fact Barnabus squirmed under the heavy man on top of him happily for a moment before he went over what he just said. "Wait family?" He asked. "As in this is the same room your parents and grandparents and so on used when they... ugh, alright did not need to know that."

"What!? It's been cleaned!" Miktes said pretending to be offended. An act that melted in the face of Barnabus half lidded bedroom eyes and his own growing excitement. "Heh, they're going to have to clean this place for a whole week after we're done. After twenty one days locked alone in a room I got a whole lot planned for you submissive."

Barnabus felt himself growing hard in his tight fitting shorts at the look of lust in Miktes' eyes. "Well... then you better get started Mickey." He reaching up and stroking the other man's olive green cheek. "I don't like to be kept waiting you big brat."

"Always a smart ass comment!" Miktes growled before he quickly captured the older man's lips in a blistering kiss. "Gonna show you what this big brat can do to your smart ass human."