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"I don't like your office. It's too comfortable," declared the wolf, with a sneer. He was an admiral, older than Wren. And happened to be at the same station Luminous was currently docked at.

"Is that supposed to concern me?" Wren was sitting in his chair. Trying to act casual. Trying to remain cool. But it was a hard sell. Admiral Silver was relentless. "It should. I'm here to check up on you," the admiral stressed, standing in front of the squirrel's desk. "One of the first things I look at: surroundings. Environment is a key to success."

"It's my ready room. I'm the only one who uses it."

The wolf paced. He could smell the squirrel's anxiety. Typical prey. "Are you going to offer me a seat?"

"For me to offer you a seat," Wren replied smartly, strategically, "would be to suggest that I hold the power in this exchange. If you held the power, you would take whatever seat you wished. Don't wolves take what they want? Do they even have to ask?" He leaned forward, very carefully. "Has prey ever bested you, Admiral?"

The Admiral took a seat. Nodding a very brief, reluctant nod of approval. He could see, in a way, why the squirrel had gotten this rank. This ship. Why the admirals (most of them predators) had allowed it to happen. But the wolf hadn't been one of them. He had wanted this ship to go to one of his own kind. To another wolf. Or a coyote, even. Someone rougher, more rugged. He hated appeasing the prey simply to keep the peace. It wasn't natural.

"I assume you've gotten all my reports?" Wren said, starting up again. Feeling more confident now.

"We've all gotten your reports," the wolf emphasized. Emotionally blank. His way of speaking reminded Wren of Assumpta. One of the predators on Luminous. He didn't talk to her much. Field had. And, from what Field had said, her gaze could freeze you in place.

"And?" was all he said.

"And we are reluctant," the Admiral iterated, "to accept them as truth."

"Everything I've said has been the truth."

"Are we to believe, then, that you are swimming in supernatural happenstance? Time travel? Wasps? Aliens?" A scoff. "Electric moons?"

Wren would admit it sounded silly when you said it out loud, and in that tone. But, no, he wasn't going to start doubting his own sanity. Not at the moment, anyway.

"We want proof of these things."

"Why do I feel," Wren whispered, not giving the wolf a direct response to that. " ... like I'm under inquisition here?"

"Because you are."

"Try and take my ship away from me," Wren said quietly. Daring. Perhaps that was reckless to do. But when dealing with predators, you had to stand toe-to-toe. You showed your teeth. Otherwise, they wouldn't respect you. "If you do, you'll have a fight on your paws."

"An idle threat," the wolf whispered back. Lowly. Eyes squinted. "You will do as I command."

"What of the Federation Council?"

"Populated by too many species. Two of each kind? Male and female? A ridiculous rule. It should be based on population percentages." Grinding his teeth. "Like the old days."

"Ah, yes, back when predators had a dictatorship?"

Squinting, darkly. "When everyone is given a voice, results become diluted."

"I'm not going to discuss politics with you," Wren decided. "This, right now? Is about Luminous. My ship. You are on my," he stressed, "ship. I won't be pushed around. I was appointed as Captain. I've earned it. And just as you demand my respect, I demand yours. Even as I defer to your ... impeccable," he said, "advice."

"Are you mocking me?" The wolf growled again from the throat.

"Maybe."

"Hmm." He leaned back in his seat. This Wren was not average prey. This was going to be fun.

Field swallowed, tilting his head about. It kinda burned.

"Gives you a buzz, huh?" Ketchy asked, smiling. Halfway finished with her second glass of some blue thing.

"It's okay," was the mouse's delayed reply.

"Mice can't hold their alcohol," Assumpta injected. "Their 'scurry level' is high. Fast metabolisms."

"Mouses," Field corrected, defensively.

"Mouses?" said Assumpta

"Yeah. And I'm not getting drunk here. I'm just trying to relax."

Ketchy made a sort of face. "Assumpta's the one that needs to relax," she added, sipping at her drink. A big gulp. She shook her head as she swallowed. "You're so intense. All the time," she accused, swirling the liquid in her glass. Ooh, pretty. "You know, I mean ... seriously." Her whiskers twitched.

"It's not in my nature to be trivial."

"Then why are you here?" the squirrel questioned. "How come you joined us?"

"Because the bat asked me to."

"Yeah, she's great, isn't she," the squirrel remarked. With more than a hint of sarcasm.

Field frowned at this. But said nothing. The mouse's glass was still over three-fourths full. He sighed, surveying the crowd. They were in a club on the space station. Pelios Station. It was well into evening, and the Luminous crew was filtering through the Promenade. Sampling the various restaurants and eateries. They were gonna be here for a few days. Trading, stocking up on supplies. And hiding away. Beneath these dim, atmospheric lights, in this shell amidst the stars.

"Field, you're twitching up a storm," Ketchy said. A bit tipsy. You could tell from her voice. From her tone. "Adelaide's been gone five minutes. You're already having withdrawals? It's like she's like a drug or something."

Closer to the truth than not, was all Field could think. Saying aloud, "Is that a complaint?"

"Just sayin' ... " Blowing out some air.

"Saying what?" Assumpta asked, on Field's behalf. (Also, tension was intriguing. She wasn't adverse to feeding it.)

"Nothing." Her tail fluffing out, draped behind her chair. "Just that, you know, she's a total 'Miss Perfect'."

"Mrs.," Field corrected.

"You just walk aboard Luminous, and bam, you get the girl. Cause you're so compatible and have these beautiful minds and give out lollipops to every-fur you meet."

Field squirmed, sighing. "You'll find a mate, yourself. There's, like, forty males on Luminous ... "

"The rate the crew's pairing off, I'll be the one left out. I've never been good at relationships." A vulnerable twitch. "Too insecure. Too clingy." She knew her own flaws.

Adelaide, just then, sidled back up, taking the seat next to Field. She had a tray of food with her. Two trays. One of fruit. Another of bread. With cheese! "Sorry ... there was a line."

"It didn't part for you?" mumbled Ketchy, muzzle in glass. Of course, Adelaide didn't have any flaws. Not that the squirrel could see. Probably hid them with those telepathic powers.

"Why would it?" Adelaide asked, confused.

Ketchy raised her shoulders. And let them fall. "Dunno. I'm sorry ... " She rubbed her forehead. Moaning, "I need to get laid ... "

The pink-furred bat giggle-chittered but didn't give a reply to that. Simply telling Field, "I got you watermelon. Seedless."

"Aw. It reminds me of you ... " A shy, sweet smile.

"I know. That's why I got it. Seeing you eat it gives me ideas." A wink. "Also, cantaloupe, honeydew. Well, I guess melons in general."

"I think she wants you to play with her breasts," Ketchy whispered to Field, not-so-discreetly. An envious smile. "Or eat her out."

Field blushed.

Adelaide, with her usual confidence, simply said, "Maybe I want both." A flash o' fangs.

Assumpta purred.

"Well ... pass me a breadstick. Also, I call the cheese cup," Ketchy intruded. She needed to eat something.

"You 'call' it?" asked the snow leopard, confused.

"Yeah, I get to keep it. You guys pour some cheese onto your plates, but I keep the cup."

"I don't like cheese," Assumpta stated blankly.

"All the better for me. All the better for the mouse. Right, Field?"

Field nodded while sinking his buckteeth into a piece of cantaloupe.

Adelaide partook of some white wine.

While Assumpta pushed her chair back.

Adelaide, eyes looking up, asked, "Where are you going?"

"For a walk." The cat squinted and looked around. "It is too noisy in here. Do I need your permission to leave?"

The bat stared at her. "No."

"Good. Because asking for it would be a mistake. Lieutenant-commander." She stared back before sidling off, leaving the mouse, bat, and squirrel at their table.

"I wonder if I scared her off," Adelaide said.

"I don't think anything scares her," Field insisted.

"Mouse is right." Ketchy swallowed, feeling dizzy. "So ... " She chomped on a pretzel. "What are we doing after supper? Hmm?"

"You know Juneau, down in engineering?" said Rella. She swallowed. Held up a paw and a finger, animatedly. She and the Captain were in a restaurant on the other side of the Promenade.

"Yes?" asked Wren. Admiral Silver had given him the usual predatory gruff. The meeting had lasted about fifteen minutes. The squirrel was doing his best to forget about it.

Clearing her throat, Rella giggled. She was wearing a dress. One with straps on the shoulders. The fabric was navy-blue, and she looked very striking in it. Very confident. Very ... " ... well, Juneau does a passable Wren."

The captain blinked.

"Impersonations," Rella elaborated.

Wren chuckled. "Yeah? Really?"

"Mm-hmm." Rella, smiling, began sorting her vegetables into separate piles on her plate, with her fork. "Yeah, she's got the mannerisms down and everything."

"I have mannerisms?"

"A few."

"Maybe I'll have to have a little chat with Juneau."

Rella giggled, scooping up some snow peas. Chew-chewing. "Mm ... " She swallowed. "She won't like that. She doesn't do requests."

"The anti-social type?"

"Well, she's the chief engineer, so I blame it on ... well, her being an engineer. You know how they are. They're not the best with decorum."

Wren, staring at the candle burning in the middle of the table, nodded. "One could say the same about admirals."

"Silver? How much power does he really have?"

"Enough to be annoying to those who don't," was the response, moving a little flower vase. And then moving it again, absently. "But, uh ... "

" ... I'm glad we came here," Rella confided.

"Yeah, it's a nice station. The crew seems to be enjoying it." Wren looked around at the other tables. Saw a few other crew-furs.

"No, I ... well, you're right," said Rella, smiling bashfully. "No, but I meant ... us. Here. Tonight. Supper?" Her voice trailed. "I'm glad we're doing this."

Wren, though momentarily quiet, was looking at her intently. "Well, I thought it might be nice." Pause. "I was getting the sense you were mad at me ... "

"Mad?"

"You always seem to disagree with me when it comes to key decisions. You've yelled at me more than once. I mean, not that ... I mean, it's good that you question things," he stammered. "That you don't blindly follow orders, and that you look at all the options. But I was just worried my command style was causing a bit of a friction with you."

She shook her head, reaching for her glass. Her lips poised at the rim. "Not a friction, no. You're just different."

He tilted his head.

A sip and swallow, putting her glass down. But not letting it go. "Every other captain I've served under has been a predator. You're the first prey captain in the fleet. And the first rodent captain, therefore." She giggled, shrugging. "It's just ... " Her smile was so genuine. "I've always had to be combative with my captains, cause of what they were. It's habit. I just have to figure out how to unlearn it."

A shy pause, from Wren. "Anyway I can help with that?"

"Just be yourself. As cliché as that sounds," she replied.

A smile. And a whispered, "I think I can do that ... "

Assumpta wandered the Promenade, like the huntress she was. Getting eyed by others. And instantly eying them back. Most of the creatures on this station were furs. There were a few reptiles. A few insects. And a few alien creatures that the snow leopard had never seen. A wide selection to choose from ...

She was tense. How maddening it was to be around prey all day, every day, and have to put up with their ways! The gushiness of their 'love' was annoying. It irritated her. But she had no choice.

Predators displayed affection, true. Somewhat. In private, though. It was bad form to show you cared in public. Because care was a weakness. Attachments were liabilities. It was why predator/prey romances rarely worked. It was always the same: the prey thought they could tame the predator, and the predator thought they could 'own' the prey without hurting them (physically or emotionally). But the predator always ended up breaking the prey's heart. And neither party would understand what went wrong, and ...

... prey were wishy-washy. Simply put.

Predators were not. Assumpta didn't pull her punches.

And yet she'd spent so much time around them. Prey, that is. And, as such, they were beginning to rub off. It was like some kind of osmosis. They seemed to want her around, for some misguided reason. Maybe they view me as a potential bodyguard, or a power play. 'Oh, look, we have a predator as a friend. You better respect us.' She couldn't imagine that they actually liked her. Did they? If so, why?

The snow leopard spotted an iguana, suddenly. A blue-scaled iguana, with his back-spines showing through some flimsy shirt. His cheeks glittering. He was solidly built, appropriately intimidating. And he was looking Assumpta's way. Iguanas had excellent vision.

The feline purred. Exotic thing, wasn't he?

He bobbed his head.

She nodded back, quietly. She wasn't sure if iguanas were predators or prey, or one of those 'limbo' types. Stuck between both classifications. Maybe it didn't matter.

The reptile sidled up to her, with a low hiss. The anthropological aspects aside, despite any cultural behaviors and inhibitions ... surely, they had the appropriate parts.

"You have a room?" she assumed.

"I do," he murmured. "Mm-hmm."

She nodded again. "You will take me there. I'm sure there are public indecency laws in effect, even on a station as isolated as this one." Most stations orbited a planet. This one was free-floating.

"The ice queen is correct. And knows what she wants." A flourishing bow. "I am Hide."

"Assumpta." A simple nod.

"Follow me," the blue iguana breathed, turning, tail dragging behind him.

Another purr. And no hesitation. This had been an easy hunt. And, now, to enjoy the spoils ...

"I wonder where she went?" Adelaide asked, scanning the Promenade. They were done with their meal.

"I don't know," Field said. "She scares me. I don't think we should get in her way."

"Like I'm gonna let her hurt you?" Adelaide posed.

"Field," interrupted Ketchy, more tipsy than before. And standing beside them. "You are such a mouse. Your bat girl needs to protect you from big, scary cat? Come on ... "

Field twitched.

"Leave him alone," Adelaide told the squirrel, with a frown.

"Yeah, you're so righteous," Ketchy responded. "You think me ... everything I say, you dismiss it."

"You haven't said anything of substance all night," Field added quietly. "You've been too busy drinking."

"Nothing wrong with drinking, mouse. You were drinking, too."

"Yeah, but I'm not drunk," he replied. With a bite.

Adelaide almost feared a fight would break out between the two. She stepped between them.

"Back off, bat." An angry huff.

"Ketchy," the bat bit, showing her fangs. "Don't."

The sparse crowd (for it was nearing midnight) didn't seem to notice what was going on. Or maybe they did and were choosing to steer clear, lest they get embroiled in it, too.

"I know you're hurting, but don't take it out on ... "

" ... you think I'm hurting, huh? That what you guess from reading my mind? That should be illegal," Ketchy interrupted, with manic agitation. She shook her head. "Just ... just ... fuck off," she said. Normally not one to curse. "I mean, I ... assume that's what you two are gonna do when you leave me, right? Fuck? I don't know what she sees in you, Field ... you're so awkward to be around."

The mouse's ears burned, and he looked away. Feeling stung. His eyes watered.

The bat chittered. Making a show of her teeth, spreading her winged arms, and stepping in front of Field. She lowered her gaze at Ketchy. "He's my mate," she reminded him, fiercely.

"Yeah," Ketchy said, feeling a wave of anxiety. The bat's plum-colored eyes were almost glowing. "Yeah, lucky him. Whatever ... I'm ... " She backed off, having clearly lost the confrontation. And feeling dizzy. Feeling so, so tipsy. But she was well enough to walk. She panted. "I'll see you later ... leave me alone," she added shakily. Moving off. Sniffling.

Adelaide shook her head, turning to look Field in the eyes. Taking his paws in her own. "You alright?"

He nodded, shakily. Eyes lowered. "I'm too submissive," he mumbled. "I should've defended you better ... "

"I can take care of myself," she assured, pulling him closer. Nose to nose. "I'm more worried about you." A nuzzle to his sensitive ear. "Your shyness is cute."

"I'm glad you think that," he admitted, swallowing. His lobes flooding with blood. "I, uh, still wish I had your confidence, though."

A cotton candy smile. Drawing him into a hug, now. Finally. "We're here to relax. Not to worry about other furs' tensions. So ... " She nudged the mouse, grabbing hold o' his long, ropy tail, discreetly. " ... you up for dessert?"

Back on Luminous, outside the door to her quarters, Rella was nose-to-nose with Wren. The briefest of hesitations. Then whiskers brushing, dangling together, as the kiss took place, warming the surrounding space.

Wren sighed through the nose. At the scent of her. The surprise of her. And he began to suckle ...

... and she twisted. A few more seconds before they smacked apart, Rella leaning back against her door. One foot-paw off the carpeted floor. Maw hanging open, huffing out a breath. Smiling shyly. "Um ... heh ... "

Wren, paws on her arms, muttered, "Did I, uh, do something ... wrong ... "

"No," she whispered. "No." She shook her head. "I just ... I never expect first kisses to be very pleasant. I never expect them to be ... " She rested her forehead against his. " ... that comfortable."

"I'm glad I could oblige."

She felt hot beneath the cheek-fur. "I had a lovely supper, and ... I hope that wasn't a goodnight kiss, cause I won't be able to will myself to sleep now."

"A wake-up kiss, then? To jumpstart the heart?" He chuckled.

She giggled, arms wrapped around his back. She looked up into his eyes. "Something like that." A pause. "Thank you ... "

"For what?" she asked, eyes glinting.

"Well, for ... " The squirrel smiled back, faltering. "Got me tongue-tied now." She was quiet for a moment. "I feel good," she confided, privately. Barely audible.

"Me, too," he mouthed back, sucking on her cheek-fur. Her whiskers.

She sighed, melting.

Wren cleared his throat. "Um. I guess we should ... " He wanted to. With her. Now. But he was the captain. Maybe other crew-furs could follow their instincts. He had to be a bit more responsible. And Rella knew that. But more than that: he had a past. With Kody, with Field ... she had to know about that if they were to become intimate. And he just wasn't ready to tell her ...

"Yeah ... " She let go of him, leaning back, biting her lip. Nodding. Sensing his reservations. "We should get to bed. I'll, uh, see you in the morning? We never got to window-shop."

"I have some credits saved up. We can do more than window-shop."

"Yeah, but having something isn't the same as wanting it. Once you have it, it loses part of its allure."

"What about ... this? What if we had this?"

"Us?"

A deft nod.

"Love is different. And it can't be bought."

He smiled. She was so intelligent, so capable.

"See you in the morning, then? Yeah?" she repeated. Wanting to know. Needing to hear him say it. Luminous would be docked for another two days. She wanted to make the most of this 'free' time.

"Yeah," he whispered warmly. "You will. Goodnight." He lingered. And then backed away, almost tripping over his own foot-paws.

Assumpta was clothed and freshened, walking the now-barren Promenade. She had insisted on taking a shower after the act, being a strong believer in hygiene and presentation; and, besides, she didn't want the other furs' noses picking up on what she'd done; it was her business. The iguana had sated her, and ...

... she paused, hearing sniffles. Like someone crying. Normally, the feline wouldn't have cared. But ...

" ... Assumpta?"

The snow leopard blinked. It was the tipsy squirrel. Ketchy. From supper. And from the away team a few days ago. "Are you in distress?" Assumpta asked, bluntly.

Ketchy didn't answer. Just cleared her throat, coughing a bit. "You don't have any tissues, do you? Or a handkerchief?"

"No."

"Oh." Sniffle. "Doesn't matter ... " Her voice trailed. Using her shirt. "Not the first time I've been uncouth tonight. What are you still doing here?" she asked, changing the subject. "It's after midnight ... "

"I was hunting," she replied. Enigmatically, but truthfully.

The squirrel's mind was throbbing too much to read into that. To understand what it really meant. Replying, dryly, "Well, as long as you had a license ... "

The cat frowned. "And what, pray tell, are you doing here?" she asked, returning to her original question.

Ketchy sighed. "I'm crying, is what I'm doing here ... "

"I can see that."

"You don't pussy-foot, do you?" Ketchy sniffed. "Excuse the pun."

No response.

"I, uh ... god, my head hurts." A whimper. "I think I did something bad."

"You think?" The snow leopard took a careful seat next to the squirrel. She knew, from experience, that prey could be jumpy.

Ketchy, voice breaking, voice quiet, said, "I was kinda drunk." She collected herself. "I slept with a fur I didn't know."

The feline frowned. "And this is a bad thing?"

"Of course." A pause. "He didn't use protection. And I'm pretty sure he was mated."

"I see."

"I feel guilty. Even if he was ... " A sigh. " ... handsome. He was nice. For a foxy thing."

A blink.

The squirrel shook her head. "Looked like a half-breed. I was afraid to ask."

"Was it good for you?"

" ... it doesn't matter."

"Hmm." A pause. "I must admit to some confusion."

The squirrel rubbed her face, squeaking weakly. At least she hadn't thrown up or anything. " ... confusion?"

"I, too, indulged myself tonight. Also with a stranger. Yet I have no regrets."

A blink, looking up.

"Our responses are so different ... "

"And you find that intriguing?"

"Sociologically. Psychologically." A nod. "I do."

The squirrel sniffled again. Mostly composed, now. "Guess it depends on how you view sex. I guess I've always thought it was special. This spiritual thing, you know? Intimacy and love. Romance." She hung her head. "I've tried to hold out for it. But I'm already twenty-seven. The older I get, the fewer options I have, and the more desperate I become. The more compromises I tend to make. I guess I was wrong. It's just an animal act. We're all animals. With ships and stations, but ... that's what furs are." Whiskers twitching. "You can't regulate nature ... " Trailing. Shaking her head.

"Perhaps, then, you should just attempt to enjoy it?" Assumpta suggested, simply. "Besides ... I recall, at supper, you stated your wishes to 'get laid'."

A sheepish expression, looking back to the feline. "Oh. Yeah. Uh ... I did, didn't I?"

"And you got what you wanted."

She closed her eyes, momentarily. "It just wasn't enough."

"Enough for what?"

"Enough to make me happy."

"Forget that for a moment. Were you satisfied, at least?"

"What's the difference?"

"Happiness is momentary. Satisfaction is lasting. I realize that prey have an overwhelming need to inject meaning into everything. And that is admirable, philosophically. But I've observed it can often get in the way if gone unchecked. Next time you find yourself in an intimate situation, just experience it. Do not load it with expectation and ritual."

Ketchy nodded, absently, confessing, "That makes sense, but ... I'm just lonely, Assumpta. And I've been that way for so long, I don't know how not to be. I crave physical contact, but I don't know how to handle it once I get it. It's driving me insane. It's breaking me down. I feel so neurotic."

"They say a gem is not polished without friction. In the end, you will be better off because of your stresses," the snow leopard insisted.

A slow smile. "Don't know about that ... but thank you, anyway. Really."

A delicate nod. "I will take you to your quarters. And put you to bed."

"You don't have to."

"I will, though." Helping the squirrel up, she added, "You would make a good predator, Ketchikan. You are constantly fighting with yourself."

A sly glance. "Was that a joke?"

"Why do you ask?" was her enigmatic non-response. "Let us return to Luminous. We both need a good night's sleep."

For once, the squirrel didn't argue. And, together, they went back to their ship. Home sweet home.