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As we walked down a short hallway, I was confused as to where Master was taking me. He had said we would be having a bath, however he'd walked out of the suite after removing everything but his body suit. He oddly didn't seem as excited as usual to be having a soak with me, normally he would be smiling and purring at the idea. All too excited and ready for us some naked time together. This time he didn't have a smile or a purr, just walked silently to our destination.

I surmised it could be the days events still lingered on his mind. His brothers act of revenge, the executions, and the funeral. The funeral itself had felt too short, even to me, but I understood that the empire was a busy place. Despite wanting to have a longer service for the fallen, especially for Joka, it wasn't always possible for the noble lion to indulge in such an undertaking.

However if there was one thing I understood about Master Leniad, he also disliked profuse exuberance. Be it for an event or otherwise, he disliked when anything was unnecessarily long. Direct and to the point was how he liked things to flow, he also liked minimalism, be it in words or decorations.

While the Sovereign was a grand and luxurious ship, with more amenities available to the royal family and many of the passengers than one could find in some resorts. It was in fact a very lean ship. Rooms were only as big as they needed to be and no bigger. While the royal family had two levels of the large ship to themselves, much of that was taken up by the required amenities to help the lion run his empire — namely the auditorium and two grand halls.

It reflected the lions personality extremely well. The decorations, while everywhere, were tasteful, and usually devoid of shows of wealth. The noble lion seemed to enjoy plants primarily as decorations, bringing life to the otherwise lifeless feel of a ships corridors and rooms. Gold, silver, gemstones and so on were used sparingly, only applied in force where they were required to be. The only places it was in large quantities that I knew of were on his throne in the auditorium, the royal crest on the wall behind it, or on decorations in the grand halls where feasts would be partaken.

I did see some careful thinking behind it. With the minimal amount of gilding, the Royal family, wearing their royal accessories, would be walking decorations about the ship. They would also act as centre pieces in any room they were in. Their jewellery would draw peoples eye instantly and they would stand out easier, always drawing peoples attention without needing to be loud or dominating.

However in contrast, the royal sections of the Serengeti had shows of opulence everywhere. Paintings lined the walls, all set in bejewelled gold frames. The lighting, even in the hallways, were small crystal chandeliers in their own right. Underfoot the carpeting was thick, soft, plush and appeared more for comfort and show than for practicality. It all seemed completely contradicting to how my master wished to portray himself.

A door opened ahead of us as we approached and I was struck by the room as we entered. It was just as large as all of masters rooms back on the Sovereign. Large marble tiles covered the floor and three of the four walls. There were large mirrors on two of the walls, chairs dotted about the room, a couple of tables, lush vibrant plants sat in ornate pots and large chandeliers hung from the ceiling to illuminate the space.

Against the fourth wall was what looked like a huge steaming pool. Its edges were illuminated by strips of light, and water was trickling into it from four pillars. The water flowed from the tops like small fountains, running down the sides and then into the large body of liquid. There were some wash cloths dotted strategically around the large body of water. The air was aromatic, denoting that the water contained cleaning agents of some kind.

The shows of wealth were just as excessive here as anywhere on the station. The mirrors were all framed with gold frames, the ceiling having intricate mouldings that were painted and gild with more of the precious metals. Even the chairs seemed to be hand made and ornately carved.

As the door closed behind him, another, hidden by the tiles on the walls, opened and several male otters walked out with towels in hand, each wearing blue body suits like masters own. Attendants, I assumed, as they placed the towels down on chairs and walked over to us. They all had blank expressions on their faces but seemed excited to do their jobs.

Master heaved a sigh as they started to strip us down, the felines body language expressing how much he disliked the attention. He had always seemed to enjoy it when I did it, but he was largely independent, not wanting to be dressed or undressed by others. The attendants paid his distaste no mind as they worked, carefully removing the makeup from our faces and clothing from our bodies at the same time they wrapped thin towels around our hips.

Once done they stepped back and gave respectful bows to us. Master heaved another sigh and made his way towards the large steaming pool of water. As soon as his first paw landed in the water, the wall the pool was against suddenly changed to reveal the whole surface was a window. Outside could be seen planet Thar, around which we were orbiting. My eyes widened at the view, blown away by the beauty of the planet and its rings.

“It's one way,” Master told me, reaching back to gently pull my hand and guide me into the water too, not bothering to take either my, or his towel off “We can see out, no one can see in.”

“Is this really a bathroom Master?” I asked him as I was helped into the hot water “It's more like...”

“An indoor swimming pool?” he asked with a chuckle “I know... it, along with the rest of the station, was designed by my father with the idea the whole family would and could use it. My brother and his boys will probably be here shortly, we won't have long for some quiet time together. Expect to see more of all of them than you ever thought you would.”

I nodded as he chuckled softly at his own words. The 'bath' was only deep enough to come up to my stomach, although was a little more shallow for the lion. He found one of the underwater seats and sank down onto it, pulling me carefully into his lap. I looked up to him and gave a soft chuckle of my own. The white fur around his maw and neck was stained a little pink, and there were spots of red where blood had been missed.

“Hold still Master,” I told him, grabbing one of the wash cloths and wet it before I started cleaning his fur “You missed spots, and are pink all over.”

“Yes, I guess I am... at least the Eldon have one thing going for them.” he said with a soft rumbled purr as I scrubbed away.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, they taste terrible,” he answered with a laugh which turned to a playful grin “unlike you!” he suddenly grabbed me and pulled me closer. His mouth was at my neck in an instant, nibbling and licking at the sensitive skin making me groan and blush deeply. However the attendants were still in the room, so I was trying to push him away, a deep blush covering my face.

They didn't seem bothered at all however, simply standing to one side, waiting patiently, a blank look on their faces. They weren't even looking in our direction. It was if this display of affection was nothing new to them at all.

Master did pull away however when the door opened again and in walked his brother and all of his entourage. They were loud, and rambunctious as always, Prince Reon still walked with a cane, Merin strutting along with his head high, behind him on a short leash was Amadio, looking a little subdued, fearful and awestruck by what he was seeing.

“Getting started already bro?” Reon asked with a smirk as the attendants stepped forward to help them all strip off, starting with the prince.

“Unlike you and your boys, I didn't plan to take it past simply teasing.” Master answered back with a chuckle.

“Sure sure.” the prince responded before stepping back once a thin towel was provided. He didn't break my expectations when he just laid it over his shoulder instead of wrap it around his hips. I didn't miss the way the blue reptiles eyes widened at the sight, nor the blush on his face as all the others did the same.

“Daddy? Can he...” Merin started and Reon chuckled softly.

“Can Amadio join us in the bath?” he asked, looking to the lizard then back to us “I don't know, can he? Isn't exactly my call today.”

Master sighed and rolled his eyes. He lifted one hand from the water and clicked his fingers twice, a smug smile on his face. Two of the attendants, having finished stripping the others off, grabbed the new slave and lifted him up with relative ease. I watched as they walked over and simply dropped him into the water, the boy giving a startled cry as he fell.

“There is your answer,” Master said simply “I would prefer he be fresh and presentable tonight, can't have one of your lot giving the family a bad name now can we?”

It was Reon's turn to roll his eyes as he walked over. It was the first time I had had the chance to see any of the princes side of the family naked, and now I was getting a showing of the whole lot of them.

The prince was as athletically built as master, although a little more pudgy, denoting he probably spent more time resting than exercising. His sheath and balls were impressively sized, a little larger than I had expected but still not as large as Masters.

Behind him, Merin was chunky by design it seemed, but somehow he still appeared thin and lean. He had swapped his blindfold for a pair of black goggles, I assumed because the blindfold would just become saturated and uncomfortable in the water. What surprised me was the lack of anything visible between his legs other than a slit, from which I assumed his member would emerge.

His twin stallions, Ebony and Ivory, were identical in every way except fur colour it seemed. Muscled like body builders with smooth luxurious fur, even their sheaths and balls were the same, large, plump and clearly a stallions endowment in every way.

A running theme seemed to be going with the whole family as Dedrick was just as built as the two stallions, his black and purple scales gleaming and shiny as always. Between his legs was a slit much like with Merin, a standard feature on all dragons from what I knew of the species.

The green markings on Baddo, the blue wolf, had continued under his clothing, and I noticed that there were markings on his balls and sheath too. He wasn't as well hung as I may have been expected of him, although his thick fur may have been hiding some of his size. He like the others was built like he exercised daily with the exception of Takash and Merin.

It was hard to see Takash's lower regions if I was honest. The size of his belly concealed his crotch mostly, but what drew my attention on the tiger was the plump teats on that dome. Filled and primed with milk for his growing litter, I figured he didn't have much longer to go till he was due. Regardless he seemed happy, one hand rubbing his stomach to sooth the motions within.

The tall bull, Ronan, despite missing some fur still, was clearly feeling a lot better than Prince Reon. Not needing any aids to help him get around. What fur he did have, was white with large brown splotches typical of a Holstein Friesian bovine. It covered a chunky, muscled frame, giving the impression of a weight lifter rather than a body builder. He was still missing part of one horn, but it didn't seem to bother him at all. His sheath was longer than I had expected, and his balls certainly were sizeable enough to compete with the two stallions.

Lastly was Nyios. His body appeared to be feeling, and showing, its age. Sagging a little and a touch on the tubby side, he had several scars here or there. He was the only one who wore his towel around his hips like myself and Master did, concealing whatever was beneath.

Master certainly didn't mind my looking, giving a soft purr to me to get my attention back but it only lasted till several of them turned away. I was able to catch a glimpse of the Prince's royal seal, tattooed upon their rumps.

“Gods I have needed this.” Takash said as he started to step into the water, Baddo helping him down the steps into the hot liquid. Amadio appeared again with a gasp and sputtered, wiping the water from his eyes. Despite having the chance to, he hadn't moves from where he had been dropped.

“With all that weight on your paws, I'm not surprised,” Master said watching him, guiding him to a seat close by to settle into the water “Why aren't you on bed rest yet? You must be close to due now.”

“Any day now according to Zox'i,” the tiger answered with a shrug “And all he did was touch me before telling me it would be within the next week. Within as little as two days time. Those Kiqu are amazing, Kay just kept saying 'soon' when he checked me. The new doc didn't even use any of his tech.”

“They are masters of their craft,” Prince Reon said as he tried to follow him in but was being delayed by Baddo who was, oddly, being really whiny about it “Too slow pup!” he gave the wolf a shove from behind, sending him sprawling into the water with a yelp and a splash making the others all laugh.

“And their craft is making babies after all.” Master said with a chuckle, his hand moving to my own stomach to give a few soft rubs.

“He did suggest bed rest... but also said that seeing as I was still getting around with little issue, and I'm so close to due, there was no point now.” the gravid male added with a shrug. He grabbed one of the wash cloths, handing it to Reon who chuckled and started rubbing at his pregnant felines legs and lower regions where he had trouble reaching.

“Amadio,” Merin called out as he started to step into the water “Come here, let's get you all cleaned up.” The blue and yellow lizard had stayed on the other side of the pool to everyone else since he had been dropped there. He gave Master a concerned look, yet master didn't even flick an ear or twitch an eye at him.

He rose slowly and made his way over, the towel that had been around his hips now long forgotten. He was thin, lithe, yet I could tell it wasn't from a lack of meals. I assumed it was a personal choice for his former profession. Being flexible and petite would help him be quick and nimble.

His scales however showed he needed plenty of TLC, not as shiny and healthy looking as Dedrick's. He was built the same as the dragon and Merin was downstairs too, a slit instead of sheath and balls, making me wonder what his cock actually looked like.

Merin smiled and pulled him in close, giving him a soft hug to try to comfort him before sitting him down. The reptile kept his eyes on Master while others started to join the hot bath, settling in around the area. They all helped each other clean up, and while Ebony and Ivory were teasing to each other, they never got more sexual than a few teasing gropes.

“You can stop watching me now, Amadio,” Master spoke up, making the lizard jump and Merin chuckle a little as he scrubbed at his scales “I would be breaking my own laws if I was to turn on you right now. I also never held any ill will towards you in the first place. You were tricked into a contract that, sadly, got you enslaved as punishment. The one who deserved my ire, got it, and you have a chance to live out your life without needing to look over your shoulder every night... well... mostly anyway.”

There was another round of soft chucking from the others in the room at the hidden meaning behind masters words. I was shifted off of the lions lap and sat on the seat, before he took a breath and submerged under the water. He surfaced a moment later and shook off the excess water from his fur before He stepped out of the bath slowly. Making sure to try to rub out as much excess moisture from his fur he could before walking to one of the large tables set up to one side of the room.

“David, come.” he called out and Prince Reon laughed.

“Takes more than two words to do that I'll bet!” he called out making me blush and the others laugh. I shook my head and rolled my eyes, following after master. He pat one of the tables and smiled at me.

“Up you get, I think we both need this today.”

“What is it?”

“A massage, now get up there.”

I rolled my eyes and climbed up onto the table, laying face down on the soft padded surface. He meanwhile got onto the table next to mine as two of the otters walked over, one cracking his knuckles almost threateningly.

“Now now, gentle with him, or else,” Master warned them looking up “I just executed two people and sold one into slavery, don't endeavour to join their ranks.”

“Yes, Emperor, I apologise,” the one who cracked his knuckles said, if it had been possible I'm sure I would have seen the colour rush from his face “It was not my intention to worry or distress anyone.”

“You are in a room of people who will kill to protect him,” Prince Reon called out from the bath “The family is also quite shaken at the moment, and trust between us and the public has been... buckled... shall we say?”

“Y...Yes, your highness,” the otter quickly replied and gave a soft whine “I...I am sorry... I am loyal, Sire's, we were all thoroughly checked.”

“Calm down, calm down,” Master tried to sooth with an exacerbated sigh “How can you help someone else relax if you yourself are not? Let's put it all behind us and focus on the task at hand.”

The otters nodded and approached, getting out their oils and lotions before they began. Needless to say the moans I gave when he found tension spots and stress points were... embarrassing. However I was not the only one who vocalised their appreciation to the attention. Master had purred loudly, so had his brother when it was his turn.

Eventually we returned to the royal suit to prepare for the feast. Several attendants awaited us when we arrived and they helped us to get dressed and prepared. Light makeup, and master wore clothes that were similar to what he had worn earlier that day, minus his sidearm and sword. His crown was also smaller, returning to a more reserved tiara over the ornate crown.

“Why are we having to do this Master?” I asked as the servants started dressing me, helping me into the white coloured slave top and pants “it just seems so... inappropriate.”

“It's a political move more than anything,” he explained, standing to one side and watching as makeup was lightly applied to my face, trying to hide the tired bags under my eyes “The family is trying to show they are still loyal to the crown. The size of the meal is to try to show the other nobles that will be present that they are still a powerful family.”

Once my jacket and bejewelled collar was affixed, the attendants left quietly. Master remarked that I looked good in it all, even saying that the collar was my equivalent to his crowns and tiaras. We made our way towards what I assumed to be the dining hall for that evening, being met part way there by an escort of guards as we left the royal section.

Master clearly was still shaken by the attempted coup, the guards all being ones I recognised from the Sovereign, one being the one I shoved that morning. In fact most of the security I noticed on out way had been replaced by people from the fleet or the ship. The walk was at a comfortable pace, the guards standing to the side of the door to our destination. One pressed the button to open the door, and from inside I could hear a dinging noise, followed by an announcement.

“Now Entering, Emperor Leniad Leo!” The guards bowed, letting master and myself past them to walk inside. Master made subtle gestures to two of the guards to follow us inside. Clearly he wanted people he could trust amongst those within the room.

As we entered, everyone was standing, turned to face us, positioned with enough room for us to enter the room. All were stood with their hands pressed to their chests in a cross and slightly bowed in respect. A clear sign of loyalty, possibly wanting to regain some of the trust that had been lost.

The room itself was huge. Easily two levels high, and larger than the auditorium on the Sovereign, with tables everywhere set ready for the feast. The decoration to the room was gaudy, with intricate carvings and paintings on the walls, a massive chandelier above the head table. Gold and precious gemstones adorned every surface it seemed possible to place them.

The carpeting underfoot was thick and soft, laid out in royal reds, blues and purples to depict the royal seal. Whoever designed the room either had no taste, was obsessed with trying to show off their wealth, or both. I wondered if it had been designed by the two royal lions in their youth, but something told me that even back then, the pair had possessed better taste than that.

At the end of the path made by the throng of people was a male lion. Dressed in blues and gold like the rings of the planet outside, he was stood in the same position as everyone else, albeit with a friendly smile on his face. He was slightly taller than I was, and was rather portly. Having grown rotund with years of opulent dining and lavish living. He had quite a bit of grey in his mane and on his muzzle betraying his years.

By his side was an elegant lioness, dressed in a graceful gown coloured with the same blues and golds. She was taller than he was, and while he clearly had enjoyed his meals a bit too much, she appeared more selective, being much thinner and healthier in appearance.

“Lord and Lady Kamale,” Master greeted them once we finally stood before them “Please, raise your heads, you two have always been the closest to myself and the family of all the lords.”

“Thank you, for agreeing to this evening, your excellence.” the male spoke, voice warm and full of reverence as he raised his head to meet his emperors gaze. Master waved his hand towards the rest of the room, everyone turning and beginning conversations.

“Thank you for the invitation, Hector, I regret the events that have lead to us meeting once more,” master replied, eyes turning to look at Lady Kamale “And my apologies to you, my lady, for the loss of your eldest daughter. It grieves me that it went as far as it did and I was forced to cut short the life such a young bloom.”

“Fear not, Sire,” she replied, holding a hand up to stop him “Her actions were her own, she was educated by some of the best teachers the empire had to offer. She knew the consequences of her actions. I am grieved that I have lost a daughter, yet what grieves me more is that we could do nothing to stop her.”

“Well said,” Prince Reon said stepping up making everyone turn to look at him in surprise “Holding you two responsible for the actions of another would be most unbecoming of us.”

“Prince Reon? When did you arrive? And why was there no announcement?” Lord Kamale asked surprised and concerned, the lion simply chuckled softly.

“I just happened to arrive a few seconds after my brother was all,” he told them with a shrug “I figured it would be better to not make a scene when he should be the only one doing so.”

Master just heaved a sigh and shook his head a little. It clearly wasn't the first time Prince Reon had done something like this, and probably wouldn't be the last. It did give me a chance to look around the room, speeing the prince's boys dotted around socialising with others in the room. I spotted Zox'i talking with Takash, Hunter, Bogra and Ov'ids by his side.

The Kiqu was wearing a full body outfit. Something which looked uncomfortable for him to be wearing. David was wearing a pair of suit pants, and a top that covered his chest and upper arms with a little bow tie. Bogra was dressed in something similar, although his top was more a vest, covering his stomach and not his arms.

Even Ov'ids had a little bow tie collar on. He was staying pressed close to Hunter, although from the look on his face he was enjoying himself. When Zox'i spotted me looking, he excused himself from the tiger and walked over, leaving him with the other two.

“Ah Leniad, David, how pleasing to see you both again,” he greeted with a smile “I apologise for the interruption, but I wished to speak with you, and Lord and Lady Kamale about the seating arrangements.”

“Of course, sorry let me introduce you first,” Master said and gestured to the two lions “Lord and Lady Kamale, let me introduce you to the new royal doctor, Zox'i, Zox'i, this Is Lord and Lady Kamale.” They all shook each others hands, Zox'i even giving a slight bow of his head with a smile.

“Pleasure to meet you sir,” Lady Kamale greeted with a genuine smile “You wished to speak about the seating arrangements?”

“Yes Milady,” he replied still friendly and charming “I understand that David is to be joining in on this meal. So he has someone to talk with, who is also uncertain about the etiquette of such a large and lavish meal, I suggest shifting the seating of the head table a little.”

He pulled a small device out of his pocket and held it up, a hologram appearing from it with the seating arrangement set out, each person having a small image of their face on it. The two elderly lions instantly looked intrigued, although it was probably more in the technology than in what he was trying to show them.

“As you can see here, David is sat between Leniad and his brother,” he explained, he then picked my icon off of the display, the seating arrangement shifting down by one chair, and he placed me between himself and Hunter down the far end of the table “If we place him down with myself, Bogra and Hunter, he will have someone to talk to, and not be under full scrutiny of the crowd. That way if he makes an accidental faux pas, it won't be as noticed.”

“Hmm, what do you think Emperor?” Lord Kamale asked simply looking to the large lion “He is your property.”

“I have full confidence in Zox'i,” Master said with a smile “If it meets your approval, we shall make the changes with ease.” the two elderly lions looked to each other then nodded back to master who smiled.

The change was ordered simply, and the footmen, or more so women, most of them being lionesses, made the alterations quietly without anyone noticing. Hors d'oeuvres were wandered about the room after a few minutes. Small little bites designed to whet the appetite but not to satisfy. They were delicious as expected, the chefs doing superb work on them.

When finally it came time to be seated I was quite hungry, as we sat, Hunter kept looking at me with some uncertainty, only to be comforted by Bogra on his other side. Almost immediately a plate was placed before us, atop it were four large ceramic spoons with intricately designed morsals on each. It was then that Zox'i exposed what his real reasoning behind the seat change was.

“Here, I will trade you this one... and this one,” he said, handing me two of his which I already had one of each “As your doctor, I am responsible for what you can and cannot eat. Sadly, these ones contain a few substances which would be dangerous to you.”

“The seating rearrangement wasn't so I could have someone to talk to was it?” I asked him and he chuckled softly.

“Well, it was, and wasn't,” he replied “It would just look suspicious if I had run over to you specifically to alter your meal for each course that required it... but I do genuinely think you and Hunter should talk, it would do you both a world of good.”

I rolled my eyes and chuckled before eating. I knew, from some of the studying Master had gotten me to do, that this was the Amuse Bouche course. Small morsels of food, usually sized for one bite in total with which the chefs experimented with colours, flavours, shapes and textures. It was designed to excite and confuse the taste buds, to make you enthusiastic and quizzical about what was to come next.

“So... Hunter... you were once a human?” I asked as the plates were cleared away and the short wait for the next course began. He nodded and I tilted my head a little “How did you end up like this?”

“That,” he started, voice still sounding unsure, and rough, like he was still getting used to using it again “Is a complicated story.”

“I can answer, mostly anyway,” the Kiqu piped up to my side drawing my attention “It was the same as what gave you your paws, fur and tail.”

“Nanites?” I asked getting a nod in return “What about his...” I gestured to his belly.

“I...it is mine.” Hunter replied worriedly and I blinked.

“I...I'm sorry I didn't...”

“It's ok, calm,” Bogra stopped me, his deep voice making me shiver a little “He has a... condition.”

“He has a hyperactive reproductive system,” Zox'i explained simply, seeing the confused look on my face as drinks were brought out “His... change... was not intentional on his or someone else's part, it was an accident. One side effect is that his body has a hyper need to reproduce, to lay eggs. We have managed to slow it, quite substantially, however his last cycle kicked in early before we could completely finish the treatment.”

“We...we decided that I should try for one.” Hunter said giving a smile to Bogra and Zox'i.

“You couldn't return him to being human?” I asked and Hunter shook his head.

“Sadly not,” Bogra answered “My speciality is in nanites, their programming and use in the medical field. I am one of the foremost experts in the field, handling high profile cases specifically. I probably handled the coding for your changes myself come to think of it. However we found his body was so saturated with nanites that it was impossible to revert the changes without killing him.

“Normally we only inject a few hundred thousand when we are using them, and they are programmed to self terminate when they are finished. However his body contains a nanite for every cell of his body, they have no kill code built in, and self replicate when one is lost or if more is needed. The coding is also so scrambled that we were barely able to reprogram them to reduce the effects of his reproductive systems.”

“There is a little more to it than just that,” Zox'i added drawing my attention as the next course was started to be walked out “But that is not a discussion to have now, or in the presence of Hunter, it is a sensitive topic for him. If you wish to know more, maybe Leniad will tell you if you ask nicely.”

I nodded as a bowl of soup was placed before us. It wasn't very large, probably barely over a cup worth of meaty smelling broth. It was almost underwhelming to see, and hunter clearly thought so too, looking to Bogra to explain. The distressed noise he made was almost depressing to hear.

“Shh, it's ok,” he soothed him and showed him which spoon to use “It is only a small portion because there is still nine more courses to come. If they were all big servings, you would have no room for everything else.”

“And there is going to be a lot of food today,” I added with a smile and gestured down the table to Takash “I doubt even the pregnant tiger down there will get through it all, although it will be fun to see him try.”

It was oddly pleasing to hear the dragon chuckle, something he didn't seem to do a great deal of from the surprised, and embarrassed look on his face. The soup was pleasing, hot and rich in flavour, yet was almost like a tea with how clear it was. The course was cleared away shortly after we finished and I rest back with a smile.

We barely had time to think before the next course was served up, a light salad. I picked at it a little, not liking the dressing that had been used. I blinked when I felt something warm land on my leg and looked down to see Ov'ids had rest his head on my lap. He was looking up at me with the puppy eyes that canines were well known for.

“Ov'ids... no,” Zox'i chastised lightly with a chuckle “You will get your own meal later, you know better than to beg.”

“I'm sure he just wants some attention.” I replied with a smile and reached down to scratch at the creatures odd ears, getting a happy trill in return.

“Maybe he just thought you wanted attention?” Hunter suggested looking down to him “He is em..” his voice broke down into growls there, his mouth seeming to struggle forming the word. He gave an irritated huff and looked up at Bogra, tapping him on the side to get his attention. They seemed to interact silently for a minute before Bogra looked to me.

“Sorry for that, Hunter is still struggling with some words,” he explained, gently petting at Hunters head with one of his huge hands “He is trying to say he is empathic. Kiqunosa, or nosa's for short, are able to pick up on others emotional states. It makes them highly prised as service pets for people recovering from trauma, or suffer panic attacks or seizures of some kind.”

“We created them as pets that would be great companions and always willing to give good cuddles,” Zox'i explains with a chuckle as he finished his own salad “hardy, long lived, hypoallergenic, easy to train, playful and friendly. We didn't realise the market we had gotten into when we first made them... however as they live quite long lives, we have become extremely selective about who is permitted to purchase one.”

“We have another one back at home,” Hunter mentioned with a smile as the finished dishes were cleared away “she's too... excitable... to have been brought with us.”

“She is still young,” Bogra explained with a shrug “still in that puppy stage really, has yet to calm down and settle.”

“And before you ask, no, she isn't on her own,” the Kiqu beside me piped up with a chuckle “There are others there... and our home itself will keep her company... by the way, there was a choice of what you could have for the fish course, sorry but I chose for you. The other choice contained a food that would be... dangerous... to your...”

“Condition.” Bogra finished for him with a smile and wink.

“Your master decided that will all be announced when the Sovereign has finished its overhaul in a few days,” Zox'i informed me with a smile “till then, we need to keep it a secret.”

As the next course was served up I gave a sigh and started to eat. It was going to be a long night, but at least I had good company to spend it with.