Viper wished he could say he was satiated, but that was a lie. He couldn't seem to get enough. Hope's sweet smell filled the bathroom as they dressed for first meal, making it difficult to put his clothes on.
"Are you going to be okay?" Hope asked as she reached up and dabbed at Viper's split brow.
"Don't fuss. I'll be fine." He nudged at her playfully.
"If I'm going to be your mate, then I get to fuss! It's part of the job description!" Hope pushed his hands away then stood up on her tiptoes, tugged his head down and kissed Viper's injured brow.
Viper was frozen in shock. Had Hope just agreed to be his mate. Maybe she had, but he didn't want to hope too much. Viper's hand rose to his brow.
"What was that for?" He asked.
"It's a tradition, human women tend to kiss their men and their baby's injuries. It makes it all better." Hope smiled.
Funny enough it did feel better, not that it really hurt much to begin with. It was a beautiful tradition that spoke volumes about how his female cared for others.
"Well I guess I'm ready." Hope said as she finished combing her long silken hair.
"Mother, Sire meet Hope. Hope this Hyla and Adder." Viper introduced his parents to his subeo, then also introduced her friends Tara and JP.
"It's an honor to meet you." Hope smiled as she bowed slightly. "Thank you for everything you've done for my people."
Viper pulled a seat out, across from his parents, for Hope then sat beside her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you and is an honor to be of service. We are just sorry that it was necessary." Adder smiled kindly.
His parents eyed Hope assessingly. His father's expression a bit more amused than the critical one Viper's mother wore. Hyla's eyes turned to Viper.
"What did you do to your head?" His mother asked.
Hope giggled till Hyla gave her a stern look. Hope covered her mouth suppressing her mirth.
"I slipped in the shower. Hope tended to it just fine." Viper smiled at Hope, remembering how she'd sweetly kissed his injury.
"I'm sure you'll survive." Adder looked at them suspiciously with a twinkle in his eye. "I was reviewing numbers and we are going to be short on temporary housing once the new group arrives in a few weeks."
"You know unless its medically impossible our people can help. It might be good for them to do something." Hope spoke up.
"Its a good idea. We generally do try to get the people we rescue involved. Help them form their own new governing body, set-up a viable economic structure. All the necessary thing." Viper explained.
"It's hard to fathom that you've done this before when this is my first planetary disaster." Hope shook her head. "Well Tara and JP are going to help with medical matters, but I've been thinking that perhaps I can help keep everyone organized. It will be just like working at the clinic back home."
Hope grinned as she stole a piece of fruit off Viper's plate. When Viper looked up, he noticed a funny look on his mother's face.
"Mother please don't get any bright ideas." He groaned inwardly.
"Hope it's admirable you wish to help settle your people." Hyla conceded.
"We greatly appreciate you and your friends assistance. It is a rare and difficult thing to cope with the loss of one's planet, not to mention all the other changes." Adder nodded.
"Well the only thing that's constant is change." Hope replied with a wistful glance out the domed window into starry space.
Tara rubbed a comforting hand along Hope's back. The three humans still got noticeably depressed, it was expected. But they were getting along rather well considering.
"Very true." Adder put in.
"Speaking of change. What made you change your mind about our son?" Viper's mother asked.
"Ugh, there it is." Viper groaned.
Hope looked from Viper to his parents her mouth slightly agape.
"Great! Things were going so well, then my mother opens her mouth." Viper silently railed, not sure if he should intervene yet or what?
"Um well, I have no objection to Viper, I've grown rather fond of him. And I'm certainly not interested in hurting him. It's just that humans are different from the Anguis in more ways than what's visible. We choose mates based on emotional and social interaction, not just hormonal response." Hope appeared uncomfortable as she carefully chose her words.
"So you are saying at any point on a whim you could choose to abandon my son." Hyla replied.
"I suppose, but I would like to think that if Viper found out I was an evil shrew he'd leave me too." Hope reasoned.
"Among the Anguis if a mate is unsatisfactory the family takes care of the problem." Hyla threatened.
"Hyla!" Adder said sternly.