Viper stepped behind Hope and clasped a chain around her neck. Just above the swell of her breast hung the most beautiful sheathed, dagger. It had a curved blade with a platinum handle encrusted with iridescent opals.
"Viper its gorgeous!"
"It pales in comparison."
Viper pulled the blade out and offered it to her. It fit nicely in the palm of Hope's hand.
"It's a traditional blade, a physical symbol of my desire to protect you."
"Thank you." Hope replied, the symbolism not lost on her. If Viper kept it up she wasn't going to be able to resist him. She barely held the leash on her heart as it was.
When Hope stepped off the ship with Viper by her side, she was greeted by a crowd of at least a thousand Anguis, gathered in the field like they'd come to witness an outdoor concert rather than a ship landing. The gathered throng cheered the instant Hyla and Adder preceded Hope and Viper off the lowered platform. It was a surreal experience seeing so many aliens in one place. Hope felt a little claustrophobic and tucked closer to Viper's side.
The air was hot though arid rather than humid. Thankfully it wasn't unbearable. Hope had to squint against the sun hovering high in the sky. Hope gaped at the large ruddy moon cresting on the horizon, she felt like she could almost reach out and touch it.
The vessel had landed not far from where the new colony would be situated. It hovered over the earth rather than marring the ground which was nice since despite the heat the area was lush similar to the Serengeti after the rainy season. The landscape was covered in patches of waist high grass and clumps of wild flowers, much like Viper had shown her on the ship. The rainbow colored flora was vibrant against the neutral tones of the earth.
The crowd cheered until Adder Rex, held up his hand.
Hope took a deep calming breath and straightened her shoulders as Adder began to speak. She did her best to not shame Viper in some unknown way, attempting to mimic Hyla's stance near Adder. Hope didn't want to embarrass him or make humans look bad.
Then again her imminent wardrobe malfunction might undo that effort. The damn band of fabric was way too narrow. Hope glanced down in horror as she felt her tits slipping free. A bead of sweat that had little to do with the heat ran down her brow. Should she tug it back up?
"What is wrong?" Viper leaned in and whispered as his father addressed the people.
Hope pointedly glanced down at her chest and Viper's eyes followed. The areola of her left boob was exposed, only her nipple keeping the fabric from slipping lower.
Viper's eyes widened and his mouth rounded with an "Oh".
"God this outfit was a joke. For a race where men growled at other men in jealousy you'd think a burqa would be the preferred attire for females. No no, they showed off their skin since it did that freaky chameleon thing." Hope silently cursed.
Viper tugged Hope against his chest and banded one arm across her breasts. Anyone watching would just assume it was a possessive gesture.
No sooner had Viper gripped her than a cheer went through the crowd.
Adder cast them an amused glance and stopped discussing the rescue and relocation of Hope's people and moved on to introduce them, seeing that the Anguis people were more interested in that detail.
"Thank you, people of Anguis Minor." Viper rumbled at her back and Hope nodded to the crowd in greeting.
It was odd being stared at by so many people, let alone alien people. Viper held her as he spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"You honor me and your new Uxorem with your warm welcome."
Another cheer erupted and Viper had to wait for it to subside before continuing.
"I am blessed to find my subeo among this great race of humans whom we have had the honor of assisting. As you can see Uxorem Hope is small of stature, but like many of her kind, brave and strong of heart. I am humbled at the generosity you have shown not just here for the humans but for many years now as we fight against the Morbo."
Another boisterous round of applause rippled through the crowd and Hope smiled up at Viper. He was quite the diplomat and apparently well received. She especially liked how he described her people to the Anguis. Humans may look small and were probably more delicate, but they were brave and strong, and generally outspoken too.
Today began a melding of their people and customs. No doubt the culture clash would take some getting used to.
Hope was relieved their public appearance was short lived. She got the distinct feeling this might be one of many. Several Anguis men that looked like guards similar to those on the ship approached Viper and Adder. Viper whispered something to one of the men who jogged off, but quickly returned with a cape.
Hope sighed in relief when Viper placed it around her shoulders. Not only did the long thin white linen material hide her lack of clothing, it covered her shoulders which were starting to to look like they might burn in the Anguis sun.