Day One, I heard quiet barks and woofs.
Day Two, the sounds seemed closer. Mostly at night, but I swear I heard a series of howls and woofs in the daytime too, just farther away. It's odd.
Today, the noises are close again and have a whine to them. Clearly, it wants attention. Who's not petting it?
I'm a sucker for animals, especially if they have fur. I mean, who can resist something floofy? Though a week from now, I might consider snuggling a snake if it seemed friendly towards me. The people here sure aren't.
Only two more days until Dayzee returns, and I can officially start my new job. I'm grateful for the downtime, but I need a purpose. No one will give me any info about the species I'm assigned to.
I just want a sneak peek.
Chapter 4
Gr’ruuf
I believe a small pack of eligible mates came to meet myother.Their scent was strong, and they had flat feeders, unlike the birthers. I watched them even though the round-in-light was there. She was not there, and they made loud harsh mouth noises and left a gift for her at the opening to her resting space.
This had to be courtship! They were leaving gifts for my mate, to capture her attention. I howled in upset and they left as quickly as they came.
They all wear coverings, and I do not see them scenting each other. How do they know who is a birther or a potential mate? How do they tell each other apart? Will more suitors be coming?
I quietly crept close to where she lives and made wet around the outside her home. Twice. To ward the others away. Now her home is marked by my scent. Now they will know she is reserved for me.Onlyme. They will not try to take her for themselves — I will not allow this.
I do not know how the container beings find mates, but the ones with oodt will now recognize her space is marked by another.
In case my scent is not strong enough, I will return later and mark it again. I will continue to spray her home until all with an oodt and der know to stay away from her.
MINE!
Chapter 5
Luna
This place is filled with assholes.
Maybe it's the mentality, since most of these people are military, but it feels like I'm back in high school again. I am not a fan.
I was in line to get food and asked the people around me if anyone knew who owned the dog I kept hearing near my bungalow. It took a good several seconds for the laughing and clapping to die down before the response of, "You do." That set off a new round of hysterics and a hell of a lot of stares and grins.
Today wasnotthe day, and I wasnotthe one.
I was hungry, dehydrated, cranky, and was having none of this quasi-bullying bullshit.
I stomped onto the nearest bench seat and yelled out, "Excuse me? Hi! Is there anyone around here mature enough to answer my question without acting like an asshole?" I waited several long seconds, hands-on-hips, glaring around the room. "No? Okay, good to know then." I nodded and climbed down, marching back to my spot in line. The dude behind me sensed not to halt my return. I was hangry and could easily become violent.
I grew up in foster care. The state paid for my schooling alongside my scholarships. I fought damn hard to get to this point in my life. It was going to take a lot more than a bunch of camo-wearing fledglings to knock me down.
For fuck’s sake, I'm not asking for loyalty from these people, but was civility really too much to ask?
A hand on my arm brought my attention to a woman about my age. She was on my arriving flight. She's human, as the majority of us here were, and I recalled thinking she seemed polite and quiet on the craft.
"Do you really not know?" I met her eyes and shook my head. "Grab some food and come over to our table, and we'll tell you what we've heard." I agreed and watched the spot she returned to.
There was still snickering and looks, but mostly from the guys in line. When I got my tray and headed over, I found her sitting with some other women. They all appeared human, and all stopped talking when they saw me coming. Gee, I wonder what the topic was.
"Hi, I'm Luna." I introduced myself and took a seat across from the woman who spoke to me.
"I'm Doreen. I was on the ship with you. Oh my gosh, your hair is so pretty. I've always wanted to color my hair, but never had the courage." Her words rushed forward nervously, but her face was earnest. She smiled and suddenly, the weight of the past few days left my shoulders.