Page 14 of Alien Abduction for Professionals
"Materials used to build nests depend on what you can find on your home planet. Some species will weave branches and other organic materials. My own kind uses algae and our parents' dried excrements to form the perfect nest. As I can't cover every single species in this lesson, I challenge you to look up your own traditions in the handbook I've attached."
A bing sounded, and a holographic book hovered above my communicator. Havel must have linked it to the Jade already. I had no idea what to do, so I simply pretended it was a real book and opened it. Even though my fingers didn't touch the virtual pages, the communicator seemed to recognise my movement and flicked to the first page. Although I was sure that was just for me, the book was written in English. I bet it didn't take the shape of a book for everyone either. Was that the Jade's AI's doing or something within the communicator? I'd have to ask the guys.
A table of contents showed a long list of different species.
"Pause the lesson," I said, and Professor Frog froze on the screen. I was much more interested in what I'd find out in the book than what he had to say. I clicked on Kardarians and the book's pages magically flipped to the corresponding chapter.I felt a bit like a wizard. Harry Potter, watch out, there's a new mage in town!
I skimmed the chapter, skipping the bits I already knew about Kardarians. My mates had told me how they were one of three species on their planet, that they had a variety of bright skin tones, that they had various features like fangs, tails, pointy ears and even claws. It didn't mention two cocks, but maybe that was too specific. I'd never asked Xil if he was an anomaly or if it was common among Kardarians to have more than one dick.
Kardarians use the highest quality materials they can afford. Utilising local materials is frowned upon and items from other planets is preferred. The more exotic, the better. Often, the parents of the male/males will add something from their own nest, like a pillow or blanket. Sometimes, the female's father will cover the nest with his scent to warn the males that they'll have to answer to him should they mistreat their mate.
I cringed at that. Thank goodness that wasn't an issue for me. If my males mistreated me - not that they ever would - I'd deal with them myself. No father needed and especially not his scent. Yuck. I wondered if the guys' parents would give me something for our nest once I met them.
I took one more bite of cake and continued reading.
Kardarian nests are comparatively small. They will fit the female and her mate or mates, but there's no space for furniture, offspring or other relatives.
Wait, relatives? Why on Earth would I want my relatives to be in a nest with me? That was weird. Were they supposed to watch while I slept with my guys? No way. I was surer than ever that I was lucky with my choice of mates.
While Kardarian males will take their female's opinion into account, they are very protective about their responsibility of building the perfect nest. They will continue to improve it until their female is completely satisfied. Once the nest is ready, they will mate in it repeatedly, often for several days, until the nest has taken on their scent. It's a way to stake their territory and show that they're a good match with their female.
Sex for days? Wow. Warmth pooled between my legs at the thought of being in my mates' arms, having them claim me again and again, only taking breaks to sleep and eat. It was kind of hot. Although I'd need some time to recover afterwards. The guys werebig,and I could only take them so often until I got sore.
I pulled my mind out of the gutter and focused on the book.
Nests will be remade from scratch after each birth of a youngling. They increase by size each time, and it is assumed that the dwelling the family inhabits will also become larger.
Each time? How many children did Kardarians usually have? I wasn't planning on having kids any time soon, especially not several of them. I wanted to explore the galaxy together with my mates and children would only get in the way of that. One day, we'd settle down and start a family, yes, but not now.
I skimmed the rest of the text where it went into more detail of building techniques and strategies. The guys weren't letting me help with the nest anyway, so no need for me to study that. I closed the holo-book and continued watching the lesson. As interesting as some of it was, I had trouble concentrating. I wanted to know what the guys were doing.
If I'd had another piki cake, I might have been able to control my curiosity and stay on the bridge. Since I'd finished mine, however, I paused the recording. It was time to see what they were up to. And try out the nest.
Xil
Three males building one nest was a bad idea. Each of us had different ideas on how best to do it. And while they usually accepted that I was in charge, today neither wanted to back down. We all wanted to impress Trish, but we couldn't agree on what she'd want.
"This is impossible," I sighed after comparing our notes. After the first argument had almost turned into a fistfight, I'd decreed that we'd each write down our plans for the nest. Now we had three entirely different suggestions. Klat. Maybe we should have watched the IGU lesson after all. It may have explained how to solve disagreements between mates.
"Should we ask Trish to decide?" Havel asked, looking just as defeated as I felt. I didn't want to fight my friends, but there was also no way I'd back down from my plans. They were the best. Trish would love it. She'd fall into my arms and onto my cocks as soon as she'd see my nest.
"Or we could build three different nests," Matar suggested. "Then she can choose which one she wants to spend the most time in."
"We don't have space for three nests," I snapped. "Nor the time. Our parking meter is almost expired, and we haven't even ordered all the supplies we need. Staying for a second parking period will be expensive."
"Are you saying you don't like spending money on our mate?" Matar teased.
I growled at the engineer. "You know that's not true. But I want to be far away from here before Professor Katila comes up with yet another way to distract us."
"Trish is on her way here," Havel announced. "I put a tracker on her communicator after the incident earlier."
"Does she know?" I asked.
"Not yet. I didn't want to freak her out. We don't need it on the Jade, but from now on, I always want to know where she is. I don't think my heart will survive another kidnapping."
I had to agree with him. "Let's keep it quiet for now. What else have you installed?"
"All the usual. I added a Kardarian dictionary and software to help her learn our script. The translator will let her communicate with our families when we return home, but she won't be able to read any signs."
