“N-not at this very second,” I said.
“Why not? You ate, slept, and relaxed,” Kur’tok growled. “This is the final thing you need.”
My temperature blasted off into the sky. I mean, he wasn’t technically wrong. Thatwasthe only remaining thing on the list of needs I’d given him.
But sex didn't solve the whole I-need-to-return-to-the-village issue. Bringing that up now didn’t seem helpful, though. I didn’t know why, but Kur’tok thought his secret waterfallhideout was better than the village. Did something bad happen to him there?
My curiosity was tempered by my wisdom. It was too early to pry. Obviously, Kur’tok didn’t fully trust me yet. He still eyed me like I’d float away forever if he didn’t keep 100% of his laser focus on me.
I recalled the hundreds of icebreakers I’d participated in during my diplomat training. I was no stranger to making fast friends—or at least allies. What Kur’tok and I needed was a mutual activity. And although I was a horny bastard, I didn’t want to be plowed right now. It had to be a fun, low-stakes exercise we could both participate in...
“Hey, I have an idea,” I suggested. “Why don’t we brush Kookee?”
Kur’tok’s tail flicked. He seemed pleasantly surprised at my suggestion. “Yes, we can do that.” He tilted his head in an oddly cute gesture. “Are you sure you don’t want sex?”
“Maybe later,” I said. “Besides, if I’m your pet, I’d better get to know your other pet, you know?”
He grunted thoughtfully. “Yes. That is true. Come.”
Kur’tok led me back to camp. Was it my imagination, or did he have a spring in his step? I wondered if my offer had eased his worries about my potential flight. I doubted he’d loosen the leash—figuratively speaking—until he completely trusted me not to run off. Maybe once I’d earned it, he’d let me visit the village of his own free will.
I followed Kur’tok like an obedient little lamb as he fetched a huge brush from his den. Meanwhile, I grabbed another fruit from the pile. I had a sneaking suspicion that Kookee might enjoy a juicy snack more than Kur’tok thought.
As we left the den, I saw Arr’tow and Haz’rull cowering by the exit. I felt bad for them. They looked like a pair of whipped goons in a movie. But once again, we didn’t have a chance tochat. Kur’tok ignored the pair as he stomped towards his knotted root throne.
Kookee the pandar was fast asleep. Its huge shaggy flank rose and fell in a steady rhythm, and it snored louder than an engine. I peeked at what I assumed was the head. It was long and sloped like a horse’s but with floppy ears that covered its wide-set eyes. Its cloven hooves splayed awkwardly underneath it, like Kookee had lain down lazily and never bothered to fix it.
“My precious Kookee,” Kur’tok said. His expression softened as he stroked the beast’s fur. It was the polar opposite of his face when he snarled at his underlings. I didn’t realize he could appear so gentle.
“Can I pet it?” I asked.
Kur’tok’s feelers floated like a puff of cloud, clearly happy I’d asked. “Yes.”
I reached out tentatively, not sure what to expect. Aside from the Maeleons and insectoids, Kookee was the first real alien species I’d met on Eukaria. For all I knew, it could’ve bitten my hand clean off. But Kur’tok trusted his pet, so I felt safe doing the same.
I petted Kookee’s fur. It was as coarse and prickly as it looked, but not totally unpleasant to touch. It reminded me of a big dog with a wiry coat. The blanket made of its fur felt about the same.
“It’s bristly,” I said.
Kur’tok made a grumpy noise as he glanced downward. He seemed embarrassed. “Pandar are known for their fine, silky fur. But Kookee’s fur has never been soft.”
“Maybe it just needs to be brushed?” I suggested. “Let’s give it a shot.”
Kur’tok handed me the brush. “Hmph. I already brush Kookee, but maybe your tiny human hands will make a difference.”
“You never know until you try.”
The brush was huge—proportionally Kookee-sized. It was carved from wood with a sleek and sturdy design.
“Hey, did you make this, Kur’tok?” I asked, hefting it in my hand.
“Of course I did,” he grumbled. “How else was I going to brush Kookee?”
My brows rose in surprise. “Wow, you’re talented. The craftsmanship is impressive.”
Kur’tok’s feelers tinged with pink. He lashed his tail as if swatting away my praise. “That is nothing. I could do better.”
I grinned. So he took pride in his work, huh? Good to know.
