"What criteria?" Janae asked.
"They had to have a need for infusing the population with new genomes, for one."
"And do the Kantenans?" Adryel asked.
Graecey nodded. "Yes, they do.”
"What else do they have to do?" Janae asked.
"They have to tell us what is expected in a natural mating within their culture so that we can prepare you."
"What do you mean?" Adryel asked.
"For example, in some cultures, the female chooses and accepts or rejects the suitor. In others, the male claims the female immediately. Some, they have a marriage ceremony, and in others, it is merely speaking of certain words that bind the two."
"And what about the Kantenans? Do they have such rules?"
"Some," she said. "They declare their intentions, and if you accept, then you are bound.”
"So, there's no Courtship with them?"
"They claim they know their mates immediately upon meeting."
"What if none of us are claimed?" Janae asked.
"Then we move on."
"What do we do? Go down and line up or something?"
"We will take you down in small groups so as not to overwhelm the Kantenans. It will be organized and civilized, have no fear!" Graecey said and grinned. "Now, I have to go prepare.”
"Sure, you go ahead," Adryel said to Graecey. "It's getting exciting."
As Graecey walked away, Janae glanced at her.
"Don't over-sell it."
Adryel shrugged. "You know, I still have tons of questions. Like how do they determine which groups go down and when? What about their male parts? Are they the same fittings?"
Janae snorted. "You didn't read any of the information, did you?"
"Why would I read that stuff? It’s not like you read any of it. At least I did some."
"The information talked about the size differences and what to expect as far as physical intimacy." Janae pulled out her notecard.
"As long as they're not going to punch me, I should be okay."
Janae sighed. "Great, now I have another scenario to imagine. Getting punched by an alien with body armor and ridges on his back.”
"Well, when you put it like that...”
#
Out the window, Janae watched the approach of the Kantenan world. Green and lush in some parts that they glided over, instead heading for the mountains at the edge of the greenery.
The mountain’s base looked to have many structures built into it or around it.
Stone.
