"Good," Khalzin said.
Stron glanced at him. "Why?"
"Nerves means more genuine emotions and more authentic personalities. Our physiology will be able to connect with natural personalities and the hormones that they radiate."
And it would distract from his nervousness because he was nervous about the next few minutes. It could very much go brilliantly, or it could do as Dhomhes said and blow up in his face.
His pride would not handle a failure well. Nor would dealing with his father.
"You really have worked out the science of attraction, haven't you?" Fiviel asked.
"There is a reason why none of us are attached to anyone," Khalzin said. "The genome is--"
"The reason none of us are mated is that we don't want to be," Dhomhes said. "We control when we mate. That connection is something that we can manipulate."
"It's not," Khalzin said. He was prepared to argue that point with Dhomhes because basic Kantenan science proved him wrong. It meant nothing when intimate with just anyone. But with the right humanoid? It could mean everything.
Many believed as Dhomhes did that it was controllable. Khalzin knew better the science was there it proved--
The ship opened, and down the ramp came a singular female.
"They brought us one?" Stron said.
"Are we supposed to share?" Dhomhes asked.
"No..." Fiviel said, a growl to his voice.
Kantenans did not share mates. That did not work. Some had tried in the past having polyamorous relationships, but it always wound up in a battle to the death over a mate. So, sharing did not go well with them.
They started to cross the landing pad as the female approached.
A few moments later, more females came down the ramp and toward the landing platform.
Some were in a hurry; others were taking their time.
Rather, one was taking her time.
She came down the ramp, and even from a distance, Khalzin could see her eyes, wide with wonder as she looked at everything. She took deep breaths and slowly followed the group of females toward the center of the ramp. Like she was more interested in being on a new world than meeting a mate.
As far as he could tell, she had not even looked toward him or the others.
The wind blew, and her dark hair danced around her face. She immediately brushed her hair down and stayed in the back of the group. She seemed almost shy, the way she lingered behind the others.
Shy but curious.
He was immediately intrigued.
However, the lead female came right over to them, and she carried a data tablet in her arm. Fiviel, who was next to Khalzin, lengthened his stride, approaching the female before Khalzin could get there.
She stopped and spoke to him, nodded her head, and turned back toward the females.
Fiviel stayed where he was.
"What is going on," Khalzin asked.
"The females will gather together, and we'll do the selection right here."
"Fine," Khalzin said.
