“Why? I merely am being honest.”
He shook his head. “You know that other Kantenans off-world have connected with different humanoids before. The long-distance miners do it regularly.”
She waved her hand. “But they're not connected to the planet and the culture. Not anymore. If they don't walk the world, then they are hardly members of our people, are they?”
His father raised his hand. “Now, just a moment. Those who do the long-distance mining operations are valuable to our people, same as those who are nearby and get to return. We honor those the same.”
“We are from Kantenan. Our place is here, our strength comes from this world. Not other worlds,” his mother said. “After all, those female mates? Who could they be?”
“I find them brave,” he said as he sipped on his ale.
“Why?” his mother asked.
“Because imagine leaving a place and position you know, and venturing into the galaxy to look for the possibility of a better life, and a better future. Into an entirely new world and culture. Brave.” That sounded good, and it was the best possibility he could come up with, considering he had the same questions initially. They were either very brave, or very desperate.
His mother raised her eyebrow. “You sound more and more like a politician every day.”
“Good thing I am a Gol-Vett.”
“Still think it is a ridiculous idea.”
Stron half-smiled. “We can debate this as long as you like. I will even reach out to Khalzin's mother, and see if she wanted to come carry this discussion with you further. I'm sure the Priestess of Light will have some guidance in the idea of who is of Kantenan and who isn't.”
His mother glared at him. “You do not have to be so pompous. And I know Wyleigh and I would have a wonderful discussion about such things. We used to all the time when you boys were younger. It was great enjoyment, that time we ladies spent together. Back when it was all theoretical. This, however. I just know what I feel, and my heart belongs to Kantenan. Just as both of yours do. So why you would even consider this bizarre arrangement is beyond me,” she said.
“I volunteered before I truly knew what the terms were. Khalzin is my friend. I won't dishonor him by not helping him when he needs it.” He downed the rest of his ale. “Besides, it could be fun. I have always been interested in bedding a non-Kantenan. Just to see if it's different.”
“Stron!” his mother cried out.
His father rolled his eyes.
Stron couldn't help grinning. If she was offended, then so be it.
She didn't get to dictate his behavior anymore. Neither could his father.
Give advice? Of course.
But Stron was grown now. He could make his own choices and do whatever he needed to do.
It was the way it was.
His parents didn't have to like it.
Though, really, he knew very few who would like it.
He really was willing to give it his best effort to see if it could work, regardless of his own trepidation.
“Are you ready to meet the future of Kantenan,” Dhomhes asked Stron as he walked into the workout gymnasium. Khalzin had not been in as often as of late, and as a result, Stron found himself working out more with Dhomhes and Fiviel.
This morning, however, Fiviel wasn't there, just Dhomhes.
“Are you?” Stron asked.
They didn't have long until the experiment began. A little less than two weeks to get everything set. Stron, like the others, did what was asked of him, when it was asked. The Galactic Alliance had sent them some information to read about the potential females that were coming--typical mating rituals, and the like. Though interestingly, it wasn't that different from what Stron used with his own dating practices.
Besides his systematic elimination of them.
His hand went over the pendant that hung low on his chest, revealed when he removed his overshirt.
