Finishing lunch

Trea’k tapped her chin thoughtfully after Dustin’s suggestion. “Counsellor is not something I have any training for” she mused, adding “but as a queen I was trained to view the needs of the hive as well as those of the individual. Certainly, it’s within the scope of what I could learn to tackle as long as there are no major crises any time soon.” She flickered her eyes over to Meli, adding “I presume the science officer has already identified a range of textbooks to help me fill in gaps in my genetic knowledge? I’m still compartmentalizing everything I got given when I evolved, but I think there’s quite a bit of interpersonal relationship management in there that will give me a good foundation.”

The Velca woman smiled and nodded. “You are correct; I was present for most of Dustin’s conversations with Yril’k and have put together a few reading lists for the various options he mentioned. I’ll send the relevant one through to your quarters after lunch.” At that point, the queensguard raised a hand. “One thing I should remind everyone of - as we discussed previously, my lady is… still solidifying after her evolution. As such, I recommend you undertake no one on one counselling appointments until that process has completed. Assuming that is alright with everyone, I’d also like to add - welcome to the crew. I know I have only been a part of it myself for a few days, but I am happy that you are joining us.”

The warrior Vex’ess blushed a dark purple almost matching her chitin after her speech, and Dustin mused that while she had warrior training and a combat focused body now, the core of the woman was still the determined but shy handmaiden they’d rescued from the doomed hive ship. Trea’k meanwhile shifted her weight slightly before nodding. “Indeed. Although, the process of settling should not take more than a few days. As we should only be peacefully travelling en-route to help move a herd of animals I would hope you all can keep it together for that long at least.”

From there, the conversation shifted back to the mission, Meli and Emely taking turns to run them through the logistical and social aspects they’d need to keep in mind. The movement of the animals would need to be done with tranquilizer weaponry; fortunately the armoury had a range of potential non-lethal toys that could be adapted to suit their purposes. “Once they’re knocked out, we’ll haul them back to the ship on the shuttles and then onto a set of grav sleds - you, me and Yril’k can probably just lift them ourselves, but the others will have winches to help.” Rye opined to the newly appointed counsellor who looked a little surprised.

“You want me to help with this task?” She asked, glancing at Dustin who shrugged. “Yes, is that a problem?” Trea’k shook her head quickly. “No, not at all - it’s just… I thought I was to be the counsellor? Do your counsellors also do manual labour?” For once, Dustin guessed the cultural clash before Meli could explain it. As the Velca opened her mouth to speak he gestured around at the six of them. “In an ideal world, no. However, we’re a small crew so we all have to pitch in on things. Also - I suspect Meli’s about to tell me how your species is hyper specialized for each role through evolution; Humanity’s not like that. We’re generalists who specialize through training like most of the sentient species I know about - but from what I’ve seen of the galaxy so far we’re far more likely to do things away from our specializations than is common.”

Meli nodded, adding her own thoughts on the matter. “My studies of humans show that they are far more willing to attempt tasks they have no training for, jumping into things with the hope that it will turn out alright. There have been at least three papers on the subject published by the research council that largely consist of senior scientists freaking out over how often the humans do actually manage to have things turn out in their favour.” Then she shrugged at Dustin’s raised eyebrow. “I like reading the papers, li’ah’a, not least because of how often they interpret social things wrong. I’ve got a half dozen rebuttals written that I’m just waiting for the right moment to send.”

“Back to the mission” Rye cut in before the pair could segue into a discussion on humanity “we haul the sleepy critters into the shuttles and back to Sola, dump them onto the sleds, hop over to their new destination and then use the sleds to unload when we arrive at their new home. It’s only a few minutes flight away if we use the ship. Loading and unloading will be what takes the bulk of our time, assuming no issues in transit.” Trea’k nodded along attentively, before stretching. “Apologies, I’m still getting used to the changes to my body and my muscles felt stiff” she said when she saw several eyes on her. Dustin wasn’t entirely sure whether she realized that the eyes were more due to the way she had pushed her massive chest out or not, but opted not to say anything. If she knew, there wasn’t any reason to mention it, and if she didn’t, better to not risk anything while she was still settling into her new form as Yril’k had said.

Seemingly not noticing Dustin’s thoughts, the Vex’ess woman’s gaze returned to the tablet and it’s slowly rotating hologram. “How long until we arrive at this planet?” Dustin shrugged. “About four days travel, roughly. Depends how hard we push the engines, but we’re not really in any rush to get there so we’re taking it easy. I’d rather we all arrive well rested and with you and Yril’k fully integrated into the crew than we go flat out but end up all over the place on arrival.” Trea’k tapped her chin thoughtfully once more. “I should be settled by then. With regards to mating rituals amongst humans, how do they begin?”

Dustin half-choked on the sandwich he’d been eating, and threw Yril’k a worried glance. The insect lady sighed and set her own plate down - she’d clearly been expecting this at some point from the way her body language didn’t really change. “My lady, I anticipated you might ask this and as such took the liberty of discussing the matter with other members of the crew. Unfortunately, they all had their own experiences with our captain, none of which match any recognizable pattern so I suspect if you wish for a human ritual you will have to just see what happens. I would however recommend that you take your time - all of our colleagues on this ship have indicated that bonding with the captain was the most important part rather than the act of mating itself.”

Then Yril’k clicked her mandibles a couple of times before adding “although they did all stress that the mating was highly enjoyable.” Emely’s face had gone the same shade as her fur, Rye was looking intently at a circuit board she’d pulled from one pocket or other and even Meli managed to look embarrassed, not meeting Dustin’s gaze and with her cheeks tinting lightly. Trea’k alone of the women present didn’t seem impacted by Yril’k’s plain language, nodding along thoughtfully to herself and smiling at Dustin as the queensguard finished her explanation.

“It seems that there is no easy way for me to prepare to act as envoy myself then; with that in mind I will adopt a policy of learning through your actions captain. My memory injection is saying that its not uncommon in some species for time to be taken. It seems unusual to me, but I wish to be the best envoy I can be as my overqueen has given me the chance to fill this role.” Then she dipped her head lightly, adding “please assist me in this.” Dustin couldn’t help himself, reaching out and taking one of Trea’k’s hands. “Of course. Once you’re settled we’ll get to know each other properly and then see where things go.” Then, realizing his action he turned to give Yril’k another concerned look. The insect woman shook her head slightly, indicating it shouldn’t be a problem he hoped as he let go of the hand and sat back down.

As Dustin sat back, Meli leaned forward to take the now freed hand. “We all will, Trea’k. My li’ah’a has made his desires quite apparent to the three of us, and our family will act accordingly.” Rye chuckled then, her embarrassment seeming to be over. “What the nerd is saying, just in case she’s not made it clear enough to you in your newly formed befuddlement is that we’re a package deal. Get with our Dusty and you’ll be getting with all of us. Yril’k’s right, there’s no right way into our nest, but we’ll all pitch in and help you find your place.”

Emely gave Rye’s arm a loving squeeze and leaned forward too - although when she spoke it was in the chattering tones of Vex’esl, too soft for Sola’s auto-translate to pick up. The former queen blushed - Dustin wasn’t sure what exactly the fox girl had said to her, but he guessed it was markedly ruder than anything either Rye or Meli had been willing to say; Yril’k gave the Feliax a slightly shocked glance before muttering something herself. Emely’s tails gave a playful flick, and she replied in a louder voice and in English for some reason - “well of course you won’t be around. For starters, the beds in the officer’s wing are far too small.”