Meeting an Empress

The descent to the surface of Feliaxas was surprisingly uneventful. The planet had gravity and atmosphere only fractionally different from Earth, and the Solar Ascent cutting through the cloud layer reminded Dustin of his departure from his home world at the start of his mission. What lay below however was very different. Where on Earth he had left from the heart of one of the largest cities on the planet - all steel and glass - here the ship descended towards a vast mansion complex nestled between three green hills. Further afield on the horizon great gilded spires rose high into the sky - the pillars of the major cities of the Feliax, Meli explained as they descended towards a landing pad that appeared to have been decorated with a king’s ransom in precious metals and artwork. Dustin winced as the ship set itself down with the utmost care - he didn’t want to think about the cost of replacing any part of their berth.

As per orders, he’d been on deck when the craft had undergone re-entry. As soon as they landed however, he turned from where he’d been standing and hurried to meet with the others - Rye and Meli already waiting by the access turbolift to descend to the planet’s surface. As the lift slid down towards the pad where Dustin could see a lone Feliax awaiting them, he marvelled at the decorations adoring the imperial palace. It truly was a breath-taking sight - frescoes, plants and sculpture forming a harmonious whole despite utterly different contents. “They are masters at appreciating art, aren’t they?” Meli mused by his shoulder, before stepping around to adjust his hat and giving him a quick final glance over. With a nod to herself, she stepped back into position at his side just as the lift landed and the door slid open.

A tall man in an elaborate black-on-black suit looking like the world’s most understated butler stepped forward, a single bushy tail gently flicking from side to side behind him. Pausing as the trio left the lift, he bowed deeply. “The patriarch of the clan Felias greets the ambassador from Earth.” Dustin was taken aback for a brief moment before dropping into his own bow. “The Earth ambassador greets the patriarch of the Empress. I am honoured by such a greeting.” Meli had coached him on a range of potential greeters - the patriarch of the Empress’s own pride had not been on the list of probable suspects but she had added an appropriate response just in case. The Velca stepped forward after the men had finished their formal greetings and spoke in a much more hostile tone. “First of the pride of Smith, Ambassador of Earth greets the patriarch. Why have you been chosen to honour our pride so?”

She’d readied Dustin on this too - as the matriarch of his “pride”, she’d need to be dismissive of anyone of lower station during formal greetings. Which, as he was an Ambassador included the vast majority of Feliax on the planet he guessed, even the imperial husband. For his part, the patriarch appeared to have been expecting this. “Esteemed matriarch, if I may speak freely?” A curt nod from Meli encouraged the man to continue, his features shifting into the kind of smile Dustin normally associated with foxes. “We have heard much of the human species, and the Empress wishes for good relations between their kind and ours. You are no doubt aware of the colony issues we have historically faced. Our research indicates the humans may go some way to assisting in resolving our lack of population issues. To be more exact, she believes in it enough to give the Ambassador a pride greeting in the throne room - and she believes that this might be awkward for the ambassador if I do not have a personal word with him beforehand.”

Meli stared at the man for a moment before sighing. “I should have predicted this.” Turning to Rye, she offered her arm. “My apologies, my second. I overlooked a potential situation in my planning. If you will walk with me, we will proceed while the patriarchs hold their discussion.” Rye flashed Dustin a quick grin before looping her arm through Meli’s. “As you request, matriarch.” Dustin hoped the Feliax wouldn’t be insulted by the sarcasm in Rye’s tone - but he just shrugged and paused for a moment to allow the women to create a little space along the walk from the landing pad to the palace. “My name is Eriff val Motea val Felias, ambassador.” He said once he judged the two had gone far enough away to allow some privacy, adding “but you can just call me Eriff outside of the pompous bits. Sorry about that by the way, we’ve got to do a bit of ceremonial bollocks for the look of the thing.”

Dustin raised an eyebrow at the sudden informality, then shrugged and offered his hand. “Dustin Smith. And don’t worry about it - I’m not sure where you’ve hidden the cameras in all this artwork, but I presume there was recording of everything official?” Eriff shook the offered hand and gave a low chuckle. “Indeed. I’m not even sure where they all are and I live here. But anyhow, let’s walk and talk. I expect your matriarch has done her best to fill you in on our culture, but my beloved and her second have decided to step things up a notch. Unlike her, I actually read through the briefing notes your matriarch sent us - her imperial cuteness relies on me to catch things like this.” He stared up at the sky and smiled at that, before glancing back at Dustin. “Yes, we’re an odd pair by our species’ standards as you’re no doubt aware. I have far more roles than is traditional, which causes no end of strife with the pompous ducal asses that run half this planet, but she’s the Empress and so what she says goes.”

Keeping an even pace, Dustin found himself warming to the strange fox-like man; it was hard to dislike his casual manner and offhanded commentary on his species. After a few moments however Eriff sighed and waved an arm in the direction of the palace they were rapidly approaching. “You’re going to get a pride greeting. It’s the kind of thing my dear matriarch usually only does for ducal families and is a great honour. Now, having read the notes I can guess what’s going to happen - and I don’t want to spoil your reactions because if I do the imperial second is going to hold it over me for a month. On the other hand, her imperial majesty asked me to give you some warning to alleviate any concerns you might have. So, with that in mind - don’t worry about it, it’ll be considered a mark of respect if you just do what comes naturally, and I certainly won’t be offended. Ah, here we are.”

As he concluded his strange instruction, Eriff lead Dustin through the wide doors and into the palace proper - and, he was surprised to note directly into what appeared to be a throne room. A grand seat filled the far end of the hall they had entered, and the walls were lined with women dressed in a range of suits, dresses and robes. One figure however drew the eye immediately. Seated on the grand throne, with tails spilling over the side like a ball-gown was a woman with deep red hair that blended into her fur and a regal expression. The fur was ornately styled Dustin noted, whirling over pale skin like tattoos from her neck to her ankles, emphasizing the the curves of her body in a most artistic manner. As he took this in, the woman leaned forward slightly, spreading her legs as she did so and grinning at him with a predatory expression that would have made his blood run cold if it hadn’t largely already dived for his groin. Unlike every other figure in the room, the Empress of the Feliax was completely naked.