What is a Mate?

Na'Vi shuffled her way around the bark and the leaves, scampering and leaping over from one stone to another. She had no clear goal in mind, just a need to be away. An excuse perhaps, to clear her head.

She discovered a pond in her walk going forward, looking far greater in size due to her feline form. Wiggling her rear and utilizing her strong hind legs, she had hopped and leaped from one stone onto the next, thankful that they were large enough in size for her to land on. On her last jump, she stumbled and lost her footing, slipping her paw forward and dunking it into the murky water getting her face wet with the splash. Frowning, she leaped over onto land and shook her body and fur, drying herself quickly before moving on. What was it she seeked, walking alone like this? She was aware of the dangers it presented, but shook the thought away and ignored it for a change. It didn't seem fair, then again life hadn't been fair to her.

Nor had she been fair to her friend.

Na'Vi felt her ears drop as those words of Dimyri echoed in her eardrums.

If I remember and it broke my heart, how do you think she felt before?

Awful, she thought to herself knowing it was the correct answer then. She would have felt like crying, and I can't bare seeing my Nityri in tears. But then, she isn't Nityri anymore is she? She's KuliKuli now, and she's his Nekomata mate.

Mate. Quite a vulgar manner of speaking I suppose, but it is direct and straightforward. Every Monster Girl can decide upon selecting a mate if they choose to, but it is a delicate and touchy process. She wiped a bead of remaining water from her face before looking up with wide eyes, finding herself in a cobblestone path and numerous homes in front of her.

Taking a closer look, she jumped atop a barrel and climbed her way atop one of the buildings before finding herself shaking and wobbling in her footing. The roof was not stable at all, in fact it was just cloth draped over like a blanket. Using her claws to scratch a hole through and peaking in, her stomach grumbled at the appearance of hidden treasures within. A large stand carrying numerous different meats, chopped up and sliced neatly for presentation. What drew her eyes was that of sliced salmon, a rare delicacy for Nekomatas.

These weren't houses, they were food markets. Or rather, just markets in general as Na'Vi looked around and discovered other houses with clothes or fur or anything else that was marketable. Hmm, must be a marketplace after all. Her thoughts were cut short at the sound of rumbling above, before a drop of rain fell between her furry ears. She brushed it off and hurried under the blanket of the meatshop, shaking her fur dry and helping herself to a slice of salmon. Yummy.

Taking a second bite of the tender goody, she sat up and looked ahead into the dirty stained wooden confines of the meatshop, staring as she recalled what Emyri had told them. Back in their old home, when Emyri had all the numerous Nekomatas sat down before teaching them the meaning of a mate and how to get one.

"A mate is someone you feel a connection to, a bond formed out of a deep love for each other. How do you explain what love is? I suppose that isn't something I can answer with ease, only to describe it simply as a feeling. Love is realizing how much you adore someone you feel compatible with, someone you can't live without."

"Cum-pat-ee-bull?" Nityri struggled to say with a puzzled look. The other Nekomatas giggled with Na'Vi giving them a crossed look.

"Compatible, dear. It's being able to coexist without conflict."

Na'Vi raised her hand. "So does this mean you never get into fights with your mate?"

"Not quite, every relationship is different and each one will have their share of fights, believe me." Emyri looked up as another paw was raised. "Yes?"

"So, if you and your mate have lots of fights is that bad?"

Emyri gave a look of concentration before responding to the young Nekomata. "Fighting in a relationship cannot be avoided, it is going to happen and to what extent or volume will vary for every couple. But that is not to say fighting is bad per say. Think of comparing their personalities for example, if two strong minded individuals were to get into a fight then naturally neither side will back down. Would this reflect that their relationship is an unhealthy one? Perhaps, but that cannot be directly stated without looking into it deeper. Does that answer your question?"

"Ehh... I think so?" The girl tilted her head, looking lost in comprehension as Emyri began to worry about her way of explaining things.

"Okay, let's be more simple. Getting into fights isn't always bad as long as something positive results from it. If both strong minded couples begin to communicate and undedstand how the other functions, they can begin to coexist at a healthier level and perhaps their fighting would lessen as so. A fight isn't always bad, it just shows that their is somethint worth resolving and learning from. Could be a difference in opinion, culture, or actions. As long as something good is learned from a fight by both members, than I would say a fight can be secretly a good thing to have."

"What if you don't have many fights?" Asked Dimyri. "Would that mean you work perfectly as a couple?"

Na'Vi and Nityri shared a knowing look, their tails intertwining.

"Hmm... yes and no. No fights would in theory be a good thing because you are given the idea that both individuals coexist perfectly. However there is also the possibility that one or the other prefers to avoid conflict and retreat or succumb to the others demands. This could then lead to an unhealthy build up of stress and frustration, which then wouldn't be so good in the end would it?"

"Oh. So then what is the secret to how you and daddy work?"

Emyri smiled. "I'd say... communication."

Na'Vi looked outside, watching the rain begin to fall and a carriage pulling in during the night. Perhaps a late traveller at this time making a late stop? She retreated into the shop upon noticing the man at the saddle stepping out and scooping up a woman in his arms.

A man and his mate?

Her eyes widened once she recognized the sleeping girl by the tails dangling from her as he carried her into one of the markets.

No, not a man. A hunter.