"Hello, Teresa. Put the cuttings over there. I will tend to them later," Yau-tala says, pointing to a small table beside the front window of the medical cabin.

  Teresa lays the basket of roots and other plant parts on the suggested table. She crosses to the larger table where Yau-tala is creating a medicinal powder using a mortar and pestle. She observes the yellowish powder with a scrunched face.

  "Let me guess. Yrotris powder? For arthritis?"

  "That is correct. I'm impressed, Teresa. I knew splitting your attentions with Halyiis would pay off. I also know, Binahytu is grateful for the occasional break. It allows him more time to forage in peace. Now, what is the liquid in that container at the center of the table?"

  Teresa squints and pretends to think on the question very hard. She glances sidelong at Yau-tala.

  "Favil Elixir. For digestive upset. A mixture of bihj root essence, y'ha powder, and powder made from the aged blood of a vildif."

  "Very wonderful! Your mind is the quickest of any assistant I have ever had. Although, I have only had four."

  "Is that supposed to be funny?"

  "I suppose," Yau-tala says with a sly smile. "I also need a large quantity of hyitram powder. Halyiis claims his brother's kin are stricken with horrendous flatulence. He believes they ate bad y'ha root."

  Teresa issues a brief laugh and places a hand on Yau-tala's shoulder. She squints mischievously, eliciting a similar reaction from the female settlement leader.

  "Poor Mifbon! To be stuck with a table full of farting yautja in-laws. Just when things between her and Halyiis are starting to heat up."

  Yau-tala joins in the laughter, beating the powder in her bowl with more gusto. Teresa intensely studies the other potions and elixirs on the table, her eyes taking in everything.

  "Why would you have need of L'so Elixir, Yau-tala? Three vials of it? Are you planning to have a party I don't know about?"

  Yau-tala grins like an imp, her thin hybrid lips curling upward. She picks up a small vial of the pale elixir and holds it up to the light. Thoughts of the fierce yet mysterious eril'k dance in her head. Mau-Nis, her first lover. Is this how n'fiis should feel? Is this how her father and mother had once felt? Yau-tala's grin loses some of its joyfulness as she meets Teresa's eye.

  "Most are for my father. He has made many requests for L'so Elixir lately. I have...No idea why he might need it. Or why he does not procure it for himself. After all, it was he who taught me to make the elixir. I made an extra vial for myself. Should Mau-Nis and your vil'par arrive unannounced. One must always be prepared."

  "You believe they are coming back?" Teresa says timidly, guilt gnawing at her innards.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  "Of course, I do. I have to. Your elder's eril'k...Is the first being I have ever felt n'fiis for. I have lived a great many ooman years on this world. In all of that time, I have walled myself up...Away from love. It was the false belief in love which created V'Daha. I did not want to fall for that trap. But Mau-Nis...There is a certain honor and dignity within him. I trust the words he speaks. Yes. I do believe he will return. When? I don't know. But I will be ready and waiting."

  Yau-tala's words chill Teresa to the bone. Is the hybrid settlement leader holding on to false hope? Or is she giving up too easily? Both cannot be true. What will she do if N-Vorl does return? Now that she and Elder Scar are so deep into their love affair.

  "Excuse me, Yau-tala. I had planned to check on the childlings around midday. Mifbon says Erilnis usually becomes belligerent about that time. He never wishes to nap. I'll be back as soon as I am done."

  Teresa rushes out of the medical cabin and toward home. Afterwards, she will make a quick detour. Or will she?

  -

  -

  Vildif and Darcy enter the temple and head for the back chamber. Around midday, Elder Scar usually visits Lex's shrine. Vildif hopes his father will be there. Excitement ripples through the settlement leader's body as he tightly grips the hand of his intended vil'par.

  As expected, Elder Scar is standing beside Lex's resin preservation chamber. His eyes are closed and one hand rests against the spot above the deceased woman's chest. Vildif hesitates only briefly before addressing his grieving father.

  '"Father? May I speak with you?"

  Scar's amber eyes slowly open and he turns to face his son, removing his hand from its resting place on Lex's chamber. He takes in the ooman female beside Vildif. Not unlike his Lex, the female possesses a very pleasing figure, her body filled out in all of the desirable places. There can only be one reason why Vildif would bring this female to him. Elder Scar smiles kindly and knowingly.

  "Speak, my son. I am listening."

  "Father, Darcy and I...My vil'par. We wish to perform the rite of Everlasting Love. Darcy wishes to have a ceremony similar to what the ooman's call a 'wedding'. She also wishes for you to lead the ceremony."

  Elder Scar's eyes fall affectionately on his future daughter-in-law. He offers her his clawed hand and she steps forward timidly. Scar takes Darcy's right hand and kisses the palm.

  The young female's scent changes drastically and her temperature rises. Scar is certain that were her skin the color of Teresa's, the ooman female would be blushing terribly. He meets her gaze and his smile does not waver.

  "I would be honored to perform the ritual. My son's happiness will bring me happiness."

  Darcy's breathing accelerates and she returns Scar's smile. Judging by her scent, the female is already heavy with Vildif's first descendant. It will be interesting watching her very ooman son play with his hybrid sibling.

  "Thank you, Elder Scar," Darcy utters in the yautja language.

  To the average person, Darcy's speech would appear to be nothing more than loud clicks and deep chittering sounds. She has spent many days practicing the phrase with Vildif. It was worth the effort based on the surprised expression which raises Elder Scar's brow.

  She bows her head respectfully. Elder Scar returns the gesture, his amber eyes narrowed, and a wolfish grin on his pleased face. The joyful elder kisses Darcy's palm a second time.

  "You are most welcome," Elder Scar chitters in return.

  Darcy has no idea what Scar has just said, but she nods again. Vildif is beside himself with excitement. He regains possession of Darcy's hand and motions for her to follow him. They must plan, and tell Yau-tala. As they head toward the front, Darcy takes a final glance over one shoulder. Elder Scar has returned to his place at Lex's shrine. However, he is no longer solemn. Scar touches the resin encasement and chitters softly.