Page 47 of Purring, Presents, and Parties

She wasn’t having it and dug in her heels with a frown. “But I want to see everyone!”

Ari wiggled violently in Baz’s arms, and he was forced to place her on the ground before she got free and dropped with a lot less grace.

Holding out her arms, she sprinted to Zuri. “You’re awake! I’m so happy!” she shouted and grabbed the startled woman into a bear hug. She put her mouth right next to Zuri’s ear. “An inspector from the Committee of Pet Welfare is here. Did you guys shower before coming out here?”

Zuri caught on quickly and hugged her back before declaring loudly. “Ari, I haven’t seen you in marks!” Then whispered, “All I did was a quick spot wash. I’m dirty as fuck!”

“In both mind and body, I bet,” Ari quipped back, making Zuri snort out a laugh despite the tense situation. “Maybe you can pretend to suddenly be afraid of the dark or something. But do it fast and get back to the cottage.”

Ari could hear Baz and Nacium approaching, so she let go of Zuri and stepped back to give the woman acting room.

“I don’t feel good,” Zuri declared and swooned slowly to give Kasium plenty of time to catch her.

“Healer Kasium, you need to take that human to the infirmary immediately!” Baz ordered with the whooshing-snap of a decisive rattle.

Kasium didn’t need to be told a second time. Holding Zuri close to his chest, he ran in the direction of the infirmary, leaving the area before Nacium could get too close. Ari was about to breathe out a sigh of relief when Nacium started to follow.

“We should make sure she recovers,” he announced. “I have an acquaintance within the Verta Clan I can contact if she needs more care than your infirmary can provide.”

Ari was out of ideas and desperate when she saw Rain, Cherish, and Royal peering out from around one of the inactive builder bots. She gestured for them to come over, hoping theaddition of a few awake and interacting humans might distract Nacium from following up on Zuri.

“Kasium is a highly skilled healer,” Baz said, trying to get in front of Nacium and stop his progress. “Our presence in the infirmary might inhibit his effectiveness.”

Nacium started arguing with Baz as Ari watched Cherish lean over and whisper something to Royal. The little boy nodded his head then took off running for Nacium.

“Royal, come back!” Cherish yelled. She started running after her brother and then did a great job of tripping herself to the ground and started wailing. “Royal!”

Giggling, the little boy ran up to Nacium. “Hello! I’m Royal, and that’s my sister. She wants me to go to bed, but I need to measure things. Do you want to measure things with me?”

By the time Royal was done with his little speech, Nacium had dropped to his knees and was purring loudly. “You’re one of the cubs,” Nacium said, opening his arms.

Familiar with the gesture, Royal stepped into the embrace. He’d never known cruelty or unkindness from a Talin, so it didn’t occur to Royal to be afraid. Nacium’s purr got louder as he stood, hugging the little boy to his chest.

Turning to face Baz, he sounded a questioning rumble before going back to purring. “Why is this cub out at night?”

“That’s my fault,” Cherish said, stepping up to stand next to Nacium. “He loves to measure things with his multi-tech, and even though it was late, he wasn’t tired yet. I thought measuring a few things would wear him out, but he got away from me.”

“Both of you should’ve been locked in your enclosure,” Nacium stated, and Ari got a sinking feeling. They might have traded one trouble for another.

“I was escorting them,” Hesarium said, appearing out of the night. Ari jumped and hissed at his sudden appearance. “I stopped to fill a hole so no one would get a foot caught. Thesehumans have such tiny feet, and they don’t pay attention to where they step. I asked Cherish to hold her brother. She did not, and now we are here.”

Nacium looked Hesarium up and down, then over at Cherish who’d managed to produce some nice crocodile tears.

“It’s all my fault. I love my brother so much, it’s hard to say no when he wants to do something,” she explained.

Nacium reached out and patted her on the head. “I can understand; humans have little capacity for will power. You’re not to blame.” He looked up at Hesarium, and Ari held her breath. “You wished to keep them safe from themselves. I’ve read this is an all-consuming task. I commend your dedication.”

Blowing out her breath, Ari sagged against Baz. Damn, that was close. Thanks to the quick thinking of first Cherish, then Hesarium, no one was going to get in trouble tonight.

Ari swore they’d run more drills in the future because this wouldn’t be the last inspection they’d have to suffer through.

“What shall we measure first?” Nacium said as he popped Royal onto one of his hip crests. Royal pulled out his newer multi-tech and handed it to Nacium as Cherish spoke up.

“He wanted to measure the machines,” she said, pointing to the builders nearby. “After that, he promised to go to bed.”

That last part was stated with a meaningful look at Royal, who shrugged. “Sure,” he said, then pulled out the older multi-tech that had belonged to his father.

They measured every part of the builder, declaring all densities appropriate and safe. Then they measured some of the building materials and a few of the stones in the pathways under their feet. Finally Royal got the hint from Cherish and agreed it was bedtime. It wasn’t only Royal who seemed disappointed that the density measuring session was over.

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