Page 81 of Right Next Door
“It’s what it is.”
“But not what it used to be, right?”
Tsok frowned but Davard inclined his head in agreement.
“That is correct. Females typically didn’t resist the rut. A female doesn’t lose her mind like the male, so they would enjoy it for what it was.”
“And then after?”
“Afterwards, the new mates would spend time together and form a proper relationship. Our species attach quickly and irrevocably to our mates. When we’re not resisting it, of course. Though, it’s a losing battle. Those who mate by accident tend to develop a close relationship afterwards, even now.”
“That is what Senior Boktare is resisting,” Tsok told her. “He will only change his mind if there is a way to know, forsure, that both parties agree to this.”
Misty frowned. She was tempted to offer suggestions – even something as simple as a contract – but she kept her thoughts to herself. These were powerful, smart people. Surely, they’d already thought about that and argued it down.
“What kind of proof does he want?”
“Inarguable.”
“That’s… difficult,” she frowned. “I’m not really understanding. What kind of proof could he possibly want? What would be good enough for him?”
“That’s the problem we’re having. Nothing I suggest is good enough. Verbal agreements can be lies. Contracts can be forged.He also seems to think that people would be too eager to do it. Too excited at the prospect of having sex, and they’d rush into it without considering the full ramifications.”
Misty cocked her head in confusion. “Wait… like abstinence? I didn’t think your people practiced abstinence.”
“The strictest of us do,” Davard said, grinning proudly. “I’ve never touched a female sexually in my life.”
“But it’s not a requirement,” Tsok added, thinking of his past paramours. “Those who do are considered highly admirable, but those of us who do not are encouraged to keep such relationships strictly about the sex and not to mix feelings into it.”
“That explains some things,” she mumbled before shaking her head. “So, he’s thinking that people will rush into mating just for sex, even before they’re prepared for what the rut actually involves.”
“Essentially,” Tsok agreed. “Boktare and I may disagree in what we’re arguing about, but we both agree that the safety and wellbeing of our people come first. We’re just coming at it from opposite sides of the argument.”
“So, you don’t think people will rashly rush into mating?”
“Oh, of course they will,” he chuckled. “But foolish hotheads exist everywhere. I can’t protect the population from every dumb decision. And at the end of the day, they will be with their mate. They’ll be fine. The rut may surprise some of them, but they’ll learn soon enough. And, of course, they will be taught to practice caution and common sense. The education curriculum can include sex and sexuality to teach them what to expect when the rut comes.”
“It used to,” Davard added, smiling. “It can be revived.”
“See?” Tsok nodded once, satisfied. “No problem. Some people will be fools, but that is inevitable. I still believe in letting people find their mate and mate them in their own time.”
“Okay.” She nodded slowly. “Let me ask you this: How come you’ve never talked about mating me?”
“Because I’m not mating you,” he said simply.
“Oh, really,” she said, her voice completely calm. “Any particular reason for that?”
“I’m proving that it’s possible.”
“Even if others are allowed?”
“So long as Boktare has the argument that there’s no way to know for sure, yes. I am determined.”
“And did you ever think to talk tomeabout that?” Her voice was still totally peaceful, but something about it brought him up short. He hesitated, looking over at her.
Misty’s eyes narrowed. Glaring at him. Waiting for an answer he couldn’t bring.
Because, honestly, no he hadn’t.
