"Greetings, Kahal." King Jopheth nodded to his son as he joined them in the dining hall.

"Greetings all." Kahal took his seat across from his father as he glanced down at the table. Nods and words of greetings were given just as food was brought in.

"I always look forward to these weekly dinners with the whole family." Queen Thala announced as she spooned the contents of a dish onto her plate. And of course having Lady Biechta join us has been quite a treat as well. Have you been enjoying your stay?"

"Yes, my queen. Thank you for your hospitality."

"You're quite welcome. Tell me, what about the grand hall have you enjoyed the most so far?"

"Oh." Biechta paused, obviously nervous. "It has all been so lovely, my Queen, I couldn't possibly choose."

"Splendid." Thala replied. "I hope my eldest son has proven hospitable? You two are getting to know each other well, I assume?"

Biechta's mouth opened but words didn't come out at first. She glanced at the eldest son, then turned back to the queen and just gave her a simple nod.

Queen Thala looked at her son with concern. "Kahal?"

He didn't miss the authoritative tone in her voice. "My queen." He said before taking a sip of his water. "Lady Biechta has shown great interest in the Grand Hall's arts, which I'm sure you know are much more vast than what she has access to in the Eastern Quadrant."

Biechta tensed, nervous he would make a scene again as he had when telling her situation to his brother, but calmed just slightly when he said no more.

"Oh, splendid." Thala turned to Biechta.

"Yes, it was a pleasure to have you at our rehearsal, Lady Biechta." Halan, Joreth's wife added.

Biechta was too nervous to speak so she simply nodded and gave Halan a slight smile.

"Halan, how is the production going?" Ashima asked from down the table, beside Kietnan and across from Joreth and his wife.

"It's going to be magnificent!" She exclaimed. "The most fantastical production ever to grace the theater. Qarthans will have a hard time believing it's not fiction!"

Ashima laughed and smiled brightly. "Yes, I would imagine so. I'd have a hard time believing the story myself, if I wasn't there and a part of it."

"Speaking of which, can you come by within the next few days? I need your opinion on some script changes."

"More changes?" Kahal groaned. "The last approval was the final one. I do not have time to read so many script changes during my busy schedule."

"These are simple stage directions, Kahal. I'm not changing anything else that needs your approval." She glared at him and he narrowed his eyes at her in return. Eventually they both chuckled and returned to their meal.

Conversation moved to another subject and Biechta watched in amazement as the family conversed, smiled, and teased each other. They all seemed so... comfortable. She had never had meals like this at her family table.

"Lady Biechta?"

"Hmm?" She looked up, trying to see who addressed her.

"I was asking if you and Kahal have arrangements for more meetings to continue getting to know each other or do I need to have another word with him about his busy schedule." Thala asked.

"Mother." Kahal said warningly.

Biechta's mouth fell open and she quickly closed it, trying to school her features to hide her surprise.

"Well?"

"Lord Kahal has been a gracious host." Was all she could think to say.

"I am correct in assuming he has given you tours of many areas of the grand hall by now?"

Biechta paused. "Lord Kahal was kind enough to provide a tour of the East terrace garden, my Queen." She said meekly.

"That is all?" King Jopheth asked, raising a brow at his son. "Surely you have seen more of the grand hall than that in the time you have been here."

"Oh, of course my King." Biechta answered quickly. "Lord Kietnan and Lady Ashima were kind enough to take me on a hike that provided a wonderful view of the Grand Hall as the sun rose over the mountains." She glanced at Ashima before looking back to the king and queen. "I have also toured the theater wing, the music hall, and a few of the art galleries."

Queen Thala was quiet for a moment before she spoke again. "Am I correct in guessing it was not my son who escorted you to any of these?" Queen Thala asked in disbelief as she made the realization.

"I..." she glanced at Othen.

"Of course it would make more sense for your other son to introduce her to everything in the art wing." Kahal said in defense.

"Othen?" The queen turned to look at her younger son.

"Naturally, I take an interest in sharing the magnificent arts of the grand hall with someone who has never experienced them."

"Ah. I see." Queen Thala replied, frowning.

"Lady Biechta, perhaps you would join me for a walk after this evening's meal. There is a breathtaking sunset view I have been wanting to show you."

"Yes, that would be wonderful, my lady. Thank you."

"Just call me Ashima, Lady Biechta. I have no title."

"Oh?" Lady Biechta's brows furrowed in confusion.

Kietnan cleared his throat and a smile covered his face as he squeezed Ashima's hand. "Speaking of which. We have an announcement to share with all of you."

Biechta watched as they smiled at each other. She had never seen any Qarthan's smile so openly. Watching the male and this alien woman staring at each other so lovingly made something inside of her squirm in discomfort.

"We have decided." Kietnan began. "We will have our official joining ceremony in eight weeks time. On the morning of the five month anniversary of the day we met."

"What joyous news!" Queen Thala and King Jopheth stood and gave their son and future daughter-in-law a small bow of respect and congratulations. The happy couple returned the salutation with bright smiles on their faces. Biechta stood with the others surrounding the table, repeating the act of congratulations.

"I'm so happy to have another female officially join the family." Biechta heard Joreths wife Halan tell Ashima as she reached across the table and they joined hands briefly as everyone returned to their seats.

Biechta's hand tingled as she wondered what it would be like to have a friend like that and to be part of a family like this. One that cared about each other's thoughts and feelings. One that listened to each other's wishes and dreams.

An hour later they all stood, saying goodbyes and exiting the dining room. Biechta glanced at a corner to see the king and queen speaking to Kahal and Othen, who looked like small children being scolded by their parents. Othen's eyes met hers for a short moment before she quickly turned her attention to a small hand on her forearm, causing her to flinch.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I keep forgetting Qarthans aren't as open with touch as humans are. Please forgive me, Lady Biechta."

"Oh. Ashima." She breathed a sigh of relief. "It is alright, you simply startled me."

Ashima smiled. "Shall we go on that walk?"

"Yes, please." She gave one last glance to the conversation in the corner before following Ashima out of the room.

They walked in silence until they were outside where Ashima drew in a deep breath. "The Grand Hall is beautiful but I can find it stifling at times. I need regular visits outside to get fresh air. But mainly so I can have some time to myself. Do you ever feel that way?"

"Oh. Um.... I haven't spent much time outside."

"Right." Ashima chuckled to herself, feeling silly that she could have forgotten such a thing. "Do you have something you like to do when you need to take a breath and get away from everything that's troubling you?"

"Oh, I see what you mean." She drew in a deep breath as they continued down a path into a large garden. Biechta noticed this one had more of a natural feel than the floral garden Kahal had led her through. There were trees and bushes and a stone path that wound through the nature rather than the nature being conformed around the path.

"I usually retire to my room and read."

"Any particular subject?"

"Whatever I had available. Which was usually educational materials."

"Do you have a favorite subject? I naturally preferred anything about space travel but also loved anything to do with flight or exploration. Even non-fiction can be an escape from the mundane when you're reading historical accounts of exploration."

Biechta noticed the excitement in Ashima's voice and it calmed her a bit. "I know what you mean. That is exactly why I would read. An escape. You can drown your mind in the subject and forget about what's happening around you." Biechta's eyes rounded and her mouth parted slightly as she stopped walking and turned to face Ashima. "I shouldn't have said that. Please don't tell anyone." Biechta pleaded.

Ashima chuckled. "Lady Biechta, I promise I won't say a word. You can tell me anything you'd like, I won't betray your trust. Everyone needs a friend they can confide in. I'm happy to be that for you."

Biechta stared at the small, alien woman for a moment before releasing a sigh and nodding her head. "I truly appreciate that, Ashima." For some reason she felt safe around the female. Perhaps it was because of her constant smile and how easily her emotions could be read on her face and posture.

They continued walking and Ashima spoke next. "On my planet, friends call each other by more familiar names. Do you mind if I just call you Biechta? When it is only us two girls, of course. Or do you have a nickname you like?"

"Nick...name?"

"That's what we call a special name that only friends and family call us. My name is Ashima but Kietnan calls me Shima. That is his nickname for me."

"Oh."

"Many people on earth go by nicknames. I had a friend named Elizabeth, which as you can see is quite a mouthful. So she always told friends to call her Liz as a nickname. And her family called her Beth."

"Oh, I see!"

"But you don't have to have a nickname, of course. Most everyone always called me Ashima, which was fine because I've always liked my name."

"Then why does Lord Kietnan call you Shima? Oh, I apologize, was that appropriate to ask?" Ashima laughed and Biechta found it strange but soothing.

"No, it's fine to ask. Also, my people are very comfortable with personal questions. You can be comfortable asking me anything you wish. And I was serious about being friends. If you ever have anything you'd like to talk about, anything where you need advice or just a listening ear. Please come find me, ok?"

Biechta nodded timidly. "Ok."

"Anyway, at first he struggled to pronounce my name and it came out as just Shima." She shrugged. "It stuck. But I like that he has a special name just for us two to share."

Biechta nodded as they walked for a moment in silence before speaking quietly as if she might get in trouble. "I never really liked my name all that much."

"Oh? Did you ever think of what you'd like to be called if you had the choice?"

She shook her head. "No, there was no point in dwelling on such things."

"What about Bi? That would be the easy choice for a nickname for you if we were on my planet."

Her lips turned up slightly in a light smile. "I like that."

"Bi it is then!" Ashima beamed. "And if you'd like to decide a nickname for me you are welcome to. But not Shima, which is officially reserved for Kietnan." She chuckled

"I think Ashima suits you fine."

"Ashima it is for me, then. See we're going to be great friends!"

Biechta offered a genuine smile this time. She had never had a friend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Author's Note:

A bit shorter of a chapter but I hope you've enjoyed getting a glimpse of what's happening with Ashima & Kietnan! There will be a lot more of them in this story in a bit.

I'm looking for ideas of some neat wedding traditions that the Qarthans can have, as Ashima & Kietnan try to plan a blended ceremony. What ideas do you have? There are so many different traditions that already exist here on our reality that it's hard to come up with something different!