-Twas The Night Before...

I went out to the living room and found Asquen looking at some of the various decorations that I had put up back during the start of the human month. His attention was on an antique nativity scene that was still mostly wrapped in brittle plastic that was showing its age. I walked over to an outlet and plugged in the string of lights that I had hanging around with some shiny garland. Asquen nearly jumped through the ceiling as the room was illuminated in a kaleidoscope of colors.

“Gods above, Calvin. Give a guy some warning.”

I chuckled as I walked by and lit two candles for more ambiance. “Sorry.” I simply stated as I put the lighter back in its place.

Asquen turned back to the nativity scene “Say Calvin, mind if I ask you something?”

Walking up to the rabbit I looked at the very old decoration. “Go ahead.”

“What is this? And why the miniature figures of humans and strange animals around a child in a crib?”

“That's called a nativity scene, its a representation of the very first Christmas when a very influential person was born.”

“Oh, so this is the birth of Santa Claus?”

“No,” I laughed and shook my head. “Santa Claus was a made up person that was made to represent the season many generations after this event took place to my knowledge. This is the birth of Jesus who was said to be the son of god. I don't know how true it was, but I believe that he existed and tried to help humanity to become better than what they were.”

“I see.” he said as he continued to examine the scene. He cooked his head. “How old is this?”

“It predates the start of the AE calendar by at least a hundred years. I just know its been in my family for generations and has been past along since they gotten it.” He nodded as silence fell between us. “Like something while we wait?”

“Water will be fine.”

I left him and went to my kitchen to grab a bottle water from the fridge and made myself a mug of hot cocoa. When I came back, we settled on the couch and just started talking. It was mostly about Christmas and a few other human customs that had survived our departure from our homeworld and into space. Thinking about it later, I think that Asquen was trying to keep me thinking about what was going on in the bathroom. Though at one point I did voice my worry.

“Don't fear.” Asquen said to me when I did, “Wyvera might not be a license doctor, but she comes from a family of them that practiced the medical arts. She knows what she's doing.” I couldn't help but ask why she wasn't a doctor if she had the knowledge. “Because,” He started. “Remember that I told you that Coushae's family lineage was more important to them than other species?” I gave it a thought and nodded. “When a Caushae mates, those who are in charge of the family must approve of the mating. So often times, the higher your ranking in a family, the more likely you're going to find yourself in an arranged mating. Wyvera's grandmother mated with a villein against her parents wishes and lost her status as part of the kameko.”

“Kameko?”

“The social class below what you call the nobles. The Kameko would be the equivalent of your military and medical personnel. As well as other administrations and lesser duties that the nobles don't do.” We went quiet again as we let the traded information settle into our heads. I had just finished a mug of cocoa that I made earlier when Wyvera came out and got me. Asquen tried to follow till his mate stopped him and told him to wait in the living room. Asquen gave me a look that said 'see told you.' I couldn't help but to chuckle.

I was kind of surprise to see the contents of the duffle bag scattered on my bathroom floor, some care products, a brush, at least two large towels, and I think some medical gizmo that I couldn't read to save my life. Following Wyvera's instructions, I helped her dry Xlilith off before gently picking her out of the tub. Despite Xlilith still being unconscious, I could feel her body temperature was better than when I brought her home. I took her to my room and placed her in my bed and pulled the covers over her. When I went to leave, Wyvera stopped me.

“Xlilith will be alright, but her body temperature is still in a state of flux. She will need help to fully recover.”

I looked back over my shoulder at the sleeping Caushae. “What should I do?”

“The best thing for her now is to have another core body next to her.” I looked at the feline and blinked. Before I could ask, she continued. “It might sound strange, but that's how our biology works. We are a partly psychic species, we connect to those of our family and to those that we love. Bonding with them on a subconscious level. Its my belief from what you've said earlier and from what you've done that you two have a bond, though it is weak from just being formed. And right now, she needs you next to her.” She walked up to me and placed a hand on my chest. “It is something that happens on a subconscious level that most of us don't even realize it has happen. Most don't even know about it.”

“But I take it you do because of your family's medical background?” She looked at me like I had just caught her with her hand in a cookie jar. “Asquen told me to calm me down from the worry I had for Xlilith.”

She shook her head. “That man... Sometimes I don't know what I'm going to do with him.”

“Love him for the caring person that he is and loves you right back.” She gave me a coy grin. “So, are you two going to be staying tonight?”

“No, I've done all I can for her.” she said as she walked out of the bedroom, I followed her out. “What's left is between the two of you. Besides... ” Asquen walked over to his mate and pressed his nose to hers in an Eskimo style kiss. “We really should get back to the kids. We will come back in a day or two to check up on the two of you. And don't worry about the stuff in the bathroom, we'll worry about it on our return.”

“Thank you, both of you, for everything.” I said as they started to make their exit.

“Take good care of her.” Wyvera said as she walked out the door.

Asquen looked back at me and smiled. “Till next time Calvin.” I watch as the mixed alien couple made their way down stairs and move to the window and watched them drive off after giving me a final wave and a thumbs up.

I walked back into the living room and started thinking about everything that was said. Could Xlilith have formed a bond with me and the two of us didn't even know it? I don't know and can't say for sure. I always thought that there were things in the universe that can't be explained away by science and needed some amount of faith. Just like there are things faith couldn't simply explain away without science. I found my self looking at the antique nativity decoration of mine as a thought crossed my mind. 'Faith Manages.' I blew out the candles I had lit earlier, but left the Christmas lights on; A kind of tradition that had been practiced in my family for Christmas Eve.

I changed into my pj bottoms after taking care of some of the mess in my bathroom so I... well, we wouldn't trip on anything. Walking into my room, I could hear a slight whimper coming from the bed. Walking over, I seen that Xlilith had curled into a ball and was clutching the blankets for security in what I hazard to guess was a nightmare of sorts. Her expression and body relaxed when I started to stoke her face, calming her down some. I pulled some of the bedding off and slipped underneath some of the covers. I wiggled myself in the bed so I was against her back and wrapped my arm protectively around her. Her whimper had slowly settled into a soft breathing as I nuzzled behind her and closed my eyes.

Darkness was all around me as I walked in the void, I had no idea how I got here or even where I was. I stopped as I heard soft crying, echoing like it was in a tunnel or cave. I continued onward, drawn to looking for the source of the crying. In what seemed like forever I spotted a little feline girl weeping on the floor, her face buried in her hands as she cried. I walked up to her and kneeled down in front of her.

“Hey sweetie...” I said in a soft soothing voice. “Are you alright?”

“N-no...” She said between sobs. “I... I want to find my friends but I can't find her. N-Now I-I'm lost. I don't know what to do...”

I reached out and started to stroke the top of her head, rubbing the two cat like ears that poked out of the sea of blonde hair. “Hey, its ok. I'm hear now. I'll help you find them.”

She looked up at me with two bright emerald eyes. She sniffled as she looked at me, “You... You will?”

I nodded. “Yes.” I held out my hand to her. She wiped the remaining tears from her face with her arm before taking my hand. As we stood up, I felt a growing warmth from our hands and soon we were enveloped in a light...