Early the next morning, Feral made his way to the M.A.S.A. Space Center. He'd already had his secretary clear his schedule for the day. At the security gate, the guard on duty waved him through. He drove to the area given to the alien for his mother ship. As he came in sight of it, he still felt in awe. It was simple in design but huge. It was still worrisome that a ship that size could still pose a dangerous threat to their world if its occupant was not as friendly as it claimed to be. Feral shivered. 'Don't borrow trouble, not everyone visiting our planet needs to be hostile. Even though so far all the ones before had been.' He remembered darkly. He prayed this time they would be lucky.
Except for the guards, it seemed quiet around Jeraz's ship. He parked and climbed out to walk cautiously up close to it and waited. Jeraz had opted to stay in his ship last night which made it easier to guard him. Today, though, Feral wanted to escort him to his guest quarters and to take him to Pumadyne where the scientists wanted to ask him more questions. He wondered just how long he would have to wait before he was noticed.
Apparently, not long as a humming sound began somewhere near where he was standing. Seconds later, Jeraz appeared in front of him like magic. He nearly jumped out of his fur. This was too much like a trick of MadKats for comfort.
"My apologizes, Commander Feral. A matter transporter is the only way to leave the mother ship. I'm sorry to have startled you." Jeraz said quietly.
"It's not a form of travel we're used to but unfortunately we've seen it's like before with a criminal who used magic. It's a bit disconcerting." Feral admitted and accepted Jeraz's apology.
"I've never seen magic before though more primitive cultures do think some of what kat kind uses as normal transport is magical to them. It's just a more advanced technology. Something I'm sure your kind will develop on your own. You are certainly on your way. You are a very bright species and I'm glad I happened upon you." He smiled warmly.
Feral couldn't help but smile back. This alien set off pleasant feelings within him that were just a little disconcerting. He was not normally so comfortable when meeting someone new. Shaking himself mentally, he got down to business.
"I've come to escort you to the quarters Mayor Manx has given you for your stay in our city. After that I'm supposed to take you to Pumadyne, our major scientific center, to meet with some of our leading scientists." He said smoothly.
"Okay, sounds like a good plan for the day. If you'll be so kind as to wait a few minutes while I go get a few things to take to my new quarters, we will be on our way." Jeraz said agreeably.
"Certainly. I'll wait for you here." Feral said as he watched in fascination as Jeraz disappeared again. Some ten minutes later, Jeraz reappeared with two pieces of odd looking luggage. Nodding, Feral led the way to his hummer. They stowed the luggage in the back and he showed Jeraz how to get in and use the seat belt. They were soon on their way uptown toward the swank apartment complex where Ms. Briggs and many of the upper elite singles resided. Feral preferred a more understated apartment that was secluded as well as close to Enforcer Headquarters and not very far from Werekat Central.
Being alone with their alien visitor allowed him to study the male a little closer. He was even more striking close up. Jeraz exuded confidence and power that should have set his were instincts on alert instead they were questing for more contact. Something about the male drew him like a magnet. Jeraz's features were rather sharp making him handsome rather than beautiful though his eyes were like deep pools that caught his attention more than they should have. He found himself suddenly uneasy. 'Why did this creature strike such a positive cord with him?' His scent was sending all kinds of inappropriate signals to his body.
Jeraz looked around at the city as it passed by his window. He was aware of the scrutiny the Chief Enforcer was giving him. He smiled inwardly. This was going better than he'd hoped. The big kat's natural scent was even more enticing than the whiff he'd gotten on their first meeting. He had chosen well. Now he had to convince this handsome creature they had a future together.
"You said, during your initial interview, that you'd been watching our planet for about a year. Were you focused on anything in particular?" Feral asked cautiously as he navigated through heavy traffic.
"I watched your whole planet for some months before focusing my attention on any one place, Commander. I observed how your various countries behaved, your monetary system, your militaries, systems of government, agriculture, how you interact with each other, that sort of thing. Megakat City, being the largest community on the planet, eventually, caught my undivided attention so I centered my interests on familiarizing myself with its workings before dropping in to meet you." Jeraz politely informed him.
"Exactly how much detail were you able to obtain from your perch in space?" Feral was concerned about just how much Jeraz had really been able to see.
"My equipment is capable of zooming in really close. I was able to see specific kats as they went about their affairs, if that is what you wish to know. Why don't you ask me directly whom I was observing, Commander instead of fishing, I believe the term is?" Jeraz asked, giving Feral a small smile of amusement.
Gritting his teeth, he realized Jeraz was playing with him and he wasn't happy about it. "Very well, who were you observing and why?" Feral asked bluntly.
"Since I would be meeting them, it made sense to be familiar with all the major players of your city. So I watched your leaders and, of course, you, as Chief Enforcer as well as were society. Your leader is a very impressive and powerful individual. I would very much like to meet him very soon. I'd appreciate it if you, as his second in command, were to set up a meet for me." Jeraz said smoothly.
Feral had just pulled up at the apartment complex when Jeraz gave that little bit of information. He jerked around to gape at the alien. "You've seen me?"
"Of course. I've seen all of the pride when you alter and run free in the woods north of the city. You are breathtakingly beautiful creatures. I admit to watching frequently over the last six months. How I envy your abilities. That is why I'm so intent on ending this problem between weres and kats." Jerez explained fervently.
"I also have a personal desire in seeing peace between your species. Remember me saying I was looking for a mate? What I didn't specify was my wish for a were mate." He said watching Feral intently.
"Uh, yes I remember...wait did you say were?" Feral blurted completely shaken now.
"Yes!" Jeraz continued to watch the big tom waiting for him to make the connection.
Trying to gather his scattered wits Feral focused on getting more information. "Did you have a specific individual in mind?"
"Most definitely. A most magnificent were, whom I know to be unmated. I have met him in person which has firmed my resolve to make him my mate." Jeraz's voice had deepened taking a darker tone.
Feral gulped and felt his body flush with heat. The only were Jeraz had met was himself. 'Oh hell no!' His mind reared in panic. Jeraz wanted him? Instead of being upset and angry his were was fairly jumping for joy and begging him to let Jeraz do anything he wanted. 'There is no way! Uh, Uh! Down Baby!' Feral desperately pushed down his were's demand. It howled angrily before it finally retreated grumbling.
Taking a deep breath, Feral regained his composure, "We don't know each other and I haven't any reason to trust you. I think you are being overly optimistic." He said stiffly. "For now, let me take you to your quarters and get you over to Pumadyne." Feral continued, getting out of his vehicle and retrieving Jeraz's luggage.
Jeraz got out and eyed his mate to be. 'So he was going to play hard to get, hey. Well, that's alright. I enjoy a good chase.' He tugged one of his bags from Feral and followed the fuming Commander to the bank of elevators in the elegant lobby. They stepped into the waiting car and went up in silence. Feral was unwilling to speak to the alien who eyed him speculatively.
At the penthouse floor, Feral led the way to one of three doors. Unlocking the door at the end of the short hallway, he gestured for Jeraz to enter. He walked into a beautifully appointed living area with huge windows looking out over the city.
"Very nice. I must thank Mayor Manx for the pleasant quarters. It's better than some places I've found myself." Jeraz said, pleased with the accommodations. He dropped his bag onto one of the couches. Feral placed the other one on a nearby chair.
"Do you wish to stay here a bit or shall we go on to Pumadyne?" He asked flatly hiding his agitation.
"Oh, by all means let's go there. I'm sure they are becoming impatient for my arrival." Jeraz smiled pleasantly ignoring Feral's surly behavior.
The drive to Pumadyne was made in silence. Jeraz was amused by his soon to be mate's agitation. He would bide his time but he would not wait forever. The Commander would learn Jeraz did not give up easily.
He had intended to shadow Jeraz during his time at Pumadyne but after what had been said, he thought a strategic retreat was in order. Seeing Jeraz situated and carefully guarded at Pumadyne, Feral quickly left for Enforcer Headquarters.
Later that afternoon he was called to retrieve Jeraz. With a great deal of trepidation, he left his office to retrieve their alien guest. He'd already called Tam to tell him of Jeraz's request, however, Tam was locked up in meetings with the other alphas. Klara didn't know when he'd be free. Sighing, he arrived at Pumadyne. The guards had seen him and was escorting Jeraz to his vehicle. As soon as he was seatbelted, Feral drove back uptown.
"Did they feed you?" He asked politely.
"Yes they did, thank you for asking." Jeraz said pleasantly. "Did you succeed in getting a meeting set up for me with your alpha?" He asked.
"Sorry, no. Your revealing our existence to our leaders has caused an uproar that has my alpha at the center of a storm of protests from our older holdouts. He was too busy to speak with me at this time. I left him a message." Feral shrugged.
Jeraz sighed. "Well then if you will return me to my quarters, I would appreciate it." He had plans to make that involved catching a certain reluctant were.
"Certainly." Feral agreed with relief.