Katja Pt. 04

Celia laughed, "Trust me, it confuses a lot of others also. Come. Let's go back in front, he's waiting and I know how much he hates not being somewhere when he said he would."

They walked out and saw Erik looking at a display of figures. He turned when he heard them and he smiled. He hugged and kissed Katja, then said, "Look at this love, isn't it beautiful?"

Katja look to where he indicated, and her eyes opened wide, it was a beautiful statue of the Goddess Bast. "Oh my, She is so beautiful, the eyes look like it's alive."

Erik nodded, "Yes, the eyes are what caught my attention to it. It's like my statue of Brigit, the eyes made me buy it. My mate, I've seen these eyes and I'd like to see you have it. We can put this one with mine and it will be like us and my vison. Is this alright with you?"

Katja smiled and hugged him, "Of course it is, I would like that. And I like the idea of joining our altar's as we are joined."

Erik picked it up and brought it to the counter and Celia told her assistant she'd take care of it. Erik pulled out his wallet to pay for it, but Celia but her hand over his and said, "No Erik, this is a mating gift for you and Katja. Take it and join your alters as you and she are joined."

Erik smiled, he knew Celia long enough to know not to argue with her. So, he took the price of the statue out of his wallet, and put in in the donation jar she had on the counter for the local animal shelter she supported. "Thank you, Celia," He said simply.

She wrapped it up for them, they said goodbye an made their way over to the café they were going to eat at. As they were walking to the café, he asked Katja, "Look up ahead of us, isn't that Leone, Petra, and Niki?"

Katja nodded, "I think so, it looks like them. I wonder how they got here?"

They sped up and once they got closer, Erik called out to Leone. Leone looked around and saw them. He stopped and said something to the other two, then he waved and waited for them to catch up.

Erik smiled as they caught up with them. "It's good to see all of you, how to you get here?"

Leone and the other two smiled also. "Lieutenant Woodes, Ensign Katja, it's good to see you also. The commander arranged to have a shuttle bus bring us and anyone else who wanted to come, then it will take us back afterwards. He thought it would be a good idea, since we had no way of going anywhere yet. This way we could see more than just near the ship."

Erik smiled, this was something he had put in his report. He was glad they had implemented it.

"That's great, I'm glad you're able to get away from the ship for a while. How do like the village?"

Petra smiled, "It's so nice, I love all the little shops and places, there is so much to see. It kind of reminds me of home-world."

Niki smiled and agreed, "Yes, this is so much different than I expected, I've seen pictures of the, mall, I believe you call it, near us. We don't have places like that. I agree with Petra, there is a lot to see."

Erik noticed that when he said this, his eyes had cut to the side to look at the two young human girls that had just walked by and smiled as they passed him.

Erik grinned, "Yes Niki, I can see your enjoying all the scenery."

Niki blushed, then grinned himself shrugging slightly.

Erik laughed and slapped him on the arm. "So, where are you all headed now?"

Leone smiled saying, "We thought we'd get something to eat somewhere, so we were looking for a place."

Erik looked at Katja and raised his eyebrows. She smiled and nodded. "Look," He started, "we're also going to get something to eat and we're meeting Ariel and her mate hopefully at the café. Why don't you three join us for lunch. That way if you have any question we can help you. Okay?"

The three of them agreed quickly and they all headed over to the café. Just as they got there, he saw Tony and Ariel walking up the street towards them. He waved to them, and Tony saw them so he smiled as he waved back.

They all greeted each other, and Ariel asked the same question Erik did. She smiled as they told her and she turned to Erik and winked. She had also looked over the report and knew it was his idea.

Erik said, "Well, since everyone's here, why don't we go in. He headed up the pack of them and he waited for the host to come over. When the host saw the size of the party he said, "I hope you don't mind, but the only tables we have large enough are the ones out on the patio. Would that be all right sir?"

Erik nodded, "Sure that's fine, it's a beautiful day out."

The host led them to the patio and handed out the menus saying the waiter would be there momentarily. They looked through the menu's and Erik answered a few questions on some of the items listed. The waiter came up and introduced himself, then took the drink order.

As he left, he shook his head in amazement at the three beautiful girls at the table. This was the first time he was this close to one of the newcomers and he wondered if all the females were this gorgeous or if they were exceptions.

He came back with their drink order and since they all ordered iced tea, it made it easy, He put a glass of ice at each place and three pitchers of ice tea around the table. He took his pad out and asked if they were ready to order. They told him what they wanted as he went around the table and he smiled as he told them it be out as soon as possible.

While they waited they talked about various things and what other places there were to go and see the next time they had off. So, Erik told about some other places they should see and Tony added some also.

Tony intimidated the young crew members a little, just by his size. Put him in a helmet and give him a battle ax, then send back about a thousand years and he wouldn't looked out of place on a Viking long ship. But as Ariel found out, he normally was nothing but a big teddy bear, and didn't have mean bone in his body. So, as they talked more, they got used to him and soon were laughing along with him as he told them stories about him and Erik.

Then heard someone call his name and he turned around to see Suzi from the bar, walking up to them.

He smiled, "Suzi, how are you? I see you finally got a day off."

Suzi smiled at him," Yes finally, and since it was such a pretty day, I decided to come up here and get waited on instead of me doing it. So, who are your friends? I remember your mate from the day at the bar. But I don't believe I ever got her name."

Erik nodded, "Suzi, this is my mate Katja, and next to her is Ariel and her mate, an old friend of mine, Tony. The other three are, Leone and his friend, Petra. And last but not least, is Niki.

Suzi smiled and said hi to all of them. Then she smiled at Erik and said, "Well, I'll let you all enjoy your lunch, it was nice meeting or re-meeting all of you."

Then Erik said, "Wait Suzi, if you're eating here, why not join us? No sense eating alone, we've got room and they just took the order."

Suzi looked at Erik, she really didn't want to eat alone. Erik said, "Please sit."

Suzi nodded and walked over to the open chair next to Niki, who quickly stood and held out the chair for her like he saw Erik do for Katja. Suzi smiled and thanked him, then he sat back down a little nervously.

When Suzi went to sit down, she was surprised when Niki held her chair for her, so she smiled and told him thanks. He said "Your welcome." His voice was kind of nice, a little different, but nice, then she picked up the menu and looked to see what she'd have. She stole a few side glances to look at her neighbor, he was good looking, in an exotic way. His face was a combination of cat and human, more human really than cat. But his eyes were beautiful, she thought to herself. He was about her height, maybe an inch or so taller, and he was muscular, not in the way Erik's friend was, but like a gymnast.

The waiter came over and took her order and set down another glass of ice. She turned to Niki and asked, "Tell me Niki, what do on the ship?"

Niki gulped as this very pretty earth girl asked him a question, "I'm a repair tech in Ensign Katja's crew, we work on the machinery, ah like Lieutenant Woodes did. And what do you do?" He asked her.

Suzi smiled, "Well, I'm just a waitress at a local café in town. But that's only temporary, I'm going to school at night to learn how to be a graphics artist."

Niki smiled, "That sounds interesting, but what does a "graphics artist" do? I know the meaning of the two words, but not how you used them together. I'm sorry, I'm still learning your language."

Suzi smiled at him, "That's all right, I understand. A graphic artist does illustrations for different things, here let me show you." She picked up the menu and showed him the front of it. "This picture and the design of it was done by a graphic artist, we do other things of course, ads for companies, some things in magazines, posters, things like that."

Niki smiled as he understood, "Yes, I understand now. That must a be fun job to do and so many people will see your work."

Suzi grinned and said, "I hope it will be, I always liked to draw and paint when I was little. Do you like what you do?"

Niki grinned, "Yes, very much so. It is very satisfying to be able to fix something that is broken and make it work right again. I too, am still learning, but with Lieutenant Woodes help, I hope to learn more."

Suzi nodded, "Yes, I understand that Erik is very good at that. But why do you call him Lieutenants Woodes?"

Niki grinned, "Because he is a Lieutenant, our Captain made him one when he agreed to come work on the ship teaching us."

Suzi's eyes went wide, "I didn't know that." She said. "I had heard he was going to work there, but that's all." She said smiling.

Niki watched her smile and his heart fluttered a bit. She was very pretty, but when she smiled something changed and she looked even more pretty. He also loved her voice, it was very melodic. He had never really been with or talked to a human except for the Lieutenant, and none of the females. He wished his English was better.

He looked at her and said, "Suzi I wish to say something to you, but as I said my English is not that good yet, nor do I know all your customs, so please forgive me if I make a mistake, it is not intentional. You are a very beautiful girl, and your smile makes you even more so. I think you are very nice to talk to me like this. So, I thank you." Then he added shyly, "I also think you are very nice, and I like you very much. I have not talked to many humans, and none of them have been like you.

Suzi eyes went wide when he said this, then she smiled gently at him. "Thanks Niki, but I don't think I'm all that beautiful, but I'm glad you think so. I also think your nice, and I like you to." She laid her hand on his arm and it shocked her how soft and warm it was.

Her words made Niki's heart flutter a bit again, but when she put her hand on his arm, it made his heart race and his mind a little fuzzy, she was so smooth and cool. Then he said, "Thank you for understanding and not being mad if I said something wrong."

Suzi grinned at him, "Niki, I don't think any girl, from anywhere would be mad to have some handsome man tell they were beautiful. So, don't worry. Okay?"

Niki smiled and nodded, "Yes, I won't worry as you say. I was just a bit nervous to tell you this. I have not had a lot of dealings with females of any species. So, I wasn't sure if what I said was the proper thing to say to someone I just met."

Suzi grinned and squeezed his arm gently, "Well, I don't know if it was proper, but it was appreciated."

Niki was torn between wanting her to remove her hand so he could think straight, and never wanting her to remove it. Luckily, the waiter came with their food and he didn't have to make the decision himself.

Erik had watched them with a little pity for both of them, he could tell that they liked each other, but weren't sure how to act. So, while he ate he tried to think of a way to help them. Everyone was enjoying their lunch and they talked while they ate. He asked Tony how their ride was and he told him that it went very well, he had taken Ariel up to a state park a few miles north. Katja and Ariel talked about the shops they had been in, with Petra and Suzi adding to the conversation or asking questions.

Erik had just finished up and he whispered to Katja, "I'll be right back, I want to wash my hands. And I have a feeling that Niki will pay a visit also."

Katja grinned and whispered back, I think you right love." Then she giggled, "Maybe you ought to add a "How to act with human females to your lessons."

Erik smiled and excused himself, then headed to the bathroom to wash his hands. When he walked out, he was unsurprised to see Niki standing there waiting for him. He smiled and motioned him over and asked, "Okay Niki, what do you want to know about human females?"

Niki looked startled when Erik asked him this before he could. Niki grinned ruefully, shrugged and said, "Everything"

Erik laughed and said, "Niki, even human males don't know everything about human females. We sometimes think that there are they're own separate species."

He started, "It looks like you're doing well, but there are a couple of things to remember. One, they are not like Katja and the others, human females don't really sense when they are with the right person. Two, they would also never understand about "Playmates" as I understand the term from Katja and Ariel's description of it. Outside of that, they are much like all females everywhere. Human girls like to be complimented, have attention paid to them and treated nice."

He laughed, "Just like you've been doing. Trust me when I say, if she didn't like you, you'd know it. Just relax and talk to her, females love to talk about any and every thing."

He clapped him on the shoulder and said, "Let's go back before they think we're ignoring them."

They got back to the table and when Niki sat back down, Suzi smiled at him and asked, "How long do you have in town today."

Niki smiled back, then said. "Not too long I'm afraid, we have to catch the shuttle that brought us here in an hour or so." He thought he had seen a small look of disappointment on her face when he said that. Then he remembered what Erik had said. "I wish I had longer," he picked up her hand and kissed it, "I really liked talking to you and learning about things we've talked about."

Suzi was a bit startled when he kissed her hand, but she also like it very much. She really liked the feel of his hand on hers, it was so warm and soft. Then she thought of what it would feel like on other parts of her body. So, she said, "I like talking to you also, you're really the only one of your people that I have met and talked to, except for taking orders at the café." Then she continued a bit shyly, "If you want, Uh, I could take you back later. If you'd like to walk around some more that is. I still have a bit of shopping I wanted to do, maybe you could come along with me and help pick some things out and we could talk some more." Then she bit her lower lip waiting for his answer, "Please say yes" going through her mind. She was really attracted to him.

Niki grinned widely at her, by the Goddess she is so beautiful and his heart had raced when she bit her lower lip like that. "Yes, I think I would enjoy that very much, I really didn't want our time to end this soon."

Suzi's heart sang as he accepted. She smiled saying, "Excellent, that sounds like a plan. I hope you won't be to bored looking through the shops with me."

Niki smiled back, "As long as I'm with you, I don't think I'll be bored at all."

Suzi smiled back touching his arm again, "Thank you Niki, that was sweet."

Katja leaned over and whispered to him. "I think your talk worked my love." She kissed his ear, "I'll be right back."

Katja headed for the bathroom to wash her hands also and was pleased to see this one a had a hand dryer. Even though the fur on her hands wasn't as thick as some other places, it was easier to dry them with the blower. She reminded herself to ask Erik if they had one to put in their bathroom at home.

She walked out and much like Erik, she wasn't that surprised to see Suzi waiting on her. She walked over and Suzi smiled, then asked, "Uh, Katja can we talk for a minute?" Katja nodded and led her over to a bench and they sat down. Then she asked "What would like to know about our males?"

Suzi looked at her a she realized she was expecting to see her. "I don't know, everything I guess."

Katja laughed and said, "I don't think anyone knows everything about any males. Either yours or mine. So far, the only thing I've realized is that there all alike and that transcends species."

"Our males aren't much different than human males, or at least that's what I've learned from being mated to Erik. Just act like you've been doing and you'll be fine. That's the best advice I could give you." She grinned, "He's already taken with you, anyone can see that."

Suzi grinned as Katja told her this, "Yeah, I really like him also. I don't know if it's because he's different or another reason, but I do. Thanks for helping."

Katja laughed, "That's quite all right, as I saw in an earth movie I watched, "We girls need to stick together." No matter the species, it's the only way to deal with inexplicable males of the universe."

And it will also keep your thoughts off my mate, she said to herself. She could see how she looked at Erik when they were talking before she joined them, so she was happy when her attention turned to Niki. And not only her. As they walked hand in hand down the street, she could sense the feelings of many of the human females. And it was starting to get her a little upset. She told herself that they couldn't sense her mark on Erik and that let her calm down.

They both laughed at that and they headed back to the table. As Suzi sat down, Niki's face lit up with pleasure to see her and it made her very happy. They talked for a while longer, then she asked if he was ready to go shopping with her. He happily agreed and Suzi asked Erik what her share of the tab was.

Erik made a shooing motion, "Don't worry about it, my treat. You two have fun." She came over and kissed Erik on the cheek and said, "Thanks Erik, you're the best." Then she whispered, "And thanks for inviting me, I owe you one."

Erik smiled and waved them off, "My pleasure, you two go have fun. Niki, I'll see you on Monday." He watched them walk towards the door and smiled as he saw her take his hand in hers.

They all walked out and gathered on the sidewalk. He asked Leone and Petra what they were doing. They told him they were going to walk around a bit and catch the shuttle back. He asked Tony and Ariel the same "You guys going back to the house or you want to walk around with us for a little bit?"

Tony nodded, "I think we'll join you. Ariel wants to do a little shopping and if she finds anything I can put it in your trunk instead of my saddlebags."

They waved goodbye to Leone and Petra, then they started to walk down the street until the girls found a shop they liked. Tony and Erik talked while they waited and soon the girls came out, both with a bag. Then they repeated the same at the next one. A few of the shops, the guys went in with them, but for the most part, they stayed outside. It was starting to get crowded now, and that was causing Erik a slight problem.

He didn't particularly like crowds to begin with, but many of the guys were watching the girls as they walked along and with some of them, he sensed it was for more than just the fact they were beautiful. It was starting to piss him off. Luckily, his training helped him keep his emotions in check and he knew that they couldn't know she was his mate. What he couldn't understand was why Tony wasn't as bothered as he was. Then he wondered if it was because of his make-up letting him sense it more.