You Otter Not Mess With Her

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

Protein cubes and nutrient drink.

It was the same in the commissary mess hall at every meal, every day. The Knights of the Imperial Throne, like most in the service of the Empress, had no need for bourgeois frivolities like cuisine. That was best left to others. Civilians often fussed over such things, and like so much in their separate world, it did not concern Matatek Sel Vissica. To a warrior, food was food, and water was water. They were things a warrior's body needed, and it made little difference in what form they presented themselves.

Vissica snapped down a protein cube in a procession of open-mouthed quick bites, her sharp teeth not quite suited to negotiating the pliant foodstuff, but it was serviceable enough. As soon as that had been done, she mechanically followed with her other paw, quaffing from the uniform bottle of nutrient drink. Left hand, then right, then left again. She didn't pause to reflect or to savor. This was simply another task to be completed.

She could feel the attentions of others in the mess hall in her direction as she sat hunched over her plate. Their distraction was weakness. They had one task, and one task alone to complete here. Eat. Even that simple directive was difficult for most. They dawdled, huddling together in adjacent seats to talk. How could one talk with a mouth full of food? How could one eat with a mouth full of words? The seats around the Selonian Knight were empty in each direction in three spaces. She didn't have to tell anyone to leave her alone. Blissfully, they seemed to understand that without the need.

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Protein cubes and nutrient drink.

Halajiin Rabeak could think of worse food: lutefisk, maggot cheese, anything from Weinerschitzel, but he could also name countless things he would rather have on his plate than protein cubes. Oh, sure, the Empire at least tried to dress things up with various sauces, mostly so that those subjected to the monotonous meals wouldn't simply go insane from the taste of semi-gelatinous cardboard, but nothing ever tasted like the real dishes they were supposed to resemble. Nerf stroganoff? To the Empire, it was apparently a blue, overly-salty sauce. Lasagna? An orange, almost sweet cheesy flavor. Macaroni and cheese? Hal was most certain it was fish-flavored. But, a meal was a meal, and since he hadn't been granted permission to leave the confines of Imperial Center, or any pocket money to spend, snacks at the corner shop remained a far-flung foodstuff fantasy.

What I wouldn't do for a roller-grill taquito, right now. His base natures hungered with a rumble of his stomach.

Or stimcaff. Real, actual, fresh-brewed stimcaff, with one sugar and one creamer. Pined his higher reasoning.

Or beer.

I could handle a beer.

But there was no beer to be had, just like there were no taquitos, microwavable burritos, chemically orange nachos, dubious pizza or any of his other convenience store favorites. There were only meal cubes.

The previous day had been his first as a cadet, and a harsh introduction into the world the Jedi Knight now found himself. Under his guise of Kyle Rayner, Hal had played his part well, but learned a tough lesson when he was rebuffed by his classmates, that morning, because he was assigned a solo room instead of sharing with them in the common dorms. Already there was talk of favoritism toward him from the upper ranks, undeserved as such talk was. So, instead of sitting with his classmates, Hal glanced around the mess hall before spotting a nearly empty table. Nearly empty except of course for over seven feet of big, powerful, beautiful, pantsless dream-otter. His tray quickly found its place on the table opposite from her, and he smiled while taking a seat.

"Good morning, Vissica," he said with a grin. "Sleep well?" Unlike his hastily dressed appearance the day before, Hal had been shown the proper way to wear his cadet uniform, and despite still needing some alterations to fit his frame and tail properly, he looked not dissimilar to the other cadets in the mess hall.

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

Tiny Selonian ears flicked at the sound of her name being spoken in such a familiar tone by Kyle Rayner. Vissica paused, raked a tongue over her muzzle, and began eating again.

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Ahh, still playing hard to get, Hal surmised, his smile not fading an ounce. She had even licked her lips, letting him know she was secretly interested. If he could keep reading the signs, surely she'd be his in no time.

Fork spearing one meal cube, the Nehantite swiped it through a sludge of brown sauce - ham and eggs, it was labeled - before popping it into his mouth. The label was correct, though far from delicious, and it clashed to no end with the horrifically healthy flavor of his nutrient drink. So much for a happy tummy to start the day...

Wiping his lips on his napkin, Hal forked another cube before looking up to his lone table-mate. "So, I think we got off on the wrong foot, Vissica," he spoke casually. "In fact, I think that if we got to know each other a little better, we could be friends. Maybe even benefit from such friendship," he added with a wink before placing that next unfortunate forkful into his mouth.

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

The wink went unnoticed, primarily because the more Vissica heard Hal's overconfident, too-cool drawl, the deeper she hunched over her own plate. By now, the Selonian's flexible spine had looped almost like a walking cane, positioning her head a few inches over her food, so that her paws could make efficient use of the space to speed up her meal and be done with Kyle Rayner's company as soon as possible.

But it wasn't fast enough by far. Even through the rhythmic chopping of her mastications, his voice continued to worm it's way ahead, finding her little ears which continued to protest silently by attempting to pivot away from the Nehantite's oily come-ons.

A low rumble built up in Vissica's chest. A few strides away, Khoovi was in the midst of carrying his own food tray to his seat. The sound caused his ears to stand on end, and the Shistavanen picked up his pace to get away from what was likely an impending disaster.

[Halajiin Rabeak]

That doesn't look good. She looks like she's about to attack you.

More like she's about to jump my bones. This is going better than I thought!I warned you about thinking, didn't I? That's the thing you should definitely not do.

Ooh! She's purring!

Uh, that's not a purr, dude...

Hal ignored the advice of his higher reasoning entirely, instead letting his libido take the wheel. Leaning forward, his smile grew more suave and cocksure, pink eyes staring dreamily into the black pits of Vissica's own. "You know, they've got me in a private room here. Maybe we could take advantage of that, sometime."

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

"Enough!"

Vissica roared, standing to her full towering height while simultaneously up-ending the entire mess hall table in the process. Both her meal as well as Hal's own were scattered on the floor. The aftermath was a maelstrom of splashes and blobs of colorful culinary violence against the dull Imperial floor, set to the dying melodies of tinny tinkling utensils and the woeful notes of plastic plates.

Every set of eyes in the mess hall fixed to the hirsute pair. Khoovi ceased moving another step, paralyzed by a fear he hoped didn't spread to his bladder.

Lady Vissica's webbed paws balled at her sides as she glared down at the Nehantite. The Knight General wished for him to be trained, and while killing Kyle Rayner would be deeply satisfying it would violate her word, her honor, and her soul. If only there was a way to dislocate every bone in him and leave him draped over her chair like a stole for someone else to straighten out on their own time.

Instead, she could only stare down at the ridiculous thing as her chest heaved in a growl.

"You are a...deeply irritating little man!"

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Meal cubes flew in a triumphant parade of acrobatic edible disaster, bouncing off of the floor in a manner which no form of foodstuff had the right - nor courage - to possess. Hal sat still, loaded fork still clutched in his paw, and he eased it into his mouth, pulling the tines back out clean as he let himself slump forward, chin resting upon a paw propped up on his knee as he chewed slowly and just smiled.

Standing, Vissica brought her crotch directly into his line of vision, and he remained there, a wistful look upon his face as his tail swished ever so gently behind him. Forcing the last nugget of his breakfast down, he finally glanced up to the great, raging Selonian with a cocked eyebrow. "That's not the only thing I can do deeply," he murred.

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

The way he spoke in such cryptic ways was the most irritating part of all, as if he dared her to dwell on exactly what he meant by that line until she turned old and grey. As her dark eyes narrowed murderously on Kyle, Vissica's muzzle twitched. She was losing control of the situation.

Suddenly, Vissica's head raised, tracking away from the Nehantite and back to the gawking gaggle of cadets.

"Back to your food!"

Eighty-seven heads turned downwards to their plates in unison, each taking an unnatural and renewed interest in their meals. Vissica then turned to Khoovi, who yelped and continued on his way to find a seat. She barely paid him any mind, taking a stride for the door of the mess hall to exit. Almost as an afterthought, she grabbed a paw full of Kyle's uniform collar, pulling him along so suddenly that he nearly slid along the floor by his toes.

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Hal's smile didn't fade until shaken free by the yank to his collar, wrenching him from his seat to stumble along, fork clattering to the floor as he hop-stepped to turn about and keep up. By the time they neared the door, he was marching lockstep with her, though his tail swayed in opposite direction so that his would brush against hers every other step.

"I have to say, while I do feel this chemistry between us, I wasn't expecting you to drag me back to yours so quickly," he chuckled.

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

The moment the doors to the mess hall sealed behind them, Vissica spun on her paws, pushing Hal against the wall and pinning him there with a broad, webbed hand. With her other hand, the Selonian Knight leveled a single warning finger towards the Nehantite at eye level.

"You have five minutes of my undivided attention, Kyle Rayner."

Better to create a well-defined venue for him to say what he needed to say now, rather than invite him to annoy her and interrupt another meal. If he did it again, she would have to leave him in such a state to make it medically difficult for him to do so a third time.

"Speak!"

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Ah, the direct type. Hal liked a woman who got right to the point - less foreplay necessary, that way. Clearing his throat as best as he could with her massive paw on his chest, the Nehantite answered, "Well, you've had my undivided attention since I first saw you, but I suppose five minutes will do."

Despite his immobile position, Hal stood defiant, smile washing away into an expression which bordered on the edge of seriousness, perhaps with a small cottage near the lake of scorn. "I just want to know why you've been playing so hard to get. I like fun and games as much as the next guy, but this is getting a bit ridiculous, don't you think?"

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

Vissica's array of whiskers quivered momentarily in confusion. Her back arched away from Hal. Something in his insinuations repulsed her sensibility.

"I am a Selonian."

Unsaid words chewed about in her mouth, and Vissica found it difficult to mount a rebuttal when she had little notion as to what this creature was talking about. Settling on a proper course, she drew up to full height, only now releasing her hold on Hal as she crossed her arms over her chest dismissively.

"We do not...play."

[Halajiin Rabeak]

"You've got to be kidding," Hal huffed. Smoothing out his uniform shirt, he let his weight shift to one leg as he looked up at the oily goddess. "You have been playing with me ever since you set eyes on me. You just can't admit it, though, can you? The very first thing you did was get me on my knees and shove your crotch right in my face. How less subtle could you be? You look at me constantly whenever we're in the same room, practically undressing me with your eyes."

Heaving a sigh, Hal raked a paw through his headfur and shook his head. "It's okay, you don't have to keep dancing around it. You want me, I want you, maybe it's animal magnetism or something, I don't know, and I don't care. Let's just stop dancing around and get to it then, okay?"

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

Vissica's left eyebrow raised as Kyle Rayner went on in still-somehow-vague details of this playing. She'd spoken the truth when she professed her distaste for games - little rituals full of mock behavior that blurred the line into dishonesty. Setting aside then that she was completely assured that she was not playing a game, Vissica attempted to at least understand the parameters of this game she was certainly not playing. Something involving noses in crotches and undressing.

"When I first met you..." the Knight began carefully in a low tone, "...you were a fugitive of the Empire, and I was tasked to apprehend you. There was no game in that. I had a task to complete, and I did so. Now, my task is to train you. I can see that now requires that I disabuse you of any delusions you may be suffering. The Empress demands your total dedication, and so do I. Speak plainly."

[Halajiin Rabeak]

"Vissica, you've had my total dedication since I laid eyes on you," Hal answered. Behind him his tail swayed in broad strokes, the tip flicking up just so at the end of each pendulous swing, something most any species with a tail would recognize as the universal come-on.

"And, come on, of course it's been a game. Cat and mouse, one chasing after the other, the thrill of it all up until the main act," he grinned. "You wouldn't have it any other way, either, I'd wager. But if you need me to say it, I'll say it. Why don't you come up to mine and I can show you just how dedicated to you I can be, all night long?"

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

Vissica's muscular tail, by contrast, thump-thumped on the floor in the universal sign of strained patience. Kyle Rayner was meandering with his analogy. He viewed her pursuit of him under Imperial justice as a game. How disappointing. Her tail thump-thumped again, just as it finally seemed the Nehantite was going to set aside his little verbal puzzles.

Why don't you come up to mine and I can show you just how dedicated to you I can be, all night long?

Ah, a demonstration of loyalty. Was that what this was about? Under normal circumstances and with normal cadets, Vissica would simply explain that the best way for one to demonstrate loyalty would be for one to follow their orders without hesitation or question. Kyle Rayner was stubbornly proving that he was different, and that wasn't a compliment. He needed extra attention, and since being under pain of death was temporarily off the table, Vissica grudgingly had to go the extra mile.

There was one matter of confusion, however.

"Come up to your what?"

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Hal's eyebrows perked, as did his voice. "My room, of course. Where else could we be properly alone? Yes, I desire you, but I'm far from an exhibitionist, you see."

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

The Selonian's unmoved expression made it clear that she didn't see. However, she also didn't see the harm in a small request like that. If Kyle Rayner required an audience of one to prove his loyalty to the Empire, then Vissica would grant him that. Perhaps he had composed epic poetry in honor of the Empress, and he wished for her to hear it before his other comrades. Where he chose to make plain his loyalty didn't matter to Vissica in the slightest. If it corrected Kyle Rayner's irritating behavior, it would be a beneficial experience for all.

The Selonian Knight nodded her head.

"Very well. I will see your proof of dedication, Kyle Rayner. Come."

Vissica turned to leave for Hal's quarters without another word.

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Wait, did she actually just say yes?

Hell yes, she said yes!

Oh, this is not going to be good...

Hush, you. I'm gonna get my freak on!

Hal needed no further instruction, immediately light on his feet as he led the way to the turbolift, where he stood closer than usual to the object of his affection. At last they entered his quarters - the lap of luxury, as far as the other cadets were concerned, as they all had to share bunkrooms in the dormitories while Hal held down a modest studio apartment on his own. Setting the door to locked, Hal approached Vissica from behind, letting a paw run up the base of her tail and the small of her back to then reach for one of the clasps of her breastplate. "Mmm, let's start by getting you out of that armor, shall we?" he murred.