Not Quite Terran Part 1 (Scifi Alien Romance Serial) by Erin Tate Page B

went through this Terran “period” twice a year.
    “No fucking way,” she grumbled as the truth drifted forward. But her lower stomach clenched and tightened, a small cramp assured her that yes, it was time. Again.
    She gave one of the waitresses a small wave. Kiarana, Kia, befriended her the first night she’d arrived on Rilli and they’d been close-ish ever since. Or rather, they were at least on a first name basis and she didn’t spit acid at Rebecca when they spoke. That had to count for something.
    She internally sighed. Being the law abiding and supremely strict intake officer had its drawbacks just as it had its benefits.
    Kia glided forward, her lithe body seeming to float across the scuffed and scraped bar floor. She easily avoided the rough hands that grabbed at her small curves and she struck the occasional rude male who managed to make contact. That particular alien went flying across the room with a small gesture from the female. Many visitors saw Kia as weak and easy prey. They often forgot she was more than a waitress who smiled pleasantly. They forgot the only way a female Tsumazoar was allowed off her home planet was after she’d honed her skills as a warrior against all threats, great and small.
    The woman didn’t miss a step as she tossed him aside and finished her approach. “Welcomes, Rebecca Varda.”
    “Rebecca, Kia. Rebecca,” she reminded her friend-of-a-sort.
    Her face softened with a Tsu smile. “Welcomes, Rebecca. Would you like a table?”
    Rebecca appreciated that Kia attempted to speak Terran and she’d slowly grasped the language and grammar. Other than this woman and Varr, she was forced to speak federation common and… she missed the reminder of her home planet. “For one, please.”
    Kia tsk’ed and shook her head, sending the tendrils of her long hair trembling. It quickly snuck around Kia’s neck, forming a twined and twisted necklace. Prehensile strands. Different yet beautiful. No such thing as a bad hair wentic for the Tsu. “Must find a mate, Rebecca Var—” Rebecca narrowed her eyes and Kia quickly cut the word off. “Must find a mate, Rebecca.”
    “Uh-huh. I see you’re rushing to bind yourself to a male. You first.” She grinned, taking the sting out of her joke and fighting to hide the pang that came with her words. Find a male? Sure, she’d love to. Too bad there weren’t any on the station worth her time.
    The alien led her to a small table in the back near the door. The one time she’d attempted to enjoy a seat near the rest of the bar ended in violence and blood. That eight-armed Mazon… She hid her shudder of revulsion and fought to banish the memory of him scraping her skin and snatching at her clothes. The flash of blades when her savior interceded… Varr’s battle cries echoing off the walls…
    “Thanks, Kia.” She slid into the seat, back to the wall to ensure no one snuck up on her, and Kia slid a glass of the bar’s version of water across the smooth surface.
    “Albe believes he has perfected ‘pizza’ and would like you to test the meal.”
    Rebecca just bet. The translation was Albe knew it was the end of the month and her credits were running out, but he wanted to make sure she ate well. “That sounds great.”
    With that, Kia nodded and turned to leave but stopped. She glanced at Rebecca. “Varr has been hunting for you.”
    “Searching,” she immediately corrected. Varr’s people didn’t hunt. They grew their food and were what Terrans called vegetarians. “And I know.” She sighed. “He approached me at my station yesterday.”
    Kia hummed. “Yesterday. That Knara you warned of was attempting to sneak an unsanctioned species onboard. Word is Poxu is greatly impressed by you.”
    She swallowed her groan, noting a group of nearby males would interpret the sound as an invitation. During her time, she’d also learned to keep her body language and sounds to a minimum and not stray from words alone.
    Poxu, the