The Galactic Bride

The Tarfulles' used a grand temple for the wedding hall. This time it looked more like Aki expected out of a temple, in that it looked more greco-roman than the Mari counterpart. Kahwool was marrying Maat at the same moment he was taking Kono as is wife. Lani and Anura showed up as brides maids, but Hana was no where to be seen. The conversation Aki had with Anura the night before rang true. Still, he couldn't blame her. He'd hate to watch her marry someone else.

Seeing the Tyrian in her wedding robe was the first time he laid eyes on Kono. She was young, like Maat was. Unlike most Tyrian he had seen, her skin wasn't a light violet, but it almost completely white. Also her ears weren't the boxy-earmuff sort of look, but they were small and slightly pointed. She also had a nose, though a very small and flat one. He guessed that she was of mixed birth, probably a mix between Wahco and Tyro. She still have the dark eyes and violet hair though. It was long, but shaved to the skin on her left side. Her hair draped over her right sight, which probably was shaved on that end as well. It wasn't exactly a mohawk, but that's where her hair was grown. She had a short tail that wasn't as long as Rondo's was, it only reached down to her lower thigh.

All-in-all Aki preferred this mix look. Not only was he himself mixed, but he felt the Wahconese traits made her look more attractive and less like a monster. He might have been the only one to think that, as behind her back people seem to make faces at her appearance, probably finding the combination a bad mix. It also seemed that Kono felt the same way about herself. She kept her head down and looked extremely shy throughout the wedding ceremony.

The wedding was broadcast throughout the Galactic Confederation, much like the Contest was. Before the actual ceremony, the pre-recorded interviews Aki gave shown. By the time the wedding was over, another set of interviews was shown, with Aki further explained everything in detail, exposing the Minister's war-plans, and further explaining this wedding alliance to anyone too stupid who couldn't piece together what they had just done.

There was no reception. The wedding hall for the feeds was filled with extras, but the wedding was so quick that no one really had time to plan anything out. It had to be that way. So after the ceremony, the four where shown into a huge suite and waited for the fall out. How would the galaxy react to all of this, he didn't know. He hoped everything worked out the way he had planned, or all of this would be for nothing.

"I'm sorry that we didn't have time to perform the kal'mar." Kono was the first to speak. She was addressing Aki, even though her eyes remained on the ground.

"Don't worry about it. It's an embarrassing ceremony anyway. I'm just sorry you got roped into all this. You probably had your eyes set on someone else to marry, huh?"

Kono shook her head. "No. I'm quite ugly, my prospects always would have ended up in an arranged marriage."

"I don't think you're ugly." Aki told her truthfully. Behind Kono he saw Kahwool give him a look of disbelief. Sure, she was no beauty like Kahwool, and Maat was even more attractive, but Aki didn't think Kono was ugly.

"You're very kind, but you don't have to lie to me." Kono took a quick glance at him, then looked away. "I know what I look like, I've accepted it."

"I'm mixed too." Aki pointed out, even going as far as to point at his dark hair and japanese features. "Does that make me ugly?"

"Of course not, you're beautiful. The mix is agreeable." Kono quickly stated. "I lucked out."

"Well, that's how I feel. Your mix is agreeable to me."

Kono smiled softly, clearly blushing. "You're just saying that."

"I'm a weirdo hidden-seed. Maybe my tastes are just different."

Kono was still smiling. She shyily looked back at her feet. But it was clear she was happy with the compliment.

"So now what?" Maat asked after a moment. "What's going to happen?"

"I don't know. We've done our part. It's up to parliament now." Aki told her.

"And my Olma." Kahwool sighed miserably. "I hope she doesn't go to war."

But the results of the marriage didn't happen immediately. The waiting game began. For the time being, they were all guests of the Tarfulles, just waiting it out. Because of the delay, Aki couldn't really do anything with Hana and Anura. Hana had to stick around still because it wasn't safe to return her home. And he would not make Anura his concubine with Hana still around.

As for Lani, she quietly had left the planet after the wedding. She didn't tell anyone, she just left. He figured it was easier for her to do so without saying any goodbye. He would have gladly kept her around, but she obviously felt shamed in that she had to break the engagement. Such a thing was rarely done. His heart reached out to her, but he knew by her own choice that he would never see her in person again. He had done enough to her. Not only did he take her seed , but then he broke the kal'mar. She could never forgive him for all of that.

It wasn't until Parliament members started arriving on Turr that Aki started to realize something. The government was changing it's location from Sheplam to Turr. And with them came news of something else, Minister Were was asked to step down due to her involvement of inciting war. All her allies quickly dropped her, and for the first time in decades a new election for Minister was going to take place once all the members of Parliament arrived on Turr.

The plan had worked. Aki wasted no time in arranging for a Wahconese ship to take Hana back to Earth. It broke his heart to do it, and felt even worse when he had to tell her. Although he felt sick doing it, Hana seemed to be pleased. It felt like she was rubbing salt into an open wound.

"I can't believe it. I'm actually going home." Hana had said happily.

"I'm going to miss you." Aki told her lamely. He wasn't trying to talk her into staying, but he wanted to be honest with her now that they might never meet in person again. "I'm giving you a Feedster so you can keep in touch, watch the Galactic feeds, and whatnot. I don't want you to forget about me."

"I won't." Hana's eyes teared up. "Even now I'm second guessing myself. But I can't stay, Aki-chan… I just can't. Seeing you with those other girls is too hard on me."

"I know."

"Aki-chan," Hana ventured after half a beat. "There always will be a place in my heart for you. Please don't think I hate you."

"I know you don't… but it's still sad to see you leave."

Hana sighed slightly, not out of frustration, but out of sadness. She clutched the Feedster to her chest. "Well… I can still talk to you with this thing, right? And you can always come and visit Earth once things die down."

"Y-Yeah."

"And…." Hana leaned forward and whispered in Aki's ear, switching to japanese. "The General is watching over you so I can leave knowing that you're safe."

Aki wasn't surprised that she caught on, and smiled at her cleverness. "Yep, I should be safe now."

"Aki-chan… Goodbye. And if you give birth to babies with that Kahwool chick I'll be pissed."

"I'm not going to give birth to babies!"

"That's the guy I wanted to hear."

And with Hana's departure, part of his humanity left with her. He was an alien now with no more ties to Earth. It was depressing. When he returned to this wedding suite, the brides didn't seem to notice or care that his mood was sadden. They were busy talking about decorating the new mansion the Tarfull people donated to them.

The next day, Aki had a chance to meet with Anura. He wasted no time in naming her his concubine. It was a weird process where he had to officially state it to the head priestess of a temple shrine. After getting the approval of one of his wives the thing was set. Kahwool didn't even bat an eye when he asked her. It really was another culture, something he still wasn't used to.

"I thought it might be you once the Major left." Kahwool admitted to Anura during dinner. All the brides and their concubines ate together in the suit. Kono didn't have a concubine, but Maat did.

"Really?" Anura tried to sound pleasant, but it was clear she wasn't into talking about her personal life.

"Yeah. It's pretty obvious you think Aki is gorgeous. But I wonder if part of you wants to be with her because of your sister?"

Anura opened her mouth, then shut it. She clearly was uncomfortable. But when she finally spoke, her voice gave no indication of her discomfort. "I'm a lot like my sister in many ways. Our taste in women must be the same."

"I hope that we can all become great friends." Kono spoke shyly trying to change the subject. She clearly was trying to earn browny points with Anura.

"The best part about all this is that I don't have to sleep on the ground every night." Kahwool admitted, then quickly said. "Not that I mind…"

"It's fine." Aki raised is hands. "I understand I have my quirks."

"I will lay with you." Kono once again was seeking approval. "Every night if you wish it."

Anura smirked a coy smile and tilted her head. "You're very well come to join us."

That was a clear indication to everyone that Anura planned to sleep with him every night for now on. Kono and Kahwool both looked taken a back by this for a moment. The concubine laying down ground rules to the wives. But Anura's commanding presence make them flinch first and they backed down. Maat looked admirably at Anura's presence.

"Excuse me." A small Tarfull made her way inside the wedding-suite. She clearly was a maid, and also was looking extremely timid. Then again, Aki often thought Tarfulles looked like pre-teen girls and it was hard to get that thought of them like that out of his mind.

"Yes?" Maat asked, standing up politely.

"I have a message for Lady Kezri."

"Me?" Aki asked and stood up as well. "From Hana's ship?"

"No, it's from parliament." The Tarfull said, and looked down at her tablet. "Is it okay for me to read the news here?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"Well… it's quite crowded-"

"I trust everyone here, more or less." Aki turned to them, who all looked as confused as he was.

"I see. The message is from parliament. They want you to know that… that you've been nominated as a candidate for the next Minister of the Confederation."

"What?!" Aki could barely believe what he was hearing.

"Congratulations." The Tarfull smiled, as if this was happy news.

"Why would they want me as a Minister?" Aki asked her, but really was asking everyone in the room.

"Lady Kezri… you did just unite all the races and stop a war from happening." The Tarfull maid reminded him.

"But how does that make me qualified to be a Minister!" Aki wondered in a panic.

"You do not need to accept the nomination, of course." The Tarfull looked concerned now. "I just thought-"

But what she thought she never had a chance to say. Kahwool thanked her and indicated for her to leave. Once she did, Aki walked to the huge bed and sat on it, feeling overwhelmed. He thought his part in all of this was done. Now they wanted him to run for minister. Him, some kid from Earth running the galaxy. The whole idea was just baffling.

The rest of the girls joined him, Kono and Kahwool dominating each side of him, while Maat sat behind him wrapped arms around his waste. Pono and Anura stood nearby as well, clearly not included in this, but wanting to show their support. He looked at Anura for help. Her opinion was the only one that mattered to him at this point.

"If you don't want to do it, then don't." Kono quickly said. "You've already done enough. We all have."

"Still… you as Minister!" Kahwool smiled. "I mean with one action you've saved our society. Just think of what our government would be like with your Terran ideas influencing everything."

"You shouldn't have to decide right away. I mean we can look on who's running and then decide." Maat ventured.

Anura said nothing, but nodded at Maat's suggestion.

So that's how it was. Even now he was the noble person. Giving up what he wanted for the people. Anura knew this. He was a public figure now and couldn't hide in his mansion for the rest of his life. Maybe the reason people might want him as Minister was because he didn't seem the type to want power. Regardless people were offering it to him.

"Let's wait until they announce the candidate list. We'll worry about it then." Kahwool said when she saw how distressed he looked.

"Y-Yeah." Aki finally said.

"I say we forget about all of this and relax. Let use that big bath, and just take the time to enjoy ourselves. As a family." Pono spoke when the time seemed appropriate for her to do so.

"Right!" Kahwool nodded happily. "That's a good idea. Let's do it!"

"You mean… get naked in front of everyone?" Kono asked meekly.

"Just be happy it's just a bath, and not an orgy." Anura said sarcastically."That comes later." Pono said. Aki wasn't sure if she was joking.