A commonality shared by most sentient species is the ability to sense emotional and biological states via pheromones. While humans technically have this ability, their biological development has prioritized visual and audio stimuli to the detriment of the olfactory.
In layman’s terms: Humans have a lousy sense of smell which can lead to “misunderstandings” of the weird kind.
Even though advanced “civilized” species communicate primarily through speech, they also use a layer of pheromone subtext. Two aliens talking often have a dual conversation taking place; one of words or thoughts, the other of emotion and intention. Humans, by their conscious mind’s ignorance of the meaning of a specific odor wafting off any given xeno, can miss blatant signals indicating annoyance, fear, anger, intimidation, love, and so on.
This was especially frustrating for those who rely on pheromones for intimidation, such as the Kasuri, who had long ago supplanted the Hunters in the Draco galaxy. In fact, no one has seen a live Hunter in over 300 years; not since the Kasuri ate them all.
Lacking context and the ability to perceive pheromones to know he was hitting on the most feared race in all the Draco Galaxy, Ivo entered the bar on Travos VII blissfully unaware of the danger he was in when he bought a drink for a Kasuri by the name of Baroness Kalin Ceres.
The crucial bit of context Ivo was missing is this: For thousands of years the Kasuri had fought on their own world, feasting upon the defeated, constantly hungering for a better challenge and a [-delicious-] worthy enemy. To the Kasuri, delicacy and honor go hand in hand. By consuming the flesh of a fallen enemy, you honor their memory and their warrior spirit moves on. (Or at least that’s the most common explanation given.)
They would have been left to their own devices by the galactic community, but an alien race (who’s name was lost to time) thought it was a good idea to enslave and conquer these primitives. The joke’s on them: they ended up being conquered and the Kasuri were unleashed on the Draco galaxy.
Ironically, most alien species sheer terror and cowardliness in the face of the Kasari, (and inversely overwhelming technological superiority) curbed the Kasari’s desire to expand and devour the galaxy; for cowardly enemies are disgusting, and a supremely advanced yet cowardly enemy is not worth fighting.
Thus the Kasuri joined the Draco Federated Alliance, more out of disdain than anything else. They are now “peaceful” traders and such, always looking for a worthy enemy to piss off and continually held at arms length by all the “civilized” races in the galaxy.
When Ivo entered the bar on Travos IIV, with his turtle friend Fredrick in tow, the first thing he noticed, was in the far corner; a beautiful alien woman. (According to Ivo) This xeno was in fact, the most humanoid female he had seen in a long time. She must have been at least two meters tall with wide hips, beautiful feminine legs and HUGE tracts of land. Her face was something between that of a cat and a shark; lots of teeth, but delicate pouty lips. And her eyes, those piercing blue eyes. (When asked later to clarify his position on “tracks of land” he was unable to provide a straightforward explanation, however it was surmised that he was attracted to her mammary glands specifically do to there capacity, which was capable of sustaining more offspring than Kasuri tended to have at any given time.)
Ivo and Fred got some refreshments at the bar while most of the other beings ignored the newcomers. (the xeno’s preferring to keep a far distance from the Kasari.)
“Hey Fred, what do you think of the babe [-Female of extreme sexual desirability-] in the corner.”
Looking somewhat perplexed at the captain, but trying not to show it, responded. “That’s a Kasari… they eat beings that get in their way. she’s not even your species, why would you be attracted to such a monster?”
Stealing another glance, Ivo responded, “Well she’s quite the looker. I don’t think there are any humans around for a couple thousand light-years and that lady looks damn fine once you get past the shark face. And good lord, is she not well endowed. [-Has large mammary glands-]”
Fred figured that he’d never understand Ivo and thoughtfully stared at his drink. He pondered at how it was possible that his captain couldn’t pick up on the sheer amount of negative energy emanating from that Kasari.
Ivo catching the attention of the host said. “Bar Tender, what kind of drink does that delightful creature in the corner prefer?”
The eye on each head stalk of the barman blinked simultaneously and paused at the strange aliens request. No one ever takes interest in the Kasuri unless they have business or a deathwish. Slowly the barman resumed wiping the glass he was holding and, just as slowly, he began to speak. “The Kasuri prefer Galation Blood Wine- and only blood wine.”
“Well my good man [-amiable male xeno-], I want you to send two glasses over to that fine Kasuri of your best Galation Blood Wine, compliments of Captain Ivo of the Lucky Bird.
The barman pondered for a moment on this foolish creature’s request and concluded that it must be mad. Before the barman could register a complaint, however, Ivo pulled out a small stack of credits and held up a large denomination chit.
“For this favor, I’m willing to include a rather large tip for your trouble.”
The barman looked at the human creature again, contemplating its mad course of action, however credits speak louder than madness. The barman took the chit and proceeded to get the wine glasses and wine bottle ready. Carefully, while he prepared the tray, he took a high-yield stun grenade from a shelf hidden by the bar and tucked it into a pocket in his apron. He had no intention of allowing a madman to start a fight in his bar today.
Ivo grinned. “Thank you barman, you’re gonna make my day.”
As the barman left his spot with the tray, slowly making his way around other patrons to the corner booth, his vision narrowed and the path grew ever longer. He felt like a condemned prisoner on his way to the executioner.
Krason the Barman had served at least 7 Kasuri in his lifetime, but every time it felt like a death sentence. He could smell the Kasuri’s predatory intimidation, even though the Kasuri hadn’t looked up from her tablet. He could smell the coiled violence contained within the dangerous creature; sense it looking for any excuse to pounce on worthy prey.
The Kasuri, as everyone knows, are not to be challenged. But this foolish human wants to send one some drinks- therefore it must be a challenge. As the fear rose in Krason’s heart, he began to perspire; for he was ready to run. He almost turned around, but at the last second the Kasuri looked up, at, and through him with the piercing eyes of a predator. Eyes that know you have no power, that you cannot run or hide.
The barman stopped in front of the booth, frozen in his tracks, tray in hand, too frightened to even tremble.
Her voice silky smooth, like a blade cleanly slicing through the first layer of flesh.“what is it barman”. Her pheromones were giving off a literal aura of predatory intent, like that of a coiling serpent comfortably squeezing the life out of rodent. And he the frightened little rodent.
Slowly he recited the words, his mouth moving but his mind taking forever to catch up. “Mum, Captain Ivo, of the Lucky Bird, wishes to give you these glasses of Bloodwine with his compliments.”
Five minutes Earlier Baroness Kalin Ceres was very bored, going over future destinations on her hand-held. She was sort of a spy for the Kasuri empire, the most boring job there is now. Forever on the pretense of being on “vacation”, forever looking for a worthy enemy with which the empire might finally have a worthy adversary.
But to no avail.
No species as of yet had presented a worthy opponent, let alone prey. All of these weak aliens with their horribly advanced weapons made for boring combat and even more boring, tasteless prey.
But she couldn’t go home, that would be even more boring. Surrounded by males with little left to do but fight endlessly in the arenas for the favor of a matriarch, which she was, technically.
Kalin wished to be free, not endlessly having offspring, (though the thought of mating was still quite fun) and having to deal with sorting through all of the consorts battling for her affection. She was not her mother. She couldn’t be satisfied with being waited on hand and foot by handsome Kasuri males who love, and made love, to her one day and tear each other to pieces the next. It’s so droll. If only she could’ve joined some violent, murderous pirate crew… All she had approached fled in fear and terror- even the Cyborg cannibals of Centaris VIII.
Ah, there was so much hope for a worthy adversary in them. Alas. They too, were cowards.
She couldn’t become a pirate herself, or a mercenary, because the Great Code forbade it. And every war seemed to end right when the Kasuri decided to join one side or the other. It was so depressing.
Lost in her reverie, she almost did not pick up on the barman until he was little more than 3 meters away. Then she smelled his fear, his growing anxiety, and she smiled to her self.
‘Well at least being the biggest shark in the pond has some perks.’
So, sniffing the air, she waited until the barman had almost broken his courage, about to turn and run, when she looked up, holding him in her gaze. He stood there at the edge of the booth, wide-eyed and frozen like an Anthosian Kettle Mole caught in the headlights of an oncoming pavement compressor. *(steamroller)
Her voice both silky smooth and sharper than a coral blade, she intoned it to wound this poor barman for disturbing her out of turn. “What is it, barman.”
Her pheromones almost gave off a tangible aura, like that of that of a smothering serpent. Appropriate, when his own pheromones smelled like that of a frightened little rodent.
Slowly he recited the message, his mouth moving but his mind taking forever to catch up. He Stumbled over his words a bit. “Mum, Captain Ivo, of the Lucky Bird, wishes to give you these glasses of Blood-wine with his compliments.”
Genuinely surprised, she assumed at first it must be one of the Kasuri trader captains. Though such a gesture is not unheard of, it was generally confined to the homeworld. Curious. “What captain is that? I was not aware there were any Kasuri around for at least a dozen light-years.”
The Barman robotically put down the glasses and pored the wine. All the while trying to delay the onset of tremors that threatened to shake his body, “Mum, he is not a Kasari, he is that being next to the Turtle at the bar”
“What being?” Asked Kalin, with a little touch of anger in her voice. She had not sensed anyone new other than the turtle, which she mentally logged coming in.
Then suddenly she saw him, captain Ivo. This strange creature with a smile, baring his teeth at her and waving one of his appendages in a friendly, yet intimidating manner. The musk of fear from all of the remaining patrons who had not cleared out when she had first arrived had masked the new creatures delicate sent. There was no fear in it, just curiosity, a hint of aggression and something… else.
It seemed carefree and looked at her directly- and then its eyes wandered up and down, like a predator analyzing its prey before it pounced. And yet there was no malice, it was completely relaxed.
This was truly a dangerous monster if it could lock eyes with a Kasari and not show a shred of fear. In that moment she felt something that few Kasuri had felt in over a thousand years; a slight shudder at the slimmest hint of fear. Her pulse quickened, her mouth beginning to salivate and her senses heightening as time slowed down.
Sickeningly sweetly she said to the barman, “You may go now” the sweetness causing more upset to the barman’s poor shattered psyche, than if she had yelled at him.
He left almost, but not quite, at a run; scurrying into the kitchen to grab a plasma disruptor hidden behind some pots. He sank down in a corner and started to rock himself while holding the rifle tightly. The cooks didn’t bother him, having seen the exchange and understanding just how close to death he had come.
In the 8 seconds since the barman was gone, Kalin took one sip, looking at the pink creature over the rim of her glass. He was still smiling when her eyes locked with his. His muscles tensed slightly, as if he was going to get up.
She had to make the first move so she quickly stood with powerful, fluid grace, rising to her full height to face this creature, and approached Captain Ivo.
Her heart was racing. For the first time in her life, not only could she be facing a worthy opponent, but she may have just found a worthy species to call Adversary for her entire race.
The fear and excitement causing her to salivate. This aggressive creature even bared his teeth and smiled in the face of her approach, then, strangely, his face seemed to redden. Some sort of aggressive pigmentation? Preparing his body for the offensive, perhaps?
‘My, my. He even looks strong. Delicious…’ she thought. Her mouth was slightly agape, allowing her multiple tongues to flicker out and taste the air.
At this moment all of the creatures in the bar, having felt the change in the atmosphere, turned to watch the Kasuri with wide eyes. They watched in slow motion, watched as the monsters aura built like a thunderhead. What had been a tepid fear among the remaining patrons became a torrent. As fast as limbs could move, credit chits were dropped on the tables and creatures began making their hasty exits. Like rodents they fled the bar, but without a sound, lest they draw the predator’s attention.
Ivo gave a friendly wave to the Kasuri woman and she seemed to smile, showing her teeth a little, before she delicately took one sip of the wine. Ivo had planned to walk over, but she had already risen smoothly from her seat, disturbing the glasses but not knocking them over. She ascended to her full, glorious height, and strode purposefully over to him, heavily muscled legs hinting at the barely restrained power she possessed.
What a stunning creature!
Definitely two meters tall with flaring hips and a fantastic booty. She had a confidant, wide swinging gait. Her hips and legs were shaped like a human’s, all the way down to her ankles. It looked like she was walking on sharp tip-toes, or as if she were wearing a pair of invisible stilettos, but her feet were actually balanced by spikes growing out of her raised heels.
She had a long tail, wide at the base, but tapering down towards the end, at least a meter in length. Even the way her tail swung -somewhere in between that of a cat’s, but with the slow, steady rhythm of a shark- was both feminine and yet unmistakably masculine in its aggressiveness.
Her body was covered in a fine, thin layer of blue and grey patterned fur. Her ears found the middle ground between those of a cat and bunny. And those beautiful bountiful bosoms! Each were nearly the size of a mans head and they swayed in time with her blue hair that flowed and shimmered as she walked- no, stalked, towards him.
Even her outfit was spectacular. Contoured to her body, both hiding and revealing her feminine qualities in a way that only heightened Ivo’s interest. He hadn’t seen a female even remotely resembling a human for over a year, and then this fantastic creature arrives!
Suddenly, Ivo realized, he had to stop looking her over like some kind of meat. He had to look at her face, and no matter what, do not break contact. Do not look at her flowing breasts no matter how easily his mind wandered counter to the thought. Thank God his spacesuit’s pants had segmented armor plating, it was the only thing keeping Ivo’s rising manhood from showing. Suddenly Ivo’s cheeks flushed in embarrassment. To his credit, though, his gaze did not wander.
And what of poor Fred whose back has been turned this whole time? Fred could sense the monster’s approach and had only a few seconds to scoot the seat over and pull his appendages into his shell. He then waited for the inevitable screaming to start when his captain was torn limb from limb. He spared a sentimental thought before the fear took over. We had a good run , farewell captain. Alas, poor Ivo, I will tell them of your bravery.
Kalin noticed the redness in Ivo cheeks, and slowed her approach. Inching closer to smell him and tensing for a fight, the creature remained completely at ease. She moved beside Ivo and took her place, somewhat violently pushing the poor turtle away, slowly continuing to inch closer to Ivo.
“Captain Ivo, I presume?” Said in a sweet, but dangerous tone, her multiple tongues giving multiple accents to the same set of words.
From Ivo’s perspective it seemed that she is was speaking with sexiest combination of French, Russian, British, and Japanese accents. Universal translators had a bad habit of inverting translated accents and didn’t handle allegory, puns, or euphemisms well, but Ivo didn’t mind in the slightest.
“Yes Mam,” responded Ivo. Things were moving a bit fast, but he hoped to keep his cool and not blow it with this alien babe who was obviously way out of his league.
Kalin leaned forward a little more. “You have my full attention creature, what do you want?”
“I was wondering what a delightful [-delicious/desirable/palatable-] creature such as yourself was doing alone [-vulnerable/isolated-].
Kalins ears bent back a bit and she flashed him an even bigger razor-sharp tooth filled smile.
“So you think you can challenge [-aake advances/duel/???-] me creature? Do you think I am some sort of weak prey? [-woman of loose morale/????/error-].”
“No, no, I just meant to be friendly [-non-threatening-]. I just thought [-mind/ projection-] that we could possibly have a conversation [-talk/discuss/mingle-] and enjoy some companionship [-friendship/courtship/mating-].”
It was at this that Kalin, who was less than six inches from from Ivo’s face, fully tasted Ivo’s pheromones and finally sensed the first tiny bit of fear from him. Suddenly, like a shot to the head, she identified the smell that eluded her and had been growing in intensity. The smell was not of fear, not anger, but an immense, overwhelming predatory desire -directed at her!- t-t-to- copulate!?!
“What!?!?” Kalin yelled, pulling back. Her face twisted in near-horror and shock, blushing under her fur. No previous experience could have prepared her for the possibility that the first viable adversary to appear in 300 years would WANT TO MATE WITH A KASURI. “What kind of horrible creature are you?!?”
The pheromone soup in the bar was one of fear, flight, anger, hate, desire and F***ng. Her thoughts raced at a million miles an hour. *I must kill it, I must kill it now, and no one must know. It was only a weak creature that offended me, no one must know. What if there are more of them? What if they all want to mate with Kasuri? We can be feared, we can be hated, but no proper adversary wants to mate with its prey. It should want to eat it and kill it! Treat it as an animal and kill it as such. We can’t be loved, no creature can love us. They must all hate us! They are nothing but prey and we are the monsters- Wait. This is just a mad creature. It’s just a mad creature, completely delusional. It must be put down, yessss that’s right.*
Kalin had backed off a few feet away from Ivo at this point, having begun to mumble unintelligibly.
Ivo tried to calm her down. “Ma’m I didn’t mean any disrespect, I just thought you might want some companionship [-friend/mate/copulation-].”
At that moment it was the dumbest thing he could have said. Kasuri had a fight or flight response just like humans -though rarely triggered- and, unfortunately for Ivo, this time it was fight.
Kalin screamed hatefully at him. “You disgusting monster, I’LL KILL YOU!”
Kalin’s claws suddenly extended as she leapt at Ivo. Luckily Ivo’s human reflexes and training gave him just enough time to smoothly shift his body to the right, grab the bar-stool next to him and full-on brained her with it- clocking her out cold.
Ivo immediately panicked. “Oh shit! Pleasedon’tbedeadpleasedon’tbedead!”
Just as Ivo leaned over to examine Kalin, he was interrupted by the sound of several thunks as a dozen stun grenades landed on the floor. Ivo had just enough time to think OH $#@&! before all twelve stun grenades went off.
Throughout the Draco Federated worlds, whenever a Kasuri is on a federated planet they are usually shadowed by strike squads -roughly equivalent to two human swat teams- with an entire battalion of infantry on alert in case the first and secondary police units are not enough. This is generally done to reassure the local governments.
The moment the Kasuri engaged in combat with the Ivo, the strike teams deployed- stun grenades first. The great irony of all that security, is that nothing had provoked a Kasuri in over 75 years anywhere in the Federated Alliance. And Ivo had just put himself on the map as nperson non grata. If he had known, he could have simply avoided the attack untill cops tossed the stun grenades. Unfortunately, even if he had, the result would have been the same. After all, the only thing even scarier than a Kasari is a creature that can beat one in hand-to-hand combat.