Lola and Egris left the canteen after saying a polite goodbye to Julie. Despite it being only 7.10, Egris insisted that it was time to sleep.
"I have to leave early in the morning and the first bonding meeting will be tomorrow. It'll be a tiring day." he said as the two of them entered the living room.
"Bonding meeting?" Lola echoed
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"A meeting where you are forced to get to know your mate. Something which I desperately want to avoid."
Lola, a little hurt asked, "Why?"
"Because you haven't been here a full day yet and already they want to start the process."
The breeding process.
Lola involuntary shivered. She had two full months to get her head around that process and warm up to her mate. So far they've had limited conversations and she's seen the canteen. That's it. Hardly the foundations to build a family upon. Egris seemed the type of man to be withdrawn when it came to anything remotely personal, so the chance of him becoming a lovesick puppy was slim. But Lola could try.
"It might be fun, you don't know. I think it sounds like a good idea." She opined, hoping to get more thoughts out of him.
He turned back round to her.
"Trust me, I do." he added gravelly
"Oh, ok. What time does it start?" she asked swiftly, slightly flustered by his rugged tone.
"10 am. And before you ask, I don't know when it ends." He held his hands up to stop Lola before she asked the same question.
"I wasn't going to!" she retorted although he was right.
"Yes you were, don't lie." he scolded, looking deep into Lola's eyes and making her squirm.
"Maybe.... but I'm just being curious! I haven't been here before."
"Well, I'm telling you now. Any more questions?"
"Just one. What about breakfast?"
"I'll leave breakfast in the fridge. At 9.45 I'll walk you to the meeting hall. Be ready then." And with that, he sharply turned on his heel and strode towards his bedroom.
"Bye then." Lola said to the empty living room.
xxx
Lola woke up having the best night sleep possible ever. Lying on her double bed was like sleeping on clouds, her mattress almost consumed her form. So it was no surprise when the alarm she set went off. Lola hadn't realised how long she had slept until she peeled her eyes open and saw the numbers lighting up her phone screen.
9.30
She shot up like a bolt and stumbled out of bed, untangling her duvet from her ankles and sped to the bathroom. She desperately didn't want to be late and feel the wrath of an angered Xyon. Especially a warrior Xyon.
The water was ice cold but there was little time to complain. She scrubbed herself thoroughly with the apple body gel and brushed her teeth in the shower to save time. Once she was done, Lola pulled on a pair of black leggings and a loose grey jumper. She wasn't sure what the bonding meeting entailed exactly but at least she would be comfortable.
By the time Lola had combed out the rat nest on top of her head and applied a layer of mascara, Egris was calling her name from the living room. She stepped outside and saw her mate stand ramrod straight by the front door. He had changed from his black suit to a Prussian blue one with a silver embossed symbol on the chest.
"Come along." He called to her as he opened the door and entered the corridor.
Lola waddled up to him, feeling microscopic compared to his frame. Once she was by his side, he started down the corridor and towards the escalator.
"How was your morning?" She asked, desperate to be polite.
"Well." he replied, not leaving room to add any more.
"That's nice." Lola muttered.
They entered the canteen level and turned towards the left. A large set of double doors had been left open and couples were already entering. It was a large hall like you would find in the gym with wooden flooring and one wall lined with mirrors. On the floor, purple gym mats had been laid out. One for each couple.
Lola quickly shot a quizzical look towards Egris, but he just stared straight ahead.
"Ah! Egris!" A loud, fruity voice called out.
A Xyon standing in front of the mats waved at Egris, beckoning him forward. He did so reluctantly and dragged Lola with him, not caring if she tripped over a mat.
"I presume you are his mate?" He asked sweetly, clasping his hands in front of him.
Lola nodded, wondering why this Xyon was being so sickly sweet.
"She is gorgeous!"
I wouldn't go that far, she thought.
"Look, Mivek, I'm here for the bonding meeting. Where shall we go?" Egris interrupted.
"That mat just there will be fine."
Mivek pointed to one at the front. Just in view for everyone else to see. Egris noticed this and snarled at Mivek but the man kept a stupid smile on his face. Lola, not wanting to escalate things, stood at the foot of the mat. It was large enough for two people.
No, they wouldn't.
But of course, they would.
Once every mat had a couple beside it, Mivek started his 'lesson'.
"Okay everyone," he chirped, clapping his hands together, "I want you lovely ladies to stand in the centre of the mat!"
Like a machine, all the lovely ladies (including Lola) stood in the centre of the mat. Everyone looked hesitant and Lola crossed her arms over her chest.
"Now can you close your eyes,"
Once he had said that, Lola fluttered her lids shut and grasped tightly at her arms. Whatever direction Mivek was taking this, she didn't like.
"And the men need to stand in front of the girlies."
Lola could sense the dip of the mat and the overwhelming presence of Egris.
"Come on Egris, a little closer!"
He took one more step forward and Lola sucked in her breath. She could feel the heat radiating off him in waves. They had only known each other for a day! These Xyon's liked to move quickly - clearly.
"Can all the men place their hands on their mates shoulders. Don't be shy!"
Egris raised his hands and placed them on Lola's shoulder - covering them completely. This was not the sort bonding meeting he was expecting, that was for sure. They still had two months to get to know each other but Mivek had other ideas.
"And spin your partner around."
Lola felt her sense of direction shift as Egris forced her 180 degrees. Now he was behind her and Lola made sure not to stumble back.
"Men, you need to push your partner back but make sure to catch them. Ladies, remember to keep your eyes closed!"
Egris grumbled under his breath -- hating this day even more. He thought about pushing Lola back and walking off, but the devilish angel perched on his shoulder told him not to.
That wouldn't be very nice.
Like every other male in the room, he did as he was told and caught Lola before she hit the ground and hoisted her back up. They were only 5 minutes in. That meant worse was to come.
"We're going to have a little swap now. Can the men stand in the centre with their eyes closed and the ladies in front of them."
When Lola peeled her eyes open and adjusted to the light, Egris was already waiting to take her place. She stood in front of him and tried to regain her breathing. Lola was certain that Egris would've dropped her but apparently he wasn't that low. Maybe.
"Now it's time for our hands!"
Oh god no. No, Lola pleaded internally.
But God must've not been listening that day.
"Place your hands on their chest and push as hard as you can. See if you can push them over."
"Mivek....." Egris seethed.
It felt strange for Lola to be so close to anyone, especially a Xyon. Having her hands planted firmly on his warm chest, Lola used all her weight to force him back but it was like pushing over a brick wall. Perhaps she was really weak but her arms had some meat on them.
Lola paused for a minute before pushing again, using every ounce of energy she had. She took a step forward and stepped on Egris' toe, causing him to wobble slightly. Lola took this as her golden opportunity and forced herself against his chest.
It was like forcing a mountain to keel and Lola had used its weak spot. Egris fell on his back causing a resounding thump in the room and Lola, too quick to act, dropped with him. They both landed in a heap on the mat, kicking and turning to get off.
"What...what are you d-doing!" Egris wheezed, forcing Lola to the side.
"What do you think! I fell!" she shot back, rolling off the mat.
He sighed and got back to his feet, brushed off the invisible specks of his suit and turned towards the instructor.
"Mivek, we're leaving." Egris announced while waiting for Lola to stand.
"Already!" he feigned disappointment but a smirk was visible on his lips.
"Yes!" Egris spat.
Lola knew that his pride was scratched. It wasn't every day a slightly stumpy human girl topples a Yebi warrior. Yet, she couldn't help but smile along with Mivek.