The thought crossed her mind to just let him go without confronting him. He was a runaway slave, cowardly, illogical and overly emotional.
Indeed, what if his past had damaged him so badly that it would keep him from being even a passable mate? Was it truly in her own best interest to be with a man Like that? Yet perhaps there was more to this man than she could see on the surface. A conversation she had had with her mother came to mind as she pondered what to do.
-Years ago-
Within a massive, multi-roomed tree house in an even more massive tree, a mantis, her long brown hair splayed about, delicately kissed the unshaven cheek of the chiseled man sleeping in their bed of furs. It had been a lovely night spent Lovemaking, then cuddling as they slept, now it was time to go hunt for breakfast. She took a bit of string from beside the bed and did her hair up in a long but simple ponytail.
As she stood and stretched out her scythes she was well aware of the figure spying on them from just outside the room.
A young mantis, her appearance like that of an eight year old human, her scythes only half a foot long, stepped forward, already knowing she had been seen. They both spoke in eerily similar stoic tones
"Taki."
“Mother.”
“Were you curious?”
She nodded.
“You watched Last night as well."
She nodded again.
“Don't tell your father, it would embarrass him."
“Why ?"
“He is surprisingly sensitive, though if you do desire him—"
She shook her head. "No, I mean why did you mate with him Last night?
You do it so often, even when you know you can't get pregnant this time of year."
She patted her on the head, a tiny smile now gracing her lips, a bit of warmth showing in her voice, even if Taki could not appreciate those things. "Someday you will understand, Taki. Sex is more than reproduction. It is a gift, a pleasure that opens our eyes to give us more reason to live than simply survival."
“Just now he was asleep. Did kissing his cheek bring sexual pleasure as well?”
"No," a faint smile appeared on her Lips again, “it simply felt... right. This you will understand as well one day.”