As we stood, men continued to flow around us heading for the eating hall. We were very much in the way.

“Go find your Brothers, Administrator Gunth," Ratru offered.

“Eat your meal with them and let us take the new women into the dining hall. Hannah spoke to us about her female breeder coming here. We would be honored to help in this way. Hannah is a respected friend. We would gladly do this for her."

Gunth looked at the young man for a moment and then agreed. His Brothers were still in the Administrative hall finishing something. He wanted to go get them.

I watched Gunth Leave with some trepidation and my eyes swung back to our new guide.

“Come on, women," Ratru cajoled, "don't be upset. We will share a meal together. It was not long ago we were rescued. We remember this place is strange if you are used to the compounds. No one will hurt you here. Let us eat together."

“Gunth?" Rose asked watching the big man‘s back disappear into the crowds.

"He is an old man," Ratru's Brother said quietly, "they don't like to be separated. It upsets them."

The dining hall, we soon learned, was a buffet. On the opposite wall were many long tables with food laid out. We got in a line with Ratru and were handed heavy, earthenware plates.

“Take whatever you need," the men told us gesturing to the food.

I looked at Rose and she at me. We had no idea what most of this food was. My memories of food were all borrowed from Damien and his Brothers. When we had been bonded I'd just used what they already knew and we'd never really talked about it or focused on it. Honestly, they always picked it out anyway. Finally I found something I recognized and took what Looked like a serving. Further down I found something else the men had fed me several times.

Rose seemed to be in the same position I was. Neither of us was exactly sure what was on the tables in front of us. The preparation was different. It wasn't Like either of us was that hungry either.

We picked the same things and followed Ratru to a round table with enough chairs for two or three families.

The family we sat with was very friendly; almost everyone that passed seemed to know them. Rose and I were introduced to countless other families. Everyone was kind and seemed happy to be together.

I nibbled on the food I'd taken as the room flowed around us. Ratru and his Brothers made polite small talk with us and inquired curiously about Earth. We answered their questions as best we could. It wasn't hard for anyone to tell that both Rose and I felt strange talking to these men.

Talons hitting the floor told me a female was coming. I turned my head expecting Reed or Hassar, but was thrilled to see Hannah and Ra instead.

“Baby Girl," I cried jumping up and hugging my daughter tightly, “I'm so glad to see you!"

Both girls greeted me fondly, then greeted Rose, and the men we were eating with. Men from an adjoining table pulled several larger stools over so Hannah and Ra could sit with us. They settled down looking very satisfied.

I wasn't satisfied and neither was Rose. I ignored the pleasantries and jumped into the issue.

"Hannah," I said urgently in English, "please you have to help us. They won't Let our families near us. The Administrators here think our men would hurt us or keep us like slaves. You have to make them see reason."

“Was that an Earth Language?" Ratru asked curiously. "The sound is so different!"

My eyes flitted to him, but settled back on Hannah pleadingly.