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2025-03-25 00:36:58
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Groomed 8
I silently glance around at the colorful walls as Liamee leads me to the room I am supposed to be staying in. The other girls will be in the same hall as me, and I pray they leave me alone for the evening. I have so much to think over. "Here is your room, Xiu," Liamee says as she comes to a halt. The door slides open and my lips tilt up as soon as I see the luxurious space. At least the room I will call home is nice and calming. "I see you like it," Liamee says as she looks over my expression. I smile at her and nod. "Well come in. Let me show you some of the things that might be different than Earth," Liamee says and I follow her inside the big room. She glides around pointing at things, but I only half listen. My eyes are making their own assessments as she talks. The linens are nice, the rug is expensive, the artwork is simple, and the touches of red make me happy. The sitting chairs look comfortable, but the bed looks overly plush and I know it will hurt my back by day t
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Groomed 9
I sip my tea silently as the other girls talk amongst themselves and laugh. I don't often partake in their social activities, but I have come to like my fellow Harvestees. They are all sweet and openly fond of each other. They aren't like the cutthroat businessmen my father was grooming me to shut down. We have been here on Kea for a week and I have studied every scrap of material Liamee has brought me. I have learned about each of the planets in the Allied forces and I have narrowed down which planets I could see myself potentially calling home. Now I just have to wait until the actual tournament begins. "Xiu, what do you think," Krystal asks and my eyes snap to her face. I didn't catch what Jia and her were talking about. I was too focused on fantasizing about my future. "I am sorry. I wasn't listening to the topic," I admit and Krystal sighs before pointing her finger at Jia. "Jia thinks we should ask for a larger tour of Kea. I said we shouldn't focus so much on Kea since the
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Groomed 10 (Modok)
"You still haven't found a place," Nole asks as he downs another shot of Cok alcohol. I shake my head. The tournament is six days away and I have yet to find a suitable home for my future mate. "Not knowing what species she will be is making me hesitant. I don't know what her preferences will be," I say before taking my first shot. The strong liquid scorches a path down my throat, but I keep my face blank. Cok liquor is strong and requires a strong stomach, but we have been drinking it for years. "Just pick something fancy, but easily defendable. I found a place two days after we were retired," Nole says with a slight slur and I notice his orange skin looks blotchy. He beat me to the bar so who knows how many shots he took before I arrived. But blotchy skin means he has reached his limit. "Slow down. You have had enough," I say to my friend, and he grunts but doesn't reach for another. "Are you more nervous than you are letting on? Drinking that much before I even arrive.
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Groomed 11
Liamee glances at me again, but I ignore her. I know she is trying to read past my carefully placed mask, but I won't let her. Ever since Liamee broke my trust I have stopped sharing my personal feelings with her. I am still nice and respectful, but I no longer share how I feel."I hope you like your dress. We tried to mimic each one of your home countries with the first dress. Day one is the only day you can wear separate colors. Tomorrow, you and the others will all be dressed in similar styles and colors. What do you think," Liamee asks as we walk toward the gathering hall that will be used for our introductions?I nod."My dress is lovely. The red color is perfect," I answer and she surprises me by grabbing my hand.When my eyes connect with her's my heart constricts. She looks like she is on the verge of tears and I know I have hurt her feelings yet again."Xiu, please. I am sorry. I wanted you to bond. I know I pushed too far, but aren't you even a little grateful? Zuri and Fiad
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Groomed 12
"They were nice," Fiadh says softly as we walk away from the table of Puelos. And my annoyance grows. I liked the blue women just as much as they did, but there is no point in getting invested in their culture. We have no hopes of ever living on Puelo since none of the competing males come from their planet. "They were," Krystal says and my composure snaps. "They don't have a competing male. Meeting with them was practically pointless," I say a little too forcefully, and Zuri's face tells me I went too far. "Nevertheless, they were nice," she says while looking at me with raised eyebrows. I immediately cave. Everything Liamee said before this all started has been playing in my head. I don't want to drive my only friends away. I just want this to go perfectly for all of us. I want each of us to end up with the best so we will be well taken care of. I nod and bow my head. "I apologize, Fiadh. They were pleasant," I say sincerely and Jia giggles before shooting Zuri a wink. "Co
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Groomed 13
As I walk into the large room I take in the new tables and atmosphere instantly. The colored tables have been removed, and elegant lights are now hanging from the ceiling giving the room a more romantic feel. Two long tables are now running the length of the ballroom, and the female side of the room is already filling up. I quickly find a spot against the wall and avert my eyes from the door. If, by chance, they seat us randomly, I don't want to risk sitting next to my gorgeous friends. While their words from lunch were wonderful it doesn't change the fact they could hinder my match. No one looks at me as I take my spot, and I realize no one looks as confident as they did during lunch. They actually look as nervous as I feel. Suddenly I spot Krystal heading my way. I try to hide, but it's too late. My bright-colored dress is like a draw. "What," Krystal demands after reaching my side and evaluating my face. I sigh. I know that I am about to hurt her feelings, but I have to
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Groomed 14 (Modok)
I take another bite of food and discreetly look at the females across from me again. They seem to be less nervous now that most of the champions are busy eating, but the one in the white dress still looks a little too anxious for my liking. It's as if she is waiting to be attacked. The brown-skinned female who looks as if she is from Vaal instead of Earth, keeps glancing at her too. I swallow my bite of Makskin gult and reach for my drink. I have looked over all the females here and I have decided I like the look of the female humans. Each of them is uniquely beautiful. Plus they keep checking on one another just like my comrades and I do when we are in a difficult situation. That kind of behavior is something I can relate to. I also like the thought of mating a female from Kea. They are cordial and beautiful a hundred percent of the time. The Puelos and the Shikaz ladies are very beautiful also, but they might only care about my status. I will have to pick their behavior apart
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Groomed 15
"Wow," Jia says quietly as the Keas efficiently change the large room from dining hall to dancing hall. "Very pretty," Fiadh whispers back and Krystal nods. I let my eyes travel over the line of champions, discreetly trying to see if anyone is looking at me in particular, and I am surprised to see a champion from Cok smiling at me. His gaze is practically fixed on me and I know he will be the first one to ask me to dance. "The rest of the evening is all about enjoying each other's company and getting to know one another on a more intimate level. Have fun," the male Kea says, and I watch the Cok champion as he cuts across the floor toward me. "Would you care to dance with me?" he asks as soon as he stops in front of me, and I nod slightly. I hear someone asking Zuri to dance as well, but I don't glance over. I need to focus on my opportunities at the moment. My friends will be just fine during this part of the tournament. He offers me his sand-colored arm and I drape my hand ov
Last Updated : 2025-03-25
Latest chapter
Groomed 20 (Modok)
I sit down on the bench and close my eyes. Fighting a bronkark won't be easy, but I promised Xiu. I vowed to win for her, so I will do what I do best. I will move quickly and find openings with my sharp eyesight. I will win before he has the opportunity to land a fight-ending blow. He seems like a simple male. He will most likely start swinging instantly. I only have to dodge and peel apart his defense. I will ensure I get to choose the female I want and we will enjoy the rest of our lives together. "Tilk is good. You are better," Nole says and I open my eyes as my big orange friend takes up the rest of the bench beside me. "Do I look worried," I ask and he smirks. "You look like you are strategizing," Nole says and it's my turn to smirk. Nole and Burk are the brothers I never had. We might look different and our styles might be opposite, but they are my family. They are the people who mean the most to me... until Xiu and I mate that is. Not even my mother, father, or s
Groomed 19
As the song ends, Moor gives me another easy grin and offers me his arm, but before I can take it, Modok appears beside him. "Xiu of Earth, I would be deeply honored if you allowed me to escort you back to your room," Modok says, and Moor seems to straighten his spine. He glances to the other side of the room before looking back at me and I realize he has decided I am not worth the trouble of fighting Modok. He has another female. Our dance together and conversation were nice, but I didn't win him over completely. I bow my head a little toward Moor before wrapping my arm around Modok's elbow. Modok covers my hand with his own and immediately walks away from Moor. "I'm glad he surrendered his claim to you. I would have destroyed him in the tournament," Modok says and the gravelly tone of his voice sends a satisfying chill down my spine. Modok just admitted that he would fight for me. Something no one has done for me not even my Father. Father always provided for me, not for my
Groomed 18 (Modok)
"I am happy you have been cured... How many children would you like to have one day," I ask as I extend my arm and twirl her. Her elegant body spins beautifully, and when my arm brings her back in, I don't keep her at a respectful distance. I pull her in close, and when her chest meets mine, my world seems to stop. I hold her to me tight, but gentle as I look down into her dark eyes. She is an absolute wonder. Her flawless pale skin and perfect cupid bow have captivated me. Every curve on her body looks delicate and fragile, but there is a fire just behind her dark eyes that I want to dive into. I knew I liked how the females from Earth looked, but I never imagined one of them would call to me so strongly. I guess Nole was correct when he said our instincts would know who was meant to be our mates. "Xiu, a human from Earth," I whisper in absolute wonder. The song ends, and I know my time with her is up, but I plan on being the one to escort her back to her room, so parting wit
Groomed 17
I twist my hands anxiously. It's just Fiadh, and I left. I might not get asked to dance this round which isn't a good sign. I have seen some males talking on the sideline with comrades. Maybe they are taking a breather and thinking over their first two dances. Maybe they have already narrowed down who they want to fight for. It makes sense number-wise that some of us wouldn't get asked... or does it mean they won't even waste a dance on someone they know they aren't interested in? Or maybe the partner they do want is already dancing. I can feel my chance of getting chosen by an honorable, and prestigious male slipping through my fingers. I draw in a shaky breath just as someone gives my shoulder a light tap. I turn around fully intending to see Fiadh, but the man standing behind me makes all my thoughts about failure disappear. The breath I was taking leaves my lungs and my cheeks begin to heat up. "Good evening. I am Lieutenant Modok from Gaimo. Would you honor me with a dance,"
Groomed 16 (Modok)
"Any luck," Nole asks as he reaches my side. I glance at him for only a second. He is out of breath and it's clear he rushed back to my side to report on his experience with the Puelos. In between each song, we have a minute and thirty seconds to escort our old partner back to her group and choose another partner to dance with. The pace is rapid but it keeps the evening moving along without conflict. Many champions have complained over the years about how short our time is with each female, but the Keas have been strict. They know some females or males might be more desirable and they have to keep it fair amongst everyone. No one gets more or less time. It eliminates the threat of disagreements. "No. She wasn't the one. But the Keas seem to be a variable option," I reply and he nods. "The Puelos are too status driven. I will approach Shikaz next," he responds, and I peel my eyes off the group of returning humans. "I doubt you will have better results. At dinner, they seem
Groomed 15
"Wow," Jia says quietly as the Keas efficiently change the large room from dining hall to dancing hall. "Very pretty," Fiadh whispers back and Krystal nods. I let my eyes travel over the line of champions, discreetly trying to see if anyone is looking at me in particular, and I am surprised to see a champion from Cok smiling at me. His gaze is practically fixed on me and I know he will be the first one to ask me to dance. "The rest of the evening is all about enjoying each other's company and getting to know one another on a more intimate level. Have fun," the male Kea says, and I watch the Cok champion as he cuts across the floor toward me. "Would you care to dance with me?" he asks as soon as he stops in front of me, and I nod slightly. I hear someone asking Zuri to dance as well, but I don't glance over. I need to focus on my opportunities at the moment. My friends will be just fine during this part of the tournament. He offers me his sand-colored arm and I drape my hand ov
Groomed 14 (Modok)
I take another bite of food and discreetly look at the females across from me again. They seem to be less nervous now that most of the champions are busy eating, but the one in the white dress still looks a little too anxious for my liking. It's as if she is waiting to be attacked. The brown-skinned female who looks as if she is from Vaal instead of Earth, keeps glancing at her too. I swallow my bite of Makskin gult and reach for my drink. I have looked over all the females here and I have decided I like the look of the female humans. Each of them is uniquely beautiful. Plus they keep checking on one another just like my comrades and I do when we are in a difficult situation. That kind of behavior is something I can relate to. I also like the thought of mating a female from Kea. They are cordial and beautiful a hundred percent of the time. The Puelos and the Shikaz ladies are very beautiful also, but they might only care about my status. I will have to pick their behavior apart
Groomed 13
As I walk into the large room I take in the new tables and atmosphere instantly. The colored tables have been removed, and elegant lights are now hanging from the ceiling giving the room a more romantic feel. Two long tables are now running the length of the ballroom, and the female side of the room is already filling up. I quickly find a spot against the wall and avert my eyes from the door. If, by chance, they seat us randomly, I don't want to risk sitting next to my gorgeous friends. While their words from lunch were wonderful it doesn't change the fact they could hinder my match. No one looks at me as I take my spot, and I realize no one looks as confident as they did during lunch. They actually look as nervous as I feel. Suddenly I spot Krystal heading my way. I try to hide, but it's too late. My bright-colored dress is like a draw. "What," Krystal demands after reaching my side and evaluating my face. I sigh. I know that I am about to hurt her feelings, but I have to
Groomed 12
"They were nice," Fiadh says softly as we walk away from the table of Puelos. And my annoyance grows. I liked the blue women just as much as they did, but there is no point in getting invested in their culture. We have no hopes of ever living on Puelo since none of the competing males come from their planet. "They were," Krystal says and my composure snaps. "They don't have a competing male. Meeting with them was practically pointless," I say a little too forcefully, and Zuri's face tells me I went too far. "Nevertheless, they were nice," she says while looking at me with raised eyebrows. I immediately cave. Everything Liamee said before this all started has been playing in my head. I don't want to drive my only friends away. I just want this to go perfectly for all of us. I want each of us to end up with the best so we will be well taken care of. I nod and bow my head. "I apologize, Fiadh. They were pleasant," I say sincerely and Jia giggles before shooting Zuri a wink. "Co
