Milk of Mouse-nesia
Story © 2013 Marvin E. Fuller
Mouse and tea concept by Dennis M. Falk

	"The Emeritus is currently occupied and cannot see you yet," said the mouse female.  She gestured at a couch.  "Please, be seated.  May I offer you some tea while you wait, Lieutenant, Ensign?"
	"Please and thank you," Lieutenant Justin Koi said, taking a seat on the low slung couch.  Ensign Ch'mirr made a noncommittal sound and followed the human's lead.  On the low table in front of them, the mouse set down the tray she carried.  What looked like a tea set sat upon it.
	Koi glanced at his Jiirdan crewmate.  Although a rodentoid like the mouse, Ch'mirr resembled more a gerbil with extra fangs, and his tail tufted down a third of its length.  Unlike the mouse, who seemed to disdain anything that would cover her upper torso and those impressive mammaries of hers, Ch'mirr's attire included not just the standard uniform but also the traditional Jiirdan haajii hood that covered most of his head and face, fingerless gloves, and a wrap around most of the untufted part of his tail.  However, if his crewmate felt any discomfort towards the mouse's lack of attire, Koi didn't see it.
	As for Koi, he didn't let the fuzziness of its owner interfere with his enjoyment of watching that lovely bosom wiggle and jiggle as the mouse worked.  He figured this sort of – observation of detail – fell into Starfleet's mandate of "seeking out new lifeforms and new civilizations".  Unfortunately, he'd never gotten past the observation stage, and he doubted very much he'd get the opportunity to this time.  Despite this tea party, the two were on business and need to get back to the Solstice once they'd finished consulting with the Emeritus, the local version of a college professor mixed with eminent scientist.
	The mouse poured the tea into two small cups then did what Koi thought a curious thing.  Giving one of those eye-catching breasts of hers a fondle, she squirted some breast milk into each cup of tea, then passed one cup to Koi and the other to Ch'mirr.  Koi shot another glance at the Jiirdan, but the only thing that betrayed Ch'mirr's distaste was a flattening of his whiskers and a momentary twitch in a saucer-like ear.  Koi looked back at his cup, mentally shrugged, and guzzled down the tea.  What the hell, drinking weird foods fell under "seeking out new lifeforms and civilizations" too.  It tasted pretty good actually.
	Setting down his cup, Koi watched Ch'mirr stare down at his untouched tea.  Reluctantly, the Jiirdan lifted the cup and resolutely drank his tea, his ears slicked back and his whiskers flat against his muzzle.  Aliens could be difficult to read at times, but Koi knew Ch'mirr well enough to see that he was doing his best to hide his disgust.
	"That was very good," Koi complemented the mouse.  Perhaps if Koi distracted her as she cleaned up, Ch'mirr could choke down his tea without being thought too rude.  Besides, those breasts were very interesting to watch.
	"I must say that last little bit was a wonderful touch.  Especially when coming from such a lovely source," Koi added.  He ignored a faint gagging sound from Ch'mirr.  "As a visitor to your world, I thank you for doing us the honor."
	"Why, thank you," the mouse gave the local equivalent of a coy smile and a fluttering of eyelashes.  "I am very glad my tea meets your approval.  You must run across many diverse and exotic cuisines in your travels."
	"None that are quite as fascinating to watch being prepared," Koi said.  True, there had been that time on Rigel VII with the acrobatic sushi and what Koi could only describe as a samurai chef, but Koi was pretty sure the females of the chef's species lacked breasts, assuming they even had females.
	"Perhaps, if the opportunity arises later on, I can offer some of my family's cheeses for you to try," the mouse gave Koi what he figured was a coquettish wink.  "I understand they are considered quite good."
	"That sound scrumptious," Koi gave her the best approximation of a mousy smile he could manage.
	At that point, Ch'mirr gave a sneezy cough, as if he'd snorted some tea up his nose by accident.  Koi resisted the urge to roll his eyes as Ch'mirr set down his cup, which the mouse promptly collected.
	"Thank you," Ch'mirr managed to say in something resembling his normal voice.  The mouse bowed her head politely at him, a touch of amusement in her eyes and ears, and then took the remains of the tea ceremony out of the room.
	"Masterful acting," Koi told the Jiirdan.
	"Ikkk!" Ch'mirr gave a shudder he must have been hiding while the mouse had been present.  "I didn't need to see that last bit."
	"I thought it added just the right touch," grinned Koi.  Ch'mirr favored him with a glare, but Koi only gave a bigger grin.
	"I'm amazed you took it so well," Koi teased.  "I half expected to be performing the Heimlich on you by now.  God only knows if I'd also have to do mouth-to-mouth."
	"Blech," a surprisingly human-like expression of revulsion crossed Ch'mirr's face.
	"Pfft," Ch'mirr finally pulled himself back together.  "They're aliens.  They're supposed to have bizarre tastes."
	Koi had to admit there was a certain logic to that.