Everyone in the thylacine tribe gave us a rousing welcome after noticing Kruger has came back. There were giant thylacines continuously darting out from various places in the jungle, running straight to Kruger, and then stroking and licking each other's fur enthusiastically. After greeting Kruger, they came to my side and rubbed my head gently with passion.
It seems that rubbing with each other is the way these beasts express their friendship and welcome. I raised my hand, stretching it out to these furries squatting next to me and trying to rub their head back as a reply, but Kruger immediately became gloomy and stopped my action.
"Aow Ow Woo!"
Combining three steps into two steps, he dashed in front of me and twisted his butt to push others all away from my side. Kruger tossed his tail, and then walked closer and rubbed me from top to my feet again with his own head — like he was using his pheromone to fully cover me.
Even after he turned back to human form, that big long tail still wasn't taken back. Kruger stretched his tail out and loosely circled it around my waist, didn't look at me but bubbled a bunch of sentences to those thylacines in the beast language.
Although I can't understand what he was actually talking about, through Kruger's expression and movements, I could still approximately figure out what he was thinking at this moment: he probably became jealous or possessive because I tried to touch other dogs.
As a strong alpha, when Kruger spoke in a menacing tone, those thylacines were fiercely threatened by him, their ears moved backward, tails were holding down, and they even started to sob, which made me feel sorry for them:
"Easy, easy, Kruger. I am very happy to be accepted and welcomed by everyone in your tribe. Anyway, you are always special and now you are the closest one to me!"
Kruger twisted his back to look at me, his eyes became red, and his lips pursed like they were curved enough to hang on a small kettle. "But... LuLu! You are my destined mate, even did I have not been touched so much, why are you touching other beasts? They are not able to understand your language!"
Well, it seems like I did make some mistakes.
Back in my previous world, almost everyone who feeds a pet is willing to pat other people's cats or dogs, they even spend money rubbing cats in some special cat theme cafe. And so did I, I always love to pet animals even though I didn't have a pet. Therefore, when I saw some big dogs wagging their tails at me here, subconsciously I wanted to touch them...
However, I did ignore a fact: these thylacines are not only some simple-minded animals but also beast-man who can shift into humans. Since I am not their destined mate, I should pay more attention to the social distance when I am getting close to them.
"I got your point. I am sorry, Kruger." I apologized.
"So... If I want to show my friendliness, I would only pat their head, is that okay? And only you can enjoy my massage for other body parts like belly or back."
Kruger is now happy again. Proudly taking back his big tail around me, he stepped aside with a generous look and seemed to be satisfied by my answer, "Well, okay. I knew LuLu you do care about me and you're super nice to me!"
After greeting all the beasts living in this tribe, three aboriginal females who live with these thylacine beasts also showed up. They came and hugged me one by one, and then did some air kisses with me. The one that looks like an elder held my hand with a smile, indicating me to follow her.
"LuLu, she is the female who took care of me when I was a cub. Her name is Kirra, she is uncle Hugh's mate. She will show you the caves where these couples live shortly." Kruger whispered near my ears, and then he beamed at her and talk with Kirra for a few minutes.
While they were talking, some beasts turned into human form and spoke in a loud voice not far away from us. After listening to their words, Kruger immediately became excited and spoke to me with a pleasant face as well:
"They just said that they hunted a bunch of delicious fat moas, we can have BBQ near the creek tonight! It's a welcome party for you to join the thylacine tribe!"
Wow! Bonfire party! BBQ dinner! I like it!
"Wait for a second! Kruger, please come and go back to the car with me, I need to bring something here."
I remembered that before I was sent to this world, in order to let my local classmates taste the delicious Chinese barbecue, which accounts for half of the Chinese midnight snack, I prepared a lot of barbecue condiments such as cumin and chilli powder in my car, as well as all kinds of Chinese food seasonings. Maybe it is the chance for me to let these beasts and other natives feel the charm of Chinese barbecue tonight.
In my opinion, no one can refuse this kind of addictive flavour.
Kruger leaned on my car and held a basket of condiments in his arms, waiting for more things to carry. When I took out the powdered ingredients, he couldn't help sneezing several times. Surprisingly rubbed his nose and made it turn red, Kruger rounded his eyes:
"Aaah- Choo Aaah-Choo Atchoo!"
"LuLu, what are these powders? They smell so quirky!"
"People from your world are so creative that there are so many ways to change the taste of food. But... I kinda doubt is this really good to eat?"
Believe it or not, you would like it eventually.