Affiliations, Aliens, and Other Profitable Pursuits
Page 11
“I explained you would pick vegetables for those who had once cared for you, even while you share my nest and my meat.”
Liam frowned. Put in Rownt terms, that sounded so disloyal. “I would never choose any of them over you.”
Ondry glurbled in reassurance. “Of course you wouldn’t, and I explained as much to the Grandmothers, but I told them you would spend an afternoon picking vegetables for those who treated you well in the past. I also said Diallo would pick vegetables for me.”
Liam lay in Ondry’s arms, trying to figure out how that would look to a Rownt audience. It wasn’t logical, which explained why the Grandmothers were trying to decide if this was a Liam weirdness or a human weirdness. “Now that we’re here, Diallo will side with her own people.”
“Yes,” Ondry agreed.
“She would only pick vegetables for you if it earned her meat.”
Ondry loosened his hold and leaned back enough so they could look each other in the eye. “Would she act against me or walk past were I in distress?”
Liam sighed. “No, she wouldn’t unless she had orders to, but that doesn’t mean we can trust her good intentions.”
“I trust no one except myself and you,” Ondry said.
“Not the Grandmothers?”
“These Grandmothers? No. I trust they act in the best interests of their ship, but I have no illusions about their disapproval of me.”
Liam cringed. “Was your altercation that bad?”
Ondry huffed. “They do not place blame on me, and the eldest Grandmother still requested my help and spoke to me over food. However, they refuse me a title, and the Grandmother doing the psychology research clearly questioned my ability to understand you or humanity in general. I no longer know what to expect from these wily old women.”
“Would your status improve if we went back to Prarownt?” Liam asked. He knew Ondry had a dream of trading with the Imshee for some cure for aging, but Liam didn’t hold out hope. He didn’t think Ondry would be giving up much by going back to the planet.
“One who leaves profits at his back isn’t worthy of them.”
“So if we run, that pretty much proves you aren’t worthy of your rank,” Liam translated. When Ondry didn’t argue, Liam knew he’d understood correctly. So if they stayed, the Grandmothers were disrespectful enough to impact Ondry’s rank, but if Ondry and Liam left, Ondry would prove his own lack of worth. “I feel like having me as a palteia backed you into this corner.”
“No.” Ondry rubbed his fingers over Liam’s neck. “Before the day I claimed you, I was ye ranked. Recognizing your worth gave me respect, and seeing you in my nest gives me pleasure I cannot explain. You are not limiting my opportunities.”
Liam wasn’t sure, but he did recognize that Ondry had an expression that brooked no debate on the matter.
“Let us get dressed so the Grandmothers have no complaints about having to wait on us,” Ondry said. He gave Liam a bit of a push toward the edge of the nest.
“I’m not going to show up for negotiations without showering,” Liam said firmly, but he also didn’t want to cause more trouble, so he hurried toward the showering facilities. He was an ex-soldier, so he knew how to take a shower in four minutes. Sometimes the old skills came in handy.
Chapter Eleven
Ondry had never watched Grandmothers trade. Ka-ranked traders spent more time at the temples, but Ondry had not been ka ranked for long. Before Liam, Ondry had the rank of an individual who could financially support himself and contribute to society. However, as a ye-ranked merchant, Ondry never had a chance to see a Grandmother trade in front of him.
And after Liam came into Ondry’s life, spending time at the temple had very little appeal. Every new sight, every trade or new person led to such wonder in Liam’s expression. Ondry had sacrificed any opportunity to watch the Grandmothers in favor of watching Liam discover his new world.
So now, standing at the edge of the room and watching these Grandmothers, Ondry realized that had Grandmothers traded with him, he would have been unable to compete. They were beautifully heartless negotiators. The negotiations were marked by long periods of silence that grew so heavy the human traders would begin to repeat contract terms over and over. The Grandmothers would make random observations Ondry didn’t even understand until two hours later. Then he realized some weather pattern they referenced meant mining a particular mineral was expensive and difficult on the human-owned world that happened to have rich deposits. Ondry could see the humans were even more disquieted by the Grandmothers’ behavior.
Yet each time it appeared as if the negotiations would end, another Grandmother would make a small concession, and the humans would reciprocate.
As the day continued, Ondry had more respect for these officers. Like Liam, they suffered from an inability to postpone their bodily functions, and every hour or so another one or two more excused themselves for a break; however, the others would pick up the debate. They functioned well in a team, which was difficult for any negotiators. Ondry would rank himself a better trader than any single human because they clearly suffered frustration, and that emotion could be turned to a wily trader’s advantage. Despite their physical limitations, as a group the humans showed remarkable skills, and Ondry was not sure he could best the team.
Liam translated the Grandmothers easily. It bothered Ondry that his conflicts with the Grandmothers would also deny Liam a tuk-rank. His ability to handle two such difficult languages with such ease surely deserved it. Susan Diallo’s own full colonel rank was equivalent to a tuk rank, which made Ondry even more insistent that others give Liam the respect he deserved.
With the exception of a leisurely midday meal, negotiations continued hour after long and tedious hour. The human traders took breaks, but other than a few quick trips to relieve his bladder, Liam stood at the eldest Grandmother’s side, his exhaustion clear in the long pauses between words and the way he leaned against the table.
Ondry thought it odd to trade over a surface when there were no goods to display or trade markers to move in the silent dance of the trading squares, but maybe all humans felt a need to lean against something because the officers had their arms on the table as well.
The Grandmother who appeared to know the most about navigation sat farthest from eldest, next to the tuk-ranked traders. She asked for clarification about delivery schedules, and Ondry took the opportunity to move to a spot just behind Liam.
The eldest Grandmother made a small huff that could have indicated surprise or disapproval, but Ondry didn’t care. He wrapped his arm around Liam’s waist and pulled him close.
“Lieutenant?” a human officer asked. That was the new rank they had offered Liam.
The eldest Grandmother lifted her hand, and Liam turned his attention to her. “Are you tired, young one?”
“I’m fine,” Liam said. Ondry disliked the way Liam traded away his own comfort, and Ondry was on the verge of saying as much when the Grandmother gave Ondry an amused look, much like two adults might exchange over a child’s antics. The color left Ondry’s face, driven out by this Grandmother’s disrespect of Liam.
The Grandmother turned back to the humans. “We shall continue to discuss tomorrow,” she said.
“I am fine to continue,” Liam said.
“No doubt,” the Grandmother answered. Ondry noted Susan Diallo was translating for the humans now that the specific details and nuances of trade language weren’t an issue. The Grandmother stood and headed for the door. Ondry held Liam, allowing the higher-ranked Rownt to pass before he urged Liam to follow.
“I just had a bathroom break. I don’t need another time-out. I’m not fragile,” Liam complained. Despite his words, he walked with stiffness. While some pain for the sake of a good trade was understandable, Ondry would not allow Liam to continue to the point of exhaustion.
“They would take profit from your discomfort,” Ondry said as he looked toward the Grandmothers. The nearest trader, a tuk-ranked elder
male taller than a couple of the Grandmothers, turned to look at Ondry with wide eyes.
“My discomfort is a small price for good profits,” Liam whispered back after glancing toward the building where the humans remained behind.
“The profits are not yours, and while it is a proper donation to the temple, one should temper charity and not provide all the support at once,” Ondry said. Liam looked at him oddly but didn’t answer. That usually meant Liam had no idea what Ondry was talking about.
“Is he injured?” Tuk-Bectl asked. At five hundred he was one of the youngest tuk-traders, but Ondry had heard others speak of his unparalleled skills with programming and designing technology.
Ondry lowered his head respectfully for a moment. “He shall recover with rest.”
“He is standing right here,” Liam said, which was a bewildering statement given no one had suggested anything to the contrary. Bectl gave Ondry a confused and wide-eyed look, but Ondry chose not to respond to the silent request for clarification.
Liam stopped.
“Is that the man you spoke to yesterday?” Bectl asked as he faced a human vehicle with an individual standing next to it. Ondry could understand Bectl’s confusion because it was difficult to distinguish between humans who had similar coloring.
Liam nodded. “Framkie. Yes, that’s him.” He sounded unsure, and Ondry wrapped his tail around Liam’s leg.
When Liam failed to react to the offer of comfort, Ondry stopped and pulled Liam close. He waited until there was more distance between them and the other Rownt. After a pause, even Bectl had to move on rather than appear overly interested in another’s palteia.
“Do you wish to speak to Framkie?” Ondry asked softly.
Liam’s gaze went to the Grandmothers headed for the ship. “They probably don’t want to wait.”
“Grandmothers never take a step unless there are three different sources of profit in that direction,” Ondry said. It was an old saying, but he’d never appreciated how true it was until now. “They have said they would approve of you interacting with this human, so they can, no doubt, learn from his reactions.”
“I’m not sure I want them learning about humans from him,” Liam said. But then he sighed in a way that often meant he was about to contradict himself. “Although he is a good man, and he’ll make a better impression than the officers.”
“The officers trade shrewdly,” Ondry said, which was the highest compliment he could offer. Months ago when Ondry had first claimed custody of Liam, he’d had a much lower opinion of human leaders. The officer who had once insulted Liam in the streets of Janatjanay had acted in ways that were offensive and caused loss of profit. These officers were much more logical.
Liam gave Ondry a disbelieving look. “I guess,” he said. “Are you sure the Grandmothers wouldn’t be annoyed by a delay?”
“I am sure they hope to watch your conversation with Framkie, but I also know you are my first priority and if you do not want to talk to him, they can find another to speak with the human.”
That made Liam laugh. “Trust me, Framkie is not going to talk to anyone else.”
“Not Diallo?”
“She’s an officer,” Liam said as if that explained why Framkie and Diallo would not speak. Ondry didn’t entirely understand. After all, when he was ye ranked, he had still asked a Grandmother for help in claiming Liam as his palteia. With Rownt the lower ranks would appeal to the upper for help, but things appeared to be different with humans.
Not sure how to council his palteia, Ondry studied Liam. However, the difficult silence suggested he needed some help to reach a decision. “The Grandmothers and the officers would have you speak to this man, but that does not obligate you to speak. You do not have to endure his disapproval.”
“I want him to see I’m making better choices, but I don’t know if there’s a way to convince him,” Liam said softly.
“I could speak to him,” Ondry offered. If Liam feared his own judgment could not be trusted, Ondry would tell Framkie that Liam had grown strong.
“That probably wouldn’t help. You’re very dominant, and I think Framkie would assume I’m incapable of standing up to a dominant personality.”
Ondry was shocked. “You stood up to the Grandmothers in Janatjanay, insisting you had to return to your officers.”
“Until I then decided to give in and go along with the plan to allow you to take me into your care.”
Ondry paled. It sounded as though Liam perceived being a palteia as weakness. However, Ondry cherished no memory more than that of Liam stumbling toward him, clinging to him in search of protection. When Rownt grabbed one another, it was an expression of power. Ondry would never allow a lesser Rownt to touch him, and as much as he felt pride when a female pulled his tail, those feelings were nothing compared to the overwhelming joy he felt when Liam sought to shelter in Ondry’s arms. Only with Liam did contact come with trust and a mutual promise of affection.
“That was the best decision in the world, and I would never want anything different,” Liam hurried to add. He reached up and rested his hand against Ondry’s fora. “But that doesn’t show me sticking to my guns.”
“You are palteia. You have always shown loyalty. Others have not treated you well, so you have needed to find a new home, but that does not show weakness.”
Liam let his hand slide down until it rested on Ondry’s chest. “I doubt Framkie will see it that way, but I don’t want him to think I’m being stupid with my life. Maybe it shouldn’t matter, but it does,” Liam said. He sounded miserable, so Ondry caressed the side of Liam’s neck.
“You have no obligation,” Ondry said. When he glanced toward the Grandmothers, the eldest Grandmother gazed back at him. Without a doubt they wished to see the humans interact. In the past, the disapproval of a Grandmother would have sent Ondry running to correct his behavior. Now he narrowed his nose. His palteia would not suffer for their curiosity. Moreover, he would not put all his faith in those wily old women. Ondry would protect his own profits and interests.
“Let’s go talk to him,” Liam said firmly after a long pause. “If nothing else, I should ask about Ian Preston. He was injured on the front, and he’s still in the hospital.” The last word required Liam to fall back on human language.
“That is where the injured go?” Ondry asked. When he suffered injury, he disliked being around others, but humans were much more social, and Ondry had learned not to judge their preferences by his own.
“Yes.” Liam lifted his hand to greet Framkie. The man lifted his own hand, but Ondry noted he did not leave his vehicle. So Liam headed toward Framkie. Ondry didn’t unwrap his tail fast enough, and Liam ended up giving it a good strong pull. Ondry huffed, and Liam whirled around, his skin turning pink. “Sorry.”
“I don’t mind you pulling my tail,” Ondry said.
“You do deserve to have it pulled,” Liam teased, which chipped away some of the tension that had him tied in knots.
Ondry laughed. “If you start to consider laying eggs, I’ll worry about how much my tail might get pulled. There are physical limits to the production of genetic material.”
“If I start laying eggs, I’m going to hide in our nest and never come out again.”
“That will make for a very messy nest.”
Liam switched to English as they approached Framkie. “Then it’s good I will never lay an egg.”
“True,” Ondry said.
Framkie frowned. The variation in the coloring of his hair suggested age, and he was heavier than Liam, but other than that, they looked very much the same. “That’s a strange conversation to walk into the middle of,” Framkie said.
“I accidentally pulled Ondry’s tail, which isn’t a big deal from a human point of view, but it’s a thing a woman who wants an egg might do, so Ondry was teasing me.” Liam put his hand on Ondry’s arm. “Minor Sergeant Don Framkie of Earth, this is Tuk-Ondry of the line of Chal, primary trader for the Tura Coalition of Mines.”
“We’re partners,” Liam said.
“Partners?” Framkie’s voice developed a sharpness that usually suggested negative emotions when Liam used it, but Ondry had not been around enough humans to know if that was a species-wide trait.
“Work partners,” Liam said. “I help him translate and I trade with him. In return, he trusts me with his contacts and provides the roof over my head.”
That was a rather skewed version of how Ondry saw their relationship, but Liam had explained human bias regarding nonreproductive sexual contact, so Ondry imagined Liam hoped to avoid such a discussion. However, Ondry did have to add one thing, “And I value you,” Ondry said.
Framkie looked from Ondry to Liam.
“He said he likes me and wants to keep me around,” Liam said.
“Right,” Framkie said, but he drew the vowel out so long Ondry knew the tone had some hidden meaning.
Liam’s blush reinforced that impression. “This relationship isn’t like the others.”
“Given his dick is over a foot long, I would hope not.” Framkie leaned against the open door of his vehicle. “Christ, he’s big. How often does he even need someone to translate?”
“I need Liam always,” Ondry said before Liam could say something that would discount his own value.
“Ondry,” Liam said quietly.
“It is true. I value you, and I am not a human to change how I feel.” Ondry stared down at Liam as the silence grew longer.
Framkie cleared his throat. “I get the feeling there are some unhappy feelings here. Maybe I should catch you later…you know…when you don’t have a nine-foot-tall alien hovering over you.”
“He’s somewhere between seven and eight feet,” Liam snapped.
“Oh, that’s so much better. Christ, Munson, that was slightly off topic. Look, I’m sure the bigwigs are going to send me out again, so I’ll see you later.”