by Geneva Vand
Even the bathroom didn't work right. The cloaking system was about the only thing that ran properly, and that was because Ticheck had spent most of the trip to pick me up trouble shooting it. I was honestly a little surprised Ticheck had managed to hold the thing together for the entire round trip. He was our best mechanic, but still. Even miracle workers had their limits.
Ticheck set the shuttle down with a quiet thud. Eet sighed in relief and patted the dash. "You should check the hub console. See where home is. I'll wipe the computers and get the bags loaded on a dolly."
I nodded and left the pilot's cabin to retrieve Eric. He wasn't sitting like I had expected. Instead he was waiting by the loading door in the cargo hold looking impatient.
I laughed and grabbed his hand. -Such hurry.-
He shrugged. "I've never been on a space station before."
I told the control panel to open the door and let down the ramp. -Come.-
Eric stayed tight to my side as I went over to one of the large computer terminals against the wall. He watched while I pulled up the visitor listings, entering a search for the family's ship. The hub was busy and Eric refused to give up my other hand, so it took a moment.
-Home on other side of hub,- I told him. -Wait here. Tell Ticheck. Eet will follow.-
I moved Eric until he was standing against the wall next to the console. He looked a little surprised but seemed like he would stay put.
I jogged back to the shuttle and stuck my head into the cargo hold. Ticheck was loading bags into a large wheeled bin.
"They're docked in the yellow bays, number 10," I told eet.
Ticheck sighed. "Of course they are. You'd best take Eric on ahead. It'll take an eternity to get the cart through the crowds unless I sweet talk my way into the maintenance corridors."
I nodded. "If you're sure."
"That's what they pay me for, little one."
I frowned at eet, but eet waved me off and then proceeded to ignore me. I sighed and went back to retrieve Eric. He was where I had left him, watching people come and go. He wasn't gawking like a tourist, but it was a close thing. Thankfully most people just went about their business without really acknowledging him. A few, including a tall Human woman with slanted eyes, smiled kindly and waved.
He took my hand as soon as I was close enough.
-Hungry?-
He winced. "Yeah. No offense, but shuttle food sucks."
It really had. I nodded and led him into the corridor. It took a second to get my bearings. All the hubs looked similar but were arranged differently. I figured out where we were and led him to the most popular food market.
On the way, Eric finally transitioned into the gawky tourist, looking at everything. He was polite about it, but he was definitely curious and people could tell. Most simply ignored him, recognizing him for the newcomer that he was. I pointed out a few things but mainly just let him look. There was time for teaching later.
When we reached the food vendors, I took him to one selling small loaves of bread. It was in the center, and we passed quite a few much more exotic things. When he realized where I had brought him, he grinned. "Bread is good. I can do bread."
The shop keeper giggled at him, a smile curving her wide mouth. "You must be new," she said in a thick, rolling accent.
He blinked, obviously surprised that the small red-scaled female spoke his language. "Yes. Hi."
She quickly put a few different kinds of loaves in a sack and held it out. "Be welcome in the stars. I am Sazic. If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask."
Eric took the bag from her, trying not to be too obvious about figuring out what it was made of. "Thank you," he said smiling.
I reached for the payment console, but she waved me off. "A welcome gift for your Human. We see so few of them."
I nodded. "Thank you." I would have to ask Aeka to shop here when eet replenished our supplies. Sazic winked at me, and I wondered if she didn't have a little telepathy of her own.
Shanking my head in amusement, I led Eric away. -Do you want to look around more or go to the ship?-
"We should go to the ship. You need to check in."
-True.-
*~*~*
They finally stepped into the docking area of a large, black ship. A wide ramp was lowered into the warehouse-like space. There were people everywhere. Not all of them were Iska.
Eric had gotten used to trying not to stare by this point, but he still couldn't believe how many different types of people he'd seen so far. The lizard girl at the bread booth had been sweet. He'd also seen tentacles, a little bit of slime, and every color imaginable. Among other things.
Eric looked around curiously, moving quickly out of the way of workers moving giant crates around. "You weren't kidding about it being at the other side of the hub."
Keeska sighed. -Is large station. Sorry.-
Eric shrugged. "It's fine. What now?"
-Now we take side door. Get out of way.-
Keeska led him to a smaller entrance on the side of the ship, obviously meant for people only. They started down a hallway only to be interrupted by a small group of Iska. All of them talked at once. Keeska looked over at Eric apologetically but didn't even try to translate it all.
Eric squeezed Keeska's hand and let go, hoping to put eet at ease. Keeska smiled in thanks.
After a few minute's conversation, the cluster of Iska moved on and Keeska turned back to Eric. They continued down the hallway.
-They Aeka's and Kasc's staff,- Keeska said after eet had reclaimed Eric's hand. -Parents out. Not sure what time we here and had important meeting. They will see us tomorrow.-
Eric frowned. "They didn't want to see you today?"
-Don't be silly. Of course. But could not wait if I not be here.-
"Fair enough."
-Come. I show you rooms.-
Keeska took Eric through a convoluted path until they wound up in what looked to Eric like a long narrow living room in a small apartment. There was color everywhere. The walls were pale blue and had been covered in paintings, most of them landscapes. There were shelves bolted to the walls as well, and those were filled with pottery and glass. The floors were covered in some kind of dark grey carpet, but there was color there too, in scattered woven rugs. The tables were black and made out of something Eric couldn't identify. Dark bronze chairs and a short couch the same color were arranged in the center of the room.
There was a cooking area at one end. The counters matched the grey floor, but the cabinets and what looked like appliances were all dark red. It was sparkling clean, which didn't surprise Eric even a little bit.
A large door took up space on the wall opposite the kitchen area. That was where Keeska led him after giving him a moment to look around. The door slid into the wall to reveal a warm blue bedroom. Gauzy, shimmering fabric on the walls made it feel a bit like a butterfly cocoon.
Keeska tugged him over to the large bed, pulling him down on it and resting ta head on Eric's chest. -If you don't like, we can change.-
Eric looked at what he could see of the room. "I think I like it."
Keeska nodded against his shoulder. -Ticheck be here soon. Bring your things. We put them out.-
"I think you're going to need more shelves, then." Keeska's had already been fairly full.
-Probably. Is good.- Keeska pointed at an opening in the wall that Eric hadn't noticed. -Closet there. And bathroom if need.-
Now that was a good idea. The shuttle accommodations had not been extravagant. "Can I shower?"
-Of course. But soap will be weird.-
"That's fine. You used mine for months." Eric slid out from under Keeska.
The closet separated the bathroom from the bedroom. The shelves and racks were all open, without doors of any kind. Most of them were empty. Keeska apparently didn't collect clothes as much as eet collected decorations and knickknacks.
The bathroom was glorious. The floor was bright blue textured tile. Everything else was various shades of grey. A brig
ht silver mirror on the wall reflected spots of light from concealed fixtures.
The tub was built into a corner. It was also huge. It looked big enough to fit him, Keeska, and two friends. There were two spouts, one high and one low. Eric pushed a button on the higher one and grinned when warm water streamed out with plenty of pressure.
He quickly stripped and stepped into the tub. There was a curtain tied against one wall. He unhooked the fastening and watched as the grey material fell perfectly around the edge of the tub, keeping any water from leaking out. Well, that was very elegant.
Eric stepped fully under the water, sighing happily. He'd use the weird soap. Maybe take a nap with Keeska. Maybe eat some of the weird bread. Argue with Ticheck some more when eet dropped off his pile of stuff. They'd probably unpack some of it. At the very least Keeska would want ta blanket.
He might be in a spaceship docked at a space station, but that seemed like a pretty normal evening.
FAMILY
Eric fidgeted in front of the closed door leading out of Keeska's suite. He stared nervously at the smooth, matte blue metal.
This had been stupid. Who did he think he was? Humans didn't go gallivanting off with their alien lovers. They certainly didn't agree to leave Earth and go exploring. They definitely didn't leave their lover's suite on the spaceship to go meet the parents.
Long cool fingers wrapped around the back of his neck. -Stop worry. Will be fine.-
Keeska's mental voice was soothing, but that didn't stop Eric from fidgeting. He looked over his shoulder at eet. "I'm meeting your parents. That would be scary enough it they were Human."
Keeska smiled sweetly. Eet leaned forward and kissed Eric softly on the lips, then brushed a kiss over his cheek as well.
-They are comfortable with others. Used to people not like us. We're traders.-
Eric sighed harshly and turned back around. "That doesn't mean they want you bringing a Human home."
Keeska sighed and leaned against him, shaking ta head slightly. Eet reached out to tap the button that unlocked the door. Eet tapped a second time to open it. Eric sighed as the doors parted to reveal the grey hallway outside their rooms. Keeska laughed softly and encouraged him forward.
Eric stepped into the hallway and looked to either side. It was long and narrow, turning a corner a few hundred feet in either direction. The walls were a pale grey, warm and pretty. The floor was darker and covered in something similar to tile but softer under his feet. The wall across from him was curved slightly and blank, but the wall their door was on had several more doors, widely spaced. He assumed they led to other suites of rooms like the one they were using.
"Which way?" he asked.
Keeska stepped around him and turned right. Eet was moving quickly enough that Eric had to jog a few steps to catch up.
Keeska led him through a short maze of hallways, differing only in the number of doorways and the color of the paint. After a few minutes, eet stopped in front of a green door in a hallway that had been painted pale orange. Keeska pushed a bright silver button next to the door, and Eric heard a faint musical chime come from inside.
Keeska looked over at him and smiled encouragingly. Eric stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets and tried not to fidget.
They only had to wait a moment for the door to open. Keeska reached out for his hand, waiting until eet was touching Eric to go through the door. Eet tugged Eric gently when he didn't follow immediately.
Eric unglued his feet from the floor and followed Keeska into the brightly lit room.
As soon as they stepped inside, a brightly dressed figure launched itself at Keeska, hugging eet tightly. Eet laughed softly and hugged them in return. The new person pushed Keeska back, holding onto ta shoulders and talking excitedly.
Keeska shook ta head, smiling. Eric listened to the two of them talk, enjoying the melodic sounds. Keeska hadn't bothered with speaking much since Eric couldn't understand ta language, but he found it pretty. He wondered idly if they sang. That would probably be amazing.
Movement to one side drew his attention. He looked over to see two more conservatively dressed Iska watching all three of them with amusement. Eric studied them, curious.
They were wearing loose fitting pants and tunics, similar to what Keeska had found in the closet in their rooms. Their features were very similar to Keeska's, but Eric didn't know if that was because they were the same race or because they were related. Both had veeka with the same grey undertones as Keeska, but where ta veeka shone with copper and purple, these two had other colors. The taller of the two flashed with bright emerald green. The smaller one, even more slender than Keeska, had veeka tipped in both dark purple and bright blue.
He glanced back at Keeska and the brightly dressed stranger. Eet had copper tinted veeka similar to Keeska's copper. Interesting. Was veeka color similar to Human hair colors then? You got whatever your parents gave you? That would make sense.
Eric watched as Keeska was lifted off ta feet and swung around in a circle. Keeska squawked, the only truly bird-like sound Eric had ever heard eet make. He grinned, trying not to laugh.
Eric jumped when someone tapped him gently on the arm. He turned to find the other two Iska standing next to him, smiling gently. They moved a few steps away from Keeska and the brightly dressed stranger, gesturing for Eric to follow. Eric hesitated, glancing over at Keeska. Eet seemed fully occupied in ta conversation. Eric sighed quietly and followed the two Iska, who he assumed were Keeska's other two parents.
The shorter Iska held out ta hand, like Keeska did when eet wanted the two of them to talk.
Eric hesitated, surprised and unsure. He had only ever talked to Keeska and Ticheck this way, and he really didn't know this person. Not even as far as to have been introduced. Eet clicked at him, shoving ta hand closer. Eric carefully set his fingertips in the center of ta palm.
-I apologize.-
Eric jumped slightly at this new voice. It was softer than Keeska's, more feminine. Eet made a quiet shushing sound and continued.
-Kasc is very excited to have Keeska back. Eet was away when Keeska left. Then the teaching masters lost Keeska. You understand.-
Eric grinned. "Yes. I understand."
-I am Aeka. This is my partner Kek. Who are you?-
"Um. I'm..." Eric looked over at Keeska and Kasc, hoping desperately that Keeska would come rescue him. He shrugged as he turned back around, not sure what to say. What was Keeska's equivalent for hopefully-life-partner-maybe?
They laughed. Kek held out ta hand. Eric sighed, resigned, and reached out, touching both their palms at the same time. As soon as he did, Kek took Aeka's hand. Maybe so they wouldn't accidentally talk over each other. He hoped it worked that way. Because, if not, this was going to be very confusing. Either way, it was not entirely comfortable. This was a little too much to take in all at once.
-We think you are important. Why else would Keeska bring a Human home?- Kek asked.
Kek's mental voice was deeper and sharper than either Keeska's or Aeka's. It had never occurred to Eric that they would all sound different telepathically. He supposed it made sense. Their personalities would be different, and their speaking voices would be different. Why wouldn't the sound of their mental voices be different?
In answer to Kek's question, Eric shrugged again. "I hope I'm important."
Aeka smiled. -We have no doubt. What do we call you?-
"Ah, sorry. My name is Eric."
-Rest?- Kek asked.
"Eric Matthew Harris."
-Good,- Aeka said. -Come. We will go rescue Keeska from Kasc.-
*~*~*
Kasc finally stopped talking long enough to take a breath. It was all I could do not to laugh. Eet was always hyper, but this had been excessive even for Kasc.
I looked over to where I expected Eric to be standing slightly behind me. He wasn't there. Slightly panicked, I looked further into the room. When I saw him being dragged in my direction by my other two parents, I found the sight di
dn't do anything to lessen my panic.
How long had they been talking? What had they said? I wanted to keep Eric around, not let my parents scare him off when I wasn't paying enough attention.
Kasc laughed. "He's fine."
I frowned. "How do you know? Did you distract me on purpose?"
"He doesn't look scared. And only a little. We wanted to see what he was like. Ticheck didn't tell us hardly anything."
I reached out for Eric as he was placed next to me like a doll, still frowning at Kasc. "That doesn't mean you can interrogate him."
I realized Eric hadn't taken my hand and looked over to see why. Aeka and Kek each had a firm grip on one of his hands and were showing no signs of letting go. I hissed, feeling the larger veeka around my ears stand up. Aeka and Kek just looked at me.
Eric tried to pull his hands free. When they didn't let go, I could see that he was becoming extremely uncomfortable. I hissed again and stepped in to wrap my arm around Eric's waist. He leaned into my chest, relaxing a tiny bit but still very tense. I brought my palm up to the back of his neck, touching skin so I could translate what was said as we spoke. I knew that he might not want the potential for three Iska voices in his mind. However, I also thought that it would make him more comfortable to know what was being said, especially since he'd be able to tell I was angry. I hoped the latter would balance out the former.
I looked at Kasc. "I don't care if you want to talk to him. You're upsetting him. Let go. Now."
They both looked at Eric in surprise, like it hadn't even occurred to them that keeping hold of his hands like that would bother him. They yanked their hands away like they'd been burned and stepped back.
Aeka turned to me. "We are sorry to upset your mate. Please apologize for us."
I repeated the words to Eric and he sighed. "Please ask them not to hang onto me like that?"
Aeka held out ta hand toward Eric. I nudged him in that direction. He sent me a skeptical look but stepped away from me to rest his fingers in ta palm. I couldn't hear what was said, but the rest of the tension left Eric's shoulders and he smiled and nodded. I sighed in relief.
Kasc appeared next to me, tutting. "Really. I know you two know better."
