MSNPC Alya - A Word She did not Have
Tim
((Corridor, Velithari Ship Jorogumo))
The strangers’ scents had shifted the moment they had crossed the threshold into the rest-cells. The marine’s readiness had narrowed and steadied. Alya read is as readiness held in reserve. There did not seem to be an immediate danger. The other one had gotten a little excited the same way a youngling’s scent changed at the edge of a deep pond. Two species so different and yet similar.
Alya stood with her hands closed loosely at her sides. A faint hum sat at the seams of her chitin plates. Nervousness. It was something for younglings, not for security leads. Yet, Alya carried it with some impatience at herself.
Ohnari: Would it be possible for you to provide a tour of your medical facilities?
The question stirred up something in Alya. She noticed the rippled it made before she answered.
Alya did not look at the marine. She stopped moving like she had been waiting for that question. So they had come for something. She’d known it before they had sat foot onto the Jorogumo. She just had not been sure they’d be bringing it up so quickly.
Alya: ::after a pause:: That is a question for Vidya or Rana. Among us the chambers of medicine and the chambers of technology are not separate. Vidya will know better than I. ::small inclination of the head:: I will ask. I do not promise.
Ohnari: ::carefully:: Aside from professional interest, I believe you may have stumbled upon a member of our crew...::wincing:: a male officer.
Torado: You might recognize him. ::raising her hand up about as high as she could:: About yea tall, dark hair, literally never shuts up? We're kinda fond of him.
So there it was. The word she had been waiting for. Male.
The pause she took next was longer than was wise, and she knew it as she took it. She knew of the male. Of course she did. She had been briefed by Vidya before the strangers’ shuttle had even broken the cloud. She knew where he was held. She could smell it.
To deny him with this medic looking at her with those flat counting eyes would be a lie. A diplomatic affront she was not ready to make. Watch, listen, learn. Those had been her orders. But to confirm him would be a thing not in her permission.
So Alya did neither. She let the silence weigh. Among her own that, also, was an answer.
Alya: This is not a matter of security. But I assure you that your crew is not in immediate danger.
This was the most she could give them for now.
Ohnari: If you will allow another question, could you expand on the role of Velithari males within your society...?
The relief of a question she could answer pressed through the small plates beneath her chest. The answer to this was something every Velithari youngling knew before she knew her own name.
Alya: A male is a male. He is the given. A male is prepared for his time. His time is the only thing he is there for. Until his time he is kept clean and fed.
She said it the way one described the color of the sky or a tree.
Torado: You know, like, what do they do? What are they responsible for? What's their expertise?
That question puzzled Alya. Torado’s tongue was reaching for something Alya did not have a shape for. Maybe Vidya would have spoken better. Alya could only speak as she knew.
Alya: ::a slow click in the back of her throat:: I do not understand that question, Torado. The male is the one who gives. That is his expertise. That is his responsibility. There is no other.
Ohnari: Response
Torado: So they're basically livestock. You're telling us half your species is treated like livestock. The word livestock did not enter Alya's ear cleanly. The translator stitched something across it. It became a rough shape of kept-creature, meat-creature, not-Velithari. Alya did not recognize the word. Her implants did not recognize it. Her ear did not.
Yet she could smell the marine’s answer. The narrow ready scent had jumped a half-pace. The plates beneath her chest tried to press forward. Alya made them stop and tried to relax. Fear was not going to help anyone.
Alya: ::carefully picking each word:: I do not know your word. I do not have it. ::small inclination of the head:: I have given you the truth of us. If your truth is a different shape, that is not a wrong of mine.
Ohnari / Torado: Response
Alya: When you have asaked your last question of this room, I will lead you on ::gesturing to the exit:: There is more of the ship to walk and see.
She took a first step towards the archway and inclined hear head. The scent was clear.
Alya: We will visit the observation chamber and medical facilities. We have been given permission.
Ohnari / Torado: Response
TAG/TBC
First Officer
USS Khitomer
A239901CD3