6y 9m 3w 4d BV
After the last night’s song and dance Vanima felt happy with her choice to join the peculiar Human and his Gaoian caretaker. She stood at the front of the door of their ship once more. The door opened to reveal a drowsy Regalo.
“Oh… Hello Vanima how are—“ He yawned, his fur bristling, “–you today. John is already up and in the shower. He has yet to understand that sometimes I might need to sleep more than he does,” Regalo grumbled as he scratched his chin. “Come on in I’ll take you to the bridge.”
Vanima had pulled out a small notebook and an ornate little pen and began writing. “So would you say John usually wakes up early,” She asked as they walked up the neck of The Lost Minstrel. Regalo stretched his arms out as they walked. “Indeed, John takes the early mornings as an opportunity to practice and master new pieces of music he has in his violin case. It was delightful and awe inspiring the first few days of travel, but it loses its lustre after the second week,” Regalo explained as they travelled to the lower levels of the neck where the crew living amenities were. Vanima’s ears picked up the faint sound of water pouring down and singing. As they walked the watery singing got louder and louder as she began to make out the words of the song. She soon felt the weight of power behind the song. It felt like a veiled threat was being made to her. She looked to Regalo to see him unaffected by the tune as he shuffled down the hall with her. He looked to her and chittered slightly. “You get used to these songs eventually. If he’s singing this one it means today is the 8th day of a ten-day. Tomorrow it will be that screeching song he calls ‘Rock and Roll’ but I fail to see how he sounds like rolling rocks,” Regalo admitted as they stood before the shower door. Vanima stood slightly frightened at the door. It’s like a Vulza playing with its food.
She jumped as Regalo banged on the door. Suddenly the singing stopped and her dreaded fear ebbed away. “John! Vanima’s here,” Regalo shouted at the door.
“Just show her to where she’ll be sleeping when we leave and the med room!” Soon the singing resumed. The fear returned in full force but slowly drained away as they moved away from the haunting voice.
“Don’t worry Vanima. John is like a cub most of the time but when he practices his instrument he’s a different person entirely. There has even been a rare few times where I swear I saw a fire blazing in his eyes. It’s in those moments where I am reminded he isn’t from a world like ours.” Vanima was furiously scribbling notes about what Regalo had said. Fire blazing in his eyes? It could be a biological function similar to a Vulza’s breath. What evolutionary purpose could that have served? Dramatically improved night vision? Can’t be John is not nocturnal. Her mind churned away possible functions for John’s fiery eyes as they walked to the ships medical room. “Alright we’re here. Now it isn’t much but we did what we could.” Vanima looked around the room then laughed. When she calmed down enough she spoke
“Alright that was a wonderful jest Regalo now really where is your medical room?” The Gaoian’s blank look was all she needed to know that this was not a joke. The medical room simply held a bed, an assortment of random surgical tools laid out on a table and a basic emergency medical kit.
“Tell me what would either of you have done in the event one of you needed intensive emergency care,” Vanima mumbled as she took in her new work place. Regalo simply cocked his head in a Gaoian shrug.
“I simply assumed anything strong enough to critically injure John would have turned me to a fine paste by then. I’m not sure how far along Qinis medicine is but if you can fix me from that state then we will buy whatever you need with money we don’t have,” Regalo joked. Vanima knitted her eyebrows together and looked at the Gaoian.
“I heard that you two were popular Dominion celebrities what do you mean you don’t have money?”
“Well… You see… We’re not. We bought this ship with almost all of John’s money and the provisions sort of took up the rest. The reason John and I are gallivanting across the galaxy is because John is dead set on getting me back to Gorai and woe unto whoever stands between him and Gorai. We came here by pure accident and only had a week’s worth of provisions. Since we came from a Dominion trajectory we posed as celebrities and…. Well you know the rest.” Regalo gestured. Vanima sighed and pressed two fingers between her eyes in exasperation.
It seems reality has come to dash away her fantasy. Regalo thought as John barged in on the two in the medical room. “The party doth arrive,” He announced boisterously. He was wearing the red top and blue bottom they had purchased from Unto Dawn. Vanima took one look at John before saying, “No I will not be in the presence of someone with the fashion sense of a homeless person who hates clothing. The three of us are going to shop for clothes because if it wasn’t for me, his dowdiness would never have gotten the main event which pays 200 DCs.” John and Regalo looked stunned as they were dragged out of their ship, their home and into the Sefsek’s gem. Their hover cart passed by an impossibly large tree. Its leave shimmered in a thousand different colours and birds of all types made their home in the branches. Their sweet songs far surpassed what John was capable of with his voice. If only Egao and Ritsos could see this. They’d have appreciated this far more than I could. Regalo leaned on John as they floated leisurely through the city. Regalo could feel a heavy arm wrap around his shoulders. The brothers I grew up with are gone but here I have a new brother, the mightiest being in the galaxy and also maybe a big coward. Regalo thought as he chittered slightly.
“What’s up buddy?”
The sky “I’m simply musing over the ridiculousness of the situation.”
“Please feel free to share Regsy.” Regalo scratched his chin before answering.
“Well, You are a sapient deathworlder which in theory should not exist. Now not only are you currently the strongest being in the current galaxy but also you’re a bit… well, as you would say ‘wimpy’” John gave his friend a bemused look.
“Wimpy?”
“Remember with the Hunters where you crushed one by accident and melted the other one with your vomit and still wondered whether you could take them on?” Vanima perked up from lazily staring out the window at the mention of John’s secretive hunter take down. She immediately pulled out her notebook and pen.
“John you have stomach acid?” John nodded and replied
“Do you not?” Regalo simply shook his head at John.
“John most sapients aren’t made of the stuff you’re made of. Gaoians have enzymes but not acid.” John scratched his chin as he tried to remember 11th grade biology.
“Humans have hydrochloric acid in their stomachs I think.” Vanima paused mid writing and looked at John to see if he was joking. I thought it’d be carborane acid with something to destabilize it. Regalo simply closed his eyes at what he knew would be an argument.
“Don’t joke with me John this is important.”
“I wasn’t joking I really do have hydrochloric acid in my stomach.”
“We’ll see for sure once you get a proper medical room.”
Must I be a mother to them both? He jokingly mused as he watched the argument essentially devolved into ‘yuh huh! Nuh uh!’. Regalo closed his eyes. I have so much respected for the mothers at the communes now. Dear Father Fyu if this is what dealing with cubs is like I cannot imagine how the mothers deal with this. If- no when I get back to Gorai I must ask the mothers how they deal with the cubs arguing. The cart slowed to a stop before a stupendously fat tree. The heavy arm lifted from Regalo’s shoulders and a small part of Regalo’s mind protested. The Gaoian rose from his seat in the cart and got out besides John. The tree was brimming with glass and Regalo could just faintly make out clothes hangers. Vanima spared no moment as she strode forward and then turned to him and his friend.
“Alright, this is the biggest clothes store on the planet. I will pay for the clothes since both of you are as poor as the Unmentionables,” She instructed them as she beckoned to follow her.
“The Unmentionables?” Regalo asked as they walked to the door.
“They are the Qinis who are…. Not beautiful enough to be shown in public. They are usually too poor to afford the surgery required to fix their flaws so they remain unmentionable, hence the name. I believe they wear masks and a cloak to hide away their deformities. The reason I’m not one of them is because of my father’s money is protecting me. There are many in this city.” Regalo flattened his ears and John raised those peculiar patches of hair he calls eyebrows. Vanima merely pointed to the edge of the walkway as she continued to the door. John and Regalo took a moment to walk to the edge and peered into the depths below. Surely enough there were significantly more Qinis hustling and bustling below. They all wore black cloaks that covered them entirely but they couldn’t see the aforementioned masks.
“That must be a miserable existence,” Regalo commented as they walked to the door where Vanima was waiting. He looked to John and saw a smouldering fire in his eyes. It’s just like that night. Back at that station when he saw Gorai. He made a vow that he intends to keep. What will he do now I wonder? What is that deathworld brain of his thinking? The fire in John’s eyes quelled as they made it to the door. Oh? Can he control it? Or is he hiding it away until a more convenient time?Brother what are you feeling?
The ceiling was huge. Rows upon rows of clothes stood before them like an army of fashion and floors upon floors towered above them like giants of glamour. Vanima was already picking out a healthy mound of clothes a droid was holding for her. “John go try those on in the changing room,” She ordered as she marched over to one of the many chairs in front of the changing room. John looked apprehensive at the robot clunking to the changing room. Regalo draped his arm around John. The human looked to Regalo for a moment then nodded. I am your courage and you are my strength. Together we will go home. John walked into the changing room. There was a good moment of rustling behind the door before John announced
“I am not wearing this. Not now, not ever. My God I look like a mail order stripper.”
“Stop being a prude and come out John. I haven’t got all day,” Vanima called back. John came out and Regalo couldn’t help but burst out chittering. John was adorned in a black lace that snaked around his body like a Tukki. There was a white twin to the lace that seemed to be made of more… opaque material that snaked in the opposite direction creating a double helix around John. The human himself was redder than a goro root. He had his arms wrapped around himself in an attempt to salvage some modesty. “Hmmm…. I don’t think it suits you.”
“Oh really? You don’t think so,” John bitterly spat as his blush left the goro root envious of the human’s redness. Vanima seemed slightly taken aback by John’s attitude at the clothes. Regalo reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned to look at him for a moment. He’s not going to tear you apart. She seemed to calm down at the look Regalo gave her and turned back to John with renewed confidence.
“Then go try some of the other ones!” The human growled and stormed back into the changing room.
Outfit after outfit were either vetoed by Vanima as being ‘not John’s style’ or by John deeming the outfit ‘making him look like a stripper’. It seems we’ll be here all day if we keep this up. Regalo rolled his eyes as John changed for the umpteenth time. This time when John came out of there he made no comment of what he wore. He was wearing black loose shorts but it was his top that grabbed the Gaoian’s attention. The top was a flowing gown with innumerable green leaf like patterns woven into it. The front end stopped at his shorts but the back tapered off into 5 points at the human’s knees. The sleeves reached all the way to John’s wrists. The V of the neck however was low enough to end at the bottom of his ribs. As John moved this way and that the top shimmered with him. The human giggled at the wonder, which warmed Regalo’s heart. I live to see such wonder in you brother. Vanima seemed undecided on her opinion. “This is one of the most conservative choices…. I suppose it does suit you well. This will be your performance attire then,” She declared as she rose from her seat. Regalo got up and walked over to John.
“Regalo I’m like a little fairy.”
“You’ll need to explain what those are to me once we return to the ship.” Regalo chittered. They walked over to the cashier and paid for John’s new concert attire. With the new set of clothes they entered the hover cart once more. Regalo felt that familiar weight on his shoulders as he leaned into John. This city is strange and its people stranger. The Qinis are unlike any other I’ve seen. Although I have not seen much. He looked to John to find the human avidly staring at the veiled Qinis below with those smouldering eyes. What will you do? What is it you have planned? The cart stopped at the hangar where The Lost Minstrel serenely sat.
“I’m heading home. I may have joined your crew but I’m still the head event coordinator. Try not to cause too much trouble while I’m gone,” Vanima ordered them as her hover cart slowly drifted out of the hangar.
They entered their flying domicile and quickly went to the common room. Regalo immediately set about preparing a large feast for the human. Vanima hardly gave us a chance to eat with her shopping. If I am hungry John must be half starved at this point. John was lying down on the couch as he watched the news.
“Hey Regalo.”
Ah now we learn what has been on your mind this whole day.
“What is it John?”
“I was wondering whether we could do a performance tonight.”
“A performance? Where?”
“At the lower levels where the Unmentionables live. I mean it’s not my place to judge foreign societies and how they operate. On Earth in one of our political factions there was a system just like this one except more layered. They had a class just like this one called the Untouchables…. I just… I just want to give them a bit of hope. I mean in that society they got rid of the Untouchables and the caste system so maybe in this one they will too. I just want to give them something while I’m here.” Regalo smiled as he chopped up some goro roots. A being so supreme and mighty, the master of death, but all he wants to do is make people smile. You’re just like a cub but I will care for you nonetheless.
“After dinner John, you must be hungry right around now.” John groaned and Regalo chittered slightly.
“Oh my God yes please feed me. Feeeeeed meeeeeeeee,” he moaned and Regalo chittered even louder. “Vanima didn’t even let us have breakfast and we spent the whole damn day just trying out clothes and how many sets of clothes do we walk out with? One! Just one! What kind of medic lets their patient starve! Not good ones!” He continued on his rant as Regalo cooked away.
“John, come help me set the table.” John leapt to Regalo’s side. The Gaoian casually gave him his cutlery and plate. They ate in silence as they always did. John rapidly ate enough food to burst the stomach of 5 Gaoians as Regalo calmly dined on his portion of goro broth.
“So what exactly are fairies John?” John paused in the act of downing the entire bowl of broth. He put the bowl down and contemplated his answer.
“Well… Fairies are like little humans with wings.” Regalo flattened his ears at the description. “They’re entirely fictitious though!” John quickly added.
“It depends on their literary interpretations. In some works of fiction they’re mischievous little tricksters who just cause minor inconveniences in the world. Some other ones people thought they were like this whimsical race of beings that danced all day and night without a care in the world. They typically wear nature themed clothing like what I wore earlier today,” John explained. Such fascinating literature, they create entire races to use as plot devices.
“How many fictitious races did your species create?” John laughed and Regalo’s ears perked up in confusion.
“I’m sorry Regalo it was a valid question it’s just there are so many! Thousands maybe even millions of different races and species and animals! Some people go so far as to create a whole society with rules and even a unique language for that race. Even then there are a million different interpretations of what those species are and how they act, even what they look like. Every one of us has a different idea how those species act and for the brave few of us who dare share that interpretation well we either get accepted or figuratively die in a whirlwind of brimstone and fire of a thousand fans scorned.” Regalo nodded, enraptured by John’s explanation. They are fierce. John is mentally overwhelming sometimes. Creating entire races right down to their society and behaviour, even a language. This is the product of a deathworld sapient, not some violent, bloodthirsty brute but a gentle being that idly dreams of entire worlds inhabited by creatures of all manners, where the creator’s own imagination is the limit. They finished their meal and John got up and fetched his violin as Regalo made preparations for their secret nightly outing. He packed a light snack for John and used his black robe to fashion crude looking cloaks they could use to blend in with the Unmentionables. The result of Regalo’s tailoring were two cloaks that were a good deal too short for them but the cowl would be enough to mask John’s face. Regalo on the other hand had too much fur to pass as a Qinis. Perhaps that is my genetic defect.
The duo donned their cloaks and John held his violin tightly to his chest.
“How do you plan on getting to the lower levels? We don’t have a hover car,” Regalo stated as he contemplated ways to hail one of the floating cars but very few floated about at this time of night. John shifted from leg to leg as he looked to the edge. He turned to Regalo and asked.
“Do you trust me?”
“With my life,” Regalo answered without hesitation. John nodded and looked around. Regalo reached out and placed his hand on John’s shoulder. The human calmed down at the touch and looked to Regalo with those smouldering eyes. I am your courage and you are my strength.
“Regalo get on my back… Like when we were fighting those Hunters… except we’ll be fighting something else.” Regalo’s ears perked up as he got on John’s back, clinging onto him tightly.
“Who will we be fighting?” Regalo noticed John wasn’t wearing his weighted harness.
“Gravity.” And with that John leapt off of the platform. Regalo instinctively clung as tightly as his muscles would allow him as the wind whipped about them in the free fall. After a few seconds they landed on a platform with a splintering crack. Regalo was thoroughly shaken as he looked up to the hanger where they started at and then down to the ways they had to descend. If there ever was a time I regretted the life choices that led me to a situation, it is now. John leapt from platform to platform with Regalo clinging for dear life on his back and his violin castle clenched against his chest. Mercifully they finally reached the bottom of the trees.
The bottom of the forest was so vastly different from the top. Here the inhabitants did not aim for beauty but for function. The differences between the organic curves of the trees and the jagged metallic angles of the houses built into them stuck out was vastly different from the harmony above. Here at the bottom Nature and Technology are like bitter tukkis over females. He slowly got off of John with trembling legs. John took hold of Regalo’s arm to help steady the Gaoian. The two slowly wondered around the forest floor. Shrubbery of all kind grew on the mulched earth. Soon they found a large building, detached from the trees around it.
“This looks like a place where the Unmentionables might gather,” Regalo whispered to John. The human looked over and nodded. They slowly made their way to the building. As usual Regalo’s instincts were right and there was a large crowd of weary cloaks, nursing whatever drinks they had. All their masks were set on the tables by their food and drink as they chatted with one another. They don’t seem terribly ugly. One or two have scars sure but those are signs of respect. Signs that they have survived life’s tribulations. Regalo quickly sauntered over to a dark corner of the room and took a seat alone at a table. John quickly followed him and opened his violin case.
“Will you tune? It might attract their attention before you perform.” John shook his head.
“We’ll need to play a few tunes then get out. If I am seen amongst them then my spot as the main event for the festival might be revoked and then we won’t have a paycheck.” Regalo nodded at John’s sage observations.
John hit play on the little recorder they had bought so long ago and began playing.
Almost instantly peace began washing over the Gaoian’s mind. Regalo smiled as he remembered this tune from John’s practice. Out of all the songs you have learned, this one will always hold a special place in my heart. Gentle waves of harmony crashed against the shores of his mind. He felt as if he was transported to a world without anguish and evil. Everywhere around him flowers grew and blossomed and laytun birds singing their sweet songs. John was there beside him in this perfect world. He was regaling Regalo’s pregnant mate with tales of their escapades across the galaxy. It was a beautiful day at the small commune on Gorai as the green sun shone down upon them. “Regalo remember that time I entered that music competition?” He could almost imagine John asking as the mother to be chittered. Regalo sighed as the song came to its sweet little ending. He looked around to see the patrons of the restaurant in a similar state of bliss. In a shanty bar in the middle of nowhere you make a name for yourself. History repeats itself. He idly thought as John began playing another song to the backing of the recorder.
Regalo’s ears flattened slightly as he listened to the new tune. The peace that settled on his mind had ebbed away. No longer did Regalo dream of blissful days to come but of days filled with trials and tribulations. Yet deep down he could feel the melody cheering him on. He could feel that no matter what life threw at the poor Gaoian he would rise and rise again. He would stand strong against ever obstacle. He will return to Gorai. As the song ended the sense of determination flowed away with it.
Regalo could see the other patrons were invigorated by the tune. By now everyone in the restaurant was looking to the mysterious figure cloaked in cloth and darkness. John hurriedly packed away his violin and stormed out of the restaurant with Regalo following shortly after. The patrons quickly got up but were no match for the speed of a deathworlder. Once outside they quickly rushed over and hid behind one of the innumerous trees. The patrons had rushed out of the restaurant only to see that their mysterious musician had disappeared.
“How will we return to the hanger,” Regalo asked quietly.
“That is a fantastic question my friend,” John replied as he contemplated a plan. Hmmm… what if we climbed the trees… It’s mad enough to work I suppose. Regalo relayed his plan to John only to see the human pale in the moonlight. Regalo placed his hand on John’s shoulder.
“We can do it John. Just like every trial that has stood before us this one will fall.” John nodded as Regalo’s infectious resolve got to him. John scurried back to the restaurant, leaving the case that would identify him with Regalo, and returned with 4 knives. He slung his violin on his shoulder. John bent his knees and Regalo understood his part. He settled himself in the spot between the case and John, the straps keeping him closely pushed against the human. Slowly, John used the laces of his shoes to tie the knives to their soles. Once he was ready John began their ascent to the heavens. They slowly crawled up the tree, leaving gouge marks where they were. Regalo remembered one of the songs John had him learn in an attempt to rope him into his performances. Soon the Gaoian began to sing. John chuckled at the Gaoian’s singing and redoubled his efforts. Regalo kept quietly singing to the human as they quickly scaled the tree. The moon had past its zenith when the trio had made it all the way to hanger A6. John sprawled on his stomach on the platform in front of their ship. Regalo crawled out of the space between the case and his friend. Thanks to the lighter gravity, he slowly began to drag John to the door of the ship.
“Wait… Just let me….” John wheezed out haggardly. Regalo patiently waited a half hour before his friend rose up. Together they staggered through The Lost Minstrel’s neck and into their beds.
Regalo curled up into a little ball close to John as the human wrapped an arm around him. Just before the Gaoian drifted off to sleep he heard.
“Y’know… you’re the best friend I’ve had.” Regalo smiled before replying.
“As are you.”