“Ah,” Vweet nodded sagely. “Yes. That is a problem. It is a big universe. But we are doing our best to get out the word and help more people like you. Too often are our people hurt because of this cruel, barbaric cosmos. But I am overjoyed that you have survived it and returned to us!”
Sway wasn’t sure what to say. So, for an uncomfortable moment, he said nothing. Then, for lack of anything else to say, he gestured to the side. “This is my captain. Tanin. I believe you were his contact person.”
Vweet released his hold on Sway, looking at Tanin instead, his smile settling into something more polite and less overjoyed.
“Ah, yes. Captain Tanin. Well met.”
Tanin inclined his head. “You as well. We have your order ready for delivery. We just need to know where to bring it and to finalize payment.”
“Of course. Our leader, Veesway, will meet with you for that. I am to bring you to him. Will your, er,entireparty be joining us?”
He looked out over the others, quite obviously uncertain about them. Sway had to force back the urge to clench his hands into fists. That look felt like judgement, condemnation, of his crew. A judgment that this male had no right whatsoever to make.
But it wasn’t like he was the first to ever do so. Why was Sway so bothered by it now?
Before he had a chance to analyze those feelings, Tanin was already shaking his head and saying-
“No. The four of us will go with you. The rest will be taking the chance to get rooms for us all. They will rest and relax and visit your Song. It’s been a while since we’ve delivered somewhere that wasn’t a station, you understand.”
“I do.” Vweet fixed a smile back on his face. “You are all more than welcome to partake in any of our facilities and luxuries. We only ask that, while you are here, you do not engage in any violence. If you do, you will be forced to leave.”
Though it retained that musical quality, Vweet’s tone was noticeably firmer as he gave the warning. It was, Sway could admit, not an entirely unreasonable reminder, considering the crew. But they were criminals, not idiots. They weren’t going to go around making trouble just because they could. Even the twins, for as little as they cared about others, wouldn’t do that.
Still, Tanin made a point to look back and relay the order – as if just to make sure that Vweet and the other farasie saw him do it.
“Don’t do anything to cause trouble. This is an opportunity for Sway, we won’t disturb that.”
“Aye, captain,” came the chorus of serious voices.
Including Sway. Though Tanin hadn’t been talking to him, he responded in time with the others. A response that was much more natural to him than whistling in his native tongue.
Accepting that, Vweet smiled and turned, gesturing them forward. “Please, follow me.”
Sway glanced at Tanin. His captain looked back at him and immediately understood that Sway was giving him leave to take point. As was his right. Sway was not their leader. They all agreed to follow Tanin, and even now, Sway fell back into that. He would much rather walk behind Tanin, holding onto Grace’s hand, than stand behind Vweet.
He seemed like a nice enough male, but there was just something about him, about all of them, that made Sway so incredibly uncomfortable. And he wasn’t sure what it was, but the smile Grace gave him was one of understanding and acceptance, so maybe he didn’t have to figure it out right now. He could just focus on the Song around him.
He very quickly realized why it was called a Song. Since his people whistled instead of talked, and their whistle sounded like singing, the city they walked through was filled with the harmonious sound of their language making what could only be a song. It wasn’t at all like the cacophonous din of a place packed with people he was accustomed to hearing.
There were a few aliens dotted here and there amongst the farasie. But they were startling in how obvious they were. Darkspots in an otherwise bright pattern. Loud, jarring disruptions to what would otherwise be a lovely symphony.
And Sway realized he was one of those jarring dark spots. His gut twisted with something that felt too much like guilt that he quickly forced down.
No. These were his people. He was like them. They were like him. He just wasn’t used to it. That’s all it was. Once he became accustomed to them, to this, that feeling would go away.
The other members of the welcoming party split off, going their own ways, as Vweet walked through the Song. They had only been there to sing that song of welcoming to him. They needed no other reason to gather than that. They were that excited to welcome back one of their own.
Yes. They were kind people. His people.
One by one, the members of his crew began dropping out as well. Each of them going on their own way as something caught their eye. Trove spotted what could only be a pleasure house – something he never failed to visit in whatever port or station they landed on – and peeled away. Rok followed Goldie as something caught her eye, making sure she remained safe. Vytln disappeared into an alley. The twins just seemed to vanish completely, gone who knew where.
By the time they were riding the moving steps to the top of the main building in the center of the Song, they were down to only Sway, Grace, Tanin, and Garnet.
And, when he looked back, Loyalty.
The 108 male in the ratchi body was silent, his hands in his pockets, doing his best to look innocuous. A task that was absolutely impossible thanks to his coloration. The dark purpleof his scales stood out starkly against the bright stone and bright farasie. Exceeded only by the poisonous purple glow of his eyes, quills, and claws. An obvious sign of what he really was.
No one came close to him. They were creating a large bubble wherever he walked. And they were all throwing him a variety of stares ranging from fearful to disgusted to outright anger.
