5. “You are worse than any peacock.”

FIVE

“You are worse than any peacock.”

As I was barred from using mirrors, Herserael handled taming my hair, which had suffered from a significant amount of general neglect. What would have taken me ten albeit painful minutes cost over an hour, as once the Veloc decided I needed to be made properly presentable, he refused to accept anything other than perfection.

Near the end of the process, Waldren came to check that I’d survived the feathered menace’s tender care. He caught sight of me and broke out into laughter. “Human heads are not crests to be adorned, Herserael.”

“Blasphemy. She deserves adornments, and it is our clan’s honor at stake. Her crest needed a great deal of work, and she has suffered much, so she is deserving of a few baubles.”

“At least you gave her baubles in clip format. I’ve seen what you lot do to my sister’s head, and those trinkets do not come out without a great deal of work, effort, and frustration.”

“That is the idea, so your sister does not have to do much to maintain her beautiful crest. And anyway, her mate does all the maintenance and enjoys every opportunity he can to dote upon her. You cannot deny the truth! Her crest is a marvel.”

Waldren shook his head and sighed. “I’m not denying anything. I’m just warning Camellia that you Veloc are obsessive, and if she wants to be able to do her own hair again, she should steer clear of you and your wicked talons.”

“I feel an update of the Veloc species records is in order. Nowhere in anything I’ve read indicates they’re oversized feathered hair stylists. Murder machines? Yes. Stylists? No.”

Waldren snickered. “They’re quite skilled murder machines, yes. If you want to leash a Veloc, I have secured plenty of volunteers, and an assortment of tethers, ropes, and similar have been brought out that easily attach to their jewelry. I recommend you do not ask why they are so skilled at leashing themselves. It becomes quite lewd.”

I joined him in snickering. “The species record should be updated with a general warning that Veloc are perverts. They disguise this by claiming they’re romantics.”

“You’re not wrong.” Waldren checked over his shoulder, and I realized Palta hadn’t accompanied him. “If you’d like Palta to be available for the call, we may have to delay. The beast sleeps, and she does not take kindly to her rest being interrupted.”

“Understatement,” Herserael muttered. “I will present a picture of your feline for her family to enjoy or we can use the portable comm so we can show her family around the ship. Assuming, of course, you do not mind the invasion to your nest.”

Waldren circled me, and after examining the Veloc’s work, he picked up one of the bejeweled hair sticks, which was encrusted with green stones, and raised a brow at the Veloc.

“You are worse than any peacock,” the Veloc complained, plucking the ornament out of Waldren’s grasp before making an adjustment to my hair style and adding the stick. “She has sufficient green tones to be marked as belonging to the Emerald Crests for the duration. Does that satisfy you?”

“For the moment.” Waldren did another pass around me before nodding. “This works. If you’d like to hold the call on a portable unit, I can set it up and operate it. Camellia can hold the reception unit. I’ll set it up so she won’t be able to see her image. Palta’s in her bed, and I already tidied, expecting a tour of the spaces meant for homo sapiens . Ah, that reminds me, Camellia. We do have modular quarters on this ship, and we have the tools required to adjust the layout for your liking. Our accommodations are a little better than on most ships, but space is still tight, so there’s only so much we can do. I’ll show you what I’ve done with my quarters, and we have a standard setup. Do not keep the standard setup; you’ll be on board for a long time, and it’s a way of turning the room into your home. If we have to quarantine in quarters, you’ll appreciate the customizations.”

I would get to customize my temporary quarters? I’d heard of such things, but they were not features of the ships I would have been taking to venture into space. “I’d love to see the customizations and learn how to use the systems if I can.”

“We can start looking at the options after you have a chance to speak with your family,” Waldren promised. “I will go get the comm ready. Do you want to begin at the control center, Herserael?”

“That works. Go make yourself and your ship pretty for our remote guests. I will finish here.”

“Ten minutes,” Waldren replied, marching out of the room at a rather brisk pace.

“I feel like I could rather rapidly develop whiplash observing him. One moment, he is sullen or angry, and the next, he is rather energetic.”

“He quite loves this ship, and he enjoys showing her off to those who live planetside. His favorite moment is when he lures someone else into venturing among the stars. You will get used to it. Expect his tendencies to show up sooner than later.”

“Tendencies? What tendencies?”

“The ones where he is compelled to do his best to convince you that you adore space travel. His determination to have you customize your quarters on the ship is the first symptom of these tendencies. He is an amusing human. I find your whole species is prone to episodes of charming ridiculousness. I do not expect any problems with your adaptation to space travel. Some mental stimuli and opportunities for socialization should be sufficient. You’ll get exercise as part of your physical therapy, which is often an issue. We have gravity set close to your planetary norm, so you won’t suffer any consequences from that. Gravity on Veloci Minor is a little lighter, so you’ll feel strange when you first land. Your steps will feel bouncier than you expect, you’ll jump higher, and so on.”

“We have done gravitational exercises,” I said, grinning at the Veloc. “It was a treat we had earned because everyone scored sufficiently high on a test. They had a gravitational manipulation system in from another world, so we got to test it and learn the basics of gravity adaptations. It was interesting.”

“Those are excellent training tools. We have the ability to adjust gravity throughout the entirety of the ship, although we only have three sectors. The storage bays have their own gravitational controls, and the rest of the ship is separated from the storage bays. If you would like to train for planetary exploration in different gravity conditions, I’m sure an arrangement can be made. We have hunting games we play in various gravity conditions, although setting up the course takes several hours.”

I would need some quiet time to decompress from the various sources of excitement the Veloc insisted on flinging my way. “Do you have data libraries?”

“If you would like to read, we have plenty of books available. We also have a variety of link based libraries for your enjoyment. Reading books through your link is an excellent way to adapt to the system. You’ll also be able to do audio imprints, but we will not be activating that function on your link until you have been given more time to readapt to having your hearing. It could potentially create trauma or overwhelm you. We will take small steps to keep you comfortable.” The Veloc showed me his long, pointy teeth in a wide grin. “It would be a pity for you to be driven mad on your first voyage into space. But don’t worry, should you descend into madness from boredom and lack of training for space travel, we are equipped to handle treatments.”

“Well, that’s something at least,” I replied, marveling over the Veloc’s general attitude. “Are all Veloc relentlessly optimistic?”

“As a matter of fact, yes.”

What had I gotten myself into?

Waldren handed me a small screen, and to my delight, it offered a clear view of my parents, who sat at their table together. While we had similar tech on our world, most tended to use voice only comms to save on costs. They hadn’t owned a video comm unit, and while I wondered where they’d gotten it, I refused to question our good fortune. “Hey!”

My parents laughed at me, and my mother went as far as to point at the screen. “Your face!”

It took me a moment to realize I’d probably exposed myself as excited over the new technology I got to play with. “Look, I’m not responsible for the things my face says. You know this, Mom. I am sorry I didn’t talk to you before abandoning the planet for a spaceship, though.”

It was my father’s turn to laugh. “We’re not upset, and you have no reason to be sorry. You’re an adult, you worked hard to get a chance to venture into space, and we respect that. You gave the medical team good instructions, and after the crash, you’d told us you wanted your hearing back. You have always had our blessings to do everything necessary to get what you needed.”

Needed, not wanted. I appreciated that. Any other time, I might have cried over the situation. Not this time. I would escape the call with my pride somewhat intact. My expression probably spoke on my behalf, but I’d ignore my inability to maintain neutrality with them. “Still, I probably should have talked with you about it first.”

“And hold up the nice people who flew across the universe to offer you aid? Nonsense. You should tell whoever oversees your physical therapy that you deserve more rigorous exercise for even thinking about overly inconveniencing them.”

Waldren smirked, and Herserael hooted a laugh. “I will make sure she is motivated to run faster and longer than she will appreciate.”

“I’m not sure what crime I’ve committed, but I’d like to bargain for a reduced sentence,” I announced. I regarded the Veloc with interest. “How can I make them see you?”

“They already can. We have it set up so they are able to witness our entire tour,” he replied, and he gestured towards the ceiling. It took me a few moments to realize there was a ball rolling along the ceiling. “They have several screens so they can get a full view of the tour.”

“Magnetic?” I guessed.

“Yes, it’s magnetic, and it’s designed to track me, as I have the controller. Waldren can teach you how to use it, as it’s one of his precious toys.”

“According to the Veloc, I travel the stars in search of toys,” Waldren stated in a wry tone.

“Just tell them toys don’t talk back, cost a great deal less to feed, and don’t require hours of grooming daily,” I suggested. “Also, they can’t talk, as it seems they’re so much trouble that they have to venture to the far reaches of the universe to romance unsuspecting women because I suspect Veloc women are wise to their ways and make them demonstrate they are not just murder machines masquerading as peacocks.” I waited long enough to enjoy Waldren’s amused reaction to my commentary before saying, “Mother, Father, this is Waldren, and he’s the companion of the DNA donor for my new ears and tail. I’m not allowed to see my ears yet, but I am going to end up looking at my tail without permission the instant the painkillers wear off.”

“We have the growth sites numbed due to her tendency to suffer through unbearable levels of itching. We would prefer if she did not scratch off her new ears and tail, as she would regret their loss. Limiting her visual awareness of them will help with preventing some of the psychological sources of itching as well.” Herserael gestured towards my head, and I stood still, aware he likely touched one of the ears I hadn’t seen yet. “I am expecting two or three more weeks of keeping the sites numb before testing if there is remnant itching. These treatments do not at all impair her hearing, and her nervous system has accepted them.”

The Veloc snapped his fingers, loud enough I fought the urge to swat the feathered murder machine. “Could you please refrain from doing that? That’s really not comfortable.”

With a soft coo, the Veloc patted my shoulder. “I suspect your hearing is quite improved from standard homo sapiens levels, although those tests will wait for later. We’ll begin our tour with meeting Palta, the DNA donor. She is likely napping, so we will need to keep quiet, as she is a rather surly feline when awoken from her nap without good reason. As her keeper, young Waldren here is rather tyrannical with her feeding and treat schedule, a small morsel might spare us from her wrath should we disturb her.”

Waldren reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jar filled with brown pieces of some treat. “I am armed with her favorites, so we should survive. And I’ll even let her sucker me out of a few extra for her good behavior. She’ll be so confused over why she’s receiving an unscheduled treat that she will forget she’s angry at us for the disruption to her nap.”

My mother giggled. “I see you’ve found the feline version of yourself, Camellia.”

“I haven’t actually smacked anyone for waking me up since I was like eight, Mom,” I replied, shaking my head over her attempt to embarrass me. “I won’t deny I was inclined to scratch and bite anyone who inappropriately woke me, though.”

“Much like a cat, we had to trim your claws and teach you not to bite,” my mother stated. “How are you liking space so far?”

“They have customizable quarters.”

“Do be mindful of my daughter and her ways,” my mother said, and her attention turned to something she could see but I could not. I assumed she had several screens on the table to get a better view of the spaceship. “From the moment she realized the stars were reachable destinations, she has always looked towards the sky. She planned her schooling, from the age of six, to be able to discover what was beyond our world.”

“That’s young,” Herserael noted, and his emerald crest rose. “At what age did the education system of your world begin encouraging space travel?”

“It doesn’t. She asked of her own volition after a trip to the spaceport. They receive a course near the end of standardized education regarding basic space travel for those who do decide to go off world, but it isn’t typically encouraged. We do have exploratory programs, like the classes she took until the crash, but it’s intended to cultivate our planet versus engaging in actual exploration.”

I should have known my mother had looked closely into my education. “The coursework is designed to encourage us to go out and find compatible life forms for our world that’ll solve some problem within a localized ecosystem. Space travel is required for such things.”

“The general expectation is that she would return to our world after a few years of gathering specimens for compatibility studies elsewhere. We do have a rather robust zoo.”

Our world had an entire continent dedicated to a menagerie of different species from elsewhere, involving explorers collecting plants and animals from another world and creating an entire ecosystem dedicated to their study. “Our zoology program is quite interesting. I’m still not sure it’s a great idea; if the species escape, it could create significant problems for our ecosystem.” I shrugged, as my opinion had meant little to my teachers, and I’d gotten more than a few flags for my inclination to question the status quo. “Mom, I’ve determined we should stock Veloc on our planet.”

She raised a brow while my father snorted, coughed, and struggled in vain to mask his snickers. “Why do you say that?”

“This one can cook, the bold can pet them, and they’re excellent entertainment.”

“As I’ve reviewed our planet’s guidelines for species introductions, you cannot create a catch and release program for any sentients, including any Veloc,” she scolded. “Do try to be serious.”

Herserael whistled his amusement. “Most homo sapiens Schwana do not tolerate the presence of my people well, young Camellia. Your innate xenodiversity rating is unusually high.”

“Please tell me you didn’t try to pet your host,” my mother muttered.

“I did not try. I successfully petted my host,” I admitted. “It’s not my fault. I’m not responsible for what my hands do when I’m drugged and a feathered sentient puts his face in range of my hands.”

“Truth be told, I was doing some maintenance nearby when she emerged from sedation. It was a known and accepted risk. Of course, I expected her to hit me rather than pet me. It is part of our xenodiversity evaluations. It does change our general plan, however. We had intended to evaluate more of the unusual branches of homo sapiens and their worlds first, but we might begin with one of our worlds instead.”

“How long do you anticipate this experimental voyage to take?” my father asked. “While her school has been accommodating, they won’t hold her place forever.”

The Veloc tilted his head to the side, and his crest raised a little taller, displaying his baubles and feathers in their full glory. “It will be at least three or four of your yearly cycles, perhaps longer. Her education is our responsibility, and by the time she does return, she will have surpassed educational offerings from this world, I’m sure. We will address all licensing and certification issues, including her piloting license should she decide to accept education from young Waldren here.”

I could only assume my parents locked on to the man, as their gaze shifted to a different display I couldn’t see. My father’s eyes narrowed with interest. “You’re the pilot?”

“Yes, sir,” Waldren replied. “When my sister and I were adopted into the Emerald Crests, I was given a variety of education options. I wanted to fly, so they found instructors for me. When my sister decided to wed her suitor, I was given this ship. I’ve been flying her with Palta ever since.”

“And you can teach my daughter how to fly?”

“I’m qualified and licensed as an instructor, yes. I’m not a top-tier instructor, but I’m solid on the base level education, and should she pass my base criteria, she’ll be ready to test for her entry level license. I’m working towards my advanced training certification now.”

“I see. Well, Waldren, I trust you will do your best to keep her safe during her education.”

Something about my father’s tone implied he would teach the man the true meaning of fear if things did not work out as planned. “Dad,” I complained.

“I am just stating that I will give even Veloc a reason to worry should he do something reckless with you.”

I crossed my arms. “All you’re going to do is encourage them. I’ve only had a few hours of generalized exposure to them, and I’ve already learned you’ve just issued them a challenge to do reckless things with me. Why? So they can find out what you’ll do. They do not need any additional encouragement. I’m already encouraging them sufficiently.”

“She’s probably right,” my mother stated, and she elbowed my father. “She doesn’t need any additional encouragement. She’s already venturing off into space as it is. Sure, it’s as a test subject, but at least she’s a willing test subject.”

I foresaw many years of my parents addressing me as a test subject, something I didn’t mind, as I’d cracked similar jokes before the crash. “It also gets me into space years ahead of schedule. I’ve been promised as much education as I want, Mom.”

My mother snorted and shook her head. “Are you even planning on visiting us with that on the table?”

“Whenever I realistically can,” I promised.

Herserael hooted, and his crest smoothed down. “It’s only four gate hops to here—longer than most voyages, but it’s a total round trip time of a month. It’s a two week space voyage between one of the gates; otherwise, they are close to each other. It can be done in a week with certain ships.”

“Our clan has one of the ships, but it’s more of a cargo freighter that can happen to carry a few passengers,” Waldren admitted. “My ship is slower, but she’s reliable. Visitation will not be an issue.”

“It’s only two weeks each way? But we’re on the fringe of explored space,” my father stated, his eyes narrowing.

“The one gate requires a high-end shiftgem drive to utilize,” Waldren explained. “My ship has the appropriate drive. Otherwise, it’s closer to four to six months of hopping around the other gates and traveling through empty space to reach here.”

“So, she could be back home in a week, if the conditions are right and she can book with a fast ship?” my mother asked.

I admired Waldren’s patience, as my parents were beginning to get on my nerves with their incredulous responses. “That’s correct. Her worst-case scenario is a six month voyage, as very few ships coming out this way do so on a direct path.”

“It could be worse,” my father decided. “Can you introduce us to Palta?”

Waldren headed off, and I followed him through the ship. The spacious corridors amused me, but I assumed they needed to be larger to accommodate moving equipment through the ship. He guided me to an area of the ship I hadn’t been in yet, poked his head through an open doorway, and a moment later, Palta hissed.

The rattling of the jar ended the vocalized complaints, and I peeked inside to discover the feline on the bed. An amusing assortment of cat toys and scratching posts took up most of the space with a desk tucked into a corner. Shelving units likely held his clothes and other property with all free space dedicated to Palta and her empire.

One lower shelf, located near the desk, contained a litter box. The neighboring cabinet, with a little door she could hop through, contained food and water dishes along with a cat bed.

After devouring her treat, Palta hissed at Waldren for waking her, took a fake swipe at him, and jumped off the man’s bed before coming to me.

Accepting the risk of disfigurement or potentially death, I set the tablet aside, scooped the cat up, placed her front paws on my shoulder, and made sure to support her hind paws. “Did that mean owner of yours wake you up?”

Palta rewarded me with a purr and nuzzled my face.

“I see nothing has changed,” my mother said with laughter in her voice. “Ever since she was little, if there was an animal she could pet, she would pet it. Don’t worry, Waldren. She recovers from the heartbreak of not being able to keep the latest animal to cross her path after five minutes or so. Use her love of animals against her. If she can’t pet your cat until she has finished all her tasks, you will find them finished to perfection on an advanced schedule.”

Careful not to dislodge Palta, I shrugged. “It’s true. Palta is an Earth bred species, Mom.”

Herserael chuckled. “Palta is bonded to Waldren, but we’ll see about acquiring a companion for you, as it would be a good partnership. Palta is a very social animal, and she will shower everyone in the crew with her affection, much to the dismay of her owner, who would like to be the one and only in his cat’s eyes.”

Waldren shrugged. “I’ve had her since she was a kitten.”

I cuddled with his cat, smiled, and said, “Don’t worry. I’m not going to steal her. I will pet her at every opportunity, however.”

“It is clear we will have to go on a search for her to have a pet of her own,” Herserael stated, and he whistled and trilled at Waldren. After a few moments, the man replied with a series of whistles, a growl, and an odd half-hoot.

Huh. I hadn’t known homo sapiens could learn how to speak the Veloc’s language. “Can you teach me how to do that?”

My parents laughed. “If you teach her, you’ll never get rid of her,” my mother warned.

I wouldn’t protest the truth. That I was going into space at all might be the reason they wouldn’t be able to get rid of me, but I wouldn’t admit that to anyone.

In the blink of an eye, I’d gone from fearing the destruction of my hopes and dreams to living them. Without the crash, I would have made it into space eventually, but because of it, I dove headlong into the sort of voyage I’d only dreamed about before everything had gotten twisted around on me.

No matter what, I would make the most of the opportunity. “I think they’ll manage just fine, Mom. You don’t need to try to warn them off.”

“It’s always polite to warn others of what they are getting themselves into,” she countered.

I foresaw a great deal of trouble in my immediate future in the form of my parents educating everyone on my tendencies. Rather than fight it, I focused on showing the cat affection and prepared to endure.