Chapter 11

Sandy

Just another day trapped in the house.

Being allowed to expand her ability to roam to this one wing certainly did a lot to alleviate the slowly growing mania of cabin fever, but it wasn’t a perfect fix. It was also becoming less effective with each passing day. She was a homebody, but having free will taken from her ability to leave was the difference between homebody and jailbird.

She was getting enough food now, so that was an improvement. She didn’t know how he did it, but she was sure Rane had done something. It just endeared him to her even more. But it brought with it the unexpected side effect of actually having energy again. Which was a bad thing because now she was much less content just sit there, doing nothing, for hours on end.

That was probably why she had reverted to destruction.

She didn’t have any of her knitting projects or anything, and she couldn’t buy any since her subnet access was monitored and restricted, and also she still had no way to access her converted Earth funds, so she had to entertain herself. She did that by deconstructing the wicker furniture in the halls. She took them apart and broke them down. Then, just to see if she could, she soaked the reeds until they became pliable again and she was able to work them into new shapes. One shape, really, since she only knew how to make baskets.

But it entertained her for a while.

Sitting in the middle of the hall, a pile of reeds beside her, soaking the beige rug, she wove a lovely basket that she decorated with strips of beige fabric she took from the curtains. That was where Drevor found her one morning, blinking at her mess in confusion.

“Er, tilla , are you okay?”

Sandy, who had heard him approaching but hadn’t stopped in her movements, paused now as she gave him a look.

She didn’t know him well, but just by virtue of his close association with Elffa, she didn’t like or trust him. The fact that he was allowed to come to her prison must mean that he was someone Elffa believed wouldn’t betray her, which made him immediately suspicious.

Her silence made him frown but he continued. “I hope I am not bothering you. What is it exactly you are doing here?”

Sandy said nothing. She just kept staring, waiting for him to get to the point of whatever had brought him here.

Sighing, he crouched down in front of her, resting his arms on his legs.

“May we talk, tilla ? I know you can. Which means you are deliberately refusing to speak to me. May I ask why?”

Was he ever going to get to the point? She didn’t like him, and he was interrupting basket weaving time, probably for something unimportant.

“Listen,” he leaned in closer, making her lean back, eyes narrowed. What was he trying to pull? “I mean you no harm, tilla . I vow it to you.”

Sandy could just imagine the bitch fit her grandmother would throw if she believed someone just because they said they could be believed. And even if he did mean it, it didn’t necessarily follow that what he thought was best for her was actually what she wanted or needed. The path to hell is paved with good intentions and lined with well-wishers, as her grandma used to say.

“I can do nothing directly, because that would cost me this position and ruin any chance I have of helping at all, but you and Rane can depend on me. I know he is trapped, and it is my hope to be able to free him.”

He whispered it, like he was afraid of someone overhearing, though there was no one here. Which was probably smart. Sandy hadn’t seen any hints that she was being directly watched, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t.

Not that she believed Drevor. He could just be saying that because Elffa wanted her to think he was someone safe to talk to. The stakes were a bit higher now, but really it wasn’t that much different to when the mean girls in high school would designate one of their number to ‘befriend’ other girls just for the sake of information gathering and mockery. It had only taken the entire school learning that Sandy had kissed Mitch Gunderson under the gym bleachers and the resultant mockery for her to learn her lesson on trusting friendly appearing people.

So, she remained impassive as Drevor searched her face. He sat back with another sigh.

“You don’t believe me. That’s understandable. I will have to let my actions be the proof of my words. You will come to trust me, in time.”

That was probably supposed to be reassuring, but it really just made her more suspicious.

“If you’ll allow it, tilla , there is a guest requesting to see you today.”

Sandy’s brow popped. A guest? She was under the impression that no one was supposed to know about her. No one had said as much directly, but it did seem to be a reasonable thing to assume considering how much effort was made to keep her only around certain people.

“Her name is Lisra. She is the mate of Sal, captain of the Eliviers. Sal was told about you by Elffa herself, and though Sal was asked to maintain discretion, it is not unreasonable to assume that he would tell his mate. She has been eagerly anticipating your meeting, which I have arranged today.”

Ah. So, it was like a ‘girlfriends of the football guys’ kind of meeting. The wives club, basically. Sandy was surprised she was getting an invitation, considering Rane was the most disliked person on the team, but maybe it was another mean girl spy thing and, like Drevor, this Lisra character was the one designated to get close to her.

“Lisra is a kind female,” Drevor said, like he was reading her mind. “She is exuberant and energetic. She wishes to be friendly with you as her mate and Rane have been friends for a very long time. Her intentions are only honorable.”

Sandy still didn’t trust him, or her, but it wasn’t like she had anything better to do.

Silently, she set aside her basket and stood, adjusting her skirt – one of hers, not the ones that were too tight from this planet. The carpet was soaked, and so was she. Without speaking to Drevor, she returned to her room to change. He followed but stopped outside. She took her time cleaning up, half hoping he would go away, but when she emerged, he was still there.

“This way?” He asked, gesturing forward.

Sandy turned and walked alongside him as they moved towards the entrance. Drevor kept glancing at her out of the corner of his eyes, but she ignored him as she let him lead her out and through the part of the manor she wasn’t usually allowed in.

They came to a sitting room at the front. It was decorated with more beige and wicker furniture, all awash in bright sunlight that was streaming in through the wide window that looked out over the front courtyard.

Knowing what she did now, that beige was considered a girly color, she looked at all the décor through a new lens. If all the beige was hot pink and all the yellow was purple and all the white was pale pink, if this room was garish instead of neutral…

Thinking of it that way, Elffa really had no taste at all.

She concealed a smile as she instead focused on the female already in the room. She looked up as Sandy entered, lowering a smooth, shallow cup filled with steaming tea, a smile already forming on her brown face. Her feathers were darker than Elffa’s, though her eyes were the same black – dark eyes seemed to be a trait of the species. She was even more slender, somehow, but taller. She was wearing a white dress, tight at the bust, sleeveless, with a ruched skirt to her knees and a pair of delicate slippers. She was really pretty, and her wide smile upon seeing Sandy appeared genuine.

“Oh, wow! You must be her!” She squeaked excitedly, rushing over. She stopped just short, smiling at her unabashedly.

“May I make the introductions?” Drevor asked. “Lisra, this is Sandy Tollman, a human from Earth. Sandy, this is Lisra el Offulay. She is Sal’s mate, and it was her fervent wish to meet with you today.”

“I didn’t let them say no,” Lisra chuckled behind her hand. “I’ve been pestering Elffa practically since you got here. She said you couldn’t possibly meet anyone yet since you were still getting used to the planet. I hope it wasn’t too overwhelming.”

Sandy gave her a polite smile. “Not at all. It’s nice to meet you, Lisra.”

Drevor shot her a quick look but said nothing about her willingness to speak to her and not him. Sandy didn’t trust her either, but she also had no reason to snub her. Politeness was always best to start. Elffa and her team were currently the only ones enjoying her censure.

“You as well,” Lisra beamed. “I practically had to threaten Elffa to make this happen. Though, I can understand her reluctance to let you out.”

“Do you now?” Sandy asked neutrally, gesturing forward so they could sit on opposing sofas. Plain beige, girly sofas, she thought to herself with an internal snicker.

“Oh, of course!” Lisra sat, reaching the tall pot of tea and the second cup meant for Sandy. “I’m open minded. I’ve traveled to many planets with Sal for their games, so it doesn’t affect me anymore. But Elffa must think of the anti-human sentiments.”

That gave Sandy pause as she was lifting the cup. “Anti-human sentiments?”

Lisra blinked, then grimaced. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did you not know?”

“No.” Sandy glanced over to Drevor who was sitting unobtrusively in the corner. His expression was blank. She focused back on Lisra. “Can you tell me about it?”

“It’s really nothing that bad,” she hastened to say, chuckling uncomfortably. “I mean, of course, any prejudice is a bad thing. I’m not trying to diminish it.”

“Lisra,” Sandy grinned at her flustered babbling. “It’s okay. You can just tell me honestly. I’m a big girl; I can handle it.”

She grinned weakly. “It’s just because humans are so blatantly sexual. For us – telfay, I mean – females are meant to be modest and subtle and understated.” She put a hand to her own chest, head high, shoulders back. “The ideal beauty of telfay is a female who wears modest clothing, with rich, deep brown, smooth feathers, who speaks softly, and carries herself with grace. Humans females are… rather opposite of that. It just makes it easy for others to be judgmental, that’s all.”

“What about males?”

“Males can’t really help but show off. Their bodies are beautiful. It’s like art,” she smiled, her eyes sparkling. “It’s the height of masculinity to be confident and honest and bare. It’s expected of them.”

“I see. So, the problem with me is…?”

“It’s just difficult for humans to appear modest and understated,” she admitted. “Your bodies are much more voluptuous than ours.”

“Your clothes also aren’t designed for our bodies.”

“That’s true too. They don’t really account for your curves.” Lisra looked between them. For though Lisra was taller than her, she was inhumanly slender. Like comparing a pear to a banana. For clothes designed to go on such bodies, of course they’d look odd or obscene on Sandy.

“So, that’s why humans aren’t liked here?”

“It’s just a matter of perception. It says nothing about who you are as a people, just because you look like, er… well…”

“Whores?”

Lisra grimaced uncomfortably, but Sandy just chuckled. It was like ‘beige is girly’. She had to readjust her thinking. To them, humans must look like strippers in full regalia, walking down the streets, clear heels clicking, tassels bouncing. Or maybe just wrapped in a too tight, too short, bodycon dress but going to a classy, formal event.

“Don’t let anyone thinking that way discourage you,” Lisra insisted quickly. “They’ll get used to you. Because the most important trait for a female is pride. You hold your head high and look down on them, refuse to grant them even your displeasure. It puts you above them.”

Ah. That must be why her silent treatment was so effective. They must feel like Victorian nobles looking down on peasants that dared look back, unimpressed by their finery. Such an aggravation was too insulting to tolerate. That hadn’t been Sandy’s intention, she just didn’t want to talk to those people, but she’d take any advantage she could get.

“Is there somewhere that could make clothes for me?” She asked. “Nothing designed for telfay. Something for me.”

“Sure. You can hire a tailor. Or you can buy clothing from off-world traders. It might take a bit longer to get here, but you can at least be assured that it fits better than anything we would have ready for you. Cheaper than a tailor too. Oh,” she laughed. “But who am I talking to? With how much Rane earns, you hardly have to worry about money, huh?”

Sandy sipped at her tea, saying nothing, but glancing at Drevor. He was staring back already, unspoken words in his eyes. A confirmation of a message that Lisra hadn’t meant to give.

Maybe because it was the fact that everything in this manor was clearly done in Elffa’s style, but Sandy had just assumed that it belonged to her. Maybe she came from old money or something. But that wasn’t what Lisra said. She said with how much Rane earned. Meaning, Rane was the one making all this money.

It was a motive for Elffa to keep him under her thumb. And probably the most base and basic one possible. It was almost disappointing. She wasn’t some elegant, blue blooded, untouchable lady with inscrutable desires. She wanted money. Maybe also control, but really just money.

Sandy finished teatime with Lisra and bid her farewell from the door. They talked about the other mates of the team and fashion and hobbies. Simple, friendly things. She told Sandy not to rush getting accustomed to things, and to take her time if she really was so shy. Lisra didn’t mind waiting, but she hoped she’d be able to come by again soon. Sandy couldn’t promise her that, since Elffa was controlling her right now, but she agreed with a smile.

The moment she was out of sight, Drevor began walking her back to her hallway. The one she sincerely hoped was getting water damage from the wet reeds she’d left there. She’d learned the art of being petty from her grandmother, and really it was their fault for letting the prisoner be bored.

“Money, huh?” She started, speaking softly as Drevor walked her up the stairs.

He looked briefly surprised that she was talking to him but recovered quickly. “Rane is a very highly publicized, star trikballer. He earns a great deal.”

“And that belongs to his mother, I assume.”

“It is not uncommon for parents to control the assets of their children.”

“It is when their children are adults.”

“Ah, but Rane is not an adult.”

“Isn’t he?”

“In the strictly biological sense, yes. But legally?”

They reached the door and Sandy stopped, turning before it could lock her back in. “The tribunal meeting you’ve applied for on my behalf. What is it?”

Something like approval flashed in his eyes. “The tribunal is an important milestone legality for all youth on Levtiram. When you reach the age of adulthood, you must apply to the tribunal for legal adulthood.”

“Everyone must do this?”

“Yes.”

“Including immigrants?”

There was definite approval in his gaze now. “Only those that are mating a telfay. Those who are working here are granted automatic legal adulthood if they have it on their own planet. Those applying for legal citizenship have their own steps to take, but the tribunal is not required for them either.”

“In that case, I don’t need a tribunal meeting. Such a thing on my planet is determined only by age. Which is eighteen years old. Which I have far exceeded. And I’m not applying for permanent citizenship.”

“Only until you are mated. Once you are mated, if you have not already completed the process for permanent citizenship, you must meet the tribunal.”

“Does everyone get approval for legal adulthood?”

“No. Those who are considered incapable of being fully responsible for themselves can and will be denied.”

“I see. Like those who, for example, are addicted to drugs and alcohol and spend an inordinate amount of time partying?”

“That is a great example. Another would be a person who is coming from an undeveloped world who cannot be reasonably expected to navigate a completely foreign planet without aid. Such a person likely wouldn’t be able to be granted permanent citizenship on their own anyway.”

“I see. In such cases, what happens to the person who is denied?”

“They must have continued guardianship. In most cases, it will be their parent. But it could be any legal adult who is willing to take control of them.”

“Someone like, say, the mother of your mate?”

“Yes. Though, it could be your mate themselves. If they’re an adult, of course.”

“Naturally.” She turned, facing Drevor. His expression was concealed again, but she could see the hard determination still in his eyes. “I suppose I don’t have to worry about it though. I don’t need a tribunal appointment. I am not mated.”

Drevor looked surprised. His gaze darted down to her shoulder – for some reason – but it was covered by her high-necked shirt. “I did not realize.”

“Does it make a difference?”

“Yes. Only so long as you remain unmated. Though, it might… Forgive me, tilla . I shall have to do some research before I can answer your question fully.”

She grinned harshly. “Noted. Thank you for your patience in answering my questions.”

“It is my pleasure and duty. If you need anything, feel free to ask. I cannot do much, but if there is anything I can help you with, feel free to let me know.”

“I will.” She stepped through the door and looked back. “It was lovely meeting you, Drevor.”

He inclined his head as the panel slid shut, clicking as it locked her back in. This new information tumbled about in her head as she walked forward, intending to return to her project.