As Ruler of the Green, his father protected and represented the natural landscape of Kantenan, as well as the clans that lived in them. He was their voice in the Coalition.
Including science experiments that may or may not have their endorsement. Like an honest politician, he did not always agree with his constituents, but he represented their preferences to the best of his ability.
He was very loyal to those of the natural clans.
Probably why he loved his mother so—she was from one of those natural clans.
Stron nodded as he picked up his ale. “I see the experiment is the talk of Kantenan, if you have heard about it.”
His father grumbled. “I was at the Coalition meeting. I heard it all.”
Stron had been waiting for this. He hadn't bothered mentioning to his parents that he'd agreed to help Khalzin without even asking what the favor was.
He probably should have given it more thought, since it would affect him for the rest of his life. But he'd made a commitment, and he wasn't about to back away from it.
He would not dishonor his friend in that way.
While he trusted Khalzin’s science, he had heard enough tales of other Kantenans mating with off-worlders. It happened. Not on the home world, though.
“So, you know in detail what it was about,” Stron said. Part of him wanted to think his father understood the importance of the experiment. “Perhaps my mother will stop insisting on introducing me to every female on the planet. You know we're related in some fashion to most of them.”
“She wants you to find a proper mate.”
“I will. With the experiment,” Stron said. That sounded convincing, he thought. No reason to make his family realize his own trepidation.
His father grunted.
Whether they liked it or not, it was for the best for the Kantenan people. A simple solution that would bring about the quickest results. It wouldn't be perfect, of course, and failure was likely, but if it did work, then it would open up a great deal of possibilities to their people.
“Khalzin has good intentions, but it won't be well-received. Not by many here.” He gestured to the green, and paused for a second, staring out into the land. “And what kind of females would want to come here, commit to a mate without even knowing what they look like?”
“It seems ridiculous,” Stron's mother said as she came out onto the balcony to join them. “And desperate.” Her hair hung in long braids down her back, some wrapped around her horns as well, making them look more elegant.
For appearances, of course.
His mother never let anyone forget where she stood in the order of the clans.
He raised his eyebrow to his mother. “I find it intriguing,” Stron said.
Khalzin seemed convinced that the females could mate with them, or at least that's what he said the Galactic Alliance's people claimed.
Thus allowing the Kantenans to continue to grow as a population. Lovely and scientific, but it was still all hypothetical at this point.
Stron was willing to experiment.
If they were pretty enough, they would at least entice him. While he’d never been away from Kantenan, he had seen enough of off-worlders that he had a vague notion of what to expect.
No horns. More delicate.
Generally smaller. More shades than just the reds and browns that dominated the Kantenans.
“It is a foolish venture,” his mother said. “I cannot imagine what you will do with an off-world mate. I doubt you can even connect with one.”
“That is what the experiment is for,” Stron said. “To see what is possible. If it can even work.”
“It may throw our way of life into ruins,” his mother said.
Stron raised his eyebrow. “I think that is a little bit dramatic, Mother.”
