He seemed to pull himself out of whatever thoughts he had and withdrew a thin tablet. He handed it over. I quickly assessed what was on the screen. Rows of letters and words next to each other covered the screen. One side was a language I didn’t recognize, not vorpyr, and next to it in each row was the intergalactic language.
After assessing it, I glanced at him. “What is it you want me to do?”
He tapped the tablet so the words came off the page in a hologram before me and then opened up another page. This one with writing in that same alien style.
“What does this say?”
My eyes flitted over the words and I referenced the hologram a couple of times before carefully reading the page aloud.
He narrowed his eyes. “How did you do that so fast?”
“The human eye doesn’t read every letter in a text, it reads for shapes, and the shapes of this language are simple.” I shrugged. “Plus, I’ve learned a lot of languages and there’s quite literally a reference sheet here.”
“How many do you speak?”
I smiled. “Not nearly as many as I’ve learned. I’ve only kept myself fluent in three. The language of the country I come from, and two others because I’ve worked with so many researchers and students who speak those languages.”
He studied me, his pupils narrowing and widening subtly, dark and mesmerizing. When he wasn’t threatening and growling, he was quite attractive. I pushed the thought away and pointed at the tablet. “This sounds like some kind of business contract.” A thought came to me. “I’ve always thought that vorpyr keep to themselves, but this city is clearly very prosperous. Anymore, that would indicate you have contracts in the galaxy.” Maybe I shouldn’t have spoken my thoughts aloud. Was there an expression he had that wasn’t angry or suspicious?
I handed him back the tablet and stepped away. “Never mind. The teacher wants me to plan some type of field trip for the kids. I don’t know anything about this place, so I’m not sure where to take them.”
“What do you plan to teach them?”
“I thought that I could try to explain how different cultures interact with their environment, the plants and animals, even the moon and stars. Some cultures worshipped them for along time.” For children that small, teaching about culture or language would be difficult, but it was the knowledge I had.
“I can take you to a couple of places you could take them, to see which works best for you.” As soon as the words left his lips he seemed as surprised as I was that he made the offer.
“That’s not necessary.” I hadn’t forgotten that he’d placed me on a ledge or threatened my brother, and spending time with him wasn’t on my bucket list. Another thought occurred to me. “I suppose you’re worried about Alryv.”
“Why would I be concerned for him?”
“Isn’t he your son?”
He laughed. “I do not have children. Come, I will take you tomorrow. For now, join your companions and eat something.”
We began the trek back. I was surprised he opted for the longer way instead of flying us there.
Whenever any vorpyr passed us or got close, they clapped their wings together and murmured, “ka’reth voran Vorazyr.”It must have been a more formal way of saying hello. They also, usually, sent curious glances in my direction. How strange whenIwas the alien.
“Does your language change to formal if a younger vorpyr is speaking to an older one and informal for an older vorpyr speaking to a younger one?” I asked.
“No, it changes based on status and context.” He glanced at me. “Is this something your humans do?”
“Not all languages and cultures are like that, but some are.” Something occurred to me and I turned to him in my excitement. “Earth has many races of humans, does Ryiv?”
He didn’t answer for so long I thought he wouldn’t respond at all. Then he said, “yes, there are the Vor’Kaal, Vor’Thyr and Vor’Zoryl.” His eyes glinted with humor. “Is it often that you get so interested in a subject that you stop in the middle of a busy walkway to discuss it?”
A blush warmed my cheeks when I realized that vorpyr were waiting to get across the walkway I was standing in the middle of, gripping Arrazyl’s powerful forearm. I’d forgotten myself in my excitement, and now I jerked my hand away. They were being respectful about it, thanks to the Vorazyr,and most just took to the air and flew around, but there were a few that had injured wings or were carrying children and didn’t seem to want to fly.
“Sorry.” I said, quickly finishing my way across.
We resumed our walk and when I glanced sideways at him a little smirk was tilting his lips. Glad he could enjoy himself at my expense.
We reached the door of the house and he unlatched the bar. He gazed at me for a moment with a softer expression than I was accustomed to from him. “My name is Arrazyl, you may use it in informal circumstances.” He took a breath and seemed to make a decision. “Vorpyr culture is very rich, perhaps more opportunities for you to learn about us would be…effectual. We are far more than a warring species, as you pointed out about our artists.”
With that, he stepped back and slid the door open for me. I stepped in and the lock clunked into place behind me, leaving me with too many thoughts.
“How was it?” Tatiana asked enthusiastically, speed walking over to me. The woman needed to get outside and run around the block.
