A flurry of activity at the door announced stewards bringing food. Vuldrex murmured something to his daughter and she disappeared out the door, propelled by a flap of her wings.
“Is there an order to which everyone sits?” Jacqueline translated for Jaron.
“At formal dinners, the Vorazyrsits on a dais in the middle of the long table, with his back to the wall and looking out over the dining hall. Across from him are the honored guests, with the highest ranking sitting directly across from him.” Thyra smiled. “But since this is informal, it doesn’t matter where we sit.”
Kyvar and the younger female, Tatiana, came into the room, followed by Junyv. Tatiana said something as she took in the glass murals that made up the arced ceiling, and Kyvar grinned, leaning toward her as he said something that made her laugh.
I turned back to the trio and gently placed my wing against Thyra’s back in the formal and proper way to escort her to the table. I noticed Jacqueline’s eyes on us, though she quickly averted her gaze. Was it not polite for males to escort their family? Apparently not, as her brother didn’t pay attention to her.
Once we were seated, Vuldrex announced what the foods were, though they couldn’t understand really until they tried them.
Kyvar flicked his eyebrows up when he saw that I’d placed Jacqueline on the side of me where he’d usually sit while Thyratook her usual place next to me. He didn’t seem bothered, taking a seat next to Tatiana.
Jaron and Jacqueline conversed in their language as the stewards plated food and brought them to us.
“These plates are huge.” Tatiana said in heavily accented intergalactic tongue. It seemed she’d been working hard at learning to communicate. A good sign.
“Vorpyr are very physical and need a great deal of nourishment.” Kyvar told her, his voice a warm purr.
Beside me Jacqueline was using utensils to cut into the food, look at it, and take dainty bites.
“Do you have anything like that on Earth?” I leaned toward her and she looked up at me, her eyes shining with the evening light refracted by the colored glass ceiling. Her supple lips, pink instead of the silver-purple hue of a vorpyr female, tilted in a small smile.
“I think the texture and taste of this one is similar to a turnip, although it’s more savory, likely due to whatever spices were added to it.”
“And the hykh?” I nodded at the meat.
A small bite disappeared between her lips and I nearly reached out to brush away the juices that were left on the pink buds, causing them to glisten. She closed her eyes and made a little sound in the back of her throat. When she opened her eyes and Jaron said something, causing her attention to turn from me, I held in a growl. She responded and they went back and forth for a moment before she turned her full attention back to me, warm and light. “It’s very good, buttery and delicious, similar to kinds of meat we’ve had though with more depth.”
I was pleased.
Thyra leaned forward to better see Jaron and Jacqueline and discussed the work she’d like help with. She phrased itas a request, but everyone knew their lives were tied to their cooperation.
“Can we get resources to help us learn vorikaan?” Jacqueline asked.
Thyra brightened. “What a great request! We can—”
“No.” I interrupted. “The intergalactic tongue is enough to focus on.”
Both my sister and Jacqueline seemed to deflate at my words. It made my chest tight, seeing them disappointed, but it was necessary. A Vorazyr did whatever was needed to ensure the safety and prosperity of his territory, and the humans were still our enemy. Thyra quickly directed the conversation back to what her upcoming plans for them were. The other human female worried her bottom lip until Jacqueline asked her to help with the field trip for the small ones. She immediately brightened, looking far more excited at the prospect than Jacqueline did.
“Does your species not treasure children?” I’d heard mixed reports.
“Of course we do.” A hint of defensiveness crept into her voice. “I just have never taught children, only adults in a college setting. I’m relieved to have Tatiana’s help.”
“If you prove yourself reliable, perhaps you’ll have the opportunity to share your knowledge and practices with university level vorpyr.”
Her eyes lit up. “Is there a university here?”
“Not here, in other territories.” I said, not wanting to provide more information.
She seemed to realize that and didn’t ask about it further, instead changing the subject. “I’m not sure how this is supposed to work, but we need groceries,” her cheeks turned pink and she couldn’t meet my gaze, “and Tatiana and I need some personal items. Is there a way to get them? If I could pay I would, of course, but given the circumstances…” she lifted her shoulders,looking forlorn. Good. Despite my sister’s hopes, they still needed to know their place here. Too much freedom or feelings of safety and they may try something. I couldn’t allow that.
“After dessert I will take you to the store and you can purchase what you need.”
Vuldrex, always in the background observing everything, stepped up next to my chair. I inclined my head toward him and he spoke. “Why don’t I have Junyv and a guard take her?”
I knew what he was saying. My time shouldn’t be wasted on this, onthem, but I found myself saying, “there’s no need. I’ll take her.” It was better that I keep an eye on her for now.
