Copyright 2024 – Daemon D. Hart
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The Human Bearer
The next visit he received took him completely by surprise. Since the general consensus was that the traitor still on the loose could put them in danger, Riordan hadn't been so keen on going out, either, spending his days with Junior and watching him grow. Ferix hadn't come, either, which only meant that he was focused on making Xana better, so Riordan didn't mind waiting for those lessons in Xenos' way of communicating.
One of the guards informed him that Cario Hamen was there to see him. That would serve as a good way to reconnect with the pulse of the ship since he'd been out of the loop for so long. Also, he would be able to approach the other issue that had been on his mind ever since he had spotted Jasno coming out of Cario's quarters.
Dario looked bigger than he had seen him the last time, but still he didn't appear to be as big as Junior. Riordan had a mind to ask Cario if he thought that difference to be notable or worthy of worrying over. His heart grew when he saw Junior nimbly swimming in the tank or listen to him trying out new words, but he sometimes worried without a reason. He only hoped his and Xana's son wasn't some sort of experiment for the older Xenos who appeared to guide themselves by a moral code only they knew the limits of.
"Hello, Riordan," Cario said warmly, hugging him shortly and kissing him on both cheeks. "Do you mind if Dario joins your boy? Just look at his eyes growing wide at the sight of that water tank."
"Not at all. Since they grow so fast, they must already be at the age when they start making friends," Riordan suggested.
Dario was craning his neck and his tail was swinging wildly, showing his impatience.
"How are you, little buddy?" Riordan asked and caressed the blond head.
Dario tilted his head back and gave him a suspicious look.
"You know Riordan," Cario spoke softly to his son. "He came to visit us before."
Dario seemed to process the information but didn't waste time on it. He pointed at the water tank and he was probably whispering something in his parent's head to demand to be allowed to play.
"Dada," Junior called out from the water, as he swam to the surface and now was busy examining their guests, "I want him." He pointed at Dario as if he believed him to be a toy.
"You two can play but be nice," Riordan said.
"He can talk? Use speech?" Cario's questions took him by surprise before he recalled, once more, that Junior was developing in a different way than others.
"We're working on it," Riordan said.
Cario seemed both stunned by that revelation, as well as very pleased. "How did you do it? I can't convince Dario to utter the shortest word. What am I saying? He rarely lets out more than a hiss, and that happens only when he's annoyed with me."
"Willful little punks," Riordan agreed with a rueful smile. "I suppose they all start to talk at one point. It's true that Junior cared to inform me that I was very loud. I have since learned to avoid making too much noise."
Cario walked over to the tank and let Dario inside. In a moment, Junior was all over the newcomer, hugging him and wrapping his tail around him. Maybe he was yearning for friends and this prolonged period of staying clear out of everyone else wasn't good for him. Dario appeared taken aback by his new friend's effusive interest and was trying to get away.
"Junior," Riordan said loud enough to be heard. "Play nice."
Junior gave him a startled look and then looked at Dario. He seemed enthralled with the other Xenolite and enthusiastic to get to know him better. However, the warning in his parent's voice was enough and he let go of Dario right away. He swam to the bottom with a pout so big that could be spotted from across the room.
Dario, on the other hand, appeared relieved to finally be free of that hug and kept to his half on the tank.
"Don't worry," Cario said, patting Riordan's arm. "They'll grow into it, I'm sure. Since they tend to be elitist and individualistic in their development, taking to others happens slowly. At least, that was what Drato told me. Even with me, Dario is not as affectionate as I would like. But I suppose that he's nothing like a human baby, and I need to curb my expectations. However," he added and turned all his attention to his host, "I do envy you. Your little one not only talks but seems to be a hugger, too."
Riordan smiled, feeling proud of his son. "He so is. And he's getting heavier, which means that I might have to start lifting weights to deal with him. Because there's no way I'm out of the duty of holding him in my arms for the foreseeable future."
He invited Cario to sit. "How are things around the ship?"
"Security is extra tight. However, they seem to believe that there are no reasons to believe there are any major threats around. As soon as I was allowed to move freely, I decided to come see you. Also, to let you know that we're starting a crèche for our Xenolites so that they get to know each other. Consider it a sort of pre-school education."
"Sort of early," Riordan commented but then looked at Junior who was carefully aligning several shiny stones that grandpa must have brought over. From his side of the tank, Dario was stealing glances at that unusual treasure. "But I suppose they do grow up differently than humans. All this is new to me."
"I need support to make the crèche thing happen," Cario said. "So I'm here not only to see you as a friend, but because I have an agenda, too. If you can convince General Xeus and His Excellency, I am certain it will happen." He smiled, his face open and honest. "You have a lot of pull on this ship, Riordan."
Still, Riordan had to ask what was on his mind. "I saw Jasno coming out of your quarters. It was before the attack on Xana's life took place."
"Yes," Cario said and nodded, looking nothing like Riordan's words surprised him. "He is about to receive an egg from one of his partners and counts on midwives' tales and remedies more than the advanced Xeno medicine. Of course, that's because they work."
"Ah, so you don't only specialize in making super-strength potions," Riordan said and struggled to smile. Whenever he thought of Jasno, he couldn't help feeling his face muscles getting all cramped up.
"What's on your mind?" Cario asked, angling his head.
"That guy's a snake, and I don't mean it like Xenos are half-snakes. He's dangerous."
"He's a drama queen, and I agree on that, but dangerous?" Cario seemed to ponder. "I don't think so."
"I don't know, man, I just don't like him," Riordan said.
Cario patted his knee in sympathy. "I understand where you're coming from. He still tells to anyone who cares to listen that Xana is going to return to him once he is fit for duty."
"Fit for duty? Strange words."
"By duty, Jasno means that he wants an egg from Xana. His reputation is built on the Xenos he manages to keep around him. Losing Xana is not easy for him. But, of course, that's just because he's spoiled and unused to being told `no' once in a blue moon."
"I don't like that he suddenly cozies up to you. Were you two friends before?"
"No, more like rivals. Not for Drato's attention, thank heavens," Cario said and sighed, "but Jasno wants to be the queen bee, as you noticed. However, I assured him that there's enough room for all of us on this ship."
"Who told him he could come to you for advice and the kind of medicine you make?"
"Let's call it an open secret," Cario said. "Unlike the special sangar I made for you, which we kept between us, I've been helping bearers on this ship and not only for a long time. Now, I'm going to tell you another secret, Riordan. I don't offer them any wonder remedies. They mostly need someone to talk to and assure them that everything will be alright. The herbal teas I offer them have no effect on their pregnancies whatsoever."
Riordan frowned, feeling the crease between his eyebrows growing deeper by the moment. "Florent drank a tea from Earth and then lost the egg. That, I assumed, should have been harmless, too."
"That was a different thing. Although no one is saying it out loud, it could be that Gamni Gafilos sabotaged his own egg only to blame an Earthian and show the entire Xeno society that opting for human bearers should be a no-go."
"Still, I don't like it." Riordan shook his head to reinforce what he was saying. "He didn't mind hitting Junior, who was barely a few days old. That guy is not right in the head."
Cario seemed to ponder over his words. He began to frown slightly, as well. "He's rash and a bit too full of himself. But you should have heard and seen him, Riordan, when he came to visit me. He wasn't that cocksure anymore. He needed my guidance and goodwill just like every other bearer that has ever come to knock on my door."
"Maybe he's one hell of an actor." Riordan sighed and ran one hand over his face. "Or maybe I just don't trust people, especially those who slap babies because they're assholes. Now, just for my peace of mind, are you 100% sure that the thing you gave the guy is completely harmless?"
"For your peace of mind, and mine, yes. I would never put anyone in danger, even if Jasno behaves like an insufferable little bitch."
"I'm not saying that you would ever do such a thing. Sorry if it sounds like I'm accusing you of something. I just don't want that drama queen, as you call him, to pretend to be sick over your little placebo remedy. He might do that only to cast a shadow of doubt on your character."
"You're making me worry, too, now," Cario said. "Damn, you're pretty convincing, Riordan. Are you considering a career in politics?"
"No way, I'm not touching that sort of shit. That stuff's for slippery assholes like Marn. But I'll talk to him and daddy-in-law, too, about your little project. Let's round up the kids and let them have a proper childhood before they get buried in their studies. Actually, I have no idea what that even means. What are they studying?"
"First, they go through an evaluation that gauges their natural gifts. Meaning that if a Xenolite has it in him to pilot a ship, he'll become a navigator, or if he proves to be good at fighting, he'll become a warrior and so on."
"I see. And can they change their minds later?"
"Not as far as I know. But it's how they earn their coats."
"What do you mean?" Riordan kept being amazed of how many things Cario knew, things he had no idea about.
"They don't treat nudity the same way we do. Before they end up in the employment of the Xeno race, they don't cover their torsos," Cario explained. "Didn't you notice how every one of the grownup Xenos only wears a single type of garment?"
"Yeah. So, Xana's is the jacket of a diplomat or something like that?"
"Yes. Nothing is by chance."
"Funny how they did get concerned about our nudity," Riordan remarked and smirked, shaking his head.
"We earned our coats by doing nothing but lie on our backs," Cario joked. "Also, the sight of pregnant bellies make the younger Xenos go berserk for some reason."
"The reason being that they're horny bastards," Riordan continued.
Cario nodded. "That is true. Also, it appears that they have developed a strong sense of possession regarding us, hence the need to hide us behind proper garments."
Riordan shrugged. "Frankly, I'd never thought before getting on that ship that took me to Xeno that I'd end up wearing a dress."
"It's a robe," Cario corrected him with a sly smile. "It takes only some getting used to. Then, can I count on your support?"
"Definitely," Riordan replied.
They both looked over at Junior and Dario. Dario had come closer and watched as Junior continued playing with his stones. They both seemed focused on whatever that game meant, and only when Cario stopped by the water tank did Dario look up at his mommy. He pursed his lips and swam to the surface, reluctance obvious in all his actions.
Junior looked up and Riordan waited. He didn't know a whole lot about parenting, but he liked to observe his little one at times and see what his nature pushed him to do under various circumstances. This time, he watched Dario being taken out of the water, and only once the other Xenolite was secure in his parent's arms, he moved towards the surface, too.
"Take," he said in his endearing baby voice and held out one stone, which seemed the biggest and shiniest of the lot.
Dario looked at him with wariness but as Cario encouraged him, he eventually wrapped his hand around the stone and pulled it close to his chest.
Riordan couldn't help smiling with his entire face. He walked over and kissed Junior on his forehead.
"You two are either working wonders or write a different type of history for the Xeno race," Cario said with affection. "Your boy is something else, Riordan. Yes, Dario, what?"
Dario was staring at his mommy with a big pout, and his bottom lip was starting to quiver. Cario laughed gently and kissed him on the forehead, just as Riordan had done earlier with Junior. "There's no one else I love more than you in the entire universe," he assured the ready-to-burst-into-tears Xenolite.
"Oh, baby," Riordan said gently and caressed the blond head while Junior wrapped around his other arm. He waited for a moment and then he kissed Dario on the head, too, not wanting to be left out.
As a response to all that attention, Dario hid his face into his parent's chest.
"I guess he's a bit shy," Cario offered. "We're looking forward to meeting you two again. Don't we, Dario?" He laughed. "He said `yes'."
Dada, can I, too?
Riordan smiled at his boy. "First, ask him if he doesn't mind it."
Junior turned his attention to Dario, and they most probably had their own private conversation of which he and Cario weren't made privy. Once Ferix helped him understand more about this way of communication, would he be able to eavesdrop on others' conversation? He somehow doubted it. Kyle had done it, but he was a bot and his inner workings were different from anyone in flesh and blood.
Cario laughed softly as Junior placed a solemn and clumsy kiss on Dario's forehead. It all lasted a moment because Cario's young moved his head and hid his face into his parent's chest again. Still, that could be called progress. And Junior's face lit up with satisfaction as only a child's would when conquering yet another tiny fragment of the big unknown world around him.
Cario kissed Riordan again, on both cheeks, instead of farewell. When on Earth, he had never been into this sort of touchy-feely interactions, but now they seemed to come with the territory. He could live with being subjected to the new treatment, which meant that he was making progress, too, not only Junior and Dario.
Riordan, this is your father.
Riordan started for a moment, taken aback by the sudden introduction.
You don't have to say it, because you all have recognizable voices, even when you communicate like this. Is Xana alright?
If Xeus had taken upon himself to contact him, it had to be important. Riordan threw a look at Junior, who was playing in the water tank, seemingly in a race with himself to get faster.
That is what I'm calling you here. He wants to see you.
Can I bring Junior along? I'm not leaving him here alone.
It was on the tip of his... mind to let Xeus know how displeased he was that his request for Kyle had so far remained unsolved. But his mind was running away with him already, and he was beyond crazy with how these Xenos couldn't understand – or didn't want to reply to – a direct question.
Is he fine? Father? Riordan insisted.
Yes. I would have told you if he had died.
Riordan drew one deep breath and exhaled to control his nerves. Sometimes, he really felt like he wanted to slap a Xeno, just for the satisfaction of putting an asshole in his place.
Bring the boy, of course.
"Let's go see daddy," Riordan said loudly as he gestured at Junior to get his attention.
The Xenolite was so quick to get out of the tank that he splashed water everywhere. It was strange how the ship wasn't overrun by mold with that high level of humidity around. But that was only a small part of all the things he didn't understand about the world surrounding him. He had time to learn.
And now was the time to go see Xana. His heart beat fast and Junior pressed against him as if to offer him comfort.
Ferix stepped into his storage room to allow them some family time. Riordan pressed his hand to the glass, and Xana must have felt him because he opened his eyes. There were still tubes attached to his body, but he looked almost as he had always looked, serene and beautiful.
Xana pressed his forehead against the glass.
Riordan, my love.
Even though he couldn't touch him, Riordan moved his hand over the glass as if he were caressing the bent blonde head.
How do you feel? How long until you're back to us?
Not so long.
Look up, Xana. Your son wants to meet his daddy, too.
"Daddy," Junior said out loud and he slapped his palm on the glass, probably intrigued with it. The tank in which Xana was kept differed from the one in their quarters. It ran to the ceiling, and there was no obvious point of entrance.
Xana looked up and put his hand over Junior's. They were having their own conversation, it seemed, but Riordan didn't mind being on the outside, because now he could look at them both and fill his heart with the ones he loved more than anything.
tbc
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