Page 88 of Sol Survivor

Vic laughed, reading Kael’s expressions and listening to the symbiotes when they whispered of past celebrations.

“We have prepared your home…” Larya giggled.“This night will be yours alone.After the suns rise in the morning, expect many visitors.”

Impatient, the crowds grew rowdy, calling out Vic and Drafe’s names.

I don’t see why the excitement.Vic pasted on a smile and grabbed Drafe’s hand.

You are not Qaldreth nor Ivoy.He stole a kiss.You are mine.

Fine.One more thing I need to endure.Releasing Drafe’s hand, she strode forward and paused a meter away from the crowd.“Greetings, Qaldreth.”

Silence fell as they waited for her to continue.

She sighed.“I am a human of Earth.My name was Victoria Barnes Harper.”They blinked at her.“But you may call me Meorri aac Victoria.”

They cheered and stamped their feet, casting up clouds of fine sand.

The suns baked down on her, and she raised her gaze to the two glowing orbs traversing the blue sky so like Earth’s.“Thank you for your kind welcome.”Farg, she hoped that was the end of it.

Voices bombarded questions at her.Her head snapped from one side to the other as she tried to find the sources.

“Are all humans as pale as you?”

“How many tribes are on Earth?”

“Why don’t your eyes match your hair?Are you a half-breed?”

“It is forbidden,” leaped across those gathered.

Vic waved her hands, shushing them.“We have many colors, and sometimes the hair matches the eyes.No, we don’t have tribes, and on Earth, you may mate with whomever you choose.It is not forbidden.”

“Truly?”someone called out.

“Yes.Giniiri aac Nenn Maed has mated a woman named Tiny.She has purple hair.”Vic smothered a wince.She didn’t know what Tiny’s eye color was other than the white she once had.

Gasps followed, along with whispers about lightning.

A child broke from the crowd, carrying a wrapped bundle.Vic kneeled and smiled at the boy.“Hello.”

He skidded to a halt.“Hello?”

“It means greetings.”

“Oh.My mama says to give you this.”He shoved the bundle at her and prepared to dart away.

Vic caught him.“Wait, I don’t know your name.And wow, your muscles are amazing.Are you training to become a fine warrior?”She squeezed his upper arm as if it was the largest set of muscles she’d ever encountered.

He grinned, wide enough to twitch his ears poking through his head of blue hair.“I am.”

“I’m sure you will bring honor to the Zuphayr tribe.”She gestured to the bundle.“Want to help me open this?”

He nodded, and within seconds, the aroma of salted meat teased her nose.”What are they?she asked Drafe.

Dried kurrula.

So not helpful,she said, wishing she could roll her eyes.

Drafe chuckled.The flesh of birds.

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