Page 32 of Tis the Season for Tentacles
My heart stutters. “From childhood?”
Najar nods. “We start training from an early age. My parents were both warriors, but they died in battle when I was quite young.”
Orphaned and forced to become a child soldier?That’s a real stab to the heart.
“As a result, when you first joined us, I was simply operating on ingrained instinct. I hope we can move beyond this and get along for the next few weeks.”
My traitorous heart gives a hopeful thump. “Are you really okay with me tagging along with you guys and promising to take this secret to my grave?”
His golden cheeks flush. “That’s right.”
Najar seems like he’s going to say something more but then the driver interrupts us. He resembles the mythical Yeti creature of legend on Earth but he seems like a super friendly guy.
His words come out in a garbled tongue that makes no sense to me at first but then the aural translator earpiece Khephren gave me when we landed interprets what was said and speaks in a computerized voice, “We’re almost there. That’s Glaciala Village up ahead.” He points a thick, hairy arm toward what appears to be a small town in the distance, one that keeps getting closer as our carriage moves along.
I lower my voice and whisper. “This device Khephren gave me is fabulous.” I point to my ear for emphasis.
“The device is quite effective,” Najar agrees. “However, for long-term use, a neuro-linguistic adapter grafted in the brain is much better. It enables the recipient to be fluent in most languages, both in terms of comprehension and speaking.” His eyes widen and he hastens to assure me, saying, “Don’t worry. We would never perform such an invasive procedure on a guest from another world. The earpiece is a good alternative for short-term use.”
Having anyone mess around inside my head does not sound remotely appealing, even if it could give me the ability to understand and speak other languages. These aliens are way too quick to want to tinker with folks’ brains, if you ask me.
I give him a nervous smile. “Yeah, I’ll stick with the earpiece, thanks.”
As we glide over the shimmering white snow, I try to take in everything I’m seeing.
Never in my life did I imagine I would get to travel the universe and visit other planets like this. I want to make the most of this entire experience, and that means letting bygones be bygones with Najar.
Luna will get some big thanks from me later for forcing us together to confront our crap and move past it like adults.
I made the mistake of thinking there was a whisper of attraction between me and Najar when we met, but it’s not thefirst time I’ve misread a situation. No doubt I was seeing what I wanted to see. I mean, who wouldn’t want a hunky alien with a hot bod and eight tempting tentacles to show some interest in them?
Well, let’s just say I’m confident every fan ofThe Tentacular Tales of Captain Starbladewould be right at the front of the line to get in on that action—me included.
Najar’s still an annoyingly handsome man, and my libido has not lost an iota of its initial interest in him. But I’m not going to embarrass myself with any more humiliating overtures of interest. From here on out, I’ll just focus on us being platonic acquaintances traveling together.
Maybe, if I’m lucky, we might even make it to tentative friends by the end of my journey with the crew of the Sleigh Belle.
When we finally arrive at our destination, I eagerly clamor out of the carriage, not waiting for anyone to assist me. No more Najar hand-holding temptation for me.
I hurry over to thank the driver, pressing the button on the earpiece and holding it down when I get closer to him, just like Khephren showed me. “Hi, there. I didn’t get to introduce myself properly earlier. I’m Felix Taylor and I’m from Earth.”
The earpiece relays a computerized voice in the driver’s language, and his eyes flash with understanding. He says something and the device translates, “Nice to meet you, Felix of Earth. I’m Mecknos Garpabalous.”
I extend a free hand and hold down the earpiece button again. “On my world, we often shake hands as a form of greeting. Would that be welcome?”
At a good seven feet tall, Mecknos towers over me, but when the translation comes through, he grins around the shaggy white hair that covers most of his face and would put Santa Claus to shame.
He reaches out an enormous, furry paw of a hand with three large fingers, and we shake.
“Thank you for the ride, Mecknos. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could you introduce me to your beautiful companion?” I say, gesturing toward the Frosthorned Snowdeer.
His eyes widen and his smile grows even larger, revealing some scary-looking fangs.
My earpiece translates his next words. “Of course! Let me introduced you to my pride and joy, Helgula. She is the best beast in my herd.” He leads me over to the amazing creature, and I marvel at her heavily muscled legs and powerful body. I’ve spent years around exotic animals, but it never gets old. And right now, I feel like I’m back to the very start of my rotation days, full of wonder and awe.
“May I pet her?” I ask.
Mecknos nods his head. “She loves a good chin scratch.”
