Page 52 of Nixx
“Ah Sarah, you look better!’’ Lokk told me as he landed in front of us. “You looked a bit like a malnourished babakotia. Here, taste this, it's an uru, you'll like it, I think.”
I scan the large, oblong, gray fruit, which must weigh four kilos. The analysis reveals a high concentration of carbohydrates. OK, that sounds good. I take a piece that Lokk cut out for me with his big knife and inspect it. The gray-brown flesh is rather compact and gives off a discreet smell of . . . brioche? Come on, I try and put a piece on my tongue. Oh my God! This fruit has the delicate taste of a fruit bun! Those damn Erians have a Panettone tree[8]! Seriously? And it's nutritious enough to boot. I meet Nixx's incensed gaze, surprised. What have I done now? I take another bite, not satisfied with this nourishing and tasty find. I groan again under the explosion in my mouth of this delicate fruit . . . and understand that this is what causes Nixx's annoyance.
Oops, girl, a little restraint, come on. Keep your culinary orgasm to yourself and don't offend these seasoned warriors with incongruous and inappropriate little noises.
“This is excellent, thank you Lokk. This fruit is amazing.”
“You're welcome my dear, you've earned it. This crossing was not easy for you. Our diet should be more varied as we approach the villages in the Middle. It is a transit area for the four Bastions and there is a lot of food exchange.”
We take the road again. The burnt lands have replaced the immense trees and the dense undergrowth. A few rare bushes give a little life to this breathtaking panorama.
As far as the eye can see, an arid plain seems to lie between heaven and earth. The volcanic rock displays changing shades of red and brown, according to the surrounding light. I see some reptiles sneaking under a rock as we fly over.
On the horizon, strings of tents begin to take shape, becoming denser as we advance. Numerous wings are visible in the sky, but also, a colorful crowd on the ground, around a big market at a few tens of meters. Lokk informs us that he goes first to see his sister and that he will join us later.
Nixx puts us down a few steps from this market and my arrival attracts the attention of the curious. I'm the first human they've met and I'm always a little worried that I'll run into an extremist like Kryll, for whom anything unknown must be eradicated without delay.
“Relax, Kitten, nothing will happen to you. I'm with you and what's more, you're my companion and you're marked. No one here can miss my claim mark on your neck. And what's more, you smell like me!” he whispers in my ear.
Ah well, take that in the face, girl. It wasn't an irresistible urge that seized him earlier by the lake. It was just a need to put his ownership markers, visual as well as olfactory, back on your person! Ah, the males!
I glare at him and he raises an eyebrow in response. And the rascal tightens his embrace, imprisoning me in his arms. Then he kisses me full mouth, in the sight of all his fellow men. There, like that it is clear, for all those who had missed the first two manifestations of property.
He releases me while an individual greets us noisily.
“Nixx, what a pleasure to see you again my friend. You know how to make an appearance, no doubt about it. Will you introduce me?”
“Zakk, my friend, welcome back! How are you? This is my Life Partner, Sarah. As you can see, she is not from here. Sarah, my sweet, this is Zakk, a dear childhood friend who stayed in the Middle Lands after meeting Eleny, his Life Partner. Eleny's family has been living in the Middle Lands for a very long time, so Zakk has left us to live here as well.”
The one called Zakk is a little smaller than my Nixx and his full finery is a deep brown, with a few lighter spots on the wings. His look, although curious, is filled with kindness toward me.
“Nice to meet you Zakk. So, you knew Nixx when he was young?”
Yes, I lived in the Western Bastion when his father was the leader. We grew up together, with Rymm and Lokk. And then I met my Eleny and left.”
“Come, let's join in my tent. We'll have a last meal and offer you a place to sleep tonight.”
“When is your meeting scheduled with Amill?” he asks Nixx.
“We are to meet Amill and his men tomorrow after the first meal. And we gladly accept your offer of accommodation. Lokk is also in the area. He went to find his sister who’s pregnant.”
We follow Zakk between the different stalls, until we reach the entrance of a large tent. Inside, a woman sets up the last meal on a long table.
“Eleny, my darling, come and let me introduce you to Sarah, Nixx's companion! Do you hear that? The great Nixx, allergic to the bond of union, was struck by the Winds and found his Life Mate.”
The glance of the beautiful Eriane lights up and she comes to greet us warmly. She indicates to us a room for the night and another for Lokk. A simple panel of curtains hides the entrance. The last meal takes place in a relaxed atmosphere, with Zakk and Eleny, Lokk, his sister Mery pregnant with his companion Hugg, Nixx and me.
I answer many questions about my status as a human, about our mission in the Confederation, about our accident, and the crash on Eris and about my impressions of their world. And even about my relationship with Nixx.
Nixx.
