Carpathia IV: Episode 110 - Minority
Space, Elai Ringship
After a few days on the ringship, the Carpathians finally started calming down. Perhaps they were getting used to the arousing textures. Perhaps the Carpathians were starting to lose their stamina. Though the level of activity was down from the start, the ringship was still a very feisty place to be. A few even got the idea of what Joust was up to and that game started heating up.
There was, however, something much more interesting going on in the mind of one particular tokki. After another day of merriment, Nalma and Reylen made their way down the corridor to Nalma's cabin, already reminiscing about their experiences. Nalma noticed that Reylen seemed rather distracted. Not his usual, cheerful self and even his voice rose not far above a whisper, even when speaking of something happy.
Reylen: I'm glad we were able to restore Amenaru's fiddle. I do so love hearing Carpathian music. It's a shame we couldn't do anything about his drums, though.
Nalma: From what I understand, the fiddle is the most valuable instrument that he has. The drums he had on the ship were just a cheap alternative to his good set he has back home.
Arriving at Nalma's cabin, he tapped the door control and it slid open. When Nalma stepped inside and turned to wish Reylen a good night, he was surprised that Reylen followed him in, head down and fidgeting his fingers.
Nalma: Oh? Carpathians not keeping you busy enough? I'm still good for a quick one, then.
Reylen shook his head, vigorously enough to send his ears flopping around.
Reylen: No, no. There's something I'd like to talk to you about.
Nalma: Ah, then come on in. Something to drink?
Reylen: How about apple juice?
Nalma ducked over to his mini fridge and pulled out two bottles.
Nalma: One for each of us then. Have a seat.
Nalma gestured to the lounge chairs in the corner and both sat, with Reylen plopping in his seat as though his legs gave out. Nalma handed over one of the apple juice glasses and leaned back in his chair, adopting a serious expression. Whatever was troubling Reylen appeared anything but insubstantial, and Nalma wanted him to know that he had his full attention.
Nalma: What's on your mind?
Reylen squirmed in his seat and took a tiny sip of his juice.
Reylen: I think... I think I might be a bit monotype.
Nalma nearly spat out his apple juice and had to pause before answering to make sure he heard what he thought he heard.
Nalma: Really? I have to admit that was not what I expected at all. Mind if I ask what brought you to that revelation?
Reylen clutched his bottle tightly and squished his legs together.
Reylen: I guess if I were as mono as Kit, I'd have known a lot sooner. Spending time with the Carpathians over these last few months got me thinking about myself a lot. I don't mind the normal life, but I think my preference would be a one-on-one relationship.
Nalma nodded and allowed a long pause before responding to make sure Reylen was finished.
Nalma: The good news is that you're not likely to have as difficult a time of it as Kit did. Have you told anyone else? I suppose they'd be surprised, but accepting.
Reylen: Nobody else, no. I wanted to come to you first.
Nalma: Well, I appreciate the confidence, but I might not be the best person to come to first. I live with Carpathians, yes, but I don't practice the mono life myself.
Reylen: I know, but I think there might be something else you can help me with. You see, there's more.
Nalma waited, but with no continuance forthcoming, he decided on a verbal indication that he was ready.
Nalma: Oh?
Reylen: I think I might also be straight. Kinda.
Nalma did his best to hide his shock this time, for this time, it really was a shock. He was quite sure, however, that he was failing at hiding his surprise.
Nalma: Wow... um... okay! What do you mean by "kinda?"
Reylen: I'm not sure, honestly. I still like guys, but I think I prefer women more? Do the Carpathians have a word for that?
Nalma took a drink of his juice and pondered for a moment.
Nalma: Hmmm... I think they might say something like "straight-leaning bisexual." I'm not an expert on these things, but given what I know, that sounds about right.
Reylen took a drink of his juice and said nothing, his eyes focused on nowhere in particular, lost in thought.
Nalma: Look, this must be a lot for you to process. Maybe take a few days to think about it? The Shadowdancer does have a counselling department. I can ask if one of them is willing to meet with you. I'm really not sure I can help all that much.
Reylen: There is something I think you could help with.
Nalma braced himself for whatever surprise might be coming next.
Reylen: Do you think you all might end up on the same ship together again? If you are I was wondering if there might be a place for me there. I noticed that your Captain hired Sylvar on a contract.
Not a mind-blowing revelation, but not expected either. Nalma relaxed, but only for a second.
Nalma: I don't see what...
And that's when everything made sense. This time, all pretence of hiding his shock went clean out the airlock as Nalma gasped and clasped his hand to his mouth.
Nalma: Doctor Teagan?!?
Reylen sat up straight in his chair, his ears flushing deep red, and he made just about every expression on his face that was tokkily possible. Knowing that any attempt to hide his feelings now would be ridiculous at this point, he instead chose to yank his ears in front of his face and hide.
Nalma: You want to be closer to Dr. Teagan.
Still with his face behind his ears, Reylen nodded.
Nalma: And that's why you want me to put in a good word with Captain Valro.
Reylen nodded again and spoke from behind his ears.
Reylen: Will you help me?
Nalma leaned back in his chair and swigged the last of his juice.
Nalma: I will help you.
Reylen's ears parted just enough for Nalma to see his hopeful face.
Nalma: On one condition.
Reylen: What is it?
Nalma: When I talk to Captain Valro, I'm going to tell him everything. No obfuscation. No lies. He'll know exactly what's going on, and I will do that only after you tell Dr. Teagan how you feel.
Reylen gasped and hid behind his ears again.
Nalma: Humans have this thing they call "stalking" and if you came onto the ship without her or the Captain knowing the full story, you'd be getting dangerously close to that.
Reylen: Um... I don't know how to do that. Humans have customs about this, right? How do I know what to do?
Nalma shrugged.
Nalma: Now that is something I know nothing about. Now who would be the best person to ask...
Nalma thought, rolling the empty juice bottle in his hands. Finally, a thought, which he indicated by a thump of his foot on the floor.
Nalma: Phobos! Surely he'd be programmed with courtship techniques.
While Nalma went on about Phobos, a thought of another person who might be helpful came to mind.
Nalma: Tamati would be good. He knows Dr. Teagan well and he's pretty chill.
So wrapped up in thinking, Nalma didn't notice that Reylen still had his face behind his ears. Rising from his chair, Nalma reached behind one of Reylen's ears and gave it a scritch. With that, he opened up a bit.
Nalma: I'll walk you back to your room. It's too late to do anything tonight. Try to get some sleep and maybe I'll have some new ideas in the morning.
At last, Reylen released his ears and let them bounce back over his head. Reluctantly, he stood and, with Nalma's arm around his shoulder, walked out of the cabin with him all while wondering how he would ever get any sleep tonight.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Thatwildmary
Colourbrand
