THAT is why I like Outsider as much as I do... it is niche, Arioch is not playing SJW like Star Trek Discovery or Picard or any other political agenda that I am aware of.
He is just writing a fun and immersive story.
I'm still wondering how a man on a ship that's filled with women manages to shave. He should have stubbles now.
ST Discovery? Oh, you mean crybabies in space?
The first 30 seconds of the first episode were okay.
Well, somewhere down the line, maybe in another 5 years or so, Alex is scheduled to meet the Azerein, so we'll get at least some politics.
Alex: "Azerein, I couldn't help noticing the great emphasis Loroi place on having a unique hairstyle. So let me tell you about dreadlocks. I think they would suit you."
THAT is why I like Outsider as much as I do... it is niche, Arioch is not playing SJW like Star Trek Discovery or Picard or any other political agenda that I am aware of.
He is just writing a fun and immersive story.
I'm still wondering how a man on a ship that's filled with women manages to shave. He should have stubbles now.
ST Discovery? Oh, you mean crybabies in space?
The first 30 seconds of the first episode were okay.
Well, somewhere down the line, maybe in another 5 years or so, Alex is scheduled to meet the Azerein, so we'll get at least some politics.
Alex: "Azerein, I couldn't help noticing the great emphasis Loroi place on having a unique hairstyle. So let me tell you about dreadlocks. I think they would suit you."
Alex does not shave. Arioch said somewhere here that with Humanity's tech level, they can literally do med treatments that prevent facial hair from growing.
I don't even like the concept but it's not my universe so....
Alex does not shave. Arioch said somewhere here that with Humanity's tech level, they can literally do med treatments that prevent facial hair from growing.
It'll never work. Loroi females have human male attitudes & personalities. Physically they're attractive females, but mentally they're Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. Take Beryl: she expects Alex to behave like a cute Loroi male. Alex expects Beryl to behave like a cute human girl. As soon as they find out the truth, the dream of a romantic relationship will end.
Oh, you sweet summer child, how cute. There are other preferences as well, you know?
It'll never work. Loroi females have human male attitudes & personalities. Physically they're attractive females, but mentally they're Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. Take Beryl: she expects Alex to behave like a cute Loroi male. Alex expects Beryl to behave like a cute human girl. As soon as they find out the truth, the dream of a romantic relationship will end.
Oh, you sweet summer child, how cute. There are other preferences as well, you know?
No. No, I don't. Except gorgeous space lesbians. That's the one other preference I know. No other preferences will ever pass my optic nerves or be stored in my brain. They are unknowable to me.
It'll never work. Loroi females have human male attitudes & personalities. Physically they're attractive females, but mentally they're Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. Take Beryl: she expects Alex to behave like a cute Loroi male. Alex expects Beryl to behave like a cute human girl. As soon as they find out the truth, the dream of a romantic relationship will end.
Oh, you sweet summer child, how cute. There are other preferences as well, you know?
No. No, I don't. Except gorgeous space lesbians. That's the one other preference I know. No other preferences will ever pass my optic nerves or be stored in my brain. They are unknowable to me.
Hahaha... I was raised to the right of conservative values.... more so than most in fact... high control group religion survivor here... but that's another story.
My optic nerves just like the ladies but never could go any farther than that or anything not hetero... lifetime of indoctrination values will do that to you.
Would y'all get your minds out of the gutter? I didn't say anything about lesbians and whatnot, you have watched way too much porn.
Who says that Alex likes cute girls, maybe he's more into buff ones. After all, he is somewhat interested in Fireblade, and she might have similarly fringe preferences.
Would y'all get your minds out of the gutter? I didn't say anything about lesbians and whatnot, you have watched way too much porn.
Have and still am.
Who says that Alex likes cute girls, maybe he's more into buff ones. After all, he is somewhat interested in Fireblade, and she might have similarly fringe preferences.
Would y'all get your minds out of the gutter? I didn't say anything about lesbians and whatnot, you have watched way too much porn.
Who says that Alex likes cute girls, maybe he's more into buff ones. After all, he is somewhat interested in Fireblade, and she might have similarly fringe preferences.
What on Earth makes you think canon Alex has ANY interest in the red headed harpy AKA Fireblade?
He dislikes her enough to to give her the one finger salute.
Alex to be sure in the comic is wisely being cautious, and as of now does not seem particularly interested in any of them. He only wants to make it out alive.
At best Fireblade is the odd girl out due to her Teidar oath of silence, so Alex, being the somewhat brash guy he is, is absolutely bound to want to make jokes at her expense.
Captain Kirk on the other hand would have already likely been laid by now.... since I remember episodes where he was captured and still found time to somehow get laid lol.
What on Earth makes you think canon Alex has ANY interest in the red headed harpy AKA Fireblade?
Well, he was at least somewhat interested in her. Since they are now telepathically connected, it may offer a chance to make up. Or I'm too corrupted by the fanfics there...
Captain Kirk on the other hand would have already likely been laid by now.... since I remember episodes where he was captured and still found time to somehow get laid lol.
Not only laid, but also seducing his way out of trouble. Alex could certainly learn from him.
Would y'all get your minds out of the gutter? I didn't say anything about lesbians and whatnot, you have watched way too much porn.
Who says that Alex likes cute girls, maybe he's more into buff ones. After all, he is somewhat interested in Fireblade, and she might have similarly fringe preferences.
What on Earth makes you think canon Alex has ANY interest in the red headed harpy AKA Fireblade?
He dislikes her enough to to give her the one finger salute.
I guess the whole mindrape thing soured their relationship.
Alex to be sure in the comic is wisely being cautious, and as of now does not seem particularly interested in any of them. He only wants to make it out alive.
Realistically, any male who had experienced the same as Alex did since the beginning of the comic would agree with the sentiment.
Ben woke up. He meant to stretch, but found he was trapped in a chilly prison of snoring masses. Clawing an arm free, he patted the heads of one of the snorers.
“Ben,” Quill grumbled. “Stop hitting me.”
“Me. Want. Out,” Ben said.
“No,” Quill refused. “You stay. Nice and warm.”
“Not. For. Me. Now. Get. Off.”
“You. Are. Seedhead.”
“You. Smell. Like. Vanilla poop.”
Mustering up his might, Ben forced himself up, pushing a few girls off of him. In the few months he lived at the creche, the girls had grown a bit taller than him, thus making them heavier. The little ones grumbled as they were shaken from slumber. Softwood tried pushing Ben back down onto the pillows, but Ben didn’t want to. Nature was calling.
>Oh, so cold,< Rune tiredly whined. It felt chillier without a handsome little boy to warm them up.
Ben stumbled as he groggily climbed to his feet.
“Ben?” asked Softwood. “Where you going?”
“To pee.”
>’Pee’?< Softwood sought clarification.
>He means urinate,< one of the more educated girls tiredly grumbled.
>Oh.< “Well Ben come back when done,” Softwood said in broken Trade.
“Okay, okay.” Ben waved, trudging out of the room.
It had barely been three quarters tozon since his new life began at the creche of West Ginazaigo Isle. Even when afforded the luxury of his own room, Ben was not comfortable sleeping alone the first few nights. So he sought comfort either by sleeping with Cotton. Or having sleepovers with the girls. Which is why different groups from the various levels took turns since they all could not sleep with him at once. It was nice and cozy in the beginning. And while Ben loved the company of the loroi, he was getting kind of tired of being swapped around like a thermal teddy bear.
A quick relief at the lavatory and Ben was back with his friends. Once again they swarmed him in their pillow fort as he lay back down.
“Ow!” Ben whined to one of them. “You’re on my arm.”
“Sorry,” a little girl said.
Ben yawned, relaxing under the pig pile of loroi children. He was ready for sleep again.
Whoosh!
The bedroom door slid open. Black Mark entered. >Time to wake, children,< she sent.
The girls groaned, clinging to Ben more as they refused to get up.
>Children,< Black Mark sent firmly. >You have slept enough. It is time to freshen up and start lectures.<
>We don’t want to,< Rune whined, snuggling more into Ben. >Nicer to stay here with Ben.<
>Well,< Black Mark warned. >If you don’t want to start lectures, I should inform Housemaster Crescent. Perhaps she will have some nice chores for you at the stables today. Like shoveling miros’-<
>NO!< the children telepathically roared in terror. There was nothing more terrible than casting miros’ excrement around. Within solons they were on their feet and heading for the washroom.
All except for one. “Ben?” Black Mark was still not used to the fact that he could not receive sanzai. “Time to wake.”
“Cotton’s not here yet,” Ben mumbled.
“You still must stand. Remember loroi act together as a group.” Her spoken words had improved over the course of Ben’s stay.
Ben grumbled as he climbed back up and followed his peers to the washroom.
“Good boy. You remember your routines. Yes?”
Ben nodded.
“Are you not forgetting something?”
“Huh?” It took Ben a few moments to remember a pet he swore to take care of. Clay’s pygmy miros snorted as Ben lifted it into his arms. He promised to take care of it in her absence. “Yoink, yoink,” Ben snorted, earning a snuff back from the tiny miros.
“Do not forget to clean up after that animal, Ben,” Black Mark instructed. “And put it in its pen.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled.
-
Ben sat in the dining hall alone. He had learnt during his time here that loroi ate only once a day. The cooks were not around yet.
How can anyone survive with just one meal a day? he wondered.
The silence of the dining hall could be a bit disconcerting, but it gave him time to contemplate things. Like how his life had changed from living on a downtrodden ore mine to residing in a luxurious school with the most beautiful women in the universe.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Footsteps broke his train of thought as Cotton entered the dining hall.
“Good morning, Cotton,” he said.
“Yes, the morning seems good,” she agreed. “Let’s make your breakfast.”
They moved to the kitchen to prepare his meal. They made their meals together so that Ben could learn to cook on his own if the need arose. Before departing, Cry of the Wind had left all its human consumables for Ben’s sake. Some Delrias foods had also been imported, but new import of goods would take time.
“So what did you dream last night?” That had become Cotton’s routine question every morning.
Ben shrugged. “I dream I was being chased by big mean dogs. And then I… I had to jump off a cliff to escape.”
“A cliff? Sounds perilous. Did you survive in the dream?”
“Yup. Then I ended up back in my old home on Grind.”
“I see.” According to her research the past few months, a human dreaming of home could represent a sense of security or basic needs. A sign that Ben felt settled in. “Here! Keep stirring while I find some dried fruits. Anyway, were you alone there?”
Ben shook his head as he took the spoon and stirred his porridge. “Nope. You were there.”
Now that Cotton found intriguing. “Me? What did we do?” She picked out a pack of dried apple chips from the storage.
Ben shrugged. “Don’t know. Just random stuff. You also sang.”
“I sang? That does not sound like me.” Pouring up the dried fruits in the humidifier to give them some moisture. “Did I sing well?”
Ben quirked his lips. He didn’t want to offend, but he didn’t want to lie either.
Cotton inwardly laughed. “I see.”
“So what’re we doing today?”
“You can stop stirring now.” Cotton took back the spoon and poured up the porridge in a bowl. “Turn off the heat to the porridge. Anyway, we are doing our usual morning lectures. First loroi history. Followed by mathematics. Then I will leave you with Black Mark for reading and writing.”
The humidifier pinged. Pouring up the now tender fruits on a plate, Cotton handed it to Ben. “Go sit. I’ll be over with your porridge in a moment.”
Ben nodded and trotted over to a table. Cotton joined him in a few minutes with his misesa porridge and a cup of hot noilir for herself. A sip of the fungal drink was quite soothing. Cotton had served aboard Cry of the Wind for so long that she nearly forgot the joy of drinking from an actual cup versus a bottle. Terrestrial life certainly had its perks.
Ben took a bite of his porridge. “Cotton, can I have some sweetener?”
“I already poured some on, Ben.” She took another sip from her cup.
“Can I please have some more?”
“Ben, you can’t just have as much sugar as you want. Which reminds me, Ben, the cooks tell me that sweet cakes have been missing for the last few weeks.”
Ben silently chewed his porridge as if he knew nothing.
“Ben,” Cotton kindly warned. “What is our first rule?”
Ben swallowed. “Never lie.”
“Correct. So?”
Ben shrugged. “Maybe I took a few.”
“Specify.”
“I lost count.”
“Ben!”
“Hey, I didn’t eat them all by myself,” Ben defended. “My friends wanted some too.”
That Cotton believed. Ever since realizing that they now had a lotai-concealed male, some of the girls had sent Ben on sneaking missions to steal some goodies. Which would explain why the cleaners were finding more sweet cake wraps in the garbage lately. She would have a talk with the youngsters about exploiting Ben at their next family conference.
“Ben, we have talked about this. You cannot just take what you want. You must ask permission. And if the answer is no, then you must accept it. Do you understand the concept of rationing?”
“Rational?” Ben asked.
Cotton sighed. Conveying complex concepts without sanzai was tricky. “We’ll continue this discussion later. Just finish your breakfast and we can begin today’s lectures.”
-
“A warrior may not be the strongest, but she must be strong enough to stand. A warrior may not be the fastest, but she must be quick enough to pursue. Only a true warrior chooses to stand between her enemy and what she holds sacred. She who pursues her duty shall find honor,” Ben recited a quote. He looked up at his teacher.
“That was well spoken, Ben,” Black Mark said with a grin. She stood at the center floor of an open-center table, the children seated around her.
>So poetic,< Rune thought, resting her chin against her elbow as she gazed dreamily at Ben.
>Agreed,< Quill chimed in.
>Children, compose yourselves,< Black Mark commanded. “That was a quote spoken by Ironwill during the Menelos Period on Deinar. Ironwill was also the first loroi to officially convince Chiefs of city states to stop hunting Teidars and incorporate them into their armies. In fact, the Ironwill Championship was founded in her honor. Now let us recite together.”
Ever since Ben’s arrival at the creche, accommodating the little human was challenging. One problem was his inability to participate in lectures conveyed exclusively in sanzai. Since he could not receive, Ben had to be tutored by Cotton. Fortunately Black Mark had adjusted her schedule to accommodate Ben during reading and writing. Giving Cotton a chance to leave Ben in Black Mark’s care while Cotton took the time to train. Which was beneficial not only for Ben to bond with his peers, but also for the girls. Black Mark was genuinely impressed by Ben’s passion for reading and writing, as were the children. In fact Ben’s presence during literary studies motivated the children to improve their spoken and written communication. Just as long as they did not get distracted by Ben’s male attributes.
The children finished reciting.
“Well done, children,” Black Mark praised her students. “I am very impressed. You all seem to have mastered pronunciation and utterance much more quickly than I anticipated. So I think we can move onto syntax and sentence structure.”
The girls and Ben moaned at the prospect of more work.
“But, since we seem to be ahead of schedule, I think we can break from studies for a while,” said Black Mark. “How about we get a midday snack?”
The children cheered, “Yes!”
-
While loroi typically ate one meal a day, a snack was quite nourishing for children, especially when they needed some extra nutrition for brain power. The cooks would present small bites for the young ones from all different levels to grab on the go. It was also an opportune time for Ben to fetch his lunch. He thanked the cooks who blushed in return. They usually did not receive much praise from the youth. Carrying his tray to rejoin his peers, Ben was stopped by a body. It was Brass flanked by some other tall girls from her level. While Edge had moved on to commence her trials, bullies still lingered at the creche. Brass was a skilled but troublesome youth with a dominant personality and no friendly regard for humans.
Ben just tried to ignore her by walking around her mob. Brass’ peers quickly blocked his way. The tall girls chuckled at Ben’s meager attempt to pass by.
After being blocked the other way, Ben groaned, “Knock it off!”
“‘Knock it off’?” Brass scoffed. “Funny expression, little human.”
“Let me through, poophead!”
“Careful, human,” Brass threatened, looming menacingly over Ben. “I am loroi. I am above you. I can do whatever I want to you and it would not matter.”
Ben gulped. Despite his attempt to be bold, he shivered. Most of the loroi were kind to him, but a few were downright awful.
“Nice pendant you have,” Brass commented. “I want to see it.” She reached out for it.
Ben backed away. “No, it’s mine.”
“Stop being difficult and let me see-”
>Hey, Brass!< Coil, waiting with her peers to get their quick bites, saw the commotion and rushed over. Placing her hands protectively on Ben’s shoulders, Coil stared up the taller youth. >How would you like me to report to the Housemaster that you’re being abusive?<
>Abusive to an animal?< Brass sent.
>I don’t think Emperor Greywind would be very pleased if she found out a couple of her descendants harassed one of her wards. Or is your mental capacity too limited to grasp the concept of mutual respect?<
>Big words from a little squirt,< Brass sent.
Coil’s peers, seeing the commotion, rushed over to back her and Ben up.
Coil grinned triumphantly. >This squirt is not too small to shred you. And she’s got backup.<
>And you’re not just dealing with that squirt,< Rune and her peers marched up behind Brass and her lackeys.
Brass scoffed. >Have fun with the pet, human lovers.< She strolled away with her peers following.
Ben exhaled heavily with relief and worry.
Coil bent down and whispered gently into his ear, “Do not worry, Ben. Those bullies are stupid. If they touch you, we shred them.”
“Th-thanks, Coil,” said Ben.
“How about you have sleepover with us tonight?”
“Uh,” Ben gulped. “I don’t know. Cotton needs me tonight.”
>Shred that clingy Listel,< Coil pouted. "Tomorrow night then?"
Ben nodded. "Okay."
“Cool,” Coil said, remembering Ben’s English slangs. “We see you later then.” She skipped away, giggling with her peers as they shot furtive glances in Ben’s direction.
“Come, Ben,” Softwood urged him, gently taking his hand. “We go sit and eat.”
Ben was grateful to have such great friends, but being harassed by those mean girls made him depressed. It certainly ruined his appetite as he took meager bites out of his lunch.
“Ben?” Black Mark asked. “Are you alright? You usually have a big appetite during lunch.” It amazed her just how much humans needed to eat.
Ben merely shrugged.
“I am sorry for not intervening, but it’s just the way things are, Ben.”
“Why don’t you stop those poopheads, Black Mark?” Ben asked.
“I know bullying is wrong, Ben. But we caregivers intervene only when it is absolutely necessary. Even as children, you are learning to be warriors. Remember today’s reading? A warrior must be strong enough to stand. Remember when Edge pushed Clay over? I saw you run to defend Clay’s honor. That is true bravery.”
Ben nodded. “I miss Clay.” She too had left recently to commence her trials. Although she promised to see Ben again, it was sad to know it would be two years before she came back.
“Ben not be sad,” Quill tried to cheer him up. “Ben has us.”
The other girls voiced their agreement.
“My point is, Ben,” Black Mark continued, “bullies will subjugate you if you let them. And they will not stop unless you stand up to them. And remember… your friends will always stand up for you so long as you stand up for them.”
Ben smiled at Black Mark. “You’re so cool, Black Mark.”
Black Mark grinned, flattered by the praise. She had gotten used to Ben’s slangs.
Ben stopped chewing his lunch as he felt something odd in his mouth. He poked a finger at a loose pearl that had been wiggling in his gums for a few days now.
“Ben, do not do that here,” Black Mark urged. The boy still had a lot to learn about loroi mannerisms.
Ben squealed as he pulled something loose from his gums. “Woah. I just lost a tooth.”
The children’s gazes fell upon the pearly gnasher.
>A human tooth,< Rune sent, mesmerized by the alien object clutched in Ben’s fingers. >Amazing.<
“Ooooooooh,” the children agreed.
-
Lectures and lunch were followed by physical training. The children would burn up their energy by running through the gardens. Instructors would engage them with games featuring new challenges to sharpen their problem solving skills. After which they would move to the Arena to practice lishranen. For the first few rounds, Ben managed to wrestle his peers to the ground without a problem. It amazed the girls just how strong a little male could be. But the loroi proved to have superior endurance as he ran out of stamina. Humans seemed to burn through energy faster. Following combat training, the children would enjoy the rest of the day.
Ben engaged with his new friends in many fun activities from learning to swim in the ocean to playing delightful games. He also enjoyed playing hide-and-seek in which he would elude the girls’ capture. The girls liked the challenge of chasing a lotai-concealed male. Other times they got into mischief, like provoking the guards, much to Black Mark’s annoyance. One time Teidar Hailstorm got frustrated when Ben would not stop splashing her at the shore. And reacted by using her psychokinetic powers to hurl him into the ocean. She was sure she would get in trouble if Ben went crying to the caregivers. Instead the little human surprised her when he ran back through the water, squealing delightfully, “Again! Again!” To which she reluctantly complied. Being catapulted into the waters was fun for Ben. The other girls liked it when they demanded to be telekinetically hurled as well. It even made Hailstorm feel better too.
By evening the creche came together to feast. The only thing he hated during dinner was when little girls would urge him to try some new loroi food. Most loroi food was absolutely atrocious for Ben. Ben had especially become protective of his food after one of the bullies dropped a bit of nagen in his food. A prank which caused him to hurl. A prank which compelled an enraged Cotton to smack that bully on the head, threatening to take it up with the Emperor if pranks that could jeopardize Ben's health were repeated.
The final ritual of the day was washing up in the bath house. Unlike the small tubs on board Cry of the Wind, the loroi enjoyed larger pools to bathe in. Just like the one he shared with Cotton.
“Ben, is something wrong?” Cotton asked as she scrubbed his back. After finishing her personal training for the day, Cotton had decided to take the time to bathe Ben.
“I’m fine,” Ben mumbled, sitting stiffly in the bath water.
“You do not seem fine,” Cotton commented. “Your friends told me about a bad encounter you had with Brass and her peers. Is that bothering you?”
Ben shook his head. “I’m over it.”
“Then what is wrong?”
“I don’t like getting naked in front of all the girls.”
He refused to let his eyes wander to the other nude ladies, young and old. Initially it had been suggested for Ben to bathe alone, but it would prove tedious if more human children came to live at their creche.
“I understand that many humans are not comfortable being seen naked,” said Cotton. “But this is a part of the loroi lifestyle. If you are going to live with us, you must learn to act like us. And that includes bathing like us.”
“But it’s embarrassing,” Ben whined. He blushed as Cotton rested a hand on his bareback.
“You will learn to overcome this eventually.” She walked to the pool’s edge to rinse the brush. “Now I am finished.”
Ben sputtered like a horse. “Finally.” With everything but his head submerged, Ben made for the bath’s edge. Eager to get back to his room and dress.
“Ben, aren’t you going to help me?”
Ben refused to look at Cotton. “Say wha?”
“My back also needs scrubbing.”
“Uh…” Ben’s face turned deep red. “Can’t someone else do it?”
“Ben!” Cotton said indignantly. “Be mindful of your manners. It is considered disrespectful if you refuse to wash another loroi’s back.”
“But I don’t wanna’,” Ben barely mumbled out, sinking deeper into the pool.
Cotton sighed as she took a seat on a submerged stool. “Please, Ben? It will only take a moment. I promise. I will also cover my breasts if that makes you feel better.”
Ben awkwardly drifted over to Cotton. With her back turned, she handed the brush to him. Ben took a nervous gulp. Her lower half was fortunately concealed beneath the water revealing only her back and shoulders. Although the curves of her hips and buttocks could be seen when he happened to look down-
Keep your eyes up, Ben ordered himself as he made a mental effort not to look down. And started scrubbing.
When he was finally done, Cotton stepped out of the bath. She grabbed two towels for them. “Come, Ben. Out of the bath.”
Ben could not look up at Cotton’s nude form. “Cotton, can you cover your thingy?”
She cocked an eyebrow. “My what?”
“You know,” Ben searched for the Trade word. “Your rishiri.”
Cotton wrapped her indecency within one of the towels. “Is that better?”
Ben dared a peek, happy that Cotton’s breasts and rishiri were out of sight. “Yes.”
He made to climb out, but stopped as he remembered the girls bathing nearby. They rested on arms and elbows on the separate bath’s edge, admiring the scene with wide grins.
“Hey!” Ben squealed, daring not to expose his lower half. “No peeking!”
>Children,< Cotton ordered. >Avert your eyes.<
>It’s not fair that you’ve seen it and we haven’t, Listel,< Quill pouted.
>I will not say it again.<
Girls groaned and scowled as they were forced to turn away. Ben quickly shot out of the bath to wrap himself in a towel.
-
Following the bath, Ben followed cotton to the new lab. The Gallens had just recently finished their construction of the subterranean floors, finally giving Cotton the space and instruments she needed to conduct her work. The floors granted access only to her and a few others. Being able to work away from prying minds was also opportune since the underground lab lay outside the creche’s residents’ sanzai range.
After pulling on his nightwear, Ben hopped onto the medical bed.
“Ben I need to take your pendant,” said Cotton.
Ben hesitated.
“Ben, I promise to give it back. I always do.”
Ben gave in and removed his iron necklace. The same that Greywind gave to him following his initiation. On one side the minnir logo of the Loroi Union was engraved. On the other was a diamond encompassing an s-shape. The symbol of Ben’s favorite superhero. Being the only thing he had from Greywind since her departure, he cherished it. And never trusted it with anyone else except Cotton.
Dropping the pendant into her thigh pouch, Cotton fitted a skull cap onto Ben’s head.
>Is link established?< she sent to some nearby Listels, switching the device on.
>Brain waves recording,< one of them sent back. >Neuro-spectroscopic scans picking up neurotransmitter activity. We can proceed.<
“Cotton, what is this experiment for again?” Ben asked.
“I’ve told you five times,” said Cotton. “It is to record your brainwave patterns while you’re awake and asleep.”
“But why?”
“To understand how the human brain works. For science. You want to help us do science, don’t you?”
Ben shrugged. “Sure.”
“Are you ready for sleep then?”
Ben nodded, stretching out his arms.
Cotton had become familiar with this ritual. She took him into her embrace.
“A good night kiss.” Ben pecked her cheek. “And now a miros bite.”
Cotton yelped as Ben nipped at her ear. “Ah! You naughty, little miros!”
Ben giggled as Cotton tickled his ribs and armpits. The other Listels couldn’t help but chuckle at the silly display from behind the window.
>Picking flares within his limbic system. He seems fine, Saszet.<
“Okay, little miros biter,” Cotton stroked his cheek. “Now time to rest. Lay down.”
Ben lay back on the bed while Cotton stretched a blanket over him.
“Good night, Cotton.”
“Yes,” Cotton agreed as she lifted his head to put a pillow under. “The night seems good.”
Ben giggled. “You’re funny.”
“Sleep well, Ben. And I will be in the next room if anything goes wrong.”
“Okay.”
Cotton left the scanner room to join her fellow Listels in the lab. But not before turning on a musical device she bought from the alien shop in Toridas upon her last visit to the capital. A gentle piano song began playing accompanied by a male’s voice.
What would I do without your smart mouth?
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
You've got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down
What's going on in that beautiful mind?
I'm on your magical mystery ride
And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright
My head's under water, but I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind
>Humans call this music?< one of the Listels, Pure Sand, commented.
Cotton shrugged as she took her seat in front of the monitors. >It helps sooth him. I also find the music of John Legend quite charming.<
>I've found more charm in the guttural bowels of Barsam throat singing.<
>I think it’s sweet,< another Listel called Jade commented, enjoying the rhythm of the human tune. >I also find the words fascinating.<
>Fascinating?! The song's poetry is terrible.<
>That's your opinion.<
Pure Sand shrugged. >Whatever sways your vessel.<
>Concentrate, colleagues,< Cotton ordered. Cotton watched the monitor, the music igniting flashes in Ben’s frontal gyrus and thalamus. >Jade, how are Ben’s vitals?<
Jade complied, tapping a few holographic buttons. >Neurotransmitter activity seems normal. Pulse and breathing regular. <
>Beautiful brain that human has,< another Listel, Hope, commented as she watched the monitors. >Nice activity.<
A queue of several more gentle songs played, sending Ben into a soothing state of mind.
>More reactions detected in his pineal gland,< Hope observed. >Melatonin levels are increasing. His sleep cycle is starting.<
>Turn on the holographic display,< Cotton ordered. >Jade and Pure Sand will continue to watch his biometrics while Hope and I observe Ben’s brain activity on the hologram.<
>Yes, Saszet,< the Listels complied.
Cotton and Hope turned their attention to the hologram lit up on the open floor behind the seated loroi. Cotton watched, mesmerized by the illustration of Ben’s inner clockwork.
The doors to the lab slid open, admitting Tempo and Farseer Slipstream entry.
Farseer Slipstream was sworn into silence and under the Emperor’s employ. Her task was to ensure Ben’s safety and anticipate incoming danger. Thanks to her the island’s guards intercepted quite a few boats crewed by loroi eager to see this new human living on Deinar. But these were just civilian fishers or tourists stupid enough to trespass on warrior property.
>So,< sent Tempo, >how is our little man?<
>Resting well,< sent Cotton.
>Good,< Tempo slowly took a seat of her own by the loroi. >I was afraid he would want another touch.< She gestured to her enlarged belly as she sat.
Cotton smirked. Ben, being the curious little creature that he was, had felt Tempo’s belly a few times without asking. Something the Sentinel did not feel comfortable with.
>How is she?< Cotton referred to the little girl growing inside of Tempo.
>She’s been kicking quite a few times,< sent Tempo. Upon discovering the child’s sex from scans, Tempo was a bit disappointed that she would have no son. But another daughter was not unwelcome. Especially when Greywind insisted that Tempo’s child should be raised at this creche. >Perhaps you would be so kind as to explain what I’m seeing here on the hologram, Cotton.<
>Are you sure you can keep up, Mizol?< Cotton teased, earning a laugh from the other Listels.
>Oh, look who thinks she’s smarter than the rest of us. Spare me your humor and tell me already.<
>Well, every pulse of light you see here on the hologram represents the flow of information within Ben’s brain. We analyze his neural pathways during sleep and compare that to the scans I recorded during the Emperor’s delves into the dreamscape.< Cotton sent a command to Jade, who activated a second hologram featuring past recordings of Greywind’s and Ben’s brains during sleep. >This illustrates their brains during their bond in the dreamscape. Now watch this.< She sent out, >Ben!<
No response.
>Jade, if you would.<
Jade complied and sent out, >Ben.<
Still no response.
>As you can see, Ben’s neural pathways don’t seem to react from our sending.<
Tempo rolled her eyes. >I think that has been established. But are we any closer to understanding why Ben and Greywind could bond during sleep?< asked Tempo.
>We may have a hint,< sent Cotton. >Look at Ben’s current brain scan.<
Tempo tried to take note of the random flashes and flows of light on the hologram.
Cotton directed the Mizol’s focus. >Now look at the old scans. Notice the change?<
>Forgive me, Cotton, but I’m afraid I fall short of neurology. Perhaps you could enlighten me.<
Cotton sighed and explained as she pointed to Greywind’s brain recording, >This illustrates a loroi brain during sleep. Notice how areas particularly within the hippocampus are reacting during sleep. Some psychologists and philosophers speculate that this is a loroi’s subconscious mechanism for reflection, autobiographical memory and emotional regulation.< She pointed over to Ben’s past recording, comparing it with the current scanning. >A human brain behaves differently during sleep. But Ben’s brain seems to have changed its usual behavior while bonding with Greywind in the dreamscape to match her own. Greywind's brain in turn matched his. As if the two brains were imitating one another. Also observe how both patients' parietal lobes activated during sending. What I find to be another fascinating coincidence is that Golim exhibit similar brain activation within their parietal lobes whenever receiving from loroi. Golim do not seem to possess sanzai, but can receive. Some scientists theorize that Golim brains are trying to imitate loroi’s. The sensational high Golim experience while receiving sanzai instills intimate sensations unlike any other. A yearning for more of that transcendental feeling. Hence why Golim seem so obedient while receiving from loroi. They desire that level of intimacy that other aliens cannot experience without sanzai. Imitating and acting upon what they receive from loroi. A form of neurological mimicry you could say.<
Now this intrigued Tempo. >Cotton, are you saying Ben linked with the Emperor because of mental mimicry?<
>It seems more complicated than that. Despite Greywind’s and Ben’s bond, I am not convinced that humans are natural telepaths. According to our humanity archives, humans belong to a taxonomic family of creatures called apes. Apes seem to have an affinity for mimicking each other. Sometimes even other animals. Mimicry is a useful evolutionary survival tool. It also builds social skills. If humans imitate consciously, who is to say they do not do so subconsciously?<
>So if what you say is true, Ben seems not to posses authentic sanzai. But is able to mimic it subconsciously.<
>Not so slow after all, Mizol,< Cotton teased.
The Listels chuckled.
Tempo crossed her arms. >But how does this help your mission then? Our mission?<
>With further study and more neurological data, it might be possible to replicate this effect.<
>How?<
>Pure Sand, let’s give Ben a little stimulation,< Cotton ordered.
Pure Sand pressed a few buttons to send a harmless electrical current into the electrodes connected to Ben’s skull cap. The holographic display of Ben’s brain suddenly flashed into a lightning storm of activity.
>As you can see,< Cotton explained, >we can stimulate Ben’s brain into a unique rhythmic state.<
Tempo raised an eyebrow. >What does that do?<
Cotton grinned. >Tempo, send to him.<
-
Ben was in a weird place. Was he still sleeping? Was he awake? He could not be sure. He didn’t have the energy to get up and confirm it. Exhaustion overwhelmed his senses, paralyzing his muscles. He decided just to go along for the ride and see if he could return to his dreams again.
But if this was a dream, it felt awfully real. Ben could swear he saw something. Not with his eyes. But he saw it teetering at the edge of darkness. It looked like globs of blue fog dancing in the distance. And they sang to each other.
>Brrmmmn.<
Ben shivered with dread as one of them roared. It was a cloud of sizzling sparkles.
>Brrmmmn,< the sparkling cloud cried out again. Every time it sang, its sizzling sparkles seemed to flash brighter in rhythmic fashion. Almost like… a tempo.
>Brrmmmn,< the cloud sang again.
Now there was a gruff rumbling, almost as if the clouds were grumbling little thunder storms.
>Ssrrriii,< one of the clouds sang out.
“What are you saying?” said Ben. The clouds frightened him, yet they didn’t harm anything. Overcoming his fear, Ben wanted to know what the singing clouds were saying.
The cloud was more clairvoyant this time. Not with a song, but a word, >Lashri.<
Lashri? Ben thought. What is a ‘lashri’? Was that a new English word? Or maybe Trade?
>Lashri.<
Ben muttered, “Deactivating.” That was a tricky word, but somehow Ben knew it meant to turn off something.
Turn off what?
Perhaps the cloud was turning itself off. It seemed that way as the shimmering clouds grew dimmer. Ben once again fell into a timeless darkness. Concern and coherent thought eluded his senses as he returned to a world of dreams.
But not before he heard one more word: >Sillat!<
-
>Stars!< Tempo was speechless.
Ben’s brain waves returned to their usual rhythmic patterns as Pure Sand deactivated the electrodes’ stimulation.
>Indeed,< Cotton sent with a triumphant grin. >As you can see, Ben seems to receive when we induce hypnogogia.<
>Does this mean that Ben can receive from us as well now?<
>Not in a comprehensible manner. I have made it a habit of asking Ben to recount his dreams every morning. During his final night with Greywind, Ben commented that he dreamt of glowing clouds singing in the distance. During our last study of Ben’s sleep, I decided to test a theory by bringing Ben somewhere between the conscious and subconscious state. He confirmed seeing the same glowing clouds again when I inquired following his wakening.<
>So these singing clouds he sees,< Tempo deduced, >are us?<
>That’s how his brain seems to interpret our presence. Yes.<
>Does this mean we can link with him as the Emperor did?< The prospect of bypassing the human lotai by technical means was enticing.
>Sadly no. I volunteered to be put under in order to try bonding with him. According to him, Ben seemed able to receive ringing noises from the ‘blob of misty foam’ as he described it. But nothing intelligible. I couldn’t receive a word from him. Not even detect him.<
Tempo suddenly had a concern. >Is there a risk that Ben might figure out he is in fact detecting us?<
>Possibly. But no need to worry. Ben still seems ignorant of this fact. I subject him to routine evaluations to be sure. Ben is aware that human dreams are not real. As long as he believes that, there should be no risk of him finding out.<
>I hope you’re right, Cotton. It would certainly complicate things if he did. Children are not good at keeping secrets. He may very well start to figure out what we’re doing to him as he gets older.<
>I’d be more concerned about loroi with more hostile regard for humanity. Ben would be in grave danger if they discovered we had a human with a breeched lotai.<
>All the more reason why Ben must be well guarded. Apart from the Emperor’s ruling cabinet, the only loroi aware of Ben’s breeched lotai are in this room.<
>Your training has helped to sharpen our defenses and aided our capacity to keep secrets whilst sending, Tempo,< Cotton relayed her gratitude.
>Good. Let’s all keep it that way.<
>Yes, Mizol Torimor Tempo,< Farseer Slipstream and Listels Pure Sand, Jade and Hope reaffirmed their vows of secrecy. The same they swore to the Emperor before her departure.
Last edited by Snoofman on Sat Oct 28, 2023 2:44 am, edited 8 times in total.
I enjoyed it. Particularly the reactions of Ben to Loroi ways as well as the Loroi either being adverse or curious about Ben and his culture.
Cotton continually saying "The night seems nice." In response to "Good night." Is another nice humorous touch.
The bathing scene made me cringe for Ben... and even as an adult I would cringe around all those blue and gray female bodies... even though I could get used to seeing it too.
Nudist camps are a thing on Earth so humans CAN get used to it.
I enjoyed the John Legend song... I even listened to it and downloaded it (I can rip any music I hear off a video via an app).
I do not know where you are taking the story in the future, since while I am aware this one is ending you have said something about plans for a sequel or sequels perhaps if you decide to pull a Janssen since he does that.
I am aware there are still loose threads about, namely that Loroi terrorist Eternal Endurance as well as whatever becomes of the Emperors plans to rescue kids from human pirates... not to mention safeguarding Ben and the Loroi Union itself from falling apart or starting another huge war.
In light of all that, here is music that I do not know if it fits, but I would like to think it does for the future of your Loroi fanfics following the story that began with Wind and Fire.
I wonder too just how far Greywind would go to preserve the Loroi Union.... what would she sacrifice? Who would she sacrifice? Ben perhaps?
