{"id":2702,"date":"2024-08-17T14:23:53","date_gmt":"2024-08-17T21:23:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/?p=2702"},"modified":"2024-08-17T14:23:53","modified_gmt":"2024-08-17T21:23:53","slug":"knowing-youre-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/2024\/08\/17\/knowing-youre-safe\/","title":{"rendered":"Knowing You’re Safe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

prompt: Start your story with people arriving at a special ceremony.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

available at Reedsy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bihrelli sidled close to me. They were an average sort of Bihrelli; hermaphroditic, bipedal, two-armed creatures just under one and a half meters in height, with huge, black eyes that made them cute. This one\u2019s skin was a pale blue, with uneven pale brown spots. Their tail twitched in the way that showed nerves or fear. There was nothing unusual about that, at least for this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHi, Jordi.\u201d I\u2019d long ago given up trying to pronounce their name and used a close equivalent. They\u2019d done the same with me, even though they were always so tense when we met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGreetings, T\u0177l\u0177.\u201d They said the vowels like some sort of mega-diphthong that mixed a, i, o, and u. \u201cI am glad you are here for this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMe, in particular, or the embassy guard?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their tail twitched even harder. \u201cIt is always a pleasantness to be in your presence, but I am relieved to see you \u2014 a\u2026and the other guards \u2014 here in armed uniform to keep us safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you think there might be trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are many who do not want to see this treaty finalized,\u201d they said. Their tail wrapped around my ankle as they moved closer. \u201cThe Drogne Empire has publicly threatened Bihrel and said that a treaty with Terra would be treated as an act of war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I could feel the trembling of their tail against my ankle. \u201cYou\u2019re safe here, Jordi. I\u2019ll make sure of that.\u201d I put a hand on their shoulder. \u201cDo you really think Drogne will try to attack if Bihrel has the backing of the Terran Union?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think it would be foolish of them, but it would not surprise me.\u201d They seemed to realize that they had hold of my ankle, unwrapped their tail and took half a step backward. \u201cI am sorry for the inappropriate action of my tail.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I looked into their big eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s okay. Why are you always so nervous around me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They grabbed their tail and held it in front of them. \u201cYou are so big, and your weapons are frightening, and I \u2014 uh \u2014 think you are pleasing to look at and talk to and I just wish that I could find someone like you to\u2026\u201d their voice dropped to a faint whisper, \u201cto parent with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I smiled. I\u2019d suspected they might have a crush on me, but now I knew. \u201cWell, adoption is always an option, but don\u2019t you think you should take me for a date first, at least?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t know why I said that. Was I serious? The last thing I\u2019d want to do would be to play with Jordi\u2019s feelings and hurt them. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that maybe I was serious. At the very least, I knew there was more to Jordi than just the cute puppy vibe that Bihrelli had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNatalia, report.\u201d The voice over the radio interrupted my thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWest entry, no traffic. Jordi\u2019s keeping me company,\u201d I radioed back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEyes on. Presidential motorcade is arriving at the south entry in five minutes. Bihrelli delegation arriving in seven minutes at the west garden landing pad. Be ready to escort them to the event hall. Jordi can help out with that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAffirm, chief.\u201d I turned back to look at the little Bihrelli. \u201cYou stay with me while I escort the Bihrelli big-wigs, and I\u2019ll take you out to dinner this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs the K\u0177m\u0177 coming here?\u201d they asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, Jordi. The Koimoi of Bihrel is coming here to meet with the President of the Terran Union.\u201d There was no way I could pronounce the weird vowels of the name of office of the leader of Bihrel, so I pronounced it as most humans did. Surprisingly, the President was known for speaking fluent Bihrellian, and her pronunciation was even better than that of the ambassador, who was at the moment waiting to meet her motorcade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I felt the vibrations of the Bihrelli shuttle landing in the garden, and held the door open at attention. The Koimoi and their retinue walked from the shuttle, their tails held in an appropriate upward curve. Jordi followed their example and got their own tail under control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I left translation to Jordi and spoke in Terran common. \u201cRight this way, please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No sooner had the last of the Bihrelli walked in the door than another shuttle, a rental, zoomed in to hover above the shuttle on the pad. Three waves of half a dozen Drognen soldiers dropped out of the shuttle. Where the Bihrelli were cute, the Drognens were anything but. Looking like a nightmare cross of a toad and a praying mantis, they slowed their descent with wings that were useless for anything other than dropping to the ground with style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The alarm klaxon sounded through the embassy. I pulled Jordi behind me and began firing at the intruders. \u201cGet them to the hall!\u201d I yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sound of gunfire was evident from all sides of the embassy. One of the Drognens set off an explosive on the Bihrelli shuttle. There was no way the pilot survived it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I stepped back to try to get in the door before the embassy went into lockdown, and ran into Jordi, who was still behind me. \u201cWhy aren\u2019t you inside?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI cannot. The door is locked.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Koimoi?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSafe inside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I pulled out my sidearm and handed it to Jordi. \u201cKnow how to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know how to work your weapon,\u201d they said, ensuring there was a round in the chamber and the safety was off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou continue to amaze me.\u201d I swapped out magazines on my assault rifle; thirty-two more rounds and then I was out. \u201cMake every shot count,\u201d I muttered to myself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Drognens were using the fire and smoke from the shuttle to conceal their movements, but there was a clear area directly in front of the recessed doorway where we took cover. To my surprise, Jordi had climbed the vine trellis beside the door and was perched above me, their big eyes, set in such a way as to have a far wider field of view than us, scanning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their tail tapped my left shoulder, and I swung my rifle that way to take a shot at the shape moving through the smoke. I heard Jordi take a shot and curse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With their eyes and my reflexes, we managed to take out seven of the Drognens before my radio crackled to life. \u201cFriendlies coming over the wall into the west garden.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHold!\u201d I radioed back. \u201cDrognen troops under concealment of smoke in the west garden.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRoger, Natalia. We won\u2019t fire toward the door. Find cover, incoming.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I pulled Jordi off the trellis, pushed them against the door, crouched, and shielded their body with mine. My ballistic vest was better than nothing and I expected all hell to break loose. It did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three explosions rocked the garden in quick succession, followed by the sound of Terran weapons firing from the wall. It ended as quickly as it began. I tried to stand, but a piercing pain in my leg dropped me to my knees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jordi held their tail up to me, the end covered in blood\u2026my dark red blood, not their bright pink. \u201cYou are injured,\u201d they said, \u201cdo not try to move.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you okay?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am uninjured.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I saw a trail of bright pink blood trickling down their face. \u201cNo, you\u2019re not.\u201d I reached for it, but Jordi shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just banged my head when the explosions scared me. It\u2019s nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood, good.\u201d My leg began to throb. I didn\u2019t know if I\u2019d taken a bullet or shrapnel, but either way it was serious. I began to get lightheaded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe needs a medic!\u201d they called out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was too out of it to make out what was being said on the radio, but I heard the doors unlock and the alarm stopped. The lockdown was over. I crawled to the door and opened it for Jordi. \u201cGet inside while you can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The assault team carried me in, and Jordi stayed by my side, their tail wrapped around my wrist. I was glad of it. A medic put an IV in my arm, injected me with something, and I awoke in a bed in the embassy clinic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jordi was sleeping in the chair beside the bed, their tail wrapped around my right wrist. A large bandage covered my left thigh. I lifted the edge to see what was under it and saw the remnants of what looked like an extensive surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They woke up while I was examining myself and I felt their tail tighten around my wrist. \u201cI am glad you are alive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMe too. Did they say what it was?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA large piece of metal from the shuttle \u2014 from when the Drognens blew it up. I thought you knew.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t even notice until I tried to stand up after shielding you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d they said, \u201cfor saving my life.\u201d They reached an idle hand up to a clear bandage over a couple of stitches above their right eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust doing my job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNonsense. Your job is to protect the embassy, the ambassador, and other officials, not a janitor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I grabbed their hand. \u201cWell, I\u2019m making it my job from now on. I\u2019d hate to lose you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a coworker, or\u2026.\u201d They trailed off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a friend, at least. We\u2019ll find out more as we go. Sound fair?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVery much so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere am I taking you to dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are not. I am taking you to my home to cook dinner for you,\u201d they said. When I tried to interrupt they continued on. \u201cI have been practicing cooking Terran food. I hope you like it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy can\u2019t I take you out to dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause the doctor said you need to rest and stay off that leg for at least a week.\u201d Jordi pulled out their comm pad and showed me a list of instructions and dates. \u201cUntil your first physical therapy appointment, which is already scheduled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWow, Jordi. Where is all this confidence coming from?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrom you,\u201d they said. \u201cYou did not laugh at me or turn me down right away, even though you are stronger, have a more prestigious employment, and are a much better fighter. That, and \u2014 I thought for a while I was going to lose you forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI thought the same,\u201d I said. \u201cSo, first date at your place. You do move fast.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSecond date,\u201d they said. \u201cThe first was a little too exciting for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It made me laugh, then I paused. \u201cI wonder if we\u2019re at war with the Drogne Empire now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe K\u0177m\u0177 and your President put out a joint statement about the terrorist attack here. The Emperor saw the wisdom of denouncing the attack by \u2018unknown terrorists dressed as Drogne Palace Guards.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou must have good connections around here, to know all that so fast,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They pointed with their tail at the screen on the wall. \u201cTerran news.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, yeah, they do seem to know everything that\u2019s happening, whether they should or not.\u201d I shifted slightly to one side in the bed. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you use some of that newfound confidence to lay down here and snuggle with me? I don\u2019t want to be alone right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The little Bihrelli didn\u2019t say anything, but crawled into bed next to me, their tail draped across my waist. I put an arm around them and snorted. \u201cI don\u2019t usually share my bed after the first date, but I\u2019ll make an exception this time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about after the second?\u201d they asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re cheeky when you\u2019re bold, aren\u2019t you?\u201d I patted their tail. \u201cFor you, sure. That doesn\u2019t mean we\u2019ll be doing anything right away, I just want to keep you close.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are meant to be resting anyway,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, I am, and I feel so much more relaxed knowing you\u2019re here and you\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

prompt: Start your story with people arriving at a special ceremony. available at Reedsy The Bihrelli sidled close to me. They were an average sort of Bihrelli; hermaphroditic, bipedal, two-armed creatures just under one and …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[208],"tags":[210,228,209],"class_list":["post-2702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-trunk-stories","tag-fiction","tag-science-fiction","tag-short-story"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pxT7i-HA","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2702","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2702"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2702\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2703,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2702\/revisions\/2703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2702"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2702"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2702"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}