The
following scene is from Lone Wolf, book 1 of my sci-fi series. Wil
VanLipsig has recently reunited with his friend, Marc Slatterly,
after a long absence. He's just started dating Matilda Dulac and
finds out that some very old friends, the giant cat warriors, The
Fellicians, are on planet. He takes Matilda to meet them. These
characters are some of my favorites, especially Caprilla and Cavitus.
I think after this brief scene, you will understand why. (Some of
this scene was edited out in the book)
Wil's
understanding of the Fellician language was limited. He simply didn't
have the capacity to accurately mimic their speech. Their language
was very musical in nature and Wil was virtually tone deaf. The same
words could have different meanings. Depending on how they were
pitched and the clicks and trills accompanying them, dictated the
context. It was a very subtle form of communication.
Unfortunately,
if one could not properly imitate the sounds and pitch, instead of
saying, "I need to use the restroom," one would say, "I
have a black asp for a penis."
After
having said that to the wrong Fellician female, Wil had given up
trying to learn the language. It had taken him nearly a month to
recover. A normal man would have been crippled for life. He hoped
Caprilla had forgotten the incident, but he doubted it.
About
five minutes later, Marc and the three Fellician males came down in
the elevator. They were singing some rather ribald lyrics to an old
Earth tune, "I've Been Working on the Railroad." It was
something about fornicating in the mine shaft. Wil had never bothered
to learn the words, since he couldn't carry a tune.
Marc
had a clear and booming baritone. Caprilla had a brasslike bass, and
the other two cat men had smooth tenors. The effect was rather
magical until one heard the lyrics clearly, so Matilda tried not to.
She hoped the females didn't understand. One last chorus and the
others declared themselves ready to eat.
Matilda
was introduced to Caprilla and his two companions. Errollic Vennistra
was of the fighter Liluye.
Cavitus Passhaa was Escascia's right wing man in the Nirvelli.
They were as varied as humans in looks, but the most outstanding
feature was their fur. Each was a different color and the markings
were subtle and unique.
Caprilla
was blue-black like midnight, his markings drops of rain on water,
Matilda
wanted to stare, but felt it would be rude to do so. She didn't know
if the Fellician female would mind being admired. The fur was so soft
looking, she wanted to touch it, but thought it would probably be an
unforgivable breach of etiquette.
As
they walked to the same restaurant on the boardwalk where Matilda and
Wil had first lunched together, Caprilla noticed her looks of longing
and smiled warmly. Other people would not have considered it so, but
after having known Wil for even so short a time, a warm smile had
taken a slightly different definition.
"You
want to touch? It is all right, Lady Captain. It is something human
females often want to do." He purred softly, trilling his 'l'.
"My team and I have met many humans over the years. We are not
offended by such. Please, if it would make you happy, you may touch."
His
musical voice filled her with warmth. He held out his hand, long
fingered and velvety. She wondered what sort of claws these folk had,
for there were none visible. His hand was warm and soft as down. The
feathery fur tickled her fingers like a living thing. He bent his
head over her hand, kissing it lightly. His whiskers sent a thrill
down her spine. He looked into her face with his clear, blue eyes.
"Friend
Wil, this is an amazing lady you have here. Were I an evil fellow, I
would fight you for her." he seemed to purr over the last word,
his tongue trilling the 'r' seductively.
"Aw,
hell, Cap. It's not polite to kill your friend before dinner. I guess
you will just have to leave her with me for now." He chuckled,
taking her by the hand. "Don't mind him, Romance, he's always
been a joker." He protectively tugged her closer to him.
Caprilla
purred deep in his throat. "I never kid about anything, Captain
Romance. I have no sense of humor."
©
Dellani Oakes 2015
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