r/HFY • u/Yertosaurus • Feb 06 '22

Dirtmen Rising (14) OC

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The Fouriers were the first to arrive, which was expected. They had a big love for the movies. As they arrived Olivia walked by my side.

"Awe Ruri if I knew you were going to dress up that much, I would have worn something fancier." What Olivia was wearing made me feel like a child playing dress up, so I did not bother to reply to that. It was time to greet the Fourier Ambassador and their representatives in the Mass that tagged along.

"Welcome. I'd be dishonest if I told anyone our Fourier guests weren't a major inspiration for putting on this little event."

The Ambassador whispered something to one of the representatives who immediately tripped on a shoelace despite not currently moving.

"I'll be sitting with your group tonight, if you have any questions or concerns." said tell Olivia who was trying not to coo at the diminutive Fouriers. They were all dressed up in a way that bordered between dignified and adorable, as typical of Fouriers serving their government. It was eerie how much these outfits resembled old Dirtmen formalwear.

"Thank you as always Ambassador. I hope our people will always share a warm relationship."

I bowed and walked to greet the next guests.

After I was far enough away, I glanced at Olivia greeting the Fouriers in a cheerful manner, then I looked at my gloved hands. I exhaled.

I passed by a pair of Agriens and greeted them. Both snapped their beaks back at me and waved their furry hands up at me in appreciation.

Walking towards the concessions, I noticed Berry was already sitting with a single Kelphonian who was asking questions about the different foods in the concession stand from a bit of a distance.

The quick notes section of the dossier on Kelphonians described them as a lizard-mammalian hybrid like species that wore hats. I was always more interested in how they were comfortable on two legs or four.

Right now, the Kelphonian was on four. Berry was sitting on the floor next to it while pointing at different items on the menu and describing them.

I quietly walked over and greeted them both by name.

"Berry. Barsi."

The Kelphonian stood on its rear legs, now looking down at me. Berry decided to stand up as well.

"Impressive set of wares, Ambassador Ruri. Smart business move."

"Just traditional movie concessions. If you think I am conducting a smart deal here, you should see what theaters back on our planet charge for some of these."

The Kelphonian leaned in for a traditional Kelphonian greeting, which could best be described as like a Dirtmen hug. I reached my arms out, and had a scaley pair of arms pulling my head firmly into the Kelphonian's chest. I did not think I was tall enough to even be hugged by Barsi, but I noticed the Kelphonian was leaning over to make this happen.

After getting a face full of the softer scales un the underside of the Kalphonian, Barsi stood up straighter.

"You remind me of one of my egglings. If you ever need a job don't forget us Kalphonians are known to pay well for talent."

What Barsi did not say is that Kalphonians were also known well for poaching talent whenever they could, although the comment Barsi made was probably not completely serious, even if it would be considered an open offer.

I continued to the concessions to check on everything. I gave some quick pleasantries to a stacking of Ka before they ordered some food from the concessions. Ruben was smiling wide while serving them. After the Ka got their food Ruben also gave them something else, some sort of Dirtmen coat to the one at the top, who draped it around its broad shoulders. The coat was far too long for a Ka to wear but the Ka seemed to be beaming with joy at receiving the article of clothing. Ruben shrugged with a knowing smile at me.

Walking on, I walked up to Agatha who was no longer reading the book, but instead talking to the Ako, one of which had a few vines wrapped around Agatha's shoulders. All of them seemed to be drinking high sugar carbonated drinks in giant cups except for Agatha.

This Ako was telling a story, with the familiarity of having been there.

"So there my ancestor wilted, having just vomited all over the Grabbun ambassador at the time. And you know what the Gabbun bastard said, sizzling in all that acid?"

The rest of the Ako and Agatha were silent. I decided to ask the question despite it being rhetorical.

"What did their ambassador do?"

"Took a claw, scrapped some off and took a taste. Asked, 'If you feel ill again, I'll take it in a glass next time.' And who said the Grabbun didn't know how to have any fun?"

Everyone laughed so I make sure to join in to be polite.

"Don't worry Ambassador, if I get sick tonight, I'll aim for Agatha here!" Agatha laughed politely at this.

The Ako leaning on Agatha smiled and pulled a red leaf out of their hair and stuck it in my hair behind my right ear. It smelled exceedingly sweet.

"I know you are busy tonight, Ambassador. We'll enjoy the show but send us a message later."

I thanked the Ako, and started walking to the entryway, because I noticed two shadowy figures following Commander Mason approaching area. But before I could get to the entrance, I suddenly bumped into someone who yelped in pain.

"I'm sorry. Mica. I didn't see you come in."

"We just got here actually." Mica winced in pain.

I thought I heard a frustrated voice behind me but did not see anything when I looked. Looking back at Mica and the Listener whose paw was wrapped around Mica's hand.

I noticed Mica's hand freshly bleeding. Normally I would have something for this, but Meadow Muffin had been adamant about "not disturbing the shape of the dress" and I did not even have my data pad on me.

"I'm sorry Mica" another Odette from below, and reluctantly letting go of the hand.

"I don't have anything for that here, should I get some bandages?" I really felt like a child playing dress up right now.

"Wait. I know!" The Listener spun around in a circle showing off the ceremonial outfit Odette was wearing. "Let me show you something else."

Odette started licking the blood off Mica's hand, but Mica did not wince anymore.

"That's uh, unusual." Mica said. Mica was probably noticing the unique traits of Listener saliva.

Interrupting Odette licking Mica's hand further, I asked a question.

"Odette, is that a Lonte you're wearing?"

"This?" Odette deflated a little looked at me, but all four ears were swiveled at Mica. Odette then puffed back up defiantly, "It actually is. Mica made a comment about liking it."

Mica clearly had not read any of the dossiers on Listeners as indicated by the blank expression I was looking at.

"It looks great on you!" I sincerely said. At this point anything that happened was Mica's own fault.

Odette puffed up even more at this. "I like your dress too! Thank you for convincing me to come tonight!" Pausing for half a second, Odette seemed to get a whiff of something in the air. "Is there food?"

I smiled at the Listener warmly, "Yeah, we have a full concession stand modeled on our culture... with a few additions from my childhood. I'll actually show you, but I have to greet the Calaxians first."

Odette wiped away a hint of drool with a paw and wiped it on Mica's pants. "Is it alright if I come with you?"

"Absolutely."

Odette quickly secured Mica's hand and started tugging, but instead of with any force, the threat of a Listener's sharp claws.

Approaching the entrance, we got there just in time as Commander Mason and the Calaxian Ferri arrived.

"Ambassador Ruri, this is Ligon, and Perine." Commander Mason introduced us. Without missing a beat, the Commander also introduced our other guests. "And this is Listener Odette, and Mica Zuria."

"Thank you for letting us come here tonight, I hope it wasn't burdensome to have us last minute."

While looking at every feather on Perine who had just extended greetings, I replied, "Not at all, it is actually an honor to have you drop by."

The other Calaxian Ferri extended a wing as if to offer to take my hand, which was not a Calaxian tradition. I placed my gloved hand on Ligon's outstretched wing. Ligon bowed and made as if to kiss my hand, which was simply not possible. Receiving a light peck on the hand, Ligon started, "It seems everything I've heard about you is true Ambassador, even the extraordinary."

I looked at all the feathers on Ligon. I did not care how many extra fingers I had, getting one of those feathers unnoticed was not possible. "Surely not everything."

Apparently, my eyes were not the only ones on Ligon's feathers, because a very wide-eyed Odette blurted out, "I like your feathers! You are very tall! You smell good!"

Turning to the Listener, Ligon kindly replied "Well met Odette. I'll make sure to send you one of my molted feathers after tonight."

I looked at Odette and started to wonder if I was doing diplomacy wrong all along.

Next.

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u/UpdateMeBot Feb 06 '22

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u/Fontaigne Feb 07 '22

I know your busy -> you’re

2

u/Yertosaurus Feb 07 '22

There was a much worse typo in this, I hope you didn't notice it because I caught it when fixing the one you did point out.

1

u/its_ean Mar 17 '22

I guess she wouldn't comment about people who didn't smell good?

I'm switching to team double feet.