Kux Prime - 2.5 Myriacycles Previously

The light of Kurilia painted a path for Va’Dresruyuna through the Royal Gardens. The exotic trees, ferns, flowers, and other bits of shrubbery gathered from across Kux Prime reveled in the pale-blue moonlight, casting out their own bioluminescence in vibrant greens, blues, and purples. Amid the cornucopia of colors were statues made of a prismatic crystal known as seiria.

Each figure was of a Kuxpir that had greatly contributed to the Empire. Most were of the Ixfive, the caste to which all the Supreme Queens were elevated. A pedestal had already been reserved for Dresruyuna’s dam, Xa’Grubudani, the current Supreme Queen. Presumably there would be a spot for Dresruyuna’s likeness as well one day. But before Va’Dresruyuna could truly begin to contemplate the works of art she was joined by a visitor stepping out of the shadows.

“You really should be more cautious, Lady Dresruyuna,” said the Nan as they emerged. Their red skin with yellow markings was distinct enough even in the moonlight for Dresruyuna to recognize her childhood friend, Thi’Udivax.

“That’s why I have you, isn’t it?” Dresruyuna chuckled. “How many blades have you halted this cycle?”

Udivax shrugged, producing a small blade and twirling it idly between her fingers. “None, surprisingly. Either I’m doing a very poor job or there’s no one left brave enough to take a shot at your life.”

“Let us hope it is the latter, then. Your timing couldn’t be better. I was longing for some company,” said Dresruyuna.

“I thought you came out here to be alone, as you usually do every third decicycle,” commented Udivax.

“Perhaps initially,” admitted Dresruyuna. “But this evening my mind is wandering towards topics that I wouldn’t normally consider.”

“Such as?”

Dresruyuna pointed along the line of statues. “Aside from the Supreme Queens there are only Ixthrees. Have you ever wondered why that is?”

Udivax’s weapon glinted and came to a stop mid-twirl as they regarded the figures. “I would think that obvious. There’s no need to glorify the lower castes, much less the An.”

“Ah but that’s the thing,” Dresruyuna smiled back. “It’s one thing to not memorialize brutish, military types when our civilization advances thanks to science, medicine, and engineering rather than conflict and strife. But it is an entirely different matter for the Ixfour not to be featured. Shouldn't the nobles and broodmothers be here as well?”

Udivax hesitated. “My understanding is that it isn't the one with the loftiest titles or largest clutches that should be recognized. Even if one of their children elevates above the rest of society.”

Dresruyuna resumed wandering through the garden, with Udivax lingering a step behind her and to the left. “You’re not wrong, of course. Breeding can only set the stage for grand performances. It’s up to the individual to rise to the opportunities afforded to them by birth. Which raises another question: Why are there so few Nan among our seiria-molded friends? Is it due to them only consisting of a tenth of all Kuxpir? Or is it because Nan aren’t afforded the chance to excel?”

“It is… not my place to comment,” sighed Udivax.

“Are we alone in the garden?” asked Dresruyuna.

“Yes.”

“Then I want to hear your honest thoughts. Preferably without having to order it.”

Spinning about, Dresruyuna came to a stop looking at Udivax. Her childhood friend was taller than her by half a head, though at the moment Udivax’s digitigrade legs were not fully extended. If not for their backwards-facing horns and what lay underneath their loincloth, Udivax could pass for a muscular Fan. The thick, prehensile tentacles coming from their skull were of varying lengths in a way that would be seen as attractive were they not belonging to a Nan. Their toned body made up for it, though to Dresruyuna Udivax’s best feature was their intense, golden eyes that seemed able to pierce through solid objects. Those very same eyes that were now trying to bore a hole through her.

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“You know how difficult it is for me to speak on this issue,” mumbled Udivax. “I do not wish to insult you.”

“Then insult me,” commanded Dresruyuna.

Udivax’s claws dug into the ground as they chose their words carefully. “The Nan are largely playthings of the Fan. We are given to the Ixthree and Ixfour as playthings, pets, even slaves in some instances. Only those that are truly neuter from birth are given a chance to pursue their own desires. This reduces the already small number of Nan to miniscule amounts. Frankly, the fact there are even statues of Nan to begin with is a testament to their accomplishments.”

“And how would you qualify our relationship?” asked Dresruyuna, stepping closer. “Would you say I treat you unfairly?”

“Far from it,” Udivax grunted. “If anything you let me get away with far too much.”

“Do you resent the fact that broodmothers paired us together at an early age?”

“Er. No.”

“Then we finally have the answer I’ve been seeking,” Dresruyuna mused as she ran a hand along the side of Udivax’s shoulder. “It’s not that the Nan aren’t capable. It’s because we, the Fan, deliberately limit them. Or at least we sow the seeds early enough that the Nan don’t wish for a different life. I do wonder what might happen if a large enough group of Nan was given a chance at ‘pursuing their own desires’ as you put it.”

Udivax remained rigid in place until Dresruyuna retracted her hand. “That’s less likely than an An becoming an Ixthree. If you were to voice these thoughts to anyone else they would call you mad or at least seek to strip you down to Ixthree, if not lower.”

Dresruyuna grinned, showing off her well-maintained, pointed teeth that were capable of tearing through the toughest meats. “Considering possibilities isn’t a crime, Udivax. If anything, I believe it shows the ability to approach a problem from varying angles to arrive at a more informed conclusion.”

“And what conclusion might that be?” inquired Udivax.

Dresruyuna winked before moving away from the plants and statues towards one of the balconies that overlooked the Royal City of Mithea. From this height one could see all the way across the sprawling, glimmering spires out to the vast, automated farmlands that bordered the city and stretched out to the distant, mountain-framed horizons. Between the highrises flew various vehicles, ranging from simple movers to high-priority couriers. Far below at ground level were Kuxpir of Ixthree and lower moving about the city and going about the nightlife.

“What do you see, Udivax?” inquired Dresruyuna.

“A utopia, of sorts,” replied Udivax after a moment’s consideration. “Even the bottom-most Ixone An does not have to worry about their next meal or having a place to slumber. Our hospitals are open to all, and we’ve not had a major conflict for four kilocycles. Is that the conclusion you’ve reached?”

“The opposite, actually,” Dresruyuna answered. “I believe we’re due for a change, and soon. No utopia can persist forever. All it takes is the right Kuxpir in the wrong place and we could see all of this beauty shatter.”

Udivax turned to scan the gardens once more. “I pray you are not suggesting you’re such a Kuxpir.”

“And if I was?”

“Then as your guardian I would be duty-bound to follow you,” huffed Udivax. “But you would never cease to hear me complain about it.”

“Then for both our sakes it’s a good thing I’m merely entertaining the notion,” laughed Dresruyuna as she leaned against the stone railing. “But let’s change topics for now before my evening walk must come to an end. What have you heard about the development of the Asmoor Project?”

“I’m told the Prime of Science is near a breakthrough,” Udivax responded without missing a beat. “Tha’Trezimala has been working her people around the clock to solve the issue of fine nanite control.”

“Is there a chance she’ll succeed?”

“If the whisperings that reach me are correct, yes. She’ll be able to deliver her first prototype within the decacycle.”

Dresruyuna nodded, still looking out over the city. Though the sounds of her people barely reached her pointed ears at this level of the palace, she could detect that tonight was an especially boisterous evening for the people below. Though to her knowledge, there was no holiday or special event that would warrant such. Perhaps something had happened worthy of such celebration? Udivax would have told her already if that was the case. If only she could walk the streets like a normal Kuxpir. Then she might understand…

“...ruyuna? Are you even listening?”

Dresruyuna’s focus shifted back to the gardens at Udivax’s urging. “Sorry. Lost myself for a moment. What were you saying?”

Udivax crossed their arms over their chest. “I was saying that the Supreme Queen wants you to take her place whenever Tha’Trezimala unveils the prototype. The impression I received was that this was not so much a request as it was an order.”

“That sounds like my dam alright,” Dresruyuna sighed. “Very well. Keep close tabs on Trezimala’s progress so we’re ready to show up for an inspection before word of a successful prototype spreads. From its inception, the Asmoor Project has claimed that it will bring a new era to our people. I only hope that it’s not the kind of scenario I was envisioning earlier…”