---Promiscuity---
---Emiko's perspective---
I stand in Gob Hollow with a welcoming party, outside the embassy habitat, watching Lhamo pilot down her personal craft.
Aboard with her are representatives from the tribes of Northern Twigg we made contact with most recently.
The shuttle lands and the ramp lowers.
Separated from the local Twigg by an entire continent, the Northerners look very different!
Unlike the medium to dark green skin and hair common to the Southlanders or the light green of the contingents from the Centrelands, these Northfolk are a pale turquoise colour.
Their eyes are, likewise, pale blue and their hair is all in shades of light blue and light green.
They are very similar in height to the Southern Twigg but stockier and more robust.
Their language also sounds completely different from Southern Twigg, even if Yasmin assures us that it does exist on the same dialect continuum.
The boy Victor encountered initially, Nroluq, was the first Twigg we met to have a multisyllable name.
Mvak and Griiv were barely any more successful at communicating their intentions to the boy than Victor had been but he seemed at least to have been reassured at the presence of other Twigg.
With this, we have at least some representation from every Vrakhandic realm and the Twigg populations most proximate to all of them.
That should be enough for peace talks.
Obviously, with Twigg secrecy being as it is, there are bound to be populated regions we've missed but, hopefully, news of our presence on the world will diffuse out, in time, without being too garbled in the process(!)
The few dozen pale Twigg step off the ship and, in unison, all react to the Mediterranean heat.
"So hot!" exclaims the boy I recognise as Nroluq, just neurologically developed enough to be allowed a translator.
By far the youngest member of the contingent, he's apparently here because of some 'finders keepers' custom observed among the Northern Twigg.
He 'found' us, so he gets to come South, even though he's not strictly needed here.
"You may be more comfortable inside the habitat…" I smile, gesturing at the structure "…We generally maintain it at a temperature of around 21°C for my species' comfort… For context, water freezes at 0°C and the current temperature out here is 33°C, which I find a little muggy as well… If you plan on visiting the local Twigg communities, we would be happy to fabricate you some clothing that's a little lighter than what you're wearing, just let us know."
Qulnak, the middle aged woman in charge of this contingent dips her head and begins "That is most kind of you… We…"
But whatever she was about to say is interrupted by Votd barking like a dog at her (the Twigg equivalent of a wolfwhistle) and shouting "Heeeeey, sexy Mama!"
Before I know what's happening, the younger girl has strode up to the older woman and wrapped her arms around her shoulders to plant a lick across her lips.
Immediately, Qulnak shoves Votd to the ground and snarls at her.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
The Northerners all look outraged.
The middle aged woman turns her attention back up at me and ferociously demands "What is the meaning of this!?"
My mouth moves but no words form.
"You thought having this half naked harlot throw herself at me would be ingratiating?!… Explain yourself!!! Did you force this girl to act in such a disgraceful way!?"
Words die in my throat as I see the ambassadors appearing from the ship behind the Northern band.
Jae's analysis was that the Northerners are far more culturally reserved than the Southerners but I wasn't expecting there to be an instant diplomatic incident about it!
This woman is accusing me of some pretty awful shit right now!
Lhamo is about to speak when loud laughter echoes across the scene.
All of us look to where Votd is, lying on the ground at Qulnak's feet, laughing her head off.
She picks herself up and, pointing a clawed index finger over the crowd of pale Twigg, turns to me and laughs "These guys a bigger prudes than you(!)"
Then, she turns back to the woman who's face she just licked and with more maturity and social grace than I've yet seen from any Twigg, explains "I'm sorry for offending you. The Southlands are where promiscuity was invented(!)… It's normal for us to do as I just did, it's not something anyone asked me to do, told me to do or forced me to do… I did it because I think you're very beautiful… When Southerners aren't interested, we just say so."
Qulnak's face softens as she answers "Well… I never said I wasn't interested… I'm just not used to my prospective lovers being so… forward!… A little chat goes a long way(!)… Likewise, I apologise for the misunderstanding and shall endeavour to respect Southland customs, now that I'm aware of them… It's Qulnak, by the way. You are?"
"Votd… Perhaps we could… 'chat' later, Curlnk?"
A wry smile curls the older woman's lip as she responds "It's a date, Votud(!)… For now though, I believe we need to get out of this oppressive heat and find a way of dressing modestly without collapsing from hyperthermia(!)" she then turns to me and dips her head to say "I apologise for dishonouring you with accusations as well, Ma'am."
I give a relieved smile and answer "It's no problem at all, Chieftainess! I apologise that we failed to warn you of this cultural difference. It's completely understandable that you would be startled!… My companions will show you inside. Please make yourselves comfortable. I'll ask Doctor MacLeod or someone to have a look at designing some clothing that will suit your needs shortly." extending my hand to the nice, cool habitat.
The band file off toward it with Jae and Yasmin both doing a little jog to get ahead of them and lead the way.
Votd follows behind, fixing Qulnak with an admiring gaze.
"*Phew*!!!" I sigh.
"That was a little nerve wracking, huh?" Lhamo smiles, walking to my side, her husband's midriff at the level of her head as he looms along behind her.
"Definitely wasn't expecting the first diplomatic snafu to be Twigg-on-Twigg! I thought Terran-on-Vrakhand was a sure thing!"
"Yes, the Twigg we first encountered did give an impression of an exceedingly carefree species… It makes total sense, though, that there would be culture clashes(!) What we're doing is pretty much the equivalent of throwing Ancient Romans, Aksumites, Guptas, Wei, Srivijayans, Puebloans, Mayans and Mochicas together in the 3rd Century and asking them to represent Earth!" smirks Lhamo.
"I'm fairly sure it's not that bad." states her husband, dryly "From what I know of your people's history, I think there would already have been blood spilled in the scenario you just described(!)"
"Hey…!" she grins up at him "Only Terrans get to make jokes about Terrans being crazy and/or violent, darling(!)"
Turning to meet her gaze while maintaining his deadpan, he asks "And having been in a relationship with a Terran woman for more than 25 years, being married to that same Terran, having spent the majority of the War held prisoner on a Terran world, speaking two Terran languages, having three half Terran children and having undergone deathworldifying gene therapy counts fooor…(?)"
Still grinning, she answers "Jack shit I'm afraid, darling(!)"
I snort.
That's the first time I've heard this rather dainty woman swear!… At least, I think. She's speaking Tibetan, which isn't one of my languages, but translators tend to be quite good at matching the level of vulgarity intended… or signposting a mismatch at least.
The giant man sighs mirthfully as his wife turns her impish grin to me.
"Let's hope that a little misunderstanding about sexual forwardness is as bad as it gets…" she muses "…I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little apprehensive about meeting the council of Vrakhand tomorrow, though!… The General tells me that this is the first time in their known history every Broodking and their Generals have all been in the same room! Even in their unification war, there wasn't a council like this!"
"Yes… a little uninvited face licking might look positively cute by this time tomorrow(!)" I answer.