The Varkari

Meeting

Life with Konderick and Exer proved to be more enjoyable than I thought it would be. One source of entertainment was the random foods they would present me with. Sometimes there were prepackaged items varying from oatmeal cream pies to vacuum sealed summer sausages, even a small cup of garlic butter from Dominos made its way to the table. Other times, I received raw produce like a banana or turnip and a chunk of raw meat that I was assured was not from a human being.

Cooking was not necessarily a new thing to them, because they were taught to make jerky as children, or kits as they called it, and to cook the otherwise poisonous meat of a few species on their planet. However, pasta, rice, grilled cheese, and pizza were all fascinating concepts during the creation process. Konderick especially enjoyed watching me at the stove, testing its fortitude and capabilities, and he begrudgingly try most things.

That usually ended up with him politely hacking it out into a bin, or grimacing. Oddly, the few things other than shellfish and meats that he seemed to enjoy were raisins and dark chocolate, but I assumed they were high in iron or bitter enough that it was similar to blood.

Exer worked most days in the "Center" of their city, putting his engineering specialities to the test. Often, he brought back data or images of human structures or machines on his "tabs," or holographic screen projected by a thin piece of metal, and asked if I could explain some things.

"So you study muggles?" I joked, when he asked me to explain the difference between diesel and gasoline varieties.

Immediately, he began typing. "You call this class of compounds muggles?"

"Ugh," I slapped my forehead. "No, it is a pop culture reference. Diesel is thicker and for more heavy machinery. Gasoline is lighter and more vehicles use it. I can't tell you about the chemistry on that, though, just that if you put the wrong one in a vehicle, it can be bad."

"Ah. Basic combustion engines, then. I thought there may be alternative uses. And, ah, I have also found images of these, which I assume are broadcasting towers for emergencies? They are only now beginning to fail."

I peered down at the picture on the screen and almost giggled. "No. Those are lighthouses. They tell ships that there is land there so they won't crash."

Exer made a face. "Why would they crash into the land?"

I shrugged.

"It truly is a wonder that your species has survived for as long as it has. Pah!" He threw his hands up dramatically. "Besides all of that, I have brought you informal attire from a store that is scheduled for demolition. It said that it was comfortable and for a lounge, but you appear to dislike the standard garments." He pulled a pair of sweatpants out of his bag and offered them to me with a hideous sweater. They were both in a size larger than my own, but I would not complain for a minute about wearing something other than my nipple-broadcasting, breeder dress.

"Thank you, Exer! This is amazing. I will wear it constantly!"

"I am sure you mean this as flattery, but it must not be worn outside our quarters or in the presence of visitors," he warned.

"I don't go anywhere, so it probably won't matter."

He bobbed his head once slowly. "Yes, that is because you were injured. There is a meeting tomorrow and I have been asked to bring my mate as the others do. Konderick will not be able to attend."

I gulped. "What happens at this meeting?" My eyes were as wide as they could go as I raced through a list of imaginary situations; human sacrifice, another auction, trading me off to another male... Had I done something wrong? Had I-