Book One: Onnu and Pannu

Sense and Sensitivity

The chefs and craftsmen were equally appalled and amazed that Onnu actually liked what they'd designated aloam (alum and aloe combined).
   "If we ever find a way to craft a cup my size, I would happily try a tea made with the bark. The leaves are... interesting, but best eaten on their own."
   Then she thought of using the bark the way you would use turmeric. "I know we can't grate it, but... what? Why do you look at me so? We have extensively discovered that different kin taste plants differently."
   "And animals," an orc named Burt Rock reminded her, when dragonfriend had translated. He had gotten into the habit of doing so, if he was nearby, without even noticing.
   "Right. It stands to reason that the largest of us would barely taste the bitterness that deters everyone else. Plants wouldn't want just anyone to eat them, would they? It's just like hot peppers being spicy, so animals won't want to eat them."
   The giant who'd settled on Hammer Brawn, instead of his raunchy D&D character, laughed when he heard what she said. "Except we ate 'em anyway!"
   "Yeah, some of us did. And some of us couldn't, probably because of that defense mechanism," Amber Quill snapped. The elf was still a bit touchy. Her body on Earth-that-was had been riddled with digestive issues, which had made her timid with food on this world. She had yet to discover any allergies, but she wouldn't let her guard down. It was probably best, given how little they knew, so few kin teased her for it.
   Onnu was fair game, some thought, because even Pannu disliked aloam bark. She shrugged it off, and wondered instead how they could make her a cup. The smaller kin had discovered a handful of tea varieties she wanted to try, once they could cultivate an entire crop of it.
   "The scale you're talking, no pun intended, would take up an entire dragonhold of crops. We don't have the space to grow anything in enough quantities to feed a dragon. Heck, we barely have enough to feed the rest of us, if the grass stops growing!"
   "Chet's got a good point, Onnu ma'am. I've been doing the math, and we're scraping by, from day to day. I've been meaning to suggest we start specializing into different Holds, to diversify our foodstuffs." This was from Tandy Tally, one of the kin native to the planet, who'd taken it upon herself to keep track of their supplies and output. It was born out of a concern for their continued survival. How did they keep so many kin fed, when there was just enough room for the dragons to move around?
   Onnu nodded. "I had this thought as well, but wasn't certain how to spread out the impact of our numbers."
   Tandy perked up. "Right! So I was thinking we could have one for farming, which of course would have to be for grazing and harvesting the grasses first, or we won't be able to plant anything--"
   "There is a Hold that is barren," Onnu interrupted. "However, I have seen plenty more that have quite overgrown, that we can graze at length."
   "We'll have to check for sleeping and storage niches," dragonfriend pointed out.
   "And water," Chet chimed in.
   Onnu held one claw in the air. "It sounds like some exploring is in order. Tandy, make a list of what Holds we may need. Chet, see if Stan and Stella are willing to help you find water--"
   "Me?" he squeaked.
   "You have been our chief farming kin. I would trust you to assess water and soil quality, and Stella has a knack for finding water. She must've been a retriever of some kind," she chuckled.
   "Berda, you can look for niches and see who they'll fit." Onnu knew that the dwarf had been instrumental in making the Bowl habitable, though she of course hadn't acted alone. When dragonfriend relayed her request, Berda Bedwinner perked up.
   "Bones, you find out what the skitter flitter situation is. Ask Chet what's bad for crops. Those will be fair game for hunting while the farmers plant their crops. If he says there's a beneficial critter, leave it alone."
   Many catkin relished this new challenge. They hadn't hunted their Bowl bare, but the restraint gnawed at them. They felt a need to eradicate every skitter and flitter, though they couldn't say why.
   "Clay, tag along and see if there are new materials. If you need more crystal-cover, just ask, and I'll see if music loosens it any. Maybe we can do one spire at a time, eh?"
   The ogre rubbed his hands happily. It was probably silly to be obsessed with materials and crafting, but he didn't care. It was his Thing. The thing that got him up in the morning. Everybody needed a Thing.
   "Now, since that's only four kin in the first survey, winged ones are more than welcome to provide transportation, except for Chet. One of us can carry him. However, should any of you decide that a larger team is in order, again, one of us can ferry you to the different Holds. I recommend no more than two surveys per day, to ensure thorough inspections without being stranded.
   "As always, these are suggestions, more than orders. I just figured the loudest voice could make them, and let y'all do with it what you will."
   And, as usual, she lay down to let them discuss.
   Her friend had begun to see that it was probably best not to just order them around. Not that he ever really thought she should, but now that they were out of immediate danger, her constant deferral no longer grated on him. They'd gotten into politics now. Diplomacy was more important than speed, and he'd never excelled at the former.
   The funny thing was, Onnu also didn't think herself particularly good at it, either, but she seemed to be doing okay so far. It was the reason she never made demands, outside of life or death situations. She thought that if they always had a choice, they couldn't get mad at her. It wasn't foolproof, she knew, but that was her way. They were free to reject her suggestions, and she was free to make them.