When a supposed flapjack destroys Jekkh's planet, she relocates to a whole new system to start a new life. But after discovering her planet's long-lost artifact, Jekkh must step into a role she feels unfit for and unite her scattered people across t...
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RIIRII X'EAA
Jekkh was once again in the presence of Emperor Kaalii in the Rose Throne Room, though this time her parents were with her. At first, she was rather glad of their company, feeling safer, even though she had to sit on the right hand of Kaalii. It was a bit too close for comfort. The emperor and her father were having a stare-down as they sat on opposite sides of the table. To make things more awkward, Cahlun and Janet had been invited to sit down between Miaalllaa and Piaannnoo. General Oonta had seated himself at the emperor's left.
"Aren't you all so reaks?" Emperor Kaalii said finally, clasping his baby hands together.
General Oonta leaned forward, into Jekkh's view, staring oddly at the emperor. "Your Highest Honor, I don't think we are receiving what you are outputting."
"Oh, I was just saying how cute these little Jeroaans are." The green-toned Riian ruler squinted his eyes, smiling wider. Jekkh didn't know who he was calling little. Kaalii was shorter than she was.
She just smiled. "Thank you."
"Yes, we thank you for your hospitality, Your Highest Honor," Piaannnoo said, returning his attention to his plate before him. Jekkh's father grasped his cutlery in his hands, cutting at the indiscernible steak. Jekkh and her mother followed him to cut into the thick piece of meat. Jekkh hoped it wasn't the ulff meat from the hideous rugs. It was tough. Tougher than any meat Jekkh had eaten on Jjjeeerrroooaaaa.
General Oonta coughed, pausing their meat-slicing efforts. Jekkh leaned over to watch him nod his round, bald, light blue head to the emperor who was narrowing his eyes. Jekkh looked to her father for a clue of what was going on, but he just shrugged, placing a piece of steak into his mouth, chewing slowly and very audibly.
Glancing between the emperor and Piaannnoo, Jekkh tried to discern what was going on. The Riian ruler leaned his head forward before leaning back, mouth agape. Piaannnoo just stared at him, trying to chew his bite as discreetly as possible, but Jekkh guessed that the steak was just about as easy to chew as it was to cut—not easy at all.
General Oonta cleared his throat, sounding much like a sputtering engine. "On Riirii X'Eaa, the planet on which you are currently residing, one does not eat before the emperor." Jekkh leaned forward to look at the qeet'taan, her eyes widening. He gulped. "It is considered rude, unthankful, and—" he paused to cough, "treasonous."
Jekkh's heart stopped for a moment. She stared at her father who continued to chew his bite slowly, though this time, his eyes were wide as plates. He covered his mouth his his napkin, holding a finger up to signal to wait.
