Arynthe's Story

Illegal substances

6 br.

I wrapped my cloak tightly around myself as I made my way through the crowded promenade. I had painted my face to look like a Tesil, so I wouldn't be killed. At moments like these I felt like I almost knew what a normal life felt like. Around me I heard aliens chatting and laughing. If I didn't hate aliens so much, I would've named it a happy mood. 

I entered a bar on my right. My left hand reached in my pocket to make sure I still had all my gemstones. This night I'd have a decent meal for a change. It was about time. 

"Hey, you!" a low voice called. 
I turned to him reflexively. "What do you want?" I asked in Tesilian, and a little too mean.
The man I had turned to was yellow with  little brown spots and he had four arms. I had seen these people before. Their weakness was their slow reflexes. He bent over to me said softly: "You're Ashirian, aren't you?" 
"No," I said, "I'm a Tesil. Do I look like a murderer to you?" 

I clenched my hand around the handle of my blade, that I hid under my cloak. If he was going to accuse and attack me, I had to defend myself. 

"Don't worry, I won't kill you," the man said. "My name's Wehjo. Come to my place, then we can talk."
"I'm Shela," I said. Whoever he was, he didn't need to know my real name.

I followed him. I know it sounds stupid, but with less people around I'd be in less danger if he decided to attack me anyway. I kept my blade in my hand and tried to resist the urge to scratch. Wehjo lived in a small hut at the end of the promenade. When I entered I instinctively positioned myself in front of the table, so that it covered my back but didn't limit my escape if necessary. 

"You're good, lady," Wehjo said. "I think most untrained people would never have figured it out. Even your way of moving was correct. And then your reaction! I almost started doubting myself." 
"You're weird," I simply said. 
Wehjo laughed. He pressed the button of his intercom and said: "Tijgh, can you bring a bowl of finto and two plates, please?"
"It's that time again, isn't it?" Tijgh said. His voice was high and overly dramatic. "Ready in a few minutes, sir!"

I looked around carefully. The place seemed safe enough. Even if I had to use violence to get out of here, people outside wouldn't see it. 

"Do you bring more Ashirians here?" I asked.
"Sometimes," Wehjo replied. "I usually give them a good meal and talk to them for a while. Exactly what they need to keep going for a while. Some food, some rest, some socialness. It's sad that I can't do more."
I nodded. "I know. Helping Ashirians is illegal."
Wehjo laughed. "That has never been a problem to me. I do what's right, not what's legal."
"You're a criminal?" I asked disbelieving. "Do you steal?" 
"No," the man laughed again. "I'm not that brave. I just sell illegal substances."

Another alien walked in. He put a big bowl of finto and two plates on the table behind me, nodded to me and walked out again. 

"Illegal substances?" I chuckled. "How can substances be illegal?"
"Girl, I wonder every day."

He put some finto on the two plates and moved one of them to me. I pretty much attacked the food. I wouldn't have to worry that it was poisoned, because he was eating it too. There was nothing that was poisonous for Ashirians and not for their species. I knew because I tested. 

Wehjo started talking again. "They say it's wrong because it can be dangerous and it can be addictive and that's unhealthy and all that. But do you know what I see enter this place? Sad people. You know what I see walk out of here? Happy people. And you know how important happiness is to your health."
I couldn't deny that.
"A man needs income," he said, "and I earn my money by helping people deal with life. It's hard enough as it is, isn't it?" 
I nodded and licked some last bits of aluminum off my plate. "If there's one girl who knows that..." I laughed. "But always keep laughing. My father would say, laughter keeps one alive!"