Page 5 of Rings and Wings and Stardust Things

Savannah listened intently, her eyes locked on my face. Emboldened, I pressed on.

“As for his bride...” My voice trailed off as I considered how little I truly knew of Sharlar Lukrok. Our families had been estranged for so long, their union more of a strategic business merger than a love match. “Truthfully, I haven’t laid eyes on Sharlar since she was a mere hatchling. The rift between our bloodlines runs deep.”

A trace of surprise crossed Savannah’s features.

“Then why marry at all?” she asked, her question hanging in the air, her green eyes searching mine with a curious intensity.

I exhaled slowly, clicking my beak in frustration.

“It’s...complicated,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “You see, our families have long held positions of power and influence on Teloril. For generations, we’ve shaped the technological advancements that have propelled our civilization forward.”

A slight frown creased Savannah’s brow as she processed my explanation. Her earnest attentiveness was endearing, even in the face of such convoluted cultural norms.

Pressing on, I continued, “However, our standing is now threatened by the arrival of a new family: the Kenii. They’ve amassed considerable wealth and are quickly gaining traction within the highest echelons of our society.”

Savannah nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing as the pieces began to fall into place. “So it's a strategic alliance of sorts? But what of Helko and Sharlar's feelings on the matter?”

“Irrelevant, I'm afraid.” The words tasted bitter on my tongue. “They'll do their duty, as is expected of them.”

An uncomfortable silence stretched between us, thick with unvoiced thoughts and conflicting perspectives. Just as I feared the weight of it might smother us both, our server arrived with steaming bowls of bisque, providing a welcome reprieve.

I watched, rapt, as Savannah sampled her first bite of Teloriln cuisine. Her eyes widened, then drifted closed in evident bliss as the flavors danced across her tongue. A soft hum of appreciation vibrated in her throat, and suddenly, all the lingering tension bled away.

In that moment, she was simply Savannah—not a human, not an offworlder, but a fellow being savoring one of life's simple pleasures. And I, the jaded soul so accustomed to seeing everything through a lens of duty and obligation, was utterly transfixed.

Perhaps, I mused as I joined her in indulging in the bisque's rich flavors, this human might just open my eyes to experiences I'd never thought to appreciate before.

SAVANNAH

Istared at the broad, shallow dish in front of me, trying to figure out how I was supposed to drink from it. The waiter had simply set it down and walked away, leaving me to puzzle over the strange receptacle.

My gaze shifted to Ryon, watching as he effortlessly lowered his beak into the liquid, the grooved indentation in the dish allowing him to drink comfortably. It was such a natural motion for him, a stark reminder that despite his humanoid form, he was still very much an alien.

As I furrowed my brow in concentration, Ryon must have noticed my struggle. With a few quick words to the waiter, he had a more traditional glass brought over for me, the kind I was accustomed to using back on Earth.

“I should have realized,” he said, his voice a gentle thrum that did something deep in my belly. “Humans aren't built for our dining customs.”

I felt a flush of embarrassment creep up my cheeks, but Ryon's considerate gesture quickly put me at ease. “Thank you,” I replied, offering him a quick smile. “It's going to take me a bit to get used to the differences here.”

As the waiter placed our dishes in front of us, the aroma of the food made my mouth water. My dish resembled a stir-fry, a colorful array of vegetables and what looked like some kind of protein. Ryon's plate, however, held small, round rice balls, each one intricately stuffed with various vegetables.

“What are those?” I asked, nodding towards his dish. “They look delicious.”

Ryon's eyes brightened, and he picked up one of the rice balls with his chopsticks, holding it out to me. “These are called zara. Please, try one.”

I reached out to take the offered morsel, but Ryon pulled his hand back slightly, a concerned look crossing his features. “Wait, let me check the spices first.” He studied the rice ball closely, then selected a different one from his plate. “This one should be safe for your human physiology.”

The care and consideration he showed for my well-being touched me deeply. So often, I found myself having to advocate for my own needs, reminding others of the differences between us. But Ryon seemed genuinely invested in ensuring my comfort and safety, even going so far as to research what a human could and couldn't consume.

As I took the zara from him and popped it into my mouth, the flavors exploded on my tongue – savory, with a hint of sweetness, and just a touch of something else I couldn't quite place. It was delicious, and I found myself reaching for another without hesitation.

“This is amazing,” I said between bites. “Thank you for making sure it was something I could enjoy.”

Ryon's beak curved into what I could only interpret as a pleased expression, and he began explaining the various ingredients and cooking methods used in traditional zara preparation. As he spoke, I found myself captivated not only by the information he was sharing but by the way his eyes seemed to light up with genuine enthusiasm.

For a brief moment, I allowed myself to simply bask in the experience – the tantalizing flavors, the soothing cadence of Ryon's voice, the warmth of his attentive presence. It was easy to forget, in that instant, the circumstances that had brought me here, the lingering doubts and uncertainties that had plagued me for so long.

But then dinner was over, and the job, complications and all, awaited.

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