Page 44 of Pirate By Parrot

“Uh, when they start packing on the weight, they want shredded meat. Ration packs are fine.” Addy smiled. “When they told me a giant blue alien had my Yaluthu, I confess, I wanted to blast you out of the sky.”

“Well, I am glad you didn’t. Vendar would be upset that he has been nosey and tried to get me into his space.”

The human’s eyes flashed, and the voice was different.“Beloved of Vendar, it is good you are here. His solitude has not been good for him. Even our kind suffers from lack of social interaction. Vendar has always been with his people. When he lost them, it hurt him.”

Addy’s eyes flickered. “Well, that was Iratho. He rarely takes over.” She sighed. “Rumble wants to see his offspring. Can we meet at a neutral site?”

Mel paused. “Ves?”

“We will continue on to our destination. I will send them arrival information, and the proof of life can be held there.”

“Okay.”

Addy smiled. “Got it. We will meet you there.”

The call disconnected, and Whee nuzzled her, chirping in concern. Pohloh and Marko preened each other happily. The concern wasn’t shared.

“They are making plans to arrest you upon your landing on Possitt II.”

“Oh. Well, that sucks. She seemed so nice.”

“Adelheid is a world breaker.”

“What?”

“She creates a concussive blast that can crack worlds.”

“Oh. So, that would hurt.”

“You would survive it, but it would ache a bit.” Ves sighed. “Agree to their terms, and I will sort it with Iratho.”

“Are you doing that right now?”

“I am. His female avatar is being told that her Yaluthu is upset and worried for his children. She is acting on that worry.”

“I can understand that. I feel that way about Marko.” She reached up and stroked her big buddy.

She leaned back. “So, what am I wearing to Possitt II?”

Ves laughed. “One of the dresses that you got at the station would be appropriate, as would one of the suits I made you.”

She smiled. “I am going to compromise. How long until we arrive?”

“Three days. Plenty of time for you to get familiar with your new additions. The dispensers have been altered so that the Yaluthu can get themselves food if hungry.”

“I am going to keep plenty of it around the ship. If they grow like I did, food is what will build them up.” She smiled. “It will also give them endorphins to help them ignore the pain.”

Ves asked. “You were in pain?”

“Oh, yes. My bones ached. Every muscle, every tendon. It all hurt. I was nearly doubled in size, and I am three or four times my standard Terran weight.”

She shrugged. “It hurts because growing hurts, and I am going to try and ease it for the Yaluthu.” She stroked Whee. “Right, Whee?”

Whee chirped excitedly, and Mel got up with the entire menagerie and headed back to the dining area.

She put her arm down, and Whee slid down with her signature sound. Pohloh jumped, and Marko was behind her, ushering her along.

Mel got food out for the littles, and Marko ground it up for both of them until they were sitting in front of enormous piles of crushed grain.

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