Page 77 of Right Next Door
The next day, early in the morning, the meeting took place in Glass Manor. There was a large meeting room on the first floor that Tsok opened for all of them. It had a wide, ‘U’ shaped table with multiple seats and a big combot that came down from the ceiling that acted as a projector. It was currently on standbymode, projecting some lazily twisting circle that floated around the space in 3D like a floater in her eye.
Tsok and Misty arrived early, but somehow not before the Imperium themselves. They had a new cover today, this one a rainbow of pink, purple, and orange with another scene on it, though it was one she didn't recognize. It appeared to be a giant beast hovering over a shiny crystal. Very fantastical and beautiful with golden thread woven through the scales of the monster, making it shine.
They weren’t at the table when Misty and Tsok walked in together. Instead, their combot appeared to be communicating with the projector.
“Welcome,” the Imperium greeted as they walked inside, like it was their meeting room. “I’ve moved the chair at the head to make space for myself. Feel free to sit anywhere else.”
There it was.
They acted so humble and soft spoken, Misty had trouble matching up that person with the idea of a Great Ruler Over Literally All. But she saw it there, in that simple sentence. Though this was Tsok’s manor, Tsok’s meeting room, Tsok’s planet, the High Imperium was the one encouraging him to sit wherever he liked. It was polite, but it very clearly showed that the Imperium was the one in charge here, despite everything else.
Tsok gave them a look, but it wasn’t the affront she expected from someone having their space claimed. Instead, it was… contrition. LikeTsokmight have done something wrong. “I’m sorry that you beat us down here, your excellency. I was hoping to be first so we could make sure it was all set up correctly.”
“I simply needed to borrow your projector.” The High Imperium floated away from the projector combot where itfloated on the ceiling. “I’ve finished what I need. Feel free to do what you need.”
With that, they moved to the head ofthe table, to a space where a chair used to be, and just kind of… stood there. Floated there? They didn't move down like they had taken a seat. They didn't move at all, even when Davard came in with water that he began setting out along the table. Or when he came back with some light finger foods that he also passed out. Even when the guests arrived – seniors and workers and Vigo as well.
Surprised to see the creator of True Match and his mate, Misty waved at them as people began picking seats. Chatting amicably to each other. No one approached the High Imperium – who remained as still and silent as a statue.
Senior Boktare and his mate were among the last to arrive. The older male was also the only one who approached the Imperium and greeted them. Though they didn't move, the High Imperium promptly returned their greeting in a polite tone, ruling out the idea that they had just gone to sleep while waiting for everyone.
Tsok and Misty took one side of the Imperium – Vigo and his mate Jeanie beside them. Boktare and his mate Fia took their other side. The other seniors and lawmakers filled in the rest of the table. There were no other mates here, but there were some aids, standing back with hands poised in the air, ready to take notes off their personal combots.
Because even though they arrived without a lot of fanfare, this was still the Headest of Head Honchos come to speak with them. They didn't want to risk missing anything.
“Thank you all for coming and indulging me,” the High Imperium finally started once everyone was seated, bringing the low-level chatter to an instant halt, like they’d flipped a switch on a speaker. “I understand that this is quite abnormal for me, so I appreciate your attention.”
“We are happy to have you,” Tsok assured them, speaking for the room. Because that was his role as the char of his people. He was the one who spoke to the universe, and he was their representative to this, their excellency, the High Imperium themselves. “I will admit, we are curious. It is not like you to come to visit the member planets like this.”
“And ordinarily, I would not. My people have agreed that it is best to let the species of the Coalition flourish under their own power, without guidance from us as though we were some kind of central authority. The Coalition is meant to be a group of allies. Of equals. It is never our intention as vitulli to believe we canruleover you. That, I believe, is what allowed us to have such a deep bond for as long as we have.”
Misty had never been one for politics or boring speeches. She tuned out during her own high school graduation, and that had been of a class of about sixty people, not even that long. But she was locked in right now, listening with great interest as the Imperium spoke.
Itwaskind of strange, she acknowledged for the first time, that so many species across so many planets – more than two hundred – had been friends and allies for so long. Or at all. But their ruler was admitting that they weren’t their ruler, so it made a bit more sense. There was no authority to buck here, because the authority in question wasn’t acting like an authority. Everyone in the Coalition maintained their autonomy. In that case, his visit here was even more informal than she thought.
Oh. Maybe that’s why there hadn’t been a parade or a big landing ceremony or a bunch of people gathered to meet them. They deliberately didn’t want people to acknowledge them as some kind of greater authority on the member planets.
“What did you need to speak with us about?” Tsok asked, getting right to the heart of the matter.
“It is about True Match.” As the Imperium spoke, the projector changed. Instead of the lazily twisting circle, it became the logo for True Match. The bold, simple letters of True, and the flowy, more cursive letters of Match – where the ‘M’ was shaped reminiscent of a heart. “I must say, I find it humorously ironic that the only species in the Coalition that actively rejects the very idea of mating at all is the same one that developed a mate scanning system.”
Misty had to fight back a chuckle as the others around the room shared glances. Clearly, the irony wasn’t lost on them either. Though, they seemed to find it less amusing.
“It is a useful system,” Senior Boktare said, interrupting the uneasy silence of the others. “If our people know who our mates are supposed to be, they can be avoided.”
“Or sought out in safety,” Tsok added immediately, tone hard. “As I have clearly demonstrated.”
“One case does not a pattern make,” Boktare countered, his voice tired like they’d already had this argument plenty of times already. “You are a male of impeachable moral character, Char Tsok. You cannot really expect every male of our society to have your will. That is who these procedures and policies are made for. We do this so we can protect our females. We do it for Her.”
Misty frowned, leaning forward to give him a look. To give his mate a look. They both had frowns on their faces, but she could tell they were holding hands under the table. Getting strength from each other. She thought it was rather hypocritical of them to condemn others for something they already got to enjoy.
She could admit that maybe their mating didn't have a completely consensual start, but they were clearly enjoying all the benefits of matehood now while denying it to everyone else. Maybe it would be different if they refused to stay together, but they clearly liked and relied on each other for support.
“It appears that Misty has something to say.”
The Imperium’s amused voice made her start in surprise. She leaned back quickly, fixing an apologetic smile on her face. “Sorry, er…? Excellency. I was just listening.”
“Very well, apparently.” How did that robotic voice sound like it was laughing? For something artificial, it did a great job of portraying tone.
