by Uhura's Song
"Wait," said Uhura to the pair- and, more loudly, "Jinx, please don't go! Please!" To her relief, Jinx stopped, waited with frightened eyes. Uhura looked again at the two young ones. "Listen carefully," she said to them. "This is one custom of my own by which I must abide. I do not know Jinx, but she has never done anything to harm me. I don't know what she has done to hurt you, little one...."
The little gray Sivaoan lashed her tail and said, with a sullen look at CopperEye, "Jinx hasn't hurt me!"
"Then why.?"
"She's just Jinx," CopperEye said, as if that explained everything.
Uhura wondered if it did. "CopperEye, a long time ago- long before your grandmother's grandmother was born- people might have said that of me. There were people then who would, without even knowing so much about me as my name, have told me to go away because of the color of my skin."
That brought about the ears-back look of pure amazement from all of them. "But everybody has different-colored skin. Look!" He turned his palms up- so did the rest. One of CopperEye's palms was gray, the other pink. His friend's were pink with three black fingers. "That would be silly!"
"Yes, it would. And it would be just as silly for me to turn Jinx away because 'She's just Jinx'. I want to get to know her before I decide I don't like her." Uhura raised her head to address Jinx directly. "Maybe I'll find a friend."
Jinx's ears perked, then flicked back in surprise. "Will you come, Jinx, and tell me how to be polite in your custom?" She looked down at the two others. "Will you invite her, too? To share the joy of a song is to double it."
CopperEye looked at Uhura, at his friend and then at Jinx. "Come on, Jinx"- he nudged his friend with his tail- "Say something to her, SilverTail. It's your fault!"
"Is not," said SilverTail, her tail lashing. But she too turned and said, "Please come, Jinx. I'm sorry I was stupid. CopperEye makes me say stupid things all the time."
The outrageousness of this got her cuffed again and ended in a knock-down, drag-out fight between the two. By the time the fight had come to its natural end, Jinx had pulled together the courage to join the group. Some moved a little away from her, Uhura saw, but CopperEye- alternately washing his shoulder and SilverTail's-said, "You tell her, Jinx. She's a bard and she doesn't know she's a bard."
Uhura looked up at the young female who seemed so like Sunfall of Ennien.
"Among our people," Jinx began, "a bard is a very special person. Isn't this true among your people as well?"
"Yes," said Uhura, "but I'm not a bard, not professionally. I sing because I love to sing."
"Then, forgive me, but there's something wrong with the way you use the word- if you love to sing and you sing with such beauty, then by our standards you're a bard."
"All right," said Uhura, smiling. "What must I do- as a bard- to follow your customs?"
"You sang a song for CopperEye- at his request. Now he wishes to know what he may do for you in return."
Uhura spread her hands. "I have no idea what sort of return to ask, CopperEye. I don't know the fair return for a song on your world."
CopperEye said, "I can gather wood for your fire, or get water for your cooking pot, or- I know where the best silverberries are"- this caused a mild sensation - "and I could pick you a basketful."
Uhura turned it all over in her mind. The group waited breathlessly for her to choose. At last, she said, "Could you help me learn your language, CopperEye? Would that be fair?"
"But you speak our language!"
Uhura shook her head and explained the universal translator in the simplest possible terms. Then she turned it off to demonstrate. Amazement ran through their ears in great waves of movement.
CopperEye said something and Jinx translated in the Old Tongue, which Uhura did understand. "He says that's fair."
"Good," said Uhura. "Would you be kind enough to ask him how to say, 'What is that called?'"
Jinx did and CopperEye said something, pronouncing it very slowly and clearly. Uhura repeated it, adding to Jinx, "Please, ask him to correct me if I get it wrong. I have no wish to learn half way."
Jinx translated. CopperEye nodded at Uhura, solemnly.
Uhura turned the translator back on. "I will make the same agreement with all of you," she said. "I will sing whenever you ask me if, in return, you will all help me learn your language." She smiled. "I shall wander all over your camp, pointing and saying, 'What is that called?'- and I shall make a terrible nuisance of myself, I promise. I shall be worse than your brother or sister because I have to be told everything. And, probably, I shall have to be told everything three times. Are my songs worth that much trouble in return?"
"Oh, yes!" said CopperEye and, to Uhura's immense joy, there seemed to be general agreement on that subject.
"Good," she said. "Then you must first teach me how to ask for a song, so I'll understand you when you do. And then you will tell your names for different kinds of song, so I can sing one that will please you."
Uhura sang for hours and for hours the children taught her their language. Once, she asked Jinx to explain a word. Jinx looked at her in surprise. Uhura said, instantly, "I'm sorry, Jinx. I thought you agreed to the bargain as well."
Ears still back, Jinx said, "I didn't know I was included."
"Of course you are. I thought that was understood. Will you help me learn in return for songs?"
"Oh, yes!" Her silver gray tail looped in pure joy.
Soon the afternoon sun began to beat down, and they all moved to the shade of the forest. Several of the younger ones wandered off to do chores, to be replaced by others who, apprised of the bargain, readily agreed to join in.
"You have not eaten," Jinx pointed out at last. "We should give her a rest," she announced to the others. "Even the best bard's voice tires."
With all the expected reluctance of children, they agreed, and the crowd slowly dissipated back to camp. Jinx lingered behind.
Uhura put away her joyeuse, rose and stretched her cramped muscles. "What is it, Jinx?" she asked. The young female was disturbed about something. "What troubles you?"
"Would you- would you eat with me?" Jinx seemed to steel herself for a refusal.
"I'd be delighted," said Uhura. "It's very sweet of you to invite me." Jinx seemed so startled by this that for a moment Uhura was afraid she might bolt like a frightened deer. She didn't, so Uhura said, "Please, lead the way." Jinx did, her step light, almost dancing now. Her resemblance to Sunfall was even more marked in the supple grace of her movements. Uhura fought back tears at the thought.
By the time they reached Jinx's tent, Uhura had regained her control, but Jinx seemed to give her a questioning look nonetheless.
Jinx ushered her in and pointed to a camp stool. When Uhura began to thank her, she said, "Rest and eat first. We'll exchange news later, when your throat is soothed." She brought out brightly colored bowls and an array of fruits and smoked meat, untwisting the latter from ornamental strips hung to one side of the tent. She said, "This is all food you can eat without harm. Catchclaw and I both checked it with her sensors. But I won't be offended if you double-check."
"I'll take your word for it, Jinx." She smiled. "Evan says you and Catchclaw might grumble about our odd physiology, but you wouldn't do us any harm."
"First rule of good medicine," Jinx said, then, with an air of conspiracy, she added, "She had me show her emergency medical techniques for a Sivaoan, and she showed me what to do for you or Mr. Spock."
"That doesn't surprise me. Evan doesn't seem the type to pass up any kind of knowledge if it's available."
"She offers it, as well, I mean. You all do."
"People must learn from each other, Jinx. If that weren't important, why would there be so many differences in the universe?"
Jinx shook her head. "I don't know.... You aren't eating. Are our senses of taste so different that you find it bad?"
"Oh, no. I'm resting and thinking."
"Then eat while you rest and think."
Uhura smiled and o
beyed. They ate together in silence and, the food gone- Uhura had been hungry and the food good- they sat awhile in the same comfortable silence. Uhura found it a pleasure to relax for a time.
At last, Jinx stretched. It was a lavish production, one Uhura had seen Sunfall perform many a time, and it involved each muscle in her body. Uhura watched Jinx's skin ripple with the pleasure. "A good stretch," Sunfall had once said, "will do as much for your body as a good song will do for your heart."
Jinx said, "I hope you will forgive me for asking- I don't know your people and their smells well- but contrary to your smell you seem unhappy. Do you wish to leave my company?"
"Oh no! I am more at ease here than I have been for a long time. I am sad only- only because you remind me so of a friend." She had to say as much but she did not say any more.
"Is that why you asked if I was 'of Ennien'?" At Uhura's nod of confirmation, Jinx hesitated a moment and then went on, "You said you brought news of my relatives.... Will you tell me?"
"I would like to very much," Uhura answered carefully, "but when I first spoke to you, Winding Path cuffed you. When Captain Kirk tried to speak of the matter, he was cuffed."
"I won't hit you. I give you my word in Old Tongue."
"It's not me I'm worried about. I have no wish to cause you trouble with your people."
Jinx grasped her tail and shook it. "StarFreedom, you have seen how my people treat me. In fact, aside from Catchclaw, you are the only person who has ever tried to help me. You can't possibly get me in any more trouble than I'm in for being Jinx.... Please tell me your news. I must know."
Uhura looked her up and down, from the tips of her quivering ears to her claws, sunk into the useful beneath her. She was in earnest and to deny her would hurt her deeply. To tell her might just help Sunfall. Captain Kirk had told her to use her own judgment and, to her, no other decision was possible. She reached into her utility pouch and brought out the photograph of Sunfall of Ennien. Tears filled her eyes and she wiped them hastily away. She motioned Jinx to her side.
Jinx took the picture she held out and looked. "She's very beautiful," she said.
Uhura opened her mouth to speak and the words caught in her throat. She took a deep breath and tried again. "Her name is Sunfall, Sunfall of Ennien. I don't know if you have seen yourself in a mirror or in a painting or reflected in a lake, Jinx, but you could be her younger sister. You have that same beauty. That's why I spoke to you and asked if you were of Ennien."
"She looks born to-Ennien," Jinx confirmed. "'A tail so long it can be angry and delighted at the same time'. But you keep saying 'of Ennien'."
"She lives on another world, Jinx, a long way from here. It is their custom to name themselves of Ennien, of Vensre. I suppose it's because they knew they could no longer go to Ennien or to Vensre, but they still wanted to remember this world in some way, even after two thousand years in exile." There-she'd said the word.
Jinx made no move to strike. She continued to consider Sunfall's photograph. "Odd," she said, "to think I have a relative on another world...." She pulled a stool close by and continued, "I know there are other worlds, and it seems likely they'd have life too- especially since I've seen you and a Vulcan- but to have a relative on another world that I didn't even know about!"
She seemed unable to take her eyes from the photograph, even as she sat. "Why didn't she come with you?"
Again, tears stung Uhura's eyes. This time Jinx looked alarmed. "Your eyes!" she said.
Uhura wiped at her eyes. "Don't be frightened, Jinx. It's just something humans do when they are very unhappy."
Uhura looked at Sunfall's photograph and saw again in her mind's eye the Eeiauoan hospital. "Sunfall didn't come with us because she is dying. She may already have-" Her voice failed her completely. She clasped her hands in her lap and struggled for control.
Suddenly, she felt the warmth of Jinx's tail wrapped around her waist. "I'm sorry," she said, "I don't mean to cry but...Sunfall and Christine... and God alone knows how many others by now...all dying. All dying."
"That's why you asked for our help?"
Shakily, Uhura nodded.
"But if we can help, why aren't we?" Jinx's tail tip flicked once in anger, then gripped her waist again.
"I don't know that you can help. I only hope you can help- your medical science must have advanced a great deal since...the Eeiauoans left this world. It's just possible that your science has a cure. But we've been forbidden to speak of the Eeiauoans. Stiff Tail would have us expelled from camp if she learns I spoke of them to you."
"Tell me," said Jinx. "Tell me everything you know about the disease and its symptoms. I will ask Catchclaw for you." She thrust the portrait of Sunfall into her hands and added, "For my relative, Sunfall of Ennien."
She leaned close, and Uhura could feel her comforting warmth against her shoulder. Jinx said, "And I promise you in the Old Tongue that no one will ever hear how it happened that I am asking these questions."
"T- thank you, Jinx. Even if there is nothing that can be done, thank you for caring about someone you've never even met."
Jinx squeezed lightly with her tail. "I've met you," she said. "And you gave me songs and other worlds to think about...how can I fail to help?"
Jim Kirk found Left Ear a charming, matronly female- almost plump by local standards. Her fur was ginger banded, her eyes a brilliant shade of gold, her muzzle cream colored. As for her left ear, he could see nothing unusual about it.
Brightspot introduced the two and then said, "He wants to ask baby questions." She explained carefully what she meant. When she had finished, Left Ear said, "I understand, Captain. If it is of any reassurance to you, I am quite used to dealing with ignorance- you'll notice I don't say 'stupidity,' although I must admit I've dealt with that as well."
Kirk nodded. Recalling his conversation with Stiff Tail, he said carefully, "I do not speak the Old Tongue, Left Ear, but I give you my word that I will not repeat whatever information you give me to anyone unless it is necessary to save a life."
Left Ear and Brightspot looked at each other. "Bless you!" said Left Ear. Her tail corkscrewed. "That is not necessary with me! Brightspot has misled you!"
"I didn't mean to," said Brightspot, looking contrite.
Left Ear looped her tail around Brightspot and drew her close. "Of course you didn't, child. But when you tell someone our customs, you should also tell him the exceptions." To Kirk, she said, "You may repeat anything I tell you. I only ask that you repeat how it happened. Do not improve it."
"I'll be careful, Left Ear; you have my word."
"Fine. Sit down and ask your questions. If you wish, you may sit well out of reach of my strong right hand...."
It was not a joke. It was a genuine offer, made to reassure him. It did- he sat down first and let her position her chair where she wished. He was mildly relieved to see that she chose a spot just out of arm's reach. Brightspot sat on her heels, with her tail curled contentedly about her toes.
Kirk phrased the question carefully. "We are- strangers to your world, Left Ear. We know nothing of your customs. It has been our experience on other worlds that sometimes we can learn only by making mistakes."
Left Ear nodded- That expression is certainly getting around, Jim Kirk thought- and she said, "As Brightspot says, you have to ask baby questions." Her tail looped up and her whiskers arched forward. "There are some things babies are taught only in a negative way. They are cuffed for their curiosity about some subjects. Is this true on your world, also?"
"I'm afraid so. But it seldom stops them from being curious, from wanting or- needing to know the answers to certain questions." He took a deep breath. "Yesterday, I believe my questions were of that sort. Perhaps I have, in my ignorance, trampled on a religious taboo. If I knew, if I understood what I had done, I might be able to ask my questions in a way that would not be sacrilegious." That was the best he could do without actually mentioning the Eeiauoans. He hoped it would be enough. He also h
oped the distance between the two of them would give him ample time to duck if she swung.
Left Ear stared at him fixedly. The tip of her tail shivered with suppressed emotion. Suddenly, she was on her feet.
Kirk tensed, ready to leap to one side to avoid a blow, but she made no move toward him. "Brightspot- out!" she said.
Brightspot cowered but her eyes were bright with defiance. "I want to know too, Left Ear!"
Left Ear's tail lashed. She gave Kirk a fearsome glance, then turned again to Brightspot and repeated, "Out!"
This time Brightspot scrambled. She was out of the tent before the useful she'd been sitting on had a chance to drift to the ground.
Jim Kirk rose. "I apologize, Left Ear -" he said, placating.
"You sit."