by D M Arnold
“It must make it easier for her.”
“She said something else.”
“What was that?”
“We were discussing the ongoing negotiations between her world and ours.”
“How are they going?” Suki asked.
“Cautiously. She said she had been thinking. She understands how fearful Florans are that Varada might start exporting novonids -- how damaging to our society it would be to have an institutionalized underclass.”
“Yes -- I agree with her.”
“But she also said that the sort of freedom she finds here would be just as frightening to Varada should we export it. It was a very salient observation. I hadn't considered it that way. She is a remarkable girl. Hers are remarkable people. It may very well be, years into the future, that her kind will make up the bulk of the hegemony's population. I'm sure they'll dominate Varada some day.”
“You never told me why,” she said.
“Why what?”
“Why she refused to be your amfta.”
“We refused each other. She was bothered by the fact I'm not a novonid. She wasn't ready to engage in an inter-species relationship. It is taboo on Varada.”
“I can understand that,” Suki replied. “It would border on bestiality.”
“I disagree. That's an Earth notion. On Earth you don't have other communicative, consensual species. The whole thing centers on consent, Suki. Animals on Earth are unable to give consent -- that's what makes the practice reprehensible there. I think when two sentient, free-willed, fully competent individuals give consent, it doesn't matter whether or not they're the same race, the same religion, the same color, the same gender, or from the same planet ... or the same species.”
“Or, mother and son?” she asked. Nyk stopped short. “Now do you see how deeply these taboos run? You refused a relationship with me until you were convinced we weren't really related.”
“I was being sensitive to YOUR cultural sensibilities, korlyta... You're right, Suki. I should've been more sensitive to Laida's.”
“That was her reason. What was yours?”
“She was a virgin, and I don't defile virgins.”
“Mmm...” She snuggled to him. “I'm happy to hear that.” She kissed him. “You said WAS.”
“Laida is pregnant.”
“Really?”
“Yes -- she is sunning for two. After Mos was acquitted of intentional homicide for breaking Captain Hayt's neck, he was given asylum here. Neither Laida nor Mos believe they can safely return to Varada. And, the only place they can live on Floran is inside one of the agridomes. Laida insisted Mos live in the same dome as she because ... well, because Mos isn't as educated as she is, nor does he have her social skills. They had been acquainted on Varada, and here their friendship has blossomed. She is teaching him to read, and together they're learning Lingwa.”
“It sounds sweet.”
“It is sweet. Mos truly cares for her. He's a bit clumsy and inarticulate, but he is sincere -- and a damned good croptender. When she told me she was a virgin, she also said she didn't know how and needed to read up on the subject.” Nyk chuckled. “When I noticed she was pregnant, I told her she must've done her reading. She gave me a shy look and said no -- that she and Mos figuring it out by themselves was part of the fun.”
“Nykkyo -- I want another baby.”
“You want another baby? You didn't want the first one.”
“I know I didn't. Babies will do that to you. I desperately want to have another baby. I know I can't. I know Andra can't, and neither can Senta. Florans are so ... so non-fecund, it's a wonder we don't have negative population growth.”
“We have population stability -- right where we want it.”
“If Laida is the only one of your friends who's pregnant -- well, maybe that's as close as I can come.”
“Novonid infants are adorable.”
“Please introduce me to her. I'm the only one of your circle of friends who HAS had a baby. Maybe I can give her some advice.”
“Maybe you can. We'll make a point of it.”