Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2013 13:45:52 GMT -8
With the negotiations ending abruptly in order for the Pelebians to attend some sort of festival, Kealan wandered the area until he was pretty much herded by a mass of colorful aliens to what appeared to be some sort of arena. Many Captains throughout history had been subjected to the "fight to the death" scenario, so it wasn't unnatural for Kealan to be apprehensive. Fortunately, he was shown to a concessions stand where he chose a highly spiced beverage and a cone filled with what looked like green meatballs with translucent wings. Green insect meat was not high on his list of foods to try, but he popped one into his mouth and found it to be pretty tasty, if a little crunchy.
He found an empty seat and sat as he waited for whatever was going to happen to begin. A small band was down near the bottom of the stands, playing a rather peppy tune in a rhythm Kealan had never heard. It took some getting used to, but eventually his foot tapped along with it.
There was a small commotion to the right in the arena, and he focused his attention there. Something bright red was inside of a circle of Pelebians and they finally moved aside, releasing it. It was about the size of a dog, but hairless. Striped with varying shades of reds, it trotted around the ring, stubby tail held upright. No ears could be seen, and the creature's head reminded him of a seal. What was most noticeable was the fact that its skin was glistening with some sort of oil. Whether it was natural or not, was uncertain. The music grew louder and the creature began trotting faster, as if it was expecting something.
"Wapaw," the Pelebian next to Kealan said helpfully.
"Excuse me? What is a 'wapaw'?"
The alien pointed in the direction of the creature. "This is play for her," he said. "Watch."
Over the next half hour, Kealan did just that as the wapaw evaded capture by many of the natives. The crowd cheered them on but as soon as the wapaw was in someone's grasp, it would slip out and make high pitched noises resembling animalistic laughing. Its very motions even indicated that it was taunting them to try again. Finally, a bell rang, one similar to what he had heard during the negotiations, and the activity stopped, with fresh Pelebians entering the arena to give it a go.
"Would you care to try," he was asked just as Kealan finished the last of his snack. "Any from your ship would be welcome. The wapaw would probably love a fresh approach."
"Um..."
"It is okay if you do not," the Pelebian said, but Kealan could detect a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"Sure. Why not," the Captain replied. Dusting the remnants of crumbs from his hands, he stood and those around him sent up a fresh cheer as he walked down the stairs. He had to concentrate not to trip, as Pelebians preferred a smaller rise on their steps than humans built. All he needed was to fall flat on his face in front of hundreds of colorful faces.
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He found an empty seat and sat as he waited for whatever was going to happen to begin. A small band was down near the bottom of the stands, playing a rather peppy tune in a rhythm Kealan had never heard. It took some getting used to, but eventually his foot tapped along with it.
There was a small commotion to the right in the arena, and he focused his attention there. Something bright red was inside of a circle of Pelebians and they finally moved aside, releasing it. It was about the size of a dog, but hairless. Striped with varying shades of reds, it trotted around the ring, stubby tail held upright. No ears could be seen, and the creature's head reminded him of a seal. What was most noticeable was the fact that its skin was glistening with some sort of oil. Whether it was natural or not, was uncertain. The music grew louder and the creature began trotting faster, as if it was expecting something.
"Wapaw," the Pelebian next to Kealan said helpfully.
"Excuse me? What is a 'wapaw'?"
The alien pointed in the direction of the creature. "This is play for her," he said. "Watch."
Over the next half hour, Kealan did just that as the wapaw evaded capture by many of the natives. The crowd cheered them on but as soon as the wapaw was in someone's grasp, it would slip out and make high pitched noises resembling animalistic laughing. Its very motions even indicated that it was taunting them to try again. Finally, a bell rang, one similar to what he had heard during the negotiations, and the activity stopped, with fresh Pelebians entering the arena to give it a go.
"Would you care to try," he was asked just as Kealan finished the last of his snack. "Any from your ship would be welcome. The wapaw would probably love a fresh approach."
"Um..."
"It is okay if you do not," the Pelebian said, but Kealan could detect a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"Sure. Why not," the Captain replied. Dusting the remnants of crumbs from his hands, he stood and those around him sent up a fresh cheer as he walked down the stairs. He had to concentrate not to trip, as Pelebians preferred a smaller rise on their steps than humans built. All he needed was to fall flat on his face in front of hundreds of colorful faces.
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