The Cycles of Revelation Series
Artifact of the Dawn: Pejorative (A Queer Sci-Fi Adventure)
Episode 58: Takyra hosts a formal dinner for the visiting delegation, and Andreesen judges Jevan for refusing to pair-bond.
It was early evening when they gathered again. This time, Takyra had them escorted to a part of the ship that they hadn’t seen before. “Where are we?” Jevan asked.
“We designed this part of the ship to convert into shops and markets for the new colony,” Takyra explained. “I thought everyone here would enjoy sharing a meal in what would have been an eating establishment.”
As they entered the establishment that Takyra unlocked for them, the lights came on. Instead of the typical bright lights throughout the rest of the ship, the lighting here was dimmer, with a warm tone. It was tastefully appointed with a variety of different sized tables. Takyra went toward the largest one in the center of the establishment.
Around the large oval table were pillowed seats that engulfed the Athla’naa among them and were large enough to accommodate the larger frames of the Medellans. As Jevan sat down, he felt almost weightless. “These are very comfortable!”
Takyra snuggled back into her chair with a happy sigh. “These pillowed chairs were all the rage when we left Aria’naa. When dining out, our people loved to be comfortable. One of my favorite restaurants on Aria’naa inspired this establishment.”
“This is very quaint,” Keryth said with a smirk. “I’ve seen chairs and tables like these in the museum. This is an early version of a replicator table, isn’t it?”
Takyra gave him a little side-eyed glance, while her ears came forward. “Yes, and in my day, it was the height of fashion in a public eating establishment.”
Lowering his ears, Keryth gave her a chastened look. “I’m sorry. I keep forgetting that Aria’naa having this level of technology was mere weeks ago for you.”
Touching the table, a display rose, and Takyra entered some commands. “There, I’ve reprogrammed the table to recognize both Medellan and Athla’naa. Everyone, please place your hands on the table for a moment.”
Curious, Jevan reached out and placed his hands palms down as Takyra demonstrated. That’s when Jevan noticed that there was a slight oval depression on the table before each seat. Takyra then gave a few commands to Cytra, and a moment later, a plate of food and a beverage appeared on the table before each of them. Each dish appeared different. For Jevan, it was a plate of rich meat stew and a slice of hearty bread, along with a glass of what looked like ale.
The Aterians were all slightly startled at the sight before gingerly reaching out to see if the plates were real. “That’s incredible!” Marta exclaimed. “How is that possible?”
“As Keryth said, this is a replicator table,” Takyra explained. “It works similarly to the food replicators in your quarters, but it includes the capability of determining the best meal for each person. When it scans your palms, it can detect your general meal preference and replicates what’s likely to be a favorite dish.”
“Yes, historically, these only existed in eating establishments because the technology was difficult to manufacture,” Keryth explained. “Today, this is the norm in any Athla’naa home.”
“So, no one on your world cooks anymore?” Marta asked.
“Some still cook, if they have the skills and desire for it,” Keryth explained. “Although, most of those become professional chefs and operate eating establishments such as this.”
“People go out to eat cooked meals on Aria’naa now?” Takyra asked. “In my day, not everyone could afford even the simplest replicator, which is why establishments like these were popular.”
“After the war with the Aria’asharra, our leaders realized that our way of life was not sustainable,” Keryth explained. “We had the technology and resources to feed everyone but had done nothing about it. Poverty still existed, and some people starved. Within a decade after the war ended, everyone had a replicator in their home. These days, many homes are much like the quarters on this ship, with only a replicator in the kitchen. If people want a freshly cooked meal, they can go out to an eating establishment instead.”
“Isn’t it fascinating how trends change?” Marta pondered aloud. “Not to mention how the cultural implications of people from different eras meeting like this is unprecedented.”
As they all began eating, Andreesen only picked at his food with a frown. “Is the meal not to your liking?” Takyra asked.
“This is my favorite dish, but I was hoping to sample some of your cuisine,” Andreesen said.
“I can change that,” Takyra said with a smile, bringing up the display again. “Please put down the utensils for a moment.”
After he put them down, Takyra made some selections on the display and Andreesen’s meal disappeared. The replicator replaced Andreesen’s meal with a sampling of several Athla’naa delicacies.
“Try the red one,” Jevan said, pointing it out. “They’re called asharra’laa. Those are my favorite.”
With a smirk, Takyra made a few more selections on her display and everyone had a couple of pieces of the bright red oblong delicacies on their plates. Jevan couldn’t describe the taste, but the burst of exotic flavor when he bit into one always made him smile.
Jevan watched Andreesen as he sampled the food and smiled at the man’s reactions. Earlier, Andreesen had said little, only asking a few questions for clarification as they related their story to him. He was clearly a studious man, spending more time listening than speaking.
Andreesen then turned his attention to Jevan, and he felt that perhaps he’d been staring at the man too intently. Instead, the older man gave him a bright smile. “Jevan, you were a trader before you stumbled upon all this. Is that right?”
“Yes, sir,” Jevan replied. “I would take goods from my village and trade them for other goods from nearby Medellan villages and Athla’naa settlements.”
“Ah, so you enjoy traveling?”
Nodding, Jevan replied. “Yes, sir. I’ve never been one to stay in one place for too long. This has been the longest I’ve ever stayed anywhere since I was a boy.”
“Is that why you haven’t pair-bonded yet?” Andreesen asked, narrowing his eyes at Jevan.
Flushing with irritation, Jevan tried not to raise his voice. “It is one reason, but how could you tell?”
“Tomas mentioned it when we spoke over the radio,” Andreesen explained. “It’s not right, a young man of your age without a family yet. We have a lot of fine people in Ateria if no one on Vestos suits your fancy.”
Jevan was getting angry. Why does everyone want me to pair-bond so badly? Boldly grabbing Ardyn’s hand, he glared at Andreesen. “With all due respect, sir, but I think I can handle my own affairs in matters of the heart and family.”
Andreesen’s eyes went wide. “Are you telling me you’d rather pair-bond with this… elf… Athla’naa… person?”
“What I am telling you is that I don’t wish to pair-bond with anyone,” Jevan said, anger rising in his voice. “Ardyn and I have become close, but neither of us wishes to be defined by whatever relationship we have.”
“No one is going to force you into a pair-bond,” Ardyn reassured him with a squeeze of his hand. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”
Aelrynd put down her utensils and leaned her elbows on the table. “What exactly does this pair-bond entail? I always assumed it was merely a pledge of commitment between two Medellans.”
“Oh, no, it’s far deeper than that,” Mathias replied. “The ritual binds the pair together for life.”
“Binds them how?” Aelrynd asked, her curiosity piqued.
“It’s our understanding that it binds our hearts and minds together through a chemical process,” Andreesen explained. “After two Medellans have undergone the ritual, it’s impossible for them to enjoy intimacy with anyone other than their bondmate. To do so is often fatal.”
“That’s right,” Ardyn said. “I remember Jevan telling me about a case where a young man forced himself sexually on a pair-bonded woman, and it led to her death.”
“Yes, that was a terrible thing,” Mathias confirmed.
“Why don’t you wish to pair-bond?” Marta asked, a wrinkle of concern on her forehead.
“I don’t want to be bonded for life to the wrong person and wind up as miserable as my parents were,” Jevan responded.
Mathias sighed. “I know your parents were an ill-matched pair, but many bondmates learn to love each other.”
“I just don’t understand why you’re all so concerned about whether I pair-bond or not,” Jevan grumbled.
Andreesen wiped his mouth with his napkin and leaned back, giving Jevan an odd look. “What I want to know is why you’re so determined to die?”
