Challenge #02211-F021: Edge Case
A young human has many questions about the Vorax, specifically considering potential friendship. -- Anon Guest
This is Edge Space. Where the laws are negligible or arbitrary and generally written around whatever is most convenient. Here, the weirdest things can happen. Havenworlders and Deathworlders cohabit. People are more inclined to explain things when offense happens. In Galactic Space, one is expected to use good behaviour. In Edge Space, one is expected to communicate what good behaviour is. People normally at arms come there to trade on neutral ground.
This is where unlikely alliances are forged. Where assumed-foes meet and find a means of communication. Where unlikely friendships germinate and grow.
Human Stiv and Vorax Rh'th'gr initially drew weapons on each other reflexively. Stunners only, since this was neutral ground. There was a moment of vertiginous anticipation, then Human Stiv took a risk. "You trading dense metal?"
Vorax Rh'th'gr blinked. "You trading shiny carbon, shiny silicon?"
Human Stiv put their stunner slowly away. "Calling gemstones. Much pretty." Which was, in essence, their general value. Humans liked them because they were pretty. Other creatures preferred their molecular content for what they could turn them into.
Vorax Rh'th'gr followed suit. "Trading good. You no hurting me, me no hurting you."
"Agreeing."
It soon went further than that. GalStand Simple, the language of commerce, basic negotiation, and emergency signage everywhere, had an uncomplicated grammar structure that meant communicating ideas got surprisingly complex. Nevertheless, one could make a primer in GalStand Simple that could explain everything a cogniscent needed to know about more complicated situations.
So it was that Stiv and Rh'th'gr edged cautiously to the negotiations table to discuss the relative value of shiny rocks versus dense metal. Each had an abundance of one that they were willing to trade for the other. In the process, awkward questions were bound to happen.
Only in the Edge territories are awkward questions tolerated without permission. Information exchange, after all, is another form of currency.
Questions like, "You eating only meat?" or, "Always fighting, you. Wanting fighting or needing fighting?" or, "What those being for?"
Humans spread their pack-bonding everywhere. This is part of what makes them so versatile, wherever they go. Thus, it was no surprise that Human Stiv and Vorax Rh'th'gr bonded at an all-you-can-eat barbecue and grille place. Well. It was a surprise to some, but knowing Humans, this sort of thing was inevitable.
Human Stiv had many concepts to share. Marrow from big enough bones. Fat from plants. Tube-grown meats. Easy calories and long-term calories. A small revolution for the Vorax, but a huge revolution to anyone who wanted to take a short-cut across the edges of Vorax territories to save days, fuel, and company costs on their trips.
So much began there, with one small question: "You being me friend?"
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / Vyusur]
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