PART 2 - Peace Talks
by Sunraven, Oct 23, 2000
"Shai-Alyt?"
Branmer looked up from the papers on his desk and smiled at Terra. He had a very sweet smile, and she felt herself responding to it by grinning back at him.
"Terra. You are prompt as usual."
"You did promise me a tour of the Ingata, Shai-Alyt. I've never seen the inside of a Warrior Caste cruiser. It's not as luxurious as the Religious Caste cruisers."
He laughed. "No, the Warrior Caste don't give in to the weakness of luxuries such as cushions and padded beds. They feel things like that are for weaklings."
"Well, then I guess I'm a weakling, because I like padded cushions to sit on. Though I don't even use the bed in my chamber, so I couldn't comment on that."
"Is there something wrong with the bed in your quarters?"
"No, sir. It's just that Humans aren't used to beds that tilt like yours do. I have a tendency to fall out of it. I'm safer on the floor and horizontal. Trust me on that."
He looked at her, his blue eyes curious. "My people feel it's bad luck to sleep horizontal. If they do, they are afraid that their breath will be stolen from them."
"There isn't a physiological reason for that belief, is there?"
"The reason for the belief has been lost in antiquity." He got up from the desk. He was a small man physically who seemed a great deal larger than he really was. The presence that radiated from him was quietly powerful when he was feeling mellow, as he was now. But Terra had seen him angry when he had dressed down one of his crew for being rude to her, and it wasn't a pretty sight. In fact, it had scared her almost witless. If Alyt Neroon hadn't been right next to her and giving, inadvertently she was sure, her the support of his inner strength, she might have been tempted to run out the door like a bat out of Hades. Somehow having him next to her reassured her, though only the Great Maker knew why since he could be almost as threatening as the Shai-Alyt when he wanted to be.
The tour was quite interesting for Terra. But everywhere she went she was blistered by the hatred the warriors felt for her race. The wounds from the war were still so fresh that she would have been surprised if the hostility wasn't there. But packed on a ship with hundreds of Minbari warriors who hated you was really rough on her empathic gift. She felt like her shields were constantly being battered, even in her sleep.
"So, Dr. McClare, you have now seen a warrior caste ship. Feel free to go anywhere you like in it during the voyage."
"Shai-Alyt, I mean no insult, however, do you think I could be at risk walking around on my own? Some of these warriors are very angry and hate Humans so much."
Now he was annoyed, and his feelings suddenly radiated at her. "I have given orders that you are to be treated with nothing but courtesy and respect, Doctor. My orders will not be disobeyed."
She smiled sheepishly and said to him, "I've insulted you, haven't I?"
He smiled then. "Actually, you did prick my pride, Doctor. But I am sure you had no idea you would be doing so. I forgive you."
She bowed her head with a smile. "Thank you for your latitude, Shai-Alyt. I still am learning about your people, and there is much I still do not know about your ways."
"You did not prick a Minbari's pride, Doctor, but a male one. I apologize as well."
-- continued in part three --