Page 34 of Mazorium Buys a Human

Ithorum intercepted her. “Let me check them first. I want to make sure there’s nothing that might accidentally hurt the humans.”

Famorum sounded a worried rumble. “Oh, yes, of course!”

“Please don’t lose any of the tags,” Mazorium said. “I won’t be able to send my thanks to the givers later.”

Ithorum sounded a rumble of agreement even as she opened each bag and box to look inside.

I looked up at Mazorium who had gone back to studying a list displayed on his Ident. He stopped and focused on me the moment he noticed my gaze. “Yes?”

“Why are we being sent things?” I asked. “Is it for favors or something?”

“Favors?” he repeated. “What does that mean?”

“She means bribes,” Ithorum explained, walking up with Famorum. She must’ve decided the items were safe because she let Famorum set them down on a table next to me.

“Bribes? What an odd conclusion to reach,” he said with an amused rumble. “The gifts are because you’re rare and other Talins want you to be happy. The more happy humans we have now, the more we’ll have in the future. It’s that simple.”

I was sure it wasn’t that simple. Could I ask Mazorium to send the gifts back?

Ithorum and Mazorium’s Idents pinged at the same time. Ithorum was faster to unclip hers.

“We are being summoned,” she announced. “I thought we’d have another mark, but Station Director Gorum is impatient. She’s moved up the time.”

Mazorium didn’t seem startled or upset by the news. “Certainly. It’s an honor to be invited. We shouldn’t keep her waiting.” He looked at Pumlura. “Please have everything delivered to my ship.”

“Of course!” she agreed. “If the opportunity arises, tell Station Director Gorum we were able to accommodate all your needs.”

“I’ll make sure to mention how helpful you all were,” Mazorium said with a rumble of agreement. They talked a little longer about packaging and other things while I looked longingly at the tailor machine. I’d tried to get them to use a couple of the bags to make me an outfit, but they’d been shocked. Now I had a bunch of tomer bags and another year at least before I’d have access to a tailor machine.

I couldn’t complain, but it was a little humorous.

Soon, Ithorum was walking us through the station. My lower back was starting to hurt from having Nadia strapped to my front. I wasn’t the only uncomfortable one either, Nadia was starting to fuss.

When she started to cry loudly, making the Talins gathered on our route sound worried rumbles, I spoke up.

“I need to stop for a moment,” I said, looking around for a private place.

“Are you fatigued?” Mazorium asked.

“Nadia’s hungry,” I whispered.

He looked at Ithorum, who was keeping a wary eye on the crowd even though they were keeping their distance.

“Are there any contemplation rooms available?”

Ithorum faced us and sounded a confused rumble. “Are you in need of meditation right now? Couldn’t you wait until after the meal with the station director?”

Mazorium pointed to me. “Mika needs to feed her pup.”

Ithorum didn’t ask another question. She set off in a new direction with a rumble of agreement. Mazorium and I followed, and she soon ushered us into a small, dimly lit room with only one chair in the very center. The door slid shut behind us with her on the outside, probably to guard us. The moment the door shut, all the outside noise was cut off and a faint humming sounded in the room.

Mazorium picked me up, sat down, and settled me on his lap. “The seat has no padding, and I don't want you to be uncomfortable.”

We weren’t going to be here long, so the seat wouldn’t have bothered me, but it was nice to be on Mazorium's lap. I loosened the straps securing the carrier and pulled Nadia loose. She was getting loud now.

I didn’t need to say anything; Mazorium was already taking Nadia from me so I could tug at my clothing and get my breast free. He started purring in harmony with the humming in the room, making me realize that was probably what the humming was for.

Taking Nadia back from Mazorium, I put her to my breast. She latched on, sucking greedily.