NEIGHBOR

By Jayde Holmes

Part 3: The Ray Gun

Strongest wasn’t ready to tell Different about her Human friends right away. She undressed and cleaned the bipeds, before saying she was going to focus on a game of strategy trees with one of her friends. She promised to tell Different all about Carica when she felt better.

Predator, who had stayed connected enough to sense Different’s emotions during Strongest’s confessional, resumed contact, tentatively asking how playing with the Humans was going. Even before he received Different’s reply, he could tell that something had changed, and Different could sense his fear.

(Strongest is my mentor) Different explained.

(I can tell) Predator admitted. He couldn’t hide that Different was no longer simply the odd, different person from the edge of the Forest. They were Strongest’s Ward now, with all the clout that entailed. To Predator’s credit, he wasn’t willing to let his relationship with Strongest’s Ward change. He offered to go for a walk with their choice of animal.

(Not right now) Strongest’s Ward told. (I have a lot to think about right.)

They didn’t want to interact with any of their acquaintances so soon after their change of relation to Strongest. Whilst they were glad to be her ward, that was not how they wanted to define themself. Even more than last night, the thought of being in Strongest’s shadow was repulsive. They had known she was ruthless, but her hate against the Elsini wasn’t something they wanted to imagine themself capable of.

The Different One Adopted by the Strongest stayed alone with their thoughts of the Humans. The incomprehensible, the intriguing, and the comforting were all recalled, and all were overshadowed by the Man with the Axe swinging his blade at their tree. They wished they had years to sort through their feelings and gather all the data they needed. Would interactions with Humans always be on such a rushed timescale?

Hours later, they felt Strongest’s attention return to them.

(My Mentor had gathered second and third-hand memories of our Predecessor Forest) Strongest told. She shared her version of those memories, and Different was amazed to see a metal world overgrown with both black and green plants, where Humans and bipeds walked together. (It was his interest in the Green World that caused Highest and me to abandon our efforts to destroy the filter. Not long after I became Strongest, Carica led her people into the valley. I didn’t know how to react.)

(You always know how to react) Different told.

(Not then) Strongest admitted. (We were suffering attacks by the other Forests, and the Highest at the time had become a recluse. I was pulled between many different ideas on how I should react to the Humans. In the end, I listened to my Mentor. We spoke with the Vynik. We dueled.)

Strongest showed her and Carica fighting atop the filter tower. Carica swung a sword, and Different realized that Strongest had been a sky-dominator at the time.

(Why were you fighting like that?) Different asked.

(It’s complicated) Strongest told. (A duel is one of those rituals Humans use to ensure trust. Like a promise. I didn’t expect it to work, but it did. We became neighbors, and we taught each other so much. I was able to use Human ideas of trust and bargaining to deal with the other Forests, and the Humans learnt a lot from us about nature, history, and community. When the first Elsini came to the valley, my Humans were able to use Forest negotiating techniques to live together amicably, despite the generations long distrust between the two cargos. Though I must admit, the reason Carica’s people had needed to flee in the first place was because her mentors were upset about her brokering peace with an Elsini community, so I cannot take sole credit for that.)

(It sounds like a good friendship) Different told.

(It was) Strongest told. (And when Carica died, I promised to guide her decedents. Some I had close friendships with; others were annoying. In the end though, Humans far downriver decided everything needed to change, and now Carica’s people live over the hills. I should have protested. I could have contacted the Human High Ones downriver and demanded my friends stay close, but Highest convinced me that doing so would put the Forest in danger. That it would lead to you and Local Healer and maybe even myself being burnt alive inside our trees. I don’t know if he was right, but I obeyed him. I have regretted it ever since.)

(I remember a bit of that night myself) Different told. (Mostly just the fire. I’m glad you kept us safe. Did you rip Carica’s arm off while you were a sky-dominator?)

(I did) Strongest admitted. (But the sky-dominator had it much worse.)

Strongest made her thoughts vague for Different’s comfort, but they could tell what the outcome of the fight had been.

(She killed a sky-dominator?) Different asked. (In the rain, on a rickety tower, while it was being possessed by you?)

(I can tell you’re impressed.)

(She killed you, and then became your friend?)

(It all happened so quickly. It won’t be like that for you: If Cut Man is healed, you won’t be automatically forced to spend time with him or his family.)

(But then he’d have gotten away with hurting me) Different told, their conviction lessened. (When do you think I’ll need to make the decision?)

(By tomorrow) Strongest told. (He’s dying. I’ll let you think about it.)

(Are Humans people?) Different asked.

(You barely even know what you intend with that concept) Strongest told. (No-one really does. They just have an idea about who they’re willing to equate themselves to, and who they aren’t. Make sure your concept of ‘people’ is based on the right reasoning.)

Strongest pulled away, leaving Different to think. They were still afraid, still angry, but Strongest had gotten to them. They’d thought she was just trying to make them feel guilty, but even more perversely, she had made Humans interesting.

It was even more infuriating that every bit of advice Strongest had given them seemed more right than it had before. Was it because she had explained more, or because they were more connected? Different wondered how they would handle this mental merging as they grew and made friends. Perhaps leaving Cut Man to his fate would be a good way to establish a healthy boundary between themself and Strongest.

If only they could still see the Humans as so much lesser. Just two days and Strongest’s influence had changed everything. Made the Humans real people. Different cursed their mentor for making things so complicated.

_____________________________________________________________

That night Different started to reach out to Strongest but stopped. They wanted to save Cut Man, but the memory of The Man with the Axe bearing down on them still hurt. It gripped them more tightly than any logical or emotional rationalization they could make. People or not, the Humans were still dangerous. They were disappointed in themself for how little personhood ultimately mattered, and angry at Strongest for forcing them to confront this instead of just fixing the problem.  

Then Different realized that it wasn’t Humans they feared, just The Man with the Axe.

They wanted to reach out to River Overlooker and ask for her advice, but the thought of her recoiling from the new power in their thoughts stopped them. Thinking of River Overlooker though did remind them of the perfect solution.

They sent their thoughts out, looking for a biped. They found a sleeping adult male and took it back to their tree. The sun was rising, so they’d have to be quick. They took down the hanging cage with the raygun and began to work the locks. The whole time they debated reaching out to Strongest, and in the end did so only when they were sure they could keep the confusion out of their thoughts.

(Can you teach me how to say The Man with the Axe’s name?) they asked.

(Takka) Strongest told, showing them how to contort the biped’s mouth and throat. Different spent a few minutes just practicing the name. They were focusing so hard on getting the name right, that when The Man with the Axe walked out of the house with a basket of broken losttec they were sure they must have accidently shouted it.

Different went silent and flattened the biped to the back of their tree, out of sight of the Man with the Axe. They focused through their tree’s light sensitive organisms, expecting to see the Man with the Axe charging towards them. Instead, they saw him pick up his axe, which had been left by the door, and turn away from the Forest. Different’s biped was panting so loud they thought the Human must hear them, but he didn’t move.

(What are you doing?) Strongest asked.

(I don’t want to let Cut Man die) Different told. (And maybe one day, it would be nice to interact with Humans like you did. But I’ll never feel safe after what happened. Maybe without The Man with the Axe, I can get over it.)

Strongest’s protest was a wave of negative emotion beating them down. Different stayed resolute and forced the biped back to the cage. They unlocked it, fumbled with the raygun, then marched towards the house.

(He’s outside alone) Different told Strongest. (The others won’t know what happened.)

(They aren’t that stupid) Strongest told. (And they won’t trust me if I deny it.)

Different tried to shut out Strongest and her arguments. It was too late now; they were at the veranda and The Man with the Axe had stiffened at their approach.

“Takka” Different said as the Human turned around. They held up the raygun and pointed it at his head. They would have pulled the trigger, but movement caught the biped’s eye. On the road leading up to the homestead they could see approaching megasus pulling a wagon. They lowered their weapon as Takka tightened the grip on his axe. In the state they were in, they would have shot him even with these witnesses approaching if Strongest’s warnings hadn’t tempered them.

The newcomers pulled up before either Different or The Man with the Axe could react further. One adult male steered the tusked creature with ropes, and once he had caused it to stop, he dropped to the ground and Different saw that he wore a sword like Strongest’s at his hip. Another armed man came out of the wagon. Both were large and wore metal chain over reed-woven tunics. After them, a fat man wearing a grey robe decorated with a bright orange sash around the shoulder and waist hopped down. He carried a wooden board with paper attached to it.

(I’m at your tree ready to defend you) Strongest told. (You may have to sacrifice the biped. That’s the tax collector. If you’re lucky, The Man with the Axe will die fighting them.)

Different wanted to be relieved at the thought of The Man with the Axe dead, but instead they just thought of Red Eyes being dragged away and violently impregnated. Their biped was forgotten as the Humans argued in hushed tones, Takka forced the basket at the Tax Collector, who rifled through it, took out a scrap of metal covered in wires, and threw it to the ground.

(You should get the biped out now) Strongest told. Different agreed, but then one of the armed men walked closer to the biped. The Humans glared at the biped, and Different couldn’t keep it from shaking. From their tree, Different could see the two swordsmen inching closer to the biped, their hands reaching for their swords.

A thump and muddy splash from behind the house drew their attention. One of the swordsmen jumped the railing to chase after two figures, one tall and one tiny, who were running from the house as fast as they could. Different made the biped run back to the Forest. They watched as the other swordsman made to chase it. Before he had left the veranda though, Takka swung his axe at the Tax Collector, whose cry alerted the swordsman. The swordsman doubled back and managed to deflect the axe with his sword. The rushed movement left him off balance, and Takka swung at him, bringing him down.

The biped could see Strongest’s biped standing naked with her sword at the ready by their tree. (Come and stand with me) She told. (We’ll need to defend you once the fight is over.)

Different slowed the biped. They could hear shouting now, and behind their biped they could see more Humans pouring out of the house. The downed swordsman was getting up, Takka’s axe evidently not sharp enough to slice through the metal chains. Their light-sensitive organisms couldn’t see well enough in the dark to pick out individual Humans from the melee. They would have to turn the biped around to really see what was happening.

(The whole family will be slaughtered) Strongest told. (Except Red-Eyes of course. Even if some survive, as long as Takka dies you’ll be safe. Humans from the South don’t know much about Drids; I can scare them off.)

Different turned around. The whole family was out, brandishing cooking knives and wooden pots and sticks. One of the women had been knocked to the ground with a sickly wet slash of blood running down one arm, and as they watched the Little Boy was punched down by the injured swordsman, who was limping and bleeding from Takka’s blow. The injured swordsman then advanced on the doorway, where the other woman and Cut Man stood holding pots as if they actually stood a chance.

The uninjured swordsman was flighting Takka, who was bleeding and wobbling but still swinging. In the corner the Tax Collector held Red-Eyes, who was kicking and screaming. Different wanted to see Yax jump onto the veranda and join the fight but realized he must have been the one who tried to escape with Red-Eyes in the first place.

They looked to their biped’s hand, which was still gripping the raygun.

(Don’t) Strongest told. (Do not kill a Tax Collector. If he doesn’t return, his people will send dozens of men with swords to kill all the villagers. If they find out a Drid killed him, we’ll be burned down once the dry season arrives.)

(You told me that this was the most dangerous and valuable piece of losttec you’d seen) Different told. (I think I know how to help without killing them.)

“Takka!” Different shouted, hoping the only word they knew would get the Human’s attention as they ran back to the fray. “Takka!”  

The fighting didn’t stop, so Different aimed the raygun at the barn and fired. It made a sharp pew as a beam of light flew out and shattered the wooden wall with a sickening crack, leaving behind a smoking hole. The Humans stopped their fight to cower before the damage, and this time when Different made the biped shout Takka’s name, they all turned to look at it.

(I need the right words) Different told Strongest. (Can you help me?)

Strongest gave Different a phrase to say, but they had no time to practice. They reached the veranda, stormed toward the Tax Collector, and yanked Red-Eyes from his grip. They had expected it to be harder, but the sight of the raygun had made the tax collector weak and silent.

“Tax Paid” Different slurred, shoving the point of the raygun towards him. “Raygun paid two season tax. Tax paid.”

The Tax Collector started babbling, his face flushed with rage. Different sent their memory of the speech to Strongest, but she brushed it aside as unnecessary. They noticed that her biped was walking up to the veranda, and almost behind them now. Strongest told Different that the Tax Collector was complaining about Drids interfering in Human affairs.

“We have interfered?” Strongest made her biped say, translating for Different. “You are the one who interrupted one of my agents during a trade. From where we grow, the actions of your men look threatening. But that raygun is worth double the seasonal quota. At least. I suggest you take it and go. Before my Forest does decide to actually interfere with Human affairs.”

“You really wanted to give these people such a powerful weapon?” The Tax Collector asked.

“We took pity on them” Strongest said. “Of course, if your masters would rather the girl than the gun, we can go back to the Forest and look for a different buyer. Maybe the Vynik?” 

Different expressed their concern to Strongest and the Humans protested, but Strongest assured Different that he wouldn’t pass up the raygun.

(What if he just shoots us all after he has the raygun?) Different asked.

(Don’t ask me about that possibility) Strongest told. (This was your idea.)

Fortunately, the Tax Collector took the gun and left. He did threaten Takka; promising that he’d bring more guards next time, but he also assured them that he was glad to be able to skip a visit to their ‘filthy little village’ next solstice.

By the time the wagon left, half a dozen bipeds were climbing over the fence, one of which was lugging a heavy canvas bag over its shoulder.

“Local-Healer has gathered a team to treat your wounds” Strongest said to the Humans.

“Who are you?” Takka asked.

“I am Strongest” Strongest said. “And this is Neighbor. We will not always appear to you in the same bipeds.”

“You’ve saved us” said the woman standing with Cut Man. “You saved my daughter. Can you really heal everyone else’s wounds?”

 “Please hurry” said the woman on the ground with the bloody hand. Different was shocked to see her still conscious.

“How can we ever thank you?” Cut Man said, his voice strained.

“Do not thank me or my Forest” Strongest said. “This was a trade between Takka and Neighbor. You’ve already taken the raygun from Neighbor and will soon receive the medical treatment they have offered. They’ll name their price when the time comes.”

(What do you mean by that?) Different asked. (All I want is to be safe.)

(You’ve given them so much) Strongest told. (You can demand anything you want. For now, just take the biped to my shelter and clean it. You don’t want to see us stitching the Humans back together. Think about what you want and come back to them in a few days. Or moon-cycles even. The rush is over.)

(I have time to make this decision?)

(Yes. You’re safe now Different. Whilst you set out to do something foolish, you saved yourself in the end. Takka is in your debt now; he’d protect you with his life. You did good.)

Thrilled with the pride Strongest flooded them with, Different walked the biped back to the Forest. From behind it, they could see the little children waving at it. Once they got to the fence – the incomplete fence around their tree – they turned the biped around and waved back.

_____________________________________________________________

   Three bladetails cowered under a drooping fanleaf as the rain poured down. They had planned to go for a walk, but one had bought a sack of Human flipping tokens just in case. Now that they had perfected flipping them with the bladetail snout it was easy to teach their acquaintances the game.

It had been five moon-cycles since they had saved the Humans. Five moon-cycles since they had become defined not by how different they were or by who their mentor was, but by where they grew and the unique opportunities that gave them. Five moon-cycles since they ceased to be simply ‘Different’ and became known as The Human’s Neighbor.

(What are the Humans doing now?) River Overlooker asked.

(Preparing for some festival) Neighbor told. (Hithran/Red-Eyes tried to explain it to me this morning, but I don’t know enough language yet.)

(Have you told her that she’ll be your payment for the raygun?) River Overlooker asked.

(I’m going to do more research first) Neighbor told. (Strongest told me that even though her family will be grateful that no Human can take her away, trying to keep people as pets has the potential to cause horrible suffering. I want to be completely sure it’s the right thing to do.)

(I don’t think I’d be able to doubt The Strongest like that if she was my mentor) River Overlooker told, awe creeping into her thoughts. As Neighbor had feared, being Strongest’s ward had changed the way their acquaintances saw them, but Predator and River Overlooker didn’t let themselves be intimidated.

(Finder wants to go scavenging) Predator told. (With all five of us again.)

(Will she and Know-a-Lot be able to communicate with me?) Neighbor asked.

(She told me she’s willing to try again) Predator told. (But I’m not sure about Knows a Lot. He doesn’t like how close to the Humans you are.)

(I’d like to do something with all five of us again) Neighbor told. They longed for the type of simple outing they had enjoyed before their encounter with Takka, but they were still hurt about the way Finder and Knows a Lot had reacted to their new identity. (Tell Finder that if she asks me out herself, I’ll join.)

It was now Neighbor’s turn to flip the tokens. River Overlooker and Predator’s bladetails co-operated to place the three tokens Neighbor had chosen on their nose, and then backed away as they tossed them. All three let their animals yip in excitement as three suns landed face up in the mud.

(This game is so simple) Predator told. (But so addictive. I like it.)

(We should play it as bipeds) Neighbor told. (It is much easier with hands.)

(But flipping with snouts is the fun part) Predator told.

They played a few more rounds, with Neighbor checking on the view from their tree as they went. The Humans were sitting on the veranda, weaving ribbons and making flimsy umbrellas out of massive green leaves. They had all survived their injuries, though Cut Man’s face was disfigured, and his sister had lost her hand.

(How did you win over The Man with the Axe?) River Overlooker asked. (I’ve never understood how he could forgive you for trying to kill him so easily.)

(It’s rather funny) Neighbor told. (After the fight, he decided that I must have been trying to give him the raygun but didn’t realize that pointing it at his head might have come across as murderous. Good thing I didn’t care to adjust my grip when I gave it to the Tax Collector.)

To their surprise, River Overlooker didn’t find it funny. The thought of a lie being told so easily made her uncomfortable.

(Language must be such a terrible way to communicate) River Overlooker told.

Neighbor’s turn arrived again, and they considered this as they flipped.

(I don’t think it’s really that different) They said. (Not when you consider all the ways we obscure our thoughts. Besides, they seem to see through each other’s lies. I don’t know how though. I don’t think they’re that different to us.)

As their turn ended, they told Predator how Takka had been fooled into thinking Neighbor hadn’t intended to kill him. He thought it was hilarious.

Despite their improved relationship with Takka, when the man himself took advantage of a lull in the rain to run to Neighbor’s tree, they panicked. Not even little red-eyed Hithran at his side could make the sight less terrifying.

Takka had a handful of entwined ribbon in his hand, which he tired around one of the low-hanging branches of Neighbor’s tree. The result matched the decorative pattern of ribbons on Takka and Hithran’s wrists.

“Happy Rainfall Evening” Hithran said, placing a gloved hand against the tree. Neighbor made the organisms covering their branches twitch so the Humans knew they had heard them. The Humans ran back to their shelter, and Neighbor continued their game with River Overlooker and Predator, happy to belong on both sides of the fence.

THE END

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