Chapter 1

Two figures sit in a waiting room outside of a Council Sub-Chamber. That fact in itself is very unusual, because no one ever needed to sit outside of a council sub-chamber for any reason at all. What’s even more unusual is who these two figures are.

One was sitting very coolly and calmly on a normal wooden chair. What was abnormal is the fact that the occupant of said chair is definitely not made for that chair. The first thing you noticed when observing said seated figure, is the legs. They are stretched straight out in front of him, long and strong, with feet like a bird. Its legs are triple jointed, owing to the fact that he cannot get his legs to bend under the chair comfortably like a human. Beyond the newspaper opened in front of him, you cannot see much more than the fact that he is incredibly tall, has two impressive wing that are currently folded tight to his back, and a tail like a birds. You can also tell that he only wears an impressive and surprisingly modest loincloth of brilliant purple with a gold edging, but since he is covered in a down of feathers, this is not immodest in the least. The only thing visible above the newspaper is a crest of brown feathers, with three tall green ones.

The other figure in the room refuses to be confined in a chair. He is a normal enough human being, currently pacing the room from wall to wall, threatening to wear a hole in the luxurious carpet. He has messy black hair, and occasionally runs his hand through it, making it even worse. The only real outstanding feature is his brilliant blue eyes. With a modest dress of khaki shirt and pants, and brown hiking boots, this figure is dressed for adventure.

“How long are they going to take?” The pacing figure asks no one in particular, but secretly hopes that the seated one will actually answer. This isn’t the first time the question had been asked.

The seated one glanced from behind his paper, and his most disturbing aspect is revealed. The eyes. His eyes are typical for his race, but are considered the scariest because of their brilliant gold color, and how his blood vessels are more prominent, giving him the look of being in a constant state of bloodlust.

Regarding his pacing companion, the seated figure wondered if he should say anything, then shrugged slightly and went back to his paper.

The pacing figure glanced, irritated, at the seated one, who ignored him, and then turned back to his pacing with a wince and a rub at a spot on his thigh. This action did not escape the seated figure, who said, without glancing up,”You ssssshould have a sssseat.”

The pacing figure gave the newspaper a scorching glance, and continued pacing. “Why should I? This keeps me from going insane.”

The paper shifted slightly, and the eyes appeared above it yet again. “You know what the doctor sssssaid. ‘Don’t over exert yourself, or I’ll have Sssssneis here drag you back to me sssssso I can tie you down and trrrrrreat you prrroperly.’ I will take you back there if you don’t sssssit down.” Having said his piece, the seated figure, Sneis, went back to his paper.

The pacing figure looked ill for a moment, then rubbed his thigh and perched on a four-legged stool. He was still for all of ten seconds, and then started tapping his fingers on his leg. About a minute later, he moved on to the bottom of the stool, and soon was shifting impatiently. Sneis simply looked up from his paper for a moment, shook his head slightly, and went back to it.

It took another 30 seconds before the now-seated figure to burst out angrily, “How long are they going to take!?!”

Sneis finally got fed up, folded his paper carefully, and leveled his gaze at his human companion. This revealed his most impressive part, his long, heavy, dull gold beak. It also is the reason why Sneis and his species cannot speak English without hissing s’ and rolling r’s. “The councccccilorssss will take all the time they need for thissssss particularrrr apprrroval. They know the rissskssss of going out into that jungle, and they alssssso know we plan to go, team orrrrr not. With that in mind, they will decide what issssss in the bessssst intresssstsssss of our Trrrrrade Orrrrganization. Impatiencccce wont help anything, James.” With that, Sneis leaned against the back of his chair and closed his eyes, falling asleep almost instantly.

The human, James, looked in shock at his friend, thought about what he said, and decided Sneis was right. With a sigh, he reluctantly relaxed and rummaged around the side table for a magazine. He was just about to start with an ancient Cabelas catalogue, when the door to the council sub-chamber opened and the councilors started filing out, talking amongst themselves. James and Sneis both shot to their feet, Sneis with his beak opened on surprise, and James with a grim expression on his face, already assuming the worst.

The councilors left in a mass, all talking to each other, and completely ignored the two in the waiting room. This confused James a little, but didn’t faze Sneis in the slightest, who knew what to expect from councilors. He was the Chieftain on his home world, and was wise in the ways of politics. The few Flians who filed out nodded in respect to their former leader, for a former Chieftain still afforded the honor of his office. Sneis nodded back in acknowledgement, and scanned the crowd for the man appointed to speak with them.

He was working his way through the mass of councilors with little luck, and Snies made his way through to help him. Grabbing him by the arm, he hissed that everyone should move aside if they would please. They made a narrow path, and Sneis lunged through with the speaker in tow.

The man brushed himself off and straightened his coat before bowing at the waist in thanks. Sneis bowed slightly in return, and motioned him to speak. James looked like he was about to throttle the man for the information. Clearing his throat, the man began, “The council was convened for 3 hours, and all the councilors who wanted to speak were allowed the floor. All angles were considered, and the council decided to fund the Interstellar Biological Society’s venture.”

James closed his eyes in relief, and Sneis bowed at the waist and put his right hand over his heart in the ancient Flian gesture of thanks, and the recorder did the same before making his way back into the flow of men and Flians and disappearing from view.

Sneis turned to James and said,”we ssssshould ssstart packing.” And they both entered the flow to exit the room.