Chapter 5: Raising Sand

In the sunset of Denji’Kei’s star, some of the Jiqua’nyu inhabitants relaxed comfortably in the main lobby of the town’s Hebis’soka. Much of the scenery was reminiscent of a typical saloon or tavern-like setting. The floor consisted of a form of depilated artificial wood, combined with scraps of metal, and covered with a pristine carpet. Various circular tables were arranged around the area, along with glass windows and a side staircase leading up to the upper balcony. More rooms and hallways could be seen that led to the back rooms beyond it.

In the main lower room itself, there were at least fifteen Yutilians dressed in various dilapidated outfits. Some were at the tables, speaking with others that they knew or associated with. Another group, all facing one another, seemed to be playing some form of table game involving small, carved metal pieces stacked on top of one another. Another group was playing with cards of some sort. The outlet of the audience all led to the main bar counter, table, and stools, where a couple of Yutilians sat, receiving drinks.

A Yutilian was sitting in a separate corner of the local saloon, playing an instrument of some sort reminiscent of a taishogoto. It consisted of an elongated rectangular wooden block with strings mounted in the center, similar to a lying guitar or a flat harp. There were keys, almost reminiscent of ivory buttons, that could be pressed over the strings to adjust their pitch. One of the Itrean’s scaly fingers would press against the buttons while her other clawed fingers would rapidly pluck the strings to produce a slow rhythmic melody that would reverberate through the entire vast room. It appeared that the musician was the only Itrean currently present in her area, as other instruments, including a drum and a flute, sat in a rack not far from her.

All seemed like a regular day of festivities and mundane relaxing from a long day of work. However, that changed in an instant when the shadow of a human silhouette appeared by the saloon-like doors. The feathered bartender was the first to react, her hand reaching below the table as the other Yutilians from the other tables snapped to attention. Their feathers rose as a few put their hands to their holsters, anticipating a possible threat. The musician stopped, threw a cover on her instrument, and scurried off, finding cover as quickly as possible.

The doors swung open as Darin stood, overlooking a bunch of concerned Itreans. A few said things in their native tongue, the clicks and chirps, followed by a few words, all of which led to them questioning the alien-like being before them. This was followed by Feri’nita, who entered, speaking the Itrean language and pointing at the Ko’min women who had spotted Darin and the group sooner, causing everyone to slowly calm down. Their feathers lowered as they pulled their hands away from their holsters. However, they remained quiet for a little while, observing Darin, while a few began to focus back on relaxing.

Natch and Czarek followed suit, entering the local saloon, overlooking all the smaller denizens. The Itrean bartender waved her scaly hands to them to enter.

“Come in ... come in,” the bartender said in English with a heavy-accented voice. It carried a strong hint of Japanese and Spanish accents that would adjust to her voice.

Darin remained calm as his boots naturally smacked the carpet. He kept a collected demeanor. The musician, seeing that everything was clear, walked back to her table, pulled the cover off her instrument, and started to play music again.

Feri’nita gestured to Darin, Natch, and Czarek to come and have a seat. She said a few more words to the bartender. This particular Itrean was a little bit different than most of the Yutilians seen so far. While she had the classical features of a Yutilian, such as green feathers, brown scaly skin, a feathery tail, and digitigrade legs, other features pointed to her uniqueness. She had a set of small horns that protruded from the top of her head, where the feathers rode between. The woman also had a flat chest where she wore an Asiatic silk gown that flowed from her shoulders down to her talon feet.

“Howdy, partner,” Darin remarked in a low voice to the bartender. He set his rifle on the table and sat down to face the bartender, before glancing over to Feri’nita. “I imagine that your lack of English may make this conversation difficult.”

“I know some Engrish,” the bartender said, her snout making a few clicks in her voice. “Little, but good...”

“You live near isolation,” Natch said as he and Czarek set aside their rifles and belongings on the floor next to the stool. “Yet you know our language?”

“Ko’min know Engrish,” she said, placing her hand to her chest to brace herself. “Mating is trade ... humans want mating ... know language, good mating.” She smiled, looking at Darin, before leaning forward to speak with him. “Feri’nita spend time with you ... better Engrish. Speak lots, better speak ... My name is Swi’ya...”

“Darin,” the man introduced himself before looking at the others sitting on the stools. “This is Natch ... Czarek, and of course, you know Feri’nita, my wife.”

“Mate...,” Swi’ya said, looking at Feri’nita. “Long time...” She began to speak in the Itrean language to Feri’nita, making her classic lines of clicks and chirps together. Swi’ya seemed like she understood as much as she could, being informed of the situation. The word for cowboy was dropped, which the men understood. Darin could still note that many of the people in the saloon were distracted, gazing upon the three human men. Czarek was looking around. The look of hunger could be seen on his face, as if he were surrounded by women, alien or not.

“I see...,” Swi’ya replied. “Welcome to Jiqua’nyu.” She held her scaly hand outward, gesturing to the place. “My Hebis’soka ... boss of here...”

“Swi’ya,...,” Feri’nita added, turning to look at Darin. “She’s the lead eldress of Jiqua’nyu ... or as close as you would look at as the lead ruler. It’s because she owns the Hebis’soka. The others do their regular business.”

“I hear ya,” Darin remarked. “Mighty nice place you got here, Swi’ya.”

“My Ko’min saw you first,” Swi’ya replied with several clicks in her voice. “Good job ... teach for humans.”

“Damn...,” Czarek said. “You had them all ready for us ... Mmm ... I can’t wait to...”

“Czarek...,” Natch interrupted him, gesturing for him to mind himself.

“A dry hink makes sadness,” Swi’ya said. “We, Ko’min say this ... I understand. But, first ... talk ... relax, Czarek.” She gestured to Darin. “He speaks ... Darin important...” She looked at Darin with a firm glance, pulled out a drinking glass from behind the counter, and set it down on the table. “Feri’nita say ‘cowboy.’ Cowboy like Jiqua’nyu ... Jiqua’nyu like cowboy. I offer three drinks ... water, Ax’ol’pa juice, and Axi’jrenta click.”

“Ax’ol’pa juice?” Natch questioned. “What is that?”

“Hmm...,” Feri’nita tried to answer the question. “Mind our translation. It’s not really juice, but Ax’ol’pa milk. It’s mixed with a small amount of Axi’jrenta, cheap, but strong alcohol.”

“I wouldn’t mind a shot of vodka,” Czarek commented. “Good for the soul.”

“Ummm...,” Feri’nita seemed ready to comment.

“I can’t recommend the Axi’jrenta, Darin,” Natch advised him. “They can handle alcohol way better than us.”

“Fine,” Czarek commented. “Water it is...”

“It’s more expensive...” Feri’nita said. “Water is shipped to other towns.”

“I wouldn’t worry, Natch,” Darin said. “Limited choices, more fun for us.”

“Ax’ol’pa juice, water, or Axi’jrenta?” Swi’ya questioned them.

“Hmmm ... Ax’ol’pa juice it is,” Darin said, looking at Feri’nita. “Looks like you’ll be paying all the bills, Feri’nita.”

“It’s ok,” she said as she fished another rectangular coin from her pocket before placing it on the table. “It’ll be worth it...”

Swi’ya went and took another two cups before walking over to a small barrel. Placing it near the spigot, she pressed the lever tap as white, pasty liquid filled the cups. She then handed each one to Darin, Natch, and Czarek.

Czarek had a concerned look on his face. “Hmmm ... I don’t know, Cap. I’m thirsty, but I’m starting to question my life choices just looking at it.”

“Nonsense,” Darin said. “Gotta impress the locals now, ya hear?” He picked up the glass and looked at his men. “Bottoms up...”

Natch, without hesitation, grabbed his glass. Czarek took a deep breath, picked up the glass, and all three men quickly took a hard swig of it.

The results were immediate. The taste was seemingly repulsive. Darin cringed for a moment. Natch’s eyes closed. The smell of the drink became strong the moment it fell down the throat. Czarek was the first, as he almost spat the drink back into the cup.

“Sweet Jesus!” Czarek said, choking. “Somebody came in my mouth. It tastes like mud and shit at war with each other to see which tastes better.”

Darin shook his head. “Phew...” he said with a faint laugh, catching his breath and nodding his head, before putting his cup on the table. “I’d say that cowpiss might be better ... Yeah, I reckon your people need to improve the drinks.”

“Now you know what it’s like for me,” Feri’nita said.

“You like this?”

“Hell no, dearie...,” she shook her head. “Ax’ol’pa juice isn’t much, but ... it’s good for you...”

“Are you sure?” Czarek asked, seeing that Swi’ya was laughing to herself, making a series of short clicks in rapid succession.

“You like shit,” Swi’ya said, pointing to him. “I smell the Ax’ol’pa on you.”

“Yeah, because of the mud milk I’m drinking.”

“I think she means something under your boot,” Darin commented, taking a hard look at his drink. “I can smell it from here. Something you might have stepped in...”

“Ugh...,” Czarek said as he turned to Natch. The Native American was bracing himself. He closed his eye as he went and poured the entire contents of the glass into his throat before slapping the glass onto the table. For a while, his body was trembling, trying to endure it. It caused Darin to nod in agreement.

“Well, then,” Darin commented. “If it’s good enough for Natch...” The cowboy repeated the same, grabbing his glass and pouring it down his throat in quick succession.

“Ah, damn,” Czarek said as he went and followed suit.

Feri’nita put her hand on Darin’s arm, seeing him challenge his body’s reaction to repel the foul-tasting liquid. However, in the end, he managed to endure it well, even though Czarek was ready to throw up. Natch was able to shake it off as Darin simply laughed at it.

“You actually managed to make water the least boring drink alive,” Darin remarked, pressing his cup back to Swi’ya. Czarek, meanwhile, was practically bracing his throat as he seemed interested in licking his hands to get the taste off his tongue.