Genetic Attraction: part 3

    “It’s beautiful.”  Flyspur whispered, as Kya and her entourage lead Rover and himself across a suspension bridge that took them through the canopy.  It was the polite thing to say, the most appropriate thing to say.  But it was also true.  Above them rose a cathedral of green that towered high above their heads.  Light from the sunny day above illuminated the leaves from behind, making them glow in the shafts of sunlight that spilled down from the openings between the branches.  Insects buzzed and played in the light like tornados of tiny yellow stars.  Far below them water surged, fresh and salty, around the massive tree trunks, tiny patches or waves twinkling in the scant bits of sun that reached it.

    But the fauna and water were not the only things that took Flyspur’s breath away.  The trees were not only home to the squeaking and chirping wildlife but it was abuzz with Jssfloon.  All around them, wrapped around the giant trunks, clinging to the underside of branches, hanging from the tree like huge fruit, were structures.  They appeared to be made out of some sort of pinkish material that contrasted brightly against the surrounding green.  

    “It really is.”  Kya looked around her, her green eyes, the same color as the surrounding foliage, filling with pride and perhaps even a little sadness.  “We have worked hard to make a home here.”

    “I can see that.”

    She turned and gave him a warm smile that made his toes want to curl.  It was so odd.  She was speaking almost entirely to him and nearly ignoring Rover.  In fact, much to his embarrassment the entire group of Jssfloon seemed to have a curious eye on him.  It made him wish his friend would catch their attention with one of his stories so Flyspur could just fade into the background as he usually did.

    The suspension bridge bounced ever so slightly as they walked, it’s thick cables vibrating.

    With a twist of her dainty upper wrist Kya motioned to the female that walked a few paces behind her.  She was taller than Kya with wavy peach hair that was pulled into one french braid that spanned from her facial ridge, over her head and down her back. “I would like you to meet Shoona, our colony’s leading physician.  She comes from a long line of medical professionals.  Her family has done a great deal for this planet.”

    Flyspur gave her a nod and clasped his lower hands in greeting, which he realized with horror he had not done for Kya. He resisted the urge to smack himself in the forehead.  

    “Pleased to meet you.”  Shoona’s purple eyes scanned him methodically as if examining a fascinating bit of pond water under a microscope.  “If I may ask, has the home world yet overcome the problem of limited reproduction?”

    Flyspur’s eyes widened, shocked at how informally she had brought up such a delicate subject.  Jssfloon females could normally have only two births and rarely a sterile Third.  The only thing that kept the population growing was the occasional appearance of twins.  It was a topic breached only under necessary circumstances.  He found his mouth not working again.  “Um...I...well…”

    Kya seemed to take pity on him and put a hand on his shoulder, which only made his soul spots pulse, as she turned to Shoona.  “Let us save such questions for our meal.  Conversation is always enhanced by good food, is it not?”

    Flyspur nodded and managed to choke out a sentence without sounding too embarassed.  “You will answer our questions too?”

    She flashed him a smile as bright as the sparkling water.  “Why of course!  You must have many.”    

    Rover leaned over the edge of the bridge, peering down at the water below.  He pulled a small coin from his pocket and flicked it over the edge, waiting until it hit the water below.  He whistled.  “Quite the doosy of a drop.  This bridge is good and sturdy, ain’t it?”

    Kya lifted her head as if she could look down at him.  “Certainly.  We take pride in our communities.  Workmanship is always tested thoroughly.”

    Rover just smiled.  “Good to see someone takin’ pride in their architecture.  Why, Little Blue, here is quite the architect himself.”

    Flyspur’s jaw dropped in confusion, glancing nervously from Rover to Kya.  “I’m wh-what?”

    “Why sure!”  Rover said as they reached the far end of the bridge, stepping onto a platform that surrounded the wall-like trunk.  “You remember that time we were on Celtic 8?  ‘Course you do!”  Rover slapped him on the back and nearly sent him sprawling onto the platform.  

    Flyspur closed his eyes in a grimace, his lower hands wringing furiously.  “Rover…”  Okay so maybe Rover’s storytelling wasn’t such a good idea.

    “Follow me.”  Kya just smiled and with two hands motioned Rover toward a ladder carved into the thick, crevassed bark.  She, however moved to the side, climbing up the textured trunk without the aid of the ladder’s steps.  From what Flyspur could see, only Rover and the elders needed the ladder,  The rest of the group followed Kya’s lead and ascended without its assistance, their sticky fingers and toes clinging easily to the tree.

    Rover continued his story as he climbed and Kya and the group seemed content to let him talk.  “We was on this little planet, see.  Locals were these pygmy elephant bird, lizard……...things.  See, they lived on this fault line, ran right in the center of their little town.  Which wasn’t exactly the brightest thing to do but to each his own I reckon.  Anywhoo they’d been buildin’ their little huts outta bricks for ages and for just as long they been cavin’ in whenever the ground’d shake.  Why they had more concussions and busted bones than a game of Andretti bumper cars.  Bein’ the carin’ sorta guy he is, why, Blue knew he had to fix the mess they was in.”

    “Rover...please.”  Flyspur could feel the heat in his ears as he continued climbing after Kya.  There was already enough attention on him.  He didn’t need Rover ‘helping’.  “I’m sure they don’t want to hear--”

    “Oh, but we do!”  Piped up a child climbing alongside Rover and listening wide-eyed to every word.  There were murmurs of agreement from the rest of the small crowd.

    “Please, do continue.”  Kya said giving Flyspur a knowing smile.

    “Why a day ain’t went by before Blue had them rebuildin’ them huts with spongewood.  Lightest stuff on the planet and strong too.  Can’t tell you how many lives he saved.  Even had an earthquake while we were down there and not one of them buildin’s he oversaw got one measly little crack in it.  Ain’t that right, Blue!”  Rover gave his first mate a wink as he continued up the ladder.  

    Kya looked over at him, her thin brows arching in admiration.  “It sounds like you did a lot for those people.”

    Flyspur swallowed.  “It...it really wasn’t like that.  I just made a suggestion and drew out a few….um...diagrams.”  His mouth clamped his mouth closed.  Ugh.  Couldn’t he say one sentence without tripping over his tongue?  He stared at the bark in front of his face as he climbed, pretending that the moss and tiny mushrooms growing there were the most interesting thing he had ever encountered.  

    Kya reached another platform and in one graceful movement she slipped onto it and stood up, smoothing her furry tunic.  “Perhaps.  But not everyone would bother.”

       He couldn’t see it, but Flyspur could feel Rover’s smug grin from just below him as he climbed onto the platform next to her.  

    Rover grunted, his boots flailing a bit before he managed to drag his awkward bulk over the rim and onto the flat surface.  A moment ago Flyspur had felt gangly and awkward next to Kya’s smooth, graceful movements but after watching Rover’s antics he didn’t feel nearly as ridiculous.  He wondered if his friend was doing it on purpose.  He wouldn’t put it past Rover to do something like that in misguided attempt to make him feel more confident.

    Only two more bridges and one short climb brought them to another platform and Kya spread all four arms out in a flourish, motioning to the building before her.  “The Grand Hall.”

    And it was grand!  It wrapped all the way around the massive tree trunk, it’s outer wall a series of tall arching windows that towered over Flyspur’s head.  Bright green vines with little brown flowers twined and swirled at the edge of the roof, much more intricate and lovely than any Jssfloon made decoration ever could have been.  He wondered if that was where the pleasantly sweet scent was coming from. The building, like all the others he had seen was made from a shiny pink material that glinted in the light.

    “That is quite the heap of pink.”  Rover couldn’t help but observe.