Scene – One Month Ago
Page 1; Picture: Nal’s pod on the move
Caption: ONE MONTH AGO.
On another warm and inviting day, three female aliens are scurrying through the plains. In the lead is Nalgazta, affectionately called Nal by her pod. Even with a small stature of just three feet tall, they cover a lot of ground with nimble speed. Nal is driven, tireless. Sharlek and Tivray are keeping pace, a few steps behind.
Nal pauses for a brief second, looking a little up to the sky. Three moons shine defiantly in the broad daylight. Sharlek and Tivray pause, waiting for Nal. As they talk, their lips only move when making chirps and sounds, not when speaking, yet they hear each other very well indeed.
Nal: …bright… warm… safe…
Sharlek: … pleasing… tired… journey long…
Tivray has her arms crossed and looks annoyed at Nal. Nal and Sharlek laugh.
Tivray: …impatient… when over… ?
Nal/Sharlek: (laughing) kee, kee, kee!!
Nal: …continue… hurry…
[continue]
Page 2; Picture: the pod feasting on the grass
They approach an eight-foot rising ridge with vines covering it. Without breaking stride, Nal jumps, grabs a vine like a monkey, and flings herself up to the top, landing gracefully. Sharlek and Tivray do similar quick jumps and the pod continues their running without missing a beat.
As they are crossing a new plain, suddenly Sharlek stops and pivots down so her mouth is on the ground. Nal and Tivray stop and look at Sharlek with surprise.
Sharlek: …nourish… need…
Nal: …impatient…
Nal stares disapprovingly at Sharlet. Sharlet and Tivray start laughing.
Nal:… when over…?
Sharlek/Tivray: (laughing) kee, kee, kee!!
Nal and Tivray join Sharlet in feeding. They feast apart from each other, trimming the field down from several inches to short cut near the ground. As they progress, they end up making a perfect square of manicured lawn.
All three: nom … nom… nom…
They are finished and Nal pats the ground lovingly
Nal: …father… thanks…
Nal turns to the other two, they are nodding.
Nal: …resume search…
[continue]
Page 3; Picture: the pod staring to the distance, Sharlek pointing
With very full bellies, the trio begins anew on their task, running towards in important goal. After several ridges, they arrive at one and stop, Sharlek points to the distance. Several hundred yards away, another pod of three female Haamrettle are feasting in the same peculiar square pattern.
Sharlek: …squee!… Lemkeiq??…
Nal:… DAUGHTER??!!
They spring towards the other pod, squealing loudly to get their attention as they close quickly.
Nal/Sharlek/Tivray: Loo! Loo! Loo!!
The other pod pivots, recognizes the charging group and runs to intercept. They leap onto each other in joyful embraces, rolling around, causing dust to rise.
Both pods: LOO! LOO! LOO!
Nal hugs Lemkeiq tightly.
Lemkeiq closes her eyes, smiling: .. MOTHER!
Nal furiously inspects Lemkeiq, looking for any bugs. Lemkeiq looks annoyed. Sharlet and Tivray are laughing.
Nal:… maintenance… important… neglectful…
Lemkeiq: …impatient…
Sharlek/Tivray: … when over?? Kee kee!
Nal ignores them and continues looking for bugs, a concentrated look on her worried face.
Nal: …not amused… mites!…
Lemkeiq resigns herself and lifts her arms as Nal picks off bugs here and there and eats them. This goes on for a bit while the other pod members are playing with each other. Some look for bugs on their friends, causing them to laugh. Tivray is inspecting one of the other pod members with a look of disdain.
Tivray: … worry correct… gross!
Nal stops and looks concerned into Lemkeiq’s eyes.
Nal: …health… acceptable?… risks low?
Lemkeiq: …worry much… not young…
Nal: …young still… worry forever…
Lemkeiq (big smile): …Kee kee
[continue]
Page 4; Picture (also chapter cover): a standoff between Nal and Jelenn, both looking ready to pounce, but still with their mouths closed.
From another distance a third pod is watching the interaction. All three females in this pod are angry and deciding what to do about it. The leader, Jelenn, has darker fur than the others and has a commanding presence.
Jelenn: … living mother… sacrilege… embarrass…
Others in her pod commiserate: … disgust… unacceptable… showoff…
Jelenn: …not allow… move…
Jelenn and her pod spring into action, rushing towards Nal and Lemkeiq’s pods. Their approach is quickly noticed by the other pods, who freeze in place and wait for the confrontation. As they approach, Jelenn’s pod hollers a warning:
3rd pod: Rrrriii rrriii rrriiiii
As they arrive, Jelenn’s pod takes an aggressive stance with Jelenn starting down Nal. Nal and Lemkeiq’s pods organize behind Nal, and look afraid. Nal is calm and standing ready.
Jelenn: … position wrong… my pod zone… leave now…
Nal stands taller, looks at Jelenn and assesses… Close up of Nal’s determined face.
READER DECISION
- Apologies
- Back off
- Leave… or die
[This is the first reader choice and establishes a baseline for Nal and how she will behave.]
[When reader reaches a Page 5 variant, they get an achievement “Achievement: Chapter 1 Cover” and the cover for the chapter is written in their story instead of the “Stand Off” title that shows up until now.]
Page 5 (Apologies); Picture: Jelenn and her pod pleased, Nal and Lemkeiq’s pods are running off (together); Chapter Title becomes “Apologies”
Nal dips her head in a submissive pose to Jelenn. Jelenn beams with pride.
Nal: …apologies… moving…
Nal turns and runs off. Her pod quickly follows. Lemkeiq pauses for a moment. She stares at Jelenn with anger in her eyes. She stands taller. Nal looks back.
Nal: … come… wasted effort… go…
Lemkeiq looks upset, then stands down, turns and runs behind Nal. Lemkeiq’s pod quickly follows. As they leave Jelenn continues to bask in her victory.
Jelenn: … correct… father has pride… … now feast…
Jelenn’s pod starts to feast in the area, in the same square pattern we have seen twice before.
Nal and Lemkeiq’s pods arrive back to where Lemkeiq was. Nal and Lemkeiq are looking at each other, Lemkeiq is a little annoyed, Nal is apologetic.
Lemkeiq: …could force them…
Nal: … not worth stress…
Lemkeiq: …now father demands…
Nal looks a little sorry.
Nal: …yes… must return… our zone…
Lemkeiq leans in and kisses Nal on the lips.
Lemkeiq: … joy seeing mother…
Nal: … more joy seeing you…
Nal: … must return… my zone…
Reluctantly, Nal turns and starts her journey back to their zone. Her pod pivots and follows. Lemkeiq’s pod waits a moment, then returns to clearing the square they were working on.
[chapter complete]
Page 5 (Back off): Picture: Nal stands firm, Jelenn is surprised and her pod is now wary; Chapter Title becomes “Back off”
Nal stands firm, pointing at Jelenn, a stern look in her eye. Jelenn is surprised by this reaction.
Nal: …back off…
Jelenn: … inappropriate… incorrect zone…
Nal gestures to her pods, both are now lining up to each of her sides, all looking stern and ready to fight if needed.
Nal: …outnumbered… my zone now… leave…
Jelenn, looking scared for the first time, steps back towards her pod.
Jelenn: …wouldn’t dare…
Lemkeiq steps forward and matches Nal’s intensity. Other pod members are also closing in.
Lemkeiq: … we dare…
Jelenn steps back, rattled by this show of force.
Jelenn: … council would disapprove…
Nal doubles-down, a stare that could kill.
Nal: … dispute small… won’t care… bluffing…
Jelenn starts to run away, her pod in quick step with her.
Jelenn: …go… now
Lemkeiq stands appreciative looking at Nal.
Lemkeiq: …joy… share father’s demands…
Nal: …yes… return now…
Nal and Lemkeiq’s pods return to where Lemkeiq was feasting. They establish adjacent squares and feast together.
Both pods: …nom… nom… nom…
[chapter complete]
Page 5 (Leave or die): Picture: Nal shows her hidden mouth, teeth out, hissing at a shocked Jelenn; Chapter Title becomes “Leave, or die!”
Nal opens her extended mouth wide, so wide it stretches almost to her ears, revealing a large inner mouth with extensive teeth. She hisses violently at Jelenn. Jelenn recoils in horror.
Nal: Leave… OR DIE…
Jelenn: squee! squee!
Jelenn takes several steps back and eyes Nal with shock. Her pod is terrified at this aggression.
Jelenn: … you dare!… too far!…
Lemkieq steps forward to Nal’s side. She bends forward, then opens her inner mouth wide, showing teeth as well and hisses.
Lemkieq: … LEAVE… NOW…
Jelenn and her pod turn and run while Nal and Lemkiq’s pods gather around them in support.
Lemkeiq stands appreciative looking at Nal.
Lemkeiq: …pride… joy…
Nal: …yes… return now… feast…
Nal and Lemkeiq’s pods return to where Lemkeiq was feasting. They establish adjacent squares and feast together.
Both pods: …nom… nom… nom…
[chapter complete]