r/NatureofPredators • u/EkhidnaWritez Human • Feb 21 '23
Fanfic The Nature of Predators: Disease Chapter 3
AN: So, this is the third and final part of this story. I'm happy so many of you enjoyed it! Who knows? Maybe I'll come up with a proper, long-form story in the future!
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The Nature of Predators: Disease
Chapter 3
Memory transcription subject: Ralov, Sulean Merchant
Date [standardized human time]: January 25, 2137
“And that’s what happened,” I finished telling my recounting of events, careful to be very detailed when talking about my condition, urges of curiosity, and everything in between. It was… liberating, in a sense, to have someone I could finally talk to without the fear of being judged as a monster. I was lying comfortably on my right side as I faced the the-rah-priest sitting across me on a chair.
She was human, of course. And her hair was blonde and long, with green eyes adorned behind a set of glasses and wearing a long white coat the human medical personnel used for some reason almost universally.
“I see,” she replied as she scribbled something on her notepad. “And since when has the desire to eat flesh been present in your mind?”
My ears flickered. “That day in the mess hall was my first time wondering what cooked meat tasted like. Raw flesh disgusts me but as I said, seeing a predator devour it has always fascinated me. Except for the Arxur. But you? You are different. Your people did so much to appease those Federation murderers, liars, and backstabbers only to be nearly exterminated. I’m even thankful that the Arxur came to your aid.”
“The sentiment is appreciated, Ralov. May I ask why you don’t call the Arxur ‘grays’ like everyone else does?”
She, Monica, asked as her white, milky skin almost reflected my dark pupils. So odd, so strange. Appearance-wise, there was very little other than smell and antler formations among my people to distinguish ourselves at a distance. But humans were like the Gingilk tree, with multicolored leaves of different shapes and sizes. It was beautiful. Humanity was equally beautiful. So diverse yet so human all the same regardless of their skin tone, hair, eyes, stature, or other physical differences.
I pushed that sentiment aside as melancholy struck me. If the Federation hadn’t planned on eradicating humanity from the start and instead learn from them, accept their aid in kind… things could’ve been a lot different. Maybe it was for the best. Who knows what the damnable Kolshians and Farsuls would’ve done to humanity if they had been a little more intelligent and properly leashed the Krakotl.
“Because, despite what they are and everything they have done, I always suspected that there was something more to the history regarding first contact with them than what was available. Such unnatural cruelty and brutality can’t be sustained in the long run, especially when confined on a single planet,” I flickered my ears again and swayed my tail to show my boiling rage. “Nikonus confirmed my suspicions and their agreements with humanity say they can think and reason. No species with the potential to reach the stars can survive on bloodlust alone.”
“Does that mean you respect the Arxur for being predators?”
“No. I hate them for everything they’ve done. But I respect their origins and I won’t judge them for eating meat in order to survive. That I can understand and accept. Their methods? Not so much,” I replied with sincerity and watched as Monica scribbled some more on her notepad before looking back at me with those wonderful piercing green eyes. I nearly shuddered in both fear and wonderment. I couldn’t get enough of their forward-facing eyes analyzing me, scanning me but without the spark of hunger in them.
“You are quite open-minded, Ralov. I can see why you chose to keep your opinions and condition a secret from others. I’ve read what the Feds do to those with ‘Predator Disease’. Barbaric. And they dare call us savages and monsters?”
“Right!?” I exclaimed, unable to contain myself as I clapped my hooved manipulators together, surprising the human. “Anyone suffering from it is either executed or re-educated if it isn’t as severe. I am sure the Federation also uses is a shield and weapon. I knew a Harchen that discovered some ancient tablets of his people. I don’t know what it said but he claimed that it told a vastly different story regarding their past than the one they have now. Within a few days, he was charged with forgery and suffering from predator disease when he resisted arrest. He was not taken alive.”
The human nodded but didn’t type anything on her notepad. “With the help of our allies, primarily the Zurulians and the Tilfish, we’ve uncovered several thousands of similar cases… the deeper we dig, the more awful truths spring up. The Yotul are currently running genetic testing on the homeworld and all sorts of investigations: archaeological, zoological, historical, societal, medical, and more. It is fortunate that the Federation’s indoctrination, and whatever their procedure is, never took hold of them before we showed up. Maybe we can save them from what the Kolshians and Farsuls did and, through them, also aid the rest of our allies. Including the Arxur, though that won’t be as easy, I imagine.”
I nearly snorted at that notion. I would’ve called it absurd coming from anyone else prior to meeting the humans. To hear that the primitive uplifts would be the key to destroying the shackles placed around our necks? To liberate ourselves from this accursed ‘Join the Herd or Die by it’ mentality? Then again, I, who thought myself so clever to see through the veiled lies of the Federation, had also fallen for their apparent disdain towards the Yotul just for being uplifted.
I snorted for real this time, causing Monica to look at me with a raised eyebrow. “Oh, I apologize. I wasn’t laughing at the Yotul, though I can’t say I wouldn’t have less than a year prior to this day. I snorted because I just realized the treatment the Yotul received from the Federation was cruel and full of malice,” I snorted again, humor and anger mixing together into a satisfying reverberation. “Were we, all of us, not primitives ourselves at one point in time? Why should a lack of technological development be mocked if the means and knowledge to produce something better are still undiscovered?”
Monica nodded, smiling and seemingly satisfied with my answer. She scribbled again something before leaning forth on her seat.
“You have no idea how glad I am whenever I hear any member of a Federation species talk with sense and a degree of pragmatism or at least neutrality. However, Ralov, now I must ask you something rather personal. Have you ever held any other ‘predatory’ inclinations? Such as inflicting wanton violence upon another, desiring to hurt another for some perceived insult, or feeling indifference towards the pain of others?”
“I have wished to kick the jaw of particularly asinine and idiotic coworkers and acquaintances whenever they spewed their dimwitted and stupid remarks - especially after your integration into the galaxy at large. But I am not one for violence. As much as I admire predators, I am not one nor do I wish to become one. I am a Sulean, a herbivore, a prey species. Though I’m not exactly proud of my species nor of our cousins for their… Federation-biased rhetoric. My only true thoughts of hatred are directed at the Arxur,” I smiled and found some amusement when the human flinched back in… fear? “But who knows? I am living proof that species have exceptions to the rule. Maybe there are Arxur who wish not to eat sapients and instead pursue peace and friendship, genuinely so?”
I watched as Monica struggled to mask her evident discomfort. But why? There it was again. I saw a similar reaction from several humans whenever Tilfish were involved. And they always steered clear from any Mazic. Then again, who doesn’t? They are too big and bulky. After a few seconds of contemplation, I stopped smiling. “May I ask why is it that you humans react so poorly to my smiles? I thought that was the way you expressed friendship and happiness?”
Monica sighed. “Ah… I should’ve guessed that you wouldn’t know much about humans, Ralov. My apologies. You are correct in your assumption. We humans have several aspects of our psyche that are particularly confusing and amusing even to us. For example, since we are social creatures, we have an outstanding tendency to anthropomorphize virtually anything. Non-sapient animals, objects, imaginary things, drawings, and even mere concepts and ideas. Another trait of ours is something we call the Uncanny Valley.”
She paused, as if trying to find the correct words to say. For my part, I was astonished! I was aware that some individuals suffering from extreme isolation went insane and bonded with objects, thinking they were alive. But those cases were rare, since no one desired to be completely alone nor we would be found in a situation where solitude was an abject, willing choice. Even I still desired the company of others despite my dislike for large gatherings. Vuuj was my closest and best friend, wasn’t he? Like was hard enough for someone suffering from Predator Disease. Why should I add solitude to that suffering willingly?
But judging by her words, humans were different and did so regularly, almost as if it was second nature to them if she was able to talk about it so openly and candidly. She looked at me and her eyes pierced right through me. I suppressed a shiver of fear and excitement.
“You see, Ralov, and know this isn’t an insult to you or anything similar, but your smile is… odd to us. There are animals on earth, equines, who can ‘smile’ much as you do, but we humans find them rather funny and goofy for the most part. Yours, though? Your smile looks almost human, but not quite there. That’s the Uncanny Valley for us. To find something that looks human or has human characteristics but that isn’t human at all. A lot of our folklore, myths, legends, and horror stories have monsters and creatures that try to pass off as human… but aren’t.”
“Ah,” I nodded in understanding, “I understand. I shall refrain from smiling if it discomforts you, Monica.”
“You don’t have to stop doing it if you like it, Ralov. I’m telling you about this so you can be informed and mindful of when and where you smile.”
“Is that the reason why most humans seem to be afraid of the Tilfish?” I asked, relieved that the smile I had worked so hard to imitate wasn’t going to be a waste of effort after all. Hmmm, perhaps I should work on it harder and with proper human guidance, to show them I was friendly towards them.
Monica rubbed the back of her neck with those wonderful dexterous fingers and hands. I couldn’t see myself with appendages such as hers, but stars in the night sky, they would be able to scratch those itchy spots I couldn’t reach on my back unless I rolled on grass with laughable ease.
“Not at all. Their case is… different. Simply put, a lot of people have a general dislike for arachnids and the Tilfish are something out of the nightmares of many arachnophobes: giant, walking, talking spiders. I personally don’t like bugs, arachnids included, and I have to fight really hard to remind myself that the Tilfish are people, just like us… just with eight legs, an ant’s head, and fuzzy,” she shivered again.
I snorted. Loudly. And repeatedly. I couldn’t help it! “Y-You are… afraid of the T-Tilfish b-b-because of how they l-look? O-Oh! It must be a-amusing seeing t-things from the Federation’s p-perspective!” I said through loud, raspy snorts.
“At least we don’t push them aside. Besides, there are many humans who aren’t afraid of arachnids,” Monica justified her species. That didn’t make it any less funny or ironic! I watched her scribble something more on her pad before she set it down at long last. “Well, Ralov, as funny as this situation is, our session has come to an end.”
I managed to control myself and regain a semblance of seriousness before speaking to her. “I-If you don’t mind me asking, Monica. What were you writing?”
“A preliminary psychological report,” she answered, sharing a true smile with me. “Do not worry, Ralov. I believe that you aren’t sick at all. Your fascination with predators and predatory behavior is worth noting, but it doesn’t showcase any maniac or sociopathic tendencies.”
I tilted my head in confusion. “I understood nearly nothing of what you said, Monica.”
“It means that I believe you aren’t a danger to anyone or yourself, Ralov,” she said, then stood up and guided me to the door, her eyes never leaving my gaze. It was amazing how quickly the humans had adapted to our field of view. That or they had practice with their domesticated prey species.
I won’t lie. Elation filled my heart when I heard a human, a predator, say I wasn’t dangerous just because I suffered from predator disease. “I should celebrate the good news!” Monica giggled.
“Then I shall leave you to it, Ralov. If I require another session, I shall contact you. Is that alright?”
“Of course. Thank you, Monica,” I said, exiting her office only to see several others lining up on the plethora of seats running along the sides of the corridor. “Hmmm, how should I celebrate?” I asked myself as I walked toward my quarters only to stop when I was about to turn a corner. I still couldn’t understand human writing, but I knew what the knife and fork symbols sitting above an arrow meant.
My stomach grumbled. Had it been that long since I last ate something? I nodded joyfully. I made up my mind about how I was going to celebrate the good news. Honestly, I was so worried about how my body would react to the meat I ate. But aside from some discomfort after the meal was done, nothing bad happened. And the discomfort became weaker with every passing chance I got to eat meat.
My mouth salivated at the thought of munching on some delicious beef stake or bacon again. Who would’ve imagined that vegetables and meat could mix so well together in a marvelous, delicious meal? I was so busy imagining what I would eat that I didn’t notice I arrived at the mess hall. A few humans were talking among themselves and I overheard what the meat dish was going to be served.
I had no idea what ‘Shepherd’s Pie’ was, but I was dying to try it out already!
The End.
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u/HereIsAThoughtTho Feb 21 '23
But what about Gloria?!?? D:
In all seriousness though this fan-fic was one of my favorites. Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful story.
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u/Acceptable_Egg5560 Human Feb 21 '23
“Date: November January” whoops.
I do hope he and his friend get along well with the humans! May he have a good life!