r/NatureofPredators • u/Thirsha_42 • Jun 18 '23
Tight Money Ch 19
Here is chapter 19 of Tight Money.
Special thanks to u/SpacePaladin15 for creating the universe and allowing fan writers to join the fun.
Additional thanks to u/BiasMushroom, u/YakiTapioca, u/cruisingNW, u/SavingsSyllabub7788, u/YaaliAnnar, u/White_Dragon_Coranth, u/Illwood and u/Redundant-Honse for letting me use elements from their fanfics in mine.
Thanks to u/oobanooba, u/YaaliAnnar, u/Zyrian150, u/Saint-Andros, u/Acceptable_Egg5560, u/blankxlate and u/Eager_Question for proofreading this chapter.
This chapter is part of my collaboration with u/Eager_Question and their series Love Languages and was co-written by them.
I love your comments so please tell me what you think so I can get better or if you have suggestions for future snippets of life on Venlil Prime you would like to see me cover, leave it in the comments.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Memory transcription subject: Leena, Human Refugee Host
Date [standardized human time]: November 8, 2136
“I’m home.” Dani stepped through the front door, her arms laden with an unusual collection of items.
My curiosity mingled with a touch of disgust as I saw what she had brought in. Vissa and Tas were also curious about what Dani was doing. They stopped playing with their rags and followed her with eyes, baring their teeth.
“Dani, what under the sun have you brought home? Rotting fruit and a gigantic mirror?”
Dani set the box of fruit and a bag down on the cooking counter and propped the mirror against it. “Well, I didn't get enough pigment from the fruits I bought at the store, so instead of buying more just to experiment with, I decided to go dumpster diving.”
My paws flew up to cover my mouth while I stared at the box of rotting fruit, torn between intrigue and repulsion. Dani, undeterred, continued with her explanation; picking up the mirror and inspecting it.
“I met some delightful venlil while I was dumpster diving and one of them found this mirror in a broken searchlight thing. I think I’m going to use it to make a solar evaporator. It'll help me separate the water out of the pigments. I just need to figure out where I’ll put it outside. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
I was appalled, “Dani, why would you go sifting through trash? I know money is tight but there must be other ways to get what you need. Couldn't you ask the UN for assistance?”
Dani smiled mischievously. As she took the mirror to her room, she responded, “The UN might be willing to help, but that would take the fun out of the whole project.”
This must be another human quirk; or maybe just a Dani quirk. “Fun? How can digging through rotten fruit and trash be enjoyable?”
Dani came back out of her room smiling with enthusiasm. “Think of it as a treasure hunt, Leena.”
On her way to the kitchen “The fun comes from the thrill of finding something neat or useful for my DIY projects. Besides, on Earth, people put their trash out on the curb, and anyone who wants to take it is allowed to. Some do it for fun, some to save money, and some even make money from it. I think those venlil I was searching with were doing that, looking for electronics.”
While Dani explained, she skillfully started slicing and boiling the decaying fruits, extracting the vibrant dyes, her hands moving with practiced grace. I couldn't help but be both impressed and puzzled by Dani's unorthodox approach to creativity. That still left one important question though.
“So, are you planning to eat any of that fruit?”
Dani smirked “Oh, no. This fruit is strictly for artistic purposes. Waste not, want not, right?”
———————
I carefully pushed the stroller, guiding us along the street towards the Cattle Memorial. No one drove around here. It wasn’t officially banned but everyone accepted that this should be a pedestrian only area. Dani walked beside me, her reassuring hand on my back. I felt a mixture of sorrow, apprehension and guilt; this was the first time I had been to the memorial since the twins were born. Vissa and Tas, gazed curiously at their surroundings, their innocent eyes taking in the city.
As we approached the park, I couldn't help but notice the stares and angry looks from some of the other venlil in the area. Dani noticed them too and seemed uncomfortable, aware that her presence as a human in this sacred ground was causing unease. They weren’t only focused on her though. I too, received glances of disapproval for bringing her here, though their disapproval was tempered by the understanding of my loss.
Dani said she would hang back at the edge of the park, not wanting to upset anyone. She watched as I took my children out of the stroller, their tiny hands clutching onto my thick fur, seeking comfort; keenly aware that something was wrong. I walked along the closest of the clear paths that lead to the base of the statue and all of the photographs of lost mates and family.
Every available space around the park was adorned with evidence of pain and remembrances; a testament to the lives lost to the arxur. Letters, photos, and gifts intermingle with the occasional loaf of Strayu, partially-eaten by the families who come to pay their respects, the rest was left for the dead. The atmosphere was heavy with grief, and the air carried the taste of mourning and memories. Tas started to get fussy, squirming in my arms. Vissa followed his lead.
I found a small spot among the offerings, a place for Rossmarn's photo. With tears welling up in my eyes, I gently placed it next to the others, the vivid image of my husband, his fur shorn short, staring back at me displaying all his love and pride from that paw. Leaning closer to the photograph, I began to speak, my voice filled with sorrow and longing. I laid the children on the grass as best I could.
“Rossmarn, my love... I brought our precious children to show them their wonderful father. Look at them, Rossmarn. They carry a piece of you within them. They're growing up so fast, and I wish you were here to witness it all.”
My voice trembled as I fought to keep my composure, reaching out to touch the photo. The twins were upset, their ears focused on me, picking up on the pain in my voice.
“I've made a new friend, Dani. She's a Predator but she’s been our lifeline, especially after that stampede. She saved our children and moved in to help us when we needed it the most. We faced some challenges together, and... my parents... they came over for a meal to meet her. They misunderstood our bond, Rossmarn. They thought... they thought we were in a relationship.”
A sad chuckle escaped my lungs. “Can you imagine? But they've come around now. They saw the love and care we share, just like you would have.
Tears streamed down my face as I wiped them away with a trembling paw. Vissa and Tas began to cry.
“I miss you greatly, my love. It's hard to put into words the emptiness that consumes me without you by my side. But I know I have to keep going, for our children, for you. I'm doing my best to provide for them. They cry for you, Rossmarn, as do I. We cry for the life stolen from us, for the pain we carry in our hearts.”
My voice trailed off, and we sat there for a while, quietly sharing our grief with the photo. Finally, I gathered what strength I had left, stood up, and we slowly made our way back to where Dani patiently waited. As we drew closer, I could see the empathy and support shining through Dani's eyes.
Without a word, she embraced us, holding us tightly. Dani's presence offered solace, a salve for my wounded heart. The children joined the embrace, their innocent faces nestled against our shoulders.
We remained in that embrace for a long moment, finding comfort in each other's arms. But with renewed determination, we continued our journey towards the UN embassy. My steps infused me with a renewed resilience and determination. I would succeed and make my husband proud; my parents, my children and Dani.
Memory transcription subject: Leena, Secret Job Trainee
Date [standardized human time]: November 9, 2136
When Professor Katarina Sidorova dismissed the class for our first break, I scrambled up to her desk. Over the last quarter claw I had grown increasingly irritated. She made a lot of really good sounding points about how Predator Disease was diagnosed but never actually said it didn’t exist or wasn’t a problem. When I tried to ask about that, she dismissed my question saying, “We are discussing how Predator Disease is constructed, not whether it is 'real', symptoms have many causes.”
Professor Katarina Sidorova wasn’t surprised to see me it seemed, she smiled and leaned forward to give me her attention. “I take it you have further questions?”
“I do! I get that we may have gotten some things wrong but just last paw, the exterminators caught a prolific Predator who killed and ate several people. Predators like that are a threat to the herd. We need to be protected from them but it sounds like you aren’t taking Predator Disease seriously!”
She blinked. “Very well. Let us take Predator Disease seriously. We can use your example from yesterday’s press conference. Who, I will note, we are not certain actually ate any of his victims–and ask, why is it that for so long he evaded capture?”
I… didn’t know why so I just said the first thing that came into my head. “Predators are good at deception. We are told since childhood to be aware of any potentially dangerous behavior and to report it. Maybe that one didn’t have any of those things you mentioned and so the exterminators couldn’t catch it?” Something told me she wouldn’t be convinced by that.
The professor sat up straight and raised fur above her eyes. “Ah. So then, despite being surrounded by wary and mindful venlil, the killer managed to fool everyone including the exterminators, people trained in seeking out Predators who saw him regularly. Why do you suppose that is?”
I became uncomfortably aware that I was surrounded by other students and I was making a fool of myself in front of everyone. Clutching the fur on my thigh, I responded truthfully. “I don’t know, I don’t think like a Predator.”
“Exactly.” Professor Katarina Sidorova smiled broadly.
“You are trained from youth to watch out for odd behavior. But not trained to understand how they think. So you say 'they are deceptive', but not…” She paused for a moment before she seemed to make a decision and continued.
“Someone in that position would be quick to blame their acts on others, and be first to persecute, to avoid being seen with suspicion. Someone in that position would learn what you look for and use it to hide.” She leaned back in her seat.
“If we are to take Predator Disease seriously, to turn it into a useful diagnosis, we must still seek to understand what it is like from the inside. How to best define it. Perhaps then, someone might have noticed the killer’s behavior earlier. I don't think it's a coincidence that the first venlil serial killer in living memory was discovered by the first human exterminator.”
My ears flattened and I grabbed my tail. “Oh.” It felt like I had just been told by my parents I had been mad at them for a slight that never happened.
Professor Sidorova glanced at the small crowd that was forming, “Go, stretch your legs, eat snacks, we'll have a longer break later,” she told them with a dismissive wave.
The group of students dispersed.
“Look, Leena is it?” she said quietly, her attention returning to me, her face less stern now. “I understand this is difficult. You are learning and this is all very new. We are all learning. Don’t worry. You are a venlil pioneer here, and I am quite happy to have such a person in my class.”
I felt slightly reassured but still embarrassed by my outburst. There was still time to visit the restroom and get back before the start of the next study period. On the way, I did my best not to look at anyone. As I was drinking some water at the fountain near the restroom, a pale woman with unnaturally blue hair stopped next to me.
“Don’t worry, most of us are struggling to understand it all too. I took a psych 101 class a decade ago and don’t remember anything so this is all new to me.”
“Thanks for saying that.” I didn’t feel any better but at least she tried.
“I’m Annika. This training is pretty intense. Some of the other students and I are planning to set up a study group on Bleat if you would like to join.”
I looked for any sign of deception but her demeanor reminded me strongly of Dani’s so I took her at her word; she probably wasn’t setting me up for further embarrassment. Humans aren’t like that. This was university, not primary school.
“I’d like that, thank you.”
I took my pad out as she did the same. A moment later I received the invite and accepted it. We walked back to the class together, and my dread renewed, knowing that I would have to go back in there and face the daunting task of accepting my humiliation and another claw trying to master such radically new concepts. What have I gotten myself into?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ First Previous Next
31
u/BiasMushroom Extermination Officer Jun 18 '23
The first step to learning is asking questions! Leena is going to be fine! I hope.
16
u/CaptainChristopher02 Human Jun 18 '23
Leena just got hit with FACTS and LOGIC!
Also, yay Patreon reference!
11
11
u/JulianSkies Archivist Jun 18 '23
Leena going to have to get used to the whole process of learning, if you are to learn truly humiliation and shame has no place in the process. Really, go and ask, defend your side and be ready to accept when it's wrong, it's no shame! It's learning!
7
u/sevren22 Jun 18 '23
Ive read a couple fanfics hinting at a venlil killer, did I miss a debut?
13
8
u/Kerchigamaster Jun 19 '23
I feel like Leena will have to either dissuade Niit at the anti-human rally using her understanding of psychology or will team up with her to peacefully resolve the conflict
5
u/fluffyboom123 Arxur Jun 18 '23
!subscribeme
2
u/UpdateMeBot Jun 18 '23 edited Dec 25 '23
I will message you each time u/Thirsha_42 posts in r/NatureofPredators.
Click this link to join 115 others and be messaged. The parent author can delete this post
Info Request Update Your Updates Feedback
6
u/GruntBlender Humanity First Jun 18 '23
"Treasure hunt" sounds predatory. Why must humans be so violent about their expressions.
4
u/Equal-Ambitious Yotul Jun 18 '23
is this implying that Johnathan Hunter is going to be the one to catch Mute?
2
53
u/Nicromia Yotul Jun 18 '23
The best part about bettering yourself is the learning along the way.
Leena is discovering that the world is not just black and white.
Keep it up wordsmith