Matt got dressed, moped in his bed.
"They're never going to release me, he thought. Keith and the others will get worried and send the cops, but no one will find a thing. I'm a fool. I should have expected as much."
He opened the blinds, staring at the strangers beyond the window. They smiled at him, but he could see quiet desperation in their eyes.
Maybe this isn't punishment, Matt thought. Maybe God is pushing me into mission work. He's put these guys into my hands, at any rate. Might as well get some work done.
He called his congregation to order and they resumed work on the Wava bible, double checking the book of Psalms and proofreading Matthew. By dinner, they were already on Luke.
That night, Matt used alien shampoo for the first time.
When he crawled in bed, Matt didn't wake for four days.
When consciousness returned to him, Matt tossed and turned in bed, pressing his new spinal growth under the weight of his body. It didn't hurt as much as it used to.
Noticing something pink poking out the bottom of his pant leg, he pulled the leg up and found a scaly lump of flesh running all the way up his pants.
Horrified, and thinking it to be a snake, Matt rushed into the shower box, stripped and examined himself.
He now had a foot long protrusion growing from his tail bone, half covered in scales, half bare and pink. He shook his head in disbelief. "Is that a tail?"
He squeezed it and felt bones beneath. "How is it that my body can produce extra vertebra without killing me?"
The protrusion hung limply, and wouldn't do anything other than cause pain. "I guess I can forget about Treivadel lessons."
He dressed and climbed out.
Feeling homesick, he called his mother again. As usual, the signal came in hazy. "Mom?"
"Matt! How are you! I was getting worried!"
"I'm okay, mom. I mean, I'm still alive. I'm not hurt at least..." He swallowed. "Mom. I lied. I wasn't at Cape Canaveral or New Guinea. I'm actually trapped in a zoo on an alien planet. I don't know when I'll be out."
Camille burst out laughing. "For a minute there, you almost had me convinced! A zoo on an alien planet! You are so silly. So what do they got you doing down there?"
The sound abruptly cut off.
"Hello?"
No response.
After staring at the communicator for a minute, he decided not to call back.
A pair of guards marched into the observation room, followed by the queen, dressed in a toga thing with a pattern like a gaudy seventies curtain. The big woman put her hands on her hips, giving Matt a fierce glare.
Desperate to make a good impression, Matt waved and smiled. "Dusaq!"
A strange expression appeared on the woman's face, sort of a scowl with part of a smile creeping up the corner of her mouth.
Matt grinned bigger, and the expression dropped from the queen's face. She marched out the door.
"I wonder what that was about."
He continued work on the Wava bible. The monks turned out to be surprisingly chatty, telling him all sorts of things about themselves. Spak the dancer used to be a farmer before he became a monk, Giladl a merchant. Everyone had a story. They worked all day, and into the evening.
Matt slept for three days without knowing it. It made him sick to his stomach to even think about it.
"Pretty soon the whole month will be over." He sat up on the edge of the bed, wondering how long it would take for his family to declare him dead.
His new appendage had grown to a length of two feet, but still lifeless as ever. Despite his discomfort with the thing, Matt couldn't bring himself to ask for Abreya pants.
Hoping things had changed in the last few days, and figuring he didn't have anything to lose, he tried calling Quana again.
After a few minutes of staring at a black screen, Quana appeared in the darkness with something draped around her head.
"What are you doing in the dark? Did someone forget to pay the utilities?"
Quana chuckled. "I'm hiding under my...`blankets'. How are you doing?"
"Fine, I guess. There's actually not much to say. I'm just sitting around, feeling sorry for myself, wishing I wasn't in a prison cell. How about you?"
"That's no way to act! Just because you're in prison doesn't mean you can't do something for God. Look at the apostle Paul!"
Matt chuckled and shook his head. "I guess you're right."
She smiled. "Not much going on here, either. I've just been watching Earth movies and listening to Mom's explaining why she's doing what's best for me and the country. By the way, I saw the bible chapters you proofread. Good job. I couldn't even tell a human did them."
"Thanks. Would you like to proofread some more?"
She paused. "I'll do it by text. Please. Don't call me again unless absolutely necessary. Let me call you. It's not safe."
Matt sighed. "Fine. Hua chikalat."
"I love you too." She hung up.
Around dinner time, the doctor came in. While surprised by Matt's change in appearance, he only responded by adding a tail inspection to the usual drawing of blood, scanning, and other physical checks. Matt wasn't sure why they needed so many blood samples, but the doctor wasn't the talkative type.
When Matt breathed in the doctor's face during a tonsil check, the guy grimaced. After a reflex check, a foot examination, and a few other embarrassing checks, the doctor brought out a giant alien scavenger shrimp, holding the scary wiggling thing over Matt's face.
Matt tried to get away, but the doctor called in the guards to restrain him, and Matt's mouth got forced open. With frightening eagerness, the creature jumped up on Matt's chin, digging its tentacles and claws into his mouth. Jets of foam and water splashed out as it picked and sprayed his mouth, working on his gums and teeth like a tiny dentist.
While slightly unpleasant, Matt's mouth felt a lot more clean. The food particles and plaque flew from his teeth at a rapid pace, replaced by a film tasting of old soggy cottage fries and Marshmallow Peeps. As Matt felt around with his tongue to inspect the work, he felt something stabbing it. He could only utter a muffled cry as the creature's claws jabbed his tongue again and again. Matt made a loud noise, hoping to get the doctor's attention, but the doctor didn't seem to notice.
What's it doing! Trying to shred my tongue?
The creature kept jabbing. Matt screamed the best he could with a full mouth, flailing his arms around, punching the doctor several times.
Finally noticing the problem, his tormentor grabbed the creature around the tail, and it withdrew, its tiny tentacles rapidly shoving leftover food particles into its maw as it retreated.
As the doctor returned the creature to its cage, Matt thought he saw a look of puzzlement on the mouth bug's beady little face.
The doctor opened Matt's mouth, shaking his head at the damage. With a frown, he packed his things and walked out.
Matt tasted blood. "I knew this was a bad idea."
Another day passed without a word from Quana, save for a few minor corrections to the book of Acts she made digitally. Matt and his friends completed another series of proofreads without the aid of her or her servant.
As it neared evening, a fat female face peeked up from the corner of his window. When Matt smiled and waved to her, she ducked away. He asked the others about it, and they said Tama had been watching him while he slept, at times hovering over his bed or staring at the monitor for long periods of time, observing the doctor's tests and nutrient injection procedures.
After two days of dreams with indescribably weird images and sensations, Matt awoke with a pins-and-needles sensation running all over places he didn't recognize as part of his body.
In the shower, he saw that his new appendage had grown scaly skin all over its surface, and was subject to involuntary spasms. While showering, Matt danced back and forth in the spray, attempting to shake out the numb feeling.
The tail smacked against the shower wall, then slapped against the opposite wall, feeling like an arm that had fallen asleep. The tail randomly hit walls, flapping back and forth as Matt squeezed muscles he didn't know he had.
The movements became increasingly precise as tingling faded, and soon he found he could curl it around in a circle, make it wiggle like a snake, wrap it around the spray gun. The more he used it, the less it tingled, until it felt like a natural part of his body, capable of even sensing heat and cold.
Still not ready for the latest in Abreya fashion, Matt donned his normal prison garb and worked on on Thessalonians with his little bible society. He asked about Quana but none had heard a word from her.
The tail, though not in pain anymore, turned out to be a constant nuisance, falling asleep at a moment's notice, and being stuffed inside a pant leg didn't help matters. Matt eventually broke down, asking for clothing that allowed for his tail, preferably not a skirt. He got a uniform with a tail hole in the back.
His friends gasped in shock when he flexed his tail and displayed his furry arms. They called a guard, demanding his release.
After staring through the window for a few minutes, the guard had a long chat with someone on his communicator, muttered something to the group. Their cheerful expressions changed to dejection.
"They won't release you," Kodo said through the intercom. "They say you still don't look like an Abreya. They think you're a Bovnek, a proto-Abreya. They want to study your new developments."
Although everyone else in the booth agreed that Matt's imprisonment was unlawful, no one came to free him. That being said, the change encouraged his flock to remain strong in their faith, since the founder of their mission was now one of them.
Around noontime, a handful of strange new faces appeared in the booth, smiling at him in admiration. The monks, it seemed, had been busy gathering converts.
The visitors proved to be a cheering distraction, doubly so due to their well intentioned attempts at legally securing Matt's freedom. They watched Matt's proofreading sessions with wide eyed excitement, bringing him a fair amount of amusement whenever he looked up from his work.
At dinner, Matt got a call from Quana. Nothing could have made him happier.
"I saw your proofread version of Romans. Excellent job! I didn't find any errors! The gospels look good, too."
"Thanks. I had help." Matt twisted his lip. "I thought you were banned from calling me."
Quana shrugged. "Mom changed her mind."
Matt grinned. "Loex."
"Matt, the Gaxea has a prophecy about the Kipom changing water into a...fruit juice, or `the elixir of fruits.' Sounds like Jesus, doesn't it?"
Matt shrugged. "I admit it's a tough act to follow...but I'm sure Shilem has some argument about brewing or Tang or something."
"That's not the same thing."
"I think he might disagree."
"You're right," she sighed. "There was Yencegab The Brewer. Anyways, how have you been?"
"Fine, I guess. My body's covered in hair, and I have a tail going down to my foot."
Quana stared at the screen. "Is this a joke?"
"No. Wanna see?" Matt opened his shirt, showed it to the screen, ran the communicator over his tail.
She gawked at him speechlessly, cheeks flushing green. "You...really do...look like an Abreya!"
"I know! There's supposedly laws against my imprisonment, but the guards don't think I qualify for some reason. They think I'm some kind of monkey, I guess."
The princess kept gazing at him. "I-I completely disagree!"
Matt smirked, pretending not to notice her appraising stares.
"I'll have to tell mom." Quana frowned. "Of course, if I do this, there's a chance I'll lose my phone privileges."
"You might lose them anyway, so why not?"
Her expression became grave. "I'll speak to her, but this might be the end."
"Goodbye, Quana. Hua chikalat."
She smiled with tears welling in her eyes. "Whatever happens, I won't stop trying to get you free. I will see you again. Somehow."
"Thanks, Quana."
"I love you." She bowed her head with sadness.
The screen went dark.
The day concluded with a completely proofread 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians 1. At times when Matt got so fed up with the drab cell and tedious work that he nearly went insane, despite his friends' best attempts to entertain him. Worse, when he tried to sleep that night, he found himself unable to.
Makes sense, he thought as he laid in bed wide awake with his eyes shut. All I do is sleep!
He gave it up, finishing Galatians by breakfast of the next day.
No news about Quana. The others had been barred from contact with her. Matt kept working, mostly to get the burdensome responsibility of translation off his back for good, and to keep some measure of sanity.
As in the previous evening, the doctor came in to do his routine checks, then stuck the crustacean over his mouth. Matt tensed up and flinched at every move the creature made, pressing his tongue to the bottom of his mouth out of reflex, but after a rigorous molar excavation, a thorough gum cleaning, and a gentle tongue scouring, Matt relaxed, wishing only for a mouthwash to rinse the disgusting flavor out of his mouth.
Time passed.
In the middle of the next day, a fat face stared wide eyed at him from his window. After a long moment of incredulous staring, the woman let out an barking laugh and walked out.
Matt thought nothing of it, continuing his work.
At dinner time, though, Matt hadn't gotten halfway through his Muloyi when the door flew open, and a large figure ripped his shirt open.
Gawking at him, Tama pulled back his sleeves and his pant legs, grabbed a hunk of hair, attempting to rip it out. Matt screamed.
Frustrated, she examined his tail for a minute, then yanked on it really hard.
Despite his shouts of protest, the woman wouldn't let go, dragging him around the room.
"Hey! Stop it!" Matt cried, but she only pulled upwards, lifting him off the ground by that sensitive piece of meat and bone. "C'mon, lady! Ow! Kulwad! Kulwad! I've got nerve endings in there! Bri zemitqame!"
She dropped him like a hot stone.
Matt tried to sneak away, but before he could get anywhere, the queen further humiliated him by pulling on his waistband and staring at his backside as she tugged on his tail.
"Are you going to tell Quana what you found?" Matt said in jest. "I think she might be interested." He said this in Wava without realizing it.
Letting out a mewling noise like an angry tomcat, Tama let go, backing toward the door.
The queen shot him one final dirty look and stomped out, slamming the door shut behind her.
Rubbing the soreness and pain out of his tail, Matt resumed his work for awhile, then spent an hour tossing in bed.
He frowned, rolling on his stomach.
I thought Abreyas were supposed to sleep every other day. The others will probably be too unconscious to join me this time.
The soft snoring sounds on the intercom confirmed that thought. He busied himself by experimenting with functions on the communicator.
Click. The door had cracked open. Matt waited about five minutes, but no one came through.
Creeping up to the institutional handle-less cage side of the portal, he stared out into a hallway lined with open observation areas and security doors.
Freedom! Run, fool! his mind shouted.
Matt poked his head out, checking to the left and the right. All clear. He couldn't figure out if it were a miracle, a computer malfunction or a trap.
Deciding he had nothing to lose, Matt crept outside, glancing back and forth between an open security door at the end of the corridor and the observation room where his friends slept. He hesitated, reasoning that the aliens had highly advanced tracking equipment, and he wouldn't be able to get far, if anywhere.
Plus, he expected more bratty kids out there, ready to throw him back in.
"What am I even going to do out there? I don't know the first thing about this place. I'll just get caught again." He shook his head. "They've probably even stuck me with some kind of RFID chip."
After staring at the open door for a few moments, Matt sheepishly crept into the observation room, staring at the alien Christians asleep on the chairs and floor. They wrapped themselves in robes, skins and blankets, some resting back to back, one curled in a female's embrace.
"Dusaq!"
The sleepers jolted upright, staring at him with looks of shock and disbelief.
Giving a chorus of questions and cheers, they gathered around, hugging him, shaking tails (awkwardly), shaking hands, and a couple females kissed him.
"It's amazing that you're standing here," said Kodo.
"I know. I think there's something wrong with the door."
"The door seems fine to me! Why don't you run away?"
Matt shook his head. "They scanned me, remember? I'm on everyone's computer. They got my blood samples now, maybe even a tracking device stuck in me. How long would I have to run to truly be out of danger?"
Kodo frowned. "You're right."
"What should we do next?"
Matt asked for help removing the ear tags, but nobody had the tools, and he didn't want to mangle his ears.
"They searched us before we came here. Klecuts and weapons aren't allowed."
Matt led the little group in a praise session.
The cheerful singing got so loud that it carried into the hallway, to the point where puzzled faces leaned in the archway.
"Let's have communion!" Shojoji exclaimed.
Matt cringed. "I…don't know."
"We don't have Earth bread and juice, but we have Muloyi and Zux Leem. May I please join our Lord at his table?"
"This feels like blasphemy." Matt took a deep breath. "Well, I guess I already baptized you…"
After Matt served everyone and lead another song, a male in a red dress stomped into the room. "Hey! You! You're not supposed to be in here!"
Matt crossed his arms. "I'm not hurting anything out here. I'm not going anywhere. You can still draw my blood and do tests all you want."
"Breon, it's not hurting anything," Kodo repeated.
"Do not address me on a first name basis. I am not your friend." The guard scowled at Matt. "This isn't right. Animals are supposed to run when given a chance to escape."
"Perhaps he has become domesticated," Kodo joked.
"I'm not stupid," Matt said. "You can probably track me with these earrings and who knows what else."
"It only proves that he isn't an animal!" said Kodo.
"Would you prefer it if I escaped?"
Breon looked flustered. "No. It would only make it more difficult for me to catch you."
"Then why are you bothered by this?"
"Other than you being insane?" He sighed. "I was secretly hoping you would, so I wouldn't have to deal with the controversy." He pulled out a pair of restraints. "You promise not to run?"
"Guep."
The guard stared at Matt a minute, then put the restraints away. "You are an Abreya to a fault."
"So, are you going to let me stay out here? I mean, you can test me if you have to. I won't like it, but I'll let you do it."
"You are as frustrating, irritating, and confusing as the religion you are spreading around." The male rubbed his chin. "I really shouldn't...Are you trying to scan the premises to see how you can escape?"
"It doesn't sound like you'd mind, either way."
Breon grimaced. "I wondered if you were truly an Abreya, but now I know for certain you must be. I must take this matter up with Entox."
"Can I come with you?"
"It couldn't hurt."
Matt held out his hands, awaiting the restraints.
Breon chuckled. "That won't be necessary. I already know you're too crazy to run away." He pointed his tail to the archway. "Juz."
Matt followed the guard through the door at the end of the hall, down a pentagon shaped corridor, and into an elevator resembling a pill capsule.
"You think you can take these piercings out of my ears?" Matt asked. "They're not a very good look."
Breon chuckled. "Kigo. We need that for the computer system." He stuck a gold sphere into a socket on the wall, and the elevator hummed.
"How do I become peaceful like you?" said Breon. "Is it possible?"
Matt laughed. "Peaceful!" He shook his head.
"You do not seem to be afraid of death or imprisonment. I see you sleep soundly without guilt or fear of eternal condemnation."
You could say the same about lions at the zoo. Shrugging, Matt told the guard about Jesus.
Breon stopped the elevator, breaking into puppy dog whimpers as tears fell from his cheeks. "Ponai can't forgive me! I've done too many awful things!" And then he broke down, confessing everything from skipping Vanseb services to cheating on his wife.
Matt explained the basics of the faith and repentance, leading the male to a conversion.
With his sadness turned to joy, Breon reactivated the elevator, and they stepped out onto a floor filled with cubicles, and hundreds of moving photographs of alien creatures and blueprints of the zoo. One video monitor displayed a naked mangy picture of Matt, prior to transformation.
Matt looked up and shuddered, feeling violated.
Swallowing his pride, Matt followed the guard to the end of the room, where a male in a doublet and a skirt sat behind a desk.
"Greetings, Entox," Breon said.
"Who's that you've got with you?"
"It is Mot Ganon."
"That is not Mot Ganon. Mot Ganon has no tail." He pointed to the deliriously staggering nude in the video.
"Something happened to him. I told you about this earlier."
Matt removed his shirt, exposing his silky coat of brown fur.
Entox's eyes widened. "This is not good."
"There is something else. I found him outside his cage today, yet he did not try to escape."
Entox frowned. "This is making me uncomfortable. Send him back to his cell."
"Sir, I was thinking that we should release him, so as to avoid further controversy."
"It won't work. He was imprisoned under the orders of the queen herself." He rubbed his chin. "But, if he applies for citizenship, maybe it will convince her to let him go."
"That's ludicrous!" The new Christian stared at his captive. "You don't know anything about the battle of Arthotech, do you?"
Matt shook his head.
"Anything about the history of Bencap at all?"
"I know about Gerbite and Hariumbuble and the Sinaxin Exodus and the battles of Naridza."
Breon's mouth dropped open in shock. "You do?"
"How else could I tell people that Jesus is the Kipom?"
Entox rolled his eyes. "Oh. You're one of those."
"What?"
"Quanas." Entox made a hologram of Quana, clad in antennas and a green servant's suit appear on the desk.
"Jesus called his disciples to be servants," the princess said to a crowd. "I am only doing what my master tells me."
Entox stopped the recording. "Quanas."
Matt smiled. "That's my girlfriend. The correct term is Christian. I'm the one who told her about Jesus."
Entox smacked himself in the face.
"What if we have him apply to the religious studies department at Arimadex?"
The male in the doublet frowned. "That might actually work! If he gets accepted, Tama will have a tough time explaining why someone so deeply versed in the Gaxea could be living in the Sebanil."
Matt found the authoritative figure locking eyes with him.
"When did the Yonites get called out of Pemiufo?"
Matt furrowed his brow. "Um...I think it was after...the death of Tanklana."
Entox shook his head.
"He's right," said Breon. "We don't really have the date."
"Very well. Maybe we can try this."
"What's Arimadex?" Matt asked.
"It's a school." The male's hand clamped down on his shoulder. "You're going to have to stay...around your cell for awhile. At least until we get the Sostrom packet."
"I can wait."
"Just don't let Entox see you gloating about it," he whispered.
Matt grinned. "I won't."
Breon took Matt back to the observation room, and he joyfully explained the situation to his companions.
Although distracted by his freedom and the pleasant turn of events, Matt still got the Wava bible proofread to 2 Timothy before the end of the night.
Afraid of losing his freedom, Matt laid on the cold floor and tried to sleep. His friends offered him plant chairs, but he declined due to the small size and the unpleasant squirming. They gave him blankets and pillows, and Matt slept with a passable amount of comfort.
The next morning, Matt received the Sostrom packet, a computerized battery of tests about the Gaxea with sound and video components. Though open book and `open friend', Matt only needed that for half the questions, having internalized most of it in his abundant free time. By noon, he had the form completed and sent in.
Around midnight, a group of guards ordered Matt's friends to leave, Tama came marching up to Matt with a curious expression on her face.
"What does one have to do to be saved?" She made it sound like a trivia question.
Flustered, Matt took a deep breath and gave her the answer.
Nodding, she silently marched out.
When Matt's friends came back in, he explained the situation. They prayed and sang.
As he assisted the translation of Philemon, Matt found himself being dragged out of the room by a pair of guards.
Fearing an execution, Matt screamed bloody murder and struggled, but that only resulted in him getting a bit gag fastened over his mouth, and his hands put in restraints.
Someone attempted to rescue him, but they talked them out of it. Matt could only whimper through the gag, weeping as they dragged him through a forbidding door at the end of a hexagonal corridor.
Ignoring his struggling and sounds of protest, the guards stripped Matt, shoved him naked into a huge cylindrical room that smelled like livestock and things Matt couldn't identify, and sprayed him with an alien fire hose full of soap, then water. They blasted him dry with an industrial blower that seemed better suited for drying off a jumbo jet.
His tormentors seemed uncomfortable with the tasks, seemingly only doing it out of duty, but weren't sorry enough to stop.
At last, they finished, undoing Matt's bonds and throwing him some fresh clothing. They looked visibly relieved when he had his clothes back on and no longer shivered.
Before Matt's pulse could return to normal, the guards grabbed him again, fitting him with the restraints and the bit gag, and they dragged him out the door. Matt still expected them to execute him, just more cleanly.
He let out a muffled scream as they carried him back up the hallway, thrashing his arms and legs and tail in protest.
To his surprise, Matt found himself back in the observation room, with his bonds and gag removed.
He fell into a state of shock, staring into space as his companions joked about how better he smelled.
The next day, as Matt worked, the guards sent his friends away, and the queen timidly crept through the doorway. "I'm ready to be saved."
Matt's jaw dropped in astonishment. "You want to know Jesus? Really?"
Her voice choked with emotion. "I saw a vision. I was in Beptot. My daughter was calling out to me!" The queen burst into tears. "Please! Help me!"
Matt regarded her with skepticism, but saw no sign of dishonesty.
With a slowly growing smile, Matt led her to Christ.
Now crying tears of joy, the queen wrapped a pair of burly arms wrapped around him, smashing his face into her massive chest. When she let go, Matt staggered about, dizzy and gasping for air, scarcely believing what had just transpired.
Frowning at the small crowd gathered outside the door, the queen turned a bright lime color, stomping out.
Matt and friends joined tails, giving thanks and praise to God for the queen's change of heart.
The rest of the night passed uneventfully, with the usual activities. After proofreading, and watching a game on someone's device, Matt tried to sleep, but ended up just staring at the ceiling, wondering if Tama's conversion were genuine, or if she merely played a weird game with him.
The next morning, as he tutored his assistants on Apostle Paul's use of the third person, a figure in a green suit and antennas stepped through the doorway.
Matt stared in disbelief. "Quana?"
"Wusu!" The princess ran to him, flinging her arms around his body as she kissed him on the lips, her tongue splitting into four roving parts inside his mouth.
Nalah! Eyes widening with shock, Matt unthinkingly attempted to return the favor. The monks chuckled.
Quana drew away, gasping and panting for breath. "I'm sorry. The Spirit leads, but the flesh is close behind. I apologize for tempting you unnecessarily."
Matt couldn't help grinning. "It's okay." His face flushed with guilt. He averted his eyes. "I dunno. Maybe it's not."
Then, in a near whisper, "Did I tempt you at all?"
She gave him a slight nod.
An awkward silence followed this, neither of them making eye contact.
"Um, let's just shake tails for the time being," Matt stammered. "I've just gotten the hang of it."
Quana laughed and curled tails with him. "Nalah! You really have changed!"
Matt smiled.
"Mom says you are free to go."
"That's great!" He laughed and hugged her. "Praise the Lord. This week just keeps getting better and better! First I baptize your mother, then I see my favorite girlfriend again, now this!"
Quana pushed him back a bit. "You baptized who?"
"Your mother. Tama." When he noticed the big female standing in the doorway, his face turned an even deeper shade of red. How long was she standing there?
"No way!" Quana cried, staring at the woman. "You're kidding!" She ran back to her mother, and the two prattled about Jesus.
Quana ran back to him. "Nalah! I never would have thought it possible!" She hugged Matt again, holding him tight.
"You think I'll be able to go home now?"
Quana asked her mother. "She says you can go home as soon as we return to the palace. Oh, and the wedding is annulled."
"That's great!" Filled with excitement, Matt called Keith on the communicator, leaving a voicemail message about how he'd be back in a few days.
When Matt tried calling his parents, the static got so bad that he had to shout to be heard, and it seemed he had awoken them at three in the morning. He yelled his message and hung up.
"All right, Quana. Can I please go home now? Pretty please? Obes?"
Quana nodded. "You deserve it. It must have been terrible for you."
"It could have been worse. I met new friends, sampled new cuisine, and saw a lot of amazing sights, even though I occasionally got treated like crap. Also, um, I, uh, enjoyed…your company." He blushed.
"Thanks," she giggled. "I enjoyed it too." Her face took on the color of a Granny Smith apple. "The company."
Matt cleared his throat. "Still, I'd be happy to go home."
"But you're an Abreya now. Your people won't like you anymore, will they?"
Matt frowned. "I'll figure out something." He grabbed his bible and dictionary. "That's all my material possessions. Let's go back to Earth."
"Actually, I've found a number of things on the ship that belong to you."
"A lot of good that will do me now."
Quana frowned. "Sorry. Anyways, they're exactly where you left them. I'll have my things ready in an hour."
Matt reached for Quana's hand, but she only giggled and held it away from him as she curled her tail around his.
Blushing, he returned the gesture.
"Do you still want to help me with the church?"
"What else am I going to do with my life? It seems I've found my calling."
Quana grinned, curling her tail tighter. "Really?"
"Really. I've had nothing but time to think about it. I guess I'm destined to be a pastor for your people."
The princess smiled. "You'll make a good one."
An awkward pause followed this, as if she waited for him to say something, but Matt only grimaced.
"What?"
Her face again took on a greenish hue. "Abukos." Quana shook her head. "Let's...go."
What, she didn't want me to propose to her, did she? Confused, Matt laughed nervously, wrapping his tail snug around Quana's. They walked down the outside hall with their tails intertwined.
"I owe you a dinner when we get back. How's Chinese sound?"
Quana smiled. "Sounds good."
[0000]
ALIEN CHARACTERS:
Bonbon: Speckly faced Quaceb from the Takofuea.
Breon: "Docent" of the Sebanil.
Choxu: Prince of the Voorop nation, previous suitor for Quana Falcameer.
Dista: Personal servant of Quana Falcameer.
Entox: Head official of the Sebanil.
Giladl: Quaceb monk with green fur, was previously a merchant before joining the Takofuea.
Goksar: One of the shortest Quaceb monks at the Takofuea.
Kodo: A monk at the Takofuea. Stripe tailed, same age as Chaz.
Nabal Getfoi: Prince of Kadegni, fiancee of arranged marriage to Quana Falcameer.
Poog: An elderly Takofuea monk.
Quana Falcameer: Princess of Pathilon.
Rusa: A male arranged to be Quana's suitor.
Shilem: A senior scholar of Quaceb literature at the Takofuea.
Shojoji: The medic at the Takofuea.
Spak: Gleenpach dance instructor at the Takofuea. Was previously a farmer before joining the monastic order.
Tama Falcameer: Queen of Pathilon.
Thiftreda: Princess of another nation bordering Bencap.
Tovia: A female monk at the Takofuea.
[0000]
GLOSSARY
Abreya: Furry aliens with bare humanoid faces and hands, long opossum-like tails, and feet resembling human hands.
Agyhat: "Dance building/center".
Arimadex: A famous Pathilonian college, comparable to Harvard or Oxford.
Arthotech: A country on Pathilon.
Auno: Powerful subatomic unit, providing energy surpassing that of nuclear fission or fusion.
Bariafu: A special cloaking system for Pathilonian spaceships.
Barbitnox: Quaceb ancient computerized scriptures.
Bedzyk: First female ever created, according to Gaxea.
Bencap: A country on Pathilon.
Beptot: The Quaceb hell.
Beaurbak: Security device on a spaceship.
Bifafras: A prayer of penitence.
Bindif: Dining area of the Takofuea compound.
Boomosi: Far rural area of Pathilon, inhabitants known to be uneducated bumpkins.
Bovnek: An ape-like creature.
Bub Tig: Special entree enjoyed by Abreyas.
Bujaxia: A dinosaur-like sea monster.
Carnrick: Seller of ceremonial Hoyroqs.
Ceju Gousan: "New Contract with Ponai."
Cejmiega: "Newby" or gringo.
Chirqui: Obelisks that absorb essences of sacrifices, transporting them to Kwibron, for the honor of Ponai.
Cufajha: "Choir."
Cugfik: An alien pest with behavior similar to a cockroach, but it has a shape like a Koosh ball and leaves behind a trail of slime.
Cylert: A prophet in the Quaceb religion.
Deglos: Planet near Abreya planet Pathilon.
Denamori: A Venus-like planet with thousand degree temperatures.
Deoring: Paradise planet described in Holy Gaxea.
Dinagla: A statue which Quacebs use to remind themselves of the great prayers of the faith.
Duvalha: A dictatorial nation of Kaybok system history.
Duwaky: Transit tunnel.
Duxamca: Pathilon's best amusement park.
Elazfil: Coming of age observance for Quacebs.
Ferleok: Coldest of the eleven planets of the Kaybok planetary system.
Fetmip: Chemical that can change coloration of your blushing and blood.
Fiqajko: Small medical station.
Fopakna: Quaceb anointing ritual.
Fotebja: Abreya entertainment device.
Fubalca: Special knockout gas developed by Abreyas. Contains a percentage of breathable air.
Futamer: Planet destroyed in Auno wars of Duvalha.
Gaxea: The core Quaceb religious book.
Gerbite: A prophet of Quacebism.
Gleenpach: Quaceb ceremonial praise dance.
Gogibi: Cryogenic stasis machine.
Gojot: "Living room" of a spacecraft.
Gi'uz: Ceremonial Quaceb headwear for males and females.
Grunkiahu (Grunk): A large flying creature, ridden by Abreyas like horses.
Hariumbuble: A prophet of Quacebism.
Haxgorg: Personal toilet waste disposal appliance.
Hayajvis: A pest like bedbugs or mosquitoes, a constant annoyance to Abreyas.
Heakga: A manta ray-like tent used by Quacebs during matrimony.
Hirejosi: A sawing machine.
Hoyroq: Premium sacrificial animal used to expunge Quacebs from their sins.
Iznolgu: Environment suit.
Jiticuha: A monastic organization.
Jufuceri: Planet in which law treaties regarding Auno energy were drafted.
Kadegni: Country located close to border of Bencap.
Kaiaquke: Stellar nursery
Kecuru: Special mineral found on planet Deglos.
Kemmer: When animals go into heat.
Kicabaii: Special gas that exists on Kugifogelo, has unusual properties that affect coloration of its atmosphere.
Kipom: Quaceb messiah.
Kisostrom: A book in the Quaceb Holy Gaxea.
Klecut: A laser knife.
Kodebano: A sport enjoyed by Abreyas.
Kugifogelo: Planet nearest Abreya planet Pathilon.
Kwibron: Core religious site for the Quaceb faith.
Laima'j: An aromatic plant, which is burned to ashes for use of bathing and drying off.
Lanoxis: A day of the week on Pathilon.
Lemwag: Abreya showering cubicle.
Lerilite: Laser sawing element on an Hirejosi.
Lutab: An organic swimming pool, with wormy creatures along the sides for cleaning purposes.
Lyuntaaz: Quaceb religious observance similar to passover and Hanukkah.
Macevas: A plant similar to rice, which is made into a bread-like substance.
Mailetta: A book in the Quaceb holy Gaxea.
Medufa: "Planet of Temptation/Downfall" according to Gaxea.
Mimapi: Matriarchs of the Gaxea.
Miricacci Sector: A galaxy containing the Abreya universe.
Mixajqa: Medicinal root used for treatment of epilepsy.
Muadwomp: An eyeless rodent, similar to a rat, but with teeth that can chew through metal.
Nafnith: Main world altar of Quaceb faith.
Naidru: An order of prophets in the holy Gaxea.
Naridza: A country mentioned in the holy Gaxea.
Navaktos: Quaceb ceremonial mats.
Neflah: Ceremonial Quaceb headwear for females.
Nidrix: Musical scales used by Abreyas.
Nilfloip: Quaceb compass that directs one to holy sites.
Nubsa: One of the Falcameer family's royal Grunkiahus.
Nujvack: A method of stunning targets you wish to capture.
Obnurd: Personal toilet waste disposal appliance.
Order of Glomer: An ancient society of Quacebs.
Pabizol: Vision correcting devices.
Pathilon: Planet of Abreyas.
Pemiufo: A country mentioned in the holy Gaxea.
Pija: A staple food for Abreyas, similar to wheat.
Pijaturu Festival: A grand celebration that harkens back to ancient times, regarding the harvest of Pija.
Pihodai: A group of Abreya Quacebs described in the Gaxea.
Pocwam: A Quaceb saint.
Ponai: Quaceb religious name for God.
Pouncil: A book in the Quaceb holy Gaxea.
Pufedaga: Special mineral found on Ferleok.
Pulotage: Docking center at Bencap palace.
Qatald: Device similar to an intravenous catheter, but not requiring a vertical stand for the pumping of fluid or blood. The machine can lay flat and reposition without interrupting the flow.
Qawdar: A high rank for females in the Quaceb Takofuea.
Quaceb: A monotheistic Abreya religion, or one who adheres to the religion.
Quidsy: Spaceship manufacturing company.
Quinamm: A month on the Pathilonian calendar.
Rantag: A book in the holy Gaxea.
Rilla: First Abreya ever created, according to the Gaxea.
Roskecia:Book from the Quaceb Holy Gaxea.
Rujodale: An alien type of furniture, resembling a Venus flytrap.
Rukhag: A month on the Abreya calendar.
Saholiqe: A country on one of the planets described in Gaxea.
Sebanil: The zoo at Bencap.
Shoktar: A saurian creature used for riding and farming.
Sihiku of Tocedopu: Alien tree of forbidden knowledge, described in the Gaxea.
Sinaxin: Country well known for the enslavement of Quacebs.
Snaral: A transport station, mainly used for Wamzik.
Sostrom: A religious battery of tests, which a Quaceb must correctly answer to qualify for admission to Quaceb school.
Stopamoya Jerz: Famous Quaceb saint/Pocwam.
Supica: Quana's spaceship.
Takofuea: Quaceb monastery.
Tagososi Bosigoqa/"Flash Matter Transit Zone": Hidden area of space where bubbles of time can be encountered.
Tanlanka: A ruler of a Quaceb nation, mentioned in the Gaxea.
Tarru Lorejiba: Matrimony. Literally "Binding of tails."
Tesagob: A sacred Quaceb hymn.
Treivadel: A sport similar to Jai Alai.
Treivanox: An arena where Treivadel is played.
Tuldil of Fuceti: A second version of the tree of forbidden knowledge, according to the Gaxea.
Vanseb: Quaceb religious temple.
Vemorik: Communications device.
Vitabese: One of the smelliest animals on Pathilon.
Voorop: Nation adjacent to Bencap.
Wamzik: A fuzzy, organic `train' that Abreyas ride.
Wava: "Tongue", the language of Abreyas.
Wighesh: Dress-like garment worn by male Abreyas.
Witad: Spirit of Ponai.
Wodov: Priest or priestess of Quaceb faith.
Wusu: A chicken-like creature used as livestock.
Yadafcu: A special race of Abreyas found in the book of Rantag.
Yagduz: A region to the far south of Bencap.
Yencegab the Brewer: A prophet famous for turning water into alcohol.
Yarkolemsis: A month on the Pathilonian calendar.
Yonites: A nation of Quacebs.
Zajyaf: A book in the holy Gaxea.
Zorlaeba: "The Evil One."
Zux Leem: An alien fruit.
WAVA LESSONS:
Note: These aren't solid rules. I got tired of trying to trying to write stuff in Wava after awhile and just threw everything together. Sometimes I didn't even spell the alien words correctly.
Bitu: Indicates future tense.
Bri: Used before a word to indicate plural forms. Often used at the beginning of a word.
Cik: Can be used instead of Chik, as a contraction.
Gi: Add to word to indicate "we," such as Gisnaa ("We can").
Iga: Add to word to make possessive.
`Ih: Used to indicate past tense.
Teb: Indicates action progressively, like "ing" in English. Example: "Walking" would be "Jujagteb", not "Jujago".
O'h: Past tense ending in a vowel.
Paga: "Quality of being". Example: "Borpaga" (Worriment).
Yi: Functions the same as "not" when added to words.
Contractions: Words can be combined into contractions. Example: Guki'ua=Guki+Hua ("May I"), Chibya=chik+bya (you were) Kreeuv=What is it (Kreah+Guv) Marud=This female, Chiib (Chik+hib) Bisib (Bisa+hib).
Compound contractions are used sometimes, such as: chigoselsa (chik+gosa+oalesa). Gelgos (To+him). Rudib ("This is"): Ruhd+Hib
NUMBERS:
Dool: 10
Rey: 9
Fat: 8
Dolsike: 7
Leeg: 6
Diete: 5
Ri: 4
Oim: 3
Hanna: 2
Bid: 1
LEXICON:
Aaberahu: Solely/strictly/alone
Abukos: Nothing
Adanep: Behavioral model
Ahdep: Halt!
Aiju: Closer
Algot: Any
Andere: Amen
Aoqigoia: Neutralize
Artane: Beacon
Audep: Halt!
Ausuhi: Force (v)
Azulfine: Upstairs
Barb: Their
Batua: Dressed/wearing
Bav: Did
Bea: The
Bebak: Other
Becuro: Finally
Beekay: Seek
Baueco: Bless/guide
Benuforte: Prophet
Benuton: Prophecy
Biofa: There
Bisa: Who
Biti: Let/allow
Biv: Klargish word for "One."
Bixok: Queen
Boqadi: Answer
Boqedo: Prove
Boine: Bless
Boqadi: Proof
Boru: Worry
Bosagre: Chick (baby bird)
Bowfez: Stand
Bozakda: Stupid
Bya: Was
Cacurei: View (n)
Cahna: Name
Cajbei: Trouble/problem
Cagote: Ignorant
Cao: Far
Capamfe: Wonderful
Casiku: Recognize
Cazqui: Hope
Cehoo: Welcome
Ceiogefa: Already
Celburyix:A Klargish term, meaning "Branch."
Celini: Understand
Ceo: Her
Cevafpe: Maximum
Cewafme: Sick
Ceygaum: Cult
Chik: You
Chisda: Heaven
Chuzka: Idiot
Cikdew: Fast (v)
Citboi: Danger
Citiseu: Sign/Indication
Clozaril: Disable
Coamurugi: Hypothetical
Codimol: Done
Con: With
Copagva: Qualified
Coz: As/for/from
Cron: Owe
Cujajl: Evil
Cuocup: Shall/Will
Culumafa: Worship/adore
Cumfio: Generation
Cutajma: Recover
Daced: Plan
Dahna: I am
Darulo: Mate/Have Sex
Datucue: Absolutely
De: Of
Debotoke: Consider
Degatec: Store (v)
Demofoa: Order
Depo: Again
Depogast: Reenter
Derako: Soon
Dete: Each
Deubew: Fear
Devibo: Pagan/unbeliever/heathen
Dezafvi: Outfit (clothing)
Divag'qa: Experience
Dobov: Clip (v)
Docuinu: Best
Doqjah: Surrender
Dotasa: Future
Duboqidu: Grant/allow
Dudpim: Rather/Prefer
Duhem: Die (verb)
Duquedaka: System
Duigoje: Separated
Dusaq: Hello
Dutio: Happen/occur
Eidaraba: Guess/suppose
Eiko: Now
Emilihu: Threat
Eurtep: Well/Somewhat good
Eyap Mez: Good night
Faneso: Should/Might/Shall
Feobex: Wrath
Fapai: Fight (verb)
Fepahoi: Choice/option
Feut: Whether/if
Fexagta: Wing
Fihbux: Easy
Fijbuy: Ball
Finihu: Seem/appear
Fipogue: Waste
Fito: At/to
Fod: Back
Fomu: Thing
Fonome: Before/first
Foqipi: Child
Fuhe: Even
Fuqapeh: Bride
Gac: Have
Gahagi: Has
Gapagna: Careful
Gapsom: Affection
Garu: Keep
Garzok: Heathen
Gaz:u: Know
Geben: Father
Gebupega: "People" (Abreyas)
Gecar: Difficult
Gefmoo: Another
Gehgapeqak: Egotistical/Egomaniacal
Gejcuh: Touch
Ge'l: He
Gibet: Them
Gik: We
Giperhofi: "Weirdo"
Gimble: Affectionate nickname like "honey".
Gingahan: Serious
Giwi: Will
Glaap: Want
Gosa: To
Gosaca: Engine
Gubayo: Hand
Guep: Yes
Guki: May/might/can/could
Guli: Play
Guom: Where
Gubayo: Hand
Gurabo: About/concerning/on
Guv: It
Guvicoh: "It's" (contraction of "it is")
Ha: Or
Hacapad: Meddle/dabble/toy(v)
Hakafha: Egg
Haofek: Morning
Hapa: Eat
Hargawage: Cannibal
Havajgu: Adulterous
Hawcuqi: Except
Hei: On
Hib: Is/are
Hieroda: Alarm
Hifarud: Ever
Higiwi: I will
Hinupu: Cute
Hojila: Tell
Hojita: Tell
Hua: Me
Huqea: Fake/false/artificial/fraud
Hurgoco: Fool
Hurota: Foolish
Husigu: Quantity
Ibblesquib: Forget
Ip: An/"A"
Jagbei: Return
Jagopune: Give up/surrender/leave
Jaii: Do
Jaogoa: Capture/Catch
Jaolal: Catcher
Jegfoj: Clever
Jeko: Also
Jiaz: Like
Jilat: Try
Jocabai: These
Johoca: Side
Jomofo: Join
Jopotaju: Comfortable
Jouge: Begin/Start
Joreh: Palace
Jub: So (in order that)
Jufae: Friend
Jujago: Walk
Jujuba: Immediately
Julujau: Invalid
Jupe: But/However
Kai: And
Kaha: Get/Gain
Kahna: Name/"Called"
Kalaja: Political
Kalefim: Powerful
Kalefimpaga: Powerfully
Kee: So (interjection)
Kehag: Time
Kenuiji: Prepare
Keucam: Happy/Cheerful
Kigo: Sorry
Kijafwa: Service
Kimera: Present/presence
Knoli: Find/discover
Kogel: Stay
Kolapibu: Sharing
Kood: Both
Kreah: What
Kuditig: Specific/Particular
Kuiyo: Holy
Kulwad: Stop
Kusele: Make/Create
Kusuqali: Change (v)
Labuc: By/under the order of/under/subject to
Lagupo: Week
Lajuje: Word
Layd: Here
Legparf: Mean
Leijue: Thief
Lepop: Feel
Liduli: Pace
Lifahu: During
Loex: Good
Lorejiba: Bind
Lotfem: Job
Mabby: Awake
Maltuje: Ask
Marun: Female
Mepjar: Really/seriously
Mese: Too/very
Metau: Zero
Micha: "Little"/"small", often used affectionately.
Midasu: Truth/True
Midhohu: Honestly/seriously/truly/really/actually
Minahujo: Display/show (v)
Moacibi: Praise/Flatter
Moqo: In/inside
Mudkma: Listen
Mugmar: Bride
Mugnar: Groom
Muhafofo: Relationship (connection)
Naca: Flesh
Najikece: Detect
Nalah: Wow
Najufe: Boyfriend
Nar: Him
Narun: Male
Naxu: Maybe/Perhaps
Neebee: Search
Niblet: Kill/destroy/shut off
Nioqa: Dress/clothe (v)
Nocodo: Problem
Nueto: Silly
Nuqida: Prison/jail
Nux: Help
Oalesa: Would
Obes: Please
Oopuhane: Individual
Pae: Give
Palafnu: Slow
Paneciqa: Everywhere
Parehe: Then
Paryiz: Pool
Patnar: Firing
Patuihi: Defect
Pebe: Say
Pequecoja: Confess
Peraha: Cage
Pihile: Clearly/definitely
Pikhi: Need
Pimopek: Exterior
Pimqam: Self Praising/Self Important
Pisoqo: Just/only
Podo: Meet/introduce
Pofokiai: Password
Poiagupu: Heart/Mind
Puebuko: Elder (honorific term)
Pugot: Everything
Puguqe: Belong to
Pumcko: Think
Poqufa: Virgin (Klargish word)
Pusasuji: Hide/conceal
Putu: Data/Info
Pututula: Information
Pyoci: Like (verb)
Qafe: Take
Qaigas: Event/Occasion
Qasolire: Purpose/Reason
Qecajeda: Birth
Qidu: Table
Qilahami: Treatment
Qiol: My/mine
Qoeloqe: Challenge/competition
Quako: Self
Quayhox: Fur
Qiciheli: Recording
Qugu: Certain/Sure
Rajua: Dear
Raraba: Must
Raulu: Bring
Redaheo: Nice/fine
Remabe/Reem: Mother/mom
Reodacol: Rain
Repisita: "Jerk" (Disagreeable Person)
Riko: Be
Ritaqomi: Approaching
Roca: Within
Rofi: By
Rua: Your
Rudibugu: Background
Ruhd: This
Rulijo: What we have?
Saasaa: Water
Sakhai: Rest (v)
Salbue: Harvest
Saojifa: Security
Scrumsaarg: Marriage
Sejucore: Planet
Shnarf: That/concerning
Siruka: Wrong
Snaa: Able/can
Sohenogi: Question
Soisofu: Family
Soqokuru: Identify
Sotukobe: Religion
Subecosu: Bother
Suka: Many/Much
Susocir: Bald
Taboloco: Creature
Tarru: Tail
Tebesoe/Tebesque: Command
Tibu: His
Ticoh: Is
Tipohu: Add
Tiks: When
Tocedopu: Wisdom
Tohibou: Run/operate
Toihoja: Board(v)
Toib: See
Tuc: "Child" or "Baby", usually used condescendingly or as a pet name.
Tupaha: Possible
Ucuk: Speak
Ukxa: Pants/overalls
Umua: Thank you
Vatus: King/ruler/lord
Viravo: How
Weh: Our
Welk: Use
Xoc: Go/Going
Wof: Now
Yalnov:
Yok: No
Yunk: Why
Zaib: Correct
Zemitqame: Nerve (bodily organ).
Zoor: Because/since