Chapter 14 - Coalesce
After reaching back home, both Aerialus and Sue put their purchased items away. Already have discussed on when the ballroom event would take place and marking the calendar on the fridge, they proceeded with the rest of their day. As the days drew closer and closer, the Baklavaian became more anxious and restless. The unknown of what would happen at the event plagued her mind. Despite Sue stating that she was able to convince her husband to come along, it did not ease her worry.
On the day of the event, the female alien would pace around the house. Trying to do chores to pass the time, she would constantly fret and look at the time. Each sight of the clock reminded her of the count down. Robert and Sue tried to calm her down, but her mental state was too infested with self-inflicting anxiety. No matter how much distractions she did to take her mind off of it, her brain would slowly draw back to the same state.
Hearing Sue tell her it was time to get dressed up, it was two hours prior to the deadline. Going along with her and up the stairs, both got ready. Feeling odd in her dress while the older human female did her hair, she looked at herself in the mirror. Blinking in surprise, she looked very different and felt the clothing was exposing herself compared to her slave jumpsuit.
Coming down the stairs, both females saw the two males still in the same places they were. Seeing both look up from what they were doing, both reacted with surprise. While Howard complimented both of them, Robert stared a bit longer before snapping out of it. Thinking her outfit looked weird, the smiles on everyone's face gave her comfort that it wasn't. Sighing to herself, she saw the two males go upstairs to get changed.
Within some minutes, both men got dressed and ready. Seeing them come down the stairs, their new attire and styled hair was oddly appealing. Hearing Sue remarked how handsome both were, the word seemed to identify how she felt at the moment. The older woman directed everyone to the garage so they can start heading over to the ball dance. Not questioning and following along, the family got in the car and left for the event place. Despite Sue conversing while the older man drove to pass the time, Aerialus kept being distracted of the dread in her mind.
"We are here," Howard announced turning into the stripped spaced lot.
"...!?" the female alien blinked. Looking around, the Baklavaian didn't realize how much time and distance they traveled.
Feeling the car getting parked into one of the open spaces, everyone inside got out. Closing the door, Aerialus felt the knots in her stomach tense more. Turning and looking at the building some distance aways, there was a banner that indicated what event was taking place inside. Glancing around her surroundings, there were other individuals converging to the site. Seeing the family walk towards her, she blinked and shook her head a little.
"Anything wrong Aerialus?" Robert asked getting beside her.
"N-No...just unsure about what will happen," she answered. Feeling his hand gently placed on her back, he gave an assured smile.
"You'll worry yourself to death at this rate. If you don't know what the outcome will be, there'd be no point to continuously dwell on it until it happens."
"..." the Baklavaian blinked and stared at him.
Thinking that he was being a little naive about the circumstances, she turned her gaze to his mother and father. Despite Sue able to convince Howard to come along, the older man's demeanor was reserved and quiet. Thinking that he came to support her despite him not liking to go to these events, it made her feel happy of his willingness. Looking at his wife, she seemed as excited as Robert was. Both of them emitted enthusiasm.
'Maybe if I stay with Howard during this event...it will be less of a burden to him,' Aerialus pondered.
"...I...will try to think like you...Robert."
"Don't worry too much dear," Sue said. Interlacing her right arm with her husband's left arm, she smiled.
"We are here with you. So if something happens, we will be there to support you."
"..." Howard responded with a calm nod and a faint smile.
"..." Aerialus stared at all of them looking at her. Bowing her head a little, she gave a small smile.
"...thank you..."
Together, the four walked to the building holding the ball. Getting through the parking lot, they climbed up a set of stairs. Getting to the top and seeing a straight path, it led to the entrance. Decorations could be seen in the distance followed by more signs and posters. Walking to the glass doors, there were rope stanchions blocking it. To the left of it was a ticket booth.
Seeing a small line, the female alien saw other extraterrestrial species. Standing beside a human or two, the sight made her feel less out of place from having to attend the event. After a small wait and presenting their tickets, the four were allowed to pass through. Seeing a red carpet that was laid out, it gave the impression of a long thin tongue. Following it would be like heading to a figure's stomach. Blinking from seeing movement, she kept up her pace with Robert as he was saying something to his parents.
'If there are other species attending...then the aspect of the Captain using this as a platform for himself...wouldn't work.'
'There are too many people...and other outer spacers here that he wouldn't be able to assert authority.'
'Which leads to...why he wants me to attend here? He can't use this as a slave market...or is he?' she wondered.
After proceeding further into the building, the interior decoration, the atmosphere, and the attendants changed the demeanor drastically from outside. Seeing humans standing in hallways and giving directions to the center ball room, there were more aliens seen. All of them were dressed either in their planet's customary attire or were wearing something from Earth. Reaching the end of the hallway, a massive space opened up. It reminded Aerialus of being about the size of the college's gymnasium. Everything had a theme to indicate it was a party of some sorts.
To the right of the opening was a large floor pad with a distinctive outline square. Appearing to be the space of a large living room without the furniture, there was a stage next to the back edge of the floor pad. Tables and various equipment were set up with an individual behind it. Mild volume of music was playing which was not distinctive to what she recognized. However, it seemed to be somewhat similar to the cafeteria music heard at Robert's school.
Turning to the middle of the spacious facility, numerous tables and chairs were set up. Beginning at the free edges of the floor pad, several dozen tables and chairs spread all the way to the other end. Going almost all the way to the other end of the interior, there was two turning staircase to the second floor. One curving to the upward right and the other upward left. On the second floor, there was a walkway that wrapped along the wall above the opposite wall of where they came out from. She couldn't see if there were doorways or more passageways that lead further inside the building from there.
On the opposite wall of the hallway, a line of long tables was set up. One of them looked like various trays of food and drinks. The amount of what was on them seemed to go well beyond what a normal buffet would have. Blinking from seeing a few people walk pass her group, the Baklavaian began to notice how many individuals were here already. All sorts of aliens of different shapes, sizes, colors, and species were laid bare to see. The seer amount seen in one location made her feel both wonder and paranoia.
"Welcome to the local ball," a male staffer greeted to their right with an airy voice.
Turning to him, he was humanoid in shape. However, his skin two tone. A paleish off white colored a majority of his front facing body parts. The rest changed to a dark emerald color. Wearing a similar colored robe, it did not hide the fanned bony skull from the impressions on his skin. Instead of him breathing through his mouth, three protruding holes on either side of his neck opened and closed.
"There isn't assigned seating or anything. Please pick a free table to place your things and sit."
"..." Sue, Howard, and Aerialus stared seeing the amount of sharp teeth when he talked.
"Thanks," Robert spoke. Taking a step forward, the staffer's eyes shifted to him.
"My folks haven't been to this kind of event so seeing how different everyone is...is an adjustment for them."
"That is a common occurrence...thus, why we collaborate with you humans to have events like this...to...intermingle...as I have heard from local administers here," the alien agreed and gave a smile that went passed what was normal lengths by human standards.
"...good heavens..." Sue muttered with an instant hit of suspense.
"..." Howard stiffened a little and did not move.
'This being...is scarier than any Primusian I have seen,' Aerialus told herself mentally feeling immediately cautious.
"If I am not mistaken...you are a Lizpeniod. Yes?" the young human male asked as politely as possible. The employee dropped his toothy grin back to a pleasanter smile.
"Yes! You are the first human to notice and recognize! I thank thee!" he expressed with a sense of pride. He gave a head nod and gestured to the sea of furniture in the middle and far end of the ball room. Nodding his head, Robert turned around.
"All right, let's go take a seat."
"..." the other three blinked and looked at him. Each nodded their head slowly at different times. Departing the staffer, the four headed to a table that was near one of the tall viewing windows. Getting about a third the way from the far wall, they stopped. Taking their chairs and sitting down, Sue immediately turned to her son.
"Dear...how...did you know what that...individual was?" she asked with a tone of recovering from fright.
"School curriculum made everyone take Intergalactic and Outergalatic Species 1 and 2 as part of college curriculum," he answered normally. He smirked a little from seeing how everyone was looking at him with surprise.
"That has to be a recent addition," Howard commented. Sounding normal, he had crossed his arms over his chest.
"I'm assuming when that galaxy committee was formed, schools started putting those classes into play."
"From what the class instructors tell us, yes. They told students initially it was just beings from our solar system. Then they found out there were aliens from places beyond our galaxy. So, they had to add another class to cover all species."
"Just how many known alien species are there? I'm still trying to get over how...exotic he looked," his mother admitted speaking a little softer after her pause.
"More like a character from a fantasy or sci-fi flick," the older man added. Turning to their own extraterrestrial, she blinked and looked at all of them.
"Have you met individuals like that dear?" Sue asked wanting to include the younger female into the conversation.
"...well...no. Not really," Aerialus answered. "Being on the slave ship, we don't normally leave the ship or get to look outside. There were creatures that the Primusians would capture, but we normally never see them."
"But...when I went with Robert to his college...I saw a wide variety of different people."
"..." both parents blinked then looked at the young man. The older woman spoke in a careful tone.
"...how different...are the aliens at school dear?"
"..." Robert stared for a couple of seconds then began to scan the ballroom.
Seeing him stopping and pointing, the others at the table turned. Several tables away, there were silhouettes. Not resembling any part of a human anatomy, they were smooth globs as tall as an adult person. Their translucent skin tone gave the impression of jellyfish despite having no tentacles or appendages. Their organs were blurred while only a large eye occupied where someone's face would be. Standing near the table they were at, both levitated a couple of inches off the ground.
"Those are Gastronids. There are a few exchange students of that species at the school," he explained then looked to his right. "If you look 5 tables to their right, you'll see Scuilets. Those are probably the most...highly different students at the college."
"..." the other three at the table stared for a couple of moments. Sue turned back to the table and looked spooked. Her husband turned back and adjusted himself in his seat. Aerialus looked at them for a bit longer due to the shocking alteration they were in comparison to herself and humans. Moving her head back to looking at her host family, only the older individuals seemed still too surprised to speak.
'Other than having the head of some strange water ballon...there was only tentacles for its limbs,' the Baklavaian thought with wonder.
On the second level walkway in the ballroom space, a Primusian agent was standing near the railing. Looking over and down at the growing crowd below, it had sighted and noted where the host-family slave was. Seeing it with what appeared to be its host family members, it would just glance at her from time to time. What its real mission, given by the Primusian council, was to gather much information about both the Primusian Captain and his slaves. The board members stated that Captain Olton going to this human event was not in violation of anything. However, it made them curious as to what the slave trade leader was trying to pull.
"..." the scout agent heard a mild ringing tone. Reaching into his pocket and pulling it out, it was a pager device. Opening it a little and extending a short thin antenna, he put it to his ear.
"Yes?"
[Have you spotted the target of interest?] an older man on the other side of the comms spoke.
"Yes sir. One of them."
[What of Captain Olton?]
"...he has not arrived here yet," the scout answered after a brief pause. Scanning around, there wasn't any attendee that looked like the slave ship commander.
[Very well. Keep a watchful eye on the slave for any abnormalities]
"Aye. What of the other slave that Captain Olton is bringing?"
[...depends...I wager that he will fend that slave to the other. He is going to have a discussion with the local governance...but we do not know what they will be discussing. We have another agent there to act as our ears in the walls. Do not seek that agent. Only focus on slaves] the older Primusian ordered.
"Aye sir," the scout replied. Taking the device away from his ear and pocketing it, he began to pace to move around.
Descending from the air, a small transport ship touches down in the parking lot. A side door opens and a ramp extends out. Coming out first was the Primusian captain of the slave trader ship. Dressed in formal attire of Primusian culture, Olton felt an air of superiority and swager. Turning around and smirking, his Baklavaian scout slave descended. Wearing an Earthling outfit named a cocktail dress and pulling her hair back, it gave a new look and atmosphere to her.
"Well now...don't you look quite different," Olton commented keeping his smirk. Offering his hand, he controlled himself from wanting to grin.
"..." Fiona reluctantly stared at his hand. Flinching a little, she slowly extended her hand to his. Feeling him hold it gently, she felt on guard if he was going to hurt her.
"You don't even look like a slave with that disguise...almost too perfect."
"...thank you sir," she remarked with a stoic face.
"Come now," he began. Turning towards the ball room entrance in the distance, he grabbed her right elbow. Signifying to walk, the scout slave moved beside him though not parallel.
"We must act a little different...so the attendees can get...the wrong image," Olton stated with a smug.
"...act...a little different...sir?"
"Yes...you will be...my underling," he explained and looked at her with a grin. "I do hope you...FOLLOW along...so that this event is...a successful one. Yes?"
"I...understand sir."
"Splendid...I do have...high hopes you will comply."
Walking through the parking lot and to the entrance, Olton provided the tickets for him and Fiona to enter. Being allowed through, he still had not let go of her elbow. Climbing the steps and going through the hallway, they reached the ballroom space. Looking around to see if there were any individuals of interest, he ignored the Baklavaian woman for a moment. The slave scout scanned around in a wave of cautious wonder.
"Well well well," the Primusian Captain murmured with a smirk. He was looking to his left which made the other turn in the same direction.
"Still being a dutiful slave...how charming."
'Why is Aerialus here?' Fiona thought. Seeing her master walk towards the group the other slave was in, she followed. Keeping her ponders to herself, she saw the family at the table turn towards their direction. Wondering if Olton would continue acting the same way, her eyebrows raised when he called out to them.
"Ah. You made it Aerialus," he stated with a pleasant voice. Letting go of her elbow, he spread his arms towards the group of 4.
"How splendid. And you brought your entire host family with you as well," the Captain commented with a fake smile. One of the four stood up which was the older male human. Thinking he would lash out at the slave master, he began to speak.
"Captain Olton...was it?" Howard asked.
"Yes sir. You are?"
"My name is Howard," he started then turned a little to gesture to the others at the table. "This is my wife, Sue."
"Greetings ma'am. Looking stylish I see."
"...t-thank you," the older woman responded though was stiff.
"and this is my son Robert."
"Ahhh...the young man that has swoon Aerialus to form a communion with," the Captain said keeping the same smile. It was neither threatening nor pleasant. The Primusian lowered his head a little towards the younger male human.
"My belated congratulations to you human...it is good to know she has found a suitor...despite being different species."
"...thank you...sir," Robert replied calmly as possible.
"Ah. Where are my manners. Let me introduce an underling of mine," he announced and turned towards the companion next to him. "This is Fiona. She is a Baklavaian just like Aerialus. She is also in a host-family program as well. Unfortunately, her human companions were preoccupied with their own events. I decided...to put in good faith of what we Primusians are providing in support. Don't you agree Fiona?"
"..." the slave scout stared for a second then blinked. "Y-yes sir. I am very appreciative that you would...help me with my selfish wish to experience this event."
"Ha ha ha. But of course!" Olton stated charismatically. "Now I hate to impose on your family Mr. Howard. Would it be possible for you to have Fiona here join your party? There are individuals from the local governance that have requested a conference with me who are present as this event."
"..." Howard blinked and glanced at the other Baklavaian. Seeing the female alien tense up slightly, he glanced back at the slave master and gave a slight head nod.
"We do not mind Captain."
"Wonderful," Olton stated with a more natural expression of gratitude. "Thank you for your understanding. Please enjoy yourselves at this...social gathering mixer as some humans have named it."
"I will be back sometime when the roster of today's event gets to the free time space. Behave you two," he stated and glanced at both Baklavaians. The two women nodded at different times. Seeing him turn around and walk away, the heavy air around them started to lift. Howard turned toward the other slave and got her attention.
"Would like to sit down?"
"..." Fiona blinked and glanced at the others. Seeing no unfriendly faces, she forced herself to feel guilty while glancing at Aerialus.
"S-Sure. Sorry for...imposing on you."
"Not at all dear," Sue chimed in with a smile. "Dear, get a chair for her."
"Okay mom," Robert said. Getting up and stealing a chair by a nearby table that was unoccupied, he placed it next to Aerialus's left. Seeing the Baklavaian walk around to the seat, everyone took their places and sat down. The humans looked at both of them sitting next to each other. Fiona had the same characteristic physical traits as Aerialus; however, her eyes were more of a magenta color.
"Is this your first time at a ball party dear?" the older female human asked looking at the slave scout.
"Y-Yes...it is," she answered then glanced at Aerialus. "Have you been to one of these before?"
"No," Aerialus responded with shaking her head. "This will be my first time attending."
"I...wasn't really told in great detail of what goes on at this...ballroom event as you humans have stated. What exactly happens?"
"Counselor...I have visual of all three targets. The Captain briefly talked with the human host family and is departing."
[Good. Keep monitoring them. Our second agent will track Olton. See if you can get more information out of the slaves. And if there is any intentions on their part."
"Aye sir. Will hail if either does something against the rules," the Primusian scout reported.
After some time passed, the family that Fiona was with gave her information she was seeking. Despite feeling comfortable with the humans around her, she felt paranoid. She was with the host family along with Aerialus, but the feeling of being watched was poking the back of her mind. Glancing at the other Baklavaian, she could see that Aerailus was tense and would look around a little. Feeling a connection with her more, she waited till there was an opening to speak.
"...hey...Aerialus," Fiona whispered from the corner of her mouth. Looking at her with the corner of her eyes, the other female alien glanced at her.
"...yes?" she replied in the same volume.
"Any idea why the Captain wanted to bring us here?"
"...I...don't know really...I can only think of apprehensive reasons."
"You think he is doing something behind closed doors?"
"...he said he'd be meeting with human administrators here...I don't want to assume...what I think he is doing."
"You mean...like gathering humans to be slaves?" she asked. Seeing Aerialus do quick and small head movements, it gave the appearance that the comment caught her off guard.
"...I...I can only assume...the masters wouldn't stay long on a planet without good reason."
"That's fair to assess," Fiona agreed with a head nod.
More time passed and the ballroom was more occupied. At least 200 or so individuals were inside either occupying a table or standing around. The vast amount of both human and alien attendees was bewildering. Not only to both Baklavaians, but the host family as well. Robert was acting like a staffer and pointed out most of the different extraterrestrial species that came. There were ones he didn't know and stated he hadn't seen that type at school.
Seeing movement on the stage area, a human was walking to the center. Turning something on at the tall narrow podium, his voice became amplified. Hearing the crowded facility quiet down quickly, the announcer began to speak. He indicated what the main events would be occurring during the ballroom party event. After giving his closing statement, the crowd began to applaud.
In the following lineup for the audience, majority of stage events were speeches. Speaking about unity, diversifying, understanding, cohabitation amongst all species, and the hope of open communication to all life that comes across each other. Not only did humans speak, but different space species got up and voiced similar lines on the stage. A couple of the alien races wanted to bring a part of their tradition for everyone to see which was the various dance ceremonies. To the host family and the Baklavaians, it was truly a rare sight to see.
'...this...is rather amazing to see,' Aerialus thought watching everything with wonder. 'Despite how everyone looks and the differences amongst each other...they are all here to join this union event.'
'Reminds me of Robert's school...and the...' her mind trailed off.
Blinking and stopping herself from thinking, there was a peculiar feeling that generated. Bringing her eyes down to the table, she focused more on it. The more she did, her eyebrows raised up. Slowly turning her head to the left, Fiona was still looking forward. Continuing further, she glanced behind her.
There were a couple more rows of tables behind her with some empty chairs. Not seeing anything out of the ordinary, the off-putting aura was still present. Looking up the curved upward staircase on the left, there were a couple of individuals leaning on the second-floor guard rail. Seeing nothing of a concern, she blinked and turned back forward. Blinking, the sensation was still nagging at her.
'...this feels similar...to the dream I had,' she voiced in her mind.
Mentally shaking her head, she refocused on the stage area. Seeing something in her peripheral vision to her right, Robert was sitting nearby. He looked to have not moved. About to dismiss what she thought, there was something distinctive passed him. Just looking with her eyes, the Baklavaian looked above the human's head. Seeing the large window that looked out to the courtyard and parking lot, there was frost.
"...!?" Aerialus stiffened and just kept staring. Piercing through the frost, two sapphire-colored orbs were boring at her. The materialization of the individual outside of their home shook her a little more than a surprise.
'...the neighbor...is here,' she thought and swallowed a lump in her throat.