Chicken Scratch

You walk close enough to one another that every now and again, Borz's movements through the tall grasses push errant blades to brush your shins. It is a gentle, ticklish sensation that is wholly alien to you; with so little area suitable for cultivation on Vortex, the only plant life is that which can be eaten, and it is heavily guarded from civilian contact. You know you are grinning like a fool, but you can't help yourself, even as the Ambassador gives you sidelong glances of amusement for it. It almost makes you forget that you are approaching the Adu border, where millions of human lives were lost as refugees fled the Fallout Zone only to run headlong into a massacre.

"Will there be any Adui nationals where we are going?" You ask, not bothering to try for sounding casual knowing that your nervous thoughts will betray you.

-There may be, but it is not likely - so I wouldn't worry,- Borz replies. -The border is not yet suitable for grazing, and even if it was, their current cycle is on the western reach of the territory.-

"Cycle?" The phrasing confuses you.

-Grazing cycle,- Borz clarifies. -Before your kind industrialized the exploitation of grazing species, even they had the good sense to realize that grazing land needed a rest from the herd, lest they decimate the plant life and soil in one area. The Adui people understand that as nomads, they can sustain their population and their land.-

"Ah," you reply, then speak no more, the only sound your feet and her device moving with snake-hiss quiet through the tall grass. It is so silent that you forget yet again that there are two large male Sobakans trailing you, until one of them stumbles on an obscured piece of scrap metal jutting from the soil and grunts in pain. You glance over your shoulder to confirm that he isn't wounded; he is unharmed, beyond his pride.

"I was of the impression that diplomatic relations between Sobak and Adu were favorable," you say. "Are you expecting a conflict?"

-They are; we are cooperating to restore the soil along our borders,- Borz replies. -If you are asking because of the guards, they have nothing to do with Adu.-

Only further puzzled, you remind her, "The Adui people slaughtered humans by the thousands. Surely an unarmed eunuch isn't enough of a threat to warrant two guards for yourself?"

All three of them break into laughter, and Borz stops in her tracks to look at you, settling back on her hind legs to position her skeletal fores in what doesn't approximate folding one's arms over their chest well outside of her avatar form.

-They are not both for me, Raftian.- She points to the tawny male on the left whose erect ears perk as she mentions his name. -Latta is your bodyguard.-

"Mine?" You are alarmed. "I thought you told me I didn't have to worry."

-You do not need to fear the Adui. I brought the guards to protect us from each other.-

"I wouldn't... why would I...?" You don't know how to answer. "I don't see why you should think I would harm you when I have worked so hard to develop a positive relationship with Sobak."

Below your feet, the ground is sloping gently upwards, and Borz looks to the horizon wistfully. -What I mean to show you today may be upsetting. I have to take suitable precautions - both against you lashing out at me, and my nearly inevitable retaliation.-

This surprises you. "Latta would protect me from one of his own?"

The general spreads her bony hands. -How can a foreign national and I communicate on equal terms if not afforded equal protection? Latta is under orders to protect you from anyone, by any means. He will not break them, just as Kangal will ensure my safety.-

You can't help but wonder if a Transcendent visitor to Vortex would be afforded the same courtesy, and are discomforted by your own answer.