Father Dominic was immediately concerned when he saw Julius at his door, and just as quickly upset. "What in heaven happened now?" he demanded with a gesture to Julius's arm.
Julius followed him inside, "I found the glowy thing."
"And, what, stuck your arm down its throat?"
Julius was defensive, taken aback by the priest's harshness, "It grabbed me! I wasn’t expecting a fucking vine to grab me!"
Father Dominic turned to stare at him, "A vine?" He waved away Julius's explanation as he entered his office and pointed to the chair, "No, sit, remove your coat if you can, I’ll be right back."
Julius managed to get his coat off, stifling a cry as he failed to keep the sleeve from brushing his arm. The pain had been worsening as he walked, whether because the wound was getting worse or some numbing agent was wearing off he wasn't sure. He was bleeding now, though, so maybe both.
Father Dominic returned, wooden box in hand. "Look away, please," he said as he knelt by the chair.
Julius shook his head, "I want to see what you’re doing this time."
Father Dominic frowned, "Last time, you said you were 'freaked out.'"
"Yeah, because it was weird, but now I wanna know what you do."
"It would be best if you didn’t look," the priest bit, annoyed.
Julius was annoyed right back, "A glowing vine just tried to eat me on a fucking space station! What the hell are you so worried about me seeing?"
Father Dominic's feathers sharpened, then wilted as he sighed. His voice was quiet. "Don’t move."
Julius couldn't help but feel a little guilty at how suddenly dejected his friend looked, but he was baffled by where it came from. This was a completely different attitude from last time. What could be so bad?
Father Dominic set the box beside him on the floor, opening it to reveal some sort of pale salve. He gently took Julius's arm and brushed his fingers over the pooled blood on his skin. Julius softly cursed, pained.
"I'm sorry," the Slanae said, his voice thicker, a little distant. "I should have used water, but… old habits. This will hurt for a moment."
He spread the salve over his hands before wrapping them around Julius's arm.
The pressure hurt a lot, but Julius barely registered it was there. He was too distracted watching his friend.
Father Dominic's eyes were closed, an expression of sheer relief on his face. His skin, which had never quite been the right color during his recovery, was returning to its healthy plum-black hue. His feathers slowly puffed out, the copper shining.
Julius's eyes widened. "Oh."
Father Dominic opened his eyes, but wouldn't meet Julius's. "I’m going to have to take more in order to counter the effects of the enzymes still eating at your skin. I imagine it will be uncomfortable."
"Go for it," Julius said, morbidly fascinated. It wasn't just the fact that the priest was absorbing his blood that held his attention— it looked like Father Dominic was trying very hard not to enjoy it. He wasn't succeeding.
When he let go, the wound was covered in a "bandage" of dark charcoal.
Julius stared. "Wow."
Father Dominic was silent.
"You look like you’re feeling better," Julius said.
Father Dominic blinked in surprise. "Yes. Much."
"So, the 'certain organic compounds' you usually eat is… blood."
The priest glanced away, tense. "Not just blood, but that one is a favorite."
"Did you," Julius shifted awkwardly, "when you patched me up after those nuns knocked me around and you put your whole hand on my head, were you… tasting me?"
"I was treating your wound, but yes, absorbing your blood was involved. It's the only way to shed the thin layers necessary to bandage the wound securely."
Julius blinked. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. Finally, he gestured to his arm, "You cleaned the wound by absorbing the blood around it, and then bandaged it with pieces of your own skin? That's the black stuff?"
"I used an antiseptic as well, I'm not barbaric," Father Dominic huffed as he closed the lid on the box of salve.
Julius leaned back as he processed this. "No wonder you didn't want me to look. Sorry if I was pushy… what?"
Father Dominic was staring at him, momentarily speechless. "I suppose I'm waiting for the part where you leave in disgust."
Julius was surprised. "Does that happen a lot?"
"I try not to let anyone know." Father Dominic looked supremely uncomfortable. "Once, a parishioner realized the reason I never drank during the social hour after the service was I was 'drinking through my fingers,' as you describe it, which caused some fascination and amusement among the parish. That was odd, but acceptable. When someone curious started researching my species, they discovered we keep livestock much like humans do… except we don't need them to be dead to use them for food."
Julius scoffed, "Bet that caused a panic."
"It caused unrest. Most people thought the person spreading the information was being xenophobic and should have simply asked me anything they wanted to know, given me a chance to provide context. However, there were more than a few that found the idea disturbing and stopped coming. Of course, my parish is always in constant flux, with workers being transferred to other stations, retiring planetside, travelers who are only here for a short time and stop by for a service—"
"But rumors have a funny way of persisting," Julius finished the thought.
"Yes." He seemed to realize Julius was not, in fact, going to run away, and relaxed a little. "A fact you know far too well, I was saddened to learn."
Julius smiled. "Tell you what, you intimidate the people who insult me into an apology, I punch the ones who insult you in the face."
Father Dominic laughed a little, surprised. "Please do not. I appreciate the intention, but I wouldn't want you committing a violent act for my sake."
Julius shrugged with a grin. "If you say so, but no promises."
Father Dominic nodded once. "Did I take too much? Was it unpleasant?"
Julius shook his head, kinda touched he was so worried. "Nah. A little woozy, but some juice and a cookie and I’ll be fine."
"Some… what?"
"That’s a thing when humans give blood, juice to re-hydrate and a cookie to restore your blood sugar levels."
The priest's brow furrowed. "Give blood to whom?"
"Seriously? Hospitals, blood banks? Not every human donates, but some do. If someone needs a transfusion, it’s gotta come from somewhere."
Father Dominic looked stunned. "Yes of course. I never had a reason to think about it."
"You should ask your parishioners for donations instead of relying on that supplement powder," Julius joked.
"Absolutely not," the priest's feathers puffed as he quickly stood up.
"Holy shit, that's what you were thinking isn't it!" Julius laughed.
"I am not doing such a thing." He picked up the box of salve and paused. He looked torn. "I’m afraid I don’t have anything you could eat, but I can make some tea."
Julius dialed it back a few notches for an encouraging smile and a polite, "Tea would be great. Thanks."
Father Dominic left the room. He'd never seen him so flustered, Julius mused as he examined his arm. Granted, he'd only really known him, what, a week? They'd had tea a couple times but that was it. This was just so different from the collected calm he'd seen before.
Julius kind of hated that Father Dominic had to rely on what was obviously an inferior substitute for food, just because of alien (to the Slanae) social norms. No, on second thought, he really hated it. Hell, the priest could snack on Julius anytime as far as he was concerned— and he was never ever saying that sentence out loud, even if it was true.
"Tell me about this vine that attacked you so ferociously," Father Dominic said as he entered with the tea tray.
Julius followed the conversation shift. "Glowed. It was on the ceiling, with some tendrils hanging down, and when I touched it it grabbed me. Looked like it was wet, probably messing up the Athee garden water circulation."
"Or the plant exudes a sap that enables it to keep a stronger hold on its prey," Father Dominic suggested as he poured.
Julius blinked. "That's a thing?"
"It is for a few species on my planet, and several on Earth."
"Well I've only been to Earth once, back when I was a kid, and never made a habit of studying the flora."
His friend smiled a little and stirred a hefty spoonful of sugar into a cup before handing it to Julius. "One of the human priests back home was an avid gardener, and brought a few Earth species with him—contained in pots and kept indoors, so as not to affect the environment, of course. I was rather fascinated. My point is that carnivorous plants exist on many worlds. Some of them are also illegal to transport through this station."
"Aha." Julius grinned. "Then I guess the first thing to do is figure out if this is one of them."
"I'll pull up a list of illegal plants from the Athee homeworld, as it was under their garden here." He activated his desk, holographic interface displaying with a flicker. "Then we can go back to where you saw it and confirm if it's a match, if necessary."
"'We?'"
"You clearly can't be trusted not to touch glowing alien life forms," Father Dominic teased.
"I didn't know plants could eat people!"
"It could have been poisonous, rather than carnivorous."
Julius hid his face in his hand. "I didn't think of that." He looked up and tried to defend himself, "You try growing up under a dome and see how much plant life you get exposed to. I mean, there were gardens, but it's not like I ever had a reason to go there."
"I can't imagine," Father Dominic kindly interrupted his rambling with a smile. "Is the tea helping?"
"I'm not as woozy as I was, so I guess so," Julius said between sips. "Thanks."
"Of course." Father Dominic manipulated his desk's interface, quickly scrolling through documents and pictures. "What do you know of the Athee religion?"
Julius shrugged. "Ancestor worship, fond of plants."
"The plants are the ancestors, or at least hold their spirits," Father Dominic corrected, then shook his head. "I confess, every time I have tried to discuss theology with my neighbors, I haven't had much success." He paused to magnify a picture, "Ah. Is this what you saw in the tunnels?"
"No, that's too orange."
"Could it be the same species in a different color?"
"I don't think so, it's too… webby? There were just a few tendrils hanging down on this one."
Father Dominic brought up a different picture. "This?"
"Maybe? Thicker and, you know, glowing."
"Hm." He sorted through a few pictures, "This species can grow to be quite large. This is what it looks like while luring prey."
Julius pointed, "Yep, that's it."
"You're positive?"
"Absolutely. Don't even need to double check, unless this thing's got a look-alike cousin."
"Not that I've found. Are you recovered enough to walk?"
He was trying to sound unconcerned, but Julius knew better. "I'm fine, honest," he said as sincerely as he could. "You didn't take that much."
Father Dominic nodded. "Good. Shall we, then?"
Julius shrugged, "Sure. Let's go say hi to the neighbors."
"Good evening, Spirit Gardener Shokon," Father Dominic greeted the attendant.
The attendant gave a small bow, his three-fingered red hands folded over the front of his blue robe. The small tusks meant the attendant was male, or at least used male pronouns. Julius didn't know much about Athee biology or culture, but he did know they took their pronouns seriously and tusks were masculine, so there it was.
"Fatherdominic," the attendant turned the title and name into one word and added series of low sounds and hums that ended in a click, "welcome. You have brought someone?"
"Yes, this is a friend of mine, Mr. Julius Nix."
Julius got a smaller bow from the attendant. "Misterjuliusnix."
Julius glanced at Father Dominic, who inclined his head and shoulders slightly. Julius repeated the gesture to the attendant. "Um. Hello."
"Do you have a moment to talk?" Father Dominic asked before Julius could commit some sort of social faux pax. "We have a story to tell that is of importance to your garden."
The attendant, or Spirit Gardener as was apparently his title, nodded and led them through the greenhouse. They followed him to a pair of benches under the branches of a feathery leaved pink tree. As they sat down, the priest and detective on one bench and the gardener on the other, Father Dominic said, "Mr. Nix is a private detective."
"I am not familiar with this phrase," their host said.
"People can go to him for help when the Guard is unable or unwilling to assist," Father Dominic said. Julius thought that sounded too noble, half the time he was just digging through the dirty laundry of spurned spouses, but he'd go with whatever got them the info they needed. "I should let him explain why we're here."
Julius explained, keeping his language in check. "See, sir, I was hired by a maintenance worker who found something strange. Turns out, there's an illegal carnivorous plant that's spread from your garden to the maintenance tunnels. We wanted to tell you first instead of taking the evidence to the Guard right away, since they'd just come down here and throw the rulebook at you. Metaphorically, I mean."
Spirit Gardener Shokon was very still for a long moment. "I appreciate your consideration. The tradition is less common now, but the plant you mention, the kodam, was once often used to absorb the spirit of a loved one."
"Absorb… how?" Julius asked, though he had a feeling he already knew.
"The body is ritually given for food so that the spirit can join in the plant's existence, and can be cared for."
Julius didn't know where to go with this. Good thing he'd brought a priest.
"I understand the importance of such a ritual," Father Dominic said, "and why you would go through the risk of bringing the necessary plant on board the station. We Slanae honor our deceased by seeing their remains given to nourish the future generations. Unfortunately, your plant has spread into the maintenance tunnels below us and is responsible for the problems you've had with your water supply."
Spirit Gardener Shokon groaned. "I told my apprentices to keep careful watch, it spreads very quickly. It appears this was not enough. The kodam is very strong and sturdy. This is why it was often chosen to house a spirit in the old days."
"Can you move it?" Julius asked.
"Perhaps, but it is a delicate procedure and I do not want to cause more damage to the garden's structure in an effort to preserve the kodam."
Father Dominic spoke, "It would also be essential that wherever you put it doesn't become a new problem."
Spirit Gardener Shokon nodded. "I do not know how to prevent that."
Julius grinned. "I think I may know a guy."
Jerry Renea had worked for Port Station Maintenance for twenty years. It wasn't glamorous, but it was necessary and honest work that paid the bills. He'd seen some weird shit in his career, and made a habit of steering clear of anything remotely resembling trouble. He never expected he'd hired it.
"Like I've been saying," Julius repeated as he trailed after Jerry, "the only reason why the plant spread so far in the first place is because they don't know how the station's built. But you do! And you know what to look out for if it gets out again."
Jerry wasn't sure how Nix had even figured out where he lived, but this was not a conversation he wanted to have on the walk home. "And like I've been saying, it's not my problem!" He lowered his voice with a glance around. "It's illegal! If the Guard find it, I'm fucked."
Julius rolled his eyes. "Oh bullshit, how would you know what an illegal alien plant looks like? 'Gee, officer, I tried to tell you something was down there, but no one would listen! Guess it was a plant, huh?'" Jerry was unimpressed. Julius sighed and managed to block the other man's way, hands up in apology. "Jerry, it's got the spirit of a guy's wife or something. He's grieving. Let the damn plant stay, huh?"
Jerry crossed his arms. "It's what?"
"I don't understand it either, but I don't have to. It's not about me, or you. It's about them. It matters to them."
"Didn't it attack you?"
"It didn't attack, it's a plant, it's incapable of conscious thought. I'm just an idiot with an overactive 'ooh shiny' impulse." Julius paused for breath. "Look, Jerry, you'll get paid."
Jerry was skeptical. "Paid?"
Julius shrugged, "Probably not a lot, it's not like they have a steady income, but Spirit Gardener Shokon was very firm that they would do what they could."
Jerry thought about it. Any little extra he could get would help… "Guy's wife?"
"Yep. Thinks her spirit is connected to the plant. If he takes care of the plant, he's supporting her in the afterlife."
Jerry was quiet for a long moment. Then he sighed. "Hell, hard enough supporting the wife and kids in this life, they gotta worry about the next one too?" He grumbled and pointed a finger at the damn detective, "Fine, I won't report the plant, but only if they do exactly what I say to keep it out of the fucking pipes."
Julius smiled. "Absolutely."
The Athee Spirit Gardeners were of mixed opinion concerning Jerry's help, initially, but once he took Shokon down into the maintenance tunnel to see what the plant had done and how Jerry wanted to get it out, they started figuring out a plan. Julius left them to it, and found Father Dominic waiting outside the tunnel entrance. He'd stuck around as a respected neighbor, just in case any misunderstandings needed smoothing over.
"I presume it went well?"
"They're still talking, but yeah, I think they've worked something out. Are you disappointed Jerry wouldn't let you in?"
"I understand his concern," Father Dominic said graciously. "I am quite tall."
Julius chuckled as they started walking.
"Hey, when we met Shokon," Julius asked after a moment, "what was up with all the hums he put after your name?"
"That was my name."
Julius blinked. "The rumble and hum and click. That's your name."
Father Dominic smirked. "There's a reason I use 'Dominic.'"
"Hang on, say your name."
A low rumbling sound came from the priest, changing tones a couple times before ending with a sound like an old clock's tock.
Julius braced himself for embarrassment. "Ok… wait, is the rumbling part of it?"
"Yes."
Julius took a breath and tried, pitching his voice as low as he could and trying to mimic the tones.
Father Dominic laughed.
"Oh come on!" Julius punched his arm, "Was I that bad?"
"Yes!" He was still laughing, "That was atrocious!"
Julius tried again, and watched his friend stumble from laughing so hard. "Jesus. Ok, what am I doing wrong?"
Father Dominic straightened up and tried to be more dignified about the whole thing, "The sound should be more in your chest, try to ground yourself in the vibration."
"Ok…" Julius tried again, "—shit that feels fucking weird stop laughing!" He grinned, laughing himself. He'd never seen his friend laugh before, not like this. It was cute. "Ok, ok, I'll stick with Dominic."
"Please," Father Dominic cleared his throat and collected himself, "though I appreciate the attempt."
Julius realized they'd reached the church. "So, um. See you around?"
"You're welcome at the church anytime."
Julius was suddenly… awkward. "Right. I know that, but, um. Is there any place nearby that serves stuff you can eat?"
Father Dominic tilted his head, puzzled.
"I mean stuff you enjoy eating," Julius clarified.
"There used to be a stall in the Market that kept stock of a soup I enjoyed. It was run by a human couple, both Catholic, but they left when the woman fell ill and needed more specialized care than could be provided here."
"I guess blood isn’t used in a lot of cooking?"
"There are many dishes that incorporate it in some way, but finding the right consistency and chemical composition is tricky."
Julius nodded, "Not just a flavor thing, but texture, too, I get it."
"What?"
Julius shrugged, "Lots of humans have foods they don’t like just because of the way it feels in their mouth. That's not exactly the same as what you said, but that’s what I’m imagining."
Father Dominic was thoughtful. "Interesting."
"I’ll keep an eye out for a place, then, if you wanted to go out with me. For food. Get out of the sector, sometime." Oh god he was gonna die on the spot. "See you later!" He waved and made a hasty retreat.
"I… look forward to it, Mr. Nix," a very confused Father Dominic called after him.
Julius rushed back to his office as fast as he could, the blush slowly fading from his cheeks. He felt like an idiot. What the fuck had happened, how could that have come out so weird? All he wanted to do was ask a friend to get a meal sometime.
Well. That wasn't all he wanted to do, but that was all he could do.
He really wanted to know him better. Not just because the Slanae was astoundingly attractive to him, but the way he saw the universe was fascinating. Julius felt like they could have a lot in common, despite their different species and beliefs. He also had a feeling Father Dominic had been through a lot. A person didn't get that self-conscious because of a welcoming environment. He kept thinking of the look on his face as he'd held Julius's arm...
Julius sighed as he entered his room. Start with finding a place to eat.
Julius followed him inside, "I found the glowy thing."
"And, what, stuck your arm down its throat?"
Julius was defensive, taken aback by the priest's harshness, "It grabbed me! I wasn’t expecting a fucking vine to grab me!"
Father Dominic turned to stare at him, "A vine?" He waved away Julius's explanation as he entered his office and pointed to the chair, "No, sit, remove your coat if you can, I’ll be right back."
Julius managed to get his coat off, stifling a cry as he failed to keep the sleeve from brushing his arm. The pain had been worsening as he walked, whether because the wound was getting worse or some numbing agent was wearing off he wasn't sure. He was bleeding now, though, so maybe both.
Father Dominic returned, wooden box in hand. "Look away, please," he said as he knelt by the chair.
Julius shook his head, "I want to see what you’re doing this time."
Father Dominic frowned, "Last time, you said you were 'freaked out.'"
"Yeah, because it was weird, but now I wanna know what you do."
"It would be best if you didn’t look," the priest bit, annoyed.
Julius was annoyed right back, "A glowing vine just tried to eat me on a fucking space station! What the hell are you so worried about me seeing?"
Father Dominic's feathers sharpened, then wilted as he sighed. His voice was quiet. "Don’t move."
Julius couldn't help but feel a little guilty at how suddenly dejected his friend looked, but he was baffled by where it came from. This was a completely different attitude from last time. What could be so bad?
Father Dominic set the box beside him on the floor, opening it to reveal some sort of pale salve. He gently took Julius's arm and brushed his fingers over the pooled blood on his skin. Julius softly cursed, pained.
"I'm sorry," the Slanae said, his voice thicker, a little distant. "I should have used water, but… old habits. This will hurt for a moment."
He spread the salve over his hands before wrapping them around Julius's arm.
The pressure hurt a lot, but Julius barely registered it was there. He was too distracted watching his friend.
Father Dominic's eyes were closed, an expression of sheer relief on his face. His skin, which had never quite been the right color during his recovery, was returning to its healthy plum-black hue. His feathers slowly puffed out, the copper shining.
Julius's eyes widened. "Oh."
Father Dominic opened his eyes, but wouldn't meet Julius's. "I’m going to have to take more in order to counter the effects of the enzymes still eating at your skin. I imagine it will be uncomfortable."
"Go for it," Julius said, morbidly fascinated. It wasn't just the fact that the priest was absorbing his blood that held his attention— it looked like Father Dominic was trying very hard not to enjoy it. He wasn't succeeding.
When he let go, the wound was covered in a "bandage" of dark charcoal.
Julius stared. "Wow."
Father Dominic was silent.
"You look like you’re feeling better," Julius said.
Father Dominic blinked in surprise. "Yes. Much."
"So, the 'certain organic compounds' you usually eat is… blood."
The priest glanced away, tense. "Not just blood, but that one is a favorite."
"Did you," Julius shifted awkwardly, "when you patched me up after those nuns knocked me around and you put your whole hand on my head, were you… tasting me?"
"I was treating your wound, but yes, absorbing your blood was involved. It's the only way to shed the thin layers necessary to bandage the wound securely."
Julius blinked. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. Finally, he gestured to his arm, "You cleaned the wound by absorbing the blood around it, and then bandaged it with pieces of your own skin? That's the black stuff?"
"I used an antiseptic as well, I'm not barbaric," Father Dominic huffed as he closed the lid on the box of salve.
Julius leaned back as he processed this. "No wonder you didn't want me to look. Sorry if I was pushy… what?"
Father Dominic was staring at him, momentarily speechless. "I suppose I'm waiting for the part where you leave in disgust."
Julius was surprised. "Does that happen a lot?"
"I try not to let anyone know." Father Dominic looked supremely uncomfortable. "Once, a parishioner realized the reason I never drank during the social hour after the service was I was 'drinking through my fingers,' as you describe it, which caused some fascination and amusement among the parish. That was odd, but acceptable. When someone curious started researching my species, they discovered we keep livestock much like humans do… except we don't need them to be dead to use them for food."
Julius scoffed, "Bet that caused a panic."
"It caused unrest. Most people thought the person spreading the information was being xenophobic and should have simply asked me anything they wanted to know, given me a chance to provide context. However, there were more than a few that found the idea disturbing and stopped coming. Of course, my parish is always in constant flux, with workers being transferred to other stations, retiring planetside, travelers who are only here for a short time and stop by for a service—"
"But rumors have a funny way of persisting," Julius finished the thought.
"Yes." He seemed to realize Julius was not, in fact, going to run away, and relaxed a little. "A fact you know far too well, I was saddened to learn."
Julius smiled. "Tell you what, you intimidate the people who insult me into an apology, I punch the ones who insult you in the face."
Father Dominic laughed a little, surprised. "Please do not. I appreciate the intention, but I wouldn't want you committing a violent act for my sake."
Julius shrugged with a grin. "If you say so, but no promises."
Father Dominic nodded once. "Did I take too much? Was it unpleasant?"
Julius shook his head, kinda touched he was so worried. "Nah. A little woozy, but some juice and a cookie and I’ll be fine."
"Some… what?"
"That’s a thing when humans give blood, juice to re-hydrate and a cookie to restore your blood sugar levels."
The priest's brow furrowed. "Give blood to whom?"
"Seriously? Hospitals, blood banks? Not every human donates, but some do. If someone needs a transfusion, it’s gotta come from somewhere."
Father Dominic looked stunned. "Yes of course. I never had a reason to think about it."
"You should ask your parishioners for donations instead of relying on that supplement powder," Julius joked.
"Absolutely not," the priest's feathers puffed as he quickly stood up.
"Holy shit, that's what you were thinking isn't it!" Julius laughed.
"I am not doing such a thing." He picked up the box of salve and paused. He looked torn. "I’m afraid I don’t have anything you could eat, but I can make some tea."
Julius dialed it back a few notches for an encouraging smile and a polite, "Tea would be great. Thanks."
Father Dominic left the room. He'd never seen him so flustered, Julius mused as he examined his arm. Granted, he'd only really known him, what, a week? They'd had tea a couple times but that was it. This was just so different from the collected calm he'd seen before.
Julius kind of hated that Father Dominic had to rely on what was obviously an inferior substitute for food, just because of alien (to the Slanae) social norms. No, on second thought, he really hated it. Hell, the priest could snack on Julius anytime as far as he was concerned— and he was never ever saying that sentence out loud, even if it was true.
"Tell me about this vine that attacked you so ferociously," Father Dominic said as he entered with the tea tray.
Julius followed the conversation shift. "Glowed. It was on the ceiling, with some tendrils hanging down, and when I touched it it grabbed me. Looked like it was wet, probably messing up the Athee garden water circulation."
"Or the plant exudes a sap that enables it to keep a stronger hold on its prey," Father Dominic suggested as he poured.
Julius blinked. "That's a thing?"
"It is for a few species on my planet, and several on Earth."
"Well I've only been to Earth once, back when I was a kid, and never made a habit of studying the flora."
His friend smiled a little and stirred a hefty spoonful of sugar into a cup before handing it to Julius. "One of the human priests back home was an avid gardener, and brought a few Earth species with him—contained in pots and kept indoors, so as not to affect the environment, of course. I was rather fascinated. My point is that carnivorous plants exist on many worlds. Some of them are also illegal to transport through this station."
"Aha." Julius grinned. "Then I guess the first thing to do is figure out if this is one of them."
"I'll pull up a list of illegal plants from the Athee homeworld, as it was under their garden here." He activated his desk, holographic interface displaying with a flicker. "Then we can go back to where you saw it and confirm if it's a match, if necessary."
"'We?'"
"You clearly can't be trusted not to touch glowing alien life forms," Father Dominic teased.
"I didn't know plants could eat people!"
"It could have been poisonous, rather than carnivorous."
Julius hid his face in his hand. "I didn't think of that." He looked up and tried to defend himself, "You try growing up under a dome and see how much plant life you get exposed to. I mean, there were gardens, but it's not like I ever had a reason to go there."
"I can't imagine," Father Dominic kindly interrupted his rambling with a smile. "Is the tea helping?"
"I'm not as woozy as I was, so I guess so," Julius said between sips. "Thanks."
"Of course." Father Dominic manipulated his desk's interface, quickly scrolling through documents and pictures. "What do you know of the Athee religion?"
Julius shrugged. "Ancestor worship, fond of plants."
"The plants are the ancestors, or at least hold their spirits," Father Dominic corrected, then shook his head. "I confess, every time I have tried to discuss theology with my neighbors, I haven't had much success." He paused to magnify a picture, "Ah. Is this what you saw in the tunnels?"
"No, that's too orange."
"Could it be the same species in a different color?"
"I don't think so, it's too… webby? There were just a few tendrils hanging down on this one."
Father Dominic brought up a different picture. "This?"
"Maybe? Thicker and, you know, glowing."
"Hm." He sorted through a few pictures, "This species can grow to be quite large. This is what it looks like while luring prey."
Julius pointed, "Yep, that's it."
"You're positive?"
"Absolutely. Don't even need to double check, unless this thing's got a look-alike cousin."
"Not that I've found. Are you recovered enough to walk?"
He was trying to sound unconcerned, but Julius knew better. "I'm fine, honest," he said as sincerely as he could. "You didn't take that much."
Father Dominic nodded. "Good. Shall we, then?"
Julius shrugged, "Sure. Let's go say hi to the neighbors."
"Good evening, Spirit Gardener Shokon," Father Dominic greeted the attendant.
The attendant gave a small bow, his three-fingered red hands folded over the front of his blue robe. The small tusks meant the attendant was male, or at least used male pronouns. Julius didn't know much about Athee biology or culture, but he did know they took their pronouns seriously and tusks were masculine, so there it was.
"Fatherdominic," the attendant turned the title and name into one word and added series of low sounds and hums that ended in a click, "welcome. You have brought someone?"
"Yes, this is a friend of mine, Mr. Julius Nix."
Julius got a smaller bow from the attendant. "Misterjuliusnix."
Julius glanced at Father Dominic, who inclined his head and shoulders slightly. Julius repeated the gesture to the attendant. "Um. Hello."
"Do you have a moment to talk?" Father Dominic asked before Julius could commit some sort of social faux pax. "We have a story to tell that is of importance to your garden."
The attendant, or Spirit Gardener as was apparently his title, nodded and led them through the greenhouse. They followed him to a pair of benches under the branches of a feathery leaved pink tree. As they sat down, the priest and detective on one bench and the gardener on the other, Father Dominic said, "Mr. Nix is a private detective."
"I am not familiar with this phrase," their host said.
"People can go to him for help when the Guard is unable or unwilling to assist," Father Dominic said. Julius thought that sounded too noble, half the time he was just digging through the dirty laundry of spurned spouses, but he'd go with whatever got them the info they needed. "I should let him explain why we're here."
Julius explained, keeping his language in check. "See, sir, I was hired by a maintenance worker who found something strange. Turns out, there's an illegal carnivorous plant that's spread from your garden to the maintenance tunnels. We wanted to tell you first instead of taking the evidence to the Guard right away, since they'd just come down here and throw the rulebook at you. Metaphorically, I mean."
Spirit Gardener Shokon was very still for a long moment. "I appreciate your consideration. The tradition is less common now, but the plant you mention, the kodam, was once often used to absorb the spirit of a loved one."
"Absorb… how?" Julius asked, though he had a feeling he already knew.
"The body is ritually given for food so that the spirit can join in the plant's existence, and can be cared for."
Julius didn't know where to go with this. Good thing he'd brought a priest.
"I understand the importance of such a ritual," Father Dominic said, "and why you would go through the risk of bringing the necessary plant on board the station. We Slanae honor our deceased by seeing their remains given to nourish the future generations. Unfortunately, your plant has spread into the maintenance tunnels below us and is responsible for the problems you've had with your water supply."
Spirit Gardener Shokon groaned. "I told my apprentices to keep careful watch, it spreads very quickly. It appears this was not enough. The kodam is very strong and sturdy. This is why it was often chosen to house a spirit in the old days."
"Can you move it?" Julius asked.
"Perhaps, but it is a delicate procedure and I do not want to cause more damage to the garden's structure in an effort to preserve the kodam."
Father Dominic spoke, "It would also be essential that wherever you put it doesn't become a new problem."
Spirit Gardener Shokon nodded. "I do not know how to prevent that."
Julius grinned. "I think I may know a guy."
Jerry Renea had worked for Port Station Maintenance for twenty years. It wasn't glamorous, but it was necessary and honest work that paid the bills. He'd seen some weird shit in his career, and made a habit of steering clear of anything remotely resembling trouble. He never expected he'd hired it.
"Like I've been saying," Julius repeated as he trailed after Jerry, "the only reason why the plant spread so far in the first place is because they don't know how the station's built. But you do! And you know what to look out for if it gets out again."
Jerry wasn't sure how Nix had even figured out where he lived, but this was not a conversation he wanted to have on the walk home. "And like I've been saying, it's not my problem!" He lowered his voice with a glance around. "It's illegal! If the Guard find it, I'm fucked."
Julius rolled his eyes. "Oh bullshit, how would you know what an illegal alien plant looks like? 'Gee, officer, I tried to tell you something was down there, but no one would listen! Guess it was a plant, huh?'" Jerry was unimpressed. Julius sighed and managed to block the other man's way, hands up in apology. "Jerry, it's got the spirit of a guy's wife or something. He's grieving. Let the damn plant stay, huh?"
Jerry crossed his arms. "It's what?"
"I don't understand it either, but I don't have to. It's not about me, or you. It's about them. It matters to them."
"Didn't it attack you?"
"It didn't attack, it's a plant, it's incapable of conscious thought. I'm just an idiot with an overactive 'ooh shiny' impulse." Julius paused for breath. "Look, Jerry, you'll get paid."
Jerry was skeptical. "Paid?"
Julius shrugged, "Probably not a lot, it's not like they have a steady income, but Spirit Gardener Shokon was very firm that they would do what they could."
Jerry thought about it. Any little extra he could get would help… "Guy's wife?"
"Yep. Thinks her spirit is connected to the plant. If he takes care of the plant, he's supporting her in the afterlife."
Jerry was quiet for a long moment. Then he sighed. "Hell, hard enough supporting the wife and kids in this life, they gotta worry about the next one too?" He grumbled and pointed a finger at the damn detective, "Fine, I won't report the plant, but only if they do exactly what I say to keep it out of the fucking pipes."
Julius smiled. "Absolutely."
The Athee Spirit Gardeners were of mixed opinion concerning Jerry's help, initially, but once he took Shokon down into the maintenance tunnel to see what the plant had done and how Jerry wanted to get it out, they started figuring out a plan. Julius left them to it, and found Father Dominic waiting outside the tunnel entrance. He'd stuck around as a respected neighbor, just in case any misunderstandings needed smoothing over.
"I presume it went well?"
"They're still talking, but yeah, I think they've worked something out. Are you disappointed Jerry wouldn't let you in?"
"I understand his concern," Father Dominic said graciously. "I am quite tall."
Julius chuckled as they started walking.
"Hey, when we met Shokon," Julius asked after a moment, "what was up with all the hums he put after your name?"
"That was my name."
Julius blinked. "The rumble and hum and click. That's your name."
Father Dominic smirked. "There's a reason I use 'Dominic.'"
"Hang on, say your name."
A low rumbling sound came from the priest, changing tones a couple times before ending with a sound like an old clock's tock.
Julius braced himself for embarrassment. "Ok… wait, is the rumbling part of it?"
"Yes."
Julius took a breath and tried, pitching his voice as low as he could and trying to mimic the tones.
Father Dominic laughed.
"Oh come on!" Julius punched his arm, "Was I that bad?"
"Yes!" He was still laughing, "That was atrocious!"
Julius tried again, and watched his friend stumble from laughing so hard. "Jesus. Ok, what am I doing wrong?"
Father Dominic straightened up and tried to be more dignified about the whole thing, "The sound should be more in your chest, try to ground yourself in the vibration."
"Ok…" Julius tried again, "—shit that feels fucking weird stop laughing!" He grinned, laughing himself. He'd never seen his friend laugh before, not like this. It was cute. "Ok, ok, I'll stick with Dominic."
"Please," Father Dominic cleared his throat and collected himself, "though I appreciate the attempt."
Julius realized they'd reached the church. "So, um. See you around?"
"You're welcome at the church anytime."
Julius was suddenly… awkward. "Right. I know that, but, um. Is there any place nearby that serves stuff you can eat?"
Father Dominic tilted his head, puzzled.
"I mean stuff you enjoy eating," Julius clarified.
"There used to be a stall in the Market that kept stock of a soup I enjoyed. It was run by a human couple, both Catholic, but they left when the woman fell ill and needed more specialized care than could be provided here."
"I guess blood isn’t used in a lot of cooking?"
"There are many dishes that incorporate it in some way, but finding the right consistency and chemical composition is tricky."
Julius nodded, "Not just a flavor thing, but texture, too, I get it."
"What?"
Julius shrugged, "Lots of humans have foods they don’t like just because of the way it feels in their mouth. That's not exactly the same as what you said, but that’s what I’m imagining."
Father Dominic was thoughtful. "Interesting."
"I’ll keep an eye out for a place, then, if you wanted to go out with me. For food. Get out of the sector, sometime." Oh god he was gonna die on the spot. "See you later!" He waved and made a hasty retreat.
"I… look forward to it, Mr. Nix," a very confused Father Dominic called after him.
Julius rushed back to his office as fast as he could, the blush slowly fading from his cheeks. He felt like an idiot. What the fuck had happened, how could that have come out so weird? All he wanted to do was ask a friend to get a meal sometime.
Well. That wasn't all he wanted to do, but that was all he could do.
He really wanted to know him better. Not just because the Slanae was astoundingly attractive to him, but the way he saw the universe was fascinating. Julius felt like they could have a lot in common, despite their different species and beliefs. He also had a feeling Father Dominic had been through a lot. A person didn't get that self-conscious because of a welcoming environment. He kept thinking of the look on his face as he'd held Julius's arm...
Julius sighed as he entered his room. Start with finding a place to eat.