Chapter 1204: Anthony On Tour - Bird Brains

Chapter 1204: Anthony On Tour - Bird Brains

The next stop on our trade mission is the Wandering Isle, one of the largest of the floating islands within the fourth stratum. Supposedly, a mix of people live there, but predominantly it is home to a rare race that I've not yet run into. Nor have any of the Colony, as far as I'm aware.

It's always nice to meet new folks! Not Folk, folks.

However, Eran is quick to throw a dampener on my burgeoning curiosity.

[Don't get your expectations up,] she warns me.

The leader of our expedition is clearly feeling the weight of her responsibilities right now. What transpired with the golgari at Greyhome is an unmitigated diplomatic disaster for everyone involved, from what I can gather, listening in on mental communications I probably shouldn't.

The Brathian Island Conglomerate is absolutely incensed, the Satrap is spitting fish-chips and that outrage is spreading to the other conglomerates as well. I don't have perfect information, given that I can't understand any of the spoken conversations and much of the mental ones slip past me, but both sides have brought out the big guns.

Legal experts and top negotiators are galloping into battle, ready to yell, scream, argue and generally word-fight over who owes who, who broke their legal obligations and by how much. Given that the brathians are who they are, I have no doubt the Empire of Stone will be forking over a rather sizeable amount of compensation.

[Marzban said the same thing,] I note. [Are these people really so problematic? What's their deal, anyway?]

This is one of the rare opportunities that Eran has allowed her daughter up onto the deck with us. The young girl appears to be twelvish, or something like that, judging by her relative height compared to the other brathians on board, but it's getting harder and harder for me to make these judgements now. One glance and I can tell you what tier an ant is, no matter the caste, but these humanoids? Nope. Not anymore.

Piris, the little girl, is only too happy to be roped into our conversation, a chance to get close to the big monster and poke at my carapace.

[Piris, darling. Can you come over here and explain to Anthony what the Magpei are like?]

As soon as the word leaves her mother's mind and drops into hers, the little girl pulls a face. I may not have muscles on the outside anymore, but I remember that expression.

[They're noisy,] she says, [and rude. They make fun of everyone who doesn't have wings and they love picking fights.]

[They have wings?]

Piris rolls her eyes.

[What? Who?]

[The Magpei.]

[Some sort of welcoming committee?]

[No well sort of? They always do this. Can't seem to help themselves.]

Focusing upward, I can see what she's talking about. Figures have launched themselves from the edge of the island and spread broad, magnificent wings, catching the air and gliding down toward us in lazy circles.

When they get close enough, I get my first glimpse of these ancient and proud people.

Now, as I stated earlier, judging any aspect of the small and fleshy people around me has become increasingly difficult as time goes on. This goes doubly so when speaking for the aesthetics of said small and squishy things.

However, the Magpei, appear to be quite stunning. Humanlike, yet not quite, they are sleek, graceful, almost angelic. Radiant, golden skin, large, expressive eyes, with long limbs and flawless musculature, all capped off by the magnificent wings that sprout from their backs.

Given that they don't have a carapace, they appear to have done alright for themselves, these Magpei. Then they draw a little closer, and open their mouths. Now, normally it wouldn't matter what they said, since I wouldn't understand it anyway, but some thoughtful individual decides to pass it all on to me via mind construct, so I experience the full feeling of the Magpei welcome.

It goes something like this:

[Eyyyy, EYYYY! Waddaya think YOU'RE doin 'ere?!]

[Floatin' up to our island, ey? No WINGS, ey? Flamin' ground bound chumps, EY?]

[Whattarya lookin' at, MATE? Think you're all special, lookin' in every direction at once, you insect-y BUG thing? Come up 'ere and I'll show you who's special, MATE!]

[You drongos think you're gonna be welcome up on OUR island? You better think again! Ey? EYYYYYYY?!]

They're just just so annoying.