How did one deal with stsho in this condition?
Don't refer bluntly to the integration, the books said.
Don't use the gtsto pronoun without clear permission. Use the universal gtst.
Don't refer to mating.
Don't act embarrassed.
"That gtst excellency has discovered such happiness as my guest," she added desperately, "is a delight and an exquisitely unexpected honor to our hospitality."
Gods rot it. She had business to discuss. Urgent business.'
But gtst was pleased. Gtst sipped gtst tea and gtsto was quick to refill the porcelain cups.
"Such excellent kindness," she said, and gtsto fluttered with pleasure. A spidery white hand reached out to stroke her probably frazzled mane, and she valiantly refused to flinch.
"What a curious and unexpected texture."
If gtsto proposed a threesome she was going to run for it.
"Dlimas-lyi," Tlisi-tlas-tin said gently. "Would you absent yourself? There is such tedious business at hand,"
Dlimas-lyi bowed, and bowed, on the retreat from the bowl-chair. Tlisi-tlas-tin sipped gtst tea and Hilfy did the same.
Thank the gods… the third gender was the one that dealt with outsiders, business, and stress.
But outsiders didn't meet the sexed genders — or most rarely did.
"I am vastly moved by the trust gtst excellency has bestowed."
"Your tastefulness fulfills my extravagant expectations of a foreigner. If I had not come on this voyage I should never have met Dlimas-lyi. As a result of your hospitality I have… iiii… no, I shall be daring…
affected a person of such exquisite worth as I could not dream of. Gtsto was the offspring of Atli-lyen-tlas, gtsto, ruthlessly abandoned, gtsto, hitherto gtste… who most valorously hid from gtst enemies until Chanur had come to port. Then, seeing my magnificence, and surely to afford me comfort, gtstisi became gtsto…"
So Atli-lyen-tlas' daughter had hid from assassins, and, attracted to Tlisi-tlas-tin had become… call it male. It didn't bear offspring in this hormonal condition. If she presented what gtst had said to the universities at Anuurn or Maing Tol, she could justify a second certificate in Foreign Studies. Scholars would kill, to hear what gtst confided to her… but scholars were not going to hear it. That was the other thing you learned in Foreign Studies — not to sell out your source.
And in Protocols… never to let your source know you had.
"I am overwhelmed," she said honestly. "You are a most gracious guest. Admiration of your virtues has compelled me to personal efforts to fulfill our promises. And I must tell you — we are again frustrated in our attempts to reach Atli-lyen-tlas. The kif ship is here. It will not give us any information about passengers. But we have not abandoned effort."
"They are offensive individuals."
"I concur. Also the mane about whom I spoke, Ana-kehnandian, aboard Ha'domaren, is notable by his presence at this station and his clear intention to meddle in your excellency's affairs."
"What does your honor propose to do about this annoying person?"
"This is Kshshti. We have no confidence in the authorities to do anything. We shall attempt creativity.
Has your excellency any advisement? We would receive it with all attention. Or had your excellency rather wait on further information—" Never press a stsho for decision, " — we should certainly attempt to obtain it."
"As a hani, are you contemplating… iiii… violence of some sort?''
"By no means! But we are dealing with kif. Therefore it is a possibility, if instigated by them."
"The Preciousness must be safe!"
"At all costs."
"I am then willing to wait on your wisdom."
Gods rot the son.
"I have one other… em… distressing piece of information. Your ambassador here is dead."
"Wai! This is beyond all coincidence!"
"Is there possibly any advice your excellency could impart?''
"I will think on it."
"Perhaps… your excellency could step into that lately vacated place, and advise station authorities from that authority that you disapprove the silence of this kifish vessel?"
"Ambitious."
"But within your excellency's scope. Well within your abilities."
Gtstmoon-pale eyes blinked, and blinked a second time, and gtst expression never changed.
Until gtst took a deep breath. "What would your honor do?"
"I admire the extraordinary graciousness of your excellency to consult a foreigner and understand your excellency is merely curious. I would deliver a message to the station of extreme displeasure, assuming the authority of the late ambassador, without leaving this ship, and demand that information on Atli-lyen-tlas be forthcoming at once."
"This is a very sudden step."
"It will startle them. But no more tasteful approach could gain notice from the authorities of Kshshti."
"A bold venture."
"You have been bold in defense of propriety before this."
Tlisi-tlas-tin's eyes were wide. Gtst nostrils flared in rapid breathing. "You instill in me a most curious excitement, distinguished captain."
Emotional imbalance, the book said, is to be avoided at all costs.
"I have never before perceived elegance in such reciprocity of hostility. I feel a poetry in it. Dare I take such advice?"
"Modified of course by your excellency's own wisdom.''
"No, no, these are foreigners! And I have confidence in your honor's elegance. Convey such a message.
I am most displeased with such behavior. I shall certainly relate their answer to the authorities at Llyene!"
"Your excellency most certainly has the right words. Shall I provide your excellency a communications link to station central?"
"Absolutely! I shall execrate their offspring and their dealings!"
For a stsho, Tlisi-tlas-tin was acquiring very hani sentiments.
For a hani, she was acquiring a very curious empathy for a flat-toothed, group-following stsho.
Gtstexcellency certainly rattled the appropriate doors.
“I am outraged to learn of the demise of gtst excellency and gtst staff! This is villainy! I demand recompense! I demand the immediate cooperation of station authorities! I demand serious inquiry into the kidnapping of gtst excellency of Urtur! I demand serious action against the harassment perpetrated against us by the mahen ship Ha'domaren! Failure to comply instantly will jeopardize trade with all stsho!"
Strange to say, the Voice of the Personage of Kshshti immediately surrendered the mike to the Personage himself.
And strange to say, the Voice was quickly thereafter on the com, in person, to expedite customs for the Legacy, and to declare that officials were on the way to make serious inquiry into the issues raised by gtst excellency.
"Mostefficacious!" Hilfy said, and restrained herself from slapping Tlisi-tlas-tin on the back, gtst was so pleased with gtstself… positively beaming as gtst leaned back from the ops room com console.
"Let them reflect upon the consequences I have named! Nothing is idle threat!"