The Twelve Nights of Halloheen: Human Pets of Talin Holiday Mashup Novella by RK Munin

Author:RK Munin [Munin, RK]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

Isla

Much later, they returned to the party after a quick trip to a cleansing unit. Even with a wash up, Isla knew she smelled strongly of maple and got a few knowing looks. She didn’t care. They wouldn’t judge her, and some might even pat her on the back for picking one of the Talins. Besides, so many people were already partially or mostly drunk, they probably wouldn’t even remember the evening.

Everyone was encouraged to imbibe during the Night of Joy because everything’s funnier when you’re intoxicated!

Akra was standing in front of the dais, her neck covered in beads and being presented with an elaborate drinking cup. She was grinning from ear to ear and everyone was cheering.

“Looks like Akra won!” Isla said as she clapped. “I’m not surprised. She’s really clever!”

“Are you disappointed you didn’t get to compete?” Tisuran asked.

“Not even a little,” Isla said as the applause and rattling died down. She looked up at Tisuran. “In fact—”

“Isla!” The sound of Akra calling her name stopped her mid-sentence. She looked over to find everyone had cleared a path so she could see right to the dais.

The entire room was staring at her. “Uh, what?”

There was a tittering of laughter and a few amused rumbles as Zia motioned her forward. ‘The king and queen have something to give you,’ she tapped with an imperious expression.

Highly intrigued and only slightly nervous, she moved to stand next to Akra in front of the dais, Tisuran right behind her. Zia stood tall and tapped, addressing the entire room.

‘I wanted to take this opportunity, on the fourth night of Halloheen, to acknowledge someone important. Every human and Talin on Sorana brings important skills and knowledge to the colony. Every single one of you makes this place better, but sometimes we forget that a place isn’t buildings, roads, paths, and tech. Those things are important, but they are here for the inhabitants, not the other way around. We’ve all been so busy building that we’ve forgotten why we’re building—for each other. Every day, Isla makes sure there is laughter and love. She’s the one who guards our hearts and happiness. It’s because of her we’re celebrating and reconnecting as families, friends, and a cohesive community. I’m afraid that most of her efforts have gone unnoticed until now.’

Tears filled Isla’s eyes, and she blinked hard, trying to keep them at bay. She wasn’t sure she deserved such praise, but Zia looked adamant and when she glanced around, everyone was nodding their agreement.

‘I would like to start a new tradition on the Night of Joy,’ Zia continued as Palforma reached under his seat to retrieve a box. With effortless grace, he jumped off the dais. Opening the box, he drew out a tiara, very similar to the one he’d gotten Zia not long after they’d arrived on Sorana. It was beautiful, filled with gold and amber colored gems that glittered in the room’s artificial light.

‘I declare you Princess of Joy!’ Zia tapped, and everyone roared their approval.

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