Diplomacy Squared by Sydney Blackburn

Author:Sydney Blackburn [Blackburn, Sydney]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gay, Non-binary, Science Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Less Than Three Press, LLC
Published: 2018-09-25T16:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

It surprised Diego to learn that Portya knew of Backwash. Portya liked to take him everywhere, or so he'd thought, so Portya's reluctance to go there struck him odd. "Is it social status?"

Portya tucked his chin in confusion.

He then had to explain that on Earth, an administrator and a stevedore were considered unequal social standings with unspoken—sometimes outspoken—rules against intermingling.

"But both works is necessary," Portya said, clearly puzzled.

"I never said it made sense." Diego waited, but when Portya failed to offer a reason for his reluctance, he said, "So we're going?"

"We go. You not show more Antho how to dart?"

Diego grinned. "Oh, is that what you're worried about? That I'll press up against someone else to show them how to throw a dart?"

A long golden stare was his response.

"No, lover, I won't." Diego pulled Portya to his feet so he could hug him. "Just you."

They easily found Wilma and Rudy at a table that was no longer a Humans only table. Several of Diego's crew had successfully mingled, but not to the same extent Diego had. "You've seen Wilma and Rudy around, of course. They help me run Caravan."

"Help you," Rudy said with a snort, even as he extended his hand. "He'd be lost without us. I'm Rudy, she's Wilma."

He was glad Rudy remembered that Portya wouldn't have any kind of reference to guess which name belonged to which person. Then again, the pair of them were close friends and had probably run into some confusion before.

"Hey, big guy. Glad you could come out," Wilma said cheerfully, addressing Portya's crotch.

Diego cleared his throat.

She gave him a blindingly innocent smile. "We saved you a seat. You only need one, right?"

"This is Dockmaster Ceena, but you two probably already know each other," Rudy said to Portya. "Ceena, our friend Diego."

"Captain. Hear much of you."

Handshakes done, Diego gestured for Portya to take the chair Wilma had saved. Diego hadn't thought Portya would take Wilma seriously but he didn't resist when Portya tugged him onto his lap.

He noticed that Ceena and Portya addressed each other by title, which seemed oddly formal for Anthos. But two pitchers of Beresh beer and Wilma's virtual dart game soon had everyone relaxing.

*~*~*

The elaborately printed cellulose caught Diego's eye. Although the stuff was easily recyclable, very little was printed on it since it was easier to send digital messages, files, announcements and so forth. "What's this?" he asked, drawing from the pile of things to be recycled.

"Invitation to fancy party."

"You're not going?" Diego couldn't read it; the markings were in Antho. He assumed. But they were gold and the date and time were easy to figure out—station time ran on Human references, as a courtesy to the Humans who were given command of the small orbiting town.

"We have a date," Portya said, reaching for the invitation.

Diego grabbed it with his other hand, holding it out of Portya's grasp. "This could be our date."

"You want to go?"

"Why not? Remember I told you about social stratification based on occupation?"

"Yes."

"Ship captains normally don't get to go to fancy parties.

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