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ATLANTA FOLLOWED BEHIND the guests, as Payton and Chikondi took them on a tour of the palace gardens. When they’d arrived, it was to a barren, dry land. Atlanta had never imagined within the palace walls was a garden thriving with flowers, plants, and trees in different colors. With the tour group was a furry, four-legged animal who trotted at Payton’s heels. Atlanta had never seen this particular animal before, but, then again, she wasn’t versed in pets since the Oncuns didn’t believe in keeping any.
Chikondi, Mxolisi’s mate, was also a Ngonyama, but she differed slightly from the other Ngonyamas who roamed the palace. She was short and slight, where the others were lithe and tall. She also didn’t wear the tunic and bodysuits everyone else seemed to prefer. Her outfit of choice was a high collared, deep orange dress. The gold clips in her hair held her braids in place and made her look the epitome of royalty.
Payton was a sharp contrast to Chikondi in every way. While Chikondi looked regal, Payton had a more relaxed feel to her.
Payton’s dark brown hair was braided in two thick plaits, one on each side. She was dressed more comfortably and wore shoes made from material Atlanta didn’t recognize.
While Payton looked much different than Chikondi, she had more in common with Atlanta. Their skin tones were different, but the makeup of their skin was the same. They both had similar looking fingers with nails. They were built almost the same as well, although Atlanta was slightly shorter and her thighs were more muscular. Their hair was different; Payton’s straight and Atlanta’s curly, but the shape of their hairline matched. What Atlanta noticed above all else was their similar facial features.
She was standing in the presence of another human and she wanted to scream for joy.
Although she’d been hoping to speak with Payton alone and ask her about all things human, she was nervous when Payton hung back while Chikondi described the underground well that pumped water to the gardens to the group. The closer Payton came to her, the more nervous Atlanta became.
Payton stopped Atlanta where the path forked, blocking her from progressing forward. “So, Atlanta Georgia, huh?”
The animal with Payton circled her legs, wagging its stubby tail, before suddenly becoming interested in the nearby bush and a smaller animal that had darted into it.
“Yes, that’s what I’m called.” Atlanta glanced warily toward the group to make sure Una hadn’t noticed she no longer was being followed. She didn’t. Una was trying to look engaged but couldn’t hide the scowl behind the fake smile. Atlanta didn’t know Una well, but she didn’t think Una was the outdoorsy type.
Payton glanced toward the group, then back at Atlanta. “Don’t worry about your client. Chikondi won’t leave the area. I asked her to give us some time alone. It’s not every day I get to meet another human. Well, not these days anyway.” True to Payton’s words Chikondi stopped the group by some benches and began explaining the solar energy system that powered the well.
Atlanta knew why Payton had stopped her. It was the same reason why she’d begged Elkah to let her escort Una on the tour. Atlanta was bursting with joy about meeting another human. Not that she’d expected to meet her properly since she was on duty, but she’d at least wanted to see another human in the flesh.
“I’ve been there, ya know,” Payton continued.
Atlanta pulled her attention away from Una and frowned at Payton. “I don’t understand. Where have you been?”
“To Atlanta, Georgia. It’s a little weird that you’re named after a city and state.” She lifted a shoulder. “But I guess not too weird. I’ve come across some doozies before. I once met a boy named Seven, and a celebrity back on Earth named her daughter Apple. Now, those are some weird names. Atlanta Georgia is just different. I mean, Georgia is a pretty common name on Earth. My grandmother’s name was Georgia—rest in peace grandma—but I haven’t run across anyone named Atlanta though.”
As Payton rambled, she didn’t seem to notice Atlanta had stopped breathing. She’d hoped to look at Payton, maybe say a hello in passing if she could’ve done it without Una noticing, but she hadn’t expected to learn any new information about Earth. Someone else might’ve found the discussion mundane, but to Atlanta it was as though she’d been able to reach deep inside her body and pull out a little piece of herself to examine it.
Atlanta’s knees weakened. She reached behind her for a seat that wasn’t there. “My mom told me she’d named me after the place she was born. C-can you tell me about Atlanta? I’ve only read about it in the general files.”
Payton frowned. “Wait. You’ve never actually been to Atlanta? You’re human, right, and not Sket? I mean, I wasn’t sure at first because of your face, but I figured those were decorations.”
Atlanta shook then nodded her head. Unsure of which question she was answering. “Yes, yes, I’m human. The jewels are tribal markings that I earned. And no, I’ve never been to Earth. My mom was pregnant with me when she was abducted.”
Payton’s eyes narrowed. “Was she taken to The Hunt?”
Atlanta pulled her eyebrows together. “The Hunt? What’s that?”
Payton’s gaze became distant. “I was abducted from Earth with some others. We were taken to a planet far from here and forced to participate in a game where we were hunted for sport.”
“That sounds horrible. The Okuthyu like to believe they protect Earth. They do in a sense, but not totally. What happened to my mother is a testament to that.”
“I know this personally.” Payton’s shoulders relaxed and she tugged on Atlanta’s arm. “Come over here so we can sit. You look like you’re about to pass out.”
“I’m an Oncun adult. I don’t faint.” Atlanta let Payton lead her to one of the benches. As they sat, Chikondi led the group farther off, but still within eyesight, which Atlanta appreciated.
Payton took a seat next to her. “Oncun adult? So, you’re mixed human and Oncun? I guess that explains the...” Payton ran a hand down her face. “I read up on all the different species that were coming to visit. Oncuns get the jewels placed as a rite of passage from child to adult. If they pass each village’s rite of passage task, that is. Your tribal markings are beautiful by the way.”
Atlanta touched her face. Her hands roamed over the jewels. Her design mirrored the other Oncun adults in her tribe. The only difference was that hers were easily removed. The Oncuns’ tough skin could hold the embedded jewels. Atlanta’s skin was too thin and sensitive for the surgical procedure. She had to apply the jewels with an adhesive. It was a long process to remove and re-apply, but it was one she did with pride. She’d earned her right to wear the tribal markings.
“Thank you, but no, technically I’m full human.”
“But you call yourself an Oncun? I don’t understand.”
“After my mom was abducted from Earth, she was experimented on and kept on a research vessel. She was rescued by an Oncun who later adopted me after she died.” Atlanta lifted her shoulder. “I’ve been living the Oncun way ever since. It’s just easier that way.”
Payton’s eyes opened wide and her jaw dropped. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that about your mom.”
“It’s okay, you couldn’t have known. I was only eight when she died. I only know about Earth from what my mom told me, but that was a long time ago and I can’t trust my memory.”
“That must’ve been hard. I mean not knowing about Earth and all. Do any other humans live on Luur with you?”
Atlanta shook her head. “Just me and my mom, then me after....”
“Wait. You grew up on a planet where you were the only human, since you were eight?”
Atlanta nodded.
Payton squeezed Atlanta’s hand. It didn’t hurt. It felt oddly...comforting. Then, just as she was getting used to being touched, Payton pulled hers away. “I just found out another human was on-planet. If I’d known I would’ve met up with you as soon as you landed.”
“I’m working and I don’t get a lot of time to myself. I’ve been busy since landing.”
“My initial thought was to try to talk to you when you were off duty, but when I checked your schedule I couldn’t find any openings. From what I understand there are two guards, but Princess Una seems to prefer you over your colleague. Per the schedule, you’ll be with her often.”
“Princess Una doesn’t like the way Elkah looks.” When Payton raised an eyebrow, Atlanta continued, “Most species find the Oncun intimidating. It’s why they make good personal guards.”
“But she isn’t intimidated by you,” Payton stated.
Atlanta shook her head. “She didn’t want to have personal guards but her mother insisted. I’m the lesser of the two evils. So, she prefers that I accompany her for the official events.”
“That sounds tiring.”
“It is.” Atlanta chuckled, then caught herself and looked at Payton, bracing for a reprimand. Instead, Payton laughed with her. Atlanta was so used to holding in her laughter and immediately correcting her composure if one slipped from her mouth unexpectantly.
She’d just met Payton, but instantly she’d been able to relax around her. Atlanta didn’t have to pretend she was something other than herself and she didn’t have to hide any emotion that seeped accidently to her face or explain her actions.
This is nice.
“I’m sure you have a ton of questions for me.”
“I-I have so many questions, but now I’m too flustered to remember any of them. I hadn’t expected to actually talk to you.”
“Don’t think, just ask.”
Atlanta tried to blink her confusion away. It didn’t entirely work. “Ummmm.”
“Take your time.”
Atlanta raised her hand toward Payton’s hair. It was so much different than hers. Before she could finish the movement, the animal was back and standing in front of Atlanta. The fur along its spine was raised and its teeth bared. Atlanta froze.
“Jack, stand down,” Payton said.
Immediately the animal’s posture changed and it wagged its stubby tail again and squeezed itself between Payton’s knees and licked her fingertips.
“I’m sorry about that. Jack is a guard dog and he’s really protective of me.”
“Jack? That’s what this animal is called? Where is it from?”
Payton laughed and scrubbed behind the animal’s ear. “No, his name is Jack. He’s actually a dog from Earth. His breed is called a Pit Bull. He was abducted with me.”
Atlanta caught her breath. An animal from Earth? “M-my mom never told me about dogs. Do...do all humans on Earth have one?”
Payton chuckled again. “Uh, no. But a lot do. They’re a very popular pet, well, dogs and cats are.”
“Dogs and cats?” She’d clearly missed some vital information while reading about Earth and humans.
“I think you were about to touch my hair?”
“I wanted to. It’s so different than mine. I know humans come in all different shapes and sizes, but I’ve never seen one in person who looks so much different from me. I look almost exactly like my mom.”
Payton leaned toward her, with her head bent slightly. “Go for it.”
Atlanta raised her hand and, after finding that the dog didn’t growl again, she touched Payton’s hair. It felt strange on her hand. It wasn’t as thick as hers. “We’re alike. But different.”
“Just in appearances, but that’s the beauty of being human. Like you said, we come in all different shapes, sizes and colors.”
“Is that due to region? I read that.”
“Mostly. But that isn’t true in all instances. We’re both from America, but we look kinda different. You’re Black and I’m half-Black.”
Atlanta lowered her hand. “Black?”
Payton straightened. “I guess the correct terminology is African-American.”
Atlanta pulled her eyebrows together. “Am...am I called Black or African-American?”
“You’re of African descent but you come from America.”
She had to look up what African was. She’d only focused her studies on American since that was where her mother was from.
Atlanta glanced from Payton to herself. She raised her arm, bringing it parallel to Payton’s. Payton’s held some color, but didn’t compare to vibrancy of Atlanta’s.
“Black people can range from very light to very dark. I’m mixed. That means that one of my parents is Caucasian and the other Black. I identify as mixed race, but I also identify as Black.”
“Like someone from a mixed species? They would recognize both species, but might grow up and identify with one species more?”
Payton nodded. “Correct. That’s what it’s like for me, but humans are very complex people. Someone else like me might identify as Caucasian and someone else may identify as both and not either or. It’s personal.”
“Excuse me?” The loud voice came from Una. One look in her direction and Atlanta knew she was probably getting fired and losing her contract. “Who’s guarding me if you’re way over there not paying attention to me? If I would’ve known you would get side-tracked, I would’ve brought the big ugly one with me instead.”
Atlanta jumped to her feet. “I’m sorry. I have to go. Can we continue this another time?”
Payton shot a look toward Una then back at Atlanta. “Sure. I’ll be around. When you get some free time contact me. I’ll have my personal number programmed into your communication device.”
“Thank you.”
Payton gave her a nod and Atlanta hurried over to resume her position behind Una.
* * *
PAYTON BREEZED INTO Melis’s office with Jack following behind her. “She’s human.”
Melis turned away from the window that occupied most of one wall and reached down to scratch behind Jack’s ears when the beast trotted over to him.
Melis had been watching the tour as the group had made their way through the gardens. He’d also seen when Payton and the guard had broken away. It had only been for a few minutes, but apparently enough time for Payton to come to her conclusion.
“Are you sure? She could be a Sket. They’re very similar in appearance to humans.”
As he said it, he knew it couldn’t be true. Sket didn’t use decorative jewels on their faces, and the matriarchal society was very secret and closed off from most other planets. One wouldn’t have come to Ipakethe posing as an Oncun.
Payton shook her head and dropped into the chair Themba favored, kicking her legs over the armrest, getting comfortable.
She’d changed a lot since first settling on Ipakethe and making her life here. She’d come with what she’d called “baggage”; an abusive ex-husband, absent parents, and abandonment issues.
Now, Payton was secure in her place in the bu Kumkani Kingdom. Melis credited most of that to her strong will and Themba’s love and guidance.
It hadn’t been easy at first. While everyone looked almost the same, Payton stood out. She was not only physically different, but had different customs from everyone on the planet that she now called home.
Melis had put rules in place to keep curious minds away so she wouldn’t feel overwhelmed with all the questions regarding humans and Earth.
The Ngonyamas’ curiosity wasn’t anyone’s fault. Humans were something read about in the files, and rarely seen face-to-face. People had wanted to touch her hair, smell her, and pinch her thin skin, among other things. It was after the palace guards had found her cornered by some of the staff that Melis had put safety measures in place. Payton couldn’t be approached unless specific permission was granted. The staff members hadn’t understood they were invading her personal space or causing harm. Ngonyamas didn’t take issue with closeness; in fact, it was preferred.
“I’m sure. I didn’t get to talk to her like I’d wanted to, but it turns out her mom was abducted while she was pregnant with her. She’s never been to Earth.”
Melis raised a questioning eyebrow. “The Hunt?”
Payton tossed a ball in the air and caught Jack’s attention. Jack quickly left Melis’s side and ran to Payton. His stub of a tail wagged so fast that it caused his butt to move as well. Payton had explained that Jack once had had a longer tail, but his previous owner had cut it when he was a pup. Melis couldn’t fathom such a barbaric practice. Melis loved his own tail.
Payton rolled the ball across the floor and Jack took off after it. “I asked and no. She said her mom was taken and experimented on. She was later rescued by an Oncun. Her mom died when she was eight and that Oncun adopted her.” Payton sighed and shook her head. “And I thought The Hunt was the worst thing that could’ve happened to me.”
“There are far worse things, Payton.” Melis took his seat. “As you know, there are ways of circumventing the Okuthyu protections in place on Earth. Some bounty hunters take humans to sell to The Hunt, or auction them off to the highest bidders, and, well, others...” He raised a shoulder. “...use humans for experimentation.”
“Each scenario is equally barbaric. But I don’t know if any of those are worse than a child being left on a planet without another human around.”
Now Melis knew why the guard had identified as Oncun on her security application. She probably no longer saw herself as fully human.