The Nature of Predators - Zurulian Miniseries (Epilogue)

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Memory transcription subject: Doctor Wilen, UN Medical Expert

Date [standardized human time]: November 19, 2136

The human-Zurulian exchange program moved to the meeting phase three days ago, though I only heard about it through word of mouth. Our government would not allow Fraysa and I to participate in the official program. We continued to converse with our Terran partners, but the United Nations was the driving force behind that. Every psychological evaluation came back healthy, and it didn’t make a difference.

I wished we could’ve been part of the main event, instead of having Kim Ji-yun ferried out to Sweden on the UN’s dime. The Yotul brought their own contingent to Colia’s lunar colony, and by most reports, had taken to human stories of medieval times. Adjustment for most Zurulians was smoother than the Venlil as a whole; the Terrans had their share of “nerdy” obsessions. Their puzzle and strategy games became viral hits back home, with sudoku finding its way into our standard lexicon. Researchers were surprised by their knack for pattern recognition, and their desire for mental stimulation.

Our cultural introduction couldn’t be the same, watching soap operas at Lars’ apartment. When our Terrans signed up, a major incentive was the opportunity to travel to an alien space station. Fraysa and I had both proposed dropping out of the exchange program, so not to detract from our predators’ experiences. Neither of the humans would hear any of it, though; Lars correctly noted that he’d be barred from the selection pool.

“Morning, Wilen. How’s the work you’ve been doing?” my human partner asked, approaching my table with his stupid grin.

I leaned back on my haunches. “Fraysa and I have come around to it. We lecture human professionals on alien physiology during the week, and help at the children’s hospital on the weekends. It’s sad, to see the little ones in pain, suffering from terrible diseases. A lot of them hug us without asking, but I think it makes them feel better. So I let them.”

The dentist scratched his blond hair. “You are doing a great thing, man. You’re both a small ray of sunshine in those kids’ lives. Something’s bothering you though, isn’t it?”

“Lars, when I came to Earth…I thought you were all filthy monsters. I wasn’t interested in learning anything about you, and...I wanted to make Fraysa desert the rescue fleet. It sickened me, to even think of healing predators.”

“And now?”

“This weekend, I saw one of the human doctors break down, because we lost a four-year old to cancer. She cared more about her job than any Zurulian medic I’ve ever seen. I can’t call her predator in earnest, when she is dedicated, above all else, to saving lives and ‘doing no harm.’ That Hippocratic Oath that Marcel mentioned…”

The dentist was quiet for a long moment, before giving me a rough pat on the shoulder. I hadn’t even noticed my voice get choked up. The way the human children’s faces lit up, when I offered to play with them, stuck with me. I had learned each of their names, while burdened by the knowledge of their afflictions. Those predators didn’t deserve to suffer; I cared about them.

We knew nothing about humanity before coming here. But having met them, I see why Chauson didn’t support the raid on Earth. They are an emotional, confused people…but they have good in them.

Lars fixed a mischievous stare on me. “You’re learning a lot about our sense of camaraderie. But now, the important questions. How often do your patients try to eat you?”

“What? Not once, er…”

“That’s what you asked me, the first time we talked. It must be weird, knowing they’re all fighting that temptation! Maybe Zurulian filet with some yum-yum sauce—”

“That’s not funny! You’re a dick.”

“Then all is as it should be.”

I seethed for a few seconds, as my Terran partner turned our rightful fear of being diced up by predators into joke material. At least I knew he was kidding, but I wanted to clobber him with a pillow again. Sometimes, it seemed like he had my back. But the moment after, he was calculating how much fun he could have at my expense. 

Humans had a penchant for teasing each other, and displayed a juvenile sense of humor in their spare time. Still, it was tough to view Lars’ overtures and demeaning attitude as friendly.

“Please, do not ever joke about eating us again,” I hissed.

He bit his lip. “Sorry, Wilen; you’re right, that should be off limits. I find those ideas laughable, but I know you don’t.”

“I’ll let it slide this once, you ugly monster. But if you do it again, you’re going to be the one slathered in this ‘yum-yum’ sauce.”

“Hey, that’s predator disease talking! I’m going to tell Chauson.”

“You know how to touch all the sore subjects, don’t you?”

Lars waved down a female human entering the cafeteria; her silky black hair was tied back in a ponytail. There was an element of dislike in the Swede’s eyes. I think he harbored some resentment for Kim Ji-yun ratting him out. The two of them had talked it over, and my partner had ostensibly brushed it off. However, if it weren’t for Fraysa and myself, I don’t think he’d feign friendliness.

“I know you did all this to impress her." His expression grew serious, as his predator pupils locked onto the Zurulian trotting across the floor. "I do want you to be happy, Wilen; I think you’re a good guy. A sucker, but a good guy. Tell her how you feel, before it's too late.”

“I don’t know. Fraysa is special to me,” I whispered. “What if she doesn’t like me back?”

“Well, don’t be pushy about it, man; I’m not going to help you be some stalker creep. Just come clean, and then it’s off your chest. The worst she says is no, fuck off. If it comes to that, you can move on, knowing where you stand.”

“This…doesn’t feel like the time or the place.”

“It’s never going to be, Wilen. I have your back, because that’s what humans are good for. Right?”

My stomach tossed and turned, as I tried to formulate the words I’d been holding back. Fraysa looked delicate and ethereal, with her immaculate fur and confident strides. The truth was that I felt unworthy of a person of her caliber. She deserved better than me; the last thing I wanted was to make her feel uncomfortable around me.

The worst that happens isn’t that she says no. It’s that she’s horrified by my confession, and I lose her as a friend too. I don’t want to ruin everything.

“Wilen, you look like you’re about to vomit,” Kim Ji-yun announced. “Are you alright?”

Fraysa surveyed me with concern; Ji-yun’s assessment drew attention to my rattled state. I cursed myself for being such a ‘sucker’, as Lars called it. Why couldn’t I be as irreverent as the predator? Why couldn’t I be the type of guy she wanted? My human partner gave me an encouraging nod, his icy gaze full of sympathy.

“Fraysa…” I squeaked.

Her eyes twinkled. “Did something happen?”

“I like you, as more than a friend. I really like you…everything about you. Your l-laugh, your fur, your selflessness. Would you…maybe, uh…want to go out with me?”

The female Zurulian recoiled, and my entire self wanted to die then and there. It was all I could do to stand still, waiting for her response. The medic collected herself, giving her forepaw soothing licks. I could see the gears turn in her mind. Lars was raising his eyebrows at her, though I didn’t see how pressuring her was helping my cause.

“I’m sorry, Wilen, but I have feelings for someone else,” Fraysa said, in a calm voice. “I’m in love with Lars.”

Every synapse in my mind stopped firing, and my jaw dropped. It took all of my willpower not to fly at the blond-haired human in a rage. Had he been hitting on my crush, behind my back? That was crossing a line; I’d been open with him about my feelings from the beginning. He was supportive to my face, but he had been undermining me the whole time!

I could feel my hackle fur rising. “Him?! Really?! I’m okay with rejection, because I care about you, but Lars?! Have some standards! How would, uh, that even work?”

The Swede clapped his hands together, and doubled over with the rattling laughter. He pointed a clawless finger at me, while his pale skin progressed to a deep red. The predator was struggling to breathe, with tearful eyes and protruding teeth. I dropped into a defensive position, snarling at the arboreal beast. My anger was enough to overpower all sensible fears.

“Ah, the look on his face! Priceless!” the dentist snorted.

Kim Ji-yun looked uncomfortable. “Uh Fraysa, I’m not sure that’s the best idea. You’re not compatible on—”

“Obviously not,” she chuckled. “I’m sorry, Lars told me to say that. He talked to me about my feelings a long time ago. Wilen, I was wondering when you were going to ask me.”

I blinked. “You…you were?”

“Yeah. I like you too.”

The blond-haired human’s smile softened. I couldn’t decide whether to be angry with him, for spilling my secret. All I could decide on was relief, that Fraysa didn’t want to hook up with a predator. That ‘prank’ still ruffled my fur. One of these days, I was going to swipe that stupid grin off his face. But hearing those words out of her mouth, perhaps thanks to some interference from Lars, made it easy to forgive him.

Right now, I’m happy. Yes, I’m stuck on a predator’s world for the foreseeable future, but there is hope. The only person I need loves me back.

I met her gaze with fondness. “I’ll get used to everything about the humans, for you. But I still wonder if our people will ever forgive us.”

“This…corruption theory of predator disease is unscientific. Our friends here will help all Zurulians realize that,” Fraysa answered. “Meat-eating is not the cause; it’s just a symptom of certain problems. We’re going to be fine.”

“If you say it, with that much conviction, I believe it. What do we do now? I, uh, didn’t plan that far ahead.”

“You should come to my hockey game tonight, for your first date! Rival team,” Lars interrupted, with a cheery expression.

Both of us glowered at him, before speaking in unison. “No!”

The human struck a pouting expression, and crossed his arms in a display of closed body language. It was incredible how emotive this alien race could be, despite all their differences and aggression. I put a lot of thought into what it meant to be a predator. Perhaps it wasn’t necessary to be afraid of turning into one.

My determination, after a considerable time around this violent species, was that they weren’t a nefarious monster lurking in the void. I hoped that one day, others could learn to stop treating them like one. If someone like me could co-exist with the brashest man in the exchange program, anything was possible.

A/N - End of the mini-series! Hope you guys enjoyed this content, and how we wrapped up our Zurulians' adventures. 

Would you guys want to see more stuff like this in the future, or return to more one-shot type specials? (I have seen the recommendations for Arxur content, and am willing to return to that in December. I almost always take patron suggestions!)

On another subject, I was thinking about making the first episode of this series public, as a teaser for anyone considering joining here. I just wanted to make sure that wouldn't upset you guys, before going ahead with that.

As always, thank you for reading and supporting!