Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 110492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 552(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 368(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 552(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 368(@300wpm)
She bit back a gasp, remembering what Vic had said about the Gemmites having evolved some very strange features for protection. Maybe their faces stretched that way to allow them to look over their shoulders for approaching predators or something.
“Um…hello,” she said nervously, trying to smile. “It’s very nice to meet you—I’m Torri from Earth.”
“So you are…so you are…” The tiny lips smacked together, as though the mechanic was tasting something nice. His eyes were decidedly alien, with slitted orange pupils that looked Torri over speculatively. “She’s a lovely little creature,” he said to Vic, as the long, stretchy trunk of skin swung over to look at the big Kindred instead. “Is she providing payment?”
“Most certainly not.” Vic frowned warningly. “I will pay for the repairs myself.”
“Ah, a pity.” The huge shoulders shrugged. “But as you wish, as you wish.”
“Can you get to it soon? Vic asked. “The fate of Torri’s world is at stake.”
“I’ll take a look at once, but you must give me time to do a thorough inspection,” La’Gross said firmly. “Why don’t you show your lady the sights of our fair city? It’s market day today—lots of wares to pick from if you have payment at the ready.”
“We’ll take a look,” Vic said. “When should we be back?”
“Oh, let me see…”
The tiny face squinted thoughtfully as it stretched high over their heads to scrutinize what looked like some kind of alien time piece—a long white rectangle hanging along the top of the wall. Various patterns of lines and dots marched down the length of the rectangle in a long row. A glowing arrow was hovering near a collection of pink dots, close to one end of the rectangle.
“It’s almost closing time,” La’Gross’s tiny face announced, after scrutinizing the time piece for a moment. “Give me at least an ern or so, and then come back.”
“Thank you, La’Gross.” Vic nodded gratefully.
“Anything for an old friend.” The stretchy trunk of skin retracted and once more the tiny face was perched in the middle of the mechanic’s broad, flat head. “Go on now—enjoy the market before the vendors leave.”
“We’ll see you in an ern,” Vic promised. Then he pulled Torri through the shop and out into the open area beyond.
Thirty-Nine
The Gemmite Market was a colorful affair, like an outdoor flea market with rows of stalls on either side. Luckily, most of the Gemmite salesmen and women were sitting down and the stalls were built with that in mind—otherwise they would have been so tall, Torri never could have seen what each of them was selling. As it was, it appeared to her that the stalls had every kind of good she could imagine—and some she couldn’t.
“Luster-buffs for sale! Get the finest quality luster-buffs here!” cried one merchant. He was brandishing an implement with a long, golden handle and a shock of fuzzy pink fibers at one end.
“Chilla-vools for sale!” shouted another merchant. “Chilla-vools here!”
He was holding up something that looked a little bit like an orange squirrel the size of a medium-sized dog, but with much bigger eyes that glowed bright green. Its tail was twice as big as its body and seemed to be made of bristles rather than fur or hair—they stuck out everywhere in a spiky orange profusion.
“What are those things?” Torri asked Vic. “Are they some kind of pets?”
Before the big Kindred could answer, the merchant’s face extended towards her in that same, stretchy, chewing gum-elephant’s trunk that La’Gross’s face had become earlier.
“Did I hear you say you have an interest in acquiring a fine quality Chilla-vool, my dear?” the tiny face inquired, poking right into Torri’s own.
“Er…” She took an involuntary step back. “Actually, I just wanted to know what they are. I’m not from this planet,” she added, rather unnecessarily.
“Well, let me ask you this—do you ever get blocked pipes at your domicile?” the merchant inquired. “Especially after your monthly evacuation?”
“Er…sometimes, I guess,” Torri said, though she had no idea what he meant by “monthly evacuation.” “But I don’t see what that has to do with the, uh, Chilla-vool.” She motioned to the bright orange squirrel creature, who was staring at her with its glowing green eyes. Could it see in the dark? With eyes like that, she didn’t doubt it.
“Why, it has everything to do with them!” the merchant exclaimed. “All you have to do is push this little fellow down your evacuation drain—or any drain that’s clogged for that matter—and give his tail a tweak. He’ll run right through the pipe in question, digging out any, er, blockage in the way with his front claws. His bristle-brush tail will clean up the rest as it drags behind him.”
Oh my God—is that thing some kind of a toilet squirrel? Torri stared at the alien creature in a mixture of awe and disgust. The poor thing, but also ewwww!