Blasphemy (part 8)
"They seem a pious people," Theem Seeker of God remarked, as Maggie sipped at her port. "Firm in their beliefs, yet accepting of pilgrims. Why would you fear their ways?" Maggie signaled to the bartender. A long dexterous tentacle arced through the air, grasping a decanter. When it reached the table, the tip of the tentacle twisted the crystal stopper free, so that it could tilt the decanter and more port could trickle into Maggie's glass.
"Piety translates into selfish intentions far too frequently," she replied, as she swirled the purplish fortified wine under her nose, breathing in the fragrant aroma. "These two guards were clearly enjoying themselves far too much. I'm sure you know the type. Loyal to the Priestess, incapable of hearing anything except her orders, and ready to incinerate anything the Priestess thinks hints at blasphemy. Dugar here is a prime example - different culture, same kind of muscle."
Dugar lifted his glass to toast Maggie, a smirk erupting from under his short brown beard and mustache.
"It's muscle you've appreciated on more than one occasion, Maggie!" He sipped with great flourish, exaggerating his movements. For a big man, he moved very fluidly.
Walder, one of the regulars at the table and barely half sober, choked at the comment. Good port trickled out his nostrils.
"Velanger maskaala ribeiro," added Rhael, a Qq@!ken known for a quick tongue, a thick accent and a ribald retort.
"<hyperspatial interface metaphor>" interrupted the RSNL, its electronic tones trilling through a series of voices and synchronized beats. "<rhythmic interplay of terms for engine and motive power><subtle simile of mathematical and sexual connectivity>" Several others followed in rapid succession, a series of barbs and taunts. Theem Seeker of God looked confused at most of them. Standard may be a common language throughout much of space, but there are plenty of local dialects. No matter where you go, the dialects always seem to have a rich vocabulary of insults and native scatological referents. Those around the table had traveled far enough to collect many obscenely colorful idioms, just to use with each other.
"Gentlebeings..." Captain Gale interrupted, her voice lined with the inherent threat of someone who knew how to take command regardless of the resistance. "...and I use that term loosely."
Dugar opened his mouth, feigning pain, his beefy hand going to his heart as if fatally wounded. Maggie just ignored him, turning back to Theem Seeker of God.
"First Contact situations can't assume anything about theology and what that might mean for a people, especially the pious."