Why not? asked Bonnard, his eyes fixed on a point deep in the flames. Terilla said There's some that smell pretty good by Iretan standards. You know, Varian, I haven't been able to smell anything but Ireta! D'you suppose Lunzie could be wrong and my nose has gone dead?
Varian and Kai both laughed. You'll know soon enough when we get back to the EV, Varian told him.
Yeah! Bannard's reply lacked any enthusiasm for return.
You'd be sorry to leave?
I sure will, Kai, and it's not because we'll have to leave Dandy. There's so much to do here. I mean, tapes are great, and better than nothing, but this trip I'm learning hundreds of things. Learning's got a point . . .
You have to have had the theoretical study before you can attempt the practical, Varian said but Bonnard waved that consideration aside.
"I've studied basics till data comes out my pores but it isn't the same thing at all as being here and doing it!" Bonnard was emphatically banging his knee. "Like that fire, and all. Rakers, on shipboard you see flames and dash for the
foamer!"
Varian grinned at Kai and caught his rueful expression.
Your point's taken, Bonnard, she said. And I think it's safe to say that you'll be in demand for more expeditions once Kai and I have made our report. Bakkun thinks highly of your performance as his recorder.
"He does?" Bannard's expression which had soured at the contemplation of return to EV, brightened with such a future." You're sure?" His gaze went from Varian to Kai.
As far as you can be sure of a heavy-worlder.
Are there more expeditions planned, Varian? asked Bonnard urgently.
More or less, she replied, catching Kai's gaze. I was signed on this tour for three expeditions requiring a xenob over a period of four standard years. You'd be eligible as a junior member in that time. Of course, you might opt for geology rather than xenob.
I like animals, said Bonnard, testing the words in his mouth so as not to give offence to either leader, but I do Like . . . sort of fancy the more scientific aspects of . . . .
I'd think you'd be best as an all-round recorder, with as many specialties in that area as possible, said Varian, helping him.
You do?
His reaction made it obvious to Kai and Varian that it was the mechanics of recording that fascinated the boy, rather than any of the individual disciplines. They talked about specialization as the fire burned down, was replenished, and burned down again. By the time Kai suggested they sack out, the two leaders had assured Bonnard that they would give him as much opportunity at tape and recorders as possible to see if this was really where his interests lay.
Safe under the sled's protective screen, they slept deeply and without a bother from the night creatures of Ireta.
Varian was aroused the next morning by something prodding her shoulder. She was still sleepy but again she was prodded, more emphatically this time, and her name was whispered urgently." Varian. Varian! Wake up. We got company."
That forced her to open eyes which she instantly closed, not believing her first sight.
Varian, you've got to wake up! Bannard's whisper was anxious.
I am. I've seen.
What do we do?
Have you moved yet?
Only to nudge you. Did I hurt?
No. They were both speaking in low tones. Can you prod Kai awake?
I don't know how he wakes up.
Bonnard had a point. It wouldn't do to rouse someone who erupted out of the sack like a torpedo. He'd known how to rouse her since he'd often done so when they'd first acquired Dandy.
Kai's quiet if you do it as gently as you woke me.
Varian grinned to herself. She wasn't sorry she'd included Bonnard on this trip: last night's discussion had proved how much he'd needed the encouragement as well as the opportunity to talk without reservations imposed on him by the presence of older team members or the two girls. It had been obvious last evening that Kai would have preferred to have made this a duet trip, and a complete break from the exigencies of leadership. Now she'd pried him away from his tape decks, she'd do it again, without a third party.
They had slept head to foot, so while Bonnard prodded Kai's shoulder with his foot, Varian whispered the warning to him.
Kai, wake slowly, don't move. The observers are observed.
She had her eyes half-open now, because the giffs were so closely ringed about the sled that, in her first arousal, she had seen a series of bright black eyes on a level with hers.
She almost giggled when a sharp orangey beak point tapped at the plascreen surrounding the sled, tapping gently as if not wishing to startle the sleepers.
Muhlah! was Kai's soft curse and there was a ripple of laughter in his tone.
Is it safe for me to have a look? asked Bonnard in his hushed whisper.
Don't know why not. They're looking at us.
Can they get in? was Bannard's anxious question.
I doubt it," said Varian, unperturbed. She wouldn't guarantee that the plascreen could stand a concerted attack of heavier adult beaks but she didn't feel that aggression was the giffs' intent.
I thought you wanted to see their matutinal habits, Varian? said Kai, slowly raising his hand from the sleep sack to prop it on his hand. He wasn't looking at her, but beyond her to the golden furred faces peering in.
That was my intention.
As I recall it, I asked you what if it was their rest day?
Varian couldn't suppress her laughter and Bonnard joined in, never dropping his eyes from the giffs.
You mean, they're taking the day off to watch us?
They're at least starting the day doing it, said Varian, raising herself slowly out of the sack.
The avians moved restlessly, wings awkwardly held up.
Hey, they can rotate the wings at the wrist . . .
Yes, Bonnard, I'd noticed. Varian had also seen the flexing of the three digits with the yellowed claws at the tips. The function of thumb and little finger had been incorporated into the wing so Varian couldn't see how they would be able to weave with the three wing digits.
Hey, they're not all here, said Bonnard, pointing up in a judiciously controlled gesture.
None of the giffs were perched on top of the plascreen so that the sky was clearly visible. Outlined against the clouds was a formation of giffs going in a south-easterly direction.
I think we've got the youngsters here, said Varian.
The babes at that, said Kai, pointing to the trail of brownish slime that drippled down the outside skirting of the sled.
Bonnard muffled a chortle. So what do we do now? I'm hungry.
Then we'll eat, said Varian and began to pull her legs out of the sack, slowly, to give the giffs no reason for alarm. Yes, they're the young ones, she said as she slowly got to her feet and stared down at the small bodies pressing in about the sled.
Seen in proper perspective, she realized none of these giffs were adult sized. The tip of the longest head crest came only to her waist. She'd estimated that a fully grown giff would be as tall as an average human, with a wing span of at least eight to ten metres.
What do we do? asked Bonnard.
Sit up slowly. I'll bring you breakfast in the sack, she said, moving carefully to the supplies.
Kai had pulled himself into a sitting position now and gratefully accepted the steaming beaker.
Breakfast with an audience, he said. sipping.
I wish they'd move or talk or something, said Bonnard, glancing nervously about him as he blew to cool the liquid in his beaker. He almost dropped it when one of the giffs stretched and flapped wings suddenly. They're not even trying to get at us.
Look but don't touch? asked Kai. Frankly, I'd just as soon they kept to themselves. Those beak points look sharp. He glanced at Varian who had a small recorder in her hands now, and holding it at waist level was slowly turning a full circle, recording the faces of their audience.
With equal care against sudden movement, she placed the recorder on one shoulder and turning again. stood so still for a long moment at one point that Kai asked what was up.