The characters read: Irukhan (and) Mira(que)

Irukhan Dresh is Elmira Veller's expendable genetic donor. Yulie is his pet miraque. Elmira has miraque ears. Long story.


Ufanwe, the future Milt-Down Mother of Scapes, had always mistrusted Irukhan's habit of surrounding himself with curly, golden-haired miraque.

One morning (or whatever passed for morning in the deep, dank halls of Odana Space-Home), she decided to visit his temporary quarters, for it was required for him to stay during the incubation period of their supposed offspring.

She knocked once (or rather, jammed her fist into the valve), using her piscine left hand.
She knocked twice.
She knocked thrice.

A long pause and Irukhan, the oaf could be heard bumping about.

The valve squelched open like an anemone's treasure.

Inside the small apartment was Irukhan, hastily dressed in a soiled loincloth. By his side was a recumbent miraque, looking very sleepy and prone to sudden miraque babies, squirming on its arched back, lying next to a suspicious book bound in red.

"Uh-huh?" Ufanwe tapped impatiently, both hands clasped behind the back of her lavender gown.

"I was in the process of grooming Yulie." answered Irukhan, back straight and hands held out. Was that a golden hair she spotted?

"You may resume your command."

Preferring to say nothing, Ufanwe turned around and huffed in disdain.

There was something about him! Well, no need to intrude. At best the high tea society would scoff, and say "All he needs is a bit of soap. You know how it is with tanks. No touching required."



Eh?

Ink, colored pencils, and charcoal.