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The Cohen-Kline Icosahedron

Chapter 2

copyright comidacomida 2023

Hahn's family was, plainly put, obsessed with Kaiden. The young man found himself surrounded by the Viddinis household. While not as overt about his lecherous nature as Hahn, his classmate's older brother Gherin was, nevertheless, perfectly content to get very familiar with Kaiden, even managing all but suggest that they double-team Kaiden. Whether it was what Gherin actually meant by the comment, Hahn quickly shot it down. Their sister Phfreen laughed at the posturing while their mother Sharii gave them a light condemnation but otherwise seemed to chalk it up to youthful exuberance. Kaiden realized that, if he expected her to interfere, he would be left without support.

Squyl did not have youth as an excuse for his own 'courting'. Hahn's uncle seemed incredibly interested in all aspects of Kaiden. While their time was short, the older, brightly dyed cock all but insisted that the Human come visit their family when next he returned to Plateau Earth. Squyl promised him a warm reception, and a very snug, very comfortable place to 'settle into'. Despite the directness of most Viddin, the Jiyjah's numerous casual, in-passing statements suggested far more than a platonic visit home.

As their time came to an end, Squyl even managed to bypass all of his subtlety by quietly adding "In case there was a misunderstanding in translation, I mean for you to mount me with your strange fuck stick and drain you until your testicles are empty... and have you return the favor if you are so inclined."

As Hahn's family's introduction time came to an end, Prirn snatched Kaiden out of the eager claws of Squyl and walked him over to his own clan. The Human already knew Prirn's Grandsire Kanrin, but he was also introduced to Prirn's mother Yeina and a collection of siblings ranging from a decade Prirn's senior to a handful who had only recently fledged. According to Prirn, there were several more brothers and sisters at home who were not yet able to fly and, with them, a collection of aunts and an uncle who were not able to attend due to a limit on guests.

Yeina had a few minutes to talk with Kaiden as Prirn's Grandfather took the younger Viddinur off to the side for a heart-to-heart. She seemed in all ways the doting mother-- especially when it was all aimed at him. "I am so very pleased Prirn has an amazing Zfielt instructor like yourself, Kaiden. He has had only wonderful things to say about you."

The Human found himself smiling, and slowly picked his words in Viddin as he tried to provide gentle correction. "Thank you, Yeina. I am not Prirn's instructor. The correct word is-- no... I cannot pronounce that one. Wait... it would be 'coach' or 'mentor'... but of the same age."

Both of the Viddin words he'd suggested implied someone of older age. The word he was specifically seeking was 'upperclassman'. Fortunately, Yeina was quick on the uptake. "Ah. you mean 'upperclassman'. Of course. I understand that, as part of schooling the word choices are very important, but you will have to forgive me, my dear... in the world of performers, specific words are less important than the meaning they convey."

Kaiden took a moment to reflect on what he knew about Prirn's family. "Oh, yes. You and your father both entertain professionally."

The young man couldn't use the Viddin word for the profession of 'singer', so he made due. Yeina didn't seem to mind. "Yes. You are very right, Kaiden. My mate as well. Have you had the opportunity to hear any of my performances?"

Kaiden shifted his weight from one foot to the other; while he hadn't attended any live Viddin performances he knew enough to be aware that some concerts ran well over six hours. Unlike Human singers, Viddin did not use instrumental accompaniment; all songs were performed as a chorus with a collection of voices creating an orchestra. "No. My time on Plateau Earth has been here learning with my Roost."

Yenia's fur and feathers puffed out immediately as an indignant expression caused her beak to skew. "A major oversight I must say if your learning did not include an introduction to Viddin music..." She shook her wings out and her settled her fur before squawking "Holtyr? Uutyr? Attend me please!"

Kanrin and Prirn were immediately by her side. The older male pressed his head atop Yenia's attentively. "Yes, my sweet Tutyr?"

Yenia gave her father a light bonk with her beak and addressed them both. "Kaiden has never seen a live Viddin performance.... Holtyr, I will have you handle your usual... Prirn, dear, are you comfortable handling your Holtyr's part?"

Prirn puffed up immediately, looking around at everyone before his eyes focused on Kaiden. The Human saw his Roostmate's pupils dilate then contract, and a reddish hue peek on his nares. "I... have never sung before in front of Kaiden."

His grandfather gave the younger Viddin a light swat on the flank with his tail. "You will do fine, Tuu'uutyr'im. You always do."

Kaiden couldn't help but encourage him. "I'd love to hear you sing, Prirn."

With no further objections forthcoming, Yenia provided a few more quick directions before immediately shifting into a loud, projected vocal tone, not unlike a chorus singing a wordless note of "ah". It was quickly picked up at a different harmonization by Prirn and, as the both wove their tone together, Yenia added a second note to her first, then a third-- ultimately singing with three voices as Prirn added a second. That's when Kanrin came in, his voice far less melodious and far more percussion; he was doing the Viddin equivalent of beat boxing, and he was really REALLY good at it.

It wasn't hard for the Human to get lost in the singing as the music engulfed him in the experience. Few Viddin songs had any words attached to them from what he understood, but he didn't find himself minding since the musicality, harmonization, and pure beauty of the performance was enough to keep his attention. He didn't end up tracking the length of the song but, as it slowly came to a close, Kaiden realized he wasn't alone. A feathery weight settled against his thigh as Nittik looked up at him. "She never settles with just one song, you know."

True enough, no sooner had Nittik offered up that tidbit of information than Yenia started another, bringing her son and father along for the ride. Realizing that direct time with Prirn's family was at an end, he didn't fight Nittik's not-so-subtle suggestion that the Human be introduced to his own and Kaiden found himself brought over to where a pair of Viddian sat waiting for the two of them. Nittik proudly made introductions. "Holtyr'im... Koltyr'im... this is Kaiden Wilson, my Zfielt classmate. Kaiden, these are my Holtyr-- my sire Aklyx and dame Feenti."

The two parents were immediately a wash with words, both babbling at the same time like a pair of squirrels chittering over who would get a single acorn. Despite Nittik usually being the one to start and encourage the squawking sessions during classes, it was he who managed to calm down his parents, reiterating that Humans didn't listen at the same speed as Viddin and that they'd need to take turns. Over the course of the next five-or-so minutes, the young man could tell that the tempered pace was agonizingly slow on them.

They hung out just long enough to be polite, taking turns explaining that all of Nittik's brothers and sisters were excited that he was doing so well in the Programme and that he was obviously overjoyed with his Zfielt partner. They congratulated Kaiden on managing so many Viddin despite having a problem listening to all of them at once (a subtle jab, but expressed without any hint of malice). In the end they explained that Feenti's younger sister was back home watching all of the rest of their little ones. Apparently the sitter didn't have any young ones of her own and it was good training for her in preparation for that day.

Nittik excused himself to go see his parents off, promising to return soon. With his most recent classmate disappearing, that left Kaiden ripe for another family encounter and the opportunity was seized immediately by Kytskir, who trotted over with intent. "Classmate! I am so pleased to see that you are free. My whole Kuutyr has come to offer their farewells and they are looking forward to meeting you."

Guided with the owl-like Viddinek by his side, Kaiden had to ask "So... when you mean your 'whole family', do you mean--?"

His question was interrupted by a rousing chorus of "ZFIELT!" and the young man immediately found himself surrounded by a cacophony of cheering, chirping, screeching Viddinek fledglings. While far from fully grown, there were seven, and each was about the size of a German shepherd. They were followed shortly thereafter by two fully grown Viddin, undoubtedly Kytskir's parents. His guess was reinforced as Kytskir introduced them as such.

They were as equally polite and professional as their son. Kytskir's dame spoke first. "Our Uutyr has had much to say about his Zfielt classmate. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Kaiden Wilson."

Kytskir's sire sat on his haunches, using his fore-talon to carefully adjust the huge spectacles resting on his beak while speaking eloquently in English. "Kyt has provided many positive comments regarding his assessment of your capabilities as an upperclassman. He indicated that he could ask for no finer a classmate to lead his Roost. I hope you realize that such words are incredibly high praise from our son. He is not one to over-exaggerate."

Kaiden could only stare as he listened to Kytskir's father speak; not only was their physical resemblance uncanny, but their speech pattern and mannerisms were nearly a carbon copy. When he did finally manage to shake off his surprise, Kaiden quickly went to speak up before he was forced to pause again. "You speak English?"

The older Viddin let out a soft chuckle. "Knowledge is power, Mr. Wilson. While there is little mobility within the species hierarchy among Viddin, there is still much political maneuvering to be done, and my clan has prided itself on maintaining a healthy understanding of how to stay in a position that affords us reasonable station."

Kaiden spoke without thinking. "You're... a politician?"

Kytskir's sire chuckled again. "No. A scientist."

While his parents were talking to Kaiden, Kytskir spent his time wrangling his siblings, who appeared to be near endless bundles of energy. Despite his obvious training and their interest in seeing their big brother, the fledglings did eventually transition their attention to the Human, at which point there was no holding them back. For the second time that night Kaiden found himself surrounded by a chorus of young Viddin all vying for his attention. It took both parents and Kytskir to reel them back in. Introductions were offered quickly before Kytskir's father sent him to check in with Hassag before the group was set to depart.

In the meantime, as Kytskir's sire and dame systematically gathered up all of their hyperactive offspring Kaiden was finally able to take a step back from the pure chaos; in the end, the youngest kept screeching at the top of her lungs "KAIDEN!! KAIDEN!! KAIDEN!!!" Apparently she REALLY liked his name. His attention, however, did not remain on the Viddinek family for long as an even louder squawking voice called to him.

It was not an easily ignored summons. "Is that THE Kaiden Wilson I've been hearin' so much about? Come on over here, 'tto... lemme get a look at'cha!"

The exclamation was in a decidedly odd dialect of the Viddin language; Kaiden could never remember EVER hearing any form of the language that sounded so much like it was using conjunctions, and 'tto' the shorthand version of 'utto' the Viddin word for 'fledgling' held a particularly odd tonal inflection to it. In so far as Kaiden could tell, it was as close an approximation to the archaic word 'lad' (a much more benevolent form of 'boy'). Turning to regard the speaker, the young man was taken aback.

The Viddinich standing amidst the visitors was large for his breed-- at least as tall at the shoulder as a Vidday, and he probably weighed as much as a Viddinire. Portly Viddin were a rarity since being excessively overweight made it difficult to fly but the large cock waving at him like a fool with a wing looked like he was probably right at the limit. The visitor's fore-feathers were well kept and puffed up with obvious excitement and his hindquarters were spectacularly golden, highlighted by the silver light of the moon which accentuated the deep black spots.

Realizing that the Viddin calling to him was only going to get louder (and as an excuse to escape the whirlwind of fledgling Viddinek behind him), Kaiden made his way over to the boisterous, jovial Viddinich. He offered a greeting in the Viddin language. "Hello sir. Yes, I am Kaiden Wilson."

Despite how stand-offish most Viddin were at initial introduction, the Viddinich in front of him broke social norms and, before Kaiden knew it, he was pulled right up against the enormous, pudgy chest as he was given an awkward foreleg hug. "This's how you Zfielt say hi, innit?"

Having a hard time extricating himself from the embrace, the Human managed to squeak out a Viddin affirmative; he was thankfully released thereafter. Quickly moving just out of hug range, the Human tried to see if he could get some burning questions answered. "You know who I am, but I do not know you, sir."

The Viddinich cawed out a deep belly laugh. "Y'don't? We're practically family, seein' as you're teaching my 'tto'!"

Kaiden had a hard time coming to grips with what he'd been told. "I only have one Viddinich Roostmate, sir, and that is--"

The young man froze when, upon glancing around the gathering, his eyes finally caught sight of Sokkas. His classmate met his gaze for all of two seconds before he hunkered down, disappearing out of view. The hefty Viddin in front of him let out another laugh and buffeted Kaiden with his wing good-naturedly, almost causing the Human to fall over. "Yep! Sokkas. Seed o' mine! Good 'tto that one... always been a great Uutyr and growing into a fine cock... even better with you around, I'm hearin'!"

Staring at the near mirror-opposite of his withdrawn, introverted, brooding lover, Kaiden's next words were mumbled in English. "You gotta be kidding me."

The chunky Viddin in front of him cocked his head to the side, head-feathers puffing up and out inquisitively. "Wassat? Sorry, 'tto, I don't speak Zfielt."

Clearing his throat, Kaiden stood up a little straighter, trying to hide his surprise at just how different Sokkas' sire was from his classmate. He tried to convey just how out-of-sorts the comparison made him feel. "I did not think you were Sokkas' father. You two are both so different."

The older Viddinch in front of him blinked and, ever so slowly, his beak parted until it splayed wide in a huge Viddin grin, and he let out a squawking laugh. "Haw haw haw! You chain words together like a nestling. That's the cutest lil' thing I've heard in a long time, Zfielt! I gotta say, yer--"

The joval voice was cut short as a wall of blackness appeared between Kaiden and the older Viddin. The young man found himself staring at Sokkas' flank as his dark-feathered companion fumed. "I will not have you talking down to my Takket, Rannyl."

Despite falling silent at the interruption, Sokkas' father didn't relent his good natured tone. "Oh, he seems like a smart Zfielt, 'tto. I'm sure he knows I don't mean any harm. I'm thinkin' he--"

Sokkas didn't relent. "Apologize."

It was like a switch flipped in the older Viddin. All humor aside, Sokkas' sire wilted slightly, feathers deflating and wings drooping. "So... ah... Kay-din, was it? I--"

Sokkas interrupted. "Kaiden. Say it right, or I will leave you like Koltyr did."

Kaiden was so stunned by the vehement tone taken by Sokkas he completely missed what he was sure was a heartfelt, honest, earnest apology from the older Viddin. Despite having been distracted for it, the young man was quick to acknowledge it. "I am pleased to meet you, Sir. Do not worry about an apology."

His black-feathered classmate wasn't so easy-going. "No... he DOES have to worry about an apology. I do not want him belittling you, Lover-mine."

Almost as if the past thirty seconds hadn't happened, Sokkas' sire returned to his more jovial self, and it started with a happy squawk. "I'd almost thought Sokkas'd never find someone to call his own. Seein' as he usually doesn't care about what anyone says about anythin', I'd say you made quite an impression on him, 'tto. Real fine indeed!"

Having trouble navigating the obvious family drama between the two, Kaiden had a hard time trying to figure out what to say next. Fortunately, Sokkas did it for him. "Kaiden, this is Rannyl, the last Holruk of my clan, and my often-annoying Holtyr. Rannyl, this is Kaiden, my assigned Zfielt, my upperclassman, and my Takket. I have chosen him as my mate, so you will respect him as if he were your new Uutyr."

If Sokkas' continued severity bothered him, Rannyl certainly didn't show it. Beak parted in a huge grin that split his face in two, the older Viddinich was focused solely on Kaiden. "Well Sunfire! Don't this just chase the chitgiss! Here I thought Sokkas'd never find someone he could stand long enough to--"

A single, audible snap from Sokkas' beak was enough of a warning to get his father to quiet. Kaiden's classmate glanced toward the Human. "Kaiden'huu, my Holtyr and I have some matters to discuss before I leave for Land Earth. I will join you soon."

The coldness and precision with which Sokkas dealt with his father was frightening; there was definitely more to it than Kaiden knew and he resolved to find out more later. He really wanted to like Rannyl but he was a little concerned about the aggression Sokkas showed toward him. "Oh... okay. it was good to meet you, Rannyl."

The portly Viddin responded with complete glee. "Call me Holtyr, Kaiden'huu! If you're Sokkas' mate then you're my Uutyr, 'tto!"

Given a reassuring, gentle head-bump from Sokkas, Kaiden excused himself and made his way through the crowd toward Tral; if there was any visitor the young man had truly been eager to meet it was definitely his largest classmate's mother. Having caught a quick glimpse of her when she'd called out to her son, Kaiden knew approximately where he could find them and he was not wrong; they hadn't moved from that spot since geting together. He remained a respectful distance until he was noticed.

Although it was apparent that Tral's mother took sight of him before Tral, it was Kaiden's classmate who called him over in Viddin. "Oh! Kaiden! Come join us! I want you to meet my mam!"

Although the word 'Koltyar' was used most often by fledglings, apparently Tral hadn't quite outgrown it. Literally 'little mother' or 'mommy' or 'mama', the general utilization by older Viddin as slang was more respectfully translated as 'mam'-- an archaic usage of a familiar term referring to one's own mother, and a substitute for the other term meaning 'dame' as a female progenitor. Kaiden paused to take stock of his sudden focus on the scholastics of Viddin word usage; at that point he realized why his mind had wandered: he was surprisingly apprehensive... but for good reason.

Tral's mother was as visibly severe as Tral was easy-going. If Kaiden had been surprised by how much of a sloped nest Sokkas was born into (a Viddin term equivalent to 'the apple falling far from the tree'), Tral and his dame were night-and-day different. She also wasted no time in introductions. "I am Vala... and you are obviously the Zfielt my Uutyr will not stop crowing about."

It took a second for Kaiden to compose himself. "Yes, my name is Kaiden. It is a pleasure to meet you, Vala."

She looked down the length of her beak at him, a single twitch from one eyebrow indicating that his usage of Viddin had caught her by surprise. "The pleasure is all yours, Zfielt. You speak Viddin better than many others I have heard try. That does not mean you have impressed me... just that you have disappointed me less than most."

Vala was not making it easy for him to like her. "Tral tells me that he is excited to get to go to Land Earth and that--"

She interrupted him. "Tral has always been a foolish hatchling... even after he was fledged and grown he still makes many poor decisions. I hear that he has chosen you as a Hasst."

Kaiden offered a mild smile. "Yes. He and I--"

Once again, Tral's mother interrupted him. "As I said... poor decisions." She sniffed, glancing back to her son. "Tralyn, I have already told you that I doubt your safety if you travel to Land Earth, and this Zfielt is not assuaging my concerns. I do not like Land Earth, and I do not like this one. I believe we should rethink you going."

Kaiden felt as though he'd been slapped. Either he made a very bad first impression with an unforeseen faux pas, or Vala had an axe to grind and he'd been set up to fail from the beginning. Tral fortunately spoke up for him. "I trust Kaiden, and I want to go. You already promised I could go, Koltyar. I am doing well with the Unity Programme here on Plateau Earth and it is time I go to Land Earth."

She didn't relent. "There is no 'Plateau Earth' or 'Land Earth', Tralyn... there is HERE, OUR world, and there is THERE... THEIR world. You are the last of the family line, and we cannot risk--"

Tral interjected, blurting out "I am NOT the last of the line. That was the excuse you used at the beginning, and I have TWO rings now, Koltyar. I--"

Viddin often spoke and listened at the same time, but the two Viddinire in front of Kaiden were apparently masters of interruption; each time one spoke it caused the other to fall silent. Vala's statement was doubly powerful as she held up a small ring, identical to the two that Tral already wore. "Three, Uutyr. Your last coupling was fruitful. All the more proof that your place is here with your clan."

Tral snatched the ring from her. "All the more reason why I don't have to stay!"

Vala scowled; until that moment Kaiden thought she already had been. "Tralyn, we have discussed this already--"

Kaiden's classmate stood up straight; until that moment, Kaiden thought HE already had been. "Yes we did, and you said I could join the Unity Programme."

She did not relent. "Yes. To learn. You have, and now you can return home. Let the rest of them go risk their lives with on the Zfielt's wild mockery of our world. You learned what you needed to, and now you can forget all of this silliness."

There was never a time in Kaiden's interaction when he'd seen Tral angry; the change was not just surprising... it was alarming. It was strange to think the entire time the Human had known him that Tral had been slouching, especially since he always seemed to carry himself with such a confident bearing. In that moment, however, Kaiden had the chance to see a very agitated Viddinire. "I am going, Vala."

His dame took a step forward, just as adamant. "You are my Uutyr and you will listen to me when I tell you that you will not, Tralyn. You do not have my permission you silly hukt, and if I need to protect you from your fanciful--"

The growl that came out of Tral was enough to make Kaiden's bones vibrate against one another uncomfortably and he had to clench his teeth to keep them from rattling together. When his classmate did speak it was with complete and total furor. "So help me you bitter hen, I am going to Land Earth with my Hasst. In my Holtyr's name, if you DARE break your promise to me now I will see you exiled from the clan!"

If the two were playing a game of chicken, it was readily evident that Vala swerved first. Only because her stoic countenance had been so impeccably unmoving was it obvious to Kaiden that what Tral had said affected her due to a twitch from one eye. Her voice lowered in volume. "I held this clan together after your Holtyr's passing, you ungrateful d'Uutyr."

Kaiden stared at the woman who dared call one of his classmates a 'brat'. Opening his mouth to object, he didn't get a chance; Tral didn't need his help. "Go back home, Vala, or I promise I will make good on my threat. I am going to Land Earth with Kaiden Wilson, and you are NOT going to stop me."

Huffing, the older hen gazed at Kaiden with a look of death in her eyes. "Is this YOUR work. Zfielt? Have your poisonous teachings turned my Tralyn into a--"

Kaiden's view of Vala was obscured when his classmate interposed himself between the two. "You will NOT talk to my mate that way."

There was no response forthcoming from the stunned hen and Kaiden's only indication that she was leaving was the sound of her talons on the plateau's stone; the gathering was suddenly so quiet that the muted 'click-a-clack' may as well have been broadcast by a sound system. The first individual to break the silence was Nittik. "Wow... you just called Kaiden your mate for the first time, and it was to tell off your Koltyr? I. Am. In. Awe."

Kaiden was honestly worried about Nittik's health considering Tral's prior emotional outlook, but the massive Viddinire just shrugged, his feathers and fur settling down immediately as he shot a goofy, embarrassed look back at the Human before addressing his smaller Viddian classmate sheepishly. "Yeah... not the most romantic way to bring it up I guess... sorry guys. Sorry Kaiden."

Although nobody else seemed the least bit out-of-sorts regarding Tral's emotional and behavioral shift, Kaiden felt entirely unprepared to handle it. He wanted to scream at the inanity of it all.