Have you ever met someone who expressed emotion in an over-the-top way?
The humans, as a whole, were a very excitable species. They were prone to outbursts of anger or sadness or joy in varying degrees, all far more intense than any of the other planets the Mosari had conquered in the Expansion. It was a testament to their emotions that their resistance had survived so long, Ral was certain of that.
“Yes!” Jack shouted, startling her from her thoughts. He had just completed a training sim on the highest difficulty. He’d been working at it for hours.
She enjoyed watching him. He was odd, even among humans. He did nothing partway, a very Mosari-like quality which she approved of. But his reactions to his achievements or failures were always to excess.
As now. He was whooping and dancing around the training module in celebration. It would have been a shameful display for one of Imperial blood, and, given the muted stares from his countrymen, she suspected it might even be shameful to one of Terran blood. It did not stop Jack from being joyful.
“Wonderful!” she applauded him.
He paused in his dance and his eyes sparkled at her. He had never once looked at her with contempt, like some of the others, no defiance. Always a wide-eyed expression of awe and glee. He always strived to please her. “Thank you, your Highness,” he said with a bow grand enough for the Imperial Court.
She smiled. As uncomfortable as his over-the-top emotions made her, she wished she had a hundred more like him.
Notes: No one came to mind for me for this prompt, at least on a personal basis. I thought this felt like a prompt to write an autistic character, but I have neither the experience nor the knowledge to write such a person accurately. So I wondered how we humans might seem to an alien race, and it just so happened to work out that I have an alien race for one of my established story worlds.
I haven’t had much opportunity to delve into Veralis’s character. I know she’s trying her hardest to lead an empire that should be her sister’s, and she is probably more like the humans emotionally than she cares to admit. I think that’s what Faelurion would say about her anyway. And she is impressed by Jack. It’s not a whole heck of a lot to go on, but it’s more than I had when I first started writing this story last fall.
That’s all I’ve got in me for this prompt tonight. Four more to go! Have a great Tuesday! I’ll see you tomorrow night!
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Closet Full of Notebooks 