#@hardrocknerd

It was just as I feared. The humans found me monstrous. I was the epitome of the uncanny valley in both of my species. No matter what I wore, how I talked, or how I acted. The way I looked was something that could not be overlooked. Every human we passed was unable to keep themselves from reacting to my presence. Audible gasps, widened eyes and double - no triple glances were just a few of the reactions.

The human meant to observe me was ecstatic as far as I could tell. She stared up at me with an excited glow in her dirt colored eyes. It was obvious she was a scientist, all scientist looked at me that way. She was already jotting notes down about me. Although I could speak English without the use of a translator reading it was very difficult for me. I could make out some words but others were, well, alien to me.

Captain Ki’rnne gave me a look and I stood up straight again keeping my gaze forward and professional. Finally Sarah Campbell stopped outside a large set of doors guarded by armed humans. She spoke to them briefly and they opened the doors. Sarah Campbell and Dr. Willoughby stepped aside and turned to Captain Ki’rnne.

“Please enter here. The Human Council is here waiting for you.”

Captain Kiernan gave her a nod of acknowledgment and entered through the doors first with me at his right side and Fu’knlgt at his left. Fu’knlgt was an Sikknic like Huder. A powerful serpentine species with two front arms and clawed hands. We were told that humans had a complicated relationship with similar smaller creatures to the Sikknic that they called anacondas. While it seemed that the humans had a healthy fear of these anacondas it didn’t stop them from still making a few into pets. Still we were uneasy about how the humans would react to Fu’knlgt’s appearance.

We entered the Human Council room to be greeted by the site of a large round table with humans of different hues and garments conversing. They quieted as we entered and one who stood directly across from us stood.

“Welcome Captain Kiernan, Iqi and Fu’knlgt,” this human was the president of the Human Council, President Tapiwa. I recognized her image from my lessons about Earth. Her skin was an unnatural beautiful brown hue. Her hair hung in small dark braided ropes down her shoulders. She smiled warmly at them.

“We are the Human Intergalactic Council. Please take a seat,” she gestured to the open space reserved for them. There was only really a seat for me, the humans had created a large padded area next to the table for Captain and Fu’knlgt to situate themselves. Captain and Fu’knlgt sat on the padded area and I in my chair. Already I ran into a problem. These seat had a back and there was no comfortable way to sit properly with my wings still folded neatly behind me. I perched on the edge of my seat and ignored the cramping in my wings.

“Thank you for having us President Tapiwa,” Captain began. “We are very glad to be here and discuss the arrangements of Iqi’s stay.”

“Of course,” President Tapiwa sat. “Iqi this is your first visit to Earth, correct.”

“Yes, I’m very excited to be here,” I smiled pleasantly, thinking of how I’d rather be anywhere else.

The human leaders did a better job of hiding their surprise at my appearance then their people, but I could still see the look of shock in their eyes. It was uncomfortable.

“We can’t begin to tell you how pleased we are to have you on Earth. Your mother was a hero to us and to have you here feels as though a piece of her has returned home,” President Tapiwa said opening a file.

“Thank you, it feels good to finally visit my mother’s home planet,” I replied.

“The people you see before you are all from different provinces of Earth,” President Tapiwa spread her arms. “They all and many more offer you residence on their lands, but the choice is ultimately yours. We would like to know your limitations however so we can offer you a list of countries with more habitable climates for you.”

Captain Ki’rnne spoke up. “Iqi can handle most human ranges of temperature but he is still sensitive to direct sunlight. He is well adapted to colder temperatures, the coldest he finds comfortable with no protective wear is -50 degrees Fahrenheit. The warmest he finds comfortable is 70 degrees Fahrenheit.”

A handful of scribes around the room were frantically jotting down the information Captain Ki’rnne was giving President Tapiwa.

“Interesting,” the President said. “Are these your survivable ranges or just the ones you tolerate?” She asked me.

“These are the ranges I find most comfortable with no protective gear. I can survive beyond these ranges with protective gear but I am more tolerant of the cold then the heat,” I said remembering our visit to the Planet Tr’iuvtu. The planet orbited in such a strange way that when we arrived the temperature was ideally cool for me. But within moments of the planet’s orbit reaching its halfway mark the temperature skyrocketed.

I completely lost control of my body. My skin began to lose fluids at an alarming rate, My head felt as if it would burst from pressure, I vomited the little breakfast I had had aboard the ship. The panic to escape the heat was overwhelming. I was later told I was writhing on the ground ripping out my own feathers and clawing at my skin like an animal. If Huder hadn’t gripped me in his jaws and dragged me back onto the ship I was sure I would have perished. I still had the scars on my chest where his fangs had pierced me deep.

I was later told that the temperature had reach only 90 degrees Fahrenheit in human standards. I had been in high temperatures before and not experienced such an extreme reaction. Our medic speculated it was because of how sudden the temperature change was. Xe warned me to be more careful on planets with rapidly fluctuating temperatures from now on.

“I should also add that I cannot tolerate rapidly changing temperatures. My body will go into shock if the temperature rises too quickly,” I said.

President Tapiwa nodded seriously. “We’ll avoid warmer climates altogether than. As for your dietary habits. Do you have any restrictions that you know of? And what are your preferences?”

“I’ve found that I can consume most foods that are known to be eaten by humans and a few of the foods eaten by the Darites.”

“Really!” President Tapiwa exclaimed. “The Darite diet is arsenic based is it not?”

“Yes,” answered Captain Ki’rnne answered. “Is there a problem?”

“No, no. It’s just that arsenic is an extremely dangerous poison to humans so I’m surprised Iqi’s body can tolerate it.”

“I can only eat a few of their foods. If I eat too much in a single sitting I will get ill,” I elaborated.

President Tapiwa nodded. “Of course. Are there any substances you know of that you should avoid?”

“Not that I know of,” I shook my head.

“We try to keep Iqi away from substances that we don’t know how his body would react to,” Captain Kiernan said “Even Darite meals are very limited in his diet to avoid making him ill. Being the only one of his kind we’d rather err on the side of caution.”

“Understandable. Thankfully the Earth has hundreds of different climates so you should still have many choices with regards to where you would like to stay for your visit,” President Tapiwa smiled.

“Where is my mother from?” I asked hesitantly.

“She is from the United States of America,” President Tapiwa said. “Specifically the state Florida which has a very hot and humid climate. I’m sorry but your mother’s home wouldn’t be a good fit for you. However there are different parts of the country that have much colder climates that you may find comfortable.”

I nodded. “I’d like to hear about my options for this country please.”

“Well I can leave the explanation of the USA’s climate to Chancellor Nakano,” President Tapiwa gestured to a male with short straight dark hair who nodded and smiled at me.

“I was under the impression that the Human Intergalactic Council had only one leader,” Fu’knlgt hissed, not unkindly.

The humans tensed at his voice. Even President Tapiwa looked uncomfortable.

“I am the only leader of the Human Intergalactic Council,” President Tapiwa explained. “But the other humans you see around you are the leaders of different provinces of Earth. Earth simply has too many countries and ethnicities so we split our land masses into sections based on population then dispersed thoses section among the 30 leaders you see before you now. Chancellor Nakano is the one in charge of the region containing the United States of America.”

Fu’knlgt simply nodded not wanting to frighten our hosts again.

“I know humans are a diverse group amongst themselves when it comes to belief systems and ways of thinking,” Captain Kiernan changed the subject. “But what is the overall feeling of the public to Iqi’s arrival? And how do you believe they will receive him?”

“As you said, public opinion on a global scale is widely varied. This is mainly due to humans not knowing what Iqi looks like. Humans do not like the unknown, and with no information up until now I’m afraid some humans have come to their own assumptions. However, after seeing Iqi myself I believe the United States population will welcome him fairly well. Their main religion is Christianity after all,” President Tapiwa chuckled along with a few other humans.

I tilted my head to the side confused. “What does a human religion have to do with my appearance?” I asked.

President Tapiwa blinked for a beat as if not understanding my inability to understand. Chancellor Nakano answered.

“Christianity has the belief that their god has helpers called angels. Angels are winged mythological creatures known to answer prayers, protect people, and be very beautiful and clad in white. You bare an uncanny resemblance to these ‘angels’.” He explained.

I touched my own face. “Beautiful?” I asked to no one in particular.

“Yes,” President Tapiwa agreed. “You are very angelic looking. People will respond well to that. But please remember that not all humans are the same so expect varied reactions from them.”

I was surprised to see the other humans in the room nodding in agreement as well. They thought I resembled some mythical creature they found beautiful? They… didn’t find me wrong?

“Of course,” Captain Ki’rnne said. “Will we be permitted to join Iqi for a few days until he get accustom to this planet.”

“Of course! We have many questions for you and your crew as well. Many regarding Maia Floros' time among you as well.”

“Naturally,” Captain Ki’rnne said.

I looked up at him curiously. He never told me much about my mother. The captured human who struck fear into the hearts of those who opposed her. It seemed as though the only thing I knew of my mother were legends. But I wanted to know who she was not what she was.

A loud commotion outside caught everyone’s attention. Shouts and yells could be heard but not understand. One of the guards walked to the door when it suddenly burst open and a young human female with fire for hair stormed in. She took a quick glance around the room, her blue eyes blazing until they met my baffled ones.