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"Huh, I have an a'ani friend named Aithar."
"No relation," he says cheerfully. "But they're common names. It's a small universe."
Is it? Sometimes it doesn't feel like it. Most of the time it feels far too enormous and dangerous, especially for a human woman. Maybe a mesakkah alien sees it differently.
Custodian Ainar leads me to a tidy desk and I sit across from him, answering some basic questions. Am I in danger. When was I stolen from Earth. Do I have any relatives that I am aware of that were stolen at the same time as me. I fudge my answers, because I can't tell him that I'm a counterfeit clone. If anyone finds that out, they're supposed to exterminate me. Not that I think anyone on Risda would, but you can never be too careful.
When I'm done with Ainar's questions, he pulls out a card made of plas and scribbles something on it. "This voucher will get you a room and you can stay as long as you like here on Risda."
"I only need to stay a week."
"And if you want, you can apply to have a farm and homestead."
"...for a week?"
He leans forward, his tone delicate. "Most of our clients end up staying longer than they realize."
Oh. I guess that's true enough. The option's there if I want it, I suppose, though I don't see myself as much of a farmer. "Thanks, but I just want a room."
Aithar nods. "If your circumstances change, you just have to ask. Your voucher will be activated after you have your initial meeting with Bee."
"Bee?" I echo. "Who's Bee? I just want to go to my room." Am I going to have to meet everyone in town before they just let me hide away?
Ainar starts typing into his wrist comm quickly. "Bee is a human woman. She works with the refugees to ensure their needs are met. Some do not like to discuss their problems with aliens. I am sending her a message right now." He sounds thrilled about it, too.
I flop back in my chair, frustrated. Why is this so difficult? Everyone is nice, but they also won't let me just go into a nice quiet room and hide for the next week, like I'd planned. My sisters would laugh in my face if they saw me right now. Of course, picturing their amusement makes some of my irritation fade, and a reluctant smile curves my lips. At least once this is done, I'll have some good stories to tell.
Ten minutes later, Ainar jumps up from his desk, all eagerness. "Bee is here. Let me introduce you. Follow me."
I get up from my seat, shoulder my bag again, and follow the eager-to-please custodian out to the front of the office...
...and stop.
"Jesus Christ," I whisper.
Standing in the room is a small woman with rich brown skin and tightly curled hair pulled back in a low ponytail. She's short and curvy and wears a deep blue three-quarter tunic that flatters her figure. That's not what makes me swear.
Behind her? Is a monster.
I've gotten used to the fact that aliens are taller than humans. The a'ani are probably one of the shorter races, and they're still a good foot taller than me in general. The mesakkah are even taller, around seven feet, with their horns making them seem as if they loom over people.
This guy?
Bigger. Broader. Terrifying.
He's ugly, with a hairy face that looks like no alien I've seen, unnatural yellow eyes, and a permanent scowl on his face. His arms are crossed, he's dressed in all black, and he hovers just behind Bee as if he's about to attack someone. I've never been so scared of a stranger in my life, and the urge to race back to Ainar's desk and hide under it strikes me like a physical thing.
"Oh, his name is not Jesus Christ," Ainar says cheerfully. "His name is?—"
"Victor, and he's my husband," Bee interrupts, a pleasant expression on her face. She puts her hand out in greeting. "And he's not keen on people that stare at him."
There's a hint of reproach in her tone and I immediately flush, embarrassed. "I'm sorry," I say, grabbing her hand and pumping it in a handshake. "That was rude of me. I wasn't expecting you to be accompanied. It's nice to meet both of you, Bee, Victor."
Once Bee releases my hand, I immediately put it out for Victor to shake.
He grunts with a sound that might be approval, shakes it, and Bee's smile grows wider. "I heard you're new to Port. Shall we show you around?"
"Actually, I'm not all that new," I confess. "I'm with a ship that's been docked here for a while. But I need to be on my own for a bit. I...well, it's kind of a long story."
"My friend, we love long stories here on Risda." She gestures that I should begin talking and heads for the door. Victor steps forward and activates it, then stands in the doorway protectively, as if he needs to shield Bee from even automated doors. She gives him a tiny smile as she passes and then looks at me again. "You can tell us as we take a tour of the town."
