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It was almost like watching large children, but even our youngest were not as excitable as the people of Earth seemed to be.
Why did they move so much?
Was the circling some kind of new instinct?
It made them difficult to focus on, like I was fighting to pick out one bird in a large flock, and it made it impossible to sort out their different behaviors. Some seemed to be trying to project strong emotions and others seemed to be trying to hide, but I could not sort them out quickly enough.
Was the hiding one upset or was it the typical range of behavior for them?
All I could guess was that he was trying to project stress or anxiety, but I did not know enough about their behavior to confirm my thoughts.
“I am Raxius, one of the visiting council members. Others will be here shortly to show the people of Earth to their quarters. Can you please explain the situation?”
His behavior indicated frustration but he stayed focused on the male at his side for several long moments.
Wait.
Interesting.
As Toman turned back to me, I gave an appropriate response for the occasion.
“Congratulations on your mating.”
It seemed like an obvious conclusion but conversations around us from the people of Earth sped up quickly again. Their expressions and the way they moved their hands made me think some were excited but others like the hiding one went even more still.
Someone needed to inquire about him.
“Thank you. I will make introductions with my mate once you have a shared language, but his name is Wren.”
Wren.
Wren.
The word was strange but not difficult to pronounce.
“Please extend my congratulations to your mate. I am ready to receive his language.”
Glancing around the room, I made my displeasure clear.
“It seems like more individuals should have already been given the language.”
Wren made another sound that almost seemed like the happy noise he made earlier. There was something different about it, but I didn’t understand enough about them to guess. I also did not understand what would be good manners.
Was I allowed to ask Toman about the sounds his mate made?
What level of interest would be seen as rude or too aggressive?
Toman spoke before I could decide.
“The others are conflicted about receiving the Earth language called English.”
Why?
No.
It didn’t matter.
“I cannot go home until I have met with the people of Earth and gained knowledge. I do not care why the academics are uncomfortable.”
