Possibly because it heralded the beginning of her glowing reputation as an incredible innovator in the field of biosynthetic life science. She sang as she put together their meal, creating some with the manufacturer and preparing other dishes with her own hands out of fresh ingredients. Typically, she didn’t take that much trouble over her own food, eating whatever was most convenient, but since this was the first food Helix had ever tasted, it ought to be special.
Soon, she had an impressive spread ready for him to try. Empirically, she knew how much caloric intake he required, but she wouldn’t mention that. He could eat whatever he wanted. But she realized he had no idea how to go about that. His limbs were clumsy and he didn’t know how to use utensils. She’d never considered how many basic tasks would require a tutorial, but he might get annoyed if she tried to explain.
Quietly she demonstrated, picking up the scoop, and after a brief hesitation, he copied the gesture with impressive dexterity for one who was unaccustomed to performing such tasks. Qalu nudged a dish toward him–her favorite, roast nornroot in a seasoned sauce. She watched his expression as he ate and the dawning wonder as the taste flowered for him, subtle and soft at first, with a heat from the various spices that bloomed over time, gaining complexity and savor.
“This is…” It was endearing the way he simply stopped speaking when he lacked the capacity to articulate what he was experiencing.
“Delicious?” she suggested.
“I lack any basis for comparison, but I… like this. Very much.” With greater enthusiasm, he tackled other dishes, making faces now and then—he didn’t care for the stewed algae at all—but he always went back to the roast nornroot.
“So do I. It’s my foremother’s recipe, and she programmed my manufacturer personally, as if I can’t input the proper ingredients and ratios.”
“I am unable to evaluate this statement for accuracy, as I have no progenitors.”
“You’re not acquainted with the one who created your initial…” Now Qalu hesitated, wondering how to phrase it in a respectful manner. “Neural matrix?”
“That information is unavailable to me.” His head tendrils quivered, possibly an instinctive expression of confusion or distress.
Since he had a Tiralan body, those gestures would come naturally, even if he didn’t realize the significance. “Would you like to know more about your creator?”
“I… have never thought about it–never questioned my antecedents. It’s common on Barath for affluent households to have an AI manage the smart habitat. I was fortunate to be valued for my conversation and companionship as well.”
“It sounds as if you were happy there. The situation must have changed, or you wouldn’t have left.” Qalu wouldn’t pry, but she was curious. Not that he seemed to possess the most critical piece of information: why he’d crashed on Tiralan.
“I would prefer not to provide more details at this juncture,” he said, as if he feared she would insist.
“Your secrets are your own. I’m here to help, not to break your defenses. Safeguards are present for a reason. When you trust me more, you will share of your own free will.”
Helix regarded her in silence for so long that it was unnerving, not least because he was too damned attractive. “No one has ever expressed a desire to earn my trust.”
“That’s regrettable,” Qalu said. “As it’s the most crucial part of a relationship.”
“It’s a pity none of this is real. I truly had no idea that my imagination was sufficient to conjure up such savory delusions.”
“I’ll try to make your stay enjoyable.” She didn’t address his assertion that he was inhabiting a fantasy. Eventually he would accept his new reality.
He’d already adapted quite well to his new physical form, all things considered, but it would be so awkward when she had to teach him about other biological requirements—oh. Perhaps there was a solution. Before clearing away the remnants of their meal, she brought a holographic reader, loaded with some key facts about Tiralan physiology, such as fecal evacuation procedures and the system developed to dispose of it. No matter how dedicated she was to her work, she couldn’t bring herself to offer a more interactive tutorial.
Qalu hurried away, leaving him to scan the information. By the time she stored the food, he was visibly agitated. “Are you telling me I must do…that? Regularly? Forever.” Such an aggrieved and horrified tone. His head tendrils drooped, a palpable aura of misery about him. “How often?”
It would be so inappropriate to reveal her amusement, but she struggled to quell it. “Yes, yes, and it’s impossible for me to say. Your biological cycle will be unique, though it will certainly depend on your alimental intake.”
“I will never consume anything again.”
An adorably childish declaration, and she had no intention of arguing, though she predicted when he got hungry again, he would change his mind. “It’s late. Let me show you to your personal space.”
Qalu didn’t often have visitors, but sometimes one of her altmothers argued with her foremother and retreated to Qalu’s residence until the quarrel cooled. There were no particular parameters on Tiralan for familial units, and four strong-willed femmes formed Qalu’s foundational nurture-bond, so occasional conflict was unavoidable. Brimming with nervous anticipation, she tried not to hover as she led the way.
Any Tiralan visitor would find this space calming, as it was free of color and distraction, light as the only adornment, but she wondered how Helix felt. Perhaps he would prefer more objects, though of what type, she had no notion. Just as she was about to inquire, he said, “This is to be my domicile?”
“Yes.” She hesitated, reluctant to leave, but there was no reason to stay.
“Do you have an AI to assist with household tasks? If so, it would be polite for me to introduce myself before I withdraw.”
Qalu’s head tendrils shivered over how charming that offer was. “I don’t, currently. There’s Aevi, of course, but tomorrow is soon enough for you two to meet.”
Aevi must know she had a visitor by now, but she tended to be standoffish with strangers, so she was likely hiding in Qalu’s quarters. Hopefully she wouldn’t startle Helix by coming to inspect him during the sleep cycle.
He spun so quickly that Qalu almost reached out to steady him, drawing back only as she remembered her promise. “Did you say Asvi?” he asked.
“No, Aevi. Why?”
“It doesn’t signify, just more of my mental caprice. Thank you for the hospitality. It will be unique to have my own space.”
“This is the sleeping platform. I’m sure you’re familiar, but if you aren’t, adjust the temperature settings here. I like to be toasty, but I’m usually wrapped in my swator as well, so I set it a bit lower.”
“That’s what this garment is called?” He plucked at the folds enveloping him, and the motion drew her attention to the sea-gleam of his scales.
Stop. You will not be improper with one who relies on you.
“Yes, it’s traditional on Tiralan during eclipse season. The gloom lasts for a long time, every ten-span, and the darktides are long.”