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flattened mouth. Alien noises went in, but comprehensible
Dwarrani came out.
My name is Flinx. I am an intelligent being like yourselves. A single hand
at the end of a single forearm pointed skyward, and a stunned Storra could not
keep from looking for its missing counterpart.
I come from far away, from a world that circles a star not unlike your own.
The alien arm lowered to indicate a leg that terminated in a similarly
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solitary forelimb. I was running, and I ve injured myself. I
mean you no harm.
He did not have to say so. Both Ebbanai and his mate already knew it.
They knew it because they could sense it. How, neither of them could
understand. They had made no contact with the alien s Sensitives. They could
not do this, because it had no Sensitives. Except for the peculiar short, red
tendrils that sprouted somewhat gruesomely from its skull, it was evident that
the alien had nothing of that vital nature to conceal. Yet despite the
creature being Sensitive-deprived, they could perceive its feelings as clearly
as if that myriad of tiny red tendrils possessed the same function and were
presently coiled tightly around their own antennae.
Somehow it was communicating its emotions to them without physical contact.
Ebbanai would have declared this to be impossible, if not for the indisputable
fact that it happened to be taking place. He turned to Storra.
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Are you feeling these these projections, as I am?
Openmouthed, she indicated assent. How can this be happening? She looked
back down at the alien.
I ve never heard of such a thing.
Of course not. Her mate spoke with quiet but unmistakable satisfaction.
It s impossible, remember?
With both of his right hands, he indicated the incongruous creature seated
before them. Just as is the undeniable existence of this being.
She found herself grateful to her mate twice over. First, for having had the
strength of character to persist in his beliefs and insist she come see the
truth of them for herself. And second, for not shaming her with his triumph.
Other females might seek mates with money or reputation: once again she found
herself content to have chosen one whose most outstanding asset was a goodness
of spirit and soul.
Moving impulsively close to him, she flicked her Sensitives against his.
The depth of feeling that passed between them was not lost on Flinx. He
understood immediately the nature of their relationship without having to
inquire.
Despite the additional forelimbs, their movements were somewhat awkward, as if
their lean and willowy bodies did not quite know what to do with the extra
forelegs and arms. No doubt that was just his own alien perception. In all
probability they considered themselves quite graceful. He marveled at how the
quartet of forelegs worked in concert, when it seemed certain every second
step would see them getting entangled and tripping all over themselves.
You two are related, and very fond of one another. He spoke gently into the
translator he held.
Contact between them broke as both regarded him with fresh astonishment.
How how can you know that?
Seeing no reason to withhold information about himself that would never leave
this isolated world, and feeling that revelation of his ability to communicate
on the emotional level could only enhance his stature among natives who did
likewise, he told them.
I can perceive what others are feeling. He gestured with the translator as
Pip stirred in his lap. Just now, you two were expressing the warmest
sentiments toward one another.
While making no effort to hide her astonishment, Storra was also suddenly wary
of this creature. She brushed two hands across her head, pressing her antennae
gently back against her smooth skull. If you can comprehend what we are
feeling, and without Sensitives, then how can we be sure without any kind of
physical contact between us that the emotions we are receiving from you are a
genuine expression of your own feelings?
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Flinx started to rise, grimaced, and sat back down. I d be happy to make
physical contact, but I can t stand up. Once again, he indicated his right
leg. I told you; I ve injured my ankle.
And with only two instead of four to call on for support. Despite the
exhibition of unimaginably advanced technology he had observed the night
before, Ebbanai was moved to sympathy for the creature. When it came to a
proper number of limbs, its ancestry was decidedly shorted.
Storra, I m sure there s no deception here. His Sensitives flicked toward
her but did not reach for contact. Touch or no touch, I m confident the
emotions we are receiving from this visitor are authentic. It s no threat to
us, and it s hurt. All four fingerless, flange-tipped hands gestured toward
the seated figure of Flinx. It makes no threats, though I suspect that if it
wished to do so, it could. It shows no fear. In fact, the only concern I feel
from it is for us and for our state of mind not for itself.
Ebbanai had voiced exactly what Storra was feeling, though she was reluctant
to admit it. As the one who did all the trading and bargaining in the
marketplace, it was natural that she should be the more suspicious of the
pair. Staring down at the Sensitive-less being, she found her eyes drawn to
the device it held that allowed them to communicate, then down to the belt it
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