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"Did you know I'm supposed to have my tail wrapped around my mate's when we're out in public? It's supposed to be a symbol of a stable home life." Srettia noted, currently in the middle of doing her best at standing straight as a rod with her hod flared in a perfect circle.

"Stable home life, stable work-life as the saying goes, or something like that." Michael replied, observing the stumbling diplomat in amusement. "I think my people used to say something similar. Though we just hold hands in public."

"Oh? Is that why you hold my hand everywhere we go, to show a stable home life?" Srettia replied, continuing her stance and curling her tail downward.

Michael bent over, getting a sneak peek at what Srettia's tail was now flawlessly covering. "Huh, guess that position kind of makes sense now. Nah, I hold your hand because I want to. Can't really go around holding your tail in public now, can I?"

Taking a few elegant steps while holding her posture, Srettia slowly turned her head and shot Michael a grin. "No, but I don't see why I can't wrap it around your arm."

"Hand holding works fine for what you're trying to convey, I think." Michael replied as he held up the data slate to compare the picture to Srettia's posture. "Looks fine to me. What else do we need to work on?"

"Words and etiquette. Things like um... Right! I'm not supposed to fight a female who flirts with my mate; that's going to be a tough one." Srettia replied, turning to walk back down the hall.

"What? I thought it was super common for females to fight over males." Michael mumbled, flipping through the pages. "Ahh, found something...Ohh. Okay, so. You aren't supposed to challenge or fight other females attempting to muscle in on your mate. But if they touch, said mate. You have the right to eviscerate them."

Srettia paused, holding her posture while turning to look at Michael. "Oh, well, that works then. Bit violent, though. I'd rather leave them with a nasty facial scar as evisceration seems a bit much."

"Maybe they didn't want other diplomats seducing mates for secrets and information?" Michael attempted, still reading the passage.

"I don't think so as we're a people who mate for life, remember? I think it's more because of theft. Technically you're stealing heat from the state by touching a dignitary seeing as we're provided with a surplus to keep us sharp. Well, we're supposed to be from what I've read."

Michael nodded and flipped to a new page. "That makes sense, I guess. HA! says here you can get a state-sponsored escort if you're single and require comfort. How does that even work if you guys mate for life?"

"What's an... Ohh... Interesting. I don't think I'll be needing one, though." Srettia said, bending her knees while folding her hood slowly. "This movement is rather difficult."

"Look at you, Miss state-sponsored Heat and booty calls. Guess I'm out of a job now." Michael mused, reading the fine print of the passage.

Srettia bent her neck and stood slowly, taking her previous posture while eyeing Michael in confusion. "Yeah, right. I do not need to call on a booty yet. Whatever that is, I'm sure you can supply an ample amount of it if I do require some."

"Oh, no doubt, we both require some. But I'm not sure it's a good idea with Ankiah in the next room and Yirphayen around. Dude see's through walls after all."

Tripping on her feet from the sudden realization, Srettia quickly caught the rail Michael had put up for her and turned in shock. "I, they have professional mates for diplomats? That is quite odd. I mean, I've heard of such services being available in the wealthier stations, but I am unsure of how that works."

"Alright, well, moving on. Next is taking a seat." Michael continued, deciding to quickly throw a new diagram up on the display as he got up from the chair. "You can use this until we can print a proper chair for you."

Srettia walked over to the chair, keeping her steps proper and her tail curled while doing so. "This, it's like a dance. It sucks."

"Well, let's see it now, no complaining." Michael replied, noticing a pair of eyes peek around the corner. "How's it going, Ankiah?"

"So yeah, do you mind if I join in?" Ankiah asked as she slowly walked into the room. "It just kinda hit me. I mean, I'm just a city girl who wanted a cushy bank job. Now I'm hanging around space Admirals, and I'm going to meet the leader of an interstellar empire and be on television. I mean. Be nice, talk pretty, and smile. That was as far as I got in college. When it comes to etiquette, I might as well leave my tail flapping in the rain."

Michael stroked his chin while Srettia carefully studied the diagram. "Sure, maybe we can come up with stuff just for you. What do you think, Jack?"

"I can think of multiple ways her people could have evolved etiquette based on posture relation of known animals throughout Terran space. I am almost finished with Yirphayen's lesson. Once it is resting, I will assist you."

Ankiah sighed in relief and watched as Srettia elegantly took a seat. "Good, I was afraid of being the only one that kinda just was there, you know? I don't want to send the wrong message that my people are barbarians."

Michael flicked his hand and put some pictures on the main display for Ankiah. "Well, we can try to see how Aasteran etiquette feels?" He said, looking over to Srettia as he compared the picture she was studying. "Tail under the chair... Yup, like, there that looks good." Michael replied, giving Srettia the thumbs up.

"Um. No offence, but Srettia's people are a bit too stuffy for me." Ankiah quietly replied, sneaking a peek at the picture of elegance sitting straight on the chair.

"It comes from being laser-focused on survival. Do not blame their people for being stuffy."

Ankiah raised her hands in defence and shook her head. "Hey, now, Srettia is very calm and caring, I mean. Listen. Besides Srettia, I've met three of her people. Ranarus, who ignored me even though I was throwing myself at him. He didn't even seem to enjoy the fact I was flirting with him. And Ethuci. Who while very handsome with those eyes...."

Srettia nodded and smiled. "He does have beautiful eyes."

"Yeah, well, he was in full control of himself and didn't even bother shooting me a look. I might as well have been dirt on the ground to him." Ankiah continued. "And another Aasteran I ran across was Chrarada. Who I was sure was about to stab me. I don't know why, but I'm sure she was going to stab me. She's terrifying."

Michael laughed and walked over to Srettia. Studying her for a moment, he placed a hand on her lower back and gently correcting her posture before letting out a nod of satisfaction. "I think this is better. Anyway, Ethuci is a nice guy with a lot of shit to deal with. I'll give you Chrarada, though. If you were trying to flirt with Ethuci while she was around, she most likely was about to stab you."

"Oh... Well, that's reassuring. So no flirting with Ethuci, Got it." Ankiah replied, Straightening her back and oddly placing her feet. "I don't think I have the hips for this style of diplomacy."

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"WHAT! There are three of them on Luna!? Right now?! They weren't interrogated or anything, were they?" Union President Roman Arbourt said, letting out a sigh of relief as the report confirmed the diplomats were unharmed and currently residing safely in a suite on Luna.

"Good. Alright then, Let's throw ourselves a celebration, shall we? Get as many planetary representatives as possible here by tomorrow afternoon. I want this done properly. No publicity stunts at all. Just a nice 'Welcome to Earth. We're happy you found your way here.' Party. I want it Proper." Roman stated, opening a new contact screen.

"Call my tailor as well. I want a new suit made, no fancy shit, no tech. Just a regular defensive shield and two colours. That's it. Now, let's see. Make the colours black and white. I'm not sure how the aliens perceive colours." He added, looking over the data on the Aasteran people.

Scratching his chin in thought, Roman smiled to himself. "I think I'll write my own speech and get Edwin to go through it later. I want these words to be my own." Roman quietly listened to the voice of his assistant, nodding his head a few times before smiling. "Alright, Thanks again, Delaiss. Yup, I'll talk to you soon." Ending the call, Roman said as he let out an annoyed sigh.

"Making this about publicity, what a joke. After being the first president to welcome three alien diplomats, I might as well assume that's my peak and retire to the history books." He thought to himself, walking towards his office window.

"Yeah, retirement, that doesn't sound like too bad in this era of peace."

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Fleet Admiral Cohen Ewart sighed as he read the report. "That lady will be the death of me. How could she just snatch up a ship up and expect me to be able to overlook it..."

"Technically, she was within her rights, seeing as the ship bypassed checkpoints." Third Fleet Admiral Aceron stated as he continued looking through the disaster report.

Sighing, Fleet Admiral Ewart nodded. "It's the only reason she still has her job. Otherwise, I would have to act. That lady, I swear."

"Well, look at it this way. We have the new core plans. We have new impulse designs. And... We have that Eaenhreph. The power of that guy... Thing. It? How am I supposed to address a gender-less floating diamond?" Admiral Aceron said, taking a sip of his coffee.

"It or being." The nearby Aide interjected.

"Thank you." Admiral Aceron replied. "Though I am loath to say it. If we can harmlessly harness its energy..."

"No. Denied. It's alive and thinks. We will only proceed with that line of thought if they voluntarily come up with the idea." Admiral Ewart replied, immediately dictating a direct order to the fleet stating so.

"Understood. Apologies, sir. We've barely been in contact with the Aaster system, and they've fixed a major flaw in our core design and improved our impulse engines. I'm excited to see what else comes from our new allies. I sometimes find it hard to keep my imagination from wandering." Admiral Aceron apologetically replied.

"Keep that shit under wraps then. Though it was harmless in just saying it, they're our allies. And we will treat them with the same respect we give our own people, understood?"

Admiral Aceron nodded. "Understood, sir."

"Four hours until Sol space, gentleman. Do you require any refreshments?" The Aide asked, looking through the menu available in the officer's mess.

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Ankiah nervously paced around outside the door. She knew this might happen. She tried her best to prepare herself when she had learnt she was going to Earth without Antigone. But to have one now, on the first day.

"Is something wrong, Ankiah? "

Ankiah rubbed her palms down her sides and meekly nodded. "I. You could say that. I.. I.." Trembling in place, she yelped in terror as the door opened to reveal Michael standing in nothing but his pyjama pants.

"I wondered what that noise was. Do you need anything, Ankiah?" Michael asked, scratching his toned belly.

Ankiah shifted her feet and nodded. Her breaths quickened, and her heart raced. Soon, she found herself fidgeting with her Tail, and she decided to take a risk and ask the question burning in her mind. " I. Ah... Um... Can I sleep with you?"

Srettia crashed out of bed and charged the door in nothing but her undergarments, tossing Michael aside and nearly spitting in Ankiah's face. "LEAVE NOW! You're not welco-"

"Let her finish, Srettia. Something is wrong."

Ankiah winced as tears began to fill her eyes. Gripping her tail tight, she looked the enrage female in the eyes. "I.. Umm. I need... Someone to sleep with... I can't sleep by myself anymore. Not since... I get panicky and can't breathe. It scares me... I don't like being alone in the dark."

Srettia immediately understood the situation and pulled Ankiah into a tight hug, gently rubbing her back. "I'm sorry. You can sleep on my side of the bed. It's pretty big after all." Taking Ankiah by the hand, Srettia led her into the room and plopped down in the middle, patting the side she wanted Ankiah on. "Hurry up. You'll let all the heat out."

Michael Walked into the room and slipped into the opposite side, giving Srettia a quick pat on the butt as she got comfortable. "See, you do care." He whispered, placing his head on the pillow and making sure to face away from Ankiah to avoid any unnecessary problems.

"It's fine. Hurry up before I change my mind." Srettia said, patting the bed again.

Ankiah rubbed her eyes and jumped into the bed, quickly pulling the covers up to her neck. "Thanks... I know it's bothersome. It's um. You know. Thank you."

Srettia nodded and turned towards Ankiah. "Do you have nightmares of... Sorry, it's not really my place to ask."

Ankiah nodded. "Yeah. I don't... I can't really be left alone for too long anymore... I get panicky and, I get scared."

Srettia gently grabbed Ankiah's hand and have it a gentle squeeze. "You're always so happy and energetic, though. I didn't think it bothered you."

Ankiah fidgeted for a moment before taking a deep, shaky breath. "It's really easy when I'm around Antigone. I know she'll keep me safe. It's comfortable around friends as well. I mean. This world is fantastic when I compare it to my people. We barely have what Michael called Ancient petroleum vehicles. Ours still run on steam and coal. The things here... Your people too, They're so cool. You're all so strong and proud, refusing to let destiny take your lives away. Michael. The Terrans. I don't understand how a people can be so friendly." Ankiah thought for a moment, feeling oddly comfortable confiding in Srettia. "This whole world is exciting, so amazing. I get to forget what happened. But when I'm by myself... I remember things."

Srettia pulled Ankiah into a hug, rubbing her back while she sniffled. "You're fine. Let's get some sleep, okay?"

Ankiah nodded and snuggled into Srettia's chest. "Thank you."

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