----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael followed the ambassadors as they walked off the stage, smiling and waving to the crowd as they made their exit. "Well... That was different." Michael said as both Srettia and Ankiah groaned and stretched their arms.

Yirphayen sang in enjoyment as it moved to a nearby lamp. "The small carbon form wished for me to make an album. What is such a thing?"

Michael waved at a nearby assistant as he approached a refreshment table. "It's a compilation of recordings used for sharing music and things. I think the girl would be happy just listening to the sounds you make." Michael said, turning to the assistant. "Yes?"

"The President is currently busy dealing with the... The conference's outcome and apologizes for not being able to be here in person to inform you that the places you requested to visit have been approved. When you wish to depart, please notify Luna command via this communicator." The aide said, handing over a slim device. "They will monitor your position and ensure your safety. Other than that, the President wishes you and the ambassadors a pleasant stay on Earth." The aide fumbled for a moment and eyed the group with naked wonder.

Michael, picking up on this, stood to the side. "It's okay to say hi, they don't bite. Well... Not you, at least."

The aide chuckled, and with a nod, walked up to Srettia, Ankiah and Yirphayen, who seemed to be very interested in the refreshment table. "Um, Hello... My name is Alex. It's an honour to meet you."

Srettia turned to the man and gently bowed her head, placing the small stick of real meat off to the side. "Hello, Alex. Might I be of assistance to you?"

Alex nodded and dug out an ancient piece of paper. "Might I have your autograph? You as well, ambassador Ankiah. I'm.. not sure how I could get Yirphayens on here, but it would make me the happiest man on the planet if you could do this for me."

Srettia eyed the pen and shrugged, taking it and clumsily signing her name. "I apologize if it's not pleasant to look at. your writing instrument is not something I am used to."

Ankiah chuckled as she devoured some cheese, which seemingly had some sort of delicious berry mixed in with it. "I'll show you how it's done." Taking the pen, she masterfully signed her name with a flourish and smiled. "I at least got to pass my writing classes before ending up in space."

Yirphayen rang with confusion and thought hard on how it would copy its carbon friends. Beginning to create an appendage so that it may grip the writing implement, it suddenly came up with a better idea and began gathering a small amount of energy. Yirphayen observed the squiggles on the paper and gently let out a low energy beam, searing a diamond with some squigglies of its own as the others had and happily let out a chime of admiration. "I have completed your task," Yirphayen stated, happy it didn't damage the paper.

The aid smiled and happily took his treasure, stopping to inform Michael he may leave the area whenever the group is ready.

"Well," Michael stated, quickly pausing for a few minutes, so the grown ladies could indulge in the food for a bit longer. "Shall we head home?"

Ankiah happily accepted a bag from a nearby aid and began stuffing it full of food. "I'm almost ready!"

Srettia nodded in approval, and she accepted her own box of food and turned towards Michael. "I may need to change before we head over."

"Mmm. Well, I'm pretty sure they have a fabricator and a restroom on the shuttle. You can probably print yourself off some new clothes and change on the ride over. I can take it slow, so you don't have to rush." Michael replied, walking towards the V.I.P exit.

"That sounds acceptable," Srettia replied, joining Michael as he walked away.

Yirphayen let out a chime of excitement and followed Ankiah, who trailed only slightly behind Srettia. "This will be my first time exploring a mineral formation such as Earth. It is exhilarating."

The group slowly made their way out the back exit to the shuttle, having to stop multiple times to greet representatives of numerous star systems or exchange pleasantries with the over-eager press that somehow found their way into the back. It wasn't until they finally shut the door to their shuttle that both srettia and Ankiah sat and released a long breath of annoyance.

"What's the problem with your people! It's like they were... We are celebrities... I guess that makes sense." Ankiah complained, slipping off her shoes as she sat down.

Srettia began removing the chains around her horns as she walked into the fabrication room. "It was like that when the Terrans found my system. Only the soldiers did a better job at hiding the fact they were over-excited to meet us."

Yirphayen took up a spot in front of Its UV lamp and began entering its rest state, letting out a ring of exhaustion while doing so. "The Terran carbon forms are enjoyable. But I prefer the company of friend Jack to their odd way of speaking."

"It was their first time meeting a real alien. I believe they were rather calm considering the fact people around the planet are wildly celebrating your arrival."

Michael began powering up the shuttle engine and looked around for an internal camera. "Guess you're monitoring the net then?"

"I am. The number of online Hard light rooms and celebration broadcasts is bordering the extreme. A lot of people have ceased their work for the day to imbibe alcohol and other sensory inhibitors."

"Soo... Your people are getting drunk and doing... Drugs, is that right? Are drugs legal here?" Ankiah wondered, looking through the fabricator catalogue for some new clothes.

"Eh... Some still aren't, but most are. The illegal ones are impossible to attain, and no one bothers since they're crazy harmful. It was a long time ago when the governments found it was easier to keep people clean by regulating and taxing it. That way, it keeps things sanitary and safe, and the governments can make a buck to spend on public health and stuff." Michael replied, requesting clearance to leave the hangar.

Srettia smiled as she came upon a catalogue for Aasteran females already in the open database. "Hey, your designers move quick. They already have casual clothes that are near perfect for me!" She exclaimed, printing off some form-fitting pants, a white shirt and a black blazer. "I think they're missing the fact only diplomats wear horn chains, though... Well, perhaps the style might make a comeback with the availability fabricators provide, though."

"There are over four thousand new clothing items aimed at Aasteran females your size Srettia. I do not think it is a coincidence."

Ankiah chuckled as she found new items for Voktlix in the catalogue. "Well, I guess I should help out some poor designer. Can you find the one with the least amount of traffic for me, Jack?"

"I have done so. Moving the items to your datapad now."

"Alright ladies, we're lifting off. It'll take about thirtyish minutes to fly to where we need to go, so don't take too long, alright?" Michael announced, accepting the clearance and powering the engines.

Srettia accepted her freshly printed clothes and walked into the restroom. "I've already chosen my wear, is this appropriate clothing for the first time meeting one's parents?"

Michael laughed and motioned to himself. "I'm still wearing my dress uniform, and if you remember. I met your father in my pilot's suit, so wear whatever you want."

Ankiah chose a quaint outfit called a sundress and printed off some heels to go along with it. "Sounds like that went well. Did your dad kick him out?"

"Srettia's father grilled Michael for information to make sure his daughter would be safe in his hands. Michael was unaware he was in such an interview. It was entertaining."

Ankiah laughed as she made her way over to the fabricator. "That sounds about right for him."

Michael sighed as he locked in his course and began the short flight to his hometown shuttle port. "In my defence, I had no idea what anything was or how things worked back then, alright."

"Story of your life?"

Srettia and Ankiah burst into laughter as Michael frowned. As he had put it, the trip was relatively short for the distance they had to travel. On the way, the crew bantered and redressed themselves. Srettia, choosing casual black pants, a white top, discarding the black blazer she started with, while Ankiah decided to swap to jeans and a comfortable blue t-shirt.

Upon arriving at the North Charbourgphin shuttle port, Michael sent for landing permission and looked over to Srettia, who was busy fidgeting with her buttons. "You've stood and spoken in front of literally billions; what's one more?" He asked, Accepting his clearance and bring the shuttle into the designated hangar.

"I'd be nervous too, ya know. It's your mother, and from what Srettia has told me, she's terrifying." Ankiah blurted from her seat.

"I would not be nervous. If Michael is anything to go by, they should be very welcoming."

Ankiah smiled and stood from her seat as the shuttle touched down. "That's true. But it sounds like his mother likes to play tricks on people." She answered, walking over to Yirphayen and bending down. "Hey. Wake up. We're landing."

"Of that, I am certain. I supposed it would be prudent to be on one's toes."

Yirphayen dug its core deeper into its cushion and let out an annoyed sound, twisting slightly before responding. "I am low on energy and require more rest."

Ankiah frowned and looked around the shuttle. "Hey Jack, can you print out a backpack or something I can carry Yirphayen around in?"

"I have found a suitable backpack that will allow Yirphayen to be carried while absorbing energy from Sol. Printing it now."

As Michael finished parking the shuttle and shutting down the systems, he notified Luna control of his status and received the okay in return, figuring they had already swept the area for any threats. Though Michael knew it was unnecessary, he also knew the safety of the first alien diplomats to visit Earth was of the utmost importance.

Taking Srettia's hand, Michael smiled and dragged her out of her chair. "We still have to drive down to the house. Something might happen that will require us to turn around."

Srettia reluctantly got up from her chair and followed Michael out of the cockpit, stopping to eye Ankiah who was busy stuffing Yirphayen into an odd bag. "Do I want to know what you're doing?" She asked, Mildly amused.

"Yirphayen seems to be low on energy recently. It may need more direct sunlight than we are providing."

Ankiah nodded and finished stuffing Yirphayen into the bag. "Yeah, it seems tired, so I figured I'd just carry it around. It's rather heavy, though." Ankiah replied, hefting the bag onto her back relatively easily, considering Yirphayen's actual weight. "What gives Jack?"

"I have made sure to add grav discs to keep the bag's weight light so it does not hurt your back."

Ankiah finished shouldering the bag and gave a thumbs up to Michael and Srettia, who were currently waiting at the shuttle exit. "Alright, let's go meet the parents, shall we?"

Michael picked up the coms device Jack had printed earlier and stuffed it in his pocket. "Don't want to forget you now, do we pal?"

"I could just access one of your parent's electronics from Luna if it were to come to that. However, I am glad you remembered."

Stepping off the shuttle with Michael, Srettia noticed the distinct lack of people in what should have been a relatively busy hangar. "I guess they are taking security seriously after all, huh?"

"I can smell the stealth troopers in the area. There are a lot of them." Ankiah stated, adjusting the bag on her back.

Srettia scented the air and looked around in shock. "There is quite a bit of them."

Michael shrugged and began to walk to the nearby vehicle rental. "Shouldn't be too surprising, remember the security you have on a military base in your own home system?"

Srettia closely followed Michael as he left the hangar and walked up to some kind of automated counter. "Still, It's interesting."

Ankiah watch as Michael began to scroll through vehicles. and let out an excited squeal. "OHH, I WANT A TOPLESS ONE!"

Michael shrugged and picked out one of the newer grav cars, deciding to humour Ankiah and get one without a top. " Alright, let's go check out the ride."

"Good choice, partner. With this, we could travel basically anywhere we like on the planet without having to rely on a nearby hangar."

Ankiah happily walked over to where the car would arrive, making sure not to shake Yirphayen too much with her enthusiasm. "This will be my first time in an automobile, ya know!"

"You have been in a shuttle multiple times, though. They are quite similar."

"That's where you're wrong, Jack!" Ankiah announced, excitedly watching as the system parked the vehicle in front of her. "With this, I'll be able to feel the wind in my fur and look outside with my own eyes, Not through a display."

Michael accepted the keys and sent a notification to Luna command about where he planned on travelling, being notified immediately that the area was secure and clear to travel. "Alright ladies, pick a spot, and let's be on our way."

Ankiah jumped gently, deciding to place Yirphayen on the back seat and tightly strapping it into the cushion before rushing to jump into the front passenger seat. "ALRIGHT! Let's goooo!"

Srettia, though fighting back her instincts, decided to let Ankiah have this experience and got into the back seat, double-checking that Yirphayen was indeed safe. "How long do you think It'll take to reach your home?"

Michael input the coordinates into the GPS and nodded. "Seven minutes."

Srettia panicked and began gathering her courage as the car lifted off the ground and began to speed towards its destination. Ankiah, not expecting the sensation, began screaming in excitement and terror as the car raced towards its target at a speed neither of the alien passengers were expecting.

Michael, smiling as he handled the controls, paid close attention to his new wife. Noticing her hood was quivering in what Michael knew was nervousness. "Srettia. My mother will already be expecting you. She would have watched the conference, and it wouldn't surprise me if she has her own grand celebration prepared. So here's what you're gonna do. You're going to put on the face of the female who was brave enough to bully an Admiral of a Terran fleet and tease my mother as much as she's about to tease you. Got it!? Because she's a Terran just like any other."

"She's your mother, you idiot! What if she doesn't like me?" Srettia screeched as the car began to slow down.

"Then that's her loss. But I know for a fact the first thing she's going to ask is why you're not pregnant yet, then try to make sure we have alone time to make it happen. Though she'll mostly joke about it if I'm being honest, she knows it annoys me to no end." Michael replied seriously.

Ankiah nervously laughed as Michael turned down a busy road and stopped at a set of lights. "Umm. I'm not the smartest lady in the galaxy, but isn't that impossible anyway? You're not the same species, you know."

Michael shrugged and continued driving as the light turned green. "Dunno, it wouldn't surprise me if there are thousands of genetic engineers working to make it happen as we speak."

"A geneticist on Leda has already found a way for it to be possible though I am unfamiliar with how. I was lucky enough to overhear some talk while we passed a few female Terrans speaking of such a thing and did not mention it yet as I have not investigated it. But, they happened to speak of a nanite treatment while they were expressing the entertainment they derived from playing with the chest of their male Aasteran partner."

Srettia studied her legs thoroughly as the car went silent and ignored the sounds of laughter Ankiah was making as Michael turned down a new road filled with houses.

Michael, on the other hand, nodded and thought deeply on the matter. "Well, At least you know you can bully my mom about it. If she asks you, just tell her to run to the Aaster supermarket and get you some nanites or something." Michael replied with a nervous laugh. "Though it wouldn't surprise me if she hijacked the fold ship and did go get some."

Michael finally parked the car in front of a two-storey grey house with a black trim sporting a flat square top and sighed. Taking a deep breath, he looked back to Srettia and tapped her knee. "You're worrying about nothing. Just go say hi, and you'll understand."

Ankiah popped out of the car and walked around to the passenger seat to pick up Yirphayen. "Look! She's even waiting at the door for you; she's so excited!" Ankiah said, pointing to the woman excitedly waving from the front porch.

Srettia took a deep breath and exited the car. Taking a moment, she exhaled and stood tall, facing the Terran woman looking directly at her with an excited face. "Well, I guess it's now or never."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------