Qalu glanced at the flashing sign, glowing in a quick succession of colors and shifting to various languages until it displayed one that she could read—Volant’s Fabulous Spectacle. She flashed a surprised look at Helix, marveling all over again at how handsome he was. Now, when she looked at him, she no longer saw the perfect prototype from a lifetime of research, but his intelligence, his sweetness, his endearing awkwardness, and eagerness to learn.

“It’s supposed to be incredible,” he said. “The documentation guarantees that we will never forget the awe-inspiring menagerie they have assembled for our viewing pleasure.”

An entire complex had been rented to display these marvels, and Aevi bounced off Helix and scampered toward the entrance. “I’m interested! Let’s go see.”

She raced after the Pherzul, not wanting to lose her in the crowd. There was a throng of interested beings clustered at the front of the exhibit. Helix snatched Aevi up before she could wedge herself inside, bypassing proper protocols. The Pherzul let out a sulky hiss, but she settled, apparently deciding to wait, if not patiently. At the front, Helix seduced a positive result from the agent’s equipment, earning them the right to pass onward to view the wonders within.

The hall was dark with soft silver lights sweeping various enclosures. Qalu had no idea what to expect, and there didn’t seem to be a set order for viewing. Aevi had no such compunction; she squirmed free and bolted while Helix threw Qalu an alarmed look and then they both chased her, not seeing much as they ran. Surprisingly, Aevi didn’t go far, but her tail swished in puzzlement when she stopped before a crystalline case set up as a habitat.

“That’s not Bojak,” the Pherzul said, cocking her head. “But…smells similar.”

Helix approached the display, wearing an expression that Qalu judged to be surprise. “She’s human. Like Beryl Bowman. I’ve encountered three so far… I wonder how many have been taken?”

Since he didn’t seem to require an answer to his question, Qalu studied the female instead. “Does she resemble Beryl Bowman?”

Helix hesitated. “I do not believe so. In all honesty, in my prior incarnation, I paid little attention to physical details, so I cannot be certain.”

The human moved around in her enclosure, not seeming bothered by their observation. In fact, she acted like she had no idea she was being watched. Was that part of the attraction? Perhaps viewing was possible from their side only? If so, Qalu didn’t enjoy the sense of invading the human’s privacy. Now, she was eating while fiddling with some entertainment device. But if Qalu hadn’t encountered Bojak already, she conceded that she might equally as fascinated as those crowding around the exhibit.

“No head tails. No talons. Not even a pseudopod. Look how soft it is!”

“Turn on the narration!”