Soon, she emerged from the lab, her eyes bright with…curiosity? He had begun to enjoy trying to identify her responses, based on visual cues and the nuance of her gestures. Such assessment demanded complete attention; that was why he always watched her the moment she entered his space. Today, she also smelled different, not the usual mix of chemicals and metallics. The scent was sweet, like cut fruit and fallen petals. Helix took a step closer to breathe in more of that scent.

His pulse trembled, soft and unsteady. Somehow, her appearance struck him as altered, though she wore the same swator. But had she always…. glowed like this, bright and bronze, like some treasure that ought to be painted? Bemused, he glanced away.

“What’s happened?” Qalu was asking. “Are you all right?”

Definitely not, Helix thought.

Aevi launched into a rapid explanation, expressing support for the piece of wreckage that Helix still clutched while also requesting that all shiny objects be received in double quantities henceforth. At the end of the Pherzul’s monologue, Qalu made a quiet sound, head tendrils quivering. Amusement, and oh, it was lovely. She shone with that emotion, and he stared at her, transfixed.

“Perhaps,” said Qalu, but she didn’t get to finish her sentence.

“Hello, my precious daughter,” an all-too familiar voice called.

Qalu froze. Foremother.

“Inatol is here. We’ll talk more later!” Aevi hissed and dashed off to hide.

Then it got worse, as three more charming, musical voices added their greetings. Normally, her mothers notified her before visiting her domicile, but evidently, Foremother had convinced the rest that some oversight was required. I hoped to have more time. But there would be no putting them off, not when she’d already demurred once. Now, they would interrogate Helix about his antecedents and his worthy qualities, and she had no notion if he was ready for this first hurdle.

I didn’t teach him about proper etiquette. I didn’t cover any of the pertinent—

To her surprise, Helix assumed the proper posture on his own and executed a credible respect obeisance on his own with limbs tucked and head tendrils moving the appropriate degree. When he straightened, he said, “Please accept my apologies for not offering my greetings earlier. I forgot myself in Qalu’s company.”

Though he couldn’t mean it, that was such a good impression of the fondness she’d requested that she fluttered a bit. All over. And Foremother caught the response, of course she did, and that resulted in a slight softening of expression. No progenitor could remain stern when someone professed partiality for their child.

“We quite understand,” she said briskly. “Qalu, will you perform the introductions or must I?”

Assuredly not.