Qalu was already wearing a traditional swator for warmth as much as anything, as the research facility could get chilly, particularly in the evening cycle, and the suns were already setting. Tomorrow, the light would be a long time coming, as one binary star eclipsed the other every ten intervals, resulting in a short, gloomy sunspan. But she could add coverings elsewhere, and she pulled them over her limbs to prove her good intentions.

“May I?” she asked.

“If you must.”

“That’s not permission.”

Helix emitted a low sound she had never heard from a Tiralan before, and it sent a chill through her with its hostility. “Proceed.” Carefully, she touched him with the material between them, and he regarded the point of contact with an unreadable expression.

“Is that better?”

“I do not mind.”

Reassured, she demonstrated how his body could move, showing him the motion herself, then manipulating his limbs for a more concrete example. In time, he replicated simple gestures, though using delicate or fine implements proved impossible. Finally, he snapped, “Enough.”

While she might have argued, there was no opportunity. A clatter arose outside, proving that her hypothesis about “no interruptions” had been incorrect. Panic fluttered through her. I’m not ready. I didn’t tell him my plan.

“Qalu!” a cheerful voice called.

Oh no. It’s my foremother. Qalu had multiple maternal units, but none of them showed as much interest in her personal affairs as this one.

“Where are you? Fiddling with your gadgets again? I’ve arranged four potential matches. You’ll meet them in good grace or disappoint me severely.”

No time.

Quickly, she said in a low tone, “No matter what I say now, do not contradict me. Do you understand? It is vital you cooperate.”

“Understood,” said Helix, though it was apparent from his expression that he had no idea what she meant.

She turned, widening her eyes to offer a friendly welcome, and she tilted her head forward so her head tendrils fluttered forth in a respectful manner. If she were truly as recalcitrant as her foremother suggested, she would not offer either of these greetings.

Inatol brushed past the niceties, hurrying into the room to display the matches she had selected. Qalu restrained a long-suffering sound. Presenting Helix as a suitor was the only explanation that her foremother might accept with regard to an unknown person in Qalu’s residence. Otherwise, she would insist on sending Helix to clan housing, where he would certainly give away his true nature.

“As you can see, I have already found my own mate,” she said, indicating Helix with a respectful twitch of a forelimb. “We have been corresponding on the galactic matching service, and he has just arrived for us to continue our courtship more directly.”

“My auditory inputs are malfunctioning,” Helix said, a trill in his voice that communicated panic. “As I cannot possibly have processed that correctly.”