He shrugged, a human gesture that was becoming quite popular among Thranx, and uttered a confirmatory whistle of agreement He reflected on the gesture and its meaning. We give so much to each other, he thought. Gesture as well as science, habit as well as art. Especially poetry. He smiled inwardly. Two years ago, old Wuuzelansem had fled to wherever it was old poets retreated to, fighting and kicking and disparaging the state of the universe all the way, but not before he’d seen his poetry wildly praised by the very monsters he’d once sought to avoid contact with.

Ryo missed Wuu. Even if they hadn’t seen ommatidia to ommatidia all the time.

A high-pitched whistle sounded from behind. Fal was waiting near the entryway to Paszex. She still would not have close contact with humans. Her trauma was understandable, since they’d been responsible for luring her premate away and forcing him to strike her. She would barely tolerate them.

Toleration first, he told himself. Friendship later. If anything, progress on the latter was ahead of schedule.

To his surprise, he noticed that Bonnie was making eye moisture. Ryo waited to find out whether it was significant of happiness or distress. Water of delight, water of depression, Wuu had called it in one of his poems.

“I’m crying out of both,” she told him. “I’m glad that things have turned out so well and I’m sad that after all these years it’s finally time to leave. I just can’t turn down a university position on Earth. Loo—Loo would have liked the way things have turned out.”

“There’s still a lot of work to be done,” Ryo said. “I’ll retain my position as long as I’m able to help.”

Bhadravati shuffled his feet and said nothing. Conversation had never been the scientist’s strong point Ryo knew. He felt a great sadness within himself at the coming departure of two of his oldest human friends.

“There is no reason to cry, my friend,” Ryo told Bonnie. “We have nothing but reason for happiness. We shall meet again someday.”

Bonnie was too much of a realist to believe that Circumstance and distance, the ancient enemies of acquaintance, would conspire to prevent it.

Nevertheless she replied with a smiling, “I hope so, Ryo,” as she reached out both hands to touch the tips of his proffered antennae. The interspecies gesture was now as automatic as a handshake. Ryo repeated the gesture with Bhadravati.

“These youngsters here,” he said, indicating Asambi and Qul, “will be taking on the truly important work now. Nothing can prevent the deepening of our friendship.” She was still crying and he made a gesture of gentle third- degree admonishment.