Iqi: Arrival

Chapter Four

I like Hermione a lot. She was very helpful during my move to New York City. It was clear that President Tapiwa and the other Council members didn't enjoy her presence here, but despite the hostile welcome she stayed cherry and semi-professional. I say semi because Hermione does this thing the Soenil Handbook refers to as "malicious compliance". It's an interesting concept that I found devilishly delightful, where Hermione would do as she was told but nothing more. If she was told to sign some papers limiting what she could or could not do during her stay with me she would sign them with nonsensical things. Like the name of famous peoples or randoms words. No one would notice until much later.

She was always kind to me. She constantly asked me how I was feeling, if I was hungry, if I wanted to do anything or not do something. It was... pleasant to be coddled in that way. My mother had died when I was only six Earth years old, which coincidentally was the same age Hermione was when mother had been taken. Captain Ki'rnne was close friends with my mother and had promised her to take me to my father on his homeworld. But when my family rejected me he decided he would simply care for me himself. He had, after all, fulfilled my mother's wish of bringing me to my father.

My childhood on the ship was a good one as far as I could tell, I had nothing to compare it too. I got along with the crew and saw more of the galaxy then any child of any other species could dare claim. But sometimes I wondered if I had been missing out on this, on family. Captain Ki'rnne and the crew were a sort of family to me but nothing like Hermione. Hermione didn't hold back praise like Captain Kiernan. Matter of fact she let me know a handful of times a day that she loved me and was happy I was here. It was strange being pack bonded to by a human, the love and loyalty was just as fierce as the Soenil Handbook had claimed.

"Iqi! Guess what?" I was pulled out of my thoughts by Hermione's cheerful voice.

I hesitated for a moment unsure if she truly wanted me to guess or if she was going to tell me in a moment.

She sat next to me on the sofa of our "condo". "Well go on guess!"

I wracked my brain. What could she be excited about? "Hot Pockets?" I asked.

She laughed. "No silly. You're finally gonna be introduced to the public!" There's gonna be an event sort of thing where people can come and meet you! Isn't that exciting?"

I didn't find that exciting at all. More like nerve wracking. I smiled widely. "Yes, it is!" I beamed.

"You're lying Iqi," Willoughby sang. She had a habit of singing some of the words she said. She also had a habit of always being able to tell when I was lying.

Hermione frowned. "What are you nervous or something?"

"A bit. I don't really know how I feel about meeting so many humans at once." I admitted.

Dr. Willoughby placed her hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry about it. There will be less than 200 people in attendance. But it will be televised so that the public can still see you at home."

"Yeah, and if you get tired of shaking hands and kissing ass we can just sneak out the back door," Hermione grinned.

I stared at her unsure if she was joking or not. Dr. Willoughby picked up on my confusion.

"Not kissing ass literally!" She laughed. "It's just a saying that means to flatter or perform favors excessively, especially to receive preferential treatment."

"Ah," I sighed glad that was cleared up. "I was wondering, could you teach me more about these "angels"? I'd like a better perspective on what the humans first impression of me is."

"You don't have to act like an angel Iqi," Hermione smiled. "Just be yourself. People will love you."

"I think he means more like he'd like to understand the culture around this idea that he looks like an angel. Everyone is definitely going to get that impression from him and it's important to know what people think of you," Dr. Willoughby said.