Iqi: Arrival

Chapter Five

 The applause broke off sharply as the curtains opened and I stepped out into the light. I was atop a giant staircase that lead to an extravagant banquet hall with tables of surprised humans. I didn't know what to do. Well, yes, I did. I had to walk down the stairs, along the wide open space between the tables, climb the stage then give my speech. But I would rather do anything but make that silent journey as the humans gawked at me. I scanned the sea of faces for a familiar face and caught eyes with Hermione. She made a motion with her arms as if telling me to unfurl my wings once again.

I took a deep breath, smiled politely and began my descent, nervously unfurling my wings as I went. Audible gasps went up in the crowd as I completely unfurled them and reached the bottom of the stairs. They began to clap as I walked - slightly faster than President Tapiwa would have liked. I sighed internally, this wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The humans smiled at me when I made eye contact with them and I smiled back at them.

Except for one. She had long dark hair and beautifully smooth brown skin. She had decorated her hair with red ornaments that matched her lips and silky dress. She was beautiful and she frowned at me, her hands reluctantly clapping. I tried smiling at her but her expression didn't change. The human man standing next to her rolled his eyes at her and gave me an encouraging smile as I made my way to the stage.

I began to close my wings as I climbed the stage. The woman who announced my arrival beamed as I stepped towards her.

"Let's give another round of applause for Iqi!" she cheered into her mic.

The crowd gave a roar of applause that quickly died down as I shook her and and gave her a small embrace. She then left the podium to me and the crowd stayed standing waiting for me to speak.

I cleared my throat. "Please sit, don't stay standing on my behalf."

The crowd quickly took their seats eagerly waiting to see what I would have to say.

"Thank you for welcoming me here on Earth and here in the City of New York. I am called Iqi. I am the child of the Human Maia Floros and the Darite Fi'rtnite. As for the moment I am just visiting Earth in the hopes of finding a stable home to settle down on. The welcome I've received here makes me hopeful that my search may have ended. I look forward to living among you and learning more about this strange planet my mother called home. Thank You."

The crowd cheered and clapped for me despite how short the speech was. I was beginning to think Hermione was right when she said they would love me simply for putting on my shoes.

The woman who introduced me came back on stage.

"Thank you Iqi, for being here! We are just as thrilled to have you among us! Now President Tapiwa will..."

The night dragged on like that for about an hour. Different humans of varying importance stood to give small speeches and give me welcome as I sat at my sister's table between her and Willoughby.

Finally the last speaker climbed the stage. It was the girl in red, watching her now I could see she was rather small in stature compared to the other humans. She stood nearly a full head shorter than most but she had this air of confidence that seemed to gather her respect. She approached the podium and for the first time I saw her smile.

"Good evening everyone! My name is Katherine Ahuja and I'll keep this short since I know you all want to get to the eating, dancing and hounding poor Iqi with questions," the audience laughed heartily. "As you all know I am the co-CEO of SOUS a company I know you have many questions about and I promise they will all be answered in the coming months. I suppose I can thank Iqi for providing the well needed distraction my PR people have been praying for."

Again the crowd laughed, I had to smile at the joke as well. Perhaps this girl didn't hate me.

"Iqi before I make you the subject of anymore of my jokes I'd like to say welcome to Earth," she gave a pause as the audience clapped for him once again. "You are a symbol of humanity's ability to survive, thrive and multiply in any situation," the crowd roared at that joke, even Hermione cackled next to me.

"We hope you will choose to stay with us when choosing your own home planet. We look forward to seeing your growth, your humanity but most of all you being really really confused about everyday Earth things," she beamed at him as the audience gave one last roar of applause standing for him as they clapped.

I blushed quietly as they cheered for me excessively. The announcement woman took the stage again.

"Thank you Katherine for an entertaining speech as always," Katherine stopped halfway to her seat and gave an exaggerated bow which gathered more laughter. "Now let's eat!"

The food served as delicious. I enjoyed tasting the different Earth flavors. Hermione and Willoughby managed to sneak me food from their plates as well, against the wishes of the President and Captain Ki'rnne who had elected to stay behind to let me "enjoy" this moment. There were two other people at our table. Roger Jackson who was the CEO of the largest producers of rocket fuel in this country and his wife Mary-Ann Jackson who was very pregnant with their third child.

They were interesting enough but I found it difficult to keep up with the conversation. Hermione, Jasmine and Willoughby were happy to explain things to hme but I didn't want to be too much of a bother.

When the desserts had finally come out I felt a sudden tug on one of my lower wings which cause me to unfurl them in surprise. You could have a pin drop in that banquet hall, I could feel my face burn. I turned around slowly to see a small human child standing frozen behind me her hand still outstretched. We stared at each other for a beat before I saw tears began to swell in her eyes.

I quickly closed my wings and took her hand in mine, trying to think of what an angel would do in this situation.

I smiled softly at her. "Don't be afraid. I'm sorry I frightened you."

She sniffled slightly and looked up at my face. I put my hand on her head and patted her softly. I think humans like stuff like that? She sniffled again but she was visibly more calm. She reached up to touch my ear and I leaned down to give her better access. She smiled at me and touched my nose and her own. I realized she was comparing her different features to mine and smiled back at her.

She pulled back and looked at my wings again. "Can I have one of your feathers?"

I was surprised. I was under the impression that very young humans could only speak gibberish and a few proper words. I was also surprised at the request. Why on Earth would a young human want a piece of my body?!

"Yes," I found myself saying. I opened one of my wings again and fingered for an old feather, one that was due to fall out. I got a good grip on it a plucked it with a wince. I handed it to the girl and she stared at it with awe. She looked back at me.

"Did it hurt?" She asked.

"Only a little, it's like pulling out hair," I explained.

She contemplated that for a bit turning the feather around in her hand. One a moment I thought she might give it back, but what use did I have for it now? Finally she reached into her thick coily dark hair and yanked out one of her own strands. She handed it to me with a smile. I took the little piece of her strange hair and felt an emotion surge up in me that I could not place.

"Thank you," I said quietly holding the hair.

She nodded now that our little exchange was over and wandered back to wherever she came from. I sat up straight examining the little hair she gave me. Did she give it to me because she saw it as equal in value? Or did she do as an apology for the little pain I felt when I plucked my own feather?

"Iqi?" I heard Jasmine say softly.

I looked up at her and abruptly realized that every eye was on me in that moment. Not just every eye, but every camera as well. I could feel the blush rising in my cheek and I carefully placed the hair in my chest pocket.

"Alright shows over, go back to your overpriced desserts everybody," Hermione said.

Surprisingly they listened, but I saw the way they looked at me beforehand. They approved of me, not just me the angelic looking son of hero Maia Floros but me as an individual. Me as a human.